do good

Conflict Free Diamonds at Zoara

by MissMalaprop on January 10, 2012

If you’ve ever seen the movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio, you already know a little about the history of blood diamonds and why it’s so important to shop for conflict free diamonds when searching for the perfect engagement ring or other diamond jewelry.

The events depicted in the movie are based on actual events which took place during the civil war in Sierra Leone from 1992-2002, and a scene at the end of the movie shows a conference talking about the trade of conflict diamonds. This scene refers to a real meeting which took place in Kimberley, South Africa in 2000 and led to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme seeks to eliminate blood diamonds from international trade. Currently 74 governments worldwide abide by the Kimberley Process, which requires each government to track and document the path of each and every rough diamond from the mine to its export. Most major diamond retailers now adhere to these same standards and provide only conflict free diamonds to their customers. One of these retailers who adheres to ethical diamond trading is Zoara.

Not only does Zoara have a reputation for ethically sourced diamonds, they also have a reputation of great customer service. You don’t just have to take the word of the customer testimonials on their own website – they also have a large number of glowing reviews on third-party websites like iVouch and the Better Business Bureau.

If you’re in the market for engagement rings, they’ve got a great Design your own Engagement Ring feature, where you can pick and choose all the things to make your perfect ring. You can also find a beautiful collection of white gold wedding rings. Not a diamond fan? Zoara also carries a wide selection of pearl and gemstone jewelry as well. You can check out all they have to offer at Zoara.com.

Enter the code MISS10 at checkout and receive a 10% discount on your jewelry purchase at Zoara.com (excluding loose diamonds).

Thanks to Zoara for sponsoring Miss Malaprop!

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SittingTallerKids: A Simple Solution For Kids and Booster Seats – Gift Giving Advisory Board Pick!

by MissMalaprop on November 28, 2011

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This post comes to you from Anne-Marie of The Succulent Wife, part of the Gift Giving Advisory Board. For more great gift ideas, check out our Hostess Gift Guide and Holiday Gift Guide!

As a petite woman, Pam Starobin knew what it is like to sit at a table with your chin barely over the the edge or at the movies when, inevitably, someone would sit directly in front of her blocking her view. She understood how kids felt and wanted to make a booster seat that made them feel all grown up. She came up with a lightweight booster seat that carries like a backpack.

SittingTallerKids partnered with Nomi Network, an organization that promotes enterprise and education to end human trafficking, to help in making the backpacks. Nomi Network trains women in Cambodia, who have been sold and sexual abused, how to sew bags. With SittingTallerKids design, the women made beautiful and vibrant bags made from recycled rice bags. Once back in the United States, SittingTallerKids fills the bags with four inch furniture grade foam pads covered with Dacron and cotton fabric.

Each backpack is lightweight and easily washable. Plus it is also made with a deep front pocket for all those important items kids need when they go out. Now no need to use communal booster seats. And parents, you no longer have to carry all their stuff! Buy directly from SittingTallerKids for $49.99.

Petite adults? SittingTaller also offers a discreet adult booster seat in a stylish & functional handbag! Get it here!

Follow SittingTallerKids on Facebook to hear the latest company news.

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Hunger Action Month

by MissMalaprop on September 12, 2011

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September is Hunger Action Month – a national movement to raise awareness and take action to help the 50 million Americans who experience hunger.

Throughout the month, Feeding America’s nationwide network of more than 200 food banks, including my local Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, is working to engage citizens to take action and help spread the word about how pervasive hunger is in every community.

Many, myself included, take meals for granted. I have a refrigerator and pantry fully stocked but to some that is a luxury. Some parents have to look their child in the face and say there is no dinner tonight. Some parents are choosing between buying gas to get to work and buying food for the family. It is harsh, but it is happening in cities all over the country.

Hunger is closer than you think. Nationwide, 50 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. In Louisiana 1 in 8 people is struggling with hunger. 1 in 5 children in Louisiana is at risk for hunger. In any given week, nearly 42,000 people receive food through Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.

But hunger’s impact is felt by many more than the millions living with food insecurity: hunger impacts child development, health and wellness, education, workforce development – our general welfare as a nation. It is an issue in every community – and food banks work tirelessly to combat hunger and aid those living with the everyday disaster of hunger.

In contrast to what many believe, hunger does not only affect the homeless. Hunger is a daily struggle that can impact anyone. Many families are just one paycheck away from needing to rely on a food bank, food pantry or soup kitchen.

Local food banks are on the frontlines of the battle against hunger. It is only through the food, funds and time donated by members of the community that food banks can lead the fight. September is your opportunity to get involved with the fight against hunger as each individual has the power to fight hunger. There are many ways to help including hosting a food drive, volunteering, sharing hunger facts through social media, preparing food for an elderly neighbor or visit the 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar for more ideas on daily ways you can take action.

Throughout the month of September follow the hashtag #fighthunger on Twitter to hear how members of our community are taking action and to hear about other ways you can help Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information on the Power to Fight Hunger campaign visit www.no-hunger.org.

And don’t forget – NOLA locals can also lend their support by attending Harvest the Music, the outdoor concert series in Lafayette Square benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.

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Kickstarter Pick: Christine Haynes Sewing Patterns

by MissMalaprop on August 20, 2011

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This week’s Kickstarter Pick has been getting a lot of mentions within the indie craft community, and for good reason, but it still has a way to go before meeting the goal and being funded! Los Angeles based fashion designer and sewing instructor Christine Haynes is preparing to launch her first line of sewing patterns but she needs some help! Companies who produce sewing patterns do so in minimums of at least 1000 patterns – that’s a lot of patterns to get started with! Christine is currently raising funds to produce her first 2 sewing patterns – help her get the patterns made for the two dress styles seen below:

Pledge to help her reach her goal, and you can get a variety of rewards – everything from handmade tote bags, to a custom made dress in one of the two styles above! Check out her Kickstarter project here.

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Handmade Madras Espadrille Wedges by IOU Project

by MissMalaprop on August 11, 2011

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I posted about the IOU Project just before they launched last spring. I’ve watched as different clothing styles for men and women have trickled out of their collection since then, but they’ve recently expanded to shoes! They’re doing not only a classic unisex madras espadrille style flat but now a cute wedge madras espadrille. Each is available in a variety of colorful madras prints, and best of all, you don’t have to worry about where these shoes are coming from or how they’re made – you can see the story and people behind each product on IOU’s website. (Here are the people behind the wedges.)

Check out all of the great ethically made styles for men and women at IOU Project.

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Fair Trade Products & Ethical Gifts at Traidcraft

by MissMalaprop on July 31, 2011

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Founded in 1979, Traidcraft is the UK’s leading fair trade company. They’ve spent over 30 years fighting poverty through trade. They carry some ridiculously cute fair trade children’s gifts, like the pieces seen above. So freakin’ cute, right???? They also have a nice selection of fair trade coffee and other fair trade gifts, including fair trade & handmade jewelry:

Right now they’re currently making room for new fall products, so you’ll find many of their goods on sale. (Including all of these goodies pictured below:)