Tree Of Life

Feliz Navidad!

2011-12-20T16:17:00.003+11:00

It's Christmas all over the world, and one place I've always desperately wanted to kick back and welcome Santa (and the New Year) is on a remote beach in Mexico. Cold margaritas, spicy burritos and loud crazy local music on a remote pristine beach? Yes please!

Christmas is a really big deal down in Mexico, which makes sense as it's a heavily Catholic local community. It all begins with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of candelight processions and parties starting on December 16 and lasting until February 2. Children join together and re-enact the birth of Jesus - often including a real live donkey in their procession to a designated village house to request shelter for the night. And it's then that the party really begins with plenty of multi-coloured paper costumes and wild decorations for this kickstart to the festive season.

In most Mexican homes, the nativity scene takes pride of place with coloured figurines of angels, an ox, an ass, shepherds, flocks of lambs and of course, Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus. This scenes can sometimes take up an entire room, with the uniquely Mexican addition of a sneaky serpent or Lucifer also hiding menacingly behind the happy scene...

Noche Buena! Happy Christmas Eve! It's a late night mass and then a late night feast at home with plenty of alcoholic fruit punch and apple cider, poinsettias all over the table and gifts for everyone. There is a cacophany of fireworks, ringing bells and blowing whistles up and down the streets. Christmas Day is a day of rest, plates piled high with leftovers and lazing around after the celebrations the night before.

The festival of The Los Santos Inocentes on December 28, Day of the Holy Innocents, is the Mexican version of April Fool's Day and is closely followed by Dia de los Reyes, Three Kings Day is on January 6 where even more presents are found on the doorstep.

So next year, maybe, my Mexican Christmas dream will come true. Hola!

Rain On Our Parade.

2011-11-24T14:39:00.001+11:00

Today is shoot day. The day we are scheduled to shoot the Tree Of Life new lookbook and campaign... a hot, steamy, super-summery campaign shot on location at a Sydney beach.

Today is also the wettest day I can remember in years... so, seeing we're not really going for the tropical hurricane look (well, not for this shoot) we've bumped the shoot to next week and rearranged the lot. That means Nat, our shoot producer has rearranged the models, props, vans, stylist, photographer and assistants.

And now all we need is a burst of sun on Monday. We are all conjuring the power of positive visualisation - join in if you like! Here's to a sunny Monday, and another fabulous Tree Of Life shoot! x

There Goes The Moon...

2011-11-24T13:43:00.001+11:00

Get ready, people. A total lunar eclipse approaches!

December 10, 2011 is the eclipse of the moon, where the moon passes behind the earth so the earth will block the rays of the sun, making it nearly impossible to see the moon. The moon will darken and turn red, like an intergalactic sunset, and disappear completely. This can only happen when the sun, moon and earth are in perfect alignment.

Through history, this amazing natural phenomenon was seen as a bad omen, and myths and superstitions abound, and while I don't believe the crops will fail or children will be born with hare-lips, I do believe the lunar eclipse throws chaos around, making us all a little more irrational and emotional than usual... and can mess with everything on the homefront.

The lunar eclipse is a time of beginnings, endings, exposure and major changes. Relationships are pushed under the microscope. Emotions run high, restlessness is contagious, pressure mounts and energy swirls... so get ready! The countdown is on! Sixteen days to go. HAPPY ECLIPSE EVERYONE!

The Mango Tree Project

2011-10-25T09:29:00.000+11:00

Return To Dhablepuri.

August 2011.

The Tree Of Life Mango Tree Project in Dhablepuri is one that is close to our hearts. The project is all about creating sustainability for a remote and rugged village with the planting of mango crop for the village and lots of support for the local school for the village children. Our last trip to check the progress of the plantation was during drought and we were met with an intense landscape and the reality of rural India without rain. This trip was different- what a difference some rain makes!

Although the monsoon this year is not good....

... it has managed to completely transform Dhablepuri into a green and lush village.

The change is amazing. There is even a carpet of wild flowers by the road where there was nothing but dust.

The new baby custard apple trees have been planted.

And the mango trees, to our delight, one year later, are growing.

We still have to plan carefully to nurse them through the dry months ahead, but for now all is well.

There is further action in Dhablepuri. The government has agreed to build some new classrooms for the children...

... and while the classroom is still clearly a work in progress - it is fantastic progress.

We asked Pritam, one of the teachers at the school what extra help we could give her and the school and she requested trees and flowers for the schoolyard - and we knew we could provide that. What an amazing feeling.

She also asked for more of the colourful educational boards we brought with us last time for the younger children.

The Tree Of Life Calendar (available in store) is a project that helps raise funds for the school and Mango Tree Project. The calendar features portraits of some of the children in the school to help highlight their situation. This year, we took extra copies with us and Dr Bande shared them with the children, who were clearly enthralled to see their friends in print!

The change in the children from just two or three months earlier in the middle of the drought was incredible. Happier and more engaged, it makes us so happy to be involved in this project.

The rain, the return of their school routine and the free nutritional lunches make a big difference in their lives.

And the oranges, bananas and sweets we brought for them could have been the highlight of the day.

This visit was a real success... this is Wendy, co-founder of Tree Of Life, leaving the school at the end of the visit. She, like all of us, is deeply happy with the success of the project and excited for what can happen here with some love, help and planning. Please get involved if you can. x

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This

2011-10-05T11:33:00.004+11:00

Everybody needs a dreamcatcher. Originally dreamcatchers were a Native Indian traditional object with the power to filter out bad dreams, only allowing sweet dreams to become caught in the woven web and slip down the feathers into infant's dreams.

But dreamcatchers hold such a beautiful and positive story that they've been adopted by cultures all over the world. They are like charming fairy tale guardians held above the bed... and not just for babies anymore. Of course we would love the use of thread, feathers, beads and colour to create such a lucky charm, but we are especially into layering the dreamcatchers (like in the window above) to create beautiful shadows and shapes in afternoon light.

