Fair Trade beach reads

Headed out to the beach or pool this coming holiday weekend? Might we suggest filling up your Hobo Bag or Weekender with some great reading materials?

Sporting an OMT Hobo Bag (in Ginkgo) on la playa in Mexico

Here are some of our favorites, as well as some reads we can't wait to check out during these long days of summer:

Feeling crafty? Learn more about artisans and the importance of their work:
Artisans and Fair Trade: Crafting Development - discusses the viability of artisan work to create sustainable livelihoods
Hand/Eye Magazine - the beautiful World Textiles issue is out now! (quite possibly my favorite magazine - each issue is a gorgeous collector's item!)
Fair Trade: A Human Journey - "Fair trade proposes an alternative that is based on ideas of social justice, product quality and care for the environment. ...This book is a sign of hope that another world is possible." Filled with more than 350 photographs from around the world.
Looking to inspire the activist within? Try:Half the Sky - if you haven't read this book by Nick Kristof and Cheryl WuDunn, start here. It will set a fire under you to make a change in the world.
The Fair Trade Revolution - an in-depth look at issues affecting fair trade - tension between large and small operators, real impacts of recession, fairwashing.

For wasting away hours at a cafe with a fair trade iced coffee:
Coffee & Community: Maya Farmers & Fair Trade Markets - we're told that the coffee we drink each morning can make a big difference - but what does that actually mean?A Cafecito Story - written by Julia Alvarez, this sweet little book is based on the author's experience of reclaiming a small coffee farm in the Dominican Republic.

Thinking of starting your own fair trade venture? Check out:
Global Girlfriends: How One Mom Made It Her Business to Help Women in Poverty Worldwide

I'm geeking out on the apparel supply chain - these two titles are tops on my list:
The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy
Where I am Wearing: A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories and People that Make Our Clothes

Did we miss a title? Let us know your favorite fair trade-related reads.

xo Halle

June Giveaway: Our Party Dress!

Hi friends! It's officially summer tomorrow, so we decided to do a quick celebration with a *FUN* new giveaway. You only have NINE days, so hurry! Drumroll please....


We're sending out our much-loved Party Dress (in Olive) - $38 value! - to celebrate Summer's arrival. The Party Dress is part of our 100% organic cotton apparel collection. The cotton is grown on organic farms in Uganda and then knitted into super-soft, comfy knit. It's one of our very favorite seed-to-sown products. You can even see the Party Dress in Whole Foods Markets this summer (but you can only get the Olive version on our online store!).

To win this comfy/awesome/stunning dress, all you have to do is help us spread the word about One Mango Tree. Here's how to do it:

1. Mention us on Twitter
2. Mention us in your Facebook status
3. Talk about One Mango Tree on your blog
   

If you mentioned us on Twitter, you're all set, if it's a Facebook or blog post, leave a comment here so we can find it and enter you. We value any help we can get promoting One Mango Tree's work and sending out positive messages for our products. There are only 9 days to enter this giveaway, so get tweeting FAST! Thanks for the love!

Summer in the city

Ladies and gentlemen, summer has officially arrived. So have our fun and flirty {organic cotton} summer tank tops (only $24 each!). In honor of summer, we brought together some awesome city girls in Washington, DC to show off the new tops. Keith Lane, a DC photographer, worked his magic for the shoot, even braving a warm summer rain shower.

Meet our models and check out some of their favorite One Mango Tree pieces from the shoot.

Erin opera singer, working at the Kennedy Center, wearing the Zig-Zag Ruffle Tank $24

Stephanie recently received her MA in development communications from University of Maryland, wearing the Double Ruffle Tank $24

Clare, one of DC's favorite Fuse Pilates instructors, wearing the Cowry Pocket Skirt $32

Devan, an urban planner working at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, sporting our hand-loomed scarf $18.20