Lulu Grey: Etsy Friday Five

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Earth day is the inspiration for today’s finds. We all hear about recycle-reuse-reduce and being kind to Mother Earth but in your day-to-day life it can sometimes slip the mind. Here are five interesting, eco-friendly products that can help make a difference.

I get so excited every Spring, because a small farmer’s market sets up about 4 blocks from my house. I get to walk down and get fresh fruit, flower and veggies. Buying at a local market, I lower the carbon footprint and support local farmers which makes me happy. The plastic grocery bags most of the vendor use, doesn’t. So – a great alternative is to use a stylish re-usable shopping bag like this one by Pony and Poppy. I love the screen-printed cheerful red apples.

Three Red Apples reusable fruit/veggie bag by PonyandPoppy - $10

In the wake of deforestation, it is always great to find new uses for recycled wood. I really like the line of repurposed wood candle blocks that Margaux and Walter Kent over at Peg and Awl have designed. They use reclaimed old growth Pine, once a floor joist from a 19th century Philadelphia house, to create their candle holders. Vintage botanical prints round out the design. I love the history of these pieces and their worn look, and would love to line about 5 up on my mantel piece...if I still had a place with a fireplace. I miss my fireplace.

Floral - Antique Old Growth Pine Candle Block by PeganAwl -$17

My husband is a Tshirt hoarder. I love him, but he has concert tees from when he was 14, he is now 34. It is a sickness. So this recycled Tshirt rug from Talkingsquid will probably give him heart palpitations. But I love it. I love the idea of find a new way to recycle old clothing and this is so clever. I can just imagine how soft it is and it would be the perfect doggie sleeping area. Or cushy place to stand while doing dishes. I wonder if I could make one with some old Black Flag tee's. Just kidding honey, get off the floor.

Recycled T-Shirt Rug in Yellow SMALL by talkingsquid - $60

Did you know that indoor air can be significantly dirtier and worse for you then outdoor air? And that there was a NASA study that found that having houseplants can remove 87% of air toxins within 24 hours. And that houseplants can often look a little drab? That is why I love this succulent wreath from Pamela Newman at Fairyscapes. With a little water and sunlight, this wreath will continue to grow and bloom long after most flower arrangements and go a long way towards cleaning the air in your home. Plus- I mean come on, it is so pretty.

Rose Round Succulent Wreath 9" by Fairyscape - $44.99

So, I love learning new stuff and in researching today's blog I found out that there is a wide array of research suggesting that Dryer Sheets are bad news. They are full of chemicals and could potentially damage your clothes and your skin. So these Wool Dryer balls from Dryerballs are a clever way to ditch dryer sheets forever. Apparently, these guys can reduce drying time, reduce static and fluff fabrics without any chemicals at all. Plus, they are reusable, which saves time and trash.