Talk Story Good, Toy Stories Cheer

(SSIR Review's "Amplified Voices: GlobalGiving's Storytelling Project Turns Anecdotes into Useful Data")

In Hawai'i, storytelling, which locals call "talk story" (and which covers everything from catching up on family news to old wives tales), was and is an essential part of the culture. However, in more traditional Western societies and organizations (grandiose statement, take it with a grain of salt -- though I've done my research and worked for one!), statistics and results are valued over stories. Because numbers are measurable, they are a more reliable resource. But numbers can be mislead, too.

This article in Stanford Social Innovation Review demonstrates how talk story can contribute to determining the needs of a community and evaluating the efficiency of existing nonprofits and businesses.

(Side note: I'm considering going to graduate school for Linguistics at CU-Boulder -- I deferred for now -- to examine the deep waters beneath interactions between such nonprofits/orgs and the communities they work with. Because even using direct Q&As and the best of intentions, things can go awfully awry.)

Of course, any thoughts, ideas, or sources you have are more than welcome. Just an update on my ponders!

As for the cheer...

Blog JeannieJeannie is always great for beautiful design and a pick-me-up. In this case, she shared these images from London-based artist and illustrator Aled Lewis, from his series called "Toy Stories." The fun photo-meets-illustration works went towards satisfying some of his create-every-day-for-a-year commitment. And it's fun fun fun.

Happy Aloha Friday! I have a lovely friend visiting starting this weekend, so I may slack slightly. I'll take plenty of beach pictures to make up for it.

Charity : Water Bling that Funds H2O

Charity : Water + pretty things by Kwiat =

I want.

Background: Charity : Water is a nonprofit that brings clean, accessible water to those who wouldn't have it otherwise. And this nonprofit also causes me to drop my jaw every time I see its website, campaigns, videos, or images. Its mission is great, absolutely -- but its design and branding is almost as incredible. Which says a lot.

Currently, you can win a trip to Charity : Water wells in Africa with ... wait for it ... Will and Jada Smith, if you're one of three top fundraisers. And no matter what, 100 percent of proceeds go directly to the field, since private donors cover operation expenses -- and if you've ever worked nonprofit, this is a big deal. One of the major laments of donors to smaller nonprofits, or excuses to not donate at all, is that no one wants to fund to pesky operational expenses. A visual example for such on-site projects:

(Rwanda well picture available on Charity : Water's media page)

Oh the visuals, well-backed statistics and facts, and campaigns (including the $1 = $12) that C:W rocks like no one's business. Anyway, the current move I'm stoked about is this:

The Kwiat + Charity : Water diamond waterdrop bracelet.

Not only is it beautiful, but it's only $100, all proceeds go to Charity : Water, and the diamond is guaranteed to be conflict-free. I mean, if either way 100 percent goes to the field, why not get a diamond out of it? I don't think I'd ever take this off. Seriously.

What would this go well with? To start, everything ... but how about:

(from a Backyard Bill feature)

Or:

(Goody from Afia, a socially conscious business I featured earlier. And yes, you can silence the music on the homepage if you want!)

Recap: Conflict-free diamond, bracelet, $100 donation to a Charity : Water project. Wins all around.

Boys Like Good, Too! Oliberte Footwear

I love men's fashion. However, if a guy friend or my brother offers up his wardrobe for my critique and updating, I freeze. Which is why I'm glad I have this blog to find awesome additions and figure out the tricks of the trade. To start - these shoes are sick, brah:

Adibo, $150

Narivo, $130

Narivo and da kine boat shoe! Buy boat shoe/Mogado here for $140.

Da chukka boot kine.

Oliberte emphasizes that its product is premium footwear made in Africa using materials from Africa (including premium leather from Ethiopia and natural rubber from West Africa), not a means to fund a charity. Oliberte is so good that 1. The leather-donating cows are even free-range, and 2. the company will take your shoes back to repurpose them after you've worn them to their deaths. Currently operating in Ethiopia, Liberia and Kenya, the company partners with factories, suppliers, farmers and workers to create a handsome, quality product.

And guess what? They have a girl version too, and it's tie-dye ...

Adiba for the ladies, $135.

Read the story and learn more about the product here, or head straight to the shopping.

These would work great for my dream man who dresses like a not-too-fashion-conscious logger. Example, you ask?

Oh wait, that's Paul Bunyan .... More like Adrian Grenier in this picture:

The outfit would be complete if he just had a pair of the Adibos! (Pic from Nau). PS I love the entire set-up of this shot, from the golden reindeer to the wolf coffee mug.

