Eco Chic: My Green Year Resolutions
In addition to my New Year's Resolutions, I have also resolved to live a greener lifestyle. Now that I've joined forces with BlueAvocado, I am more determined than ever to do so. I see it as an opportunity to get creative (How brilliant is the recycled light bulb in the photo above?) and take action. So how am I going to do this? Easy. Here's my five-step game plan:
- Instead of depending on disposable bags offered by stores, I am going to use a reusable bag for all of my shopping needs. Yes, even clothes shopping!
- I'm already a huge fan of farmer's markets, but occasionally I fall victim to grocery store produce due to the convenience factor. Needless to say, I am going to make a conscious effort to focus on shopping locally and planning my shopping schedule around the dates of my favorite farmer's markets. Being green isn't just about change; it's about accommodating your lifestyle too.
- When I pack my snacks before heading out to work at the Paper Crown offices, I'll opt for these (re)zip baggies instead of plastic baggies.
- In an effort to be more energy efficient, I will remember to turn the lights off after leaving a room. I am also going to remember to unplug my beauty appliances and cell phone chargers when they are not in use. (Did you know that even if something is turned off, it is still sucks out a bit of energy?)
- Lastly, I am going to keep a few of these reusable java jackets in my purse so I don't have to contribute to the billions of coffee cardboard sleeves that are disposed each year. Billions? Yikes!
If you want to shop BlueAvocado, they are offering a 25% discount for anyone committing to greening their lifestyle. Just go to BlueAvocado.com and use this promo code at checkout: balcny25.
How are you going to take part in a "greener" lifestyle this year?
Tell me about your five-step plan in the comments below!
XO Lauren
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41 comments
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I totally didn't think of saving my coffee sleeves! Usually I use a travel mug, but when I do go to Starbucks I don't even think when I throw my cup away. Thanks, Lauren! -
Lauren, your biggest thing is style! I think a big step to becoming more green would be conscious consuming for you. Everything we buy always comes in excessive packaging and consider transportation as well. It would really interesting to see what magic you could pull in buying less clothes, shoes, and well, stuff and rewearing things instead. Ask yourself, "Do I need another [insert item here]?" Consider if things you are interested in buying are already similar to things you already have and if you actually need them. And remember, just because it's "environmentally friendly" doesn't mean you have to buy it to immediatley replace something you already have. Buy what you need, when you need it.
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I love this idea. I was wandering if you have instructions on how you cut the top of the light bulb off. Like what you used. I thought this idea would make cute little additions to my covered deck. I have artificial trees on my deck and hanging these light bulbs I thought would add a little whimsy to the tree.
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I use a ceramic cup with sylicone lid and sylicon java jacket, is reusable, washable and is excelent as a gift!
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Shopping locally is extremely important! I recently started using a company called green bean delivery! Every other week they deliver a bin of fresh produce with the vegetables and fruit of my choice! They also deliver groceries too and everything is local and organic and it's fairly inexpensive and not to mention super convenient! -
I LOVE the lightbulb idea!!
This year I'm going to try and get my own garden going, I've never been very successful, but I feel this is my year! Lol
I like the idea of having a cute re-usable shopping bag, even for clothes!
I'm abit like you Lauren, I leave my stereo plugged in 24/7, so unplugging my appliances is a good goal!
I work in childcare, and we're actually pretty good about recycling and composting but you can always do better!! I think its a great idea to teach the littlies about recycling and reducing our waste, hopefully we can impart a message about looking after and protecting our planet for the future generations!!
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We've set up a compost bin in our backyard for all of our food scraps that are biodegradable, rather than throwing them in the trash. Great for the environment! :)
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For me, my green resolution is to learn my daughter the importance and how to be green... (She's almost 3!) and also I'll try a garden at the cottage next summer, and BUY LOCAL!
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I love reusable bags as well!! :)
http://www.soupforthegirlysoul.blogspot.com
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Love the reuseable bags! I started trying to become more green last year when I received a bento box from Laptop Lunches for Christmas. I quickly noticed how much less waste I was producing by using their lunchbox that I started to really pay attention to other things I could do to live a more green lifestyle and it's really paid off. My family has greatly decreased our waste and enjoy finding other small ways to make big changes. Their products are also great for portion control and balance, so I've already lost those holiday pounds! Check them out at, www.laptoplunches.com.
