Festive Fair Trade Decor
Holiday Traditions I love the holidays. It’s one of the few times of the year I get to spend with my family in the winter wonderland that is Vermont. I have very fond childhood memories of waking up early to check our stockings and our presents under the tree. I also enjoyed playing dreidel and eating warm latkes with our Jewish friends. I feel very fortunate that I was able to enjoy many holiday traditions over the years. Perhaps my favorite tradition was decorating our Christmas tree. My mother made it custom to give my brothers and I new ornaments each year with our name and date written on the…
Fair Trade Black Friday
Here are the best deals I found from some of my favorite fair trade and ethically made brands! We can all do our part to shop responsibly. Happy Black Friday shopping! Trades of Hope: 60% off select items I work with a company called Trades of Hope that sells all artisan made jewelry and accessories from female artisans in disadvantaged countries. Through your purchases you can empower women by helping them earn a sustainable income in safe working conditions. ABLE: 30% off all items with code ABLE30 and free shipping ABLE is a lifestyle brand that is focused on ending poverty by creating sustainable job opportunities for women. ABLE sells…
Looks Like Fall: My First Cause Box
I love fall. I grew up in Vermont, which boasts the most beautiful display of autumn leaves. I love watching the trees turn while wearing transitional layers and boots, and sipping pumpkin ale or spiced cider. Not to mention that Halloween is my favorite holiday and has been since I was a kid. My mom threw the best haunted house in town, and as an adult I have tried to follow in her footsteps. This year I added something new to my fall traditions: the fall Cause Box. I follow a fair amount of fair trade accounts on Instagram, and was excited to stumble upon a company called Cause Box:…
Sustainable Denim Tops and Jackets for Fall
For those of you who like to wear your denim on top, you’re in luck. Canadian tuxedos are a faux-paus of the past, and now denim-on-denim has become a desired look. Denim has been a staple in our wardrobes for decades, and is actually the most used textile in the world. However, it comes at a huge environmental cost. Denim is made primarily of cotton, which requires thousands of liters of water to produce. Many companies also use pesticides and synthetic dyes to make jeans. Luckily, many conscious minded brands have joined the Better Cotton Initiative, which uses less water and chemicals than other cotton, and has the least impact…
Sunsais: Trust What You Wear
Barcelona is one of the best shopping cities in Europe. The shops seem to flow out of every corner in every district, and it is admittedly hard to show self-restraint. If you’re going to pick one district, I recommend the Gracia district. Sunsais is located in Vila de Gracia, which has been called “Barcelona’s coolest suburb”. This historic old center is where the famous Festa Major de Garcia takes place in August- a huge street party of concerts, food and drink, and a wonder of spectacular themed decorations. During the other months tourists can enjoy restaurants, cafes, and art galleries. There are also a variety of shops on every cobblestone…
Journey to Sesimbra, Portugal
Our first stop in Portugal was Sesimbra– a beautiful coastal town famous for its fishing, seafood, and stunning beaches, just a short drive from Lisbon. Sesimbra lies at the foothills of the Serra de Arrabida, a mountain range extending between Setubal and Sesimbra. Sesimbra is best known for its fishing, particularly its swordfish fishing, and is abundant with small traditional seafood restaurants. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Gold Beach Coast Line, and visit the ruins a Moorish castle on a nearby mountaintop. After a long flight to Lisbon, Sesimbra seemed like the perfect destination to rest and recoup. We enjoyed a short 30 minute drive through dry countryside,…
FAIR Labor Day Deals
Labor Day celebrates the creation of labor in our country and the economic achievements of American workers. It’s also the second biggest shopping event of the year (second of course, to Black Friday). This Labor Day weekend I decided to celebrate FAIR labor by only shopping locally and/or ethically, and only companies that pay their employees fair wages. I challenge you to do the same! I’ve compiled a short list of some of the best ethical Labor Day deals you can find this weekend. Enjoy! Tribe Alive- 40% off with code EXTRA40 Tribe Alive partners with artisans in Guatemala, Haiti, India, Honduras, and Fort Worth, Texas to employ marginalized…
20 Sustainable Statement Earrings
I love a good statement earring. It’s a versatile accessory that can be worn day or night, with a cocktail dress or a simple t-shirt and messy bun. There is no shortage in variety when it comes to statement earrings, which can be colorful, geometric, shiny, with tassels or fringe. It seems that costume jewelry has made a serious comeback. One complaint people have about fair trade or ethically made items is that they don’t look “contemporary” enough. So I scoured the web for modern sustainable statement earrings by my favorite brands. Here are 20 of my favorites. Each pair is ethically made and/or supports a great cause. All earrings…
Summer Staple: Rattan Bags
Summer is coming to an end, but I’m not quite ready to think about fall yet. It’s hard to think about adding layers and boots when it’s still 90 degrees outside! Since my mind is still on summer I thought I would talk about my summer staple this year: the rattan bag. Straw and wicker bags were one of the biggest trends this summer. Rattan is a naturally renewable palm that grows in tropical regions and is used in furniture, buildings, crafts, and bags. Rattan is sturdier than your average straw bag. Now, I understand that you can find these bags just about everywhere right now. There are expensive versions…
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Trades of Hope Fall Collection
About a year ago I joined a fair trade company called Trades of Hope. After reading about the company I quickly fell in love with their mission. The founders of Trades of Hope believe that women living in poverty don’t lack the abilities needed to succeed, but instead lack opportunities. Trades of Hope partners with female artisans all over the world to provide job opportunities that pay fair wages in safe working environments. Trades of Hope has beautiful jewelry and accessories that are all handmade. Just as each item is unique and beautiful, so is the story behind it. Here are a few of my favorite items from the NEW…
