Kokedama plant ball - DIY

I recently came across this craft, kokedama at Biome, $25. So I decided to try it as my December DIY project. 

What you'll need: 

Peat moss (available from your local nursery)

String/twine (to tie up your peat moss. Fluro is a fun choice or try something more subtle such as a natural or hessian twine)

A plant (to... plant!) 

What to do:

1. Soak the peat moss in water. Once saturated, wring out the peat moss and shape into a ball.

2. Bury your plant into the centre of the peat moss ball

3. Wrap your peat moss ball with the string

DONE!

Voila!
Mine is a little bit wonky, but definitely passable.

The peat moss will dry out gradually (no need to water the plant for the first few weeks) and stretch into the twine. Spritz the plant as needed and water into the stem of the plant with small amounts of water very occasionally (you don't want to over water and cause the centre of the plant ball to rot) Simple!

So, what do you think? Will you try making one yourself?! (A particularly great idea for #trashfree housewarming and thank you gifts)

x

PS: I'd love to see your creations!

Christmas reads

image from here

The holidays are the best time to get stuck into the never-ending reading list, especially when the weather keeps you indoors. So here's my pick of must read books for the festive season. 

Anything by Sophie Kinsella. (The author of 'Confessions of a Shopaholic') Fun stories that just leave you feeling good. 

Girls Night In series. Short stories by various authors. The perfect read for a good night in!

The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin. One woman and her year long quest for the true meaning of happiness, and the many means and ways to get there

Gorgeously Green, Sophie Uliano. Learn how to DIY your way to green, in 8 simple steps. (Check out her website, tutorials and recipies. So good!)

Down to Earth, Rhonda Hetzel. A firsthand guide to simple living. (Also a lovely blog for a more personal insight into Rhonda's day to day, simple living practices)

For a #trashfree solution for all the book-a-holics out there, donate/buy your books at the Lifeline Bookfest, local charity shop, second-hand bookshop or organise a book swap with your friends or bookclub! 

What books are on your reading list these holidays? 

#trashfreechallenge - Christmas cleanup

Image from Reagan and Rose

Some tips for a trash free Christmas clean up...

1. Recycle your gift wrapping. 

You could save it for next year (we used to do this as kids) put it in the recycle bin, or compost it! This year we used brown paper and decorated it with stamps, string, feathers and writing (instead of a card). And it's easy to compost!

2. Lay the table, traditional - ceramic plates, linen napkins, pots that can be cooked in, served in and stored in (rather than plastic wrap, prepackaged container and other waste) It looks beautiful and is totally #trashfree 

3. Decorate your tree, table and home - naturally! Instead of the typical decorations and tinsel, use plants, pinecones, greenery, flowers, glass jars and candles...  Get creative! 

3. Dish up your left overs for boxing day lunches and share with friends. And if you have any left over left overs, compost what you can.

4. Re-gift! If you don't love it, thrift it, re-gift it or donate it to a Christmas charity.

5. Give #trashfree gifts. This year we're loving these Mini pie jars (these would also be a great DIY idea), this beautiful book to encourage a simple living lifestyle, a simple gardening kit - to start their green obsession, and these gorgeous natural soaps 

Or try this!

Rather than exchanging gift with everyone in your family (especially if you have a large family) why not allocate one gift to exchange per family member. My friend Pippa and her family does this and it seems like a really lovely way to maintain the excitement of exchanging gifts without blowing the budget. 

Do you have any great #trashfree tips for the Christmas season?

x