Unihorn Swamp Hob by Infinite Divide Studio

Hi friends, just a little note to say this lovely lady has taken me away with her and, well, I’m swamped.  Things will be pretty sparse around the blog until 2010.  Which thankfully (and amazingly) is only a couple weeks away.   I’m so fortunate to be gearing up for my parents, brother & sister-in-law to be joining us from Dallas for Christmas.   Pair that with a couple of huge wedding invitation deadlines and I’m sure you understand the reason for the break! :)  I hope whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year (Festivus anyone?) is spent with good friends, family and food and that you look forward to all it brings.

See you in January!

It’s one week closer to Christmas and I’ve got one more eco-friendly and affordable gift guide to share.  Shipping deadlines are quickly approaching so don’t get caught by surprise and settle for running to a big box store at the last minute!  Spend 15 minutes thinking through the people you still need gifts for and 15 minutes shopping and buying from handmade sellers on Etsy, Artfire, or elsewhere.  Aren’t you glad I just solved all of your gift buying problems!  :)  You can start your shopping now with these four fabulous gift options!

1. Slightly Twisted Wood – Mahogany pie/cake server

There is so much to love about these hand crafted wood utensils.  Made from sustainable mahogany wood, it is a practical, elegant, eco-friendly, fair trade, good for the planet, and all around great gift!  And to top it all off, profits from the sale of this utensil are reinvested to help the workshop in Cuahichillo, Nicaragua grow to provide more employment for Nicaraguans and to promote sustainable forestry and reforestation.

2. Eleanor and Milo – Dog Toss Toy

This one is for the four legged family members.  These dog toss toys are made from 100% reclaimed fabric and thread.  And then they are stuffed with…yep, more reclaimed fabric!  You won’t be chasing around little puffs of poly-fill stuffing when your dog plays with this toy!

3. Shanineal – Treasure Bowl

Everyone needs a “stuff” bowl.  You know the place where you throw your keys, spare change and other odds and ends.  Well this bowl collects “stuff” in eco-friendly style.  It’s hand knit from a wool/mohair blend yarn, then machine felted and available in a fun variety of colors.

4. Pretty N Preppy – Reusable Water Bottle

These water bottles are not only absolutely adorable but they keep landfills free of all those disposable plastic bottles.  Made of stainless steel with a screw on, spill proof lid and perfectly fitted for your car cup holder.

If you follow me on twitter (hint hint, wink wink) you already know I’m a little excited that Christmas music is filling the air!  There’s just something so lovely about songs that bring back childhood memories, have a positive message (except for that whole grandma got run over by a reindeer thing) and that the whole family can get together and sing.  (Is this sounding like a cheesy after school special?)  However, there is definitely a distinction between good Christmas music and that horrible muzak stuff they play in the malls.  I thought today I’d share a few of my favorite Christmas albums so you have a couple weeks to enjoy!

It doesn’t get much better than Diana Krall singing fantastic jazzy arrangements of Christmas favorites. Download for $2.99 on Amazon.

I’m not normally a huge James Taylor fan, but his smooth silky voice was just made to sing Christmas songs.  This album is a great mellow album perfect for background music at your holiday parties.  Pick up a copy here.

Sara Groves has been one of my favorite sing/songwriters for a few years.  Last season she released this Christmas album and it quickly became a favorite.  This album features arrangements in her signature piano driven style and some original compositions as well.  Download or pick up the cd here.

And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Mannheim Steamroller’s intrumental arrangements.  All of their albums are solid and worth a spot in your holiday music rotation, but the Christmas in the Aire album is my personal favorite.  Pick yours up here.

This weekend I will be joining with other amazing Arizona artists at the Indie Chic@10th Street alternative craft fair.  The weather is set to be GORGEOUS so if you’re in the Phoenix area (or with in a day’s driving distance) head down to the ASU Art Museum and do some local holiday shopping.  There is free parking, or easy walking from the light rail and live music all day.  We’ll be set up from 10:00 – 5:00 this Saturday, December 5th.  The Tempe Festival of the Arts is also this weekend so it will be a great day to enjoy the Arizona weather and arts.

For more info and a preview of some of the other artists at Indie Chic check out their blog at http://asuartmuseum.wordpress.com.

Hope to see you there!

It’s Cyber Monday and I see you over there browsing from your work desk. :)  So here are a few amazing, eco-friendly gifts that are most definitely worth your precious Cyber Monday browsing time and your holiday gift giving budget.

1. One Green Poppy – Wool BYOB Bag

A fabulous gift for the wine enthusiast on your gift list.  Made of 100% recycled wool and black hemp canvas this bag will carry their favorite bottle in eco-friendly style.  And to top it all off, it’s machine washable for easy clean up after a picnic in the park.

2.Happy Go Licky – Customized  Silver Golf Ball Marker

We’ve all got a golfer to buy for and this customized golf ball marker will no doubt be the most unique gift they receive.   Handmade from fine silver, you can have both sides customized with initials, a good luck phrase or anything else that would be meaningful to your golfer.

