By Susan R.

I have not had a paper napkin in my house for over 20 years. Cloth napkins, are used by my husband and I and I make sure we have different napkins that sometimes will last us up to 3 days. They take up little room in the wash and create a wonderful table setting.

by Bridget

I took Camara’s New York Tote with black, croc style leather trim to a sushi dinner with friends the other night. Me ‘n the tote had a grand old time gathering compliments.

First to comment was Erin, who liked its simple and sophisticated look and how it was not too big but not too small. But the best thing was her reaction when I told her the outside of the tote was made from recycled inner tubes.

“Wait, what?” she said.
“The tubing inside a tire,” I told her. “Feel it.”
Then she ran her hand down the smooth and soft surface.
“Oh. Okay…So does that mean you could use it as a life preserver if someone fell in the ocean? Like, ‘Oh help! I’m drowning!’ And then you could chuck your purse over the boat to save them?”
Erin is funny.

Next was Rene, who was enthused about finding the perfect phrase to describe it for the blog. She pondered while others commented. Vanessa wanted to know about different sizes and styles, so I told her about the Tri and the Uptown. Jenn wanted to know about different colors so I told her about the jewel toned non-leather trim and the indigo colored denim (my fave). The bag definitely peaked everyone’s fashion curiosity.

Overall, people were most impressed with the fact that the bag is made of recycled materials but doesn’t look like it at all. It just looks like a nice hand bag.

And then Rene summed it up for us by deeming it, “a perfect square of eco-chic-ness.”
Good call, Rene. Good call.

We would like to hear from you about your journey with going green and your experiences with green products.

You can either post a reply to an existing post, or submit a comment on this page that we will create as a new blog post once approved.

How to register, log in and post your comment or story:

1. Please go to LOG IN and click on “Register” to create an online name and password for all your posts.

2. Once logged in, choose a post to reply to, or visit the Tell Everyone Your Story page, to submit your green story.

3. Press “submit comment” and our editor will approve your blog entry for posting, and will include your first name unless you tell us otherwise. Our editor is very liberal and does not wish to stifle you, but we do wish to remove offensive language and the like.

If you do not want to join the blog yourself, please enjoy reading and learning from our existing bloggers.

Greenly Yours,
The GreenMusings.com Editorial Staff

By Jeremiah

It may seem to be a small step, b-u-t, our office uses a mountain of sticky post-it notes every month. We are now writing on the front of the note, then, for writing the next one, folding forward the top of the same note. Doing this places the sticky strip in the correct position for also using the back of the post-it note, as if it were the front. Result: the note still sticks, and we use half as much (printed) paper!

By Bridget

I loathe how much waste comes from gift wrapping (especially from Crate & Barrel!!!), so I try to put gifts in a basket or other reusable container and just add a bow or some ribbon.

By Barbara

Remember how mom wrapped your school lunch sandwich in waxed paper? This was back in the 60’s. We all thought it was so cool when some kids brought their sandwiches to school in little plastic bags. So, recently I ran out of plastic wrap and wrapped my sandwich in the waxed paper in the utility drawer. I had forgotten how easy it is to use! Fold it, crease it, it stays put. It is far more biodegradable than any plastic.

AND now I am ready for preserving any wonderfully colored leaves that come my way in October.

By Mercia Tapping

We give a lot of used clothing and bedding to charity each year, but from time to time we know that items have gone beyond where someone would even say thank you. So, we cut up old towels or sheets for cleaning rags and avoid paper towels. It is a simple thing to do and they work much better than wasteful paper towels, anyway.

By Mercia Tapping

After visiting Africa last year, where most places we visited the population did not have running water, I became more conscious about how wasteful we were being at home. For example, when we did something as simple as brushing our teeth, we left the tap running while we did so. Now, I turn the tap off as I brush my teeth. It is a simple little thing, but I know that I am saving a tremendous amount of water by doing so.

By Mercia Tapping

My husband and I have got the age where we can be relied on to get up during the night for a bathroom visit. So the family secret is that we do not flush during the night but do so first thing in the morning. This way we do not disturb each other and we have cut way down on our water consumption.

By Richard

My wife and I have repainted our entire home with VOC free paint as well as removed all of the carpeting from the house. We are also going to be using a cloth diaper service. We also use a vapor steam cleaner exclusively to clean the house. No chemicals in the house whatsoever.