Go Green for Earth Day!
First, Happy Earth Month! I want to take this opportunity to share that starting this Spring (happening as we speak!) I am phasing out Styrofoam from my Designs By Lolita® Glassware packaging and replacing it with pulp paper! This is my contribution towards a more sustainable Earth. I believe every little bit helps, especially if each one of us contributes where we can!
On Earth Day, it is my only wish that each of us can spend the day thinking about the unnecessary harm that humans are doing to our own environment. Personally, I think that some things that aren’t necessarily good for the environment are necessary for us, like power plants. Humans really need to be safe, warm, and well cared for, so in that case, humans come first. As time goes on, everything, including power plants, will become safer and more environmentally safe. We hope.
Have you ever wondered whether it saves more energy to use the dishwasher or to use paper? The answer is, use glass and ceramic whenever possible versus creating disposables.
I’ve picked my unnecessary, my way to contribute to being green. I am passionate about the ocean, and it hurts me to hear about all of the dolphins and manatees dying because of the plastic. I realize that my girls would probably not be alive if not for the use of Ziploc bags, lol, but do we really need all of this loose plastic that we just throw away, litter with, or throw into our ocean? I, for one will try to at least for Earth Day to not use loose plastics.
If every human being on Earth would just for this day be present and try to change a little something for the day, imagine what impact it would have on the environment in just 24 hours!!! Even though it may seem insignificant, for just one day, not only do small gestures help, but we may also just pick up a new habit. For instance, I’ve decided to buy milk only in glass bottles, because it tastes better, and to ditch the plastic.
Our generation has become, thankfully, more earth friendly than those before us. We are getting excited again about using things that don’t create trash, that are good for us to eat, that can be grown in our own backyards.
In official Designs by Lolita style, it’s okay to celebrate Earth Day, and not just recognize Earth Day…..why not have a few friends over and make Apple Martinis? Have it in the garden, or yard, or on the beach…Go where nothing is concrete or plastic…have a Green Party, where everything is Green!
My Appletini Hand Painted cocktail glasses fit the bill for the party, since they are reusable, and my new Lolita Appletini glass will be here very soon, but you can mix up a batch of these fabulous drinks! Don't forget to sign up to be notified when it's available.
I think even your non-green friends would enjoy the exposure to a little green-ness, they will be green with envy, and will exit the party with ideas on how to enhance their own lives with a little organic flair!
Your guests will be tantalized with organic flavors, sense awakening “green” cocktails, and gorgeous, natural décor. The earthy folk music in the background will only add to the natural feeling.
Get started with some recycled paper invitations. Send out 2-3 weeks prior to the party.
Use an organic color palette such as off-white, eggplant, mint and sandy brown hues. Pull dropped branches from the forest and create an arbor for your entranceway and accent with blooms from your yard.
For your table, use natural or organic burlap fabric. Use naturally dyed cotton pillowcases or burlap bags over chair backs and tie with raffia…better yet, use an assortment of antique chairs for their beautiful wood elements.
For your table setting, pull out all the crystal and china. Use clear glass votives and all natural beeswax candles. For your table centerpiece, layer branches in a circle as if building a wreath and put a large votive full of pebbles, leaves and sticks in the center (willows are a beautiful touch and can be found at your local florist). If you live in the city and have trouble finding branches, just flower it up!! Dried flowers are also easy to find and you can save those for your next occasion.
Wrap your silverware in linen or cheesecloth and tie with raffia. Scatter your table with wildflowers. At each seat, put a little terracotta flowerpot with a name card, and pick a package of seeds for each guest to take home.
Serve water on ice from the tap in glass pitchers or glass-bottled still water. No plastic bottled waters at this party!
As your guests arrive, greet them with the signature drink. It is easy to be Green.
The Lolita Appletini
- 1 ½ ounces Vodka
- 1 ½ ounces Sour Apple Pucker
- 1 ½ ounces Midori Melon Liqueur
- green apple peel or slices (optional)…brush with lemon juice prior to the party, to keep them perfect
Add the first three ingredients and fill the shaker halfway up with ice. Cap the shaker and shake briskly.
Pour the strained cocktail into a CHILLED cocktail glass. If desired, garnish with green apple slices that have been brushed with lemon juice.
And, I’ve put together a great, earthy, playlist:
The Green, Green Grass Of Home – Joan Baez
Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks
Woman – John Lennon
Fade Into You – Mazzy Star
Shelter – Ray LaMontagne
California Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas
Good Thing – Paul Revere and The Raiders
Mellow Yellow – Donovan
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley
Sound of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel
Dreams – The Cranberries
At Seventeen – Janis Ian
You Were Meant For Me – Jewel
A Woman Left Lonely – Janis Joplin
The Times They Are a-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
Wined and Dined – Syd Barrett
Phoebe Snow – Poetry Man
Here’s Where the Story Ends – The Sundays
Can I Stay – Ray LaMontagne
While the sun is going down and you and your guests are enjoying a beautiful al-fresco setting, delicious snacks and drinks, great conversation and intellectual wisdoms, it will be hard to imagine that real life today is full of plastic and artificial foods. Why, when it can be this good?
And don’t forget: Join me, and PICK YOUR UNNECESSARY for today, YOUR WAY TO BE GREEN!!!
