A billboard hit.

My Earth Day/birthday weekend is off to a good start! (In case you're wondering, I'm younger than Earth Day but old enough to remember Woodsy Owl.)


I got my first present in the mail yesterday from my aunt -- and she did good! I've got a new, green place to keep my green. I've been coveting her Vy & Elle wallet for some time now, so she picked up on my not-so-subtle signals and got me one. I love repurposed products that don't look repurposed. In this case, if you aren't already familiar with Vy & Elle, you'd have no idea that their line of eco-urban bags are made from recycled billboard vinyl. Because no part of a billboard can be used twice, each one is different. Mine is red, yellow, black and white -- very rock n' roll.




You can buy them online at Greenloop, and I found this one on sale for only $16 through the Vy & Elle website, which appears to have merged with a company called Blowfish.

I speak from the receiving end of personal experience when I say that this is a great gift for that eco-conscious, fashion forward gal pal. Could even be a cool bridesmaids' gift!

Bugs!

When my mom asked what I wanted for my birthday last month, I didn't have to think very hard -- I just sent her a long list of potential suggestions from my Etsy favorites. And then promptly forgot what I'd sent, until this came in the mail:

Blue Mountain Butterfly Display, $40

Isn't it gorgeous? It's a perfectly captured Blue Mountain Butterfly, framed by Biologist/Entomologist Kevin Clarke of Bug Under Glass. He only uses farm-raised insects, and each piece has a replica vintage museum label (signed and numbered) on the back with detailed info about the species, so you can feel like a true collector.

I can't stop admiring my little butterfly, and I already have my eye on a few more to add to my collection: the Charles Darwin Callithea, or maybe the Yellow Migrant Sea Monster.