The Green Phone Booth was ever so kind as to give me the One Lovely Blog award.  I’m quite grateful and flattered, and I thought it would be nice to spread the love around and take a moment to recognize some of my favorite blogs out there.

For those interested, here’s the rules of the award (although please do not feel pressured to participate):

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they’ve been chosen.

Going on the newly discovered blogs track, here are fifteen blogs that I started reading within the past few months that I absolutely love (yes, I know it’s not fifteen, but I’m just sticking to blogs that I’ve recently started reading. Thirteen blogs is just fine.):

Awful Library Books:  This blog collects books weeded from actual libraries that should have been removed from the shelves long ago.  Sometimes hilarious, sometimes disturbing, always fun to read.

Daily Pep Talk From a Best Friend: I just started reading this one last week, and I’m already smitten.  This lovely blog is full of wonderful and inspiring messages to remind you that you are amazing and that you have the ability to make your life what you want it to be.

Eco Yogini: This fab blog looks has great discussions of yoga and sustainability and how the two inter-connect.

Finding Tampa: This is a relatively new local photo blog with fantastic pictures of Tampa, including many locations that are off the beaten path.  And the author is a cyclist – extra bonus.

FlueBlog: Fluevog’s official blog, including the amazing everyday Fluevog shots.  Because I really can never get enough of these beautiful shoes.

GardenMama: The beautiful photos in this blog always make me feel like I’ve been transported inside The Secret Garden.  While looking at my computer screen.

Going Home to Roost: This gorgeous blog looks at organic gardening, sustainability, diy, etc, all with absolutely beautiful images and a lovely layout.

Just Bento: An amazing blog that is – you guessed it – just about bentos.  Amazing photos, amazing recipes, did I mention that this blog is amazing?  And the author has a bento cookbook out too!

Re-nest: A blog about sustainable homes and living.  I realize that this is one of the great-big-very-well-known blogs, but it’s that way for a reason.  I find myself drooling and/or clicking through with just about every post.

Simply Bike: S. of Academichic started her own bike blog a few months back, and it’s lovely.  Her photos always make me want to get up off my butt and get on my bike.

The Frugal Girl: Baking, recipes, eatting well while saving money.  What’s not to love?

The Greenists: Another fantastic blog on all things green.

P.S. I made this: Okay, so I just started reading this one yesterday, but I already love it.  The photo diy tutorials are perfectly wonderful.

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

• Design Sponge posted some great DIY seasonal allergy treatments.  I’ve used many of these before myself, and I swear by my neti pot.
• Craftzine posted about Caboodle Ranch.  Which is a 30-acre cat sanctuary.  In Jacksonville.  Which is only a few hours away from Tampa.  Road trip must be planned.
• I haven’t tried canning yet, but WECK Home Canning has such beautiful jars that I may finally get motivated.
• The Everything Yoga Blog looks at how tea and yoga mix together beautifully.
• The Green Phone Booth takes an insightful look into whether or not people who practice sustainability should expect those around them to cater to their habits.  This post is a good reminder to “be the change that you wish to see in the world” (Ghandi)
• Kitchen Stewardship posted a recipe for grilled sourdough pizza.  Awesomeness.
• The Frugal Girl posted a recipe for garlic knots.  More awesomeness.
• Cold Antler Farm posted a recipe for pumpkin muffins.  Continuing with the awesomeness.
• Going Home to Roost showed us some amazing images of a succulent garden.  I now want my entire backyard to look like this.
• Sally Jane Vintage posted some behind the scenes photos of Mad Men.  How funny does that Mac look?
• Huzzah! Vintage posted on the top five places to find a fashion blogger.  So true!

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

A lot of these links are a week old, because I haven’t done a lot of blog reading this week.  They’re still all pretty awesome though.

• Have you guys ever seen the site Just Bento?  It’s a website/blog that’s solely dedicated to the love of bento box lunches.  They have beautiful pictures of lunches, reviews of boxes, advice, recipes and even a forum.  I think I’m in love.  Check out their Top Ten Bento Rules.
• Re-nest posted about how to make three ingredient lip balm.  Awesome.
• Lark Crafts posted a beautiful tutorial about how to make a wire basket liner out of a burlap coffee sack.
• Craft showed us how to make a gathered scarf with some jersey fabric and some elastic thread.  I so want to make one!
• Tatertots and Jello explained how to make a J Crew inspired multi-chain necklace.  I’m going to make a similar necklace this week – hopefully I’ll post the results soon!
• Colette Patterns gave us an insightful peek into her sewing tool box.
• More awesomeness from Colette Patterns: Ten Ways to Ruin Your Sewing.  I think I’ve been guilty of at least nine out of ten.
• I already love Second Skin’s sense of style, and now I’m drooling over these gorgeous pictures of her home that she posted.
• The Frugal Girl posted a recipe for cardamom braids.  Yum!
• Check out these bentos on The Kitchn.  Sometimes I think I’d just like to collect tons of beautiful bento boxes.  And make beautiful lunches with them of course!

