{DIY} HalloWINE

One of the coolest ways we can think of to creatively reuse our favorite fall staple — the fabulous orange squash — is to make pumpkin wine. It’s easier than you think — only requires 6 ingredients! So roll up your sleeves and prepare to get a little messy.  The delicious drink can be made dry or sweet depending on your palate and extra ingredients such as ginger and cinnamon sticks can be added for a dash of warm spiciness. 

via

For step-by-step directions, head over to the Ladies with Bottle blog. This is a great use for any extra pumpkins you have lying around.

via

What a unique treat to enjoy later in the month — perhaps at Thanksgiving with family and friends!

xx Well-to-Do

Top image via Pinterest

Green Your Halloween

Halloween: Ranks right up there with Christmas for hating on Mother Earth. With a little creativity, though, you can still par-tay and also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are three tips to make this year's Halloween more EEK-O-FRIENDLY! {Sorry, couldn't resist}.

MAKE YOUR OWN COSTUME

via

Since you probably already have your kids costumes picked out, let's talk about you. You and your closet. Believe it or not, you probably have a costume just waiting to be put together. Click here for Audrey McLelland's genius suggestions for DIY costumes!

OPT FOR REUSABLE BAG

via

Cloth or canvas shopping bags, or even pillowcases, make perfect alternatives to paper or plastic bags, or to the molded plastic jack-o-lanterns. Reusable bags are also more durable!

DECORATE NATURALLY

via

Instead of buying decorations made of synthetic materials, decorate with natural materials like pumpkins, hay, straw, flowers, and leaves.

See, it's easy being green!
xx Well-to-Do

Organic Halloween Treats

Since handing out raisins in my neighborhood totally wouldn't fly, I'll assume the same thing goes for you. But I have some good news: there are plenty of organic treats you can pass out this Halloween that won't get your house egged. Here are three of my favorites...

angell organic candy bars

Crispy Cat organic candy bars

Yummy Earth organic lollipops

Here's to a "healthier" Halloween!

xx Well-to-Do

{GIVEAWAY} Eco-Chic Bébé

Love at first sight is how you’ll feel upon first glance at The Cuddle Loom. After having kids of her own, designer and California mom Suzette Mohun opened her shop for the littlest of lovelies with a belief that "every baby deserves to wear the healthiest garments possible," and that organic baby clothing should be colorful, fashionable and fun. 

True love always is how you’ll feel after we tell you about The Cuddle Loom's eco-chic credentials: "♥ High-quality combed, ring-spun yarn and dyed with eco-friendly low-impact dyes (lead and phthalates free) ♥ Super soft 100% certified ORGANIC cotton ♥ Enzyme washed for extra softness ♥ Lead free snap closure."

Constructed from fine organic cottons and natural materials, each Cuddle Loom design is a hand-me-down in the making.

Perfect for baby shower gifts... 

or a special holiday photo...

...Cuddle Loom is eco-chic bébé all-the-way.

Suzette is spreading The Cuddle Loom cuteness by offering one lucky Well-to-Doer a pair of her gorgeous. Have you ever seen more fabulous leg warmers? Definitely not. 

*** FOR ENTRY ***

Mandatory

Fan The Cuddle Loom and Well-to-Do You on Facebook

Optional — 1 Extra Entry

Follow The Cuddle Loom and Well-to-Do You on Twitter  OR share THIS PHOTO on your Facebook wall.

The Cuddle Loom Facebook | Twitter

Well-to-Do You Facebook | Twitter

Leave a comment here or on Facebook letting us know how you've entered!

Contest is open now through Monday, November 7th. As with all of our contests, one lucky winner will be picked randomly via random.org. Good luck!

