Calling to Spring – April 2022 Tamed Wild Subscription Box Review

PC Kendall Hurley

Hi guys! Today I’m going to do a review of the April Tamed Wild subscription box. The theme of this box is springtime so expect flowers and abundance. This box was purchased by me and all opinions are my own, I was not paid to create a review.

The Tamed Wild subscription boxes are $20.00 USD per month, plus shipping. Their shipping rates just went up over the new year, so be careful for that. They have monthly, 3 months, 6 months, and annual plans. Each box contains 4 or 5 items. I’ve been getting their boxes for over a year and a half now, so I have a pretty solid opinion of them by now.

Let’s go over the items in the box:

Ceramic Planter: I really like the marbled appearance and texture of this planter. It’s a little small but perfect for a desk planter. They also included a compostable cup to start growing your plant, and there is a hole in the bottom for drainage. Pretty good quality!

Forget-me-not seeds: You could have gotten these or marigold or money plant seeds; I obviously got the forget-me-nots. Which I love, because they remind me of home. Forget-me-nots symbolize love, respect and dedication. I’m happy with this item, but do be careful: if not contained, they’ll definitely spread in your garden.

Green aventurine worry stone: Aventurine is a very pretty stone with a little bit of natural shimmer to it. Worry stones are often oval shaped with a divot in the middle to “worry.” I like more tactile stones; I find fidgeting with them rather comforting.

I was a little disappointed because my stone was much paler in color and kind of translucent. It’s pretty but not very good quality material. I’ve gotten better quality aventurine from Tamed Wild before though, so it may have been a fluke.

Abundance kit: I really like do-it-yourself kits and if you are new to intention setting, this is a good start. The kit includes: a needle, green thread, yellow fabric, a small vial of mugwort, and a green candle. Green symbolizes abundance, luck and prosperity, and spring invites those concepts in. I’m excited to use mine!

Sticker: This time we also received a Tamed Wild sticker, featuring a gazing ball and moon emblem. I’m always down for a fun sticker, but I’m not sure where I’d put this one.

Is it worth it?

In my opinion, the Tamed Wild boxes are generally good value for money, especially when comparing the items to ones you could buy in a metaphysical shop. Sometimes the quality of the items is lower, but there is always one item that outstands. This time I think it’s the planter; one can always use more plants and therefore planters around. Or it could make a nice gift! I like how Tamed Wild always has a theme and then they match a ritual to that theme, like making an abundance kit.

While it’s a good value, I do wish their shipping times would be better. I get mine sent at the end of the month it’s supposed to be for, which is kind of annoying, and it takes a while to arrive. I received the April box in May, for example. And while their customer service is pretty good, their packaging can sometimes leave more to be desired. But I do like supporting them because it is good value and I stan a woman-owned small business.

Do you get the Tamed Wild box? What do you think of it? What was your favorite item on the list?

Rant: The problems with fast fashion/The need to support makers

In a follow up to my post about knitting, I have a rant I want to make today. I follow a lot of maker account on Instagram; these are people who make and sell a variety of handmade goods and sell them online or at local markets. For them, this can either be a primary or supplementary source of income, but it’s always a labor of love. As someone who attempts to DIY and make a lot of things in her life, for herself or others, these accounts inspire me.

I’ve also written about why I prefer to thrift versus purchase fast fashion clothing pieces, which you can read about here. As we approach the gift-giving season, I feel as though it is important to say a few words about mindful shopping.

Fast fashion is, in my opinion, totally ridiculous from a variety of points. It is not good for the environment, for our wallets, and oftentimes exploits garment workers, who are usually women and children working in terrible conditions making very little money. Obviously, fashion changes and evolves over time, but it used to do so at a more gradual rate. Sewing is a skill, and art form, and people used to value taking care of their clothes. Now, they don’t as much. Fast fashion is cheaper than buying handmade clothes or altered clothes from an artist or designer, which is a big part of the reason people choose fast fashion over smaller makers.

There are also documented problems with big companies stealing artwork from makers, which I won’t get into right now, but is also a problem. If cost is what is driving you to purchase fast fashion, I recommend thrifting or even learning a little sewing yourself, to alter clothes or perhaps make them yourself. Or, shop your own closet and focus more on your own style than what’s on the runway.

Because I am someone who knits, sews, and dabbles in other handicrafts, I can understand the frustration from people who do this for a living with smaller businesses. It is super hard to keep your prices low enough as a small business owner to compete with the larger companies out there with similar products. There is the cost of materials and labor, because yes, you do have to compensate someone for their time when they create something.

A large part of why this is such a big issue and why it matters is because the exploitation of people who make clothes is primarily focused on women, and almost always has been. This is simply unjust, and why it is so important to listen when you hear about these issues and take a stand. A simple, slightly more costly way to make this change is to support smaller makers and artists when it comes to buying things for yourself or purchasing gifts.

