A little “Peace from Above”
I have a treat for y’all! Not only do you get to see pictures of this cutie in this post:
BUT I have another giveaway! 
I’m going to tell y’all a little bit about Amani ya Juu (“Peace from Above”). I got an email from their US Marketing Associate, Emily, after she found my little space here on the internet. I believe it was providential, but I’m not revealing ALL the details yet…
Amani ya Juu is a sewing and reconciliation project for marginalized women in Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, & Liberia. I really can’t say enough about this organization. They are ALL ABOUT the same things I believe. This is their goal: Women from many African nations and cultures are learning to work together through faith in God. Amani is committed to holistic development. Women gain experience in purchasing, bookkeeping, stitching, quality control, management, and design. As new women enter the program they are mentored in quality workmanship. Emphasis is placed on ethical business practices and harmonious relationships with people of different backgrounds. Amani’s wide selection of high-quality handbags, home & kitchen décor, jewelry, and children’s items are made out of local African materials. The sale of products sold by volunteers and in Amani shops enables each woman to earn consistent income. OF COURSE, it’s all fair trade, because I would never steer you wrong. And? These ladies can make some accessories!
y’all know my penchant for bags. I’d love this one for $58.
And this apron is completely adorbs. Love it for $32!
Go ahead and look around on the site. You’re sure to find something you like for yourself, your Mom, your friend, your kids! You can truly knock quite a few gifts off your lists. And if you’re not into buying “things” that’s fine too. They accept donations for two areas that would not otherwise be supported by their self-sustaining approach: outreach and strategic growth. Whether it’s through camp programs for children and youth, scholarship support for women returning to school, emergency assistance during unexpected crisis, or startup costs for a new area of growth, donations give Amani a greater impact.
And here’s the fun part for you, aside from learning about this awesome company. I have a giveaway! It’s a good one too. I picked this because I wanted one for my little girl. She is turning 4 this week (my BABY is going to be 4!!) Also because a blog that I love Live58 had reposted a blog from Rage Against The Minivan and the hilarious Kristen Howerton (who has a multi-ethnic family through adoption), where she broaches the topic of racial relations amongst young children and raising “color blind” kids. You should click through that hyperlink and read it. Then implement her suggestions if you have kids. We all need to. It should be our goal as parents to teach our children to love their neighbors as themselves, and these are some very practical ways that help. (This is from a girl who grew up in the last capital of the Confederacy where race relations are still rough.) Kristen’s number one recommendation is “Make it a point to buy dolls and action figures of every race. Watch how your kids react.” But you know what? It’s hard to find dolls and action figures of every race. And it’s especially hard to find fairly traded dolls/action figures. So this giveaway is quite the score.
Kikoy Baby and Doll Set
She loves that there is a Mama AND A baby doll. (They are wearing authentic Kenyan kikoy.) She also had to strap the Mama and the baby on her back, naturally.
This doll is just super sweet and would be perfect for a young baby and up. There are no hard or removable pieces that would pose a choking hazard.
So let’s have some fun with this! I can’t host a raffelcopter giveaway on my wordpress blog, so I’m trying to do it a little differently. Click here http://rafl.es/11z9Vva and let’s pray it works.
And please, please, please, check out Amani Ya Juu and all that they are doing to help make this world a better place! I am so thankful for organizations like this that are bringing much needed healing. Some of the groups they work with have women from different ethnicities, such as in Rwanda and Burundi (where the 19th anniversary of a massive genocide was just recognized this month – Remember the movie Hotel Rwanda?). There may be one Tutsi woman working along side a Hutu woman whose husband was responsible for the death of the Tutsi woman’s family. But, with God, there is forgiveness, reconciliation, and HOPE that something of that nature NEVER happens again. So let’s help support this group by shopping for your Mother’s day gift, birthday gifts, etc or by making a donation. And DEFINITELY ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!!
