“Pop” Top Purse | Evnvironmental A-Wear-Ness

Every year I go to Taos, New Mexico with my family on vacation.  I just love the sweet little shops they have in the Taos Plaza.  This past weekend was the Fiesta and the Plaza was full of life!  While shopping, we came across this store called At Home In Taos.  As soon as you walk in you feel so cozy and comfortable.  The store has a hodgepodge of everything from handmade ceramic buttons to home decor.  While there, I came across this purse made from soda can tabs!  Talk about upcycling!  At $26.95, I thought it was a little steep, but finally gave in and it’s the “greenest” purse that I own!  I just love it and I’m so happy that I bought it.  I’m not sure if Two’s Company actually made this or not, but the tag on the purse said Two’s Company.  On the back of the tag it says this:

“Keep tabs on the environment while making a statement with this eye-catching conversation piece.  Artfully hand crocheted using nylon thread and soda pull-tabs, this stylish ‘eco-chic’ product takes recycling to the next level by raising the awareness of environmental preservation.  With the purchase of each bag, we will make a donation to an eco-friendly organization.  Spot clean only.  Wipe with a cloth.”

One of My Favorite Artists | Mark Ryden

I would like to share one of my all time favorite artists, Mark Ryden.  He is so amazingly talented, that it blows my mind!  He potrays disterbing, yet beautiful images and symbols with incredible technique.  I mean, the man can paint!  He seems to be a very personal man; he is mysterious.  If you’d like to get to know him a bit more, check out this site. I’ve read a lot about him online and still feel that there is more untuched info on him.  His mysterious nature is very appealing to me, I constantly want to know more.  Better yet, I want to know the why’s.  There is something about his paintings that’s truly captivating.  I can look at them for hours and still be amazed at his creativity and skill.  Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.  I think it’s easy to get caught up in all of the reacurring numerology, symbols, and icons, but I like to just let each piece be what it is. Here are his shows/series:  The Snow Yak Show, The Tree Show, Bunnies & Bees, The Meat Show, Blood, Gallery One, Gallery Two, Gallery Three, and Wondertoonel.  Enjoy!

Apple Pie | Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

Mac usres will appreciate this one!  This has to be the funniest thing I’ve seen all day!  The people over at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories are super clever and you have to appriciate the hard work that went into this awesome pie!  I wish I could make an Apple Pie like this one!

On Duty or Off Duty | Pillowcases on Shoestring Home

These On duty and Off Duty Pillowcases are so cute and helpful on those long nights with your new baby. They would make great babyshower gifts! You can find them at Shoestring Home.

Humpday Tutorial | Handmade Soaps with 100 Layer Cake

I love the idea of having soaps made for special occations!  In fact, my mom makes handmade soaps and for my Bridal Shower last summer, she made a variety of natural soaps for all of my gals. They were a smash, because everyone loved the natural textures and scents!  So, when I found this tutorial, I instantly fell in love because it hit home for me.  I really wanted to share this from 100 Layer Cake (the giveaway has already passed, sorry) so you can make your own soaps at home!

Anti-Theft Lunch Bags | Perpetual Kid

These are friggin’ clever as anything!  I just stumbled over them and love them!  These are a fun way to protect your lunch from nasty co-workers or roommates that always steal your lunch.  Well, never again with these awesome little food safe, reusable, and recyclable lunch bags that makes your food look like it has mold on it!  That’s right, these bags make your food look spoiled so no one eats it!  So clever!  You get 25 lunch bags per box for $9.99 at Perpetual Kid.  Enjoy Lunch!

How-To: Beachy Waves | Cupcakes and Cashmere

I’ve been trying to get these waves for so long and it never seemed to work for me.  I always figured that my hair was too short or too long and that’s why it never worked.  Well, now I’m thinking that I just wasn’t getting clear directions.  Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere posted an easy-to-follow tutorial on how to get these natural looking beachy waves.  Check out her Blog for more great tips and tricks!  Thanks Emily!

Paper Scrap Recycling | Design*Sponge DIY

This is a fantastic DIY from D*S!  This is great because you can use your scrap paper, old wrapping paper, newsprint, etc. to cover jar lids, pencils, you name it! This tutorial is easy to follow and you’ll instanly fall in love!

Did You Know? | Earth Day

“Earth Day is the first completely international and universal holiday that the world has ever known.  Every other holiday was tied to one place, or some political or special event.  This day is tied to Earth itself, and to the place of Earth in the whole solar system.”

– Anthropologist Margaret Mead, 1977

buttons | what to do with them

The clothing manufactuers are getting better at actually sewing the extra buttons into the clothing itself, but not all of them do it.  So, what do you do with the extra buttons?  They seem to scatter about the house and when you need one in perticular, you can’t find it.  I decided to go around and gather all of the buttons I could find and put them in a cute little jar with a lid.  I know I have more buttons, I just need to find them!  From now on though, when I buy something with a loose-extra button, it’s going straight into the “Button Jar.”  Depending on the size of jar you choose, you can store it in your sock drawer, cupboard, a shelf, etc.  Be creative and use a funky little jar and it can double as decoration!  Not only will you stay organized, you’ll keep little buttons out of baby and pet mouths!

NOTE:  For all of you crafters out there, be sure to keep these buttons separate from your craft buttons.  You don’t want to use one of your extra clothing buttons on a project and not have it when you really need it!