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Lauren,
I think it's wonderful that you're taking steps to lead a more green lifestyle. I've been taking a few steps every year too. I recently actually started a reusable grocery bag line because I think it's so important to not use plastic grocery bags.
Check it out if you're interested: www.etsy.com/shop/designsbypbe
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I love all green ideas, I found Lauren's twin is an actress, her name is Ingrid Martz She is from mexico and is identical to lauren, here are the photos
http://www.laurenconrad.com/photo/view/47697/3388/15185/1
http://www.laurenconrad.com/photo/view/47697/3388/15187/1
http://www.laurenconrad.com/photo/view/47697/3388/15188/1
http://www.laurenconrad.com/photo/view/47697/3388/15189/1
http://www.laurenconrad.com/photo/view/47697/3388/15190/1
What do you think?????
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It's never too late to start being green ELEE, the more the merrier lol. Here in Adelaide, South Australia, we are required to bring reusable shopping bags every time we buy groceries. The legislation has been in for quite some time, and though it took a bit of getting used to, people seem to be responding well to it. I often sit in the dark and watch TV, what do you really need the lights on for anyway, plus it's extra spooky if you are watching a horror movie. In the winter, the kids and I also sit around with blankets wrapped around us instead of using the heater, it saves a lot of power and money. When using air conditioning, just leave it on til your house is cool, not all day, turn it off and turn it back on once it warms up again.
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Living a greener lifestyle, to me, will include using reusable bags for grocery&clothes shopping...unplugging all beauty products&cellphone chargers when finished using (even though i've been really good at that for awhile)...turning lights off when leaving a room (ocd if i dont haha)...and taking shorter showers!
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Getting greener is a great New Year's resolution! I like that you've got a reusable java jacket, but recently I've gone one step further and gotten a ceramic mug with a soft plastic top and jacket that I keep in the office and use every time I take a coffee break to go: no more paper cups! Here's a picture of it:
http://ilikelocal.blogspot.com/2010/09/backtracking-little-i-know-as-ive.html
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I truly think the idea of reusing the light bulbs is brilliant. I would have never ever thought about doing that, only because it's glass. Are you able to give a demo on how we can create that wonderful light bulb vase???
I love the whole idea of going green and I believe this world needs to understand that that's what we all should do. I've always known that even if appliances weren't in use, you should always unplug things anyway because it still does eat up a little energy. I'm the one in my family to always make sure of that. For a few years now, my sister and I have been using reusable bags and we take them with us to the grocery stores always. Sometimes we tend to forget them but we make sure we have some in the car, just in case. My brother has been stressing on us the fact that we should just shop and support our local farmers so we always try to hit the farmers market on the weekends and some on the weekdays. I believe everyone should too since there's always something going on with fruits/or veggies here and there.
I checked out BlueAvocado and I am in love with their product. That sandwich pouch is a must get for me. I have the tendency to reuse my zip block bags over and over and over and the idea of the reusable washable zip bags are perfect for me. I can't wait to purchase a few of the items on their site. Thank you for sharing this with all of us!
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In Wales we now have to pay 5p (about 5 American cents) for bags from any type of store, be it grocery to clothes. It might not seem like much, but hardly anybody buys the bags, rather they either carry the stuff without a bag or bringing a bag themselves. Its proven to be very good for the enviroment here I believe and is something more countries should look at, well in my opinion. :D
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I agree with you Janine, I love the idea about the light bulbs! :)
http://www.soupforthegirlysoul.blogspot.com
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Lauren...I love that you are making effort to be more green... I def. need to start going to my local farmer's market as well! I also love the decoration idea with the light bulbs...super cute!
-janine
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This is great. It is sometimes hard to change our lifestyles but I think you have the right idea by having a plan in mind. For sandwiches, there is also a special sort of tupperware specifically for that. I know my mom used to pack our sandwiches for my sister and me when we were younger in one of those so they wouldn't get squishy in the baggies. :)
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