We've always got a few around, but right now in store we have some incredibly vibrant deep green and aquamarine dreamcatchers that we are all coveting.... come and see and start your new collection. x

Featured Artist: Keppie Coutts

2011-09-22T16:07:00.000+10:00

Like the music on our website? We do too. It’sby Keppie Coutts, an amazing Australian singer-songwriter now based in LA where her sweet and soulful music still has us entranced. Her attitude to life and her adventurous spirit has us totally inspired. Here, Keppie emails us from her new homebase in LA….

Tree Of Life: We love the music behind our new season video.What it is you are trying to communicate with your songs?

Keppie Coutts: “One of the best pieces of advice Iever got from a teacher was ‘let your personal experience be the inspirationfor songs, but don’t let it be the limit’. I am trying to work out a lot of theambiguity of life in my songs, trying to rip open the little cracks in betweenwhat is obvious. And then sometimes I just want to write something as simply asI can. The song on the Tree of Life website, ‘Next to Mine’, was a song I wrotefor my partner as a really simple love-lullaby. But there are things that moveme and compel me to write about them as well. ‘Sycamore Tree’ is a narrativeabout a real incident that happened in Jena, Louisiana, in the States, a fewyears ago. It was an instance of racial antagonism that you would just notthink would actually happen, as well as the reactions in the community there. Iam trying to open my own heart and mind to be bigger and stronger, andhopefully that is being communicated in a way that serves that purpose forother people as well.

Tree Of Life: As a child, what song really moved you?Did this affect the kind of music you ended up creating yourself?

Keppie Coutts: “I remember a lot of music that reallymoved me…but I mean, literally moved me! I would put Chuck Berry on my parent’sturntable, and literally dance til I was in a frenzy and covered in sweat, thencollapse in a puddle on the floor…I’m pretty sure I would sleep for fiveminutes, then put something else on…Janis Joplin, Donovan, Muddy Waters. Thewhen I was about 10, my dad introduced me to Tom Waits, and Ween was also ahousehold favourite. It’s really hard to locate one song from my childhoodabove all others. I guess a common thread is that I didn’t really listen to theradio – I listened to my parent’s LP collection. So in that way, I was learningmusic from the 60s and 70s - loving and relating to songs and voices ratherthan production might be the common thread from my childhood to what I do now.

I think a pivotal song that shoved me into action was‘Out of Habit’ by Ani DiFranco, which I heard for the first time when I was 15.The first line is insanely brilliant: “The butter melts out of habit, you knowthe toast isn’t even warm”. Being able to use an image to say somethingimportant and emotional, without even telling you what you should feel,you just do feel it. Then the other earthquake line in the song is, ofcourse, “my c*** is built like a wound that won’t heal, and you don’t have toask coz you know how I feel”. The word, the image, and the statement…it was oneof the first and most powerful feminist awakenings in my life!

 Tree Of Life: You've just moved to LA to take up someof the amazing opportunities coming your way, including being produced by JohnMayer. What's it like being a singer songwriter in the middle of Los Angeles? 

Keppie Coutts:“The song that John Mayer produced waswaaaaay back in 2008! I wish I could say he was my neighbour and we drinkbubble tea on Sundays…but, alas.

Moving to LA was also moving away from Boston, andjust a good change. I had found myself in a position of teaching songwriting topeople in Boston, but when my students had questions about the industry, I couldonly shrug and sort of say ‘Let me know when you figure it out’. I didn’treally say that, but you know what I mean J

I wanted to get my feet wet, and figure out what isreally happening on the ground.

What I am finding is that the situation is pretty much‘choose your own adventure’. My music is not Top 40, so maybe the situation hasalways been this way for people like me – you create your own path. There’s noone way to do it. No other person’s experience is ever going to be a blueprint.All I can really say after nine months in LA is that it is a bizarre experience.Nine out of 10 people you meet are involved in ‘the industry’ in some way (orthey are trying to be). It has the effect of feeling like being in the mostactive creative community on earth, and then also has a sort of numbing effect,like, ‘oh, you’re also anactor/singer/performer/producer/screenwriter/director/waiter?’.

That said, I’ve met some amazing people, played greatshows, made music with great producers, and am starting to work with anincredible LA-based duo who will be producing next project.”

Tree Of Life: Where do you live in LA? 

Keppie Coutts: “I live in West Hollywood. Hollywood iskind of like George Street in Sydney…enough said. West Hollywood is muchgreener and prettier, and is right at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, whichare stunning. LA has a lot more physical beauty in the landscape than I hadever thought it would. The hills, canyons, ocean, and mountains can beunexpectedly breathtaking.”

Tree Of Life: Has the experience changed the way youwrite or perform? 

Keppie Coutts: “Yes and no. I think that gettingentrenched in the industry dwindled my creative flame a little bit.Unsurprising, I suppose. I had to sort of claw my way out of my own mind, takethe information I have learned in the last year, and put it in a mental drawerto look at later so that I could get back to the drawing board without feelingpressure to write in a way that I perceived as being in demand. It’s alwayschanging!

Tree Of Life: Tell us what is coming up for…?

Keppie Coutts: “I am gearing up to record a newproject. I have been throwing around ideas for a new record, and right now I amexcited about the idea of doing 4 mini-EPs. I write some songs that make sensetogether, and then, for example, I have a Mexican Cowboy Murder Ballad. Andanother that sounds very American Songbook. And then there’s one about Yoga.And then I balance that with wanting to produce some songs in a contemporaryfolk style, but also wanting to do much more experimental stuff (I am lovinglistening to James Blake right now…). It got me thinking that there is no realreason to do one album the same way. The format of the album isn’t limited theway it was with CDs. So I’ll be recording one of the mini EPs with this LA duo,two of them self-produced in a different studio, and the fourth with anotherproducer who I love and produced an amazing track with.

