taken by first blush photos

Whether you got married 3 weeks ago or 30 years ago, you may very well still have your dress sitting in a closet somewhere. This is one of those things that tends to get carried from house to house. Some of us have a lot of emotional attachment to the dress. Some of us have hopes that a family member will want to wear it someday (though I think if you got married during the age of super synthetic dresses, the odds are low). Some of us just don't know how to get rid of it, because throwing it out feels wrong.

Wedding dresses are a pretty environmentally tricky purchase- you spend a lot of money on something that will only be used once. I know I looked at lots of used dresses, but never had the nerve to buy one that way. Now, I think I might have gone about it differently. I did end up with a dress I loved, but in the end, I am not sure it made that huge of a difference.

This blog covers a lot of territory on shopping more ethically, but one of the most eco-friendly things you can do is to have less and to get rid of things in an ethical way. Sure, maybe someday your daughter will want to wear your wedding dress (she won't) but in that time, that dress could have lived multiple lives or multiple weddings. In an ideal world, we would all be way more willing to let things go, because the more used stuff is out there, the more we can all invest in secondhand instead of more brand new stuff that will land in a landfill.

So, the question becomes, where can you offload that wedding dress?

Sell it Online

Make a little money back, and help out another bride. Here are some options:

Once Wed was my favorite place to browse dresses, and I think you can resell decor as well. Honestly, if I could do it all again, I would probably buy a dress from here.

Preowned Wedding Dresses is probably the most commonly used, though I tried to sell a dress on here and it never worked out. Still, if you have a recent dress that someone can still go to the store and try on, you might have a lot more luck than I did.

Donate It

Second, you could donate it to an organization that will sell it secondhand to help make them money (my favorite idea, but you do you). Some ideas:

Adorned in Grace, based in Northern Oregon and Southern Washington, sells bridal and formal wear (so maybe somewhere to donate all those bridesmaid dresses?) to raise money to help women once caught in human trafficking and to raise awareness of the epically huge problem. Pretty awesome cause if you ask me. Your dress gets a second life, AND you get to help other women. So cool. I think I will send a few old prom and bridesmaid dresses their way.

Angel Gowns breaks your heart and makes you feel better about the universe at the same time. These organizations take donated wedding gowns and turn them into dresses for stillborn babies or babies that pass away. If your dress is older and you don't think some of the other organizations would want them, look into the multiple angel gown organizations to give a special gift to parents going through something truly awful.

Brides Across America is incredibly cool because it doesn't sell your dress, it gives it away to a military bride planning their wedding (a big challenge when your fiance is serving far away). This charity has given away wedding gowns to 12,000  brides in events all over the country. What a cool way to say thank you. They only accept dresses five years old or younger, so stop wringing your hands and go for it already.

The Bridal Garden- If you are shopping or donating in the New York City area (looking at you, Kleinfeld shoppers), the Bridal Garden sells wedding dresses to benefit underserved children in the New York area. Give them your dress or start your shopping there instead of the big salons.

Brides for a Cause is a huge and very successful consignment salon that sells their dresses "for charity" It felt a little vague to me (ok, a cause, but which one?), but they do donate to Brides Across America right now, so you are still contributing to a very positive mission by donating your dress to them. I love it.

The Brides Project in Toronto sells the donated dresses with the profits all going to cancer charities; this store has already put 600,000 dollars into cancer charities! That's awesome!

Success in Style is a Baltimore-based organization that gives out of work individuals wardrobes to help in their business lives. They have a consignment store to fund their mission, and now they accept wedding gowns for their wedding consignment store Cherie Amor.

Wish Upon a Wedding gifts weddings and vow renewals to men and women (regardless of sexual orientation, which I think is especially important) suffering from terminal illnesses. I am looking around, and I am not positive they still accept dresses, but if you can't donate your dress, you could still sell it and donate the proceeds.


I know I had a dress I bought on super clearance panic(like 70% off?) that has been sitting in a closet since 2012. It wasn't my dress. I offered it to women in my family, wasn't theirs either. I gifted it to a woman in my Buy Nothing group when she asked, and she looked so fantastic in it. She told me she donated it so someone else could use it as well. I feel so much joy about this dress- it feels freeing to know it helped another bride.

It felt so good in fact that I am considering giving away my dress as well. Really, what is the point in keeping them? So kudos to you if you give your dress away or even sell it so another bride can use it. Such a cool thing to do.

When you see all these things your dress can do, it seems like it is really underperforming in your closet, right? I know I struggle with the idea of parting with my dress, and I don't know if I will muster the courage or not, but the more dresses get multiple uses (and do all these wonderful things for people who need them) the better for everyone.



Want more Green Wedding goodness? We have SO MANY ideas here of how to make your special day kinder to the environment and that much more original. Check out the Green Wedding Page for more ideas.

If you like this post, please share it! This blog is all about making small changes. The more people who make these small shifts, the better the Earth will be!

Happy anniversary! If you clicked on this, you are probably looking for some ideas of what to buy as a gift. I love buying a gift on theme, and this year is cotton, but that theme always seems to lead to the same two terrible ideas- wedding pictures on canvas and monogrammed robes.

How can anyone in the world still be in need of more wedding pictures up in their home?  Maybe for like your tenth anniversary? At some point it gets cute again, but you are definitely not there yet (also in that category- couples t-shirts. It's only cute when my Nana and Poppop do it).

from etsy.com

The monogrammed robe wins the lameness award. Please, someone explain to me why monogramming even exists. Whose stuff are you planning on getting mixed up with? Do you think towel and robe robbers won't want yours if the letters don't match up? Why are your initials suddenly seen as fancy and adult? I will never understand why people think this is a romantic idea.

