November FAIR Treasure Review

I'm always excited to see what gifts will be inside FAIR Treasure's boxes, and I am incredibly thankful to learn that they'll be sending me three more boxes to review.  FAIR Treasure sends a monthly shipment of handmade, artisan products that support fair trade organizations.  For only $30 a month, it's a great way to receive products that you may not find elsewhere and help people from around the world.

November's box contained a jewelry item and a candle.  I've received quite a few beautiful jewelry pieces from FAIR Treasure, and I always enjoy reading the stories of the people who made them.  I'm also a candle addict, so this one was a wonderful addition to my collection.

These Lima Posts earrings from Greenola are made entirely from recycled materials.  Karina of Cochabamba, Bolivia, crafts all of her glass work jewelry from recycled bottles that she collects herself from neighbors and local businesses.  I love that she's creating something beautiful from recycled materials, since environmentalism is another issue I feel passionately about.  These earrings aren't normally a style I would choose for myself, but I really do like them and I'm glad I received something new to try!

This Gratitude Candle by Maroma is from the Auroville community of South India.  Auroville was established as a "universal town" around 40 years ago where men and women of various nationalities could come together to work and live.  There are now approximately 50,000 people working in Auroville.  Maroma crafts provide women of the area with sustainable work, and many of the citizens work in areas of organic farming, renewable energy, and eco-friendly industries.  This candle contains essential oils of orange, grapefruit and lemon, creating a wonderful citrus aroma.  I'm also in love with the gorgeous detailing on the packaging!

Bottom Line: November's FAIR Treasure box contained another selection of items I can put to great use.  I've been thoroughly pleased with all of the past boxes I've received and I encourage anyone who is interested in fair-trade items to give this subscription a try!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIR Treasure.  I received no monetary compensation.

October FAIR Treasure Review

To my surprise, I received an October FAIR Treasure box in the mail!  I have really enjoyed all of the boxes I've gotten from them, and I'm excited to share this shipment with you.

FAIR Treasure is a monthly subscription service that delivers fair-trade certified goods.  They include lots of information about the people and organizations behind the items, which is something I truly appreciate and enjoy.  The boxes cost $30 per month, and you can pre-pay $90 for three months (the 3 month option includes free shipping).  It may seem pricey, but I think it's well worth the cost!

My first item is the Ceramic Owl Topper by Jallpa Nina Artisan Group.  I love owls and all things bird, so I was really happy to receive this!  The Jallpa Nina Artisan group was founded in Lima, Peru in 1988, and they specialize in hand-made, high-temperature stoneware and porcelain.  Their designs are inspired by their Inca heritage and the textures and colors of nature, both of which are apparent in this topper.  The organization offers its workers healthy working conditions, high-quality tools, and assistance in product design, training to learn new techniques, and quality control training.  I'm not quite sure what I'll use this owl in just yet, but I can see it being a great decoration with a potted plant.

My second item is the Marquet Open Weave Scarf by Ton Fai Group.  I also love scarves, so this box was spot-on for my interests.  I think this scarf is beautiful--I love the colors, and the fabric is soft yet sturdy.  This scarf was made by Khun Baukum Yupkaew, whom everyone calls "Grandma Kum."  The informational card provided states that Grandma Kum owns her land and home and doesn't need to work, but she continues to in order to save money for her grandchildren and to help provide a bright future for them.  She is a member of the Ton Fai Group in Thailand, made up of fruit and rice farmers who have been weaving for 15 years as a second source of income between planting seasons.  This local business allows the weavers to stay close to home while working their second job, as opposed to needed to seek work away in larger cities.  The card also states:

"Grandma Kum would really like to say thank you to all her customers who give her the opportunity to still work with the Ton Fai Group.  She puts her heart into the quality of her work and is very proud of her weaving."

Bottom Line: The personal stories and anecdotes included with my FAIR Treasure items make them all the more special to me.  I thoroughly enjoy this subscription and highly recommend it to all, especially people who are looking for an easy way to contribute to fair trade organizations!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIR Treasure.  I received no monetary compensation.

September FAIR Treasure Review

I was pleasantly surprised when FAIR Treasure sent me a September box to review.  I was yet again impressed by their array of ethically sourced goodies!

I was really excited to see another piece of jewelry when I first opened the box, and I also love the little brown boxes they include because opening them up is like getting a second little surprise.  FAIR Treasure does an excellent job of giving background information on the people that created the items; it's wonderful to see what types of organizations are being supported.

