Earth Day: 3 Little Ways I Try to be Green

Happy Earth Day Everyone! As I have mentioned before, I am trying to be more conscious with my decisions and be a little more eco-friendly. Below are three (easy) ways to try to be a little more earth friendly in your day to day lives. I hope you all are having a WONDERFUL Wednesday & week!

1) Shop second hand - I promise it is worth it!

This jumpsuit is from local fave Detox Resale

I have mentioned time and time again my goal this year of only shopping from second hand OR small businesses. I have held pretty steadfast to this rule - I think total I have purchased maybe 3 or 4 items "new" from a big box type retailers this year. If you are on the hunt for a particular item, I always check out Poshmark (use code madw0lfe for $10 off your first purchase) and Thred Up (this is my referral link if you want to show me some love). A lot of times I can find the exact item or one very similar in no time at all. The great thing on Poshmark is you can even make an offer on an item - real time bartering at its finest. Or if a seller has multiple things you want, you can bundle and save. Thred Up often has great deals for first time shoppers + repeat customers.

Vest that I customized from local Plato's Closet

Another place to check is your local stores. I am a huge fan of Detox Resale in St. Pete. Right now you can also shop their great collection via Instagram Stories. I also score good finds at my local Plato's Closet & Goodwill too. Just always know you can wash an item & get it altered to make it the perfect fit for you.

2) Switch to Reusable Where You Can

I honestly could not tell you the last time I bought a bottle of water. I have been trying to use only my re-fillable bottle for months (if not at least a year) now. My go-to is the 32oz Hydro Flask. It might be pricey, but I love the straw cap + 4 of these a day helps me hit my gallon water intake goal. You don't have to splurge on a bottle though. SO MANY great options are on the market now. I like this one because it is super durable and stays cold when needed.

Other ways to go reusable are grocery bags & ziploc bags. These are items that are so easy to use without thought, but they do still contribute to the plastic issues on this planet. While we have not weened ourselves completely here (it's really hard - I get it), we've tried to make some changes.

Bagpodz are by far our favorite for grocery bags. 5 heavy duty (washable) bags fold up into a case with carabiner to make remembering them a breeze. These hold enough for our typical shopping trips. Stashers are definitely my favorite reusable baggie. They are pricier, but work SO WELL. Other great options are these adorable ones from Full Circle. These are great for leftovers or taking snacks on the go.

3) Recycle As Much As You Can!

We are fortunate that we have mixed recycling pick up at our house once a week. We try to make sure we recycle everything we can. On top of that, I recently discovered TerraCycle. They work with a ton of companies to properly recycle packaging of consumer goods. I found them through Josie Maran Cosmetics (my FAVE moisturizer) and was shocked to see all the brands they work with. I would highly recommend checking them out to see if they are recycling any things you hadn't really though to recycle yet!

I hope that these little tidbits into my going greener journey help or benefit you in some way. If you have any other great tips or resources, leave them in a comment below or send them my way!

Stay safe & healthy y'all!

-Madi

Makeup & Beauty Organization Favorites

Hey all you cool cats & kittens! I hope you are surviving (maybe or maybe not thriving) your way through quarantine. I know a lot of you are taking this extra time at home to get organized. And if you're not, props to you as well. You keep doing you. 

If you are trying to get organized, I have linked my FAVE makeup & beauty organization items below. If you have any questions, always feel free to reach out. 

Luxe Acrylic Makeup System

Why I love it: This system is SUPER customizable (and on sale right now!). It allows you to build the solution that works best for your collection. 

I am using (from top to bottom, left to right): Large Luxe Acrylic Makeup Organizer Clear, Small Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer Clear (2 side by side), Medium Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer Clear (3 total - 1 by the 2 small drawers, and 2 below), and Large Luxe Acrylic Modular Drawer Clear

Bath Bombs/Salt & Bubbles Storage

Why I love it: These canisters are beautiful + functional. They really help to give your bathroom & bath time a spa like feel which is always a plus.

I am using: 3 qt. Montana Jar (Bath Bombs), 2 qt. Montana Jar (Bath Salts), & 25.4 oz. Artisan Glass Canister (Bubble Bath)

Nail Polish Organizer

Why I love it: This nifty organizer allows me to see all of my polishes easily. No more digging through a bin to see what polishes you have on hand. 

This version is slightly different than the one pictured (I've owned it for 5 years!), but looks to be of very similar quality. It was easy to assemble and obviously has held up.

Face Mask Bin

Why I love it: These bins are great for multi-purpose storage anywhere in your house. These are also cute enough to leave out and not hide away. 

