What do you scrub with?

Andy Warhol Brillo Soap Pads Box photo from warhol.org

What do you scrub with? Now when I say that I am referring to your dishes, pots, pans. I grew up using brillo, well watching my mother use brillo and then eventually I used brillo. We do what our parents did right? That steel wool with pink powder caked on it, such a heavy, dried soap feeling. Up until last year I still did occasionally use brillo. Up until last year….. so what changed. And please note this is not a paid advertisement. I am getting no money for this. Just sharing something I like that is part of my journey for a more sustainable home and life.

I belong to a subscription service called Mighty Nest. Each month I am sent an item that is eco friendly, green and helping me live a healthier life. I have discovered so many items thru Mighty Nest. That I probably will share here so I am not going to tell you about them now. Sorry.

May I introduce you to the Spaghetti Scrub. It’s more like fettuccini and it has nothing to do with pasta grains. It comes from fabric and peach pits, which blows my mind!

the spaghetti scrub photo from Mighty Nest

At first I was hesitant to try it, I don’t know why. Maybe it scared me a bit which I know sounds bizarre. Maybe I thought it would disintegrate once I used it. It doesn’t. It’s oddly sturdy and is way better than brillo. And it lasts and lasts. We are a family of 3 and cook dinner at home about 4 times a week. I use this scrub for pots and pans. Ours lasted a little over 6 months. And on the hands it is softer than brillo.

How is it eco friendly? You don’t need to use soap, you can if you want but you don’t need to. It comes in brown paper packaging that is recycled and can be recycled again. Most sponges come in plastic wrap that end up in the landfill as well as that sponge.

Here is my second scrub that I just received. I was going to give it to someone but I decided to keep it for myself and buy more as gifts. I will try to remember and update this post once my scrub has disintegrated. But as I said, it takes awhile.

If you ever tried one or something similar I would love to hear about it.

Thanks for reading.

Tracey

Happy New Year and Gettin’ Cozy!

Start the new year positive. That’s what everyone says.  And it is a good thought, a great idea. Begin with a new slate.  It was challenging to do that this year while sitting on the couch battling a bad virus of drippy nose, post nasal drip and sinuses in such pain all I could do was squeeze my head.  Most Christmas holidays I end up getting a cold. Body exhausted from holiday prep and work. I think most people are worn down. It’s a busy time of year for me, with holiday craft and maker markets and custom orders, daily life unravels quickly.  Secret Santa for my daughters class, Secret Santa for my family which means I also have to do not only my secret Santa but my daughters.  I used to enjoy Christmas, so much that my sister nicknamed me Tracey Christmas.  The songs, the decorations, the nutcracker, the smell of Christmas trees, making a wreath.  I loved and still do love it all.  Now life gets too busy where we can’t enjoy life.  What can be done differently in 2019?  I don’t do resolutions but it is a nice time to reflect, recharge and reacess.

Which leads me to clean up time, clutter clearing and destashing. Maria Kondo is the latest craze. I bought her book two years ago.  I read some of it. And now she has a Netflix series.  My husband and I watched episode one. His closet now looks like he is leaving me. He is very good and getting rid of unnecessary things. And apparently he’s not the only one. According to the news, people are clearing out so much that charities are overloaded.  That’s always a problem in Brooklyn.  We have so much that charities want new with tags or refuse your items. How can we get rid of stuff, and keep a clear area. Lessen our footprint.

So what’s my point? What is my point. Carbon footprints. I really don’t want to show you my messy, overcrowded studio.   If I do will it make me more accountable? Maybe. But I do need to get rid of stuff, fabrics. We all do. Our local weekly farmer’s market has a regular vendor who will take your unwanted fabrics and recycle them. Another book I read recently that I really enjoyed and was relatable to me is American Cozy by Stephanie Pedersen.

This is based on the other latest craze hygge. Although it is hygge inspired and is an inspiration read for us American who are clutter bugs. I don’t want bugs in my studio and when there is so much crap everywhere I feel like I may uncover some critter every time I move a large container of fabric. So I am getting rid of stuff, I just need to. For my own sanity.

So 2019 what are you going to be? Lessen my footprint. Make an effort to do so.

Do you have any decluttering, how to deal with the emotions of throwing out fabric?

Tracey

This Saturday, Stuff You Should Buy

This Saturday is one of the best markets in the area and it’s supporting a NY Public School, Stuff you Should Buy, will be held December 8th from 10 am to 5 pm. The next best thing besides there being 75 awesome handmade vendors? There is an area to drop your kid off for crafting and you go do the shopping.

And….a little peek of some new product I will have with me.

So I hope to see you there. And for an extra 20% off tell me you saw this post and what do you think of those old llamas?!

Tracey

How to Fold a Napkin: The Cone Way

The holidays are upon us and most likely you will be having people or family over for dinner. Instead of doing the same ole fold the napkin in 4, I have an easy and different way to fold your napkin. Let me introduce you to the cone. There are a few steps but it’s pretty simple.

I am using a graphic line print napkin called Kyoto which I think adds to the wrapping of the napkins.

STEP 1: Lay out the napkin face side up.

STEP 2: Fold it in half.

STEP 3: Fold in half again matching up the corners.

STEP 4: is just turning the napkin so the open corner is at the top, 12:00

STEP 5: At the top point, fold one layer down to the bottom point.

STEP 6: Flip the napkin to it’s opposite side. Just turn the whole thing over.

STEP 7: Fold the left point (9:00) to the right.

STEP 8: Fold the right over to the left and flip over to the backside exposing our new pocket in the shape of an ice cream cone.

You can either put your silverware in the pocket, name tag or something to celebrate the time of year. I chose a pine branch since we are setting up our Christmas tree and we have a few to spare. Also I stole a bead from Harper’s collection and slipped it over the pine branch to add a little color. Some other ideas are holly branch or a candy cane.

Enjoy!

Tracey