Of Houses and Trees

Sustainable Design, Sustainable Living, Sustainable Everything

Of Houses and Trees

Menu

  • Sustainable Design
  • Sustainable Living
  • Sustainable Products
  • Our House
  • Community
  • E-Design

Sustainable Living

Welcome to the Of Houses and Trees sustainable living archives. Here you’ll find posts about greening your life – such as plant-based eating recipes, tips for reducing household waste and eco-conscious products.

Sustainable living is more than a thing treehuggers talk about.

Sustainable living is a way of life.

And it’s a way of life we all need to adopt in order to save our planet – and ourselves.

Because sustainable living isn’t just about protecting the earth’s resources and the plants, animals and eco-systems that call it home. It’s about protecting us too, as well as the generations still to come.

So, how do we actually live sustainably?

Sustainable living is largely about achieving a balance.

Society’s needs and wants, as well as economic stability, often seem at odds with environmental preservation. But they don’t have to be.

It is actually in the balance between society, the economy and the environment that true sustainability is found.

When people still have access to goods and services. But these goods and services are manufactured and sold with their environmental impact just as big a concern as their economic impact.

When jobs are still created. But these jobs are created in sectors that both foster the economy and protect – even begin to heal – the planet.

In its simplest form, the word sustainable means the ability to last. And so within its own terminology, sustainable living is only working if it can be maintained.

Of Houses and Trees is all about offering everyday tips for sustainable living. In what we buy, what we eat, what we think, we have the ability to make conscious, intentional decisions. For us and for the earth.

5 Reasons Why You Need To Buy Bamboo Clothing

5 Reasons Why You Need To Buy Bamboo Clothing

December 29, 2020December 29, 2020Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
Zero Waste Gift Ideas Even Non-Treehuggers Will Love

Zero Waste Gift Ideas Even Non-Treehuggers Will Love

November 17, 2020December 10, 2020Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
Wooden Raised Garden Beds + Organic Vegetable Gardening | Our House in the Trees | Episode 9

Wooden Raised Garden Beds + Organic Vegetable Gardening | Our House in the Trees | Episode 9

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020Our House in the Trees, Sustainable Living
How to Get Started with Green Investing

How to Get Started with Green Investing

September 29, 2020October 28, 2020Sustainable Living
Starting a Garden | Our House in the Trees | Episode 8

Starting a Garden | Our House in the Trees | Episode 8

August 1, 2020August 12, 2020Our House in the Trees, Sustainable Living
10 Nature-Inspired Mother’s Day Gifts

10 Nature-Inspired Mother’s Day Gifts

April 27, 2020April 28, 2020Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
10 Helpful Blog Posts about Green Living

10 Helpful Blog Posts about Green Living

April 7, 2020May 7, 2020Sustainable Living
3 Easy Ways to Go Green Today

3 Easy Ways to Go Green Today

September 6, 2019March 28, 2020Sustainable Living
Simple Ways to Green Your Apartment

Simple Ways to Green Your Apartment

July 10, 2019July 14, 2019Sustainable Living
5 Must-Have Vegan Foods for Beginners

5 Must-Have Vegan Foods for Beginners

May 28, 2019May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
5 Tips For Greening Your Next Vacation

5 Tips For Greening Your Next Vacation

April 23, 2019July 22, 2019Sustainable Living
The Environmental Impact of Dirty Laundry

The Environmental Impact of Dirty Laundry

April 9, 2019September 4, 2019Sustainable Living
3 Tips For Buying Eco-Friendly Activewear

3 Tips For Buying Eco-Friendly Activewear

March 26, 2019August 31, 2019Sustainable Living
9 Pieces of Nature-Inspired Jewelry

9 Pieces of Nature-Inspired Jewelry

February 20, 2019February 20, 2019Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
9 of the Healthiest Plant Proteins

9 of the Healthiest Plant Proteins

January 29, 2019May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
The 5 Most Popular Of Houses and Trees Posts of 2018

The 5 Most Popular Of Houses and Trees Posts of 2018

January 13, 2019August 25, 2019Sustainable Living
10 Eco-Friendly Pinterest Trends for 2019

10 Eco-Friendly Pinterest Trends for 2019

January 4, 2019August 25, 2019Sustainable Living
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Organic Underwear

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Organic Underwear

December 4, 2018September 4, 2019Sustainable Living
Eco-Friendly Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Eco-Friendly Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas

November 21, 2018November 22, 2018Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
Homemade Tomato Soup in Under 5 Minutes

Homemade Tomato Soup in Under 5 Minutes

November 6, 2018May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
Halloween Costumes from Thrifted Items – You Can Wear Again!

Halloween Costumes from Thrifted Items – You Can Wear Again!

October 14, 2018November 4, 2018Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Secondhand Instead of New

5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Secondhand Instead of New

October 7, 2018July 22, 2019Sustainable Living
Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids (and Adults!)

Healthy Lunch Ideas for Kids (and Adults!)

