Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my f Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my favorite movies from the past five years, please don’t judge me 😂🙈 “Hey! You’re Rick f*cking Dalton. Don’t you forget it.” (that line was improvised btw - it was based on something someone told Brad Pitt once when he was struggling 💕 I just love that.)

Print by @rbrunoill
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Fashion, Life · April 25, 2018

Easy Sustainability Practices – Quick Ways to Go Green

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and/or make a purchase, I may earn a few cents at no additional cost to you. Any products gifted by a brand will be marked "c/o." Thanks for helping make this blog possible! <3

Earth Day was this past Sunday and, in traditional Valery fashion, I totally forgot about it until the day of and I DEFINITELY didn’t think to prep a post about sustainability practices. But, my husband and I have worked really hard the last few years to be more sustainable and, even though I’m late, I want to share a little bit about my journey. I don’t claim to be a “sustainable blogger” because I have a LOT to work on, but I believe in baby steps and gradual growth, so I thought maybe sharing some our easy sustainability practices might inspire you to make the same changes!

I’ve always been passionate about recycling but honestly….that was about as far as my sustainability practices went for a really long time. I just didn’t think about it. I wasn’t ready to take the journey yet. Then I started thrifting a few years ago and, in addition to it being really fun, I realized the environmental benefits, too! My husband started working at a sustainability company here in Denver last year, which furthered our interest in being more sustainable so…here we are.

Easy Sustainability Practices

Rewear outfits

Yes, there *is* a reason I put outfit photos with this post! I’m styling the thrifted jumpsuit I wore a few weeks ago on the blog (and y’all, I have worn it a bunch of other times, too). I used to be REALLY bad about only wearing things once so I’m trying hard to only purchase Items I’ll wear over and over again and then…ya know, I have to actually do it.

ALWAYS use reusable totes

This is a pretty common one but at the very least, take some with you when you go to the grocery store. You’ll save SO many plastic bags!

Rely on natural light during the day

Another easy one…open those blinds!

Buy from brands that care

I previously showcased The New Blak on the blog and they definitely fall into the category of “brands that care.” I know that’s kind of a broad term, but for me, it’s brands that are ethical with their production, limit packaging, and pay their employees fairly. I’ll admit, I’m not perfect on this one, but I’m definitely trying. I don’t think I’ve bought anything from Forever 21 in at least 6 months!

Limit shower time

I love a good, long shower as much as anyone else but I try to limit those to just a few per month. For the most part, I take 3 minute showers, besides the once a week when I wash my hair.

Try to buy secondhand, especially with furniture and clothes

I’m hoping to share a “home tour” soon, but it has been a work in progress for quite some time. That being said, we’ve purchased a lot of our furniture secondhand and I couldn’t be happier! You can find some AMAZING pieces, help the environment, and save a ton of money, too. Also there’s nothing quite like the thrill of finding the EXACT thing you’ve been hunting for at an amazing price (just ask my husband how many times I’ve gushed about our new dresser). I also love the fact that my dresser has been around since the 1960s, and was treasured by someone else before it came into my home.

Purchase items with less packaging

This is kind of a new one for me, but lately I’ve tried to be more intentional with the products I buy. I try to go for things with little or no plastic and when possible, I buy in bulk. We have an amazing place in Denver called Zero Market where you bring your own containers to fill with household items like cleaning supplies, essential oils, bath products and teas. It’s incredible and such a fun place, too!

Limit waste from menstrual products

I talk about it a bit more in depth in this post, but I almost exclusively use Thinx and a menstrual cup to limit waste during “that time of the month” (wow, do I hate typing that phrase).

Replacing plastic with glass in the kitchen

I’ve been a “cheap plastic leftover container” gal for like….forever. But honestly, glass is WAY better in pretty much every way – I’m a recent convert. It’s better for the environment, lasts longer, doesn’t stain or smell, it’s easier to clean, and you can reheat stuff in it! We were able to get some great Pyrex containers for half off at our grocery store, so keep your eyes peeled for sales. You can also use glass jars for a LOT more stuff than I realized! Wash those marinara sauce jars and reuse them! I’m also planning on buying some silicone bags soon so we won’t need plastic bags anymore. Little by little!

What about you? Share your sustainability practices with me so we can all get better together! Every little change counts.

xoxo
Valery

In: Fashion, Life

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I'm an eclectic Denver blogger, embarking on a low-buy journey to break up with bad shopping habits and learn to love what I have. Most of the fashion you'll see here is thrifted, and the beauty is thrifty.

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Smell ya later, 2020. (This is an old photo from Smell ya later, 2020. 

