Orange You Glad It's A New Day

She pushed aside the curtains to view what awaited her. Frosty trees and slick roads met her; she knew it was going to be cold outside. Her outfit would start with a much needed item of which she had many. She perused her collection of scarves. They hung from handmade clothespins, painted and distressed, to give her a better way to store and see what she had to choose from.

Orange was one of her favorite colors. While warm, it wasn't as fiery as red. She surrounded herself with it, dashes of this creative color were found here and there. Especially in her wardrobe. She decided on a monochromatic orange infinity scarf. It reminded her of a cozy blanket.

After dressing for work, she made breakfast. Her idea of the perfect morning meal didn't involve eggs or bacon, but it did include deliciously homemade jam on toasty bread. This was accompanied with a hot cup of coffee - How did one make it through the day without one? She didn't want to find out. Ever.

She grabbed everything she needed for the day. No new messages on her phone except a very bad knock-knock from her friend. It ended with "Orange you glad it's a new day." But she smiled because she was.

Open To All Points Of View

From July 30th - August 2nd, more than a thousand people will come together to learn, network and be inspired. It's the Animal Rights 2015 National Conference, the longest-running animal rights gathering in the USA. "It's the only conference open to all points of view on achieving animal liberation."

Want to improve your animal advocacy or network with animal activists? This was designed for that with plenty of educational and networking events. Registration has already started.

Give A Gift Of Oxygen :)

Air plants & succulents are easy to grow and maintain.

If you are or know a plant killer, these are the kind to have in your home.

Plus, there are a multitude of fun, unique planters to house them.

Handmade & vintage are just the way to display your green thumb (or lack thereof - Ha!)

Sapphire Gin Bottle Planter by Bottle Gardens

Vintage Beetle Planter from Bloom Funstore

Ron the Dimetradon, Toy Planter by Plaid Pigeon

High Heels with Heart Stockings Planter by JMN Pottery

Air Plant Crystal Planter by Earth Sea Warrior

Did you enjoy these eclectic planters? Leave a comment, share on your Facebook or, better yet, pick one up as a special one of a kind gift for this holiday season.

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . . Corrinne Quinn

Extraordinary Workshop Of Oddities

I found this wonderful shop, Extraordinary Workshop Of Oddities, through an Etsy team.

And I fell in love immediately with their whimsical, weird & fun creations.

I spoke to Vani, aka Lyla Estrella, one of the artists behind EWO . . .

CQ: What is EWO?

Vani: We create inspirational bags, trinkets, unique toys with a soul, pin buttons, funny bowties, bracelets, baggies, scrunchies and other things for teenagers, kids, women, men, pets.

Source, Clockwise: Rocky Sebastian Orangeade; Felt Bear Keychain; Flowery Mood Bracelet

CQ: Why handmade?

Vani: We’ve always been creative, and we always wanted to make the world a better place. That’s how and why we created Extraordinary Workshop of Oddities.

CQ: Who is behind EWO?

Vani: There are three artisans in our shop. I am Lyla Estrella, and I am representative of EWO in USA. I can describe myself as “Insane Dreamer Who Wants To Change The World”. Everything I do is for animals. It is my purpose to make their life better here on this planet.

Proud Vegan Piggy Poe, Stuffed Pin Button

I am a volunteer, vegan, musician, animal rights activist, writer, artisan and a fighter. I care a lot about nature and I believe you should always be true to yourself and fight for your dreams and for what you believe in.

I believe in magic, fairies and unicorns, kind and bold hearts, in beauty of rain and real Santa Claus. I believe in music because it’s my life’s elixir.

Rocky Sebastian Orangeade, Stuffed Keychain

I love tattoos and piercing, orange and turquoise colors, vanilla perfumes and seaweed. I am a mix of dark and bright clouds, enjoying and finding my inspiration in both of them.

CQ: You said that there are three artisans. Who are the other two?

Vani: Yes. There are 3 artisans in the shop - Lyla Estrella (me), Roma Mistress and Lana Viazul’ka. They represent EWO in Ukraine. We all create odd things with our Oddities and do management stuff.

Source, Clockwise: Knitted Bag, Lana Viazul'ka; Linen Bow Tie, Roma Mistress; Felt Keychain, Lyla Estrella

Roma makes bowties, oddities’ art, fabric bags and bracelets. She is a Fighter of Dreams. She wants to inspire people on achieving their dreams and aspirations. All her drawings are inspirational, sincere and odd. Just the way she is.

Yellow Flower Organic Linen Bow Tie by Roma Mistress

Lana makes knitted odd goods and bracelets, too. She is a Warmth Creator and likes to stand out from the crowd. That’s why everything she’s making is unique, warm and odd. Of course :) Lana wants to help homeless children and children who need special care.

Knitted Bow Tie Clutch by Lana Viazul'ka 

CQ: How do you support animals?

With every sold item, our odd workshop gives one handmade toy for animals in a shelter and provides a can of cruelty-free food to animals on the streets.

CQ: Where do your donated toys end up? 

Vani: As for charity, right now we donate toys to For Animals Inc. shelter in NYC. For Animals is dedicated to eliminating companion animal homelessness. They do so much for animals, not only cats (considering to be a cat shelter, they also save opossums, chicken, dogs and all kinds of animals who come across and need help). Visit them to support!

Charity Photo, Instant Download, Donation To Help Homeless Cats & Dogs, EWO

CQ: You volunteer your time and food. Where does this happen?

Vani: We buy food for stray dogs and cats in Mariupol, Ukraine. There’s no shelter there yet, so all we can do is to feed animals and protect them by providing warm clothes and possible temporary shelter. Also we help to do a TNR program there.

Charity Photo, Instant Download, Donation To Help Homeless Cats & Dogs, EWO

Did you enjoy the journey into their world? Share your favorite EWO item in the comments.

Please stop by their shop, like their Facebook, follow on Pinterest, spread the word of their oddness.

And, in the words of Extraordinary Workshop Of Oddities, be odd & do kind.

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . . Corrinne Quinn

Lavender XOXO

Lavender caught my eye, so I searched for it throughout my online world.

This is what I found. May you enjoy it as much as I did.

Source, Clockwise: Lavender Mango Granola; Marionberry Lavender Scones;

Millet Porridge with Lavender; Lemon Lavender Pancakes

Lavender XOXO, Etsy Treasury, Curated by Corrinne Quinn

Source, Clockwise: Bathroom; Paint Samples; Living Room; Kitchen; Bedroom

Lavender Home Decor by Pin & Tack

Are you delighted with all of this lovely lavender? If so, share it in the comments.

And if you have your own lavender "thing," share that, too :)

With blessings & joy, yours truly . . . Corrinne Quinn