Survival Guide for a Summer without AC

Last summer, the heat was brutal, and based on the holiday weekend weather, I'd say we're in for another hot hot Boston summer. Last year I somehow managed to survive in a 5th floor apartment with NO AIR CONDITIONING.

Here were some survival skills that kept me alive during the especially hot days:

1. Drinking lots of water. (duhhhh)

2. A good window fan. (Yes, they use electricity, but not nearly as much as a window AC unit!)

3. Cold showers.

4. Pool membership. (I have an undying love for the North End Pool)

5. Facial toner/astringent. (Feels sooo good to get all of the oil off your face, neck, and back)

6. Window curtains/shades. (close them during the day to keep the sun out)

7. Crystal brand liquid deoderant. (chemical free, and, in my experience, works just as well as traditional deoderant)

8. Sunscreen. (Its a lot easier to sleep at night if you aren't sunburnt!)

9. Ben and Jerrys. (Lots and Lots of Ben and Jerrys)

Reminder!

Bostonians! Summer has arrived, so double check that your thermostats are turned all the way off! Try to hold off on the air conditioning - its not that hot yet, so save the $$ and energy while the weather is reasonable.

Enjoy the holiday weekend everyone!

Beach Bag Essentials

Memorial Day weekend starts tomorrow (finally!) and I, for one, will be hitting the beach on Martha's Vineyard. I simply couldn't be more excited for the start of summer.

Tonight I'll be packing my beach bags with a few green chic essentials:

 Badger Balm is amazing smelling and organic! I love the Lavender Orange flavor.







The beach is my favorite place to read, and I can't wait to get started on "Green is the New Black".















Organic cotton beach towel! (The ones pictured to the left are only 30% organic, but that is better than nothing.)

      A refillable water is a summer staple. I am  
      obsessed with my Bobble Bottle because it
     filters the water as you drink it!

Sunglasses are important for protecting your eyes, but these Juicy Couture shades go a step further because they are made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo.

 

                                                                      Sunscreen! I prefer Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen. It is perfect for my new paraben-free lifestyle.

Blog Spotlight: Sustainability for the Partially Motivated

This is a fun blog that I discovered - and you just have to love the title! http://sustainabilityforthepartiallymotivated.wordpress.com/

Check it out. I love the author's most recent post about talking to bar owners about their recycling programs.

Makeover!

BGB is in the process of getting a makeover! Woohoo! I just added an "About" section that clarifies exactly what I do as a blogger and why. I am also in the process of building a "Blog Roll" page where I will provide links to my favorite sites, resources, and places I go for inspiration. If you are interested in exchanging links and think your blog would fit well in my "Blog Roll", please e-mail me at BostonGreenBlog@gmail.com.

My facebook group is also going to have a makeover since facebook is overhauling its groups. A group probably isn't the right format to publiscize my writing anyway, so please look for a fan page of sorts in the near future!

Earthfest Recap

The weather cleared up just in time for EarthFest 2011!!! It was a bit muddy, but the event was well attended. Besides the great music and enjoying the sunshine, we also got lots of free stuff! I scored a loaf of bread, strawberry jam, lemonade juice boxes, tortilla wraps, mints, cliff bars, and more. yumyumyum! I'm already excited for next year.

Exciting Happenings!

This week has been full of exciting things for me and for BGB.

1) Just got some pretty "sustainability writer" business cards printed up by Pixxlz on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Plus, Pixxlz is a local company, so I'm going to walk over to their office and pick up my order instead of having them shipped.

2) I had a great time at the 80% Challenge Climate Change event. I saw old friends from the Sustainable Endowments Institute and the Sustainable Performance Institute (formerly the Nexus Green Building Resource Center). At the event I learned a lot about who believes in climate change and who doesn't. There are some very interesting demographic stats.

3) Getting pumped for EarthFest 2011 tomorrow afternoon!

4) Just started using an amazing organic face lotion (product review coming soon) and I feel great.

5) Was told I am one of "the most prolific bloggers" (yay!)

6) Lots of new followers on twitter ....partially because I went on a major following spree yesterday and this morning.

7) IT STOPPED RAINING IN BOSTON!!!!!!!!!!! fingers crossed for a sunny weekend!