Hiking is definitely one of our favorite outdoor activities, and I happen to have two kids that are always up for a hike. We love our weekday hikes the best. The trails are relatively empty and we feel carefree to move along the trail at whatever pace feels good, even coming to a complete stop when we find spy a treasure worth investigating.
Continue readingFeeling like you have no soul* sole? Replace it!
In today’s cheap clothing culture it seems that we aren’t investing in quality clothing and shoes that can be refurbished rather than replaced. Today we’re talking about how easy it is to replace/fix the soles of footwear. We’re hoping to encourage you to think twice before you toss your next pair of shoes or boots.
It’s blood orange season! Pick some up at the market and treat your V-day pals to this delicious pink cocktail.
Continue readingThis week’s edition of Waste Less Wednesdays is also a throwback! We’re reminding you of the least expensive valentine around (okay maybe a hug is cheaper) coming in at about .30, a banana valentine! We love this simple waste-free way to show your appreciation.
We are all about balance around these parts. Sarah’s balance goes something like this: wake up at 4:00am to catch a sunrise from the summit of a mountain then spend the next 24 hours sleeping. Me? I’m always trying to strike a balance between showing my guys I love them by making fussy treats and then leaving a few oh-so-simple surprises around the house that have just as much meaning. Today we’re sharing the latter. A simple surprise that will put a smile on anyone’s face.
You’ve probably seen this banana trick before, but we wanted to remind you of it again, especially if you woke up today realizing that you still don’t have anything for your Valentine. Don’t stress, just pick up a banana and follow these tips.
A treat for your Valentine’s Day sweetie! Whip up a batch of homemade marshmallows this week!
Seeing homemade marshmallows make the internet rounds and knowing how much my husband loves them (caffeinated marshmallows were a stocking stuffer hit!), I was excited to test my kitchen skills and make whip up a batch. 
The recipes all seem simple enough, but there was still something daunting about turning sugar into perfectly puffed squares and not ending up with my hand stuck to the magazine inserts like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation (need a reminder?). With a free day, and all of the ingredients on hand, I am now a homemade marshmallow convert ~ they are so easy to make! And addictive! Although, while in the middle of this sweet adventure, there were a few moments of panic.
I love (LOVE) living so close to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s the closest that I’ve ever lived to a national park, and every visit puts a big smile on my face. Needless to say, when I came across the Subpar Parks account, I couldn’t stop laughing.
Illustrator Amber Share pairs negative reviews of the national parks with her own illustrations. She’s created an illustration for each US national park and has now moved on to parks in other parts of the world. I mean, I guess her work is funny. Would you believe me if I said I’m super unimpressed?
Continue readingWith the new year, we’re starting a new weekly series called “Waste Less Wednesdays”. Our passion for preserving Mather Nature is pretty strong, but we recognize that we live in a consumer-driven society. As such, we try to be honest with ourselves about our own consumption, our needs vs. wants, and the opportunities that we have to reduce waste. We are often sharing tips and tricks to reduce our consumption, and this series was born from those conversations. Read Katie’s previous post about the cup.
Today I’m here to tout my newest purchase, an Albatross Razor. For years, nah, a decade, I’ve used a simple 3-blade Venus razor. The amount of waste involved has always bothered me, like why does each razor head need to be individually wrapped in plastic inside of another box or piece of plastic? Strike one. The pain of chucking one of those plastic heads into the trash every two-three weeks without a way to recycle them, Strike two. The cost, about $5 per head, Strike three. Beyond that, I’m trying as hard as possible to purchase from companies with more integrity and while I won’t talk smack on Gillette, I wouldn’t say we’re aligned in our values.
Meanwhile, Albatross Designs is built around, “a desire to take back the metaphor of the albatross and return it to a symbol of good luck. If we give nature the respect it deserves, good fortune will follow.” The Schu family is already big fans of albatrosses and honestly, that’s why this particular razor company caught my eye early in my internet search to begin with. They ask customers to, “Please help us in our mission to “SHAVE” the World from Plastic.” and we’re so down with that.
There are many, many “zero-waste plastic” razor companies out there, but I’ll quickly note the reasons why Albatross stood out.
I will admit, I was a little worried I would cut myself to pieces with this razor. I’m not sure why, but they just seem more intimidating than the Venus razors. I appreciate the moisturizer on the Venus razor during the very first use, but by the second use they are enveloped in that gooey, lotiony, slime stuff, ick. Anyway, obviously not the case with Albatross. I use a bar of soap instead of shaving cream and then just glide away. It’s really no different than other razors. The ridged edge on the razor (not on the blade, but on the holder) provides a good guide for how much pressure to apply when shaving and I haven’t cut myself yet! It took me about a week to become brave enough to shave my armpits, I’m happy to report that it all worked out great!
I’m already loving the ease of use and not leaving a weird slime on my shower shelves. I also appreciate how easy it is to remove and store the blade, making this a safe razor to travel with. I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve cut myself multiple times in my life just by reaching into my disorganized toiletry bag and somehow grabbing the blade of a razor. Yikes! Never again. Another plus? Now that I’m the proud lucky owner of a hot tub, I’ve already had a friend or two wishing they would have shaved before soaking – no problemo now. With this razor, I can easily swap the blade and let them shave. Bonus? Each blade comes in a tiny paper envelope, so I write my friend’s name on the envelope and slide their blade back in for the next sleepover, hot tub time. It’s the tiny perks my friends! Seriously, this razor is a simple pleasure, but it truly does delight me.
What about you? What razors are you using? Who do you purchase them from? Are you happy with your current setup? Let me know if you have any questions!