Things I Own Too Much Of: Underwear
What I can never have enough of? Stripey socks. One of the exemptions of The Compact–my favorite environmental movement that challenges its participants to buy nothing new for one calendar year–is underwear. Yes, you can buy new underwear. Unlike most people, I have no problem buying used underwear at a garage sale. Why? Because I [...]
52 Letters, 52 Weeks Challenge: “Attila The Hoot” Owl Baby Hat
Letter #3 of my 52 Letters, 52 Weeks Challenge is a baby gift (included with a congratulatory note, of course) for my college roommate who lives in Atlanta. The only childhood item that my extremely practical college roommate, Georgia Peach, brought with her to college was her stuffed owl, Attila. So when Georgia Peach gave [...]
52 Letters, 52 Weeks Challenge–Letter #1
Check out this fabulous, enameled and bejeweled, bee-shaped pill box my friend Stephanie sent me for, oh, no good reason. She’s definitely tuned into my psychic radio station, because I know I’ve never mentioned to her that I’ve been looking for a pill box to replace the grubby little Tupperware container I’ve been carrying around [...]
The Lurid Details Of My Only Handmade Mandate for 2011
Because, you know, it’s never too early to set yourself up for crushing failure, here are my initial expectations/rules for my ONLY HANDMADE IN 2011 Mandate: Unless I can figure out how to get a full-ride scholarship to an Italian school for shoemakers this year, I will not be getting new shoes. Why? Because any [...]
New Year’s Resolutions! Now With Less Money And More 2011!
What? It’s the New Year already? But I’m still trying to finish up last year’s resolutions! Although I had many successes in 2010, such as getting beekeeping legalized in Santa Monica, California and driving fewer than 5000 miles in my car, most of my leftover chores mocking me from my half-done Master List have to [...]
My Stationery Addiction Now Has A Support Group! (52 Weeks, 52 Letters Challenge)
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a serious problem with stationery supplies. It’s partially genetic. My father collects fountain pens. My mother makes handmade paper goods from recycled fabrics and paper waste. I’m finally using my last stick of sealing wax left from a huge batch that my great aunt gave me in [...]
The Compact Christmas: Even The Christmas Tree Is Used!
On January 6th, 2007 I joined The Compact, a group of individuals committed to a one calendar year flight from the consumer grid by agreeing to buy no new products of any kind (aside from food and health items) and instead choosing to borrow, barter or buy used. The Compact is a slippery slope. It’s [...]