With such lame ideas being the "norm" you might think cotton is a bust, but not only does it lend itself to lots of gift ideas, it is also a very green gift (especially if you really keep to it). For years, chemical companies have tried to improve on cotton fabric- we have seen the polyester suit in the 70's  up until fleece jackets and yoga pants now. All synthetic, and it turns out, all horrible for the environment. Those fabrics, every time they are washed shed little microplastic fibers that travel through our plumbing out into our water sources, and now the water is quickly being filled with these little plastics. Our animals are constantly ingesting them, which means every time you eat fish, you are also eating plastic.

Now, what does that have to do with the triumph of your second year of love?

Wouldn't you like to be an inappropriately happy older couple, still loving each other and having adventures? Me too. It's basically my biggest goal. I want to be the kind of couple who still go swimming. I hate the thought that 50 years from now, the water may be so filled with plastic that we wouldn't want to swim in it, much less drink it. Taking care of the Earth is taking care of our future, and a happy Earth is a happy future.

I try to do it this way- 

1. Experience Gifts- The best things aren't things at all, right? Keep making memories in your marriage and don't bring baggage you don't need with you.
2. Make Gifts- It may seem cheesy, but it isn't. That effort can turn into something really cool.
3. Get it recycled, reused, and plastic free- When you are dealing in fabrics, that means buying natural, not synthetic.
4. Get it local- The shorter your gifts travel, the less fossil fuels they waste.

Shuffle that robeless body of yours over here, and let's do this-

Cotton Experience Gifts

Bouncy House

 Ok, this may seem like a stretch, but cotton balls, clouds, bouncing on a cloud, bouncy house! See, you are totally convinced. Would be pretty damn fun and memorable, and you could dress like a cloud to really sell it. Adults don't have enough bouncy houses in our lives.

The Beach (with new beach towels)

 A lot of the cotton gifts are fabric (surprise!), which sounds pretty boring. But if you come up with a gift that puts your new gift to work, like a trip to the beach with new cotton beach towels, you might be on to something. Looking for eco-friendly beach towels?  Your best bet is to get ones that were made nearby, to cut down on fossil fuel usage. My personal favorite for sheer marketing audacity is Big Ass Towels ("cause we don't want to see what you want to cover"), and you can find them on Amazon. You can also find a whole mix here. These towels are fair trade and organic, and the store is in the US- this store also specializes in fair trade. If organic is more your thing, you can check this link.

(I think this is a cool gift, because people are apt to just buy whatever at the last second for beach towels, but you can do something ethical and meaningful that you will remember in the many, many uses in the future).

A Picnic Blanket (and take them on a picnic date) 

Very similar idea. Except way more budget-friendly for those of us who don't live by a beach. Pack a really fantastic meal and a kite, and make the day amazing. I honestly think we all already own a perfect picnic blanket (is it large, soft, and flat? Can you wash it?), but if you think this could really be your thing, special picnic blankets are out there for your gift (like these beautiful quilts). Check consignment stores first! Someone's old quilt or blanket might be perfect. You could also buy a gorgeous lifetime-lasting blanket from Faribault or Eighth Generation which could keep you cozy in the winter as well.

Cotton Romantic Gifts

from Artsano

A Hammock

This is my favorite idea of all of them, because it makes life feel like a romantic vacation, and who doesn't want that? Getting one for your house really encourages the nesting. Or solo napping. Really, I support napping of all kinds. The truest love stories are the ones with naps.

My favorite might be the Do Good hammocks, which are made by a small community in Thailand. The hammock looks great, and you can read more about the good Yellowleaf Hammocks is doing here.

Looking for something made in America? Hatteras Hammocks look like some of the best out there with lots of variety.  Sluice Hammocks are on the sporty/ highwire end, but that might be your thing, and they are completely made in North Carolina. Looking for what is out there? This page is a good pace to start, and everything is made in the United States.

A New Mattress or Fancy Sheets

 I think cotton really screams "the bedroom anniversary" in the least sexy way possible. Like big cotton underwear. This is about comfy sleeping people! It could also be really sexy. Do what works for you. Anyway, this is an opportunity to give that bed in a bag a rest and buy some nice sheets or bed covers like a damn grown up. Splurge on nice sheets and get your bed that much closer to fancy. Some places to try? Cozy Pure, Holy Lamb Organics, or Native Organic Cotton

This

Definitely pretty high on the sexy scale. I will let the website explain it, but I think it would certainly make a memorable anniversary if you are feeling brave and creative!

Sentimental Cotton Gifts

from hellolittlepinecone

Baby Blankets or Baby Stuff

At our second anniversary, we were about 2 months from becoming first time parents. Obviously, this isn't the case for everyone, but if it resonates with where you are at, there are plenty of cool baby blanket ideas to make a sweet gift. There are tons of options, so look at the Baby Registry for inspiration, but you could try a carrier or a diaper bag as well.  Might be a sweet gift if babies are on your horizon.

Make something elaborate out of cotton balls

House Cotton Gifts

1888 Mills towels from Amazon (some are made in America, some are not)

Grown-up Towels

 For quite a while, when real grown-ups came to visit us, they would buy us towels. Hint, maybe? Because of this, we have towels in about five unrelated colors, with varying levels of stains from lots of laundry learning moments and one very harsh face lotion we love (but stains everything). Anyway, the towels give us away as fake adults. If you have the same problem, you could just go get new towels. Just don't get them monogrammed. No one wants your towels, for goodness sake.  Big Ass Towels are my favorites, wildly inappropriate in the best way, and they are made in America.

