Give Thanks

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Lots to be thankful for this week. Our power was back by the time I got home from work on Friday (I quickly turned on every single light & lamp!) and our heat & hot water came back Saturday night. [insert huge grins, sighs of relief, and celebratory hands-in-the-air] I was very fortunate to find hot showers during the week at a co-worker's apartment, another co-worker's hotel room, and the gym on Saturday...but yesterday's hot shower at home? It. was. heavenly. There's something about going about your normal routine that we only appreciate once it's taken away. 

Subways have resumed service in our area and the businesses are beginning to open. And even though I have to wait another week to hear the status of my winter coats currently stranded at my cleaner's storage facility in New Jersey, I know that many are still waiting on much more important things...while perhaps also mourning the loss of a home or even a loved one(s)...these are the people that deserve our prayers and attention. As we approach a time of giving thanks, let us not only remember what we have that we easily take for granted, but let's also consider how we can give back to people in our life. It can be a phone call, a just-because letter or care package to someone you love, it can be asking a friend or family member, "how can I help?", it can be brightening someone's day with a smile, it can be volunteering somewhere in your local community, or it can even be something like helping with / donating to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. [you can donate here]

Let's do what we can.

Let's give thanks.

And let's also give something for which someone will be thankful.

until next time,

g

Let's Move This Piece!

Join me in helping a dear friend relocate her Masters of Architecture thesis project to its final resting place. Built as a full-scale form to celebrate the life of her friend, she designed and constructed this beautiful structure while studying in Michigan. However, the piece belongs in Glacier National Park, Montana, in order to meet its original purpose. If she is unable to move the structure, it will be destroyed at the end of the month. Please consider spreading the word so that her tribute can remain a memorial for years to come. Anything will help; as you can see on the page linked below, monetary pledges are rewarded!  

 :: read more about the project here ::

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until next time,

g

Shop for a Good Cause

My friend works for Abriendo Mentes, a community development initiative operating in rural Costa Rica. Their mission is to offer innovative educational, social, and technological programs to rural Costa Rican youth and adults in need, in an effort to equip community members with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve a better standard of living and promote economic stability.

Fresh Words Market is a social enterprise which carries a collection of modern art to inspire the masses, and a mission to help change the world.

For one week, Fresh Words Market has chosen Abriento Mentes to receive 50% of all proceeds from purchases made here!

images via

Who doesn't love purchasing something that benefits a good cause?

(...would make great Valentine gifts!)

until next time,

g

Indego Africa

My friend recently started working for Indego Africa, a non-profit organization worth knowing.

In attempt to fight poverty and empower independent businesswomen, Indego provides training programs in Rwanda for women artisans. They sell their accessories and other products at high-end retailers and on Indego's online store. Indego pays the women a fair wage, including 50% in advance for production costs; the profits are returned to the training programs that instruct more than 200 women in financial management, entrepreneurship, literacy & computer skills.

Here are some of the products sold on Indego's online store:

Banana Steel Bracelets $20

image from here

Woven Coaster Set $25

Laptop Sleeve $30

Wine Coasters $15

Yoga Bag $45

images from here

Also, I know from my little inside connection that they are in the process of designing an iPad cover using banana leaves. How neat! What do you all think?

In addition to the online store, they sell the co-op's products at over 40 retailers including Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, Anthropologie and Bikram Yoga.

Click here to read the NY Times article about their scarves now sold at Anthropologie.

image from here

Shop away!

Want another way to be a part of this great cause? Nicole Miller is hosting an upcoming event for Indego Africa on October 28th at her Soho boutique, located at 77 Greene Street.

image from here

She co-designed textile bangles and woven bracelets - all crafted by the Indego artisans. 

image from here



In addition, 15% of the evening's proceeds will go to Indego's training programs in Rwanda.

(And yes, she will be there.) Click here for more information.

Finally, click here to read the uplifting account of Emelienne Nyiramana, now the Treasurer and Master Seamstress at Indego Africa's partner, Cocoki, in Rwanda. She was admitted to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Initiave program at the School of Finance and Banking in Kigali earlier this year.

What's not to love?

until next time,

g



Spring Cleaning Step 1: Donate Books!

I received Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop "SEE" newsletter this morning and it was all about children's books. Nothing like a list of recommendations to peruse for inspiration to brighten my morning!

Included in the newsletter was a tidbit about an event going on in Manhattan this Saturday, April 10th. ReadThis and The Center for Fiction are joining together in an attempt to collect 5,000 book donations for children in need, pre-K through 12th grade, in NYC schools. Writers like Elizabeth Gilbert, Rick Moody, Kurt Andersen, Adam Haslett, Martha McPhee, Sam Lipsyte, Jamaica Kincaid, Scott Westerfeld, Natalie Standiford, Justine Larbalestier and even Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl) will also be participating in panel discussions and workshops for both children and adults. The event will run from 11am until 5pm at 17 East 47th Street. For more information, check out their website.

until next time,

g

Goods That Do Good

What's better than jewelry? Jewelry for a cause!

Check these two out:

Made With Love

Made with Love in Africa Recycled Rubber Bracelets

These bracelets are made from recycled rubber by women in Mali. An organization called A.S.A.O. (Association du Senegal et de l'Afrique de l'Ouest) pays the women three times the normal rate for bracelets, giving them enough means for support. A.S.A.O. then sells the bracelets in order to raise money for L'Empire des Enfants, a program established to provide shelter, meals, education and training to homeless children in Dakar.

Help Made with Love, a non-profit that supports A.S.A.O. and L'Empire des Enfants, by purchasing their bracelets. In turn, you're providing aid to both women and children in West Africa.

pictures from madewithloveproject.com

picture from madewithloveinbrazil.com

You get 18 bracelets for $28 (including shipping within the US). My mom and I each have a multicolor set. I love them. If you're interested in the bracelets or any of the other Made With Love products they offer, please take a look here.

Brazilets

According to their website, Brazilets, or some form of "Brazilian Wish Ribbons", have actually been worn since around 1792. In the 19th century, people wore them as necklaces; they were known as "the measure of Bonfim" because they are 47 centimeters long - the length of the arm of a Christ statue located at Bahia's most famous church, The Church of Senhor do Bonfim.

Nowadays people wear them as a symbol of faith and good luck. Some tie the ribbon around their wrist with 3 knots, making a wish for each. Once it falls off, your wishes are believed to come true!

For whatever reason you choose to wear them, Brazilets provides support to the Plant A Billion Trees project. So far, the organization has planted 5, 751, 733 trees in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, one of the world's most endangered tropical forests. Let's help them plant more!

pictures from www.brazillianwishbracelet.com

I got these images from another online retailer that gives you the chance to see all the colors up close and personal. So hard to choose!
Plus, they're just $5! Makes a great gift. Celebs are wearing them, too - everyone from Anne Hathaway to Lauren Conrad to Condoleezza Rice to Kristin Cavallari to Susan Sarandon (who I've personally told she's great. wink.)
Whether you're sporting rubber bracelets or wishing brazilets, know that your goods are doin' good.
until next time,
g