When in Rome, Shop as the Romans
by Bonnie Alter, London on 11.16.06
Wandering the streets of Rome, we happened upon a wonderful looking "green" shop, esprit Equo. Opened only a year ago by a young couple who quit their day jobs to do this, it is chock full of interesting house accessories, foods, organic bath oils and cosmetics. Their motto is "equitable fair faire justo" and their goal is to "show and help people but in a nice way" that they can buy environmental goods that are stylish and contemporary in their look. They have found fascinating things from local communities using ecological techniques in the Cameroons, France, Indonesia and South Africa. There are large indigo-blue dyed batik pillows from Benin, Africa. We loved the wood and cinammon bowls and boxes from Indonesia. Many have dark wood contrasting rims and come in different complementary sizes. The bamboo bowls are beautiful, modern shapes, in lime green, orange and blue. There is recycled blue glass from Palestine made into vases and jugs. For the children there are little dolls from Colombia, made out of orange peels, that just sit on a shelf. The key chains from South Africa are made by street kids who twist wire into whimsical shapes of giraffes and elephants. Multo bene. :: esprit Equo
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