Listed only on MISI – exclusive fairtrade fashion, sterling silver rings & cute dog coats

Brown cotton blouse

I am not only passionate about fairtrade – I am also adamant that fairtrade fashion needs to be trendy, good looking and of outstanding quality. With that in mind I set out to source some inspiring and wonderful cotton blouses, handmade in Thailand. With fabulous hand embroidery and in adaptable colours. I have also sourced some stunning sterling silver rings in the process, also handmade in Thailand and a couple of cute dog coats. The latter are made from hand loomed cotton based on Inca designs and they are absolutely unique. Something for the pampered pooch (of which I have three!). Hop over to MISI and have a look – these items are ONLY listed on MISI – not on Cebra and not on allthingsgreen (my other portal). Everything sells on a first-come-first-served basis and as always I donate at least 10% of sales back to the community and/or a chosen charity.

Thinking of buying a goose down feather duvet? Don’t…

My sister phoned me yesterday to tell me about a documentary that was shown on German television illustrating the extremely cruel treatment of geese that are being plucked for their down before they are being slaughtered 6 weeks later. It is horrendous…I had no idea that geese are plucked alive. I always thought of down as a by product of the meat industry (i.e. Christmas goose).

If you are thinking of buying a feather down duvet this Christmas or later on in the January sales – think again. A video illustrating the plight of the geese is now uploaded on You Tube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=llZwycEYjR8.
Warning – you need a strong stomach and no emotions watching this video.

And to the person who argued with me about civet farming the other day – I really don’t think that any type of animal cruelty is justifiable, whether they are wild animals caught for exploitation or domesticated ones reared for meat and – as in this case – down feathers. Whilst I appreciate that impoverished farmers need to make a living, I do not believe that animal cruelty is justifiable, full stop. I agree that people need to make a living but animals can be kept in adequate surroundings and they must be treated with respect. We have no right to mistreat other species for our own benefit. This planet was given to us as a gift. We need to look after it or there will come a day when Gaia will take her revenge (sooner rather than later by the looks of it…and I do hope so, to be honest).

The ethical chic video presentation :-)

Become a product tester and win full size

How would you like to receive a free sample size of new products that I have in the pipeline AND have the chance to win one of 3 full sizes every month? I need people who are willing to test my new skin care products (fairtrade, organic and vegan) and give me constructive and honest feedback. I shall need your name, full address and and email address.
The first draw takes place on 15th November. You will need a week to test the new product and I will need your feedback at least 3 days before the draw, so please keep that in mind.
Go to my website and enter your details together with the phrase “tester” and I shall be sending you your first free sample with 2nd class Royal Mail.

www.cebraonline.com – 50% discount on all African pottery

lady holding bowl

New Blog from Cebra ethical chic

I have a new blog as I was told I can’t link back to my site from this hosted one here. Hop over to ecofairtradechic for the latest news, tips and ideas. I shall discontinue blogging on here as it makes no sense. Both blogs would be identical and that’s boring . See you over at Simply Ethical. Simply Fairtrade and Eco Chic.

What is Cebra up to?

I support the Snow Leopard Trust and to that effect I created a shop section on cebraonline.com. Every month new products are added and in February there will be a range of new adult slippers, children’s booties, handbags, rugs, coasters and heat pads as well as a few toys such as felt balls.

The adult slippers have proven such a success that the Inilchek version is sold out now until new stock arrives in July. Pop over and have a look. The baby booties are particularly cute….

Clothing

The arrival of our chocolate brown fair trade alpaca wool ponchos and a fab range of alpaca wool, hand knitted women’s sweaters is awaited by us with eager anticipation. Ponchos area such great clothing items. When the days get longer and warmer, they are the ultimate “coats” – just pull over and go. They keep you warm and cosy and look chic and trendy and this colour, chocolate brown, can be combined and worn with any outfit. Our ponchos are hand knitted in Peru from the finest alpaca wool and can be worn for years to come.

Hand knitted, soft alpaca sweaters in black, chocolate brown and cream – a great choice of colours and superior quality. These are the type of jumpers I have been searching for for a long time and finally I found them. Hand knitted from the finest alpaca wool in Peru, they complement your wardrobe perfectly and make for an elegant and sophisticated fashion statement. Available from mid February, so please check back regularly.

