Backpack Number Two...and Product Testing

First, meet Backpack Number Two. I made the first one for my husband's trip to South America back in February, and it got a great response, so R is R decided to refine the design and add it to our product line. Round Two features a tapered lid for a less bulky roll, all the buckles and straps are sized down for better functionality and less weight, and we added a whistle clip to the chest strap. It still has the signature spacesuit-looking shoulder straps, small interior pocket, and weatherproof design.

This pack is still in the development stage. I'm happy with the direction it's going, but it's not there yet. The only way to improve the end result is to keep turning out prototypes until I'm totally satisfied with the design. Which is going to result in a lot of backpacks piling up around my house unless R is R can find some R & D assistants.

So, in exchange for some performance feedback, I'm offering a hearty discount on prototype packs like this one. This deal is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you've always dreamed of being a product tester, contact me now for all the dirty details:

bekah@recyclingisrad.com...or find me on Facebook.

E-Friends 4 Ever

Whoa. This is big news. As part of an ongoing effort to be ever-more legit, I created a Facebook page for Recycling is Rad. (I kind of hate technology, so this actually is a big deal.)

Also, totally awesome, I've uploaded a ton of photos to the page so now it's easy to view pictures of all Recycling is Rad's regular product lines.

Follow R is R on Facebook...

Can Cozies on Pedalr

I made some can cozies for the bike site Pedalr this week. Basically, these things do the following list of stunts:

1. Look awesome

2. Keep your drink colder than your hand

3. Class up the lowliest of brews

4. Remind you which can is the one you were drinking out of

5. Adjust to also fit around bottles

6. Double as super sick wrist warmers

Also noteworthy, cozies are made fully from repurposed vintage textiles and scrap fabric, and the designs are hand screen printed. Check out my Pedalr store here.

Custom cozies are also available through special order by contacting me.

Friday Night Dinner

I saw a photo of this burger on the internet the other day that was topped with a fresh cherry slaw and I can't stop thinking about it. I mean, I'm thinking about slaw in ways that never occurred to me before. So when the boys requested grilled turkey burgers for dinner tonite, I made these tiny sliders topped with roasted corn and pepper slaw. They were so adorable stacked up on the plate with grilled onions and avocados and baby greens from the back yard, so I took a picture.

R is R Logo Screen Print

Today I'm working on a screen so I can print my logo onto stuff if I feel like it. (Original logo design by the great Troy DeShano.) I do all my screen printing using this by-hand process you could possibly call "quaint," and the results have a definite handmade feel to them, which I personally really like. I might not be done with this one yet...I haven't decided how polished I want it. When it's ready though, I'm sure I'll be printing this on everything in sight. Like across the top of the dog's head perhaps? Yes.

Button Handbag

I'm spotlighting this handbag from my Etsy store because I'm really digging this color right now. It's such a great fabric too, with this subtle texture for the more tactile-obsessed ones among us. I love how it looks next to those big vintage buttons. This particular bag design has been really popular this summer; Moss Envy carries a line of R is R bags I developed for them based on this original pattern. More details here....

Delicious Salsa

I went on family vacation last month and never got myself out of summer mode. Summer in Minnesota is so amazing though, you have to soak it up while it lasts. So in the spirit of perfect summer evenings, I'm giving you the recipe for the only thing I want to eat this season: fresh salsa. Definitely not reinventing the wheel here, just fresh and simple deliciousness. Right now the peppers are coming from my backyard garden (Hungarian wax peppers and sweet banana peppers), and hopefully later this season so will the tomatoes and onions.

Fresh Salsa

3 large tomatoes
1/2 yellow onion
2-3 hot peppers (depending on their heat and how hot you like your salsa)
1/2 bunch cilantro

Chop everything, toss it in a bowl with:

kosher salt, to taste
1 lime, juiced

I love this with literally EVERYTHING, most notably piled on black beans or huevos rancheros.