A Beautiful Bracelet with Thanks

A Beautiful Bracelet with Thanks

Over the last few months I have found numerous items that are made in the USA and have thoughts so many times "that would be perfect for my blog". While I have definitely not given up my efforts to support American industry, once I stopped making this an every day activity I noticed that time simply started to slip away and now it has been a good long stretch since my last post. But I received a gift over the weekend that made me smile, not only for the gesture and intent of the item, but because this was from a collection I featured on this blog several months ago and it meant something all the more special because of that.

I was in attendance at a workshop over the weekend where a lovely young woman (our state pageant titleholder who had emceed a program for me earlier this year) and her mother stopped me as we were leaving to give me a thank you present. It was a beautiful bangle charm bracelet from the Alex and Ani collection.

First, I love it for the gesture it was. Second, I love crowns...as do they and everyone at this particular event :) and third, I love it because I know and believe in this company because of their commitment to keeping their jewelry made in the USA. Was it coincidence or a similar way of thinking? Either way, it was a perfect gesture that made me think "I simply MUST share this on my blog". To them I say thank you for a sweet and appreciated gift. To you, my blog readers, I say thank you for being with me along this journey. Even when I am not actively posting each day, I still believe in this efforta nd hope you do as well. And to Sharon who I heard from again recently, thank you for inspiring me down this road. Whether I am commenting daily or not, supporting this American ideal has made a difference in how I look at things and what I take note of every day of my life. So if a stretch of time passes before we meet again, just know that I am thankful that this blog was part of raising awareness for others, but also making a tangible difference in me. So every time I encounter an item like this and notice that it is made in the USA it will make me smile all the more thinking of my year of exploration and blogging that made me so much more aware and attentive to finding great products and gifts that are made in the USA. Thank you!

Black Friday Shopping Starts When?! I Will Shop Small Business Saturday

Black Friday Shopping Starts When?! I Will Shop Small Business Saturday

Black Friday shopping starts when?! It's Thanksgiving morning as I am writing this and by all accounts there are already sales in progress. Wow. As for me, I am choosing to avoid this shopping experience and instead wait for Small Business Saturday...

https://shopsmallneighborhoods.americanexpress.com/

There are lots of reasons to support small businesses, but to me the most important reason is that by supporting our neighbors we are supporting our neighborhoods and communities and that translates right into the supporting our country. Let's show them some love and save some dollars to spend in the small local stores. I will choose that myself...and if I wait long enough, maybe Black Friday will fall on Wednesday next year.

Glue Dots

Glue Dots

I must admit that after posting something every day for a year, once I crossed the one year mark I decided it was ok to be a little more sporadic with my posts and share only when things really speak to me and I am moved to do so. Well, today I was moved...by glue dots.

 

 

Ah, glue dots (which, incidentally, are incredibly different from glue spots). And as it turns out there are about ten different varieties of glue dots. I know because I spent a fair amount of time today in the local craft store looking at the choices. Some were too big, some were too small, some were micro, some were super strong, some were permanent. These removable dots (as Goldilocks would say) were just right. I believe they will be perfect for the project I am currently working on. I know I have friends who have nightmares over the sheer volume of glue dots they have used to hold various bulk projects together. But I am new to glue dots, so for now my project still is quite a novelty and I look forward to applying these sticky circles to hold all the pieces together. And best of all... 

 

...these glue dots are made in the USA...yea!

Take This Out To The Ballgame

Take This Out To The Ballgame

Last week I noticed one of my co-workers coffee drinking out of this tumbler...

 

She said she got it at a baseball stadium. I was impressed and asked to give it the once over. On the bottom it was marked as being produced by Whirley Drinkworks of Warren, Pennsylvania. So I looked into this a little more. Check out the awesome video on their website http://whirleydrinkworks.com/ that shows more about the many plastic products they make right here in the USA...and take this out to the ballgame!

Styling Some Fabulous Custom Soaps

Styling Some Fabulous Custom Soaps

I love learning new hobbies and craft techniques. This week I decided to try my hand at soap making. It was so much fun! First I found a great glycerin soap base to start with. I found these bags of Something Fabulous pure glycerin soap cubes that could be melted in a microwave. They are conveniently packaged in re-sealable bags and so easy to work with...

 

And the soap, colorings and fragrances I used were all made in the USA...

 

 

 

I molded some opaque soap shapes using some fancy beads with a theme. Then I melted a layer of the clear soap and let it create a surface, placed my opaque soap pieces inside and finished a couple of bars off by sealing them with more clear soap.

 

 

I created these fun bars with an 80s rock theme. Soap making is a great project and a wonderful way to personalize a gift for someone!

