March Madness: The Compact Free Stuff Edition
I have been a member of an environmental movement called The Compact for five years. The core idea of The Compact is to step away from the consumer grid and not buy anything new for one calendar year. Food, cleaning products, and medication are obvious exemptions, but all other material goods like cars, clothing, and [...]
Adult Shrinky Dinks: Upcycled Plastic Soda Bottles Become A Mod Window Shade
I saw this “flowered” window covering earlier this week in an art gallery. It was made with the bumpy bottoms of half liter soda bottles that were shrunk in the oven a la Shrinky Dinks. (There was also a room divider made using the same technique at the gallery). I love it because it uses [...]
Capsule Wardrobe: How To Pack For A Semester Abroad
There’s that scene in so many movies where someone has to get out of town quickly and throws a bunch of random clothes, still on hangers, into a huge suitcase, and then tries to force it shut. I’m always confused by this scene. If someone is really coming to kill you right now, do you [...]
All My Plans Go To Sh– Italy!
I’M GOING TO ITALY! I have been saving up to study abroad in Italy for Fall semester all year. I didn’t want to even put “Semester in Florence” on my list of New Year’s Resolutions because I was so afraid I’d jinx myself. Today was the deadline to pay for the program or forfeit my [...]
Small Space Design Gem: Patty’s Smallest Coolest Apartment
My friend Patty is a secret design star. Patty lives on disability, in a 20 x 20 foot apartment above a garage in Long Beach, California. Her tiny apartment is a brilliant reminder that you don’t need money or space to have an inspiring home. When her landlords blocked the roof access stairs for liability [...]
Garden Hack: A Citrus Peel Starter Pot For Seedlings
This is one of those desperation is the mother of invention moments. I recently discovered that Mr. Foxypants had thrown out my seed-starting tray “to make room in the garage.” Don’t get me started on the “WTF-buddy-throwing-away-tools?” screed. I’m still mad about it. You don’t want to hear it anyway. Since I’ve pledged to once [...]
Frock By Friday, Embellished Knit Month, Thrift Store Thursday: Kathleen Frances Never Sleeps
Sometimes I’m dumb. I just figured out that I have been craft-stalking one person, Kathleen Frances, through multiple sewing, craft and sustainability websites. Kathleen Frances created the gorgeous blog grosgrain fabulous and is the mastermind behind a number of spectacular needle working tutorials and challenges including: Frock By Friday Embellished Knit Month Thrift Store Thursday [...]
