Reading List: Made to Stick, + A Side of Keiki TOMS

Intrigued by this book, which is about six ways to make ideas stick, and its application to social cause/NGOs, as explored in the blog "Find What Works."

Also, how cute are these??:

Tiny TOMS Giraffe, $29

Tiny TOMS Cordones, $29

And there're plenty more where these came from! See the whole adorable Tiny TOMS collection here.

Hope everyone avoided a sugar crash/hangover for their Tuesday mornings -- I'm all snuggled up thanks to the Colorado chill. Ahhh.

Oliberté Mustache for Movember = Awesome

I've drooled over Oliberté's shoes enough in front of you all already, but its mustache key chain is pretty effing awesome, so I had to revisit. The perfect key chain version of the ironic mustache necklace (if you haven't already tatted one on your finger), everyone from daddio to your hipster GF would love this as a Christmas gift. (Did I say Christmas?? Yes I did! Aggh! It's not that soon, but there's no such thing as too soon to start stockpiling gifts.)

The Tan Nubuck Oli-Mo, $11, for all us blondies out there who would like to don matching facial hair.


One-hundred percent of the proceeds of the key chain, which is made ethically in Africa with African-sourced materials while adhering to some of the most amazing standards I've seen, go to Movember South Africa. Movember, which is a worldwide movement, raises awareness of men's health issues, primarily prostate and other types of cancer. It's like pinkwashing, but for dudes who are ready to monopolize on their facial hair for a good cause (and/or any excuse they can get). And the marketing campaign/following is super hip. You can find who proceeds fund here.

And if you're as obsessed with Oliberté's shoes as I am and are dying for a pair, snatch 'em up now -- 10 percent of the proceeds go to Movember of South Africa, AND you get an "Oli-Mo" (as the key chains are so cleverly named) if you buy them via oliberte.com or ethicalocean.com.

Here are some of killer options:

Men's Zimbo in Dark Grey Nubuck, $150

Men's Narivo, Brown/Yellow, $150

Men's Gando, Black Red Pullup, $170

Inside detail

I'm rooting for a women's Oliberté wedge -- I would snap 'em up faster than I ate my bag of candy corn. Which is really, embarrassingly quickly. I don't want to talk about it.

Anyway, get your mustache on! And happy Aloha Sunday/Monday!

Shop for Change, SeR+, Awesome Rug, AND MORE

OK, so I'm imagining this as a large rug, but's actually only 2' x 3', so not quite (and $360...). However,

1. This rug is pretty.
2. It's made with all surplus yarn.
3. And handwoven in Nepal.
4. In a GoodWeave-certified building.
5. There are more where that came from! (Though colors vary since they're made with surplus yarn, after all.)

This rug is one of many finds to be made at Shopping for a Change ... I'm sure I will have lots of other goodies from there for you soon.

Yay for Thursday!

Save These Artisan-Made Reefs for a Sunny Day

Nest is popping its smart little head up everywhere these days. I just mentioned them yesterday with Maiyet, and  now here they are all cozied up with Reef: 

Guatemalan Threads, $42

Nest partnered with Reef to create the woven part of the sandals with Mayan artisans in the Guatemalan highlands. Here are the ladies behind the magic:

And a 'lil documentary on the project:

This partnership is part of Reef's "We Heart" collection. So while I can't vouch for the bottom half of the sandals (should look into that, hmm), the top half is pretty darn good and lookin'.

Happy mid-week, all! Hope you're putting the finishing touches on those Halloween costumes (or finishing up the debate with yourself between braving the crowds and pumpkin chai and a scary movie in ... the latter may be winning for me.)

More Maiyet (Yay!), Side of Unreasonable Institute

1. HELLO AGAIN, MAIYET!

From Maiyet's lookbook ... So lovely.

Maiyet's target audience is someone looking for high fashion with a soul, and it has the socially conscious philosophy to back it: "Maiyet partners with companies and artisans in Colombia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, and South Africa and marks a return to the artisanal roots of luxury while elevating an emerging generation of master craftsman."

One artisan at work in Kenya. Amazing. (Not sure what they're making. Hmmm.)

Their explanation of this picture: "Maiyet's very first prototype arrived from Nairobi in April. The hand poured brass & 18K gold vermeil ring inspired us all, and has since become a unanimous favorite."

They journey behind how the founders met and determined the concept is pretty incredible, and they tell it way better than I do. Basically, Paul worked in human rights and transitional justice for 20 years, received an award for socially conscious entrepreneurship, decided he wanted to start a business that promoted peace, and decided fashion was the best way. He then picked up Kristy, who had been president of Band of Outsiders and had had her fingers in a variety of big-name brands while exploring "tapping talent in unexpected places." Read their extended version here.

Oh, and they also partner with nonprofit Nest. So much to discover through Maiyet; I'm sure it's worth checking back often.

