Kids in Tipees

Me and my son these days are totally in love with this tee-pee. It became a ritual to put up this tee-pee and play pretend camping. It's also our reading corner and cozy spot to lie down, tell stories to my son. The credit of this wonderful time definitely goes to Hanieh from Kidsinteepees, who sends so much love through every tee-pee that our kids are bound to feel that love and hang around the tee-pee more than you expected.

Pretend camping in our favorite tee-pee

I have added this tee-pee in my sustainable products list not just because it is made from natural materials i.e. 100 % cotton and white wood, but also it's great educational toy to teach our kids staying close to Nature. Anywhere you go either on beach or camping outdoors, you can give this tee-pee, a private camping space to your children and outcome is definitely a child; growing with love for outdoors!

Whenever we play pretend camping at home, we start with decorating the tee-pee, it's lovely to see how much creative kids can get, we also use it occasionally as clinic, when my son becomes a pretend doctor and even a shop, when he becomes shopkeeper. There is so much fun you can do with this teepee and best part is it's easy to use, so just few seconds to arrange it and let your child's imagination run wild. 

Hanieh working on tee pee

Hanieh with her final product

When I got to see, how Hanieh Hooshmand assembles the tee-pee at her workshop in Al Quoz I was stunned to see her passion for her products. Hanieh, a mother of beautiful daughter knows what might be issues with the tee-pees, so she softens every piece of wood with sandpaper leaving no sharp edges.

This 'particular' mama makes sure the cloth is lint free inside-out. She irons the cloth knowing, it might not remain as wrinkle free after packing the tee pee. But she follows her own set steps to make sure whole product is almost perfect! And believe me she has very high standards of quality, which you can see in her product. This handmade love she give to each and every tee-pee, because she knows all these beautiful kids who will spend time in tee-pees are her final customers! So I don't need to tell you separately that how safe the product is for children. If you want to see a business woman believing in quality of work instead of fancy marketing tactics, you need to meet this Iranian beauty!

You can get name of your child embroidered on tee-pee or get it made to order for specific color etc for gifts. To find out more, click for website and facebook page and check photos here

Maker of Kidsinteepees

Al Noor's Special Bag Makers

It's my immense pleasure to collaborate with Al Noor Training Center for Special Needs and bring you the story of how Eco-friendly jute bags are made by special needs students to display Al Noor's contribution to preserve environemnet!

If you have ever been to this center in Al Barsha, you know how inspired you feel, just by seeing what these talented students are capable of doing right from sewing, printing, baking and what not. When I visited it few weeks back, I felt blessed spending time with these adorable and loving students. Total 270 students from 30 different nationalities are learning at the center. They are taking education with help of different techniques and technology. They are also taking vocational training to become independent financially. Good number of their students got employed by companies in UAE, after they finished their training here. Some of the ex-students are working in the center too.

It was beautiful to watching making stuff confidently, some of them even showed proudly their creation and accepted my appreciation graciously.

Recently this project was initiated in collaboration with Emirates Environment Group who endorsed Al Noor’s endeavor of producing the bags. They gave valuable input on the layout of the design as well.

The bags are made at the vocational training unit of the Center. 

The designs are screen printed by the students and sheltered employment trainees at the Center. 

The bags are cut and sewn by Saheer, a sheltered employee.

The hallmark of the bags are the sharp quality of the prints and the superior quality of stitching. 

If you are concerned about the environment and at the same time looking to enhance your shopping, accessory, or beach experience look no further than this elegantly designed jute tote bag sized 15" x 15" x 3".

Cost of the bag is only AED 50/- You can purchase these in their cafe cum shop Smile N' Stuff in center's premises in AL Barsha click for location map and don't forget to take home yummy cookies made by the students!

If you ask me I am totally in love with these trendy bags! I love to take it with me for shopping trips to mall or any outdoor trip to beach or park. Great to show my support to environment and Al Noor special needs at same time, while I get to promote sustainable fashion too!

I will urge all my readers to support Al Noor Special Needs in this project by purchasing these Jute bags for you, your family & friends as Eco gifts. And companies can buy these for your employees that way you could even promote using reusable bags along with support social cause. I personally feel this is ultimate sustainable product which unites environmental and social factors very beautifully. Find them on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

Go Green and Support Al Noor!
  

To win these bags, enter giveaway by clicking here