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

I’ve been really busy this week, so my blog reading has been limited.  Here’s what stood out of the reading that I managed to get done:

• 101 Cookbooks posted a recipe for Buttermilk Farro Salad.  I’ve never eaten farro before, but this salad looks amazing.
• Barking Dog Shoes reviewed the Dansko Rory.  OMG, I  want these shoes, so bad.  They’d be perfect for work.
• I love this bath organizer turned succulent garden on IKEA Hacker.
• I love this discarded drawer furniture posted over on Re-nest.  What a beautiful way to reuse something that most people toss in the garbage.
• Style Struggler posted a montage of cube furniture.  Organization can be so beautiful.
• I love Simply Bike’s post on Panda shots, which are pictures that cyclists take of their bikes while riding.
• While speaking of bikes and style, I just love these outfit pictures by Eva-lu.  What fantastic summer cycle chic!
• Tatertots & Jello gives a tutorial on making a giant bubble wand.  I so want to try this!

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

This post covers the past two weeks of blog reading, since I neglected to write a link love post last week.

• Sarah Von of Yes and Yes offers some great tips on how to show your friends that you love them.  It’s so easy to become disconnected from friends, and this post offers some great ideas for sending a little love their way.
• Going Home to Roost offers some suggestions for ways to get involved with the crafting community.  The only one of these websites that I’ve been involved with is Craftster, so I plan on checking out the others.
• Iva Messy looks at some of the health benefits that can come from hemp.
• I love this DIY spice rack on IKEA hacker!
• The Greenest Dollar has some excellent advice on planning a stay-cation.
• The Eco Yogini has been working on phasing out plastic ziploc bags and replacing them with glass containers.  Love it!
• I love this outfit on Urban Weeds.  Such beautiful, effortless cycle chic.
• The Greenists review Maggie’s Organic Clothes.  They look like a great resource for affordable organic basics, like tanks, dresses and tees.
• Re-nest discusses house plants that can help you get a good night’s sleep.
• The Frugal Girl takes a look at freezer jam and offers a tasty recipe.

I’ve got a bit of catching up to do, since I forgot to write a Link Love post last week.  Oops!

• Eco Yogini gives some awesome tips for telling whether or not a product is green or green-washed.
• Kitchen Stewardship gives some fantastic advice on how to freeze produce properly.
• Eva-lu gives some pointers for keeping your bangs in shape while riding your bike.  This will be handy for me, since I just cut my bangs short again.
• I’m not normally into embroidery, but this felt needle and hook book tutorial from Sew Can Do makes me want to break out my felt and sewing needles.
• I’m in love with this headboard and room divider meets indoor planter on IKEA Hacker.  What a beautiful and practical way to bring indoor plants into the bedroom!
• For those of you looking for some natural sunscreen, Kitchen Stewardship does an amazingly thorough review of many of the options out there.
• Marshmallows with painted on faces and icing for hair?  Too adorable!!  (via Color me Katie)
• Re-Nest offers up the Top Ten Reasons to Line Dry Laundry.  Yay!
• Already Pretty offered up some awesome suggestions for cute dresses with sleeves.  These are a staple part of my wardrobe for most of the year.
• How About Orange gave a fantastic tutorial on how to make gift bags from newspaper.  I’ve got to try this out next time I go to a birthday party.
• The Bicycle Muse is a great site that sells gorgeously stylish bicycling accessories.  I know what I’ll be asking for this Christmas.

I’ve got lots of blog web design links this week, as I’m in the middle of planning a big redesign for Smiles Go With Everything.  Soon, my blog will be extra pretty, and a lot of these links helped.  Other links have nothing to do with web design, but that doesn’t mean they’re not awesome.

