Magic Potion

Happy first official day of spring. Now that you're slowly emerging from winter hibernation—or smugly bragging that you live in a warm climate—we dug into the still semi-frozen tundra of the web for stuff to keep you current. This month Adobe Youth Voices and Worldstudio launch a feel-good project called Design Ignites Change, which encourages high school and college students to make the world a better place by designing public projects. Want to help? They're looking for creative professionals to mentor underserved high school students. Or you can just browse this cheery site for inspiring projects—from planting gardens to repurposing museum banners.

by Michelle Taute

The Brush & Rinse Toothbrush has been around the online block a few times, but now—drumroll, please—you can actually order one up for your bathroom. To use, stick the backside of this brush under your faucet to create a delicate offshoot of water that resembles a drinking fountain. This allows you to rinse out your toothpaste-filled mouth without disposable cups or, ahem, lapping water from your hand. Pre-order now at Moq7.com to help reach the 50,000 minimum required for manufacturing ... if it doesn't happen by year's end, you get a refund.

by Michelle Taute

Nothing makes our mouse-clicking fingers twitch like a good remix, and three in one week equals pure delight. First up, the meatloaf cupcake. Yes, this perfectly portioned comfort food cleverly replaces sweets with tasty meats. You won't get your mid-afternoon sugar fix, but you may discover that the next best thing to frosting is mashed potatoes. Please direct all thank you notes for this stroke of culinary genius to The Meatloaf Bakery in Chicago. They'll bake you a filling meatloaf cake or cupcake in a variety of meat/topping combos ... and there's even a vegetarian version.

by Michelle Taute

Don't you wish there was a little instruction book for saving the world? Maybe an actionable task list? That's how we like to think of the seven creative briefs up at Good 50x70. This nonprofit project works with major charities, such as UNICEF and Greenpeace, to highlight world issues ranging from child labor to climate change, then invites designers to respond with posters. The visual solutions go into a database charities can access for free, and the top 30 entries become part of a catalog and traveling exhibition. Deadline: April 1.

by Michelle Taute

Many bloggers express themselves through words, but with the blogosphere approaching overpopulation, it wouldn't hurt to pay a little more attention to site graphics. Enter House of Three with a mix-and-match line of blog headers and backgrounds to pretty up the internet. These decidedly girly designs layer color, texture and pattern in way that's reminiscent of a lovingly crafted scrapbook page. And at $1.50 each, these à la carte graphics are a bargain for any blogger lacking the time or cash for a custom design.

by Michelle Taute

The wonderful folks behind the six-word memoirs at Smith are now offering up brief-yet-poignant reflections on romance. Watch the trailer for their new book—Six-Word Memoirs on Love & Heartbreak—for laughter, tears and enough optimism to update your Match.com profile. Our favorite musings include "Married by Elvis. Divorced by Friday" and "Don't trust a man who waxes." You can cozy up with the whole collection for a mere 10 bucks ... or if you think you can best the bunch, share your own abbreviated tale of tragic/true love on the site.

by Michelle Taute