Sustainability is a pretty big topic right now, and for a good reason: the effects of climate change significantly threatens our environment, which is why we must apply ways to minimize our environmental impact. Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is one of the best ways to make that happen since individual effort can make a big difference in the long run. If you want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, here are a few ways that will help jump-start your journey.

Don't throw everything away

We live in a society that promotes endless consumption, and it is well-known that such behavior is extremely harmful to the environment. Therefore, learning how to reduce, reuse, and recycle can be of immediate impact. The easiest way to start is to adopt certain zero-waste principles. Now, that does not mean you should keep everything you use, but finding creative ways to reuse certain items, especially single-use plastics, can be very beneficial. Also, do not worry about being perfect in the process, instead find eco-conscious practices that work best for you.

Walk more, drive less

Vehicles are responsible for a vast amount of CO2 emissions, thus being one of the top sources of global pollution. That is why it is advisable to drive less and walk more. If you still must use a vehicle, it is best to opt for cycling, ride-sharing, or even better, public transportation. You might even combine cycling and public transportation, mainly if the place you live in has a functional subway system. 

Be an eco-conscious traveler

It is certainly possible to be a mindful traveler with a few simple changes. Flying less and selecting alternative transportation options is a significant help, along with choosing green hotels and other accommodation types that care for the environment. Also, if you are a fan of seaside activities, find the best sustainable swimwear next time you decide to go to the beach. Aside from these, travel as lightly as possible and treat the environment with respect and consideration, no matter where your travels take you.

Make your home more energy-efficient

This one is crucial as it saves you a lot of energy (and money) in the long run. Insulating your home is the first step, especially if you live in an area with cold and harsh winters. Once you insulate your home, you will notice more warmth and less energy consumption during the heating season. Also, opt for more long-lasting and durable products, which means more successful energy conservation.

Thrift-shopping is for everyone

Sure, buying new clothes is one of the best ways to lift yourself out of a bad mood. But, the fast-fashion industry is also responsible for enormous waste and pollution in landfills. Thrift shopping is a perfect solution: it promotes a circular economy while reducing waste. If you are new to thrifting, you may find it confusing at first; Feel free to start slow until you get more comfortable with it. Selecting used items over new items is one of the best eco-friendly decisions that you can make. It reduces consumption and makes use of already available resources.

Takeaways

These tips will surely help you become more eco-conscious. Producing less waste, shopping second-hand, and being a sustainable traveler are all intentional practices that can help you start your eco-friendly journey. Additionally, eating less meat and dairy, using public transportation, and making your home more energy-efficient are items worth your effort as they are effective ways to reduce our environmental impact.

Life is just a bunch of moments packed all into one. At least, that's how I like to see it. At the end of the day, it's all about those tiny moments and being fully present in them to allow us to feel every emotion that they bring us. Now, I know that's not always easy to do, so I wanted to share one way that has helped me soak up each moment more fully. As the seasons come and go, it's easy to want to rush time and jump into the next season right away. Being conscious of this and learning to be more present in the current season is so important.

So, what is it? What do I do to experience the fulness of every moment? Observe. That's it. Think of yourself as an onlooker, experiencing each moment from the outside looking in. Quiet yourself, and let your senses soak up the experience, taking note of how you feel at that very moment. Learning to fully experience how each moment made you feel is so much more powerful and memorable. Once you begin to do this more often, you'll feel gratitude for every moment, and you'll also experience life in a deeper way.

Trust me, you will look at things so much more different if you are intentional in your observations. Ask yourself, how do I feel right now? What do I want to remember about this moment? I have found that what makes life so beautiful is being able to stop and being able to fully embrace how I feel in the moment. For example, when my kids bring me joy, I really do stop and try to feel every single piece of joy that that moment brings me. I know it won't last forever, so I want to enjoy it, fully.

While we're talking about experiencing the fulness of every moment, I wanted to  share a brand that I am personally loving and whose philosophy ties in with what I touched on above. I'm all about supporting companies who are not just selling a product, but who really care about the experience and how their product makes me feel.

If you know me, you know I love nature. You also probably know that I am crazy about being out in nature, and, well, taking a zillion + 1 photos in nature. If I could take a piece of nature around with me at all times, I so would. No second-thoughts about it. To my very amazement, JORD Wood Watches came into my life and made that a reality.

Let me begin by saying, I am a tough sell when it comes to watches. Reason being, I don't normally wear watches, and I don't necessarily care for watches. The last watch I wore held sentimental value to me because it was a gift from my mom. After it broke, I never replaced it. Translation: I keep and wear things that hold sentimental value to me, and I will not replace it unless it breaks, and even then, I don't go looking to replace it right away. So, owning a watch again was a huge deal for me.

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Jord

Wood Watches

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER

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The thing that sold me on a JORD timepiece was the idea of combining something modern with something organic and timeless. After all, watches should be just that - a piece that will last you many, many years and be a representation of you.

After many years of going "watch-less", I decided that JORD would be my watch of choice. It's because I felt like it would be a type of reflection of me, in a watch. I would be able to carry a piece of nature with me wherever I go, and by wearing it, I can also stand behind a company whose values are aligned with some of the things I feel strongly about such as sustainability and experiential living.

When I first visited the JORD website, I was amazed at how many wood finishes they had available - 13 to be exact. I browsed around and selected my favorite styles, one of which was one of their men's watches. Here's the one I was eyeing. Since many of their styles are unisex, it still would have been perfect, but I chose to go with something a little more me. I chose the Fieldcrest series in Maple. I love the simplicity and minimalist vibe it has going on.