2. AND NICE TO MEET YOU, UNREASONABLE INSTITUTE

Speaking of awesome entrepreneurs and dreams, the Unreasonable Institute, held in Boulder (heyo, homies!) mid-summer, is a chance for the inspired to get to business. Between six weeks of think tanking and planning to networking with founders and leading figures in the field, it sounds pretty amazing. Not to mention all expenses are covered -- you've got to be that incredible. While I'm nowhere close (yet!), it's fun to check out and who knows, maybe you've got what it takes. Visit the website here.

Just Say Yes to Maiyet

Not only are Maiyet creations beautiful, but the story behind it, and its actions, are beautiful as well. I'm going to save some more pictures and the fleshed-out version of my Maiyet talk story for tomorrow, since there are so many great visuals and things to say.

Who can complain about a little pretty to start your week, (or, for me, to kick off my week's Sunday)? Tada!

Men's Shoes via Brave Gentle Man and Novacas

Why oh why do I have to love men's shoes so much? They just don't look the same on me, but gosh darnit, I keep trying. I'll stick with the women's wannabe versions for myself, I suppose, but that doesn't keep me from eyeing beauts when they come my way. Today, exhibit 200 via Brave Gentle Man and Novacas:

Brave Gentle Man's Mastermind, in collaboration with Novacas, $250

Novacas's Benjamin

Novacas's Troy F.

Heyo, and a women's find!:

Novacas's Ricky K.

Novacas sums up its goodness on its About Us page: "Novacas is committed to providing animal-friendly, environmentally-friendly, and worker-friendly products. Novacas—taken from Spanish and Portuguese for "no cow"—produces products that are made from the highest quality synthetic microfibers available and are 100% PVC-free. Shoes are ethically manufactured in Portugal at worker-friendly factories according to labor standards set forth by the European Union."

Happy Aloha Thursday!

Baby Donkey Happiness, Freaker USA Update

So I'm in desperate need of some zen time (I know, I know, I live in paradise. But hint: I'm looking forward to the day I'm live car-free again. Which may be soon), and went on the hunt for a faraway landscape that would soothe my nerves. However, nothing was working until I went to my Tumblr and revisited this picture:

Because awwww - baby donkey! Lying in the grass! Naps!

ANYWAY, heard back from the lovely Freaker USA team, and good news - you can get your buy on for realz now. Here's how they responded to my email:

" Freakers are made in a little family owned factory in Troy, North Carolina . We also purchase our yarns from a distributer in the NC. We try our damnest to source everything in the USA and try our best to make sure we are producing and selling social conscious products. "

AND THEN they left this awesome comment that I thought you all may enjoy:

I'm just waiting for the day that they show up in Hawaii with some grilled cheese for meee.

I myself can't get over The Lumbersmack, but there's also The Adrienne for you ladylike type:

Visit Freaker USA to see more.

Oh and Stanford Social Innovation Review has some great podcasts available for free right now, check 'em out!

SSIR Addiction, Microfinancing Style + Freaker USA

Freaker awesome in the form of the Lumbersmack, $8. Will explain later.

But first (and not at all relevant to the lumberjack magic above): I love Stanford Social Innovation Review. Like, a lot. Most recently, I read this article: "Microfinance Misses Its Mark." It was written in 2007, long before I even started using Kiva to help fund seamstresses and farmers in developing countries. However, I think it's still relevant, as many of the products I promote here are a mix of microfinancing, small projects with artisans, and larger concepts. Is there only one way? I don't think so. But it starts a good discussion.

The argument is that while microfinancers have the best of intentions, "Creating opportunities for steady employment at reasonable wages is the best way to take people out of poverty." Most people would rather have a steady job than have to struggle to run their own business. And state governments need to step up and give their population personal freedoms to allow/encourage market growth.

OK, so that's a slightly jumbled synopsis. But you can read the whole thing for yourself here and see what you think (and explore more recent SSIR articles while you're there, though most validly require a subscription).

As for the knit flannel magic above, it's crafted by some magic elves out in North Carolina who just want you to have a freakin' good time and keep "bottles cool and hands comfortable." The freaker supposedly fits every bottle possible, and I also love their water bottle:

Freaker water bottle, $15

They even have a freaker penguin holder (along with a wide variety of other patterns/images):

Waddledoo, $8

I really just want to hit up the club and in the middle of it all bust out my lumberjack freaker, and then the next day, use it to keep my water bottle cool on the beach. A girl can dream, OK?? Now, I heard about Freaker from a friend of a friend who said the company is trustworthy, but I'll do a double check and if not, I'll eat my socks. Or just let you all know. Whatever.

Now go get your SSIR and Freaker on.

Head to Ascension for Jeans and a Story or Two

I'm about to fall asleep. There's a large bag of candy corn in bed with me. And I'm trying to decide if I should buy these jeans from Ascension, an online British ethical and ecological shop ... I mean, I AM in desperate need of mainland-friendly clothing (I'm moving back one day!), they're on sale, and they're all kinds of good:

The Kundalini Womens Jean, on sale from £60 to £18, and only in my size. PLUS the cotton is grown organically, the rivets and buttons are certified something fancy, they're made with natural indigo dye, and 5 percent of profits go to education in reforestation. Ohhh, socially conscious online shopping, you are a temptress.

