Feature Friday - Spring Cleaning

Have you been going back and forth to your closet lately, staring longingly at your spring-y skirts and short sleeved tops?  Because I have.  I push aside the packed-in fabrics, and count down the days (and check my weather app) until I can work those pieces into my daily rotation.

This is also the time of year I start inventorying just what pieces need to be let go of, in order to clear out some closet space!  Whether they end up in my Poshmark closet, donated to my favorite local thrift store, or set aside for a future clothing swap with friends, there's certain pieces that ended up in my home that just don't get enough wear to justify keeping them.  So, the closet cleanse begins!

Fair Trade Friday - Hostess with the Mostest

It's DECEMBER!  It is officially the start of another holiday season, and what goes hand in hand with the holidays?  Holiday parties!  If you're planning on making the rounds this year, and prefer to have a more intentional gift for your host than a last minute gift from the nearest Target rack closest to the door (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything....), I decided to round up a few Fair Trade gift ideas from Ten Thousand Villages for this holiday party season.

For the Chef:

Palm Wood Photo Holder Set

Fair Trade Friday - In the Write

I may have started a new hobby.  Yes, another one.  But, it should help with organization and still inspire my creative side, so I'll call it a win-win.

It's bullet journaling.  If you're not familiar, the bullet journal site explains the basics, and there is a rabbit-hole on Pinterest for page layout ideas that I may have fallen down before venturing into my own little ideas.

Don't judge, it's been a CRAZY week!

Fair Trade Friday - OOOh, Shiny!

In case you haven't noticed, there are 7 (SEVEN) weekends until Christmas!  And yes, you have every right to be a grump and insist that we don't talk about that until after other holidays have passed.  BUT, that doesn't negate the fact that the holiday is coming.  So, in that spirit, I decided to bring back my weekly installment of Fair Trade Friday to help with a little holiday gift-giving inspiration beyond the big box retailers.

This week I'm highlighting some of the new offerings from Starfish Project's newly released holiday collection, because no gift guide is complete without all the shiny pretties!  If you're not familiar with Starfish Project, they are a jewelry company committed to providing hope, healing, and work to women who want to escape from the net of prostitution in China.   All the pieces are as beautiful as this company's vision, so I'm only going to highlight a few personal favorites:

Audrey Necklace

Feature Friday - Warby Parker

It's Memorial Day Weekend, ya'll, or as it's more commonly known, "the un-official start of summer."  It's the weekend where we remember the sacrifices of those in the armed forces so that we can enjoy the freedom to celebrate with barbecues, shopping, swimming, and hopefully spending extra time with beloved family and friends.  It's also a great weekend for car shopping, which is why I'm rocking this awesome outfit today:

Fair Trade Friday - Hope Outfitters

Okay, it's time for a personal question: what legacy are you hoping to leave?

That vitally important question can shape the whole trajectory of your life.  That question is what prompted Ryan Welch, co-founder of Hope Outfitters, to step down from an entrepreneur group he was a part of, and start a company that gives back 100% of its' profits to the Kingdom of Christ.  He and his family left a life where the goal was to "build businesses and get rich," and instead decided to follow this most important truth: "The only thing that truly matters in this life is whether or not we love Christ and love others!" (from their "About Us" page.)  Every four months, the volunteer team that runs Hope Outfitters launches a new campaign for an aspect of social justice, and the current one is a cause that is close to my heart: supporting women that have been set free from a life of trafficking in Cambodia.

Thankfully, I married a man that shares the same heart, so when I sent him a link to Hope Outfitters explaining their 'Forever Free' campaign, he did some shopping.  And, I even convinced him to 'model' his purchases for today's post, along with a couple other tiny members of the family.

"Set Free" tee

Fair Trade Friday - Linked

Hello!  This week has been crazy, and it'll probably not slow down at any point, so instead of a full Fair Trade Friday post, I just wanted to share a couple links to some blogs I love that also focus on fair trade or ethically made fashion.  I hope your weekend is amazing!!