3. Designs by Cathy – I Fly By My Own Wing Necklace

A handmade sterling silver necklace featuring a hand cut dog tag, wing, inspirational saying and an amethyst stone.  Made using eco-friendly practices.  A great gift for the lady on your list that has big dreams of flying high.

4. Green NOLAstye – Alpaca Flower Scarf

This adorable scarf is made from Alpaca wool, a renewable resource that is warmer than goose down, stronger than silk and has moisture wicking capabilities.  Who knew?!  Any girl on your list will love this unique and handmade scarf.

That’s right, friends.  I’m jumping on the Cyber Monday bandwagon for all of you doing a bit of holiday shopping from work today.  Any orders placed today will receive FREE SHIPPING with in the US.  This includes all of my Christmas, Holiday, Thank you, Hello, Birthday and Congrats cards. (Sorry, wedding samples not included.)  So if you’ve been dragging your feet on ordering your Christmas cards, or picking up that set of Thank You’s for your secret Santa gift at work, run on over to www.papermango.etsy.com and do some shopping!

Today my husband and I are celebrating our two year anniversary.  I can’t imagine life without him and I’m so thankful for his love, support, friendship, encouragement and laughter!  Just last night he was assembling programs for a wedding that I have to get shipped out today while watching Monday Night Football.  I couldn’t ask for more!  Above is a picture of us on our anniversary trip to Vancouver, Canada last month.  I love you, Ryan.

It’s my favorite time of year.  Thanksgiving is this week and Christmas is right around the corner.  Friday I’ll start cranking the holiday tunes and putting up decorations.  So it’s time to start talking gifts!  I thought I’d ease into things this week with look at some great stocking stuffers that are eco-friendly and just plain fabulous.  Who knew there was soap made from beer!?  If you’re doing the Black Friday/Cyber Monday thing this week (myself, I prefer sleeping), make sure to check out these and other artists on Etsy who are offering some great sales and deals.  Happy Shopping!

1. Emmy’s Organics – Organic Dark Cacao Macaroons

What more could you ask for than healthy sweets in your stocking.  These macaroons are made with raw (unprocessed) cacao which is high in magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, protein, vit b1, b2, b5, b6, vit c & much more! Plus, it contains more antioxidants than green tea, blue berries & red wine!  Sounds like the magic of Christmas to me!

2. Long Winter Farm – Pomegranate Skin Cream

A great skin cream that moisturizes without leaving you feeling like a greased up holiday turkey.  Made with organic and chemical free ingredients and packaged in a recyclable plastic jar.

3. Beautiful Soaps – Beer Soap Sample Pack

This one’s for the boys…or you beer loving ladies.  Made with natural ingredients and essential oils these soaps are inspired by some of your favorite brands and micro-brews.

Revision Design – Bloomers Hair Clip

This adorable little accessory is made with upcylced vintage fabric and would be a fabulous addition to any girls hair “tool box”.

I’ve been a fan of Brandi Carlile since (like most) I heard her introspective crooning on Grey’s Anatomy.  Her latest album “Give Up the Ghost” was released last month and it seems to pretty much pick up where “The Story” left off, with the addition of a bit more alt-country twang.  ”Dying Day” sounds like an entry from the journal of a road weary touring musician longing for home, relationships and normalcy.  Musically, “Dreams” takes cues from the song “The Story” playing with dynamics and the use of Brandi’s signature raspy power belting.  If you’ve been a fan of Brandi previously or are looking for a female singer songwriter who is a little less bubble-gum-electro-pop and a lot more rock, Brandi Carlile is your girl.  Head over to her website and check out her many tour dates and pick up a copy of “Give Up the Ghost”.

Happy Listening!

I couldn’t hold out any longer.  It’s Christmastime in blog land! This week I’m highlighting some eco-friendly Christmas tree options.  Because don’t we need to be planting more trees?  Not chopping down perfectly good ones so that they can dry up in our house, become the dog’s “fire hydrant” and pose a giant fire hazard?  Ok, well maybe that’s slightly dramatic, but if you’re looking to save a tree (and a buck!) I am loving these tree alternatives!

1. Sewn Natural - Balsam Fir Sachets

What’s Christmas without that fresh pine scent permeating the house (unless of course you have pine allergies).  These sachets are filled with  Main balsam fir pine needles and are sure to leave guests wondering where the tree is.

2. Circleline Studio - Pine Tree Vinyl Wall Decal

Still looking for something to stack presents under? These wall decals are easy to put up, take down, and have ample room under their branches for a pile of goodies from Santa.  Also a great option for those with the aforementioned allergies.

3. Nature’s Cabinet – Cedar Driftwood Candle Holders

Want to add some of the outdoors to your holiday decor without dragging an entire tree indoors?  These candle holders bring a bit of that nostalgia indoors in a new way.  Made from found driftwood, each one is one of a kind and hand made, and saved a tree from being chopped down.

4.Cardboard Safari - Snowflake Tree

It doesn’t get much easier than this.  An adorable little tree made of recycled cardboard, precision cut for easy assembly, complete with snow flake ornaments and all.