April 01, 2021

Discussing Clean Electricity and Energy Justice with Olivia Nedd of Vote Solar

April 01, 2021/ Ashley

We’re passionate about our environment and care deeply about providing a safe, healthy, and equitable planet for all. One of the ways that we can work towards this goal is by focusing on large-scale advancement of clean energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels that pollute our land, poison our communities, and overheat our planet. In this post, I’ll introduce you to a clean electricity advocate, Olivia Nedd, who is the Policy Director of the Access & Equity Program for Vote Solar who will speak to the importance of why we need to bring all races and incomes along in this energy shift. We’ll also talk about the US’s electricity sources and environmental racism, and how you can make a change for the better.

February 17, 2021

Researching a Sustainable Kitchen Countertop and Why I Chose Marble

February 17, 2021/ Ashley

Countertops are major workhorses and one of the biggest design elements in a kitchen. So, there’s a lot of thought that goes into the material, style, and design of them. But you know me, I have to research even further. In addition to picking a pretty countertop, I factored in the environmental footprint, worker health, land reclamation of the quarry, and the way it fits into a historic home. Ready to get into it? Let’s!

October 15, 2020

Choosing The Most Environmentally Friendly Cooktop - Weighing All(!) of the Considerations

October 15, 2020/ Ashley

With concerns for our planet and the folks that experience climate injustices, we’re all making purchasing decisions with ethics in mind. Appliances are no different. Electric and induction cooktops are becoming a popular environmentally friendly option, but I'm taking a hard look at all of the considerations to make the most conscious choice.

February 17, 2020

Talking Old Houses, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Historic Preservation on the True Tales From Old Houses Podcast

February 17, 2020/ Ashley

I sat down with Stacy of the blog Blake Hill House who runs the podcast True Tales From Old Houses to record an episode! We chatted about old homes, energy efficiency, sustainable improvements, modern upgrades, old window efficiency, and weighing the pros and cons of green updates like solar panels. This was a great conversation because I got to share some things that I’ve never discussed in much length on the blog or on Instagram. You’ll definitely want to listen! And I guess I’m overly chatty because Stacy had to split up my interview into two parts! In part two, I chat more about my experience living in a designated historic district, so stay tuned for that.

December 11, 2019

An Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree that Looks Like a Real Tree and Smells Like a Real Tree

December 11, 2019/ Ashley

I’ve been brainstorming how to have a pretty, smelly, and green Christmas tree in my home without the ecological guilt of cutting down a living tree. And you know what, I found it! I made my own tree with real tree branch scraps so it has the same look and same delicious smell as a real tree. Oh I’m smitten!

November 05, 2019

What To Do With Pumpkins After Using Them As Seasonal Decor

November 05, 2019/ Ashley

Pumpkins and gourds are classic decor during the fall season, but please don’t put them in the trash when you’re done admiring them! When put in the trash and sent off to the landfill, pumpkins (and all other food materials) they create nasty greenhouses gasses. Instead of letting them become a negative, turn them into a positive with a few ideas I’ve outlined below.

October 24, 2019

My Takeaways from the Green Homes Tour - Both Good and Bad

October 24, 2019/ Ashley

I went on the San Diego Green Homes Tour this weekend, which is a two-day ticketed event that allows folks to explore “green” homes all over the San Diego region. The goal is to spread awareness about environmentally friendly design to homeowners, designers, or just curious humans - it was open to all. The houses range from being showy multi-million dollar new constructions in beach-front communities, to small semi-homesteads with modest DIY improvements.

October 03, 2019

Trash Pumpkin: Making Seasonal Decor Out of Literal Garbage

October 03, 2019/ Ashley

I’ve never been too big on decorating for the holidays. Sometimes I’m into it, but I mostly get tired of the tchotchkes and want my home to be clutter-free again. Partly I don’t like the look, but I also just don’t like buying decor that’s cheap and will ultimately end up in the trash. BUT! Enter trash pumpkin. The decor that literally takes rubbish out of the bin and keeps it out of the waste stream.

September 18, 2019

Learned Something New: Sustainable Straw Bale Home Construction

September 18, 2019/ Ashley

Over the weekend I attended an event to learn about straw bale home construction - a sustainable building material that benefits the planet instead of hurting it. The organizers also talked about regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and ethically sourced mezcal. It was really cool, and I want to share just a little bit of what I learned about a unique construction material with you!

May 28, 2019

The Goals for My Front Yard Garden - For the Love of Water, Food, Bees, and Flowers

May 28, 2019/ Ashley

I have lots of front yard gardening posts to share with you so I’m breaking them up into a few pieces. In this one, I want to share with you the goals for our front yard landscape. A a serial over-thinker, you can bet that I had multiple goals that I thought long and hard about when planning what to plant to replace our pathetic front yard. From trying to save the planet to wanting to enjoy all the pretty things, here are my garden goals.

May 02, 2019

Sustainable Travel Tips and Essentials from a Minimal Homebody

May 02, 2019/ Ashley

If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably noticed that I've been traveling quite a bit lately. I'll admit that it feels odd for such a serious homebody to be out and about so much, but, while I do miss home, I've found ways to make traveling easier.

I've collected a few of my favorite travel essentials that I recommend to everyone. Now, this isn't going to be a round-up of travel gimmicks that give you more stuff to carry around. I like to travel as minimally and as ecologically as possible, so here it goes!

April 09, 2019

I Installed a Clothesline!

April 09, 2019/ Ashley

The more I dive into the low-waste, environmentalism, and energy conscious worlds, the more I think about alternatives to basically everything I do. I also have dreams of being a homesteader and recluse. So, a project I did last fall was install an exterior clothesline!

Air drying clothes is a great way to save on energy when doing laundry and I’m the perfect candidate for air drying clothes in my sunny San Diego climate. Plus, sunshine is the nature’s bleach. So, why not?

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How We Turned a Garage into a Living Room, Laundry Room, Office, and Storage Space

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Weekly Roundup

What I’ve been up to - from gardening, to film photography, and the books and shows we’re enjoying. Plus a house tour that requires a closer look, grass seed to always have on hand, cedar shake excitement, historic window screens, and the privilege I’m reminded of daily.

Weekly Roundup

Hammocks, cookbooks, gardening, sewing, and the other things I’ve been up to on my impromptu break, and more.

Weekly Roundup

Where I’ve been, shooting on film, my dream house, retro costume inspiration, energy rebates, a magic cake, textiles I don’t need but want, a lampshade DIY, my best defense against mosquitos, a new podcast, what’s killing home remodelers, best decision-making advice, overheard parenting, Little Women on acid home tour, best marble etch remover, and more.

Colorful Primary Bathroom Addition Reveal

If you like florals and color, this bathroom is for you. If you don’t, well, maybe scroll through and you’ll be converted? Or not? Either way, here’s the reveal of a bathroom addition that’s finally here - after a whole three years of construction.