May 15
The idea of aluminum based compounds and parabens seeping into my skin got me to switch to Tom’s of Maine deodorant a couple of years ago. Now, the idea of rubbing petro-chemicals (found in Tom’s of Maine) into my skin has started to bother me. So, after finding a recipe for homemade deodorant on Apartment Therapy last week, I decided to give it a try.
May 10
Around two months ago, my parents bought a house along the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania and New York state border. Much like my current home, it’s a fixer-upper, only much more so. It has loads of potential and is situated on breathtaking land. My parents got this house so our whole family could spend more time together, whether we’re hiking, kayaking or just relaxing by the fire. We’ve been there as many weekends as possible to work on the house. Expect lots of design and renovation projects from this place, but for now, here’s an introduction.
{view from the second floor family room}
May 9
When my husband and I bought our house two years ago, we knew that we were going to completely renovate the kitchen. But, because our house is quite a fixer-upper, we didn’t know when a kitchen renovation was going to take place. In the interim, we had to do something to make it livable. With a budget set at $600, we picked the most important and economical features to fix. This meant that appliances, counter tops and cabinets were off the list. But, we made a substantial visual impact by changing paint, fixtures, lighting, and flooring. And, we made a substantial functional impact by creating a work space from a previously unused area.
I’ve been looking for new lighting for my bedroom, and living room and guest room…pretty much everywhere in the house. Here are some lamps and fixtures that absolutely inspire.
{Shirley Fintz lamp from West Elm}
May 7
After reading the book, No More Dirty Looks around two years ago, I’ve been acutely aware of the chemicals in my cosmetics and cleaning supplies. Since then, I have steadily been replacing my chemical laden everyday items with more natural substances. In addition my interest in decreasing the environmental effects of these items, I am also generally pretty sensitive to fragrances and artificial dyes so I try to stay away from them. One simple way to reduce your chemical exposure and save some money is by making your own glass cleaner.
So Pretty is as Pretty Does. 