Frozen Music Studios Photography

Trade in those old lights!

It's just about time to start putting up holiday decorations... time to untangle and risk life and limb putting those strings of lights up on our roofs.  If you haven't made the switch yet to LED or solar lights yet, I just found out that Home Depot is running a special this week... you can bring in strings of old or broken incandescent lights and for each string (up to 5) that you bring in, you'll get $3 off a new string of LED lights!  Cool!

Why would you do this?  Well, although personally my favorite Christmas lights are the old ceramic kind, those use up electricity like there's no tomorrow.  (And we're all banking on the idea that there WILL be a tomorrow!)  LED lights use about 80% less energy than their incandescent counterparts.  Solar lights use 100% less energy!

All of our outdoor holiday lights are solar or LED lights on a timer.  Maybe I can bring in some old lights this week so my indoor lights can be LED as well.  Saving money and the environment at the same time!

Organic Skin Care

 

It's been a while since I posted about awesome green products, and today I found a line of skin-care and makeup that I just had to share!

Eve Organics sells organic skin care products and mineral makeup that are easy on the environment, and gentle on your skin.  They don't waste resources on super fancy packaging, but give their full attention to what is inside the jar or bottle.  Also, they have lists of the ingredients of their products listed right on their website so you know exactly what you are putting on your skin when you use their line of skin care or makeup.  No sketchy chemicals or strong perfumes... very cool!  My favorite part... it's all totally affordable.

Also, check out their blog for more information and cool green tips too!

Recycle those caps too!

 

I've always thought it was kind of a bummer that you couldn't recycle the caps to your plastic milk jugs and shampoo or pop bottles, but now you can!  Aveda Salons are now collecting these rigid plastic bottle caps to be recycled.  Go Aveda!  See Aveda's site  for more information and to see if your local Aveda salon is participating.

Paperless RSVP

Last week we received a wedding invitation in the mail.  We are going to be shooting another wedding the same day, so I wanted to send the RSVP back right away to send our regrets.  But, there was no RSVP card in the envelope!  Upon further inspection, I saw that the couple requested that their guests send their RSVPs online through their wedding website.

How do you feel about a paperless RSVP?  Is it the latest trend in eco-friendly weddings, or is it too un-friendly to guests?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!

Why go green?

Green is more than a color we wear and splash all over everything on St. Patrick's Day.  Green is a mindset, a philosophy, a way to live one's life.  "Going green" is something that I am passionate about, and has been as far back as I can remember.  Although what we call it may change, being "green" is not a fad, nor is it a new idea.  Here are some reasons why I "go green."

1. It's our responsibility.  From the beginning of time as we know it, our number one job as humans has been to be responsible for the earth we inhabit.
2. It's good for our health.  Do you ever really read the labels on what you buy?  Knowlege of the chemicals used in your favorite moisturizer, your floral scented fabric softener and even your strawberries would give you a fright.  Carcinogens and toxins are not just found in cigarettes.  They're found in the very products we use on our skin and in our food.  Reading labels and choosing products made without these harsh and unnecessary chemicals is good for your health.
3. Think of the animals.  Are you an animal lover?  Ever see photos of birds covered in oil, fuzzy creatures with plastic bottle rings around their necks, or polar bears desperately searching for food?   Endangered species lists are growing, and we can put a stop to it through the choices we make. 
4. Our children depend on us.  I want my kids and their kids to walk on white sandy beaches, hike through pristine forests, and marvel at the glaciers.  I want them to canoe through clear water, climb a tree in the backyard and explore in a field of wildflowers.  They deserve to know the beauty of the earth, so we need to protect our prairies, deserts, forests, and waters.
5. It's easier than you think.  Small changes add up to big results.    

 

 "When you tug at a single thing in nature, you find it attached to the rest of the world."  — John Muir

Green Giftwrap and Partyware

I love sharing my green finds with you guys!  I don't want to keep all these fabulous things to myself. :)

Today's finds are gift wrap made from recycled materials and eco-friendly partyware that's printed with soy-based inks and is also recyclable.  Oh yeah, and they're also gorgeous!

 

  

These are all from Amy Butler Designs.  She has tons of pretty products (including lots of beautiful fabric), and the site is a wonderful place for inspiration!

Tuesday's Tip

Today's cool find is not only awesome, but it's green too!

The Flea Market for Thrifty Brides is the place to buy and sell used and new wedding items.  It's sort of like Etsy and Craigslist combined, but for brides!  

The Flea Market is pretty new, but I'm sure soon enough it will be packed with all sorts of treasures!  If your wedding is already said and done, it's a great way to sell or give away items that you'll no longer be needing, but are still in great condition.  (I'm thinking about posting that crinoline hoop skirt from my own wedding.  I don't have any other dresses to wear that thing under!)  

There are many things that you buy specifically for your wedding day, but you'll never have a use for again.  Posting your items on the Flea Market is a great way to help someone else out, and also keep those items out of the landfill!  It's a win-win!

Activism Blog Roll

This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see my little green photography blog listed on the actology site blogroll!  That's pretty cool!

 

Check out their site for insight on what's happening in environmental issues and other important activism!

Carbon footprint getting smaller!

I am really excited to announce that we have made our carbon offset purchase for 2009!  We have become a Carbon Free Partner with CarbonFund.org.  This means that we have made a donation toward energy renewal, energy efficiency and reforestation projects through CarbonFund.org that will offset the carbon dioxide that is put into the atmosphere through the everyday things of running our business... like electricity to power our computers, car emissions from traveling to weddings, the production of our supplies and prints, etc.  Please visit their website to learn more about the fight against global warming.

Green Wedding Video

Here's a cool video I found on Ali Eli Florals' blogsite that I thought would be great to share with you all.  It's a nicely done overview of what it means to have a green wedding, and even gives some simple ideas.  Enjoy!

P.S.  Note the reference to CarbonFund.org!  And as always, I'm here to help with tips and resources if you'd like to plan a green wedding!