From 830pm – 930pm (your local time).  One hour.  March 27.  Turn off all the lights.

Sit in the dark and pray.

Enjoy the dark with someone you love.

Play board games by candle light.

Lay out a blanket on the ground, cork a bottle of wine, and watch the sky, count the stars.

How would you ideally spend one electricity-free hour of your evening?

Earth Hour, the annual event.  March 27.  830-930pm.

I’m a purest.  Meaning, do not take this time to play on your laptop (which has been previously charged via electricity).  Do not use flashlights for reading.  Do not spend the hour babbling on your cellphone.

Yes, I know the candles you burned required electricity to create (odds are), not to mention are likely made from inefficient petroleum products.

I believe, however, that the point is to be aware of living in that moment, with the planet, and consciously reducing your impact.

The hour will fly, and hopefully you can have a joyful memory from the time you took to celebrate the 2010 Earth Hour.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

PS.  I opted not to use the “Dim the Lights” graphic for the annual event.  Go big or go home.  Why dim the lights when, really, you should just turn them off?  Are you focusing on the point if you leave the TV on while your lamps are off?  I do not think so.  Any rebuttals?

How badly does your lighting stink?

Fluorescent bulbs that pierce your eyes and turn everyone’s skin green (and posters various discolorations)?

CFLs that take five minutes to burn full spectrum… and then over time fade in quality and lighting reliability?

Do you have a hodge podge of bulbs, a third of which are burnt out and no one bothers to change?

Is your office space crying out for help?  Does your home lighting make you want to go back to work?

Hi.  Let me introduce you to Cree.

Every month Cree has a “Cries for Help” contest where you can submit your photo of your space which much deserves an LED lighting makeover!  A winner is chosen for five Cree LR6 lights!

If your space needs some lighting love, check out the contest, submit your picture, and find out how Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution.

… check out the site anyhow!  You might get some chuckles and be horrified for those living and working in such crazily lit environments.

Also, consider the Orlando resort that switched to LED lights… and is now saving more than $100,000 annually from the switch! During these tough economic times (and when isn’t tough for a business?), every business needs to consider the investment into the LED revolution.  When nothing else speaks, sometimes money will.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

As a reformed North Carolina loyalist, I recognize the ability to take amazing day trips as one of the amazing perks of this great state.  One example of the perfect day getaway is Pittsboro, which I took my dear friend Sara to visit while she last visited the Triangle.  It is a cheery gem of Chatham County thriving with personality and charm.

Oh, Pittsboro, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways:

1. Locally-owned storefronts.  I found tons of nutty antiques and second-hand stuff, like at Oldies But Goodies.  French Connections also amused us with tons of unique new items, much of which were unfortunately made in India or China.  These were just the beginning…
2. Local craftsmen and artisans.  Like Vespertine, an inspirational and happy store with an amazing woman (Ginna) who owns it, runs it, and creates products for it!  Sara bought the cutest glass sculpturette by Leslie Fesperman and Ginna from here!  Lots of locally-made herbal soaps, fun jewelry, unique stationary, and more live here too.
3. Quirk galore.  Pittsboro = quirk.
4. Cats in windows.  Sara and I loved the cat here!
5. Locally-grown foods and co-ops.  We grabbed a DELICIOUS lunch at Chatham Marketplace restaurant!  I have previously visited General Store Cafe as well, and highly recommend it.

If you are located in the Peidmont of NC, particularly central or so, consider taking a day trip to Pittsboro.  Be forewarned:  going mid-week insures that some of the great storefronts will be closed, so consider a Saturday for the full lineup.  Pittsboro is known as well for plenty of great festivals.  The residents and history are rich, the downtown quaint yet ahead of the game.

If you are on twitter, check out ChathamNC, ChathamMarket and the Pittsboro Convention Visitors Bureau too.

(Side note: please pardon the truly horrid cellphone pics. WHY did I not take real photos that day?!)

