31 bits

With a little bit of paper, you can share a whole lot of love.

That’s the motto of 31 Bits. Born from a young group of philanthropic women, 31 Bits is eco-friendly, fair trade jewelry made out of 100% recycled paper by internally displaced women in Northern Uganda. As country ravaged by war for over 20 years, there have been untold numbers of abductions, torture, rape and deaths, causing over one million people to be displaced and endure poverty, starvation, a lack of sanitation, healthcare and jobs. Despite these bleak conditions however, there are women who are finding creative ways to provide for themselves and their families through the art of jewelry-making.

31 Bits is centered around using the creative art and entrepreneurship already present in these women. Their goal is to help alleviate their stresses by creating an international market and a voice for the beautiful jewelry the women are making. All the products are bought directly from the women who make them and are sold in boutiques across the United States. Their website even features a section where you can read about the designers making the jewelry. It’s amazing how even in the face of tragic loss, these women find a way to thrive. Their stories are truly inspiring.

And one of the greatest parts about 31 Bits? None of the jewelry is over $28, making it affordably stylish. Purchases can be made online, but trust me when I tell you the photos in the store do not do the jewelry justice. Each one is an individual, unlike any other made or sold. So you can be sure that no matter the length, color or size you buy, it’s truly one of a kind! Check the website for retailers in your area and see them in person for yourself!

Humpday

I am tired and cranky today and would like nothing other than to stick my head in a waist-high pile of these.

via folkmann.ca

Finding happiness in the misfortune of others.

Okay, okay, call me a bad person for laughing at this, but I’m going to hell anyway, so who cares. I’ve never actually watched a full episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8 but with their divorce and hanky panky business plastered all over every show on TV, how can you not know what’s going on? This video is a spoof Match.com application video from a would-be Jon Gosselin. I’ve gotta admit. I laughed. Out loud.

Fat bastard.

leenewham photo

Fat Bastard is one of my new favorite wines. I had the Chardonnay recently during my trip to Balitmore and was pleasantly suprised at the value for the cost (RE: cheap). Not to mention the fun you get out of saying Fat Bastard or the super cute fat hippo they use as their bottle mascot. Born of a French & British partnership between two friends, the wine is fruit driven and food friendly, making it equally acceptable for a dinner party in or a booze hound’s night out.

Eh, hoser.

My man broke the nozzle on our garden hose. Like. 6. months. ago. Really. I’m thinking this one would be an appropriately stylish replacement. Even if he does all the watering.

It’s all about the stache!

WANT this ’stache necklace like there’s no tomorrow. And if you get the original, she’ll even customize the size of your ’stache and the length of your chain. I think I’m in love.

from Little Angels Jewelry on Etsy

mark.tini!

Love the smell of summer fruit? How about refreshing your skin with a mark.tini – a fruit-infused, hydrating body mist from mark. Scents (flavors?) like peach, mango, tangerine and watermelon will leave your skin feeling hydrated and conditioned – not to mention fruit juicy! Maybe try popping one in the fridge for a burst of cool flavor on a hot day. At only $10, it’s the best piece of fruit you’ll buy all summer!

The Wine Monkey

Wine Monkey loves dinner parties, and dinner parties love The Wine Monkey. Would this not make the most perfect gift for re-gifting ever? I think so, considering it’s like a gift in itself. So for the next party you attend, pick one up, wrap your obligatory bottle in it and encourage your host to do the same for their next gathering. I can almost guarantee your gift will be the life of the party!

Beach Thingy

Welcome back! Hopefully you got to enjoy some gorgeous weather with a nice little trip to the beach. And maybe next time you can take the Beach Thingy along with you. What looks to be only half a chair, it’s the easiest leisure item you’ll take to the beach ever. The Beach Thingy simply slides into the sand until the bottom of the chair back rests on the sand surface. The prongs penetrate into the sand far enough to be stable, and because the chair is made of plastic, it has just enough flex to be comfortable when you rest against it. So not only will you be sitting pretty (and comfortably), you’ll have a lot less to carry!

Carbohydrate Friday!

I’ve been tasked with dessert for the annual 4th party this year adn rather than a traditional and geeky patriotic red, white and blue dessert, I think I’ll make this one instead. Considering it had my mouth watering the instant I saw it and it calls for “instant” ingredients making it ridiculously easy, I’m pretty much smitten.

Happy fireworks everybody!

BETTER THAN ROBERT REDFORD DESSERT
photo and recipe via Noble Pig – adapted from Family Circle

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, plus more for top of cake
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar (not granulated, as is mistakenly shown in the picture)
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 cups milk
2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding
2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) instant chocolate pudding
Chocolate, milk or dark to make chocolate shavings

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium-size bowl, mix flour, walnuts and butter. Pat into prepared dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool completely.
3. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. Spread over cooled crust.
4. Prepare vanilla pudding using 2 cups of the milk. Spread over cream cheese layer. Prepare chocolate pudding with remaining 2 cups milk. Spread over the vanilla pudding layer. Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate shavings. Cut into squares.