Ways to "Green" Your Halloween

Below are some tips for a newsletter I wrote a while back for ways to green your Halloween. There are so many big and small things you can do, but here are a few of them.

•       Make your own costume by using material you already have. Put twist on an outfit you may already have.  Buy one from a resale shop
•       Even though it may cost more, buy organic make – up from places like Whole Foods it is so much better for your skin
•       Buy biodegradable house decorations at your local farmers markets
•       Buy fair trade and organic candy like chocolate, lollipops, and jellybeans
•       Use soy candles
•       Choose to carry a reusable bag instead of the plastic pumpkins. I love FEED Projects Halloween burlap bag

Websites to get organic and fair trade candy:

www.yummyearth.com

www.chocolatebar.com

www.bettylousinc.com

www.jellybelly.com

Sources:www.planetgreen.discovery.com; www.greenhalloween.com

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DIY Skeleton Wreath

Once again I saw something on Pinterest and wanted to create it. So I tried this skeleton wreath. This project went much better than the pumpkin project. I got the skeleton already glittered up at the dollar store and the wreath and ribbon can be found at your local craft store. I had the gold spray paint, so I painted the wreath. This project was done for less than $5.

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DIY Chevron Pumpkin

Last year I saw this post on Pinterest on how to make chevron pumpkins. Needless to say mine didn't turn out nearly as good as I wanted it to, but I still displayed it on the porch anyways. The taping off of the pumpkin was such a bitch to deal with. By the time it was time to do the second pumpkin I said screw it and returned the pumpkin back to Michaels. I really do love the look of these pumpkins and possibly I will try again in the future. Maybe you will have better luck with the pumpkin. 

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Halloween Cards

Anyone who knows me knows I love sending mail. I know it is not the most eco thing, but like I have said before paper is my vice. I love getting mail and sending it. Who doesn't love getting mail. 

This year I got cards from Hallmark (they were available and inexpensive). If my local stationery store had the Rifle Paper Co. Halloween cards in stock, I would have gotten them probably because I love their cards plus they are printed in the USA. I got some washi tape to use as a seal since I usually use a seal on all my letters. I used stamps I already had. I hope my family and friends enjoy them.

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This & That: Russell + Hazel Mini Binder

I have been obsessed Russell + Hazel mini binders for a long time now. I love that they use recycled materials and are made in the USA. I am loving this colorful new binder from them. 

Here is some others that I have as well.

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Organizing Taxes

Organizing tax information can be such a draining thing for some people because there can be a TON of paper work involved, especially for self employed individuals. Here is how I like to organize taxes (pictures below), I actually have several different clients that use this exact system and I recently switched to this way as well (not really sure why I didn't do it sooner). I help others get organized all the time and by the time I get home sometimes I'm just too tired to think about what I need to do at home. 

What you need:

• Half file boxes that you can find at an office supply store
• Hanging files that you can find at an office supply store
• Label Maker
• Taxes (of course)

It's super easy to put together if your taxes are already divided up by year. 

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The Weekend

Happy Monday! Hope you had a great weekend. Bryan and I came home from ACL last night. We were originally going to come home today, but decided to leave early. We were sad to leave Austin because unlike many other times we go to ACL this time was really relaxing for us. We tried new restaurants Walton's and the famous Franklins BBQ (we waited 2 hours in line) and it was all delicious. Now onto fall festivities.....

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