Going Greener with Marcal® Small Steps®

In one week it'll be Earth Day 2011 and while we try to make earth concious decisions all year long, it's a great time to share with you one of the small things families like ours can do every day, that don't require a drastic change in our lifestyle or a hefty price tag.  One we've recently been introduced to is switching paper products. 

Marcal® Small Steps® makes toilet paper, napkins and paper towels made from 100% premium recycled paper. Just in time for Earth Day, Marcal is introducing two MAJOR product innovations. Marcal Small Steps two-ply bath tissue is now softer, and Marcal Small Steps paper towels are stronger when wet.

Marcal believes that: Switching to paper products made from 100% recycled paper may seem like a small thing, but it actually adds up. Did you know that most paper products use virgin trees in their production? If every household in the U.S. replaced one package of traditional toilet paper with Marcal Small Steps, together, we could help save nearly one million trees. And, in your own home, a family of four could save two trees a year (17 trees over 10 years) just by switching to paper products made from 100% recycled materials. To see how your small steps add up, check out Marcal’s tree calculator.

We received samples of both the Marcal Small Steps two-ply bath tissue and Marcal Small Steps paper towels.  Right out of the packaging, the first thing my daughter noticed is that little hearts are imprinted on the bath tissue.  I though that was a nice twist of a love the earth kind of theme.  It also meant that she immediately wanted it for her bathroom, which was fine by me, because at going on five she still uses a lot of paper with each flush.  It's especially good to know we're making smarter choices, as I teaching her to have less waste and pull off fewer sheets at a time is a work in progress.

We normally use a really thick ultrasoft bath tissue, and I can't lie, Marcal's Small Step two-ply bath tissue  is not the same.  There is a definitely a different texture and it rougher.  That being said, it's still on par with most bath tissues you encounter out & about and in many homes.  I think for many people it's a fine alternative and the knowledge you're helping save trees and using recycled and eco-friendly products is worth any trade off for the difference in softness.

We've also been using the Marcal Small Steps paper towels and these I have been very happy with.  I don't notice a difference in performance between their paper towels and the ones we'd bought previously.  Plus I really like that Marcal's aren't bleached white with cholorine bleach.  I feel I could comfortably make the switch to Marcal's 100% recycled paper towels with an inner core of recycled paper.

You can also learn more about Marcal Small Steps on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.  To find a store near you, check out their store finder.



Disclosure: Complimentary review products, product images, and product information were received via a PR representative.  The experiences and opinions related are personal, unbiased, and uncompensated in any other way.

A Crafty Soiree #33

Hi Everyone!  Thanks for joining us for another week of crafty goodness, I am excited to share that last week was our biggest party ever!  That was super exciting and we really appreciate each and every one of you taking the time to come by and share you talents!  For my three features this week I've spotlighted three spring Easter projects.

Did you love the Egg-A-Labra at Potterybarn this season? I know I immediately wanted one.  Then I saw the price!!!  Good thing we can all enjoy the knock off version at Brassy Apple, there's lots of photos and a video how-to so you can make one for a fraction of the cost!

These place markers on Fowl Single File are so darn cute!  I love them for the kid's table, the kids can even make them and the farm animal theme makes them perfect for all of spring.

Speaking of farm animals, isn't the chick hair clip at MaryJanes and Galoshes super cute?!  I love that she's wearing a little flower!

 
<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>Ladies, for being our features this week, we're happy to offer you our special Crafty Soiree Ribbon! It's yours to proudly display! Don't forget to check out today's Crafty Soiree post at Yesterday on Tuesday, we both pick three participants to feature each week so you might have been featured by Malia. But you'll have to visit her to find out!

 
<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>Now it's your turn to link up! The linky will be open for a week, so you have plenty of time to join us! Here are some guidelines for our guests:

• Link up your creative projects! Crafts, Kid Crafts, Decor, Recipes, Sewing and Organizing tips are are welcome.
• Add up to FOUR links to share, you can link up projects from your archives, but please make sure it's not something you've previously linked up to A Crafty Soiree AND you add a link back to the party!
• Add your links to the specific posts and not your blog's homepage.
• Add my Crafty Soiree button above or link back to me in your posts, so others can find us and join in!
• Please comment on the post linked up in front of you. All partygoers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!
• Please consider following the hostesses, me and Malia, we want to get to know our guests.
• Most importantly... enjoy yourself and have fun!

Don't forget, A Crafty Soiree is hosted on two blogs, so when you link up on one your link will automatically show up on the other one too! Please note, by linking up to A Crafty Soiree, you're giving permission to feature your project and photos in the future, with proper credit of course☺

My Carrie Creations: Dinosaur Toddler Backpack

Isn't this toddler dinosaur backpack really cute?!  I love the fabric and the big buttons!  We just won it through a giveaway at House on Ashwell Lane.  Radhika let me know we were the winners on the fifth and our package arrived on the 8th!  I was really surprised by but very happy with the fast turn around time.

I was really tempted to get Pretty Princess Dress Up Preschool Backpack, but since the bags are sized at approximately 10" x 10" x 2 /12", I knew that ER would outgrow it soon.   I think the dinosaur design will be great for our baby to be when he gets a little older.  If he's anything like his big sis, he'll love to bring along little toys and snacks with him.  We'll get a lot of use out of it, it's the perfect size for little ones and it's great to have a cute print that's all boy!

We got the backpack from My Carrie Creations, the owner Paula has been sewing for years and shares that her items are, "Made to last...all seams are serged, ribbons are heat sealed, appliques are hand cut, heat bonded on and satin stitched to the fabric." After seeing her bag in person I can definitely agree, it's a bag sewen to last through many trips around town with a toddler! 

I wish I'd have known about Paula's store last year when we went to Disney World, the Miss Mouse design or these romper overalls would've been absolutely perfect for ER.  Paula also makes really cute girly clothes, I love the bright colors and polka dots of her boutique twirl skirt and corset set.

Thank you to Paula at My Carrie Creations for providing the awesome backpack and to Radhika at House on Ashwell Lane for hosting the giveaway!