The other great option is the "Made Here" line from 1888 Mills, which are in fact made here in the United States. Just be careful, because 1888 Mills has a lot of towels, but not too many are actually made nearby.

from ohlittlerabbit

Practical Cotton Gifts

Sweatshirts or Sweatpants

 Does your loved one need some comfy clothes? Spending a lot of time Netflix and chilling? American Giant makes their stuff in the US, it is actually cut so your love won't look too schlubby, and it will last. Is it more expensive? Yep. But build your wardrobe like you build your relationship- to last (and without a bunch of excess baggage).

T-shirts/ any type of clothing that have nothing to do with your marriage

 In most cases, people can't be naked. Figure out something your partner needs so they won't be naked, and buy them that. As the years go on, you will have fewer chances to do this (I mean, unless you want jewel-encrusted or gold clothing). This could be as practical as cotton underwear or socks from Pact or a little less so. In our house, we shop used, local, and fair trade clothing, and you would be shocked how many good options are out there that won't immediately make people smell incense when they see you. Favorites? Thred Up, Gustin, or My Sister. So many of your favorite stores- zappos, nordstrom, macy's, etc have Made in America areas, and the shorter distances your stuff travels, the better. There are so many, so shop around!

Think about getting a piece that will be timeless or something that they could really treasure. Or socks. I mean, this could really go either way.

Cotton Anniversary Jewelry

from whiteowl

from SakuraPink

from MyBeata

Or, if you are somewhere cold, a scarf-

from PierronDesigns

from The Chic Artisan

So what did you do for your second anniversary? What are some other good cotton gifts?If you want more wedding and anniversary ideas, check out the Green Wedding and Anniversary page. If you just want more gift and shopping inspiration, check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists page. 

from Sarah Trumbauer

Anniversaries get a bad rep for being obligatory, forgotten, and a burden. Phooey on all of that. After a year of marriage, you already know that sometimes life is exciting and memorable, and sometimes it is sort of banal and forgettable. Because of that, I try to really put lots of energy and thought into anniversaries, so every year together begins and ends with creativity, fun, and something unexpected.

That doesn't mean it has to be expensive or wasteful. As you stand at the very beginning of a long and wonderful life together, I know you want it to be happy too. The more we can all take care of the environment with how we spend our money, the more we can preserve the beauty around us through all of our years. Some of the more regularly used gifts are both super lame and pretty wasteful (toilet paper, really?), but I think we can do better.

So I prioritize these things when I gift-
- Experience Gifts. We have enough stuff. Making memories is better.
- Make Something. You don't have to be crafty. Make coupons. Make a small photo album. Make a frame for your wedding invites. Get creative- it will mean more.
- Recycled, Reused, and Secondhand Gifts. A past gives a gift history and meaning. Also, a smaller footprint and no waste.
-Local. The shorter the distance your stuff travels, the less fossil fuels it wastes. Simple, ethical, and community-building.

The best thing about anniversaries? They get themes! Paper is the traditional first anniversary material. I read that it means strength, but I think that is only true in Rock Paper Scissors. Embracing the arbitrariness of the themes is part of the fun. Why paper? Who cares. Let's go for it. The "modern" alternative is clocks. Added bonus- you can find so many experience, handmade, and green gifts around the theme of paper!

So, here are a bunch of my best ideas for your first anniversary. Make it amazing, because the only way to make your marriage romantic, exciting, surprising, enthusiastic, or joyful is to actively make it that way yourself. Make it green, because you have so much future to enjoy, and it would be nice to enjoy clean air and water while you're at it. Let's do this-

Paper Experience Gifts

Tickets

Buying an experience gift makes so much sense. You really just finally got through all of your wedding gifts, and do you really need more stuff in your home? Plus, early in your marriage is a great time to do these things- want a life with some spontaneity and adventure? Here's your chance to get it started. In retrospect, I can't believe I bought anything else when this paper idea is just so stinking good.

Romantic Paper Gifts

from DreamPapercut

Wedding-Inspired Art

Depending on your personalities (and how your guests gifted), an art piece of one of your wedding photos might be really special. You end up with a lot of wedding pictures, but a  special piece of art might be a nice edition to your room as something just for you. Etsy, of course, has tons. Some of these might make good inspiration so you can make something yourself, or you can buy something- just poke around and you will find something good.

from abgraham

from HenryJamesCo

from BloomingDoorDecor

Find something your style as a pair. Write a nice note. They will be thrilled. Way to go, wedded person.

A Love Letter

 Really think on it, and write your partner a letter worth keeping for the rest of their lives. You can write it on a napkin- it doesn't matter! Have the courage to pour your heart out, even though you don't have to.

Write Letters to the Future

Finish your Paperwork

 The Boy gave me an amazing first wedding gift by finishing some official business. Some people change their name, but some don't. If it is something you did or want to do, this can make for a truly romantic and bonding gift. Never thought you would hear that about paperwork, did you?

You could also pay for your passports, which is both practical and pretty romantic.

Sentimental Paper Gifts

From my little medley

A Map Marking Where You've Been

 Ok, this one is a much more cutesy Etsy version than what I was thinking (though you know I love it). I think if you got a big frame, matted a map and took out the glass, you could have a cool piece of art where you could chart your travels so far and for the rest of your life. I did this for my first anniversary, and I landed on these scratch off maps from Uncommon Goods (the deluxe one is on another level). I also love these maps from Kristin Douglas Art, which are ridiculously pretty and feminine.

