CasaSugar

Inspired: Miriam Makeba's Vibrant Style

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:07 -0800

Afro-pop legend Miriam Makeba, also known as "Mama Africa," died on Sunday at the age of 76 in the south of Italy, following a concert appearance. This powerhouse songstress's long and varied life included marriage to Black Panther Stokely Carmichael, exile from her home country of South Africa, a starring role in the film Sarafina!, about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, and an appearance in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony.

Over her lifetime Makeba made dozens of records and was responsible for bringing the issue of apartheid to the forefront in Western countries, though she always identified herself first as a singer, not as a political activist. In a condolence message, former South African president Nelson Mandela said "It was fitting that her last moments were spent on a stage, enriching the hearts and lives of others . . . "

To see how Makeba's stage presence and definitive look can translate to your home (as well as aid African women and charities), read more.

As T Magazine noted, "From African headdresses and shoulder-padded caftans, to this very right-now dashiki minidress and go-go boots, Mama Africa’s 76-year-old heart may have given out as she was exiting a stage near Naples, Italy, last night, but her look - and the spirit that inspired it - keep on keeping on."

In honor of Makeba's vibrant voice and beautiful stage presence, I wanted to find some home items that reflected her rich persona as well as honored her homeland of Africa. Many of these products also directly benefit charities and artisans in Africa. You can take a look at the widget for some of these Makeba-inspired finds, or shop South African Fair Trade products here.

African Market Basket - $49.00	Kuba Cloth Pillow - $250.00
Artecnica - anemone shade by heath nash for artecnica - $15.00	Coral Impressions II Outdoor Print - $159.00
African Wedding Basket - $89.00	CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading Large Kuba Star Tree Topper - $59.99
CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading African Bird Christmas Ornaments - $11.99	CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading Rwanda "Village" Table Throw, 42"x80" - $35.00
CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading Rwanda "Sky" Table Throw, 42"x80" - $35.00	Ebony Black Dinnerware Set (16-pc.) by Block - $239.99
Zig Zag Stool - Green - $375.00	CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading Rwanda "Night Sky" Table Napkins, Set of 4 - $20.00
Fair Winds Trading Rwanda "Sky" Apron - $20.00	Origins - $29.95
CLOSEOUT! Fair Winds Trading Zanzibar Large Star Christmas Ornament - $5.97	Shweshwe Salad Plate - $20.00
Fair Winds Trading Rwanda "Lattice" Apron - $20.00	Bamileke Tables - $1,295.00
patty johnson Maun Windsor Chair - $750.00

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Deck the Haus: Oil Drum Angel

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 10:00:01 -0800

Who would've thought that such an angelic figure could come from such a surprising source? When empty oil drums washed up on Haiti after World War II, local artisans reworked the "trash" into metal sculptures. And while this simple and sublime angel figure ($169) from VivaTerra wasn't in your tree topper roundup, I think it would've fit in nicely. This angel, which would also work on a mantel or tabletop as well as a tree, features a stipple textured robe and torso and large fluttery gold wings. Best of all, she's created and marketed exclusively under fair trade practices.

Mad Mats Recycled Rugs

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:00:56 -0800

Think this rug is made of wool? Think again.

Mad Mats ($36 for 4-x-6-ft. rug) are made of recycled polypropylene (used soda bottles, milk bottles, packing), which make them great for indoor and outdoor use. Each rug is reversible and constructed with a flat weave and soft, tubular threads, making them dirt and stain resistant. Leaves, debris, and food spills are easily rinsed away with a mop or hose. Water does not get trapped, so there is no chance of mildew and they will not rot wooden decks. These inexpensive, pretty, and kid- and pet-proof rugs are also produced under fair-trade conditions.

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Steal of the Day: Lemon Placemats

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:30:15 -0700

I always keep my eye open for cute placemats to spice up my table with on occasion, because it's boring to always use the same ones. These cute jute Lemon Placemants ($12) had me planning a tea party at first sight. Aside from being super adorable, they're fair trade and from a Bangladeshi producer group where Christians, Muslims, and Hindus work harmoniously together. This way, I can promote greater equity in international trade from my very own tabletop!

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:19 -0700

This beautiful house in progress looks perfect to me!- More Ways to Waste Time
This minimalist mag rack makes the word go round.- 2Modern
See the beauty of dried hydrangeas.- AT:LA
Put a foot up on this ottoman made from recycled, fair-trade coffee bags.- Shelterrific
Could you live in a converted church surrounded by gravestones?- Desire to Inspire
Learn to prep your outdoor space for a party.- AT:SF
Arm yourself with 101 green remodeling links.- Charles & Hudson
Have some crocheted bouquets made for your wedding.- Craftzine

Casa Verde: RuMe Reusable Bags

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:00:41 -0700

The question "paper or plastic?" is nearly passé by now, since so many of us are using reusable shopping bags. One company that I've been particularly impressed with is Denver, CO-based RuMe, which was launched on Earth Day last year. RuMe bags aren't only durable and fair-trade certified, they also come in a variety of styles and sizes. I also love that the bags' long handles make them easy to sling over your shoulder, and that their box-stitch sides and bottom makes it easier to pack items like bottles and boxes. Also, these tiny bags can be rolled up and tied together (equaling the size of a cup of coffee), which means they'll fit into even your smallest purse.

