Factual Friday

Did you know?

If just 25% of U.S. families used 10 fewer plastic bags a month, we would save over 2.5 BILLION bags a year

Do your 1thing this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us, and while you’re probably thinking about giving wonderful gifts for the special people in your life, there’s almost no better time of year to consider the environment with every gift you give.

With that in mind, [1THING] proudly presents some tips for green holiday gift giving.

1. Not more clothes! Remember when you were young and your parents would wrap school clothing as gifts for you? Remember how you hated that? You didn’t want more clothing – you wanted toys and fun stuff. Well, chances are, you still don’t really need more clothing, and the people on your gift list don’t either. So, scrap the clothing idea and give something else. Consider instead giving tickets to a play, symphony, or other cultural performance that your special someone truly will appreciate.

2. Donate. Does someone on your list love dogs? Why not give a donation to an organization that not only loves dogs, but protects and rehabilitates them. Consider donating to the Oregon Humane Society, or another of the American Kennel Club’s dog rescue organizations.

3. Good Food Is Always Appreciated. Instead of a tired old gift of slippers or some other needless object, why not give someone a gift certificate to one of the Portland area’s fabulous restaurants? Many great restaurants sell gift certificates at half-price – meaning you can pick up $50 worth of restaurant credit for just $25 – and our favorite site for these half-price deals is Portland Perks. Check it out and you’ll be giving that foodie something they really crave, as well as saving some green.

4. Give A Tree. Trees improve our lives in countless ways, from creating more comfortable surroundings to adding value to our homes. Friends Of Trees is a local organization whose mission is to bring people in the Portland-Vancouver metro area together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces. Their Neighborhood Trees program enables homeowners to buy discounted trees to plant with their neighbors at weekend plantings.

5. Give A Championship. The Oregon Ducks have just earned a shot at the BCS National Championship. And like [1THING], the Ducks are green too. So, why not give your Ducks fan a championship experience? We’re not talking about sending them to the game; how about giving the commemorative 2010 Oregon Football DVD that recaps their just-completed amazing season? Word is the UO Athletic Department is releasing this commemorative DVD on December 13, just in time for the holidays.

Want more green gift ideas? Visit www.1ThingPDX.com!

End of Summer Read

NO MORE DIRTY LOOKS: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetic is an exciting new book from journalists Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt.

Your lipstick. Your nail polish. Your conditioner. Most of us don’t realize that the products we use every day can expose us to thousands of chemicals that are readily absorbed through our skin. The impact on your health? It’s not pretty. In this must-read new book, Siobhan O’Connor and Alexandra Spunt leave no bottle unturned. They found out all kinds of things the cosmetics industry doesn’t want you to know, and now they’re going to share it with you.

• The most dangerous ingredients in widely-used brands— and how they’re still not regulated
• Insider secrets from top scientists, dermatologists, and experts
• The 100 best clean makeup, hair care, and skin care products
• Cheap and simple do-it-yourself beauty recipes

It’s easy to make the switch to clean cosmetics. From mascara to moisturizers, shampoos to sunscreens, No More Dirty Looks will help you detox your regimen. Now you can be beautiful inside and out—because coming clean is the best look yet.

The Pledge

I found an amazing website/blog: http://wardroberefashion.net/ I'M TAKING THE PLEDGE! Join me!


The Pledge

I __Keri A. Harker__ pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed__KERI_.

The Rules

1.
No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
2.
In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
3.
You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encorouge others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
4.
You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

And away we go!

xoxo Keri

Shop Smart for Vintage Clothes

Shop Smart for Vintage Clothes

Tip of the Week:

Back to school shopping can be expensive, here's a quick tip to help you along the way!

Check resale shops and your friends’ closets! Several high-end resale shops have opened in the past few years, offering good deals on children’s clothing. Remember that kids grow quickly, particularly younger ones. Checking a children’s resale shop or even swapping clothes with friends who have younger or older children can result in a fresh wardrobe at a fraction of the price.

Happy Shopping,
Keri

Factual Friday

When you make a purchase at a consignment or thrift store, you avoid both the disposal of that item as well as the resources needed to produce any new item you would have otherwise purchased. Nearly two quadrillion (REALLY??) pounds of used clothing is thrown away each year, often in very good condition, which works out to nearly 67 pounds per person.

You can save significant amounts of money at thrift and consignment stores, especially for high-end brands.

Saving $ + saving the planet= HAPPINESS

:) Keri