Did you know that you can give back to women in poverty by buying soap?

Soap Hope invests 100% of its profits every year into anti-poverty non-profits such as Chiapas International, Esperanza International and The PLAN Fund.

Soap Hope says: These organizations use the funds to issue business loans to women in poverty, training them how to start and run their own small businesses. This “teach a woman to fish” model can permanently lift whole communities from poverty, providing families with the resources and skills they need to be self sufficient. We call our program “Good Returns.” If you can buy products from Soap Hope for the same price as another web site or retail store, wouldn’t you choose to purchase from Soap Hope? You get the same great products, but we will invest ALL the profits into organizations that transform the lives of women.

To learn more and see their products, visit http://store.soaphope.com.

Being clean never felt so good.

-Patrick

I love riding bikes…and recently I’ve been extremely inspired by the passion and resourcefulness of Dustin McBride and Vaughn Spethmann and their ability to create a business model that is making a sustainable difference in the lives of so many.  Our resident videographer, Russell Brownley spent some time in Zambia with the Zambikes crew.  A few days ago he sent over this short montage he finished that helps tell the Zambikes story.

Zambikes is a social business that manufactures, assembles and distributes high quality bicycles, bicycle ambulances and cargo bicycle trailers to the underprivileged, empowering individuals to fight the mind set of poverty and address the economic and social needs of Zambia. Learn more by visiting: http://new.zambikes.org/

- Kahana

Want a great way to show a friend some summer love? Send them a care package! Marta from Marta Writes has started a “How To” blog where she gives instructions on how to do numerous things, including how to create a care package. Marta recommends putting a good book, some craft supplies, and a nice note in your care package. Place them in a cute gift box along with some flowers and you have a great gift ready to send.

In addition to Marta’s suggestions, baked goods and snacks are great items to add to the package. Care packages can bring a smile to the face of someone going through a hard time, show a far away friend you’re thinking of them, or simply give you something fun to make on a warm summer day!

Marta also writes about how to send an ice cream party in the mail!  Sounds crazy, but it’s possible.  Check out how here.

Take some time today to show a friend that you care about them.

-Joanna

Joanna is one of our summer interns. She’s a fan of art, coffee, blogs and sunshine. Joanna is a graphic design major and has a great appreciation for all things creative. Follow her tumblr @ http://joannanoel.tumblr.com/

Happy Monday! Here are some of our bands’ updates from the past week.

// Ace Enders and his wife, Jenn, have a rad blog about their son being on tour with them, particularly Warped Tour this summer. Here’s an excerpt:

As Ace and I walked around with Artie at our home date of Warped Tour last week, I remembered my first time there.  It was 1997 and I was thirteen years old.  In my Tilt tee shirt, dog collar-esque necklace, too-short shorts and totally stupid sandals (one was gone for good after we braved the chaotic crowd to get closer to my favorite band, mxpx..yes I was “that girl”) I walked beside my friend into what would become my life for the next thirteen years.  Her studded belt, skateboard and red streaked hair helped her fit in a little better than me.

For more, check out http://tourtot.com/

// Ivoryline came through the office last week while they were in town on their tour with Silverstein, Emery, Dance Gavin Dance, We Came As Romans, and more… They spent some time talking to us about what is inspiring them and also gave us a sneak peak of their album that releases TOMORROW. We’ll share the video later this week. We’ll leave you with this image to get you excited, and make sure to pick up the record on iTunes or anywhere where records are sold.

// We just today posted a Video Recap of this year’s Switchfoot Bro-Am. Click here to check it out.

// And don’t forget to download our FREE digital Filter Sampler. We have received really good feedback from it and we think that if you haven’t already grabbed it, you’ll love it: www.filtermagazine.com/jedidiah.

On June 26, Switchfoot hosted their 6th annual Switchfoot Bro-Am at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California. It was a rad event that raised support for the San Diego and Oceanside chapters of Stand Up For Kids. Check out this quick video recap from the event that we were honored to be a part of:

(Shot and edited by: Russell Brownley)

“Switchfoot’s dedication, support & commitment to the homeless kids of California is unequated.” -Rick Koca, founder of Stand Up For Kids

- Kahana

(via Kelli’s blog)

I have really been into florals lately….particularly over-sized floral shirt dresses. Here is a little outfit I put together around one of my favorites by MINKPINK (who has the most amazing SPRING 2010 collection).

Where to find it :

1.  Gipsy Back Seam Rose TIghts

2.  Rick Owens Agular leather jacket – SPLURGE

3.  MINKPINK shirt dress

4. Kimichi Blue Tassel Purse

5.  Sam Edelman lace-up wedge

6.  Northern Flicker Art Print

7.  Brass Buci stacking rings by Flutter

8.  Marquis & Camus necklace

Travel photography is one of my loves and pictures of foreign cities often make me want to immediately book a flight. But James takes a quieter, subtler approach to this genre by layering silhouettes of people against the Beijing cityscape which creates a wonderful dreamlike effect.

Photographer Jasper James.

Click here for the whole series.

-Michael Chen

One thing I love about Jedidiah is working with people that I share common interests with. When 5 a.m. rolls around, it’s standard for Kahana and I to meet up at the Jedidiah office, grab our boards and soggy wet suits from the day before and carpool to the beach to try and catch a few waves. Good or bad, getting that early surf in before work starts the day off right and keeps me going throughout the day…I am sure many of you can relate.  Here are a few shots from this mornings session at Mission.

Photos and post by,

-Billy

This past June I was invited on a trip to Haiti with Shayne and Shannon Mcintyre for an episode of their TV show on Fuel TV called On Surfari.  They just wrapped up editing and will be hosting a few small screenings at local surfshops through Southern California.  Hope to see you there!

- Kahana