DIY electronics charging station...sort of

OK, confession time- I didn't make this version.  I started to make my own charging station for my tablet and phone out of a heavyweight cardboard box. 

Some packing tape, pretty card stock paper and modge podge was all I needed. But I wasn't completely happy with the paper I had on hand to cover it with, so I popped into my neighborhood Target store to get some more. Then I saw the exact thing I was going to make on clearance for $3.50 and it was to be discontinued. One left. In the colour and pattern I was looking for. Fate? Temptation? I argued with myself in the aisle (hopefully not out loud) about whether to consume a new good most likely made overseas instead of making it myself. Convenience won out. I know. I still feel guilty, but man it looks nice on my sideboard and I love how it collects everthing in an organized way.  

I poked two holes into it for the cords of my electronics and that was it. 

I still think it would be easy to replicate with the cardboard, and maybe I'll finish mine someday to use as a gift. 

This not buying stuff is hard sometimes, isn't it? 

8 ways to upcycle rope in your home

Rope is natural, easy to work with and inexpensive, so what better material to bring into your home to use for decorating? Here are eight cool ways to upcycle and repurpose rope - and I think all of these can be DIY'd pretty easily. I may have try try one or two very soon...

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DIY all-natural healthy home air freshener

Have you gotten rid of all the store-bought highly scented room fresheners and candles in your home yet? They've proven to be harmful to our health by emitting toxins from the fragrance, chemicals and paraffin waxes. The best way to freshen your home is by opening the windows and letting fresh air in. Adding houseplants will also help tremendously by absorbing toxins in the air. 

But I still love to enter my home and be greeted by a lovely subtle sweet smell. So the way I'm now doing that is by adding lavender - in a couple of ways. First, a few sachets of dried organic lavender, including one in the entry and one on my nightstand, smell wonderful and promote relaxation. I got mine from NEOB Lavender located in Niagara-on-the-Lake. 

Second, I took the the opportunity to make something cute as a natural fragrance infuser. Out came a trusty mason jar and baking soda, which, of course, absorbs odour. I added a bit of dried lavender to the baking soda, along with 15 drops of lavender essential oil. Instead of securing with the tin cover, I swapped it for a piece of decorative card stock paper and punched pin holes to release the fragrance. A little washi tape around the lid and it makes a great-looking addition to any room. 

Do you have other ways to naturally freshen your home? I'd love to hear more ideas. 

6 eco-friendly ways to create a healthy bathroom

There are a number of quick and easy things you can do to refresh your bathroom to make it both stylish and also healthy for you and the planet. 

1. Change your shower curtain to all natural materials and ditch the plastic vinyl liner. Plastic shower liners are made with PVC which contains carcinogens and other toxins that can off-gas and leave toxins in your home. Get rid of them now. Unfortunately these are not biodegradable so our landfills are filling up with them. And absolutely do not burn them- that's when they release even more toxins in a high concentration. 

Switch to a liner made of PEVA, which is PVC-free, chlorine-free and biodegradable. Affordable options are popping up everywhere, such as Target and IKEA. Then make sure that your outside curtain is a natural material, like 100% cotton, linen or hemp.

I recently switched out my polyester curtain (a man-made material that also emits toxins) for a 100% cotton one from Target that came with a PEVA liner.

2. Swap your toiletries for all-natural and organic options. Using organic hand-made soaps not only cleans your hands and body without the added chemicals and carinogens that come with commercial brands, they also make your bathroom smell great. Stock up and store them in a glass jar and open the lid to wonderfully refresh the room.

3. Use natural solutions for cleaning your bathroom. Vinegar and water make a great all-purpose bathroom cleaner, and baking soda works wonders for scrubbing mold. To prevent mold in the first place, keep a bottle of water with tea tree essential oil in the shower and spray down daily. Tea tree oil is a natural mold killer. Check out more DIY cleaning solutions and free dowloadable labels from A House in the Hills. 

A House in the Hills

4. Bring in some nature in the form of plants, flowers, branches or reclaimed wood. They add an organic touch to the decor, without purchasing consumer goods that have been shipped from far away.

5. Put your toothbrush in a medicine cabinet or under the sink. Not only does it give you a nice clean look on your counter, it also prevents germs from landing on it after, ahem, flushing. 

6. Save water. Limit shower time and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. And if you are ready to invest a bit of time and money, get a low flow shower head and/or a shower head water filter. A low flow toilet is also great, if you are in need of a new one anyway. I wrote in detail about water saving tips in the bathroom here. 

Mark Brand Architecture