be fearless - Cora

Period shame is really cramping our style (pun intended). Cora’s Fearless Necklace stands for period equality among women all over the world. With each purchase, Cora donates a year’s supply of pads to a girl in Kenya. Because let’s face the cold, hard fact: Girls run the world. Period.

After years of travel Molly and Morgen, founders of Cora, witnessed girls in Kenya leave school because they couldn’t afford to buy pads. Thanks to every purchase, Cora is able to provide those girls with pads so that they can continue their education while on their periods.

no to plastic waste - PathWater

Can you remember how many plastic bottles you’ve used in your lifetime? Me neither. With plastic pollution becoming a bigger threat to our environment, PathWater has stepped up to change that. Their aluminum bottle is not only reusable but its sustainable too. 

PathWater was founded to help you make the switch from single-use plastic. It’s estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Due to this scary and sad reality, PathWater has worked tirelessly to beat those odds with their aluminum bottles. Their water is also locally sourced, having gone through a whopping seven step reverse osmosis filtration process. Better for you and better for the environment. 

How wonderfully Smitten!

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. 

Olori

Olori is a company that finally agrees with my royal status (I’m extra, I know). They offer crossbody bags made from durable leather, featuring adjustable straps and a flap made from a special Nigerian textile. Olori is the Yoruba word for Queen, which is why they state that each piece is made for a queen- how fitting! The bags are available in nine different colors and textures.

Founded by Tomide Awe, she believes every girl is a queen. Education is expensive in Africa. Unfortunately, many girls cannot afford school which is why each bag that’s sold provides tuition fees for a girl living in Africa.

Smitten!

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.

adorn those ears - Purpose

These gorgeous lithe ornaments for the ear, deserve our applause. These sit 2 ½” long off the ear. Come plated in 14k Gold or Rhodium (tarnish resistant.) They also come in a lovely box in case you're gifting these beauties.

Purpose jewelry is brilliantly handcrafted by young women escaping human trafficking. Your purchase helps provide them with the hope and opportunities they deserve while transitioning back into a free and safe future.

100% of proceeds go to International Sanctuary: a safe, loving, holistic community, with an incredible an sustainable model. Addressing income, education, healthcare, and community, the women are able to find their true identities and worth once again. 

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.

black power cross body bag - VIDA

VIDA was formed on the idea that we are interconnected, global citizens of the modern world.  Their current collection, from New Zealand designer Corina Hazlett, is inspired by her 2015 trip to Vietnam as an Art Therapist for human trafficking survivors.  We love the bright colors and bold prints of her designs almost as much as we love the meaning behind each piece of her collection.

Each item in the VIDA collection is produced on demand - this practice eliminates waste, excess inventory, and the ‘middle man’ costs associated with traditional fashion commerce.  VIDA hires designers from all over the world through a submission process - those chosen are given 10% of their sales and the means to manufacture their goods with direct-to-fabric digital printing.  In addition, the makers that produce VIDA’s products are provided literacy programs and basic math skills for themselves and their children, allowing for more opportunities in the future.

Entirely 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!

sweet chic sandals - Nisolo

Nisolo’s wooden wedge sandal is a perfect balance between style and sustainability - made from solid wood and hand-cut leather, they are a long-lasting addition to any closet and have an equally long lasting impact on the artisans who created them. Founded in 2011 by Patrick Woodyard after seeing the immense talent for shoemaking in Peru and wanting to be a problem solver in the global market, Nisolo is now based in both Peru and Tennessee, and employs over 50 people.

Nisolo is a leader in ethical fashion production, providing workers with wages 27% higher than fair trade wages, consistent work with yearly salaries, and “holistic learning” that includes trade skills as well as healthcare, english classes, and childcare.  The word Nisolo means “not alone”, and the most visible effect that credo has on the local community is the next generation - 100% of employee’s children are enrolled in school full time, with six on track to be the first in their families to graduate college.

on time and conscious, what could be better? - Flex

Flex watches are a product of two great things: life-long friendship and a strong desire to contribute to a larger cause.  Founded by childhood friends, Travis Lubinsky and Trevor Jones, Flex donates 10% of every sale to a corresponding cause, meaning you can choose the cause (and color scheme) you are most passionate about.  