In love and style,
xo,
Brandi
Let’s Love Mercy
There is just something about Spring, don’t you think? Even with alarming things happening in our country and world, new life still springs forth. And with it? Hope. We went to an area garden a couple weeks ago. The camellia, tulips, and trees were all in bloom. It was glorious.
But I want to use this space today and the HOPE that I’ve been feeling with all of this new life bursting forth to tell a bit of a story. It’s a story about new life and two women who met in an unusual way. One from a town in Texas. One from the slums of Kariobangi in Kenya. One rescued from wealth. The other rescued from poverty. Their lives now – forever entwined. One who knew of a great need. The other who was willing to help do something about filling that need. And the new life in this story? Babies! (yes again)
I’m thankful that my pregnancies have all been greeted with squeals of joy and excitement and conceived in love. But that’s not the case for many in this world. Not even my own mother. While I’m sure my own mom was not elated to find out she was pregnant while still in high school, she had plenty of options to have her baby (me) in safety and with the support of family. She got married, and while things weren’t “ideal,” they worked. And we’re all happy, healthy, and still together.
I can’t make any comparisons about other women who find out they’re pregnant in less than “ideal” circumstances, but I have read the story about what prompted the small town Texan, Kristen, to partner with a formerly impoverished woman, Maureen, to provide a safe haven for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. These girls are often raped or asked by their own mothers to sell their bodies for sex in a desperate measure to feed their families. Some of these girls are as young as 12. Many die from botched, illegal abortion attempts. As someone who values life, I am so glad that these women responded to the need.
Although the vision for it was born after the Founder’s trip to Africa in 2010, I only personally found out about Mercy House Kenya a little over a year ago. It was kinda superficial at first, actually. I liked a shirt I’d seen. I searched high and low until I found it:
I bought the Mother/Daughter necklace set for me and my girl for Mother’s Day/my daughter’s upcoming 4th birthday.
It’s Friday and I’m in L-O-V-E
boy is it ever a sign of my age that when I see the new TOMS ballet flats that old Cure song went through my head? (“Friday I’m in love” and I’m even hearing it with Rob Smith’s fabulous British accent. )
So, I KNOW that TOMS aren’t fair trade certified, but they are members of Fair Labor Association and strive to live up to high standards in their corporate responsibility including training for supply chain employees by a respected third party expert on the important topic of human trafficking and slavery prevention. Plus, their “one for one” strategy? BRILLIANCE! This way, I get to justify my expense to my husband by saying I technically purchased two pairs of shoes. One for myself and one for a child in need. And it satisfies that humanitarian in me too.
Also, I really am digging these new designs. I love my gray TOMS ballets that I’ve had for a year now, and I even think they’re comfortable. Although not many others who bought them did. Looks like they tweaked the design a bit. I really want to buy a pair. Which pair is your favorite?
xo,
Brandi
It should be history. But it’s not. Let’s pledge to END IT.
Are you wondering what’s with all the red X’s you may be seeing on Facebook, Instagram and/or Twitter? Did you miss a big party or did lots of people you know hit the bars last night? Probably not. More than likely, you’re seeing people stand up and lend their voice to the #enditmovement to STOP MODERN DAY SLAVERY.
Chances are if you’re here, reading this blog, you know that slavery still exists. This is no surprise to most people. As a country, we officially ended slavery in 1860′s. But as a society, we are still enforcing it with act and deed by demanding the cheapest products, and make it available, like, yesterday.
I sometimes wish I could go back in time. Back when I could freely shop the malls without thinking about adding fuel to the raging fire of modern day slavery. But, once your eyes are opened? They’re opened. You’ve taken the infamous “red pill.” The one that takes you out of “The Matrix” and in to the reality that our consumerist-based society is feeding the second largest illegal industry (drug dealing takes first place).
Of course, you still have a choice. Maybe tackling an issue as big as 27,000,000 slaves overwhelms you? Maybe a number that big puts you into despondency? So you can remain the same or will you rise up? (The answer should be a no-brainer here!! EVERYONE can do SOMETHING!!)
