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Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

šŸ§€ Calling All Cheese Lovers: Meet the Holiday Gift Thatā€™ll Change the Way You Store Cheese Forever

November 4, 2025 0

Are you a cheese lover like me? Because if thereā€™s one thing I take seriously, besides hot cocoa season and holiday playlists, itā€™s cheese. Brie, cheddar, gouda, chĆØvreā€¦ I love them all. But nothing breaks my heart faster than opening the fridge and finding a sad, moldy wedge hiding in the corner of the drawer.

Weā€™ve all been there. You buy a gorgeous piece of cheese for a charcuterie board, wrap the leftover in plastic wrap ā€œjust for a few days,ā€ and next thing you know, itā€™s dry, slimy, or covered in fuzzy green spots.

So why does that happen?
Itā€™s simple: cheese hates plastic. Conventional plastic wrap suffocates it. Because itā€™s non-porous, moisture gets trapped inside, creating condensation that leads to mold, weird smells, and a serious flavor downgrade.

Enter my new kitchen obsession and favorite holiday find: Formaticum, the ultimate cheese storage solution that will make every cheese lover smile (and every fridge a little happier).

šŸŒæ Why Formaticum Is a Game-Changer

Formaticum was founded by true cheese experts who wanted to help us store cheese the right way, the way cheesemongers and professional affineurs do. Their bags and papers are specially designed to let cheese breathe, keeping the moisture balanced and preventing mold, dryness, and waste.

Think of it as the difference between storing your cheese in a plastic bag (ugh) versus giving it its own little eco-friendly cheese cave (yes, please).

Even better? These bags make a fantastic holiday gift for the foodie or adventurer in your life, the friend who brings the cheese board to every gathering or the traveler who picks up wheels of cheese from every farmers market they visit.

šŸŽ My Favorite Formaticum Picks for Holiday Gifting

šŸ§€ Classic Cheese Storage Bags ($17.50 / 15 count)

Made in France and designed just for cheese lovers, these are the perfect intro set. Theyā€™re reusable (until butterfat stains show through) and make storing leftovers effortless. Iā€™m planning to wrap a set up with a wedge of brie and a small honey jar for the perfect hostess gift.

šŸŒŽ Zero Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These are for the eco-conscious cheese aficionado (hi, thatā€™s me). Theyā€™re compostable, biodegradable, and recyclableā€”made from white greaseproof paper and brown vegetable-waxed paper to create the perfect breathable micro-climate. Ideal for aged cheeses and charcuterie.

ā™»ļø Reusable Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These sturdy, reusable bags keep cheese fresh and flavorful longer. Theyā€™re made from calcium carbonate and polyethylene, so theyā€™re fully recyclable while still letting cheese breathe. I love that they feel like a small step toward less plastic waste in the kitchen.

šŸ§ŗ A Gift That Keeps On Giving (Literally)

Cheese consumption skyrockets during the holidays, wine nights, grazing boards, after-dinner bites, so why not make sure every wedge stays as perfect as the day you bought it?

Pair a pack of Formaticum bags with a few specialty cheeses, a small wooden knife, and maybe even a jar of fig jam or olives. Tie it all together in a reusable basket, and youā€™ve got a thoughtful, eco-friendly gift that any host or food lover will adore.

Itā€™s elegant, practical, sustainable, and deliciously different from another bottle of wine (though letā€™s be honest, you can totally include that too).

šŸ„‚ For the Love of Cheese (and the Planet)

Formaticum is more than just a product, itā€™s a way to honor the cheesemakerā€™s craft, savor every slice, and reduce waste. Plus, with their professional-grade wax-coated paper, Italian cheese knives, and other accessories, you can easily build a beautiful cheese care kit for the foodie in your life.

So this holiday season, skip the gimmicky kitchen gadgets and gift something that brings pure joy to the cheese board. Because with Formaticum, every bite tastes just as the cheesemaker intended, rich, flavorful, and full of life.

Now thatā€™s a reason to say cheese. šŸ§€āœØ

3 Smart Ideas For Creating An Eco-Friendly Halloween Costume

October 30, 2025 0

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It’s no secret that many people who celebrate Halloween do so by getting together with friends and getting into the spirit of the spooky season. For many of those who celebrate, creating a unique costume that showcases your individuality is the biggest appeal of the holiday altogether. But instead of heading to the nearest chain store to spend money on an overpriced costume made of cheap and wasteful materials, consider taking some extra measures to ensure sustainability while maintaining creativity makes all the difference in your costume’s environmental impact. Here are just a few ways to keep Mother Nature in mind while preparing your Halloween costume.

Skip The Synthetics
One eco-friendly rule of thumb when shopping for Halloween costumes at big box stores is to look at the labels and do your best to avoid synthetic and toxic materials.

“Halloween costumes are supposed to be fun-scary, not scary-scary. Yet, store-bought costumes are often made up of nonrecyclable petro-chemical based plastic and synthetic fibers,” writes Laura Bailey on Wilderness.org. “Those Halloween costumes can include one of the scariest plastics — polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a soft plastic and known carcinogen that releases harmful toxins in its creation and breakdown.”

