Doughnut rugs, watermelon rugs and more from Happy As Larry Designs

Bondville sponsor Happy As Larry Designs has always been at the forefront of innovative design using felt and their team of fair trade artisans in Nepal. They are the real deal, and owner Amy Eaton proves it with her continuously evolving designs using 100% wool felt. How truly fantastic is this doughnut rug made entirely from felt balls:

Looking gorgeous mint, pink, aqua and white in little Pearl's room:

Inkkas fair trade Peruvian shoes for kids and adults

One of my favourite Australian online stores (with retail stores in Brisbane too!) is Biome Eco Stores, and I quite often flick over to see what new goodies have arrived. I'm glad I do, as I have fallen hard for Inkkas - fun, fair trade shoes handcrafted by local artisans in Peru using traditional fabric designs and patterns. How great are they!

Caleb's grey nursery with pops of colour

Mum Amy filled her newborn son Caleb's room with lots of beautiful fair trade products from her online store Happy As Larry Designs. I'm completely wow'd by Amy's ombre grey IKEA drawers hack. They look amazing with colourful knobs to match the pixel rug. Read on for all the details from Caleb's gorgeous room.

Room: Caleb's nursery
Age: Newborn
Designed by: Mum Amy (from Happy As Larry Designs)
Location: Perth, WA

Ethical gifts flash sale from Happy As Larry Designs

Lovely Bondville sponsor Happy As Larry Designs is having a flash sale to make way for more product in the lead up to Christmas. Get all your gift shopping done early! Here are a few of my favourites on sale:

100% wool rose cushion. was $44.95 now $20.00

Velvet and cotton hand-stitched Indian baby quilt. Was $149.00 now $119.00

OMM Designs memory game; great for older children through to adults and looks super stylish. Was $29.95 now $19.95

100% felted wool pebble rug. Was $349.00 now $120.00 (save $229!)

Rabbit and Bono felt softies, made from 100% wool. Was $44.95 now $29.95

What are you loving? Head over quick sticks to snap up a bargain (and free shipping on all orders over $25!)

Images: Happy As Larry Designs

New Armadillo & Co. kids' rugs

I'm a huge fan of Armadillo & Co.. For me, it's all about the heart and soul that they pour into their designs, quality materials and absolute dedication to fair trade. These gals really are making a difference. The current kids' rug designs have taken the world by storm, and lucky for us, Armadillo & Co. has launched four fresh rug designs for kids - Butterfly, Bunting, Confetti, and Caterpillar. Behold!

The Dharma Door fair trade hessian sacks and buckets for toy storage

Are toys a disaster zone at your place too? We have two ugly white plastic tubs that I desperately need to repurpose for camping and replace instead with these super-stylish fair trade hessian sacks and buckets from The Dharma Door. Both designs are made from natural hessian and original hand-printed fabrics or recycled kantha-stitched sari fabric and every piece is handmade.

Love these hip fair trade felt softies

I just love these felt softies from Bondville sponsor Happy As Larry Designs. Just look at them! Rabbit and Bono are great for cuddling and as display pieces. They are great gifts for both boys and girls and are made with love in Nepal with pure NZ wool. You can find them in the Happy As Larry Designs online store or at stockists around Australia, US, Israel and online.

Image: Happy As Larry Designs

New Armadillo and Co fairtrade rugs for kids

Here's something I have been waiting to share with you for a long time - fabulous fairtrade rug company Armadillo & Co has just launched their Junior Collection for kids and it's amazing. The collection includes classic stripes, colourful circle rugs, and the super-popular Armadillo & Co signature flower-shaped rug. We have the mini dandelion and it's gorgeous! Perfect for a child's room and also a smaller adult space.

Note the IKEA PS 2012 quilt cover and the Trio of Wall Birds wooden wall decor by Naomi Murrell!

I spy an adorable Herbert and Friends pirate cushion, and the Flying Machines art print by Printspace. Isn't that Kombi van cushion great! Curio & Curio/Two Ruffians had a similar design a while ago.

The Armadillo & Co rugs are handmade from soft hemp and pure wool in hardwearing weaves. The rugs are made in collaboration with artisans in India and are created under fair trade conditions. Head to the Armadillo & Co websiteto read more about the company's charitable operations in India. The company has a long tradition of working with local communities, through founder Jodie Fried's previous company, the much-loved Bholu.


The Junior Collection is launching on 1st August 2013 and available by preorder in the online store soon and at these stockists: An Inside Story (NSW), Stone & Grain (VIC), Southwood (VIC).

