Tile Bravery

My new love for mismatched tiles blossomed whilst in India. It is something they seem to do out there with a certain aplomb that I am certain never to achieve in quite the same way. This scan from the latest UK Elle Decoration provides a really clever way of putting together mismatched tiles ... as long as you have a few of each. It seems like a great way to both recycle and add interest to your home in one go. I have to say though i can't even imagine how many hours it would take trying to find tiles that 1. go together in some way 2. are a similar size and 3. that you like! Oh well ... I'll start collecting now for the next house :).

Source: Elle Decoration May 2010 - personal scan

Kolkata

1. Sorting keyrings at Calcutta Rescue 2. Taking orders at Jeevika 3. Recycled Saris cover sewing machines, Jeevika 4. Monster Keyrings 5. Drying candles at Silence 6. Posing at Jeevika 7. Tea lights at Silence 8. Teeny love heart candles - small enough to fit two in a matchbox 9. Home decor - love the cushion 10. A night under a thatched roof in Santiniketan 11. Likkle animal candles at Silence - mucho obsessed 12. Showing off the fruits of his labour at Silence 13. & 14. Screen printing at Silence 15. Bead work, Silence 16. Intense orange lighting on the night I left.

Imagine my surprise when an unassuming birthday card from my boss last December turned out to be an invitation to visit our Fair Trade partners out in Kolkata, India in the new year. I was uber touched and shed a happy tear or two.
Come April and I have just returned from what promises to be the first of many trips to India.
I was so busy I hardly had time to stop for photo taking and am bummed that I don't have more. Most of these are of two of the groups that we work with the most - Jeevika & Silence.
The girls at Jeevika are skilled seamstresses and embroiderers. They were so lovely and welcoming and we had loads of fun posing for pictures together.

The artisans at Silence all have some sort of disability, most of the people who work there are deaf and mute. However they come together everyday to prove their ability to create beautiful products from candles & woodwork to screen printed, hand painted cards & jewellery. The artisans there clearly loved their job and were so proud of their work. Silence really stood out to me as an example of people really doing it for themselves.

Band of Outsiders Sweat Shorts vs People Tree Simons

These Band of Outsiders Sweat Shorts over at selectism.com definitely did not go down a treat with their readers ("These are the worst looking pair of shorts ever ... get a grip please and stop taking the piss." calm down!).Quite frankly they're not doing too much for this guy's sex appeal esp not at 180 quid.(hello get a pair of scissors and cut your sweatpants in half).




But, if you don't trust yourself to hack off the bottom of your fave trackie bottoms there are always these.

People Tree's comfy looking sweats might not cause quite as much offence at a distinctly affordable £22.Plus I think the fit is ever so slightly more manly.

A bit more bloke and a little less broke I'd say.

Quote of the week

"If you think you're too small to make a difference you've never been in bed with a mosquito"

Anita Roddick

Björn to wear Clogs

I stand up at work, ALL day long, 5 days a week if I'm lucky, sometimes more and today, for the tiniest split second I allowed myself to dream of crossing over to the dark side. When I say dark side I am of course referring to the land of croc wearing freaks (sorry if you're a croc wearing freak, yes, I know they're sooo comfy and all, but really come ON). So, instead I am contemplating crossing over to the land of CLOG wearing freaks (like Alexa Chung of 'I wanna sex ya Alexa' fame for example). However whilst Alexa's are Chanel mine will be well, Cheaper. Like £34.00 cheaper. And orthopaedic to boot! Come ON Grandma!!

(I'm liking these Annie sandals but can't decide on a colour ... too many to choose from.)

Based in Scarborough, northern England, Björn Clogs are a family run business who make all their clogs on site. So for all us lucky things on this side of the Atlantic that means home-grown footwear that's easy on the air miles.

Click here to find some clogs of your own ... just a word of warning, the website ain't too pretty, but we like 'em anyway.

Thanks to Zoe over at makin' and baking for pointing these out to me ;).

Emma Watson for People Tree ... There's more!

Just when I thought I'd missed out on owning anything from Ms Watson's collection for People Tree they launched a summer range designed by her as well! All Fairtrade and organic cotton and hand-made in India or Bangladesh by People Tree's Fair Trade partners.



Grecian Dress with pockets! Sold for a sweet £30!

Cute playsuit .. if I was that way inclined. £28.

See the rest on the People Tree website.

behind bibico

It seems there has never been a better time to be a Fair Trade fashion fanatic. New F.T. labels are springing up left right and centre and I get a huge rush of excitement every time I discover one. Recently Nieves from bibico popped into the shop I manage to say hi and drop off her card and I am damn glad she did. Her label is full of cute, easy pieces all hand-woven, hand-knitted, embroidered and tailored by two groups she works with in India and Nepal.

There's something v sexy about that side tie. Now £23!

Spotted Tunic Now £19!

Union Check tunic £45. I love throw-on dresses like this and its such a good transitional piece for Spring/Autumn.

See the rest here.

Think Act Vote

Calling all residents of the UK! Its time to cast your vote. The deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming general election is April 20th. GET YOUR SKATES ON!

Click here to register.

Think your vote isn't important? Go here to find out why it is.

You can make a difference.

Take a look:
The Green Party
The Lib Dems

Artwork by Holly Berry for Think Act Vote.

PS I'm not trying to influence anyone just think we should all vote!

*EDIT: Ok scrap that, i AM trying to influence people! If you don't vote you miss out on one damn important time to have your say and make a difference in the country you live in. I'm sick of hearing people saying that their vote won't make a difference. Well of course it bloody won't if you don't use it!! It's our time to choose. Use your power wisely!

Crochet where it's not supposed to be

I've toyed with the idea of writing about the mooncup on Musings but having so far given up on that idea thought I'd go for the slightly less controversial moonbasket instead. I discovered these guys on DtoI (as with most things) and am desperately thinking of ways I can get two of their lampshades into my home and covering my bare naked light bulbs PRONTO. Any suggestions??

Am personally lusting after the peacock in natural for my living and bed rooms.



God I feel greedy sometimes but these gorgeous shades are all crocheted by hand (of course there is no other way!) and support a community project in South Africa. Buy me one pls! Anyone ??