The Women on their Way Awards, for which I was nominated as one of the Best Online Businesses, was a great day out and very inspiring. I didn’t win the award, but had a very enjoyable day catching up with some of the fantastic people that I’ve chatted with on Twitter and met at other events. We listened to a talk from Caroline Marsh (from the Secret Millionaire series). From a difficult start in Africa after her family fell on hard times, she went on to work as an air hostess, move to the UK and then build up a million pound property portfolio. She is very active in her local area doing charity work as well, helping young people get a start in business. One thing I enjoyed about the Awards was how varied they were, taking in so many different areas of business and charitable work. Here is a photo of all the nominees and award winners together, from the day!

Women on their Way Awards 2010 Nominees and Finalists

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The Trikidoo is a fabulous adult tricycle with space for your children on the back. I’m friends with the fabulous mumpreneur who designed it, Clare Kemp-Welch, and when I heard that she’d worked out a way to give the Trikidoo that bit of extra oomph, I wanted to share it with you. Having a bit of power can be a real help when you’re tired on that school run home, or have had a lot of journeys – or if you’re facing a steep hill!

The inventor takes her Trikidoo for a spin

Trikidoo has teamed up with Powabyke to create a unique child carrier: no effort required! The electric assisted Trikidoo makes hills a doddle; just turn the throttle and away you go.
The Lithium Battery Trikidoo: £1950 (inc VAT)
8 mile range
Speed of up to 12 mph

The lithium battery works in conjunction with a small silver control box, which is attached to the frame between the childrens’ seat and the rider’s seat. This is where the ignition key fits. It is completely waterproof, small and tidy.

The lithium battery itself fits inside the underseat bag with plenty of space to spare. See picture bottom left.
No need to charge every time
Weighs just 2 kg

The Lead Acid Battery Trikidoo: £1870 (inc VAT)
15 mile range
Speed of up to 12 mph

Large, fits in the underseat bag, but takes up the majority of the space.
No need to charge every time
Weighs just 10 kg
Get the kids from A to B, to school,
to friends, then home for tea!
Call 07795 436 674 or visit Trikidoo for more information

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I just received an email from the Book of Green, which Mimimyne is in this year (we’re going to be listed in their free iPhone App as well – can’t wait to be in an App!) and wanted to let you know that Book of Green has been nominated for Best Media/Publication at the Eco Veggie Awards 2010!

Eco Veggie Awards 2010, honour the movers and shakers of the Green, Fair Trade and veggie circles – the people, organisations and products that are making a difference right now.

Awards organiser Tim Barford from Bristol based hemp firm Yaoh says: ‘The threat of Climate Change, and the reality of poverty, injustice and environmental destruction, are there for us to deal with – this is the challenge to the generations of today. We aim to focus on the positive, not the negative, it’s the only way forward to achieve solutions, and for this reason we are honouring some of the brightest and biggest achievers on the planet.’

Book of Green said: ‘We were delighted when we discovered we had been nominated for the award. We created the national paperback eco directory last year to promote a collective set of eco/ethical businesses. We made it free to enable the public to gain access the genuine green marketplace easily. We had such a fantastic response in 09 we’ve doubled our print run to 60,000 copies for 2010, and we are looking forward to launching our free iPhone app soon’

The awards are voted for by the public and winners of the ten categories will be announced on Sunday May 30th at The Bristol Eco Veggie Fayre. To vote for favourites (including Book of Green!) visit Eco Veggie Fayre Awards

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Mimimyne got a lovely write-up by columnist Andrew Williams in the Wharf newspaper this week! He recommended the Wattson by DIY Kyoto and also mentioned Cosytots Organics gorgeous chick toys, perfect for Easter.

