Posts Tagged ‘made in the USA’
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
School’s back from summer! What better way to celebrate this momentous, seasonal occasion than with some fun and (board) games? Yes. Before hankering down to doing that homework, take a break with the likes of a board game like UVAopoly, made by Ohio’s Late for the Sky games. That’s right. In the case that you have yet to hear of the many versions of the famed game, Monopoly makes more than just the traditional kind; there are apparently also scholastic versions in accordance with your favorite college or university. As a student at the University of Virginia, I’d always see UVAopoly at the bookstore and think about buying it. As soon as I did (after realizing that more than two years after graduation I was still thinking about it), I was the happiest camper ever. Enough with those electronic Wiis! Board games are so much more fun! And, these happen to also be made in America.
-Serena
UVAopoly is Made in USA.
Tags: american made, buy local, college, games, made in the USA
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Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Washing. It’s the phenomenon of wiping the slate of your brain clean as well as the cycle you put your clothes through. In this ever-soiled world, there is always more washing to be done. Now the term has expanded. It’s gone beyond the vocabulary surrounding cults and housewives and has gone towards the flooding of markets by the media. When on the topic of sustainability, green-washing is also ever-present. And, not long ago, local-washing became a new word on the horizon. So, what about it?
We know that buying locally made goods is important. And as soon as we, as consumers, proclaimed that priority, savvy businesses followed suit with letting their customers know that their product too, is local. Using the zeitgeist as a marketing tool is fine as long as it’s not false. For instance, not long ago, Juicy Couture changed the tags on its products from “Made in the Glamorous USA” to “Designed in the Glamorous USA”— an assertion that was probably much closer to the truth. But, can a product that is Made in the USA from foreign-sourced materials still be considered and then labeled as an American made good? Our answer at Locallectual is, “yes”— as long as it’s labeled that way.
I started thinking more deeply about the dilemma not long ago when I learned that clothes by Catherine Malandrino—one of my all time favorite brands for women—were USA-made. I did a bit of research online and learned that the products are in fact made here but from fabrics that had been imported. Had I been local-washed? My personal take would be, “no.” Though there are plenty of brands that, when they say they are local (read: national), they really take the conservative route and use American made materials to craft the Made in USA goods, the literal end result remains much the same. Take the brand, Prairie Underground. The Seattle-based company uses, “…local sewers, dyehouses, knitters as well as sustainable fabrics like hemp and organic cotton sourced directly from the United States whenever possible.” Now, that’s an exceptional case, and I’d love to see more of it. Until then, let’s take it one step at a time, and document our triumphs with proper transparency as we go along.
-Serena
Clothes by Catherine Malandrino are assembled in America but made from foreign fabrics.
Tags: american made, apparel, buy local, Consumer Products, fashion, made in the USA, Manufacturing
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Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
I don’t shop at Bed Bath & Beyond very often. In fact, I’ll admit that I avoid the industrial mega-mart of home furnishings whenever possible. But then, every once in awhile, there comes a time when I need a basic object for my place and can’t think of anywhere else to go. Sure, I could Google the type of product online, research the best companies that offer eco-versions of whatever I’m looking for, and then go find an outlet for such a product in person or just buy online. Honestly? When I need another set of hangers, I hardly have the patience to research nor wait for them. So, for better or worse, Bed Bath & Beyond usually satisfies those urgent, standard needs.
Fortunately, the big box actually offers a number of environmentally friendly and American made goods. For instance, just recently, I moved into a new home with an extra bathroom and realized that I was without an extra shower rod and with a guest arriving that weekend. In that case, Bed Bath & Beyond was my insta-savior with its decorative shower rods by Zenith; I snatched one that was just right, right away. Zenith Products Corporation may not be a mom-and-pop shop but at the very least, it sells no-frills goods that were manufactured right here in the U.S.A. and then sold by our very own big boxes. See? Silver linings abound.
-Serena
I found this USA-made shower rod at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Tags: american made, buy local, home decor, locallectualize your home, made in the USA
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Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Viking’s Ultra-Premium grills are Made in the USA.
If you like to cook and know a thing or two about appliances, chances are that items by the Viking Range brand are at the top of your wish list. Beautiful, solid, and reliable, Viking’s complete collection of stoves, cooking ranges, refrigerators and the like are sought after by not only the most hard-core of individuals but also by most commercial kitchen endeavors. Another top quality of Viking’s? For years, its products have been made in America. (How about grilling those local beef burger patties on U.S. burners next Fourth of July? Yes, please.) Now, the brand is fighting harder than ever to keep its local ties true, as manufacturers and consumers alike seek lower-cost items amidst equally difficult economic times. How to keep Viking at home? My best guess would be to use that consumer power and to voice your support through the American dollar… When in need of new appliances, look to those that are Made in the USA. The proverbial iron has never been hotter.
-Serena
At an American plant, a worker produces Viking Range products.
Tags: american made, buy local, Consumer Products, cooking, made in the USA
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Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
The Charlottesville City Market—and most farmers markets, for that matter—is a magical place. Where else would be a one-stop-shop for locally made jewelry, award winning desserts, and unusual types of well raised meat? In thinking over my past few trips to the Saturday morning bazaar, I realized how strikingly bizarre my purchases had actually been. After one visit, I came home with a handmade necklace by Erin McDermott and some Sweet Italian lamb sausage links by Pair-a-dice Farm in Lunenburg, Virginia. A few weeks later, I was eating the “Best Key Lime Pie on the Planet,” courtesy of Free Union Produce & Gourmet Edibles. According to the pastry chef herself, said pie had won countless awards and had been deemed by many to very well be the best key lime pie ever. (To her credit, it’s true. Trust me.) Then, for dinner, I made beef liver from Poindexter Farm in Henrico County—bought that very same Saturday as the pie. Standard grocery stores may be known for their variety but in my opinion, shopping just doesn’t get any more high quality or quirky than at a small town market.
