I feel like this is less of a large-scale pasta night than it is a small pasta lunch with two friends that I really wanted to write about. Hardly any photos were taken by me during the actual lunch, hence the lack of company appearing in 90'% of these photos. Perhaps that’s the signal of a good time had.
What prompted the urge to write a longer piece (longer than an Instagram caption, I mean) was the fact that a predominantly visual-based medium such as Instagram doesn’t have the bandwidth to encapsulate the wonderful work that the Millie Market is doing. Sometimes we just need a bigger screen. Call me archaic - I’m all for the return to the blog.
Millie identifies as a collective, with a podcast, essays, scholarship project, and an online community just as passionate about sharing women’s stories as its founder, Chelsea Brown. Brown started Millie as an organization to amplify women’s voices worldwide, and since its inception in 2018 the organization garnered an impressive roster of statistics: over $22k raised for organizations creating access to education, close to $20k raised for women-run charities in the Middle East, and over 16k healthy periods made possible by their partners at Femme International. They’ve created a sustainable box, available at Holt Renfrew as part of the H Project, host conferences, and work with over 15 different countries in order to support artisans and their families. I could go on, but I’m not an official spokesperson. You can read more about them here.
I’m more here to talk about the Millie Market, a chapter of Millie that stocks ethically sourced pieces made by artisans around the world. This was the perfect destination to source decor for my next pasta lunch with friends. It would be a simple endeavour in my own home, and I wanted classic pieces that would accommodate my smaller, apartment-sized furniture. I found this natural stripe tablecloth by a Guatemalan-based artisan called Meema, which makes pieces from up-cycled denim. At CAD$65, this piece is an incredible deal. If you’ve never looked into denim textiles as home decor, this is your sign to do so. Also by Meema is the denim apron I’m wearing in the above photo.
To pair with the tablecloth I got these incredible soft, brushed cotton napkins by a Guadalajara-based brand called Apice, whose textiles are woven on a pedal loom by artisans from Pátzcuaro. Their designs weave handmade Mexican craftsmanship with nordic-inspired designs. Their napkins go for $25 apiece.
This breadbasket from Columbia is the perfect unlikely hero of the lunch - it serves as a sort of tray for lighter items (bread and appetizers), and I love using it on a daily basis as a display for fruit. And, for any spills that might occur from too much orange wine, may I suggest a decorative towel? This one from Ethiopia would do nicely.
What I find most impressive about the Millie Market are the budget-friendly prices. There’s no need to sacrifice ethical consumption and quality when you’re living on a budget, which many of my small space friends are. I couldn’t recommend this site more - most of the home goods are under $300 (even $100). Next time you’re tempted to peruse Zara Home, consider perusing Millie Market for a find that tells a story tracing back to its maker.