Fair Trade Friday - LUSH

You guys, I'm tired.  I woke up with more energy and motivation than I've had in a while, and decided to clean my whole house.  Yep, sweeping, dusting, mopping, even scrubbing in-between the bathroom tiles.  I try to keep a fairly clean house, but I like to space it out, not go on top to bottom cleaning sprees!  After all of that, I need a bath.  Like a 'light some candles, put on some music, lock everyone out of the bathroom' type of bath.  I am wishing, though, that I had some of this stuff to go along with that:

LUSH Almond & Coconut Shower Smoothie

I happened across LUSH's products the other day while scrolling through ANOTHER page on Pinterest (I swear, I need a new hobby), and I have to say, everything on this site is on my wishlist!  LUSH was created in 1995, with the vision to offer the public natural, organic concoctions with handmade and all natural perfumes.  They also have been a forerunner in the fight against animal testing, make a serious effort to ensure all of their ingredients are ethically produced and harvested, and help to gather donations for over 350 grassroots charities in 30 countries.  Which brings me to #2 on my wishlist:

Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion

Since 2007, LUSH has donated over $3,800,000 to the charities they help support.  A chunk of that money comes from the sales of this lotion, since aside from taxes, 100% of the price is donated.  Plus, all the ingredients in this lotion sound absolutely decadent.  For a list of the charities they support, you can go HERE.

But really, though, their products just sound amazing.  I want them all in my bathroom right now.  Like this one:

Chai Shower Gel

Or this one, made with Fair Trade honey from Zambia:

Fair Trade Honey Shampoo

There is so much more to find on LUSH's website, and their backstory is really interesting too!  Have a happy Friday everyone, I'll see you next week!

What would your #1 pick from LUSH's inventory?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Thrifted Pinterest - Blinded by the White

How about a late post for today?  The little kiddos have been bouncing off the walls (well, one of them...) today, and I've finally had a chance to sit down and write!  I thought I'd share a dressed up version of Thrifted Pinterest for your Thursday afternoon!

I love this outfit.  Honestly, if I didn't spend most of my time at home, expecting to be spit up on, I'd probably wear something like this every day:

http://pinterest.com/pin/216806169533698161/

I did have a ladies' luncheon to attend on Tuesday, so I took the opportunity to get a little more dressed up than normal.  I also took the opportunity for my legs to be exposed to a little sunshine for the first time this year!  I apologize in advance for any retinal damage that might be caused by these photos! ; )

 

Outfit Details:
Shirt: American Apparel via Plato's Closet, $6
Skirt: Banana Republic via Goodwill, $4
Shoes: Payless brand via Goodwill, $6
Short Necklace: gifted
Layered Necklace: Body Central, $4
Nail Polish: Sinful Colors in All About You (921), $2

Grand Total: $22

What items would you wear every day if you could?

End It

Why is there a red X on my hand?  Find out here: http://enditmovement.com/

OOTD - Visitors

When I went out to take pictures, I noticed we had received a visit from some of the neighborhood kitties.  I hear them 'talking' on our front porch some nights, but they're too skittish to let anyone close.  I just get to see the little reminders that they've stopped by.

In their 'natural' habitat...

Outfit Details:
Shirt: Target, $5 (clearance)
Skirt: Gap Outlet, $11
Sweater: gifted (DIY dye)
Tights: JC Penney, $6
Shoes: Payless, $10 (old)
Earrings: Icing by Claire's, $4
Blue Necklace: Icing by Claire's, $2
Guitar Necklace: from the old Roy Rogers Museum

Grand Total: $38

Sensory Sunday

Hey guys!  Welcome to my newest feature, where I'm looking forward to sharing some of the things that I've been listening to, reading, eating, or watching (i.e. using my senses, so Sensory... get it?  Eh?)  There is so much to discover in this world God created, and I always look forward to sharing new things I've discovered with anyone I can!

What I'm listening to:

THIS SONG!!  I wish I had heard of Alabama Shakes a long time ago, and I'm totally soaking up everything I can by them.  Ugh, so good!



