The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: EARTH DAY

April 8, 2015

The next Instagram Challenge theme is EARTH DAY! This year marks the 45th anniversary of the day that many people consider the birth of the modern environmental movement. Whether you’re planning your own Earth Day event, exploring a new landscape, or opting to bike more and drive less, we encourage you to spend more time outdoors making a positive impact. Big or small, every action counts. We want to see how you’re showing your appreciation! While sharing your Earth-loving photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

From all of us at UncommonGoods, we hope you have an impactful Earth Day!

Congratulations to @jce for winning our Architecture Instagram Challenge with this stunning shot of Taos Pueblo.

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Dylan Sorensen

April 7, 2015

Dylan Sorensen, UncommonGoods SEO Associate

My hometown is…
Albany, the REAL capital of New York.

My favorite project that I’ve worked on at UncommonGoods is…
Working with bloggers on giveaways!

I’m inspired by…
Trees, natural bodies of water, and the satisfaction of a job well done.

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Those tiny rock ‘n’ roll clubs that are constantly in danger of closing.

An uncommon fact about me…
I play the saxophone in a disco band.

My guilty pleasure is…
Inventing niche online dating sites that would be perfect for my friends to sign up for.

Since working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
What the beginning of an online shopping addiction looks like.

If I could travel back in time, I would…
Convince whoever designed the NYC subway to pursue other careers.

With a pile of stuff in front of me I would make…
You’re given 5 kg of Kinetic Sand, an empty beer growler, rainbow pipe cleaners, an unlimited supply of Velcro, a Plush Organ of your choice, and a selfie stick.

A signaling device to get the attention of someone with the ability to fill the beer growler.

The Uncommon Life

12 Months of Meaning: The History and Symbolism of Birthstones

March 27, 2015

When you ask someone what their birthstone is, they almost always know the answer. Today you see birthstones on necklaces and jewelry, on display, and as reminders to celebrate your birth month all year long. Birthstones are a part of modern society, but each gem has had special significance since ancient times.

The history of this practice dates back to ancient Israel and the Breastplate of Aaron that is described in the book of Exodus. The breastplate was decorated with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel. Eventually, Christian scholars in the 5th century made the connection between the twelve gems, twelve months of the year, and twelve signs of the Zodiac. They theorized that each gem was connected to a certain month or astrological alignment and that they would receive therapeutic benefits for wearing one during that time.

In order to receive the full benefit, people took to wearing one stone for each month of the year and attributed a different meaning and value to them. Eventually this practice was modified so that a person would only wear the stone for the month they were born in (hence the term birthstone). There was a great amount of disagreement over which stone should represent a calendar month until 1912 when Sears published an “official” list of all the birthstones and the months they represented. Since then there have been a few modifications here and there but the list remains largely unchanged. We wanted to learn the history and significance behind why these stones were chosen in the first place and are still worn today.

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: ARCHITECTURE

March 16, 2015

The next Instagram Challenge theme is ARCHITECTURE. We can all agree that one of the best parts of traveling, near or far, is discovering the special landmarks that distinguish a new place. Here at UncommonGoods, nothing gets us more excited than interacting with beautiful craftsmanship. But even in our home in New York City, we tend to spend all winter rushing past our surroundings, ignoring this city’s beautiful details in order to find refuge from the snow. Now that spring is upon us, it’s time to get outside and explore! We want to see the architectural designs that make you stop in your tracks. While sharing your most wow-worthy photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Congratulations to @nellapasta for winning our St. Patrick’s Day Instagram Challenge with a photo of her holiday breakfast and her grandmother’s Irish tea towel!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Jamal Reed

March 15, 2015

Jamal Reed, UncommonGoods Community Services CoordinatorMy hometown is…
The place where I was born. so I’d have to say Bronx, NY.

With 15 minutes of fame I would…
Speak about why it is a good idea to re-think hiring practices, especially when it comes to individuals that have been formerly incarcerated.

My favorite thing about working in Recruiting is…
FINDING TALENTED PEOPLE that GET THE JOB DONE BEYOND EXPECTATIONS!

My guilty Pleasure is…
DONUTS!

An Uncommon Fact about me is…
I eat first and ask “What is it?” later.

Something that always makes me laugh is…
The one person in class that believes class participation is saying anything that comes to their mind out loud for professor recognition.

Working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
That when you work together everybody wins.

It would be impossible to give up…
DONUTS!

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: ST. PATRICK’S DAY

February 26, 2015

It’s time to test your luck on the newest Instagram Challenge: ST. PATRICK’S DAY! For some, this timeless Irish tradition means bagpipes, kilts and corned beef and cabbage. For others, it means Guinness beer and four-leaf clovers. However you’re celebrating, we can all agree that this holiday is a great opportunity to put on our green party hats and officially bid farewell to those lingering winter blues. We want to see how you’re celebrating March 17! While sharing your luckiest photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the golden entries we’ve received so far.

From all of us at UncommonGoods, we wish you and your lads a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Congratulations to @decembersunshine for winning our Furry Friends Instagram Challenge with this heartwarming kitten portrait!

The Uncommon Life

Uncommon Personalities: Meet Abi Treut

February 24, 2015

Abi Treut, UncommonGoods Email CoordinatorMy hometown is…
Asbury (NOT Asbury Park), NJ

My favorite project that I’ve worked on at UncommonGoods is…
The email program (and if I can have a second favorite, it’s Google Plus).

I’m inspired by…
Generosity, selflessness, considerate people, beautiful and honest works of art (especially of the acting and singing variety).

My favorite place to hang out in New York City is…
Brooklyn. I love so many of the neighborhoods, and I really enjoy spending time in Prospect Park when it’s warm outside.

An uncommon fact about me…
I really enjoy abbreviating words, but I rarely know what any acronyms represent.

My guilty pleasure is…
Wearing and collecting high heels. The more sparkly, shiny, and higher (preferably with a hidden platform), the better!

Since working at UncommonGoods I’ve learned…
A TON about Marketing, that I’m much better at math than I ever thought, and that I have been attracted to Marketing all my life.

If I could have any 3 course meal I would choose…
Chocolate mousse, mussels in a white wine & garlic sauce with freshly made bread, and flan for a starter, main course, and dessert.

Would your rather… never be able to abbreviate another word, OR never be able to buy another pair of shoes ever again?
Wait, do I still get to use hashtags? Because if I can’t compulsively spout out hashtags as commentary on most real-life situations, I will be truly sad. Aside from that, it’s totes imposs for me to even begin to solve this ridic riddle. It’s a totes terb conund. Shoes are the essence of my being, and abbreves are the embellishments I use to flavor my sentiments.

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: FURRY FRIENDS

February 20, 2015

The next Instagram Challenge theme is FURRY FRIENDS. It’s safe to say that many of us are ready to bid winter a passive-agressive farewell. It was fun while it lasted, but, as usual, winter has overstayed its polite welcome. With exactly one month until the start of spring, it’s time to beat these lingering winter blues by introducing some more warmth and fuzziness into our lives. We’re excited to bring back our most adorable Instagram challenge yet! Whether it’s the dog that’s been keeping you cozy all winter, or the cat that’s already taken over your Instagram feed, we want to see your cutest non-human friends! While sharing your best shots, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Visit here to see the entries we’ve received so far.

Congratulations to @bonbonstyles for winning our Valentine’s Day Instagram Challenge with this precious shot of preschool Valentines!

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