Beat the Heat!

It's hot out there. Stay cool in these strappy tanks, made by Avatar Imports. We sell them in our store for $32.

This top was made in a fair trade factory in Kathmandu, Nepal. This is a photo of some of the fair traders who made it!

Beach Bound

I'm leaving this afternoon to head to the lovely shores of Gulf Coast Alabama, where I'll spend nearly a week hanging out on the beachwith my husband, mom, dad, and three sisters. Could be fun... it will definitely be dramatic (with all my sisters there's no way that there won't be lots of high-pitched squealing going on). I packed my bags this morning. Listed below are a few of the fair trade things I brought...and a couple of things I wish I had packed.

Beach Bag
I can't imagine a much better beach tote than these recycled rice bags. Made in Cambodia, these bags were originallyused for transporting rice and animal feed. Brilliantly, this recycled bag found new life in the hands of disabled and disadvanted workers, many of whom are victims of land mines and/or polio.

Sarongs
Use it as a beach cover-up. Lay it on the sand and make it a picnic blanket. Take it home and make it a tablecloth. The sarong is a jack-of-all-trades--there's not much it can't do. Grab these kikoys, the East African version of a wrap or sarong, and you will be ready for just about anything.

Flip Flop Key Chain
Flip flops just might be my favorite article of summer clothing: they're comfy, laidback, and fun.
These key chains, made in Zimbabwe, are the perfect way to keep the summer spirit going...even when you leave the beach and get in your car to head back home.

The Twofer

Don't you love things that are two-in-one? If so, you'll fall hard for this adorable top that doubles as a breezy skirt. Packing this means I've got two outfits for the price of one.
Plus, the batiked shirt/skirt is made in Ghana by Global Mamas, a group that works with small women-led enterprises. Everyone wins!

Summer Reading List

I'm a nerd, and I know it.

As a child, there were few things that made me happier than the freedom of hours stretched out with a good book. Summer reading lists never scared me--there was a new adventure waiting for me between the pages of every assignment.

Here at World Next Door, we believe that reading is one of the best ways to open a child's eyes to the world around them, and in accord with that principle, we stock lots of great children's books. If you're looking for a fun summer read that will give your little ones a global perspective, here are just a few of our favorites.

We're Sailing to Galapagos: A Week in the Pacific
Writen by Laurie Krebs Illustrated by Grazia Restelli

This brightly illustrated book follows a red-sailed boat and its passengers as they visit the islands of Galapagos, 600+ miles off the western coast of Ecuador. The visitors see giant tortoises, lava crabs, blue-footed boobies, and more, discovering a new wonder with each new day. A singsong rhythm makes the book perfect for reading aloud at night, and the beautiful collages used as illustration keep your eyes glued to each page.

Mama Panya's Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya

Written by Mary and Rich Chamberlain Illustrated by Julia Cairns
This African tale teaches children about life in a Kenyan village, and the importance of sharing what we have--even when it doesn't seem like much. Join Adika and Mama Panya as they visit the market, encountering friends at every turn. Adika is quick to invite their friends to join them for a pancake meal that evening, although Mama Panya worries she can't stretch the flour far enough. In the end Adika's generous impulses are rewarded as the village gathers for a feast. Bonus: spicy pancake recipe, map, and glossary of Kiswahili words.

Going to School in India

By Lisa Hedlauff

It can be a wild ride to get to school in India--racing across a river on a wooden swing, balancing gingerly as they tiptoe across a bamboo bridge, riding in a cart between two huge bullocks. And that just covers getting there!

This book gives kids an up-close look at what life is like for millions of children in India. Complete with photos of Indian kids in every imaginable school situation (night school, school in a bus, school after an earthquake...), this book introduces children to the challenges that others face. Going to School in India is cheerful, upbeat, and optimistic about the futre, even as it acknowledges grim facts about the present (98% of disabled children in India do not receive an education).

Summer Sale-abration

Brave the heat and make your way to World Next Door, where we are kicking the week off with an out-of-control Summer Celebration Sale. Beginning today and lasting through Friday, all jewelry and clothing are discounted 25%. Then, this Saturday and Sunday, we'll take 25% off of everything in the store!

Come by and see us in our downtown Chattanooga location at the corner of First and Market streets. Unfortunately, we're not able to extend this great sale to our online customers; this is a one-time, in-store-only sale.

Unique, beautiful, and innovative fair trade items plus deep discounts... seize the day and shop fair with us!

Weekend plans?

Friday afternoon is wearing on and the time is drawing near... for the lake! There's not much better, IMHO, than a drawing-on-hot summer day, an icy drink, and the sound of water lapping on the shore.

Which brings me to this. What unique opportunities does summer create for "living fair"? The regular school year is full of educational openings as we go into schools to share about fair trade. At Christmastime, philanthropy is on the brain--plus, people loving giving/getting gifts that tell a story. And I, for one, down a lot more coffee, tea, and hot chocolate when it's cold and dreary out.

But I've yet to hear of fair trade lemonade. I might be missing the fair trade swimsuit market, but we, at least, don't carry swim trunks or bikinis.


So, let me know--do you have any ideas about what a "living fair" summer might look like? Here's one idea to start you sports fans off right: these fair trade sports balls (for soccer , football, basketball, and even rugby) available here. Get your game on!