I also teach a lot, volunteer with teen girls and alsowith sick kiddies in the hospital, as well as doing a lot of yoga. Keeps mebusy and happy.”

Nothing like an old bike...

2011-09-08T10:08:00.001+10:00

Our last shoot was so much fun, and as you've probably already seen, featured a gorgeous vintage bicycle (amongst other cool props...). Part of the process of preparing for this shoot was finding the absolutely right bike, one that instantly looked very 'Tree Of Life' to go with our new collection.

We knew the standard bike store was just not gonna come up with the goods.

We knew for sure it had to be vintage, but it had to be feminine, it had to be cool... and it definitely had to have one of those gorgeous baskets up front!

So, the research started, and part of that involved the serendipitous discovery of Sydney Vintage Bikes, check them out here. Imagine how happy we were to find this treasure trove of everything we wanted... each of their bikes has its own funny little personality, and somehow makes bicycle riding seem elegant! We were charmed. There's obviously no reason we can't be super-green, energy-efficient and stylish all at the same time.

Negotiating the traffic may take a little getting used to, but we're going to give it a go!

PS - If you want to check out more vintage bikes for sale, definitely browse the bike exchange and if you want to follow the tales of a die-hard vintage bike rider (and dresser) you must read diary of a vintage girl.

It's A Geisha Thing...

2011-08-18T12:51:00.004+10:00

If you've been instore lately you may have noticed we're having a bit of a Geisha moment with some of our gorgeous printed kimono-styles in the Geisha Boudoir range.

Our kimonos are living double lives, making lazing around the house a very stylish endeavour as well as making party appearances over jeans, which is entirely appropriate for a kimono!

After all, a Geisha's role is to create the perfect party atmosphere with grace, style and charm... and the perfect kimono.

Beautiful And Amazing

2011-08-18T12:19:00.005+10:00

Finding fashion books is easy. Finding a fashion book that celebrates what I'm into; authentic global style, traditional dressing and amazing local craftsmen is an absolute delight... and that is exactly what Ethnic Style: History and Fashion by Verenice Geoffrey-Schneiter delivers.

Each page reveals gloriously coloured and inspiring images of Indian style. Get ready for richly coloured saris, detailed, filigree hand ornaments and amazing images of naths (nose-rings).

It all makes me want to jump on the next plane to Jaipur... or at least get my nose pierced. Maybe. This book is available at amazon.com. and is so worth the shipping cost!

Splendour in the Grass

2011-08-10T11:46:00.007+10:00

This year, Tree of Life set up a pop up shop in The Very Small Mall at the Splendour in the Grass festival in Woodfordia, Queensland.

Festival-goers were invited to explore our well-stocked tipi and adjoining chill out zone.

You may already have heard about our very special customer. We were lucky to get a visit from Kate Moss, seen here toting around a massive Tree of Life bag!

Kate bought goodies for herself, her daughter Lila and her god-children, including some dollar print scarves, bracelets, blockprint bedspreads and TOL2 sari bags (for her knickers)!

We are very excited and proud to call Kate a Tree of Life customer!

Tree of Life Splendour in the Grass photos courtesy of Leander Bruford

A Touch of Love Update

2011-08-10T11:37:00.005+10:00

We are pleased to share with you the news that the money you raised by buying our $2 drawstring sari bags is being put to very good use. We have been able to use some of this money to buy a generator in the village of Dhablepuri. The generator is used to help pump the water for the existing mango trees and also new custard apple trees.

Wayne Galler from A Touch of Love has updated us on the progress. “We planted 45 more trees this month when the rains came and we used one year old saplings to give us a little time boost on their maturity. We’ve planted custard apple trees this time as they would give a good selling crop and add some crop diversity. Since the water and electricity here are perennial problems, we have to buy a diesel generator to run the deep well pump.”

Of course, this has been no easy task.

“There is some expected loss of trees over time.

According to our agricultural professor, you plant

extra close when you start and expect some to die or be weak. You then cull these trees and get the correct spacing. We have done this exactly as she said. We

fertilise, mulch, weed and water as per instructions from the agricultural professor. I will also be there just at the end of the rainy season in mid-October to check the trees and see how to transfer to only well water. There was pretty much no rainy season in June and July has been spotty. We may be watering every day in August for all I know. That’s why we’re here. This is a chronic drought area and the people suffer from it and have to graze their sheep all over the place because there isn’t any water where they live.”

We are aiming to not only make the village greener but to turn it into an income generating project for the people. By buying these sari bags, you have made this possible.

Handmade Tools - Beauty and Function

2011-08-09T13:49:00.005+10:00

I read everything on The Etsy Blog... I love it. It's an absolute online mecca for those of us who like hand-made, authentic, earthy gifts and crafts to welcome into our homes and kitchens and it is the online place to buy and sell vintage, home-made and crafty pieces.

To my delight, one of their latest posts was all about handmade tools - the things we use everyday around our houses like brooms, rakes, mortar and pestles, knitting needles, scissors... and even a hand made wand! All painstakingly hand made, and all available to buy online through Etsy (joy!). So I'm thinking - I am crafty! I am going to sell some of my pottery online!

So if you, like me, like to feel some hand made love, go to www.etsy.com.au/ and take your pick from the lovingly crafted offerings there, and maybe even offer some of your own?

Summer in Dhablepuri...

2011-07-12T09:49:00.077+10:00

SCHOOL IS BACK

It's 40 degrees plus

and the rain is a month late in this

dry, arid landscape in rural India.

The village of Dhablepuri is not so much a village but a spread-out, desperately poor, rural community.

Most of Tree of Life's 110 sponsor children live in this village.

