the golden compass - The Brave Collection

Never get lost again with The Brave Collection’s Compass Chain Necklace. The beautiful piece is handmade in Cambodia with gold vermeil. The artisans are mothers and people with disabilities that work in exchange for fair wages and access to healthcare.

Jessica Hendricks Yee founded The Brave Collection after witnessing a small Cambodian country struggle to rebuild after genocide. By launching her company, she gave many local artisans a chance to create beautiful pieces of jewelry in exchange for fair wages. In addition to that, the company donates 10% of their profits to fight human trafficking in Cambodia. 

We are so Smitten!

make a statement - Cambio & Co.

A pair of statement earrings can really change the way you look and feel. It adds that extra spark to any outfit. The Renata Capiz Earrings from Cambio & Co. are both beautiful and elegant. Made out of sustainable Capiz Shell, each piece is individually cut and coated with resin so they’ll last you a long time. 

Cambio’s mission is to offer ethical pieces made in the Philippines. With your support, the company is able to employ local artisans and provide them with fair wages. In doing so, they’re able to help their artisans become economically successful while celebrating Filipino culture at the same time. 

feminine power - AUrate

AUrate’s Flower Ring captures the power of femininity in one tiny piece. Available in sizes 4-10, it’s handcrafted from ethically sourced gold. AUrate donates a book to a student in need for every purchase. Now that’s true gold.

 AUrate was founded by Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui in 2015. Together, they vowed to provide women with fine jewelry at honest prices but to also give back to the community in return. AUrate, with the help of their customers, is giving books to young kids in New York because they understand the role literacy has for a successful future. 

a gift with a purpose - Alex and Ani

The Living Water Charm Bangle from Alex and Ani makes the perfect gift. Made with a deep cobalt Swarovski crystal, 20% from each purchase is donated to Living Water International, helping to provide communities with clean water. 

Alex and Ani was founded by Carolyn Rafaelian. Her designs are meant to connect and empower—whether for yourself or for others. Since launching her brand, she partners with multiple charities. Donating a portion of her profits, wanting to continually give back to her community and empower the world with her designs. 

made with love - Be The Good

Be The Good’s bracelet, also called Be The Good, is nostalgic for so many reasons. It’s handcrafted with an adjustable strap, which is perfect for my petite wrist. Each bracelet features an adorable brass heart and only comes in red. For each bracelet that’s purchased, the company donates an accessory to Dress For Success. 

Be The Good’s founder Barbara Gram believes in empowering women all over the world. She partners with Dress For Success, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to helping women attain financial independence by providing them with professional attire. 

large beaded hoops, never a bad idea - Global Goods Partners

These hoops are noteworthy, uncomplicated, not quotidian in any way! Made in Tanzania, they are simply stunning - versatile, from sneaks to pumps...the perfect hoop!

• 2"D 14k gold hoop
• Glass beads
• 24k gold plated glass beads

Global Goods Partners is a not-for-profit enterprise, creating sustainable jobs for women to help the development of their communities, as well as the prosperity of families.

GGP partners with women-led, community-based organizations, and invests all proceeds from product sales back in to training and funding, enabling their partners to prosper and thrive well into the future.  

Since 2005, GG has partnered with over 60 artisan groups in more than 20 countries throughout Asia, Africa and the Americas. "Each artisan that creates products for GGP earns reliable, fair living wages and gains experience that can add benefit to all aspects of her life."

love chain, love chain - Adornia

Adornia Jewelry is jewelry that spells it out for the outspoken woman - and we simply L-O-V-E it!  With beautiful designs that spell out a variety of strong messages of defiance, power, and affirmation, each piece speaks just as loudly as the woman who is wearing it.  Their classic LOVE necklace in gold is a deliberate and peaceful message to add to any jewelry collection - and supports a great cause in the process.

Each quarter, Adornia chooses a charity to receive 10% of the sales from their Lariat necklace collection.  To begin 2018, they have chosen Equality Now, an international organization of lawyers that takes a legal approach to ending sex trafficking, political inequality, sexual violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation.  As an unrelated but equally beautiful charitable act, 100% of the profits from their Me Too design benefits RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.  Both are deserving charities with incredible causes, and shopping Adornia is a lovely way to show your support.

Adore this chain - Smitten.

huile de parfum by notablySmitten

I put my whole heart into this fragrance, I hope it will inspire you as much as it has me!

When I say this little bottle of perfume is heavenly, I speak the truth.  Delectable citrus notes start off at the top, rich and creamy Madagascar Vanilla fills out the middle...ginger, vetiver and sage finish the scent. It's got a fetching, come-hither quality...nectarous and sexy. 