The first item I received was the Mata Traders Chevron Necklace.  Mata Traders is quickly becoming one of my favorite jewelry brands, and this necklace was familiar to me (I've seen it before on Little Black Bag).  Gold jewelry is my favorite, and I love the chevron design and long chain.  I'm going to wear it tomorrow!  Mata Traders is based in India, and their jewelry is sourced by a large NGO that is a leading advocate for marginalized and exploited artisans.  They ensure that their workers receive living wages and safe working conditions, and they also guarantee that no child labor was used to produce their products.

The second item I pulled from the box was these beautifully colored Elephant Gift Cards by Indika Imports.  When I read "gift cards" I was thinking more of a stationery-type card you could write a message on, but these are actually gift tags (as you can see from the insert that was attached with them).  They are absolutely gorgeous and I almost don't want to part with them!  They're definitely big enough that you could write a short message if you wanted to (3.25" x 2"), and there were ten in the pack.  Indika Imports is also based in India, and they partner with several artisan organizations around the country to create employment opportunities.  They're focused on keeping traditional skills alive while raising ecological awareness and self-sustainability.

Last, but not least, is the Acacia Creations Olive Wood Pinch Pot.  I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure what to use this for when I took it out of the box.  Upon further investigation I learned that the term "pinch pot" refers to the way in which it's made, not how to use it.  I'm not entirely sure how this was pinched, since it's wood and not clay, but I'm not too concerned with the logistics.  What I do know is that this little bowl and spoon set is beautifully crafted and I can definitely make good use of it.  Acacia Creations is based in Kenya, and this pot was created by a man named Mutuku and his team.  They cover large areas to collect fallen wood, which they then turn into these beautifully hand-carved bowls.  This organization creates jobs, provides training, and gives back to the community through healthcare and education initiatives, from their studio in Nairobi to all across East Africa.

• Visit Fair Treasure to learn more and sign up for a subscription
• Connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

Bottom Line: FAIR Treasure has continuously sent me beautiful, fair-trade items.  I highly recommend this box, and I think that anyone who is interested in learning more about fair trade initiatives and new companies to support would be delighted by the treasures each month!

August FAIR Treasure Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed reviewing FAIR Treasure's beautifully curated boxes, and the August box is the final one in my trio of reviews.  FAIR Treasure is a monthly service that sends fair-trade certified, handmade treasures from around the world straight to your door.  This month's box featured items made in El Salvador and Haiti.

One of the many aspects I love about FAIR Treasure is that they package smaller items within little brown boxes with ribbons.  I've saved all of them for when I need gift packaging in the future.

• Beyond Borders Bird Wall Art - I love all things bird, so when I saw this inside of my box I was immediately drawn to it.  I anticipate moving into an apartment soon, so this will be a great addition to my wall decor.  It was made in Haiti by Beyond Borders, an organization that supports the movement to replace systems that oppress the poor.  They provide "dignified work and sustainable livelihoods" to the people of Haiti, and beautiful art pieces to consumers worldwide.  This specific bird decoration was created by Cineus Louime, who is described as "a man of quiet bearing and a slow, casual smile."  He is quoted on the informational card as saying, "With the help of God and my friends, I bring support to the members of my family.  My passion is to see my art grow day by day."  I love that we were given information on the actual artist this time, that is a first for me in my FAIR Treasure experience.

• SEQUENCE Collection Love Knot Bracelet - All three of my boxes have contained jewelry, which is such a win for me!  I really like this bracelet because the style is unlike anything else I own.  I actually wore it today with a few others; it looks great by itself or stacked with other bracelets.  SEQUENCE Collection works under the motto "Spread light + love" and was founded by Ariela Suster.  They aim to create beautiful jewelry and accessories while helping to establish a creative presence that can give back to communities in El Salvador, Ariela's home country.  Sequence Workshop was born when Ariela paired with two young artisans named Natali Orellana and Oscar Bautista.  They recruited at-risk Salvadoran youth in Tepecoyo and gave them an alternative to the violent gang life that surrounds the community.  The workshop also offers theater, language, and various arts classes.

Bottom Line: I was so pleased with these beautiful items!  FAIR Treasure is a wonderful subscription because your money gets you unique, handcrafted items, but it also benefits fair-trade organizations.  It's definitely a win-win, and I plan on becoming a full subscriber in the near future.