Not to mention I then also found this coat:

The Barbella Coat, also offered in brown, on sale from £125 to £55. And it's made by Komodo, which "is a member of Made-By, the first fashion initiative that focuses on environmental & working conditions throughout the production chain." Oh yeah, the coat is made in Nepal. And it has pockets.

While I can't necessarily vouch for the rest of online shop Ascension's offerings, they do have some of the most transparent and inspiring stories behind the pieces they have to offer. Major props. Check them out for yourselves here.

Now I'm going to get back to snuggling with my candy corn, cavities be damned. G'nite, all!

One-Stop Shop: Beklina

While it has been my M.O. to share specific brands and items that I'm diggin' at the moment, these finds have, several times, led me back to online shop Beklina. A shop dedicated to organic clothing and sustainable fashion, it boasts everything from Feral Childe to Bodkin to the Pendleton/Portland collection.

TIME OUT. I just found this Lizzy Fortunato iPad case while perusing the designers it offers:

Gaaaahmazing. Want. Need: $345. ANYWAY...

Yes. So. Beklina. This store offers everything from dresses to footwear to jewelry to wooden animal home decor (this falls under the "Paper and Nest" category). The selection is, well, selective so you won't be overwhelmed by options -- just don't expect to find exactly what you're looking for. It's a quirky collection, so can be hit or miss depending on your style (and budget). However, everyone should be able to find at least one thing that tickles his/her fancy. Here are a few more things that worked for me:

Mociun Bustier Top, $350, made by hand in Brooklyn, NY. (Give this one a minute. It will grow on you.)

Kathryn Bentley Enamel Cuffs, $160, "handmade with integrity in the United States."

Rachel Comey Gloves, $350, made in Peru.

Juniper Ridge Sachets, $12, made in Northern California. (Background: Everything is handmade using locally wild harvested native plants, and 10 percent of profits go to groups that defend western wilderness.)

Peruse Beklina for yourself here.

It's All in the Lighting, and Viva Terra's Got My Back

I've recently adopted the theory that lighting can make or break a space. (No, my room doesn't reflect this - I'm a commitment-phobe! Lighting = staying! Though I do have a great Goodwill-found bedside lamp, now that I think about it ...) ANYWAY, I found some incredible copper hanging lamps at Viva Terra, and am back to imagining what my nest will look like one day. See for yourself:

Copper Moroccan Hanging Lamps, from $179 - $485

Right?? And don't you stress, if you're not a copper fan, they've got them in silver as well:

Silver Moroccan Hanging Lamps

Just a lil stylin' idea:

Aaand, pretty:

Mmm yes. These lamps are made by artisans in India. Here's how they're made, as described by Viva Terra: "Using methods as ancient as the design, artisans pour hot wax into each shaped lamp; once it hardens, they use hand tools to puncture the recycled aluminum with hundreds of small holes to form the intricate patterns. Remelting the wax, they empty the mold and leave behind a soft patina finish. "

Viva Terra is a company committed to a great list of things, including "ecology and elegance" and being "earth and people friendly." Read the rest here.

Thanks to Harper Poe of Proud Mary for the Viva Terra home decor rec ... Check out her wonderful blog, named Lloso, when you get the chance!)

Pendleton, The Portland Collection Love, via Lloso

Apparently the theme of my last couple of posts should be, "A girl can dream." And while yes, she's usually dreaming about changing the world, every once in while, owning beautiful, good-made things sneaks in. Like the Pendleton, The Portland collection goodies I stumbled upon via Lloso and couldn't help but share:

Pendleton Harding Luggage Bag, $400

Pendleton Short, $160

See Lloso's post here.

Happy Aloha Friday!

Gems for the Good and Loaded: Pippa Small

Let's pretend like we've all got money trees for a second. Close your eyes. Picture thick, twisted, honest trunks reaching to laden branches, greenbacks floating to the ground, landing in a dappled shadow. Muahahaha. OK, now open your eyes and look at these glimmering goodies:

Spectral Hematite Tibetan Ring, $7,900

Geode and Gold Pendant Necklace, $8,975

Labradorite Single Stone Bracelet, $1,800

Labradorite Fish Earrings, $5,600

Turquoise Double Greek Ring, $4,165

Pippa Small Jewellery is a luxury jewelry line, and the founder (Pippa Small, you guessed it) kicked it off with the mission to use ethical trade to benefit, raise awareness of, and make sure respect is maintained for, traditional communities and artisans. (Complicated enough sentence your you? It's late! I'm copping out!)

See all her lustrous, gemmed creations here.

Oh yeah, and just keep envisioning that money tree. Who knows, maybe one day it will pay off.

Happy Aloha Thursday, all!