Already Pretty

Sally's blog was one of the first fashion blogs I started reading, and she's always been inspiring in her commitment to body positivity and dressing to accentuate your strengths.  She also has a few guest contributors that offer great perspectives and outfit inspiration.  Recently, Sally viewed the documentary "The True Cost," and it affected her view of the fashion industry, and she has been committed to sharing ethically made fashion options ever since.  I always look forward to her Sale Picks and Lovely Links posts every week.

Let's Be Fair

I'm a huge fan of Dominique's blog, and always check it regularly for fair trade shopping inspiration! She does a great job of highlighting both fashion and lifestyle brands that offer ethically made goodies, and I always love her Let's Trade posts where she offers stylish shopping alternatives to popular brands.

Fashionably Employed

Jen is actually a recent addition to my reading routine, and she gives a great perspective for fashion for the working woman.  She concentrates on "buy less and buy better" by highlighting brands and pieces that you can invest in, and wear for years to come.  I'm absolutely in love with this ethically made dress she posted recently, that she styled four different ways!

You can also check out this post by The Good Trade with their list of 15 Sustainable Living Blogs if you'd like more reading material!

#FairTuesday

Well, Thanksgiving is over.  All the turkey has been consumed and it's on to the next holiday!  A lot of people have already gotten a jump on their Christmas shopping by participating in the Black Friday sales.  I personally didn't, since the idea of getting hip-checked into a rack of clothes over a pair of socks (this actually happened to a friend!) just isn't my introverted cup of tea.  There is one sale day I get excited about every year, though, and that's Fair Tuesday!  I wanted to share some of the sales with all of you, in case you're looking for some ethical gift ideas this year!  The best part? All the sales are online, so I don't have to get out of my jammies.

Ten Thousand Villages: Fair trade products made by artisans around the world.  They're offering 30% off all their jewelry today, and free shipping on orders over $50. (no coupon code needed)  This lovely is my favorite, and is only $27.30:

Queen of the Nile Necklace

Fair Trade Friday - Sweater Weather

It's finally feeling like autumn!  I'll be honest, I've had a few days in the past few weeks where I've wanted to wear a sweater despite the still 80-degree temps, just because in my head, it should already be fall weather.  But, it's finally here!  Having to bundle up put me in the mood to do some online window-shopping for some knitwear, and I'd like to share a few favorites I found on Fair Indigo.

Pure Handknit Fair Trade Statement Cowl Neck Sweater

Fair Trade Friday - All Ears

Well, we've made it through the week to another Friday!  To celebrate, how about some new ear candy?  I rounded up some earrings that are currently on my wish-list, and I'm sharing them with you!

Greenola Style Bolivian Stone Earrings

OOTD - SIA / Beza Threads

Ok, so, I'm back!!  I decided to take a while off from blogging (almost a month!), in order to think, focus on my family for a while, and answer a few personal questions I had.  One of those questions?  Why do I blog?  To be honest, I haven't really gotten to the root of the answer to that, because of so many varying reasons.  I love sharing my outfits, I have to get dressed in the mornings anyways, and I love the creative outlet, among many other things.  Another reason I began blogging was in order to share Fair Trade and ethical companies with you, and that reason has only intensified in the past few weeks.  Part of the conversation that starts with asking, "Who made my clothes?" is finding fashionable alternatives from companies committed to enacting positive change in our world.  I want to start re-focusing on that aspect of the blog, so expect a lot more Fair Trade Friday posts in the future!!

It seemed only fitting to come back from my little hiatus with an outfit featuring a scarf I received from Beza Threads, a company I recently wrote about in my Fair Trade Friday feature.  I love what Beza Threads is doing, as they join in the fight against human trafficking by caring for survivors in Ethiopia.  And, it seemed only fitting to include my new scarf in this round of Style Imitating Art, hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey.  Here's the painting that is the inspiration for the outfits:

Franz Kline / Painting Number 2

Fair Trade Friday - Rethreaded

Can I make an obvious statement?

People are not property.

It seems like it should be a simple concept, but considering the fact that human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, it would seem there is a large portion of the population that doesn't agree with that statement.