I am using: Small Farmhouse Open Bin

Custom Labels (like the ones  featured on the Acrylic & Bath Organizers)

Why I love it: These are custom made by me - so yay for supporting a small business! But I feel like labeling things adds that final touch of special to any organizing project.

These are easy to apply vinyl labels - I can make them for any size project. Let me help put the final touches on your newly organized space.

Home Sweet Home: Part 2

The only room I really have left to share is bedroom. I am a little spoiled by how big of a room I got, but I did have plenty to fill it with! I wanted my room to be my own little escape after a long day at work.

  

My room has somewhat of an entry way, which is unique. When you walk in you are greeted by some of my favorite pictures and prints. Across from it, I have somewhat of a command center. A bulletin and magnet board help remind me of upcoming events (like a good friends wedding!) and a calendar keeps me up to date on my {sometimes} crazy life.

   

Also, as I unpacked it became clear that I desperately needed storage and display help. I had so many knick-knacks and things, but no where to put them. I got a very inexpensive shelf at Walmart which helped me to display some of my pictures and such. I also have been trying hard to be healthy and workout, so I needed a cute way to store my gear. This chicken-wire basket was the perfect solution. It houses everything, yet it blends in to the decor in my room.

   

My other storage helpers were this chest and set of drawers (both of which I refinished). The set of drawers acts as my home office area. It is stocked to the gills with my stationary, note pads, pens, and more. It also was the perfect printer holder {which was a bonus}. The sign above is also a great little reminder to do what you love. The chest has been in my family for a super long time, so I was excited to refinish it. I am pretty proud of how it turned out.

I started with an off white base and then I used a stencil and some champagne paint to get this look. A crystal knob helped to really dress it up. This chest is part make shift dresser, part decoration holder. It fit perfectly into my room, though, and I really love how it turned out.

I took a lot of the art work I had at my college apartment, and a couple of new pieces, to create this collage wall around my TV. It really is a great focal point in my room. It also helps me think I am escaping off to Paris at night...

    

My bed has been upgraded with a headboard since college. This headboard was a STEAL on Amazon. I would definitely check out Amazon next time you are hunting for some new home items. I also have probably too many throw pillows, but what can I say, I love them. Above my bed, I have a sweet phrase to wake up and go to bed to. Yes the frame I painted is a little crooked, but this is because it fell the first time I hung it {oops} and I haven't quite fixed it since then.

The last little nook I have is my big window. I framed it with some sheer black ruffled curtains. Under it is this adorable tufted bench that pretty closely matches my headboard. It was perfect for stashing my extra throw blankets. I was also proud that I assembled it a) correctly and b) sturdy-ly.

Well I hope you enjoyed seeing how I decorated my new big-girl home. If you have any questions on where things are from, just let us know in the comments below!

~Madison

Home Sweet Home Pt. 1

So now that everything is calming down and//or I am finally getting into a routine, I have the time to finally share some of the personal touches of my new home. Even though this place is temporary, I still wanted to make sure it felt like a real home (plus I watch way to much HGTV and felt the need to decorate). For part 1 of my "home" tour, I thought I'd share how I've dressed up the living areas of our little town home.

Note: Please disregard the Valentine's decorations...I clearly meant to write this post sooner...

I am currently sharing this place with two of my great friends, so that allowed me to be as girly as I pleased in regards to the decor. That of course meant that floral prints and Tiffany blue kitchen accessories were a must. Since the living areas are where we spend a big portion of our time at home, I wanted it to feel welcoming and home-y. It's also the first areas guest see when they come over, so I wanted to make sure that it came off like we were adults who had our live's together (even though that's a giant no LOL). The dining area is nothing to crazy, but I wanted it to feel bright and open. I refinished this kitchen table all by myself (if you can't tell, I am extremely proud of this). This table was in our old lake house and has to be at least 15 years old. I sanded the whole thing down and used spray paint and some non-traditional techniques to refinish it.

The wood was a little beat up and stained, so straight sanding and staining was not my best option. Instead I used a chocolate brown spray paint and a wet cloth to get the weathered look. I was shocked that it actually turned out semi-decent. I used the same technique on the chair seats. I cleaned up the rest of the table and coated in in an ivory paint to freshen it up. I finished it off with some fun floral place mats, gold accents, and fresh flowers.

