notablySmitten

holiday,fair trade

white summer - Tribe Alive

artisanal, artisans, community, ethical, fair trade, Families, handmade, job creation, kindnesseden tirlComment
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As temperatures rise, it’s important to wear clothes that are light weight. Tribe Alive’s Everyday Top is handmade in India and 100% cotton. The shirt is perfect for summer weather and it is available in sizes extra small to extra large. Your purchase will help the artisan who made it by providing employment opportunities with fair wages.

Tribe Alive partners with artisans in order to make a huge impact. Founded by Carly Burson, she has created a way to help mothers in poor communities earn a fair wage in order to provide for their children. She provides them with safe working environments, fairs wages, and empowerment.

beaded love - Sashka

artisanal, artisans, baskets, cause conscious, community, conscious, fair trade, Families, job creation, handmadeeden tirlComment
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Wear your love on your wrists with Sashka Co.'s handmade collection of bracelets. Each bracelet was handmade by an artisan located in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Their Rise Bracelet features white and gold glass beads, fitting wrists from 8 to 10 inches. Each purchase supports and empowers the artisan by helping her rise for poverty.

Sashka Co. was created in 2013 to help the artisans in Nepal make a fair wage by creating job making beautiful bracelets. Each bracelet is handmade with the finest glass beads, helping to create jobs that pay above minimum wage. 10% of their profits are also donated to charities to help spread the love

We are Smitten!

a magic eraser - Farmacy

beauty, conscious, conservation, environmentally caring, environmentally conscious, environmentally responsib, ethical, fair trade, Night Serum, Recycled, social sustainability, sustainable, sustainable farmingeden tirlComment
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Melt away all of your makeup at the end of a long day. Thanks to Farmacy Beauty, their Green Clean Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm gets rid of every single drop of makeup. It’s a hundred times more gentle on your skin than makeup remover wipes and it contains sunflower and ginger root oil, moringa tree extract, papaya extract, and echinacea greenenvy. It’s 100% clean as it is only made with simple, pure ingredients.

Farmacy Beauty was founded by Mark Veeder. The sustainable company prides themselves in their farm – to – face skincare line featuring a unique Echinacea GreenEnvy, a plant containing more than 300% natural antioxidants. Their ingredients are both locally sourced and produced, making sure the company does its part in being environmentally responsible. Their packaging is made from FSC Certified Paper and their jars are 100% recyclable.

How Smitten!!!

the golden compass - The Brave Collection

artisanal, artisans, conscious, ethical, fair trade, girls, handmade, healthcare, human trafficking, jewelry, necklaceseden tirlComment
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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.

cause conscious, community, conscious, earrings, ethical, fair trade, jewelry, job creation, artisanal, artisanseden tirlComment
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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. 

pure energy - Uma Oils

100% natural, cause conscious, community, ethical, fair trade, skin care, scholarshipseden tirlComment
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Uma’s Pure Energy Wellness Oil might just put an end to my daily Starbuck’s runs. Made in India, the oil contains ingredients, peppermint and frankincense, which are known to energize and awaken you. It’s like coffee without the crash. 100% organic, zero synthetics, or preservatives. 

Uma was founded by Shrankhla Holecek. The ingredients are sourced from her farm in India. The brand upholds their Ayurvedic beliefs—which is to give back. Uma donates a third of profits to their community in India, where they fund health clinics and offer academic scholarships to young girls. 

Smitten!

Tote Project

artisans, bags, cause conscious, community, environmentally caring, environmentally responsib, fair tradeeden tirlComment
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Plastic is earth’s true enemy. Tote Project’s Free to Soar tote is perfect answer to reducing our plastic use- especially when grocery shopping. Made in India, the company offers a variety of designs and it’s made with fair trade cotton. Their artwork is printed with water-based inks so they’re made to last.

Tote Project was founded by two friends, Faye Grant and Michelle Chavez. Together, they work to help and empower victims of modern-day slavery. 10% of their profits is donated to Two Wings, an organization that helps sex trafficking victims pursue their dreams through mentorships and career training workshops.

