Back off Hoser!

The unruly garden hose. Has a mind of its own. Coil it up on the ground after use and it seems to sprawl across your yard, into your sidewalk, and wrap around the dog. Many retailers offer Hose Holders or Hose Containers, but for a pretty high price just to keep a hose contained.

This dilemma has inspired me to take on Cheapskate Tip #2--a low-cost or free alternative to the norm. We just happened to have this old wheelbarrow, which my significant guy picked up for free near a dumpster.

Anything can be used to make a hose container. When out and about, look for items that are deemed trash by someone else, that would effectively work. It might add more charm to your garden than the cookie-cutter designs on the shelves. Once you find that special something...that hoser better back off.
(first image via www.keetsa.com)

Fashion Renewed

Last week's Project Runway continues to inspire my work. The daring assignment to construct clothing out of newspaper was no doubt challenging, yet some of the contestants created outright wearable and beautiful clothing.

Besides the paper dolls that we gals once played with during our juvenile days, paper clothing made its debut during the mid-1960s and faded away. Great way to think outside the box, but not very long-lasting, eco-friendly, nor practical.

The current fashion market is not all that different. All of the clothing traded around the world is made so cheaply, that the ill effects stem into our environment and local economies (not to mention poor working conditions for most). Environmental Health Perspectives illustrates a perfect picture of fashion industry's results.

Upcycled Jewelry's Electronic Circuit Board Earrings

Recycled Plastic Trashion Biker Jacket by Thimblescratch

Glamarita's Upcycled Necktie Ballgown

There are many local U.S. artists making gorgeous clothing out of recycled materials. Please consider buying handmade, or vintage/used whenever possible. In a world that snowballs so quickly, buying used or handmade just might help out everyone.
(Paper doll image via www.bromer.com. Other images via www.etsy.com)

Revivify!

Yes. Revivify is a word. And that's exactly how I feel about things right now. Significant guy and I flew north last week for a breather from the 50+ days of over 100-degree weather in Texas. I believe our sunken and sullen skin perked up in the drier and cooler mid-west weather of Montana.

I admit I'm a travel addict. Not only do you revivify your life, per se, but it gives you the opportunity to observe the environment and things around you in a new light--as it is outside of your daily mundane realm. Alright, enough of my deep thoughts.

While accruing around 1K miles across the state, we couldn't help but notice the deserted remnants of the pre- and post-war era along the roads and highways of Montana. History frozen in time. Literally, year after year.

Nature Versus Nurture

Take person X and person Y and blend together...numerous possibilities arise. The end product could either be left to nature, or could be controlled entirely by the parental entity:

NATURE-

NURTURE-

NATURE & NURTURE-

(all photos via Art & Facts, copyright)