for the love of elephants - The Elephant Art Gallery

What a unique and creative idea...Elephant paintings! These 9000 pound elephants create rare and striking works of art at The Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang, Thailand.

The TECC is 19 years old and works in elephant conservation science. They are focused primarily on the care and wellness of Thailand’s elephants, 2,700 of which live on private grounds. They operate an onsite hospital and Thailand's first mobile clinic, which treats sick and injured elephants free of charge.

Asian elephants are an endangered species. If something isn't done to halt the rapid decline in numbers, it is likely that within the next 50 years, this amazing creature will be gone forever.

The TECC in conjunction with The Elephant Art Gallery (TEAG) found a genius solution with Elephant art...selling paintings in order to raise awareness and funds for the preservation of this endangered species.

While the elephants are painting, they are unaided in the creative process by humans. Elephants understand spatial awareness and are able to apply strokes within the confines of the paper.

Each piece is original...and a blessing.

This painting was created by Thanwa. Glorious. This painting being sold through Design With Benefits.

These are cool. I am Smitten.

fragrant integrity - The 7 Virtues

So I am a little late to this party...but currently completely mad for Canadian Company, The 7 Virtues. Make Perfume Not War is their mission...creating perfumes using raw materials sourced from communities in Afghanistan and other war-torn areas, including Haiti, Rwanda and the Middle East, that are working to rebuild themselves.

Creator and CEO Barb Stegemann wanted to offer farmers in Afghanistan a financially viable alternative to growing illegal poppy crops, that create hazards both in their communities and our own.

So, The 7 Virtues sources all essential oils from their supplier/farmers in Afghanistan, who then are able to provide seasonal employment for their tribes and communities, to create Afghanistan Orange Blossom and Noble Rose of Afghanistan.

As the company has grown, they have found suppliers in Haiti (where the Vetiver oil is considered the best in the world) to create Vetiver of Haiti.

Patchouli of Rwanda combines soothing green hibiscus, red grapefruit, cedar flower and freesia notes to compliment the earthy patchouli harvested by adult orphans and widows of the genocide.

The Middle East Peace fragrance, which blends the sweetie grapefruit essential oil from the Sharon Region of Israel with lime & basil essential oils from the Fars Province of Iran, was inspired by the wildly successful "We Love You Iran/Israel" campaign.

All fragrances are vegan, phthalate and paraben free.

Brilliantly Smitten.

girl power - Josie Maran Cosmetics

I first met Josie Maran on a Nestle commercial back in the 90's. She had just started modeling and I was working (for a heartbeat) as a hair and make-up artist. She was in her late teens...and a completely engaging young dynamo! I have been thrilled to watch her grow into this giving, compassionate, powerful woman.

I started using Josie's products not because of any past connection, but rather I knew the benefits of Argan oil. She has created a line that is pure and delicious. She is also dedicated to the empowerment of women...which happens to also be number one on my list as well. Josie Maran Cosmetics get all of their Argan from all- female cooperatives in Morocco.

These co-ops were set up by the Moroccan government in 2002 and give women of rural Morocco a steady income, fair wages and proper working conditions. The co-ops also offer literacy and other education classes that provide freedom and options in a traditionally male-dominated society.

The brand strives to enhance the natural beauty of their customers, while endeavoring to support the natural world and care for the planet.

Love. this.

Smitten with the way my face and body look after using Josie's products for the last four years...congrats sweetness for all your good work!

beautiful black birds - The Bird Project

The (exquisite) Bird Project soap was born in 2010, after the extraordinarily tragic BP spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Tippy Tippens, a design expert and social entrepreneur, was living in New York at the time of the catastrophe and felt the desire to help. After many visits, she decided to relocate to New Orleans and start her (very cool) business, Matter Inc.

Matter Inc. is devoted to “making the world a better place by making meaningful products that matter.”

These delicate, black, bird-shaped soaps are made with natural, locally sourced ingredients: biodiesel glycerin, fair trade olive oil, aloe, activated black charcoal, and exude a light cypress scent…evocative of the bayous of Louisiana.

