Spreading the Message

Saturday was beautiful and sunny, and we spent the day meeting fun and interesting people at the Eastern Market in DC. Athough it was a little chilly for my taste, you could just feel the joy of Spring in the air!

So many of you have stopped by our Brand of the Free booth and we enjoy getting to know you and hearing your thoughts. We love your comments and input on our graphic tees, ranging from a chuckle to belly laughs, or either LOVING the design or "just not getting it".

Our goal at Brand of the Free is to provide you with cool tee designs that communicate subtle messages that promote conversation. It is also important to us to offer you the choice to purchase American made, 100% organic cotton - a choice that is eco-friendly and supports the American worker. More and more we are hearing from you that these choices are important to you, too.

One mom that we met just touched my heart. Her daughter was having a slumber party, and she wanted to get some eco-friendly shirts for the girls. She purchased four "New Growth" shirts, each in an individual bag to give out. What a great idea! The girls will have soft, organic cotton tees to remember their sleepover, and they will be wearing a shirt with a positive message. It really made me think about how the message is getting out there - one person at a time, sharing an idea or thought about who they are and what they choose to support.

Please leave a comment, to let us know your thoughts of ways to get the message out.

Maybe you have your own ideas for shirts or events that you would like to discuss. Always feel free to email or call.

What's important to you? It's time to let the world know.


Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World

http://www.brandofthefree.net/



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Elegant and Bold Jewelry Designs

You know the feeling - you are aimlessly browsing through some accessories and jewelry, and then you spot the designs you just can't resist. Something connects with your spirit and you feel as though the designer knew you when she created the pieces.

That's how I felt when I discovered Andrea D'Ambrosia Designs. Meeting Andrea at Crystal Couture last week was a pleasure. She is bold and fun, and also has a very elegant fashion sense. Her multifaceted personality carries over to her gorgeous one of a kind jewelry designs, many of which incorporate vintage brooches.

I love the fact that Andrea weaves vintage brooches into her collection. What better way is there to recycle a vintage piece than to create a beautiful marriage of the old and new? The result is stunning.

A. D'Ambrosia Designs is located in Alexandria, VA. Did I tell you that I love to shop local?

Check out Andrea's jewelry and accessories: http://www.andreadambrosia.com/
Shop online: http://www.andreadambrosia.etsy.com/
Contact: andreadambrosia@yahoo.com

Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World
http://www.brandofthefree.net/

Discover “The Slow Cook”

Wow-I just came across the most interesting website. My quest for information on “real” and nutritious food leads me in so many directions, that sometimes the whole subject could be overwhelming. At the same time, the compulsion forces me to keep digging for as many “nuggets” that I could find. Well, I happened upon a goldmine!

Ed Bruske, of “The Slow Cook” is a former reporter for the Washington Post who believes in “self-reliance, growing food close to home and political freedom for the residents of the District of Columbia”.

He really pulled me in with his Manifesto:

“Enough of food fads! Enough of food porn! Enough of celebrity chefs (except Mario Batali)! It’s time to take back control of the food we eat and the pace of our own lives. Things should grow and cook in their own time. Reject fast food! Reject waiting lists at over-hyped, outrageously expensive restaurants! Reject food out of season! Sit, eat drink. Enjoy good food made by caring hands. Enjoy food eaten slowly, in good company.”

Thanks to Ed Bruske for all of the wonderful information that he has made available on “The Slow Cook”. It will take a while for me to dig through all of the info there, including recommended cooks, links, food writers, movies, recent articles, and archived blogs, and I will enjoy every minute of it!


Check out “Tales from a D.C. School Kitchen”. Eye opening info! http://www.theslowcook.com/2010/01/21/tales-from-a-d-c-school-kitchen-part-three/

Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World
http://brandofthefree.net/

Bask in the Sunshine of the Eastern Market

Looks like the sun will be shining on the Eastern Market DC this Saturday! It’s going to be a great day for strolling along, appreciating some long awaited warmth while perusing the produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods that the market has to offer. And who could resist checking out the latest offerings from very unique vendors – a vast array of jewelry, art, photography, hand made knitted hats and scarves, graphic tees, vintage linens and furniture…the list goes on and on.

It’s hard to fully describe the Eastern Market…it’s a warm, cozy combination of aromas, sights, sounds and some of the most interesting people around. We look forward to seeing some of our old friends. For those of you, who have never attended the Eastern Market, plan to come and see what you’ve been missing! We’ll be looking for you!

Eastern Market Info: http://www.easternmarketdc.com/

Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World
http://www.brandofthefree.net/

Fun Fashion at Crystal Couture 2010

Brand of the Free is SO looking forward to the 2010 Crystal Couture experience in Crystal City, VA, February 1-6! Last year we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, mingling with fashion designers, artists, fashionistas, models, and all of the interesting and wonderful people we met. We look forward to spending some time with good friends, and meeting many new ones!

Crystal Couture is a trendy, creative event, transforming some available retail space into a nightclub atmosphere. There’s lots of fun to go around, including runway shows, open bar, free snacks, free makeovers, local DJs, dancing, and more!

This year, Bianca Richardson, finalist from America’s Next Top Model will appear, and there will be a t-shirt and design competition, selected by audience vote.

Don’t miss Brand of the Free designs on the runway! It’s going to be a very cool week!

For more info: http://www.crystalcity.org/item/fun-fashion-comes-to-crystal-city-update

Brand of the Free - Better Apparel for a Better World
http://www.brandofthefree.net/

Welcoming the New Year

It’s hard to say good bye to 2009 because it was a great year for us - we’ve met such wonderful people! We especially have enjoyed getting to know a lot of you at the Eastern Market in DC. It’s always a pleasure meeting face to face, although we also really appreciate our Facebook, Twitter and online friends!

Today, we would like to say thank you for your friendship and support! BOTF’s mission is to offer thought provoking designs while supporting American workers and businesses. It is also important to us to offer the choice of 100% organic cotton, which is grown in the USA. Through our conversations, you have shared your support for that mission and have also offered many suggestions and input. Please, keep it coming – we are listening!

We are looking forward to 2010 with excitement! New designs will be released and keep your eyes open for BOTF’s 12 shirt giveaway! More info to come!

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve celebrations….whether at home or out partying! Have a Wonderful, Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!

Sincerely,

Joe and Bernadette Maluso

The True Gifts of Christmas

This year, we are truly enjoying the Christmas Season! A pile of beautiful snow was dumped on the DC area, and we thoroughly love it! Being Northeast Ohio natives, it doesn’t feel entirely like Christmas without at least SOME snow! So, Yippee!

With everything going on during this Holiday Season, please take a moment to breathe in the peace of friends and family. Sometimes as we jump through the hoops to make for a “perfect” Christmas day, we allow the real gifts to go unnoticed. All we have to do is stop, take a breath, open our eyes and hearts, and see what is around us. The magic is already there and can not be bought in a store.

As we count down to Christmas Day, we would like to wish you peace and happiness!