Each Flex watch supports a particular cause, such as breast cancer or clean water.  In turn, a donation is made to a partnering organization, like Keep A Breast or The Thirst Project.  We love the easy-to-read watch face and a bright pop of uniform color! These watches are water resistant, made of high-grade silicone, and have interchangeable wristbands so styles can be mix-and-matched easily.  If that’s not enough to love, they also offer a 2-year warranty and free shipping - making this a memorable gift for any do-gooder in your life.  

On time - so Smitten!

happy shopping in these jeans! - Outland Denim

Outland Denim’s Harriet in Pacific jeans are a stylish choice for any lady who not only cares how she dresses, but the impact her purchases make on the world.  Outland Denim provides training and living wages to women who have been rescued and restored from human trafficking, and are also leading the way in environmental and social sustainability.

Each pair is created in Outland’s Cambodian training and production facility - their story here. Striving to erase the deep social and physiological effects of human trafficking, every step of their business model empowers women with transferable life skills.  From the denim itself to the zippers, buttons, rivets and thread, all are supporting the same mission: to make a positive difference in the fashion industry.

Seriously Smitten by any company that combines denim and good deeds!

LOVE comes in essential oils - 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." Their mission statement here...worth the read.

These compelling essential oils have been used since ancient times for the purposes of healing. Derived from highly concentrated plant products, blended for physical, mental and emotional purposes. Luscious jojoba and coconut oils are used as carrier agents, keeping the skin hydrated.

Packaged in frosted glass tube with a roller ball that glides oils directly onto your pulse points.

4 bottles of 0.34 fl. oz. (10 ml) each that specifically addresses your: Calm, Energy, Immunity and Balance.

LOVE and 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.

for a good read - Thoughtfully Magazine

Thoughtfully Magazine suggests that readers “live thoughtfully right where you are, one step at a time, with what you have” - and we couldn’t agree more.  Living each moment with the right outlook is a major step to improving your day, your life, and your world!

This eco-conscious, independently produced magazine is as thoughtful as it sounds. Filled with topics such as sustainable beauty products, health and wellness, and delicious recipes, Thoughtfully encourages readers to shift their attention to the more important things in life.  While they only promote specific products that they believe in, they are also working to become ad-free, and will soon rely only on reader support.

Consider picking up a copy of this elegantly designed and genuine publication during your next trip to Wholefoods or Sprouts!

Naturally 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!

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!

soft and soothed skin naturally - Honest Beauty

With my husband working in the movie industry, I travel a lot! This fall we have been fortuitous to spend it in the very friendly, bohemian, rustic little town of Manitou Springs, at the base of Pikes Peak. It's positively stunning here...and with an elevation of 6,035 feet, very drying to the skin. After a week here, my face was thirsty, and needed some attention. I sincerely scored when I (finally) stumbled upon Honest Beauty's Magic Balm...it is pure greatness in a 5g/17oz. compact.

Honest Beauty is made without: parabens, gluten, silicones, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, or dyes - they have created an incredible product line. I've been using the balm morning and night, and my skin feels like I've been hanging in Hawaii!

Jessica Alba is the beauty behind The Honest Company and Honest Beauty, and both are devoted to healthy products and the education of our girls. Both ideas notablySmitten supports wholeheartedly!

"Your purchase helps fund access to safe products and advances in research and education that support healthy, happy lives for all."

...am totally Smitten with Honest Beauty!

amethyst beads and more good deeds - 100 Good Deeds

The ABC's of this bracelet: it's not only a stunner, but has an equally powerful mission. 

100 Good Deeds and Gemfields have partnered to create this smashing, limited edition, amethyst bangle. All gems are responsibly sourced from Zambia, Africa. 

"Gemfields is the world’s leading supplier of responsibly sourced colored gemstones, taking pride in bringing ethically mined gemstones to the market in a transparent manner. In partnership with its dealers and jewelry manufacturers, Gemfields ensures a consistent supply of colored gemstones to its consumers and offers full disclosure directly to you, our discerning clients."

Please see notablySmitten's original post on 1GD and Mary Fisher here.

Smitten again.