I should plan another trip to Pittsboro…

Until then, sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

Our Pittsboro Cheat-Sheet:

Eating:

Chatham Marketplace, www.chathammarketplace.coop, 480 Hillsboro St, 919.542.2643

General Store Cafe, www.thegeneralstorecafe.com, 39 West St, 919.542.2432

Locally-made:

Vespertine, www.vespertinecafe.com or www.ginnae.etsy.com, 64 Hillsboro St, 919.356.6825

Joyful Jewel, www.joyfuljewel.com, 919.545.6836

Bizu, 18 E. Salisbury St, 919.545.9255

Quirky:

Unity Books & Stuff, www.unitybooksandstuff.com, 80 Hillsboro St, 919.545.0619

New Herizons Trading Company, www.newhorizonstrading.com, 52 Hillsboro St, 919.542.7366

Chatham Habitat for Humanity Home Stores, www.chathamhabitat.org, 467 West St, 919.542.0788

French Connections, www.french-nc.com, 178 Hillsboro St, 919.545.9296

Oldies But Goodies Collectibles, 106 Hillsboro St, 919.542.1126

Have a blast!

America, wake up.

If you are not in debt, if you carry no credit card balance, if you have not been facing job insecurity… then you are not experiencing middle America, and you can skip this post.  If you answered “yes” to any of the above (much less multiple), I cry out to you:

WAKE UP.

Many of you are awake, or waking, but some still are biting at every credit offer that comes across the table.  Easy way to get stuff without getting arrested?  Get a credit card.

American Express sent me a “pre-approved offer” (puh-lease) regarding their Black Card.

Their pitch?  “The Black Card is not just another piece of plastic.  Made with carbon it is the ultimate buying tool.”

WHAT?!  What wad of absolute pure lazy, thoughtless, consumerist drivel are they asking us to buy?

“Limited to only 1% of U.S. residents, Black Card members are ensured the highest caliber of personal service.  Cardmembers enjoy a 24-hour Concierge Assistant, Exclusive Rewards Program, and Luxury Gifts from some of the world’s top brands.  Made with carbon, the Visa Black Card is guaranteed to get you noticed.”

What does it take to be apart of that Elite 1%?

$495.00 US annually… and you get a 13.24% variable APR for your money.

Wake up.  Do not be a chump.  Maybe I should be saying these words to American Express and not the public.  Frankly, I do not know who needs a bigger wake up call.

Just remember… credit card companies give you no favors.  Their one mission is to get you to buy what you cannot afford.

Now, I will not get into the whole spiele regarding how to manage your credit.  Pick up a Suze Orman book if you need that kind of advice.  I do want to warn, however, to pay close attention to any credit card offers you do get.

No matter what your credit currently looks like, make sure every single month you pay every single last bill on time.  This will save you bundles in the long run, and I am not talking late fees.  Those are only a blade of grass in a meadow of problems when you try to avoid the bills.

Stay grounded.  Live within your means.  And if you have already made some financial mistakes, take a deep breath.  You can ALWAYS get back on path, starting today.

And avoid greenwashing junk like the Black Card.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

The Audi “Green Police” Super Bowl commercial last night was a major letdown for many environmentalists (not all), as well as a major shot in the arm for extremists on both sides.  I think it was a marketing fail on Audi’s behalf not to take a more grounded approach… or at least hit their target properly.  And I explain why here on AshleySue.

I’m sorry.  I lost my voice.

*Or 1&1 simply refused to work with the WP upgrade and froze all my websites.  That’s OK.  I’ve salvaged them.  And am moving to Dreamhost… this week.

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

FYI, flowers are lovely and all, but incredibly eco-unfriendly.  Particularly when you’re talking the scale of the Rose Bowl Parade.  Doubting they are grown with much concern for toxins, not to mention the global transport for these flowers.  I have no doubt by refusing to watch the parade I am making a difference, too.

Meh.

Oh yeah, and HAPPY 2010!  I’m thirty now!

