Archive for 2018

ELYU Weaving Handwoven Inabel Towels

Diorell Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Diorell
0

Last week, I saw in ELYU Weaving's IG story that some 'hater' said that they were copying designs from another local seller.

It was a long response but here's the gist (It was a much longer response, read the thread here).
  1. Inabel weaving is a centuries-old traditional method in the Philippines so of course there's going to be similarities in designs. 
  2. Inabel weaving is also a dying tradition -- all the more we need to keep it alive by supporting the artisans, rather than sow animosity and unhealthy competition.
But you know, haters gonna hate... so *shrug*

Anyway, thanks to this 'hater' and to ELYU Weaving's passionate response, it led me to check out their profile and found something I wanted to give to my friends for Christmas!

I ended up purchasing the beach towels on SALE (a set of 4 towels for 950). My total bill ended up 3 sets x 4 + 300 shipping fee -- it comes out 263 php per towel -- which I think is a pretty good deal!



Also, I'm very thankful to ELYU Weaving for being able to squeeze everything in one JRS Express package so I don't have to pay more for shipping. (Thanks a lot Ms. Nogueras for the great customer service!)

The following day, it arrived! Super quick since it came all the way from San Fernando La Union! 



Check out the details up close. The weaving is very neatly done and the designs are consistent. As with any woven products, be careful with pulling and keep away from objects that could snag the fabric.


It can also be a scarf because it's super cozy and it falls just right. It can also be a throw blanket in the living room. I honestly think it's too pretty to be a towel, but if you're an avid instagrammer, this towel would go great with your #SwimsuitOfTheDay beach pictures.


I hope you check out the rest of ELYU Weaving! Aside from beach towels, they also make personalized towels and blankets. Here's a sample of the personalized blanket being made.



Also, with Christmas around the corner, I hope you consider a good chunk of your gifts locally. With the country's inflation and the price of peso going down, it's getting more difficult for people to buy basic necessities -- All the more we need to support the local businesses so our fellow Filipinos will have a happy Christmas!

ELYU Weaving
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoguerasWeaving/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyuweaving/

Squeaky Clean Kids: A Soap That Helps!

Diorell Thursday, March 22, 2018
Diorell
0

I got introduced to Squeaky Clean Kids when I met Dr. Winston, the founder, in one of the break-out sessions from the Spark Fest. He told me that Squeaky Clean Kids aims to educate and train children on proper hygiene. It's actually not as shallow as it initially sounds because really, millions of children die from diseases often prevented by just washing their hands before meals. Hygiene and preventing the spread of disease is just as important as providing meals and giving them access to education.

Here's an excerpt from an article by UN experts:
Good hand washing practices are said to be the single most effective way to avoid contracting diseases, such as acute respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea-related diseases like cholera and dysentery, he noted in a news release. These diseases cause 3.5 million deaths among children under five each year and they are preventable.

I asked "How can one contribute to Squeaky Clean Kids?" and here are the answers:
  1. By purchasing their organic goat milks soap with honey and oatmeal at 100 pesos (as of March 2018) each plus shipping. For every soap you purchase you also provide soap to kids in an under-served community.
  2. By volunteering in their upcoming activities. They're going to have one this April 2018. Follow them on Facebook to find out more.
  3. By donating in cash or kind like hygiene kits, books, and educational toys. They don't have a designated drop off area yet but they can arrange for pick-up.
I took option #1 and ordered some soaps for 100 php each, plus 180 php shipping. I thought it was a very good deal (I mean, if you order more than one to spread out the shipping costs). The whole ordering and shipping process was easy and quick! I ordered 10 pieces via Facebook and shared some with my family and friends.


So now that I've given you a background on Squeaky Clean Kids and their cause, I'll move on next to sharing more about their handmade soap. In doing so, I'm hoping it would help you decide if you want to buy them -- which if you did, will be a great help!

#1. First off, I want to share the benefits as I've experienced.

 It says on the label that it's anti-bacterial and moisturizing.

Well, it's a given that soaps are indeed anti-bacterial. I mean it better be. Isn't that the point of soap?

As for the moisturizing part, indeed, it doesn't dry out my skin as much as regular supermarket-brand soaps do. Ever since I was young, I usually itch for half an hour after showering due to dryness. I would have red spots and "pantal" which go away after an hour or so. When I use natural soap, I usually don't get itchy anymore. The moisturizing bit is a big plus because I have no patience for putting on body lotion.

One thing that's not mentioned in the label is the exfoliating benefits. When I run the soap around my skin, the exposed oatmeal bits exfoliates my skin. I think I can skip the body scrub!

#2. The value you get and the price in comparison to others

Let's be real, the regular soaps you can find in the supermarket are cheaper by half and they last longer. However, with these soaps, companies put in a lot of harsh chemicals (like triclosan and triclocarban) to make it last longer. Just so you know, your body will be paying for it in the long run as our skin (the largest organ) absorbs these harsh chemicals and later on turn up as cancer.

Read: 
Antibacterial Agent Triclosan linked with Breast Cancer by Ecowatch.com
FDA Bans 19 Chemicals Used in Antibacterial Soap by NPR.org

The Squeaky Clean Soaps are 100 php. It's made with Virgin Coconut Oil, Goat's Milk, Honey, Oatmeal, Vitamin E, and Olive Oil. No harsh chemicals.

Comparing it with other locally made organic soaps (as of March 2018) but not necessarily exactly the same, Squeaky Clean soaps come out reasonably priced somewhere in the lower-middle spectrum. Whether it's a better product, I can't say because I haven't tried all of them -- but I can say at the very least, that it's a damn good bar of soap.
If you do decide to go for the natural soap route, check out these tips to make your natural soap last longer. Read: "How to Make Your Natural Soap Last Longer" by It Takes Time


#3. Lastly, by buying a bar of soap, you're also giving a bar to the kids in the community. 

It's like you're buying two bars but giving away the other one who really needs it. However, I don't want you to think of this as a pity-purchase. Pity-purchases is not sustainable. Go back to reasons #1 and #2.

Up close after a week of use. See the oatmeal bits?

I hope I've convinced you to check out Squeaky Clean Kids organic soap. Not only will you be helping yourself, you'll also be helping other kids. Perhaps join up with your friends so you can save on shipping costs! Perhaps think of them too when you start your Christmas shopping. :)

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/squeakycleankid2017

Update June 4 2018:
Squeaky Clean Kids came out with a new packaging (super cute) and other variants!



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