the ReFab Diaries

Trimming my waste: Week 31 (refashion giveaway!)

in , by Candice



Goals - Week 31:

  • Give away what I don't need
  • Say thanks for all the support I've been given
  • Encourage all of you to upcycle and relove! 

I'm 31 weeks into my challenge! I'm celebrating this milestone by giving away lovely books I don't need. Because I now have multiple copies of them.

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Trimming my waste: Week 30 (zero-waste jam)

in , by Candice

Goals - Week 30: 

1. Make the most of things that come free
2. Make jam/preserves for the first time
3. Make sure that an abundance of fruit (free of pesticide and packaging) isn't wasted

I've never picked raspberries (I grew up in South Africa - I picked avocados, pecan nuts, papaya, passion fruit, lychees etc... but not raspberries). And I've never made jam or canned anything. So what prompted this series of firsts? Free fruit growing wild in Chicago. A huge, overflowing hedge of wild (ish) raspberries. In its prime right as my friend Johnny became a tenant of the property. Giving him some right to pick the berries. So we picked them. How could we not?

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Trimming my waste: Week 29 (zero-waste office)

in , by Candice

Goals - Week 29: 
  1. Walk the walk at work and at home
  2. Share good ideas for reducing office waste
  3. Appreciate working with people who share my values.

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Trimming my waste: Week 28 (recycling cork)

in , by Candice

Goals - Week 28: 
  1. Find a way to keep meaningful things around and functioning
  2. Find resources for recycling cork
  3. Keep it simple

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Trimming my waste: Week 27 (clock rehab)

in , , by Candice


Goals - Week 27: 
  1. Repurpose
  2. Upcycle
  3. Draw!
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Trimming my waste: Week 26 (#plasticfreeJuly)

in , by Candice


Goals - Week 26: 
  1. Commit to #plasticfreeJuly
  2. Make an extra effort to avoid single-use plastic items
  3. Spread the word

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Trimming my waste: Week 25 (mending spree!)

in , by Candice


Goals - Week 25: 
  • Repair things I love to wear
  • Admit that I'm not going to lose "those 5 lbs" before September (and so resize stuff!)
  • Go on a mending (rather than a spending) spree

I live in Chicago. It's either cool or cold a lot and I wear some version of jeans most of the year (because I have the kind of full-time job where that's ok). Then summer happens. It feels like it will never come and then it does. And it always surprises me. The first time I try on things I haven't worn in a year... well, it's rarely fun. Because I've gained a few inches. Or because I realize my favorite things are still unwearable. Because I neglected to fix something that was a problem a year ago. 
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Trimming my waste: Week 24 (pupcycling)

in , by Candice
What to do with an old sweatshirt or sweatpants?

If you're interested in upcycling some cozy old loungewear, you're in the right place. Turning an old sweatshirt into a coat for chilly puppy is easy!



Goals - Week 24: 
  • Celebrate upcycling of every sort!
  • Encourage everyone to just start somewhere 
  • Keep reminding myself (and you): a "zero-waste" lifestyle is about mindfulness, choice and creativity - not perfection

Meet Peanut. Four months old and just 1.7 kg (3.5 lbs). She's not only the star of this (p)upcycle, she's also the newest member of a popular Instagram family! (see them together below)

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