We actively support an educational project, overseen with keen and attentive eyes by two friends of Tree Of Life, Wayne and Vicki Galler of the A Touch of Love Foundation who visit Dhablepuri village regularly. We rely on Wayne and Vicki to keep us in touch with the village, especially as we haven't been able to get there ourselves for the last two years. On that last trip, the rains had come to Dhablepuri and the school year was well advanced with a group of happy, healthy and playful students.

We found this visit very different and very confronting.

During the summer months, there is no school in the village.
The kids do not come together in the community at all, and many go to stay with relatives in other villages. What this means is that the children do not receive the daily, wholesome meal provided by Tree Of Life during the school term.

So during this visit we found a village of children who were having their almost three month 'holiday', which actually means two and a half months in a 40 degree hut with minimal or poor nutrition.
And it really showed.
The kids were noticeably thinner, more lack lustre and not so ready to smile and play.
This was difficult for us to see.

But this was a happy day.
We were greeted in ceremonial village style with a turban for John, scarves for us both and coconuts.

Dr Bande, who runs the regular free medical clinic which Tree Of Life provides each school month, kindly invited us to hand out the new uniforms to each child in the school.

You can see how much joy that brings!

Many members of the village had turned out for the big event as we all gathered at the school house on the verandah.

This included the Sarpanch, the head of the village, a lady we had met on earlier visits.

We took a gift of mangoes, bananas and dates to hand out to the kids and villagers on behalf of the Tree of Life community.

We breathed a huge sigh of relief to discover we had managed to take enough for everyone - with some even left over for the next day.

John and I took turns in the honour of handing out the new uniforms.
It was definitely time for new clothes, their old ones being invariably tattered and threadbare.

Most of these children have no shoes.

We met the teachers who are obviously kind and genuinely engaged with the children and their welfare.

The classroom is bright, cheerful, cool in this hot climate and visually stimulating. We asked to provide mats or cushions for the stone floors which Dr Bande undertook to acquire.
Tree of Life is proud to pay for all the uniforms, slates, chalk, books and educational aids.

We found it hard to get our minds and hearts around the summer situation.

There is no easy solution.

As Wayne reassured us:

“ The point is to make the children have the best life possible with the funds we have.”

THE STORY OF VIKAS

One Of Our Sponsored Children

We asked to visit Vikas in his home. He is the only son of two disabled parents. He contracted meningitis some years back and Tree of Life [through A Touch of Love] has been helping him and his family.
Their tiny hut is completely basic. The one small tree which stood in front of it has died.
Vikas looked noticeably bigger and quite well nourished.

His father, who does not have the use of his legs, did not look as happy as our previous visits but was, as always, devoted to the care of his son. His mother who is mentally challenged looked as happy as ever.
Vikas’ limbs were uncontrollable and his tongue protruded.
We couldn't help feeling disappointed in his lack of progress.

But his smile as always, is glorious, and he is clearly the sun and the moon to his parents.

Wayne reports: “We have paid for extensive periods of hospitalisation and medical help. Finally, we were told that no further progress could be made as the damage was done from waiting so long to come for help. We are providing food to the family.”

We spoke to Dr Bande during our visit and he said he would consult a neurologist one more time to see if anything further could be done for Vikas.

THE MANGO PROJECT

Tree Of Life Mango Plantation

Two years ago we made the decision to create a mango plantation to create local jobs and food. We visited the site to find the mango trees we planted two years ago are growing... slowly!
Although some have died and had to be replaced, the survivors are small and strong and look lush and healthy.

The trees are cared for by a local farmer and provide a welcome splash of green in a desolate landscape and hopefully, one day, will provide the community with mangoes!

Grass grows between the trees by design. It is used for animal fodder and hay.

Two agricultural professors with experience in Kenya as well as India helped us in the planning and development of this project in close collaboration with the villagers.

The trees are protected by a natural spiny hedge. None have been eaten.

The biggest problem for this plantation is water.
Over time, we have dug two wells and also had to rely on big tankers to bring in a water supply for the mango plantation. We have had deep water pumps installed - but there are now electricity issues.

We are currently renting a generator to pump the water.
Tree of Life has agreed to buy a generator and there is a plan to provide a drip watering system.

You can’t imagine the soil.
It is like rock.

To plant the trees, we had to pay someone to blast each hole to get it 6 feet deep, then pay a backhoe to clear it out, then buy in good 'black soil' to fill the holes.
New holes have now been blasted and back hoed in this way and it is planned to plant custard apple trees in them this wet season.

Wayne tells us the rain has come at last so planting can go ahead.

MOVING ON

The summer reality for the poor of India was hard for us to accept.
We vowed to visit more often and try harder to make a difference.

This would be completely impossible for us to attempt without the guidance of Wayne and Vicki who work closely and collaboratively with the village elders and Dr Bande, and who have wide and wise experience with the disadvantaged of this planet.

It would also be completely impossible without the support of you, our loyal customers and staff.
We greatly appreciate the response to our Mother’s Day silk sari bag promotion. The first of that money will go to buy the generator to keep the trees alive.
And we will continue to consult with Wayne and Vicki regarding other genuinely helpful projects.

Dr Bande has already suggested a hostel to support the children’s ability to regularly attend school.
Dhablepuri is largely a goat herding community and without outside help, the children are included in the migratory goat feeding duties and cannot attend school in any on-going way.
We believe that their only escape route from this grinding and dreary round of rural poverty lies in education and improved opportunities. And we feel privileged to help in anyway possible.

For further information about

A Touch of Love and their work in India, Africa and around the world, visit www.atouchoflove.com

The Fabric Of India

2011-06-30T10:42:00.004+10:00

Right now we are obsessed with traditional Indian woodblocking chintzes... these prints could just be THE most beautiful prints created by man. That's a big call, but what could possibly be more precious than these rolls of super-soft cotton voile adorned with the hand-painted filigree, the delicate, beautiful patterns that instantly conjure the romance and mysticism of India?

