Where to Recycle Batteries and Lightbulbs in Houston

Batteries and lightbulbs are two common things that often need recycling. You never know just how many batteries and lightbulbs you actually go through. I feel like I won't have any that need to be replaced for a while and then all of sudden it seems like a lot of things need batteries and/or lightbulbs replaced.

I have had the hardest time in Houston finding who will recycle what and where.

Many recycle centers have told me household alkaline batteries like AAA, AA, C, D, etc. can just be thrown in the trash because they are considered safe to throw away. I just feel so bad doing this because I have recycled them forever.

Here are several recycling centers in the area that take different things.

• Batteries and Bulbs: http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-batteries-plus-recycles.aspx and http://www.batteriesplus.com/t-light-bulb-recycling.aspx (this is my go to place when recycling alkaline batteries and lightbulbs)
• This is a great resource of various recycle places in the Houston area: http://www.ehow.com/how_7598937_recycle-batteries-houston-texas.html
• Home Depot: http://www.ecooptions.homedepot.com (bulbs and batteries)
• Lowe's: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Recycling_368967519_ (bulbs and batteries)
• Waste Management Battery Recycle Kit: http://www.thinkgreenfromhome.com/Batteries.cfm (this is something you can purchase and send it in when it fills up)
• Ikea: www.ikea.com (CFL bulbs)
• Montgomery County Recycle Center: http://www.precinct3.org/recycling/

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How to Plant Succulents

This is post I meant to post last year and never got around to it. 

I have always been a lover of succulents. We had them as center pieces at our wedding a) they looked great b) they are cheaper than flowers c) they last longer than flowers. 

My grandmother has always had a succulent garden for all my life and my mother in law has grown a ton of succulents. 

We recently tried starting a succulent garden at our new house, but the yard people keep stepping on it or something. I need to put a sign for them, so they know not to disturb it. Luckily several succulents have actually survived pretty while despite all that. I decided to plant succulents in various pots that I had got at ikea, or got at the hardware store and leave them in our garden window in our kitchen.

Here is what you will need:

• Succulents
• Pots / containers or if they are going in the ground
• Cactus soil
• Rocks (optional)

You decide if they will be in the ground or pot, put soil in, plant succulent, and top with rocks. Super simple. They need minimal water, just every so often. I put several cubes of ice every week or if I forget to do that I take them to the sink and run them under the water for a few seconds. 

The succulents have thrived in our garden window and look great!

You can purchase succulents at places all over Houston. 

• Cactus King off of IH-45 (they have a TON)
• Bucchanans 
• Joshua's in the Heights
• Kroger's 
• HEB
• Whole Foods

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Earth Day Events in Houston

Since Earth Day is drawing near, April 22, many places throughout Houston are starting to have various Earth Day events.

Here are some upcoming events:

• April 11 Earth Day Houston: http://www.earthdayhouston.org
• April 18 Houston Arboretum Earth Day Celebration:https://houstonarboretum.org/events/earth-day-celebration/
• April 18 Urban Harvest Earth Work Day (volunteer event): http://urbanharvest.org/2015-earth-day-workday
• April 18 ConSERVE Houston Earth Day (volunteer event): http://www.thesca.org/earth-day-houston-2015
• April 19 Houston Zoo Party for the Planet: http://www.houstonzoo.org/earth-day/
• April 25 Exploration Green Earth Day (Clear Lake): http://www.explorationgreen.org

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Made in the USA + Eco: The Honest Company

I have been using The Honest Company for several years. I love that all their products are eco and are made in the USA.

Although, I do not have any children yet, I buy their diapers for the umpteen amount of baby showers I go to. They have always been a hit and they are eco. They have so many cute and different prints on the diapers. Their travel wipes are great for on the go.

I have used the veggie wash for a while and it seems to work well compared to other veggie washes.

I just recently bought their lavender-vanilla linen spray. Back in high school I had some lavender-vanilla linen spray from Bath and Body Works that I broke. It smelt amazing and wasn't over powerful. I have smelt many other linen sprays throughout years and nothing compared to the original one that I liked. This Honest Company one is the closest thing, plus I am sure it far more eco.

I thought I would try their toothpaste too, but I am not a fan of that one. Can't win them all.

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Inspiration Book Organization

I have been saving magazine clippings for years and years and years. I subscribe to far too many magazines, but I read everyone cover to cover. Plus, it is great research for my clients and I can stay on top of things. One day I will have to tell you guys all the magazines I subscribe to, it is wide range.

I have had these inspiration books I made many years ago from the magazine clippings and always flip through them for many things whether I am looking for organization tips or gift ideas. This was well before Pinterest came around. About 4 years ago or so when I started working with a new client and I saw that she did the exact same thing I did. For me it is a whole process. I love these books and reference them a lot.

This is what I do:

• I dog ear the pages I want to rip out. 
• Every month or two I go through the past magazine issues and tear out those pages.
• I put them in a folder until it becomes full and should deal with it, which is every 4-6 months or so.
• If something needs to be cut out of a particular page I cut it out
• I get sheet protectors and put the tear outs in those or the small pieces I cut out I glue on a plain piece of paper and make a collage type page. 
• I put the sheet protectors in the respective binders. 
• I have tabs on each section like organization, eco, gift ideas, travel, home, etc. 

This is my client's inspiration books

This is from my client's inspiration books

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Made in the USA: Post-it Notes / Products

Post-it products are something that I use all the time in my office, personally, and with clients. Below are the products that I use most often. I have been using post-it products to help me stay organized for years. Since I am a visual person, I love all the different colors because it really helps me distinguish between different projects and tasks. I know that it is not the most eco thing because of so much paper use, but you all know by now that paper is my eco downfall. 

What I love about this acrylic cube is that it goes with some of my other office products. When I saw it at Target I knew I had to pick it up. I love that there is a lid too. Plus, if I ever decide to use it for something other than post-its it is great for all kinds of things like paper clips, staples, rubber bands, etc.

These flags I use all the time. Whether it is for page marking in books that I am reading or knowing where to sign a document. 

I LOVE these recycled farmers market edition of post-its. They are by far my favorite color combination, plus they are made from recycled paper. How cool is that. I use post-its all the time to make quick notes or the help me stay organized in my planner. 

These types of tabs are great for so many different things just like the tabs above. I use them a lot for my meal planning binder and for my inspiration binders (post coming next week about these). 

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CLOSED GIVEAWAY: Skin Cleanse by Adina Grigore

This is an awesome giveaway for Adina Grigore's book, Skin Cleanse. I meant to post this yesterday since it was the last day of National Reading Month, but I only got around to posting it on Instagram. This book has some great tips and is easy to read. Good luck!

See this #AmazonGiveaway for a chance to win: Skin Cleanse: The Simple, All-Natural Program for Clear, Calm, Happy Skin. https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/92d7ee0f5e239c04NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Ends the earlier of Apr 7, 2015 11:59 PM PDT, or when all prizes are claimed. See Official Rules http://amzn.to/GArules.