Life & Style

As the days get longer, we're walking on sunshiiiine! ♩♪♫♬ Whether getting ready to plant some herbs, rolling around with a puppy in the grass, or grilling with friends, summertime is here to envelope us with open arms. And we have a few design ideas to make your yard happy too!

In the spring, at the end of the day you should smell like dirt. - Margaret Atwood

Here in Chicago, we've still got about a month 'til the soil is warm enough to plant tomatoes, but it's definitely time to start potting herbs! We adore these handmade terracotta pots which are wonderfully earthy & beautiful. And if you're looking for more classic vases? We've got those too.

Basil? Dill? Who knows what secrets these will hold

Looking for an awesome way to tell your plants apart while they're still little seedlings? We love these these garden markers from PeaceBOMB. Their artisans use local war scrap metal from Laos, turn them into works of art and clear their local devastated areas. Talk about serious negative into a positive.

Buy Back the Bombs

Speaking of decorating, nothing adds a bit of easy elegance to an outdoor space like these hand-hammered pieces made from oil drums in Haiti! Our fav pick? This blue tinted daisy piece. Gorgeous, rustic, the whole package.

Handmade with a hammer, chisel, and imagination

Bright, bold pillow covers are the best addition to lazy summer days when reading outdoors in a lawn chair or hammock. And what better way to fully relax and bring vacation to your backyard than with these breezy, nautical pillows!

Nautical and Nice

Fair trade is a great way to add a global, personal touch to your space while resting easy! Cheers to a summer of garden parties and lawn games with friends!

Yay! It's that time of year again when graduation caps are trained to soar into the air to the sound of cheers and clapping. Whether graduating from high school, college or a masters program, we're always so excited to see the gusto that new grads have to start making a difference in this big 'ol world! And what better way to celebrate than with practical gifts that will change the planet as much as they will?

Whether heading out into the working world or looking for a new wardrobe to start college, a graduate will no doubt need some new threads. We suggest this fair trade Pretty in Pleats dress, which can easily be dressed up or down, and is easy to transition between each season. Check out more apparel for dudes and dudettes, not to mention a dorm staple: pj's and robes.

Details darling, details

Planning meals in college can be tricky: many students look for items that are quick, cheap, and maybe not so healthy. The good news is that many schools are growing their own sustainable gardens to prepare fresh food in their cafeteria (yes!) not to mention that shopping doesn't always have to consist of ramen noodles. These recycled Kantha pleated tote bags are an easy way to carry good food from the store/local market back to the dorm or apartment. And if you're looking for book bags or laptop covers? We've got your back!

Totes love these totes

If there's one thing every student seems to need, it's coffee. And we love our coffee! But once you get past the all-nighters (or the new world of 8 a.m. work staff meetings) organic teas are a great way to stop and recharge. Sip with friends during an afternoon hangout with iced tea in the park, or go totally solo while unwinding with a good book. Plus, if you need a bit of help with finals, some fair trade and organic chocolates are a proven brain food full of healthy antioxidants!

A cuppa tea solves everything

Speaking of grabbing a little personal space for relaxation (especially with roommates), there's nothing better than giving the gift of all-natural bath accessories like shampoos and soaps. But if you want a truly unique gift: steam causes this fair trade bathroom mat to slowly release a soothing fragrance from all natural Vetiver & cotton!

♪ Nana-nana-nana-nana BATHMAT ♫

A little background music is always a great way to make homework go faster, yes? When you're moving to a new place, (or backpacking across the world) this iPhone amplifier is not only seriously cool, it is *literally* an all-natural bamboo piece that is so easy to pack without worrying about cords or outlets. Music to our ears.

The original wireless speaker

Part of having your own new space is the joy of decorating and making it your own. Whether moving to a dorm for the first time, or signing a lease on your first real pad, little items like a pillow or throw make all the world of difference to create a cozy space. We love these recycled vinyl record additions because they add so much personality! Our personal pick are these amazing bookends. Perfect for the music AND book-lover!

“Can I borrow your Harry Potter books?”  “Sure, they're right by 'Advanced Physics' next to the recycled bookends.” #PerfectWorld

Congrats to all the graduates, and cheers to you making a difference!