Photobooks

Planting a Tree with a Time Capsule

from Salvage Repurposed

Paper Gifts for Home

A Cool Bookshelf

 I know one of my dreams still is to have a library in our house. If you are handy, maybe building your significant other a bookshelf would be super cool and memorable. If not, you could even refinish one from a secondhand store or find something really cool (but not necessarily cost-effective) on Etsy. Some of the floating shelves, like these from Salvage Repurposed (I love these too), are still affordable (and so useful). I also found lots of DIY instructions on Pinterest if you want to save money and make it yourself. You can find vintage options, wall mounts, and brand new ones (these are so gorgeous).

Books

Yep, it's obvious, but it's still a good one! Check your nearby used bookstore and you can get more books for less money. Even Amazon sells lots of books used. You could also do cool notebooks if that is your partner's thing. Or you could find a first addition of one of their favorites.

Practical Paper Gifts

Practical gifts can be a contentious issue in a relationship- I mean, if you aren't on the same page, this is the quickest trip to a ruined anniversary. One of my favorite couples has absolutely outlawed practical gifts, but I think you can still go this route without being boring or banal.  In fact, practical gifts can be really thoughtful and cool, but it totally depends on your partner.

From Shannybeebo

From shannybeeboo

Paper Clocks

 I found a clock made out of paper and other beautiful ones made out of wood (its all trees, right?) I actually bought The Boy one of these, and they are even cooler looking in real life.

From wikipedia.org

A Reading Tablet

 Some sort of reading tablet is honestly a great idea if you have a big reader. They have been great for planes, and if you are planning to spawn, nothing is better for those midnight feedings than being able to read. A different route, but a good one.

Personalized Desk Calendar

 So cute if you put anniversaries and special holidays and stuff like that on it. Even better if you actually make it really subtle, so they can really have it there at work with no one else noticing how special it is. If you want holidays on it, Shutterfly is a good choice, if you want something cooler and more modern, check Artifact Uprising.

Paper Jewelry

Ok, if you really want to go the jewelry route, you can still do on theme! It's not what I would choose, but it is fun to look. Because, Etsy. Some of the Etsy stores even have paper anniversary themes. Here are a few I love-

Paper Anniversary Love

It's hard to believe these are even made from paper. Very elegant.

beccasblend

These necklaces from beccasblend look like wearing confetti, in a good way.

from paperstatement

Paper Statement makes funky paper jewelry out of old book pages. Perfect for a modern or minimalist spouse!

from VintageOoakDesigns

VintageOoakDesigns uses old book pages in the designs for their jewelry. I like the combination of modern shapes, bright colors, and vintage paper. It shouldn't work, but it does.






Alright, these lists, much like your wedded bliss, are just getting started. This is going to be fun! If you want more wedding and anniversary ideas, check out the Green Wedding and Anniversary page. If you just want more gift and shopping inspiration, check out the Giant List of Shopping Lists page. 

The best part of Valentine's Day is the license to eat chocolate, way past the point of sexiness.Too much chocolate to be cute.

Beyond the obvious benefits of chocolate, it turns out that candy offers fantastic opportunities to support businesses near you! Don't settle for the boxes from the drug store- candy made cheaply comes at a big environmental price and ones made in Mexico (where Hershey's sent much of their manufacturing) has been showing traces of mercury. So unless you really hate your Valentine...

More importantly, how often are those boxes actually good? How many chocolates from those plastic-wrapped boxes get thrown away? No chocolate deserves that fate! It's chocolate, for goodness sake!

This isn't about eco-friendliness, it is chocolate friendliness. Could there be anything more important?

So this is the list I have so far of chocolate and other candy companies that still manufacture locally. Some of my favorites, like Daffin's in Western Pennsylvania really don't reach nationally, so I know there are tons of treasures I am missing. Please tell me what should make an appearance, and I will keep updating the list.

The main point is that you have so many options, and the good old internet makes them very simple to discover and access. Also, even small towns have candy stores. Shop there.

Buying from companies like these supports the community where you live, cuts down on shipping and packaging, and can make for a fun challenge. Can you find something just as romantic as those drug store candies? Let's hope so! Focus on buying smaller quantities of better product, so it can both be good and do good.

Now, let's get to the list. It's epic and incomplete.

Alabama
Birmingham Chocolates- Birmingham

Alaska
The Alaska Fudge Company- Juneau
Alaska Gold Mine Candy Company- Talkeetna
Alaska Wild Berry Products- Anchorage
Ketchicandies- Ketchikan

Arizona
The Arizona Chocolate Company- Flagstaff
Cerreta Candy Company- Glendale

Arkansas
Izard Chocolates- Little Rock
Juanita's Candy Kitchen- Arkadelphia
Kopper Kettle Candies- Van Buren
Kyya Chocolate- Elm Springs
Lambrecht Gourmet- Heder Springs
Martin Greer's Candies- Gateway

California
Chuau Chocolate- San Diego
Dagoba Chocolate- San Francisco
Guittard Chocolate- San Francisco
Mother Fudger- Los Angles
Richard Donnelly- Santa Cruz
Rosebud Chocolates- Oxnard
Scharffen Berger- Berkeley
See's Candies- Los Angeles and San Francisco
TCHO- San Francisco (Previously Berkeley)
XOX Truffles- San Francisco

Colorado
Chocolove- Boulder
Elbrus Fine Chocolates- Parker
Enstrum Chocolates- Grand Junction
Hammond's- Denver
Justin's- Boulder