My other proud piece in this room was the bar cart I refinished as well. Bar carts seem to be all the rage in every home magazine and Pinterest, but they can be pretty pricey. Clearly since I am a new college grad with a tight budget, I didn't want to blow $150+ on a bar cart at Target. Instead, my mom found an old school solid wood one at a flea market for around $20. $10 or so worth of paint later, and I am pretty happy with the results. I used a glossy black spray paint to coat the frame of the cart. I then used a gold paint on the shelves to dress it up a bit. It fit perfectly in the corner of our dining room and is great for holding our booze, wine glasses, and bar tools. It really has come in handy.

The kitchen in this place is way nicer than we could have ever asked for. I am OBSESSED with the color Tiffany Blue//Light Teal, and was pleased to find kitchen accessories galore in this color. My Frenchie cookie jar was also an awesome find my mom I must say. I also have touches of mason jars scattered throughout since I am clearly super rustic chic.

Our kitchen also has a cute little bay window that housed a patio chair and table set quite well. It's a nice place to sit and enjoy my morning coffee and breakfast.

Lastly, is our adorable little living room. It isn't the biggest room ever, but it does house my new furniture (thanks mom & dad!) quite well. The furniture fit the room perfectly which was a relief considering I picked it out without measuring the room...It is from Rooms To Go in case you're on the hunt for a new set yourself.

My DIY skills came in again with refinishing the TV stand. This is another momma Conway flea market find (she is quite skilled). This steal was around $60 (or less maybe?) and is a super solid piece of furniture. It is an old unit meant for holding dishes or such. I repainted in a dark cherry red//maroon to accent the area rug and furniture.

 

I dressed this room up with lots of gold accents (if you can't tell yet, I am really in to gold right now) as well as some vintage finds. The cool lamp was a random Ross find. It was too unique to pass up. My mom also got me some cool pieces, like the tray, from Hobby Lobby.

 

My favorite decor, though, has to be the floating shelves displaying my vintage cameras. I have been gifted these beauties over the last couple of years, and I absolutely love them. They created a really unique decor piece on a otherwise wasted wall. Overall, I have been extremely happy with our little home. It has been a great place to live in as my first "adult" abode. Stay tuned to see my room tour and other posts from the Everything Glitters Girls. Questions or comments? Leave them below! Until next time, ~Madi

Fall Inspired Centerpieces and Wreath

To follow up to my sister's latest post, I decided to show you my version of a fall wreath as well as some quick and simple centerpieces you can make. I use mine for my coffee table and dining room table. The wreath and centerpieces are easy to make and can be updated for each season.

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First I will talk about the wreath. Here are the supplies you will need: a burlap wreath (you can see my sister's tutorial in her post - mine is rough looking, I know, but I have had it for 2 years now), orange burlap - I used a piece about 3 feet long and a foot wide and cut it in half lengthwise, fall decorations, orange ribbon (I bought the kind with wire because it was easier to make the bow), safety pins and scissors.

To get started, I first took the strips of orange burlap and wrapped them around the wreath. I connected the ends together and safety pinned to the back of the wreath. You will need to wrap and secure both strips of burlap. You could probably use more orange burlap if you prefer, but I was satisfied with what I had.

After getting the orange burlap on, I then added the welcome sign. I secured this to the wreath by taking some of the orange ribbon and tying the sign to the metal on the wreath. It is OK if the ribbon shows since it matches the rest of the wreath. Next, I secured my cute scarecrow and pumpkin by safety pinning them to the burlap. I think they added a nice touch, but you could certainly leave them off. Lastly, I created a bow using my orange ribbon to attach at the top of the wreath. There are a lot of bow tutorials online to make one that you like!

That's it! You are all done! Now go hang it on your front door and enjoy!

Ok, let's move onto the centerpieces. There isn't much to explain here - I mostly wanted to show you my pictures. The bowls were a wedding gift from my wonderful parents, but I believe you can find something similar at Hobby Lobby. I got the leaves and pumpkins at Walmart. The pumpkins were 98 cents each and the leaves were $2.97 for each 6ft strand. You could also use pine cones or other type of fall items if you don't want to use leaves or pumpkins.

To create these I cut the leaves into pieces probably about a foot long each and layered them in the bowls and arranged them to my liking. I then placed the pumpkins in the bowl and made sure not to smash the leaves down. Lastly, I put a candle from Bath and Body Works in the center of one and a vase with a small candle in the center of the other. The vase was used at my wedding and can be found at Hobby Lobby. That is it!! So simple, but looks nice sitting on your table. Enjoy!

I will be updating both my wreath and centerpieces for Christmas and will also post about all of my Christmas decorations! Happy Thanksgiving everyone and hope you have a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

Cheers! -Danielle