Passport to Africa - No Visa or Plane Ticket Required!!

Do you want to travel to Africa this summer, but can’t afford the plane ticket? Well, here’s your passport……….. No visa required.

Join MiMi, Boutique Mix and other fabulous African Designers and Vendors for the May 20th Fashion Trunk Show portion of the Passport to Africa Event in Washington DC.

Passport to Africa is an annual week-long celebration of African culture and people. It is designed to highlight Africa’s many cultures through creative and unique events. Passport to Africa is produced by IDOA Entertainment (I Dream Of Africa Entertainment). Click here to learn more about this fab Africana event!!!

Eco-Fabulousity!! Green Accessories for Every Fashionista!!

Want to go green, but not ready to wear bio-degradable clothing yet? Well, you can still be stylish and green with these stunning bamboo and jute purses from Boutique Mix. Add one or more of these stunners to your wardrobe and make eveyone green with envy!!!!

here to buy this stunning purse.

Red Bamboo Elegance. This large elegant “eye-catcher” is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click

here to buy your Red Riding Hood.

Red Riding Hood. This medium sized beauty is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click

here to buy your green tote.

Green Bamboo Tote. This elegant tote is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click

here to buy yours now.

Green Bamboo Elegance. This gorgeous hand candy is hand made from eco-friendly bamboo, jute and seagrass. It has an inside drawstring closure, cell phone pocket and an additional zippered pocket. Comes with a dust cover. Click

 

Rebuilding Sierra Leone, Educating Children & Enriching Lives Through Kiva

As a proud African Woman, I am honored to write this tribute to Women all over the World. Enjoy the poems too, and remember that these poems and this tribute apply to ALL women, not just African women. As you know, 5% of all Boutique Mix sales goes toward charity. Please join MiMi and Boutique Mix in the 2008 Pledge Campaign to rebuild Sierra Leone and impoverished Africa, one innocent child at a time. Please click here to learn more about the 2008 Pledge Campaign. I am also happy to announce that MiMi and Boutique Mix are proud sponsors of entrepreneurs via the Kiva loan Program. Click here to learn how you can register to sponsor entrepreneurs via Kiva.

Who is the African Woman? The African woman is the salt of Africa. As we move forward together in economic reform and development, we must recognize that African Women will play vital roles in rebuilding and reshaping whats left of the ashes. From entrepreneurial endeavors to leadership roles in government, African Women are at the frontline of post-conflict revitalization.

During the 2003 International Women’s Day Celebration in New York, Kofi Anan noted that the important role of women in the family - “study after study has shown that there is no effective strategy in which women do not play a central role. When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately; families are healthier and better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is also true of communities and, in the long run, of whole countries….”

Nothing heals the wounds of wars. Nothing but HOPE (and I’m sure a lot of other things you can think of). It is imperative that we equip these women with skills to rebuild our lives. Kiva is one of many organizations that aims to improve the lives of women around the world.

I’m not speaking of the sophisticated sassy African diva who has traveled the continent, written three books, speaks four languages and lives in a beautiful home on the French Rivera. (I applaud her tenacity and hard work and hope to be her when I grow up…). I’m speaking of the rural African woman who works on the farm or sits at the market from dusk till dawn struggling to feed her family. Despite the brutalities of a difficult post-war socio-economic and political world she’s up at the cackle of the rooster to work for her family. With one remaining limb (the other was hacked off during the war) and no one-figure jobs (let alone six-figures), she goes on and succeeds!!! What keeps the African Woman going is HOPE. Hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Hope that her children will be happy, healthy and fed.

No food. No clothing. No homes. This is not the African Dream. Wars keep the women from planting and harvesting. Wars destroy homes, hospitals, banks and schools. It’s a vicious cycle of replanting, rebuilding, reshaping, reconstructing………. and then more wars………. then more rebuilding and all the others “re’s.” As we travel around the world, we learn more about others and so much more about ourselves. We learn especially that we are one in the world, no different from each other. Just diverse in our backgrounds and unequal in economic and social hierarchies. We all have the same dreams of a better life for us, for our children, for our families. For those of us African Children who live in the west, some of us have lost touch with the realities that afflict us.

We are not different because we live in the West. We try to, but are not independent of the women and children that live on the Continent. We are just extensions of where we came from. Subsets of our own roots.

Reducing Poverty is not limited to the ONE Campaign or Oprah. It is up to all of us!!! Please join me for the 2008 Pledge campaign. Let me tell you a little about the African Woman.