Skin & body care

New in our vegan registered range: bath fizzies, aloe vera gels with seaweed and essential oils, organic fairtrade shea nilotica from Uganda (our own range), hand crafted shea butter soaps with herbs, shea butter moisturiser bars and in the body care section we are launching a new 100% vegan hairbrush as well as a new, slightly larger baby hair brush.

And finally – our weavernest tealight holders handmade from coloured glass and fairly traded with an Indian community were featured on Good Morning America.i Very briefly I must say with just a pointer at them by the presenter, but nevertheless. They were on American television – hey! If you look very closely they are on the video picture to the right behind the presenter, hanging up on a bamboo stick……and they are listed on page two – scroll down to the middle of the page.

20% Sale At Cebra

Right now there is a 20% sale going on over at Cebra – ethical chic. That’s 20% off EVERYTHING. Not just a special

Made from recycled tin top - the exclusive Masha shoulder bag - now available with a 20% discount for a limited time

selection of handbags or footwear. Go on – have a look. Browse the site and then go ahead and spoil yourself. Or buy a gift for a friend or someone special. And know that you shopped with a clear conscience.

Cebra – simply ethical. Simply fairtrade and eco chic.

Clear skin with pure, glacial mud

I have a new skin care product in stock that is absolutely fabulous.

The Alaska glacial mud masque. Suitable for all skin types. Sustainably harvested from the remote waters of the Copper River Delta in Alaska it detoxifies, exfoliates and softens skin. It contains more than 60 nourishing major and trace elements required for the body’s natural balance and healthy skin cell regeneration among them magnesium, copper, zinc, sulfur, silver, silica, calcium, sodium, potassium and iron that promote anti-aging, help skin hold moisture and form collagen resulting in radiant skin.
This pure mud is gentle and balanced. It is further enriched with a special combination of certified organic and wildcrafted botanical extracts from the Pacific Northwest including kelp, nettle, horsetail, elderflower, yarrow, cranberry, blueberry and vitamins e and b5 that are chosen for their moisturizing, skin-softening, anti-aging and immunoprotective properties.

Our glacial masque relaxes the mind while detoxifying, exfoliating and softening the skin. The micro-fine silt in the mud is a natural and gentle exfoliant while the electromagnetic properties of the clay attract oils, draw impurities from the skin, and promote circulation. Our mud masque does not clog pores and deep cleans skin from the outside in and the inside out.

The Alaska glacial mud is great on the body and face. The electromagnetic properties of the clay attract oils, draw impurities from the skin, and promote circulation which results in smoother, softer, cleaner skin that does not feel washed out from chemicals. Registered with the Vegan Society in the UK.

This fantastic product is now available exclusively from Cebra – ethical skin care. Your 120ml Alaska glacial mud masque comes with an exclusive mask brush which makes it easy to apply the mud in just the right quantity.

Looking for unique fair trade clothes

This is a blog entry calling for all fashion designers that make unusual, unique clothes and would like to sell them through Cebra ethical chic. If your designs are made by small co-ops in third world countries or handmade by yourself then send me an email. I would like to list your items on our website for “sale on demand” meaning you must have them in stock at the sizes you want them displayed so that I can call them in on demand. I am looking for beautiful knitwear, trousers, shirts, dresses and they must be available in European sizes (i.e. 12, 14,16). Do get in touch – I look forward to hearing from you.

Civet Anti Farming Campaign

I just stumbled across this rather interesting page on a website whilst researching ancient recipes for African perfumes. I had no idea that civets were kept in such appalling conditions and mainly in Ethiopia were their musk is being extracted and sold to the perfume industry. I mean – what is wrong with people? Why do they have to treat animals like that? Surely there is a better way of keeping these animals as they must be a valuable asset to the farmer (6.1 million Dollars made each year with “musk farming”!). It just is beyond me as to why humankind is so insensitive and brainless and rather than looking after animals properly and making sure they live a long and happy life which in turns leads to greater benefit to the “farmer, they have no respect for anything or anybody and no decency – I wonder how they treat their children!

Thankfully the WSPA has been involved now and this matter is being brought to the world’s attention. In how far this practice can be stopped is a question that remains unanswered but I am hopeful – the Chinese have been put on the spot with their cruelty towards bears in extracting their bile and maybe the Ethiopians will find that the market for musk being extracted from civets in that way is pretty much unsustainable under current conditions. Get proper conditions for the animals and you can even ask a higher price for the musk…..

Tags: musk, perfume, civets, animal, welfare, Africa