• Pugly Pixel introduced us to an amazing resource for free fonts: Font Squirrel.  I know that I’ll be using this a lot.
• My Three Monsters offers some great tips for tricking out your blog.
• Craftzine suggests four design principles that can make a big difference for your blog.
• Already Pretty told us about her organizational wishlist.  I’m always trying to think of new ways to organize my clothes, and these are all some great suggestions.
• Iva Messy lets us know about 7 foods experts have warned us not to eat.  There were a couple that I didn’t know about – like how most canned tomatoes have BPA in them.
• Does environmental activism sometimes become a source of soul sucking negativity?  The Eco Yogini takes a look at this issue.
• Ikea Hacker shows us how to repurpose several items you can find at IKEA, making planters for your garden.
• Yet another insanely awesome t-shirt refashion from Tatertots and Jello.
• The Oatmeal looks at what your e-mail address says about your computer skills.  Hilarious.
• Check out The 3/50 Project.  They’re encouraging everyone to spend $50 at three local businesses every month.  I love this!

I’m a day late, I know.  With all the Fourth of July happenings yesterday, I simply forgot to write my link love post.  So here it is, in all it’s glory.

• Can I live in these tree houses on Re-Nest?  Pretty please?
• While we’re at it, can I have this sweet little kitten on Itty Bitty Kitty Committee?  She reminds me of my Brownie.
• I really want to try out these vegetable washing gloves featured on The Kitchn.  I think they could make cleaning veggies so much more fun.
• This Chocolate Loaf Cake from 101 Cookbooks has me salivating.
• I want Joss Stone’s manicure and pedicure as featured on Wendy Brandes.  It’s so colorful and whimsical (and matches her scarf!)
• Craft Leftovers created a tasty (and cleverly named) recipe called Frappacheapo.  I’ve got to try this.
• B Spoke Tailor focuses on making stylish clothes for people who ride bikes.  Awesomeness.
• This re-usable plastic cup on Re-Nest could be the perfect solution for people who like to buy soda but don’t like to create more garbage.
• Already Pretty had a guest post on what makes a great bra.  A good-fitting bra is something that every woman should have.
• This  homemade toothpaste from Instructables looks interesting.  I might try it out.

• Sweet Pea has a great tutorial for making your own ribbon headbands.  I’ve got to try this out!  I have tons of ribbon lying around my studio.
• If I had a cute little apartment porch, I would want it to look like this one on Design Sponge.
• I’ve always had trouble freezing food because it tends to stick together, making it hard to thaw.  This tutorial on Craft explains the art of freezing food properly.
• Welcome to the Good Life has an amazing tutorial for creating a top inspired by J. Crew’s Flutter Fold Shell.
• S. of Academichic started a new blog, Simply Bike.  I love it, and I’m seriously coveting her gorgeous mint green Electra.
• The Green Phone Booth asks if clutter is becoming the cost of conservation?
• These photos of E. from Academichic in a garden make me smile.  Such a gorgeous outfit, and such joyful images.
• Gala Darling posted A Letter to Men by Christina Hendricks, and I love it.
• Sarah Von of Yes and Yes posted these amazing images of Pencil Vs. Camera.  I love seeing interesting, innovative photography.
• These photos of Garden Mama‘s front porch make me swoon.  I love the beautiful vibrant colors and the peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.
• Everybody Gets Dressed has some useful tips on How to Survive Brutal Summers.
• The Conscious Shopper looks at the importance of Living a Re-usable life.

I’ve really been missing writing link love posts, so I’ve decided to bring them back.  Sundays seem to be the best day for me to post them, since I do a majority of my blog reading on Saturdays.

*Link Love covers a variety of topics: style, sustainability, adorable kitten pictures. Basically whatever strikes my fancy during the week.  Enjoy!*

• S. from Academichic shows us that wildflowers are the perfect accessory for a black and white polka dot dress.
• Tatertots and Jello is one of my new favorite blogs.  I absolutely love this DIY of meal-planning magnets she posted.  These would look so cute on my fridge, and they would make planning what to cook so much easier!
• I just discovered Makeshift, and I’m absolutely mesmerized.  Natalie has committed to wear only things she has handmade herself for a year.  That includes clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, coats, accessories, bathing suits, everything!  She’s 272 days into the project, and her creations are amazing.
• The Green Phone Booth has an awesome re-use suggestion for cardboard - layer compost on it and plant a garden over it!  The cardboard will kill the grass and weeds underneath, and eventually biodegrade.
• Also from The Green Phone Booth, a very insightful and reflective post on coming to terms with spending more money on groceries in order to keep yourself and your family healthy.
• Joyful Abode posted a homemade York Peppermint Patty recipe.  This looks and sounds seriously yummy.
• Sew Can Do posted a tutorial on making insulated lunch bags.  I am SO making a custom one for my bento box.
• Garden Mama offers up a recipe for natural mosquito repellent.