Fortunately, there is also a large portion of people fighting back, including a great company called Rethreaded.  From their website:

Rethreaded provides a four-month holistic job training program for women in the Jacksonville, Florida area who are coming out of lives of addiction, violence, human trafficking, and prostitution. Many of these women leave prison with felony records which create significant challenges to employment. Rethreaded is a safe place where women are paid a living wage to become artisan seamstresses and “upcycle” donated t-shirts into beautiful creations for sale.

Locally, Rethreaded has directly helped 13 women through providing jobs in the Jacksonville, Florida area.

I love what these lovely ladies are doing!  They've combined some great loves of mine, including fashion, anti-trafficking, and re-purposing, and created a beautiful space to change lives.  Plus, their products are gorgeous.  Take this scarf:

Hand Dyed Basic Grace Scarf

This scarf is so pretty!  It's also hand dyed, comes in a variety of colors, and did I mention it has an awesome name...? ;)

Harmony Necklace

If you would prefer a piece of jewelry, they also have these necklaces, and some braided wrap bracelets.  Both would be a great addition to your wardrobe.  I personally would have trouble picking just one color to take home, but this pink one is a front-runner for sure!

Team Headband Set of 2

So, if you know anything about Northwest Arkansas, where we live, you know that the Razorbacks reign supreme in the sports world.  You'll know if it's game day when there's a sea of red in our town!  I'm thinking I might need these headbands to show some support to our Hogs!  Plus, they're so cute that I probably would wear them every day in between!

What's your favorite item from Rethreaded?  Are there any other amazing companies fighting trafficking that I should know about?  Let me know in the comments!

Different

(This is written in response to a thought-provoking message given at my church by Matt Mooney of 99 Balloons.  If you have a chance, you should take a listen!  In place of Fair Trade Friday, which I would usually post today, I felt like this needed to be shared.)

The girl in the middle is my sister, Teresa.

There was a time, when I was younger than I am now, that I would not have publicly claimed her as a sibling.  I used to be an angsty teenager that loathed being related to someone so obviously different.  I was focused on that lofty goal of being accepted by my peers, and her disabilities, and the stares and comments that went along with them, were in my way.  Before I accepted Christ’s love and redemption, I was a selfish being.  I still am, but He is continually wreaking havoc on my old nature in order to bring me closer to Himself.  In his love, he gave me an opportunity right after I accepted Him to beg her forgiveness for my unfounded anger when she passed away a few years ago.

My sister came into our family when she was six months old, after being violently shaken by her birth parents.  Her brain had been damaged, and so as her body grew, her brain remained stunted at an infant’s level.  She relied on a wheelchair, as her legs and left side were paralyzed from the trauma.  She couldn’t see or speak, but retained light perception and her hearing.  She needed constant care, which my parents lovingly provided for the two decades of her life.

I wish I could say that despite my childish distaste for growing up as the weird girl with the weird sister, everyone else we met was more understanding.  Quite a few people were, and offered loving support to my family.  However, there were the people that stared.  There were those that wondered very openly whether we were wasting our time.  My dad shared a story once of some elder in one of our churches who asked, in so many words, “Why bother? You could stick her in a home, since she doesn’t even know what’s going on anyways.”  My mother would often stay home from church, since Teresa was apt to make loud, inopportune noises during the service, and mom didn’t want to be a bother.

As Matt mentions in his message, those church services, the meetings where the body reconnects with God and each other, were not complete without Teresa in attendance.  Every part of the body (whether human, or church) is essential.  Take away one part, big or small, and the whole structure fails.  As to whether or not Teresa was aware of her surroundings, I witnessed so many times where her functioning ears would hear my parents’ voices and her face would be almost split open by her giant smile in response.  She knew she was loved.

I write all of this because I had a recent realization, while trying to explain to lovely, curious, big-mouthed, 5-years-old-in-all-her-glory ‘Big A’ about the differences in people.  She’s hit the age where she publicly (and loudly, hence the big-mouthed comment) asks questions when she seems someone ‘different,’ whether it’s skin color, physical ability, or age.  My usual response, said loud enough for surrounding people to hear is, “God made everyone different, because life would be boring if we were all the same.”  Or, “You know that even though we have different outsides, an X-Ray would show that all our insides are the same.”