This bewitching fragrance is notablySmitten's first signature scent - ten percent of each bottle will go toward purchasing Wello Waterwheels for regions of the country that are faced with dire challenges accessing water. 

notablySmitten loves Wello and wants you to know more about this important company here.

Gracious and Smitten.

always know your way, deep blue compass bangle - Brave

The Brave Collection’s motto is clear and effective: Courage is Contagious. Each piece in their collection is made by hand in Cambodia, using traditional carving and weaving techniques. The Deep Blue Compass Bracelet is a gorgeous example of The Brave Collections’ simplicity: hand woven cotton and carved brass, the charm reads “Brave” in Khmer.

While still a student at NYU, founder Jessica Hendricks Yee traveled to Cambodia to teach English. While there, she was moved to create a business that would give back to the victims of human trafficking and genocide.  The artists who create the jewelry are all Cambodian women - mostly mothers - who work in dignified conditions and receive above-market wages, stipends for childcare, and health insurance. In addition, 10% of each sale is donated to local organizations to fight human trafficking and empower young girls.

classic and cool, heather white cotton tee - Half United

Presenting the dolman cut, heather white tee designed by Aly Silverio for HALF UNITED - making fighting hunger with fashion; easy, affordable, and smile inducing.

For every product purchased, Half United will give 7 meals to a child in need! Currently focused on the United States, Fiji, Cambodia and Haiti.

Food is really just the beginning for Half United. Currently primarily focused on hunger-alleviation, they also have strategically partnered with organizations that work hard to empower, educate, and inspire the children, families, and communities they feed.

Comes in black with white lettering as well - 50% polyester, 25% Cotton, 25% Rayon.

Smitten!

a plethora of cause conscious gifts - CAUSEBOX

In our busy modern culture of on-demand everything, we love love love the idea of a CAUSEBOX membership!  A hand-curated collection of jewelry, housewares, skincare products and accessories arrives 4 times a year direct to your front door, introducing you to brands that are doing great work to empower, employ and educate women from all over the globe.  

In addition to their gorgeous collection of products, each CAUSEBOX arrives filled with detailed information about each brand and item’s unique creation story. Having insight into each organization’s purpose, mission, beneficiaries and impact translates into total transparency about where each dollar is going - bringing a serious level of trust to CAUSEBOX and the products they include.

mini keys of goodness, with maximum effect - The Giving Keys

I can never get enough of The Giving Keys. Their message, the keys, their faithful purpose and dedication, are completely on point. They were the gift that started notablySmitten - and I have followed their growth faithfully ever since that first purchased key. And now mini keys - perfect.

They are an extraordinary company doing good things for the homeless here in Los Angeles. If you've not heard of them, please read about them in the very first article I ever penned for nS.

And if you've not purchased a key for someone yet, please do - pass it on.

Ever Smitten!

this chic chevron clutch for Spring - Tribe Alive

Tribe Alive’s Chevron Clutch is as beautiful as it is useful - and not just for carrying your phone and lipstick on a night out.  Each of Tribe Alive’s products are designed and made by women in safe studio work environments for fair wages, which means your new clutch continues pays it forward long after your purchase.

With partnerships across Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India and Forth Worth, Texas, Tribe Alive teams up with female artisans to bring you a gorgeous collection that reflects each country's’ unique culture and handiwork - all to support upward mobility, reliable incomes, and stability for these female artisans’ and their families.  We love supporting any organization that provides a platform for women to help women!

So Smitten!

ethical earrings celebrating Spring is here! - Mata Traders

These Daybreak earrings are artfully graceful and luxurious at the same time. Handcrafted and hand painted in India...these are your perfect ear ornaments! 

Mata Traders is a partnership between three female founders, a handful of fair trade organizations, and local Indian and Nepalese women working in artisan cooperatives. On a basic level, Mata Traders’ coops provide fair wages, healthcare, paid maternity leave, pensions, daycare, and workplace mobility to women who otherwise might not have the opportunity to work outside their home at all.  On a larger scale, however, the women working in artisan coops are simultaneously learning from social workers to become independent thinkers and activists: they gain confidence, break cycles of child labor and poverty, and provide stability for their families and communities.  

The word Mata means “Mother” in Hindi - it is a tribute to Shakti, the female creative power in all of us.  After learning of Mata Traders’ business model and seeing their gorgeous goods, we couldn’t agree with their mission more.