Who is the African Woman? by MiMi

The African Woman is a survivor
She is an educator and a scholar
A diplomat and ambassador
A protective mother
A loyal daughter
A fierce and courageous leader

The African Woman is a heroine
She is a loving wife and partner
An ambitious visionary
A successful entrepreneur
A warm and caring friend
A champion for freedom and equality

The African Woman is a role model
She is a nurturer and a healer
A rebel against mass genocide and oppression
A human rights activist
A passionate child advocate
A lobbyist for reconciliation and reconstruction

The African Woman is remarkable
She is a force to be reckoned with
An honest and diligent politician
A calm in the midst of the storm
A peace seeker
A catalyst for change and progress

The Traits of an African Woman by MiMi

If strength is beauty she’d be drop dead gorgeous
If faith is wealth she’d be filthy rich
If perseverance is water she’d be an ocean
If patience is rain she’d be a storm
If humility is a flood she’d be a tsunami
If love is an animal she’d be a zoo
If dedication is food she’d never be hungry
If courage is a book she’d be a library
If determination is a country she’d be a continent
If resilience is a tree she’d be a forest
If loyalty is a disease she’d be an epidemic
If passion is a flower she’d be a rose garden

I am excited to announce that MiMi and Boutique Mix are proud sponsors of entrepreneurs via the Kiva loan Program. Click here to learn how you can register to sponsor entrepreneurs via Kiva. African women play an important role in rebuilding nations destroyed by war. For this to happen they need our prayers and financial support. Visit Micro loan Opportunities and Micro Credit Programs to learn more about similar opportunities.

We hope to encourage African women to know their strengths, to believe in themselves and to be financially secure as they struggle to rebuild a broken society.

The Beauty of An African Woman

The beauty of an African woman

is not in the span of her hips

nor in the size of her waist

It is not in the width of her lips

nor the length of her legs

It is not in the breadth of her nose

nor in the cuteness of her toes

It is not in the texture of her hair

nor in the length of her neck

It is not in the color of her eyes

nor in the number on the scale

The beauty of an African woman

lies in her strength

In the way she carries herself

In her love for family

In her struggle for equality

In her quest for justice

In the way she loves her man

In the way she cradles her child

In the way she prays to her Lord

The African Woman is a beacon of strength

If strength was beauty, the African Woman would be drop dead gorgeous.

by Mimi (dedicated to my mother for raising three wonderful children and giving the gift of a good education to all her students).

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Congratulations to the Winner of the Boutique Mix Grand Opening Sweepstakes

Congratulations to Mar, winner of the Boutique Mix Grand Opening Sweepstakes. I hope you enjoy your stunning hand-painted bangle. Please send your mailing address to boutique-mix@hotmail.com. Stay tuned for the next contest coming up SOON!!!!

Prize - 1 hand-painted bangle (ARV $20)

Boutique Mix Mother’s Day Sale

Shop for you!

Shop for Mom!

Shop for anyone on your list!

10% off all items in the Store plus Free Ground Shipping!!

Sale ends May 14, 2008!!!

Shop the Boutique Mix Mother’s Day Sale Right Here.

Host a Boutique Mix Shopping Party

Are you in the DC Metro Area and love to shop but don’t want to go the mall or log onto your computer? Been working 7 days a week and don’t have time to go shopping? Host a wine and cheese shopping party with Boutique Mix.

You may host the party at your place or at the Boutique. All you have to do is invite as many people as you can to ensure a great turnout.

A great mix of friends equals a fabulous time for fashionistas shopping in a comfortable and relaxed setting!!!. Gather around with your circle of fabulous fashionistas for an afternoon of dresses, purses, jeans, jewelry, belts, candles and other sassy fashion accessories. Shop your hearts out!!!

Email MiMi at boutique-mix@hotmail.com for more details and learn about the hostess incentives.

Arrange a time, sit back, relax, and enjoy a cozy and personalized shopping event.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP Boutique Mix!!

“Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live.” - Gianni Versace

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
- Coco Chanel

“Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!”
- Donna Karan

“A Girl Should Be Two Things: Classy and Fabulous.” -Coco Chanel

The Future of Africa is in the faces of its Children - Boutique Mix Fundraising

The future of Africa is in the faces of all the children on the continent. The innocent children in Sierra Leone do not deserve their current situation. Sierra Leonean children are yearning for a safer community. They yearn mostly for basic necessities such as a home, food, education, clean water, clothes and peace of mind. Sierra Leonean parents yearn for growth, stability and economic prosperity, for a country where they can grow old, for the Sierra Leone that Milton and Albert Margai envisioned, the Sierra Leone the freed slaves imagined when they returned to Freetown.

