On this post, a day trip to Carmel and some of my favorite spots, and also Earth Day activities going on this weekend and how we can use less plastics!
It’s time for the weekend post with Juliet and Elizabeth where we share what is happening and on our minds.
How was your week? I have been in yard this week pulling weeds and fertilizing my pots and flowers like mad, and it’s starting to pay off. The yard is shaping up! Hopefully one of these weekends it won’t feel like January. We seem to be in a warm weekday and cold weekend pattern and I can’t wait for a sunny weekend in the yard. Maybe this weekend?
A daytrip to Carmel
Max and I started last weekend off by going to Carmel for a day trip on Friday. He took Friday off and we headed to Carmel before another rainy weekend hit us.
Carmel is always gorgeous, but spring is especially beautiful there with so much blooming, like these Pride of Madeira that are everywhere and so stunning. I keep thinking we should add one to our front yard natives. It’s all along the beach and I love it..
Some people biking by Asilomar..
It was lovely to walk around the shops, enjoy an always excellent lunch at our favorite spot, La Bicyclette. La Bicyclette is European Country Cuisine, and is delicious simple food in a charming setting. The restaurant is run by a wonderful Belgian family that also owns Casanova, another Carmel gem. We always get some kind of salad and share the most wonderful wood fired pizza (with their own Calabrian chili oil), home made bread and sometimes more..
Later we grabbed a cappuccinos at the Carmel Roasting Company, and checked out the town and the beaches.
I stopped at two of my favorite home stores..
House of Cardoon is for you if you love color, and whimsical upholstered pieces, colorful rugs and linens, vintage magazine covers framed, and other unique art. I always want to add more color to my life and home when I visit.
Beachwood Home has every kind of blue ginger jar, luxe throws, pretty accessories, bamboo frames, grasscloth beds, and other dreamy things you’d want in your Carmel beach house.
Carmel Plaza is a small multi-level outdoor mall. It’s also lovely and has good spots to sit by fire pits and cute restaurants, a brewery, and a wine and cheese tasting spot. A popular new spot there is called Dutch Door Donuts, with organic donuts and amazing coffee you should not miss. Max loves sitting by the fire and watching the dogs. ( Carmel has 100/10 dog watching.)
We opted to skip donuts and stop by our old favorite nearer to the beach, The Cottage of Sweets, a traditional English sweets shop that makes its own fudge and chocolates and has imported candy. We grabbed some English chocolate bars for our sons, nonpareils for my dad, and a couple of dark chocolate walnut turtles for the road for the two of us.
As the weather was turning cold and quite stormy we spent the last hour taking the scenic drive along the beach and further over to Pacific Grove and exited through Monterey before going home. There was some sort of king tide and the beaches were closed, so the drive was the perfect way to see the coast. I’m hoping we get back in a month or so. May is actually the time when the most ice plants bloom and the whole coast is a beautiful pink.
This is my favorite view looking towards the mountains with the Carmel River Beach in the distance. It was still a bit foggy in late afternoon.
Earth Day 2024-Planet vs. Plastic
It’s that time again where I bug you all and write about Earth Day! Earth Day is the perfect time for us all to reset and restart making good choices again. As Monday is Earth Day, I’d like to share some green ideas and highlight some local events happening this weekend. For 2024, the theme is “Planet v. Plastic.”
How great is this poster by winner Luke who won in the kid’s contest?
Gaylord Nelson organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, to get people to mobilize for clean air, water and to end pollution. Twenty million people actually rallied across America that day, and each year since, this event gets more than a billion people across the world to take action and join event.
I get inspired just seeing this photo from that day on Fifth Avenue..
Below in Philadelphia 1970, and a button from that era.. Wish we had the momentum and caring about this that we seemed to once have.
I think it is smart they are focused on plastics this year.. One of the worst offenders, plastics are unhealthy for us and are showing up in all our bodies, yet so many of us still use disposable plastics everyday without much thought.
