I have a beautiful new orange and turquoise bucket bag from Nilo Aakaash.

As it usually happens, I got turned on to Nilo via a Facebook friend and loved the bags.  I’d post my photo of me with it, but I look too damn shlumpy before my morning chai.

These are products that make a difference.  One-of-a-kind, hand dyed, hand loomed, hand woven, organic (black dye is chemical), pedal sewing machine sewn, gorgeous bags.  The bags were made with Chetana Women Skills Development Program in Pokhara, Nepal between February – May, 2012.   There are many styles available from toiletry bags to totes to yoga mat bags.

“…located in Pokhara, Nepal, is a non-profit, non-government supported organization.

Its objective is to provide the skills necessary to become self reliant for poor and needy women in relation to material cutting, sewing, weaving, dying, business management and various other skills related to handicraft production.  The skills trained by Tara, the lady who started the project, will directly benefit the women, their families and the future of their children.

By creating working opportunities Tara has also established a social security system for the woman and she gives help on individual base. She makes sure they have the money needed to buy food, rent a room and send their children to school.

This project creates better opportunities to become self supportive for Nepalese women who doesn’t have any income and are struggling to survive, in all spheres of society.  Similarly, it will preserve and promote the traditional skills of Nepalese society through training and empowering women to self-dependent.”

I can tell you that the cloth is fantastic — thick and soft.  My bag has a strong drawstring top and a zippered pocket on the inside.  My only complaint (and it’s not much of a complaint) is that I would have liked a pocket on the outside to hold some paisa and 10 rupee notes…but that does not stop me from adoring this bag, it’s going to India with me next year.

Check out some of the yoga mat bags….the material is perfect for a sturdy mat bag.

There are lots more photos on Facebook and you can order directly from the page.

Those of you who will be coming to India with me next March will need a yoga mat bag for our walk to KYM, so why not one of these?

As for the Metta Yoga Study and Retreat in India, bear with me on the final package price — KYM and the hotel in Chennai will get back to me with their 2013 prices by the end of June.  I need 6 people for this to go and it’s 12 maximum, double occupancy only.  Full payment will be due by January 15, 2013.  Let me know your interest!