Radical rebels have destabilized an entire economy and dehumanized an entire generation. The stupidity and lack of character or integrity exhibited by the people that have systematically destroyed Sierra Leone is unbelievable. The issue facing us now is where do we go from here? How do we begin to heal? How do we begin to forgive? How do we move on and rebuild the land that we love?

We start by taking responsibility for our actions. We cannot blame this one on the illicit diamond trade or on any individual. We did this to ourselves. We woke up one day and decided this is what Sierra Leone needed - Murder and Destruction. Tribesmen against tribesmen. Neighbor against neighbor. Countryman against countryman. Brother against brother. Cousin against cousin. We decided to literally cut the hand that feeds us by hacking off limbs; perfectly good limbs. We cut our nose to spite our face. For what? For greed? For politics? For change? Well, what happened to showing dissatisfaction for government by rallying in front of the state house or house of parliament? What happened to peaceful demonstrations? Why is it that we are so quick to use machetes on our neighbors’ limbs instead of on our farms?

What was the thought process? Was there one? Did we think “ok if we hack off limbs, burn down the buildings, kill innocent people and rape and torture women and children, we will be heroes? Did the perpetrators even think before acting? Why did we think it was ok to give guns and drugs to 7 year old children and ask them to fight? Why?

These former child soldiers are growing up in a society that does not have the resources to adequately address the psychological impact of these actions on our children. Children who have been forced to grow up, to endure the worst form of human degradation and abuse. Children who have never been joyful. Children who don’t even know how beautiful Sierra Leone can be. The Sierra Leone we grew up in. Our worst problems were lack of adequate transportation and currency inflation.

Now we have bigger problems. Problems that we must take responsibility for. Problems the international community alone cannot fix. Let us make a pact. Let us strive toward upholding basic human dignity. What worries most of us is that amid this flurry of rebuilding, we still have too many people who are angry. Too many people who don’t believe we can rebuild in peace. With war comes destruction and a high degree of idleness and unemployment. This creates a hearty breeding ground for bored individuals, who are lurking around in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to make even bigger asses of themselves. Waiting to destroy what their counterparts are working so hard to rebuild. Waiting to rape. Waiting to destroy. Waiting to kill.

We must hope. Hope for a better Sierra Leone. Hope for a better life for the innocent children. With the commitment of Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad we can move mountains and make Sierra Leone stronger than it was pre-civil war. Hope trumps despair. The beauty of our children is that their innocence keeps them strong. The hope and joy in their hearts keeps alive the love and freedom that burns in the hearts of all Sierra Leoneans.

For those of us who live outside of Sierra Leone, we have a responsibility to help rebuild our nation. It is easy for us to look the other way because we live abroad and do not face the daily struggle of the refugees and survivors. Let us invest in our home. Let us not forget where we came from. Let us tap into that strength instilled into us by our parents and teachers and work together. Most of us have no incentives to go back to Sierra Leone either because we’ve made new lives for ourselves abroad or because we have given up on Sierra Leone. Don’t give up on the innocent children!!!

Matt. 19 v. 14 - Suffer the children to come unto me for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

Innocence

Innocence is as sweet and as pure
as the full blossom of a first love
It is as beautiful and as precious
as the sunrise and the sunset

Innocence is as simple and as clean
as a joyful and a hearty soul
It is as peaceful and as tender
as a gentle breeze in spring

Innocence has a beautiful and receptive soul
that knows how to accept and how to love
It is as wonderful as a forgiving heart
that cannot hurt or destroy

by Mimi (dedicated to the Future of Africa - our wonderful children, full of love, hope and innocence).

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Rebuilding Sierra Leone one Child at a Time - Boutique Mix Fundraising

Take the 2008 Pledge - Updated.  To learn more, go to Sa Lone Pikin.

Pledgees so far—–

Cecilia J. - Box of pens and pencils
Da Man Himself A.K.A. Ibrahim Dabo - $12
Ishmael Dabo - $12
Renee Baker from Renee Baker Designs - $30
Stan - $2
Anonymous (30 individuals) - $110, 8 packs of pens.
Christophe Guibert de Bruet, Esq. - $12
Joyce Koo, Esq. - $12
Mary Brown, Esq. - $100
Randolph Shingler, Northwestern Mutual Financial Advisor - $100
Miatta Dabo, Esq. - $250
Boutique Mix - $2000
Angela Holland, Esq. - $12
Delia Patterson, Esq. - $12
Bryon Wasserman, Esq. - $12
Sarah Gans - $12
Sherika Jones - $12
Basil Henderson - $12
Teresa Bernhardt- $12
Chandran Iyler, Esq. - $12
Tilshop Girl - $30
Pastor Bai Sesay $20
Daniel of Daniel’s Counter
Mountain Girl from Mountaingirl’s Musings
Abbey from Random Thoughtsof Life - School Supplies, Clothing, Cards
Jack Figura
SDSue from sdsiouxlakotaconnections.blogspot.com
Sierra Express Media Newspaper

