Ethical Valentine’s Day Round-Up!
- Words by Peppermint
It’s that time of year again – love is in the air, red cards are everywhere and terrifyingly large teddy bears are making their annual appearance in a supermarket near you. If you’re looking for a less scary, more ethical hint to drop a loved one (or gift to give yourself, because every day should be self-love day) then sit back and enjoy this round-up of the very best sustainable love tokens out there.
We love these light-as-a-feather white boat earrings from South Australia maker Linda Marek, whose Delilah Devine range is crafted in the Adelaide Hills. Made of Australian hoop pine, these gorgeous numbers are hand-painted and will jazz up any outfit you pair them with – hurrah!
This dreamy range of smalls-that-also-serve-as-swimmers is designed by two Fiji-raised, Australia-based sisters and made in Fiji’s first solar-powered factory. With an array of super-cute retro prints and a lovely new high-rise fit, we can’t get enough of these over-achieving undies.
Turns out you can have a totally guilt-free chocolate experience with Hey Tiger chocolate – a beautifully packaged range of chocolate bars that’s also a social enterprise. Owned by a charitable trust, Hey Tiger partners with The Hunger Project to fund their work with cocoa farming communities in Ghana. With a CEO that doesn’t take a salary and a minimum of 50c per full-size bar going direct to charity, you can truly savour every last delicious bite.
If you’re happy to blow the budget on an investment piece (or know someone who is – and this is your time to hint), then you could do worse than take a look at this dreamy Hozen bag. Made only to order in LA using vegan leather and suede, 100% recycled plastic zips, 100% recycled plastic thread and natural rubber rope, this bag is made with love right down to its organic cotton label. SWOON (and only a little bit at at the price tag).
A different bunch of beautiful blooms can be delivered in Brissie on the daily by this lovely lot – and the best part is, 100% of profits go to a local charity. Recipients have included MS Queensland, Drought Angels and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and Just Cause also offer extras including plants, cakes, soy candles and beer. Blooming brilliant!
If you’ve hitched your wagon to another’s in a formal manner, this set – from the emotional-intelligence powerhouse that is The School of Life – might be just up your wedded street. Beautifully-presented, the box contains “the secrets to a long-term union” – think thoughtful, insightful writings on all things marriage – and how to make it work for a lifetime.
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“We love that we can bring a hint of imagination and whimsy into everyday life by making ordinary objects fun. We’ve learned to appreciate the little wins and to take a moment for each step we achieve.”
Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
Photos: @MeAndMyGirl
#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
