Yay Fashion Week! I love the excitement, new designs, blossoming trends, enthusiastic buzz... it's like a big ice cream sundae of aesthetics and innovation. Mmmm.
One can also expect a number of cool duds to result from the exercise, of course. One such article of clothing is "Not Just Another Tee." As of today this limited edition designer tee by fashion icon Miguel Ardrover has become available at select Whole Foods markets nationwide. Hessnatur is behind the launch, which is intended reflect how clothing can be environmentally and socially responsible while still being stylish, accessible, and (at only $20) very affordable. A portion of the proceeds go to hessnatur's Schoarship Program, so the shirt even does its part to eradicate poverty through education. Not bad, eh?
Anyhoo, enjoy Fashion Week! If you're in New York, lucky you!!! If you're elsewhere, like me... hit up those blogs!!!
Over the years, I have come to learn that not all sweets are created equal. Sugar is fine, but honestly, a desert is not worth sticking a fork into unless it meets certain criteria: (1) It must be fresh (2) It must be made with real, natural ingredients, and (3) it must be beautiful!
Our very own editor-in-chief Gina LaMorte just introduced me to a cake shop that meets- and exceeds my criteria. Cara Linn Cakes are fresh, sweetened only with organic cane sugar, and GEORGEOUS! They even offer vegan and raw food options, which is no small feat!Lucky for you, they're discounting cakes through June 25th! Even the wedding cakes are 40% off. Is it strange that I want to grab a random (but good-looking, mind you) man off the street and marry him so I can get one?
If you are anywhere near Brooklyn, NY, you've got to check them out. If you're too far away, you can always just check out their blog to see the pretty pictures!
Oh, and if you'll be swinging by San Francisco at any point, bring me one of their cupcakes! I simply must try one!!!
Am I the only one that freaks out when it comes to giving donations? There are so many deserving parties! Should I help animals? People? Ecosystems? Children? Gaaah!!!! I CAN'T DECIDE!!!
Because I have difficulty choosing recipients, I have decided to make donation decisions based on the organization receiving my money. Because cash is a bit scarce these days, I focus on the places that get the most bang out of my buck. After all, I don't want 30% of my donation to go toward some large bureaucracy- I want as much of it to go directly to the intended recipients as is physically possible.
One of the charities that does this best is DonorsChoose. My room mate Caroline pointed it out to me about two years ago, and I have been raving about them ever since. On the DonorsChoose website, school teachers post proposals for various classroom improvements (such as upgraded reading materials, dry erase boards, calculators, and project supplies) that have corresponding prices attached. Proposals are screened by DonorsChoose volunteers before they make it to the site, so you can be sure they are legitimate. Once requests are posted, prospective donors have the opportunity to check them out and provide funding. DonorsChoose uses the money to purchase the requested supplies and ship them to the teacher, and donors recieve thank you notes from the class, photos, and a teacher Impact Letter.
What I love about this system is that it allows donors to know exactly where their money is going. I also love the gratification that donors get from the class pictures and thank you notes. So many charities accept donations that seem to go directly toward something tangible by giving you the chance to, say, buy a goat for a family in a developing country, however more often than not, the fine print reveals that the "goat" is only a representation of what may be purchased with your donation. DonorsChoose donations, on the other hand, go precisely where you think they will. Now that is awesome!!
Thanks to the conveniences of modern transportation, communication, and retail, we live very comfortable lives. Unfortunately, these conveniences also remove us from reality. Sometimes I spend so many hours sitting in front of a computer, eating packaged food, and researching abstract topics that I hardly feel human anymore!
Thankfully, I have methods for winning back my humanity- one of which involves trekking out to the local farmers' market.
There is so much to love about farmers' markets! The food is fresh, the people are friendly, and the prices are fantastic (especially considering the quality you get). What's more, buying local food and produce is great for the environment. Personally though, I adore farmers' markets because they are splendidly grounding. I love having the opportunity to shop in the open air instead of inside some climate controlled cave, and it's incredibly comforting to see a real connection between the food I eat and the people and places they come from. Maybe one of the biggest problems with today's environmental crises is that we forget about our connection to the natural world. Thanks to cars, complicated supply chains, and the Internet, it's all too easy to do so.
Fortunately, it is also extremely easy to rebuild that connection. All it takes is a little thought, and farmers' markets provide just that (plus that DELICIOUS food. Mmmmm). Websites such as LocalHarvest.org and FarmersMarket.com make it super easy to find nearby markets, and there are many additional directories, such as Fruitstands.com, which provide market listings on both national and local levels. If you don't frequent your local market already, I strongly encourage you to plan a visit. Nothing beats fresh air, fresh food, and a fresh connection with the beautiful world that's all around us!
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