The thing is, people ARE different.   We all have different attributes. The problem arises when one certain attribute is deemed ‘worthy’ while those that don’t have it are deemed ‘less than.’  I don't know if you follow Humans of New York, but you should.  One of the most impacting series the photographer has done was when he toured poor or war-torn countries on a trip with the UN, chronicling the people he met through quotes and portraits.  He managed to show the similarities in people, removing that idea of 'other' that we so often see in our media's portrayal of other countries. For example, when I think of the Middle East, the images I've seen are almost always turbans, camels, beat-up cars, and sand.  But HONY's photog, Brandon, was sharing photos of parents and children, shopping malls, and daddy's who spoil their kids by bringing them dolls.  He removed the 'other' and just showed people.

The heart-breaking shooting that just happened in Charleston came about from the shooter believing that belonging to his race was superior, therefore anyone that was different wasn’t deserving of life.  As I attempt to raise my babies to be loving individuals in this world full of craziness, I have to figure out for myself what I believe about the rest of the world.  If I don’t process this for myself, how can I impart any teaching to that volatile and impressionable next generation?  Sesame Street did a great job, at least in order to start a discussion, with this clip:

 It may not seem like a big deal, but in this clip, Elmo (the philosopher/monster that he is) comments on race in the most matter of fact way possible.  We have differences, but that doesn’t determine our worth, our character, or our right to life.  Skin is just skin, and the abilities we have or don’t have are all just part of being human.

I’m still learning, but I have made a few realizations.  Most I’ve believed all my life, but have never taken the time to outline for myself or others.

Different isn’t ‘less than.’

Different is human.

Different is beautiful.

A person is not less worthy of respect, less worthy of love, or less than human just because they don’t fit into a social group’s ideas of ‘normal.’  You can’t determine a person’s worth by what category they fit into.  And, if we remove ourselves from anyone simply because they are ‘different’, we render ourselves incomplete.

“So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

(Genesis 1:27, 31a, emphasis added)

Fair Trade Friday - Beza Threads

Imagine a scene with me, a scene where a busy street in the Ethiopian city of Addis Ababa gives way to a district of tin shacks.  These shacks stretch block after block, and inside are girls, children, almost all under the age of seventeen, who are selling themselves for their livelihood.  The cost for their trouble? Around $1, which instead of keeping, are forced to hand to the person enslaving them in this life.

Now imagine another scene: you are a parent, with a full house of children, without the means to feed all of them.  A man comes to your door, and offers what sounds like an incredible blessing: your 10 year old son can have a job!  He can move out of your home in the poverty stricken town where you reside, and earn a good wage in the city!  It's not until months later, with no contact from him, that you learn that his 'job' is actually being enslaved in a textile factory, working long hours without breaks, toilets, or safe working conditions, while working off the insurmountable 'debt' he owes his employers for 'rescuing' him.

A group of Iowa college students happened upon these scenes on their mission trip to Ethiopia in 2008.  I can imagine they were heartbroken, but also found an organization that was making a difference.  Hope for Children in Ethiopia was already there, doing everything they can to alleviate the pain and poverty in the region around them, by offering food, education, homes, and even freedom to the children in their area.  The Iowan students took action, buying handmade scarves to re-sell back home, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for these children.  Seven years later, Beza Threads is continuing that work, and to date has freed 27 people from the tentacles of slavery!  (all information is from their 'About' page)

The best part of these life-changing scarves?  They're beautiful!  I've picked some of my favorites to share with you today (which, by the way, wasn't easy... I'd be happy to have any one of them!).

"Haset"

There are many variations of this scarf on the site, with more colors than I'll list today, but this deep red has to be one of my favorites. The name means "joy" in the native language of Amharic, and this color definitely brings me much joy. Most of the solid styles have that subtle diamond pattern woven into the ends, which just amps up the pretty factor even more!

Cream with Blue & Light Blue 

This scarf is filed in the newly introduced category, "Men's Collection," so it would make a great gift for Father's Day.  I'm not gonna lie, though, if I bought this scarf for Daddy A, I would have a really hard time not keeping it for myself!