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We have a winner! 18% of you voted for author and TV personality Daisy Goodwin with her slogan “Because the future’s worth it”. She’s the lucky winner with 10 bags with her slogan printed on them headed her way, congratulations Daisy! The second most popular slogan was “I may look like an old bag but inside I still feel sixteen” from the fabulous Sam Pearce from Mums The Boss while in third place we had a tie, “Same Bag, Different Day” (my effort, ahem) and “Caution: May Contain Cake, Wine or Chocolate” from Sam Pearce again! An honourable mention also goes to Victoria Cramsie from the gorgeous Paperboy Wallpaper for her great suggestion, “Bag Yourself a Future”. I am hoping to use more than one of the slogans on the bags as there were so many great suggestions and ideas, thank you so much everyone for participating and I’ll keep you posted once I have finished designing the slogan and sent it to Smartbags for printing! I also had some lovely comments about Mimimyne’s service, and am happy to report that over 70% of you who had bought something from Mimimyne were very satisfied with your purchase, while the rest of you were evenly split between quite satisfied and satisfied.

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Mimimyne is proud to announce that we are now the stockists of the gorgeous new Big Ben wall sticker and clock face from eco wallpaper design geniuses funky little darlings. This iconic UK landmark would be a striking focal point in any room just as a wall sticker, but with the working clock face incorporated it’s a winner. Designed and made with pride in the UK!

Big Ben Wall Sticker with Clock

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If you’re looking for an original Easter gift or Easter decoration, how about Cosytot’s gorgeous Amigurumi organic knitted toy Chicks and organic knitted toy Hens? Mimimyne offers a 10% discount on the Chicks if you order the Hen first (just choose the option “Part of a set”) and the hens are on sale this month too!

Organic knitted toy Easter Chick

“Amigurumi” is the Japanese name for small crocheted or knitted toys: the word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. They are typically cute animals, and I think you’ll agree these are no exception! Kathy from Cosytots’ kids, like mine, are crazy about Japanese style and designs so she has been busily knitting away and produced these wonderful, 100% organic toys in all kinds of colourways. These toys are character toys so NOT suitable for children under 4 years old.

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In a bid to honour many celebrities environmental campaigns, the gift bags to be given to celebrities at this weekend’s Oscar ceremonies will have a strong organic and ethical focus.

Bright new British fashion brand Animal Tails, with its full organic and ethical status, and focus on protecting endangered species has been specially selected for inclusion in the celebrity gift bags.

Animal Tails, was founded by designer and artist Annette D’Oyly over two years ago. The collection is UK Soil Association certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which assures that the garments are, not only organic, including the dying process and silk screen inks, but also ethically manufactured.

Animal Tails takes a fresh approach to clothes for babies and children, and feature amazing silk screen images, developed from their own original artwork, of endangered species. Each garment has a unique story label telling fun and amazing facts about the endangered animals. Animal Tails gives 1% of its turnover to organisations that seek to protect endangered species.

The collection is available online and stocked in over 50 places across the UK and internationally, including Fenwick and the National Maritime Museum. You can find some of their range of clothes for children and babies here at Mimimyne or visit their site www.animaltails.co.uk for more information! Livia Firth, wife of Colin Firth, who writes about ethical fashion, has also blogged about Animal Tails on Vogue.com – you can read her article about ethical fashion in the Oscars goody bags here.

Animal Tails Cerulean Warbler T shirt

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It’s Mother’s Day on the 14th of March this year and I know what I’ll be getting for my mother this year: a lovely Mum’s Bag from Carry-a-bag. Mimimyne stock these beautiful bags, which are made from recycled vintage fabrics by Sally Walton in East Sussex. Sally designs, makes and hand prints her bags as well and was one of the first designer-makers to champion the eco cause of bringing a bag shopping instead of taking one away with you – and later putting it into the rubbish, from which it goes to landfill, taking many years to degrade, or ends up as litter, endangering wildlife and spoiling the appearance of our beautiful countryside. Sally has also made some limited edition “With Love” bags, which I’ll be adding to the site in the next couple of days and would also make a beautiful present.

Mum's Bag

Another present I’d suggest considering for a mother with a baby, a Heba changing bag made by a women’s charity in the East End of London. We are currently giving one of these away with the Primary Times Online and they make great gifts, with practical pockets for mobile phones, bottles and other mummy paraphernalia! 85% of the purchase price goes direct to the charity and you know you are helping a good cause, as these low-income women are learning how to use their sewing and design skills to build a great future for themselves and their families. Oh yes, and the bag is on sale this month!

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