Instead, look for costumes with natural materials and fabrics if you’re shopping at a big box store. Better yet, you should consider looking into small businesses that may specialize in eco-friendly products. There are currently around 27.9 million small businesses in the United States, and many shoppers may be surprised at the number of eco-friendly products both small and large businesses are now incorporating into their inventory. Don’t hesitate to take up your inquiry with a store employee, as well.

Consider A DIY Project
If you consider yourself to be the crafty type, you can easily purchase some organic or otherwise eco-friendly materials and create your own costume. Sales of organic non-food products in the U.S. were up 8.8% in 2016, meaning there are more options than ever as far as styles, colors, and materials. If you have the resources, you can make a DIY version of any costume you find in a big box store, and you may even spend less doing it!

Incorporate Recyclable Elements
Finally, whether you buy your costume from a store or make it yourself, try to incorporate some reusable or recyclable materials. About 60% of the U.S. population, or about 148 million people, have access to a plastics recycling program. Similarly, if you have any young kids who may be participating in trick or treating festivities, be conscious about the bag or container they’re using to stash their sweet treats.

“Avoid the ubiquitous bright orange plastic jack-o-lanterns that have no chance at ever breaking down in a landfill. Instead use reusable shopping bags, canvas totes or the ole pillowcase trick. A funky thriftshop handbag can add a fun twist to a green Halloween costume as well,” writes Bailey.

Ultimately, it doesn’t take much to make a few small changes toward sustainability. By keeping an eye out for reusable and organic materials, you and your family can enjoy all the traditional festivities of Halloween while doing your part to preserve the Earth’s resources.

4 Fall Inspired Eco-Friendly Art Projects for Green Kids

October 29, 2025 0

I love fall – it is my favorite season. Have I mentioned that before? Ha! I love the colors, textures, and would always find myself crafting with Eben more during the autumn season. Gosh, I miss that! With that being said, the artwork really piled up around here. Many pieces were photographed and recycled, however there are pieces that we love so much we kept and displayed them.

Here are 4 fall inspired art projects that we have enjoyed over the year and thought they might inspire you this autumn:

1. Baker’s Twine Apple
Whenever I work with baker’s twine, it seems like I am left with a few scraps that I keep for craft projects. I recently came across an amazing baker’s twine apple project that would be perfect for those leftovers. I adore it!

+ Baker’s Twine Art
+ Domestically Speaking

2. Button Art
If you have a large button collection – this is the project for you! I love the different colors and sizes – I think it would be fun to do a set of four, one for each season, arranged on a wall together. This would be a perfect project for children of all ages too!

+ Button Art
+ Diane Payne

3. Leaf Prints
Eben loved this project because it incorporated a nature walk and pigment paints. This is a project that we tend to make over and over again each fall. It’s easy, a fun way to get our hands dirty and the perfect excuse for working together after school.

+ Leaf Prints

4. Alphabet Leaf Animals
Again, this is the perfect fall project for kids! It gets their creative juices flowing as they arrange the leaves into different animal shapes. I have to admit, Eben is much better at this than me – he is fantastic as seeing things that I never would. Are your kids like this?

+ Leaf Animal Prints

What fall inspired art project are you and your children working on?

Craft Night + Cocoa + Cards: Holiday Magic with COLOP Stamps

October 22, 2025 0

Every year as Thanksgiving approaches, I start thinking less about turkey and more about twinkle lights, handmade gifts, and all the cozy things that come with the season.

This year, Iā€™m especially excited because Eben and his girlfriend will be home for Thanksgiving break, and Iā€™ve already got a plan for one of our evenings together. Weā€™re going to have a full-on holiday cardā€“making night, complete with hot cocoa, Christmas music, and plenty of creative mess.

Our table will be covered in blank cards, ribbons, craft paper, and my new favorite finds from COLOP, the Blissful Prints Christmas Stamp Set and the MAKE 1 Stamp Pads.

šŸŒæ My Holiday Craft Night Plan

Picture it: the kitchen smells like cinnamon and cloves, Oliveā€™s snoring under the table, and weā€™re all sipping cocoa with extra marshmallows (because of course). Ebenā€™s joking about his ā€œartistic skills,ā€ his girlfriendā€™s picking out the perfect shade of green, and Mr. Sweet Greens and I are happily organizing all the stamps like overexcited elves.

The Blissful Prints Christmas Stamp Set is so beautifully made, nine festive wooden stamps (think reindeer, trees, snowflakes, wreaths) that instantly turn a plain card into something youā€™d find in a boutique shop. It even comes with a 12-page idea booklet, so we can get inspired if the creative spark needs a little nudge.

And those MAKE 1 Stamp Pads? They come in colors like Brave Red, Fresh Mint, and Fir Forest, the perfect holiday palette. I already know which ones Iā€™m reaching for first.