Black & White Hatch

Here's another scarf in the "Men's Collection" that I would happily wear.  The black and white are timeless, but also very 'of the moment,' and the neutral color palette would coordinate with most of the items I already own!

'Give Freedom' Bracelet

If you aren't in the market for a scarf, or just want something different, Beza Threads also offers these leather bracelets that share their mission clearly and succinctly.  And if you're going to give a gift, freedom is the best way to go.

Are there any companies you'd like to see featured on Fair Trade Friday?  Any special requests, i.e. fair trade maxi dresses, home decor, or kid's toys?  Let me know in the comments, and I'll make it happen!

OOTD - The Knitting Lesson (SIA)

It's time for another Style Imitating Art!  Jen, of Librarian for Life and Style, picked this lovely piece for today's inspiration:

"The Knitting Lesson" by Earnest Bieler (1908)

This was a lot of fun to center an outfit around, and gave me an opportunity to wear a hat that I received as a gift, but don't wear often enough.  It echoes the patterns on the little girl's hat in the painting, and also has another great story behind it.  Want to see it?  I know you do:

Not only is the hat adorable, but it comes from an awesome company called Krochet Kids.  If you haven't heard of them before, you should check them out.  They're a fair trade company that "work[s] with highly vulnerable women who live in poverty stricken regions of the world. [Those areas are in Peru and Uganda.] [Their] program empowers women with the resources to rise above poverty. Forever."  (from their What We Do page)  It only made sense to include this hat in the outfit, since it was made by a company that caringly teaches it's artisans the craft of Crochet (which is almost the same as knitting, only different.)  They also have scarves, tees, and other goodies on their site.  I'm especially in love with this sweater.

I kept the rest of the outfits simple with black and blue to echo the grandmother's outfit.  I even included a scarf I made myself, with some adorable buttons that were a gift from my MIL.  Actually, as I looked at these pictures earlier, I realized a lot of the pieces from this outfit were gifts from my family, which just makes this outfit even more special!

Outfit Details:
Top: free via clothing swap
Jeans: thrifted, $5
Hat: gift from SIL
Striped Bracelet: gift from MIL
Charm Bracelets: DIY (tutorial here)
Scarf: DIY with gifted buttons from MIL
Shoes: thrifted, $2
Grand Total: $7

If you'd like to see other outfits inspired by this painting, be sure to check out Jen's blog tomorrow for the SIA round-up!

Fair Trade Friday - Late Nights and Sweatshop

So, it's a late post tonight.  After taking care of kiddos all day, and knowing I'll be up until midnight with little man, I'm finally sitting down to write a post at 10 pm.  Hey, if it's before midnight, it's technically still Friday, right?  I also found this awesome reality show from Norway that I watched earlier, and had to share with ya'll (apologies about the auto-start, I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, so you'll need to pause the videos so they don't all play at once!).  It has about 5 episodes, but each averages about 10 minutes, so it should only take you an hour to get through.

Oh, and keep kleenex handy, especially for episode 5.

So, this triggered a lot of emotions; sadness, compassion, anger, the whole range really.  The only logical thing to do was to share it with you guys, so you could experience it as well.  If you'd like to DO something about this, you can start by being conscious of where your clothes come from.  You can even go one step further and share this post or these videos on Facebook or Twitter.  Write letters to your favorite retailers and ask what the conditions and pay are for their workers, and let them know that their customers care about this issue.  Let them know that people should not have to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, while still not being able to afford something as simple as food.  Most of all, make your dollars count by shopping Fair Trade and secondhand first, and support companies committed to bettering the lives of their workers!  I'll continue to share these companies with you on Fridays in the future.  Thanks for stopping by, and good night.

Fair Trade Friday - Easy Access

As I've mentioned before, having a nursing baby presents a sartorial dilemma.  You've just had a baby, which means it'll probably take a while before you can fit back into your pre-pregnancy jeans, but you don't want to spend all your time in sweatpants (as comfortable as they are)!  It would be so easy to just slip into a dress that skips the whole pinching waistband problem that pants provide, but then how are you going to feed that baby without flashing your undergarments at everyone?