When you buy something from a maker you found in Instagram or Etsy, you are directly supporting another human. You are letting them know that their product is worth their time. Products that are designed and made by smaller businesses tend to be made of better materials, and therefore will last longer.

Handmade gifts carry, in my opinion, more meaning and thought behind them. I’m aware that a lot of time can be spent picking out gifts to buy to give from department stores and all that, but whether you are making the gift or someone else is, it is a timely task that deserves more credit.

Each year, I make at least one gift for each person in my list. This year, almost everyone is getting a headband, because I love making them. That’s the thing – craftspeople and artisans make things out of a labor of love, and that is something to be admired and respected. If making gifts is something you are interested in exploring, I have some recommendations for Youtube channels you can check out for tutorials and inspiration: Annika Victoria/LittlePineNeedle and Makoccino.

As promised, here are some of my favorite makers to follow on Instagram:

• Leafling Bags
• Freya Handmade
• Odd Witch
• Yardia
• PastryPets by MarninSaylor

Each of these makers create something so beautiful and unique. As you can probably tell by now, this issue of supporting small businesses and reducing the amount of fast fashion in our lives is something I am pretty passionate about. So I’d love to hear any thoughts others might have on the topic.

Why I love knitting

I’ve mentioned that I knit in a couple of previous posts before. I like projects and being creative, and knitting is a useful skill to have. My maternal grandmother taught me how to knit when I was about eight years old, and I still have the first scarf I ever made. I picked out the yarn myself, a bright goldenrod yellow, and made a scarf for my doll. It is pretty pathetic looking, but I kept it to remind me how far I’ve come, in more things than knitting.

Now, I am not a great and talented knitter. I’m not the Wizard of Oz of knitting. That would be my mother, she knits amazing things. The stuff that comes off of her needles could sell on Etsy for a lot of money. But she makes mittens, scarves, headbands, hats, sweaters and things for friends and family. She actually donates knit baby caps to the neonatal unit at the local hospital, and makes knit and felt mittens that she raises money for the Mesothelioma research foundation when she sells them. My mom is great.

I like to knit, not because I’m incredible at it, although I have given some things as gifts and probably will again this Christmas, but because it is soothing and fun. I’m a grandma at 25 (not actually) and I bring my knitting bag in the car because it helps with my anxiety and I’m not sitting on my phone the whole trip. I like having something productive to do with my hands.

I’ve made a lot of headbands and scarves to give away this year. Headbands are a great way to use up yarn. I also made two sweaters, a mini one and one for Drypp. She secretly loves it. Knitting also reminds me of my mom and both of my grandmothers, and all the women who came before them who made clothes to keep their families cozy and warm through the generations. I feel a connection to that heritage with my knitting. I can’t make patterns yet, but I can create stripes and that’s pretty cool.

Knitting is a hobby and I love it. I don’t think doing something that makes you happy and is creative is a waste of time. I get my yarn from Walmart, so it isn’t expensive either. My next project is to attempt a hat, so wish me luck!

How I use pumpkin + DIY pumpkin purée

It’s fall y’all! I’ve already written one post this season about squash, but I’m on a train I don’t want to get off of. I’m embracing my inner #basic and eating all the seasonal veggies this year.

While I don’t love pumpkin spice lattes, mostly because I’m not a coffee drinker, I do use pumpkin in a variety of ways this time of year. Actually, I should be using it year-round, but fresh, local pumpkins are cheapest right now. You can always get the canned stuff, but clearly I enjoy taking the longer DIY route. This is how I purée pumpkin/other squash, but it’s pretty simple.

First, I use pie pumpkins. They are sweeter and smaller, and easier to deal with. After washing, I cut off the top like you would if you were carving a pumpkin, then gut it. I save the seeds for roasting, which I do afterwards. Then I use my big knife to cut the pumpkin into approximately four even pieces, then set them on a lined baking sheet and pop them into a preheated oven at 400F for at least an hour. I’ve tried both setting the pumpkin flesh side up and down, and I don’t think it affects the end products much.

Then I wash the seeds and toss them in either seasoning salt or some paprika. These make a great salty snack alternative to chips and popcorn. Or you could use them in a salad! Once the pumpkin flesh is soft and you can stick a fork all the way through it, I take it out and let it cool some. Then I peel the skin off and roughly cut the flesh up. Then I add that with a little bit water to my blender and purée for 20-30 seconds. Pour it into an airtight, reusable container and voilá! Easy as (pumpkin) pie!

Even though it takes longer, I think it is fun and can be worth it to make your own pumpkin purée if you can get local pumpkins. I ended up with four and a half mason jars of purée from two pie pumpkins, which were apiece the cost of one can of the store bought stuff.

