five simple things #22
This post has been over a month in the making. I had all intentions of posting it back in July (!!!) but then things seemed to just hectic. I truly want to make this a weekly tradition and am trying to give myself grace as I am navigating several transitions. I am hopeful to get into a rhythm and new routine which enables me to find these moments of joy. Have a lovely Sunday and great week!
1. Owala FreeSip. This is the best water bottle ever. I do not say that lightly. I was on the S’well bottle train for several years and then invested in a HydroFlask about a year ago. Both options were great for keeping my water cold throughout the day or night but had different downsides. Getting ice into my S’well bottle was a battle and sipping elegantly from my HydroFlash was near impossible. I cannot take credit for finding the FreeSip- that belongs to Fox. I know that she always does her research and when her bottle arrived I was immediately jealous. My favorite feature other than the ability to either “sip or swig” is the hands free lid. I have been known to drop my lid one too many times, deeming my water bottle useless for the rest of the day. If you are interested in getting one of your own, you can use code FRIENDS33 for 33% off (this is not an affiliate code- just sharing my love for a fantastic water bottle).
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
2. Junk Mail. I have seen my personal use of reusable bags dramatically decrease since the beginning of the pandemic. This was one major area that I felt I was consistently sustainable in addition to using my own water bottle. When I saw this post by Julia over at Lemon Stripes I immediately knew I wanted to share. She provides such easy and helpful resources for reducing the amount of junk mail that you receive. I wish I had known some of her tips earlier- they would have saved me time from individually calling catalog companies!
3. Zucchini bread. Returning to the farmers’ market has meant fresh, local, delicious produce including zucchini. As I am typing this, I am feeling rather passionate about the vegetable due to its versatility. The farm I usually purchase zucchini from sells 4 for $3 which I don’t think can be beat. Badger isn’t a huge fan of a zucchini side dish so I sneak in making zucchini bread (it counts as a serving of vegetables right?). Typically my zucchini bread season only lasts this summer until I found this amazing and simple tutorial from Fresh Exchange on how to freeze zucchini. You bet I prepped a batch and plan to do more. I only wish I had a dedicated freezer to meal prep!
Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
4. Closet organization. The organization bug finally hit me and I have been making tackling small projects. After suggesting Badger purge his (unworn) suit and t-shirt collection, I took an honest look at my closet. I created substantial hanger space and likely could have more. The biggest change though came from a better shoe organization system. Previously I stacked my shoes in shoe boxes and an open bin. We purchased this shoe rack and I am beyond impressed. It may not be the fanciest but I have so much more floor space and peace of mind whenever I enter my closet.
5. Pinterest. I was in my senior year of college when Pinterest launched. I remember scrolling through wedding details, home decor and recipes which created a virtual reality different from studying. It had been awhile since I spent any time creating boards for inspiration until now. I have enjoyed returning to a source where I can easily find new recipes, mood boards and creative projects. The upgrades since 2010 also make for much easier organization.
“do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. keep in the sunlight.”
benjamin franklin
