A few days ago we were staying at the Bali Eco Stay, near Kanciana Village, Mt Batukara, Tabana. We had a wonderful stay with Cath and John, their very cute son Huey (he is 7…Levi just loved him), Mini and Agung. These guys have created a sustainable paradise, working with the villagers and families surrounding them. Because of this, you are able to see the true Bali, not just a tourist destination.

Bali Eco Stay is built amongst some of the oldest organic rice fields in Bali, the views are amazing. It was harvesting time here, so the fields were dotted with farmers waving flags to scare off the birds. There are streams and waterfalls everywhere, and the tap water is spring fed. It is the softest and purest water you will find (much, much nicer than the bottled water). The ‘pool’ is part of the stream and is a great place for the kids to play.

Whilst we were there Jess and Adam came to stay. They are travelling the island giving free acupuncture treatments to the Balinese, these are the sort of people that just add to the charm of Eco Stay. Previously they were traveling with the red cross around Asia and soon will be in America working with the Navaho.

The guys have done an amazing set up in a very short time. The complex is powered by a hydro system, the veggies and fruit are grown together in a permaculture fashion (very inspiring for my own at home). The pig Olivia (yes named after that pig), is in a run that gets moved every couple of days (when she goes down to have a swim) and digs up yet another patch to be planted out. There are fish farms dotted all around John and Caths place, which also has a grassed area for the silat, dancing and english classes. Whilst here, Levi and Loli had a class with Huey and his wonderful teacher Elisa.

I chose basket weaving from the many workshops available. Ketut took me to a traditional family house compound in the nearby village, where ‘grandfather’ taught me his art (which, I was told, I have a talent). I got to spend a couple of hours in a Balinese home and it gave me a greater understanding of the Indonesian way of life. Their love of children, respect of their elders and the importance of the family unit, is all shown with the way the homes are built all facing in to each other and with the way that they talk to each other. What kind and warm people they are.

Bali Eco Stay also offers mountain bike tours (amazing tracks down the mountain to the beach), motorbike and car tours. They also offer a variety of massages and treatments, in a very secluded massage bale, open to the foliage (heaven).

Bali Eco Stay is a fantastic place to bring the kids, to immerse yourself in the culture or just relax in beautiful surroundings knowing that you are not impacting on the environment and supporting a community.

I tried a new set-up this time (thanks to hubby and stepson Nathan ) and I was very pleased with it.

I had all my prints and sizes available, as well as the long sleeves and everyone was very lovely I am really looking forward to Angrove Street Festival on April 10th, where there will be a pop-up upmarket and eco peko pop, pop-up shop…very poppy.

This weekend though, my family and I are off to Bali. We will be staying at Bali Eco Stay in the mountains (Gunung Batukau), where the kids are able to join in on some different classes with the local kids.

We will also be staying in Ubud and going to Green School,  where we aren’t able to join the classes this time (booked to late) but are able to have a little tour of this truly amazing school. I will be taking lots of photo’s and absorbing as much info as I can about these beautiful places and will pop it on the blog.

Until then have a great week

All the best

Justine

I have a new home this year at Perth Upmarket. It’s upstairs of the Winthrop Hall, along with the very groovy Pigeonhole, clever recycling Stepmums, gorgeous hat makers Foal Design, the beautiful bag and wallet makers BHO and a whole heap more….I am so excited!!

I will have all the t-shirts on display (including the new chocolate ones), which come in both short and long sleeves, along with bamboodies, organic denim jeans, happy daks and bibs.

As a celebration of our new digs, I would like to give you some free money..(yay)…. to be spent at the eco peko pop-up shop, this Sunday at Perth Upmarket. Just print out the bill and use it to buy whatever you want at the stall. There is only one bill per customer and the money must be used on the 20th March 2011 at the market.

i look forward to seeing you there

all the best

Justine

It is an amazing Natural Health and Beauty Product store that seeks out the best in natural & organic, skin and health care products. All of the products have been tried and tested, focus on children to adults and are selectively chosen by owner and occupational therapist Jude Hayman.

The site also provides some very insightful news, on an ongoing healthy and nurturing lifestyle. I am hooked.

Over much correspondence (these guys are a wealth of knowledge), they have kindly offered eco peko subscribers a $5 discount when ordering from the site. All you need to do, is put in the code eco peko at the checkout. I am just about to put in my order for the best natural sunscreen on the market Soléo Organics All Natural 30+ SPF Sunscreen

On another note, I have just picked up, the very new, ‘the pocket guide to fair trade in wa‘. This is the brainchild of the very talented Shona of The Ethical Entrepreneur and lists all the fair trade retailers in WA. This is a first of its kind in WA and is something I wholeheartedly support. If you would like a hardcopy (they are free ) of the guide, or would be interested in being listed in next years guide (its free ) then email Shona at shona@theethicalentrepreneur.com.au

All the best

Justine

Also, after much confusion over Chrissy involving customs and fedex, our t-shirts finally arrived. They are fantastic!!!! and only priced at $32.50 (includes babies eco treasure bag)

We have 4 prints on the ‘green/eco’ range, in both green and natural and 4 prints on the ‘organic/earth’ range in both chocolate and natural, we also have them available in long sleeves and in sizes 0-3mth, 3-6mth, 6-12mth, 1yr & 2yr.

