Nothing better than finding a for women by women business that offers quality m,erchndise for less!
Here are some of my past purchases!
BaubleBar
If you are anything like me you love everything girly and nothing is girlier than pretty baubles! About a year ago I discovered BaubleBar (www.baublebar.com). They are online retailers of very pretty, very trendy jewlery. The pieces are well made and very well priced and on top of that each week they send you on an treasure hunt to a find a buried bauble that is only $10 dollars! Really, you get a piece of jewelry for $10 dollars! The products are always in style and match every personality and fashion taste.
No Comments »
The meaning of community
You know I never knew what the meaning of community was until I moved to Claremont. I used to live in a huge city where honestly I only knew my next door neighbor and only because she was a nosy busy body but we loved her! Sure we had friends and family but everyone was far-flung. In an emergency it would take at least 30 minutes for anyone to get to me and that is on a good day. Fighting valley traffic was always an interesting phenomena. Five years ago we moved to Claremont, 91711, I had no idea it existed until my husband brought us over to see the town before we moved in two weeks later! I instantly fell in love with the village. We had lunch at Walter’s, we sat outside and I felt like I was in Cabot Cove (for you who don’t know where Cabot Cove is I say go watch some Murder She Wrote!) The village was tree-lined and beautiful and calm and blooming with flowers. Two, weeks later we moved into an oak lined street and I thought I would lose my mind from the serenity and quite. I wasn’t use to quiet. How could I be, I lived in the San Fernando Valley for most of my life, noise was dereguer! I also didn’t know how to handle the welcoming committee, people were interested in who we were, they gave us phone numbers on torn pieces of paper, told us when trash pick up would be and what’s a good place to get Indian and so on. Wow, what is it about this town that opens its arms wide and takes you in? Well people actually care, they like you, they want you to like the community so it can grow. It’s not a forgets your name, I’m serious when I say everyone knows you, you run into people you know everywhere and they don’t just make eye contact, they stop and talk to you and ask how things are sometimes we have a traffic jam in the grocery store isles because once you start talking well you know… I’m not trying to make Claremont out to be a utopia not at all every city has its problems but people here step up roll their sleeves and ask how they can help.
I’m not sure why I’m writing this really. I guess what triggered it was the earthquake in Yorba Linda. In Sherman Oaks I would have been panicking not knowing what we would do if something really horrible happened. Here I know there are so many friends and neighbors around I know we will all be ok.
~A New Boutique In Town~
I love boutiques, I prefer to shop in cute little boutiques than large department stores. I guess one of the many reasons that I love Claremont is because they don’t care too much for large chain stores…OK OK, I know there have been times when I’ve complained bitterly about not having a Banana Republic or a JCrew or a Williams Sonoma in the vacant stores in the village expansion but I digress. In the last few months we’ve had a few new boutiques pop up in the packing house and the village expansion. I’m loving both. The newest one is Maple Boutique. I visited them yesterday and I loved how clean and open the store felt. The displays used were tree stumps and branches to hang the clothing on (love love love!!!) Everything was priced really well and on trend. They have adorable little cards which I love to frame as wall art. In short I’m super happy about this new store! I still woudn’t mind a Williams Sonoma or a Sur La Table though…
Button Mad
How buttons have changed womens lives in South Africa
Usually women in the work force find a way to sabotage one another, it’s the craziest thing women can’t seem to realize the value of one another’s influence. Fortunately it’s not always the case there are some groups that thrive on the camaraderie. One such group is Button Mad (Incomparable Buttons) of South Africa. Incomparable, SA was started as a small company in 1984 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Working around a kitchen table, often late into the night, Jennifer Pascall was busy transforming small pieces of clay into buttons of all shapes and sizes. Many of the first designs, which are still popular today, were inspired by Africa’s rich ethnic artworks and distinctive wild animals. Over the years Incomparable began specializing in the creation of handmade buttons, craft pieces, craft kits, painting kits, greeting cards and jewelry.
As the company evolved, ladies from the local community were hired and trained in the art of button making. Today, Jennifer’s entire family, as well as 45 women from the local community is involved in the business. Most of the Incomparable team had never held a paintbrush before they joined the company and are now absolute masters of their brushes and justifiably proud of their work. The ladies sense of belonging within the company and skills as crafters not only gives them tremendous pleasure but also provides them with economic empowerment and has uplifted all their families.
The best part of all…women are working together to better their lives, there is no competition here just hard work to change their lives and the lives of their family.
Shop this business, shop it often you will feel good about helping women stand on their own two feet and take control of their lives.
Earth Conscious
Great Idea
Everywhere you look these days you are bombarded with Eco consciousness. From the food we eat to the clothes we wear and really to the toilet paper we use. Ok, I get it, I really do, but what about kids. Unless your parents are uber chick hippies kids couldn’t care less about Eco consciousness. It’s not because they are mean little pint size Dick Cheneys’ but because they just don’t know any better. This is where www.Mygroovyplanet.com comes in. This is not an paid endorsement, they don’t even know who I am. I received a sample of their product from a completely different company (Conscious Box). I liked this little guy so much I decided to research the company that sent it and this is how I learned about mygroovyplanet.