The solution? Easy access dresses, i.e. dresses that allow for nursing, don't scream "I'm a milk machine," and can still be worn long after you've stopped breastfeeding that baby.  It's a super plus if they'd really be cute for anyone, whether you're a mama or not.  So I scoured the internets, just for you, to share a couple of Fair Trade options!

First up is this adorable little frilly number from Mata Traders:

'For the Frill of It' in black

That overlapped neckline would be perfect for a nursing mama, plus the elasticized waistband and ladylike shape is super flattering for a post-baby bod.  And that black and white floral print?  Adorable.  And as if that weren't enough?  It's currently on sale, has pockets, and also comes in red.

Another option is this classic wrap dress from Indigenous Designs:

Black Wrap Dress

I actually already own two wrap dresses, one of which is extremely similar to the one pictured, so I can testify to the versatility and general ease to wearing one!  This is a piece that you could invest in, and wear for literally years to come. It's made by Fair Trade artisans in Peru, and is constructed from organic cotton.  It also comes in a beautiful shade of blue, and an equally classic white.  Plus, if you sign up for Indigenous' e-mail newsletter, you'll get a coupon for 15% off your purchase!  (There's also some great faux wrap options out there, from Mata Traders, Free People, and this beautiful and dramatic choice from Frock LA.)

The last lovely option I chose was this great shirtdress from People Tree via Modavanti:

Rachel Dove Dress

I mean, could you get any cuter?  It's a classic silhouette, with its collar and nipped-in waist, but it's such a rich, saturated blue, covered with tiny birds!  The button-down placket is perfect for breastfeeding or pumping, while still keeping you covered where you'd like to be.  In addition to that, it's made by artisans in India from organic and naturally dyed cotton.

That does it for my round-up of nursing friendly dresses!  Is there anything you'd like to see featured on Fair Trade Friday?  Baby stuff?  Fair Trade jewelry under $20?  The sky's the limit!  Just let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to track down the best ethically made options for you!

Fair Trade Friday - What's New

Man, if there were bottled motivation being sold somewhere, I would buy it all!  I'd love to say the blog's been quiet the past few weeks because we lead such an exciting life, and I've just been too busy having adventures to sit down and post, but that would be a lie.  Truth be told, I've just been lazy.  Well, and Tired. With the capital 'T' and everything.  Of course, that might be partly because of the antics of the little girls mentioned here:

Yes, awesome indeed.

Besides using 'growing a baby' as an excuse not to post, I've also wanted to write something lately that's been a little more than just 'here's some pictures of my belly and what I wore over it.'  Don't worry, I'll post some bump updates next week.  But I did want to share something with a little more substance, and got inspired to do another Fair Trade Friday after reading this awesome blog post.  So, I thought I'd pass along some of my favorite NEW items from some of my favorite companies I've featured before.

First up, I know I've talked about Sseko Design's sandals on many, MANY occasions.  Guess what?  They're about to launch a new line of shoes, and they're amazeballs.  And yes, they are actually so good that I felt the need to use that word.  I'll say it again, AMAZEBALLS:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/24699497931897444/

I'll let the company's own words tell you more:

In case you're not convinced, there's also these beauties:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/24699497931896684/

These amazing shoes are not available for purchase quite yet, but Sseko is offering a chance to get pre-order access to these works of art.  Oh, and did I mention, those tassels on the loafers are interchangeable with other accents?

Another company I can't get enough of is Starfish Project.  They offer employment to women caught in the net of prostitution and trafficking in China, while restoring these women's hope and dignity.  And if that weren't enough to convince you of this company's greatness, just check out these picks from their newest catalog:

(L, middle) Kendra: Tea Rose Earring (link to shop)

(middle) Adriana: Pink Earrings (link to shop)

(Top R) Whitney: Yellow Necklace (link to shop)

The only appropriate response?

(source)

Last up is a few of my favorite picks from the Autumn/Winter collection from JOYN.  I've made my love for this company no secret, with it's block-printed, handmade offerings and commitment to restoring JOY into it's artisans lives.  This collection simply deepens my affection even more.  Just look at this print!

