a peek inside the fishbowl

Archive for the ‘Shopping Embargo’ Category

27 Feb, 2013

Shopping, value, and the things we buy

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Shopping Embargo|Yaktivism

So we are still refraining from BUYING STUFF around here. The Embargo ends in a few days. I often have people ask me if I’m happy that it’s coming to an end. This is tough to answer. We’ve been participating in an annual Embargo since 2006, which has added up to many many months of […]

29 Jan, 2013

Hello there good lookin’

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Shopping Embargo

A few of you are stumbling here looking for my post about the Shopping Embargo. It’s right here. In case you’re looking for the Shopping Embargo Facebook Group, it’s right here. I recommend checking out the Facebook group for progress reports, tips, links to articles, general updates, and the occasional plea for help. :) Thanks! […]

27 Dec, 2012

Shopping Embargo 2012-2013

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Shopping Embargo

Our family has been participating in a post-Boxing Day Shopping Embargo since 2006. I can hardly believe it’s been that long, but it has. It’s become The Routine in our family, and I think that’s a good thing. This year’s Embargo is more important than ever. We have just surfaced from a major home renovation […]

19 Dec, 2012

What does it mean to give thoughtfully, ethically?

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Shopping Embargo

You may want to consider this post I wrote for the terra20 blog a kind of prequel to the 2012-2013 edition of the Shopping Embargo. For what it’s worth, I’m not sure what form this year’s Embargo is going to take (FB page? Just another blog post and a pile of comment-updates? or what?) but […]

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Can you go a day without buying something? A week? A month? Why or why not?


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  • Gretchen Humphrey: I had a beautiful bee& birdbath filled with a solar fountain and dozens of antique marbles that were suddenly disappearing. At first I thought my
  • Jinjer: I am sobbing reading this post. And you're right, companion is not enough. Little furry treasured gifts that they are. Thanks for sharing cutie-pi
  • Karen: Dear Andrea, Mark and your daughters I am so very sad for your family xxx Piper was/is my favourite Instagram post. You shared with us so intimately
  • Christina Banuelos: Thank you for sharing Pipers life with us. Your posts of Piper brought me joy. Every time I see your post and see what kind of mischief Piper was gett
  • Carla Slocum: I am sitting here yet again crying at your loss. We have known that loss with Asta the WFT our first pup but now have the enormous gift of Stryker the
  • Janelle Brown: Dear Andrea Thank you for sharing Piper’s story with her followers. I empathise with your grief and emptiness as I lost my 14 year old Westie last
  • Natasha McReynolds-Nicholl: My god reading this is heartbreaking. December 1st was the as you describe longest day of my life, we lost out beautiful WFT hazel. Pipers final momen

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in the Westboro area of Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Piper who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. We also have two human offspring: Emma (24) and Sarah (22). During the day I work as a writer at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!

 


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