It is wonderful that one of the main priorities of our new government is to tackle the pervasive corruption that has damaged Sa Lone. I applaud this priority and know that it will increase accountability of civil servants to the people. We must not, however, forget to implement changes in agencies responsible for instituting reform for the children. We can fight corruption all we want, but if we don’t take care of the children, repair the extensive damage done to them, and provide a safe environment for them to heal, we will merely be “chasing our tails.” The children are the leaders of the future. We must ensure that when the time comes they are able to be leaders that can carry our great nation into the future. We need to promote education and health reform for our children. These are not privileges - they are rights. Voting is a privilege. Education, food, health, safety and shelter are Rights!!!!!!

We don’t want the needs of the children to be lost in the “big” agenda. Let’s face it, if we fix today and leave tomorrow still broken, then there really is no future. The present government will not be around in 30 years - those kids, the ones who need our help right now, will be running Sa Lone in 30 years. Let us start now before its too late. We don’t want history repeating itself. Let’s take a look at where the children have been over the last decade and in the following weeks, decide on how to move forward. [Click here for stories that will inspire you to pledge].

2008 Pledge

Please note that there is no criticism of the government here. This is a task for all Sa Lone folk. We can all do our little part to facilitate progress for the children. For those of us outside of the diaspora, sponsor a child, adopt a school and do a book drive, send pens or pencils, buy ten pairs of shoes and send for ten lucky boys or girls at a school of your choice (you can even go to payless for this). Ask each and every one of your friends and/or colleagues to donate one dollar (US) or one pound (UK) or one euro (Europe) a month for twelve months and on December 31st, 2008, buy school supplies and/or clothing, and non-perishable goods and donate them to one or more lucky schools.

Ask for 50 cents a month if a dollar is too much. Ask your friends to donate all their old clothes or shoes so that you can send it to a trusted individual or organization that can distribute it to those who truly need it. Pledge to make 2008 a year of change for rebuilding Sa Lone - one innocent child at at time. Just sending pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons or whatever you can afford for one child makes a difference!!! My friends and I are putting together a 2009-2010 Calendar. We hope you support us and buy them next year. We will use the money to buy school supplies/uniforms for children at a deserving school(s). I will have more details later!!!!

If you want to take the pledge, please let me know in the comments section below and update us on your monthly progress. We will support and encourage you all the way!!!! At the end of this month, I’ll do a post on the logistics of this pledge. Please remember, we are not sending cash home. We are buying school supplies, uniforms/clothes, basic necessities and non-perishable food items with the money we collect. Common, join us for a good cause. Today I rounded up 7 individual colleagues of mine who have each agreed to donate a dollar a month in 2008. This brings my individual pledge total to 32 individuals. You can do it!! Support the children. They need us now, more than ever. Education is vital to sustain continued economic and social reform anywhere in the world.

As a proud graduate of an HBCU, I can proudly tell you that “A Mind is a Terrible thing to Waste.”

When our children are not in school, the rebels will find something for them to do. You have seen pictures of our kids carrying guys. Our kids being trained to become child soldiers. Our kids being taught how to steal, rape and kill. A picture speaks a thousand words.

We don’t want that. We don’t need that. They don’t deserve that!!! Give them hope!! Give them dreams!! Give them inspiration!!! Give them ambition!!! Empower them to become leaders of tomorrow.

Let us do what we can to prevent rebels from hacking off the limbs of innocent babies!!! Be the voice of these innocent children. Help educate them. Help feed them. Help Clothe them. Just Help Please!!! Please take Pledge Poll [located on the left side of this blog].

HOW THE PLEDGE PROCESS WORKS - The Campaign started on 1/1/2008 and will end on 11/30/08.

1. Please leave a comment in the comments section of this post indicating that you will participate in the Pledge Campaign. Please take the Pledge Participation Poll located to the left of this blog.

2. When you successfully recruit new pledge members, please send an update via email to me or the comments section so that we can all celebrate your success. You may keep all the pledge $$ or send them to me if you prefer. If you do send me your pledge money or any supplies, please leave a comment stating you have done so. That way I am accountable to you and other participants. Indicate what supplies you sent to me or the amount of cash/checks you sent to me. We are operating under the honor system and I trust that we will all do the right thing.

