Is a Starfish a Religious Figure?

When we were at an outdoor flea market earlier today we asked if the vendor had a Jewish star necklace - a Star of David. "Hmmm," she said ... "well, we have a starfish".

I am not kidding.

Where in the World are You Writing Me From?

IDEA:

We just got a fabulous thank you note from a friend. Part of its "fabulosity" to me is this: the author put his location - at the time of writing - on the correspondence card up near the date of the note. I just love this! I am not talking ... ummm ... "kitchen table" or "rooftop deck" ... but rather the city or town - the geography. It has me visualizing my friend and his whereabouts.

I will now copy this tradition and place my location accordingly. My friend travels the world quite a bit. Me? - not so much. Hopefully, I will have some interesting places to write from very soon. Of course this idea works for any type of correspondence, not just thank yous.

Thanks for the inspiration Jerry!

8/20/09

New Hope, PA

I am Mad for Mad Men

Mad Men. Yes, I am a big fan.

I was counting down the days until the season premiere last night.

I waited.

I watched.

I am still a fan and I will be watching next week too!

I also like hotel stationery ... but no letters from Don on the Roosevelt stationery were in my mailbox.

A Deep Thought: Sustaining and Healing - What is Fair Trade Paper?

As I am on vacation with my children enjoying life, the sunshine and much laughter, I think about those that don't necessarily have it as good. Women who live in areas of war and tough economic conditions. And last night when we were in a store called "Next Summer" (www.thelakehouselife.com) I was reminded about Fair Trade artisans while looking at a funky red organic looking floor pillow. “Sustain & Heal” is one of my favorite letterpress stationery lines and it comes from De Milo Design in California and they say it best: " In one word, Fair Trade (not to be mistaken for NAFTA’s “Free Trade”) is Dignity. 10,000 Villages explains it best. They focus on relationships with people who have been marginalized by war, weather, and damaging cultural systems. Hearing stories of people who have reclaimed life through Fair Trade is important for us western shoppers. The invitations in “Sustain & Heal" use Fair Trade paper from Kenya, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. If we can’t get it Fair Trade, the designs are supplemented by 100% Post Consumer Waste recycled paper produced by eco- friendly methods. With "Sustain & Heal” invitations our celebrations sustain our planet and heal lives!" In addition to invitations, Sustain & Heal can letterpress your personal stationery, thank you notes and everyday notecards and those we keep in stock at the office. And, of course, all are beautifully done. Fair Trade products are popping up all over. Call to find out more.

Don't You Love Birthdays?

August 3, 6, 7,7,7,7,7, (yes, 5 August 7th birthdays) 11,13,18,30... These are just some of the August birthdays I get to celebrate this month (obviously). I do love celebrating birthdays. The cards, gift giving, shopping, diners, parties, friends, and of course the cakes - of fruit, of ice cream or of decadent chocolate... yum/yum. Yes, summer can be tough if you are a kid as most of your friends might be away but you can enjoy the day/night and not worry about school on your birthday or the next day. And, you get to celebrate again when your friends return. Yesterday I got to celebrate my 2 kids - they are not twins but they are born on the same day. We had an old fashion day - all about them from sun up to sun down... hmmm, I guess it wasn't that different from most other days!

Where Do You Shop? Be a 3/50 Project Supporter

Clink on this link to find out how to strengthen your local community. Pick 3 and spend $50.The benefits are real.

A Box of Water Please

A new twist on drinking water packaging is here. Boxed Water Is Better has a really cool looking carton made from 85 percent trees from certified forests. For every tree that gets taken a new one is planted. Good for the planet.

Shipping the cartons flat to the water company takes up less space than other more common water packaging (plastic bottles) so fewer trucks are needed. Fewer trucks needed means less gas used and this means a reduced carbon footprint in the trucking process. Good for the planet.

The company also donates 10 percent of its profits to world water charities and another 10 percent to reforestation foundations.Good for the planet.

Oh, and we like the design.