How do you indulge?



I was chatting the other day on twitter about the Neiman Marcus/Target partnership, and why they decided to partner up. I don't really see the benefit, but someone suggested perhaps it was a way for Target shoppers to splurge or indulge without feeling the wallet-pain of indulging at an actual Neiman Marcus store.


Tis the season to indulge, right? Cookies to the left, cocktails to the right (sparkling water for me)...chocolate chocolate chocolate. Other indulgences slip into our subconsciousness, whispering, urging us to buy every fancy thing in sight.

When I indulge myself in a little something fancy it usually ends up being skin care. I don't really know why, but I suspect it's because I put everything else before the priority to take care of myself (acceptance is the first step).  It doesn't hurt that winter weather dries my skin out and makes me feel especially blah, or that this year my hormonal, bloated, pregnant-self can't get enough sleep, and my entire epidermis should be called epidullmis.

I used to use Benefit make up while actively ignoring their ingredients. These days I'm on the search for  brands that contains fewer preservatives. If I love something, I go back to it again and again, so there are a few mainstays in my not-quite-routine:  Collective Wellbeing Hot Pore scrub, Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Lotion and their Musk Eau de Toilette.


Those mainstays were recently supplemented them with this year's indulgence: Acure toner, night cream, and facial mask. To round off my order, I added Isa's Restoratives Lilac Rouge to replace the Benefit Benetint I've been so fond of (bye bye parabens). My Cisthene total was less than the cost of a new outfit, and 10 minutes with my skin every evening and we at peace again.

Of course, finding make-up might be a little trickier. Anyone have a favorite brand? I've been eying Tarte... Do you indulge? What's your favorite personal treat?


Reused Plastic Makes for a Pretty Pinwheel




With all of the exhaustion that comes with pregnancy, I've been letting M go on TV benders. With those benders comes a lot of guilt about being a negligent mama, so I'm trying to come up with more constructive ways to spend our time. One of those ways has been crafty time with "Mama's markers".  Those special markers are my permanent Sharpies, because who in their right mind would let a toddler play with permanent markers? This crazy lady, that's who!


After explaining to M the markers should only be used for special projects, firmly letting her know that she may only open 1 marker at a time, and that the markers are not to leave her drawing table, she got the gist and the coloring frenzy began.

This particular project involved me obsessively cutting the clear plastic lids from holiday card boxes down into squares that were about 6 inches each side. M was allowed to color as she wished, mostly in broad patches of colors. Because I knew the more color on the surface, the better they would show up on the tree, I pitched in by adding a few patterns. Those patterns seemed to encourage her to color all over the page rather than in on spot. 


Once dry, I took over with the sharp instruments that M is definitely not allowed to use (scissors, needle and thread) and formed the pinwheel, using a button in the front to hold it all together.  As we finish them, M gets to pick a spot on the tree to hang them.

We must have about 12 so far (we send out a lot of cards at work) and will keep up the fun so long as M stays engaged!

Do you have any fun holiday crafts you're doing with your little one? Share your ideas, I'm sure I'll need new ones soon!


Small Living, NC

Independent businesses to support in the Charlotte area:
Arts/Crafts
Cheap Joe's (supplies)
Lark and Key Gallery (fine art and curated crafts)
SoBo Loft Gifts and Boutique (crafts, fine art prints, jewelry)

Fresh Local Food
Atherton Market, Charlotte, NC (Southend)
Matthews Farmers Market, Matthews, NC
Seventh Street Public Market, Charlotte, NC (Uptown)

Habitat and Green Living Supplies
Bare Green (online shop)
Birdhouse on the Greenway, Charlotte, NC
Microfarm Gardens, Charlotte, NC (design/install organic gardens)

Plants
King's Greenhouse, Stallings, NC (edibles and ornamentals, some native plants)
Norwood Plants and Garden Center, Charlotte, NC
Renfrow Hardware, Matthews, NC (edible plants)


Blogs in NC:
Little House on the Southern Prarie
The Slow Life
Smedette
Michelle Smith 

Blogs about things Made in the US of A:
F*#k Yeah Made in USA
Life Made American

Shop Picks by Clay Wood & Cotton



Continuing on the shopping trend, I thought it would be fun to ask the shops that carry my wares who a few of their favorite designers are. First up is Clay Wood & Cotton, a shop that's always a joy to work with, one that carries a bunch of our designs!




Prints from Erica Hauser;  ceramics from Virginia Piazza; pillow from Wicked Mint; yarn from Jill Draper; paper goods from Wishbone Letterpress.




They also suggested a couple other shops to check out: Art Star in Philly is a long-time favorite of ours as well, but the Clay Wood & Cotton gals also suggested Appetite in Portland, which is a new one to me. Check 'em out! Anything catch your eye?