humanity | VivaLaVintage

Today was a day spent at Costco with hubby.. while perusing the many isles of shoppers delights I came across this stand with these beautiful baskets.. OMG! I had not seen them before. So, naturally I begin looking at them.. I’m studying the many design patterns salivating over their beauty and wondering which one of these babies is coming home with me. Then I happen to pay attention to the little card/tag on it and saw they were hand-crafted by women in Africa. The cause.. ALL ACROSS AFRICA – helping to serve the poor and impoverished.

All Across Africa is dedicated to improving the lives of the poor and marginalized with economic opportunity through job creation and educational programs. They work with more than 3000 weavers on a regular basis. Each basket made and sold means food and medicine, education, community, and security for their weavers— and each basket means new life. Read more about this vital organization here. By now the Hubs is rolling his eyes, waiting patiently for me to make my choice…Here I am trying to read all the cards and decide which one .. I just said “go ahead” I’ll catch up.. and his reply “nah, nah – you’ll be here forever”.. Oh boy – darnnit.. now you tell me.. how can I choose one so quickly when they’re all so beautiful.. take a look at some of these..

Do you see what I see… decisions, decisions… I mean look at those patterns and colors…

Oh my, my, my.. I just can’t make up my mind… by now I’m hearing “WILL YOU COME On!!!!” and then I say Uggghhhh… “Will you wait!!” . You know how we women are.. we have to think first .. ok…..where is it going to go, what room, the colors in that room and the size & shape.. what are you going to do with it.. .

Is your head spinning like mine with excitement???? chuckles…

In addition to these beauties.. they also had jewelry – get this – made out of recycled magazine paper..

They also had handbags too!!

This was too much… ok, now I’m realizing… I need to hurry up and make a decision..

This is the one that landed in my cart and came home

With this note from Jeanne:

I haven’t decided where or what I’m going to do with it.. but in the mean time, it’ll hang here reminding me that instead of shopping just “because” …… I shopped with a “CAUSE”

So instead of me getting my 4 bags of brownie brittle and a few other goodies I normally get, I exchanged them for something more viable.. and knowing my purchase could help the Rwandans gives me a rewarding feeling. If you’re not a Costco member, you can still make a purchase through their website.

Here are some of the pictures decorating using baskets from their website: