I occasionally look for blogs that fit in with Accessory Foundry product lines, good design, somewhat modern, same price point.  I find it odd, but maybe I shouldn't, that most blogs are high fashion collages or are a parade of someone's daily outfits.  Not a lot is targeted at the person looking for creative, independent-minded, not too cheap, not to expensive items and ideas.

This past week I came across a blog called Envynde.  

Envynde provides a platform for independent designers to market their unique designs. It is their primary focus to help promote and build consumer awareness for independent designers. (Statement taken almost verbatim from their site.)

I liked Envynde so I emailed them and asked them if they might check out AF.  Since their focus is on indie designers, AF as a shop wasn't really something to blog about.  But, that didn't keep them from saying all kinds of nice things about us.  With a few kind words, someone out there really made my day.  

I emailed back thanking them for their kind words and asked if they had any suggestions for marketing ideas.  The CEO, Brandon, contacted me with such an open heart and kind words and offered not just suggestions but also an offer to feature a 250x250 banner for Accessory Foundry - for free.  

No kidding.  

So by now, they are really making my day and really making me realize that there are really nice people out there doing really nice things for people they don't even know.  That really made my day and I have to say, I thought about Brandon's generosity several times over the next couple days.  

I'm going to risk sounding cliche because it can't be stated/thought/lived enough:  if more people were so giving and helpful to strangers and those in need, the world would be a better place.

I don't know if I believe in karma, but if there is such a thing, Brandon and his crew must have a big pile of the good stuff.

Check them out:  http://www.envynde.com/

Pause and think of how you might help someone and feel the glow of enviable karma.

I thought I was a fan of Mr. Jason Mraz before, but I found out he is stepping out in many ways to help others and so I adore him now all the more.  

Jason has a charity foundation and he has made a personal sacrifice to support gay marriage rights. Jason proposed to his girlfriend, Tristan Prettyman, but he has declared they will not walk down the isle until everyone can, including gay couples. 

You go Jason!  Marriage doesn't define a relationship, it merely declares it officially to society.  Why support an institution such as marriage if it fails to adhere to your core beliefs?  I guess why indeed is what Jason is saying.

Kudos.  Whether you believe homosexuality is right or wrong shouldn't give you the right to remove someone's ability to declare their love.

Love is a mysterious, powerful, inescapable pull.  One is lucky to feel it's gravity even just once in a lifetime.  Let it be.

Uh..... this..... just.... goes.... to .... the.... core.... of..... my.... inner.... child.

Brownie covered Oreos.  I'm drooling and experiencing creative jealousy at the same time.

Essentially, make your favorite brownie batter, put a little in a muffin tin (liners make eating & clean up easier), insert Oreo, cover with more brownie batter.

350 degrees for about 15 minutes. 

My favorite brownie recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman, the god of simple, good cooking. Brownies are so easy to make from scratch and so much better than from a box:

1 stick butter or margarine (soften in microwave for 30 seconds)

1/2 cup good cocoa (or melt 3 ounces of baker's chocolate with the butter)

Mix together, add

1 cup sugar

2 eggs (or egg replacer for us vegans)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together, add

1/2 cup flour

Mix and done (except for licking the spoon, that is)!!

I can't seem to get enough of Jason Mraz's music lately.  

One of his songs, Make it Mine, has a great line in it:  leap and the net will appear.  It sort of sums up my background thoughts these days.  It's a more refined, "what the hell!"

I thought it was original to Jason, but it turns out to be a famous quote from John Burroughs, a nature essayist who died in 1921.

I decided to look him up.  Here are a few other quotes worth pondering.

I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.

To me - old age is always ten years older than I am.

A somebody was once a nobody who wanted to and did.

For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice - no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.

Thanks John! And Jason.  

Here's another good one, but it's a little bit... nasty.  In a good way.  :)