GIVEAWAY John Met Betty HAITI RELIEF Coin Purse CLOSED

AND THE WINNER IS EMBER! Chosen by random.org!

A couple weeks ago when I saw that Jillian of John Met Betty was offering 50% of her proceeds from this little goodie to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief- I gobbled it up because I knew someone out there would just love to win it!

Jillian makes totally unique and adorable purses, accessories and apparel from a mix of new & vintage materials.

Even her shop name has an wonderful little story. Jillian named her company John Met Betty shortly after her grandmother Betty passed from Alzheimer's disease. She really wanted to honor her in some way. Her grandparents both had an impeccable sense for fashion and her grandfather John still does, at 86 years old!

Jillian has closed up shop for a bit, but you can still get one of her amazing little purses here!

WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive John Met Betty's adorable coin purse.





HOW TO WIN:

This one is easy peasy- just leave a comment below with your contact info!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, February 7th! Good luck!! CLOSED

Small Things = Big Difference or organic cotton weary makes me SCREAM

Most people think of cotton as an eco-friendly, natural fiber; it breathes, it's washable, it's a renewable resource, but cotton is actually one of the most toxic plants on the planet. And it's not the cotton's fault.


The problem is the boll weevil. Boll weevils are "virulent pests that infest the cotton plant." I thought we should all get a look at one in case it ends up in your t-shirt. <------

(just kidding, but it is kind of gross looking)

This is reminding me that hubby and I may or may not have a stinkbug infestation (check back on whining Wednesday for details).

So, anyhoo these little boll weevils are very hard to kill and the farmers have to use all kinds of pesticides to protect their cotton crops. Eventually these little critters become immune to the pesticide and mutate around it, like a cockroach, and then the farmers get themselves some brand new pesticides. And these are not highly targeted pesticides, so they also kill spiders and wasps and all kinds of other beneficial insects and throw the whole eco-system out of whack.

And when the cotton field gets watered and when it rains these pesticides end up in streams and our water tables. They are also highly toxic to farm workers. And even though your fancy new t-shirt has had the chemicals washed out (probably not all of them)- where does the wastewater from the cleaning process end up?

Bottom line think organic cotton. It's grown without synthetic pesticides and with attention to the ecosystem. By wearing organic cotton you won't be walking around in clothes laden with residual pesticides and you are not supporting the introduction of more toxic chemicals into our already overloaded ecosystem.

I am still left wondering though:

Why does everyone remember that Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin?

(does anyone have a clue what a cotton gin is)

And was Cotton Weary the worst name for a movie villain ever? Discuss .....
1. Infusion amazing organic cotton and hemp bag
2. Gaia Conceptions stunning long organic cotton and hemp skirt
3. Neena Creates soft and beautiful organic cotton t-shirt
4. Totally fun mustaches organic cotton dinner napkins by Parrishhw
5. The unforgettable Chakrapennywhistle's organic cotton pillow
6. Totally adorable animal collective tshirt for children by Xenotees
7. UndertheRoot's sexy and stunning organic cotton pantalette

Thursday was not Pugsley's Sister

Time out for a little look around the web for some inpiration that will make Thursday feel like Friday

(almost)

and make Pugley's little sister want to change her name.

First up the bold and beautiful clothing of Sweden's Gudrun Sjoden has me dreaming of spring.




Nectar Jewelry's amazingly stunning and original work (even though Sharon did once compare me to a Real Housewife from New Jersey ... it may have been after I threatened to throw a chair at her though)



I want a wall like this one at New York's Ace Hotel.



Wild Unknown's amazing Great Lakes Prisms!



Factory 20 has the most incredible vintage goodies!



If you haven't seen the gorgeous collection of Mika Organics- you MUST take a look!





Bouncy ball installation art!




Sturdy and beautiful furniture made from crates and pallets - found on Design Squish!




The gorgeous illustration at Liese Chavez's new shop Pale Preoccupation.




And yes, she has a new locket!

Hearts for Haiti on Etsy Raises $19,000 in 2 Weeks!

A few days ago Stacey from Artsnark let me know about an amazing Etsy shop that has been doing big things for Haitian relief efforts and Doctors Without Borders.

Hearts for Haiti is the lovechild of Victoria van der Laan and her amazing group of volunteers who have been working tirelessly for the last 2 weeks.

I donated 4 necklaces yesterday to their shop and 3 sold within hours! 100% of their proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders- so if you are looking to make a difference with a handmade item donation from your own shop or to purchase a wonderful handmade or vintage item and make a difference with your purchasing dollars- check out this amazing shop!