The Friends of the Seattle Public Library book sale is this weekend. It started today for members, and Saturday and Sunday it’s open to the rest of us. Click for more info.

Saturday, April 17, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, April 18, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

I’m not very far along, so I don’t have thoughts to share yet, but I’m hopeful that it will give me some insight into what it means to be a responsible consumer. Not to mention its relevance to this blog.

Has anyone else read this?

This is so tempting, so very tempting…

Anyway, today I got an email from Alibris with some discount codes (that are Beatles-themed for some reason), so  I thought I’d pass them on:

• Save $3 off $30 - code: MAGICAL
• Save $6 off $60 - code: MYSTERY
• Save $10 off $100 - code: TOUR

I love fred flare and their collection of cute yet mostly affordable things. This is a great time of year to check FF out, especially if you’re looking for an unusual secret santa or white elephant gift.

I have this shower curtain. It makes me happy.

Cute!

For your favorite "too cool for Christmas" friend?

Enter discount SLIIMY at Fred Flare and save 25% site-wide. It expires October 12.

(Thanks, Money Saving Mom)

TFD is a web comic by the talented and hilarious Drew. He also does Married to the Sea, which is pretty awesome too. And his wife Natalie does Natalie Dee. They are like the Brangelina of Internet humor.

Anyhoo, you can buy awesome stuff from TFD, and if you use the code “FRIENDSHOP,” you get $2 off. (Thanks, Melissa!)

Just for kicks and giggles, here are my two favorite TFD comics:

Etsy is where people who handmake things (jewelry, crafts, clothes, housewares, pretty much anything else you can think of) can create their own little store – all on one big ol’ website. When you purchase from Etsy stores, not only are you supporting individuals in their creative endeavors, you’re also not buying from sweatshops or paying retail mark-ups. And what I enjoy most of all: You get unique stuff.

I have this thing about purses – I really really don’t like it when I see other people with my same purse. When it comes to clothes, I’m not fond of seeing duplicate outfits, but it doesn’t bother me too much. But when it comes to bags that you carry every day - that are part of your every day look – I want it to be unique. I want people to notice it and ask where I got it. I like compliments!

That is why I try to only buy bags on Etsy. Today I’d like to highlight the bag I’ve been using pretty much every day for several months now. The seller is fromnancy, and this is the bag:

I wanted a bag with a long strap and a considerable amount of room, but I didn’t want a messenger bag. And this bag is perfect! There are no zippers or buttons or anything to mess with. The top of it just folds over, and there are 3 internal pockets – for my sunglasses, cell phone, and iPod. Check, check, and check.

And it was only $35. Yes, that might be more than you’d pay for a bag at Target, but I think it’s worth it to support Etsy sellers. And they tend to keep their shipping prices low, unlike a lot of sellers on Ebay and other websites.

Here’s another fun thing about Etsy. As a shopper, you can create a profile (which you have to do if you want to purchase anything), and you can browse shops and tag items as your Favorites. Then when Christmas or a birthday or some other gift-giving holiday rolls around, you can give people the link to your list of Etsy favorite things and pray they buy something off it.  Here’s mine (it’s short because I’ve been avoiding Etsy, thanks to my underemployment).

I am in love with this dress. Someone should buy it and give it a loving home.

Have at it, nerds!