Baby Donkey Happiness, Freaker USA Update

So I'm in desperate need of some zen time (I know, I know, I live in paradise. But hint: I'm looking forward to the day I'm live car-free again. Which may be soon), and went on the hunt for a faraway landscape that would soothe my nerves. However, nothing was working until I went to my Tumblr and revisited this picture:

Because awwww - baby donkey! Lying in the grass! Naps!

ANYWAY, heard back from the lovely Freaker USA team, and good news - you can get your buy on for realz now. Here's how they responded to my email:

" Freakers are made in a little family owned factory in Troy, North Carolina . We also purchase our yarns from a distributer in the NC. We try our damnest to source everything in the USA and try our best to make sure we are producing and selling social conscious products. "

AND THEN they left this awesome comment that I thought you all may enjoy:

I'm just waiting for the day that they show up in Hawaii with some grilled cheese for meee.

I myself can't get over The Lumbersmack, but there's also The Adrienne for you ladylike type:

Visit Freaker USA to see more.

Oh and Stanford Social Innovation Review has some great podcasts available for free right now, check 'em out!

SSIR Addiction, Microfinancing Style + Freaker USA

Freaker awesome in the form of the Lumbersmack, $8. Will explain later.

But first (and not at all relevant to the lumberjack magic above): I love Stanford Social Innovation Review. Like, a lot. Most recently, I read this article: "Microfinance Misses Its Mark." It was written in 2007, long before I even started using Kiva to help fund seamstresses and farmers in developing countries. However, I think it's still relevant, as many of the products I promote here are a mix of microfinancing, small projects with artisans, and larger concepts. Is there only one way? I don't think so. But it starts a good discussion.

The argument is that while microfinancers have the best of intentions, "Creating opportunities for steady employment at reasonable wages is the best way to take people out of poverty." Most people would rather have a steady job than have to struggle to run their own business. And state governments need to step up and give their population personal freedoms to allow/encourage market growth.

OK, so that's a slightly jumbled synopsis. But you can read the whole thing for yourself here and see what you think (and explore more recent SSIR articles while you're there, though most validly require a subscription).

As for the knit flannel magic above, it's crafted by some magic elves out in North Carolina who just want you to have a freakin' good time and keep "bottles cool and hands comfortable." The freaker supposedly fits every bottle possible, and I also love their water bottle:

Freaker water bottle, $15

They even have a freaker penguin holder (along with a wide variety of other patterns/images):

Waddledoo, $8

I really just want to hit up the club and in the middle of it all bust out my lumberjack freaker, and then the next day, use it to keep my water bottle cool on the beach. A girl can dream, OK?? Now, I heard about Freaker from a friend of a friend who said the company is trustworthy, but I'll do a double check and if not, I'll eat my socks. Or just let you all know. Whatever.

Now go get your SSIR and Freaker on.