With Halloween behind us, it’s nearly time to pack away the festive fall décor to make space for the merrier holiday gear. What to do with the pumpkin that sat on your porch stoop? While the thrifty bakers among us will likely turn it into a Thanksgiving pie, the beauty hounds can do one better and whip up an easy mask that will keep your pre-winter dry skin glowing.

After all, pumpkins are chock-full of vitamins A and C, as well as zinc, to hydrate the skin and leave skin supple, soft and most importantly, chemical-free. (No formaldehyde or petroleum derivatives in my skin care, thank you.)

Mix up a mask of your own by combining:

• Two tablespoons cooked (or canned) pumpkin
• One-half teaspoon organic honey
• A dash of organic milk or soy milk
• Optional: one-half teaspoon of brown sugar for extra exfoliation

Slather it on and allow to dry completely before rinsing off. Clean, open pores will put a smile on your face and allow you to follow up with your favorite natural moisturizer, promising ultra hydration that’s perfect for fall’s blustery winds.

(This homemade natural skincare recipe first appeared here in 2009; it was so good we had to re-use!)

Simplicity often outperforms complexity. Case in point: this no-frills bud vase provides the perfect platform for displaying wild flowers and plant groupings. The handcrafted rustic display is created from an old chunk of reclaimed black locust.

Comes with 3 glass tubes: $67 from LESS + MORE Vienna

If you’re into woodworking, this would also make a nice DIY project.

The husband and wife team at StoneMe are insatiable rockhounds, scouring their local Great Lakes beaches for rounded stones and sea glass tumbled, shaped and polished by the never-ending action of the big lakes’ waves.

They sell most of their stones as either loose items or in groups, so DIYers can create their own jewelry and accessories. Stones are top-drilled and grouped by color, size, shape and character. Some stones (like the ones pictured directly above) may even contain fossils. Upcycling these geological gems is a great way to integrate nature into your look.

Find individual stones and groupings @ the StoneMe Etsy Shop

Summertime, your skin is likely to be up for a little extra TLC after all that extra time in the harsh sun.

While they’re abundant, pick up some organic strawberries and a cucumber next time you’re at the market. Fruit is full of wonderful enzymes that are good when put in your body but they also work wonders when applied to your skin. The cosmetic industry is aware of the benefits of these enzymes being applied to the face. So, skip the chemicals and all the production, and go right to the source for some fresh and beneficial homemade skincare.

Strawberries have astringent and bleaching properties, which also work on your teeth.

• For a simple cleanse take 4 very ripe organic strawberries, remove the stems and slice. Then, mash them up with a fork and strain them. You can use a cheesecloth, fine metal strainer or nylon stocking. What you want is the juice. After you have that juice add a drop of essential oil, either peppermint or lavender. Apply the juice to a clean face and neck; avoid it getting in the eyes. Massage for minute or two and rinse with cool water.

Cucumbers are technically a fruit, and they are very calming and hydrating to the skin. This following treatment is considered a rejuvenator – perfect after any airline travel, when the skin’s moisture level is depleted.

• Take 1 medium cucumber, peel it, seed it and cube it. Place the cubes into a blender with 2 tablespoons of distilled or purified water. Blend until you get a nice juicy pulp then strain. Once again, you want the juice. This mix can stay in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Apply about a tablespoon of juice to your face or any other body part with an organic cotton-cleansing pad.

If you’d like to try more involved natural skin concoctions, check out Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles. She is to credit for the simple techniques above.

To me, being eco conscious also means making useful things out of items that would otherwise be trash, or Upcycling. Pique the interest of your friends and co-workers by asking them for their trash, and MacGyver something new. It may start a conversation, it may appeal to someone’s creative side and it will hopefully get everyone thinking about stepping outside the box. After all, that’s a big part of what being green is about, right?

Ready Made has a great MacGyver Challenge going on right now. (photo above) – You can easily create an iPad holder out of a Starbucks sleeve. It only requires a cutting tool. I live near a Starbucks so I plan to walk over today and ask someone who is almost done with their coffee if I can have the used cup rather than them trashing it. See the instructions @ readymade.com/.

If that doesn’t appeal to you – here’s an oldie but goodie – how about making a laptop case out of plastic bags that you took out of the recycling bin? Warning: this one requires a sewing machine. Video instructions @ planetgreen.discovery.com.

There are hundreds of easy upcycling ideas. I dare you to try one over the long weekend. Pick one to try from this list. Let me know how it goes.

