Corks are biodegradable and small, so you may think throwing them away is alright. Unfortunately, it takes a Cork Oak Tree 25 years before the cork can be harvested. Then, only the cork from the first harvest can be used for wine corks. Doesn’t it seem silly to just toss it in the trash?
Here are some fun ways I have upcycled my wine corks! I made fun stamps to give as gifts! We’ve also made tiny succulent magnets for our fridge and place cards for Thanksgiving!Â
If you don’t feel crafty, you can recycle the corks! To recycle, you can send them to a program called Korks For Kids, a non-profit organization or to Yemm and Hart, a company that will recycle them into other products.
The mister and I enjoy our wine tasting together and as a tradition we keep every wine cork that we share in a large jar in our kitchen. We also keep corks from special occassions and write the name of the event on the date before tossing them into the jar! I have also seen them stored in shadow boxes and hung as amazing pieces of art.
Looking for the perfect drink for your pool party! The mister whipped up a batch of his famous Gin Lemonade recently and I was reminded how much I love it this time of year! Be careful though, they are strong – one is all you need. Ha!
What you will need:
juice from 5 organic lemons
1 1/2 cups of organic sugar
1 1/2 cup organic gin (you can also use vodka)
8 cups ice
Directions:
Whisk the lemon juice and sugar together until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the gin and whisk again. Then, add the 8 cups of ice to a blender with the gin-lemon-sugar mixture and blend until smooth. Add lemon slices for garnish and enjoy.
My love for dogs started when my husband bought me a Miniature Schnauzer for our first Hanukkah together eleven years ago. 20 years later, we have Noodles, the Pug, and Olive the French Bulldog. Needless, to say we love our dogs and feel that they would also want us to make eco-friendly choices when choosing products for them. With that being said, check out the amazing work of Wagging Green Pet Shop. Wagging Green offers wonderful green items for the pooch in your life. Everything from beautiful harnesses, leashes, and collars to clothing and dog beds. All of their items are made of either renewable or repurposed fabrics and materials allowing for items that are low impact and sustainable.Â
If you’ve decided you would like to remodel different areas of your home, you may want to start with the kitchen and bathroom. Both these rooms are most likely frequented by everyone in the household on a daily basis, which make them a great place to start your remodel. Even once you’ve decided these are the two rooms you want to work on, you could have some concerns about how much money it will cost to achieve a drastic transformation. You may also be worrying about the challenges of making eco-friendly design decisions while staying on-budget. Here some effective, budget-friendly, and environmentally conscious ways to complete the remodeling process without stressing yourself out.
1. Choose a Fresh and Exciting Color of Paint For the Walls
Nothing says new like a fresh coat of paint. A new color on the walls of each room is a great way to start the transformation process. Painting is budget-friendly because you can easily do it on your own. All you need to do is get the necessary supplies, such as cans of paint, brushes, and rollers. Painting is often a concern for the environmentally conscious decorator because it traditionally contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that release toxins. However, in recent years, mainstream companies like Benjamin Moore have released paints with zero VOCs at a reasonable price-point. There are many affordable eco-friendly paint options available on the market today that can instantly take your bathroom and kitchen from drab to stunning.
One important tip is to set aside some dedicated time to get the painting done. If you are off from work on the weekends, you could probably get both these rooms painted in two days if you stay focused.
2. Replace Those Old Countertops With New and Modern Options
3. Enhance the Look of Old Cabinets With Simple Yet Effective Tricks
If you would like to take the renovations one step further, completing a do-it-yourself project to transform the cabinets in your kitchen and bathroom is a great idea. There are several effective and fun tips and tricks you can use to make old cabinets look brand new again. You could start by using sandpaper to smooth the surface of the material and remove any minor imperfections. After sanding, you can paint the cabinets on your own with a new paint color or even some wood stain. Another easy way to change the look of your cabinets is to replace the old hardware with updated handles. There are hundreds of different knobs and pulls to choose from! Sprucing up your current cabinets helps your renovation stay eco-friendly by upcycling your existing furnishings.
You may have many reasons for wanting to remodel your kitchen and bathroom. Most people complete home renovations because they would like to upgrade their living space and make it even more comfortable. If you are worried about trying to complete these upgrades on a budget, focus on keeping it simple and making a few small changes that can make a significant difference.
Aside from increasing your own comfort, there is another great reason for you to complete these budget-friendly renovations. When you update your kitchen and bathroom, you are increasing the value of your property. If you have plans to sell your home at some point in the future, the renovations you’ve done can make it worth even more than you expect.
I am a huge fan of upcycling anything that can have a second life as something useful! These fabulous upcycled bottle glasses from YAVA Glass definitely fit the bill.
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Isn’t this a fantastic way to transform discarded bottles into something new and fabulous? Just think of the possibilities! There are so many different types of glass bottles and the colors, oh the colors! Ooh, I bet blue bottles would make fantastic glassware!Â
YAVA Glass takes 100% recycled bottles, flame cuts, and polishes them, transforming them into elegant and eco-friendly glasses for your home. This earth-friendly Etsy shop is taking something slated for the trash and making something fun and useful! I am quite smitten with the rootbeer bottle glasses! My hands-down favorite beverage!Â
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I love that they each have their own character and no two glasses are the exact same. So simple, yet so useful! Something that would usually end up in the recycled bin. Or, GASP, worse in the garbage car and inevitably the landfill.Â
I think the mister would love the upcycled beer bottle glasses – quite the conversation starter. How would I use which ones to pick for him, there are so many great options! No?
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These would also make a lovely housewarming or hostess gift. Purchase a six or twelve-pack of these and you are ready to surprise something at their housewarming party!Â
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And if you’re looking for a fun way to upcycle your glass mason jars! I still love my Halloween lanterns! It is one of my favorite projects ever!
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It’s a super simple DIY that you can do with the kiddos and the impact on your porch for those trick or treaters is huge! They look adorable lite up and are sure to wow a crowd!Â
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So tell me, which upcycled bottle glasses would you choose?Â
