When I had a job I used to take my clothes to the dry cleaners once in a while. One day this eco friendly place popped up in the Sunset Park area of Santa Monica. Now they’re MOBILE!!
The owners are local people – they live a few blocks from us and we’ve known them for years. You just call them up, once they have your payment info. it’s all automatic. Last week I left a few sweaters in a bag on my back gate & they picked them up. I just stuck a note inside saying when I’d need them and BOOM they were back on my gate on the required day!
No more toting your stuff over to the dry cleaners. Love using local businesses and when they are eco-friendly it’s even better!
ECO COASTAL Cleaners
(310)450-7878
Free Home or Office Pickup & Delivery
Featuring:
Non Toxic chemical free process
Eco Friendly Dry Cleaning Since 2000
Reusable “ECO” Garment Bags
Reduce Reuse Recycling program
Home/Office Pick Up and Delivery
UGG Boot Cleaning
I decided to start up my “Weekly Green” postings again since the environment is an issue that weighs heavily on me as it might on you too. Before I start – let me just say that I fail in my efforts to live green, every day. But I try to make small lifestyle changes to be better. My main goal is to teach my children to want less, to go for a walk or hike instead of shopping, to think carefully before buying/wanting things (make sure the things they buy/want are high quality, can be passed on to someone else, and are not part of planned obsolescence).
Have you seen that Saturday Night Live that Tina Fey hosted a couple of years ago in which she plays Bedelia’s mom who’s been invited to the sleepover? The boys who’ve just snuck in the basement window are shocked that her mom is there. Bedelia thinks her mom is way cool.
You brought your mom to this?
Oh yeah, she’s the best! She re-uses Zip-loc bags, she dry shaves. I’m like, “Sign me up!
Here’s a link to the whole skit for SNL fans! (Apologies if you have to endure the Cristina Aguilara “Red Sin” Perfume ad first!!)
I’m afraid I’m that mom. I rinse out Zip-locs.
My counters DO look a mess due to the bag drying fields.
My kids get re-used Ziplocs for lunch (on the rare occasion I use them) And SO CAN YOU!
Why re-use ZipLoc bags?
1. It takes water & petroleum to make them. With 7 billion people living on the planet, both water & petroleum need to be used wisely. (Supposedly about 1,000,000 plastic bags are consumed EACH MINUTE.)
2. You probably heard by now that there is a garbage patch somewhere between the size of Texas and 1.5 times the size of the United States (though it is fluid & changes constantly) out in the Pacific Ocean. Although it’s a democracy of garbage, some common types of garbage found there are plastic bags.
3. You may say, “Oh well, at least it’s all confined to that area.” But since the plastic bags are made of petrochemicals that leach into the ocean, we are also slowly poisoning our ocean (which is essentially the Earth’s air conditioner!)
To learn more just Google “garbage patch pacific ocean” or check out 5 Gyres site.
I realize one nerdy mama re-using Ziplocs ain’t gonna save the world. But hopefully my kids can observe my efforts to be mindful about the resources we use.
To learn more:
Read about the Garbage Patch.
Replacements for typically plastic household items
Life Without Plastic
Blog of a Californian mom whose been living plastic-free since 2007!!
My Plastic Free Life
Story of an Austrian mom whose family goes plastic free for a year.
Last year we passed by the Christmas tree graveyard at Clover Park. M asked what it was and when I told her, “That’s where people toss their Christmas trees after Christmas.” I swore to myself I’d never buy another perfectly good tree to decorate, water for 3 weeks, and then discard by the side of the road. That is one nutty tradition. Then, like always, I forgot all about it.
Last week I was reading the Santa Monica Patch when I saw an ad for Rentable Potted Christmas trees. The company is called “The Living Christmas Company.”
Immediately I thought, “I’m renting a potted tree!”
The trees range in size from 2′-12′ and in price from $25 all the way up to $345. (Gulp!) Not including the delivery fee.
The idea is appealing. After discussing though, we won’t be renting one this year. We do something even worse – we buy one for our house & one for our Christmas rental. If we end up staying home for the holiday, we will definitely try this.
Let me know if you rent one!
When I can I buy things in glass instead of plastic. Glass is more easily recycled than most plastics and usually better for the environment. You can also re-use the glass sometimes…
For example, I’m sure you’ve seen these preserves at your grocery store:
[Pic from the Bonne Mamman website.]
In the past I tossed the lids and used the jar as juice glasses. They’re really cute and I’ve never been one to have matching glasses (or dishes or coffee mugs for that matter.)