What a great use of wasted space! I’d store old photos in them.

Anyone with some DIY capabilities could probably replicate the concept. It doesn’t look that difficult to execute …famous last words. Word of caution – I’d make sure there was a way to ensure that they were locked/latched in place safely – wouldn’t want to encounter an open drawer on the stairs unexpectedly.

Although it looks like they’re Unicraft Joinery Step Drawers, I can’t find where to buy – anyone with ideas, pls jump in.

via trendhunter.com

For the crafty wanna-be’s…get a little help with an all-inclusive sewing kit and make your own woolly little rabbit. When fully realized, the 8-inch high critter dons a merino wool tail and stuffing sourced from recycled woolen sweaters. Comes with a cream colored belly and a choice of 5 cool colors.

From Kit and Caboodle Designs, the Kit includes: pattern, instructions, wool fabric, embroidery thread, needle + pins, wool tail and stuffing. Just add pencil and scissors and start to DIY. (reminder: Easter is April 24 this year)

Here’s where to get the Sew A Rabbit whole kit and caboodle. $19

Featured above is hand screen printed in blue ink on a black shirt, but they come in other color variations as well. Illustration is of the outline of the designer’s mom’s Singer Featherweight. Cool.

@ redbrickwall’s Etsy Shop ($18)

Not many holidays exude handmade appreciation like Valentine’s Day. I theorize that it stems from the paper bag “Valentine mail-boxes” so many of us crafted in elementary school, but the truth is, a glued-together, glittered Valentine is perfect at any age. This year, we’ve scoured the web to find some crafty creations you can whip up for your loved one – using stuff that you’ve probably already got on hand. So, consider creative recycling this year, and see if you can’t surprise someone with a gift that’s as sweet as it is green.

• Heart Paper Pockets (Craftzine) – Make ‘em by cutting up old greeting cards
• Bottle Cap Photo Magnets (Martha Stewart) – Recycle the bottles; keep the twist-off caps
• Valentine Lightbulb (Design*Sponge) – Burnt bulb? No problem
• Silver Ring for Him (Instructables) – All you need is a pre-1964 quarter
• Valentine’s Day Cookies (Food Network) – Just-the-basics kind of recipe

Are you ready for a different style of decor, but your furniture’s still in good condition?  Do you want to redecorate for the holidays but can’t fit new furnishings into your budget ?  Does it bother you to have to throw out perfectly usable furnishings in the name of style? Are you concerned about waste and the overflowing landfills in this country? If so, you might want to consider utilizing slipcovers, Freecycle, and some of these green tips for recycling furniture.

Slipcovers to the Rescue
Years ago slipcovers were more like throws which Grandma used to hide the stains and rips on her furniture. These ill-fitting blankets slid off as quickly as one replaced them and came in hideous floral designs.  Modern slipcovers have nothing in common with these old antique blankets.  Today’s are designed for the style conscious consumer and are made to fit well. They’re eco conscious, affordable and can help:

• Cover rips, stains, and scratches
• Update a room with fresh designs
• Change color schemes
• Create a holiday atmosphere

Slipcovers can even be made to fit sagging furniture if you pad the loose areas with old towels or blankets. Tip – to hold the slipcovers firmly in place, push rolled up newspapers or magazines between the cushions and along the back crease to keep the fabric tight.

At the moment, slipcovers made from organic fabrics are difficult to find. Sure Fit Slipcovers used to sell a range made from organic cotton, but they’re not currently available. However, those who are environmentally conscious hope that other companies will pick up on this idea.  Regardless, using a slipcover to recycle an old chair or sofa is still a greener option than sending the piece to rot in a landfill.

Environmental Impact
One network that supports eco-conscious living is Freecycle. Freecycle is free to all who are willing to follow the rules of the group and wish to help reduce wasteful practices by sharing items they no longer need with others.

Refurbish and Modernize
While Freecycled furnishings may not be in perfect condition, they can almost always be refurbished and modernized with just a little effort. Here’s how to simply make older furnishings more attractive:

• Paint the wooden portions with an eco-friendly paint and replace the handles and pulls
• Distress the wood even further
• Cover scratched areas with table runners or place-mats
• Group candles, picture frames, books or floral arrangements over damaged areas
• Slipcover outdated couches and chairs:)

If everyone takes a few small steps toward greener living by reusing existing items, we can all help conserve the environment. Let’s give the furniture already circulating, a green makeover.