Green, Green Green

This post is a little different than my usual, but I thought it would be fun to share my work environment with you.  Sabre Holdings (parent company of Travelocity) was built in 1999 and was awarded certification by the U.S Green Building Council for being environmentally friendly and protecting the surrounding communities. The grounds have wetlands and holding ponds that the grounds are watered from,  and native grasses and wildflowers.

We have a very active compostable campus program (styrofoam free).  Our food containers are made from either corn, sugar or potatos.  We use real coffee cups that are washed out each evening. All of these compostable items are sent through a pulper and then accumulated in a contained composter on campus.  These products are quickly bio-degradable and all the compost materials are the used for on-site landscaping.

• We use NO pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals on the grounds.


• The building exteriors are comprised of native, locally available stone.


• Our state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems prevent ozone depletion


• Carpeting inside the building is made of recycled fibers and limited to only the areas that need it for comfort and sound control. 


• 50% of the headquarter buildings' materials are made from recycled content


• The roof is made of a reflective material that helps with cooling the building in the summer months


• All plants are maintained organically


• We have lots of Turkey Vultures which are a protected species


• We have automatic mechanical shades that adjust based on light sensors


• Flooring in the breakrooms is produced from the bark of the Cork Oak tree.  The Cork Oak survives the harvesting of its protective covering and fully renews it's bark in nine years.

• Our ceiling tiles are made from bamboo, another highly renewable resource.


• All the fabric in our cubicles is made of 100% recycled content.


• We have recycle bins throughout the building for batteries, aluminum cans, plastic, glass, paper


• Our picnic tables on the grounds are made from recycled plastic milk cartons


• Bike racks are provided for 5% of the employee population  

You can see why it is such a joy to go to work everyday in this type of environment.  We take being 'green' very seriously. 

The best part for me, is that I only live 1.2 miles from here and occasionally, if I don't have to have my car, I enjoy walking to work and I like the idea of getting the extra exercise this time of year.

I have a very fun weekend planned so I hope to get lots of great photos to share.  Until then....

Lady Fingers at it again...Patio Table

A friend of mine at work inspired me to try this project.  (Thanks Katherine!).  I've been thinking about this for awhile, but Saturday morning I just decided I was going to do it.  I've had this old patio table for years and we just never use it.  I did a little 'Google' research and got my ideas on how to start this project.

 

We had a 4x8 piece of plywood that was taking space in the garage, so I laid the table on top of it upside down, drew an outline of the table on to the plywood, and then cut it out with my jigsaw. (yes I have my own jigsaw!)

I went to Goodwill (of course) and Angel's Attic (another thrift store) and found 7 plates for $4, and then went to Lowe's to get the tile supplies.  See the little bird?  It was a wind chime that had broken, so I figured it would make a great center for the table.

Here's the fun part.  I put all the tiles and plates (except for the two dark blue plates, I
couldn't bear to smash them up) inside a pillow case, and then smashed
them to smithereens on the flagstone sidewalk. I just held the
pillowcase over my head and let it drop.  Wow!  What a sound! I had to repeat this step several times to get it broken in to smaller pieces.

Next, I laid the tiles out so I could get an idea of the pattern I wanted to create.  

This part was messy, but fun too.  I laid out the 'placemat' part of the table first, and then the 'coasters' next, and put my little bird in the center.  My directions said to lay the design pieces first, or else work from the center out to the edge. I wasn't sure how I was going to finish the edging, but remembered I had some river rock pebbles left over from filling a vase for flowers. They made a perfect edge.

This part had to dry overnight.

I really, REALLY wanted a bluish grout to fill in between the tiles, but both Lowe's and Home Depot said blue grout would be a special order item.  Well, for most people,,, but not for me.  I pondered this for about 5 minutes, and then came up with my own idea.  I bought a 10 lb bag of pure white grout and then went to the paint department and had the paint guy mix me a quart of blue water-based stain.  I mixed one cup of the stain and 5 cups of water with the grout and came up with  my very own custom color.

 


This was a messy part of the project, but by now, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The grout consistency was probably a little different because I added the stain, but it worked just fine.  I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Even though the grout was not completely dry, I had to see how it would look accessorized.  The weather is so perfect now for dining outside.  I can't wait to use it.

 

I have another little table at our lake house that I'd like to try this project on.  I learned from this time, that I will get dishes that have more vivid colors.  The plates I used for this project had a lot of white in them and not much color.  Live and learn, I always say.  This was a very simple project and only took 2 days to complete.  So fun!

I really love hearing from you guys so please leave your comments on this site instead of the Facebook page.  If you have a project you're working on, please share.  I'm always looking for new ideas.

Sorry Charlie!