We have also been tricked by the petroleum and plastic companies who have known for decades that very little of packaging is ever recycled, but let consumers believe it anyway. A new article just published from the Center for Climate Integrity, about the fraud of plastic recycling by big oil and the plastics industry lays out new evidence.
A few eye-opening facts about plastics…
- Only 9% of plastic is actually recycled globally and 22% of it is mismanaged.
- Ocean sampling shows that 1/3 of fish have plastic in their digestive systems.
- 80% of ocean plastic comes from land sources and 20% from nets and marine pollution.
- The average plastic bag is used for 12 minutes before being thrown away.
- At the current rate we are going, plastic will outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050.
What can we do?
You can join a cleanup event or a Earth Day Festival to learn more about how we can help change things for the better. There are so many fun Bay Area events -a list here on the Mercury News and more here with events from Napa to Tracy and all over Bay Area cities. If you have young ones, it’s a great time to get them aware of how our actions help and hurt the planet and all the living things on it.
Consider your purchases and small actions help!
None of us are perfect, but doing our small bit adds up. You can see from the chart, packaging is a huge amount, so try and do better there.
Since the pandemic we have gotten lax about our usage of plastics. I was so very disappointed to see many retailers go back to plastic bags during Covid here in California and many never went back. Just when we had trained ourselves to bring our bags! I still have baskets of bags in my car, and by both doors. I walk out of a store like an orangutan before I will take a plastic bag and yes I do believe every new bag that isn’t taken helps.
Try to take your own water bottle everywhere. Have multiples at home and replace them often. Go through your water bottle drawer and recycle ones that are no longer working or leak and get some you will want to use daily. It’s something I never leave home without and especially for travel.
For entertaining, buy or recycle any glass water bottles, or carafes and fill with with purified tap water. Buy big glass bottles of drinks and have paper cups on hand ( not red Solo!) Better yet, fill a glass dispenser of tea you make yourself or make fruit infused tap water! Even my sons at their little apartments have Britta water pitchers in their refrigerators, as they know water bottles are not cool.
At the grocery, I try VERY hard to not buy produce in plastic shells, one of the worst things. I will actively seek out produce in cardboard or better yet- no packaging and in bulk. I have netted bags for the produce, but more often than not, I put the fruit or veg straight in the cart or conveyor belt, as I know it’s already touched who knows what, and needs washing at home anyway.
Look for bulk store that sell household products, and beauty items in bulk. We have one in our town of Los Gatos called Ethos. I wrote about it here and I love it and buy my micellelar water there, laundry things and more.
When you buy clothing, know that clothes made with synthetics are releasing micro particles into our water systems when they are made, and every single time we wash them. We also know nylon is very hard to recycle. Some polyesters can be reused, but a fabric that is both a natural fiber like wool or cotton paired with a synthetic cannot be recycled! So look at your choices of fabrics when shopping and choose ALL natural materials when you can.
Over production of clothing is one of the worst polluters to our planet in so many ways. The more we start to choose re-loved and up cycled pieces, or rewear what we already own, we make a difference. Start by committing to shop less, shop your own closet, and try to add at least one upcycled garment this year, if you never have!
Another great source to help us make informed choices is Good On You, which rates and evaluates fashion companies by their practices. On this link you can put in any favorites and see how they well are doing for the planet.
Next week I will share more sources to buy cool ‘reloved’ pieces.
Are you passionate about the doing better for planet and for our health? I’d love for people to share in comments things you do to be more green and any tips.
On Thursday, Cindy and I shared a fun April Signature Style, where we both bought the same shirtdresses in two price points. One of those dresses, is by Frank & Eileen, which is a B Corp and a fantastically ethical company transparent in every step of its manufacturing process. It’s a woman-owned California company that prides itself on creating ethical and beautiful garments!
You can read my post here and Cindy’s if you missed it!
Juliet had a great post with her spring kitchen updates here.
If you missed last weekend, I shared a peek at the spring collection at Madewell, my new rug I bought for my bedroom, trays for styling and more..