Conneticut
This state has its own chocolate trail. That's how many chocolate choices there are. What a wonderful world.
Bridgewater Chocolate- Bridgewater
Munson's Chocolate- Bolton

Delaware
Govatos Chocolates- Wilmington

Florida
Norman Love Chocolates- Fort Myers

Georgia
Cacao- Atlanta
Chocolate Ooh La Las- Marietta

Hawaii
Aloha Candy Company- Volcano Village, Big Island

Idaho
The Chocolat Bar- Boise
Idaho Candy Company- Boise
Sandpoint Chocolate Bear- Sandpoint

Illinois
Ferrarra- Lemonheads, Red Hots- Oakbrook Terrace
Illinois Nut and Candy- Skokie
Vosges-Haut Chocolate- Chicago

Indiana
DeBrand Fine Chocolates- Fort Wayne
Ghyslain Chocolates- Union City
Schrimpff's Confectionary- Jeffersonville
The South Bend Chocolate Company- South Bend

Iowa
The Sugar Barn- Polk City

Kentucky
Ruth Hunt Candy Company- Sterling

Louisiana
Bayou Chocolate- Monroe

Maine
Dean's Sweets- Portland
Ella's Chocolates- Lewiston
The Harbor Candy Shop- Ogunquit
Haven's Candies-Westbrook
Monica's Chocolates- Lubec
R and R Chocolates- Wells
Wilbur's of Maine- Freeport

Maryland
Glarus Chocolatier- Baltimore
Goetze Candy- Cow Tales and Caramels- Baltimore
Wockenfuss Candies- Baltimore

Massachusets
EH Chocolatier- Boston
Herbert Candies- Shrewsbury
Necco- Revere
Unreal- Boston (this looks kind of awesome)

Michigan
Chocolates by Grimaldi- Grand Haven
The Chocolate Garden- Coloma
Gilbert Chocolates- Jackson
Hanover's Michigan Mints- St. John's
Schakolad- Birmingham

Minnesota
Pearson's- St. Paul

Mississippi
Margaretes Fine Chocolates- Tupelo

Missouri
Chocolate Chocolate Company- St. Louis
Christopher Elbow- Kansas City
Bissinger's- St Louis
Kakao- St Louis

Montana
Big Sky Candy- Hamilton
Martinson's Ranch Chocolates- Huntley
Montana Chocolate Company- Missoula
Posh Chocolat- Missoula

Nebraska
Baker's Candies- Greenwood

Nevada
Kimmie Candy- Reno
Sierra Nevada Chocolate- Reno

New Hampshire
Bryne and Carlson- Portsmouth
LA Burdick- Walpole

New Jersey
2 Chicks with Chocolate- East Brunswick
Brummer's- Westfield
Chocodiem- Clinton
Enjou- Morristown
Lepore's- Hoboken
Matisse Chocolatier- Engelwood
Mrs Hanna Krause Candy- Paramus
The Nut Shop- Woodbury

New Mexico
Kakawa Chocolate House- Santa Fe

New York
Garrison Confections- New York City
Jaques Torres- New York City
Whimsy and Spice- Brooklyn
Xocolatti- New York City

North Carolina
Azurelise Chocolate- Raleigh
Carolina Chocolate Company- Charlotte
Dillsboro Chocolate Company- Dillsboro

North Dakota
Carol Widman's Candy Company- Fargo
Mikey's Country Candy- Burlington
Widman's Candy Company- Grand Forks

Ohio
Buckeye Chocolate Company- Canton
Spangler- Dum Dum's (NOT their candy canes)- Bryan

Oklahoma
Bedre Fine Chocolate- Ada

Oregon
The Candy Apothecary- Tigard
Caramels for Karson- Eugene
Creek House Patisserie- Ashland

Pennsylvania
Daffin's Chocolate- Sharon
Just Born Candy- Peeps, Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike- Bethlehem
Palmer Candy- Multiple Pennsylvania factories
Wolfgang Candy- York

Rhode Island
Hauser Chocolates- Westerly
Sweenor's Chocolates- Wakefield

South Carolina
Chocolate Tree- Beaufort

South Dakota
Mostly Chocolates- Rapid City
Watertown Confectionary- Watertown

Tennessee
Colt's Chocolates- Nashville
Dinstuhl's- Memphis
Nashville Chocolate and Nuts- Nashville
Olive and Sinclair- Nashvillle
Sugar and Spice Truck- Nashville

Texas
Aunt Aggie De's Pralines- Sinton

Utah
Bella Rose Chocolates- Saratoga Springs
Drunken Chocolates- Saratoga Springs
Farmhouse Fudge- Moab
Sweets Candy Company- Salt Lake City

Vermont
Lake Champlain Chocolates- Burlington
Mount Mansfield Maple- Winooski

Virginia
Potomac Chocolate- Woodbridge
Royal Chocolate- Virginia Beach

Washington
Frans Chocolate- Seattle
Northwest Fudge and Confections- Port Angeles
Spokandy- Spokane
Seattle Chocolates- Seattle
Theo Chocolates- Seattle

West Viriginia
Holls- Charleston

Wisconsin
Candinas Chocolates- Verona

Wyoming
Donell's Candies- Casper
Perr Bear Chocolates- Cheyenne
Petit Secret- Jackson Hole

In the words of one of these wonderful stores- Save the Planet- It's the Only Place with Chocolate! If you have been looking for a place to make a switch, this is a perfect opportunity to change your approach from quick and easy to local, special, and doing all sorts of good!And there are so many more! So please comment with your suggestions!

