Good words

No Impact Man

Last night I had a little movie night and watched No Impact Man. This film came out in 2009 and I had heard a lot about the documentary which follows Colin Beavan, his wife Michelle and their young daughter Isabella for a year as they embark on an environmentally impact free life in New York City.

What an interesting documentary! Living in San Francisco has given me a little bit of an eco fix so to speak, I feel that most San Franciscians practice many more eco friendly habits such as composting, local produce,  and not using plastic bags but this film opened my eyes to exactly how much more each of us can do.

Colin and his family become impact free in stages but eventually get to the point that they only walk or bike as transportation, have no electricity, only consume foods that have been grown within 250 miles of them and watch how it transforms them not only as individuals but as a family. Pretty great experiment.

It left me thinking ok - I know I am not going to go without electricity but what are a few small things I can do to reduce the impact I have on the planet? Here are a few things I came up with.

1. When at the farmers market I already bring my own cloth tote bags to carry things home. But I often still end up with the produce in the individual bags the vendors use when they weigh items. By being conscious of this and only using the cloth bag I can easily reduce the amount of plastic bags I bring home.

2. Investigate making some of my own cleaning products. This is something I have been meaning to do for a long time. Many things labeled "natural" are not as good for us as they seem. Truly natural ingredients can be blended at home and will be a lot healthier for us as well as environmentally friendly. Using plastic bottles we already have helps reduce waste even more.

3. Really be aware of where my food is coming from. Buying only local produce and meats helps to reduce carbon emissions from trucks used to transport foods to and from stores. Eating locally also helps you to actually eat in season and enjoy what is fresh and to challenge yourself to try new things. 

I know there are many more, those are just the top 3 that stuck with me personally from the film.

What ideas do you have to be eco friendly? 

I highly encourage you to check out the film, really insightful and Colin's wife Michelle really made me laugh as she acknowledges the reality and sometimes uncomfortable moments that come with their project.

Good Sounds

I am digging Dominique Pruitt. She has such an interesting, folky, bluesy, earnest sound to her music. I just discovered her over at The City Sage. If you haven't had the chance to check out that blog yet, please go read it now. No really, like now : )

This song is so sweet and I love how plain and simple it is.
Don't we all just want to be the love of someone's life?

PS that awesome man playing guitar is Dominique's Dad. Gotta love it when your family supports your dreams.

Spring Fever

Flowers always inspire me.
They can capture a mood, remind you of a special moment, celebrate a worthy occasion - or my personal favorite - just be beautiful gift for absolutely no reason at all.
With spring now in full swing here in the city local florists are gearing up for wedding season with lush and beautiful petals. Here are a few of my favorites from my neighborhood shop Not Just Flowers.

Pink Ranuculas

A beautiful assortment of roses, hydrangeas, dahlias and some irises

Gorgeous yellow tulips

Stargazer lilies

Bright yellow ranunculas

They were just so beautiful I had to get some for myself! I decided upon the burgundy and pink ranunculus and mixed them together in a handy water pitcher when I got home.

combo of burgundy and pink ranunculus

Baby Love

This past weekend I popped in for a quick visit to my close friends and their adorable son Jameson. I can't believe how much he has grown since I last saw him 2 weeks ago. Congrats to the amazing new parents!

Purpose

Amazing words written to my Momma and my aunts from my Granddaddy before he passed away. Sometimes I feel like he wrote them for me too.

My aunt gave me a copy of this backed with a photo of my Granddaddy.
To our family it is our "purpose card". I keep mine in my wallet.

Yes- the world seems in turmoil + I'm just trying to get by. It's all ahead for you girls + I know you will have happy lives. Always have some purpose in life - not a big campaign - but a just purpose to do good - help others + be radiant + happy all the time.  In the real raw scene of life - you + only you can do for you + in so doing you help + inspire + set examples for others.
I love + miss you all,
Dad

Being Authentic

New Girl is such a great show for so many reasons. 

One of which being the funny and ever so adorable Jess. 

She is quirky and silly and undeniably her authentic self 

It got me thinking about how sometimes in life we may unintentionally change little things about ourselves for others, and how amazing it would be if more of us really embraced our authentic selves and all our little quirks.

I like to craft, and there is nothing that makes me happier than making something. I have "creative ADD" and I love it.  I may have a ton of projects going and sometimes it takes me forever to finish them, like years. Or I might not finish them at all. I buy things at Britex for no other reason than they inspire me. I say words like putter, shwoop and wicked. I get extremely excited about great stationary.

And you know what - I like all those things about myself.

Cheers to being you and no one else.

- Quote from New Girl, Image credit unknown. Found on Fairy Tales are True