The end of summer may be approaching, but what that also means is that the cooler weather brings out one of the best times to transition our wardrobes and bring out pieces that we have stored away for months, re-fashioning them in fresh and fun combinations. In addition, what better time to add some new pieces to your wardrobe that you have been eye-ing for months, but now at a great low price!
Tarquinia Collection– up to 50% off! Check out our SALE.
As an independent boutique, we also need to get ready for fall (bringing in new collections), so that means passing along those savings to you with our current collections! Why not add some one-of-a-kind apparel to your wardrobe this end of summer …the above Feral Childe collection is Made in Brooklyn New York from some of the finest hand-designed, fabrics– fashioned into uber-modern, flattering designs.
The Tarquinia collection (above) features the organic cotton and hemp Fornasetti pinafore (above right) which can be worn as is, or with any color long-sleeve fitted tee underneath. It is extremely versatile, and features hand-etched buttons with Tarquinia frescos on them as well as two side pockets. Wear with flats or boots on warmer or cooler days. Also a fav, is the collared silk Serpent collar blouse (above left) made with sharp triangular shapes in a tissue silk with a laser cut collar. For the entire collection, visit Jute and Jackfruit.
We’ve chosen our three winners for this Month’s Fair Trade Clothing Giveaway!
#1 Grand Prize goes to Pam R, who will receive a $100 Gift Certificate to Jute and Jackfruit for the items of her choice! Pam wrote to us with this lovely comment:
I like that fair trade is ensuring that people in disadvantaged countries aren’t being taken advantage of so that we can get a “good deal”. I’m rather partial to fair trade cocoa….
Runner Up – 2 Rebecca wins an organic cotton and fair trade T-shirt or Tank top of her choice. Rebecca has chosen this lovely organic cotton and fair trade cross back tank by Indigenous Designs.
Rebecca wrote, I like that fair trade doesn’t take advantage of people. I <3 fair trade cocoa!
Runner Up – 3 Nabihah also wins an organic cotton and fair trade T-shirt or Tank top of her choice. Rebecca has chosen the same organic cotton and fair trade cross back tank by Indigenous Designs, but in the pink color.
Nabihah wrote I love that fair trade supports those that are underprivileged. It creates equality to those that need it most and ensures they have a good quality of life, as they definitely deserve. I’d say fair trade coffee and cocoa would be my favourites – as a drinker of both, I’d like to know that I’m participating in something that’s good for everyone.
As we mentioned earlier this month, May is Fair Trade Month and it is also one of our favorite months to celebrate Spring and the warmer weather. To invite you to join in the fun, we are offering a $100 Gift Certificate to Jute and Jackfruit good toward any of our clothing items. In addition, we are giving away two organic cotton T-shirts or tanks of your choice for a total of three (3) lucky winners.
How to Enter: Participation is easy. Simply submit a comment on this blog post with the the following:
(1) What it is you like about fair trade, and
(2) Your favorite fair trade product (maybe its fair trade coffee, or cocoa, or maybe its even clothing (!) such as one of our items by Indigenous Designs.
In addition, we’d like to invite you to help Jute and Jackfruit win a website make-over this month through Volusion’s Supermompreneur Contest. Please check out our entry to this contest to learn more about our company and the founder. After reading this, please click on the “like” button to help us win! Your vote really does count! We also encourage you to join our Facebook page so you can be the first to learn of our big sales, contests and other news. Neither of these are mandatory for the contest, but we encourage you to do this (if you have not already done so) to be a larger part of Jute and Jackfruit.
Special Fair Trade Month Sale. As part of our commemoration of Fair Trade Month we are featuring our leading organic cotton and fair trade clothing label, Indigenous Designs. For a limited time, our entire collection is listed at 35% off. If you have not already tried this line, we encourage you to do so. And if you happen to be one of the lucky winners for the Giveaway we encourage you to give them a try with your prize. Featured below is the organic cotton and Tencel Melange Hoodie and Tank dress) as an example of easy-to-wear dresses and premium knitwear.
