W. Kamau Bell t-shirts for Puerto Rico

This is W. Kamau Bell. He is smart and kind and hilarious.

A portion of the sales of this tee go to the people in need in Puerto Rico.

You can get your “Yes, he’s a racist.” - Me, 2017 right here.

Entirely Smitten!!

run for a cause - Janji

I’m not the best at running but I still want to look good as I attempt to do it.  The Rover Hoodie from Janji is both stylish and functional. Featuring moisture-wicking fabric, the hoodie has a ponytail slot to keep your hoodie place when you run! Finally, the running gods have heard our cries.  

Located in Massachusetts, Janji knows the value of giving back. With each purchase, they donate 5% to organizations that fund clean water to those who can’t access it. Water is essential to life and Janji is committed to making sure everyone gets it.

We’re Smitten with running!

there's beauty in equality - Beautiful Rights

Beautiful Rights offers us the chance to fight the patriarchy- with our lips. Their #Enough lipstick is made for every woman who’s had enough of social injustices and demands change. The brown-pink shade is fragrance, paraben, and cruelty free. 20% of the proceeds are donated to a nonprofit that supports women’s rights. 

Beautiful Rights was created to show its support for women’s rights. The brand supports numerous organizations including Planned Parenthood, March For Our Lives, and Momsrising- because we can’t forget the moms who are fighting for fair opportunities.

We’re beautifully Smitten.

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. 

pure energy - Uma Oils

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!

be bold - The Lipstick Lobby

I like to think of my lipstick as my everyday war paint. And their Kiss My Pink shade from The Lipstick Lobby is just that and more. It’s made in the U.S., cruelty free, long-lasting, and flatters every skin tone. The biggest payoff? 100% of all net profits go to Planned Parenthood to help men and women have access to healthcare and sex education. 

Davida Hall is the activist behind The Lipstick Lobby. She created a brand that stands for social justice. Featuring campaigns that target different social issues and injustice, each one has their designated lipstick shade. The bolder, the better.

How smitten <3

positively speaking - Palabra

Palabra's eco-friendly graphic tees, tanks, crop tops and hoodies are made from sustainable textiles that do not hurt the planet or the people who produce it. “We use organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, recycled cotton and RPET.”

“For every item sold, we purchase a book or make a donation to global education & literacy programs.” 

Palabra lets their shirts do the talking. They feature English and Spanish phrases like Verdad (truth), and Cuéntame (tell me). Available in eight colors, the materials are ethically sourced—and the shirts have sass!

Founded by Susan Boyar, the idea behind Palabra is to provide the public with sustainable, ethical, high quality clothing. For every purchase, the company buys a book and donates it to the Chispa Project, an organization dedicated to providing literacy opportunities to kids in Honduras. 

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.

Tote Project

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.

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."

beauty and the beach bag - Indego Africa

Indego Africa is a non-profit that pairs a NYC-based design team with female artisans in Rwanda and Ghana to create stylish and expertly crafted goods.  All of their goods are created by hand using traditional techniques of weaving, block printing, beading, embroidery, wood carving, and metal shaping. A classic example of the highly-skilled sweetgrass weaving technique can be found in the gorgeous and versatile Palm Tote! Perfect for beach days or a trip to the market, the Palm Tote is a beautiful way to make a statement with your accessory while renewing your commitment to help break the cycle of poverty.

Founded in 2007, Indego Africa believes that education is the key to long-term empowerment.  To that end, they are committed to providing fair wages as well as leadership training, business classes, technology workshops, and public health programs to the artisans they partner with to create Indego Africa’s designs.  100% of their profits, combined with grants and private donations, go back to the artisan’s communities. As of 2017, they have positively impacted 1,100 women in Rwanda and Ghana.

Indeed 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!

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.

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!

gold, pretty, altruistic - Global Goods Partners

These golden, dangly, fun earrings are made from magazine paper! Rolled into delicate cylinders and strung onto these perfectly sized hoops. Light and pretty, a compliment to any outfit day or night.

I've written about Global Goods Partners in the past...because I positively love what they do!

Smitten again and again.

the perfect spring bridesmaids gift - Cleopatra Earrings

Mela Artisans’ gold and turquoise Cleopatra Earrings are fit for a queen!   I love that they are completely handmade, as well as their slightly retro shape, bold color palette, and traditional elegance!

After a life-long appreciation for the handcrafted goods and jewelry from India, father-daughter duo Navroze S. Mehta and Sonali Mehta Rao recognized a growing problem for indigenous artisans - the ability to market their products and sustain their livelihood.  After reading one too many articles about artisans trading their time-honored skills for unskilled laborer jobs in large cities, Mela Artisans was created as a platform to connect these craftsman to the global market, as well as preserve the traditional methods necessary to create these handicrafts. 

In addition to this mission, Mela gives 1% of sales back to the artisans’ communities.  This fund provides basic needs for these artisans to succeed as independent entrepreneurs, such as medical care for their families or solar energy for improved workshop lighting.

Mela translates to ‘Festival’ in Hindi, and I couldn’t agree more - their products come together as a true festival of beautiful handmade goods!

Smitten!

shimmering gold stocking stuffers - Purpose Jewelry

Exciting, eye-catching, ear candy: classic gold shimmering hoop earrings. Strung with metallic faceted beads...perfectly wearable day or night.

These yummy hoops are available in both Gold and Silver and have a 2 1/4" drop, with a 1 1/2" width.

I love these earrings, but I love the company behind them more.

Purpose jewelry, is handcrafted by survivors of modern-day slavery.

100% of the proceeds from Purpose benefit International Sanctuary, a non-profit that provides holistic care for young women rescued from sex trafficking.

When a girl escapes or is rescued from sex trafficking she is faced with an enormous level of trauma with very little support.

In 2007, International Sanctuary (iSanctuary) was created to address the needs of these young women through holistic care and empowerment. The women are offered mentorship, education, medical and dental care, scholarships, and micro-loans to prepare them for brighter futures.

In September 2014, International Sanctuary launched Purpose, a way to empower the survivors through employment and financial stability. The women are able to enjoy a healthy workplace, free to laugh and grow. A place that helps to transform these once victims, into skilled artisans, survivors...and thrivers. 

Super Smitten!

bars of gold that give back - Half United

notablySmitten introduced Half United in August of this year...and now these Gold Bar Rae Earrings! Divine and delightful...they come in silver and rose gold as well.

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.

...continue to be Smitten!

paper triangle drop earrings - Global Goods Partners

These entirely chic, lightweight, geometric lovelies are made from stacked, glued, cut and sanded recycled magazine pages! Totally modern, totally original, swank, sustainable, everyday accessories.

These beautiful earrings are:

~ Made from 100% recycled magazines

~ 3/4"W x 3/4"L, hangs 3"

~ Choose from Aqua, Black, Pink, Orange and Green

Both professionals in International Development, it was part of Catherine Lieber Shimony and Joan Shifrin's job to travel to impoverished areas around the world to see what could be improved. What they began to witness over and over again, were creative, energized women producing magnifient handmade goods...yet, they lacked any access to sustainable markets in which to sell their products.

Catherine and Joan had witnessed women in marginalized communities throughout Asia, Africa, and the US being able to advance the wellness of their families when their income was stabilized. In 2005, the friends founded Global Goods Partners to create a practical pathway for women to generate income opportunities and gain access into the consumer marketplace for handmade, fair trade merchandise.

Global Goods Partners (GGP) is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice and empowers women to create sustainable change.

Once again, Smitten!