Happiness: Eco Pine Necklace

Are you getting ready for the holidays? I took a drive out this evening* (to the drug store...to get some candy...seriously, I have an addiction) and even though I'm Jewish, I still love seeing all the beautiful lights strung up around the homes in the neighborhood. Especially the Christmas trees. It makes me want to get one.

In keeping with the theme of Christmas trees, you can wear a tiny one around your neck, except this one is acceptable year round! Real foliage pressed on to white handmade paper, available for $35.00 at Studio Botanica.

*I write these posts the night before they publish.

Honeymoon: The Eco-Friendly Dude Ranch

I always find it a little funny that honeymoons are so synonymous with white sandy beaches, pretty pina coladas with umbrellas, and balmy breezes swaying through the palm trees..... Ah, sounds nice. If you like pina coladas and getting lost...de da de... Oh, wait, sorry, where was I? No, I was not just daydreaming about balmy breezes and sandy beaches! *smoothes hair, looks shifty*

Not that there is anything wrong with a beach side honeymoon. They are the ultimate in relaxation and a great way to un-wind after planning your eco-friendly wedding, but I'd like to present an alternative to you: the honeymoon on a dude ranch.

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa

Dude ranches aren't exactly for everyone, but there are varying degrees of "luxury," ranging from rustic and simple to spa like retreats. You most likely won't be able to sip a dainty cocktail poolside while texting on your iPhone, but here is what you will be able to do: enjoy beautiful (perhaps even amazing, jaw dropping) scenery, campfires and smores, participate in adventurous activities, indulge on amazing food, be mesmerized by starry night skies, and the chance to get your chaps dirty and ride the land like a wild west cowboy. In addition, most dude ranches are eco-friendly by nature and provide a true eco-tourism experience.

Red Horse Mountain Dude Ranch (Number One Dude Ranch on Trip Advisor)

I had the opportunity to visit a dude ranch when I was about 16 with my dad and my brother and I honestly loved it. We rode horses through winding trails and bordering cliffs of the New Mexico desert and, at times, the trails were so narrow I could've sworn we were teetering on the edge of death. 

"Glamping" at The Bar W Guest Ranch

My goal is to one day bring my hubby to a dude ranch, who I know would absolutely love it. The closest he's come to one was riding a horse to, and through, the beach on our honeymoon in St.Lucia. I'd post pictures, but he looks rather awkward, as we both do. (For the record, pictures of people riding bareback - because, yes, we all had to ride our horse bareback in the water - should be restricted to male and female swimsuit models, or at least people who can pass as one. Otherwise, it just looks really, really awkward.)

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Got an eco-friendly honeymoon idea or place you'd like to share? E-mail me at jen (at) ecoandelsie (dot) com to send me your news!

Happiness: Pine Cone Wedding Bouquets

I love pine cones. I love what they represent: rejuvenation and a new beginning for a hopeful baby pine tree. The season of fall is in full effect and we've got pine cones dropping all around us. After seeing this beautiful pine cone wedding from Honey of a Thousand Flowers (seen above), I plan on collecting a few to make a centerpiece for our mantel!

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If you haven't filled out the Eco and Elsie Reader Survey, I would be so appreciative if you did. It will help me learn more about you and how I can improve this blog to better your experience.

Smart Glass Jewelry

I don't feel like a lot needs to be said for these. 

They are beautiful. Made out of recycled glass.  

Smart Glass Jewelry.  

Happiness: Cyber Monday Sale!

Aaahhh! The holidays are coming up! Will you be taking part in today's Cyber Monday sale? I heard about this from my mother-in-law and now I'm seeing super cute things popping up everywhere available at a discount. Like this pleated handmade clutch, available at 15% off for $20.00.

More Cyber Monday sales on Etsy: 

Customized Guitar Pics

Kid's Tote Bag Made with Eco Felt

Bamboo Cotton Yarn Scarf

Polka Dot Cocktail Napkins

Upcycled Jersey Dress

Floral Bangle Made With Eco Resin

Recycled Wine Cork Necklace

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If you haven't filled out the Eco and Elsie Reader Survey, I would be so appreciative if you did. It will help me learn more about you and how I can improve this blog to better your experience.

The Environment and Your Wedding

 I've never given much thought to trends. In fact, while running Earthly Affair, and against the advice of others, I never subscribed to any wedding magazines so that I could "keep up with the trends." I didn't want the company to follow the masses. Our focus was the environment and excellent customer service. It's what I believed the most in and it's what I excelled at.

