2020-04-01 Real Simple

We have a compost

heap for our gar-

dens, and we keep

chickens. Between

a hungry husband,

Mother Nature, and

chickens who like

food scraps (their

favorites are rice,

spaghetti, and vege-

tables from salad

and soup), no food

goes to waste.

SANDRE MOORE,

PLEASANTON, TEXAS

I use a mop with

washable pads,

swap kids’ clothes

with other moms,

and, of course,

keep all the card-

board for forts

and spaceships.

@MASON_DIXIES

Each season, I save

all my Amazon card-

board boxes and

use them to line my

flower beds before

mulching. They pro-

vide fantastic weed

control and naturally

break down.

@JENNCOLLINS

I wear contacts,

so I end up with a

lot of screw-top

lens cases. These

cases double as

containers for

small amounts of

lotion, cream, foun-

dation, toothpaste,

and hair gel when I

want to travel light.

MARY RUOF,

AUSTIN, TEXAS

When I need some-

thing, I “shop my

house” first. If I take

the time to consider

alternative uses for

them, I find that my

otherwise ordinary

items can be rein-

vented. One example:

I attached a book-

case headboard to

a work bench and

added a coat of paint.

Now it’s an amazing

potting bench!

GWEN JORGENSON,

PHOENIX

Reader of the Month

Next Question

WHO IS YOUR DREAM DINNER-PARTY GUEST, AND WHY?

Send an email to [email protected] and let us know your answer

to this question. Your response could appear on these pages.

KAREN BOYER, 26

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

What’s your favorite

way to reuse or recycle

items in your home?

I’m a big water drinker.

I use GT’s Living Foods glass

bottles or pickle jars as

water bottles.

What’s your pet’s name?

Mila.

What do you really call her?

Baby.

Favorite room

My living room. I’ve spent

more than four years collecting

and curating some of the best

high-end thrifted and vintage

furniture. I’d say about 80

percent of my home is vintage.

“Reduce, reuse” is an under-

statement in this household!

Favorite chore

I love vacuuming my wool rug.

I’m surprised every time

by how much stuff comes out.

Most organized part of your life

Workwise, I journal and

keep up with my extremely

organized to-do list.

Personally, my dresser!

Least organized part of your life

My small kitchen sink.

HEAD SHOT COURTESY OF SHELBY SPENCER

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