August 29, 2018May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
Eco-Friendly School Supplies

Eco-Friendly School Supplies

August 7, 2018July 22, 2019Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
10-Minute Vegan Tofu Scramble Recipe

10-Minute Vegan Tofu Scramble Recipe

July 3, 2018May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
3 Easy Steps to a Clean and Healthy Home

3 Easy Steps to a Clean and Healthy Home

April 16, 2018July 22, 2019Sustainable Living
Easy Vegan Gravy

Easy Vegan Gravy

March 27, 2018May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
Eco-Friendly Dance Supplies

Eco-Friendly Dance Supplies

February 26, 2018April 5, 2020Sustainable Living, Sustainable Products
5 Simple and Unusual Uses for Tea Tree Oil

5 Simple and Unusual Uses for Tea Tree Oil

February 18, 2018July 22, 2019Sustainable Living
How to Make Asian Coleslaw in Under 60 Seconds

How to Make Asian Coleslaw in Under 60 Seconds

February 11, 2018May 6, 2020Sustainable Living
  • ← Previous
Plant a Tree

Plant a tree with Click a Tree - it really is that easy!

Click a Tree

Hi! I'm Larissa About Larissa

Former architectural technologist. Current treehugger.

I'm here to help you green your home - and your life.

LET'S BE TREEHUGGERS TOGETHER!

Larissa Swayze Facebook Larissa Swayze Instagram Larissa Swayze Pinterest Larissa Swayze YouTube


Support

Like what you're seeing? If so, please consider supporting Of Houses and Trees on Patreon - and get a few perks for yourself!

Larissa Swayze Patreon

Your support is everything!


Organic Basics
Subscribe

Sign up for the Of Houses and Trees monthly newsletter and I'll send you my FREE list of "The 8 Best Places to Buy Eco-Conscious Decor Online."

Where Treehuggers Shop  

ENTER EMAIL BELOW AND CLICK SUBSCRIBE!


True Botanicals
Search

Itemerie

Itemerie
Sustainable Products

Here are a just a few eco-conscious items I own and love. Visit the Sustainable Products page for more!

Organic Basics Tee Made Trade Hamper Handmade Light Fixture Elate EyeshadowOzeri Frying Pan

Sleep & Beyond

Grund
Recent Posts
  • Why exactly is bamboo clothing such a sustainable option? I'm so glad you asked! Here are five reasons why you need to start buying bamboo.5 Reasons Why You Need To Buy Bamboo Clothing
  • Want to create a lovely, calm space this holiday season? Here are three tips for incorporating simple and sustainable Christmas decor in your living room.3 Simple + Sustainable Christmas Decor Ideas for Your Living Room
  • Plastic-free and made by awesome, earth-friendly individuals and brands, you can find zero waste gifts for every person on your shopping list!Zero Waste Gift Ideas Even Non-Treehuggers Will Love
  • If you're also looking for inexpensive garden beds ideas - building wooden raised garden beds from old materials is about as budget-friendly as you can get.Wooden Raised Garden Beds + Organic Vegetable Gardening | Our House in the Trees | Episode 9
  • Green bonds are one of the most low-risk forms of green investments. If you want to help create a more sustainable future, green bonds may be for you.How to Get Started with Green Investing
Made Trade
Latest Video

Etsy

Popular Posts
  • Love the look of bohemian bedroom decor, but need a little guidance pulling it all together? Check out this boho bedroom shopping guide - featuring eco-conscious items from ethical marketplace Made Trade!
    Boho Bedroom Shopping Guide
  • What's an eco-conscious kitchen without an energy efficient fridge? Here are five of the most efficient Energy Star rated refrigerators out there!
    5 of the Most Energy Efficient Refrigerators
  • A tutorial illustrating how to create an interior design board using Pinterest, along with instructions on how to print a Pinterest board.
    How to Create and Print a Design Board Using Pinterest
  • Vegan Bedding by Of Houses and Trees | What goes into collecting the down or silk used for duvet fill? The story isn't pretty, but thankfully vegan bedding is a readily available option.
    Cruelty-Free Duvet Options
  • Prefer an old fashioned wood rocker to an oversized glider for your nursery? Learn how to make an easy DIY rocking chair cushion out of quilt batting.
    How to Make an Easy DIY Rocking Chair Cushion
Earth Hero
Find Green Jobs

Be part of the green revolution! Find green jobs on Jooble.

Jooble

Avocado

LET'S BE TREEHUGGERS TOGETHER!

Sign up for the Of Houses and Trees monthly newsletter and I’ll send you my FREE list of “The 8 Best Places to Buy Eco-Conscious Decor Online.”

Of Houses and Trees Subscribe

OH, AND LET'S BE FRIENDS TOO...

