We Covet | Better Living Through Consumerism

Not Paper Plates We Covet

From a design perspective, there's plenty to be said for the classic paper plate. It's simple and clean and the rippled border gives it a nice tactile sensation and helps you to grip that precious burger. From an environmental perspective, they're not so great. Plus, if you're needing a few extra doses of potato salad, you might end up wearing your picnic on your lap.
These not-paper plates are made of melamine, which makes them sturdy and, of course, reusable. Pair them up with some acrylic not-plastic cups and you can have unlimited barbecues this summer.

It's Not Paper! Picnic Plates $16.95 for a set of four @ bibelot. It's Not Paper! Picnic Cups $12.95 for a set of four @ bibelot.

One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure We Covet

I love this idea. Danish designer Ornamented Life takes discarded dinnerware that is pocked with cracks and creates tiny works of art from the cracks. The designer fills in the cracks with 24k gold then adds floral enamel transfers. What was once an imperfection is now a work of art. Just as it should be.

Crackery Crockery, $52-$64 @ shophorne.com

We Covet Products That Easily Make for the Most Boring We Covet Reading Ever

Look--I'm not going to pretend that these Rubbermaid drink boxes are any less boring than they sound.  Because what's the point?  But if you're looking for more environmentally friendly ways to pack beverages in your kids' lunches, there's really nothing better than these.  Fill 'em with water, fill 'em with juice; no matter what liquid you fill 'em with, they're not going to leak all over the place (unless you're devil-may-care enough to fill above the fill line, in which case, honestly, the fate of the universe rests on your shoulders).  They're BPA-free, dishwasher- and freezer-safe, and, if we're being generous, a little bit sexy.  Plus, of course, they're infinitely reusable, which means that you can say good-bye forever to those nasty, earth-rotting juice pouches. 

Rubbermaid Litterless Juice Box (8.5 ounce size), $3.49 each at The Container Store

Mug We Covet (+ Aromatherapy Giveaway Winner Announcement!)

(Me, I'm all about the killing of multiple birds with a singular stone, yo.)

So maybe y'all are happy-go-lucky optimist-type people, with your bright sides and silver linings and self-validating Celine Dion anthems and what not. But if you're a negative nelly like me you'll appreciate the sentiment behind this "Pessimist's Mug." BECAUSE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH. [insert Pessimist Fist Bump here]

Pessimist's Mug, $9.95 (Basic Model) - $19.95 (Executive Model with beveled glass etching and stuff) @ despair.com

. . . . . . . . .

And now, the announcement you've been waiting for! Here are the three winners of the Aromatherapy Personals Gift Sets. Try very hard not to hate them (I know it will be difficult):

• Della
• Florencia
• "Quietly Going Mad"

Congrats to our winners and thanks to everyone for participating!

(Winners, please contact us at wecovet@gmail.com to claim your prize!)

We Covet Corn Mugs

There are two things that make this mug awesome: 1) it's made from corn (seriously. CORN. Corn plastic. Which means that it's biodegradable, that it doesn't break when you drop it, and that it  is guaranteed to make you giggle at least once a day. "Could you pour that right into my CORN HOLE please?" *snicker*) and 2) it says "reading is sexy," which is totally true and totally worth repeating to, like, everybody.

(CORN HOLE. *snicker*)

(Am twelve.)

Reading Is Sexy Corn Mug,$12.00 @ Buy Olympia

We Covet Pantone® Colours

For the webslinger, artist, or just someone who loves colour.  Pantone® mugs, plates and cell phones.  They definitely will match any other dishware you have or get an array of colours.  These make me happy and smiley.   

Pantone® Mugs, $11.95 @ heliotropehome.com

We Covet Spilt Milk

I imagine neither me nor my son will be crying over this spilled milk. The Spilt Milk bowl is made from silicone and sculpted to look like a splash of milk.

These cute bowls won't be available until April, but you can sign up for an email notification so that you can start stocking up.

Spilt Milk cereal bowl, $13.99 @ perpetualkid.com

We Covet Broken Plates

I don't know how I have gone this long without telling you about Maryland's own awesome Broken Plate Pendant Company. I sincerely apologize!

This combination of creativity, ingenuity, and conservation comes together to make some real pretty jewelry, doesn't it? Whether you buy one of Juliet's original designs in necklace form (like Rachel Ray, for example) or the new design like I have featured, you're sure to look like one in a million! There are also earrings, rings, bracelets, brooches, cuff links, and belt buckles!

You can even get a custom product made from your own plates.

Black French Brocade Broken Plate Necklace $50 @Etsy.com or IBreakPlates.com

We Covet Strange Carafes

Admittedly, these strange carafes are a disaster waiting to happen. They're pointy and very expensive and alcohol is consumed while using them, which means someone is losing a lot of money or an eyeball. That said, these carafes by French artist Etienne Meneau are weirdly gorgeous and kind of look like something the Blair Witch would use when hosting a dinner party.

Strange Carafes, about $3,150 (converted from Euros) @ The Strange Decanter

Clever Mug We Covet

If you're like me and find it difficult to function in the morning before your first cup of coffee, this mug may speak to you.

At first blush it appears to be a plain black mug emblazoned with the word "OFF" in white. But add a hot beverage, and the mug transforms from black to white, with black lettering that reads "ON."

Pretty much says it all, no?

On/Off Mug, $25.00 @ Charles & Marie