UncommonGoods and a Giveaway (Now Closed)

Hey, y'all! I'm comin' attcha today with some super good stuff from UncommonGoods. If you're not familiar with this fantastical online retailer, they've been around since 1999 and are based outta a historic army terminal in Brooklyn. They specialize in selling unique and handcrafted gifts from around the world with the majority of goods created right here in the U.S. UncommonGoods is actually my baby gift go-to because I absolutely love these sweet socks and this hilarious baby fortune-tellin' gift. 

So when UncommonGoods asked me if I'd be interested in picking out a couple of goodies from their site AND sharing that love with you in the form of a giveaway, y'all know I jumped at the chance. I'd love to say that I did it just for you but, shoot! Have you seen the delightfulness on their site? I was stoked to pick out some treasures for myself. After I placed my order, I seriously received my box of goodies two days later! And promptly created this unboxing video just for you. I know, I'm such a giver.

Words cannot express how delightful that box smelled! It was the Chai Tea Kit that I ordered. I'm lovin' that tea! 

Now, I know what you're thinking..."did she mention a giveaway?!" Oh, I toooootally did. Just you wait, Ima getting there. 

First lemme show you all the yummies I picked out. If you've never perused UncommonGood's website before, they have it laid out in such an easy to navigate kind of way. I spent entirely too much time scrolling through the gifts for women section as well as the jewelry and art pages. And there's this incredible section where you can personalize your gifts which I find to be all the more sweet. When I discovered this Around the World Scarf, I knew it would be just the perfect thing to wear in my art room when we discuss other cultures. I had fun wearing it both as a scarf and a shrug!

One of my New Year's Resolutions (okay, my only one. I try not to set myself up for failure) was to stop drinking coffee. It's been an absolute nightmare (coffee gives me so much power that I feel as though I could flip cars and leap tall buildings, man!) but tea has made the transition bearable. Especially tasty teas. Which is why I was excited to see that Chai Tea Kit!  

I mean, look how pretty it is! Any tea drinker would be a fan. 

Never having made homemade chai tea before, I was happy to see that it came with clear directions. AND it didn't require any fancy tea making equipment. Just a saucepan to boil the ingredients and a strainer. I can handle that scandal. 

Especially if this is the result. Do you happen to have Scratch -n- Sniff on your phone? If so, I swear, if you scratch that cuppa, you'll smell the chai-tasticness.
Another pick of mine was this belt by Jenny Krauss. I've seen these belts before and I've always wanted one. There are actually several belts by this artist on the site but this one really struck me. I love the retro colors and the motif totally puts me in a Klimt state of mind. 

Such a funky combo, right? Love it!

I couldn't help wearing it today!

Of course, y'all know I have a soft spot for needle felting. If I have a sweater in my closet long enough, Ima gonna needle felt something on it. That being said, I've never really tried my hand at three dimensional needle felting. I've always been a little afraid to give it a go. That's why I jumped a the chance to try this Owl Needle Felting Kit. It contains a generous amount of roving as well as super detailed directions. I cannot wait to start creating these cute little dudes!

Alrightie, friends, so how bouts that giveaway, hmmm? UncommonGoods is generously offering a $50 gift certificate! How awesome is that?! To enter to win, all you gotta do is the following:

*  Leave a comment below. You can tell me what you'd spend your $50 on or simply something you love on the UncommonGoods site. 

* Leave your email address! This way I can contact you if you are the lucky winner.

And that's it! The winner will be announced Monday, February 2nd so be sure to stay tuned, all y'all! 

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What the Art Teacher Wore #88

Too Chilly for this Hill-billy Monday: Dude, at the start of the week it was beyond cold. Like, in the single digits. You'd think having grown up in Indiana, I'd be able to handle that scandal. I mean, I remember walking to classes on my college campus (go, I.U.!) and having my eyes freeze shut each time I blinked. Can't handle the cold scandal any more, ya'll! sweater: Anthro, last year; skirt: vintage, thrifted; tights and scarf: Target; shoes: Dolls by Nina

This weekend my house became a Potpourri of Putrid Smells. It all started on Saturday, when a certain cat who shall remain unnamed (ahem, that fat thing's name is Asha but she'll also answer to anything that resembles the sound of one opening a bag of cat food) decided to throw up approximately half her body wait down the...wait for it...heating vent. Yeah. Needless to say, our house had a lovely Hot Cat Vomit scent until late last night...when that smell was overtaken by the odor of an army of pissed off skunks who reside under our deck. Just when I was finally able to breathe again, hubs informs me that said Vent-Vomiter placed a dead mouse under our bed. GEESH. The Animal Kingdom is out to get us!

Okay. I need to Let. It. Go. Deep breathing, inhale -- ACK!! I STILL TASTE SKUNK! -- exhale, exhale, EX-FREAKING-HALE. 

Alright, forget that breathing business. Let's focus on something else, shall we?

Who has their book and is ready to DRAW?! I'm so excited, several of you have already started posting your drawings here. Please feel free to join the Artsy Book Club even if you don't plan to post your work or even read the book. You can join simply by "liking" the page. I set the official start date for Monday, February 3rd but I was so inspired by those of you that have already begun that I did the first drawing task today: A Still Life with a fine tipped pen. Follow the linky-loo to see some still life drawings already posted.

I thought I'd share with you today an artist that I discovered during those cold days at Indiana University: Isabel Bishop. I've always considered Bishop to be one of my favorite artists. I love her intimate narratives, her unique way of capturing color and atmosphere (there just seems to be so much AIR in her paintings) and, of course, I love the retro appeal. Bishop began her career as an illustrator but quickly switched to paint as her medium of choice.

Tidying Up, oil on masonite, 1941

Again, Fuh-fuh-freeezing! Tuesday: I believe I did the penguin waddle a half dozen times that day. dotted shirt: Old Navy; dotted dress: Target; sweater and shoes: thrifted

At the Noon Hour, 1935; Lunch Hour, 1939.  I love the moments that Bishop chose to capture. Just everyday snapshots of young women in New York City. If these were created today, I supposed at least one if not both women would be absorbed by their phones or taking selfies. But that's just a guess.

A Sweater with Built-in Mittens! Wednesday: I was so excited when I thrifted this Anthro sweater. I love the pockets! Also, did you happen to notice those huge brush paintings behind me? $2 at an estate sale this summer. I cannot wait to go estate saling again, one of my fave things to do. skirt: old, The Gap; tights: Anthro; boots: Lucky Brand bought at Marshall's

Friends, 1942

Feelin' Vintage-y Thursday: I've had this wool dress since my I.U. days...unfortunately, it's not lined. By the end of the day, I can't seem to get outta this wool number fast enough. sweater: Anthro, thrifted; dress: vintage; shoes: Anthro

Two Girls with a Book

"Finally, You're Weird Again!" Friday: Apparently I've been dressing pretty tame lately as this was said to me by a 3rd grader. Which was quickly followed by a debate by two kindergarten friends who couldn't decide if I was 14 or 23. I'll take either, thank you very much. sweater: vintage, thrifted; skirt and tights: Target

I can't seem to find the title of this painting so I apologize. However, I had to include it, I just love it. I attempted to create a series of people-taking-coats-off paintings in college inspired by Isabel Bishop. Don't you love her sketch-painting style?

Isabel Bishop, painted by Alice Neel, 1974. If you aren't familiar with Alice Neel's portraits, you outta be. I think I'll have to feature her sometime. Her work is awesome.

And here's my wee sketch. This was today's first drawing task: A Still Life. I chose the counter top in my bathroom. So looking forward to filling my sketchbook with drawings! Hope you'll join the fun!

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