12 small things by HAND/EYE

Have you heard of 12 small things by HAND/EYE?  If not, take a moment to learn about this amazing organization:

12 Small Things by HAND/EYE offers high quality, handmade, artisan goods from around the globe. Our collections support craftspeople working to improve the lives of their families and communities in some of the most challenging situations on the planet. Their stories are those of strength, hope, and beauty, and each of our products reflects these qualities in their design and craftsmanship. 12 Small Things by HAND/EYE strives to assist these communities and artisans through commerce.

I am likely posting this a little too late for gift purposes, but take a look at just a few of the items from the Valentine's Day collection, which support struggling communities:

hand woven jeweled clutch ~ Pakistan

glass shell necklace ~ Ghana

wood heart bowl ~ Haiti

tagua nut bracelets ~ Colombia

It's crazy how things work... I stumbled upon this organization yesterday, wrote up this post, and then decided to go to West Elm's site to see if they had any new lamps. I got the chills when I saw this:

Hearts for Haiti:  

Have a heart. Our ongoing collaboration with the nonprofit HAND/EYE Fund and HAND/EYE Magazine led us to these beautiful and unique papier-mâché pieces. Handcrafted by the artisans of Caribbean Craft, an artisan’s collaborative in Port au Prince, Haiti, these whimsical ornaments make a bright, festive statement suspended in multiples in a window or displayed in a bowl. Best of all, 10% of the proceeds of each sale goes back to the HAND/EYE Fund to benefit the artisans behind the hearts.


So weird to see this the same day...but amazing!  I hope you are having a great week!

A different kind of post...

I was so touched when I read this post about a nursery featured on ohdeedoh last week:

You may have already seen it, but if you have not, here is a little summary:

The day our little miss was born was the most wonderful of our lives – what happiness the three of us shared, together and with our families. We brought Charlotte home from the hospital and introduced her to this beautiful room that would be all her own. Then, when our baby was just eighteen days old, my husband… her Daddy… passed away unexpectedly.

 Now, it’s just the two of us – and while I could not have ever pictured being in this situation, this is where we’re at and we are going to get through this. Yes, there will be tears and struggle – but there will also be love and celebration. We’re about to put our house up for sale and I consider it a gift that Charlotte has been able to spend a couple months in her beautiful room – that her Daddy and I put so much love into – before we leave our home.

My heart broke into a million pieces when I read that.  It is breaking again just thinking about it.  My reason for this post is that Kate is trying to sell her gorgeous home in Atlanta.  She needs help and that is where we come in.  Kate has set up this website:  535 Stillhouse Lane  Please pass it along to anyone you may know in the Atlanta area.  You can visit Kate's blog, more specifically this post, for more details and ways you can help spread the word.  To quote Kate:

You may not think you know people who are in the market, but perhaps there’s a friend of a friend out there who is just perfect for this house.  It takes just one buyer…

Thank you so much for reading this!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend, have a very happy Monday, and have a fabulous week!

[The two nursery photos were taken from here.]

Take the quiz -----> Send a book!

Please join me in helping k2kUSA, a project brought to you by Save the Children USA Inc.,  reach their goal of sending 90,000 books to children in need!

k2kUSA is an advocacy campaign that empowers kids to connect with and advocate for each other. The goal is to ensure a fair chance in life for every kid in America. Central to fairness for all kids is ending the childhood poverty crisis, which affects one in six kids in the United States.   

In the 5 seconds it takes to answer just three questions, you will be helping to give the gift of reading to deserving children.  By taking the quiz, you will be sending one book.  Easy peasy!

Click here to take the quiz!

For more information about k2kUSA, click here!

I hope you are having a fantastic week!!

Four Things Currently Rockin' My World!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend!!  I sure did!  Honestly, I am just giddy!  This time of year makes me insanely happy!  Family, gift-giving, parties, baked goodies...ahhhh...I just love it all!  With all that in mind, here are four things I am loving right now:

1. My family! :) I know I say how much I love them, but this photo was from last week and we were having the best day!  We went to the zoo during the week, no one was really there, the weather was beautiful, and it was a perfect day!  Too bad Connor was looking down!...this is perfect though, because I can never seem to get a photo of him.  He is always on the move.

2.  This tealight snow bell candle holder from Gold Canyon!  I went to my first Gold Canyon party this weekend and I think I may have found my new addiction!  I cannot wait for my items to arrive, so I can start continue decorating for Christmas!  This year, I am going glam...lots of glitter and sparkle!  :)

3.  Our filled shoe box that shipped yesterday!  Shoe box for what?...Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse.  I don't think I have ever spoken about religion here, but this is just one of the fantastic organizations our church supports.  Their mission: "Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world."  You can read more about Operation Christmas Child, here!

4.  I made the cookies I posted about last week!!  They were definitely great!  I still do not think I have found THE perfect cookie, but this recipe will be kept and used again for sure!

Have a great week!!...eek!!  It is almost Thanksgiving!  YAY!

Present!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend!  We had a great one and it is still going on for a few more days!  My husband took a few days off from work and we have been on a little staycation of sorts and have really been enjoying our surroundings.  I have to be honest, though...it is taking all of the restraint I have not to start thinking about Christmas preparations.  I feel like I start dreaming about decorations, gifts, and baking earlier and earlier each year and that needs to stop.

This holiday season I am determined to savor every single day and stay present!

click here for that fabulous gift wrap!

Each moment is like a gift and I am going to treat each one as such.  November has already been magical for us as a family.  As cheesy as that sounds, we have had so much fun being in the moment and enjoying each others company and everything around us...and some really great food and music thrown in there too.

Here is just a little glimpse into our lives over the past few weeks.  I just love my little family!

Great Cajun Cook-Off and Food Fest!...so much fun.