First a little about my little guy…. here is a picture of him….
First a little about my little guy…. here is a picture of him….
It’s tiny! But I love the fact that it’s hand made, it’s mission is two fold. One to give you something to pin all your worries onto and two it helps communities. You don’t have to believe in it’s powers but you should believe in what it’s trying to accomplish.
So, to make a long story short I went to the website to learn more about them and see if I could buy more of the little guys. This is how they describe themselves.
“Groovy Planet is a monthly delivery of theme-based, fun, educational surprise packages—or kits, as we call them—for your child to learn and get excited about anything and everything fair trade, recycling, conservation, volunteering and the planet. We’ve only got one planet, and you’ve only got one child—why not help make the best of both? Groovy Planet is the parent’s creative way to help your child think critically, become a conscious citizen of our planet, develop his or her values, enhance his or her understanding of the world, and, most of all, have fun while doing it.”
So if you have children or would like to educate children about Eco conscious living this is a great way to start!
Baubles
If you are anything like me you love everything girly and nothing is girlier than pretty baubles! About a year ago I discovered BaubleBar (www.baublebar.com). They are online retailers of very pretty, very trendy jewelry. The pieces are well made and very well priced and on top of that each week they send you on a treasure hunt to a find a buried bauble that is only $10 dollars! Really, you get a piece of jewelry for $10 dollars! The products are always in style and match every personality and fashion taste.
Nothing better than finding a for women by women business that offers quality m,merchandise for less!
Here are some of my past purchases
Shopping with ease and style all with a click of a button…
I am such a huge shopping addict! I love clothes, I love how they make me feel, how they make me look and most of all the fun I have picking them out. But recently shopping has lost its thrill. Shopping now seems exhausting, more of a chore than the fun I used to look forward to. In step Tog+Porter. Tog+Porter is an online clothing service. First step you fill out an online questionnaire about your style, your size and what you are looking for in terms of clothing. In a few weeks you receive a box brimming with lovely clothes and an appointment with your stylist via skype, all the benefits of shopping without the hassle of the mall. I’ve been using Tog+Porter for the last 6 months and I’m super happy with every that box I have received. I usually keep most everything. My stylist Camilla understands what I want, what I’m looking for and isn’t afraid to push me towards things that I normally would shy away from. I try on everything from the comforts of my own home and if something doesn’t fit or I would like an exchange it’s as easy as packing the box and dropping it off for pick up. Shipping and return shipping is always free.
Here are two from my latest box, I’m always camera-shy so tell me what you think!
You should find out for your self what a great service they are…
Tea cups
I love using tea cups as flower pots. Unfortunately I haven’t mastered drilling porcelain yet so the best plants (or flowers) to use are succulents. succulents don’t require much or frequent watering so whatever water is given will be absorbed quickly therefore bypassing the need for a drainage hole.
Tea cups can be purchased from any thrift store and upcycled!
More than just olive oil!
“41 Olive’s Oils and Vinegars are crafted from the finest ingredients throughout the world. We help bring the flavors from other parts of the world to your home, by “fuzing” the most natural fruits and vegetables including; Real Strawberry Vinegar, Thick Dark Chocolate Vinegar, Natural Earthy Basil Oil, Premium 18-year Aged Vinegar, Hot and Tempting Chipotle Olive Oil. Mixed with 41 Olive top talented on-site teachers, 41 Olive brings a deliciously international sophistication back to your home.” 41 Olive Oil
A couple of weeks ago we were at Irvine Spectrum and I ran into this fantastic little shop. 41 Olive Oil was one of the coolest stores I have ever seen. Row upon row of organic olive oil in a variety of amazing flavors. They also had an 18-year-old Balsamic Vinegar that tasted sweet and woodsy and just fantastic.
The process is to find a combination of flavors of olive oil that suits your culinary needs. The attendant mixes a couple of flavors and offers it to you in tiny cups for a taste test, then you cleanse your palate with tiny cubes of bread. All I can say is yum yum yum!!!
Here are my choices:
1. Honey Ginger
2. Persian Lime
3. Cilantro Roasted Onion
4. Organic Tuscan Herb
5. Blood Orange
6. Organic Basil
7. Lemon; and
8. Wild Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
We bought 8 oz bottles of each of the above, 8oz bottles are $10 dollars each. The 18-year-old Balsamic Vinegar was 32oz at $36 dollars.
Down East Basics~ A new boutique!
A couple of months ago Zulily (more on Zulily later) had Women’s clothing from a brand called Down East Basics. It all looked so light, frilly and very girly, top it all off all the pieces had adorable names like Rosy Cheeks skirt or Paris Bistro top! I had the opportunity to go to one of their two physical stores in California on Sunday and I have to say I was not disappointed. I love how comfortable and soft everything is.
This is the Rosy Cheeks skirt in coral.
This is the Rosy Cheeks skirt in coral
http://www.downeastbasics.com
