HopeK's Profile

I'm excited to see this posted because I also saw it at the last East Austin Studio tour and I was very impressed. My family had to chase me out because I didn't want to leave.

I'm going to remove a cheap office chair that I've already replaced, but I keep holding onto for some reason. Out you go into the world!

Fun topic! I would say that of the people I know, the pack rats/minimalists thing does seem to fall along gender lines. But I think it's important to point out that the male minimalists I know aren't better at getting rid of things or simplifying it's that they don't accumulate so much to begin with. They keep things around because they don't want to bother replacing it (even if it is falling apart). Of course, there are exceptions, but I honestly have to say that it does seem to work out that way (even though my first reaction was heck no!)

Modern cat did a great comparison on natural cat litters here: http://www.moderncat.net/2008/04/27/natural-cat-litter-comparison/

I personally use Swheat for my two kitties and I like it because it's dust free, controls odors, is biodegradable when disposed of in a paper bag and my kitties seem to like it. I'll have to use the baking soda trick - thanks! The only downside is that they track it outside of the box so I have to clean up the floor every time I scoop. Not a huge deal, but it migrates around my apartment. I'll have to try the multi-cat formula next time.

Excellent resources and also kudos for taking the public transportation angle.

You might check with your municipal recycling program. The one in my city actually takes clothing. Clothing can actually have a very long life cycle after you're finished with it. What some donation centers do is put clothes in bales and export them to other countries or take the unusable clothes and sell them as industrial rags. Certain kinds of fibers like denim and cashmere can be reused and made into other types of products.

brilliant

Amazing! I agree - the minimalism would be a must in this home. You've really made this space everything it could possibly be. I really hope you have a fabulous view.

Hummers and you don't want to see me around a Hummer limo.

Very fun and I love that you seek to re-use items (craigslist & garage sales). It's lighter on the budget and planet. It also forces careful consideration of how things will look in your place and how you might change them to fit (shelves). I really like the accessibility of your entry, I guess is what I'm saying. Something others could do and it seems like fun, friendly people live here. Thanks for sharing!