Indigenous Designs ~ Organic Fair Trade Apparel 35% for May
Contest Details
Start Date: Today, Sunday May 22, 2011
End Date: June 10th, 2011
All three Winners Announced: June 12, 2011
Grand Prize: $100 Gift Certificate to Jute and Jackfruit which can be used toward any of our clothing merchandise. Must be redeemed within 30 days.
Runners Up (2): There will be two runners up chosen and each will have the choice of any one of our organic cotton T-shirts or Tanks. Choose from a wide variety of beautiful, super soft, comfortable tees and tanks at Jute and Jackfruit. Perfect for yoga or every day wear. Valued up to $58 each retail.
Winners will be selected by Random.org as we have done in the past. We will announce the winners on our blog and we will email the winners directly as well.
We look forward to hearing from you!
World Fair Trade Day was officially yesterday (May 14th), but as we mentioned in our opening post on fair trade month, May is a celebration of fair trade worldwide. So we are making the push for fair trade breakfasts for the rest of this month. For World Fair Trade day, Fair Trade USA and other organizations are promoting bringing fair trade into breakfast under their campaign, “Wake up the World”, partly because it is so easy to do! Now that the quantity and quality of fair trade products on the market now has expanded dramatically, there is no need to compromise on quality nor price. From delicious morning brews, to exotic and familiar teas, cocoa, bananas, pineapples and more, there are lots of options to bring a taste of fair trade into your morning start.
If you have not tried fair trade, organic products coffee or tea yet, this is the time to do. My personal favorite is Love Buzz by Equal Exchange, but another stellar pick is Uprising by Dean’s Beans, and the Organic Fair Trade Peruvian blend at Trader Joe’s. What is your favorite? We’d love to know.
Photosource: http://www.trumbullcongregational.org
Now on the market for many years, the quality and flavor of many of these products– from coffee and tea to cocoa, bananas, chocolate, and other fruits has grown so high. I sometimes do taste tests with the comparable conventional brands, and a majority of time, the fair trade organic brand wins out on flavor and quality. What is great too is that the prices have dropped substantially over the past several years due to the increase in demand and also supply. So there is no reason not to make change with your breakfast, by voting for the most economically, socially and environmentally responsible choice available on the market. Most of these choices are available at even the most mainstream of supermarkets now (no need to go to a health food store), or if you are like me and dont have any time to shop any more, you can simply order online.
For another fun, refreshing way to start out the day with some fair trade “fare”, try this delicious oatmeal recipe.
Makes 4 servings
Cooking + Preparation time: 12-15 minutes)
This hearty and nutritional oatmeal breakfast with fair trade cacao and blueberries is an excellent first meal to start the day. Not only will it will keep you satisfied until lunch, but will also provide the necessary nutrients, protein and fiber to keep you highly energized and productive! Add a cup of fair trade coffee and you will be well on your way to a fantastic fair trade day!
4 cups of water
2 cups of rolled oats
¼ teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of Fair Trade Certified Casacao Cacao Powder
½ cup of blueberries
½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Almond, soy, rice, or regular milk (optional)
1. Combine water, oatmeal, and salt in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil; then lower heat and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until water has been reduced, or oatmeal has been cooked to the consistency of your liking (about 7-8 minutes).
3.Take oatmeal off the heat and stir in Casacao Cacao Powder (a little goes a long way!).
(Add the optional Soy, rice, almond milk)
4.Serve oatmeal in a bowl and add the blueberries and sprinkle ground cinnamon (equal parts per serving).
Add or substitute with other great fruits, such as bananas and strawberries for variety. If you choose bananas, bananas are increasingly available in almost all grocery stores now as a fair trade (or whole trade) option. If your local store does not carry them, do inquire, because even the major banana companies offer fair trade and organic options. Whole Foods often carries fair trade and organic bananas. My personal favorite is Equal Exchange. I trust that company in terms of their core values (both organic and fair trade always), plus their bananas are really good! If you have never tried an organic banana, give it a try– I even recommend a taste test, they have a lot of flavor!
Enjoy!!
Photosource: GoNomad Blog
