GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . ever since their crystal & gold tray was featured here last autumn, many have been smitten with the stunningly lovely things found at rablabs, and since it's the season for giving, few things are lovelier than an utterly beautiful gift that also supports a great cause -- and this year -- rablabs has teamed up with tri-state bird rescue, an organization working to manage the rehabilitation of oiled wildlife in the gulf coast, to offer a new line of coasters inspired by the enchanted dreams of the ocean . . .




. . . made from natural rocks found in the heart of brazil, the exquisitely elegant ocean coasters are formed from the unique tides and eddies of mineral-rich water flowing through ancient lava streams, their deep blue-green hues reflecting the intensely saturated color and mystery of the ocean . . .

founded in response to mass wildlife destruction resulting from oil spills, tri state bird rescue & research has been rehabilitating birds since 1976; with this new collaboration with rablabs, 20% of the proceeds from these brazilian agate coasters in the special edition oceano range will be donated to this wonderful cause

. . . and so, if still searching for that last perfect gift . . . here

{p.s.} happy, happy monday! hope your week is off to a beautiful start,

. . . officially the season for giving, and so many ways to make a difference, including supporting wonderful charities such as new york-based pencils of promise, that partners with local communities and organizations to build schools in developing nations for some of the world’s most impoverished and undereducated children. sadly, there are more than 75 million children in this situation worldwide

last december, the pencils of promise team visited a small village in laos, and by july 2009, had built a new school for the village children who were able to attend classes by the first of september. this month, pencils of promise will be opening their third school and they hope to open the doors to education for more children in the new year

pencils of promise is currently in champet, a village that is home to the only high school in the area for surrounding villages. in order to attend this school, students must leave their families and homes to live in unsafe dormitories that are little more than bamboo huts. currently, some parents are unwilling to send their children to school because of the dangerous conditions of these huts

this holiday season, the goal is to build a library and safe housing for 200 school girls to give them access to further education

and so, in the spirit of the season, we are asking for your help -- whether it's $1.00 or $100.00, 100% of your donation will be used to complete this wonderful project

{thank you!}

{p.s.} more about pencils of promise:
* video
* facebook

{images: 1 - martha stewart; 2 - lilla villa vita via emma; 3-5 - photography by nick onken; special thanks to paloma of la dolce vita for organizing this blogger collaboration}