I LOVE online magazines! Ez, over at Creature Comforts, launched her holiday inspiration and gift guide Gifted Magazine this week. It’s got lots of interviews, project ideas, freebies and gift picks for just about anyone on your list.
image links to source
A movement based on the powerful belief in Kindness, that seeks to bring awareness and healing to the negative and lasting affects of abuse within the “Girl World.” – Kind Campaign
Have you heard about Kind Campaign? I think their mission is important. It’s not only about teaching little girl’s about being nice to each other (or to stop being mean). It’s about all of us being kind to each other and (gasp) even supportive! Why do women so often compete with each other instead of working together? Prettiest, smartest, youngest, thinnest, richest… do you categorize yourself and your female peers this way? This behavior starts early. Only we can change this trend…we are both victim and perpetrator. Visit Kind Campaign to learn about the movement and documentary, take the kind pledge and BE KIND.
[image links to source]
Airs on PBS April 21st (tonight) check here for your zip code’s schedule.
This month, I wrote the air date for Food Inc. on my calendar. POV has a great way to get you and your friends/family to get involved and discuss the documentary’s concerns about the food we eat and where is comes from: Plan a Food, Inc. potluck and screening party! It’s too late for me to have a potluck tonight in honor of the event, but the film will be streaming online for a week, so maybe a little weekend soiré could be in the works? Check out POV’s party kit page for tips on planning your Potluck and a handy PDF checklist. It is recommended that you and your guests eat before watching the film, to avoid any adverse reactions. EEK!
About the film: Food, Inc. is a powerful, startling indictment of industrial food production, revealing truths about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here. Watch the Trailer.
shiny happy
Happy Easter! If you don’t celebrate Easter then HAPPY SUNDAY! The sun was shining through my office window blinds so brightly that I had to pull that happy light right into this month’s FREE desktop wallpaper. The blue is the same sky blue of my office walls. I often do this when I am designing for the blog and the Etsy shop, I let my surroundings and activities inspire me. As should you!
Two sizes available for this wallpaper 1680 x 1050 and 1280 x 768. Right click the links to download (option click for Mac). This week there will be another FREE printable added to the Post project, a list of my top Ten indie business tools and I’ll have a new blog crush to introduce you. Until then, I’m off to consume more marshmallow peeps (which also happen to be the color of happy sunshine!).
[artwork © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen]
I was at a stop light on my way home from work today and I saw this billboard. I guess is worked, because once I got home I went to Values.com to check out the campaign. If you like positive, inspirational stories, quotes and good news visit this site. Values.com’s inspirational values list would be a great tool for a class/group/family projects. I looked through the billboards and found a favorite (Kermit of course!!) also the TV spot “Breakaway” is pretty great. Pass it on!
No matter where we live, we live by values. Because they are worth more when we pass them on, The Foundation For a Better Life chose these values to share. Explore each value or suggest your own.~ Values.com
[images from Values.com]
A few weeks ago stumbled onto this non-profit’s website: To Write Love on her Arms (TWLOHA). After reading about their Vision I was struck by how closely it matched many of the things I remind myself when I’m feeling less than happy (i.e. depressed). I know that depression is a convenient blanket term for “not being happy”. We all feel it from time to time. With the way our society operates, the pressure to be perfect, happy and normal makes being depressed or having problems coping unacceptable; something to hide and be ashamed of. This stigma and shame prevents people from seeking the treatment they need. It also seems that so many people have had their own “problems” or “bad childhoods” that we are desensitized to the pain of others, as if suffering is commonplace. The first part of TWLOHA vision states:
You were created to love and be loved. You were meant to live life in relationship with other people, to know and be known. You need to know that your story is important and that you’re part of a bigger story. You need to know that your life matters.
There are many ways you can donate to TWLOHA and participate in the movement. I’m leaning toward the T-shirt with the print you see above, you’ll find it in the online shop. You can also join the Street Team or donate directly to the cause via Paypal.
