Be careful about brand names, check they are still made in their country of origin. You will be surprised to find how many goods associated with a particular country have moved their manufacturing to China, Vietnam, Thailand, etc. Some examples: Ugg, Clark, Earth and Ecco shoes are all made in China now. Support manufacturing in your own country for they provide jobs for your neighbors and the money stays in your country. When this is not possible buy from countries whose environmental and labor laws meet your standards. When you are buyig cotton items remember to look for orgnaic cotton. With this in mind here is a list of products whose quality I think is outstanding. **New additions are added at the bottom**
Brora clothes
http://www.brora.co.uk/
Don't blame me if you spend a lot of money at this store. I could have bought everything in the store. In the end I bought a skirt, a scraf, some tops and some shoes. The cashmere is top quality not the cheap stuff that is in the average stores and the products are made in Scotland. Most of the linen is Irish. I want to sleep in the scraf it is so soft and wonderful. Here are some pictures
Dr.Hauschka skin products
http://www.drhauschka.com/about/our-mission
I have been using Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products for many years now primiarily because they are a holistic pharmaceutical company. Everything they do is in the interest of fostering well-being in the world, from their ecologically sound methods of growing and sourcing ingredients to their one-of-a-kind manufacturing processes and international fair trade initiatives. Their manufacturer WALA Heilmittel works with local communities around the world to establish fair-trade organic and Biodynamic cooperatives that provide WALA with the highest quality botanical ingredients while helping promote sustainable agriculture and economic self-reliance.
They also support two of my favorite organizations: Heifer International and Farm Aid.
El Naturalista
http://www.elnaturalista.com/index.php/en/naturalista/eco-policy/
A terrific example of what a company with high aspirations can be. This panish company could write a blueprint on how a company can be both ethical to its employees and the land that we depend on and make a profit. Their eco policy is to use natural materials and dyes, avoid polluting substances,protect and sustain the environment and much more. And check out these goofy shoes.
In 2005 they created the Charity Project Atauchi where they work with non-profit organizations, to provide international development aid. They worked with ProPeru an NGO from Pamplona in the construction and equipment of a school including solar panels, and trained teachers and pupils. In 2007, they received the Solidarity company Prize 2005 from the mayor of Pamplona
Anna Sova
http:www/annasova.com/
Much of her organic cotton is made in coops in India, one of the two largest contries that grow organic cotton. Anna Sova sellls the nicest organic cotton sheets that I have ever slept on. Also she sells orgnaic drapery whichis pretty unusual. Her orgnaic cotten towels ar made in Turkey (the second largest producer of organic cotton.) The dyes and sizing used in our cotton are eco safe and healthy for you and for the environment!
Be aware that “natural” cotton is NOT organic cotton. Natural cotton still uses pesticides and processing toxins.
Many people may consider latex wall paint to be a safe alternative because they do not contain lead. However, there are harmful Volatile Organic Compounds that are released from the paint. Some of these chemicals are petrochemicals, solvents, mercury, formaldehyde, and benzene some of which have been known to cause cancer, allergies and aggravate asthma.
Anna Sova’s healthy Wall Finish contains none of these harmful VOC’s, and is made with 99% food grade ingredients! A much healthier alternative that is safe for children and pregnant women.
Feyem of Italy
http://www.feyem.it/eng/home.htm
Their coats are beautifully made. Quality material, goose down, zips, and snaps over the zips. The warm weather coats close from the top to the hemline. The stitching on the coats are very good also. They are extremley stylish and you feel like a diva when you wear one.
Santana, La Candienne and Martino boots. All were made in Canada until recently when Santana was bought by a group of investors who moved the operation to China. All three of these companies make an excellent product. The boots are completely water proof, very comfortable, and stylish. You can still find a few Santana boots made in Canada. Check the label before you buy.
La Candienne
http://www.lacanadienne.ca/
A 45 year old company in Montreal with and excellent environmental and worker rights record.
Martino is a 50 year old company located in Quebec City. It too has a history of making sophisticated, fully waterproof snow boots built for style and sub zero temperatures. They are made from very fine full grain leather, hand cut one piece at a time by Martino factory trained cobblers.
Natura World
http://www.naturaworld.com/
This is beginning to look like a love affair with Canada. The absolute best cover I have ever slept under. It is an all season wool comforter, quite light weight, perhaps the weight of one and half regular blankets. I love it to death. Be careful as they sell both organic and non organic cotton and wool covers. They are all made in Canada with the exception of the silk and wool cover. I am absolutely in love with it.
Bags: It seems that no matter how many bags I owe I never have one that works for the task at hand. In particular luggage and shopping bags. Here is one of each that work for me.
Tote Bag
Reisenthel a German Company make a super lightweight bag from rip stop polyester that folds into a tiny pocket bag that clips onto your handbag (clever). It is stylish and holds up to 26lb of weight.
. The bags are actually nicer than the photo. The website that they are listed on is an excellent website for a variety of bags.
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-c-2.html
Suitcase
for luggage nothing in the price range can beat a Briggs and Riley case.
They are stylish designed extremely well have great, solid zips, and an outside pouch for your small umberella. They are guaranteed for life with no questions asked and made in the U.S.A. (finally!)Ebags is a very good website for getting detailed pictures of products and also for their returm policy.
http://www.ebags.com/briggs_riley/transcend_21_carryon_expandable_upright/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=61500&productid=707036&sourceID=GOOGFEED&color=Rainforest&CAWELAID=26892532ns
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