Be the Cause in Santa Claus: 10 Children’s Toy Brands Not Made by Children
On Christmas morning, millions of children in America will open their presents to find this year’s most popular toys. Unfortunately, the Christmas spirit is long gone for many of the children who worked long hours to make those toys. The reality is that most of the toys gifted on Christmas morning are made with child labor or forced labor, by children as young as 7 years old; children who should be enjoying their childhood and playing with toys themselves, not be forced to make our toys. Whenever I am considering a gift for my nephew or nieces, I hold a toy in my hands, and wonder what little hands touched…
Stay Local & Shop Local: Picnicking with Local Artists
The holidays are just around the corner, and it’s time to make our plans. Millions of Americans travel each year to see family for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but with the spread of COVID-19 increasing daily and by dramatic numbers, it may be a good year to adjust your holiday plans. It’s unclear how safe it is to travel by plane, and is it worth the risk? Now is a great time to stay local to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. It’s also a great time to shop local, as many small businesses are suffering and need our support. Why shop local? You can buy handmade, one-of-a-kind products The…
Fair Trade Jewelry that Shines and Inspires
What better way to celebrate Fair Trade Month than with an assortment of fair trade jewelry? While it can be difficult to search for fair trade items to meet all your needs, there is no shortage of fair trade jewelry. Whether you like statement jewelry or prefer a minimalist look, there’s plenty of styles for even the pickiest accessory connoisseur. Fair trade jewelry is handcrafted by artisans in developing countries using sustainably collected and often eco friendly materials. Some jewelry designs reflect the artisans’ cultures, while other designs are targeted at a more mainstream consumer crowd. Buying fair trade jewelry supports artisans and helps to end the cycle of poverty…
Where can you Find Fair Trade Clothing?
October is Fair Trade Month- a time to celebrate artisans and the products they make and and are fairly compensated for. When you think of fair trade goods, most likely you think of food, coffee, home decor, crafts, and jewelry. However, fair trade has expanded in recent years and includes clothing too. What is fair trade clothing? When you buy garments with the Fair Trade certification you are purchasing apparel made with strict ethical trade standards. It ensures adequate working environments and fair pay for workers, often in developing countries. Clothing is a labor intensive business, and people deserve to be paid fairly for their labor. What are the benefits…
Happy Fair Trade Month! Understanding the Movement
There are so many reasons to love October. The leaves are changing, apples are ripe for picking, pumpkin spice- everything is in stores, and the thrill of Halloween (my personal favorite holiday) lingers all month long. October is also Fair Trade Month, an annual observation of the importance of the fair trade movement to our global economy, and a time to encourage others to buy fair trade. But what is fair trade anyway? Here is a breakdown of the term and some frequently asked questions. What is fair trade? Fair trade is a term for a trading partnership that seeks greater equity in international trade by paying fair prices to…
Is this an America we can be Proud of?
I find myself asking this question a lot. When I think about the current state of our country, I instantly hear Childish Gambino’s “This is America” in my head. The incredibly catchy, yet haunting mix of choir and trap music plays like an anthem for the current disarray in our country. If you haven’t seen the “This is America” music video, with it’s many metaphors about race and gun violence in America, I highly recommend it. Warning: there are images some may find disturbing. Although Donald Glover released the song under his musical moniker, Childish Gambino, in 2018, it’s just as timely now. Going into the the 2020 election, our…
Sustain your Comfort Through the Lockdown: Eco-friendly Leisurewear
We’ve been in lockdown for a while, and let’s face it: we may be here a while. Our idea of day to day norms has drastically changed. I’ve sat through so many FaceTime calls, Google Hangouts, and House Parties that I’ve started to forget what people look like from the shoulders down. But I’ve got to imagine that sweat pants are the new norm, because mine are getting a lot of wear. Just because your sweatpants take zero effort to wear, does not mean they were effortless to make. Keep in mind that all clothing is labor intensive, and people deserve to be paid fair wages for their labor! Here…
Planting Seeds of Change with Earth Day Books
One of the most rewarding ways to celebrate Earth Day is by educating others. As the effects of climate change become more evident each day, more and more authors and illustrators have come to action and created beautiful books to teach the youth about the importance of protecting our planet. We know it’s future generations that will be most affected. Enjoy this list of 14 picture books that are as diverse as our planet. Many of these I use in my own classroom. I have included websites to order these books, but I encourage you to contact your local bookstores first. During this uncertain time it’s so important for us…
Colorfully Curated Gifts for Her, Under $50
When I’m thinking about gifts for someone close, I often think about their favorite color(s). My mom loves red and purple, my sister in law also loves red, and my friend Jessica’s favorite color is blue. So whether you are looking for a gift for a birthday, shower, Mother’s Day, or just to remind a friend you’re thinking of them, I’m sure you can find something in this colorfully curated gallery that brings someone to mind. All items are fair trade and/or sustainably made. Enjoy!
Is your Earth Day T-shirt Actually Earth Friendly?
Earth Day is on Wednesday, April 22nd this year and I’m always pleased to see people wearing Earth Day shirts promoting environmental responsibility. But ironically, most of these graphic tees are not Earth friendly. Most t-shirts are made with cotton. In fact the cotton plant produces a fiber that is used in most clothing. I first learned about issues in the cotton industry in the 2015 groundbreaking documentary The True Cost. Due to fast fashion and increased consumption, the majority of cotton is now genetically modified to increase production. Genetically modified (GM) cotton uses large amounts of water and chemicals with dangerous consequences. Large amounts of cotton are grown in…