JOYN Pillow Cover - Crimson Medallion

Did I mention it's also available on this clutch?  I don't know why this isn't already in my possession:

Foldover Clutch (made with vegan leather)

OH, and if that weren't enough awesomeness for one day, there's also this Mary Poppins bag (yes, that's the name, and yes, that's one of the plethora of reasons I love it!):

Mary Poppins - Black Squares

If there are any Fair Trade or ethical companies you'd like to pass along, please feel free to share them in the comments!  Thanks for reading, and I'll see ya'll next week!

Fair Trade Friday - Link Round-Up

Happy Friday, everybody!  After yesterday's musings, I thought I'd follow up by sharing some companies that are spreading light and love in our world, or are otherwise good for this globe that we live on.  Ready?  Here goes!

Noonday Collection - Noonday Collection is awesome!  They began as a way for their founder, Jessica Honegger, to raise funds to adopt their son from Uganda, and the support and demand for her lovely products grew way beyond just one fundraiser!  After her son, Jack, came home in 2011, she continued growing this business with a partner offering ambassador opportunities.  Her vision was "The desire for women in the US to earn an income while creating pathways out of poverty for the vulnerable"  (from their about page).  And what accomplishment this company has become!  They offer beautiful accessories, as evidenced by their fall lookbook that was just released yesterday, while giving you the opportunity to support people in need in Ethiopia, Ecuador, and Uganda.  Plus, they offer the opportunity for you to host your own trunk shows, so you can tell all your friends about this amazing company while having the opportunity to either earn free merchandise, or donate a portion of your sales to financially help a family going through the adoption process.  I'd have hard time deciding what I'd like to bring home, with these items being my favorites:

Kampala Necklace

Rushing Waters Necklace

Peruvian Bangle

Johari Creations - I've been following Lindsy's blog, Light Breaks Forth, for a while now.  She writes about family, her adoption journey, and her Savior, and is always a great addition to my reading list.  She's also the co-founder of Johari Creations, an online store that offers handcrafted products made by artisans in developing countries around the world.   She recently wrote a great blog post, introducing their new Urban Bengali Collection of jewelry and also highlighting so many reasons why supporting fair trade commerce is so great.  In her words: "...the women who make it….These women have my a piece of my heart.  They have left prostitution and escaped trafficking to seek a new way of life. Through the dignified work of our Bangladeshi partner Basha, the women gain job skills and the opportunity to develop into leaders and entrepreneurs in a healthy, healing environment.  Do you remember when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Savar, Bangladesh last year killing 1,133 people? Rana Plaza is only miles away from our artisans, yet the working conditions could not be more different.  With this juxtaposition so geographically close, I have to ask, which are we supporting? Which am I supporting? Because each of us has not only a choice but a powerful vote. As the richest women on the planet, our wallets  are megaphones for the type of working conditions we desire for our sisters around the world."  Plus, the jewelry is as beautiful as the women that make it.  Be sure to check out all of Johari Creation's other products as well!

Urban Bengali Earrings

Urban Bengali Bracelet

Urban Bengali Necklace

(Also, as I said, Lindsy is a prospective adoptive parent.  She is in the process of adopting a beautiful little girl, Glory, from the Democratic Republic of Congo.  However, the president of the DRC has halted all international adoptions, leaving Glory and 800 other children in 'stuck' adoptions.  They have families waiting for them, but can't come home, and could be at risk for sickness or death from preventable causes such as malaria and malnutrition while they're in limbo.  There is a White House petition available to ask our President to confer with President Kabila of the DRC and ask him to lift this ban on international adoptions. I'd like to ask you to consider adding your support and signature to the petition before August 23rd, as you feel led!  I'd love to see these children have a chance to be united with these families eagerly waiting for them.)

