Today we are hosting a special announcement to help our friends at the Leakey Collection.

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Vote Now ! One week left to vote!

Photo courtesy of The Leakey Collection

The voting phase of World Challenge 08 closes midnight 21 November, so to make sure your favourite is in with a chance of winning, visit the World Challenge 08 website and vote now.

Remember, with your help the winning project will receive $20,000 and the two runners up will receive $10,000 to continue their good work so make sure your vote counts.

Tune into BBC World News this weekend to watch the series and find out more about the finalists. All finalists are also being featured in Newsweek.

The winners will be announced in the final programme on 20 December. They will also be featured on the World Challenge 08 website and in Newsweek on 22 December (Issue date 29 December).

Also, don’t forget to watch BBC World News on 22nd November 2008, or pick up Newsweek on 17th November 2008 (Issue date 24th November) to find out about last year’s World Challenge winner and how their project is going one year on.

Regards
The World Challenge Team

The BBC has a new policy on competitions.
Visit bbc.com/competitioncode

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If you’d like to find out more about The Leakey Collection and their mission to help the Maasai women, please read our post Zulugrass Jewelry by The Leakey Collection - A Gift That Gives Back! or just visit their website at http://www.leakeylife.com/

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

Election Day is coming up on Nov. 4th and what better time to start showing support for one of the most anticipated election day in history. There is nothing more personal than politics (besides religion), so why not give the gift of politics and use our 1st amendment rights.

Vote Now

Spreading the word to vote is perfect for first-time voters and the youth. The most noteworthy to spread the message is the popular Rock the Vote campaign who focuses mainly on the MTV and college campus crowd. On their website you can find all the T-shirts sported by many of the celebrities.

For something a little less political, Gap’s “Vote For _” Campaign gives people the opportunity to express their beliefs by letting them fill-in-the blank on a white tee. For someone who wants to step away from the negativity, one can put “Peace” or “Happiness” in the blank.

Support the Party

Echo has come out with two neckerchiefs to show support. The red patterned elephant scarf represents the Republican Party, while the blue patterned donkey scarf represents the Democratic Party. Both available in cotton or silk. On red, white, or a blue cord, one can wear anyone of A. Tierney’s politically inspired pendents. Each necklace shows support for one of the two main candidates, or make the statement to vote.

Undecided? TOMS Shoes can express this position with his Split Decision Vote inspired TOMS. On one shoe is the Republican Party Elephant and on the other is the Democratic Party Donkey.

After the Election

Track the winding down of the Bush Administration with Bush’s Last Day Countdown keychain and magnet. If this is not enough to let your frustrations out, then try Fat Cat, Inc. George W. pet toy. It’s available for both dogs and cats.

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Tell me what you think. Please leave a comment and give me your suggestions for a politically inspired gift.

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

It is my pleasure to host a special article today. It was written by one of our Lovely Contributors: Amy D.; she represents The Leakey Collection. Enjoy!

Zulugrass Jewelry by The Leakey Collection- A Gift that Gives Back

courtesy of The Leakey Collection

What better gift is there than one with a special story behind it? The Leakey Collection is a unique line of jewelry handmade from natural elements from the Maasai women in Kenya.  The jewelry is made from natural grass beads and hand strung. Philip and Katy Leakey, who live among the Maasai in the Kenyan bush, wanted to help their neighbors by providing work opportunities after a terrible drought devastated their livelihood.  They came up with an imaginative idea that would utilize the excellent beading abilities of the Maasai women using grass, an available sustainable resource, as the primary element. 

courtesy of The Leakey Collection

Soon the women were harvesting grass, one blade at a time. The long grass was dried and cut into bead-size pieces and dyed lovely hues which were then strung into necklaces and bracelets. Hence, Zulugrass was born. Now over 1400 hundred Maasai women are making Zulugrass while continuing to live in their traditional life style, and they can use their income to better their lives as they wish.

 Not only are these necklaces stunning; the Leakeys invest a percentage of the profits of sales to go back into the community.  Outreach programs that benefit the Maasai such as the Womens Health Initiative have been made possible as a result of sales of this product.  For information on these extraordinary pieces- visit their retail site, Leakey Life.

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!

Special and affordable. On sale for only $4.99! Regular price: $19.99.Green Jade heart is suspended from an 20” cable chain. 14k gold plate. Size is 1/2” tall and wide. For more info and similar products, please visit .

Looking for gifts? Browse our GIFT STORE! Also, check out the COUPONS page for savings at the best online gift stores!