When, like me, you are very careful about where your money goes, who it goes to, what it goes to support and perpetuate, etc. you tend to be specific about where you ask others to spend their money, and on what. Turns out I am also just pretty particular. It's a good and a bad thing, but when you live in a shoe-box apartment it feels like a pretty good thing as you can easily reject things, and you have to reject A LOT. There is a "To Saint Vincent's" bag almost constantly by the door and DON'T ASK ME WHERE all that stuff comes from, but it doesn't fit in here.
Being poor is one thing that makes my particularity seem like less of a good thing, but really I'm not that poor, nor do I want anything too terribly expensive. In fact, I tend to dislike the overpriced on principle (though, I'm not a huge fan of the cheap.)
Another draw-back of particularity is that a couple times a year people buy me things (it's wonderful!) but these people are often at a loss about what to buy. So, as February 28th is just around the bend (for grown-ups, to whom time flies), I'm posting some of my FAVORITE THINGS (that would do my apartment some good) along with a reminder for you all to pay attention to where your money is going. There are people and companies out there that are earning less and working harder in order to produce things ethically and wouldn't it be wonderful if they were rewarded with a booming business this year? My list represents mostly artists and artisans from etsy.com but I urge you while out doing your shopping this season to be aware of your choices. Look for things Made in the USA, choose smaller, local companies over national chains. Choose companies that support Fair Trade, use less packaging, grow organically and, if nothing else, those that make a really good product.
Hm. Now I'm wishing I had more examples to illustrate my point... but I'm so in love with Etsy!
Oh well, you should be in love with Etsy too, so here goes:
THE LIST de BIRTHDAY
As expected I was SO HAPPY with my frames from Signed & Numbered. My sister, Brooke, bought me THREE of these frames which I immediately put into use and forgot to post pictures of. Those are coming. I guess when Brooke went to buy my frames the ones she wanted to buy were sold out so she "convoed" the guy (Phil, I think his name is) and he looked at my blog and made three frames according to what I had said I wanted! Brooke was very happy. I was more happy. I am dying for more, like these:
These "vintage silver" and "smokey blue" numbers would complete a framing vision of mine begun with the two smaller ones I got for "Christmas" (early Christmas).
This beautiful red one would be perfect for a picture of Tom! I'm dying to have one on the desk to gaze at (occasionally) while I try to study. There is a picture of him now but it's on the loose. I prop it up in the pen jar. It shifts around when I need pens.
While we are still somewhat on the subject of frames I'll show you this print that I've had bookmarked for awhile now. I understand this might not be for everyone, it's a little unusual, a little bit eerie. But at some point in our young marriage Tom and I were watching a lot of anime. It was all pretty mainstream but still had that weird and other-worldly feeling. This print has that same feeling and makes me nostalgic for that time. Plus it's adorable.
This is just one example of all the adorable things alleluja makes, all of which make me happy.
Now here is something really practical as well as nice to look at. This is a perpetual calendar, meaning you leave it up year after year and you put things on it that happen the same day every year (birthdays, anniversaries...) It's SO convenient and this one much more so. This particular calendar is specifically designed for the Pacific Northwest and tells you each month what to plant and what is in season! BEST CALENDAR EVER!
I am not yet able to garden (we have landscapers and a shared lawn) but I still want to know what's in season locally when I go shopping. And someday I will have a garden and I'll still be using this calendar.
OK. Now for an Etsy break. I have found it, folks. I have found the... the... yeesh! I'm drawing a blank! The thing that you believe exists but is impossible to find.
This is A PLASTIC SPATULA MADE IN THE USA!!!
Trust me, I have been looking for a LONG TIME. These are hard to come by. In fact, this is the first I've seen. Find it here.
Not only is is plastic and made in the USA but apparently everyone loves it. All the reviews were 5 stars. Doesn't it look sturdy?
Speaking of sturdy, what do you think of a concrete bowl? I think it's terrific! This is another thing I've had my eye on for a long time. It's not something I can justify buying but it is certainly something I can justify owning. If I ever do have that pleasure it will most likely sit (without moving) in the center of my kitchen/dining room table. In my kitchen/dining room I have a couple places where onions, garlic, fruit and the like, congregate. One is a delicate white bowl on top of the fridge, one is a huge glass plate on top of the shelves. Few things make me as happy in the kitchen as seeing these spots full of produce, or filling them with produce or grabbing up out of them an onion or a pear. I guess it feels luxurious, like I'm surrounded by cornucopias.
If you're thinking I couldn't use another one you are mistaken. Plus who needs to "use" it? It's like a sculpture. A polka-dotted sculpture!
Another "sculpture" I love is Sammy. Actually I love almost everything flowerhead makes. But Sammy is quite a stump and he is my favorite.
However, I would like to end on a slightly more practical note with this sheep's skin. Oh glorious sheep's skin! I grew up with these around to curl up and take a nap on (if the cat didn't beat you to it) and there is nothing quite like it. I am determined to own one once I have a baby but I would love to own one immediately.
We have an old wood and canvas cot in out office set up next to the shelves of books. It makes a kind of couch but mostly just collects the detritus of a work room. But I can just see it now. A sheep skin spread out over that old cot surrounded by books: the perfect place to read or take a nap. The perfect excuse for me to keep the office tidy and finish all the projects piled up in the corner.
Well, I'm convinced. I need it.
Maybe you need it too, and some frames, or a spatula.
For those who read this with my birthday in mind, I hope this helped in some way. And I remember now that I wanted to post much more from Lush.com. Stay tuned.
For those who read this for fun I hope it was fun! I hope these links will lead you to many happy shopping experiences. (Though, don't buy that specific polka dot bowl, it's one of a kind and I want it.) I also hope my advice will stick with you through the holiday season and longer. I have never regretted giving my money to a responsible, ethical company or person.
Happy Holidays! Happy New Year! Happy Birthday to me!
2 comments:
Oh. My. Gosh! I LOVE that Pacific Northwest perpetual calender!
Oh, and thanks for mentioning fair trade. I recently read about how non-fair trade cacao farmers work under what is basically slave conditions. It's pretty sad.
---Jessica
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