3. It is up to you to inform of us of your monthly pledge amounts (any amount per month works. If people just want donate a lump sum, that’s fine too).

4. It is ok if some people just want to donate school supplies, clothes, book bags or shoes. You may keep all the supplies until the end of the campaign or send them to me if you prefer.

5. We are operating under the honor system. I expect that you will collect and honestly account for all the donations/contributions you collect. If you find that this honor system does not work for you, please, please either buy school supplies immediately so that you don’t have idle cash lying around or contact me to send me the money/items.

6. Please check in via the comments section or email me periodically so that we can all keep track of our progress.

7. Throughout the year, I will inform you of which schools or organizations will benefit from this campaign.

8. At the end of the year, all the supplies and other materials will be shipped to Sa Lone. All of you will have a say in where your money goes. We will make those decisions around August 2008.

9. The shipping and delivery costs will be sponsored by Boutique MIX.

10. I am always eager to hear your comments via this blog or at my email address at SaLonePikin123@hotmail.com.

11. My biggest thanks and gratitude go to Sierra Express Media in Sierra Leone for posting this Sa Lone Pikin blog on their website in an effort to raise awareness about the campaign. Thanks to “borborh” for supporting this message!!!

12. In mid 2008, Boutique Mix will sponsor a 24 month calendar for 2009-2010 as part of the fund-raising campaign. I will update the blog periodically with progress (including pictures) of the photo shoot and other events. I will let you know when the calendar becomes available for sale. The calendar is part of the 2009 campaign to raise money to create a scholarship fund for one deserving student at the University of Sierra Leone, and to help revamp the University Library.

13. My deepest gratitude to everyone for participating and/or spreading the word.

14. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

15. Please make a note of the names of all contributors so that we may list their names on the blog at the end of this campaign. We have a full year to go. We hope to keep the passion and momentum going throughout the year. Thanks for all your help and support!! You Rock!!!

children 1 children 2 children 3 children 4 children 5 children 6 children 7 children 8 children 9

Thank you!!

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10% off all Bahay Bags at Boutique Mix.

Shop the Bahay Bags Sale at Boutique Mix right HERE!!

Shop Gypsy 05 Sale at Boutique Mix (http://www.boutiquemix.com)

10% off Gyspy 05 and EVERYTHING AT Boutique Mix. .

Shop Gypsy 05 and other eco-friendly clothes and accessories at Boutique Mix.

CLICK HERE NOW TO SHOP!!!!. Shop Boutique Mix for Eco-Friendly Style!!

Gypsy 05 Organic Maxi Long Dress (from the Gypsy 05 “Green Line”) - Nothing makes you feel more like a goddess than an eco-friendly, sexy, jersey organic maxi dress. This stunner passes both the casual and elegant evening look Feel like a star in this jersey organic maxi dress. This floor-length, unlined dress features a deep V-shaped neckline with twisted straps Made from organic fabrics, natural dyes, and produced in a solar-powered factory. Elastic band around the bustline of the dress. Also available in White. Click here to buy your eco-friendly maxi dress!!

Join Hayden and Kristin in saving the enviroment. This fabulous Gypsy 05 French Rose Organic Hoodie (Red) is made from bamboo-derived fabric, low impact dyes and a 90% organic printing process. Great addition to any eco-chic wardrobe. Click here to buy your hoodie!!

Going Green has never looked so fab!! Rock this “Good planets are hard to find” t-shirt with your favorite jeans or slacks. This tee is made using organic fabrics, natural dyes, and a 90% organic printing process. Look good while saving the environment!!! Also available in Dust. Click here to buy this tee for your guy!!

Look of the Day - Little Black Dress

Not your mother’s little black dress. This Black Halo Jackie O dress is so sizzling hot, its no wonder celebs have turned it into the hottest little black dress. Chaneling Jackie O, this stunning, curve-hugging and elegant one shoulder dress is a diva wardrobe must-have and the perfect little black dress!!!! Whether you’re headed for a night out on the town with your girlfriends, a fabulous date, or a corporate dinner, its pretty perfect!!!

here to purchase this dress. As you can see Paris, Daisy and Brooke are all rocking this stunner!!! Who do you think wore it best?

Click

 

Pair with this stunning night owl

This is the perfect accessory for any night out!!!! Click here to purchase your night owl

OR

Pair with this fabulous evening companion.

Can be worn three ways - as a clutch, with handle, or with straps. Versatile Petite Sophistication. Click here to purchase your evening companion.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP Boutique Mix!!