It's exactly what every room needs... something authentic, romantic and happy. These prints were hugely influential over 17th Century French Provencal prints, and still maintain a certain kind of traditional dignity - partly because the creation process hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. It's still done by hand, and the rolls are still laid out in the sun to allow the paint to dry.

Tree Of Life loves a little woodblocking, and if you manage to come and visit us instore you will spot splashes of Indian wood blocked chintzes in every corner. Our stock changes all the time, but on any given day you may wander in to discover woodblocked traditional quilted coats, kimono dressing gowns, kurtas, bed throws, ottomans and always a myriad of joyful scatter cushions. Come in and see ...

Escape to the sun this winter

2011-06-28T16:49:00.004+10:00

Winter? We laugh in the face of winter! Come into your favorite Tree of Life store and envelope yourself in Tequila Sunrise dresses and hot pink slips! Take the buuurrr out of your wardrobe and fake it till you make it! thats what we are doing! Pass the Margarita we say, Cheers!

A Garlic Obsession

2011-06-14T11:44:00.004+10:00

I love garlic! It's such an essential ingredient in my life and finds its way into nearly every creation from my kitchen, from roasts to soups to pasta to Asian noodles. But what I don't love is imported garlic - irradiated garlic from China and Chilean and Argentinean garlic treated with Methyl Bromide. Because garlic is so labour-intensive to create, international growers have been encouraged to opt for production-enhancing chemicals and additives. The sad outcome is not only a reduction in those beautiful heady flavours of garlic, but also their amazing immune-boosting and health-giving qualities.

Recently, I have been obsessed with my search for lovely Australian garlic. Local grown. Organic if possible. I have accepted that my new garlic won't be bleached clean and white but will appear in its natural state - slightly purple and probably a bit wonky! But all I have found is cheap Chinese garlic and no Aussie-made produce anywhere.... until I discovered patricenewell.com.au.

You may remember Patrice from her news television career, but more recently she has been perfecting the art of Australian grown garlic (among other organic pursuits) and now home delivers trays of the succulent stuff to your door. Her Biodynamic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is pretty spectacular too! Next on the list? Growing my own...!

2011-05-27T14:39:00.000+10:00

Shrug away that wintery feeling with bunches of lavender throughout your home. It's in season and will make everything feel fresh and homey!

Plus here is a great recipe for lavender body scrub using our Tasmania lavender essential oil.

1/2 cup very finely ground almonds

1/2 cup course wheat bran

1 cup hot green tea

10 drops tasmania lavender essential oil

Mix the almonds and bran. Add the tea; stir until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Cool just to body temperature. Add the lavender Tasmania essential oil, thoroughly blending the mixture. Treat yourself with this scrub once a week.

xx <3

2011-05-24T16:22:00.001+10:00

We are LOVING our current range of clothing in stores right now! Soft olive harem pants, perfect with chunky black heels, a loose fitting top and belt. Slightly transparent maxi skirts worn over a cute figure hugging slips and ruffled maxi dresses teamed happily with our vintage lacy vest! We've also given you a sneak peak at our Janis inspired floppy black hat! Totally loving winter fashion right now!! xx ♥

Winter Berry

2011-05-10T15:39:00.003+10:00

This month we have been gorging on luscious plums, silky raspberries and decadent burgundy fabrics. Wrap yourself up in these delicious colours and warm up your winter!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-04-19T10:14:00.003+10:00

Our prettiest Window yet! Dusky pinks, floaty greys and carefree dancing on the beach!

Wishing you a happy and loving Easter long weekend!

Give your mother something special from Tree of Life this mother's day to show how much you care. We have two kaftans for $89.95 and all silver jewellery has been reduced by 20% until the 8th of May.

Adelaide Tree Lover Isabel Vass

2011-04-15T13:28:00.009+10:00

Meet Isabel Vass, a Tree of Life employee at our store in Rundle Mall, Adelaide. She is currently in a competition to be 1 of 10 "action agents" to go to Borneo and feature in an an amazing 3D action film, fighting against deforestation and rescuing and rehabilitating orangutans.

"Award-winning production company Virgo Production;

http://www.virgoproductions.com.au is developing a 3D feature documentary about the project in collaboration with National Geographic Entertainment. Shooting will take place over five months in Borneo, commencing in June 2011. Cathy Henkel, (The Burning Season, The Man who Stole my Mother’s Face) will produce and direct Project Borneo 3D: An Action Movie, to be shot by acclaimed cinematographer Don McAlpine (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Wolverine) and Paul Nichola (Cane Toads: The Conquest 3D)."

Isabel submitted a video audition which can be watched on youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_KIJu7P7eI

To find out more about the competition you can visit

http://www.deforestaction.com or http://gg.tigweb.org/tig/deforestaction/

Voting has closed but please let your friends and family know about this amazing movie and this inspiring cause. We are so very proud of her! xx

If you would like to get involved please visit www.deforestaction.com

Lilac Boho Babe

2011-04-13T12:15:00.006+10:00

Become a Boho Babe this Autumn in our beautifully handmade Shanti dress. It looks amazing with ballet flats and brightly coloured stockings. So seventies chic - we are absolutely loving its lilac dreaminess.

A Touch of Love from Charlestown to India

2011-04-06T16:24:00.003+10:00

Our BRAND NEW Tree Child Store opened a month ago in Charlestown Square and we are delighted to have been inundated with hand written messages from the children shopping there. These drawings and adorable notes are collected and sent to our sponsor children in India. We wish we could put them all up here but there are so many! that we could only choose a few.

