greenjilly's Profile

Display Name: greenjilly
Member Since: 12/14/09

Latest Comments...

Reindeermoss and Edmundd you are brilliant.
I second the hole (misspelling/pun intended) way too scared sentiment. Just the photo makes my heart race.


Don't Look Down: Elevator Shaft Powder Room Home DSGN
5/1/12 4:26 PM

Awesome idea. I'm a bit embarrassed that I didn't think of it myself. I can't wait to do this in our office/spare room!

A few responses to the comments: I imagine the point was to re-purpose, versus buy new. Obviously not everyone has a glass jar spice rack, but it certainly made me excited to use up (may just pitch since it's old) the rest of the fennel and other random left overs I have in my old set. But if you can't find them at a resale shop, you may want to check tj maxx or marshalls for a rack (I've seen some very nice ones there--maybe not identical--for much less).

@SherryBinnh: you may want to look for a hanging spice rack. (Again, TJ Maxx/Marshalls is likely to have them if not at a resale shop.) With beads in bright colors you're sure to have it would be stunning as functional wall art!


Keep It Sorted: Spice Rack as Craft or Office Organizer
Redbook
2/16/12 1:05 PM

We use the CVS brand recycled TP and I've often wondered why they bother with the bleaching. (I do understand the white=clean thing, though. But grey/beige wouldn't bother me at all.) It is a bit less soft than major commercial brands, and took about a week to get used to, though I didn't have any sensitivity issues. My husband didn't complain either.
I will admit that we keep a pack of Charmin under the sink for when we have guests over, though. I don't want to force my green ideals on the bums of my friends and family.


In the News: Bring on the Beige … Toilet Paper?
2/6/12 9:41 AM

Gussiebuns: Great tip. Thet have quite a few color selections as well.
http://www.target.com/s?keywords=shatterproof+ornament&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1


Hot Tip: Deter Cats From Your Christmas Tree With Citrus
12/15/10 4:00 PM

Yowzer. I'll say it: $21 is probably why you haven't picked up their bottle before. It would certainly be a deterrant for me.
Very convincing article and I am intrigued, though. If I'm feeling splurgy and they sell it here, I may pick up a bottle. It's great that it's only 1 oz. per HE load. I like that a lot.


Product Review: Zum Laundry Soap by Indigo Wild
Test Lab
11/10/10 12:51 PM

An alternative would be a stencil, right?
I just ordered (as in it's still shipping) this and we're hoping for the best. www.etsy.com/listing/61331790/reusable-wall-stencil-tree-branch-with

My husband and I just bought a home (6 mos. ago) with khaki walls, and our couch and curtains were already khaki. Our landlords were way cool and let me paint the walls bright colors in our old apartment, but now it's like we live in a bowl of oatmeal.
I'm not brave enough to do wall paper, don't like the potential badness in a decal, so my solution to the decal versus wallpaper agrument was neither. We've selected a few colors to choose from in zero VOC Olympic and Benjamin Moore's Natura (we'll probably go with the former, cost-wise). BUT I'm really excited.
Maybe one day we'll paint the walls, but for now we'll live in a muted world with pretty stencil accent colors.


Wall Decals versus Wallpaper
11/10/10 12:37 PM

Her other products are fantastic as well! LOVE her bath soaks and the clay bars of soap last forever!

My mother has *incredibly* sensitive skin and I've given her all sorts of products (she prefers lavender) and it has not only been without reaction but has actually calmed/soothed some of her issues.
Her boyfriend had skin cancer removed from his face and uses the bar of soap --which she busted him on ;) -- because it felt so much better for him too.

Every once in a while Soapwalla will run specials (you can get email notifications) and she's also committed to raising money for good causes too.
Ok. I'm done. But I needed to share how much I love her products.


Product Review: Deodorant Cream by Soapwalla
Test Lab
10/29/10 10:38 AM

I've been using this exclusively for a little over a year now. Incredible stuff. It smells great, my underarms don't get irritated any more and I think it lasts longer than 2 sticks of any other aluminum laden brand I used to use.

The only down side for me: It's not as good of an antiperspirant. I am one of those unlucky people who come from a family of heavier persipration.

BUT once I got used to that it is great. I'm not sure we should be holding that in anyway. Natural cooling system for the body and all.

But it is a very effective deodorant. Truly. It's an incredible scent and I love it. My husband tells me I smell great even as he sits next to me on at the dinner table, when I don't smell it anymore. I think it's pretty gender neutral, too. Men can certainly use this too.


Product Review: Deodorant Cream by Soapwalla
Test Lab
10/29/10 10:29 AM

omoriala: Thanks for the tip! You just helped me shop local. :)


Shampoo Bars: Good-Looking Hair, No Plastic Bottles
10/28/10 3:34 PM

JMD, I use the snapware containers to bring my soup to work for lunch and haven't had a spill. Sometimes I have to flex a bit to get the lids to snap shut and it makes me think it has to be a great seal. I can't speak for the other types, but I know they do the trick for me. (And I have no idea about the UK availability, but since they're even on our shelves here (U.S.) I'd at least assume they're available in the UK.)