Images: Armadillo & Co

Stylish Kids: cornflowerblue ORGANIC

You know I love companies that have great ethical practices - those striving for a carbon neutral environment, eco-friendly products, fair trade practices, social responsibility, etc. And I always get excited to find those companies that also have fabulous products for Mum, Kids and Home.

One of those is cornflowerblue who have a divine collection of organic cotton dresses and sleepwear for little girls under the cornflowerblue ORGANIC label. The Australian-designed clothes are made in India where workers are paid a fair price and manufacture the clothes in humane environments. In addition, the company gives back to communities in India through projects set-up and run by cornflowerblue, as well as supporting selected Australian charities.

One very special project that I'd like to encourage everyone to participate in (it's so easy!) is the Use It. Love It. Give It Back! program. Send your gently used children's clothes to the cornflowerblue headquarters where they will be distributed to children in need in India. The cornflowerblue team often pass by children in rags, and come across orphaned children and those in their English classes that are in desperate need. The greatest demand is for size 7-10 girls and boys summer clothes. Get the mailing details and more information here on the cornflowerblue website. The next shipment will be sent in early March 2010, so send your items soon!

You can find cornflowerblue ORGANIC in the cornflowerblue online store and at a selection of Australian stockists. Check out the huge January-February 2010 Sale on in the store at the moment - up to 40% off many pieces! The cornflowerblue online store also stocks a whole range of gorgeous pieces from other designers that are either organic, environmentally friendly or recycled.

For more Australian Kids Designer Fashion check out Bondville Kids. And shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Images: cornflowerblue ORGANIC

Hip Products: Lark ethical children's gifts

Based in country Victoria, Allison Jones designs, develops and sells delightful ethical children's products under the Lark label.

Lark aims to make products that are not only beautiful and well-made, but also socially and environmentally responsible. The knitted and embroidered products are made by a Fair Trade partner organisation in Bangladesh. And all products on the site are marked "organic", "handmade", "recycled", "fair-trade" and/or "sweat-shop free". Kudos!

The hand-knitted cupcake, doughnut and vegetable rattles are now baby gift classics. I also love the adorable vintage-themed children's products including Bambi soaps and activity kits. Check out the Website and you'll also find a great range of party goods, paper products, handmade accessories, books, craft kits, and gifts for grown-ups too (including a range of very popular Keep Calm and Carry On products).

You can find Lark products at stockists across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, France and the US. You can also buy Lark products online at the Australian Lark Website, and the UK and World Lark Website. And while you are there, why not read about the goings-on behind-the-scenes on the Lark blog.

Image: Lark

Stylish Kids: Little Gypsies kids store

I find lots of things online that I love, but sometimes you find a site, a product, or a concept that blows you away. That is the case for me with the divine multicultural products and vision of Little Gypsies.

Based in Sydney, Little Gypsies is an online boutique of beautiful clothes and products for kids from far-flung places. Think colourful Mexican embroidered dresses, sweet outfits from a Vietnamese hill tribe, fair-trade dolls, Indian hanging mobiles and more to expand your little one's cultural education.

Little Gypsies was founded by urban gypsy Casey Arnaud whose vision is to bring to you "beautifully made, culturally inspired and ethically sourced" products from around the world. All products on the site fall under one or more of the six core values - Ethical, Eco-Friendly Charitable, Traditional, Educational and Collectible - making this site more than worthy of supporting in my opinion.

Thank you to Natalie for her post on Babyccino about this delightful store.

Image: Vietnamese Hill Tribe Dress from Little Gypsies

Bholu Children's Range

I adore Bholu. A truly fair-trade company with gorgeous design and quality materials. You see their signature swirl cushions in every interiors magazine, and they have recently launched stunning rugs. But did you know that they also have a very cool children's range? So simple, clean and quirky. The Bholu Bubalah range is designed from drawings by children aged 3-7 years who come from underpriviledged slum communities. The range includes bedding, swaddling blankets and fun quirky stuffed toys. I love the whole range.

Image: Bholu

Hip Products: Rubyzaar Hip Bags

Rubyzaar, based in Brooklyn, imports fair trade goods from almost exclusively female artisans and crafts peopel in South-East Asia. Guaranteed no sweatshops. I love the very hip, hip bags. Finally, a cool way to go hands/shoulder-free shopping. You can purchase their products at the Union Square Christmas Markets at online at the Rubyzaar Shop.

Image: Rubyzaar