Basically, buy a pair of Oliberte shoes, dress like a logger, have a killer cause, play the banjo, win my heart. Too much to ask? I think not.

Happy Aloha Wednesday, all!

Madagascar Goodness: Mar Y Sol

Trying a new strategy of blogging at night in Honolulu, which is almost morning on the mainland (I'm a night owl). May work better! But more importantly, check out these Mar Y Sol bags -- I'm really liking the ones in neutral or with a pop of color:

Avalon Drawstring Carryall, $79

Marielle Magazine Clutch, on sale for $29.99

Solana Drawstring Shoulder Bag, $95

Opal Applique Clutch, $79

Billie Ruffle Clutch, $79

Mar Y Sol works with artists in NY and artisans in Madagascar to create all of its accessories (consisting of primarily bags and pillows). The concept is the same as several other companies and designs I've featured, like Osborn Design, which believe that working with artisans both preserves a craft and creates economic independence. To learn more about Mar Y Sol's specific background and concept, check out its informational page here. 

Or, to just get your shop on, head to the Mar Y Sol online collections here. 

And what would I pair a Mar Y Sol creation with? I'm thinking the killer drawstring shoulderbag with this duo from Emerson Made:

Magic! 

Sunday Charm

Photo from Christopher Boffoli's series, Disparity. Mini people meet macro food photography. Stumbled on this treat via blog Jeannie Jeannie, which has more pics. Definitely makes you look twice, smile, and ponder.

Thinking, Thinking + Happy Aloha Friday!

Second post today, please check out the one below first! Because it's good stuff.

I love a lot of the things I find with nonprofit/socially conscious shops similar to Nomi Network, but sometimes the products can come across kitschy (or maybe they're just targeting a ... more mature ... audience). I can't imagine the things that could be done if these organizations had the resources of larger, for-profit companies. Because not only are similar shops trying to network, manage manufacturing, and market, but they're also advocating, researching, and holding themselves to extremely high standards with further governmental restrictions (if a 501c3 etc.). Plus, they're doing it on a dime.

However, there are success cases (or it would appear), with organizations such as Falling Whistles, which has made a huge splash in no time -- but this can't happen for every great nonprofit shop with a cause. Other businesses, such as many I've posted about, have gone the route of deeming themselves "socially conscious" (which is murky, but noble), established a nonprofit affiliate for their for-profit business (ex. TOMS), or are jumping on the B Corp. bandwagon. Stanford Social Innovation Review is a great place to delve into this kind of topic, as well.

(Side note: One new company I've stumbled on has a cool concept and great design. Check 'em out here.)

Aaaanyway, these were my thoughts -- because I want to promote awesome creations and goods, but sometimes they don't look nearly as pretty as the lookbooks found on top designers' websites. There are glorious collabs going on, of course, but not enough for all the awesome products out there. Anywho, TBC. Because:

... it's Aloha Friday! Much love.

Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body: Nomi Network

Bags and accessories by Nomi Network, a nonprofit "leveraging the marketplace to eradicate sexual slavery." Like its concept, like its goods.

(iPad cover ... I mean, an iPad cover for under $40 that supports good things??? = awesome.)

(Flip Wallet -- these things are like magic.)

(Quilted Cross-body Mini, made out of a recycled rice bag.)

I would wear the blue version out on the town in a heartbeat with something like this:

(Nikicio Femme 2011 Resort Wear via We Are Selecters via size too small ... though I think with a little thrifting I could do a fair imitation.)

The sales of these bags support the nonprofit, which provides women with an alternative to the sex-trafficking industry by creating stable jobs and incomes (they create the goods that Nomi Network sells out of recycled materials). All proceeds go back to providing the women with economic stability and education, according to its Take Action page.

Learn more here, or check out the shop.

Rando List of Happy Stuff

I'm 24. So you know, quarter-life crisis, soul searching, breakup regrets, blah blah. This week, after a rough conversation, I swore to only wear things that make me happy. I'm now extending this random wardrobe collection vibe to today's blog post. (What are these outfits, you ask?:

Re-gifted Goodwill find with my Falling Whistles necklace for one, and:

American Apparel shorts, Goodwill-found tank, Proud Mary Market shoes, and grandma-has-great-taste earrings, for two.)

