Confession: I'm a subscription junkie. If somebody can delivery something to my door, I'll sign up for it. 



That may seem irrelevant, but my obsession with mail-order products actually led me to my class starter. About a year ago, I received my monthly package from Birchbox, a makeup subscription service. Atop the pink packaging was a small postcard decorated with flowers and text that read: "Plant me: I grow!"



Curious as I was, apartment complexes don't generally come with gardens. I had no where to plant the paper. I ventured down to the local Home Depot and grabbed a brown pot, some soil, and a mini watering can. The last item wasn't strictly necessary, but it was green and cute and I clearly have a shopping problem.



When I returned, I took my plant out onto the balcony of my condo and followed the instructions given on the postcard. Within no time, little sprouts began to germinate from my make-shift garden.

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The card, apparently called "seed paper," was a product of a BLOOMIN', a company who has figured out a way to put seeds into recyclable materials and turn them into something pretty. On their website, www.bloomin.com, items for sale include greeting cards, coasters, wedding invitations, wrapping paper, business cards, etc. If you can think of it, chances are that BLOOMIN' is turning it into something that can be planted.



For my class starter (April 24th), I ordered a couple of affordable items--coasters and Christmas ornaments--from the site to pass around to classmates so that they can try it out, as well. I love their products so much now that my company, The Writer's Desk, now orders their business cards from them. Now, even if they choose not to hire me, all of my prospective clients can grow wildflowers or spices instead of tossing my card.