Larissa Swayze Facebook Larissa Swayze Instagram Larissa Swayze Pinterest Larissa Swayze YouTube

It's no secret I like to keep my decor relatively It's no secret I like to keep my decor relatively simple. And though the holiday season does amp me up a bit, I try not to let the I-must-have-all-the-things-and-do-all-the-things spirit completely take me over.⁣
⁣
I find that one of the best ways to manage the frenetic holiday energy is to keep my seasonal decorating quite minimal. I also tend to put up the majority of our Christmas decor in the living room instead of all over the house.⁣
⁣
Keeping our decorations mostly contained to one space means both putting up and taking down our holiday decor is a much quicker process. Which leaves more time for the things that matter - namely family, gratitude and eating lots and lots of cookies.⁣
⁣
I wanted to offer you three Christmas decor ideas for easily creating an eco-conscious living space this holiday season. There's no need to decorate until you drop. Instead combine handmade, nature-inspired and thrifted items that will bring you and your loved ones joy without creating a huge impact on our beautiful planet.⁣
⁣
Visit Of Houses and Trees to read all about my simple, eco-friendly Christmas decor ideas! Link in bio. 🎄💚
Have you finished putting up your holiday decorati Have you finished putting up your holiday decorations yet?⁣
⁣
It seems like so many of the houses where I live were really on top of their decorating this year. It's no surprise that people want this year in particular to feel extra special - especially as we're likely facing restrictions regarding Christmas gatherings.⁣
⁣
One thing the magic of the internet brings us is the ability to see inside each other's homes even when we can't physically be together. I love seeing how everyone decorates (or doesn't!) for Christmas. As I always say, I couldn't care less about gossip, but when it comes to people's homes - I'm pretty nosy 😜⁣
⁣
But it goes both ways - and to show you that my latest post over on Of Houses and Trees features a #decoratewithme video as well as three tips for using simple, sustainable holiday decor in you living room. ⁣
⁣
I welcome you to be nosy! Link in bio. 🌎🌲
Feeling honoured to be included on this list of fe Feeling honoured to be included on this list of female bloggers by @ladybossblogger!⁣
⁣
To learn more about the other bloggers from niches like business, health, travel and feminism - visit the Lady Boss Blogger website -> https://ladybossblogger.com/compelling-female-bloggers 💚
Image Credit: ZeroWasteMVMT⁣ ⁣ Christmas and p Image Credit: ZeroWasteMVMT⁣
⁣
Christmas and plastic seem to go hand in hand... but they don't have to! ⁣
⁣
There are actually a ton of plastic-free gift options out there - you just have to know where to look.⁣
⁣
I suggest searching on @Etsy. Not only is there a large selection of plastic-free gifts, many of them are handmade by small business owners who could really use our support right about now.⁣
⁣
A few of my fave zero-waste gift shops... ZeroWasteMVMT, @battlegreenbox, @elliesecoshop_, @handmadebyavo, @marsi.naturals, @farmersdaughtersk, slowli, @ecobooshop, @willowsmarketplace, @jungleculture.eco, @youenjoymygoods and @holdenhearst. All featured in my latest blogpost -> ofhousesandtrees.com/zero-waste-gifts 🎁💚
You’re a treehugger. In your daily life, you avo You’re a treehugger. In your daily life, you avoid plastic packaging, wear thrifted threads and support eco-conscious businesses whenever you can.⁣
⁣
Yet every year as the holiday season approaches, you fill with low-level dread. It’s time to buy you friends and family gifts – but they aren’t treehuggers like you. They’re all normal and stuff.⁣
⁣
How can you give them something they’ll love, that’s also gentle to the planet?⁣
⁣
Enter zero waste gifts.⁣
⁣
Plastic-free and made by awesome, earth-friendly individuals and brands, you can find zero waste gifts for every person on your shopping list.⁣
⁣
Food lover? Bath lover? Beauty lover? Or just a general lover of receiving thoughtful gifts?⁣
⁣
Check out twelve zero waste gift ideas in my latest blog post over on Of Houses and Trees -> ofhousesandtrees.com/zero-waste-gifts 🌲🎁
If you're in the #christmasdiy spirit - you are no If you're in the #christmasdiy spirit - you are not alone!⁣
⁣
DIYs are already up because of the pandemic. Plus it seems everyone wants to make this Christmas extra special. And sometimes that means making your home feel extra homey.⁣
⁣
I wanted to reshare a really simple Christmas tree sign I made a couple of years ago. You can either download and use the graphic I created, or create your own using a free tool like Canva.⁣
⁣
Full tutorial over on Of Houses and Trees -> ofhousesandtrees.com/christmas-tree-sign/ 🌲
Ah summer... those were the days ☀⁣ ⁣ Here i Ah summer... those were the days ☀⁣
⁣
Here in Alberta, the snow has settled in - big time. ⁣
⁣
My raised garden? Done. My veggies? We ate 'em. But, as always, the memories remain.⁣
⁣
If you're hankering for a throwback to warmer days - head over to Of Houses and Trees and check out my recent post and video chronicling our first summer of #organicgardening. Good times. Good times, indeed 🌱
Nature is my favourite place to shop. Truly. Wheth Nature is my favourite place to shop. Truly. Whether it's leaves, branches, tree stumps, rocks, seashells, live plants, dried plants - you name it - I likely have it in my house.⁣
⁣
In my mind, nothing is more beautiful than the gifts just outside our front door. So why wouldn't I bring those outside things inside?⁣
⁣
Do you love to bring natural elements indoors too, or is it not your thing? Let me know in the comments! #naturedecor 🌱
Load More Images Follow Me On Instagram
Copyright © 2021 Of Houses and Trees. Powered by WordPress and ThemeGrill.