Now that it’s May, warmer weather is on the way, and that means its time to start thinking about picnics, outdoor parties, and dining al fresco!  Whether you’re visiting a state park, taking in a concert in the park, or entertaining friends at home, it’s never been easier to picnic eco-style.

1. Use Reusable
   While it’s easy to pick up a pack of paper plates, it’s much more eco-friendly and stylish to use reusable plates, silverware, glasses, and napkins.  Invest in a chic picnic basket set that comes repacked with all the essentials you need or shop separates in bright colors and fun prints.  Melamine picnicwear is lightweight and comes in tons of colors.  Don’t forget cloth napkins!  Washing them actually uses less water than is required to produce paper ones.
2. Don’t Forget the Blanket
   The most important part of a successful picnic?  A good blanket!  Make sure to select one that’s large enough to accommodate all of your guests.  If you plan to picnic a lot, a blanket that rolls up or comes with a foldable carrier will make travel easier. You can even find blankets with weatherproof backs! Use that old quilt that’s in the closet or shop your local thrift store too.
3. Pack Picnic Foods
   Finger foods and room-temperature edibles rule at picnics for their ease of prepping and eating. Think petite finger sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies, or chips and salsa. Assemble, slice, and dice everything the evening before your picnic adventure so all you have to do is pack your bag and go! If you have kids or like perfect portions, pick up a few bento boxes: the Japanese style of packing compact, balanced, and visually appealing meals in a box. Check out Laptop Lunches for eco-friendly options.

Happy picnicking!

Are you headed to prom? Congratulations! It’s sure to be a night you won’t forget!  Once you have the dress, don’t forget to think about your makeup.  Make sure you plan ahead of time so you have all the appropriate colors on hand and give yourself plenty of time to style your hair and apply your makeup.  Keeping reading for more of our favorite prom tips and tricks to ensure you’re looking and feeling fabulous on this great night out!

• You’re sure to be in lots of photos that end up on Instagram, Facebook, and maybe even in your high school yearbook, so apply a little extra makeup than usual.  Flashes from cameras tend to wash you out, combat that effect by filling in your brows with a brow gel or liner, wearing a pair of false eye lashes, and applying powder to any areas that tend to get shiny, like your t-zone and chin.  Want to look extra sparkling?  Apply a little shimmer powder to your collar bone and décolleté with our face and body sculpting brush.
• Steal a trick from the young red carpet stars and don’t have your makeup done match-y match-y with your dress.  “If you’re wearing a bright dress, you probably want subtle lipstick and nails.  It’s a very modern red carpet look to not have the dress and makeup match,” according to Teen Vogue Magazine.  A brown smoky eye with a bit of shimmer is always a safe bet.  Use a mix of brown shadows, cream or powder, to build a smoky eye then finish with a touch of liner and a few layers of mascara.
• Think retro.  Classic makeup moves like a bright lip, a subtle cat eye, and bold brows will always be in style and make you look instantly glam.  Don’t be afraid to add one or two into your beauty look.  Just practice a couple weeks before prom to get the technique down.
• Make sure to pack some touch up essentials in your prom purse.  Use our set of six mini brushes to bring touch ups along.  Pick up a few strokes of powder or cream color from your foundation, concealer, eye shadow, etc. on each brush and then stash it in a small Ziploc bag!  Or try this tip from Real Simple Magazine: take an empty contact case and squeeze some concealer in one side and your lip color in the other.  You’ll be good for any touch ups you need throughout the night and won’t take up too much space in your clutch.

Got wine? Don’t toss out that leftover vino, cork, and bottle!  Thanks to Pinterest, there are lots of ideas for how to use every last drop, cork, and bottle to recycle, upcycle, and DIY it!

Leftover Wine:  If you didn’t drink every last drop of wine, don’t toss it, use it again!  Pour it into ice cube trays to chill future glasses or use in cooking. Leftover champagne? Whisk extra bubbly in with some vinegar, olive oil, onion, Dijon mustard, and sugar for a DIY salad dressing (even if the bubbles have gone flat).

Cork Crafts: Once you’ve popped the cork you can take them to your local Whole Foods for recycling, or make something new.  Try a trivet, wrangle a bunch into a wreath, or make a bulletin board. Champagne corks are pretty on their own too!  Collect a bunch and stash them in a pretty bowl for instant art.

Wine Bottles:   Luckily glass bottles are easily recyclable, but if you want to elevate your empty bottles try these ideas. Strip their labels and hang them with string for a boho-chic flower vase, pop on a topper and use it to decant olive oil or get extra crafty and make your own tiki torches!

Want even more upcycling crafts and great ideas?  Check out our board on Pinterest and don’t forget to share your favorites with us!