I firmly believe that a wedding theme should be chosen in the same manner. This is not just a wedding. It's your wedding. It's your story. It's a reflection of the love that exists between two souls. Therefore it only makes sense that your wedding day focuses on what you believe in. What you both believe in.

We used to live within a society where you almost had to apologize for being an environmentalist and I'm sure some of you still live in a world like that. If you've got family chipping in or paying for your wedding who seem embarrassed by your eco-friendly attitude, there's nothing wrong with reconsidering their offer, especially if you believe they'll expect to have major input on your wedding decisions. (I promise there are ways to handle that without coming across as a crunchified jacka**, but we can get into that on another day.) A wedding that costs $5,000, but represents your love for the earth, will forever make you happier than the one that costs $50,000 and does nothing but make your heart sink. And forgive me for being blunt, but if people don't like it, they can go take a hike...in the woods...and the irony is they'll be the same woods you're trying to protect!

So anyway, trends will always exist. Wedding trends, fashion trends, technology trends... Hell, even food trends! There was a time when the eco-friendly wedding was a major trend. Now? Not so much. But who cares? Ultimately, "trends" are created in an effort to be different and then everyone copies them and they aren't different anymore. This isn't worth worrying over. Do what makes you two happy. Create a wedding day that says, "This is us. This is what we love and this is why we love eachother." 

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If you haven't filled out the Eco and Elsie Reader Survey, I would be so appreciative if you did. It will help me learn more about you and how I can improve this blog to better your experience. 

Tell Me More About You!

(I originally posted questions here, but decided a survey might be easier for you and for me.)

You may or may not know that I do the mom thing on a full time basis. I love being a mommy and I wouldn't trade this gig for anything (except for maybe a boob job and a trip to Los Cabos. I'm kidding. Not really. Okay, yeah, I'm kidding.) Unfortunately, this awesome job doesn't come with a paycheck and as the holidays approach, it's been hard not to think about how nice it would be to bring in some extra income. However, in order to start doing responsible business things, like putting together a media kit and increasing traffic, I first need some help from you.


If you have a few moments (less than five minutes really), I would be so appreciative if you could fill out my survey.

 

Me having ten times more fun than my baby girl, Sophia, on the carousel.

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It's just a simple reader survey, which will help me improve your experience when you visit here. And after all, I wouldn't have this website if it wasn't for YOU! So even if you don't take the time to fill out the survey, please know how much I appreciate your visit. I hope you'll stick around. :)

Click here for the Eco and Elsie Reader Survey

Happy Holidays! Peas and Love! :)

Happy Thanksgiving from Eco and Elsie!

For some folks, Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and spending time with family and friends. For me, it's all about the cranberry sauce! :) I don't know why we relegate that stuff to one holiday a year! It's delicious and those cranberries are good for you!

Will you be doing anything special this year for Thanksgiving? Are you a Tofurkey fan? Do you enjoy watching the parades on television? What floats your gravy boat? 

Upcycled Hymnal Garland

Imagine this woven between two trees that provide as the backdrop for your ceremony? Or just simply hung up on your mantel for the holidays! I love this! Upcycled garland made out of hymnal pages.

Seed Bomb, Seed Bomb, You're My Seed Bomb!

I wonder if seed bombing is as fun as photo bombing?! I bet it is. :) Love these potential favors or gifts! Seed Bombs available at Curiosity Shoppe.

Handmade Ring Pillows

How adorable is this? Michelle Edgemont makes custom ring pillows and this one was created with inspiration from the wedding invitation.

Hop On Board the Green Smoothie Train! Woo Woo!

Ever since this post, I have been trying to live a more balanced life. This means going to bed at a decent hour, eating healthier, and exercising more. Alright, I haven't exactly started exercising, but I looked up membership prices for the YMCA. Shut up! That counts as something, right. :)

Green For Life

I have been chasing after the healthy wagon for a while, but the book above, which gives great info about the importance of greens and green smoothie recipes, has inspired me to finally hop on board. Green, leafy vegetables are excellent for you - we all know that - but this book delves a bit deeper. For instance, did you know the tops of carrots are more nutritious than the carrots themselves? And is it even possible that green smoothies can make wrinkles disappear?! (Read the last paragraph below for my take on that.)

Photo from VitaMix (an excellent blender for serious smoothie makers!)