However, I’ve seen another mama out there bringing her children’s smoothies to the park in these (with the lid). This wouldn’t work for a certain 2 year old I know but it got me thinking about other uses.
Yesterday I made roasted brussel sprouts with a balsamic reduction and cranberries for my husband’s work Thanksgiving lunch. (Recipe coming!!) I gave him the hot reduction in the jar with the lid tightly screwed on. That way he could remove the lid and heat up in the microwave if needed.
I also store salad dressings in these!
Another jar I like is the Trader Joe’s Maple Syrup jar.
[Pic from images.fatsecret.com]
I use them as vases.
Saves me some Rubbermaid containers and provides really cute, original vases!
You can’t tell from this post but I’ve been distracted/obsessed with the storm that has devastated (and continues devastating) the east coast. Not only do I have loved ones there (my sis & niece as well as dear friends & extended family) but I worry for the future of my children. We are starting to have 100 year storms every 2 years now?? Can we do anything to lessen the intensity? Or do we just build stronger infrastructure and carry on as usual?
Regardless, I’m posting this as I wrote most of it last week and want to support this special local business that has a ton of heart!
***
It’s so easy to order gifts for people online with Amazon. But all the packaging that comes with it drives me nuts. I am such a cluttery person that I think it’s best for me to make the effort to actually go out & buy presents in person. Not only does it make me buy less, but I also save on all the wrapping & shipping.
The other nice thing about shopping locally is that you are supporting a person instead of a huge corporation. I definitely like seeing tiny unique shops in my neighborhood and the only way they’ll stay is if we actually SHOP there.
So I’ve started getting cute gifts here at Baby Daze lately.
Baby Daze is a resale shop for childrens’ clothing but they also carry brand new toys & books. A lot of the toys are Melissa & Doug (just to give you an idea of what’s there) but there are loads of other things like fancy bassinets
bouncy seats, barely used Bjorns, strollers (jogging strollers, Snap N Go’s and Graco travel systems).
Besides toys/gifts I’ve gotten some excellent deals at Baby Daze since it opened including a ski suit for my daughter for $17.99. It looks brand new. You know how ski suits go in Southern California – you use them 1-2x and the season’s over. That must be the story with this one.
Next year, Bea!
Also found a really cute pair of Tea Collection pants for her
and a Gap jumper.
Angela, the owner, also had (and I’m SORRY to post AFTER-Halloween!! Aggh – sorry Angela!!) Halloween costumes for $7.99.
She has hand-knitted caps right by the door as well as new baby gifts made locally. She also has loads of leg warmers (NEW) which make great baby gifts. If you have had a baby in the past few years you probably used them – great way to keep baby legs warm while making diaper changing easier! I was not able to get pix of everything as M was trying on shoes with abandon as well as packing a Melissa & Doug shopping cart with every baby toy she could find and strolling around and I got busy nagging her to put everything back.
Angela also does special events. On Nov. 17th at Baby Daze someone will be there making these adorable handprint ornaments.
[Photo from Baby Daze Facebook page.]
$19 each OR Free with $50 purchase! Call now to reserve your space! (310)692-9650 or visit the Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/babydazeboutique
[Besides Baby Daze, there is a special little jewelry store just a few doors down - called "Artful Things." Most of the jewelry is made by local artists and is just beautiful but there are other special gifts as well. Also, Twist is around the corner on 17th and has an eclectic mix of gifts including baby Havaianas, Christmas onesies, adult costume jewelry & trendy clothes/shoes, lip balms, jewelry boxes etc. Finally Bob's Market, one of the last small town grocery stores, is on the corner with a coin-operated horsey outside. I'll be writing about more local businesses in the near future & linking to this post.]
Have a big box of old baby/kid clothing? At Baby Daze you can “exchange” clothes for store credit:
[From her website:]
It’s Not Consignment It’s Better!
No need to wait and wonder when you will see the money.
I give Credit of 30% of my retail price per item. Cash will only be given with 3T-6T on request. Also at this time, I ask that you only use half your credit that day and return to use the other half another day.
My credit is good on anything in the store and never expires : )
We accept gently used clothes. No holes, stains, broken zippers or missing buttons. Freshly laundered. No cat hair etc.
Please bring clothes in a bag or box labeled with your name and number. I hope to get through them within a week and call you with your credit amount and leftovers for you to pick up.
Baby Daze Boutique
1706 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
(310)692-9650
M-F 9AM-6PM
https://www.facebook.com/babydazeboutique
If you need a last minute gift or have a load of outgrown children’s clothing I highly recommend you stop by!
