Socially Responsible Businesses

You've probably seen the above commercial before. I'm still trying to make my way to an actual retailer in NJ to give these shoes a try before I purchase them, but I've been incredibly interested in socially responsible businesses these days.



I'm also doing work for Nomi Network -- a non-profit that works to use the marketplace to combat sexual slavery in Cambodia by providing women there with jobs in the manufacturing of fashion goods. What a joy it is to work for a company that does good.

I'm interested in doing more research on socially responsible businesses but I don't really know where to start. Do any of you know any companies worth checking out?

I don't know what my research will culminate in right now, but if you have any ideas I'm interested in hearing from you. I'm considering blogging about it but I want it to be a platform where consumers can learn about and support these companies. Without the AT&T commercial, I probably wouldn't have ever known about TOMS shoes. And without my connection to Nomi Network founder, I probably wouldn't have known what I can do about trafficking in Cambodia.

Charities exist, yes this is true. But I am not in the position to donate money. However if I need a pair of shoes, why not get a pair while giving one too?

I don't know right now I'm just kind of mulling this over in my mind. I'm really interested in your opinions though. Even if it's a company name or a website to check out. Any direction for my research is good too!

Thanks!

Vote Elie Tahari

My Dad works for Elie Tahari who is up for The Popular Vote Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America! There are lots of designers featured, check out Elie Tahari's line here. And vote for him on the CFDA website!

Soon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EBSvFlBoIs&feature=related

Soon and very soon
My King is coming
Robed in righteousness
And crowned with love
When I see Him
I shall be made like Him
Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon
I'll be going
To the place
He has prepared for me
There my sin erased
My shame forgotten
Soon and very soon

I will be with the One I love
With unveiled face I'll see Him
There my soul will be satisfied
Soon and very soon

Soon and very soon
See the procession
The angels and the elders
'Round the throne
At His feet I'll lay my crowns
My worship
Soon and very soon

Though I have not seen Him
My heart knows Him well
Jesus Christ the Lamb
The Lord of heaven

Picnic

Photo of a picnic similar to ours from the Library of Congress Archives

Yesterday, we had a picnic at Meridian Hill Park in D.C. It was a fun afternoon, despite the rain that forced us to relocate to Love Cafe. We shared sandwiches, cookies, watermelon, potato salad and even cheesecake cupcakes. The park was beautiful and we even caught the rhythms of an African drumming circle on our way home.

Wait

Packing

Yep, that's what I've been doing. I tried to ship the boxes yesterday, but after a long frustrating day of phone calls with UPS, it didn't work out. Arghhh. I hope to ship the boxes today.

Sharin' the Pasta Love

Kelsey prepping the gnocchi

Christina stirring the sauce

Christina shared her easiest pasta sauce recipe with me this week. Let me tell you- it was delicious. She adds ingredients like lemon zest and crushed chili pepper to give it a zesty and complex flavor. She, Kelsey and I prepared gnocchi to go with the sauce (thick soft noodles made using mashed potatoes). I can't wait to make this awesome dish for people in Austin!

On the radio...Thought provoking

"God doesn't call me to be successful, He calls me to be faithful"
-- Mother Theresa

Twitter Madness

You know honestly I don't know how I stumbled upon this woman's blog, but I was so amused I had to post it. It seems somewhat similar to something Allison posted a while ago. This woman lists 20 alternative things to do when Twitter is down... surprisingly, a lot of them have to do with thinking about Twitter, complaining about Twitter and thinking about life before Twitter. The illustration was cool.

My brother makes the argument that Twitter is for the self-obsessed and self-absorbed. I always found that idea amusing (no offense to twitter-ers) not necessarily true, though...thoughts?

Cupcake Heaven in G-town

Right after this pic was taken, my face/hands/arms/shirt got covered in the chocolatey goodness of a chocolate hazelnut cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake. This place is crazy good (see the line out the door). The cupcakes are heavenly.

Greetings from America's Oven

Hello all, I thought I'd say hello from my lovely, thankfully air-conditioned house in Las Vegas! It has been spectacularly hot since I've been home, its so wonderful to hear the weatherman say that we're experiencing record highs for this time of year. Anywho, despite the heat, home is lovely! As you know, I am currently in training for a sprint triathalon, and since it gets so hot so early, I've been getting up no later than 7 (we'll be up at 5 on Wednesday to go riding) so that the training can be done before it hits 90 :)

Oh and a little tidbit, no matter what anyone tells you , you NEVER, ever get used to it being this hot. Anything over 90 is hot, I mean really hot!

Yay for A/C!!!

Adventure to a Monastery

You wouldn't expect a tranquil monastery to be smack dab in the middle of Northeast D.C. But, it's there. A lovely Franciscan Monastery right near Catholic University (of course) has been in the city since 1899. It's a neat place to check out, complete with replicas of famous sites from the Holy Land and rose gardens.

Homemade Sushi

Ashley and I prepared scrumptious sushi rolls last week. We used crab, avocado and cucumber for these makizushi rolls. The tricky part was preparing the sushi rice- which needed to be fanned and gently mixed as we sprinkled it with vinegar. Then we used a bamboo mat to wrap the rice in nori. The result was delicious!

Beatiful Big Bear Cafe

Top five reasons to go to Big Bear Cafe:

1) They serve Counter Culture Coffee- my favorite!
2) The entrance is funky (see above)
3) The people are cool
4) There's a farmer's market there on Sundays
5) The patio is sunny and lovely

Cathedral Afternoon

There's nothing like a gorgeous afternoon at the National Cathedral. The garden is a perfect place to bask in the sunlight and enjoy time with God.

When I was there last week, I read this psalm:

Shout with joy to God all the earth! Sing to the glory of His name; make His praise glorious! Say to God, 'How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name!' Come and see what God has done, how awesome are His works in man's behalf.

- Psalm 66: 1-5 NIV

Ashley doin' the cha cha

Ashley's friend Micah also visited her for graduation. Lo and behold he is also a dance instructor! Here they are adding a little cha cha to the family party at 7012 this past Friday. (The whistling courtesy of Ashley's adorable younger siblings hehe)

Surprise DC visit

Ok, so I arrived back in the States April 20th but I led Ashley to believe that I was still in Italy and wouldn't be able to see her graduate... all of my scheming culminated in the following video.

For the love of Bondi

I'm slammed with papers and finals, but I just can't stop thinking about Australia. Right now, I wish I was relaxing at Bondi Beach in Sydney. It's hard not to think about Bondi... it seems to be everywhere. On Friday, I ordered "the bondi" salad at Sweet Green. Today, I saw that Sart posted a cool photo of a girl at Bondi.
Ok, back to paper-writing...

Goodbye to Honest Tea

Yesterday was my last day at Honest Tea. I'll especially miss the people, getting to tweet for Honest Tea, and sipping organic Peach White tea all day long. I'm excited though, because ending this chapter means beginning a new chapter in Austin!

Photo by Patrick Jammett of Honest Tea

Knitting is Bliss

I thought of something that I do other than schoolwork! I love to knit! The blanket I'm working on now is my second this year. When finished it will be Allison's. Odds are I'll be finishing in the hottest time of year, but come winter it will be a nice and warm companion :) Knitting these blankets are such a nice relaxing thing to do when I have down time, plus they make fun gifts!

Blogging Slacker

Well I haven't posted on this blog in I don't even know how long, but it is definitely not because I don't want to, it's mostly because I haven't had anything of particular interest to say. Unfortunately school is pretty much my life at the moment...but I am starting my training for the triathalon on Tuesday so I'll be sure to keep you all posted! (that is if I survive the first week...haha)