OOTD - Glitter Princess

Oh, hello!

I am loving the warmer temperatures, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can just skip the usual March cold snap we always get, and just keep things like this for a while!  Plus, it's about time for the kiddos to start going outside instead of bouncing off the walls and watching Gabba on repeat.  For everybody's sanity.

Outfit Details:
Sweater: Old Navy, $15, DIY sequin trim
Shirt: Gap, thrifted, $3
Skirt: Gap, thrifted, $2
Purple Tights: Target, $5
Shoes: Sears, $4 (clearance)
Earrings: DIY

Grand Total: $29

Fair Trade Friday - Writer's Block

Well, today I was going to share a post on behalf of WorldHelp, but apparently I used up all of my creative juices on yesterday's post!  That one will have to be written next week.  I'm going to take the lazy way out today, and just share some links to some Fair Trade companies I'm lovin' right now (get it?  because today's Valentine's day and it's a day to celebrate love and so I love these companies and I'm just going to stop talking now.....).

Johari Creations - lovely products, even lovelier founders!  I stumbled across Lindsay's blog, Light Breaks Forth, a little while ago, and loved hearing about her saga towards adopting one of the most beautiful little girls, and her passion for Christ and telling the world about him.  They've got a great selection of jewelry, including some really fun stuff for the kiddos!

Krochet Kids - I've seen this company before on Pinterest and a couple other blogs, and loved their products, but never purchased anything.  Then, this Christmas, my bro-in-law got me one of their beanies, and not only is it pretty, but it's also incredibly soft and cushy (that's a word, right...?)  Beanies are having a fashion moment right now, so if you're going to invest in one, why not one that helps others?

TOMS - So, this is not a new company.  You've probably heard about them, like, a lot.  But did you know that they've started an online Marketplace that's kind of a one-stop-shop for all types of social entrepreneurships (read: companies that do good), including some great offerings from JOYN.  Plus, over the weekend, Feb. 14-17, TOMS is offering 17.32% off and free shipping on all orders over $65 in honor of President's day, specifically George Washington's birthday in 1732.

JOYN - Speaking of JOYN, since you know how much I love them, they're having a winter sale that takes 30% off of their beautiful products.  Check it out.  Like, now.

Let's Be Fair - I discover a very large portion of Fair Trade companies through Dominique's blog, and I always appreciate the work she does in spreading the word about these amazing companies!

What are some of your favorite 'social entrepreneurships' you've discovered?  Let me know in the comments!!

Thrifted Pinterest - Classic

Gather 'round kids, it's time for 'Story Time with Grace!"

Once upon a time, there was this girl named Grace.  Grace loved to shop, and also had a part-time hobby of sewing.  This was because she wasn't made of money, and therefore couldn't afford all the things she liked (which was pretty much everything!), so she decided to learn how to make clothes for herself.  One day, Grace went on a little shopping trip, and had planned on going to the fabric store to get some textiles to extend her ever-growing stash.  But, she took a detour, and ended up at her most favorite magical place, the local Goodwill.  While browsing through the section where they had linens and bedding for sale (which was odd, because she didn't usually go there), she stumbled upon a treasure!  It was a giant bedding bag stuffed FULL of fabric!  She looked at the price tag and was even happier when she saw this treasure trove of fabrics only cost $10!  She excitedly dragged this heavy bag to the cash register, surrendered her money, and gleefully took her find home to paw through the fabrics and see everything that she had found.

There were some great finds, such as a pastel yellow tweed that was just begging to be a pencil skirt.  But, there were also a few yards of fabric that Grace just didn't know what to do with, like this stretchy, slightly wrinkled, red pleather:

She thought, and she pondered, and she thought and pondered some more, until she finally gave up, and relegated this crimson swatch to the bottom of the fabric pile.  It seemed all was lost for this one piece of fabric.

A few months later, Grace sat down at her computer to scroll through a few pictures on Pinterest (which was her most favorite online magical place), when she happened upon this image:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/216806169535602362/

This girl was so chic!  She was so pulled together!  And, she was wearing the most lovely of outfit combinations: leopard and red.  "I must have a red skirt!" exclaimed Grace, so she found this tutorial, pulled out the red fabric, and got to work.  And that, kids, is the story of how today's outfit was born.

Outfit Details:
Top: thrifted, $3
Skirt: DIY, from thrifted fabric, ~$1
Shoes: thrifted, $2
Necklace: DIY, ~$2 for materials

Grand Total: $8

If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to visit my friend Grace's blog, Think Fruitful, and read about her campaign to bring Far-Reaching Love to kids around the world caught in the awful net of sex trafficking.  You'll be glad you did!

