Ben’s Bells
Mini Bells
The story behind Ben’s Bells is amazing. A family in Tucson lost their almost 3-year-old son, and as a way of processing and working through their grief as a family (their other son was nearly 6 at the time) they began making ceramic wind chimes. Friends and family joined in and on the first anniversary of Ben’s death they set hundreds of Ben’s Bells out in the community for people to find and keep.
The website states to date 14,400 bells have been given away.
Ben’s Bells cannot be bought. They must be found. Or awarded (also VERY cool). But you can support the project and have your very own mini bells, bead bells, key chains, necklaces and more.
Drink Chocolate
Drink Chocolate
Forget hot cocoa, if you’re a chocoholic you’ve got to try this! If you’re ever in Portland, Oregon, that is. Cacao is home of the most amazing spicy dark drinkable chocolate in the world. It’s liquid dark chocolate with a bit of chile to give it just the right amount of kick.
Nothing short of divine!
Book Journals
Book Journals
The internet is fabulous, but for my money nothing will every replace a good old fashioned book. The comfort of a hard cover, the sound of turning pages in a quiet room, the slight yellowing of well-worn paper. Reading, for me, is a sensory experience.
So is writing. And I’ve found the perfect journal that combines my love of old books with a solid notebook to hold my thoughts.
Book Journals are made from recycled old books. Each one is unique. The journals are filled with about 75 sheets of 24/60#, acid free, blank paper. Inside the front cover and scattered throughout every book you’ll find a few of the original pages, illustrations, library cards, maps, inscriptions, or what-have-you. And it’s spiral-bound.
Ready for double the awesomeness? If you have old books you’d like recycled into journals you can send them in and $10 each they’ll work their magic and send them back to you.
So, so cool.
Real Deals…Really
Real Deals
If you like to walk into a store and instantly feel good, find a Real Deals near you and prepare to be inspired. Real Deals is a home décor store carrying all kinds of warm and wonderful items that will add a little whimsy to your abode.
This is a particularly great place to go if you like to decorate for the holidays—any holiday. They rotate merchandise out and stock heavily based on season. You can also find wonderful gifts there to match any price point. LOVE it!
Kevin Carroll And The Red Rubber Ball
Kevin Carroll
Abandoned by his father at three and then by his mother at six, Kevin Carroll was raised along with his two brothers by his grandparents. He found meaning and purpose in a little red ball. Sport changed his life. After being the chief athletic director for the Philadelphia 76ers, Kevin went to work for NIKE. It was there he wrote and self-published his inspiring book, Rules of the Red Rubber Ball. ESPN then bought the publishing rights to the book and Kevin set off around the world talking about the power of play and how sport can change lives.
Great book. Great guy. Great message.