Today, April 9th, is being lauded as a day to “SHINE A LIGHT ON SLAVERY” You can Join the Freedom Fighters. Pledge to END MODERN DAY SLAVERY. There’s lots of ways to do it! Check the fair trade fashionistas on instagram and see what my daughter and I did this morning to lend a voice in this #enditmovement
Like my jewelry? Check out noonday collection for slave-free jewelry here. 
The 3 year old princess decrees an end to modern day slavery.
Let’s #endit so she doesn’t have to!
Read these books.
Watch this video and resolve to BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THIS WORLD!
I TRULY believe that with education and lifestyle changes, we will see the end to modern day slavery.
Let’s do this!!
xo
Brandi as a guest poster on Give1Save1
Hey friends! I did a guest post for give1save1 and thought I’d post it here as well. I have some new friends who are joining in recently and would love to give a little background and easy starting point for anyone interested in incorporating fair trade into their lifestyle. So, without further adieu:
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Hey y’all! I’m Brandi and I blog over at http://thefairtradefashionistas.wordpress.com. I’ve only been obsessed interested in fair trade for 15 months, 2 days, and 14 hours a little over a year. It’s been one of those things that can feel overwhelming when you first scratch the surface. I declared, when I first started blogging, that fair trade had always seemed a little “hippie” to me. It was: smelling like patchouli oil (which has a very “earthy” smell), sometimes greasy hair, bare feet, no make up, an overall nonchalant attitude towards fashion, style, or even, in some cases, hygiene. And guess what y’all? That just ain’t my style. I’m a self-professed product junkie. I LOVE shoes and bags. And I was raised right. Southern girls do not leave the house without their “faces” on. Just ask Dolly Parton.
So why did I feel compelled to navigate these “hippie” waters? Well, to make a long story short, we’ll just say that God started breaking my heart for what breaks His. Orphans. Slaves. Poverty. But what can we, with our “first world problems,” do to help alleviate these mostly third world issues? Well, what do we usually do to alleviate our problems? SHOP! AND EAT CHOCOLATE! AND DRINK COFFEE! Can I get an “amen”? I love the fact that these are practices we already incorporate into our daily lives, but we can, and should, make fair trade choices (for all three). And guess what, new Friends? It matters. It makes a difference. It’s biblical.
(This is an extremely simplistic answer. And definitely not all-inclusive) Fair trade shopping helps alleviate the orphan crisis. By guaranteeing a living wage, extreme poverty is being eradicated. And when people are no longer oppressed, down trodden, and are empowered to work, learn, eat? Slavery ceases.
We live in an amazing time. There are so many opportunities. Companies are being started at a grass roots level to help these people in vulnerable situations move towards economic self-sufficiency. And guess what? The products are amazing! Stylish. Well-made. Pride has been taken in the making, designing, harvesting, etc so you can be proud to purchase and give for your closest friends and family, and for yourself (my favorite).
Supporting fair trade standards helps us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Haven’t you changed jobs for better pay? Better hours? Better work environment? Why should our neighbors, whether they live in our same zip code, country, or hemisphere, be denied the same opportunities? By shopping fair trade and raising our standards, we’re raising theirs as well. Just as faith without works is dead, I’d say “love” is interchangeable there with “faith.” If you don’t treat love as a verb and ACT, it’s just intentions. And we know what they say about good intentions.