Giveaway is now closed

xx Well-to-Do

Images courtesy of The Cuddle Loom, Kimeo Photography and Shey Marin Photography

{31 Days of Going Green} Day 26: Shoe Shrine

As if you needed another pair of shoes, but you just couldn't resist those metallic flats {75% off at Mardens} this week. Perhaps you require a reminder that your shoe collection is comparable to that of a hoarder. See for yourself when you get organized and display your foot candy as art. Say what? Your shoes: they're pretty and they serve as the finishing touch to an outfit. But art? 

Yes, wall art. Allow us to suggest Shrine Rack's wall-mountable shoe rack fixtures. As seen in stores, they are now available for personal purchases – and they're currently on sale {25% off}

Shrine Racks work for every shoe style — from sneakers to heels to flats. Flaunt it if you've got it, right?

xx Well-to-Do

Images courtesy of Shrine Racks

{DEALS & STEALS} Get in SHAPE — 3 years for $12

So excited to share this awesome deal with you! I've been reading SHAPE Magazine since my teenage years — such a classic. For thirty years it has encouraged women to live a healthier life by exercising, eating well, and caring for self.

"SHAPE Magazine is edited to deliver useful techniques and an understanding of fitness. Top experts from diverse fields of exercise, nutrition, psychology and beauty join forces with nationally known journalists to make each issue a how-to manual for a healthful lifestyle."

You definitely don't want to miss out on this amazing deal, Well-to-Doers. I know I won't! For the ultra low price of just $12 you will get 3 years of SHAPE Magazine delivered right to your door. That's 12 full issues each year for 3 years! At over 85% off cover price this deal won't be around for long, so get it before it's gone! Looking for a great gift idea? With their separate shipping address option on the payment page you can even order as a gift!

Click HERE to claim this uber fab deal!

xx Well-to-Do

This post was sponsored by Broadcast Bloggers

{31 Days of Going Green} Day 25: Save A Tree

This week I'm sharing tips on how to green your home. Yesterday I covered Energy Stay appliances and today I want to talk about saving trees. 

via

Did you know that you can buy "tree-free" 100% post-consumer recycled paper for everything from greeting cards to toilet paper? It’s true!

via

And, did you know you can remove yourself from junk mail lists? You will receive approximately 560 pieces of junk mail this year, which adds up nationally to 4.5 million tons, according to the Native Forest Network. About 44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread, and ends up in a landfill. 


Certainly you know this first-hand? I’m guilty of it, sure. 


To limit the flow into your own home, contact the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service at P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512, or download the online form. Opt out of credit card or insurance offers at OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 888-567-8688, a single automated phone line maintained by the major credit bureaus.

via

Can't bare to to give up your catalog candy? Then consider these "9 Awesome for Junk Mail" from Care2.com.

Let's keep waste paper out of landfills, kids!

xx Well-toDo

Click HERE for more green goodness!

And don't miss out on free loot from our pal Creative Kristi HERE!

Day 24: Green Your Appliances

Being green starts at your doorstep. From recycling to using less chemicals when you clean, simple changes at home can add up to real benefits for Mother Earth, not to mention your own health.

Cut down on what you consume and recycle whenever you can. Every little bit helps; recycling just one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours.

This week we’ll be featuring 5 more easy ways to green your home. First up: appliances.

GREEN YOUR APPLIANCES

via

The EPA suggests replacing appliances that are 10 years+ old with energy-efficient models that bear their "Energy Star" logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.


So, are your appliances up-to-date in the energy department? Me: I need to go shopping for a new stove — stat.


xx Well-to-Do

Click HERE for more green goodness!

And don't miss out on free loot from our pal Creative Kristi HERE!

{31 Days of Going Green} Day 23: Clean Up & Clear Out

Sometimes it seems as though our playroom is a sea of toys and only those able to swim will survive. I am a good swimmer, excellent actually, and can barely stay afloat in there. 

My son's matchbox cards {true story}

After stepping on both a matchbox car and lego in the same day, I took a quick look around the room and all I could see were toys: baskets overflowing with cars, trucks, dolls, animals and action figures. I walked into the kitchen to fix the kids a snack and it took me 5 minutes to find my apple peeler. 