Previous Reviews: June . July 

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIR Treasure.  I received no monetary compensation.

July FAIR Treasure Review

July's FAIR Treasure box contained another gorgeous set of items.  This subscription service will send you a package of ethically sourced goodies for $30 a month; for more information you can check out their website.

The first item that caught my eye when I opened the box was the card because I love birds.  Then my eyes made their way down to the necklace and I thought, "pretty!"  Overall, this box was just as great as June's for me because all of the items were right up my alley.

This dainty Blooming Bud Vase by Crisil Srl. measures about 3.25" high.  Crisil Srl. is a family-owned business based in Cochabamba, Bolivia.  They take recycled glass collected from local garbage dumps by other small businesses, clean it, and melt it down to produce beautiful creations like this vase.  Employment at Crisil Srl. creates a valuable source of income for the some of the poorest people in the region.

I love this necklace!  I've been really into turquoise recently, and I love it paired with gold.  This necklace is interesting because it also has silver elements in the chains at the bottom.  It's called the Garden Party Necklace and is by Mata Traders.  I was already familiar with Mata Traders through Little Black Bag, and I'm very happy with the one other necklace I own by them.  Jewelry for Mata Traders is sourced by a large NGO that is a leading advocate for marginalized and exploited artists.  Under their guidance, artisans in North India set up their own cooperatives and produce jewelry to sell in domestic and international markets. The NGO ensures that their workers receive living wages, safe working conditions, and that no child laborers are used to produce their jewelry.

My last item is the Birds of a Feather Card by Jirmit Papyrus Group.  I absolutely love the design, not only because it features birds but because the colors are so bright.  Jirmit Papyrus Group is a registered fair trade organization that aims to create jobs for the unemployed young people in the town of Mallawi, Egypt.  Artisans with this workshop also make bookmarks and other art on authentic Egyptian papyrus.

Bottom Line: This was another fantastic box from FAIR Treasure!  I highly recommend this service.  $30 is a great price for these handmade items, and it's even better to know that the money is going to help support fair trade companies.

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIR Treasure.

June FAIR Treasure Review and Unboxing

I'm back with another unboxing!  This one is for a fairly new service (launched in March of this year) called FAIR Treasure, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  For $30 per month they will send you handmade treasures from across the globe that are all ethically sourced.  There is also a three month option that costs $90.

I loved June's box!  All of the items were so perfect for me, so I was so glad I got this month's box.  It contained three items total -- two jewelry pieces and a candle.  It also contained index cards with information about the products and the artisans who made them.

 

The box itself was smaller than I was expecting, but that's not a criticism.  The packaging was nicely done, with recyclable fillers to keep the items from getting jostled around too much during shipping.  The first thing I noticed when I opened it was the scent of the candle.

This Soul Sunrise Necklace from TARA Projects was the item inside of the smaller box with the ribbon.  When I opened it up I was so excited because I think this necklace is beautiful!  I recently got a similar beaded necklace (also fair trade) in turquoise, so now I have one in warmer colors.  I think it's perfect for summertime!  The TARA in TARA Projects stands for "Trade Alternative Reform Action," and they work in and around Delhi, India to promote community development and business.

Next up are the Summer Shimmer Earrings from Noah's Ark International Exports.  I absolutely loooove these earrings!  They're perfectly suited for my style and I just can't get over how beautiful they are.  I wore them the night I received this box to a graduation ceremony for my younger brother.  I like that they're appropriate for dressier wear as well as an easy summer dress.  These are also from India; Noah's Ark provides benefits such as medical assistance and education for the artisans and their families.

Lastly, I received this pretty Firefly Candle from Candelas La Luciernaga in Honduras.  It smells wonderful, like a mix of vanilla and caramel.  Candelas La Luciernaga ("Firefly Candles") is a that is a part of Actions for Popular Development, which is an organization dedicated to providing empowerment for women and their children.  They offer shelter for abused women, a home for pregnant women, and a microlending program.  The candle cooperative helps to support ADP financially while also providing income for the women in the program.

Bottom Line: How can you not love this box?  I think that $30 is a steal for these gorgeous, handcrafted items.  It might seem a bit expensive at first, but consider that you're helping to support fair trade organizations that are working to better the lives of people across the globe.  I know that I'm definitely loving this box!

*Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FAIRtreasure.  All opinions are my own.

