It's Only Fair

Working at a fair trade store and learning about the plight (yes, I said plight) of workers in developing countries will absolutely ruin you for shopping at all the places I used to buy clothes and shoes. With a non-profit employee's salary, what to do? Basically, I haven't bought anything new for my wardrobe in quite a while, and I'm starting to feel a little frumpy. Okay, I know I don't *need* anything, and Mother Teresa only had two pairs of shoes, but Mother Teresa I am not. So, yesterday I decided that it must be possible to be stylish, socially, and fiscally responsible simultaneously.

The options seem to be fair trade and vintage (or just plain Goodwill). My first purchase was this dress from Fair Indigo. A classic, work appropriate, fair trade, and on sale! Take that, Target!

www.fairindigo.com, $24

Some Prefer Treacle

It's too late to get an off-beat card for Mother's Day. You'll have to settle for something from Hallmark, or the grocery store (you slacker!). But you can always get this one for Dad...www.uncookedlandthestore.com, $2.50.

National Treasury

This isn't really me, exactly, but I think it's cool. A little too modern for my taste. The blossom print in the frame is actually a piece of Japanese money. In looking at all the necklace options (and there are quite a few) I had to lament the fact that our own money is so incredibly boring. Very Puritan of us, I think. www.blendcreations.com, $83

You Can Pick Your Friends and Now...

You can pick your nose.

I'm not sure what the perfect occasion would be for nose cups, but there must be one.


www.perpetualkid.com
$7.49

Sack It to Me

This year instead of just trying to break your bad habits, what about picking up some new good habits? Here's one to pick up - literally. Worldwide, we use over one million plastic bags per minute. You didn't read that wrong. One million per minute. The average American family takes home 1500 plastic bags per year. Sea turtles aside, wouldn't you like to keep them from piling up in that closet? Here's a simple, stylish, and inexpensive solution. Buy a pack of five for $37.95 and keep them in your glove box so you'll always have a few on hand.



usa.envirosax.com, $8.50

Pineapple Teapots And So Forth

It seems inevitable with the current trend towards all things naturalistic in home decor that majolica will experience a revival. Much of it straddles that fine line between fascinatingly ornate and over-the-top tacky, but some things are just beautiful, like these tiles (which can be found on Ebay), and the work of contemporary artist Christine Viennet. Equally as fascinating and over-the-top is the story of the man who invented majolica, Bernard Palissy. Check out an abbreviated version at Wikipedia.

Kawaii, Desu Ne?

This is the best of Japanese cuteness. In addition to inventing miso soup, they have the happiest cartoon characters and the most creative use of English. All yours for the price of a handkerchief.

Sakura's Happy Box (Ebay store)
From $2.00