Featured
Fair Trade
Sugar Editorial Picks
Europe to Ban Certain American Wines
Last week, in a frustrating turn of events, the European Union passed a law that bans the sale of any American wine with one of the following words on the labels: Chateau, classic, clos, cream, crusted/crusting, fine, late bottled vintage, noble, ruby, superior, sur lie, tawny, vintage, vintage characterThe legislation comes as a follow-up to a 2006 agreement that limited the American use of terms like "Champagne" or "Chablis." Because it preserved certain wine growing regions, this pact was widely accepted. However, the new stricter ban is not related to protecting a specific region.
Inspired: Miriam Makeba's Vibrant Style
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.
Deck the Haus: Oil Drum Angel
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.
Mad Mats Recycled Rugs
Think this rug is made of wool? Think again.
Mad Mats ($36 for 4-x-6-ft.
Citizen Bean's Coffee of the Month Club
I've heard of beer of the month clubs that let you sample different microbrews, as well as wine of the month clubs, which are a great way to discover small wineries. Now, I've just discovered a similar service for coffee lovers, called Citizen Bean. Guided by the principle of "coffee with a conscience," Citizen Bean sends its subscribers a new organic or fair-trade coffee each month, selected from micro-roasters all over the US.
Steal of the Day: Lemon Placemats
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.
How Green Is Your Coffee?
Let me just start by saying this is not a misplaced St. Patty's day post. By "green" I mean environmentally conscious.
Yummy Links: From Shrimp Roll Pizza to Pie Pans
- As if that crazy Japanese Double Roll pizza wasn't enough, now Korea has its own Double Roll and it includes shrimp! - Serious Eats
- The five cookie finalists in the Mrs. Fields Search for the 30th Anniversary Cookie Contest have been announced. - iVillage
- Learn more about fair trade, including 12 ways to shop fair trade.
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate Bars
While shopping the other day, I had the hankering for chocolate and I came across Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate bars. Equal Exchange guarantees small farmers a fair price and a long-term relationship so they can stay in business, unlike many conventional cocoa bean manufacturers where small farmers and laborers receive only a small fraction of the profit. I call it chocolate with a conscience and I like to put my money where my mouth is - ya know.
On Our Radar: Made Fair Trade Jewelry
There's a very cool project going on called Made, which allows influential designers to source their designs to East African communities, where local artisans have been taught the skills of jewelry production and make fair wages for the jewelry they create.
All the jewelry is available at the Made online shop, and the pieces are very affordable - earrings run $10-$58, necklaces run $10-$278, and bracelets run $16-$90. These Kifundo earrings are really cool and made of glass and bone beads hanging on leather strings.
More on CasaSugar
Fall Award Season
Top Brands
Bric's
Dunelm Mill
Zac Posen