That’s the current number of fans/likes on the Ethics Trading facebook page! I wanted to reach 200 by midnight on Friday and that’s tomorrow and 200 has already been passed.

So, a new target and a second mystery prize. Mystery because I haven’t decided what it will be yet.

If the Ethics Trading page can beat 250 fans by midnight on Friday I’ll sort out a second prize to be awarded to a random person from the fans list. You have to be on the list at midnight on Friday, and the list has to be over 250 for the second prize to be awarded.

The shoulder bag will be awarded to one lucky winner selected at random from the friends list and that draw will take place on Saturday morning.

Bonus mystery prize up for grabs for the person who brings the most friends. There are a few people who have let me know they’re trying for that one and there is a leader…..

So, to give you all a little incentive I’m going to sort out a prize in the form of a virtual raffle. You could win a generously sized hemp fibre shoulder bag worth £25.

Hemp Fibre Shoulder bag

Ladies Shoulder Bag 31x7x36cm in black
Adjustable leather covered shoulder strap with a distinctive brushed metal buckle. 1 main compartment, 1 inner zippered pocket, 1 internal mobile phone compartment, 1 outer zippered pocket. Top flap with magnetic button fastener. Leather trim. A comfy, classic style ladies shoulder bag with quite a bit more room.

Like the sound of that? Then invite a friend to come and “Like” the Fan page and then let me know if they do.

Ok, some rules.

• If 200 Fans is achieved before Friday night (midnight) then I’ll draw a random person from the fan list as it is at that time.
• Bonus Mystery prize to the person who brings the most extra fans to the page. You’ll have to let me know who your brought so I can keep score!

Simples. You have 3 days and a few hours… Off you go.

Oh, a reminder of the page link: Here you go, Ethics Trading on Facebook.

Thanks.

Sarah

Then pop over here and claim a free one!

Recently Merry gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Freddie. Sadly Freddie wasn’t able to stay with her and he died after a few short, but wonderful days.

Somehow “Hi, How are you?” seems a bit off now. My heart breaks for them, all of her family and I’ve just found a way I can help, just a tiny little bit. It’s not much but it’s something I can do.

Merry has a business, actually a collection of businesses…. From now, through placing an order with one of her businesses that tops £20 you can make a donation to the SCBU unit that cared for Freddie and his family through the special days he was there.

Go and visit the Play Merrily Blog for full details. Off you go, what are you waiting for? The summer holidays are coming up and your kids will want some of that Play Merrily stuff for rainy days and, let’s face it, there’ll be some won’t there….

In other news Ethics Trading is looking at 2 possible new stock ranges. One is really natural skin care and the other is a set of health benefiting products which could include something to help out in your home too.

I’ll keep you posted as developments, well, develop….

While we do manage to reuse packaging most of the time there is only so much that we receive here that can be reused. And your order has to be secure, safe and manageable by the post office, and it has to reach you safely and without getting soaked or damaged. Soap nuts in particular shouldn’t get wet, until you want them to.

It’s a bit of a balancing act.

Imagine my surprise when I went to order more mailing bags and found some that are made from 95% recycled materials and are 100% biodegradeable – for THE SAME PRICE as I usually pay….

So we’ll be trying those out as soon as they arrive and would welcome your feedback if your order arrives in one.  Do please let us know what you think. The idea is sound but will they meet our needs in regards to secure and safe packaging?

However you spell it, it’s that long scratchy thing you use in the bath. It’s not a sea sponge or a nasty plastic thing. It’s a sort of naked cucumber….. Here at Ethics Trading we like to try growing interesting things. We had a melon vine last year but it never fruited. It did flower but the fruit never set. We discovered that melons hate wind and cold. We’ve grown sundew and pitcher plants from seed in the past too, and I have a lovely orchid sitting on my desk.

This year we’re trying 3 interesting things – the loofah, (inspired by the Greens at My Zero Waste), butternut squash and mimosa. All were started off in paper pots as the mimosa in particular hates being disturbed.

Mimosa - The Sensitive Plant

The loofah all came up within 2-3m weeks, as predicted in their instructions. The butternut I thought we’d lost and I chucked the pot outside to make space for something else. The mimosa is notorious for failing to germinate and is very picky.

Loofah

Out of 6 loofah seeds sown we have 5 plants – 3 are staying here and 2 are going to a friend. From 3 butternuts sown we have 3 plants, unexpectedly and very delayed, but reasonable little plants. And from 15 mimosa seeds treated and sown we have 2 tiny little plants.

Butternut Squash plants

I just have to thank my lovely hens as well – they’ve been providing lovely fertiliser for all this growing, as well as eggs daily too. Love em to bits.

Rainbow, Rocky and Comet.

Look Great Naturally…Without Ditching the Lipstick
is another in the Imperfect series and looks at ways you can tick the glam but still natural box!
The new book is called Look Great Naturally…Without Ditching the Lipstick
(Hay House) and is released on 1^st June.   That the first 100 people to buy a copy  through Amazon will win a prize consisting of a bunch of natural goodies, also everyone who buys it that week wins exclusive downloads (including Podcasts and an exclusive track from Janeys new album !)

Me too.

So I thought I’d make the politics work…..

Look, Gordon Brown and Paul Holmes doing some good for a change...

I’ve cut the tabloid sized papers and made paper pots so the politics are helping me grow things this year.

Sweet corn, chard, sweet peas...

I figured it was about time the politicians did some good…

The Lib Dems have stiffer paper and that makes more stable pots but I wonder at its composition. It should compost well though. Labour have more flimsy paper, which makes floppy pots. The Conservatives haven’t sent me a paper to use, just a postcard sized leaflet.

Make of all that what you will, I will be watching germination rates over the next couple of weeks.

I will vote and I would urge all of you to go out and vote. I vote not use sends no message at all, a vote for someone silly, or a ruined ballot paper still has to be counted. Make the effort, go and make your mark.