You might be asking what you can do? I want you to think big, but START SMALL. Your first foray into fair trade may be picking up a fair trade bag of coffee your next grocery trip. Almost everywhere sells it (even Wal-Mart!). I really love Target’s Archer Farms Organic Fair Trade Tierra Del Sol coffee. And it’s about the same price as most of the other bagged coffee too. Green Mountain Coffee is another option and they sell the beloved K-cups for Keurigs. While drinking that smashingly good cup of fair trade coffee, you can read a book. I’m an avid reader and don’t even know where to start with this. I love Don Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, even though it has nothing to do with fair trade. It’s about living your life as a better story. Or there’s Jen Hatmaker’s 7 that might royally ruin you. And oh. my. word. Melissa Fay Greene’s There is No Me Without You?? I almost couldn’t take it. And let’s not forget Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunns Half the Sky. (This is meat, not milk.) And, for the love, when you decide to go shopping for clothes, jewelry, shoes, hats, or even makeup, come check my blog and see if there are any suggestions there for shopping fair trade. I’ve spent a small fortune on “research” for it and it pleases me, and especially my budget-conscious husband, to no end if people get something out of it.
So that’s that for now. I hope this hasn’t overwhelmed you at all and that you feel empowered to make some changes to your shopping habits and lifestyle. It’s really painless, and so much fun because of how vested you feel in your purchases. I love knowing that my purchase has helped the actual producer/laborer. And you will too!
Go be love to someone today!
xo,
Brandi
Indigenous – it’s still style #worthwearing (scarf review)
I’ve already declared my love for Indigenous, so this won’t be new. I was so excited to have the chance to review another of their fabulous pieces – the tassel scarf. I love this piece so much, I brought it on vacation (which is where I’m sitting now )
I’ve worn it with red…
I’ve worn it with yellow…
I’ve even worn it with neutral colors (no pics that day).
It’s a very versatile piece that’s just perfect for this time of year. Check it, and all of their lovely fair trade, organic, artisan-made Eco fashion here and decide for yourself that its style worth wearing.
Handmade with Love – emiLime review (guest post)
So, Daylight Savings Time kind of stinks. When is it ever a good idea to lose an hour of life? (especially while sleeping??) I’m still off, but am working on a couple new posts. In the meantime, I’m having another guest post. Not only because I love these emiLime products so much, but also am thankful to my sweet friend, Lindsay, for sharing her review and heart for fair trade.
Hi, i’m lindsay and I blog over at http://www.myvisionsofsugarplums.blogspot.com. I’m a physical therapist by training, but i also really enjoy designing/creating things, home decorating projects, reading, writing, outdoor adventures and traveling. I’ve enjoyed reading this blog and finding out about new, fun companies! So I just asked Brandi if I could post a review of my favorite emiLime pieces I’ve sported all winter long. Here are some of my favorites that I have been wearing out this season….and when I say “wearing out” I mean like “worn out”. I wear both of these items so much!!
All emiLime products are handmade in Peru through a collaboration with local artisans and emiLime owner and designer, Emily Green. Each product is fully traceable including where they source, what the products are made of, and who knits the items. I love this because it gives such a connection to the artsian. So many times we buy products never giving thought to the person that made our items and the process by which they were made. I want so badly to change that! The women who work for emiLime are able to incorporate knitting into their everyday lives and supplement their incomes with their earnings from knitting.
The purse is made from alpaca wool that has been woven on a loom. There are great leather handles that are so durable and oh so beautiful. The purse is very roomy with a snap closure. It has several inside pockets and one zippered pocket.
I wanted a basic color that would go with most anything I wear so I got the neutral color, but it comes it lots of other fun colors and even other styles!
This neck warmer has been a “go-to” for me this winter. It’s practical because it keeps me so so warm, but it’s also a great POP of color with a very basic outfit. It’s 100% alpaca which makes it super lightweight but really warm. It’s a little on the scratchy side on bare skin if you have sensitive skin, but if it’s cold enough for a neck warmer you’re probably putting it over other layers anyway. The attention to detail and skill of the artisans is apparent.
I also give their customer service 5 stars! Emily has always responded promptly and more than adequately with answering any questions I had and dealing with requests that came up.
