Pregnancy Photographer, Maternity Photographer, Newborn Baby Photographer, Child Photography San Francisco Bay Area

Be Green Giveaway – Ashley McNamara – San Francisco Photographer

As 2010 shoves on some of us are still hanging onto our new years resolutions and some of us no-so-much.. raise your hand if your resolution was to lose weight and then you went to in-n-out and had a double double?? No one? Wait.. that was me. Sigh..

Anyways, my resolutions this year were to lose weight, blog more, and be greener. I am down 11lbs, I am blogging more, and…. Confession time–  we just started recycling this year. I feel so ashamed typing that, with all the “go green” in the media and even in technology — go apple! I just cannot believe it took me so long to get on board.

Living a greener lifestyle isn’t as hard as I thought it would be.. it might even be more stylish.

Last week my husband came home from work with two of the cutest reusable bags by a company called Mika&bu.  The thing that I love about these bags are that they are 1. cute 2. super durable and 3. they have a cute little pocket on the inside where you can put cards, coupons, or snotty tissues.. whatever you want… I just thought it was so clever.

Today my be green giveaway is a mika&bu bag! To enter just leave a comment in in the comment box and I will use a random number generator to select a winner tomorrow at 3pm. (I am stuffing a little something extra in the cute little pocket)

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED! This will not be the last giveaway. I am already planning a little something for next month.

TODAY’S WINNER IS SARAH LANE!

screen shot 2010 01 28 at 4 23 11 pm Be Green Giveaway   Ashley McNamara   San Francisco Photographer


mika and bu Be Green Giveaway   Ashley McNamara   San Francisco Photographer

10 ways to live greener

1. DITCH GROCERY STORE BAGS!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 380 billion plastic bags are used in the United States every year. Of those, approximately 100 billion are plastic shopping bags, which cost retailers about $4 billion annually.

Good for you: reusable is cool and now stylish.

2. Change a Light Bulb

Installing a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) is the quickest, easiest way to save energy — and money.

3. Unplug Things That Glow

Anything that has an LED (light emitting diode) that glows even after you turn it off continues to draw power (that you pay for).

Good for You: Unplug appliances and electronics that glow and you could save $200 a year.

4. Support Local Farmers

Typical grocery store produce travels nearly 1,500 miles before it ends up on your plate. All this traveling burns fossil fuels and results in carbon emissions — a fancy term for pollution. Buying from local farmers means you’re not only getting the freshest food possible, you’re saving energy.

5.  Fix That Drip

When you next fill your water glass, think about this: We each use about 100 gallons a day, enough to fill 1,600 glasses. Household water consumption has increased by 200 percent since 1950.

6. Let Your Grass Grow

Spending less time tending to your lawn actually makes it greener — in every sense of the word. Most grass species fare best when they’re kept at least 2 1/2 inches tall. The length creates more surface area to absorb sunlight, which creates thicker turf and deeper roots, which means you won’t need to water as often.

7. Look for the Label

A household with Energy Star products uses about 30 percent less energy than the average household — an annual savings of about $570.

8. Do Full Loads

Whenever you wash just a few clothes or dishes at a time rather than waiting for a full load to accumulate, you’re wasting water, power, and money. The average American family of four washes about 540 loads of laundry a year, which consumes up to 21,000 gallons of water, and more than 150 loads of dishes, which uses about 1,500 gallons. Let’s face it.. who likes laundry anyway?

9. Audit Your Energy

It’s easier to save energy when you know exactly how much and where you’re using it.

Good for you: On average, an energy audit shows how to save up to 30 percent on utility bills.

10. Recycle Your Electronics

Americans tossed out a whopping 5.5 billion pounds of  electronics — TVs, stereos, cell phones, and computers.

Good for You: Sell unused cell phones to greenphone.com. You’ll receive about $35, and the phones will be refurbished and resold. If 1 million people recycled one cathode-ray tube TV this year, we’d keep 4 million pounds of lead out of the ground.

59 Comments

  1. Vickey Weiss said . . .

    super cute!!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:39 pm | Permalink
  2. kathy said . . .

    fantastic little bag!! wanted to tell you I love your photoshop tips too. you are the bestest evah for doing those.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:41 pm | Permalink
  3. Kristin Cast said . . .

    Hey there! Just entering the contest!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
  4. Leticia said . . .

