I loved this quote from one of my favorite singers, Sheryl Crow. It's so real and lovely. It's like our lives - there is always something that may be disrupting, but there is always something beautiful The flowers are blooming and sunshine is all around! And some rain to wash away the pollen but get all growing! Below are some easy spring cleaning tips and some ways to give back to God's creations, and some local events in Newnan, Georgia. - Love and hugs! Vicki
"Simply the greatest creation ever. Thank you!" - Peggy P.
1. Start with Decluttering: Before you even think about cleaning, get rid of anything you no longer need or use. Go through clothes and shoes, purging anything you've only worn once and likely won't wear again. Think a bridesmaid dress, Halloween costume or formal dress you've outgrown. Try on anything you're unsure about before giving it closet space. Keep an eye out for anything stained, in need of repair or worn out. Local donation store that donates proceeds to local nonprofits: Clothes Less Traveled.
2. Break it Down: Don't try to do everything at once. Focus on one room or area at a time.
3. Make it a Team Effort: Involve family members to make the process more fun and efficient.
4. Use Natural Cleaners: Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are great for cleaning and deodorizing. Make your own all-purpose cleaner:
Combine one part white vinegar, one part water, a lemon rind and a few rosemary springs into a spray bottle. Shake and let it infuse for a week before using. This natural cleaner can remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges and much more. Keep in mind: Vinegar is not safe for all surfaces, including natural stone and finished wood. Add a lemon essential oil to a Build a Hug Box
5. Ventilate Your Home: Open windows to air out your home and freshen the air.
6. Replace Air Filters: Change your air filters to improve air quality.
7 WAYS TO REDUCE WASTE
1. Reduce Single-Use Plastics. (Check out Grove Collaborative - their mission is to go plastic-free! I have been using their products for years and love all and the service. Read here about some very interesting and cringy facts on plastics and how it effects our earth, living creatures and our health.
2. Say no to fast fashion. (Checkout these secondhand and upcycled options: Brush and Blossom + The Reverie + Clothes Less Traveled)
Fast fashion relies on the rapid production of clothing, demands vast amounts of natural resources and is often made from synthetic materials like polyester, which release microplastics. These microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, are toxic and pose a major threat to the environment. During clothing manufacturing, microfibers and plastics are released and estimates indicate that textile production is on track to triple by 2050. Fast fashion also promotes a throwaway culture, where clothes are quickly discarded after a few uses, leading to massive textile waste. Millions of tons of discarded clothes end up in landfills, taking hundreds of years to decompose and releasing harmful greenhouse gases and toxins.
3. Make Sustainable Purchases. Shop local and send hugs! Of course I'm going to plug the Hug Box. Being sustainable has always been a main mission when creating this gift service. From the products (mostly from Georgia - but all from US) and the packaging materials (all US and sustainable) and usefulness and natural ingredients of the products... the Hug Box is a great way to be sustainable in gift giving! (The Hug Box)
4. Reduce Your Food Waste. (Plan meals, Grow a garden + shop at local Market Day) Mainstreet Newnan Georgia is having it's first Market Day of the year this Saturday, April 5 10am-2pm.
5. Reduce Water Usage. Conserving water in our daily activities is crucial, especially in drought-prone areas. Simple changes can make a big difference. When washing dishes, fill the sink or use a basin instead of letting the water run continuously. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and use a cup to rinse. Taking shorter showers and installing water-saving shower heads can also help. Avoid letting faucets run unnecessarily and fix any leaks promptly. If available, opt for water-conserving toilets and dual-flush systems to further reduce water usage. By incorporating these practices, we can significantly reduce our water consumption and help conserve this vital resource.
6. Go Digital. Reducing your paper waste by switching from printed materials to digital formats can significantly reduce your carbon emissions. While digital devices do consume energy, the overall energy usage is much lower compared to the entire lifecycle of printed materials. Get emailed receipts and go paperless for monthly mail like bills.
7. Share your love-the-earth ideas and local events on social media. When you share small victories with friends and family, you can spark a ripple effect, inspiring others to make eco-friendly choices and even pushing for bigger changes in our communities. Checkout Newnan's own and for more information - Keep Newnan Beautiful)
Upcoming recycling and community events for 2025:
Paper Shredding: Saturday, May 3, 8am - 12pm
Textile Recycling: Saturday, May 3, 8am - 12pm
Earth Day Litter Pickup: Saturday, April 19, 9am - 2pm
DEA Drug Takeback: Saturday, April 26, 10am - 2pm
LOCAL NEWNAN, GEORGIA EVENTS (click on event name for more info):
MARKET DAY - Saturday, April 5 10am-2pm
BARK & BRUNCH - Saturday, April 5, 11am -1pm, McRitchie-Hollis Museum, Newnan
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES MOVIE - Friday, April 25, 6:30-9pm - Newnan Carnegie Library
YOGA IN THE PARK - Every Wednesday, 6-7pm - Greenville Park, Newnan
BIKE COWETA - Saturday, April 12 - 11am -10pm, Downtown Newnan
Choose from our curated ready-to-ship gift boxes.
Here are some Hug Boxes that would be perfect for Mothers Day gifts:
BOUQUET OF HUGS • LOVE AND HUGS HUG BOX • A DAY AT THE SPA HUG BOX
ORDER TODAY AND WE WILL HOLD TO SHIP NEAR MOTHERS DAY - HURRY THOUGH BEFORE YOUR FAVORITE IS SOLD OUT!!
Our Hug Boxes get updated frequently based on which artisan products are available. Because of this specialty curating, some Hug Boxes are low quantities, and some products may not be available again if they are uniquely made, so be sure to place your order before they are gone.
Please note: We are located in Georgia and shipping out west or further north will take longer, so be sure to place your order soon! Our Hug Boxes are small batch curations so they go fast. We can not guarantee a specific day that UPS or USPS will deliver. They can only give estimated timelines. A tracking number will be sent to your email, so be sure to check all of your email folders. Once we have your order, we fulfill your gift and drop it off within 1-2 days from your order. Please be sure to double check the shipping address upon ordering and send us the name, message and who the Hug Box if from for the notecard if you hadn't already. Thank you!
This quiet, thoughtful little dog is just over 2 years old. Although a bit shy, she loves to fetch, run around in the yard, and likes playing with other dogs. Because she is a bit shy, a family with adults or older children would be best. Her foster mom adores her. Sweet girl -perfect size!
Adopt Clementine! CLICK HERE