If you are more interested in fair-trade chocolate (and for good reason, chocolate can have major environmental AND labor problems, and child labor is NOT romantic), I have a few options for that too- Equal Exchange (they have chocolate chips and more on their website), Divine (this store has a great selection), Green and Black's, and my favorite Endangered Species (which donates 10% of your purchase to protect wildlife and habitats- romantic for your animal lover? This is the best list I could find- there is so much out there, no excuse to get crappy chocolate anymore.

Be sure to research what you have nearby, they might surprise you- Theo Chocolate, and Chocolove are fair trade too.



Now you know better than I do- what candy stores or chocolatiers are around your neighborhood? It may be time to try them. More expensive? Try something small! Bigger doesn't mean better, and it might be fun to have a taste of something new.

This week, I pointed out that some of the best green purchases we can make are the smallest ones. Think of it like a diet. A huge slice of cake one time or a big fresh salad one time won't make a hunk of difference. You can't eat one salad and lose oodles of weight if you eat a doughnut everyday. The only way to make a big dent in our diets is to change our daily routine.

 It's our habits that define us most.

Our material consumption works the same way. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled if you buy a washing machine or stroller or dining room table used or made in the USA. That's awesome, but how many times will you actually buy those things? Some of the most important votes we make with our money we probably don't think about, because we do it out of routine!

In Part One, we looked at ways to make our paper goods like towels, tissues, etc. make a more positive impact on the world. So here are a few more ideas of little, repeated decisions that can make a huge difference in your world. These are the kinds of purchases that are so regular we don't even think about them; you just grab the same brand you bought last time. Stepping out of these habits can be tough, but it doesn't have to be expensive. You can do it!

6. Water Bottles

To Compare: Nestle "Pure Life" (great name right? Better than "covering the Earth in hot garbage") water is 2.48. I choose Nestle in particular because they seem to be the most evil in a very nasty bunch; they lobbied against water being declared a universal right at the World Water Forum in 2000 (so they could jack up the prices of basic drinking water in countries with limited water supply, among other things), and  continued to source their water from California and Michigan.

If you get nothing else from this list, please stop buying Nestle water. 

These are bad people treating the world and people in it terribly, so supporting (and condoning their behavior) them is not good use of your money or good stewardship. They have a lot of brands, so if you want to steer away from them in general, you can see what to avoid here (they are everywher and sneaky, so you have to pay attention).

 Ok enough for that rant, back to the list, 2.48 for 12 16 ounce bottles (or about 1 cent an ounce)

So you are paying for two things- the clean water and the water storage, right? So let's break that down: first, a filtered pitcher can filter your water for years, so one purchase covers a much longer span of time (just imagine a pile of 300 plastic bottles next to one little filter, then multiply it by years in your life. Truly, this can make a huge difference!)

My pick-the Soma Water pitcher, which is made with green practices and has a coconut/plant based filter (which you can get on a subscription system- so smart). It costs 40 dollars, and some of its proceeds go to providing clean water in areas that don't have it (so basically the opposite of Nestle).A Brita pitcher is around 35 dollars (they say one filter replaces at least 300 bottles of water and now they have a stainless steel version). A Pur filter and water dispenser is 32 dollars (32 for as many ounces as you can drink). BWT Pitchers (which are absolutely beloved according to their reviews) are only 19 dollars.

You could also do an under sink option like this one.

So just replacing your bottles with a pitcher (and using it!) can make an immense difference in the waste you produce as a human being.  Start saving your plastic bottles when you do get them, and just use them over and over again! If you fill them up and leave them in the fridge, you will still have something conveniently ready to go when you need it.

If you want more permanent, less garbage-like water storage (and you have cut out disposable bottles completely- kudos!), you have plenty of options on that front too.

My Pick- Liberty Bottle makes stainless steel bottles, which have never been my thing, but these don't have any metallic taste and I love them. They are 100% made in America with American-made equipment, so double the local manufacturing power! I have one and it is my absolute favorite. We also got a kid-sized one that is pretty great too. Really similar to Kleen Kanteen, but made  locally.

If you do want a plastic bottle, I recommend these pretty large Nalgene bottles. They are BPA-free and made in America, plus they carry a lot of water.

No matter what you use, as long as you keep using it, you have done something great. If you have some already, they are already great! The most important thing is that you get as many uses out of them as possible. Camelbaks are made in China, so they probably don't top the list, but ours served as a pillar (and cesspool? It's best not to think about it) of our family for a long time. They certainly can stand up to a lot, so you can make one last most of forever. That's the real goal here. The fewer you buy, the better.

And if you want to go big: Go glass! I started using a Lifefactory water bottle a month or so ago, and I love it. It's made in the USA and Europe (the glass is from France). It also really surprised me. First, it isn't actually that much heavier, which I didn't expect. It also looks beautiful, and it has a pour top instead of a straw (depending on what you want), so I can use it to fill baby bottles without making a mess. For another great glass option, check out these Love Bottles. Love Bottle is owned by a woman and they do all of their manufacturing in the US.

7. Grocery and Produce Bags

 Yes, plastic bags are already outlawed in some places (good! who needs them? They should be banned everywhere), but if they persist in your neighborhood, it doesn't mean you have to use them. At this point, the argument against them is common knowledge, but people still forget about produce bags and even all that styrofoam and plastic packaging we get our meat in. Everyone comes home with a lot of instant trash! I can't necessarily appeal to your wallet on this one (I mean, those plastic bags are free), but it is also a pretty low impact way to make a positive difference.

