It Doesn't Get Cooler Than Coca-Cola

This week my co-worker, Megan, received a package from her sweet momma. Inside was the coolest clutch I had ever seen--a bag made of recycled Coca-Cola wrappers.

Of course as soon as I laid eyes on the beauty I had to get more info, so I began Googling until I found the company that makes these bags, Ecoist. Here's what their site says:

"Ecoist and The Coca-Cola Company have partnered to repurpose misprinted and waste-bound bottle labels. These classic, limited edition, handcrafted purses are made by a fair trade women's cooperative in Peru."

And it gets better! Wait for it...for every bag they sell they plant a tree. Seriously!

Ecoist has a variety of bags, too! From M&Ms to bar codes, they are all so creative. With one of their "art pieces" you are sure to get plenty of compliments.

As Megan pointed out, her Coca-Cola clutch will look great with a black outfit, adding a pop of red to spice up her look. I'd totally rock it for a night out on the town. How about you?

I'd also buy some of the other styles. As a journalism major in college, I have my eye on the newspaper and magazine styles ;)

Photos courtesy of: my iPhone and Ecoist

Congrats CSN Winner!

Brittany of Latte Love Mommy is the lucky winner of the $60 CSN Store gift card! I'm sure she'll have no trouble finding stuff to purchase at CSN's 200+ stores.

Thanks to all who entered. As always, I appreciate everyone visiting my blog. Please come back and visit soon =)

Just a quick explanation of how my giveaway winners are picked...

Each entry is written down on a piece of paper. Then I have my wonderful friend and co-worker, Michele, randomly pick a number (today it was 27) and ta da! That's the winner! Here's a picture of my little firecracker, Michele!

Nothing fancy, just good 'ol random number pickin'!

Thanks, Michele!

Win a $60 CSN Giveaway

From LED lighting to luggage, CSN Stores have a multitude of products to select from. With over 200 online stores, one of my lucky readers is in for a real treat. Why you ask? Because one of you will be awarded with the one-time use of a CSN $60 gift card!

Check out some of the stuff you could get if you are selected as the winner:

Tropical Leaves Print Wall Art (Set of 3) - $32.99

Nomad Satin in Teal - $38.95

Spectrum 7-Bottle Bordeaux Wine Rack in Black - $25.99

Jessica Simpson Indexer Wallet in Multi Stripe - $37.99

You can find hundreds of items over at CSN Stores so check it out!


The winner will randomly be selected on Friday, May 28. There are a few ways to enter this giveaway. You may do as many as you'd like, but you MUST do #1. Please leave separate comments for each entry to be counted.


1. Leave a comment
2. Follow Join the Gossip on Twitter
3. Tweet about this giveaway leaving me the url of the tweet
4. Follow this blog
5. Become a Join the Gossip Facebook fan

It's that easy!

Sorry, contest open to US and Canadian residents only.



Photos courtesy of: CSN Stores

California Strawberry Festival

Last weekend I went to the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard to partake in some fruity fun with one of my good friends. While it wasn't the amazing time we anticipated, I am still glad we went.

Oxnard is a coastal town located about 30 minutes north of Los Angeles. To put it into perspective for those of your who aren't from California, it's a neighboring town to Calabasas, the Kardashian's hometown.

When we arrived we learned that the festival was basically a swap meet with strawberry flavored foods and beverages. I went straight for the funnel cake...which was made with frozen strawberries. Major fail! Then I grabbed a strawberry shake. About halfway in I was strawberried out and had to toss it. After my tummy had settled I bought a jumbo dark chocolate dipped strawberry for the road.

I didn't get any strawberry pizza or beer which was basically a crepe and wine haha. I think I'll live though.

Photo courtesy of: bestplaces.net and my iPhone (sorry for the poor quality)

7 Interesting Things

My friend, Jules, of Chic & Pink, graciously gave me two awards the Beautiful Blogger Award and the Versatile Blogger Award--both with the same rules which are: say 7 interesting things about yourself and pass it on to 7 more bloggers.

So here it goes...