If you are suffering with depression, visit the site’s Find Help section. TWLOHA can be the bridge that leads you to resources that can give you hope. Because you matter, and you are not alone.
“what to send when you don’t know what to do.”
Have you ever been in a situation where a friend is going through a tough time (medically, emotionally) and you wanted to comfort them but sending flowers or food didn’t seem quite right? Bee Well Wishes, answers your “what to do” question by offering unique, comfy, and useful gifts to send your recovering loved one. Read the touching Bee Well Story and check out the shop. You’ll find snuggly blankets, T-shirts, jammies and pillow cases to send. Items are lovingly packaged in bright Bee Well boxes and each comes with a personalized gift card!
Contest Alert! Head on over to Skirt.com to enter their Bee Well Wishes Writing Challenge. Submit an uplifting/heart warming story (200 words or less) by midnight Thursday January 14th. If your piece wins, you’ll receive a set of Bee Well pillowcases (and your story will be published on the site for the following week). They’ve got their tissues ready and are daring you to make them cry. You’ve got 24 hours left to enter, better get to it!
[image from BeeWellWishes.com]
According to the American Red Cross:
I’ve set a goal for myself to donate blood this week. I am type O-negative, a universal donor. But there is a great need for all blood types. Everyone is searching out low-cost ways to celebrate this year; be it with handmade goods, donating time or just living more simply. Wouldn’t it be nice to start a new tradition by donating blood and saving lives? Go to the American Red Cross site, enter your zip code and find a blood drive near you. Here’s another fact: One pint of blood can save up to three lives. It’s the season for giving, give life.
[image from givelife.org]
I was watching Jay Leno last week, which I normally wouldn’t do since I’m a Letterman gal (no, not that gal) but I saw a preview that day that said Sandra Bullock would be on Leno, so I was SOLD! I love her to John Cusak proportions. I could watch her all day. Anyways, I’ll save my gushing for another time. This post is mostly about Walton’s Fancy and Staple in Austin, Texas, not my girl crush on Ms. Bullock.
I’m not much of a traveler. There is a very short list of places I would like to travel to. The list goes like this: Savannah, GA anytime…and Ireland, in this lifetime. That’s it. But I’m happy to share with you a new addition to the list! Austin, Texas…specifically Walton’s Fancy and Staple. You’re probably wondering what in tarnation that has to do with Sandra Bullock. Well, while I was watching her on Leno I learned she has a bakery! She brought enough of her Aunt Luddy’s White Trash treat for the whole audience (because she is that awesome). After some creative googling I found Walton’s Staple and Fancy among many posts resembling recycled press releases. Long story short, Ms. Bullock and her sister, Gesine Prado, opened the fab deli-bistro-floral-catering piece of heaven in honor of their mother. (add another reason to the list of why I love Sandra) I’ve borrowed some images from the web site, they all link to the site so go check it out:
I’m really looking forward to seeing Sandra’s new movie The Blind Side! Hopefully I’ll get to see it this weekend.
[images from Walton's Fancy and Staple]
Can it be? Can The Brightside Project get any brighter??? Well the answer is a resounding YES! The Brightside Project hosts a giveaway daily…you read that right…daily. Each month is themed and this month’s theme is The List. As in, the list of special people for whom you buy gifts and create joy for (because you rock it like that). Basically, with each giveaway you answer a specific question, by way of leaving a comment. The winners are announced on Wednesdays. That’s all, just read, comment, wish, and you may win! November is extra special though…The List is a one for them and one for you…that’s right, double the gifts! How can you not go there right now and participate? Why, it would be irresponsible of you not to, and un-American!! (too much? ok, sorry, I got carried away)
You can thank Miss B. and Miss K. by spreading the word about The Brightside Project through Facebook, Twitter, your blog or just leave them a comment and tell them how awesome they are. They work extraordinarily hard to brighten our days, they deserve some love!
[images from The Brightside Project]
