It's interesting to me that almost a month has passed and this really hasn't been a stretch for me. Of course, I have always been a garage-saler/go-through-your-curbside-leftovers/thrift store shopper. I like used stuff. So I'm not terribly surprised.
So far the main shift in my thinking is about plastics. For example, when I moved back in March I decided to reuse my Ziploc bags. They're really expensive, and sometimes they were barely used at all, and I'd just throw them away. So I started washing them with the rest of my dishes and drying them on my dish rack. Since I've started this project, however, I've avoided using my Ziploc bags completely. I still have some in my drawer, but why put half an avocado in a Ziploc bag when I could use a piece of Tupperware? Incidentally, I only have two pieces of store-bought Tupperware. I also have an abundance of clean sour cream containers and mustard jars in my cupboard. It's basically the same thing as Tupperware, and totally reusable. And I'm recycling more. I have to confess, I wasn't great about it before I started doing this. It wasn't totally convenient to me because I didn't have a container for it, and my apartment complex doesn't have recycling bins. But the two buildings next door to me do have recycling bins out most days of the week, and I took the bucket I was using for dirty dishtowels for my recycling. Voila. I was just being lazy before. Cause here's the thing. I figured what's the point of consuming less if I'm still throwing away bottles? This is a no-brainer, but I just needed to really think about it, and then start doing it. FYI, I also stopped using paper towels. I use rags instead when I need to clean-usually it's cat vomit I'm picking up.
Through the magic of asking the universe for what I want I came by a bike. I put it out there on Facebook that I wanted a used bike. Then I asked my neighbor if he knew where I could get one, and he gave me one that he's not using. It needs new rims and tires. His stipulation was that I fix it, and then ride with them. Pretty good deal!
And I'm pleased with the fact that I made it happen by asking for it. I could use that lesson in my career in a big way. In fact, that's kind of the lesson of the blog. So I haven't gotten the new rims yet, but I plan to take it to the Bike Kitchen this weekend, where they'll teach you to work on it yourself and might have used parts. So that's cool, I'll be sure to update. Riding it is a scary prospect (lest you forget I chipped my two front teeth in a bike accident), but I'll cross that bridge (hopefully on my bike) when I come to it.
I was rather puzzled recently about getting a new toothbrush. I used to have a Sonicare, but it wore out. It seems like a good idea because it lasts so long, but I'm not really into gadgets. And I'm not the type to go out and buy one. Trader Joe's supplied me with a toothbrush recycled from yogurt cups though! And the packaging can be used to return it to be recycled!
I also scored a razor by the same brand at Whole Foods.
I was in Boston this week, and got a pair of earrings made by my friend's roommate Nicole. Luckily this falls under supporting fellow artists, because it didn't cross my mind not to get a pair.
She made these earrings by hand, and I love them. She's a super talented artist, her room is filled with all sort of interesting hanging pieces, and prints and beautiful mounted insects. I encourage you all to check out her website: www.nicolecolella.com. Buy her jewelry!
I did have a moment or two of distress at the airport when I questioned whether I really wanted to read the books I'd brought, but I just didn't go in the bookstores. Those books are overpriced, and I don't need them. Suck it up!
Okay, so for those of you who have made it this far, this is where it gets interesting. I have a dilemma: I want a vibrator. I haven't had one for a long time, but now I kind of need one. (Sorry if you're reading this Mom, I don't mean to embarrass you.) So I can't decide if this falls under toiletries? It seems like I ought to try to find one made of recyclable materials, but that seems kind of gross, right? And yet, recycled products like plastic bottles have to be sterilized or whatever, so is it really that different? Obviously a straight-up used dildo is out of the question (ew). I have also considered the fact that I've made it this far without one... I guess it bears research.
I'm just being me here, folks. Keep it respectful. xoxox
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