Reflecting is not a sin.
We wrote this piece from a genuine space and to provoke thought.

Sharing thoughts in a respectful manner can provoke reflection and growth.
So this was written so we can listen, reflect and share with each other.

Listening to each other is not a sin either.  

There will be more pieces written and shared through our platform that promote conversation and growth. 

If we do not speak with each other and/ or ask questions, while connecting as human beings (and allowing each other a listening ear), then nothing changes. 

We also wrote this piece to mark days... otherwise it's all just sunrises and sunsets jumbled together (especially in 2020).

We added various dresses that are still available for purchase online. 
Only dresses though they vary in style (may that provoke thought and conversation too)

Happy Friday 
Stay healthy, safe and open to The Universe
The LHo Team

Scarves are a fashion accessory that can be spotted irrespective of the weather. According to quite a few members of our styling team, there are scarves for cold days and scarves for warmer days. Either way, scarves can be worn all through the year. 

Scarves have a way of adding sophistication, class or a breezy and carefree vibe to your look. As an accessory, they are also versatile because they can be rocked by both men and women alike. They can be spotted around the neck, shoulders, as a head wrap and in this age of Covid-19, as a mask. So, what are all the ways you might be able to wear a scarf? We have the perfect videos thanks to, Wendy's Lookbook and Wabosha Maxine. 

Our selection of scarves is constantly growing. Feel free to click on each picture to shop the design or visit our Shoptiques store. The scarves, like all our pieces, have their individual stories from the various makers that supply us. Enjoy the stories, the entrepreneurial spirit and the designs we have available. More designs coming soon. 
Bisou Bisou 
LHo Team 

So social media can lead to great connections and finds. Via Instagram, we recently bumped into From Coffee to Wine, a podcast produced in Indiana by Jacqueline Martinez. Jacqueline is based in Greenwood, Indiana. I loved that she was "local" (yes, we travel. However, there are certain cities and towns that will ALWAYS be home to us. Indy is one of those places. It was the first state we resided in when we moved to America in 2004).

I also liked the name of her podcast and her hashtag #LetsBeHuman.
I asked her for the top three things she does to stay true to this hashtag and this is what she had to share:

1. Have a "serve first" mentality
2. Listen first. Talk second (if at all)
3. When I do share, I'm very real and go deep quickly
   ​

In 2020, let's spend more time being kind and being human as opposed to making sure we tick all the boxes to impress people we might not necessarily truly care for. Let's spend time with those we value, doing what makes us happy and makes the world a better place. Your mental health will thank you for this. 

I also thought it would be GREAT to feature her because she's holding both a cup and a wine glass. 

I did not know that we could sell as many mugs and wine glasses as we have until the end of 2019 rolled around. We're still shipping out mugs and wine glasses and for that we are grateful. We hope they are serving you well as you go from tea/ coffee to wine and back to tea/ coffee again. To shop any of the mugs or glasses, simply click on the image. 

​We also featured one of her podcasts where she discusses how the podcast was born. Whenever we embark on a project, a lot of us struggle with lining things up in the name of perfection when really, we just need to begin. Listening to her process might inspire you to begin or continue yours (irrespective of whatever it is you are embarking on or moving forward with). Her vulnerability (humanity... #LetsBeHuman) might just birth your strength. 

Cheers
​The LHo Team. 

​​During World War I and World War II, some of the buttons on U.S. military uniforms were carved out of tagua, a durable white nut about the size of a golf ball that grows on a South American palm tree.

The material was cheaper than ceramic or metal, so exporting tagua became a major industry in Colombia and Ecuador beginning around 1900. By the second half of the 20th century, demand halted with the popularization of plastic. Today the material is mostly forgotten in the United States.

Tagua is making a comeback though, this time as a decorative novelty.

While Ecuador now has a burgeoning tagua trade, Colombia's resources are only starting to be retapped. In Bogota, I visited La Tagueria, a factory in the city's gritty industrial zone. Forty employees process about 10 tons of tagua annually into colorful, intricately carved jewelry and decorations.
Tagua, sometimes called "vegetable ivory," is "the only plant product that produces a material this white, durable and pure," says factory owner Alain Misrachi.

Today tagua is more expensive than plastic, but Misrachi says it is a valuable alternative crop that helps preserve the region's tropical forests. The palm grows in the wild at lower elevations across Colombia, so there is no need to start tagua plantations. Locals collect fruit from the forest floor year-round after it falls from the tree, and the seeds are then extracted and dried. 

Our latest designs (earrings) from Colombia are featured in the slideshow above. Each pair of earrings was styled with clothing from our boutique. To shop each design, simply click on the picture. We currently have them on sale. The earrings were sourced from a fellow maker in Florida who hails from Colombia. She, like us, shops directly from traders in her home country. 

What green fashion are you sporting or selling? Tag us!! We'd love to regram and retweet them. We are @LHoCreations on most social media platforms. 

