While browsing my favourite eco boutiques for gifts, I chanced upon this delightful Peruvian wall decoration made by CIAP, a non-profit association which aims to promote working and living conditions of rural communities.

The bustling scene is entirely hand-stitched and one of a selection of intricate patchwork images to brighten up your home. It certainly made me think about getting out the embroidery needles and composing a scene of my own! If you're as inspired as I am, there is a very basic wallhanging 'how to' here [Via Crafty Crafty]

I always enjoy leafing through Traidcraft's ever growing catalogue of fairly traded gifts and other goodies, so the arrival of the latest edition on my desk this week was a welcome treat. New of a new fairtrade chocolate range was especially exciting, but it was the kids' section that really grabbed me this time around.

They've picked a lot of penguin-related products, including a jute toy basket, crockery set and rucksack. Do they know something we don't about forthcoming winter trends?

Related: Bright guy: self-lighting LED penguin torch | knitted penguins suits for endangered birds

You may remember that there was a trend in the '80s for animal-shaped rucksacks. I had a frog, and I remember all kinds of other critters adorning my schoolmates' backs. And now most of those schoolmates have kids of their own, I'm hardly surprised to see this cute little trend coming back.

Only this time, we're doing it noughties style, with far more respect for those involved in making the products. Tatty Bumpkin is one ethical label that's picked up on the trend, with its smiley 'spider' rucksack, that's just the right size for transporting essential items to school. Its costs £13.99. Alternatively, there's a similarly proportioned butterfly bag for young arachnophobes!

People Tree's handwoven jacquard shirt is a bargain £35 and features nifty eco-friendly details like coconut shell buttons. The shirt is made in Bangladesh where thanks to the Fairtrade principles it has helped create economic stability for women in rural villages.

It comes in blue and yellow or green and brown and has a relaxed but slim fit. Use it to dress down a pair of tailored shorts for a relaxed but smart summer outfit.

Everyone's favourite fairtrade fashion emporium is slashing its prices as of today, with up to 50% off some of its hottest summer items.

The organic cotton waterlily dress we featured earlier in the year is now down to a jaw-dropping £21, while you can pick up the adorable alphabet baby wrapsuit for just £4. This is ethical fashion at its stylish and most affordable best, and there is plenty of summer left. So I suggest you head over there now for some fabulous new wardrobe additions.

Related: Summer dresses: Thakoon for People Tree | Tonic sells new '1984' t-shirts at '80s prices

The fact that it looks like a dress should hint at the fact that this is no ordinary skirt. The 'super skirt' is one of the most versatile garments I've ever worn, and it's also fairly-traded, organic and about as green as it gets.

You can wear the wide fold-over sash tied in the front to create a skirt, and vary it by wearing it on the side, or in the back. Or, convert the skirt into a dress by Tying the sash up your back for a strapless dress or knotting it behind your neck for a darling halter dress. Get yours for $32 at Global Girlfriend

Here's one pooch you'll want to take for a walk every time you visit the shops! Fairtrade streetwear gurus Tonic have come up with the new poodle motif, which appears not only on these calico tote bags, but also on women's organic cotton vests in black or white.

Both vests and totes are normally £12 each, but if you get on to Tonic's mailing list, you'll get a generous discount every time you order. And up until next weekend, that discount is 20% off single items and 30% off multiple orders. You'd be barking mad not to ('arf 'arf!)

Related: Top 5 hippest fairtrade tote bags | New organic 'hippo' tee from Spreadshirt

Here's one tasty treat that's unlikely to be keeping Britain's 4 million tonnes of food waste company! Divine's latest offering to chocoholics-with-a-concsience is a new strawberries and cream variety that's perfect for summer scoffing.

Creamy fairtrade cocoa blends with real, scrunchy strawberries in the new flavour, which celebrates Divine's 10th anniversary of producing high quality, fairtrade choc. Divine's scheme has proven so beneficial to farmers in Ghana that it scooped the Observer ethical business award earlier in the year. It's about as guilt-free as chocolate gets. £1.49 per bar at Ethical Superstore

Tote bags have truly become the new t-shirts. As soon as a new slogan, pattern or logo gains popularity, you'll be sure to see it in a supermarket aisle near you soon.

Accessorize is one brand that has picked up the trend nicely, and has also had the foresight to make its hippy shopping bags from fairtrade cotton, which is more than can be said for many designers! Its current range, which included the lovely 'I heart bags' tote pictured left, is growing all the time, and I've included some items from its current range in my pick of the best fairtrade tote bags currently on sale.

Follow the jump for the top totes!

People Tree's designer collaborations just keep on getting stronger, with each name bringing new flavours to the UK's foremost fairtrade fashion label.

New Yor--based Thakoon, a fave of Sarah Jessica Parker and Demi Moore, has created some gorgeous pieces for People Tree this summer, but my favourite has got to be this sassy, silk babydoll dress. Hand screen printed all over, the dress would be perfect on a hot day, or worn over trousers as a flattering top. The dress is made by well-treated workers in Bangladesh and costs £145

Related: Matthew Langille's cute designs for People Tree | Bora Aksu designs capsule collection for People Tree

I love Tonic's quirky t-shirt designs, and for a small company, its designers do a great job of churning out consistently strong new styles.

The latest is inspired by George Orwell's novel and so-hot-right-now 1980's fonts and graphics; it's available on 100% SKAL-certified organic cotton Fairtrade slate blue t-shirts. What's more, if you sign up to Tonic's mailing list, you'll get a 30% discount on your order, bringing down the cost of this £22 to just £16. Who said ethical fashion was expensive?

Related: Tonic's tribute to TV's Bruce Forsyth | Tonic clothing gets a touch of Bollywood glamour

After gaining fairtrade acreditation for all its retail products, sugar giant Tate & Lyle is looking to join forces with several large confectionary companies hoping to mass-produce fairtrade sweets.

This is great news for anyone with a sweet tooth who wants to support fair working conditions. A spokeswoman for the fairtrade foundation said of the potential deals (which are still shrouded in some secrecy) they are 'fantastic news' and that the size of Tate & Lyle's industrial sugar production meant it would have a very significant impact if it was converted.

[Via The Guardian]

If you don't know Matthew Langille's work, think childlike line drawings, fun, colourful prints and playful indie style -- all attributes he'll soon be bringing to People Tree, with a limited edition t-shirt range.

The range includs 'You and Me' (pictured); a trendy oversized tee with a V-shaped back, pleat detailing and double layering at the sleeves.'Honey Bee' is also an oversized tee and comes in sunny yellow with a black graphic print. It has a rounded neck and unfinished edges. Both tees are made from 100% organic Fairtrade certified cotton and are on sale for £32 each from People Tree.

If your conscience won't let you sleep easy at night, check out this unusual, appliqued duvet cover and pillowcase set that not only looks great, it also earns you eco points as you snooze.

The set is made from certified organic, fair trade cotton grown in Southern India and even its buttons are sculpted out of earth-friendly coconut. Each design is reversible, and you can choose from blueberry and spearmint (pictured), lime and olive or wine and raspberry. The price is also extremely reasonable, at £77.50 for the single set at the Green Apple Store.

I'm not normally a huge fan of trainers on babies, but have to admit these 'Bebe Volley' shoes by Veja have stolen my heart.

The fairtrade footwear label that also makes stylish, sports-casual shoes for adults, is now selling organic cotton baby shoes to match its original shoes that are similar to classic 1970s styles from Puma and Green Flash. The shoes are available with a green or pink trim, and are perfect for keeping your baby's feet warm. Get them for £20 at Equa.