"Green" Jeans Made From Recycled Water Bottles

"Green" Jeans Made From Recycled Water Bottles

I want to thank and credit my friend Omar for pointing me in the direction of this link to one of the coolest concepts I have encountered since starting this blog. "Green" jeans made in the USA using recycled water bottles. You really just have to see this for yourself...

http://www.defynewyork.com/2013/09/23/dirtball-made-in-the-u-s-a-green-jean-made-of-recycled-water-bottles/

Can we give this idea some big applause?

The Gift of Caring

The Gift of Caring

Occasionally I break from pointing out American-made items to pointing out American-made spirit. October is breast cancer awareness month, so before the month is over I want to take a moment to salute the walkers at a recent event I was involved with that raises money for the fight against breast cancer...

 

I don't know of anyone who hasn't been impacted either personally or via someone they know and it is time to find a cure. Find out more about the fundraising efforts here... http://www.cancer.org/involved/participate/makingstridesagainstbreastcancer/index. We've lost too many already...it's time now for cancer to lose.

An American-Made Infrared Heater

An American-Made Infrared Heater

Fall is here. I know that, not just because the calendar tells me, but also because I am chilly. Well, in fairness, I'm always chilly, but suddenly more people are joining me. In recent years heating has become increasingly expensive. While this may not be a full solution, perhaps it's a help to at least keep a little bit of your space warm and toasty...

Look closely at the corner of the box and you will see these EdenPure infrared heaters are proudly made in the USA...doesn't that make you feel all warm and toasty too?

Flat Taffy

Flat Taffy

I intend to continue sharing cool American made items via this blog, but after having shared something daily for 365 (well, 366) days straight I have decided I am no longer going to number my days. I will still post cool things as I find them, but will not worry about disrupting the rhythm if I don't an entry every single day. Instead this will just keep letting you know about things as I find them. For example, right now I am chewing on a delicious piece of flat candy...It's McCraw's Old Fashioned Flat Taffy by Hammond's Candies and it is handmade in the USA...

 

 

I like this very much. because it is so thin it is not overly chewy. Just enough, but it's not a sticky taffy either. As Goldilocks would say, it's just right.

 

 

What a delicious treat!

One Year Anniversary - An Awesome Year in Review

Day 366.
One Year Anniversary - An Awesome Year in Review

One year ago today I began writing this blog and have had something to share with you every day. Sometimes a gift idea, sometimes a cute or clever item I happened on, sometimes a link to something interesting and sometimes a video with an interview, craft or review. Today I'd like to offer a concise year in review. This was originally intended to be a 60 day project (I've obviously gone well beyond that initial goal), but to keep with the theme of 60 I want to share with you the highlights of an awesome year in 60 seconds...

 

Thanks to all who have been following this. We've made a difference just by paying a little extra attention. Perhaps we've saved some elephants, perhaps we've helped our domestic economy or perhaps we've simply raised a bit of awareness. Whatever has happened in the last year, I count it as a gain. And if anything I've had to share has made a difference to you I ask this...please pass it on. Let's keep making a difference with little ripples in the water. I believe that this is how we start to make change in the world.

Going Gourmet in Layers

Day 365.
Going Gourmet in Layers

I love this adorable mason jar of cookie mix by Sisters Gourmet www.sistersgourmet.com.

 

Not just for the reason you can guess...

 

 

 

...but also because the layers made a little analogy in my mind. This blog has existed for 365 days. In that time I've found layers of purpose to why I am writing it. Initially it was an answer to a challenge and an effort to put a positive focus on how we can all make a difference (particularly in regards to saving elephants). It grew from there to a mission...I didn't want to let it be a short term idea that dropped, I wanted it to have legs and grow and actually make a difference. Around Christmastime last year I saw that happening, mot tangibly in my aunt's response to buy only American made gifts for the holidays. From there I kept at it and it evolved from a gift guide into an everyday guide to American made things we can incorporate into daily living. It then became a daily ritual, a cause to keep my eyes open and a conversation starter. All these layers are what this blog has become for me. So much like the layers in this cookie mix (crunchy oatmeal with coconut and chocolate...these layers are gourmet to me and I am glad to have set out on this journey!

Let Them Eat Cake...Chocolate Cake

Day 364.
Let Them Eat Cake...Chocolate Cake

I love it when things are easily spelled out for me. Cake mix shouldn't be hard. I love a delicious cake...particularly a chocolate cake...but love it even more if I don't have to work hard to see if it's an American made product. Here's a box cake mix that is not only a delicious choice...