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

artisanal, beads, cause conscious, cooperatives, earrings, fair trade, fashion, gifts, global, gold, jewelry, job creation, social sustainabilityeden tirlComment
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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."

always know your way, deep blue compass bangle - Brave

bangles, bridesmaids gifts, cause conscious, fair trade, fashion, girls, global, human trafficking, jewelryeden tirlComment
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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.

ethical earrings celebrating Spring is here! - Mata Traders

conscious, cooperatives, earrings, ethical, fair trade, fashion, handmade, jewelry, pretty, social sustainabilityeden tirlComment
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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.

signature huile de parfum - mandarine spice notablySmitten/limited edition

cause conscious, ethical, fragrance, holiday, perfume, stocking stuffers, watereden tirlComment
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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.

Totally notably Smitten!

handmade love for your tree - Thistle Farms

cause conscious, christmas, gifts, handmade, holiday, ornamentseden tirlComment
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I am beyond Smitten with the way these heart-shaped ornaments are constructed...and by whom. These four delicious ornaments are created out of goodwill and creative inspiration. Adorn your tree this year, and support four worthy, exceptional enterprises. Brought to you by Becca Stevens, founder and President of the wonderful organization that is Thistle Farms.

Thistle Farms is a community of women survivors of addiction, prostitution, and trafficking in Nashville, Tennessee. "This product bears witness that love is the most powerful force for change in the world."

This is the second global holiday collection being presented by Thistle Farms. 'Love from Around the World II' includes four handmade ornaments by women survivors from Nashville, Cambodia, Peru and the Middle East. Each ornament reflects...LOVE.

•  The recycled weave ornament represents Freedom’s Promise who work with at-risk and vulnerable women in Cambodia.

•  The knitted ornament represents the Monkey Project and provides a living wage to men in Huancayo, Peru - enabling change for their entire community.

•  The wood ornament represents Hope Collective is a community dedicated that brings sustainable development to refugees in the Middle East.

•  The copper ornament represents Studios - a division of Thistle Farm's social enterprise, which creates handcrafted paper, sewing and screen printing comprising this unique product line.

Smitten and filled with holiday cheer!!

the perfect christmas stockings - Bombas

cause conscious, christmas, ethical, fashion, gifts, holiday, socks, stocking stufferseden tirlComment
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These socks here, have stolen my heart! Their style, their construction, their fit. Boom...serious socks!

"Game-changing socks that have to be felt to be believed."

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Bombas was started when Randy Goldberg and David Heath learned that socks were the number one most requested clothing item in homeless shelters.

They decided that they would rethink the sock - and create an uber sock. One that could outdo the conventional socks we are all used to. Better fit, more comfort...incredible durability. I dig these socks!

So, it is simple: for every pair of socks they sell, they donate a pair to someone in need. The more socks they sell, the more they can donate.

Bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees work together to make their hive a better place. They're small, but their combined efforts have a big impact on the world.

Smitten with the socks!

unlock that thanksgiving love - The Giving Keys

cause conscious, christmas, fashion, gifts, holiday, jewelry, necklaces, stocking stufferseden tirlComment
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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

cause conscious, christmas, earrings, ethical, fair trade, gifts, handmade, holiday, jewelry, silver, stocking stuffers, sustainableeden tirlComment
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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

bangles, beads, cause conscious, christmas, cuffs, ethical, fashion, gifts, global, handmade, holiday, jewelry, stocking stuffers, upcyclededen tirlComment
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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.

mocha infused liqueur - FAIR

ethical, fair trade, gifts, global, liqueureden tirlComment
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The combination of coffee and alcohol - heaven to me! And I cannot remember the last time I had such a delectable glass of heaven then yesterday when I tried FAIR. Cafe' Liqueur. Smooth, deep, intense...a very provocative cocktail.

FAIR. is an independent spirits brand. The folks behind the company are dedicated to high quality products, source ethically and sustainably.

