Obsessed: Recycled Skateboard Goodies

Made with recycled skateboard lids, these containers come in 2 varieties, $49.50

When we saw these MapleXO "Coney Containers" at Portland store Betsy & Iya, we had to have them. Once we brought them home, we became officially obsessed: they're functional, stylish, green and affordable, all at once! These little ceramic containers with recycled skateboard lids are the perfect size for storing salt, spices, tea, jewelry—anything. They also come with a wipeable china marker for labeling. Genius!

Check out some of our other favorites from the MapleXO website...

Screw drivers with recycled skateboard handles, $60 for a set

Gorgeous recycled skateboard table lamp, $595

Multi-puprose glasses with coaster/lids, $35 for a set

Best of Outdoor Eco Dining

These bamboo tumblers from Terrain are reusable, biodegradable, and available in an awesome color palette. See the whole collection here 

The season of outdoor dining is upon us again! What do you serve outdoor meals on? Melamine? Paper plates? Your everyday dishware? Plastic (recycled, of course!)? We have yet to find the perfect outdoor dining solution, but this year things are looking up. From biodegradable bamboo cups and plates that don't look throw-away, to stainless steel options that won't break, here are our favorites for outdoor entertaining this summer.

Finally, recycled plastic dishware (melamine and BPA free) that's as chic as it is functional. In 3 colorways, from Terrain

Some of our favorite local restaurants, including Bollywood Theater (above), serve  their food on stainless steel. Easy clean-up and no breakage makes his another top choice for outdoor entertaining. Visit Life Without Plastic for a wide variety of stainless steel options

Perfect for parties: Susty Party makes a colorful array of compostable dishes made from renewable resources. Doesn't get any cuter!

Destination: Los Poblanos

The tunnel of cottonwoods you drive through the enter Los Poblanos

Every so often, we're lucky enough to visit a place that is incredibly inspired, down to the finest details. Los Poblanos, in Albuquerque, NM, is that kind of place. A 25-acre working organic farm that specializes in lavender, Los Poblanos also has beautiful guest rooms, an amazingly well-curated Farm Shop, a saltwater pool, and a restaurant specializing in local and organic food. Did we mention it's on the National Register of Historic Places? Just one afternoon at Los Poblanos, and you won't want to leave. (And when you do, you'll dream of recreating the whole atmosphere at your own house.)

The dining room, which features Weck jar glasses & Dinuba water containers

The saltwater pool, surrounded by grape vines Tuuci umbrellas

Albino peacocks wandering the grounds

So in love with this screen-printed canvas curtain material in the Farm Suites!

You can't leave without stocking up on their house lavender products (the hand salve is unbeatable)

DIY Lavender Spray

photo by Janell Davidson

I've been using unscented laundry detergent for years now, and lately I've noticed that certain items never really smell clean. (Or is "good" the word I'm looking for? They are clean; they just don't smell like it.) This is especially embarrassing with guest linens. Lavender linen spray has been a sometimes indulgence that seems to help...but it's so expensive! A quick Google search revealed some recipes to try. Here's my favorite, adapted from Apartment Therapy:

—1 tsp. lavender essential oil
—Optional:1 tsp. vanilla or orange oil (to enhance the scent)
—1/4 cup grain alcohol (like Everclear or unflavored vodka)
—3.5 cups filtered water

Mix the oil/s and grain alcohol in a clean, empty spray bottle. (The alcohol is a natural disinfectant and works as an emulsifier, allowing the oil and water to mix.) Add the water to your spray bottle and shake. Shake before each use.

Some people seem to prefer a mix of oil and grain alcohol only—no water. Not as cost-effective, but apparently it dries faster.

I've got a garden full of lavender right now, and I'm currently working on a DIY lavender essential oil. I'll keep you posted!

Magical Birthday

My daughter turned 3 this weekend, and it was one of those beautiful early summer days in the Northwest, so we had the party in the backyard. I try to be as green as possible when entertaining—especially with kids, who don't mind drinking juice out of old baby food jars and feel special using cloth napkins. And summer birthdays are so easy—just turn the kids loose in the yard, and they're thrilled. My dear friend Annie Beedy took the photos, so I just took it easy.

Buying this fabric banner on Etsy was one of the smartest things I have done. (Although, yes, it's sad that I did not have time to make it myself!) And this year's (very loose) sea creatures theme was easily achieved by hanging bath toys from the apple tree

Paper straws (so cute!) and baby food jars to drink from for the kiddies...

My daughter and I baked the cupcakes in the morning, making sea creatures out of marzipan (so much like play dough, I had no idea!) with India Tree vegetable-based food coloring...

Here are 3 little partygoers in a big bird's nest...yes, a bird's nest. My husband has been building it slowly for the past few months, from the ground up. He even put a floor in so the kids can stand up in it. Amazing, right? I don't know how he thinks these things up, but we love it. The kids pretended to be birds all afternoon. So much cooler than a plastic swing set!