Online Maternity Consignment - Okay, so this is not actually a fair trade category.  However, a very large portion of our waste in this country is textile waste.  The average American discards about 65 pounds of textiles each year, which translates to 11 million TONS of waste (source).  That can't be good for the current or future living conditions on this globe we call home.  All that trash has to go somewhere!  If you've ever wondered why I love shopping thrift and consignment stores, this is it!  Not to mention you can find items for dramatically less than the retail price.  The higher the demand for resale clothing, and the more people that know about the opportunity to donate or consign their clothes, the less waste.  And since I've been in the market for maternity clothes, which I'll really only wear for a few months, finding items at a low cost has been a priority in my shopping habits lately.  Here's a few resources I've found while scanning the web:

ThredUP - I've talked about ThredUP before.  They offer resale children's and women's clothes in like-new condition for dramatically less than you'd pay in the store.  And while they do have a great selection of maternity clothes, that's not all they offer!  They have a whole section dedicated to high-end brands, as well as designer handbags and shoes.  Plus, if you're a first time customer, they offer a $10 shopping credit to get you started.  Just follow the link I provided to get that credit.  (Another great non-maternity site for brand-name resale is Twice, who also offers a $10 credit to first-time shoppers.  They're also offering 20% off through the 10th with the code BACK2SCHOOL!)

Swap.com - Swap is awesome!  They have a bunch of kid's items, such as clothes, equipment, movies, sports equipment, and toys, all for way less than retail.  Items start at about $3, and will always be a better deal than buying that same item new.  In fact, as I was browsing their site, it looked like a lot of the toys were actually brand new in the box, so you're really getting a chance to find new items for a steal!  Plus, they have a great selection of maternity clothes at very reasonable prices.  They even offer free shipping for your first order!

Motherhood Closet - I actually ran across this site while browsing through a 'Maternity Outfits' search on Pinterest.  A few lovely bloggers had posted about these beautiful maternity clothes they had found for a bargain, and I had to check out the site!  They offer brands on any end of the spectrum, whether Gap and Old Navy, or Japanese Weekend and True Religion.  They also have a few different shopping options right now, whether buying by piece, or with a Grab Bag sale that offers 5 maternity pieces starting at $50 for all of them.  Or, you even have the option to borrow clothes!  Since you really only wear maternity for a short time anyways, this is a great way to temporarily expand your wardrobe and save a bit of money in the process.  All in all, this site is a great resource for anyone expecting.  Even if you personally aren't, be sure to pass the word along to friends!

Are there any fair trade companies you'd like to see featured?  Or even categories, i.e. companies carrying kid's clothes, formal dresses, cute shoes, or even fair trade foods?  Let me know in the comments, and I'll feature a blog post with fair trade items per your requests!

Fair Trade Friday - Freedom!

No, this is not a post about how awesome the movie Braveheart is (I figured that's pretty much a given).  This is about freeing my lower legs.  As much as I love my skinny jeans, I want my calves to be able to breathe this summer.  I also don't want to shave everyday, or have to rely on only maxi skirts for the days that I skip the razor (geez, picky much?) Oh yeah, and I also want to purchase Fair Trade.  The solution?  Wide-leg trousers, otherwise known as palazzo pants.  I went on a vast and exhaustive search (via Google) for some pretty and ethically produced pants, and these are my top picks:

Folk Like Us Cheesecloth Trouser

Lightweight, in this punchy coral color, these pants gracefully whisper, "summer is coming."  I could easily pair these with a white or grey tee, some necklaces, and some T-Strap Ssekos, and I'd have a summer uniform that I'd happily stick with.

Nomads Purple Flared Trouser

One word: PURPLE!  Okay, maybe I'll add a few more words along with that: flowy floral purple pants with just the right amount of flair.  I already have a silky black tank in my closet that would go perfectly with these.

Soul Flower B/W Tribal Pant

Two trends from this year that I'm sure will continue into the coming months: black & white and tribal patterns.  Luckily for us, these pants have both!  Plus, at only $34, they're the least expensive option I found.  I've already spent my April budget, but if these are still available in May, you better believe I'll be buying myself a pair!

Soul Flower Waves of Freedom Pant

Now, technically, these are more flares than wide-leg pants, but they made the list as well, just because they're so pretty!   The skirted top and tiered layers are just stinkin' adorable. There's a gorgeous fuschia option (not pictured here), that I desperately want.  Now if only it were socially acceptable to wear the same pants every day, since that's probably what I'd do with these.

Are there any trends you'd like to see featured on Fair Trade Friday?  Let me know in the comments and I'll track down ethical options to feature here!