City Tour: Misred Outfitters

Grand Central District is lined with little vintage treasures and has become one of my favorite blocks to explore. The last time I was there, I visited Paper Street Market, and this time, I stopped in Misred Outfitters. This buy, sell and trade shop is filled with vintage and classic clothing and accessories. If you're looking for one of a kind pieces that can't be found anywhere else, this is definitely the place to be.




Consignment shops like this are a great alternative to buying new, which is a simple solution for sustainability. But Misred Outfitters takes it to another level by offering their own upcycled clothing lines. Brilliant! One of the lovely gals at the shop filled me in on how the pieces were made for their newest line, Black Label. Each piece is made right here in St. Petersburg from recycled clothing, cut apart and sewn together again with other patterns. No fabric is left behind in the process and the result is a beautiful and unique must-have piece for your closet.

A local stylish and fashion forward brand, made locally and is eco-friendly, that just can't be beat!



Can I also just take a second to say how amazing this boutique is put together? Did you see the industrial racks and shelving made of pipes? And these hard cover books and displays? I couldn't take enough pictures of this shop!




Misred also has clothing from both their lines (Reconstructed and Black Label) for sale in their online shop, so be sure to check out those exclusive items. You can also find regularly updated photos of their inventory and outfit ideas on Misred's Facebook Page. And if you're ever in the area, they are located at 615 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL!

Check out their website bemisred.com! Which is your favorite piece from their lines?

Also, I want to thank the ladies for allowing me to trapeze around the shop and take these photos!

This growing collection has come to an end.

I admit to an unsightly and growing collection at my home with plastic bags. 

Every time I go to the grocery store, hardware store, or any store really, I come back home with a few more to add. A lot of stores are offering reusable bags these days, and I've finally committed myself to making the switch. 

I've tried this before while I was in college. I had a ton of free reusable bags that my mom sent me and also encouraged me to use. Of course I wanted to make the switch then, but it was always those unplanned trips to the grocery store that would trip me up. Once I waltzed into the store, I would seize up as if shocked by lightning, when I realized that I forgot the bags at home. It was easy to, you just don't think about it. I could've, now that I think about it, left some in my car. 

I've invested in a few RuMe bags. They are both pretty and functional, which are definitely helping me stay motivated to use them. They are just as light as regular grocery bags and easily fit in any purse I carry. I certainly won't be forgetting these at home.

I feeling so much better using these bags when I'm shopping, which might sound weird, but it's all part of my personal goal of becoming more environmentally responsible. If you're thinking about making the switch too, perhaps the facts outlined here can help. It's unfortunate that only 1% of the plastic bags are actually recycled. I'm also sad that I was not a part of that 1%, but now that I've made the switch, I can haul all of them off to the recycling center! 

There are a lot of other reusable bags out there that can replace plastic bags. Baggu's nylon bags has another great selection of bags with pretty designs and etsy has a bunch of reusable shopping totes as well. Of course you can check out your local markets, many of them sell them and maybe even give you an incentive for using it!

Have you made the switch? Do you think you will?

Backseat Basket

I’ve been taking Lulu all around town. Over the weekend, I slung my yoga mat over my shoulders and headed to the studio and even went grocery shopping with her and this new basket. It is so liberating not having to drive to places so near my home.  Wind blowing through my hair, breathing in the fresh air, saving on gas, and not to mention the added bonus of an extra workout. Lulu the Bike, you are helping me get one step closer to a greener, healthier lifestyle. 

**Still need to find her some handlebar grips... but I did get to scrub away a lot of her rust! 

Sponge vs. Dish Cloth

It never sat well with me the thought of how much trash we throw out and how it ends up polluting the world we live in. I try to live a green and sustainable lifestyle; it's been on and off I admit. But I'm giving it a go again because I think it's important do our part to salvage our home. Last week, I decided to replace my sponge with a dish towel. I'm starting off small, but sometimes that's all it takes, doesn't it?

Now let's talk sponges. Most likely they've made themselves at home near your sink, one of the germiest places in the kitchen. They're wet most of the time, becoming a breeding ground for germs and health hazards. So it's recommended that you replace sponges every week or two! That's a lot of money going out for new sponges, and a lot of trash might I add. 

And now this dish towel. 

But like sponges, they can accumulate germs just the same. The good thing about this is that it dries fast, it can be reused time after time and it saves money. Just throw it in the wash with the rest of your kitchen linen. No more smelly sponges or wasted dollars replacing them! 

The towel I'm using is actually a cut out of a flour sack. Its material is a lot like muslin: a loose cotton weave, but strong and sturdy nonetheless. These last longer than sponges. So much longer, making it a more economical and environmentally friendly option for washing those pesky dishes.