Mother's Day is coming up, and we're grateful for all the wonderful women in our lives! Whether you want to say "Hey! You're pretty amazing" to your mom, your mother-in-law, or a good friend who can now recite Yo Gabba Gabba lyrics by heart, check out gifts as unique as they are.

We love fair trade roses! But. We also love the smell of this modern & natural perfume just a bit more. Made with delicious organic ingredients & extracts of organic jojoba oil, it's a truly beautiful blend of floral notes that evoke a light, bright rose scent. And it'll last much longer than flowers too!

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet

Know a lady who loves personal & interesting jewelry? We gotcha: each of these fair trade Mod Pendant Necklaces is set with a totally unique, semi-precious stone in an assortment of colors. And if you're looking for other jewelry styles: check out more here!

Simply charming

Planning to pamper the queen bee with some tea & breakfast in bed on some gorgeous plate-ware? This handmade, fair trade kimono robe is the perfect gift to compliment a relaxing morning.

Miles away from a Snuggie 

This engraved sign is a great gift for a wife who likes a bit of rustic charm to her space, while also sharing your love and appreciation. And if she's a music aficionado, she'll know the phrase is based on the song by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros!

Cozy & heartfelt

For most taste buds, chocolate never goes out of style—especially when the gourmet chocolate bar is not only delicious, but also fair to children. This one is a decadent blend of dark chocolate and creamy hazelnut truffle!

♫ And they call it/truffle loooove ♫

If your mom needs a new bag to sling around her arm, this Mushmina bag channels the essence of Morocco! Vibrant, sturdy, gorgeous. Check out more more bag styles here!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms who make Fair Trade possible! From farmers & workers to our followers, mothers are a huge part of Fair Trade and we thank you!

Happy Arbor Day everyone! Right on the heels of Earth Day, today is a great way to round out the week by chatting about how to make our world healthier and greener by planting, nurturing, and celebrating our favorite oxygen producers: trees!

Deep breath, and ahhhhhh

Let's face it, humans couldn't exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year, which is why it's SO important to harvest wood sustainably. And y'know, trees do so, so much more.

Shel Silverstein gets it

Greenheart's own Sobremesa line focuses on sustainable, handmade woodwork, and has been partnering with skilled artisans like those at PaTS, who have worked for over 11 years with indigenous communities in the Palcazu Valley of Peru – PaTS promotes the harvest of about 1 tree per acre in each 30-year cutting cycle to allow for natural regeneration of the ecosystem.  Neat! This means that they develop hand-carved wood products from well-managed forests!

Fun fact: “Pats“ in the Yanesha dialect means “earth“

“PaTS has helped the communities increase the value of a single tree from $30, which the Yanesha would receive from local loggers, to more than $2000 in artisan income.” (HandEyeMagazine)

Are you a coffee and design addict like us? The main agricultural export in Guatemala is coffee, and when coffee trees (yes, COFFEE. TREES) mature and no longer provide the coffee required by the farm owners, they're replaced by new seedlings. Cuchareros creatively transform this otherwise discarded raw material into seriously beautiful sculpted hand-carved utensils. Using, um, machetes. No big deal.

Ahem. yes. A machete.

Speaking of these cool, handcarved designs, we're always humbled and pleased to say that our sustainable Sobremesa line won the 2013 Eco Choice award for Most Sensitive Use of Materials at New York IGF! Hug a coffee tree!

You love me, you really love me

As many of you know, Sobremesa loosely translated means “chatting with friends over the table” in Spanish. And connecting with family and friends over good food and conversation is the epitome of happiness. The only way how this could be improved would be with a good bottle of wine. But hey, even that’s taken care of with our handblown decanters and carafes made of lead-free recycled glass AND sustainable teakwood!

Sustainable Feast

Buen provecho!

Spring dresses have arrived! Come a little closer and we'll tell you all about our SERIOUS crush on these new flirty & fun dresses from Mata Traders, made by fair trade artisans in India.

This vintage-inspired Jin Ju ruffle dress is the definition of effortless charm. Wear it with an old Hollywood up-do and open-toe pumps while saying things like "darling" and "cat's pajamas".

