You could say we’re a little obsessed with water bottles. We’ve mentioned the huge environmental problem caused by disposable water bottles several times (too many to count, but here’s a favorite post on that subject) and we’ve proposed some pretty sexy water bottles too (here’s our favorite post on that). Though we see more and more people carrying their own refillable water bottle, we’re still seeing way to many single-us bottles in people’s hands…
So, to honor Earth Day, let us bring to your attention even more choices of covetable, multi-functional REUSABLE water bottles. But first, we’d be remiss if we didn’t [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Chief Editor
Here is a great way to say “Will you be mine?” or “You are mine!” this Valentine’s Day.
Baking For Good can transform all those instagram pics you have of each other into sweet treats. Find the best shots of the two of you at your favorite spot or take some up close up and personal pictures of yourselves. Better yet, take some (ahem) photos of just you. Using the instagram filters you can create mini works of art. Send anywhere from one to six photos to Baking For Good and they will turn them into [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
My family and I have just relocated back to Eastern Canada from California for a two year stint. I must admit that I so loved this past fall season up here that I am really looking forward to a very white Christmas. When I last lived here (over 18 years ago!) I loved the look of Christmas lights reflecting off the snow on the outside trees around my home. I loved to attract birds and decorating a holiday tree with seed ornaments. And I am planning to do that again this year.
Mr. Bird has an [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
My daughter Thea has allergies. And with these allergies comes eczema. Not just a little bit, but huge flare ups around her eyes, nose, lips and every other orifices on her body. She is simply miserable during these outbreaks and, regrettably, our first reflex is to reach for Benadryl. I am always looking for some topical relief for her, however I am also always cautious about what she puts on around her eyes, nose and mouth.
Recently, at the local farmer’s market here in Northern Ontario, I noticed a booth with skin products called Bee By [...]

The Succulent Wives are taking a little (very little) time off this summer. While we are still actively working on bringing you new content and ideas every week, we have also decided to bring back some of our favorite posts from the archives, those that are still timely, relevant, useful and that deserve to be revisited. Thanks for allowing us to recharge. We promise that we will be coming back with more new ideas and recommendations for cool stuff than you’ll know what to do with…
By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor

Last year I combined my two favorite passions in one [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Summer is a time to enjoy long days and star-filled nights but trying to safely and effectively keep mosquitoes at bay, while we are trying to enjoy the outdoors, is almost a full time job! We wrote about Amazon Lights earlier this year and I am thrilled that a local store in Northern Ontario carries that product. Last year, we also wrote about a bug repellent clothing line, Insect Shield, that supports international relief organizations to assist at-risk populations protection against insects with bed nets, blanket and covers, as well as Insect Shield uniforms for [...]

By Anne-Marie Kovacs, Chief Wife
Open the car trunk of my car and you will find a dizzying assortment of disparate reusable bags floating about. Some more reusable than others. No two are the same size or even texture. For a supposedly stylish and organized person like me, this is just plain embarrassing.
Cue in the Esse Reusable Bags company. Love their motto: “Making a difference just got a little easier”. And I would add “organized”. That’s especially true with their Carryall Tote, this item being the very subject of this post.

The Carryall Tote is more like a shopping supply system that eliminates [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Three miles over the Mexican border in Tecate, a short distance from San Diego, is a spa and fitness center called Rancho La Puerta. I thought that this would be the perfect spot to celebrate my birthday with my BFF Anne-Marie.
In the location where the spa opened, two oak trees grew towards each other and formed an arch. This became the symbol for Rancho La Puerta which literally means “ranch of the door”. The Ranch is family owned and was founded by Edmond and Deborah Szekely in 1940. Deborah was just 17 years old when [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
This year I am challenging myself to grow a vegetable garden. I have tried in the past and failed miserably. Having a green thumb is obviously not an inherited trait. I have many fond childhood memories that are all about helping my father in our garden, going out to pick the lettuce for our evening salad, or simply pulling out carrots, beans and sugar peas to munch on.
I want my children to have similar memories and to see firsthand how food is grown. My childhood memories are from living in a small town, in a [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
When a company’s motto is “Nothing wasted. Everything gained“, you know that they take a serious stand on green living.
Preserve makes stylish, high performance, eco-friendly products for the home – from personal care to tableware to kitchen products – all at a reasonable price. All their products have innovative designs, bold colors, are eco-chic AND 100% recycled.
Preserve only uses #5 plastics for recycling. Many communities do not recycle #5 plastics so Preserve partnered with Whole Food Markets to create a Gimme 5 bin (#5 plastic containers) at each of their stores making it easier to [...]