    Thats a great idea Ashley, honestly my family should probably be more greener and get rid of those millions of plastic grocery bags cluttering up my kitchen :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:50 pm | Permalink
  5. Keri said . . .

    Too cute!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:51 pm | Permalink
  6. Kim said . . .

    Those bags are sweet…definitely much nicer than the ones I’ve been using for 20 -GASP- 20 years! I can’t bear to part with them:) And I agree with Kathy…it’s very generous of you to share all your photoshop tips and tutorials-they’re great and easy to learn from. Thanks:)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:53 pm | Permalink
  7. shannon harrison said . . .

    those are SUPER DUPER cute! love it! thanks for sharing!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:57 pm | Permalink
  8. Love love love the bags and way to go for green!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 1:57 pm | Permalink
  9. Tina Marie said . . .

    Really cute bags! Easy way to go green.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:01 pm | Permalink
  10. Shannon Dodd said . . .

    Wow- these bags are perfect!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:02 pm | Permalink
  11. Jacky said . . .

    Hi Ashley! I just recently discovered your site, and I love your work!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:09 pm | Permalink
  12. deb said . . .

    adore the bag.
    adore you.
    hugs,
    deb

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:18 pm | Permalink
  13. Euciane Souza said . . .

    Thanks Ashley!
    I had no idea about “glowing lights.”Funny thing though, because I was trying to buy used cell phones today.
    Thanks

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:37 pm | Permalink
  14. Jen said . . .

    Love the bags and the tips!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:43 pm | Permalink
  15. Miranda glaeser said . . .

    Love these bags! Fashionable recycling!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:52 pm | Permalink
  16. Steffanie said . . .

    super cute bag…

    you must pick me!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 2:59 pm | Permalink
  17. MIchelle Gougeon said . . .

    That bag is so cute.

    I wanted to say thanks a billion for the bright eye tutorial!!

    MIchelle

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 3:29 pm | Permalink
  18. Olivia Navarro said . . .

    What a great post, Ashley! Going to print out all these ideas!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
  19. tara said . . .

    I use cloth bags for grocery shopping and love these! I like the ones that can stand up.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 3:54 pm | Permalink
  20. carla said . . .

    Pretty bags!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 3:57 pm | Permalink
  21. Sarah Lane said . . .

    LOVE these!! Fingers are crossed :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 4:00 pm | Permalink
  22. kristie said . . .

    look at you doing your part! keep it up girl! love the bags, they’re are super adorable. your work is such a breath of fresh air–I am so glad I found your blog!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 4:02 pm | Permalink
  23. Courtney said . . .

    Those bags are TOTALLY cute! I need to start using reusable bags more often. I do recycle the bags that I get from grocery stores though. They go into my small trash cans. That counts, kinda, right?

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 4:50 pm | Permalink
  24. Sara Ippolito said . . .

    They are so adorable. Your blog is one of my favorites to follow :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 4:56 pm | Permalink
  25. Ule Logue said . . .

    those are adorable! I love reusable bags!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:01 pm | Permalink
  26. Gillian said . . .

    Amen and amen!! Thanks for posting these great tips!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:05 pm | Permalink
  27. Emily said . . .

    Would love these!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:15 pm | Permalink
  28. Ketti said . . .

    Cute bags!
    I always forget to bring my reusable bags to the store :(
    But I would bring this one!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:16 pm | Permalink
  29. Tisha said . . .

    Love the purple bag!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:20 pm | Permalink
  30. Ann Easterling said . . .

    oooh!! that is so cute! i love it!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 5:44 pm | Permalink
  31. Nessa said . . .

    That’s great! I love recyclable bags!!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:08 pm | Permalink
  32. Sarah said . . .

    What an awesome giveaway! Thanks girl! :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:13 pm | Permalink
  33. Melissa said . . .

    I would love to win. I really need to start being more green.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:19 pm | Permalink
  34. JenD said . . .

    Love them! Crossing my fingers!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:22 pm | Permalink
  35. Rachel said . . .

    these bags are so cute. hope to win :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 6:42 pm | Permalink
  36. deana said . . .

    if nothing else, I have a name for a great recycle bag. how well do they fold up? i have a few cute ones that can roll into a little ball… not nearly as cute as these, but not a kroger bag either :)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 7:05 pm | Permalink
  37. Kerry said . . .