"Think Human Drink Fair"

The delicious bang from this perfect combination comes from slow roasting the finest organically grown, Fair Trade Certified Arabica coffee beans, then infusing the freshly ground beans directly into the liqueur base. Creating a bountifully flavored coffee based spirit.

Their coffee beans are organically grown and Fair Trade certified and  come from a co-op of more than 1,900 independent farmers in the Huatusco region of Veracruz, Mexico.

The sugar used in FAIR. Café Liqueur is also organic and Fair Trade Certified, and comes from various co-ops in countries such as Malawi and Paraguay.

FAIR. was founded in 2009 by Alexandre Koiransky. "Alexandre follows his own intuition, his love for people, his heart."

The FAIR. ideology is to treat all people, at every stage of the process, fairly.

Heavenly Smitten.

beautiful block print scarf...Hello fall! - Greenola Style

cause conscious, charity, education, ethical, fair trade, fashion, global, neckwear, scarveseden tirlComment
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This luxurious block print scarf certainly welcomes fall with a big "hello!" Not only will neckwear keep you warm, but can pull a look together in one fell swoop...and always adds a bit of mystery. This 100% cotton scarf has such a subtle design, thin geometric lines of lavender and miniature diamonds of deep rose. Gorgeous.

This beautiful garment was made in India.

Greenola Style provides advancement opportunities to artisans in marginalized parts of the world - particularly in Bolivia and Kenya.

Respecting the cultural heritage and promoting the craftsmanship in each country, Greenola pays fair wages - Fair Trade Federation.

Greenola donates a percentage of their profits to Solidarity Bridge, an organization that trains and equips medical communities in Bolivia and Paraguay empowering them to provide high-complexity surgery and other healthcare for those living in poverty.

This partnership also helps Bolivian artisans access quality healthcare.

To donate directly to Solidarity Bridge.

Greenola Style is not affiliated with Solidarity Bridge, however they donate to help support their mission.

Smitten with Greenola Style and Solidarity Bridge!

LOVE these knickers - Naja

beauty, cause conscious, ethical, fair trade, fashion, girls, loungewear, panties, undieseden tirlComment
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Naja Knickers are eco-conscious, adorably designed, and socially conscious every step of the way: our favorite kind of notable trifecta!  Every single design is more adorable, sexy and stylish than the next!

Naja is the entrepreneurial brainchild of Catalina Girald, an attorney-turned-traveler-turned-activist, and Gina Rodriguez, an award-winning-actress-and-latino-community-supporter.  Naja was created in an effort to shift the way lingerie is made and marketed so that it is empowering, not objectifying, for the “smart, courageous and sexy women of today”.  With factories that employ primarily single mothers and female heads of households, Naja pays above market wages, allows for flexible scheduling, and provides school clothes, supplies and lunches to the children of their employees.  In addition to their factories, Naja employs women in the slums of Columbia to sew garment bags in their homes through their Underwear for Hope program - 2% of all purchases go towards funding this program.  

In addition to all the socially-conscious efforts, Naja prints all their awesome knicker graphics digitally to minimize their environmental footprint.

Smitten with Girl Power!

the perfect dress - Symbology Kimono Wrap dress

beauty, bridesmaids gifts, cause conscious, dresses, fair trade, fashion, prettyeden tirlComment
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Looking for a versatile, flattering, fun-but-still-elegant dress to kick off wedding season?  Look no further than the beautiful kimono wrap dress from Symbology clothing!

Symbology was founded by Marissa Heyl after a trip to India in 2006.  Her mission - in short - is to make fair trade sexy!  Symbology strives to make fair trade the norm in the fashion industry, and fuses beautiful tradition fabrics and patterns from India and the West Bank with modern, fashion-forward designs.  By partnering directly with artisans, these talented women are empowered to exercise their skills in weaving, block printing or embroidery.  These artisans are able to continue their trades and traditions while earning wages that allow their families to thrive.

Each collection centers around a motif or theme, and I love the playfulness of each unique print!  The fall/winter collection, entitled “Birds of a Feather”, features super flattering cuts in patterns that are printed by women in India using ancient hand-block printing methods. 

Fashionably Smitten!