According to Telegraph correspondent Richard Alleyne, "indoor air is up to 12 times more polluted than outdoor air in some areas, with air quality affected by chemicals from paints, varnishes, adhesives, furnishings, clothing, solvents, building materials and even tap water."

The article goes on to promote "super ornamental plants", which researchers say have the capability to absorb VOCs (or volatile organic compounds) from the air we breath!

what a great idea!




Some very cute english ivy over at Cheezy Cheeky.

A waxy leaf plant called Zebra plant.

And my favorite, the fern. I love what Grace Light did with these Maidenhair ferns! They are so beautiful and delicate.

another beautiful print by you are constance:



all prints by youareconstance are printed on fsc-certified papers and are packaged in recycled and/or compostable packaging.

Trying to be a responsible human being....part II

Since deciding to weed out plastic from my life, here is the progress I have made:

* Replaced my plastic razor (which I will still use for traveling) for a stainless steel safety razor.

* No more trash can liners. I own this metal trash can with a lid from ikea that I clean out every time I dump it.

* Plastic bags and plastic food packaging, including produce bags. I bought some unbleached cotton draw string bags from Nourishments on Etsy:

I use these bags for everything. Bulk beans, rice, noodles, cereal, lettuce, fruit, you name it. So I mainly do my grocery shopping at the farmer's market and the bulk food place now.

* Plastic water containers. I go once a week to fill up my 3 gallon glass carboy with distilled water for only $.75. Then I haul it back to my apartment, flip it upside down into a ceramic dispenser. It's not super heavy, but sometimes it gets slippery and I'm always a little scared of dropping it. However, there is something empowering and humbling about fetching your own water. People do it all over the world; sometimes every day!



Here is what I still haven't found plastic free solutions for:

* Juice and milk/half and half cartons that are lined with plastic.

*Glass food jars (like spaghetti) with lids that have plastic on them.

*Pads. I know. They are so lame. But I live with a roommate and don't have a washer and dryer. So using/cleaning cloth pads is just not what I feel like I can do right now.

*Ziplock bags. I have been reusing the same box for over a year. But I still don't like that they are in contact with my food.

Currently looking for: a non-plastic wide tooth comb and hairbrush. Natural lotion and makeup in glass/metal containers. Milk in a glass container.

White Work

top to bottom:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5397008

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6266164

http://mari.bigcartel.com/product/new-york-love-white

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5464460

But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will...

i took this photo while standing on the santa monica pier. i took it when i was happy in a relationship.

now i'm not.

love is exorbitantly messy.

This Makes Me Smile!

last summer i traveled to israel for my friend's wedding and there met the amazing odelia! i am so excited that she is the current featured seller on etsy.

her and her man dani live in this amazing re-fashioned chicken coop on a hill. it is one of the most peaceful places i have ever been.





her softies are adorable! i love her caterpillars.




and who doesn't love a hedgehog?!

Just a little glimpse....

of what my life sorta looks like.....