{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

{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. 

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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!

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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.

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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

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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

{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

{31 Days of Green} Day 19: FIND YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE

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Inspired by an archived piece on Slow Fashioned, I've been mulling over my signature style and style personality this week. Sure, I know what I like {loop scarves, pearls & ruffles} and don't like {lace}, but I stumbled and stuttered when thinking about my signature look. Distressed to think I didn't have one, I went to my drawing boards {Pinterest and Polyvore} and worked up a how-to game plan. So here are my five easy steps for identifying a signature look – helpful to me and hopefully helpful to you, too!

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#1. DETERMINE YOUR LOOK: Ask yourself: what do you like to wear most? What image do you want to project? Are you edgy, preppy, hippie chic? For inspiration, think of celebrities whose styles you try to emulate at times. Perhaps the classic Reese Witherspoon or casual-chic Jennifer Anniston? Or maybe it's the over-the-top Lady Gaga. We won't judge! Create a style board on Polyvore or "pin" collections and ensembles on Pinterest to make the process easier and more visual.

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#2. CLEANSE YOUR CLOSET: Now that you know what looks you like best, cleanse your closet! Only keep clothes that maintain your look and accessories that complement your style. Those pre-partum jeans you think you'll fit into once you get back to your pre-baby weight even though your hips somehow shifted by way of birthing an 8 pounder? Get rid of them! Stay on track: your signature style awaits.

#3. WEAR THE RIGHT SIZE: If it doesn't fit you or make you look fabulous then why is it in your closet? If you haven't worn it in the last 6 months, are you really going to wear it in the next 6 months? It's taking up precious signature style space!

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#4. FIND YOUR COLOR PALETTE: You take days {possibly months} figuring out the perfect paint color for your home renovation project. Put in the same effort when figuring out which hues work best for your skin tone and hair color. 

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#5. GET A FLATTERING HAIRCUT: A great haircut {long or short} is the final piece of your signature look. Your hair is your most constant accessory, after all! Find something flattering and manageable, and stick with it!


So there you have 5 steps to find your signature style. What do you think?


Tomorrow I will tell you more about my signature style. And coming on Friday: a Merah Muda giveaway!
xx WelltoDo

Don't miss out the rest of our {31 Days of Going Green} series HERE or our four current giveaways HERE!

And while you're perusing, go see our friend Creative Kristi and check out her fab, free printables HERE!

{31 Days of Green} Day 18: Pia Barile {GIVEAWAY}

With all of the winter accessories on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? Start with a cozy piece from Pia Barile, a collection of winter knits sold on Etsy.

We suggest you nuzzle into a neck warmer...

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...then burrow into a capelet...

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...switch it up with a skinny loop scarf...

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...and then slide on fingerless gloves or an arm cuff when the chill hits.

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As you can see, Pia Barile has everything you need to fill your cold-weather collection!

The lovely Pia is offering one lucky WelltoDoer a $25 shop credit plus free shipping. There are so many cozy goodies to choose from!

For entry, fan both Pia Barile and WelltoDo on Facebook. Leave a comment here on the blog {or on Facebook} letting us know you did! Contest is open Tuesday, October 18th through Tuesday, November 1st. Good luck!

xx WelltoDo

{31 Days of Green} Day 17: Caroline's Boutique {GIVEAWAY}

Though my daughter's vocabulary is limited at age {almost} 2, she's very clear when it comes to certain things. For example, she likes being dressed to the nines, she enjoys performing recitals, and she longs for lots of admirers. 

So, in thinking about her upcoming birthday, I found her the perfect celebration outfit: a frilly, fluffy tutu from Caroline's Boutique. It will be hard to choose from the stunning selection. See for yourself in this sampling below!

The tutus come in a variety of styles {every color combo you can imagine!} and sizes {newborn to size 5}, and can be customized for any special occasion.

Aren't they gorgeous? Way tutu much fun!

Caroline's Boutique is offering one lucky WelltoDoer a custom tutu plus matching flower headband! 

For entry, visit Caroline's Boutique and tell us your favorite color combo. Leave a comment here on the blog or on our Facebook post. Contest is open Monday, October 17th through Tuesday, October 25th. Good luck!

xx WelltoDo

{31 Days of Green} Day 16: Oh-zie Designs {GIVEAWAY}

It takes a true artisan to give an old t-shirt a pretty new life. Which is exactly what Kim and her mom Lothaine, owners of Oh-zie Designs, offer their Etsy clients. Their shop includes a unique variety of classic meets whimsy meets sports fanatic. See for yourself with some of our favorite products pictured below.

Recycled T-Shirt Hat w/ Tee Flower, $10

T-Shirt Cardigan Shrug, $24

Raggedy Repurposed T-Shirt Skirt, $45

T-shirt Necklace, $10

We love their designs. We love their purpose. And we love their enthusiasm {as evident through their social media channels}.

We love Oh-zie!

Apparently the feeling is mutual as Oh-zie has generously offered a T-SHIRT NECKLACE to one lucky winner. You even get to pick out the color you want! Too cool for words.

For entry, fan both Oh-zie and WelltoDo on Facebook, and leave a comment below letting us know you did!

Oh-zie: http://www.facebook.com/ohziedesigns1

WelltoDo: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Well-to-Do/139741692720639

Contest is open Sunday, October 16th through Sunday, October 23rd. Good luck!

xx WelltoDo

For more green goodness, check out my 31 Days of Going Green series HERE.

For *free* printables {aka decor galore}, check out my blog pal Creative Kristi HERE.

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{31 Days of Going Green} Day 15: Some Thoughts on Style

A Twitter friend recently shared a Karl Lagerfeld quote that I couldn't agree with more. I thought it would be a perfect way to start off a week of posts about green style and Etsy giveaways.

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“You come first, the clothes later. Reinvent new combinations of what you already own. Be creative.”

—Karl Lagerfeld

I love this. So much. In fact, I think I'm going to work some photoshop magic and frame it in my walk-in closet closet that I share with my husband. Surely we could all reinvent our wardrobe from time to time. 

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Talk tomorrow!

xx WelltoDo

Our thanks to Shop Chantal for her fab, fun posts and tweets—check her out on Twitter or Facebook!

http://twitter.com/#!/shopchantal

http://www.facebook.com/ShopchantalFB