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Now, friends, don’t you want to indulge yourselves with a new purse? Or maybe scarf or neck warmer? I’ve heard that the weather for the remainder of March will be tumultuous and we could have more cold snaps. Alpaca is awesomely insulating, non-irritating, and soft. And I won’t even talk about how easy it is to justify a new purse or bag. (HINT: Mother’s Day will also be here before we know it!)
Go love and be loved today!
xo,
Brandi & {fashionable} friends
World Change is How They Roll… Sevenly Review (guest post)
Sevenly is one of my (relatively) new favorite online sites for sweat shirts, tees, tanks, and sometimes bags. Everything is fair trade and assembled here in the US. I love their mission and way of increasing awareness of vital charities that don’t have budgets (or won’t USE budgets) to self-promote. There was a recent Forbes article on how Sevenly’s CEO, Dale Partridge, is changing the world, $7 at a time. He is only 28 years old. And he has a great story! Here’s their info graphic on how they came to be:
I have a few shirts that I purchased because I believe in the charity (and/or because I liked the design, but don’t tell anyone I made the decision based on something so superficial. ) My friend, and fellow Noonday Ambassador , Wynne, has been shopping Sevenly for a while. So when she said she could do a guest post, I was delighted! I love her blog and how she tackles life and many life-wrecking-topics over there. So, my friends, meet Wynne!
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hi, I’m Wynne and I blog over at Gloriously Ruined. I have a passion for purchasing with purpose and it’s my honor to be here today to talk about one of my favorites: Sevenly!
Sevenly . because People Matter.
I love this social based lifestyle t-shirt company. I love them for many reasons. I love them because they connect people to a need. Two entrepreneurs started this company with the passion to lead a generation towards generosity.
Our generation is more giving, I would like to believe, and it continues to grow. Some of us know of amazing organizations to support, and some of us don’t. Sevenly helps bridge that gap by featuring 52 charities, one for every week of the year. So, I know that if you don’t know the charity, you might be wary of giving straight money. But…you just might buy a tshirt. And by buying that t-shirt you not only are supporting that charity financially, but you are spreading awareness about them. So really, besides donating money (for the purchase of the shirt), you are donating your social influence.
So really, it’s a win win. I love that model – other companies have used that model effectively. The first that comes to mind is the Mocha Club. Encouraging people to give up 2 mochas a month to help support efforts in Africa, it targets college kids who might not have money to give, but they have friends and people to join in their efforts and on their team to give up a mocha or two and in turn change the world.
changing the world , that’s what we are doing. Even if it’s just through buying a shirt. It doesn’t have to be just about buying a shirt – it’s about spreading awareness. And getting involved with the charity you bought the shirt from.
the inside of every Sevenly shirt tells you what charity the shirt supports, their website and usually scripture and/or a short word about what specifically your purchase of the shirt helped do. (that’s because we sometimes forget things. but in this case, it’s right there in the shirt. which I think is pretty cool.)
One thing I have come to appreciate in the fair trade world, is things that are on trend. The old model of “fair trade” was that it really wasn’t cute, but you bought it because it helped someone. But NOW fair trade or socially based companies are designing and creating things that are in style. Things people WANT.
I have never worn a Sevenly shirt without getting a compliment. I was wearing one today that says “all they need is love” and the lady at my kids’ doctor’s office asked me what it said and then gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up! Everyone loves an inspirational shirt – especially one that is designed beautifully.
So what you do is this: you sign up to get Sevenly’s emails. You’ll get an email every week (on Monday afternoon). You’ll likely want to (or maybe you do…) buy them each week (except for when you spend that summer in Ethiopia…). But seriously, sign up for their emails. https://www.sevenly.org/, go to bottom right of website, enter away.
You will be exposed to new charities and to ones that do something you are really passionate about (that week you want to buy all the designs). Every week they have a new charity & new designs. And every week they have girl & boy designs – usually 3 designs each, a sweatshirt (and sometimes a bag!). They have videos that talk about the fit of the shirts and how to style it. It’s really a super fun thing to be a part of. And soon you will walk into a room and you and two friends will all be rocking your Sevenly shirts talking about what charity they supported.
