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The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: COMFORT FOOD

November 5, 2015

Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food

The next Instagram Challenge theme is Comfort Food!  Now that Daylight Savings has disappeared from our lives, it’s time to face it: winter is approaching. But we’re not giving in to the winter blahs just yet! We’ll admit that we’re excited to start queuing up Netflix, throwing on our cozy sweaters, and savoring the foods that make us feel most nostalgic.  Whether it’s planning for your Thanksgiving menu, or just revisiting the classic soup that you missed all summer, we want to see what the hearty meals that give you a good ol’ comforting feeling. While sharing your delicious pick-me-ups, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the entries we’ve received so far and scroll down to view our favorite comfort food essentials from UncommonGoods. (Click on the images below to snag these for yourself!)

 

Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun
Instagram Challenge | Comfort Food | #UGInstaFun

 

Can we TACObout the latest Instagram Challenge winner? Congratulations to @tacothecitydog for winning our Clever Costumes Challenge with this adorable get-up, featuring our handmade Taco Booties!

Instagram Challenge Winner | Clever Costumes | Taco Booties

Gift Guides

Vintage-Inspired Gifts for the Classic Beauty

November 2, 2015

Vintage Inspired Gifts | UncommonGoods

Do you know someone who always looks like she just walked off the set of Mad Men? She might be the spitting image of Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly, or possess the timeless grace of women like Iman or Amal Clooney. You swear that her Instagram account is recorded through a rose-colored lens. Finding a gift to suit such a regal personality isn’t easy. However, one thing we’re sure of is that true vintage appeal must incorporate an element of the uncommon, something that you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. (As you might imagine, we consider that our specialty). In honor of the classic beauty in your life, we’ve rounded up our favorite finds that will stun her with elegance and panache.

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Gift Guides

STEM Gifts for Kids (Science. Technology. Engineering. Math.)

October 21, 2015

STEM Gift Guide | UncommonGoods

We encounter the principles of STEM every single day. From navigating our natural environment, to the devices that we incessantly tap our thumbs all over, we’re constantly interacting with feats of science, technology, engineering, and math. While we value the much-discussed professional benefits of STEM education, what gets us most excited about these studies is that they encourage kids to be curious about the world around them. Without curiosity and questioning, life would be rather boring! Unfortunately, the STEM world tends to get a bad rep for bordering on stuffy. Here at UncommonGoods, we know that diving into STEM education doesn’t have to be void of creativity. We’ve gathered our favorite educational gifts for kids of all ages to explore this holiday season and into the next school year. Let the experiments begin!

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The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: CLEVER COSTUMES

October 14, 2015

Instagram Challenge | Clever Costumes | #UGInstaFun

The next Instagram Challenge theme is CLEVER COSTUMES. Every autumn, I always remember one of my favorite lines from Anne of Green Gables: “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” From the perfectly cool weather, to the creative energy leading up to our favorite spooky holiday, there’s so much to love about October. For the rest of this month, we want to see the clever costumes you’re planning for October 31! While sharing your most creative Halloween photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun to be in the running for a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Congratulations to @dishnthekitchen for winning the Pumpkin Spice Instagram Challenge with this delicious shot of pumpkin pizza. (Click the photo below to try her recipe!)

Instagram Challenge Winner | Pumpkin Spice

 

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: PUMPKIN SPICE

September 30, 2015

Instagram Challenge | Pumpkin Spice | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is PUMPKIN SPICE! As soon as October hits, it seems that pumpkin takes over every aisle of the grocery store. From the moment we drink our morning coffee, to a sweet treat at the end of the day, this orange delight is becoming as ubiquitous as chocolate. As a result, we’re now craving things that we never imagined could be spiced with pumpkin (and we really like it). We want to see what creative pumpkin treats you’re enjoying this season. While sharing your delicious shots, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun to be in the running for a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Congratulations to @hellopopko for winning the “So Long, Summer!” Instagram Challenge with this beautiful shot of summer fireworks.

Instagram Challenge Winner | So long, Summer | UncommonGoods | #UGInstFun

 

Maker Stories

This Just In-spiration: Meet Pauline Stevens

September 28, 2015

Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the people behind the product.

What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction. Meet Pauline Stevens, the artist behind our new Recipe Towels.

Pauline Stevens | UncommonGoods

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

When my head was with full with ideas and no place to put them.

What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artist?

Realizing that others besides my family and friends like my work, and were willing to pay for it!

Pauline Stevens Colletionl | UncommnoGoods

What does your typical day in the studio look like? 

Opening windows and blinds, making coffee, a little music, playing around  with props and light, taking pictures, playing around some more, clicking my camera once again.  Choosing images. A little lightroom, some Photoshop, and testing.

Inside Pauline Stevens Studio | UncommonGoods

Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?

Not really. I love music, light, and color and feel really in spirit when I am outdoors.

Outside Pauline Stevens Studio | UncommonGoods

Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartener for the first time. What do you think he/she would say?

“I’m hungry!”

Pauline Stevens Studio | UncommonGoods

What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?

Let the world know you are here and do it with passion.

What are your most essential tools?

My camera, my love for light and admiration for food.

 

UncommonGoods Tea Gifts

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: SO LONG, SUMMER!

September 16, 2015

Instagram Challenge | So long, Summer | UncommonGoods | #UGInstaFun

The next Instagram Challenge theme is SO LONG, SUMMER! Fall officially starts September 23, which means we have about one week to soak up the last bits of the most carefree season. Though we were ready to trade in the sticky heat by the time Labor Day rolled around, we know that we’ll be longing for ripe tomatoes and sun-kissed skin by the first snowfall. Join us in giving summer a proper goodbye by sharing your favorite moments of the season! While sharing your sunny shots, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun to be in the running for a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Have a great rest of the summer!

 

Congratulations to @alexpaulettedesign for winning our Back to School Instagram Challenge with this beautiful portrait of her art supplies for grad school. 

Instagram Challenge Winner | Back to School | #UGInstaFun

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: BACK TO SCHOOL

September 1, 2015

Instagram Challenge | Back to School | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is BACK TO SCHOOL. The end of summer vacation usually accompanies a deep sigh heard ’round the world for students. But instead of feeling like we’ve reached a dead end in the year, there’s something special about September that always signals fresh beginnings. Even if you’re decades past your high school graduation, there’s no denying that there’s a familiar shift of energy this time of year; a feeling that there are endless possibilities ahead.  Whether it’s your organized collection of school supplies (#ThingsOrganizedNeatly), your favorite new lunch-to-go, or your child’s creative academic crafts, we want to see how you’re kicking off the school year! While sharing your scholastic shots, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun to be in the running for a $50 gift card! Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Have a great school year, everyone!

 Instagram Challenge | Back to School | UncommonGoods

Anything is Possible | Instagram Challenge | Back to School | UncommonGoods

Congratulations to @gillianandmomo for winning our Found Objects Instagram Challenge with this uncommon photo of vintage buttons, lost and found. 

Instagram Challenge Winner | Found Objects | UncommonGoods