Smitten with Mata.

organic bangles for Haiti - xoxo, Simbi

Simbi bracelets have so many amazing things going for them - they are handmade, 100% organic, vegan, biodegradable, and glazed with a non-toxic finish.  The Acai bracelet is akin to a string of superfood Acai berries wrapped around your wrist, and we think that is just the yummiest.

Every step of the Simbi creative, manufacturing, and shipping processes is done in Haiti.  Instead of importing portions of the organization, Simbi creates jobs for locals as a concerted effort to elevate the global offerings of Haiti as well as the everyday lives of Haitian people.  Simbi’s mission statement is three-part: create jobs, purify water, save lives.  To that end, each Simbi bracelet creates 15 sustainable jobs for natives of Haiti and supports efforts to implement clean water systems. You can donate directly to Aqua Haiti here. With beautiful jewelry like the Acai bracelet, it’s easy to support this cause.

Inspired and Smitten.

the art of the scarf - Bloom & Give

Named as a homage to one of the oldest dyeing techniques, Ikat is delicate, elegant and made from beautifully fine wool.  At Bloom & Give, each item is made by local artisans, steeping the ancient Southeast Indian culture into each design.

With each item purchased, 50% of the price goes directly to fund girl’s education programs in India.  Bloom & Give notes that girls who have even a middle school education will “marry 4 years later, have two fewer children, and double her income” compared to girls who are kept out.  With the help of their partner organization, Educate Girls, Bloom & Give’s mission is simple but complex: keep girls in school.  

That’s one powerful scarf...Smitten!

unlock that thanksgiving love - The Giving Keys

Still inspired by a New York hotel room key, the Classic Necklace from The Giving Keys, has been re-imagined into this sleek Black Matte Key. Powerful addition to any guy or gals wardrobe...current, hip...and helpful.

This is the third time I'm writing about The Giving Keys...the initial post with all the love and admiration this company deserves is here. 

You see, I cannot ever say enough about this kick-butt company, based here in Los Angeles. They are on the frontline, educating, employing and assisting the homeless out of homelessness...and doing a very good job of it!

Always inspired and Smitten with The Giving Keys.

sexy, sustainable and star studded - People Tree

Catch the eye with these yummy star-studded studs. Hand pounded, 100% silver-plated brass. Gorgeous!

People Tree is recognized for its production of ethical, sustainable fashion. For more than 25 years, this pioneer company has partnered with Fair Trade producers, garment workers, artisans and farmers in the developing world to create fashion forward, eco-friendly collections.

People Tree gives customers an alternative to "fast fashion". "Fast fashion is fueled by an insatiable demand for cheap clothing and accessories. Fast fashion has a devastating impact, from sweatshops and child labor to pollution and global warming. Slow Fashion means standing up against exploitation, family separation, slum cities and pollution – all the things that make fast fashion so successful."

Fair Trade is ethical, sustainable and fashionable....and the opposite of fast fashion.

People Tree products are made by artisans who work and uphold Fair Trade standards. People Tree was the world’s first clothing company to receive the World Fair Trade Organization Fair Trade product mark in 2013.

Fair Trade makes a powerful difference. People Tree is helping to alleviate poverty in the world's most marginalized communities.

Smitten!

a sparkly, sexy...significant bangle - Eden: Fusion Leather Snap bracelet

This wrist stunner is made from twenty four hand-beaded strands affixed to two soft, sturdy leather strands. The wristlet closes with three snap buttons that adorn the leather. Stand out in this luscious piece of jewelry from Raven and Lily.

This bangle is made by women who live on the Entoto Mountain in Ethiopia, where the artisans melt down bullet casings to create the beads for their designs, "transforming what was once used for harm into beauty."

This is my third post for Raven and Lily, a company I positively love. The initial post with all appropriate accolades here.

Forever Smitten with Raven and Lily.

bighearted jammies - Sudara Punjammies

These gorgeous capris are a scrumptious addition to our wardrobes...morning, noon and night loungewear! I love them!! I love who makes them...and I love the company behind them. I am actually honored to write about these beautiful garments - made from traditional sari fabric that so perfectly represents the colors and textures of the culture.

Sudara is the company behind Punjammies, and they are working tirelessly to end the chain of sexual slavery in India, where some of the highest estimates of slavery and sex-trafficking anywhere in the world are reported. Each pair of jams is made by women in India who have escaped human trafficking. When you purchase from Sudara, "you invest in the freedom and dignity of these women and girls who are working to forge a new life for themselves and their children."

I first became aware of this extraordinary company back in September 2014, please read more here.

Sudara designs other goods for sale and provides a donation opportunity here as well.

Always entirely Smitten!