What do I do with it all? Well, last night I made a delicious pumpkin soup that was so yummy and simple. I simply heated up a jar of the purée with some veggie broth, added sautéed onion and garlic, popped in leftover roasted veggies and chicken, and it was amazing. And so simple to throw together!

I do plan on making a pie, but my favorite way to consume pumpkin is with a pumpkin spice chocolate chip muffin. These are also super simple to make and are a hit at any party. Simply add the pumpkin in place of egg and oil to a spice cake mix (or you can do it from scratch) and fold in chocolate chips, then bake like normal. These are perfectly sweet and there are dozens of other recipes online you can follow. They are just perfect!

I’m also interested in trying out a macaroni and cheese recipe that incorporates puréed squash, but I haven’t tried it yet. Pumpkin is full of fiber and vitamins A and C, so I feel like those muffins are “healthier” than other recipes. How do you like to eat pumpkin?

10 things to always keep in your purse

After much trial and error, I have come to the conclusion that these are the ten things you should always, always, always keep with you when you leave your house. Now I’m well aware that switching purses/backpacks/satchels/whatever to go with your outfit and suit the occasion is important, so I would recommend keeping these items in a smaller pouch and transferring it to and from. It is an extra step to do before you leave, but if you find yourself needing one of these things, it is well worth it.

1. Hair ties! Someone always needs a hair tie. I just get a big pack from the dollar store and keep a few with me always. I have a lot of long hair, so being able to wrangle it back is essential.
2. Tissues! You never know when you’ll need one. Some days I get runny noses if it’s windy out; or you might need to mop up a little spill or fix your lipstick.
3. Tampons/pads! If you don’t need one, someone else will, and you’ll literally save their day.
4. Hand sanitizer! I work in a city and take the bus a lot, so hand sanitizer is a must for me. If you work in customer service and touch cash or people a lot, sanitizing is crucial. And flu season is every season!
5. Hand lotion! With all that sanitizing, your hands can get dried out easily. So keep a lotion around to minimize this. Also, you can use a little dollop of it to smooth down frizzy hair if you’re having one of those days.
6. Ibuprofen! I went ahead and reused a little baggie that some earrings came in to store a few tablets, this seems to be the most convenient way so you aren’t toting around a noisy bottle. Whether it’s cramps, a headache, or you’re sore from yesterday’s workout, keeping some pain relief tablets on hand is a good idea.
7. Pen! Keeping a pen handy is a great idea because you never know if you’re going to get inspired for a blog post, need to write down contact info, sign something at the doctor’s office, or whatever. Personally I keep a purple pen in my little pouch, but feel free to use another color.
8. Pocket mirror! This one I learned from my gram, who always has one in her bag. Not only can you check on your makeup, you could also use it to start a fire on a deserted island. You know, just in case.
9. Lip balm! I like to keep one with SPF around because even on a cloudy day UV rays are still coming down. Again with that fire starting thing on an island, you can use a little bit of balm as starter. And no matter what the situation is, no one likes dry lips.
10. Phone charger! Whether you bring a pre-charged thingamabob with you or an actual charging cord, you never know when you might need one of these. Even though we probably all need to work on getting less screen time and living in the moment, it’s also really nice to keep your phone charged up in case of an emergency. You could also keep one of these in your car, too.

Is there anything you think I should add to this list? What are 10 essentials you keep with you? I always have a pad of paper and a book with me, but they don’t fit in my little pouch.

What you as a grandchild can do for a grandparent to stay connected

As my grandparents have gotten older and moved out of their houses I visited as a child and into independent/dependent care facilities, the way that I’ve interacted with them has evolved. I am very lucky to have 3 grandparents still living, and I got to see them this summer, which I am so grateful for. What I have learned is that despite growing older and shifting schedules, they still want to be a part of my life. So, I’ve adapted.

Communication and connection is essential as we age. Our society tends to shove people aside as they get older, which is really unfair. Grandparents have a lot to offer in terms of wisdom, stories, and love. So I have some advice for those who want to maintain or improve contact with aging loved ones, from my own experience.

• Communicate on their level, with patience
  • Not everyone has the same kind of experience with technology, so be prepared to communicate on their level. You also may need a lot of patience with grandparents who are hard of hearing and have physical disabilities. Your going the extra mile to interact with them in ways that they understand goes a long way and you won’t regret it.
• Schedule calls/Skype/FaceTime
  • Make time in your schedule to call or video chat. Once or twice a month is probably what most people can make time for, but it will mean a lot to both parties. Keep a little list of things you guys can talk about and catch up on, and don’t get annoyed if they repeat themselves. Our memories tend to dissolve as we age and the best thing to do is go with the flow.
• Send snail mail
  • Letters, notes, and post cards break up the monotony of an empty mailbox and the annoyance of bills and spam mail. Taking the time to jot down a card really shows you care. I like to fill my grandparents in on any recent trips I took, how work is going, any projects I’ve been doing, and of course how Drypp is doing. Sending a thank you note for something they send you is also a really nice gesture.
• Mutual respect for schedules
  • They will most likely not want to bother you because they know how busy you are. Show them that same respect and coordinate times to talk on the phone that work for everyone.
• What kind of gifts can you give?
  • For birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, not everyone needs more stuff. Actually, most of us could do with less stuff. In lieu of things, I like to give special food items, like nice chocolates or a local fancy jam. I also curated a list of homemade and useful gifts I like to give people, with you can find here. Flowers, books, movie tickets, and gifts cards to a favorite restaurant are also thoughtful options.

