Wordless Wednesday: Glass Pendant

http://www.etsy.com/listing/35436385/julia-fused-glass-pendant?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_query=etsydallas&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title

Eco Monday: Reusing Paper

Be sure to check out this great article on yahoo green about what kinds of things you can do with paper like junk mail and magazines. There are some great ideas with links to tutorials!

Eco-Chic Gift Guide on Etsy

Stuff Your Ruck Sack!!

In case you're wondering what a ruck sack is, it's a back pack in American English. Why the vocabulary lesson? I learned about a great site I'd love to share with you! 

The site stuffyourrucksack.com has tons of lists of charities and NGOs that are helping specific groups of people all over the world. If you'd like to help them, you can read about them and what they are doing and what they need. If you have a little extra room in your luggage, you can take a few things to them from their list. Many groups will let you set up a tour to visit them and drop off supplies while you're in the area.

My friend, Mel, is working at Village of Hope in Grabouw, South Africa. They are in need of children's football kits, netball equipment, Disney DVDs, children's games, and coloring books. So if you're headed that way, please toss a few of these items in your ruck sack and drop them off.  The Village of Hope or any of the other organization on the  list would be delighted to have your help. Please pay it forward.

Black Friday Sale!

Just for my blog readers this Black Friday, here's a an extra special deal! Get 10% off your entire order in my shop (excluding postage) by using this code in notes to seller 10BLACKFRIDAY.

Happy Shopping!

Consider this while doing your holiday shopping...

With it being the biggest shopping day of the year, you've made a shopping list, a budget, and a mental list of places with great sales you want to check out.  But before you go bouncing out the door to get your shopping done, think about these things...

-where is what you want to buy coming from? country of origin?
-what kind of labor is being used to make that item? adults or children?
-is the person who made that item being paid a fair wage?

With these thoughts in mind, please consider shopping local and supporting the US economy. Try supporting the mom and pop shop in your area. Think about shopping the area craft fairs for gifts for your family and friends.

I discovered the Products of Slavery site today and found it sad to see how many places child labor or forced labor is being used. Please be thoughtful when you do your shopping.

Wordless Wednesday: ventilated

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48863761/ventilated-etched-copper-brass-sterling?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=connection&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade

Saturday Search: Jingle Bash 2010

Are you ready to Jingle? Bring your holiday shopping list and get your shop on!

Today at the Palladium in the Lone Star room from 2-8p. Click here for deets and to get a map!

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful

Jingle Bash: Bag Sneak Preview

So, this year the Jingle Bash Goodie Bags are gonna rock even more than in previous years! In addition to the goodies that are always inside there's more...

This year, they are printed in one color and they come with a little embroidery kit so you can sassy them up any way you'd like!

There are only 50 bags each year and are given to the first 50 shoppers to show up at the Bash. So get there early and grab a bag -- they always go fast! All the details are here.

White Rock Local Market

Today the White Rock Local Market will run from 8a-1p today and will have local food, local goods, art, earth friendly goods, clothes and more. There will also be music by Wattson Electric from 10:30-1.

The market is at The Green Spot Market & Fuels at 702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX 75218. Come by and check it out. I'll be there with earth friendly frills from La Alicia.

Wordless Wednesday: Fiction Pendant

EcoMonday: Water as a Gift

As the holiday gift giving season gets closer and closer, I have been exploring the options that are out there. This site is great and allows you to get involved in helping to bring clean water to developing nations.

We all know someone who seems to have EVERYTHING. Donating in their name as a gift would be a lovely gesture while helping others. $20 can provide clean water for one person for 20 years!Wow!

Saturday Search: Partridge & Pear

I love the sweetness and whimsey that this card by iamfish offers as a holiday greeting. Happy Saturday!

Close Knit: A Must See Event!

Saturday, November 6, 2010
First United Methodist Church of Coppell
420 S. Heartz, Coppell, TX

Admission $5
Event starts with a Fashion Show at 2pm

Close Knit of First UMC Coppell benefits Metrocrest Social Services

Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday: DNA Tee

EcoMonday: BankNote Jewelry

Great Green Goods had an article on these beautiful pieces and I had to share! These are necklaces made out of banknotes! The colors, textures and shapes are fabulous! Be sure to check out the rest of the article here.