Here I go again.  Another Charming Charlie moment.  I'm not sure if this is really a dress, a top, or both. Today I decided to make it a top by adding a little knot at the hemline.  This is my favorite time of day.  I just walked in the door from a fabulous day at work, ( I really love my job), uncorked a bottle of wine, and went outside to smell all the fabulous flowers that are blooming in my back yard.

This Wisteria is actually on my neighbor's side of the fence, but I get to reap the benefits of the beautiful, fragrant blooms. Can you see the little patches of crochet on the bodice of the top?

These Capris are from Wal-Mart.  I've had them forever, but they were perfect with this top.  I'm glad I've kept them.  One of the hardest things for me is to clean out a closet.  I end up putting everything back that I thought I might want to donate.

My new favorite summer shoes are called 'YellowBox'.  I'm sure you've seen them somewhere.  I got these at First Monday.  They are so comfortable.  It's like walking on foam.  You can't miss them,,,they come in a YELLOW BOX.  :)

No outfit is complete without matching jewelry.  Another Charming Charlie bling. My fabulous boss gave me a gift certificate and so this weekend I will be headed back there to see what's new.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

This is another top/dress I got at my favorite retail shop.  It's hard to decide what to wear these days with the cool mornings and the warmer afternoons.  I opted for this brown baby-doll top with puffed sleeves and Victorian collar. It's a light weight cotton but warm enough to wear for the cooler morning temp. When the weather gets warmer, I'll probably wear this with just leggings or perhaps just sandals. It's pretty versatile.

 



Paired with a pair of vintage thrift store Levi 501 jeans, I was perfectly comfortable all day.

I love any kind of cross necklace and I always seem to gravitate toward them to add to my collection.  This one is so pretty with all the colored beads. I wear it with a lot of my wardrobe. 

When I get a chance, I'll stack up all my crosses and take a group shot of them.  I'm always on the look out for them so if you find them, point me in the direction.  Send me an email if you find some.

A Rose in Bloom

On Sunday the weather was so perfect, I had to be outside with all the flowers that are blooming right now.  Check out the roses in my back yard.  Believe me, I do NOT have a green thumb, but for some reason everything seems to be holding their own.

I got this dress at my favorite non-thrift store Charming Charlies. I can't tell you how fun it is to shop at this store. 

These azaleas were transplanted from another house and they just love it tucked in this little corner.  I wish they bloomed all year long.  They are such beautiful shrubs.

 

 

Here's a close up of the bracelet and the necklace.  When you go to Charming Charlies, everything is color coded and sectioned off so you don't have to search for coordinating accessories.  It's all together in each colored section. I get a little carried away putting things in my little basket.

I went a little crazy this past weekend and got several cute outfits for my summer wardrobe.  I'll share them with you when I get my camera back.  Every day I get an email from the Geek Squad giving me an update on the repair of my camera.  I have to admit, my little Sony Cybershot is  a pretty good substitute. 

Red Boots and Yellow Daffodils

Spring has sprung in full bloom.  I love daffodils, but sadly they only bloom for a couple of weeks out of the year.  I guess that's so we'll appreciate them more.

 

I found these boots and top at a Goodwill store recently. 

I never wear western boots, but these reached out and grabbed me and they are so comfortable.  For only $6 dollars, I figured it was a low risk investment in case I didn't like them. They're in perfect condition and nicely 'broken in'.  I love them.

I love the colors in this top.  It's very 70's with the paisley pattern and shirred waistline.  Of course, a bargain find at Goodwill for only $2.99.  

I'm really missing my Nikon, and I can't find the battery charger for my little pocket camera.  I'm counting the days and checking the status of the repair daily online.  Hopefully I'll have my camera back in a couple of weeks.  Until then, my IPhone is my backup.

Have a great weekend!

My camera is in the Nikon Hospital

I'm totally lost without my camera.  I had to send it off to get the flash fixed because it wouldn't stay snapped down, so it's been shipped off North somewhere for a little R & R.  Therefore, I've had to rely on my trusty little IPhone for photos.

My favorite retail shop in the area is a charming little place called 'Charming Charlies.  They have everything you could think of and it's all color coordinated for you.  Belts, shoes, tops, necklaces, bracelets, hair thingies, purses,,,,you name it.  You actually have to walk around the store once to get the 'lay of the land' because it's a little overwhelming at first.  I love it.  I found this sun dress there last summer and all the accessories as well.

 
A little grainy, I know, but what can I say?  I MISS MY NIKON!!!

Here's a close up of the neckace.  It is multi-shades of orange and very, very noisy to wear.  It clanks and clatters like crazy.

I got this bracelet at  Charming Charlies.  It was in the all-white section of the store. 

 If you find a store in your area, you really must check it out.  The items are very inexpensive and very cute.  Your head will spin as you walk in the door, because you won't be able to decide which way to head first.