To Compare: Ok, plastic bags are free. But they are also horrible for the environment, and if you live in an area like ours, paper bags are 10 cents a pop.

Reusable bags may come at a (pretty low) cost, but they can hold more and they last a long time; we still use the same ones we got seven years ago when we moved in together (plus some, because we forget). These bags still come at a cost of materials and energy, so it is key to use them as often and for as long as possible.

I have a whole blog on how to finally get into the bag habit. My best advice for them is to use another bag to hold them all in the trunk, and to have enough that you can forget to bring them back out once and still have bags. As you might guess, tons of options are out there, so I am just going to make a list so you can poke around and find what you like the best:

Canvas bags: My Pick: EcoBags are made of recycled Cotton with Fair Trade labor (R, FT, 10.1), 100% Canvas Bag, Made in the USA (6 dollars), Trader Joe's Canvas Bag (USA, 14.70), Turtlecreek Cotton Canvas Bag (USA, 16 for 2). You could also try a waxed canvas bag like this one (30). Last good option is Etsy also has lots of cute options like meandmythreeboys, LittlePacificDesigns, and CottonandLinenShop (16.99)

Recycled Plastic Bags: My pick: ), Clean Conscience Tote Bag (USA, R, 10),  Vandor makes recycled bags with Miss Kitty, Star Wars, Cat in the Hat, and so forth (R, 5.75ish), and a wider version with Dr Seuss and florals (R, 6.57), Park Avenue Reusable Bag (USA, R, 6 dollars), Simply Green Solutions 10 pack, recycled plastic (R, 17 dollars for 10), and Eco Jeanie Bag (95% R and recyclable, 9.95).

Lastly, you should look around you! You may already have totes at home that will be perfect for the task. I know we have bought bags from places like our church for fundraisers. This might be a great opportunity to support you own community and help the Earth. Double winsies!

And if you want to go big: Let your produce roam free! Ok, not totally free. We put one of our reusable bags open on the top shelf of our cart, and we just throw all of the produce into one bag we already own (because we are just going to wash it all when we get home anyway). If you can't stand that level of disorder, you can also purchase reusable produce bags like these (also made in the US). The rePete produce bags are made of 100% recycled plastic. These mesh ones are also great, though they are made of polyester (and in China), so you haven't totally avoided the plastic. But to use the same 5 bags over and over, you will save the world from so much plastic waste.

8. Trash Bags

 This one is mind-boggling once you think about it. Companies makes thousands of pounds of new plastic trash to hold our trash? Why, in goodness name, aren't all trash bags made of recycled plastic? Unlike food containers or basically anything else, they don't even have to be as regulated, because we are just throwing trash in them (no one is eating out of them, or wiping their face with them, or wearing them). They are specifically meant to be taken away, but the thought of how much garbage is made fresh just to hold our garbage makes no sense.

All trash bags should be made of recycled plastic. Even better? Recycled paper.

Please join me in sending the message to companies that we can do better.

To Compare: A 40 pack of 13 gallon Glad Kitchen Trash Bags (and we are dealing with lots of sizes here, so I apologize now for that slippage) sells for 8.50 (or about 21 cents a bag). They also advertise themselves as smelling like Febreeze, the Devil's Perfume, so apparently they are run by demons or fools.

I will say, a lot of these bags have very split reviews. VERY split. So do your own research, and I would recommend a smaller purchase before you do the big money-saving bulk purchase. Because if you hate what you buy, and you don't sustain the change, then this has done nothing. This change is so important, but be willing to experiment a little before you commit in a big way.

Hefty Renew  makes recycled plastic trash bag, and honestly, I love this, because you are sending such a direct message to one of the mainstream brands that eco-responsibility is more important to you than awful Febreeze powdery hellscape smell. Their bags are made of 65% recycled plastic, and you can get a 6 pack of 45 count boxes for 48.73 (or 18 cents a bag).

Earthsense makes their 60% recycled trash bags here in the US. They also have pretty solid reviews including "wanted to avoid killing the earth and this fit the bill." Poetry. Six boxes of 90 bags costs 73 dollars (or 16 cents a bag- one of the cheapest!) They also sell larger yard bags.

If You Care sells 97% post-consumer recycled trash bags. 12 for 4.93,so not exactly a steal, but worth a try and maybe they will get a bulk option.

Seventh Generation sells 13 gallon trash bags made of 55% recycled plastic (only 16% post-consumer). Their 12 pack of 30 count boxes is 56.89 (or about 16 cents a bag- cheaper!).

Green N Pack sells bags made of a mix of recycled and bio material (not the greatest reviews, so read up and maybe buy a smaller box to start?) for 13 gallon trash cans. The 6 pack of 40 count boxes is 65 dollars (about 27 cents a bag).

Look out for "biodegradable" plastic bags- it sounds good, but the bags really just break up into tiny pieces, which like microbeads and other tiny plastic devils, will be impossible to clean out of water. Not just not good- this stuff is BAD.

And if you want to go big: You have a few options to just replace the plastic trash bag- A little bit better is re-using paper grocery bags to house your recycling and your trash. Our grandparents did it, and they lived, so this might be the most cost-effective answer. Another option is to try a reusable trash bag.

More importantly, cutting down on your trash is wildly important here.

None of these solutions are great, because they are still pure garbage, adding to the 25 million tons of garbage that will go into landfills and the ocean this year (wow). Time to minimize our garbage- the less garbage you make, the fewer garbage bags you use. If you start splitting out your recyclables and your compostable waste, and buy fewer things that come in ridiculous plastic packaging, you can cut down how many regular garbage bags you need.

