Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Happy Teej 2009!


Teej is an important Hindu ritual observed by Hindu women. Teej in Nepal is observed on the third day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Bhadra or Bhadrapada. It is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi and Lord Shiva and is observed for three consecutive days. This Teej is widely known as Hartalika Teej in India. In 2009, the Teej festival in Nepal begins on August 23. The last day of Teej is observed as Rishi Panchami.

A fast is observed on the Teej day by married and unmarried women. There is a belief that those unmarried women who observe fast on this day will get good husbands. Married women undertake fasting for a happy and prosperous married life. The importance of this fast is mentioned in several Puranas and it is also said that Hindu women observe Teej to commemorate the intense austerity observed by Goddess Parvati to get Lord Shiva as husband.

In Nepal, Teej is also the period when married women visit their parents. The night before Teej day is known as Dar khane Din and women prepare different varieties of food and have a lavish dinner. On Teej day, many women go without food the whole day.

The day after Teej is Ganesh Chaturthi and special prayers are held. Women also break the fast on this day. The next day is Rishi Panchami and special prayers are offered to the Sapta Rishis.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Global Daughter for Unatti


A fundraising event the whole family could enjoy!



Mary came all the way from Seattle to lend a hand.


Founder of Unatti, Stephanie, and her daughter Shriya.

Global Daughter has recently made an amazing connection with Stephanie from the Unatti Foundation. The Unatti Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to provide food, shelter and education for the multitude of orphaned and underprivileged children of Nepal.

Stephanie opened an orphanage for young girls outside of Kathmandu in one of our favorite places, historic Bhaktapur. Currently, Stephanie is raising money to create an orphanage/group home where the girls can learn to care for themselves, both financially and physically, by implementing income-generating programs that will also aid the community. One of those income-generating programs is handicraft development, which is the perfect avenue for Global Daughter and Unatti to pool their resources.


Stephanie was kind enough to invite us to participate in two events in Los Angeles over the past couple Sundays. The fundraisers were a huge success and Global Daughter was thrilled to be able to fundraise for Unatti's current project through our product. We love meeting women with the like mission of empowerment through education, and even more than that, we love to connect with those who have a shared love for Nepal. Please visit http://www.unattifoundation.org/ for more information and to see how you can help.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Join Global Daughter at the Kirkland Art Walk tomorrow!


Global Daughter is pleased to be a part of the 2nd Annual Kirkland Art Walk. Erin will be there tomorrow, Thursday, August 13th from 6PM to 9PM on Park Lane in downtown Kirkland. Stop by to say hi, treat yourself to a handmade Global Daughter gift and enjoy the work of local artists. See you there!

Monday, August 3, 2009

GD now in Princeton, IL at Beetz Me!


Global Daughter has made it to the Midwest! We are now featured in the lovely and unique gift shop Beetz Me in Princeton, Illinois, only two hours outside Chicago. Beetz Me on Main Street offers fabulous gifts ranging from wine to handmade soaps, and of course Fair Trade from Global Daughter.

As one emphatic customer states, "If you are looking for that special gift you will find it at Beetz Me. In a charming store on Main St. Princeton. You will find that small town hospitality, and that very special gift that not everyone else will have."

Global Daughter is very proud to be partnering with such an amazing woman-owned independent shop. If you are ever in the Princeton area, please stop by!