Quote (maybe not "happy," per say, but relevant):

“Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed.” -Gandhi

New favorite song:

Best news I've heard lately:

Warby Parker is putting finishing touches on its sunglasses, to debut next week. And SSIR's book reviews are now available for free. Holla!

(Also, the next Janet Evanovich book of the Stephanie Plum series, Smokin' Seventeen, has hit the stores. 

And let me tell you, I'm excited. It's like my Jersey Shore (cough*fan*cough) of books, except that Stephanie Plum is a badass and holds up to my feminist-y side ... plus she's just so FUN. I could praise for paragraphs. Must check out after I finish reading The Stranger by Camus. 'Cause I'm not all beach reads and classiness.)


Where I want to move:

A cabin in Indiana I found on Craigslist. Oh the things I would get done there, the mason jars I would drink out of, the short stories I would write! I love to dream about going rogue.

Favorite new project:

(Pic of Estria Foundation's Water Writes mural in progress in Honolulu. Sourced from Estria Foundation's Facebook page.)

Can't rave enough about Estria Foundation's Water Writes project. Ten murals in ten places around the world. The content of each mural is determined by local issues. I've learned a ton about water issues I'd never heard of and discovered a number of awesome groups and movements since I've started researching it. Plus, the murals are stunning.

As for buy for good, I stalked Well Spent, a men's conscious fashion blog (my own wordage -- get it, not fashion conscious, but conscious fashion? he. he.), and found these Thai waxed cotton bracelets:

Perfect for summer and friends. Plus they're affordable, blessed by a monk, and certified fair trade. Check out the Thai Wristbands here.

Happy happy day!

Lemlem for my Beach Time

While it's a bit on the expensive side (for me, not for all), this Lemlem shift dress is adorable, and perfect for beach cruising.

Lemlem was founded by supermodel-turned-WHO-Goodwill-Ambassador Liya Kebede when she realized that traditional weavers in Ethiopia, where she is from, were losing jobs because of lack of local demand for their trade. Lemlem is her way of inspiring economic independence in the community while preserving the art of weaving in Ethiopia.

On a somewhat side note, this Lemlem onesie is pretty darn cute too:

Go shoppin' at Lemlem and learn more about the story here (which is where the pics are from, too).

Also, I found out about Lemlem from Proud Mary founder/Lloso blog keeper, and her post from today features some awesome leather bags:

Learn more about the artisan behind them and check out Lloso here.

I want, I want! Bodkin

I want this whole outfit. 'Nuff said.

Oh, and all of these, too:

Actually, I'll just take the whole line. The color palette, vibe, style -- I've never found a line that's so what I'd make if I was in charge, not to mention wear day in and day out.

And yes, Bodkin  is sustainably-minded and eco-conscious. Says its About section, "All materials are sourced with an eye toward environmental and social good. The line was the inaugural recipient of the Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award in 2009. ... Currently all Bodkin clothing is manufactured in the U.S., in facilities where we spend time to know that workers are treated well."

I'm in love. Now to make a million dollars so that I can buy every single thing. Too bad I have to go to Cali or NY to get any! Though I actually found a few pieces at Kind Boutique (I sense a future blog post...).

All pics from the Bodkin Spring/Summer 2011 Lookbook.

Bodkin home.

One Stop Shop for Good: People Tree

People Tree is a shop that only uses fair trade and ecologically sound methods for its goods. Collection designers also make use of local skills such as weaving and hand screen printing for the fabrics, creating rewarding jobs that give back to local communities.

Some of my faves:

(Shelli Embroidered Tunic ... it's already out of stock!)

(Hazel Boyfriend Shorts. On sale for under $30.)

(Tasha Chambray Blouse -- love the look with the boyfriend shorts.)

(Statement Bird Necklace designed by Sam Ubhi, $35.)

Beautiful artisans at work:

Learn more about People Tree's social reviews, guidelines, and foundations here (where the above image is from). And of course, peruse the entire site and get your shop on here.

Osborn's New Shoe = Love. + Lemlem Inspiration.

Osborn just debuted its first artist edition shoe, designed by Justine Ashbee, and it's lovely. Though when I first saw it, I thought it was navy blue swirls, which I would be an even bigger fan of. Though either way, che bella!

Also, Lemlem, another socially conscious clothing line, has a blog/inspiration board that's bound to send happy thoughts your way, which I know we all need sometimes. For example:

(These all rock the color palette that I'm craving right now -- and I thought I wasn't a pink person! All pics from Lemlem's blog, which provides sources.)

Happy Aloha Wednesday!