Here’s my latest article for The Green Girls.  Enjoy!

I’m in a total jewelry state of mind this season.  Typically for Summer, I keep the jewelry to a minimum… big hoop earrings, maybe a bangle or two.  But this time around is different – I want bold, statement-y jewelry and I want lots of it!  Whether you opt for a simple sundress or a vintage kaftan, jewelry that packs a punch will take your look to the next level!

The taqua nut from South American rain forests is a fantastic, sustainable & chic material that lots of savvy jewelry designers… and here are some of my favorite pieces!

Also by Mui Chic are these super gorge statement rings of naturally-dyed Taqua.  What a way to finish an outfit, right?

And don’t forget the wrists!  Stack these bracelets, or wear alone… they’re instant chic with any ensemble from a tank top and cut offs to your favorite Summer dress.  From Left: Tawa by Mui Chic, Shilsol Bay by Green Diva and Kandi by Mui Chic.

Ok… wine isn’t one of our typical bargain buys, but a friend brought over this tasty Fairhills Cabernet the other night – and it was quite a hit!  A hearty cab with aromas of dark fruit, coffee and black tea that lead into fresh strawberry fruit… and a finish with good acidity and layers of smoke.  I’m not exactly a wine expert, but it was interesting and approachable at the same time.  I also learned that the Fairhills company buys grapes from a collective of ten farms in Argentina, South Africa and Chile – that employs/houses 1300 adults and their children.  The “members” of these co-ops are paid fair prices to sustain themselves and their communities.  Fairhills also produces a Malbec that I’m dying to try!  Just know, in an evening filled with gifted bottles of red, I actually saved this empty bottle to remember it for the future.

Well, the future is now… so I snooped around to find where I could grab more of this delicious little vino. Check it  it’s avail at – Whole Foods AND Cost Plus/World Market… how easy is that???  Wait for it… it gets better… the price tag for this well-rounded, fairly made wine – a mere $10!  Times are tight, but you’re still being asked to dinner parties, right?  Here’s the perfect contribution… not only to your festive evening, but to the 1300 global farmers & family members paid healthy wages to produce this deliciousness.  I’ll drink to that!

Let me start this by saying… I love Zulu baskets.  They’re intricate, hearty and gorgeous.  They also celebrate the ingenuity and artistic talents of a culture that is not my own.  That being said, for years the Fair Trade options out there weren’t exactly plentiful and once you got your fill of Zulu baskets, Peruvian pottery or batiked textiles from India… that was pretty much it.

Well, NOT ANY MORE!  There’s a wonderful awareness of the importance of buying “local” these days.  Food, wine, furniture, artwork and even clothing… and I think it’s fantastic!  Not only are we boosting support of artisans and farmers, etc. in our own communities, but we’re reducing the amount of cross-country and even international shipping – which in turn has the potential for greatly reducing our overall carbon footprint on this beautiful planet of ours.  I’m on board, I get it, I completely support it.

Recycled papier mache lamp made fairly in Haiti 

However… a good number of us reading this post have the luxury of being from a fully “developed”, democratic and capitalist society.  We may take for granted that buying locally is one of many options rather than the only one.  For many people across the globe (in developing nations) their lives, work and total existence are drawn from only their own small village or their over-populated, highly polluted and economically devastated city.  And for many of our brothers & sisters in said situations… decent wages, health care and education is scarcely even a dream.  Enter FAIR TRADE!  

Blue & White Ceramic planter made fairly in Viet Nam

Social welfare organizations all over this crazy planet have taken on the glorious mission of not only securing fair wages and health care for workers & artisans in these developing nations where their governments have failed them, but sometimes also providing schooling for the worker’s children and housing for the families.  AND Fair Trade is also a wonderful way to celebrate the craftsmanship and artistic methods of talented people worldwide!

Lotus journal made fairly in India 

Yes, this has been a long introduction to some of my favorite Fair Trade finds and if you’ve lost track… my point is – buying local is an amazing concept.  Do it with Godspeed.  But also, remember our friends, remarkably crafty and living with much less, and support this wonderful thing we call FAIR TRADE!  We all deserve at least the necessities, don’t we?

Clay & Sisal woven bowl made fairly in Swaziland

I’m not sure what it is about this (not-so) little snail… but I can’t keep my eyes off of him!  He’s a new add to the GwG collection, so he’s still got that fresh car smell, but it’s more than that.  He’s bright & curious, statement-y and maybe even a bit shifty.  Regardless, I love him.  White is my favorite, but the others do make me smile.

Made via Fair Trade by artisans in Haiti, these little guys are crafted into papier mache using recycled paper and finished with low-VOC paints.  He’s kind of grinning… isn’t he?

According to OXFAM, Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – for the most part in developing/3rd world communities and countries. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Bottom line: Fair Trade means 3rd world factory workers & artisans are paid reasonable rates in safe work environments for their hard work (as opposed to the horrific working conditions of sweat shops).

Ok… even writing this is making me clutch my metaphorical pearls.  It’s not that were a bunch of prudies here at Green with Glamour, but condom-talk just isn’t really our m.o.  Anywho, my incredible hair/make up artist & always-in-the-know dear friend, Vanessa Price, sent me this fun post from Daily Candy all about French Letter’s Eco-friendly condoms.  Read the D.C. article here… We’ll leave all of the cheeky puns to them, but our hats are off to French Letter for tackling such a touchy subject, for the support of Fair Trade – and for the tasteful packaging!

So my latest article for Ecostiletto is all about the best reusable bags.  Gladly, they’re now an everyday item and not a new concept (as somewhere between 500 BILLION to 1 TRILLION are used each year and it takes 1000 years for 1 to biodegrade), but there’s no reason to carry something boring or advertise for a massive grocery chain, right?  I went to town with suggestions for the Ecostiletto piece (so definitely check it out for more options), but here I’ve paired down to my fave 3!

Repurposed sailcloth totes by 44 Knots avail at Green with Glamour, of course!

The Palette Bag by June Fifteen… soon to be available at GwG (I know, I know, but I like!).

And the Fair Trade Freedom Trees Tote (proceeds help underprivilegded women in Calcutta)  available at The Karma Market.