shop 'til you drop

Sorry if you're tired of my materialistic posts lately, but I'm a gal who loves to shop, and I can't help it. Here are a list of stores that are currently in the process of opening up in my 'hood, and I'm about to pee my pants in anticipation:

 1) TRADER JOE'S!!!!! - I could jump for joy for daaaays about this one
2) Z Gallerie - I'm so obsessed with this place it's unhealthy
3) Restoration Hardware - enough said
4) Neiman's Last Call - bargains!

You'd be happy too, if you lived in Oklahoma your whole life and these stores were all suddenly at your doorstep. Take that Sooner Fashion Mall!

organize

Another one of my New Year's resolutions is to get organized. I'm not particularly unorganized, but my goal is to live more simply, and with less clutter. Our guest bedroom is currently a disaster zone because it is where I am putting everything that I don't want into donate and sell piles, but the rest of the house is coming along rather nicely. I'm following this daily guide to declutter. Here are some other things that I've used to help me out:
1//2//3//4//5
I'm probably the only person that gets super excited to purchase new containers for organizing.  Good thing I live next to The Container Store :)

go green

One of my resolutions this year is to live a little greener. Here are a few ideas that I've found:
I have replaced paper towels and napkins with washable linens. Why would you ever want to use paper napkins when there are so many fun options out there? You could even get really creative and sew your own.
I'm planning to give composting a try.
With this you have no excuse to ever buy bottled water again.
Flip & Tumble Reusable Produce Bags, Set of 5
If you're like me and tired of using a million plastic bags for your produce and bulk foods, these are the answer. Can't wait to try these out.

Here are some recycling programs that I use:
Even though I keep them in my car, I sometimes forget my reusable grocery bags. If I have plastic bags, I always recycle them at Target. You can also take them to Wal-mart or most local grocery stores, too. Just please don't put them in the trash!
You know those air filled bags you get in a lot of packages these days? If your city doesn't recycle them, go to Fill-Air recycling's website and they give you the address to send back the bags for recycling.
Send back your HP ink cartridges with the HP Ink recycling program. You can print a pre-paid mailing label, or they will send you pre-paid mailers to place up to six cartridges (this is what I do). Just drop it in the mail and you're done. If you don't use HP ink, you can always take them to Target for recycling.
Have an old TV, laptop, or ipod that doesn't work? Best Buy recycling program will take them off your hands, and in some cases actually pay you. I've recently taken two computer monitors to be recycled, and it was a piece of cake!
I haven't had a CFL bulb burn out on me yet, but when I do, I'm going to take them to Lowe's. Recycling these prevents the release of mercury into the environment, and allows reuse of the glass and metal in the bulbs. You can bring your rechargeable batteries and plastic bags here for recycling, too.

I also use Recyclebank were you can actually get paid to recycle. Here, you can turn your recycling efforts into coupons, magazines, and even gift cards. I've picked up many free magazine subscriptions this way!

If I didn't list something here, you can also go to 1800recycling.com to find a place near you that recycles the material you're looking for.

Happy, greener living!