šŸŽØ What Weā€™ll Be Making

I have a few ideas up my sleeve for the night (because you know me, I canā€™t resist a little planning):

  1. Minimalist Snowflake Magic ā€“ Just one crisp white card stamped with a snowflake in Fresh Mint ink and a handwritten ā€œpeace.ā€
  2. Reindeer with a Brave Red Nose ā€“ A Rudolph moment, obviously. I think Eben will claim this one.
  3. Evergreen Forest Scene ā€“ Three trees lined up in Fir Forest ink with gold pen ā€œstarsā€ scattered across the top.
  4. Stamped Gift Tags ā€“ Weā€™ll cut up leftover kraft paper, stamp them, and tie with twine. Simple, rustic, and so sweet.
  5. Decorated Envelopes ā€“ Because itā€™s the little details that make the mail feel magical.

By the end of the night, Iā€™m hoping our dining table will look like a cozy holiday workshop, half creative chaos, half pure joy.

šŸŽ Why I Love This Little Holiday Tradition

Thereā€™s something so grounding about slowing down and making something together. No screens, no scrolling, just laughter, cocoa, and creativity. Itā€™s the kind of night that turns into one of those small, quiet memories that stick with you long after the lights are packed away.

And the COLOP tools make it easy to create something that looks polished and beautiful without needing to be a professional crafter. Theyā€™re simple, eco-conscious, and thoughtfully designed, just how I like it.

šŸ’Œ Bring a Little Craft Night Magic to Your Table

If youā€™re looking for an easy, meaningful way to spend time with family this holiday season, I canā€™t recommend this enough. Grab a stamp set, a few ink pads, and let everyoneā€™s creativity take over.

You can find both of my new favorites at colop.com:

I can already picture us laughing, stamping, and sipping cocoa and I have a feeling itā€™s going to be one of those simple, wonderful nights that makes the holiday season feel extra special.

Because sometimes, the best memories are the ones you make, ink smudges, cocoa spills, and all. šŸ’ššŸŽ„āœØ

7 Simple Ways To Green Your Halloween

October 20, 2025 0

Halloween is quickly creeping up on us and it’s time to start planning. It’s a good idea to start early to prevent any last minute trips to the store to buy Halloween stuff that has a high-impact on the environment and your health. The best part about Halloween is that you can use many things that you already have in your home – things that you can use to decorate, plan a party, and use as costumes. Let’s get started with my 7 favorite ways to green your Halloween.

1. Repurpose
I’m not a fan of purchasing new for Halloween – Instead, I like to take a look around our home for things that I could repurpose into Halloween decorations. For example: I took the large glass jars that usually hold flour and sugar in our kitchen and transformed them into apothecary jars full of scary items. The idea is to get creative and use what you already have on hand.

2. Reuse
Since Halloween is our favorite holiday we have a lot of decorations that we have been using for years. I like to find my Halloween decorations at our local thrift stores or we make them ourselves. Since these decorations are only used in October – I don’t feel the need to buy new decorations every year saving us money and saving the environment. Other ways to green your Halloween would include reusing costumes, swapping with a friend or using pieces from an old costume to make a new one.

3. Do It Yourself
When Eben was little, Mr. Sweet Greens made a spooky picket fence and tombstones for our front yard. These were made using salvaged wood that we saved from a construction dumpster and no-VOC paint. He has also made two tombstones for our front yard – this time using a salvaged wooden palette that he found in a dumpster. Again, you want to get creative and find new uses for items that are no longer being utilized.

4. Treats
When it comes to Halloween candy – try to go organic and buying less is always better. Yummy Earth has a great selection of lollipops and gummies that fit the bill. If you are going the chocolate route, choose chocolates that are fair-trade and organic, if possible. And when it comes to candy packaging, you want to choose the candies that are minimally packaged.

5. Party Supplies
Almost every when Eben was little, we had a HalloweenĀ party – some things that I did to keep the party as eco-friendly as possible: using cloth tablecloths and napkins for the table, skipping the disposables and using our every day dinnerware and making the food ourselves, rather than purchasing pre-packaged items. When it comes to treats for the kiddos, we kept the goody bags minimal and try to chose the most eco-friendly items to go inside.

6. Pumpkins
I love a pumpkin patch! We choose to visit our favorite organic pumpkin patches to pick up pumpkins and gourds. We enjoy spending the entire day at the farm supporting the local farmer and community. The idea is to think local when it comes to picking your pumpkins, support a local farm rather than picking up the pumpkins at the big-box store. And don’t forget to bake the seeds for a yummy treat and use the pumpkin for baking when the holiday is over.

7. Bag It
There is no need to purchase a new Halloween trick or treat bucket for your child each year. I understand that your child wants the Star Wars bucket that matches their Halloween costume – believe me I have been there. If you do purchase one, it should be a one-time purchase, choose a bag that can grow with your child or use a reusable shopping bag or a pillowcase. Eben received a cool pillowcase-like Halloween bag when he was a baby – he used it every single year that he went trick or treating!

What ways do you green your Halloween?

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