droolicious : india

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Sama Children's Clothing

Chris Ford — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:31:00 GMT

I didn't write much about children's clothing from ABC but the organic clothes from Sama were too nice not to share. The clothes have a decidedly Indian feel to them, though they're not overly Indian. In fact, the company's motto is "Inspired by India, Made in India for the Benefit of India."

I was a big fan of the "Rock Star Dress" (available in February of 2009) and the Double Layer Strap Dress (pictured). Everything is certified organic and they have sizes from infants up to six years old.

Check out the line at SamaBaby.com.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Dabba Walla Lunch Bags And Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:58:00 GMT

In India, the "dabbawalla" (Wikipedia entry) is the guy who collects the hot lunches of office workers from their home, brings them to the office, and then returns the empty boxes back. In America, Dabba Walla is a company that makes really cool neoprene lunch bags and backpacks.

What I liked best about Dabba Walla are the designs. Big and colorful, they're a lot cooler than the typical mass produced cartoon character stuff you'll get at a normal department store. And they had a stop light design, which I totally loved.

Dabba Walla bags, $38 for the luch bag and $48 for the backpack. Available at the end of October 2008. Check them out at DabbaWallaBags.com.

Bholu: Fair Trade Crib Sheets Inspired, Designed by Kids in Need

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:03:00 GMT

While $98 may seem a bit steep for a set of crib sheets, Bholu's 100% cotton sets (pictured in Natural Cream) are no ordinary mattress coverings: Hand-embroidered by traditional (and compensated) northern-Indian female artisans, each set also features designs inspired by the artwork of underpriveleged children from Eastern slum neighborhoods.

A fair-trade company, Bholu gives a portion of its proceeds to those same artisans and their communities, and in addition to hosting creative and learning workshops for the children who've inspired its designs, the company also works to fund and build schools in those children's communities.

Check out the BholuLand blog for more information on the company and its good-neighbor policies, as well as links to Bholu's complete lines for kids and grownups alike.