 

...but also clear and unambiguous about it's ingredients and the fact that it is...

 

 

...made in America. Cherrybrook Kitchen also has lots of other products that are options for people who may have certain food allergies. You can check them out at www.cherrybrookkitchen.com.

This Cooler is Wheelie Cool!

Day 363.
This Cooler is Wheelie Cool!

Have you noticed the longer this blog has gone on the worse my puns have gotten? But seriously, this is a Wheelie Cool cooler by Igloo that is...

 

Of course, made in the USA. I must say, this is one of the most practical items we own. It's the perfect size to fit in the backseat or slide into the trunk of the car if we're taking a road trip and the wheels on the bottom are so convenient. As I am still unpacking from a recent trip this is one of the last things I am removing from the car, but it makes travel so much nicer!

Wonderful, Wonderful

Day 362.
Wonderful, Wonderful

Perhaps you can guess from the title that today I'm munching on some Wonderful Pistachios from California.

 

I love pistachios and, as their name suggests, they are wonderful! I also think they have some very clever ads...so my suggestion for today is get crackin!

Cats, Cats and More Cats

Day 361.
Cats, Cats and More Cats

I saw these leggings and thought they were just too cool. Any cat lovers? These are for you!

http://elasticwonder.com/collections/everything/products/cat-photo-collage-spandex-leggings

Part of a brand called Elastic Wonder by Idilvice, I wanted to learn more. This company makes cool, funky stylish clothing here in the USA...New York to be specific...

http://www.idilvice.com/servlet/the-template/about/Page

Here are some of my favorites among their designs featuring cats, all made in the USA...

http://www.idilvice.com/servlet/the-1065/Cat-dsh-faces-fleece-zip-dsh-jacket-fake-dsh-fur-dsh-collar/Detail

http://www.idilvice.com/servlet/the-1023/black_tan_cat-pink-Tea_dress-cocktail_Party/Detail

http://www.idilvice.com/servlet/the-1033/Cats-Kittens-Photo_collage-Tote_Bag/Detail

And there's even something cool for the elephant fans too (seems appropriate here) that is also mjade in the USA...

http://www.idilvice.com/servlet/the-946/elephant_photo_print-tie_dye_t-dsh-shirt-A-dsh-line_Skirt-asian_elephant/Detail

This line is very cool!

Jerseys

Day 360.
Jerseys

Sports were the hot topic this morning, but I don't follow any of them so all I can really comment about are my favorites colors for the uniforms. To that end, if you want to dress the part for your favorite sport I found this item about some cool jerseys made in the USA...

http://m.complex.com/style/2013/06/durkl-introduces-made-in-usa-collection

Play ball!

Balloons

Day 359.
Balloons

It occurred to me as a typed the header to today's post that in less than a week I will hit the one year mark for this blog, having posted something every single day since last October. I think that is reason for celebration...which I guess would warrant some balloons!

http://ethixmerch.com/redirect?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pioneerline.com%2Fimpress2.php

I think it is cool that not only are these balloons made in the USA, but they can be custom printed for any occasion. So let's celebrate!

A Book I'm Looking Forward To Reading

Day 358.
A Book I'm Looking Forward To Reading

Last night Jim Breuer, a comedian well known for his work on Saturday Night Live, gave a benefit comedy performance at my church. That might seem like an unusual venue, but the show was to help raise funds for a facility for the church to help kids with autism and special needs and their families and the show was fantastic! He even took some time for meet and greets afterwards...

 

Among the merchandise he had available (and incidentally, donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale to the cause) were copies of his book. Although I have not yet read this book, after seeing his show I was impressed with him and am eager to read what he has written.

 

 
And I share this with you not only as a new fan of his comedy, but also because...you guessed it...this book was printed in the USA!

 

Thank you Jim for what you did to help a great cause. We appreciate it very much!

The Mark of Quality

Day 357.
The Mark of Quality

Every now and again the company I work for orders promotional items (like bumper stickers) and when a recent shipment came in I couldn't help but notice this on the box...

There's a real mark of quality and I'm proud that I'm not the only one in the office looking for products made in the USA!

Memories and Boat Shoes

Day 356.
Memories and Boat Shoes

Although I am back at home, I am fondly remembering my trip to Maine and the fun we all had on the boat ride from Portland. Next time you're on a boat in Maine you might want to try these boat shoes by Sperry Top-Sider, made in Maine...

http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/SiteController/sperry/Made%20in%20Maine/cat90046DM/cat5830167/subcategory?CID=G_made_in_maine&gclid=CKrCldWjjboCFcSd4AodLzMAsw

Be ready and be stylish with a passion for the sea.