Eco Lips Review and Giveaway [CLOSED]

I love lip balms!  I think I've mentioned that before.  When I was approached by Eco Lips to host a review and giveaway, I jumped at the chance because it presented the perfect opportunity to highlight a fantastic organic, cruelty-free company as well as allow myself and one lucky reader to try their products!

The labels are ripped because the photos I took before using the balms came out poorly

I have used a few Eco Lips products before and they've worked amazingly well.  I'll take a natural lip balm over a synthetic one any day (what I mean by synthetic is the ones that contain ingredients like petrolatum, etc) because they just work.  I hate the major-brand ones you can get at any drugstore because they just coat your lips and end up making them feel worse.  Natural lip balms made from organic ingredients have always felt better and performed better to me.

There are so many amazing things to say about Eco Lips that this post could get a little lengthy.  In an effort to keep it from getting tl;dr, I'm going to use bullet points:

• Eco Lips recently reformulated their products (on 10 October 2012) in an effort to better support fair trade.  They've increased the FTC (Fair Trade Certified) ingredients in their products and are purchasing more FTC raw ingredients.  What does this mean?  By supporting fair trade, Eco Lips is helping to promote ethical business practices by helping fair trade workers earn a living and providing awareness to consumers.
• Eco Lips products are USDA certified organic.  A USDA certification is only gained when the ingredients used are food-grade quality, meaning you could eat them.  I wouldn't recommend eating one of their lip balms whole, but it makes me feel a lot better knowing that I'm putting organic ingredients on my lips instead of chemicals.
• Eco Lips has vegan options available that don't contain beeswax.
• Last, but definitely not least, my favorite aspect of Eco Lips is that they are an entirely cruelty-free company.  Absolutely no animal testing has been done on these products at any stage!

So, in a nutshell, Eco Lips is awesome.  Here are the balms that I was lucky to try:

The Renew: Orange Spice balm from the ONE WORLD collection is perfect for me!  I love all things spice and orange and spice is one of my favorite combos.  This is a nice big, chubby stick (.25 oz) that's made from 40% recycled content.  It's Fair Trade Certified and feels so smooth and wonderful on my lips.  The base is FTC cocoa butter, and it also contains argan oil "to revitalize skin and neutralize free radicals."  I love this one.  The scent, the recycled packaging, the fair trade and USDA organic certifications--what's not to love?  The other scents/flavors are Restore (Coconut Ginger) and Relax (Lavender Lemon).

The Dagoba: Mint balm is my favorite out of the pack!  I was so excited to receive one of these because I received a Roseberry one in an Eco Emi box, but I left it out in my car and it melted (I tried re-freezing it but it just wasn't pretty).  I didn't know until recently that Dagoba is a chocolate company, and Eco Lips paired with them to create this line of lip balms.  The other flavors are the aforementioned Roseberry and also Lavender.  This is mint chocolate heaven!  I absolutely love the scent, and it glides on just as smoothly as the Renew balm.

I really wanted to love the Mocha Velvet EcoTint as much as the previous two, but the shade just isn't flattering on me.  It's a deep chocolate that is in itself beautiful, but it was just a little too dark on my yellow-undertoned skin.  I could definitely see this on someone who wanted a dark, dramatic look.  But aside from the color, it's unscented and still felt smooth and moisturizing.  The other shades available are Moonstone, Sugar Plum, and Coralyte.  All of them contain over 90% certified organic ingredients.

The Eco Lips Gold balm is for the lip balm purist.  It's unscented and colorless, and it's fantastic at providing long-lasting moisture.  I think this one is great for year-round use, but especially for the approaching winter months.  I live in a climate that sees lots of snow and harsh winds, so chapped lips can come easily if you aren't prepared.  I would recommend this balm to anyone and everyone; I promise that it's going to last you much longer than the petrolatum-based junk that you might be using currently.

Bottom Line: I love Eco Lips for providing consumers with organic, FTC, and cruelty-free lip balms.  Even if you don't care about any of those things (ah!), I'm certain you'll still love these balms as much as I do because they just flat-out work.  There's nothing better than an organic, natural balm because they don't just sit on top of your lips, their ingredients work to soothe and last.

• Visit Eco Lips and view their full line of products, including balms made from Honest Kids flavors!
• Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter

Well after reading all of that, would you like a chance to win a prize pack of Eco Lips balms?  Their awesome team was kind enough to provide eight of them for one of my readers to win!  Enter using the Rafflecopter form after the cut.