Have a great weekend!
Kim
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Thank you for all the tips on going greener. In Victoria, Australia plastic bags were banned quite a few years ago, however, there are some stores that continue to have them and charge .15 cents or more a bag. My daughter loves shopping thrift stores for clothes and we do buy only natural fabric, have always done that due to skin issues.
Rita, We had the same issue with the bags. Really maddening. I often think I’d like to stand outside the grocery and hand out my extra bags to those who won’t bring them, as I see a lot of people walk out with piled of paper and plastic bags, with no issues.
The younger generation is so much better than us at shopping thrift and up cycled ! I am the same and prefer natural materials as I am sensitive..
Hi, Kim — I’m so proud of you for bringing up these important issues head-on and using your platform for good! I remember the first Earth Day. Ouch!
It’s important to avoid plastics as much as possible. I see clamshells and other non-recyclables in my neighbors’ recycling bins, which are not recyclable curbside here. There is no market for them. I feel that consumers BELIEVE they’re recyclable and that justifies their purchase. Put it in the bin and no guilt. Anything we can do to educate is so important!
We are good about keeping a few reusable grocery bags in the cars (EV for me!), and using them faithfully. It’s just a habit to develop. I am doing the “pledge of five” (or whatever it’s called) this year — the goal is to only buy five new items of clothing a year. It really makes me think about my purchases. So far, I’ve only purchased one pair of wide-leg jeans, which I love, and one pair of linen pants that I look forward to wearing.
On garbage day, I take a bucket and my grabbers with me on my morning walk, and pick up litter around my neighborhood (not much) and on the busy street outside of the neighborhood (much more!). I get some odd looks, but who cares? Maybe one other person will be inspired to do the same, or at least not throw plastic cups and cigarettes on the street!
I’m a gardener and compost my kitchen waste. Buy organic. Use the library system instead of buying books. These may all be little things but I hope they are adding up!
Hi Julia, How cool you remember the first Earth Day! I was five, but I remember later celebrations at grammar school. You re so right about the horrific clamshells, and yes people believe they are recycled.
I so think those doing the pledge of five are amazing and also the picking up garbage… We do that too.The library is a the best. Imagine if everyone did some of the things you are doing. We would be in so much better place. Thank you for all you do!
Plastic water bottles are a scourge on the planet and anyone over 40 grew up drinking water out of a faucet! Next are single use plastic bags and NJ, where I live, banned them two years ago. We put solar panels on our home and recently bought a plug-hybrid car which gives us enough juice for daily running around. My motto is, no one can do everything but everyone can do something and that includes corporate polluters.
Barb thanks I agree. I just can’t wait for them to be banned! They could be replaced with aluminum bottles, but I am sure the plastics and oil industry would revolt. Good for your area banning single use bags!
Yay for the hybrid car. I love that they have enough juice for all you need in town. We have a electric car- we are on our fourth- started with the tiny Fiat, then a Bolt, and my husband is now onto his fourth and uses it for everything.
Gosh that is the best motto! I have to share and I so agree. Yes corporate polluters are one of the worst issues and Trump promisses to roll back regulations for companies if re-elected, which is scary for everyone.
xo
I think people forget the EPA was formed under Republican President Richard Nixon.
Yes that’s true Barb and the Republicans of the past, are not the same people that are running now sadly.
Hi Kim, thanks for highlighting Earth Day in this way. Here in Canada plastic bags in grocery stores have been phased out completely (although I must admit, I do sometimes miss them – I would use them to line the small garbage bins in the bathrooms!)
Recently our municipality offfered the opportunity to buy a subsidized Food Cycler – we would usually put 3 to 4 small compostible bags of food waste a week (mostly veggie peels etc.) into our garbage, and now we collect it in a small bin and place it in the machine about 2 or 3 times a week to be processed. What comes out can be used in the garden. We still use our small food waste bin for when the Food Cycler is doing its thing, but now we usually just have one small bag a week.
