My First Foray Into Fair Trade Fashion
How that’s for an alliteration? Fair Trade was a term I was vaguely familiar with for years after stepping foot in a Ten Thousand Villages store in Cambridge, Massachussetts. I recognized it as goods made by artisans in other countries and were made using traditional craftsmanship of those countries. It wasn’t until I created my wedding registry in 2016 at The Little Market that I discovered the full extent of fair trade decor and how buying fair trade certified products supports artisans in other countries by providing them with fair wages and safe working conditions. My enthusiasm for fair trade grew and I started working with a fair trade jewelry…
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Welcome
Planting Seeds of Change with Earth Day Books
Trades of Hope Cyber Monday!
Trades of Hope Savanna Collection
“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa.” -John Hemingway Ever since I was a little girl I have dreamed about Africa, especially the animals of the African savanna. I preferred playing with figurines of cheetahs and giraffes over dolls, and my bedroom had an African safari theme. As an adult my childhood dreams of traveling to Africa came true and I was able to visit Ethiopia and Ghana. I also fell in love with the people, the traditions, the beautiful designs they incorporate into their clothing and crafts. As a first grade teacher I teach about the savanna habitat every year, and I love sharing my…
Patriotic Finds You Can Wear Past July 4th
If I’m going to be completely honest, I had every intention of writing a post for Fourth of July, but my husband and I planned a hiking and camping trip for the long weekend and time escaped me. At the weekend’s conclusion, with the work already half done I found myself sitting in front of the computer wondering how I could salvage the blog post. I found inspiration in my husband’s over-the-top patriotic shirt- a muscle tee with an American flag covering his whole torso and an American eagle busting through the middle of the flag. The kind of shirt that certainly inspires an “America- fuck yea” or two. Admittedly…
How to Shop Sustainably at Target
“The big boys are coming, the big corporations, the big brands. They may be late to the party, but they are now aware that they have a big problem.” -Andrea Reyes, founder of NYC Fair Trade Coalition Although I try to support mostly small businesses, there is a certain allure to Target that is hard to ignore. My friend and fellow teacher, Andrea is a Target enthusiast and frequents the store weekly. We often joke that if she put on a red shirt people would think she worked there. So what is it it about Target? When I asked her she responded that the convenience is a huge seller. It’s…
Trades of Hope has a new look for summer
Trades of Hope is a fair trade company that traditionally sells artisan made jewelry, bags, and home decor. This month the company added two new categories as part of their Capsule Collection. A versatile black dress and woven ikat sandals. Besides a couple kimonos, Trades of Hope has never sold apparel or shoes. I was excited to see the new collection which is classic black and white with a red accent. The pieces are made by upcycled fabrics and sustainable materials from women in Cambodia, Guatemala, and India. Here are some of my favorites pieces from the capsule collection named Endless Summer and the Summer ’19 collection! Endless Sandals Endless…
Meghan Markle, J.Crew, and the Rise of Do Good Denim
“When girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them.” -Meghan Markle in speech to University of the South Pacific in Australia Meghan Markle and Outland Denim Beauty Meghan Markle has quickly become a fashion icon and when Markle wears something, people want to know where its from. Not only does she have style, but she has heart. She is a strong advocate for female empowerment and supports brands with a cause. On a tour in Australia the duchess was photographed wearing Veja sneakers and a black pair of skinny jeans from Outland Denim (the high-rise…
How to Wear Women’s History Month
Yesterday I celebrated International Women’s Day with my class of first graders. We watched a video that gave students some background knowledge of the holiday, including social injustices women faced and how women fought for gender equality. We watched a news clip of a 9 year old girl who wrote a letter to NBA Steph Curry asking why his shoes weren’t available for girls and discussed the power of writing a letter. Then we shared several stories and wrote about women who inspire us, including Mae Jamison, Simone Biles, Hillary Clinton, Malala, Beatrix Potter, Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, the list goes on! I was so impressed with the ideas they…
Trades of Hope Spring Line
Although the first day of spring doesn’t arrive until March 20, it’s fairly common to see new spring collections launch early in the new year. With a new year comes a fresh new look. Trades of Hope’s new collection is inspired by the Greek word eunoia, which means “beautiful thinking; a well mind”. The collection is beautiful, with both bold pieces and dainty feminine pieces to please different customers. One thing I like about Trades of Hope is that their pieces can appeal to different age groups, and the same holds true for the spring line. Here are my favorite pieces from the new collection: I do love a bold…
Winter Cause Box
Recently I wrote a post about my fixed feelings about New Year’s Resolutions. As I’ve had more time to reflect I realized that it’s important to find a balance between self improvement and self acceptance. Love oneself as you are but don’t be afraid to set new goals for yourself. The Winter Cause Box was curated with New Year’s goals in mind. The people behind Cause Box chose a variety of tools and treats to help your personal goals in 2019, or as they describe it goals that “build off of the accomplishments of our past year and push us to be greater versions of ourselves in the new year.…
Resolutions
Another year has almost come to a close, and now we look ahead to 2019. I spent the holidays with my family in my hometown in Vermont this year. Being in Vermont always helps me slow down and think about the things that are most important in life. Soon I know I’ll be back in Raleigh, back to work and day-to-day responsibilities, which has got me thinking- what will my New Years resolutions be? Firstly, let me say that I’m not sure how I feel about New Years resolutions. Over the years I have made several resolutions, all focused on bettering myself in some capacity. “This year I will work…