What I'm eating:

Sometimes I like cheap and easy food (sometimes.... ha, I'm funny....), like these little cookies from Wal-Mart.  Knock-off Samoas?  Seriously.

Caramel Coconut & Fudge Cookies 

What I'm Reading:

Sometimes I wish I were an intellectual, English major type.  You know, the one that quotes Thoreau, drinks nothing but tea, and wears a newsboy cap... But, I happen to have kiddos, and therefore don't get to read nearly as much as I'd like to.  I did pick up a copy of this book earlier today, and I'm looking forward to starting it tonight while Big A is at the grandparents'.... I may even have a cup o' tea....

William Faulkner - As I Lay Dying

What's on Mah Brain:

The sermon I had the privilege of hearing this morning, given by Matt Mooney of 99 Balloons.  There was so much good stuff in there, and you should listen to the whole thing if you get a chance!  Any little summary I try to give really wouldn't do it justice.

http://www.gracechurchnwa.org/gracecast/2013/4/7/i-will-jesus-the-leper-matthew-81-4-matt-mooney-april-7-2013.html

One thing Matt mentioned was about the balance between believing and doing, and how your own insecurities keep you from doing God's work, and instead cause people to begin pointing their fingers at each other's shortcomings.  It reminded me of my own little soapbox, promoting the idea that the fashion industry has the capability of dramatically impacting the lives of other people.  A lot of times, I waver back and forth on pushing that issue, since it's very easy to allow insecurity to stand in the way of passion.  But, I was reminded of this post from my old site:

http://lexi-and-button.blogspot.com/2012/01/shift-in-focus.html

That's why my Fair Trade Friday and Thrifted Pinterest posts are so important to me, and why I love passing stuff like that along to you guys!

So, what new Sensory experiences are you having?  Please comment and share, I love hearing about new things!!

Fair Trade Friday - CHOCOLATE!!!

I know with most of my Fair Trade posts, I tend to focus on fashion-y stuff.  You know, clothes, jewelry, and the like.  And there's so many beautiful companies and products to share!  But, I also like to remind people that there are other Fair Trade products to be found, like coffee, or wonderful Chocolate!

Take for example, these concoctions from Theo Chocolate:

Orange and Dark Chocolate

Hazelnut Crunch

Coffee and Cream

Makes your mouth water, right?  There's a ton more on the Theo website, including a limited edition Ghost Chile bar!  And, just because looking at these isn't torture enough, here's another delicious product:

Dark Drinking Chocolate

If puttering around the kitchen is more your style, Divine Chocolate has recently introduced baking chocolates to their website, in addition to all their other delicious looking products.  They even include recipes on their website, like this one:

Divine Chocolate Butter Gooey Cake

I love Divine's company, since it's the only Fair Trade chocolate company whose farmers own 45% of the company.  There's a great backstory on their website, and I'd recommend checking them out!

There's a ton of other companies I ran across when searching through the interwebs, such as Mama Ganache, Madecasse, and Green & Black's, so if your sweet tooth isn't satiated yet, I'd recommend checking them out!

Have a good weekend everybody!

Are there any other Fair Trade companies or products you'd love to see on the blog?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Thrifted Pinterest - Gloomy

Seriously, Arkansas weather?  Quit teasing me!  I was all hyped up for warmth, and then it's been rainy, cloudy, and forty degrees for half a week.  Ugh.  Oh, well, at least it was warm on Easter, so my little girls could wear their little frilly dresses!

Butt bows and back seams!!  Eeeep!

Seriously, how did I get such a good-looking family?  But, I digress.

The one advantage to it being all blustery outside is that I get to re-create a pin that I love that is really only suited for colder days.

So cute, right?

I knew I already had a similar skirt in my closet, so I pulled together this outfit for the day.

Outfit Details:
Skirt: Gap, thrifted, $2.50
Shirt: Ann Taylor via Half of 1/2, $3
Tights: JC Penney, $6
Jacket: Old Navy, thrifted, $2.50
Boots: Target, $40
Scarf: gifted
Necklace: $1 Jewelry Store
Nail Polish: Sinful Colors in Cloud 9 (#853)

Grand Total: $55

All kiddos' clothes are from Once Upon A Child