-Serena
This necklace made me picture beachy locations and tanned people…
At the lamb stand: meats and more.
Can you taste the crumbly, creamy goodness?
At the Poindexter Farm booth, a local chef was also purchasing meat.
Tags: american made, buy local, charlottesville, eat local, farmers market, handmade, jewelry, local foods, locavore, made in the USA, virginia
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products, Eat Local, agriculture | No Comments »
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
One of my very favorite magazines, as a locavore, art lover, and Southerner, is the 3 year old Garden & Gun, which features topics of interest to readers below the Mason-Dixon line along side gorgeous photographs. The magazine has announced a call for nominations for their first annual “Made in the South” awards. You can nominate your favorite Made in the South product, whether it’s pies or canoes or anything in between, between now and August 1st in one of the five categories: Food, Home, Style, Sporting, and Etc. There is an entry fee, but if your product wins, you get featured in the magazine, plus one winner will get to go to Charleston, South Carolina to the Garden & Gun headquarters and consult with Leapfrog Public Relations Co. and Stitch Graphic Design, two Southern firms known for bringing national attention and sophisticated style to small businesses based in the Southeast.
Check it out, nominate your favorites, and read Garden & Gun for the winners (plus find wonderful Made in the South products!).
-Jess
Tags: american made, buy local, Consumer Products, eat local, made in the USA, magazine, Manufacturing
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products, Eat Local, Manufacturing, Pop Culture | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
I recently read an article about a genius British geneticist whose diet consists almost entirely of beer. Although I doubt that as this man writes about longevity, he is helping along his own by consuming just that particular beverage, the whole idea could make for a pretty good marketing campaign.
Meanwhile, back in the colonies, strides are also being made by making or drinking American brewski. Mid-Spring, U.S. breweries did quite well in the 2010 World Beer Cup. (Yes, it exists.) In late April, news that the convenience store 7-Eleven was to come out with its very own beer added to the importance of the beverage. For those who previously avoided the mega-mart, you might want to stop by just to try Game Day, the exclusive 7-Eleven beer that is made in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. And, on a personal note, a few exorbitantly hot days ago, I stopped in the small town of Lynchburg, Virginia and was immediately brought back to life by the Rockfish Wheat ale by Blue Mountain Brewery. (Of course, the local, organic sausage that I ate with it certainly helped.) Also in Lynchburg and just steps away from Mangia is Ned’s, a new, locally owned beer specialty store. The young proprietor’s knowledge and belief in the power of a good bottle was heartwarming in a kind of way that you wouldn’t necessarily believe beer could achieve. Lessons learned? To get up and running, drink a bottle of the good stuff down daily. Oh yes, and make sure to eat something substantial while you do.
-Serena
Drink beer. Make it American.
Tags: american made, beer, buy local, eat local, made in the USA
Posted in Buy Local, Eat Local | No Comments »
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Yesterday my children and I spent some time with a favorite aunt and cousins exploring Minnesota’s beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. Gorgeous weather allowed us a picnic on Pebble Beach followed by a visit to Split Rock Lighthouse. On the return drive an impromptu stop at Northwoods Pioneer Gallery & Gifts was a surprise treat.
Upon entering, we stopped to chat with the friendly staff, which we learned always includes one of the co-op’s artisans. We then made our way through the delightful shop. We really enjoyed exploring the vast variety of handmade goods from area artisans, and finally departed the store with our Minnesota-made finds including handmade soaps from Nature’s Elements, hand-poured candles from Copper Creek Candles, and other goodies.
Should you find yourself on Minnesota’s North Shore, do make a point of stopping in to see what the this Locallectual treasure box has in store!
-Karen
Tags: american made, buy local, Consumer Products, crafts, made in minnesota, made in the USA, minnesota, north shore
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products, Economy | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, May 12th, 2010
I’m not sure which is more engaging: the GEMtables themselves, or the New York-based couple that is behind them. GEMtables are the latest collection of affordable, environmentally sound, bamboo furniture by the duo that makes up Culin & Colella, Inc. The pieces are small, intricate, and relatively lightweight— just like the semi-precious stones that they were most likely named after. The individual products are also artisanal in form and artistic in detail, as they are personally handcrafted by either Ray or Janis, both of whom were schooled in the subjects of design and woodworking and have now been in the industry for years. Best yet, every GEMtable is made stateside in Mamaroneck, New York. Looking to furnish that miniature Manhattan apartment of yours? You know where to go.
-Serena
Ray Culin and Janis Colella in their High Point Market showroom, just last month.
Tags: american made, buy local, Consumer Products, eco-friendly, interior design, made in new york, made in the USA, new york
Posted in Buy Local, Consumer Products | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
While moving some large objects around the other day, I noticed that the mat that I had been using as a prop to hold a door open for me had been made in the United States. I didn’t catch a brand name or a company behind its production— just the large, all-caps catchphrase, “MADE IN USA.” That was it, but it was also enough. Little reminders that many of the products that we use on a daily basis are American made is kind of exciting— like running into a good friend that you didn’t necessarily expect to see. So, keep your eyes out, acknowledge what you see, and smile.
-Serena
- This mat snuck up on me as an American made one.
Tags: american made, buy local, Consumer Products, made in the USA
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