Okay, did you just see how pretty it is! I love the light, airy color of the wood. It legit matches my desk, not even kidding! See it here. That's how much I've been loving light, raw wood finishes.

When I opened up my package, I was greeted with a beautiful wooden box with a magnetic lid. Upon removing the lid, the watch rested on a jute pillow, and once I set my sights on it, I was blown away at how gorgeous it was. The finish was exactly as I envisioned, and it was perfect. By far, the most beautiful presentation I've yet to experience with a watch company. It's nice to know that such care and attention to detail also went into the packaging because I'm all about the details. 

The fitting of my watch was perfect, and I truly feel like I'm wearing a piece of luxury - natural luxury. It's just so beautifully crafted and made for me in every sense. The face of the watch features scratch-resistant mineral glass, and the buckle has a push button, making it actually fun and easy to remove. Let's be honest, I always hated how hard it was to remove watches! It's also interesting to know that the wood is finished and pretreated with tung oils, and if I ever need to clean it, I can use lemon or orange oil extract. Au naturale, just how I like it.

Needless to say, I was very impressed with the presentation of the watch, the quality, and craftsmanship, the look, and how it makes me feel when I wear it. Everything. I can't say enough good things about my JORD Wood Watch, so I wanted to share a little bit of the love with you all by hosting a giveaway for those of you that are interested in getting in on a piece of the action. So, here it is!

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JORD x Hello Lovely Living 

Giveaway

All entrants will receive a $25 consolation code once the giveaway ends. 

Open internationally. Giveaway ends on 4/23/17 at 11:59 pm CT.

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I hope you enjoyed this post and that it offered a little bit of inspiration on how you can live out each moment more intentionally. For even more, catch me over on Instagram where I post on the daily! Keep on the lookout for more exciting giveaways like this in the future!

How do you experience the fulness of every moment? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!

Disclosure: JORD reached out to me for this post and was so kind to send me a watch for honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are purely mine.

Via: http://lovelimzy.blogspot.com

I love discovering sustainable and eco-conscious companies, so I was thrilled to receive a box from Rose Market featuring vintage eco-chic pieces (stay tuned at the end for a review and discount code). What's great about vintage fashion is that it is timeless. After all, the definition of fashion can be summed up as recycled trends, so there's no surprise why vintage is always in style. Pair vintage pieces with eco-fashion, and you have the epitome of sustainable and environmentally conscious fashion. This is a perfect fit for anyone who prefers quality over quantity when it comes to clothing. Buying clothes that are made of high quality fabrics and that will last you a long time will save you a lot of money over the years compared to buying trendier and cheaper items that are likely made from fabrics that wear easily.

Via: http://lovelimzy.blogspot.com

So, what is eco-fashion? It's simply sustainable fashion - clothing made from recycled or up-cycled materials, manufactured in an environmentally conscious way, and produced without harmful pesticides, chemicals, dyes, or bleaches. Once perceived as dull and boring and made from materials that were stiff and unattractive, eco-fashion is now a rising high quality segment and has been catching on in popularity by big name brands, designers, and celebrities. It's part of living sustainably and consciously in a world of disposable and wasteful living. Bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp are just some of the many durable materials that are being used to produce high quality clothing. I love how the demand for these materials is increasing, which means that these fabrics will become more accessible. Keep any eye out for these options and see how much of a difference these fabrics look and feel. They are truly worth it!

Here are some products made from sustainable materials:

Via: http://lovelimzy.blogspot.com

Eco-fashion also includes items that are gently used and resold. Many companies have jumped on this growing trend and there are many apps available that make it easier than ever to buy and sell. Some big name brands will even buy back your gently used clothing and resell or recycle items for use for charitable causes (read more). Here are a few companies where you can buy/sell affordable, yet high-quality recycled fashion.

• Twice 

• Thredup

• Poshmark

• Threadflip

• Tradesy

• Totspot (kids' clothing)

Disclosure: A box was provided by Rose Market for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Rose Market is a clothing subscription service that upholds the cause for sustainable fashion and offers personalized services with outfits styled just for you. Vintage up-styled pairing pieces together with trendy accessories make up the mix when you receive your very own customized box delivered right to you. Choose from three subscription boxes - The Rosebud, The Bouquet, and The Garden Party (how cute are the names). See a detailed list of options HERE. 

When I opened my box, I was greeted with a personal note, which was very sweet and thoughtful. What my box came with:

• Peach kimono-style top

• Black scarf/belt

• Pearl cuff bracelet

• Rose Market Rose Spritzer

Love list:

• Chic - Very chic and timeless items. 

• Personalized: The color of the top was a perfect choice for me as I am in love with the color peach.

• Versatile: The items that it came with could easily create several outfits. 

• Variety: A variety of items are included, which make it a well-rounded box of useful staples.

• Sustainable: Items are classic and can be worn for a long time. 

Overall thoughts - I really enjoyed this box, most especially what the company stands for. I am all for supporting companies that are conscious about the impact they can make on the world. It's great to know that these items were sourced sustainably. Every dollar that you spend endorses a product or brand's specific vision and encourages it's growth, so why not make it worth it! 

Get yours! Through July, receive 20% OFF your first box using the code SUMMERLOVE.

Visit RoseMarket.org for more information.

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Via: http://lovelimzy.blogspot.com

I hope you enjoyed this post! We can all make a difference in the world no matter how small. 

How do you live sustainably/eco-consciously? 

xo stina