(This is an old photo from this summer when I did my Harley Quinn makeup, but the energy felt right.)

I’ll be honest, I think the first half of 2021 is gonna be brutal but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, babes. We are almost there so stay safe and stay diligent.
I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I I posted an embarrassing photo in my stories so I have to balance it by posting a hot one here 😂 Also wow I haven’t posted since HALLOWEEN. I’ve been spending most of my IG time on my candle account, @brennancandleco, but I truly MISS Y’ALL. I formed so many great relationships over the years and I want to get back to that. So you’ll be seeing more of me, probably in a less curated way than you used to. I might lose some of y’all but I hope the ones I call friends will stick around because I really do miss you. 

And lastly, if you ARE into more business-y content from me, follow @brennancandleco, there are some pretty awesome things happening over there if I do say so myself.

Photo by @narirophoto
I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out o I may be at home, but I wasn't going to miss out on transforming into Furiosa. 

2020 has been a heck of a year, and I think we're all feeling a bit like we're stuck in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Ready to turn things around and kick our own Immortan Joe to the curb.

Happy Halloween. Stay home.
My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤 My latest project: @brennancandleco 🖤
Welp I think this negative space mani is my new si Welp I think this negative space mani is my new signature look so prepare to get sick of seeing it in different colors. 💅🏻
Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and Our tomato plants finally started flourishing and thennnnn there was snow in the forecast 🙃 Tomorrow we are supposed to get quite a lot and I’m very cranky about it. Hoping our plants survive but more importantly, I hope the snow puts out the wildfires that seem to be never ending. It’s been a brutal summer for many reasons, but it’s still pretty cool to look at this bowl and know we grew these tomatoes from seeds. Also there’s currently zucchini bread in the oven from our garden ☺️
I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designin I am so so so grateful to @crispy.ray for designing this and putting it on my body, y’all 😍 They are SUCH a talented artist and all around great person. I felt super comfortable and they executed my vision perfectly. 👽 I’ve been a diehard X Files fan since I was a kid (swipe for evidence and a photo of me and Gillian Anderson where I have never felt uglier lmao), so this means a ton.

Re: COVID-19. Truthfully I felt super nervous to get my tattoo and super nervous to post it here. I’ve still been doing my best to stay home but am also (like many of you, I think) struggling mentally. So where is the balance? Honestly I don’t know. I haven’t had a haircut (besides doing it myself), had my nails done, or sat down to eat except for once (and it was a place with no servers). I barely see anyone except my husband. Some days it’s fine and others it’s “how much more of this can I take?” So anyway. I took a risk, but @blackbirdinktattoo was taking everything very seriously. All were masked and sanitized (duh it’s a tattoo place) and I specifically chose a leg tattoo so Christa and I wouldn’t be breathing on each other. I long for the day when things are normal again. I long for the day when I can see my family again. But for now, I’ll try to safely find small pockets of joy and normalcy and ride those little waves until the next pocket of joy.
Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Dennis and Sweet Dee are here to help ward off the Sunday scaries 🐾 In case you missed it in my stories, these are our newest fosters! (We just decided on names today - I think having to name two slowed us down 🤣) Usually we only have pups for three nights but we had to keep these little pals for an extra week before they’re ready to be adopted. 

Also I PROMISE I am going to record a video/write a post about fostering this week so keep your eyes peeled for that. 

Annnnd last but not least if you’re in the Denver area and looking for a puppy, message me if you want more info on either of these little ones! 🥰
Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my f Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is still one of my favorite movies from the past five years, please don’t judge me 😂🙈 “Hey! You’re Rick f*cking Dalton. Don’t you forget it.” (that line was improvised btw - it was based on something someone told Brad Pitt once when he was struggling 💕 I just love that.)

Print by @rbrunoill
Complementary 🧡💙 If you have hooded lids and Complementary 🧡💙 If you have hooded lids and/or you’re scared about mixing colors, this is such an easy way to do it, y’all! Monochromatic on top (I incorporated an orange shimmer but you could keep it super simple and just blend out one shadow), and then a different color on bottom. I was worried the blue would look too heavy on me since my eyes are a bit downturned but I think it turned out just fine! 

I’m using a @shopaltergo palette again here, this one is a dupe for the Natasha Denona Metropolis palette ($129). The Alter Ego palette is a whopping $22….and so far it’s a GEM. I don’t have ND so I can’t compare them directly but I didn’t have any issues with these shadows at all.

Lips are @lagirlcosmetics liner in Keep It Spicy + @flowerbeauty lipstick in Spiced Petal
Brows are eyeshadow and a bar of soap

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