This article was originally penned by Kenneth Fletcher for the Smithsonian. Read the full article through the link below. 
Fletcher, Kenneth. “Colombia Dispatch 8: The Tagua Industry.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 28 Oct. 2008, www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/colombia-dispatch-8-the-tagua-industry-88312416/.

We've been teaching and guest lecturing across the US for almost 15 years now. The constant request we seem to receive is, "How can we remain connected?". There are requests to remain connected to our work and the cultural information we are able to share. We've sort of turned into a cultural resource center, and to be honest, we love it. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, we are able to share playlists, movies and so much more and now we've decided to include these recommendations in our blog posts. 

The songs included are some of our faves right now. 
The clothing can be shopped simply by clicking on the images. 
We hope to share a blog post every week with content and updated merchandise. 

We are honored that our small business is able to facilitate cultural connections. For a long time, we tried to focus on the business angle until we realized, we are the small business that people turn to when they seek cultural connections and this is a great thing. The more connections we generate as human beings, the better this world will be and so we take our work very seriously. Our differences shouldn't divide us. As we celebrate ten years in business, we are looking to celebrate, and embrace, this unexpected element we are now known for.

We will also include curated videos about the continent and other nations, or regions that supply us.  

Updates from the Western portion of the continent. 
What do you think about the proposed Eco?
​Let us know in the comments. 

So these pants caught my eye through our mum. Yes, she's a little fashionista herself (which she got from her mum). 
What a lot of women ask me is, "I don't know if I can pull them off,"
So we had a whole dance video shot to show you that yes, you can. Whether you are dancing like Yvonce, walking in your neighbourhood or on vacaycaycay-hey, you can rock these pants. 
Whether you are curvy or petite, the pants just have a feel good vibe that you can roll with. 
Grab a pair today. 

PS: The latest batch were purchased either at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Moshi or in Nairobi, after our wonderful dana (grandmother) was laid to rest. I bought the pairs from Moshi while travelling East Africa with Kirsten and our mother bought the ones in Nairobi after she laid her mum to rest. 

Happy Shopping. 
The LHo Team. 

There is a story behind almost every creation we produce and carry. Learn more about one of the winter sets we created on Polyvore and after, enjoy some dancing from the Triplets Ghetto Kids ft. the late Alex Mubanga.
Music and fashion are a lovely combination...
​
Smooches
The LHo Team 

A Day On Set: 
Shooting Rooftop locations with French model Nora Azz,
Styled by Ellie Dickinson of Topshop.
       Hair/ Makeup and Photography by Laura Bloomer.    
​                     

​London embodies grace and elegance. While being a busy
major city, that reality is easily forgotten by the never far lush greenery and sense of rich culture.

Today we have access to all this from our rooftop location
in St James Park, Central London. Our team
consists of French model Nora Azz and Stylist Ellie Dickinson (reigning from Topshop glory).
Photographer/ Hair and Makeup are done by yours truly, Laura Bloomer.



​I’m excited to invite you to the behind the scenes insights of what happens on a shoot! This first note is pretty common, and a life skill really! Success for today starts the day before. In other words – we need to ensure we are prepared! Some shoots will have months of planning beforehand; this will consist of:

• Finding inspiration / building a concept
• Looking up trends, what’s going on in the world currently.
• Putting together a team of like-minded individuals, who can help bring the concept to life.
• Sourcing models and clothing for the concept.
• Sourcing a location.
• Locking down a date that works for everyone.

Back to my shoot preparation, I pretty much like to leave NOTHING for the actual day except for me just turning up. In my preparation for a shoot day, I will make sure I have the following things done:
​

• Text everyone to confirm the date/time/address of the venue. Make sure everyone has your contact details and that you have theirs. I like to send out a calendar invite as well.
• Create a Pinterest board and add everyone to it. Start collecting inspiration shots.
• I link models to my get shoot ready list (available here) as a baseline. Everyone has different expectations.
• I’ve had a model show up with completely greasy hair once that could just not be saved. Had to do a wet-look.
• All makeup brushes completely cleaned/dried at least 2 days before (to ensure they are properly dry). I use
• Sards laundry soap to clean mine after EVERY time that I use them on someone. Makeup artists – once you use a brush on someone, you can’t use it again on someone else – it’s not fair. It can cause break outs at the very least or even give someone skin infections/cold sores if the previous model was unaware they had something developing. This is really important.
• I always bring snacks in my kit haha. Lollies for sugar/ energy and maybe some crackers/fruit/nuts just to keep everyone calm. I know I sure as hell get grumpy when I’m hungry!
• Full makeup kit packed and ready to go night before.
• Full hair kit packed and ready to go night before.
• Check that camera memory card is completely cleared + my back up one as well. Place both in my camera bag.
• Check camera battery is fully charged + the back up one as well. Place both in camera bag.
• Pack your mobile phone charger.
• Download a music playlist to use on set. I like to have a chilled version + a hyped up version.
• Research your travel plan to get to the venue (don’t be late!!)
• Have your outfit for the day planned the night before (less stress on the day).