Pass the ruffles

THE official dress of your weekend wardrobe. This Shanghai shift dress is so sweet & simple, and comes in grey and black.  It also boasts little details like a buttoned epaulette at the shoulders, and elastic ruching for a wonderfully flattering silhouette.

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade for a garden party

Can we even tell you how much we are head over heels for this garden party dress?! Delicately gathered sleeves, pleated waist and a full, flirty skirt for whirling and twirling. SO versatile, whether you're attending a garden party, a first date, or a attending a Mad Men-themed party.

Spring fling

The hand-stitched, obi-inspired belt on this crescent dress ties in the back to cinch in an empire-style waist. Simple, serene, & check out that awesome pattern!

Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope

And last but not least, this super on-trend Aztec skirt with pockets (!) Practical AND gorgeous! Outdoor music festival with a simple tucked-in tee shirt and booties? Check. Girls' night out with statement platform shoes? Check. Sandals, and a denim jacket over a tank top to the farmers market? Check.

Did we mention this has pockets

If you're looking for a few statement pieces to pair with your frock, might we suggest checking out some new fabulous jewelry! Cheers to warmer weather all!

Ah yes, 'tis the season when "save the date" cards flood mailboxes, and bridal showers and weddings fill up weekends. Whether the happy couple has settled on a theme of casual elegance, or it's more of a picnic affair, fair trade items are a great way to add a personal touch to any upcoming shower or wedding ceremony!

If you are in charge of putting together a shower event, this organic Make Your Own Sugar Scrub (with fair trade ingredients!) is a fantastic party activity. PLUS it also makes a great gifts or bridal shower favor. Check out a few more awesome DIY personal care products, like our organic soap kit, and fizzling bath salts kit!

Ooh sugar sugar

Sometimes a centerpiece for a table can double as a keepsake that's a sweet reminder of the new life the couple is beginning together. These simple & gorgeous eternity knot sculptures from Kenya have two intertwined loops that signify that the couple is joining together in love, yet are both still individuals. And they also come in white!

Loving equality

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to brighten up your bridal shower or wedding reception, these recycled glass wine glasses add a touch of color with their blue-rimmed top. AND they're dishwasher friendly!

Just the two of us/you and wine

If the wedding or shower calls for a picnic theme, we've rounded up these items help set the mood!

1. Recycled soda pop glasses! More styles here.

2. Franjipani serve-ware. Check out the whole collection!

3. Blue Organic Cotton Jersey dress made by Ethos, a fair trade company based in Paris who work with artisans in India.

4. Sunbeams long coral earrings, handmade by survivors of human trafficking.

5. Dotted napkins from our Sobremesa line.

6. Square stud Pepito Earrings from Ecuador.

If your tastes run more towards easy elegance, these items are warm, yet classic.

1. Cruelty-free leather photo album.

2. Archer necklace handmade from white bone by artisan in India.

3. Fair trade decanter with teakwood stopper

4.) Handmade glass vases from India (set of 3)

No matter the theme, it’s easier than you’d think to fair trade a wedding! We also have a wedding registry as well as quick suggestions if you're just getting started. Cheers to all!

Ahhh yes: the weather is really changing, birds are chirping, and the snow is gone (at least in Chicago). Now is the perfect time to clean out closets, de-clutter spaces, and surround yourself with sweet pastels & fresh colors to celebrate Spring!

Nothing rings in the season like freshly blooming flowers, and these recycled hyacinth bulb vases from India add the perfect burst of happiness to any room!

Cheerier than the pop of a champagne bottle

These green, hand painted Franjipani floral storage tins are now back in stock! So great for displaying flowers, transporting food to picnics, or brightening up a kitchen table. Oh, and we have a few matching dishware pieces too.

I am full of secrets. And cinnamon

We are SO excited that Farmers Markets will be returning soon! This Blue Do Si Do dress is a perfect frock to pop on when you're out & about running weekend errands. Only a handful left, and they're on sale right now. Snap 'em up before they're gone forever.

Swing yer partner round and round

Few things are better than curling up with a fluffy pillow, except for maybe diving into a Scrooge McDuck-sized pool FILLED with pillows. These bright, hand-stitched styles from Honduras make a splash in any room!