Jaystimpson: The containers we have are pretty durable, but I can't say they'd be indestrucable. They're certainly thicker and more substantial than a sauce jar, but not drop resistant like plastic.


The Great Tupper-War: 6 Glass Containers To Use Instead
10/25/10 10:45 AM

Don't fee badly since you've already bought them, Shannon. Try to find the positives.

As far as a direct comparison, I think it depends on how often you use them, honestly. A lot of wax tea lights are only good for a couple of hours at best. I think we all agree soy is far better than parafin, but regardless, yes, there will be a lot of direct "pollution." You can see it in the soot that they leave on walls, ceilings, even table tops around them.
(Unless they're recycled plastic, etc., it may be far less pollution in the long run, though, to go with a wicked candle.)
However the battery operated ones will give you thousands of hours. They do make some that are LED as well, so there's another plus.

I went back and forth with candles or no candles for our wedding and essentially decided that since we were doing a tent wedding we'd like the added ambience. It was in an Arboretum, so I was wary of the open flame. I bought LED battery operated lights and still feel somewhat comfortable with the decision. (We had an near worst-case scenario and had a storm and the power actually went out in the tent--band, lights, everything. I felt pretty smart with the candles and other lights then.) I've also been able to give them out to my family to use for their pumkins this year--and probably years to follow. Far less hazard there, too.

So don't beat yourself up too badly. I'm sure I just opened myself up to some of the abuse too, but I think there are positives and negatives on both sides. Probably one clear winner, but I'm just trying to make you feel a bit better about the choice.


Are Plastic Battery Operated Tea Lights a Green Choice?
Good Question
10/22/10 2:50 PM

I love my snapware containers! We just got married so we were fortunate to register for a bunch of them. If you want to save on shipping they're also carried at Bed Beth & Beyond (and if you bring in those mail coupons that you've been stock piling you'll be even happier with the price, even if you buy one piece per visit) and I spotted them recently at Target. (I live in suburban Cleveland, so if they're in my stores it's a good chance they're in yours.)

Just keep in mind that the lids are top rack only in the dishwasher and say not to microwave them--obviously the glass is fine, but I think the seal may warp if you nuke the lids.


The Great Tupper-War: 6 Glass Containers To Use Instead
10/21/10 2:25 PM

But since I just did the search on these specifically, I thought I'd share that the only safe plants are the Bamboo Palm and Gerbera daisy.


Can I Use House Plants To Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Good Question
10/19/10 12:58 PM

To follow up Catherine's comment:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/nontoxic-plants.html


Can I Use House Plants To Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Good Question
10/19/10 12:51 PM

I thought the same too, but just a regular bulb. I didn't think about a larger size. I've never seen the bag "trick" but now I'm really curious.
There are some vases that are round at the bottom but have a stand to accommodate them. I imagine that would to the trick also. I may now have an excuse to purchase the artsy addition.


Anti-Fly Sphere by José de la O
10/19/10 12:06 PM

@ Aimi -
I read that cats hate to walk on chickenwire. You can cut it so it fits around your plants and it's not _that_ obvious asethetically.
I have yet to try it, but have considered it...


Before & After: A Front Porch Makeover For Less than $40
9/23/10 12:07 PM

I just went to the website (US). The recycled ones are not food grade--kind of a drag. I wonder what the recycling process does to make them not food-safe.


Tubtrugs: A Multipurpose Tool for All Seasons
9/14/10 11:05 AM

You could get it tattooed. :)
I'm embarassed to say that my husband was watching "pimp my ride" and I was somehow mindlessly sucked in. But, they tattooed leather seats. This was done prior to attaching it to the seats, but I bet you could have someone bring a kit by to your home for a small fee.

I'm sure you could find an artist willing to do some dainty work. I'd email the photo around to local shops and see what their reactions are...


How Can I Modernize this Brown Leather Couch? Good Question | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
7/23/10 4:19 PM

This is a great post! Thanks for having a little fun with the craze.


5 Green Life Lessons We Can Learn from Twilight 'Eclipse' | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
7/7/10 9:37 AM

Also, when checking out Reel Mowers (which I still plan to do) I read that the Brill runs forever without maintenance and almost bought one. I did find a review, though, that says they are limited in the cutting height department. "Golfcourse short" was the phrase, I believe. So if you don't want to keep a close crop, you may want to avoid Brills.

I've referred to this site a lot:
http://www.reelmowerguide.com/

and this one--which also sells display models at lower pricing:
http://www.ecomowers.com/Default.asp

But this is the most helpful (and actually helped me pick the B&D electric mower):
http://www.consumersearch.com/lawn-mower-reviews/reel-lawn-mowers


Green Grass: 5 Eco-Friendly Lawnmowers | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest
6/30/10 12:01 PM