Ramblings of a Maniac

It must be in my DNA but every time I have guests (which by the way is often)I go into hyper-drive clean freak mode. Rationally I know my house will never be as tidy as I'd like it to be, or will my loved ones judge the status of the abode, but I still find myself in a state of panic and frenzy.

As hard as I've tried to control this clean freak inside, it still manages to scratch and claw its way out of me. My husband, after nearly 10 years of marriage, has finally figured out a solution--he removed the kids from the situation.

Tonight, as I was scurrying about preparing for our Thanksgiving guests, he took the 3 kids on a daddy date. You know what? The kids had a blast! I cranked the tunes, poured myself a glass of wine(yes, I was drinking it with my rubber gloves on)and got on my hands and knees to get rid of that dirt that never seems to go away.

Although still frantic, I was able to focus on the task at hand and keep my cool, well, kind of, but I'm working on it!

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

Mama's Wish List

The past few years, my husband and I have opted to buy trees and finish our landscaping in lieu of purchasing gifts for one another at Christmas. This year however, I have my eye on a few dandies! You know you're getting old when this is what your wish list looks like...

-vintage-style, ruffled half-apron
-2008-2009 momAgenda Desktop day planner in Marine (I cannot live without this organizer!)
-Matcha beginners kit with tea bowl (this tea is supposed to be loaded with all the good stuff and is used in Japanese tea ceremonies)
-natural aromatherapy bath salts

There is definitely a theme brewing here--all things to help me relax, stay organized and healthy in 2009. I hope you put things to stay well on your wish list also.

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

Holiday Wish List

This year, we are paying more attention to what Santa brings to our house. I don't want to overdo it and I want the kids to appreciate the gifts they do receive.

I did some research about eco-friendly toys and found Sprig, a company that makes great adventure vehicles. What makes these toys so cool is they are made from recycled wood, reclaimed plastic and are kid-powered instead of battery-powered.

I'm still on the prowl for environmentally friendly princesses, but haven't had any luck yet. Let me know if you find anything. Santa's definitely going green this year!

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

Avon Walk For Breast Cancer

My girlfriends have raised over $67,000 for breast cancer research through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am so inspired by their effort, I have committed to join them this May in Washington, D.C. to walk 39 miles in two days!

My very creative friend has designed fun and fabulous tees as part of the Pink Pacers (yes, that's what the team is called) fundraisers. You can order your own and help support the cause. Walk on, Pink Pacers!

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

Bring Your Own

Now that I’m seriously committed to dumping the plastic bag habit, I’m starting to add cool bags to my collection so I will never need another plastic one. For the record, I have enough plastic Target bags saved to line every trash can in my house for ten years, ok, maybe not ten years but I do not need or want another!

A friend recently shared this cool blog called The Green Bag Lady where you can download free patterns for either a produce bag or tote. You can even check out her video so you can learn how to sew directly from The Green Bag Lady herself. I have a ton of fabric scraps in my attic from leftover house projects that will now be put to good use and encourage you to do the same.

I’ve also found some wonderful bags online that I want to add to my collection. One of my favorite sites, Ecoist, even plants a tree whenever you buy a bag! I love the colorful, recycled rice bags. They are hefty enough to carry a big load and look great—win, win!

I also love Envirosax. They have adorable designs and come in a cool pouch (you know I love pouches) so you can carry the bags with you and always have a stash on hand. I leave bags in my car now so I’m prepared even for impromptu errands. They even have adorable designs for children so they too can can play a role in eliminating plastic bag waste.

There are a ton of affordable, stylish options for reusable bags. This is an easy change that really counts.

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

What To Do With Your Pumpkins?

I just read a great blog post from A Southern Accent about recycling pumpkins. It's got some great ideas that I want to share.

The best thing to do is compost your leftover pumpkins, but if you aren't composting yet, check with your local yard waste removal & recycling department to determine if they accept pumpkins for pick-up. Some cities have their own local composting instead of heading to the landfill. Lack of oxygen in the landfills prevent the pumpkins from breaking down at the normal rate so even though they are biodegradable, pumpkins still create a lot of waste. Our local Whole Foods held a "Smash It, Don't Trash It!" event to help expose the problem and teach more about recycling and composting.

So, if you're pumpkins are starting to get a little yucky, think about other ways to dispose of ol' Jack other than the garbage can.

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly

Green Cleaning

I've been looking for an all-natural stain remover that stacks up to the bleach pen and Shout. With three small kids, I definitely have to have a stain solution so I can recycle clothes to my youngest son and still have them looking great.

Well, I think I've found an alternative. I tested the Pocket Charlie on one side of my son's shirt stained with chocolate and juice (I know, I know but it was Halloween!) and the other side of the same shirt with Shout. Guess what? There was no difference, both products totally removed the stain. In my book, Pocket Charlie was the clear winner because it worked just as well and it's clean, green and safe. I'm eager to test other Charlie Soap products especially since its a fellow North Carolina based company.

Now that I have an effective alternative for stain busting, I'll share some of my other favorite green products:

-Seventh Generation Dishwasher and Natural Dish cleaner
-Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent
-Mrs. Meyers Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner (the lavender smells amazing)
-Mrs. Meyers Liquid Hand Soap (again, big fan of the lavender scent)
-Vinegar or just plain lemon juice & water solution for hardwood floors & windows

Just look on the label of a non-green household product and it will scare the socks off you. I don't want all those chemicals in my house!

Be smart. Be bold. Be happi.
Molly