    11 lbs!! Good work!! I too am on the fight the chub and living greener new yrs res. It’s a daily battle with both! Super cute bags.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 7:34 pm | Permalink
  38. Rhiona said . . .

    Ooh! I might have to buy those bags if I don’t win! Super cute!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 7:48 pm | Permalink
  39. Meghan Camino said . . .

    This is such a cool idea! Thank you for the contest! I’m all about going green but I only have two bags so far, these are so cute!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 9:09 pm | Permalink
  40. Jan said . . .

    Looove those bags! What a great contest.

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 9:20 pm | Permalink
  41. Heidi said . . .

    Lovely bag!
    I always use cloth bags for my market shopping. That one is especially cute!

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 9:35 pm | Permalink
  42. wendy laurel said . . .

    i love your green tips and i love the bags so had to enter. I have to confess, I love reusable bags and always pick up cute ones here or there. And when I go to the grocery store.. I always forget to bring them in until I’m in line with 4 yelling kids, a truckful of groceries and then I am ashamed to use the grocery store ones so I buy more reusable bags!!! I need to attach them to my wallet somehow :) I’ll keep trying though… work in progress

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 9:37 pm | Permalink
  43. Crystal said . . .

    Oooooo….I LOVE it! My FAV color is purple and I LOVE pastel wash colors vs vibrant! It’s beautiful! I’m GLAD you’ll be blogging more. I stalk and always wish I could see MORE! Lol! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! :O)

    Posted January 27, 2010 at 10:09 pm | Permalink
  44. Michele said . . .

    Hi Ashley! Love these bags! Super cute!!

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 5:58 am | Permalink
  45. Rebecca said . . .

    Super cute bags!! :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 6:14 am | Permalink
  46. Lisa said . . .

    Too cute bags… and nice photography as well of them! :-)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 6:43 am | Permalink
  47. Ashley Mae said . . .

    Wahoo, what cute stuff :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 7:14 am | Permalink
  48. martha said . . .

    these are so stinkin’ cute!!! i need one for sure!!

    and btw…congratulations on the 11 pounds – i know the struggle well, and i’m so glad to hear you have that victory under your belt…our out of it…or just…gone. :P

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 8:13 am | Permalink
  49. erin said . . .

    Those bags are awesome. I would love to win one.

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 8:21 am | Permalink
  50. Elisabeth said . . .

    I am ALL about a stylish bag to carry groceries around in. :) Fun idea!

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 10:11 am | Permalink
  51. Curtis Farmer said . . .

    This is fantastic! We use these types of bags whenever we can… Love it!

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 10:19 am | Permalink
  52. karen c. said . . .

    I’m impressed with people who use their own bags when grocery shopping but don’t think I’ll ever be one of them — we simply buy too many groceries when we go shopping. I mean, are you supposed to take twenty bags with you to the store? But I do love all your other green tips. Some of those I’d never thought of before.

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 10:31 am | Permalink
  53. Jeanette LeBlanc said . . .

    Yay for you – there are so many small but easy ways to go green!

    I’d love to win :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 10:34 am | Permalink
  54. Jennifer said . . .

    Way to Go Green!!! One of our go green household resolutions last year was to start composting (the other was to stop buying bottled water), our city already forces us to recycle and they implemented “green” boxes for kitchen waste but we felt it rather stupid to give the city our waste only to buy it back every spring in the form of dirt for our gardens. It took a few months to sort it all out out but with spring just around the corner im getting eager to see our accomplishment make our yard greener :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 10:41 am | Permalink
  55. TARA C said . . .

    Love the tips! Could learn sooo much from you would love to sit down with you or observe a shoot! Too bad I live so far away!!! Thanks again!

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 11:13 am | Permalink
  56. candice said . . .

    Cute! Love it :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 11:21 am | Permalink
  57. Laurie said . . .

    Absolutely adore the mika and bu bags :)

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 11:35 am | Permalink
  58. amber said . . .

    Congrats on sticking with your resolutions, Ashley! My husband thinks I am total overkill regarding recycling, but it’s so easy to do & makes such an impact, so why not?!

    Posted January 28, 2010 at 11:50 am | Permalink
  59. Laura said . . .

    Super cute!!!
    Love the purple one.

    Posted January 29, 2010 at 8:42 am | Permalink

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