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

Amidst my wedding research, I have some awesome blogs in my RSS reader, including A.Mountain.Bride…

who happens to be running a contest to win a sweet little classic white Cosabella lingerie number!

I dig that the company has a bamboo eco-friendly line of naughties too.  Hello Bamboo Lowrider Thong.  Hehahe

My favorites are the Sex & The City Line by Cosabella though.  I cannot figure out for the life of me what is SATC about them (and trust me, I am a devout SATC junkie, and nothing at all in the slightest is ever at any point in any episode looks even kinda like these items… so, uh???), but regardless, the happy purpleness of this Miranda Chemise.  So cute and sassy without being juvenile.

So, check out A.Mountain.Bride’s Contest post for more information on how YOU can enter to win the sweet white Cosabella chemise, a $118 win that will make you feel oh-so-lovely under your own wedding garb (or whenever!).

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

Feeling trapped in plastic, much like this poor couple, I came to a new stance for Marc’s and my wedding (and sanity).

Somehow, when I Googled “Plastic-free wedding”, I found nothing, though I figured all the overlay of eco-concern and weddings would naturally have had a blog or something named this.

Anyhow, I am not going the route of creating a specific website and blog to this specific topic, but you will find posts regarding how I try to make my upcoming wedding friendlier to the Earth and our future. My first vow is to make my wedding as plastic-free as possible.

I have already been weighing the disposable plateware versus china rental conundrum. I think I am within a week’s decision on that one. How about everything else though?

The wedding industry (sometimes referred to as the WIC – Wedding Industrial Complex) is a complete craphole for useless, disposable, stuffs. Favors, decorations, hair goodies, foods, clothing, invitations, programs, and so much more. In fact, it feels that with each year, new crappy disposable things get tacked on to a new bride’s “must-have” list.

Like Save-the-Date cards (sadly referred to as STDs). Those used not to be at all. Now, not only do many brides feel they are mandatory, but the new thing is Save-the-Date magnets. I have received three from friends… and while they are actually cute, it feels weird to leave magnets of all my coupled friends on my fridge for years to come.

We are just bypassing wedding STDs completely.  *chuckles*

Read the rest of this entry »

Today, 10 December, means for those of you buying Christmas or Hanukkah gifts for your loved ones, time is ticking.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

With that, I have a few awesome, heart-felt, useful, and even handmade options and ideas!

1. I already mentioned Equal Exchange fair trade, organic, yummy coffees, chocolates, and nuts and berries! Cheers to that, and you get rockin’ deals on their baskets THROUGH 15th DECEMBER!  Less than five full days, so get to ordering!

2.  Ashley from Our Little Apartment has an awesome Etsy store. You know, I dig handmade stuff, and Etsy is cool, but I quickly tire of a lot of the frivolous stuff I see as crap you can buy on Etsy.

Yet, I just <3 Ashley’s store.  I absolutely drooool over her earrings, and a rad idea on being more eco-chic is getting quilted coozies for your coffee cups!  Next time you roll into a coffeeshop, slip out one of these awesome bad boys from your purse and tell them to keep their cardboard sleeve!  Seriously… I am in love!  Go Ashley!

3.  Allie from The Greenists (previously Allie’s Answers) has an awesome roundup of fun, ethical and healthy gifts… both for her and for the child in your life.  This is the best list I have seen.  The Lola mini clutch and both necklaces make me giddy, while I love all the wooden, classic-style playsets for kids!

4. Dianne (also) from The Greenists has gone the route of giving what can be eaten! Dianne’s take:

A few years ago I decided that edible gifts were the perfect way to go. They are simple, yet still show someone you care and are thinking about them during the holiday season.

Pass along the recipes too, and the receiver might joyfully remake that for years to come.  That is how I acquired some of my favorite holiday recipes!  In Dianne’s post, you’ll find her links to several great holiday gift ideas you can devour.

So, there you have it… my favorite picks for holiday gifts for 2009.

Cheers, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue