My five year old’s thoughts for the day…

How cozy does this organic baby blanket look?

Awake… 

To Nap…

Fabulous alphabet book.

Little Ostu Come Along Weekly Planner

On sale now… 20% off!

Or as my son reminded me yesterday, it’s the Autumnal Equinox. It doesn’t feel as much like fall today as it got close to 90! But… I think we’re getting ready for fall colors, cooler weather, pumpkins, fires, hot drinks, and warm clothes!

What do you look forward to in the fall?

So I have spent the last day and a half combing through old photos of my three as babies, well one still is but that’s beside the point… I spent so much time reminiscing that I never got the chance to put up my photos! Here are a few favorites from each and you can see me attempting to use those tips I have continued to attempt to put into practice!

The ultimate in baby eco-fashion, we’ve got some new IsaBooties in! My sweet baby has both of the girly styles. I love knowing that I am putting safe, eco-friendly fabrics on her little feet and she loves them too.

Women hold up half the sky according to a Chinese proverb, and I might venture they may even more than that. August 26 is Women’s Equality Day. It was first established in 1971 by Rep. Bella Abzug to celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment. Women got the right to vote 89 years ago today. Every year our president issues a proclamation for our country that “renews its commitment to freedom and justice for all our citizens.” Is it just words?

Look at some numbers from around the world (most from the Women’s Learning Partnership):

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury and death for women worldwide.
• Only 1 in 100 battered women in the U.S. reports the abuse she suffers. Every nine seconds, a woman is battered by her domestic partner.
• Everyday, 6000 girls are genitally mutilated.
• Every year in India, 5000 brides are murdered or commit suicide because their marriage dowries are considered inadequate.
• In Russia, half of all murder victims are women killed by their male partners.
• In South Africa, a woman is raped every 80 seconds.
• In the U.S., one in five women will be victims of rape in her lifetime. A woman is raped every 3 minutes.

• Two-thirds of the world’s children who receive less than four years of education are girls.
• 600,000 women — one every minute — die each year from pregnancy-related causes. Most of these deaths are preventable.
• In the Global South, women traditionally eat last and least. They do not get more to eat even during pregnancy and nursing.

• 90% of the rural female labor force are called “housewives” and excluded from the formal definition of economic activity.
• Where women do the same work as men, they are paid 30 to 40 percent less than men.
• There is no country in the world where women’s wages are equal to those of men.
• Women produce nearly 80% of the food on the planet, but receive less than 10% of agricultural assistance.
• Women own about 1% of the world’s assets.

• Out of over 180 countries, only 13 have elected women heads of state or government.
• In the developing countries of Mozambique, Vietnam, and Namibia, 34.8%, 27.3%, and 26.9%, respectively, of seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women.
• On the other hand, in the developed nations of USA, France, and Japan, 16.3%, 12.2%, and 9.4%, respectively, of seats in the lower house of parliament are held by women.

• Between 60 million and 107 million women are “missing” from this world. In countries where women are severely devalued, they vanish.
• Investing in women and girls might have the highest return on investment in the developing world.

If you would like to do something check out this list of some amazing organizations. I am sure you will be able to find one that inspires you and your family. I know I have some more reading to do.

For some photos with your words, visit the multimedia, A Powerful Truth, or the article “Saving The World’s Women” from the NY Times. Indeed powerful.

It’s hot here today and I love this summer weather, but a part of me is also still looking forward to fall. I love when the leaves change and the air has a crispness. I love being able to wear sweaters and put cute hats on the baby. I love apples and pumpkins and baking. School will be a big part of this fall in our family as the oldest goes off to kindergarten. What a change it will be… but for now it’s still summer!