By the way, I didn’t comment on your last post, but I was so pleased to see you link to a similar pearl necklace on a leather cord like yours – I’ve long admired it! Thanks!
Hi Patricia! That is so great you have the option to have the food cycler. Sounds like a wonderful idea! I bet it really encourages people to be smart about what goes in the trash and lovely to have compost.
We had been supplied little compost boxes for the counter and used them, but were supposed to add them to our green waste which became problematic with bugs. I wish we had a better choice, but it’s better than not.
Thanks I love my pearls and was so excited to finally see someone on Etsy sell them! xo
I stopped using plastic straws (still available here sometimes) and always use insulated water cups…but I’m going to be more careful…especially with fruit and vegetables…you are right about the many hands touching already anyway. I worry about all the cardboard since we get so many deliveries now. Great post.
Mary Ann, I think that’s so great. We don’t have plastic straws at restaurants in California, but we have some sort of plant-based ones if people want. They aren’t great though and Max is really good about never taking them, so I stopped too. We have some glass ones for home.
I know the cardboard! The deliveries are a big problem. We have a neighbor who gets so very many door-dash and deliveries, thatbthey have a junk service come every few months to remove their boxes. It sort of blew my mind they weren’t doing that and each time and the guys are here for about a half hour just taking boxes out of their side yard. It really was hard to believe they have that much and couldn’t do it themselves! Also.. sad there was so much.
xo
Perfect timing, we leave for three nights in Carmel tomorrow. It has been one of my favorite places since junior high. The Tuck Box for tea and scones is on the top of my list. Do you have favorite places for dinner? I enjoy just walking up and down the neighborhoods for gardens and architecture.
Nancy, How fun. You are going at a wonderful time! Oh I love the Tuck Box too. I would recommend Casanova for dinner, or even Il Fornaio- we love their food and the Carmel one is so good.
I agree I could walk the neighborhoods and do nothing else.
Have so much fun!
Okay well now you are making me really want to go back to Carmel. 🥺 We have probably visited there more than anywhere else. We always go to Carmel Plaza too. I don’t remember House of Cardoon, is it a fairly new store? You always have great recommendations. We have a lot of Pride of Madeira plants around here, especially near our rental. There is a house that has a huge row by the street but they stick out so much if another car is coming you have to stop and let them by lol. Our lavender by our driveway is going crazy from all the rain.
Off to the house soon to do some yard work except now my tennis elbow is coming back from last year, just from pulling weeds last weekend for an hour! I need to make sure I start stretching before I garden. It’s suppose to be 75 here today but it’s still overcast this morning. Happy Weekend!
Linda
Linda, I know it’s so incredibly beautiful. yes House of Cardoon is fairly new and on the second story.
I was wondering if the Pride of Madeira plants become monsters? My agaves slowly are..but I still love them! Have already replaced a few at the 3 year mark. Oh no tennis elbow is so painful.
Take care! I hope it’s a beautiful weekend.
I forgot to comment on the plastic. I do keep the reusable bags in the car, but sometimes if I forget or left them in the garage I ask for paper bags. Sprouts stopped carrying paper ones, 😐 only offer plastic ones now or buy one of their reusable ones. Maybe people complained they were charging 10 cents for paper bags lol. At least they are offering free reusables on Earth Day with a small purchase.
Linda, Good for you keeping them in the car. I agree if you have to take something, paper is better. I’m glad Sprouts is giving reuseables on Earth Day. How can they offer plastic and also have Earth Day things? That’s a mixed message!
Hi Kim, you will believe that pride of Madera are such an easy plant to grow. When we moved down here in San Diego, my neighbor brought me three shoots that he had dug up. I planted them and now I have three huge Madera plants bloom every spring, and are gorgeous if you could ever dig one up from side of a road you actually can bring it home and it should grow, it does coastal fog and dampness, thoughI think that ours do so well-being so close to the beach. Carmel such a special spot. Miss being able to just drive to it easily in one day.
