When I first started blogging, Linkups were basically the only way to get any traffic a.k.a bring visitors to my blog. Though I think a linkup is a great way to share your posts with the world, finding one is almost impossible in 2020.
This is why I decided to create Marie’s Linkup — a weekly post where you can link your blog posts from the following categories:
Books
Lifestyle
Christianity
Travel
Cooking
Sustainability/Zero Waste
Health
Marie’s Linkup will go live every Sunday at 8am EST. It will close the following Saturday at midnight.
Marie’s Linkup Rules 1. Share only posts from the following categories: books, lifestyle, Christianity, travel, cooking, sustainability/zero waste, or health. Entries unrelated to these categories or linking to your homepage will be deleted. 2. You must visit the post of the person who linked up directly before you and leave them a meaningful comment. 3. Link back to this site. You can use the button below:
Instructions: Select all code above, copy it and paste it inside your blog post as HTML
Can’t wait for this week’s linky? Before you link your post, I’d like you to take a minute and answer one question in the comment. Ready?
What is the name of the last book you finished reading?
Okay, okay …. now it’s really time for the linkup:
Though you might not be a diagnosed hoarder, I bet your closet is a bit fuller than it needs to be. When preparing to move myself toward a capsule wardrobe, I noticed items that should have been long gone.
Now, don’t worry! I won’t tell you that you should wear the same outfit every day — though it did work for Steve Jobs!
I’m simply trying to help you figure out what needs to go and what can stay for a bit longer. Do you think I read one too many of Marie Kondo‘s books?
Items That Are Faded/Stained/Hole-y
Apparently, WordPress doesn’t recognise the word “holey,” which is why I tried to fix it with a hyphen. Now it looks even weirder. I even googled it; it does exist. Google knows best.
Back to the topic. You need to get rid of all the stained t-shirts, faded trousers, and most importantly, holey underwear (there it is again!). You seriously can’t expect to take over the world when you’re Target underwear looks like something that got chewed up by your [insert your pet].
Bottom line: If you can see through it, it needs to go. If the shape reminds you of an unidentified object, it needs to go.
Items That Are Too Small
Yes, I know. When you lose weight, you’ll fit into it again. I hate to break it to you, but by the time that happens, that item will probably be out of style.
Just get rid of it now. Does it not make you feel frustrated every time you look at it, knowing you can’t wear it?
Items That Are Hard To Match
The skirt you threw away in step #1 was the only one that matched your yellow top? Chances are, you probably wore it only once in the past 6 months. Unless there is some sentimental explanation behind your unwillingness to bin the top, you might as well just do it now.
Worn Out Shoes
Finding the perfect pair of shoes is hard, especially when it’s the only one that matches your favourite outfit. Since we’re dealing with shoes, do you have any that are too uncomfortable to wear? Ditch those too — they’re just taking up space anyway.
Items That Make You Feel Frumpy/Yucky
I’m sure we all have couple of them. The skirt that fits, but something is just not right. The dress that you almost immediately regret wearing. Why waste time and closet space on items like that?
Note: Isn’t it funny how we think that a particular piece of clothing will fit us better/feel less frumpy than the last time we tried it on (and hated it)?
So, there you have it! Five things that you need to toss out immediately. Just to clarify, by “tossing out,” I don’t necessarily mean throw in the rubbish. Sure, if it’s not wearable anymore, just get rid of it.
Some items, however, might be a blessing to other people. Have a garage sale, drop your clothes off at Goodwill, or simply ask your friends if they want it — just try your best not to send it to the landfill.
Zero Waste Tip: Old t-shirts, cotton dresses, jersey lounge pants, etc. make amazing cleaning cloths. If you don’t want to go out and buy reusable rags or washcloths, make your own! Just cut them up into squares or rectangles (or stars, if you really want to) and you’re ready to clean that sink!
Love Sophie Kinsella’s books? Don’t forget to enter my giveaway! There are only ten days left!
My environmentally conscious friends already know that the carbon footprint of the dairy industry has become an increasingly hot topic over the last decade. When examining a product’s environmental footprint, we must consider variables like greenhouse gas emissions, water use, chemical runoff, and soil degradation. No matter which plant-based milk you enjoy drinking (my favourite is cashew milk), you can cut out an entire chunk of the process that eats up resources and produces greenhouse gases by making your own plant milk at home.
When buying store-bought nut milks, you have to deal with all the crazy ingredients manufacturers like to add to increase shelf life. Though I love drinking a homemade almond milk, straining the pulp from the liquid is more trouble than it’s worth. Homemade cashew milk, however, is a completely different story. It is super easy to make, creamy, and absolutely delicious! Because the nuts blend entirely into the water, cashew milk retains all of the fiber and nutrients present in the nuts.
Ready to make your own? Try my three-ingredient recipe:
A delicious and creamy plant-based alternative to dairy milk.
Prep Time4hrs
Cuisine: Vegan
Keyword: Cashew Milk, Plant-Based Milk
Servings: 5cups
Equipment
Blender
Ingredients
1cupraw cashews
4 cupswater
2tspvanilla extract
Instructions
Preparation
Soak the cashews in water for at least four hours (overnight is best) in the refrigerator.
Drain the cashews and rinse thoroughly.
Blending
Add cashews, water, and vanilla extract to the blender.
Blend on a high setting until all the nuts are completely blended.
Store the milk in a covered glass container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Cashew milk should keep for 3 to 4 days.
As you can see, this recipe is super easy to follow. Cashew milk is packed with nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and zinc. If you’re trying to move toward a zero waste lifestyle, this cashew milk offers a great solution for your milk needs — no plastic required. Just get your cashews from the bulk section of your grocery store and bring your own jar! Did I mention that there is absolutely no straining required?
Interested in the sustainability of different milk options? I highly recommend this BBC article!
I am constantly thinking about how to make my health better — by eating well, drinking lots of water, exercising …. the last one is probably the hardest one for me. Because I’m more prone to stick to an activity if I make it a (written) goal, I added #walk20in20 to my #20for2020 list (a huge thanks to Gretchen Rubin for starting this challenge).
Research makes it clear that exercise provides a great boost for our health. It helps fight heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, and other illnesses we are dealing with in the 21st century. Many of us, however, are stuck in a sedentary lifestyle. If that’s you, would you consider joining me for a daily walk? Even 20 minutes a day make a huge difference. You’ll find yourself much happier and energetic.
I know some of you will ask, “Are there really benefits to plain old walking?” Yes! Check out these articles written by people much knowledgeable than I am:
I'm Catherine Marie, a lifestyle blogger with a passion for cosmetics, travelling, reading, and a good cup of tea! Thanks for taking this journey with me.
