Wanna Wanna Wednesdays... Global Goods Partners' Pink Duffle Bag

I'd like to introduce you all to what is going to be my gym bag!!! In the interim I am using a tote on loan from my Mum, but I will be investing in this bag ASAP.

This unique Pink Duffle Bag ($36.00, Global Goods Partners) is made from 100% recycled rice bags in Cambodia. What's best, this product was ethically sourced and fairly traded. So I will know every time I go to the gym that this purchased helped someone receive a fair wage and help their family.

Cute and Conscientious? I'm all about that!!! :)

DO SOMETHING: Ask 1 800 Flowers to Offer Fair Trade Flowers

Valentine's Day, which accounts for 40% of fresh flower sales annually, is fast approaching.

If you're planning to order a bouquet from 1-800-Flowers -- the world's largest florist -- you should know where most of those flowers really come from.

At flower farms in Ecuador and Colombia -- the countries that export the most to the U.S. -- two-thirds of the workers are women. These women are routinely subjected to harassment and even rape from their male supervisors. They suffer eye infections and miscarriages from consistent contact with dangerous pesticides.

In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, they're routinely forced to work 80-hour weeks with no overtime pay. Attempts to form a union are met with opposition by police and armed forces.

Many retailers -- such as Whole Foods and Stop & Shop -- have taken the important first step of offering Fair Trade flowers to consumers who want no part of these abuses. Fair Trade certified farms must adhere to strict standards for workers' rights, which prevents the abuses described above.

1-800-Flowers is the largest florist in the world. Yet they offer no Fair Trade flowers at all.

I just signed the petition from Change.org, "Ask 1 800 Flowers to Offer Fair Trade Flowers That Aren't Picked By Exploited Workers" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

This is the week before Valentine's Day -- more people will purchase flowers during the next seven days than any other week this year. This is our best opportunity to demand a promise from 1-800-Flowers to join its competitors in offering Fair Trade flowers. So after you sign the petition, please share this info widely and post on Facebook -- do everything you can to pressure 1-800-Flowers to show a little respect for the women who toil in unbearable circumstances. The women without whom they'd have no flowers to sell.

Our goal is to reach 35,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/ask-1-800-flowers-to-offer-fair-trade-flowers-that-arent-picked-by-exploited-workers

:::drools::: Gorgeous Jewelry from Global Girlfriend!!

I am a jewelry fanatic, and I also am very much a strong supporter of women's charities that eradicate poverty. So believe me when I say I am all about purchasing jewelry that will benefit women all over the world who need it.The following jewelry is all  fair-trade, and made by women who support their families making these beautiful pieces. Purchasing through Global Girlfriend will result in a micro-grant being given to women's cooperatives all over the world. To request a catalog, click here or visit https://www.globalgirlfriend.com/ .




Ethical and Empowering Bracelet ($10.00 - In Stars, Domino or Wave Design)

Handcrafted by a group of artisans in the semi-arid region of Kenya's eastern province -- where the sparse rainfall creates conditions of abject poverty. Dedicated to bringing positive change to their lives, the women from the community generate a primary source of income with jewelry created in group workshops, or woven textiles created in an artisan's home. In both homes and workshops, an emphasis is placed on fair principles and good working conditions.

* Dyed bone ethically sourced from water buffalo that have died of natural causes
* On elastic, allowing it stretch to fit most wrists
* 1" W (2.5 cm)
* Handmade in and fairly traded from Kenya



Zulugrass Multi-Strand Necklace ($34.00 - In Garnets, Spring, Lady Sunbird or Hydrangea.):

Designed by Philip and Katy Leakey in the bush country region of Kenya, Zulugrass jewelry was created to provide work opportunities for their Maasai neighbors without adversely impacting the Maasai culture. Native long grasses are harvested one blade at a time, dried, cut to size, then dyed lovely hues. Using a tradition of superlative beadwork dating back generations, Maasai women string the the grass beads together with brilliant Czech crystals, creating attractive jewelry for you while bringing much needed income and opportunity to themselves, their families, and their community. Necklace measures 30" (76.2 cm) and has a sliding wooden bead that allows you adjust length. Handmade in and fair-trade imported from Kenya.



Hoop Beaded Earrings ($8.00 - In Black Multi and Multicolor)

Handmade by a women's beading cooperative in Nepal, where women have been weaving beads traditionally for centuries. Their highly-skilled work provides them with needed income, assisting them toward self-sufficiency and independence. Earrings measure 1.75" dia. (4.4 cm) and are on sterling silver hooks for pierced ears. Handmade in and fairly traded from Nepal.