Eco-Friendly Retail Therapy

Reinforcing my theory that 4 is the new 14, Julia has discovered a consuming love of shopping.
Toys are obviously top choice of the list, but since I usually navigate the cart as far away from that aisle as possible, clothing will do as a perfect second.


Thanks to some very thoughtful friends (with great taste and gentle care laundering) we've been pretty fortunate when it comes to hand-me-downs (which are never-turn-them-downs). And considering how quickly kids are in and out of certain sizes (oh, the 0-18 month selection!) I think most of us are as happy to see them passed-along as we are to be the recipient.

The trick is remembering what sizes you have, which is why multi-purpose bins are one of my frequent shopping item.

This is also how Julia's new favourite store came to exist in our living room. It's eco-friendly (here comes that repurposing theme again), budget friendly, and hours of fun. It also makes sure that I remember what's coming up in the next available size.

"Shop Lady": Mama.
Job Description: Respond to requests like "Do you have something for a party?" Be dramatically impressed by every item tried on. Watch the cash register (although Julia insists on self-checkout).

"Shopping Girl": Julia
Job Description: Shop til you drop. Demand complete adoration in every outfit. Use phrases like "Wow. That's sassy", "Ohhh. Fantastic.", "I think this is just the perfect thing for me."

General Rules: Shops don't have tvs! (That's Julia's rule by the way!) Shop Ladies don't knit (damn rules!) Shop Ladies are occasionally allowed to read at the cash register only when customers are occupied in the changing room. (Ok, we're onto something now.) Baby brothers are not allowed in the store because they mess up all the clothes. (Sorry Matthew - we'll play with the scarves when Shopping Girl's at school).

Chalk It Up

One transformed table and I've become an instant fan of chalk paint.

Formerly ho hum in unfinished pine...



...now sleek, multi-functional, highly washable (most essential)...



...and even more fun when it's shared with a best friend.

Boxing Day

You'll notice a new category label on this blog: Repurposing.

Yup. I'm keeping my eyes open to new and creative possibilities around here. Now, I am by no means a 'pack rat' (i.e. my infamous "If I haven't worn it in a year then it doesn't belong in my closet" rule) and have never really caught the thrifting and antiquing bug (although maybe I just haven't found the right treasure). But sometimes folks, it's just so easy to find extra ways to respect the resources you have on hand – it just takes a very minor shift in outlook and a little bit of time. And of course you'll need to throw in a small helping of creativity. When you're done, I guarantee you will feel good about you've done (and the opportunity you would have otherwise wasted – no literally, you just avoided creating more waste).

So here goes my inaugural repurposing post. Let me introduce you to the object formerly known as 'box'; a long, pristine, blank canvas of a box, from Ikea to be exact (more on the contents in another post because I plan to 'repurpose' this topic).

15 minutes plus an exacto-knife.

And we now have the base for a finger puppet theatre. We'll be painting this, adding some curtains (from some recent 'repurposed clothing scraps') and enjoying a line-up of free summer stock puppet productions.

But wait, there's more. We also have this magnificent pile of perfect cardboard squares just waiting for inspiration to strike.

I've already got a few early ideas: mounting some favourite kiddie artpieces, painting them white and then using them as canvases, covering them with cotton bating and fabric to make light-weight hanging frames, backing for a crafted picture puzzle, covers for home-made albums and drawing books for Jules to fill-up over the summer months.

Now before you say "Lady, it's a box. Get out more", let me remind you that you just took the time to read this entire post. There's something to this repurposing thing. Go on – you know you wanna.