Design Mom's Guest Mom Allysha had an awesome post today. It's all about the amazing, thoughtful commentary and analysis on public radio. Check out her post. I was familiar with many of the programs but was introduced to a few new ones too. I can't wait to find out when they're on the air so I can tune in!

Forest Ethics published a great commentary about the hypcrocity of magazines publishing green issues without actually being green themselves.

These lovely sweater inspired coasters are so incredibly unique. {via A Little Sussy}

A farmers market relocated right down the street from our new condo. I love how everything is organic and hormone free. Plus, it's supporting local farmers which I truly think is important. They're open Tuesday and Saturday so if you're in Charlotte I hope you'll check it out!

Voting early is so great! I'm excited that the North Carolina primary election actually is important this year.

But, it made me realize that I'm pretty uninformed about local politics. I'll be checking out Project Vote Smart to learn which local officials have similar views as me so next time I can feel like I really did my civic duty.

Ben and Jerry's is celebrating their 30th anniversary today! Stop into your local scoop shop for a free cone. {That's where you'll find me after dinner!}

When we visited Charleston my friend Terra had a box of these sitting next to a candle on our bedside table. I admired them and made a mental note as to how I thought it made the room more inviting. Then, today while browsing Room Service Home I found them!

These white nesting tables would definitely work in my future condo.

Earlier in the week I blogged about an opt-out company to help you get rid of unwanted catalogs. Well, I found that it was a bit tedious and if the name of the catalog didn't come up then there wasn't a way to opt-out. Since then, I've found an even better company. They have a great alphabetized search of tons of catalogs so you can just click and be done with it.

This weekend we went to Art & Soul of the South End. This, in my opinion, was the best artist.

I was just introduced to this great designer. Check out these dresses. Here are a few of my favorites.

What a great message on this Kate Spade stationary.

I don't know about you, but I get a ton of junk mail. I bought one thing online, then I started getting the catalog. Now, I receive a whole bunch of other catalogs from companies I've never even heard of!

I registered at DMAChoice.org and am in the process of adding catalogs to my profile so that they can send out requests to remove me from the mailing list. You definitely have to be diligent. For me that means I keep track of the catalogs I receive so that I can add them on the website. I also joined the Do Not Mail Registry. It's similar to the Do Not Call registry, only this ones for wasteful, annoying and environmentally destructive junk mail!

I love this whole outfit.

This might become my go to summer dress.

This shirt makes me smile.

Can I have one of everything from the most recent catalog?

I'm trying to drink more water. Apparently, it's good for you. Or so I hear. Anyway, all this news about reusable plastic bottles finding their way into landfills and how BPA {found in plastic} is a known carcinogen has me wanting this CamelBak bottle.

Really like this dress. I do wish they had it in my size though.

These bookends would look so great in almost any home.

I'm never getting readers from the eye doctor again. What a waste of money. Instead, I'll be getting one of these cute Kate Spade frames. {Hint: Nordstrom carries the whole line of 8 frames; the Kate Spade website doesn't seem to have them all online yet.}

Wire & Twine has a really fun green line. Among the goods are green tees, information about green diapers and wipes {which are not only bad for the environment but also contain horrible chemicals} and a list of 50 ways to helps save the planet. We're talking way, way easy things like turning off your computer at night, washing laundry in cold water, buying locally and cutting down on your junk mail. It makes being eco-friendly so easy and proves you really don't need to change your whole life to make a big difference. {via Unruly Things}

I love this clutch! It's handmade of woven raffia with cotton lining and has a carved wood button.

Even better, Mad Imports {where the bag is carried} is a socially and environmentally responsible company who employs artists and weavers in Kenya and Madagascar. The sale of the products help enable families to gain economic independence and generates funding for community development projects.

Thanks to Unruly Things for blogging about this great video. The Story of Stuff follows the production path of the stuff we use everyday. It explains how consumerism, the environment, the government, corporations and us (yes, us!) are all interconnected. It's about 20 minutes, really thorough and it takes a complicated concept and makes it easy to understand and truly is interesting!

My friend Ashley has gorgeous skin. I know genetics play a huge part. And making sure you're drinking enough water does too. But, she insists this stuff is what she relies on. I picked some up today. The true test will be if it doesn't add oil to my already uber-oily skin, evens out my tone and lasts all day. I'll report back soon with my thoughts.

Since our visit to Charleston, I'm fascinated by the dark history of the city. I've picked up a copy of Wicked Charleston and can't wait to get started learning about the other side of the genteel Southern city.

So I finally saw Juno. Very quirky and so not what I expected. Nonetheless, it was good and I recommend it. It's so different from what's out there and it tackles a difficult subject in a great way.

Happy Earth Day! Let's try and make it Happy Earth Life. I'm always adding great eco-conscious products, I hope you enjoy them!

30,000 bubble stickers were printed and placed on top of ads all over New York City. Passersby filled them in. Later, the results were photographed. What a great idea. And some great social commentary!

I spent over an hour tooling around the Behind the Curtain section of the Kate Spade website. I adore the Things We Love section and found some new musicians to check out. It's definitely worth a visit when you have some free time.

Do you think you could live without computers? I couldn't, but I'm definitely going to try for a day. I think it's such a cool global experiment!

While in Charleston I saw the most beautiful flowers at Terra and Gabe's house. Then, while at the Saturday farmer's market I discovered it's called Lupine and seriously considered bringing some home to Charlotte.

But, I decided they probably would wilt on the drive home so I'm going to check the farmer's market here and all the grocery stores until I find some to bring home.

Through April 27, BR will donate 1% of sales {or up to $100,000} to the Trust for Public Land, a non-profit dedicated to conserving urban green spaces. I love when stores do this. It just gives me another reason to shop!!

This weekend I fell in love with Dan in Real Life.

We are off to Charleston for the weekend. I'll be back next week. Have a great weekend!

Barack Obama has been criticized for being an elitist. I know what they mean, but my thought is this: Aren't the elite typically well spoken, well educated and exercise influence? Shouldn't we all be striving for this and more importantly electing someone who can show this to the rest of the world?

These are so pretty you could have them sitting out in your garden all the time.

I really want to get a dress like this for summer. It would transition so perfectly from work to the weekend to a night out for dinner.
I also really like the ruffles on the front and sleeves of this top. I bet it looks great with a pencil skirt or wide leg pants.

I do apologize for the lack of posts lately. I haven't been feeling very inspired. Design Mom introduced me to this artist on Etsy {who also happens to be her sister-in-law.} I really like the simplicity of this olive tree woodblock print.


Her greeting cards are also great and have that whimsy I love.

I just found out The Library of Congress has a fickr stream. It's such a cool way to stroll through the history archives.

Ohhh, animal prints.

100% recycled and recyclable, these reusable flatware pieces are dishwasher safe and a perfect environmentally conscious alternative to disposable plastic flatware. I'm all about these, especially since we are planning numerous barbecues this summer!