buying organic (and local!) produce is extremely important to me. sometimes though, my wallet just won’t allow for it. knowing which items are most and least important to purchase organic has been a tremendous help to me (and our bank account!), so i thought you might be able to use the info as well. here’s a simple guide to what you should always buy organic, and what other items are naturally low in pesticides (usually due to their thick skins).

THE WORST for pesticides (buy these organic):

spinach, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, kale/collard greens, potatoes, bell peppers, celery and grapes.

always try to buy these organic, as their thinner skins allow for the most amount of pesticides to reside within.

THE BEST (lowest in pesticides):

onions, sweet corn, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, pineapple, sweet potato, melons and avocado.

when you’re in a money pinch, you can always rest assure that these veggies and fruits have the lowest amount of pesticides.

wrap up: {buy} {guide} {money} {organic gardening} {produce} {veggies}

hi lovelies! just wanted to pop in to say hello!  did you have a happy 4th of july?  we had a picnic up on the roof and watched the fireworks from there.  the weather was perfect, the food was wonderful and our tiny town even had a pretty impressive fireworks show!  i always give my girls our leftover watermelon rind (it’s their most favorite treat).  this is odessa, caught in the act (below).

i also wanted to draw your attention to a new section of the blog, our eat local page! here you’ll find the seasonal veggie guides, all of our seasonal recipes and a resource page on why we should eat local in the first place.  you’ll be able to reference it anytime via the pull down menu in the header up top.   below is the latest summer veggie guide:

see you tomorrow! xo, bonnie

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this is the last of the gift guides! wow, christmas is coming so fast!  for all of your last minute gift needs- you can print these gifts right at home!  from calendars, recipes cards, stationary and bookmarks- just purchase, print and gift!

row 1 :: printable nature calendar :: overdue book calendar :: silhouette portrait pdfs ::

row 2 :: take a picture printable :: printable wall art :: hello birdies stationary ::

row 3 :: food friends printable recipe :: modern design calendar :: all we need is love cards ::

row 4 :: a baker’s best friend :: pdf woodsy calendar :: mini deer series ::

row 5 :: print ready calendar :: printable recipe cards- pb & j :: ready to print bookmarks ::

wrap up: {calendar} {christmas} {gift} {guide} {holiday} {pdf} {printable}

happy monday dearies!  how was your weekend?  ours was filled with secret santa projects and last minute shopping!  speaking of that.. this gift guide is for all you fellow procrastinators out there!  all of these items have some sort of shipping options to help you receive your item quickly.  just check their shop announcement- but better hurry, and get those last minute orders placed!

row 1 :: ireland beret :: christmas ornament set :: party banner ::

row 2 :: remember me. vintage earrings :: birds in the forest handbag :: 1960′s floral silk dress ::

row 3 :: mat gold modern leaf necklace :: long winter rainbow scarf :: gold aspen leaf earrings ::

row 4 :: circle twist hoop :: romantic white pearl earrings :: green boucle green & brown brooch ::

row 5 :: remember me bangle bracelet :: winter river trees :: green holly leaf fingerless gloves ::

wrap up: {christmas} {gift} {guide} {holiday} {last minute} {order} {procrastinate}

who doesn’t need a little love for under $25?

row 1 :: fairy tails :: the trapeze twins :: christmas tree bucket ::

row 2 :: birds on a branch :: flower card holder :: paper snowflake glasses ::

row 3 :: feather leaf earrings :: coptic bound journal :: reindeer silhouettes ::

row 4 :: newton the barn owl :: eye shadow mineral makeup :: camera plushie ::

row 5:: i shall shower you with love :: bird postcard :: small sketchbook cover ::

wrap up: {christmas} {gift} {guide} {holiday}

today’s holiday gift guide is a little different- it’s the weekend diy edition!  since i know all of you are really craftsters at heart- each of the pictures below represent the step by step instructions you can find by clicking on their link below.  have fun and let us know if you get crafty this weekend!

also, please share links or your own experiences and ideas about what you’re making 30this holiday season!

row 1 :: amy butler’s fabric leaves :: chocolate truffles :: free holiday crochet patterns ::

row 2 :: recipe booklet how-to :: placemats w/ chopsticks pocket :: amy butler’s snow mum pillow ::

row 3 :: cabled scarf pattern :: silhouette diy project ::  paper butterflies ::

row 4 :: dime store games :: drafty door diy :: stuffed pig ::

row 5 :: pin cushion :: my poppet pencil case :: wine glass charms :: make your own calendar! ::

wrap up: {christmas} {craft} {diy} {gifts} {guide} {holidays} {presents} {weekend}