 

Budget Eating: DIY home grown PICKLES

As some of you may already know, I have been growing cucumbers in my victory garden this year. A few weeks ago, I finally had enough growing and ready to be harvested that I was able to try my hand at making pickles for this year. Now, I am not a huge fan of pickles but I do like dill pickles and so does my boyfriend. I had also never made pickles before so I had to do some research first.

What I learned is that you can use either fresh or dried dill, which is what I happened to have on hand. I also read that you should use apple cider or white vinegar, and you can’t use regular table salt in the brine. It has to be kosher or pickling salt. So I picked all that up, along with a few other things, and got to slicing up my cucumbers. I decided to cut mine into circles, which made sense to me because I plan on using theses in sandwiches and on burgers.

Once I had all my cucumbers washed and sliced, I began preparing my brine. I didn’t use a specific recipe; rather, I ended up combining a few according to what I had and what I recall my mom doing as a kid. I used a 1:4 ratio of vinegar to water, with a tablespoon of sugar and 3 tablespoons of pickling salt. I brought that mixture to a boil and then let it cool in the fridge. Then I added 2-3 cloves of peeled garlic, along with 2-3 tablespoons of dried dill weed and a pinch of pepper to my jars. I used recycled glass jars for this, ones that I’ve been saving from pasta sauces and whatever else over the past year.

Then I stacked in my cucumber slices, making sure to get as many in as possible. I had probably 2 1/2 pounds of cucumbers, which filled 6 big jars. It is important to stack your slices in tightly, so when you add the brine they don’t float to the top and out of the liquid. Then I filled the jars up with the brine and put them all in the fridge, closing the lids tightly. Then I said a prayer that this would work.

They’ve now been in the fridge for not quite two weeks and I check them daily for mold or other spoilage. So far, so good! One thing I noticed in my research is that the pickles need to sit for a little while before you can enjoy them. I know I didn’t cut all the circles evenly, so next time I’ll be sure to do that so they all pickle evenly. That’s not a sentence I thought I’d ever say, but here we are! It was also quite interesting to see how each cucumber was different in shape and size; organic foods are so different than what you can get in the supermarket.

Have you made homegrown pickles before? If so, do you have any tips?

DIY: Wedding Emergency Kit & Tips

Summertime is wedding season, and while this is a beautiful time for celebration, it can also be stressful. Whether you are getting married, a member of the bridal party, family, or just invited, there are a few things I have learned that can make this time a little easier.

What to bring:

• Bandaids for high heel blisters
• Compact mirror for touchups
• Tissues for smeared makeup and tears
• A hair tie to tie back your ‘do on the dance floor
• A lightweight shawl or sweater if the reception is outside at night (also provides something to sit on)
• A heartfelt card for the lucky couple
• A good attitude
• Wear something comfortable, something you feel good in that follows the dress code but you can also eat and dance in

Drink lots of water.

Even if you plan on staying sober for the party, make sure you are staying truly hydrated.  Sugary mocktails can dehydrate you as much as alcohol can, so remember to have a glass of water every hour.

Photo by Alicia Zinn on Pexels.com

If you are in the bridal party/bridesmaid, there a couple of things I’ve learned are good have on hand in a little clutch or makeup bag.

• Clear nail polish in case someone’s nails begin to chip or the bride is a nail biter
• Plenty of hair ties and bobby pins
• A little travel size bottle of hairspray
• Lip balm
• A small tube of sunscreen
• Compact mirror and blotting wipes, as well as a pack of tissues
• Bandaids
• Phone charger
• This isn’t necessary, but a disposable or Polaroid camera can be a fun touch to document the getting ready process, ceremony, and party

Some things that you should not bring/wear to a wedding are:

• Your own alcohol, unless the invitation says to
• Don’t wear white, and check with the bride if off white is okay
• Crazy high heels you can’t move in
• A really high hair do no one can see over
• Don’t bring your children if the invitation explicitly says not to
• Unless you have specific dietary needs or preferences, don’t bring in your own food
• A speaker for you to play your own music
• Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum, because you want to remember this event