ocean plastic - Adidas

Winter is finally over! Which means we can stay out longer and enjoy warmer weather. That also means you no longer have an excuse to skip that running session. But fret not, Adidas brings you their Ultraboost Parley Shoes. The shoes were made for long distance running, featuring extra cushioning and reliable traction. When it comes to running, it’s ALL in the shoes.

Adidas was founded in Germany and since then, they have been committed to change peoples’ lives through exercise. Their mission is to be a sustainable company, which is why they created their Parley shoes that are made out of recycled ocean plastic. They use Parley Ocean Plastic in order to prevent plastic waste from reaching the ocean. A perfect way to celebrate Earth Day!

We are so Smitten!

shoes that evolve...brilliant! - The Shoe That Grow

The Shoe That Grows is an incredible solution to a complex problem - children outgrow shoes quickly, often leaving them barefoot, kept home from school, and exposed to potential disease.  Approx 1.7 billion people worldwide are affected by soil borne illness annually.  After a volunteer trip to Kenya in 2007, founder Kenton Lee became focused on creating an ultra-durable shoe that expands 5X, resulting in footwear that will only need to be replaced a few times during childhood.  We love his innovative solution, as well as his simple but effective approach to distributing his shoes worldwide!

The Shoe That Grows is a project of Because International, a nonprofit founded in 2009 and committed to ‘practical compassion’.  In 2016, they were able to distribute 40,000 shoes in 80 countries due largely to their partnerships with volunteer organizations willing to distribute shoes to children.  In addition to distribution volunteers, the Shoe That Grows also accepts direct donations, noting that $15 will provide a child with a pair of shoes that lasts 5 years.

So genius! SO Smitten.