I have a variety of bags that I dragged through the grocery stores. I even have small bags that I used to put produce in. When you go to other countries, you see the waste of plastic everywhere and it’s really disheartening. Especially in Thailand, and Indonesia. Once you get out of the resort area, the trash is out of control..
We can only do what we can do, but we can spread the word! Thanks
Martha
Martha, I was wondering about that! Thank you for the feedback on growing the Madeira. I will see if I can start with one. I just love your yard!
Sad to hear about the plastic in other countries. I know in Asia in some small places, they do not have the ability to incinerate plastic as we do, and their oceans are filled. So much of this is the fault of the plastics industry who takes no accountability and keeps making them, and nations allowing it. UGH.
Thanks Martha for what you do too. Even the bags make a difference! xo
Hi Kim! Thank you for taking us along to Carmel! It looks like you had a marvelous day!
And good for you for prompting us to all be better about our plastic use. I try to be good, but so much comes in plastic these days. It can be hard to avoid. I do always bring my own bags, have a water bottle, and always reuse the plastic bags I do end up with. I am bothered by all the plastic mailers that companies use. Living where I do, I have to do a lot of online shopping. I try to reuse those too. We have a town recycling center and I did ask about what happens with all the plastic we bring there. I was told that they hold onto it all until they get a buyer. So I am hoping we are part of the 9% that actually gets recycled. Happy Earth Day!
Hi Kim! Carmel is one of our fave places to visit, and it looks like you had a beautiful day. We enjoy dining at Casanova and Patisserie Boissiere which is next to Carmel Plaza. They have wonderful pastries and desserts. Hubs and I will be spending a few days there in June. Thank you for giving tips on how we can be more green. I can always trust you to share this important info on your blog. Plastic bags and bottles are a scourge to our environment and health. So proud of your young men being responsible regarding the environment. Have a great weekend. Xx
Hi Karen! Casanova and Patisserie are such charming and good spots too! How nice to go in June. You are going to have such a great time.
Aw thanks you for caring too. It’s upsetting and I hope we start to do more about this! Thanks my sons are still learning too…but I’m so glad they do the water thing! xo
Kim, it looks like you had a wonderful trip, even if only for a day. I think you need one of those beautiful purple plants in your front garden, they are so interesting and colorful.
I loved “following along” on your day in Carmel, La Bicyclette and the Cottage Sweets look like my kind of place. And the shops are too. Just from your photos I can see a few things I “need.”
As for Earth day. The plastic bag thing I do not understand. For years and years actually over 30 in Europe you have to pay for plastic bags, the same in a few countries South America. Sadly plastic is in plates, straws, night cream, etc, as well as the clothes as you mentioned. It seems to be everywhere and there does not seem to be a policy in place or one that sticks to rid ourselves of it.
I agree with you and several other comments, small changes can make a difference. We can each do one or two small things, no straws, no single use water bottles, don’t use plastic straws, utensils, plates, cary out containers, be mindful of the fabrics we are buying and the amount of clothing, etc we are purchasing. Buy secondhand if possible or swap clothes with family and friends. If we do this people around us will do the same.
Recently, I read about a company that recycles clothing to make furniture. An interesting concept and something I wish we could do more of. I wonder is there is a way to recycle clothing to make insullation?
Have a wonderful weekend Kim, I hope that you have some beautiful weather.
xo Elizabeth
HI Elizabeth! Thanks so much for caring and you kind comments. I just shared a company on my Instagram based in Paris that is creating bricks out of clothing and fabrics that are discarded. They use it for insulation and for building too.
I think as a nation, we must get tougher and demand no more plastic bags, bottles, and the like. We all can cope and will save money as well as the earth. Everyone is so worried about inconveniencing someone, we do nothing. The reason Europe has gotten so much farther than us with all this is they make the hard decisions and people agree and do it!
Hope you have a good weekend too! xo
Thank you Kim for always reminding us to do better. I too remember the very first Earth Day, as I was a sophomore in high school. As passionate as we all were, it’s sad to think that 54 years later we’re still having the same conversation, struggling to convince people to make even a small effort. I feel a bit like my generation dropped the ball.
