Bolgatanga Baskets
Last week the EU announced the potential banning of plastic bags as it outlined proposals to reduce the number of plastic bags used in Europe each year, after a public consultation revealed that more than four billion were thrown away each year. After massive campaign a few years ago lately I have noticed fewer people using the jute and other alternative shopping bags whilst doing their shopping, myself included and so was not surprised to find out that after four years of decline the use of carrier bags in the UK actually rose by 5% in 2010. From clogging up waterways to causing untold environmental damage plastics bags have been on the global agenda for a while, and according to a report on the BBC website Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Bangladesh and China have already banned very thin plastic bags; Tanzania has banned ultra thin plastic bags; whilst Rwanda and Somalia have banned plastic bags altogether. Shopping still needs to be carried away though, and calls for something sturdy and durable, a factor which for a while saw woven baskets, and branded jute and cotton bags become very popular in the UK. I just love the rounded shape of the handcrafted Bolgatanga woven baskets from Ghana; they have a multitude of uses aside from shopping including doubling up as fruit baskets if you have a smaller size, carrying some of the washing if you have larger ones, storing toys, or taking to the beach.  

Lightweight and usually available in a vibrant array of colours, the baskets take their name from the Bolgatanga region in Ghana and were originally created without handles, used as storage containers, before being adapted to carry items to and from the market. Bolgatanga is said to be the crafts centre of Northern Ghana with the largest producers of straw goods in the country. Bolgatanga baskets are made using elephant grass, a straw also known as 'Veta Vera' as well as palm and reed and can take up to three days to prepare. The Bolgatanga Basket Weavers Co-operative Club established in 1995, is one of the main producers in Ghana with nearly 1000 weavers most of whom are women. The baskets have become quite popular across the globe as practical yet stylish alternatives to plastic bags, so if not visiting Ghana in person you can always find several places to purchase them both on and offline.

Mimi Plange
Spring has sprung; record-breaking temperatures and the clocks going forward over the weekend, got me thinking its high time I dusted of my strappy sandals, as well as dreaming of adding a few more to the collection. Being able to create that perfect pair of shoes to accessories that perfect outfit is I suspect a dream for many a budding fashion designer; and is one that was realised by fashion designer Mimi Plange, who partnered with legendary footwear designer Manolo Blahnik to create two pairs of custom-designed shoes to accessories her Spring/Summer 2012 collection.   

Inspired by the Himba and Herero women of Namibia; their distinctive traditional adornment combined with the colourful and flowing Victorian style dresses; and an English floral print (circa 1757), the collection entitled 'A Flower in a Desert' features a leather tasselled sandal which pays homage to the Himba women, and an open-toed intricately beaded and embroidered floral bootie which pays homage to the Herero women's modern take on Victoriana. Both styles echo the pastel colours of the main collection which accentuates bold floral prints across beautifully tailored dresses, blouses and cropped trousers. The collaboration has continued onto Mimi Plange's Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, entitled Labyrinth which was inspired by Nordic Forests and is laden with luxury textures. The collection features two round- toed stiletto shoe styles with ankle strap detailing.

Born in Ghana and raised in Southern California, designer Mimi Plange later moved to New York City to pursue her fashion dreams. Starting out as Boudoir D'huitres in 2008 creating American sportswear with Victorian and African historical fashion influences, the brand has since evolved into an eponymous luxury womenswear label, dedicated to exceptional quality, craftsmanship and exclusivity. Mimi Plange is about the experience, taking her customers on a journey into her inspirations and imagination, through designs that are modern and sophisticated, using strong lines and symmetry to illustrate the shapes of the body. 

Bamboula
Today I became evermore aware of restaurants bringing their tables outside, heavy winter coats shed in favour of shirtsleeves and being dazzled by a gorgeous creature who wafted by in a cloud of peach tulle and ballet slippers; all signalling the arrival of spring and the promise of a week of rising temperatures. The image of this carved wood and rattan folding chair has been sitting in my desktop for the best part of a year, reminding me of this exactly type of weather, that makes you want to drag your chair outside, put your feet up and laze the afternoon away. Convenient and handy when you need them, folding chairs are usually brought out when company comes round, and always remind me of gatherings; braais in the backyard, a day by the beach, parties, and festivals. A tad bit stylish than the average foldaway chair this folding chair from Bamboula, a US-based business, was handmade by Ghanaian artisans and features decorative carved detailing along the sides.

Bamboula ‘means to dance, to celebrate’, and the company Bamboula celebrates traditional African design and craftsmanship working with artisans in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Mali and Tanzania to create a range of products for the global market. Products include furniture, home décor and lifestyle accessories.

...basking in the warmth in style