OOTD - Dark Flowers

What mischief is she getting into now...?

I'm not sure what I'm more ready for: Spring, or Valentine's Day (or maybe just the cheap candy the day after....)!  I included a few elements of both, with a spring-y floral top and some pink hearts on my ears, not to mention the hair accessory my three year old just insisted that I wear!  On the subject of the upcoming V-Day that is fast approaching, another blogger friend of mine is using this time during this month of celebrating love to support an amazing organization that is fighting to save children from the dark reaches of sexual exploitation around the globe.  The organization is Love146, and you can read more about her February campaign on her blog, Think Fruitful.  (it's chock full of amazing recipes, including this one for delicious and healthy Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies).  I'd encourage her to read her introductory post, and consider donating to this cause in pursuit of Far-Reaching Love for these kids around the world.  It's one of the best expressions of Love that I can think of during this week's holiday.

Outfit Details:
Sweater: Banana Republic, thrifted, $3
Shirt: Coldwater Creek, thrifted, $3
Jeans: thrifted, DIY'ed to skinnies, $5
Bootsocks: warehouse sale, $1
Earrings: super old!
Boots: Target, $38

Grand Total: $50

OOTD - Monochromatic (almost)

This is what it looked like outside our house yesterday:

Needless to say, it's a bit more than the 2" that were predicted!  So, while we were inside, waiting for the clouds to stop dumping their contents on our heads, we took silly selfies!  Wait, let me rephrase: I took silly selfies of everybody else....

Even the dog got in on the action.... doesn't she look thrilled?

In honor of all the white stuff falling from the sky, I took a little inspiration from my surroundings and kept everything in shades of black and white.  I couldn't resist throwing a little shot of color in though, with my ring and lipstick!

So cold!  Should've worn a coat!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Kensie, free via clothing swap
Sweater: Harp's (random, right?), $5
Scarf: free via clothing swap
Tights: Sears, $5
Boots: via Plato's Closet resale, $8
Ring: Walmart, $3 (old)
Earrings: eBay, $1

Grand Total: $22

Fair Trade Friday - Made By Survivors

Well, it's Friday, and that means another installment of Fair Trade Friday to start out your weekend!  Today, I'd like to tell you about an awesome site I ran across called Made By Survivors.  These amazing people are offering a second chance to women that have been rescued from human trafficking, and offers them employment and education.

"Made by Survivors is a nonprofit organization which employs and educates survivors of slavery and other human rights abuses, including women and children living in red light areas and border towns, in extreme poverty.  Our programs create jobs in highly respected professions.  We create jobs with high wages that develop business and leadership skills. 

In India, metalsmithing and jewelry design is traditionally a man's only profession.  Our survivor metalsmiths are breaking gender barriers. 

Donations and profits from the sale of products Made By Survivors go to support rescue, aftercare, education and employment in India, Nepal, Cambodia and Thailand - regions of the world where trafficking is a huge problem. " (from their website.)

The jewelry is all so pretty, too!  I have a pretty long wishlist of items, but I'll try to keep it short, and share my top five.

Set of 2 Beaded Bracelets

Brass Stepping Stones Earrings

Chrysanthemum Ring

Eternal Flame Necklace

Kali Gandaki Mosaic Earrings

I'll hold off on the commentary, since it'll all be around the same vein of "OOOOOH, pretty!" and just let you guys check out the Made By Survivors website yourself.  There's a ton more goodies to find!

Be sure to stop by again next Friday to hear about another great Fair Trade company!

Thrifted Pinterest - C-c-c-cold!

 As much as I would love to talk about something other than the weather.... can we just talk about the crazy weather for a second?  It was sixty degrees last week!  People were coming into the store where I work and buying spring clothes for their kids!  And today?  Freezing.  Okay, maybe not that bad, but still, it's pretty cold.  And it's supposed to get colder next week!  It's definitely hit that time of year where I wish I was a bear so I could hibernate.  I'll just have to satisfy myself with steaming cups of chocolate coconut coffee and keep winterizing my outfits until everything thaws out.  I picked this little outfit to draw my inspiration from:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/216806169535333061/

I loved that little kimono/sweater thrown over a simple dress, and thought I'd copy the look, with a few little tweaks thrown in.   I didn't think I'd survive having bare legs in January!

Familial Photobomb!

Outfit Details:
LS Tee: Old Navy, $6 (old)
Sweater: thrifted, $2
Dress: thrifted, $2
Leggings: Target, $8 (old)
Shoes: Rack Room Shoes, $7 (clearance)
Green Necklace: DIY
Tassel Necklace: handmade by Purposed.

Grand Total: $25

And, just because I can, pictures of my adorable 'assistant:'