Death to the Penny!

I recently read that it costs around 1.2 cents to produce each and every penny. That's right folks, 1.2 cents. If you're scoring at home, that's higher than the current value of our copper friend. I say it's time for a change (pun intended). It's time to take a green approach to money-making (lots of puns in that one)--coins specifically. Let's start producing less and spending more. Confused yet? Well too bad. Time is money, so let's keep going.

Basically, it comes down to this: all businesses should be forced to use the "take a penny, leave a penny" system (for all instances where change due is 4 cents or less). This will solve the "cashier with a God complex" problem. You know what I'm talking about. Your total is $15.01 and they refuse to spot you the penny. Grrrr....

Death to the penny! Who's with me?!

"Black Abe" Print, $15 - from Justin Richel.

Vintage copper number, "1/2", $3 - from Myra Melinda.

"I Love You D.C." photo print, $15 - from Capow.

The Batali Bracelet, $34 - from The Peach Tree.

Over Easy

I love breakfast. I love everything about it. Runny eggs and buttery toast are my morning vices. And an occasional side of bacon is a definite bonus. Cereal is also an option--just not that filling. And if my belly isn't full, I move on to my next meal: 2nd breakfast.

2nd breakfast typically consists of a muffin or other baked good. Although lately, my new favorite 2nd breakfast treat has been granola with blackberry kefir. This combo makes my tummy smile.

Honestly, if this pace keeps going, a 3rd (maybe even 4th) breakfast will most likely be introduced. Eventually, dinner will be replaced with "night breakfast" or some other catchy moniker. And my fridge will house only eggs and other morning-associated foods.

And I see no problem with that...

Egg/Bacon broach set, $25 - from Scotatto.

Vintage Acme egg grading scale, $36 - from Little Byrd Vintage.

Sunny side up eggs ring, $8 - from Alliterations.

Three eggs and a pitcher 8" x 8" print, $20 - from G(art)en.

Friday Faves

I love when Friday rolls around. Yes, it's wonderful that the weekend has finally arrived. And yes, the work week is over (for most of us). Those are magnificent reasons to love Fridays. But I love Fridays for one simple reason--every Friday means it's time for "Friday Faves"!! So instead of coming up with a creative blog topic, I can be incredibly lazy and post some of my favorite items from this past week! TGIF, indeed.

Today's featured artists are all members of the Artisans Collective (I'm a member too!). Here's our info:

Web: www.theartisanscollective.com
Blog: www.artisanscollective.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/theartisanshive
FB: www.facebook.com/artisanscollective

"One That Got Away" Birdcage T-shirt, $35 - from Blackbird Tees.

"Dionysus" print, $18 - from Amber Alexander.

Hand-embroidered wall hanging, $65 - from Mary's Granddaughter.

"View of the Sea" photograph, $25 - from Lucy Snowe Photography.

Kitty #26, $45 - from Penguin and Fish.

"Boy Meets Girl"custom cake toppers, $60 - from Goose Grease.

Biking!

A few months back, I sold my bike. She was a beauty. And I miss her.

However, my girlfriend has a bike--so lately, I've been "borrowing" hers. And every day this week, I've enjoyed my 2-mile bike ride to our work studio. I still feel like a giant idiot with the bike helmet on, but I realize it's for safety. Couldn't really do much without a brain, I suppose. Anyways, the daily rides have been very relaxing. Pedal left, pedal right, watch out for pedestrians, look out for that car door...it's been fun. And for at least a 10-15 minute stretch, I'm essentially stress-free!

I'm happy with this new regimen--and my girlfriend's bike is just dandy. Almost makes me forget about my old bike too...almost.

"Green Lightning" bicycle print, $20 - from Michele Maule.

Bike Kit (tools included), $35 - from Bike Cozy.

Recycled bicycle tire belt, $30 - from Rebicyclist.

Bicycle wallet, $22 - from Marty May.

Recycle This!

I'm an eco-conscious person, so whenever I need to package up an order (from my Etsy shop), the recycle bin is my first stop. There's a gaming shop down the street--they usually have a slew of small boxes. And every Monday, Trader Joe's is the box mecca. I usually hit them up around 10 or so, when they're re-stocking. That way I get the odd-sized ones...like the case boxes for Clif Bars--those are perfect!

I've already stockpiled a massive collection of recycled packaging materials too. Craigslist has been the best for that. Last week I totally scored! This couple had just moved to Seattle and had A TON of left over packaging. I swooped by and took it all. Probably won't need any of that until next year.

Let's recycle people!

Upcycled laundry box book, $18 - from Soma Venus.

 

Recycled turquoise flower tags, $4 - from A Hue of Duck Egg Blue.

Painter's tape core/yellow brocade bracelet, $12 - from Becklaces.

Reclaimed packing materials, $3.85 - from Home Salvage.

Friday Faves - The Hangover Edition

It's been a while, but it's definitely time to revive the "Friday Faves" feature. My mind is a total wasteland today and I can't even begin to think of a relevant/interesting and/or topical blog post. So I'm essentially phoning it in. Blah, blah, moush, moush, rah, garfh...You see kids, that's what a red wine--Belgian beer--red wine combo will do to your brain...

Nevertheless, do not let my hangover/brain cramp destroy the greatness of today's finds!

Post-A-Plate, $28 - from Just Noey.

Chocolate Gingersnaps, $8.50 - from Whimsy & Spice.

Screen printed bicycle glasses (Set of 4), $35 - from Vital Industries.

Felt iPod Nano/credit card case, $8 - from Norm and Lou.

Vintage salted peanuts tin, $42 - from The Vintage Apartment.

Owls. I won't go there.

Guarantee: I will not use the word, "who", in pun form during the course of this post. Let's proceed...

I was skimming through the pages of Etsy this morning and noticed a certain lovable, hirsute, woodsy-ish character popping its head up all over the place. Yes friends, our beloved night-flier and hunter of small rodents, the owl.

I've always been fascinated with owls--yet, never seen one in the wild. I've always imagined it as a somewhat haunting experience--to look up in a tall tree and spot a mysterious owl staring right back at you. I suppose it'd be similar to the feeling you had the last time you were "rocking out" with your headphones on--only to open your eyes and see your mom staring at you, puzzled...

Kind of like that owl I was talking about earlier.

Owl Patterns Print, $16 - from Love Sugar Design.

Pair of Vintage, Bronze Owls, $25 - from Zwzzy.

Letterpress Notebook, $15 - from Blackbird Letterpress.

Vintage Red Lucite Earring, $22 - from Alisaw.