I've been experimenting with green smoothies all week; adding parsley to fresh strawberry smoothies, spinach to peach and OJ smoothies, and fresh fennel fronds to blackberry and almond milk smoothies (fennel fronds one was kind of gross though). My Something really interesting has happened during this process: I have started to crave smoothies! Rather than munching on a pizza, I'll prefer a green smoothie and a healthy sandwich.

Have I noticed any benefits? I am pretty skeptical about disappearing wrinkles, but my skin seriously does look healthier. My stomach, which hasn't been flat since I had a baby, is pretty close to flat again! And I'm less tired! As an added bonus, my one year LOVES most of these smoothies and I feel like supermom for getting her to eat raw spinach!

I'll keep you updated on any changes or side effects. :)

Interested in trying a green smoothie? Check out this website for recipes!

Fabric Scraps DIY Challenge: Finito Completo!

My last DIY Challenge was all about finding a new use for old fabric scraps. What did I do with mine? I turned it into a table number! I'll have a tutorial soon, but the basic concept was pretty simple: use embroidery thread to create a number and then place it in a frame. Voila! See the results below and some additional info.

My floral fabric came from a skirt that stopped fitting me long ago. I think I held on to it in hopes I would get high school skinny again, but after having a child, that's certainly not going to happen! I'm glad I used it for this project - the print on the fabric is so pretty.

This was the first time I sewed fabric on to paper. It was surprisingly easy!

Creating a number out of embroidery thread wasn't too complicated, but it can be a bit time consuming. It's an easy enough project though to accomplish in front of the television though.

Hope everyone has a great weekend ahead of them!

Happiness: Edible Placecards

 

Seriously. How darling is this? Edible placecards! 

A New Type of Family Tree

Ah...marriage. Some embrace it and some fear it, but whatever the case, marriage is about more than just sharing a sink in the morning and picking your underwear up off the floor. The story of your life fundamentally changes when you sign that piece of paper commemorating your commitment for one another. In one amazing moment, you merge the history of your family with the history of another.

Below are some beautiful, modern style, family trees, which are a wonderful way to celebrate your changing story. Available at Modern Trees.

 

 

My Own Spot of Happiness

Sometimes I post about little bits of happiness, but today I thought I'd show you about my own spot of happiness in this world. I love this picture. That's me and my baby girl. It's fuzzy and out of focus (taken with my phone), but that's what life is all about - fuzzy, out of focus moments that make you laugh with happiness.

DIY Challenge: Take the Scraps (In Progress)

 
Today is the due date for my previous DIY post (Take the Scraps), where I challenged myself, and you, to come up with a use for those old pieces of clothing or scraps of fabric. I did actually finish my project and I am excited to share it with you, although I don't have any decent photos yet. The above photo is from my iPhone, but I hope to have some better ones available before the end of the week. In the meantime, I'll pester my hubby, who is the man with a camera plan, and I promise to have more information about what I created in the next couple of days. :)

Happiness: Muppet Pops

Muppet cake pops! Bakerella is amazing!

Corks Turned Awesome

Although I imagine this would require one to collect a whole lot of wine corks, I really love this idea. What a great way to re-purpose old wine corks, right!?

Photography by Libby James, found via April Foster Events - Click both links to see so much more awesome corky goodness!

Wash The Stress Away

 

Photo from Nationaal Archief

Wedding planning is riddled with tough choices. You know what I'm talking about. It may be as simple as choosing which meals to serve or as difficult as cutting the number of invitees to stay within your budget. The stress of these decisions can cause nightmares of tuxedo wearing steaks chasing you with fiery menus or unhappy guests hiring the wind gods to blow down your wedding.

Okay, now I realize this will sound weird, but a study done at the University of Michigan found that you may indeed be able to "wash your hands" of the lingering tension involved in making stressful choices. Researchers found that participants who washed their hands felt less remorse, and less need to justify their choice, after having to make a decision between two appealling options. The article states, "washing may help decision-makers by scrubbing away mental turmoil."

I honestly think there is probably some merit to this concept. I wonder though, if you ever have to make a ton of tough decisions in one day, would hand washing be enough? Maybe that's when you just take a shower? :)

Source: Stressful Decision? Washing Hands Could Help Soothe

Etiquette Shmetiquette: My Mom Wants Favors and I Don't!

Today is Etiquette Shmetiquette day! 

