There is something so relaxing about perusing the local farmers market, meeting vendors and picking out nature's latest creations in season. Buying them at the market when they have been just picked vs buying them at the store offers a fresher taste. Biting into that juicy peach or eating those fresh raspberries just feels better when you know where they came from. Plus you are supporting a local farmer that has taken great care in growing your produce. Stores often receive produce that is picked too early, shipped and sat in hot boxes, waiting to land on the store floor.
In Spring, you'll find asparagus, peas, and potatoes.
Summer offers strawberries and raspberries, blueberries and blackberries.
Fall you'll find squash, pumpkins while winter gives us those rooty veggies.
Make jams and jellies using blackberries, figs, peaches, strawberries, pears.
You can also pickle zucchini, green beans and cabbage.
Invite some friends over for a summer apple or rhubarb pie!
If you'd love to know more, subscribe for updates!
Follow me on social!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coarse sea salt
5 1/2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
5-10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
5-10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil
Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
1 clean jar with a lid
MIx the sea salt with the almond oil in a bowl. Add the Oils and mix again. Stir through the lemon zest. Transfer to a clean jar and seal.
Thats it!
If you'd love to know more, subscribe for updates!
Follow me on social!
We are big thrifters in our house and shopping secondhand has been one of my favorite things to do since high school. It has also saved me a ton of money over the years. There is something about the thrill of the hunt each time you go, even if it's the same store in the same week. I remember getting all my cardigan sweaters in the men's section, cute handbags and putting together outfits in a snap. Paul always finds Bibles and cool signs and knick knacks. My son will get pretty excited over an old candy machine. It's always an adventure. If your goal is sustainable living, this is one way to get your clothes and basics without breaking the bank plus then they wont end up in the landfill.
Clothing Basics
Start with some accessories, a cute hat, a stylish scarf, an inexpensive bag that you can use with anything. I have found great leather bags for under $10.00 that work with every outfit. A basic cardigan like black or navy or red can be thrown on over a tee with jeans for a chic, simple look. Add some fun beaded bracelets, some dangly earrings and a simple silver necklace. Or you could add a chunky bead necklace and go simple on the bracelets. Grab some basic tees, a good comfy pair of jeans and a fun pair of sandals. For summer, dressy or basic tanks are usually pretty cheap. For winter, you can pick up a great pair of boots or a warm winter coat.
If you're traveling, hit up the thrift stores for those little things you may have forgotten. Tupperware, dishes, home and kitchen goods.
Charity shops
I highly recommend checking out the charity thrift stores in more high end districts as they typically have really great selections, designer wear and good condition garments.
Online Vintage stores
The one downside to shopping online is that you can't try anything on so it's a bit more risky. Measuring your waist, bust and hips can help with getting the right size. Many garments online too have been altered so it's a good idea to keep this in mind. You can though find some really cool stuff from the era you're looking for so that is a bonus.
Clothing swaps
This is another fun idea! Host a get together with friends and bring over everything you no longer need in your closet. Not only could you get FREE stuff but it's a great excuse to get together, chat and compare styles.
Junker markets
These have been all the rage lately and a great way to see vendors not only from your area but sometimes across the state and beyond. You'll often find many booths with different handmade or repurposed goods so you just never know what you'll find. Clothing, handmade signs, vintage furniture, farmhouse decor, homemade soaps, jewelry and so much more. Search online for local markets and traveling "events" in your area!
XO,
erika
If you'd love to know more, subscribe for updates!
Follow me on social!
In late 2016 we went through a major purge. We had no idea as we tackled each room, attic, cabinet, and space how much unused stuff we really had. We were selling our house and starting our journey of RV'ing full time, so as you can imagine, going from a 1700 sq ft house to a 2011 TIffin was quite the task.
Heck, just this weekend I cleaned out an old camper full of old junk. It took me a day but I can say it feels good to only have what I need right now in my life. ( And of course my sentimental items like cards and photos, awards, my sons schoolwork and more.)
It's so easy to fill our cupboards and closets with things that we *might* need for that special someday or event or occasion but what I have learned and realized more than ever is that if we are saving it for someday vs living and using it now, it is just taking up space and preventing us from feeling peace and joy. It can cause stress and anxiety because you can begin to feel like you're just managing your stuff instead of enjoying it.
Here are some ways to do that needed purge and create a simpler, cozier space. I hope it helps your shoulders feel lighter, your mind clearer and your heart more at rest. LESS cleaning and dusting!
So lets first decide the HOW then the WHAT and WHERE.
Set a Timer on your phone for 30 minutes. Start with one room at a time and divide things into 3 piles:
* to keep
*to donate
* to throw out
Bedroom: Go through old bedding and donate what you don't want anymore to a shelter or a local thrift store. Sort through old socks and see if you have any pairs that don't match up. Toss. Donate any clothing that no longer fits or if your style has changed. Go through any seasonal items that no longer serve you as you bring out the incoming season and pack up the season that is ending. Sort through shoes, jewelry, jackets, hats, sweaters, and underwear. If there are any storage containers you no longer need or knick-knacks, give them away. You could also host a yard sale and make some extra money ( which does take planning) or you could host a fun clothes swap party with friends! For kids rooms, go through old toys, schoolwork and projects craft stuff and simplify.
Bathroom: Under the sink and those medicine cabinets can be the worst culprits of clutter. Get rid of half-opened bottles of lotion, shampoos and conditioners, creams, old razors and anything you never use. Donate old curling irons and hair dryers. Old makeup? Toss it. Get rid of old expired medicine bottles. Never flush pills down the toilet since it can end up in the water supply. If you've received beauty baskets of mini gift bags with lotions, donate them to charity.
Kitchen: Everyone has that dreaded junk drawer that needs cleaning. Tackle that first and save only what you know you'll need. Go through kitchen utensils and donate old items. Clean out the refrigerator and toss out expired food. Sift through your pans, pots, silverware, towels, cleaning supplies, rags, mugs, cups, plates, bowls and Tupperware.
Living Area: Sort through old movies, books, CDs, newspapers and magazines and switch to online versions instead. It'll save you money. Donate any furniture you don't want or need. Pillows, throw blankets, home decor, frames, art, things like that. Family games and puzzles can be given to charity. You can even swap them for some "new" games to play!
Don't forget you can shred or burn any business files older than 7 years. Toss out old statements and bills.
Alright... ready, set, GO! You've got this mama!
xo
erika
If you'd love to know more, subscribe for updates!
Follow me on social!
Do you sometimes feel like you are missing your purpose? God has given you amazing gifts and talents that you should share with the world but where do you start? I found this to be a powerful set of 5 questions from Pastor Robert Jeffers.
Grab a pen and paper!
Here are some questions to ask yourself...
1) What needs concern me in the world, in my community, in my family?
2) What needs would I fill if I had no limits on time or money?
3) What are some urgent needs that I see that I am capable of helping with?
4) What type of person do I want to be? What kind of example and legacy do I want to leave behind?
5) What would I say are the most pressing needs of friends and family?
Next steps:
Identify your gifts and talents: write down your passions, what gets you up in the morning, what do you most think about?
What abilities do others notice about you?
Do how-to videos. What would you do in a how-to video? Think value. What can you teach others?
List 5 of your accomplishments you're most proud of!
Then ask yourself... What are the common denominators of all these things?
Friend, you have everything in you to pursue your passion and purpose. You are fearfully and wonderfully made by God! Now go get it!
If you'd love to know more, subscribe for updates!
Follow me on social!