The Touch of Love program provides education, food, clean water and access to medical and dental facilities for children living in dire poverty. Wayne and Vicki Galler oversee these sponsorships around the world and report back to Tree of Life so we feel connected to our sponsored children and we know our money is making a real difference.

In India right now we sponsor 110 children in different areas through Maharashtra State. Once these sponsored children graduate and have passed their college entrance exams, we extend sponsorship to new deserving children. Each of the Tree of Life stores takes responsibility for a number of children. Most recently, Tree of Life has also begun assisting 8 Haitian orphans in the Dominican Republic.

If you want to know more about Touch Of Love, Kay Walker is the Australian representative of A Touch Of Love Foundation. atouchoflove@yahoo.com

A Touch of Love from Charlestown to India

2011-04-06T16:00:00.005+10:00

Because we ♥ you

2011-03-29T15:43:00.002+11:00

Because we ♥ you all so much we currently have a fabulous promotion in all our stores just for you!

One pair of Ali Baba pants for $20 or two for 25!!

Shown here worn in two different ways with our beautiful Om Scarf and Tribal Necklace. xx

Traditional Indian Chai recipe

2011-03-28T16:22:00.002+11:00

Why not warm up your morning with a cup of hot Indian Chai tea. Our Merchandise Planner Samara, loves this on a lazy Sunday with a dash of organic honey xx

INGREDIENTS

Spice ingredients for one pot of tea:

1/2 of a star anise star

10-12 whole cloves

6-7 whole allspice

1 heaping teaspoon of cinnamon bark (or 2 short sticks)

6-7 whole white peppercorns

1 cardamon pod opened to the seeds

Other ingredients:

1 cup water

4-6 cups Bonsoy soy milk

2 heaping tablespoons of a high quality full-bodied broad-leaf black tea (Ceylon, or

English Breakfast if a broad-leaf Ceylon is not available) Sugar

METHOD

1 In a 2-qt saucepan, add spices to 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil; remove from heat; let steep for 5-20 minutes, depending on how strong a spice flavor you want.

2 Add 4-6 cups of whole milk to the water and spices. If you don't have Bonsoy soy milk, you can also use non-fat or low-fat milk, just add some cream to it, a few tablespoons. Bring the milk and spice mixture just to a boil and remove from heat.

3 Add the tea to the milk and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes to taste. (Option at this point - reheat to a simmer and remove from heat.) You can add sugar at this point, or serve without sugar and let people put the amount of sugar in they want. Traditionally, sugar is added before serving.

4 Strain into a pot. Serve. Add sugar to taste.

Never stop believing

2011-03-25T13:58:00.002+11:00

At Tree of Life we never stop believing in ourselves, in others and in the goodness that comes from helping those in need.

One Skirt Six Ways

2011-03-24T14:49:00.004+11:00

Our beautiful handblock wrap skirts are not only made from 100% cotton and available in a variety of colours and patterns, they can also be worn six different ways - perfect for the girl who can never make her mind up on what to wear!

Tepee on the beach

2011-03-22T14:51:00.000+11:00

Immerse yourself in beach bleached white wash, wine reds and dramatic blacks to discover your own sea side get-a-way.

Spend this summer relaxing in crisp, cool white cottons

2011-02-15T14:43:00.001+11:00

Wishing you a Valentin's Day full of warmth and love

2011-02-14T14:37:00.002+11:00

Love is a game that two people can win - Eva Gabor xx

Global Traveller

2011-01-01T14:29:00.000+11:00

For the wonderers of the globe, seeking something special, unique, affordable, fresh and comfortable to follow you on your journey we introduce the Global Traveller collection.

Wishing you a Hippy Christmas

2010-12-25T14:23:00.000+11:00

The Story Behind Our New Centrepoint Store

2010-10-31T09:32:00.013+11:00

Have you visited Tree of Life's store in the amazing new Centrepoint Shopping Centre?

We're located in the eclectic urban precinct on the basement level.

You can't miss us - we are excited to have developed a store front that is unique, authentic and beautiful. It is composed of genuine hand-carved printing blocks sourced from the desert area of Rajasthan in India.

The textured, red ropes which festoon the ceiling of our new store suggest the hand weavers’ looms, and pay homage to the fabulous handwoven textiles of India. We're all about the decorative arts and crafts, and at last we have a store that reflects that passion.

Tree of Life takes a special interest in the hand block craft.

This gentle and artistic industry is largely run by families to this day. Most adult members of the family share in the work - carving the wooden blocks, preparing dyes or stamping the patterns on cloth by hand. Many dyes are made from natural products - pomegranate seeds, iron, and the indigo plant.

One workshop we regularly visit is a rambling three-story home built around a tree. It hums with life! Downstairs the father prepares the dyes; on the middle level the mother concentrates on swift, precise hand-blocking; and upstairs the grandmother sews and chats to the children when they return from school. Entering this home is like a glimpse into an idyllic, lost world and indeed, each year fewer families pursue the craft.

Tree of Life is committed to fostering the art of hand block by sharing it with you year after year, in the hope it remains a sustainable industry for these specialist family workshops........

And a source of joy and wonder for the rest of us!

Come to the Moo Party with Our Model, Kaveri

2010-09-28T14:00:00.009+10:00

Meet Kaveri, one of our beautiful poster models. We recently visited her home in Maharashtra for Pola Festival in August, when farmers honour their bullocks before the season's first day of ploughing. This festival, the Moo Party, is quite a spectacle!

Kaveri is a milk maid. In the mornings she milks the cows and tends to a myriad housewifely duties. From 11am until 5.30pm she grazes the cows in the fields.

During the Pola Festival, bullocks are bathed by their owners, then decorated with vibrant paint and an ornamental shawl. Finally they are worshipped and paraded through town to show off their colours. The procession is often accompanied by the music of drums and bugles.