Happy Halloween!

I went to a great Halloween party last night! Today, I'm taking it easy. I made some spiced apples earlier and decided I'd share the recipe. It's super easy, very delicious and can add great flavors to lots of meals.

Autumn Spiced Apples

1/4 c butter
4 large Granny Smith apples
3/4 c turbinado sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp of Mexican vanilla
dash of salt

1. Peel, core and slice apples.
2. Melt butter in a large pan over med/hi flame.
3. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla.
4. Sauté 20-25 minutes (or until they're tender). Stirring once in a while to prevent burning.

5. Turn off heat and allow to cool and store in an air tight container in the fridge.




These are fantastic and have tons of uses. They are great over oatmeal in the morning, they make a great dessert with cookies or ice cream, they are yummy with pork chops and the list goes on and on!

If you make these, let me know how you use them! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Camel

EcoMonday: Gobble Gobble

These turkey placecard holders are so cute I can't stand it! They are made by fellow Etsian carriveau -- her cleverness is just too fun!

Can you totally see these all around your Thanksgiving table? They would be great as placecards or a a spot to post what you're most grateful for this year.

With turkey day about a month away, how are you decorating your table this year?

Wordy Wednesday

So, today we're taking a break from Wordless Wednesday because I have something fun to tell you. This is the "one month to go" count down to the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash 2010. I hope you marked it on your calendar and are planning to come by -- it's gonna be really really fun! Get all the details and a map here.

Eco Monday: Sustainable

I love this great photograph from fellow Etsian MollysMuses shop. The textures and composition are amazing. And of course, I love that it has a green message too.

Be sure to check out the rest of her shop for other great photographs. They make great gifts!

Feature Friday: Modest Ambition

 

This Friday I'm featuring Anne of Modest Ambition. As many of us are beginning to think about our holiday shopping lists, I encourage you to check out Anne's shop on Etsy. She has fabulous snuggly items from scarves to shrugs. I am particularly fond of her bobby pins. Don't you think those would be a great stocking stuffer?

Have you completed your Christmas shopping list yet?

Wordless Wednesday: LabRats

Fellow Lab Rat SukiRose made these great earrings as a part of her play on words series. Be sure to check them out in her shop along with her other fun creations!

Tuesday: New Item!

I really like this new piece for fall! New in the shop today Eco-Chic Camel Pin for Fall with Garnet Ribbon!

OktoberFest at the Gingerman (Uptown)

The highly anticipated Oktoberfest season is almost upon us. Live music, LOTS of gravity cask Oktoberfest beers from across the state, LOCAL ARTISTS and more. This event is free.

Come join the fun on October 9th, 2010 from 2-5:30pm at
The Ginger Man
2718 Boll St, Dallas, TX 75204

It's today! I'll be there with my La Alicia earth friendly frills and so will my Etsy Dallas teamie, Patricia of Karma Crochet. We'll be set up in the parking lot of The Gingerman. stop by and check it out!

Saturday Search: Narwhal

I love these knitting narwhals! They're fun, cooperative and whimsical. Be sure to check out the other fun things in the shop with sadlyharmless. Happy Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday: Aviator

Eco Monday: Sugar Free Earth Friendly Halloween

  
This scary ghost necklace and earrings set which will keep you celebrating Halloween all year long is also recycling.  These eco friendly Halloween bobby treats can be found on Etsy here - recycled as well. Another fun option this cute miniature bunny will fit in your pocket and last longer than a lollypopmade from natural wool and cotton.

Happy Halloween!

Saturday Search: Letter Press

Sweet notecards from Colorbox Designs, a clever Etsy Dallas member and designer.

Getting ready for Halloween

 This year, with the thought of a healthier Halloween celebration in mind, here are a few calorie free treats.

Candy Wrapper earrings are fun, eco-chic and earth friendly. There are no calories, no cavities and can be found here.

