Summer is heeeeeere. Woohooo. A time for garden parties, sandals, poolside fun, picnics, fun days at the beach, sailing and lots of sunshine. This also causes most of us to buy plastic-y things on impulse, a major no-no.
If you’re like me, all this excitement can bring out the shopping beast in you and can lead to over consumption of necessary things like unicorn pool floaters, parasols in rainbow colors, all things mermaid ( for my inner child, of course), skin protection products that often come in attractive shades and aromas ( I’m talking to you Bain de Soleil and Hawaiian Tropic) plastic beach toys ( sadly often sold, and left behind, on the beach or by the lake), popsicles in plastic wrappers, flip flops, brightly colored picnic napkins, and so much more.
Hey listen, I’m not trying to shame you ( or me.) A lot of this stuff is attractive and fun. But as we all know, too much of a good thing can be…excessive and bad for Mother Nature. These days, I always take the time to ask myself the not-so-fun but necessary questions: is it useful? Will I use it at least 30 times? And is it harmful to mother nature? This leads me to putting a lot of stuff back on the shelf and emptying my shopping cart before pressing the purchase button.
Mother Nature needs us to live more simply in order to regenerate herself. But…this does not mean to throw away your passion for fashion, au contraire.
It means being more creative with what you already have, with what you buy and where you purchase it. As I have mentioned many times before, most of my clothes and home accessories are purchased second hand. I find the most incredible treasures in second hand stores, consignment and thrift shops. It’s amazing! I recently found the most gorgeous pink strapless princess-like evening gown. I’m just waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it. 😉
To add a little pizzazz to your summer wardrobe, home and beauty routine, here are some fun suggestions for a more ecological summer:
Plastic and toxic free sun protection from Attitude.
I’m a major fan. I absolutely adore these products that come in cardboard wrapping and, I must say that the quality and texture of he sun protection cream is exquisite!
Sunglasses made from recycled plastic !
I absolutely adore these sunglasses found on the New England Trading Co website. I mean, have you seen the title and the color on these babies? These sunglasses are crafted from plastic found on beaches and in the ocean. They make a special gift for anyone who cares about ocean conservation.
By creating a market for recycled ocean plastic we can accelerate pollution removal and help protect marine life. Animals easily mistake plastic waste for food from sea birds, to turtles, fish and whales. We all can do something about it by spreading the word through the products we use!
Yeah!
A mat made from recycled fishing ropes. How terrific is that? A weatherproof nautical rope is perfect as outdoor mats, especially in wet areas.
Lobster rope mats stand up to water, wind, salt, sun & ice and stay looking great. They are a washable outdoor mat that lasts for years.
As a sailor, I love these bags so much. Handcrafted in Maine from sails that have traveled the waterways of the world, each tote bag is one of a kind. You will love the quality and uniqueness of these recycled sailcloth bags. Each durable sail bag is meticulously crafted with a body of 100% recycled sails, a water-resistant bottom, a water-resistant zipper top, and 1″ durable cotton webbing handles. A well-thought-out design that is both roomy and practical for a beach day, out on the boat, or for a weekend getaway.
Each recycled sailcloth bag reflects the original character and stitching of the sail plus a sewn-on insignia (available in numbers 1–9).
So what number are you picking?
Here is another bag handcrafted from sails. I just love them ALL!
I hope that you enjoyed the above summer finds. May your summer be glorious and filled with splendid things.
I will be back with more. Stay tuned!