These two men specialise in buffalo milk, while Kaveri's family specialise in cow milk.

Here the two bullocks are bowing before a statue of Hanuman at the local temple outside the village gates.

This is Kaveri's father-in-law, the farmer.

This is Kaveri's son Adita with his grandpa and two new bullocks.

Kaveri's mother-in-law with her baby niece.

And two more babies - calves on the farm, decorated for Pola Festival.

Wintergarden Closing Down

2010-09-15T15:20:00.005+10:00

Our Wintergarden store in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall has been a welcome sanctuary from the city's hustle and bustle for the past 5 years - she will be missed!

If you're in Brisbane, do come and talk to the fairies at the bottom of the Wintergarden one last time. They are sure to offer you treasure for a magical price - it's their way of saying: "Thank you Brisbane!"
Treasure bargains and magical times in the garden...The Wintergarden gates will close for the very last time in late October.

Our Tree Sprite

2010-09-02T01:37:00.008+10:00

You will have noticed that our windows have been infiltrated by a tree sprite this week... (They can get into the city every now and then). Our photographer Mehera Kleiner was inspired by the phenomenal body decoration created by particular tribes in Africa, which have been documented by Hans Silvester.

Singer-Songwriter Ella Freestone Models for Tree of Life

2010-08-19T01:25:00.014+10:00

You'll have seen our beautiful new model in the windows this week -

17-year-old singer-songwriter Ella Freestone, whose debut album drops September 13th!

At Tree of Life we love to swaddle our models...

We love having live music on set...

...And we especially love to foster the arts in any way!

Have a listen to Ella's beautiful voice on her website here.

Colours of Delhi

2010-07-30T04:46:00.010+10:00

Indian textiles can make a person experience colour in a whole new way.

That's our joy and our inspiration!

Free Movie Passes to The Waiting City

2010-07-05T16:57:00.005+10:00

Tree of Life in conjunction with Hopscotch Films has 25 double passes to see The Waiting City, set in Kolkata, India.

We have been going to India a long time and we think the cinematography captures the place as never before!

If you'd like to enjoy this Australian-made film for free, please email veronica@treeoflife.com.au by Saturday 9 July 2010 and let us know why you'd like to see The Waiting City.

We will select our favourite 25 responses as the winners of this competition.

Good luck!

Behind-the-Scenes at the Bazaar

2010-06-18T13:25:00.009+10:00

Our buyer visits a bazaar in Delhi (during seriously hot weather!) seeking treasures to add to the Tree of Life collection…

A stall of colourful embroidered chappals

Puppets and mobiles from Rajasthan

Playing with the stallholder’s son

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

Beautiful colours and textures from South India

Mango Tree Planting Project in India

2010-06-18T00:26:00.000+10:00

Tree of Life has started a tree-planting program in Dhablepuri village in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Dhablepuri is located in a dry and barren area. It is a very poor village.

We consulted a professor of agriculture (seen below on the far right) about what was the most appropriate tree to establish here. She advised planting mango trees.

The owners of Tree of Life were present for the planting of the first tree.

We are excited by this project which primarily aims to bring a cash crop to the village, as well as add a touch of beauty and abundance to the dry surrounding land.

We will be monitoring the project over the next few years to ensure that these trees receive protection, care and water to help them grow strong.

We thank A Touch of Love Foundation for managing this project and for their efforts to bring education, health and care to so many people.

InStyle Magazine This Month Featuring Our Jewellery

2010-06-17T15:35:00.004+10:00

From the June 2010 issue.

Want to Model for Us?

2010-06-07T13:24:00.019+10:00

We are looking for some ‘real life’ models to star in our posters and marketing material!

Criteria:

If you're under 18 you must have your parents' permission

Previous modelling experience is a plus but not required

You must be available for minimum of 4 hours during the week (Monday-Friday)

You must live in Sydney or nearby

Most important – you must love having your photo taken!

Open to all customers, staff and friends of Tree of Life

If you are selected to do a photo-shoot you will receive a Tree of Life gift voucher

Please send an email stating your name and age, and why you’d like to be a Tree of Life model along with at least 3 photos of yourself to modelcomptreeoflife@gmail.com

Tree of Life Necklaces in Australian Vogue June 2010

2010-05-31T16:13:00.010+10:00

We were excited to have our jewellery paired with clothing by the late and great Alexander McQueen.

Behind-the-Scenes at an Indian Circus

2010-05-19T05:45:00.042+10:00

Our special projects designer in India went behind the scenes at a circus, and here's what she learned...

People join the circus as kids.

Most circus performers marry other circus performers.

They deliver babies and raise them in the tents.

People join the circus because they receive food and lodging, they can escape their home life, and they don't have to go to school.

If they perform well, they can also earn a relatively good salary of Rs. 5,000 a month.

That's about $130.

The circus hippo is very dangerous. He is transported by truck in a water container, and a pit must be dug and filled with water for him wherever the circus goes.

The hula-hoop girl, wife of the ringmaster, says she doesn’t need to practise her act because she’s been doing it for 17 years.

She has danced at some Bollywood parties for a lot of money, but didn’t like that life.

She says the circus takes care of her needs. It's her family.

photography by Mehera Kleiner

Winner of the April Photo Competition

2010-05-13T07:29:00.009+10:00

Congratulations to our April winner, Astra!

It nearly killed us trying to decide between so many stunning competition entries.

We were touched to see the different ways people work it in our clothes...

So natural and glowing, with beautiful backdrops, creative accessorising and strong personal style.

We're greedy and want to see more, so please enter our next competition!

Here's some of our favourite entries (click 'slideshow' at the top right):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/treeoflifeaustralia/sets/72157623920537367/

20% off Silver Jewellery for Mother's Day!

2010-04-29T10:18:00.006+10:00

Presenting!

Our Mother's Day Sale!