Candy Corn lip balm. I didn't know this existed but a quick search on Etsy can find all kinds of fun alternatives to sugar for your Halloween celebration.

This Tiny Pumpkin Crown is adorable and would be perfect head wear for all those fun activities leading up to the big day.

With the epidemic of childhood obesity, please consider focusing on things other than candy this Halloween.

Wordless Wednesday: Vineyard

EcoModay: Rehash

More and more groups are popping up all the time to help you recycle the items you may be done with. Rehash, which is still in beta stage, allows you to swap books and clothes. It's kinda of like having a roommate with out having to share a bathroom with a total stranger.

It looks like college students also swap text books on the site. Fabulous! Textbooks always seem to be SO expensive!

Another great way to reuse with out causing the demand for new things to rise.

Saturday Search: Ring Bearer Pillow

What an lovely find! This gorgeous ring bearer pillow from WhiteThistleBridal is just beautiful. It would be gorgeous on your couch after the ceremony.

New Harmony Final Event at Current Location

This Saturday will be last the day to check out New Harmony Studio from noon - 7 pm at their current location 412 Exposition Ave., Dallas, TX 75226. Their profits benefit local charities.

The have lots of lovely earth friendly items and many will be on sale this Saturday.  Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday: Autumn Birdie

Eco Monday: BookMooch

A friend recently told me this site was her guilty pleasure. So, I went to check it out and now I understand why. This site allows you to trade books you're done with for books you want to read. It's sort of a world wide sharing library. All you pay is postage.

You create an account which is free. Enter the books you're done with and are willing to part with. Wait for requests from people interested in your books and when you mail a book you get points to use toward the books you're interested in. How simple is that?

I love this idea. Instead of buying MORE NEW books, already existing books are traded with interested people.

Saturday Search: Tangerine

This ring from Lush Boutique is just delicious!

Seems like the perfect transition piece from Summer to Fall. Check it out here.

Wordless Wednesday: casa

National Cupcake Week -- this week!!

In honor of cupcake week -- a little search on Etsy turned up this cuteness!



















This fun set of cupcake cards from natflycards.















These fun printable calorie free cupcakes from PoshPixels.


















And this great ring from midnightsnack.

EcoMonday: Bunny Ring with Recycled Stering Silver

This tiny bunny ring is just to freakin' cute! What makes it even better? It's eco-friendly too. Figs and Ginger recycled as much sterling silver as possible in their pieces. The nature theme in their work is just so sweet.

I visited their booth at the Austin Renegade show earlier this summer and their work is just as adorable in person.

Hippity Hop!

Saturday Search: Leaves

Not everyone has a green thumb and someone as finally figured out a way to have "leafy things" around your home with minimum maintainance. Check them out here in the Etsy Shop called JaneJoss.

Garage Sale Alert!

My friend Mel is going to South Africa for one year to help children with HIV/AIDS. She's holding the Mother of all garage sales this Saturday to raise money for her trip. Please support her humanitarian efforts by shopping the sale.

It'll start at 7a this Saturday the 11th and go until about noonish or when everything's gone. The sale will be held in the 5900 block on Velasco Ave., Dallas, TX 75206

Last I heard there will be everything for clothes (adults/children), art supplies, household goods, quality paper goods, furniture, dishware, to books. Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday: Heart of Texas

EcoMonday: Laundry

So we're all looking for more ways to be green. Your laundry is one place you can make a big difference. Here are a few tips on how to do more efficient laundry;

• when needing a new machine, check out the efficient ones that use less water and power
• make sure you do full loads
• wash clothes in cold water
• use white vinegar instead of chlorine bleach
• dry laundry out on the line (towels - tumble dry for 5 min, hang out to dry)
• try using lavender sachets instead of using dry sheets (lavender repells moths)

What else do you do to green your laundry?

Saturday Search: Mold

These Jell-O mold light fixtures are a cool reuse project. Check out BootsandGus on Etsy to see their other fun creations.

Free Stuff Friday!

Have you checked out my giveaway on the Sweet Greens blog? Check it out here and be sure to enter to win this Eco Chic Clutchby me, La Alicia!

Treasury Thursday: Text