7 Interesting Things:

1. As the Managing Editor of Beauty Chat, I got to interview cool people like Jaime Presley and Lisa Kline.

2. I am related to Al Gore (who I think may be a bit crazy haha ;), Lesley Gore, and Amelia Earhart.

3. Cat scratch fever is not just a song but an actual condition and I have had it!

4. My eyes change color with what I wear, from blue to green.

5. I have played softball my whole life and still play. Got a triple play once!

6. I have two Bachelor's Degrees, one in Journalism and on in American Studies.

7. For my 2009 New Year's Resolution I gave up all meat for an entire year. This year I started eating chicken and fish but still do not eat beef or pork. I plan on never consuming it again and wish I had the willpower to cut out all meat.

Haha that was actually a bit hard! I do not find myself the most interesting person. Anyways...I tag:

Thoughts From Cali

Moonstruck

KDC Events

Good Girl Gone Shopping

Sweety P Style Files

Eternally Fashionably Late

Viva La Fashion

If you ladies would like to play along, please do!

I want to apologize for being absent from the blogging community. Stupid life keeps getting in the way! Work, health, blah, blah, blah. I feel really bad for neglecting this blog and all of you though. I will try to do better =)

Photos courtesy of: Chic & Pink

Shutterfly Stationary

Sign up for Shutterfly and not only will you have a place to upload, store, and order your photos, but you will also get great discounts. I signed up and received 12 free note cards, I just had to pat shipping and tax which was only about $5. Here is what I ordered:

Some of the other designs I had my eye on are the following:

You can't really beat a set of 12 cards for less than $6 so it doesn't hurt to sign up!

Photos courtesy of: Shutterfly

LC and Kohl's

Although Kohl's is a hit and miss for me, I recently visited and found some cute stuff! My latest purchase is an Apt. 9® Soutache Tunic that was on sale for $20. Kinda excited to wear it! Paired with stockings, a black cardigan, and some black ballerina flats, I'll be stylin'.

The LC Collection surprised me as well. Back in the day, before Kohl's, Lauren Conrad's clothing was very plain and very expensive. Glad to see she has grown creatively, but slimmed down on prices. Here are a few of my favorite items from her current collection:

LC Lauren Conrad Lace Skirt

original $44.00

sale $25.99

LC Lauren Conrad Embellished Tank

original $34.00

sale $24.99

Would any of you buy anything from the LC line? Better yet, have any of you? I am the type to buy anything I like, even if I see it at Walmart...for real...so I'd def purchase her items.

P.S. I totally started following Spencer Pratt on Twitter. Haha OK don't hate me! I am not a fan of his but sometimes his craziness is entertaining. Still not sure if he's really that insane. Point is, he's been tweeting that Lauren is coming back to The Hills. I had a feeling she'd be back, and I will be happy of she is. It's her show and without her it's not the same!

P.P.S. The song that they were using to promote the new season, "New in Town" by Illuminations, is the perfect tune for the show, and LA as a whole. If you haven't heard it, take a listen. You may have to purchase the song immediately after ;)

Photo courtesy of: Kohl's

California Gurls

Hi all! Thanks for being so patient with me. I am sorry for my absence, things have been a bit crazy lately. Thanks for checking in with me, I'll have new posts soon including a giveaway =)

Until I can write a worthy post, take a listen to Katy Perry's "California Gurls". I may be partial being from California and all, but this is a great summer song. I can totally imagine listening to this driving down the coast!

Listen here

What are your thoughts? Will you be buying her new single?

Photo courtesy of: KatyPerry.com

Lighten Up!

Sorry for the lack of posts and comments on your posts. Last week I was sick, then this week has been filled with really bad migraines. I am falling apart at 26 seesh!

Aside from all that the only thing that has really happened is I got my hair done. My roots were pretty embarrassing. What a difference two hours in a salon chair can make!

Not sure why my recent posts have been about hair. Maybe because it's the only thing I could think about with those dark roots! I promise I'll change it up and get a bit more diverse.

Hope you are all having a good week so far!