Soon, wash after wash, the black bird melts away to reveal a white, ceramic memento, handmade by Louisiana Clay.  A marvelous symbol of the creatures affected…a lasting token of life, restoration and hope.

The best part is that 50% of the profits go towards the Gulf Restoration Network and International Bird Rescue.

The artistry of the bird…to be cradled in the hand, caressed and cleansed is just brilliant symbolism and an extraordinary literal expression.

I am Smitten with these sumptuous soaps.

kick a** socks - Conscious Step

These socks walk the walk they talk! Conscious Step helps “give an ordinary purchase an extraordinary purpose.”

Can socks change the world…why yes, they can! Conscious Step is surely going  to make a difference “one pair of socks at a time” – 50 percent of all profits go toward 3 partnering charities. Currently Conscious Step offers three exclusive sock designs, each reflective of the cause it supports:

One pair funds Action Against Hunger that provides three therapeutic food packages for malnourished children living in refugee camps in Kenya, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The second pair funds Trees for the Future, which plants 30 trees in rural Ghana and provides an education in agroforestry to women and children, giving them the ability to replenish degraded soils and generate sustainable sources of food and fuel.

The third pair funds Engineers Without Borders that sends Australian engineers to Nepal to build clean water sources in schools so that young girls can have the same education opportunities as boys.

The wonderful entrepreneurs behind Conscious Step are Dr. Hassan Ahmad and Adam Long from Sydney, and Prashant Mehta from New York City. All three, firm believers in “the more profitable you are, the greater your impact”…and “knowing that my sock drawer planted a forest in Ghana”, is more motivating than donating $5 to a charity and having no idea how it will be used or what difference it will make,” says Dr. Ahmad.

These socks are made from 200-needle count, organic, fair trade cotton and are sweat resistant. Each style is embroidered with it’s own unique distinguishable symbol…and did I say they kick a**!

Smitten with these socks.

put your money where your lips are - Yum Balms

Who knew that an attractive little tube of delectable shiny lip balm could do so much good in the world? Jody Weiss did! 

In 2002 Jody created an all-natural cosmetics line called PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics, the first cosmetics line to donate 100 percent of all profits (after taxes) to women’s health and human rights organizations.

Their focus is to help bond the exceptional, fortuitous women of this country, with the women who by chance of birthplace, have been born into a world with challenged resources and opportunities. 

Jody’s own personal journey is a potent and inspiring one!

She’s also conceived an efficient way to participate effectively as a philanthropist with PeaceKeeper, and help end the cycle of poverty and exploitation for millions of women and girls around the world for just a dollar a day!

Please check out the rest of the Cause-Metic line: Mega Balms, Lip Sticks, Glosses and Nail Polish. 

Smitten.

conscious fashion - Open Arms

I honestly cannot say enough about this socially hip, totally tuned-in company. I have only recently discovered Open Arms...and wow do they knock my socks off!

Open Arms design delicious, modern, comfortable apparel and accessories using reclaimed t-shirts and remnant materials. They create a cool product repurposing garments that were on their way to landfills. Very cool!

To create these upcycled garments, Open Arms employs refugee women that have been resettled in Austin, helping them to avoid the cycle of poverty. Open Arms also provides their team with enrichment opportunities, ESL classes, family friendly schedules and a living wage.

Leslie Beasley started this venture after a trip to Uganda in 2010. She was inspired by the spirits of the refugee women that she met there, and upon her return decided to fill a need for the refugees in her own community. Along with several passionate friends and co-founder Lacey Strake, the business was born.

Their mission statement kicks butt:

“Open Arms is on a mission to do it differently - creating awareness that everyday choices can change the world. We are a social enterprise dedicated to people and the planet by employing refugee women to make fashionable apparel and accessories out of recycled and USA - made materials in the US.”

I am totally Smitten with Open Arms. 

I beseech the whole fashion industry to get turned on by this genius idea. May the runways soon become flooded with beauties in upcycled clothing!