When planning your wedding, you may find that everybody and their mother (literally!) has an opinion about what you should be wearing/serving/buying/etc... Especially when you tell them you want to have an environmentally friendly wedding.

We all know we're supposed to bite our tongue and act as the compromising diplomat, but even Dear Abby wasn't perfect. Here I'll give you a common etiquette question, Dear Abby style, but with an alternative, less cultured, answer.

Dear Eco & Elsie,


I don't want to give favors out because I'm afraid they'll just end up in the trash, but my mother is horrified by the idea of not having them. What should I do?


- Amanda (Favor-less in Texas)

What you want to say: Threaten her with elopement and then, in your most exasperated tone, tell her that you'll only agree to give out these useless trinkets if she can sufficiently explain the series finale of Lost, which has left a vast and darkening hole in your life since 2010. 


What you should probably say instead: "I really appreciate your concern for our guests mom, but this wedding should represent the values that my future husband and I share. Contributing to waste in the environment is something I am deeply against." Then offer to look up more eco-friendly favors online, such as edible goodies or plantable items. 

Got an etiquette question? Feel free to send it to jen@ecoandelsie.com and don't hesitate to include your own "what you wish you could say." 

Happiness: Flash Mob Style

 I wish I could be a part of this!

Why I've Got Nothing Good to Give You Today.

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but rather than just put up an old post, I figured I'd come clean and let you know why I've got nothing good to give you today.

Do you ever feel like your internal engine is just running on empty? Personally, I've been feeling like this a lot lately and I'm wondering - wait, no, scratch that, -  I'm fairly sure it's because I'm making poor lifestyle choices. It's not like I'm living a life of sin or anything, but for instance, this evening I had a few pieces of pork loin for dinner (which I stopped eating because it was gross), as well as hummus and chips, and the grand finale was ice cream. After the birth of my child I was so overwhelmed with how my life had changed that I stopped really caring for myself and, unfortunately, I never really got back into the swing of things.

I'd like to ask you, dear readers, if you have any advice. I know some of you out there have children, like I do, or perhaps your wedding took over your life and you know what it's like to feel like a zombie. I'm considering doing a detox or major diet change in an effort to get back on the healthy train. The book below really has me interested. Anyone read it?

A "Spoonful" of Happiness :)

 How freaking adorable is this? "Spooning!" 

 

Is That Really Rustic?

There are rustic weddings and then there are "rustic" weddings that have had 65k thrown at them. There needs to be a petition to start calling these "luxury rustic," or something weird like that, because that's about as rustic as camping in an RV with a butler and a maid.

Anyway, the wedding below is so absolutely beautiful and, I feel, a true "rustic" wedding. It was held at Riverbend Environmental Center in Gladwyn, PA. I personally love how the bridesmaids are all in soft neutral dresses, which fits so perfectly with the calming and serene environmental backdrop.

Pondering time: can an exorbitant wedding still be considered rustic?

   

Beautiful photography From Love Me Do Photography

Find more info about this wedding over at Sparkle and Hay, 

a blog choc full of rustic awesomeness

Can I get married again so I can wear one of these?

What you see below: Eco-friendly Dresses From Natural Bridals

 The Lauren Dress

What's going through your head: I want/need/must have or I'll die 

(it's okay, you can admit these thoughts are going through your head even if you're not getting married. They're certainly going through mine and I'm already hitched.)

 The Amanda Gown

What's coming out of your mouth: Drool...

The Jane Dress

 

Get Your Happiness On!

There's nothing wrong with adding a little positivity to your desktop! Check out the super cute wallpapers available at Home Made Simple. 

Healthy Monday: Addicted to Hand Sanitizer

Step out of the moody Mondays and into a new you. 

On this day of the week, we feature ways to boost your physical and emotional health. 

I think I am addicted to hand sanitizer. My husband, who I swear is a borderline germaphobe (he denies this avidly), is the person responsible for turning me onto these little bottles of hand cleaning crack. Rare is the time you will catch me without a bottle of it in my purse. However, as most of us know, not all products are equal when it comes to cleaning agents. Fortunately, there are a few, all-natural or eco-friendly, options:


EcoSalon has a very easy, DIY tutorial on how to make these yourself. Ecologic did a review of Cleanwell, an all-natural, environmentally friendly sanitizer which comes in a reusable bottle. Last but not least, Clean George utilizes natural Tea Tree and Manuka oils to clean hands.