I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, crafter, and blogger living in rural New England. As seen in Martha Stewart Living, Food Network Magazine, and more! | Tutorials, DIY, crafts, parenting tips, recipes, money saving tips, product reviews, local product features, New England living, intentional living, and more! |
Happy Plaid Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday! (Whew, what a mouthful) To celebrate we’re offering 20% off everything in our Etsy Shop with no minimums - including some really unique Vintage Christmas items, as well as our classic Stickers, New England Lakeside Hats, and Hand-Etched Ornaments. Shop now before the sale ends!
And please don’t forget to Shop Local this weekend (and always!) - small shops need your support more than ever. This year we had four brick and mortar shops that we wholesale to close their doors… it’s a ripple effect that goes beyond that one business and impacts all the other small businesses (like mine) that they carry as well. Please support our local Stockists (tell them I sent ya), and all other local shops when you can.
I’ve been working part-time at a school for a few years now. One of my daily tasks (that I love) has been finding a new Live Stream to run in the background on a large Promethean Board in the Library everyday. It’s a lot of fun finding new streams or going back to old favorites - sometimes they have to do with timely current events (like a NASA launch), other times it’s a nature-related live stream, and other times it’s a peek into a different part of the world and their culture. We always mute the streams so they’re not disruptive and just add a fun element running in the background. Here I thought I’d share some favorites and I’ll be sure to add to the list periodically.
DISCLAIMER: Please use your best judgement and double check links before showing. At the time of writing this post, these links point to the topics described but there’s always a chance the streams/channels may change in the future. Also while all of these streams would likely be considered “school safe” for most grades/age groups, they are LIVE and therefore there’s always the chance of something unexpected happening on them. Stream at your own risk.
Nature
Bird Feeder in Gettysburg, PA - I particularly like this one because it's pretty active and often you see deer in the field in the background too.
South Africa Bird Feeder/Wildlife Cam - This stream has some very exotic birds and when it turns to night there (afternoon our local time), they switch the foods over to attract fruit bats. Very cool channel to watch!
SpaceX Launches - I'm linking to the general SpaceX channel here, since new live stream videos will be made as new things are launched. SpaceX launches happen pretty frequently, and they're always exciting and interesting.
NASA Launches - Linking to the general NASA channel here. NASA Launches happen less often than SpaceX ones but are still fun to see.
Rotating New England Live Streams - we enjoy this stream because it rotates amongst many locations around New England. We often put this stream on when bad or snowy weather is coming in (we're local to New England) to see how the weather is in other areas and how much snow they're getting. (Many of the videos featured have their own stand-alone streaming channels too and you can look them up individually if you choose to.)
Mount Washington, NH Live Stream - Mt. Washington is known as "Home of the World's Worst Weather" and can be an interesting channel to live stream.
Sydney Harbor, Australia Live Cam - since it's on the other side of the world it's usually dark/night when we're at school, but you can still see the lights and boats.
Boston Marathon - no link for this one because coverage changes every year. But when "Marathon Monday" (which is the 3rd Monday in April) rolls around every year we put on some kind of live stream or news coverage of the Marathon.
Everest Base Camp - I can't find the link for it now, but last spring we were able to watch a live stream of Everest Base Camp.
Current Events
I won’t link anything here because these are often temporary or one-time events… but here are some general ideas of things we have streamed or could stream for current events:
Weather coverage of a current weather event somewhere in the US - like an incoming nor’easter snowstorm or hurricane
Presidential election coverage or inauguration
Local election coverage
Royal wedding or coronation abroad
9/11 or Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony
Olympics coverage
SpaceX or NASA Launch
News conference regarding a science discovery
Baby watch of an animal about to give birth (like a giraffe at the zoo)
Livestream of a local event
DISCLAIMER: Please use your best judgement and double check links before showing. At the time of writing this post, these links point to the topics described but there’s always a chance the streams/channels may change in the future. Also while all of these streams would likely be considered “school safe” for most grades/age groups, they are LIVE and therefore there’s always the chance of something unexpected happening on them. Stream at your own risk.
As you know I love to share about local, New England-based makers and companies on my blog and today is no different! Bryn from Island Wrapping Co. reached out to me and asked if I’d like to check out her printed North Pole Newspaper wrapping paper and I just couldn’t resist! | This post contains affiliate links and an honest review of product provided by Island Wrapping Co. |
I hate to admit it, but I’m always a procrastinator when it comes to wrapping gifts… I’m always a wait-until-Christmas-Eve wrapper. But this year I’m getting a little jump start with this cute “The North Pole Sun” wrapping paper from Island Wrapping Co, a Massachusetts-based small business on Etsy. These Christmas-themed newspapers are double-sided and contain fun pretend stories, advertisements, a sports section, headlines, birth announcements, etc all Christmas/North Pole themed! These will make wrapping our gifts more fun this year for sure.
If you're looking for some unique and festive wrapping paper this year - or a newspaper for Santa to leave behind ;) - I reccomend checking out Island Wrapping Co. on Etsy.
- I received this item for review from Island Wrapping Co. but all opinions expressed are my own. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -
We’ve been long-time fans and customers of Maine Rope Mats - they are rugged, functional, and add some New England nautical flair to your home. Our mats have held up beautifully to years of harsh New England weather - sun, snow, and mud. Maine Rope Mats was kind enough to send us a few of their new products for us to style and share about. | This post contains an honest review of product provided by Maine Rope Mats |
At Home in the Woods as well as on the Seacoast
Maine Rope Mats definitely have a nautical vibe to them (they are made from lobster-style ropes after all), but nevertheless they fit right in at a cabin in the woods as well as at a cape on the cape.
We love mixing and matching the mats with other accessories too - like their Maine Rope Baskets. These rugged baskets would be perfect for holding a potted plant, gardening tools, or flip flops and towels for a walk down to the lake.
Wipe Your Paws
These mats also hold up well to our four-legged friends too - just make sure to wipe your paws before coming in the cabin! (PS - Maine Rope Mats also makes awesome dog leashes from soft but strong yacht braid rope. Those are definitely next on our wishlist.)
Perfect for Play Too
Maine Rope Mats are also the perfect addition to a child’s play house - or a Hobbit’s house ;) They add the perfect touch of whimsy and help keep sand and mud from getting tracked inside.
Here’s a pro-tip for all you campers out there: pack a Maine Rope Mat to put in front of your tent door. It really makes a huge difference in reducing the amount of mud and wood chips that get tracked into the tent. It also makes a great spot for the pup to hang out too.
We’re long-time fans of Maine Rope Mats are looking forward to many more years enjoying our rugged and stylish mats!
- I received these items for review from Maine Rope Mats but all opinions expressed are my own. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for more information -
Stores may carry different items, so please reach out to them if you’re looking for something in particular.
Interested in becoming a Stockist? Please send me a message with any questions regarding wholesale inquiries. I would be happy to send you a line sheet and/or a sample product. Thank you!
Cyber Week is fast approaching and we’re joining in! Now through the end of November we’re offering 20% Off EVERYTHING in our Etsy Shop - yes, even the handmade items that rarely go on sale! Now is your chance to snag that item you’ve had your eye on or stock up on some stickers for stocking stuffers. Quantities are limited, so make sure to shop early ;)
Just listed these awesome Vintage Pewter Golf Trophies in my Etsy Shop. They would make such a great decor item for an office, especially for someone who loves golf or preppy things! Trophies are vintage New Haven Country Club in Connecticut.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! To celebrate everything is 15-20% off in our Etsy Shop (our biggest sale of the year), December 31st, 2021 through January 7th, 2022 - no coupon code needed. Wishing you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!