I mentioned here and here that we lived in New Orleans for nearly five years and miss that city terribly!  This festival took us right back!...and the proceeds went to five great charities!  It was great watching our son dance to the music and fall in love with Mardi Gras beads!

...then home to play with our doggie and chalk...and cars!

My birthday was perfect!

A 'Happy Birthday' message written in chalk, fun at the park, my husband's homemade Swedish meatballs (though he is not Swedish), and a red velvet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, complete with a tea light because my husband said I had to have a candle and he forgot to buy some = the best day ever!

at an art festival on the most beautiful day ever!...complete with funnel cakes and beer!

We learned a few valuable lessons yesterday at that festival...Never ever wear black pants on a day you plan to eat funnel cake:

 Also...do not attempt to get a family picture when your son is over-tired:

...And in case you decide it is a good idea to hang from a tree like a monkey, be prepared to have your hand ripped to shreds:

It seems like my life can sometimes just fly by without really enjoying it and I hate that.  I feel like sometimes I miss really fantastic moments because I am too focused on what's next..."What am I going to wear to that party?," "What am I going to bake for Thanksgiving?," "What color scheme do I want to use for our Christmas tree this year?"  ...but I can promise you one thing...none of those questions popped into my head in those moments pictured above...I was 100% present.

Creativity Explored!

yellow and orange abstract

Creativity Explored is a nonprofit visual arts center where artists with developmental disabilities are able to explore their creativity and create, exhibit, and sell their art.  I had not heard of this until I was flipping through my latest CB2 catalog and noticed they are selling a few limited-edition pieces.

Some of the pieces on the Creativity Explored site can be purchased in their original form or as prints.  Others can be purchased through their gallery in San Fransisco, some can be commissioned or rented, and some are just available for your viewing pleasure.  Honestly, just seeing the art is enough to make your day, but after reading about each artist, each piece is even more wonderful.

Here are just a few pieces.  You can click each link to find out more information and to see if it is available for purchase. 

woman with pink earrings

Mary's Story

Pablo Sandoval Hits a Home Run

untitled

red abstract

I think this work is so amazing and just love what this organization is all about.  Please do yourself a favor and take a little time to check out Creativity Explored.  I hope you find the artists and their work to be as inspiring as I did.

Burgers and Beer!...and coleslaw!

If you like coleslaw and have never had it on a burger, you must try it!  We have done this a few times, all because we had some leftover after making barbecue and thought we would give it a shot.  Last night, it was particularly good.  We just made turkey burgers on whole wheat buns, sweet potato fries, and a very simple slaw.  All together, it was perfect!

Since we almost always have beer when we have burgers, last night was no different.  My husband loves trying new beers and lately so have I.  After living in New Orleans for three years, we became big fans of Abita beers.  They have started, 'SOS – A Charitable Fund’ to help "with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive this disastrous oil spill."  At the heart of this effort is their newest brew, 'SOS-A Charitable Pilsner.'  SOS, standing for, 'Save Our Shore' generates $0.75 for each bottle sold, which Abita donates to these Gulf Coast efforts.  If you are looking for a light beer and happen to see it, give it a shot!...it's for a great cause!  :)

Piggy!

Piggy is a set of two savings banks that nest together. The larger “momma” bank is for a child’s personal savings, and the smaller bank is for the child's charitable savings.

I saw Piggy on Design Milk and thought it was too fantastic not to share.  This has touched me in a way I cannot even explain.  The ideas behind Piggy are the very values I hope to instill in my children, as my parents did with me.  It is very important to me that my husband and I raise our children to have integrity, compassion, gratefulness... and hearts of gold.  Philanthropy will be a part of their daily lives and Piggy seems like such a wonderful way to continue this journey with our son and (possible) future children.

Our son has already participated in two charitable events and I cannot wait to see what we do together next as a family.

His first Race for the Cure!  October 2009

We helped prepare dinner for the families staying at our local Ronald McDonald House.  January 2010

If you are interested in learning more about Piggy, please click here! 

Inspire Imagination

I am unsure how I had never heard of this organization before, but I sure am glad to know about it now and thought I would pass it along!

Their Mission: The Art of Elysium, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1997, encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. We provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing.

You can make an impact by donating just $25.  That $25 will provide a hospitalized child with their very own art kit and the opportunity for creativity, imagination, and of course, a smile.  :)

There are other ways you can contribute, if interested.  Please visit their site for more information, by clicking on the link below:

The Art of Elysium
3278 Wilshire Blvd - Penthouse
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Phone: 213-389-3201 

Cupcake Friday!...on Thursday

Today is a very special Cupcake Friday...a little early!  I saw this on Amy Atlas' blog and feel the need to share and spread the word.  Here is a little excerpt from her post:

Icing Smiles is a non profit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by critical illness of a child. For kids with cancer, every birthday is a huge milestone that we may take for granted. Kate did a cake for Ben (see pictures above), who is battling brain cancer and had to be away from home on his 9th birthday. Can you imagine how happy Ben was to see that amazing cake on his birthday?

Right now Icing Smiles is up for a 25K grant from Pepsi, and need people to vote for them so they have more funding to make cakes for these special kids. Would you all take one minute to vote for them? I know we’re all busy, but this is such a great cause and can really make an impact on so many wonderful kids. If you want to learn more about Icing Smiles, you can check out their site here. Also, if you would like to do more, like bake a cake for a child — professional and amateur bakers are welcome — you can do that as well.

 Please take a moment and really give this some thought.  I know I will.

ABSOLUT® New Orleans

ABSOLUT® New Orleans
If you have not yet had the pleasure of trying this special-edition flavored vodka, you must! Its mango and black pepper flavor makes this vodka a must! The proceeds will go to Gulf Coast charities! So drink up for a good cause...you will not be disappointed!