Archive
November 25, 2009 - 8:49 am
I’ve posted about the awesomeness that is Ink+Wit (aka Tara Hogan) before – and she’s still great! When telling her about my first book project the other day, Tara inquired if I would be interested in guest posting on the Ink+Wit blog.
My answer: 100% yes!
Click on over to see my first (of many) guest posts on the Ink+Wit blog. For my cardinal post, I gathered a collection of swank holiday gifts handmade in New England (where I happen to be living & Tara is originally from). Do you have a favorite, New England-based creative? Tell us about them in the comments section!
November 19, 2009 - 10:41 am
I’m elated with the many sustainable advances Connecticut has been making recently. The infamous University of Connecticut (UConn) is a vital element in this eco-progress. Researchers at UConn’s CT Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CCEI) are knee-deep in producing a white paper about the growing green market. I had the pleasure of talking with them about my half-decade of experience in the eco-industry as both a consumer & business.
Now, they need your help!
Are you taking eco-conscious actions to help to protect our environment? Tell us your choices and concerns.
We are conducting research at University of Connecticut to understand people’s attitudes towards eco-friendly living and their experiences in connecting with eco-friendly businesses.
As a reward for your participation, you may enter our drawing for a goodie bag of eco-friendly/green items valued at $100.
In less than 10 minutes, you can share your favorite types of eco-products & top concerns with current & future business owners. Plus, who doesn’t love a good contest? 
Every response is a unique insight into the minds of sustainable consumers – help out UConn & take their survey today!
November 16, 2009 - 10:00 am
If you’ve been following me on Twitter or Facebook, then you’ve seen mentions of my SECRET BIG PROJECT for the past 2 weeks. Driving you nuts yet? Breath a sigh of relief. The time has come …
After signing the legal documents & getting the a-ok from “the powers that be”, I’m elated to announce that I AM WRITING MY FIRST BOOK!
Come on – this is big news; do a little dance with me! 
OK, you can stop. People are probably staring at you.
On Friday, I signed the publishing contract with Turner Publishing (@TurnerPub) & received the time-line for the book:
- Outline due Friday, December 4th
- Sample due Monday, December 14th
- Manuscript due Monday, February 15th, 2010
Before you jump in, I know what you are going to ask: what is the book about? Tentatively titled 37 Things to Know About Yoga, my book is a simplified introduction to the many aspects of yoga. The book will be a perfect gift for anyone who has thought about starting yoga, has just taken their first few classes, or as a basic reference guide for experienced yogis. It will focus more on the knowledge, concepts, and misconceptions of yoga, not only the postures.
It is possible the # of “things” may change … we’ll see how my outline comes together. No release date is set, but the publisher plans to have it on shelves in 2010. The book will be an uber-affordable $9.99 per copy, quaint at 6.5″ x 5.5″ in size, & roughly 160 pages (30,000 words).
So … yeah … I’m going to be a publisher author. Pretty freakin’ sweet.
You can bet your bippy that I’ll be writing about the experience of growing from writer to author RIGHT HERE on my blog. I’ll talk about the struggles, triumphs, making deadlines, and even asking for your input! Plus, I’ll be giving away a few copies of the book and letting you know when its available for pre-order on Amazon. I might even be doing a book signing near you. (tentative areas: Hartford, New Haven, Providence, Boston, NYC, San Francisco) If you know of a yoga studio or bookstore that might be interested in having me visit, let me know!
November 13, 2009 - 11:28 am
Another shining example that life is nothing if not full of surprises.
While dropping off my husband at work last week, I spotted something strangely attractive in the trash can nearby. On top (not swimming in garbage juices, mind you), I found these 3 ceramic bowls.
First off, aren’t they cute!?
Secondly, who the heck throws out perfectly good ceramics!? Yes, two of the bowls have small chips on their rim, but come on … you can still eat out of them. Plus, they are downright charming. 
As expected, I gathered up the bowls (despite my husbands’ minor disgust) and took them home. Fast forward to yesterday & I finally had time to wash and take some pictures of said bowls. In less than 30 minutes of internet research today, I’ve found out more about the origin of my new beauties.
The stamp on the bottom of the bowls says “The Old Curiosity Shop”, which is a line of various colonial-style patterns manufactured by the Royal China Company of Sebring, Ohio (my connection to the Midwest never ceases!). The company began in 1934, was sold in 1969, and went bankrupt in 1986. These particular bowls were likely manufactured in the 1950s. They were sold as soup bowls, are 8 and 1/4th-inch in circumference, and designed by a man named Gordon Parker.
If you find yourself enamored with these darlings, then you’re in luck! I’ve found two websites (Big Ed’s Royal China Dinnerware & My Granny’s Attic Antiques) that have them for sale at just $10 each (chips not included, haha). You can also find many of the other patterns in the Old Curiosity Shop line in green, blue, brown, and pink.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
November 10, 2009 - 9:29 am
Yesterday was a rare November day in Connecticut. A cloudless sky & 70-degree temperatures were enough to make anyone smile. Arriving home from a college class, I found a reason to grin like crazy. After a minor shipping error, my Little Sunrise & Dandelions Mug from Stephanie Kao was delivered!
The mug is a bit more golden yellow than the picture on Etsy, but the hand-painted details are enchanting. Holding an item that was lovingly made by another person is both emotional and energizing. You won’t get the same feeling from something you buy at Target or the mall. This one purchase furthers my adoration for one-of-a-kind goodies created by the hands of someone I can talk to.
Another bonus: Stephanie personalized the mug just for me! <3
Good thing my last name changed from Everman to Klein when I got married – I don’t think my old name would have fit (haha). Now, I’m off to brew some tea to give the mug a test run.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
November 5, 2009 - 9:31 am
Being a 20-something is today’s society is, frankly, a royal nightmare. On the cusp of striking out on our own, this is the first chance we have to identify ourselves as individuals – not just another one of your parent’s kids.
There’s a lot of pressure, financial concerns, emotional growth … but the most important factor is how we spend our time. Our careers & our hobbies define us more than anything. They can also have the biggest impact on the environment & unforeseeable future.
Currently 25, I can deeply connect with Libuse Binder’s 1st book, 10 Ways to Change the World in Your 20s. This time is the beginning of the rest of our lives – the best time to find your passion & run with it. Hitting shelves this week (visit your favorite local bookstore!), Libuse does an exceptional job of rounding up the ever-growing options of how us young people can make a true difference.
This book also captures a vital part of the sustainable/ethical/sociological movement that I consistently promote – every little thing counts. Basic things like sending emails & cooking can be turned into impact-having actions!
Libuse includes concrete information on the benefits of volunteering, reducing waste, conscious traveling, how to find your passion & turn it into a career … and oh yeah, lots more. Each action she describes is rated in 3 categories: time, cost, & lifestyle impact. These graphics are a great way of getting a visual idea of the difference you can really make (& who doesn’t like cute little icons?).
We are the future & we need to use our influence for the biggest impact possible. 10 Ways to Change the World in Your 20s is a comprehensive book that should be required reading in every high school worldwide.
Bonus: Visit the 10 Ways… blog & Twitter account for more ways to make a difference!
November 2, 2009 - 10:00 am
Time for another collection of articles I’ve written for InnerRewards! Being a member of the site is so much fun – lots of great info, helpful listings, and unique people to chat with.
When you join the community (for free!), make sure to add me as a friend. For a look back, visit my first and second collection of articles.