Frustrated and overwhelmed by the unruly nature of my house, I wanted to get rid of everything immediately! But I couldn't. So, I sat down and started writing a list {as inspired by Pinterest} — a manageable list — with daily tasks to help me declutter my home one area, one bag at a time. Here's my action plan below!

So get ready Goodwill, consignment shop and church, I'm headed your way! And I encourage you to make one, too. A perfect way to clean up and clear out before the holidays. Think of it as exercise for your house! Surely home sweet home could use a little workout.

xx Well-to-Do

{Blog Hop} Super Stalker Sunday

Welcome to the weekly Super Stalker Sunday hop!

<a href="http://naptimeismytime.com/category/super-stalker-sunday"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/5655930681_c5ee43502a.jpg" width="125" height="125" /></a>

What is Super Stalker Sunday?

Glad you asked! Super Stalker Sunday is a weekly blog hop hosted by:

Marni of Marni's Organized Mess

April of Mama on a Green Mission

Mariah of Formula Mom

Kortney of Kortney's Krazy Life

and Emily of Nap Time is My Time

As you know, blogs hops are a great way to meet other bloggers, socialize and gain more followers. We created this hop as away for you to connect with other bloggers via RSS Feed, Google Friend Connect, Email Subscribers, Facebook Fans, and Twitter Followers.

How to Super Stalk

Follow each host at least one way. Don't forget to let them know you did so by commenting on their blog. We will return all follows, but please be patient as we are busy mama's it may take us a few days to return the visit and follow.

You will only have to link up on one of the host sites and your link will appear on all as we use the same linky.

After you follow the hosts and the featured blogger, follow at least the four blogs listed above you on the linky. If your time permits, follow as many other blogs are you are willing!

If you're already follow somebody via GFC, consider following them in another way as well!

Remember: You will only get as much as you give. The more blogs you can visit, the more visits you will gain in return. We are all here to socialize and greet, not visit only your blog.

While we encourage sharing our button and hop with as many as possible, it is not required. The more you spread the word though, the more we socialize and all gain followers!

This week's featured blog is

Suz manages a fantastic blog that encourages her readers to live a healthier life and explores earth-friendly, "green" products. You'll enjoy checking her out after you link up below!

All bloggers who link up have a chance to be next week's featured blogger! We use random.org to select our featured blogger and, if you're chosen, you can expect to be notified by Tuesday! This linky will remain open until Monday at 3:00 EST.

{GIVEAWAY} Merah Muda Upcycled Bags

Your over-sized purse is as large as your mid-sized SUV, packed to the brim with "necessities" for the kids. Trim down your bag by enlisting the kids for help with a cool new tote, messenger or backpack from Merah Muda.

Mini Tote, $26

Sold on Etsy, and designed by the hip Los Angeles-based Misha Kurniady, Merah Muda bags are one-of-a-kind. 

Messenger Bag, $45

Made out of recycled t-shirts, the totes and messenger bags come in styles that complement and mimic both its fabrics and inspiration.

Large Tote, $45

Perfect for kids' outings and play time, but also useful for us grown-up girls who don't want to carry a big bag. 

via Beth Strong Photography

via Beth Strong Photography

via Beth Strong Photography

Equally endearing {and stylish} is Merah Muda's new line of dress-up drawstring backpacks {pictured above}! 

Merah Muda is offering one lucky Well-to-Doer a backpack of his or her choice. Hip, hip, hooray!

Like what you see? Then become a fan of both Well-to-Do You and Merah Muda on Facebook for entry into the random drawing open now through Tuesday, November 1st. Leave a comment here or on Facebook so we know to enter you! And follow us on Twitter for an extra entry!

Merah Muda: Facebook | Twitter

Well-to-Do You: Facebook | Twitter


Giveaway is now closed

Merah Muda: perfect for you and your mini-you, too!

xx Well-to-Do