Friday, April 30, 2010

Newlessness : Day 120

restore3

120 days.
I can't believe it.
It really doesn't seem like more than 1/3 of the year has gone by already!

I have to say, I've been able to find some pretty cool things throughout this process. I've been so excited to share this particular find with you, and I've had to be patient since it took a while to get things set up. I had been looking for a coffee table trunk (still am) and someone I met in a cute little resale boutique told me about the Habitat ReStore. Intrigued, I decided to visit one nearby in hopes I could find a trunk that would look great in my living room.

I've learned that Habitat ReStores are outlets that accept donated goods for resale that are usually donated by local businesses to help fund Habitat for Humanity. This was exciting for me because instead of these (mostly home improvement) supplies going to waste, they are being sold to help fund raising up homes in the community to those who would otherwise be unable to afford their own while doing their part to be environmentally responsible.

Well, I didn't find a trunk, but I found some really cute door frames to put in my living room and add to its charm. They were pretty big, but I managed to fit them into my little car.

IMG_0414

Originally I had wanted to remove some or all of the glass panels and replace with mirrors and hang on the wall, however, these frames are really heavy, so I decided mounting might not be the best idea and leaning them up against the wall would be easier. My roommate had the brilliant idea to put lighting behind them! I'm not sure if I will still be adding mirror to some of the panels, but for now, it looks great and our little apartment is starting to come together!

restore2

I encourage you to search for a ReStore in your area to shop or donate! You're bound to find some incredible things at some incredible prices all while supporting Newlessness!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Weakless Wednesday : Verbalize Your Thoughts



A great friend of mine inspired this week's challenge as a spinoff on the last challenge. Last challenge we talked about changing our posture to a positive one so that we might be able to more easily cultivate positive thoughts. Now that we have those positive thoughts, what do we do with them?

So many times we think such positive things about the people around us. We tend to "think" them more than we "say" them. Let's focus on verbalizing those positive thoughts this week. When you think to yourself gee, I love her style, or wow, he is very thoughtful, practice verbalizing those thoughts.

Maybe you appreciate your mother's patience. Maybe you are inspired by your brother's creativity. Maybe you think your coworker is beautiful, your best friend has the most amazing smile, or the person at the checkout counter has a kind spirit. Every positive thought this week should be spoken, no exceptions! Let's open our mouths and speak loving truth to those around us.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Bambu : New Packaging Promise


I've recently been streamlining my brand and packaging into one cohesive approach. I've been working on new ways to keep my packaging as eco friendly as possible. I finally have photos of my new labels and products.

::Packaging::

Each bar comes beautifully packaged and ready for gift giving in handmade plantable paper labels that grow basil! Each bar comes with planting instructions. Outer label is made from recycled cereal boxes and contains the product information and ingredient listing.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

New Products : Bambu Earth

I'm so excited to share a few new products with you all. I've had several batches secretly curing and I'm adding a LOT of new products to my line. After months of deliberating on just the right scent combinations, here are just two of the many new soaps yet to come! Enjoy


Black Shave. Sensuous. Rich. Earthy.
As this bar glides over his skin, the mysterious scent of patchouli with a hint of sweetness unearths and lingers all day. This bar triples as a body, facial and shave bar making it ideal for the complexly simple man. Blended with activated charcoal and pink kaolin clay, this bar gives the user a close, slick shave while simultaneously drawing out impurities leaving the skin clean, clear and smooth. Avocado oil and shea butter gives this bar a luxurious moisturizing finish.


Refreshing Eucalyptus Mint Soap with Lemongrass. Minty, earthy, and cool, with a hint of lemongrass to drench your skin in a refreshing blend of moisture and aroma. Eucalyptus rounds out the tantalizing tingle of mint and the boldness of lemongrass which takes the center stage in this simple, yet enticing blend.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Weakless Wednesday : Frownless

Sometimes I catch myself randomly frowning, sulking, thinking negatively, etc. I don't realize how much of a habit that can turn into.

This week, my challenge to you, is to not only go a whole week without frowning, but to also keep your thoughts in check. Our thoughts effect our outward posture. They effect our attitude, reactions to others and ultimately, they effect our beliefs. Let's focus, this week, on turning our negative thoughts into positive ones first... positive things are sure to follow.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Weakless Wednesday : Fill A Tummy



Some of us know what it's like to go hungry for a day, or two or three, maybe a week or a month. Some of us by choice through fasting and prayer, some because of circumstance. Some have never experienced the feeling at all and have had their needs met consistently, praise God.

For those of us who have been there, it might be a recent experience or a far removed one, but it doesn't take much to remind us of the feeling and to have a renewed empathetic spirit toward the needs of others.

I'll share a story with you. When I was in college, I was living with roommates and supported myself through school. I was on the Crew team practicing and rowing twice a day, and taking 32 units (15 is full time). My only income came from financial aid and school grants. During our spring season, I went through a really hard time since I wasn't working and I had so many classes that I had to spend all of my money on books. For three months I ate almost nothing but rice. On rare occassions I would get help from family or roommates, but I continuously struggled with pride and I hated to be a burden to others. There was one moment I remember where I was eating an apple. I finished it all the way down to the bare core so much so that it was practically falling apart. I remember thinking to myself how many apples I had wasted because I would never come close to the core. I thought to myself, 'I will never waste an apple again'. Since then, I'm sure I haven't eaten every apple so thoroughly, but it is a reminder of where I've been and how thankful I am today that I have enough to meet not only my own needs, but also the needs of others.

This week's challenge is simple. Share a meal a day with someone you know or don't know. It is the most basic need that you can help someone meet and it is simply priceless.

Here are some ideas:

Visit the places where the homeless frequent. You will always find someone in need of a meal.

Share a meal with a neighbor in need.

Visit an elderly home or help deliver meals to the elderly.

Pay for the person behind you in a drive through. This could make someone's day.

Pack an extra lunch and send it off with your child. They can share lunch with someone at school that might be in need.

Call a nearby college and get in contact with a coach. Deliver a box of food to them and let them direct it to an athlete in need. (Trust me, there will be someone who needs it.)

Bring some extra fruit to work and share a healthy snack with a few coworkers.

Offer to buy groceries for the person behind you or in front of you in line at the supermarket.


These are just a few ideas to get you started. There are countless ways to share a meal with those around you. Let's work together this week to feed our communities. I'd like to challenge you to do this daily this week. Let's try not to miss one day! It could mean someone goes without a meal. I'd love to hear your stories, so please remember to come back and post!