I will say, my favorite style is the summer razor back tank. And I love the flowy shirts. The V-necks run a little small, so if you are going for that maybe order a size up than normal! What are you waiting for? Get shopping !
do it. I dare you!
Wynne
gloriously ruined ::
http://theelderadventurers.com
Girls are Rising
Hey Friends. Wow. It feels as though I blinked and February is a memory! I know it’s the shortest month, but geez, did it fly by!? Oh well, I’m excited because tomorrow, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. This day is set aside around the world and celebrated much as “Mother’s Day” only with recognition for ANY woman in your life. I love this concept because, well, I’m a woman. And I have lots of special women in my life. My own mother. My daughter. My sister. My cousins. My friends. I love that the idea is to celebrate us all! And this is no slam or prejudice against men. I have special men in my life too, and they all deserve celebration as well. (that’s why they get birthdays. haha.) The fact remains that there are women around the world that are not afforded education, healthcare, simple choices, but even LIFE ITSELF, and all for the simple fact that they were born without a “y” chromosome. Does that seem fair, just, or right? Not in my book.
Indulge me a bit while I write about why this day is important and why I pray that so many of us will, what’s the word? Project maybe? I pray that we all project our love when we think of special women in our lives. Project that love to the 14 year old girl in Africa who was raped, impregnated, possibly infected with HIV and who will likely die during childbirth because her body is not mature enough to birth that baby. One hundred and fifty million girls are victims of sexual violence in a single year and 50 percent of all the sexual assaults in the world are on girls under 15. Think about the sixty-six million (yes, that’s 66,000,000) girls who are out of school worldwide.(1) What do you think would change on this planet if more girls were in school? Finishing secondary school leads to smaller, healthier families, lower HIV infection rates, and higher wages. Educated women are more likely to educate their own children – ending the cycle of illiteracy in one generation. I know I research, stand in line, enter lotteries, do whatever I can and need to do to ensure my children get the best education I can find (or afford!). I’m sure you do as well. Project that love, People! Stand up for our neighbors around the world. Support their education. Educate yourself too. Want one great way to do it (other than reading books like Half the Sky)? Join me (I’m going tonight!) and go see this movie: 
(here’s the trailer. this might be a hard movie to watch)
This is all also another reason to shop fair-trade which focuses on people not profits. Check out this video by Sseko, a company in Uganda that employs girls during the pivotal 9 months between what Americans would call high school and college. Most often, girls get stuck working and providing income rather than moving on to college which greatly expands their futures. I’ve highlighted their bags before. They are TO DIE FOR. Also, their sandals are some of the most comfy, versatile shoes I own. I’ll be reviewing them as soon as it’s warm enough to sport naked feet.
There may be some arguments against empowering women and what it may cost, but there is also a huge cost in denying women’s rights as well. I can’t help but believe that educated, empowered women will make better choices, allowing a positive difference in their own lives and in the lives of others.
xo.
The Power of the First Hour: Save the Children
This post isn’t going to have much to do with fair trade or fashion. There will be some cute pictures of babies though. Like this one. It’s my daughter when she was about 6 months old. 
I do highly recommend it. 
- It’s estimated that 22% of newborn deaths could be prevented if breastfeeding started within the first hour after birth
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In the first hours and days after childbirth a mother produces the first milk, called colostrum – the most potent natural immune system booster known to science.
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An infant given breast milk within an hour of birth is up to three times more likely to survive than one breastfed a day later.3
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Infants who are not breastfed are 15 times more likely to die from pneumonia and 11 times more likely to die of diarrhea than those who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life.4
Please consider signing the petition urging Secretary Kerry to help mothers around the world get more support around breastfeeding and lifesaving nutrition for their babies. It’s a small measure of effort required, regardless of your personal stance on breastfeeding. Who knows what may come of the lives that are saved?