Until May 10th...

♡ One way to say Dear Mummy, I Wuv You... ♡

Tree of Life photo competition entries

2010-04-16T12:12:00.002+10:00

Our April competition has already attracted some beautiful, glowing images!

Here are just a few...

Wear it your way -

And show us!

Competition ends 30th April

Email your photo to treeoflifephotocomp@gmail.com

Good luck and happy snapping!

Arangaon Women's Sewing Project Moves On

2010-04-13T15:51:00.000+10:00

After five productive years, the Arangaon Women’s Project has been disbanded.

The women who were trained in these skills have moved on to pursue their own careers.

One woman has begun her own business as a tailor.

One crippled woman now teaches basic computing skills in the village.

Several have joined a local organization named ‘Prithvi’ specializing in rural development.

We are so happy to have been part of this initiative to educate and empower village women!

We'll be following their progress in years to come through updates from Mehera Kleiner, who lives and works in the Arangaon area.

Tree of Life's Adventure in Kashmir!

2010-04-09T15:43:00.008+10:00

Kashmiri handpainted boxes are one of our top items.

Last season we visited Srinagar in Kashmir, to check on the condition of workers there.

We were satisfied that they are treated fairly - we found the workplace to be healthy and tranquil.

And along the way, we also found MAGIC.

Behold - the home of Tree of Life's legendary Kashmiri papier-mâché!

The dashing Parveez has long been our supplier of Kashmiri papier-mâché products.

His artisans train for five years to do this highly meticulous work.

Each colour is applied one at a time, in layers.

It's a privilege to watch these artists at work.

They are swift and precise.

A box with painting as fine as this fetches a higher price:

We also visited a copper shop and saw some spectacular handcrafted samovars.

Each piece is full of personality!

When the weather got too hot, we headed to Gulmarg -

the Meadow of Flowers.

This famed hillstation is a ski resort in the winter.

It was probably one of the coolest places we had ever seen.

The landscape all around is rich and romantic.

We found Kashmir's proverbial title, "the enchanted vale," to be entirely true.

Back in Srinagar, we kept working.

Handpainting can adorn almost any product.

It was fun brainstorming new items to decorate with this exquisite traditional design.

In the evenings, we took sunset cruises on Dal Lake in the tiny boats known as shikaras.

It's mostly locals who enjoy the lake.

Some use shikaras to tout their wares.

There are hundreds of houseboats on Dal Lake too.

Their interiors are astoundingly ornate.

The carved sandalwood is so fragrant!

Parveez introduced us to the glories of saffron tea.

We vowed to prepare it ourselves back here in Australia.

But somehow, it has never measured up to the Kashmiri original...

photography by Shirin Borthwick

Necklace in Shop 'Till You Drop

2010-04-06T10:29:00.002+10:00

Beautiful tribal necklace in store now - only $16.95

Win a $100 Tree of Life Gift Voucher

2010-03-31T08:26:00.008+11:00

Email through a photo of yourself wearing Tree of Life and the best outfit will win a $100 gift voucher at Tree of Life. We will be posting images of the images we love throughout the month.

The subject header should read "Photo Contest"

The contest will run from April 1st to April 30th

A maximum of 3 images per email

The photos will only be posted here on the blog, so the file size can be very small (no bigger than 1MB). I don't need hi-res images. It takes too long to download them.

Send your photos to: treeoflifephotocomp@gmail.com

To get the ball rolling I've posted an image of Rachel in her favourite Tree of Life dress from this season.

New Window Installed today!

2010-03-30T13:54:00.001+11:00

Beautiful Hand Painted Kashmiri Eggs

2010-03-27T16:45:00.005+11:00

These beautiful hand painted eggs from Kashmir are the perfect gift for Easter.

Only $5 each and they'll last a lifetime

(unlike chocolate easter eggs that last about 2 minutes in my house!)

Inspiration from rural India

2010-03-26T14:19:00.001+11:00

These beautiful images are of a group of nomadic basket weavers from Northern India.

When we saw these people on the side of the road we were shocked by their extreme poverty, and we were astounded by their incredible style and beauty.

We were so inspired by their creative mixing of fabrics, colours and prints we wanted to share these images with you.

Our photographer Mehera gave these people food to say thank you for allowing us to take photos of them. They were extremely grateful, and so were we.

Lucky Tiger Sale!

2010-03-25T13:50:00.010+11:00

New clothing* reductions - 50% off

Leather bags & wallets - 50% off

Bamboo beaded curtains from Vietnam - 25% off

Scarves* now $4

and a lucky dip of cute items under $10

*selected items

Check it out in store!

PLUS Birkenhead, Blacktown, Byron Bay, Campbelltown, Garden City, Knox, Newcastle and Sunshine Plaza stores have all clothing in store $20 and under while stocks last!

Behind the scenes in India

2010-03-23T20:25:00.001+11:00

We're often asked, are we a fair trade organisation?

Do our suppliers treat their workers fairly?

Tree of Life has always been a fair trade organisation. We have always had a commitment to being a business with a conscience.

These images are from one of the main factories that we work with in India. They were taken on our most recent buying trip to India.

Women in their saris quality checking the production.

Sizing being checked.

Garments being sewn.

As you can see there is good lighting, a cheerful atmosphere, and there are no child workers.

These staff are treated well and with respect.

Swami in India

2010-03-22T15:47:00.005+11:00

We try to never close our eyes on any journey through India.

You never know what you might miss...

Big Day Out on Saturday in Sydney

2010-01-29T10:08:00.004+11:00

We were out and about at the Big Day Out in Sydney.

Below are a snaps of some of the people we spotted looking gorgeous wearing Tree of Life clothing.

New website

2009-10-21T23:24:00.001+11:00

Hello and welcome to our new website, it will take us a few days to sort it all out so please be patient!