Our city now collects food waste separately from other recyclables and trash. With our small kitchen there’s no counter space for the small food bin, so it sits on my washer or dryer—not ideal when I’ve got delicate items hung to dry nearby, but better than tossing it all in a landfill. We have used reusable grocery bags for decades. I remember how I would “reward” myself by buying a new one any time I shopped with enough coupons to cover the cost of the bag (which at the time was maybe $6)!
I need to be better about clothes shopping and pay far more attention to companies with sustainable practices. It’s so easy to fall for that low priced item; we’ve all become so accustomed to getting that bargain and having it in our hands by the next day, but we have to remember our kids and grandkids are the ones who will cover the true costs.
Sarah How cool you remember that first Earth Day! That is very true and sad we are still struggling to do the right things.
Yay you for doing the composting! We have a small one too and the laundry is actually a pretty good place to keep it!
What a good way to reward yourself for using the cloth bags!
I am the same, I have to go back to my better buying and I do fall off my habits too, but that’s okay as long as we try again. We don’t have to be perfect, but making an effort really does make change! You are so right about our kids and theirs…
Hi Kim,
Lovely post thank you ! One day l will go back to Carmel; l remember the Pebble Beach drive and those windswept gorgeous trees very well. We took the kids when it was California Mission time and everyone loved it. And Earth Day yes ! My car is full of cloth bags at the ready but then l do the classic ‘walk back to the car because l have forgotten routine’!!
Happy weekend xo
Francesca, I hope you get back there too. I do the same, but at least you have them in your car! Hope you had a good week! x
Hi Kim
Great points about Earth Day. We do not buy water in plastic bottles unless we are having company. We have composted and recycled for years but we all can do more. Many of the bottled waters have been tested and tap water is better. The list goes on and on doesn’t it? I am glad you had a great day in Carmel. La Bicyclette is a favorite of ours as well as the Corkscrew.
Thanks Cindy! You are so right. Many bottled waters are just purified waters from a tap-unless they say spring.
I love the Corkscrew Cafe too!
Happy weekend, Kim! Although it’s nearly over and I’m just getting here. I loved your post on shirt dresses, and your hi/low options. And I’m always here for your day trippin travels. Carmel is so beautiful, and a little overcast makes for even more stunning photos. So many cute shops and places to stop and grab a treat. And the dogs! Hope your weekend was a good one, and you’re enjoying this streak of warm, sunny days. xo
Thanks so much Juliet..I do think the light was good for photos that day. Hope you had a good weekend! xo
Hi Kim,
Seeing the photos you took of Carmel triggered so many fond memories. Going on the scenic drive is breathtaking. There is so much beauty surrounding us, Mother Nature at its best. Love the look of the Pride of Maderia. The color is pretty and they kind of a primitive look to me. I can see that in your yard. The color is calming to look at.
Congratulations for getting out into the yard and doing all you did. It’s such a sense of accomplishment isn’t it? Plus it’s good exercise for your back.
The environment is a huge topic, we all need to do our part. Years ago I went out a few times in Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona where we had our retreat home and going out in the canyon picking up trash was shocking. The huge surprise was all the cigarette buts and beer cans I would find snd just horrible stuff people would toss out the windows. On big holidays, like the 4th of July you would find when leaving the canyon it was lined with litter. It would infuriate us. Our worst fear were fires that could easily start. We would say the city slickers were here again. No respect if concern for our gorgeous canyon.
Your neighbors and all the DoorDash they get and all the boxes, interesting story.
Katehrine, I know love that drive. Yu are right those Pride of Madeira do have a primitive look- like they’ve always been here! Thanks I do like working in the yard. It’s really calming to me. I hope I can stay as healthy as my dad is from it.
I love that you picked up trash in Sedona..Isn’t that sad people were littering in such a beautiful and special place? So sad…
I know the Dooordash!
too