And if you compost? Biodegradable Bags! My goal is that we make one bag of garbage garbage (or less) a week, and you can do it too. The other great thing is that they make biodegradable bags to put your compost in, so even your waste container can be feeding the soil in no time! I would imagine you could try these bags for your regular trash (or at least bathroom trash) as well?

Our Pick: We use Bio Bags in our kitchen. They have larger bags (13 gallon- 36 for 17 dollars), but we use the 3 gallon bags and take it out more often (75 for 16 dollars or about 21 cents a bag).

Bag to Nature bags are made in Canada and generally have a reputation for being a little sturdier (though they don't break down as easily). You can buy 60 three gallon bags for 6.26.

9. Zip Loc Bags and Tupperware

 Sandwich bags are great. Except that they are horrible if you only use them once before they are into the trash (and we learned in the garbage bag section- we need to cut down this garbage). It's another one of those things in our kitchens that might be as wasteful as it is useful. Even tupperware, that is meant for more than one use, is made out of plastic (much of which isn't BPA-free), and our leftovers deserve better! We have been trying to wash and reuse the zip-loc bags we can, but it hasn't been a totally successful experiment (they don't fare well in the dishwasher). I know they are great for some things, but think about ways you can strategically cut down on using them when other solutions exist? And if you can re-use them, do it! That's the bare minimum.

I have a whole post on this topic as well if you are looking for even more options.

To Compare: Ziploc sells in about a million sizes as well, so let's just pick a relatively average size and go from there, but again, I apologize that the range makes things less precise. 28 gallon freezer bags cost 4.46 (or 15 cents a bag).

Our Pick- Reusable! Even if you just have reusable and one time plastic together, you will notice just how few things are actually one time use. For snacks, sandwiches, and so much more, you can also get reusable pouches.

 Chico Bag is made out of recycled water bottles. UKonserve makes food cozies. But I think the real gems are on Etsy- check out GreenCityLiving, GrowingGreenMinds, North Forty Textiles, and EcoHipCustomDesigns.

 Blue Avocado, a company of three women, sells 2 packs of sandwich bags that are built to be reused again and again. If you only use it twice a week, you can save 100 plastic baggies from the trash. One hundred. In one year. They sell for 8.99, and with one year of use, you could break even on sandwich bag cost and make so much less waste! Win win! I think we are going to try these, so I will let you know how it goes. They also sell gallon bags, small bags, and sets.

When you do need bags (for things like meat storage), Natural Value sells resealable plastic bags (30% recycled material), which are packaged in recycled materials and made in the USA. A box of 50 is 8.25 (or about 17 cents a bag) or you can get a pack of 12 for 32.42 (so 5 cents a bag! So cheap!).

Lastly, when you do buy something that comes in a plastic container (like yogurt), keep the container! It costs you no extra money, and you can keep leftovers in there.

And if you want to go big: No more bags! You can find great storage options that will last way longer if you look at sturdier materials and hard containers. The less the plastic bag makes an appearance, the more good you can do!

I love glass sets for storing food prep and leftovers. Anchor Hocking has two lines, and more consistent sizes we like a little better. Glass is always a safer and healthier choice (though these still have plastic lids), and their True Seal line is especially awesome for food storage. So many of the sizes you actually want. Pyrex also has Tupperware alternatives that are safer, cleaner, and made in America.

For kids and bring-along snacks, glass could be a little too sturdy. We Re-Play's stackable containers , since they are made in the US out of recycled plastic. Stanley eCycle Nesting Food Containers might be a good option to fulfill both purposes!

10. Baking Cups

 I love baking cupcakes even now that it is no longer cool. I also love the little cups, because anything in bright colors can win me over. But when you think about it, they really are a waste- used once and tossed out. I bake a lot, and this still isn't a huge purchase for me, but I do think it's a good place for me to rethink how I pick what to buy.

To Compare: Reynold's Baking Cups, the ones I know I have picked up at the store many a time is 36 liners for 1.28 (about 4 cents a liner)

Our Pick- I am STILL trying to use up my old cupcake liners, but once I need them, I will buy these simple Paper Chef liners. Paper Chef sells no-stick 100% recycled cupcake liners- 2 pack of 60 for 8.25. (about 7 cents a liner). They also have mini and large liners.

Decony's regular paper liners are made in the USA- a set of 500 is about 8.50 (about 2 cents a liner)

If You Care (I hate that name) sells the first set of cupcake liners that are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified and grease-proof. You can buy them in bulk- 24 boxes of 60 for 36.25 (or about 3 cents a liner. Cheaper and better for the environment- plus you will basically be set for life). They also come in large and mini.

And if you want to go big: You can reuse silicone liners over and over again in your own house and only bust out the paper liners when you have traveling goodies (or bring the silicon liners with you too, but that's pretty trusting). I couldn't find any liners made in America, so if you know any, please pass that info along! We have these fortune ones which happily enable you to eat more cupcakes- best cupcake liners ever (they are 16.07, but they can have infinite use).

You can get lots of different bright colored silicone sets like this one.




Alright, this is it! Be sure to check out Part One, which I still think is the most important blog I have ever written.  If you can think of other basics in your life that you might want to switch out to DO MORE GOOD with your purchases, let me know, and I will do the research! You can do this!

Want to make your home greener? No matter the size or location, you can limit your waste and make your house have a more positive impact on the environment. Check out the Green Home Page for thousands of ideas on how to do it.