Yep, these pillows are the equivalent to the joy of a slip n slide

It's time to bring out all types of warm weather shoes, and we adore these fair trade socks to slip on tootsies! They can be tucked in to be completely invisible, or peek out juuust a bit from your flats, pumps or sneakers.

Our super power: invisibility, or ready for a bit of biff, bam, pow

Looking for a perfect yard accent? Whether you have a lush flowerbed or one minimalist blade of grass, these handmade terracota pots are our fav for planting delicious herbs or just adding a bit of rustic charm. And we've got more sustainable garden accents too!

Plant some basil, and you'll be the very pesto friends

Happy Spring all!  xoxo, Greenheart

There's no place like home, but every once in awhile we dust off our ruby slippers, click our heels together...and then realize we're still at home surrounded by suitcases. But no worries! Fortunately our ruby slippers had the foresight to book plane tickets (or set up a road trip with a fresh mix tape)! ♥  And what better way to take on new adventures than with socially conscious and fashionable fair trade travel accessories?

These stylish recycled aluminum luggage tags do more than distinguish your bag from others: each tag also has a unique code pattern and URL address! All you have to do is quickly register it online to help your luggage find its way back to you if it gets lost anywhere in the world. Smart!

Stylish AND smart? The whole package.

Sometimes it's hard to get a little shut eye, especially on a long flight or when sleeping somewhere new. This fair trade eye pillow is adorable, comfortable, 100% cotton, and reversible!

Also perfect for impromptu games of pin the tail on the donkey

Need a sturdy, amazing travel bag? This slouchy hobo Ikat bag is an instant classic – it has two outer pockets & one inside pocket with sturdy leather straps. Plus, it's made in Uganda by artisans using locally-sourced, hand-dyed cotton yarns. Gorgeous.

Have bag, will travel

Jetting overseas? This cruelty-free leather passport cover from Handmade Expressions is made by artisan groups in India, and is a great way to add personality on the outside to match the various countries stamped on the inside. Check out the cover being made here!

An easier way to collect international coins

A toiletry bag should be sturdy, sleek and ready to hold serious essentials like face wash, makeup, lotion and shaving items. Enter stage right: this fair trade toiletry bag made from recycled tires! Artisans in El Salvador collect inner-tubes that would otherwise be thrown into landfills, which make this bag a serious find.

I am strong like bull.

Take a gander at this awesome compact journal - it's 5" x 7" and so easy to slip in a bag and take out to jot down thoughts, whether slowly sipping a drink at a cafe or lounging on the beach.

Oh, the stories I could tell you...

Whether you're stepping into those ruby slippers or rocking seven league boots, that grand adventure awaits!

Yesterday was such an unbelievably pleasant, sunny, breezy, spectacular (am I making you jealous?) day....that we couldn't resist stealing a few moments outdoors during our busy workweek to appreciate the beauty of the moment. So, we gathered up our hand block printed table clothes, lead free enamelware, some fair trade sports balls, lemonade, and of course Betsy, our trusty manikin that has become our always wise (but rather silent) co-worker/family member.

Our dearest Betsy standing tall and proud in a hand-embroidered Mata Traders dress

After taking a few moments to let any stress roll of our backs, we pulled out our phones and took turns avoiding being in pictures. (Kinda like a game of tag where you avoid being photographed!). As usual, The wise Betsy became our only volunteer.

Betsy, and our fair trade picnic spread

Knowing we'd be going back to work soon, we got some fresh air in our lungs and quick exercise making use of an extra fair trade sports soccer ball we had on hand.

Playing ball, fair trade style!

We're so pleased that warm weather is upon us! Whats your favorite Spring summer activity?

In a recent flair of creativity (and office dress up) we discovered a fun new use for our piedra tagua wrap bracelet below:

With the three R's engraved in our minds like like a yoga mantra (reduce, reuse, recycle. breathe. reduce, reuse, recycle. breathe.)  We decided to challenge ourselves and add a NEW category to the infamous R's....... RE-STYLE.

So, that's Just what we did. Turning our bracelets into a fun multipurpose hair styling accessory, below: Re-styled Tagua bracelet

What do you think, dear readers... any more clever uses? We would love to see pictures!