Our happy daks ($30) suit all the colours and both boys and girls beautifully (and they are super soft)

Also our bamboodies are flying out the door. They are the best sun cover for baby, so if you haven’t got one yet, get one soon as they won’t last long.

Also, eco peko supported many charities for the flood victims in Queensland, including Project Shine : a charity helping mums in need and also the QLD disaster relief fund. Then we had our own close calls with the fires in Roleystone…. as we live in Roleystone. It got very close, but we were lucky…all thanks to the fireman, they were truly amazing and came from over 50 different fire stations in WA. Luckily no lives were taken in the fires.

On writing this post, I am also seeking ways to help those people who have been effected by the earth quake in Christchurch and will keep you updated with the charity we support.

All the best

Justine

Pop onto the eco peko facebook page and click on the Christmas Sale Album and pick which ones you would like to buy. 1 t-shirt is $20, 2 to 4 shirts are $15 each and 5 or more shirts are $10 each. There is a flat rate of $7 Australia wide postage (not matter how much you order) and $10 worldwide. Once you have posted ‘sold’ on the design, with the quantity and size required, email me at info@ecopeko.com with your email and postal address.

The winners (who have been notified) of the tree free mail list entries at the following markets are :

Little Feet (Junior Upmarket) : Vanessa Miller

Perth Upmarket : Rebecca Hardman

Fremantle Bazaar : Sarah May

Thanks to everyone that entered and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.

All the Best

Justine

It was a big night, in the ballroom, at Perth’s Burswood Casino and I really didn’t think I was going to get an award. I was very excited and felt I was living an Oscar moment. The red carpet, the applause, the speech….’Thank you, thank you TCF, you have shown amazing support for my business, and I know I wouldn’t be standing here with out you’ ..(well, thats what I wish I had of said)

To celebrate eco peko’s win I am offering all eco peko members 30% off all stock for the month of November. Just put the word ‘member’ in at the checkout.

We had a winner for the facebook / community garden sale survey with Earth angel Mumma (looking forward to the pictures of bub in bamboodie Tessa, hope you have a great holiday at the beach). After many responses, I’ve decided a facebook sale…so stay tuned

Kiely, Kate and I popped down to the beach a week ago and had some fun in the sun…bamboodie stylee … as you can see, its a wonderful sun-shirt…its u.v reflective and dries super quick.

For Sydneysiders, The King and Queen of the Vegie Patch competition starts on the 8th of November and this time, the theme is fruit salad (yummy, yummy). So if you have a baby 18 months or under, live in Sydney and want to win loads of really cool eco prizes for your baby (as well as an amazing photo shoot with Love Bytes) just photograph your child with fruit and submit to the facebook site

]]> http://ecopeko.com/2010/10/awards-beach-babies/feed/ 4 http://ecopeko.com/2010/10/spring-is-in-the-air-everywhere-i-look-around/ http://ecopeko.com/2010/10/spring-is-in-the-air-everywhere-i-look-around/#comments Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:40:17 +0000 ecopeko http://ecopeko.com/?p=999
continue reading this post →]]> What a beautiful day, after another beautiful day (in WA)!

Yesterday, the bubs, hub and I went to South Beach in Freo, and experienced a still, warm and languid day on the beach (and a very crisp dip in the sea). And then today, we awoke to a lovely light rain. It greened up everything and made the blossoms on our orange tree and lime tree really fragrant…..love the smell of blossoms in the morning…

I just love Spring

So as a Spring Special, and to make way for some lovely new clothes, I’m wanting to have a Spring Sale of t-shirts, samples, seconds and cardboard toys, as well as cheeky little discounts on some new stuff……and would love to ask your opinion, so I can have the best sale for you….

the question is….

Would you rather attend a private sale at;

1. a house, with nibbles and kids play things…week-day in the morning
2. a community garden, with inspiring veggie projects and stuff for the kids to get involved with….Saturday morning
3. online on a Face Book Garage Sale…week-night from 7

If you would like to win the best sun-shirt ever for bubs…the bamboodie. (RRP $49.95)…reply to this post and share your opinion (1,2 or 3 or variations there of) on either

• this blog page..(just reply to the post)
• or the eco peko face-book page…….(post on the eco peko wall)

AND!!!!…the winning reply will win the best sunshirt for this summer…. the bamboodie….to be drawn Sunday 17th October.

Thanks for your support of eco peko

All the Best

Justine

Thanks to everyone that entered and popped by our mini eco store. We will be appearing again at the Little Feet Festival, as well as the Chrissy Upmarket (it’ll be huge!!!) and Fremantle’s Bazzar at the Fremantle Arts Centre (Dec 3-5).

The excellent Tim from Aarfie has done a bit of tweaking to the eco peko site, let us know what you think.

In the next few days, I will be announcing details of the eco peko private sale, but until then enjoy this beautiful start to Spring

All the best

Justine

Eco Peko will be in the Junior section (Hackett Hall), with our pop up eco store. We will be selling samples and discontinued tee’s for crazy low prices as well as this summers must have sun-shirt for babies…the bamboodie (its a light, floaty bamboo hoodie, with really high uv reflection) So drop by, say hi, and enter our little competition (you can win a pair of organic denim jeans..worth $69.95)

It’s looking to be a sunny day on Sunday, so what better way to spend it, than popping down to UWA, check out some great handmade and original wares, sit back on the grass and take it all in.