While the bags are slightly more expensive than other reusable bags, there are two good reasons for that. RuMe bags, which retail for $30 or less, are made of a higher-quality, thicker, water-resistant 180 denier polyester that can hold up to 50 lbs. The bags are also produced in a government-certified, fair-trade factory, where costs are slightly higher than if the bags were made in an unregulated factory.

Interested in getting a RuMe? Good news: you can now get one for 20 percent off, and I'll tell you how when you read more.

Starting today, you can buy RuMe bags sitewide for an additional 20 percent off. Just enter the promotional code EARTH at checkout to receive the discount, from now until the end of Earth Day (that's April 22).

Inspired: On the Grid

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:15:59 -0800

This immense grid is actually a test picture on a large-scale, touch-sensitive projection display at the IBM stand at the CeBIT technology trade fair, which is running right now in Hanover, Germany. Inspired by the pleasing simplicity of the grid pattern, I thought I'd find some other grids that are less tech-oriented, starting with this CB2 Grid Pillow ($24.95). Check out my other grid finds below.

Meridian Placemat - $9.95	Tiki Placemats - $4.95
Gaia & Gino - grid vase collection by jaime hayon for gaia & gino - $990.00	Knoll x3 stacking chair - $434.00
Grid Pillow - $24.95	Barneys New York Diamond Grid Throw- White - $995.00
Tango Lighting Olav Ceiling Light - $413.00	Metric Bed - $1,699.00

Source

Etsy Find: Do the Dishes Tea Towel

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:30:48 -0700

Sometimes we all just need a straight talkin' to. That's especially true when the pots and pans are piling up. So beyond a bit of Palmolive and some elbow grease, perhaps the answer is the Show Pony Do the Dishes Tea Towel ($20), a fair trade organic cotton towel with the kitchen commandment spelled out in screen printed stacks of dirty plates. Perhaps you're a gal who goes for the three-packs of striped dish towels from the grocery store, so this one may not be for you. But I love me some tea towels, and have an ever-growing collection, so you can bet your bottom dollar that this Show Pony piece will show up in my kitchen.

Cool Idea: Ample Sample

CasaSugar — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:30:18 -0700

Ample Sample challenges architects, interior designers, and home decorators alike to "Rethink. Reuse. Upcycle," and repurpose the carpet samples that they test for their homes and projects (and which are otherwise "destined for the dumpster") to make a design product from the carpet specimen. Creatives transform their carpet samples into design ideas, making a fixture, furnishing, or personal accessory meant for much more than a soft place to step your feet. Winning designs of annual Ample Sample contests are judged on criteria of aesthetics, purpose, ease of creation, creativity, durability, number/volume of carpet samples used, and promoted at NeoCon World’s Trade Fair 2008. I love how the contest brings attention to something oft overlooked and ignored as environmental waste. What other household items can you try to repurpose? Plastic bags? Scrabble letters? Light bulbs?
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Weekend Links: Events Not to be Missed!

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:53:31 -0700

Casa readers in the MPLS should head down to Gallery 122 at Hang It for the phenomenal Ms. Amy Rice's first solo show in two years. Her work always leaves me buzzing with happiness.
The third annual 2007 DreamHome opens at the Merchandise Mart on September 28th and showcases nine rooms created by celebrated local designers, including James Dolenc and Thomas Riker, Sherry Koppel, and Tracy Hickman.
Tucsonites, take a look at The M Collection, original sculptures and castings by the late Marion S. DeGrazia at the DeGrazia Gallery.Opening reception is Friday, September 28, 5-7 p.m.

More events for St. Louis, the San Francisco Bay Area, Pittsburgh, Boston, D.C., Santa Barbara, Miami, and Seattle when you read more

St. Louis residents should go on this weekend's Green Homes Tour, sponsored by the Earthways Center.
Seattle residents might want to head down to the Ballard Public Library September 29 and 30 (Sat and Sun) for Swap-O-Rama-Rama, from noon to 4 p.m.
If you're in Brooklyn Friday night, Etsy Labs is hosting its Last Fridays Trunk Show with handmade jewelry, bags, and clothes, some prizes, and best of all, free booze.
If you're still in BK on Saturday, check out the Brooklyn Indie Market, a.k.a. "the awesomest shopping mecca in all of NYC."
And if that one night stand in BK became a two night stand, on Sunday, September 30th, check out the DIY Fair.
San Francisco Bay Area residents should head down to West Berkeley Saturday evening from 7-10 p.m. for the Relish at Home grand re-opening and art reception, featuring the artwork of Jill Bliss.
Santa Barbara resies who want to shop for clothing, jewelry, and home accessories from progressive LA, SB, SF & SD designers, should head down to Jill of All Trades on Saturday.
Pittsburgh peeps, make your way to I Made it to Market to sell your handmade goodies, stitch and/or bitch, eat yummy local fare, and meet people on Saturday.
Miami gals, get yourself to Kraftworks, an open-air market featuring local artisans and craftspeople on Saturday.
DC folks, check out the Crafty Bastards Arts and Crafts Fair in Adams Morgan to get your fix of handmade crafts from 100 talented vendors on Sunday.
Bostonians, this Sunday, don't miss the SoWa Open Market if you're in the market for hand-crafted accessories, original art, antiques, or just a fresh loaf of bread.