Sheer Goodness via Kumudini and People Tree

(Cleo Print Blouse, £89)

(Cleo Blouse, £75)

I have an thing for men's fashion and androgynous style, and the recent popularity of a mix of menswear and sheer is definitely doing it for me. These blouses, made by Kumudini Handicrafts Centre for People Tree, are perfect AND = made by hand by artisans in Bengal and sold on a fair-trade shopping hub. 

And thanks to Refinery29, here are some examples of how to rock 'em long time (drool):

Happy Aloha Wednesday, all!

Pura Vida, Pure Goodness for Your Wrists

These simple, handsome bracelets, $5 to $8, are made by Costa Rican artisans, with 1 percent benefiting Surfrider Foundation. The company behind this wrist party gone awesome is Pura Vida.

(San Diego Chargers! kine, 5 dolla)

Pura Vida started when a couple of grads took a trip to Costa Rica to celebrate officially being grown up, and met man selling bracelets on the roadside. They requested some to take home, sold them like hotcakes, and decided to keep it going. Now, they employ 15 Costa Rican artisans, and Jorge is doin' good. (Full story)

(Beachie Bead 4, $8)

They also have platinum bracelets and bracelets with a cause (besides the plain $5 thread ones and the $8 beaded). I can't see anyone not having a thing for these. Perfect for beachside or surf sesh ... may need.

Why I Wish I Was in NYC: Treasure and Bond

(A shot of the building Treasure and Bond is located in, courtesy of Proof, whose killer shades are being sold there!)

Yeah, yeah, I live in paradise with no impending hurricane (PS, I'm thinking of you East Coasters! Stay safe!). But seriously, the stuff that Treasure and Bond carries is killer and can't be found on the islands, PLUS 100 percent of after-cost programs go directly to programs that benefit people in need in the Big Apple. PS SNEAKY... It's Norstrom. But still, donating to nonprofits ... NY Times suggests it's warming up those cold Manhattanites to a potential full-fledged Nordstrom in the city. However, in the meantime, Treasure and Bond will still make for some good perusing.

The store's in-part definition: "Part gift boutique, part art gallery and part neighborhood gathering place, it’s an exciting new experiment in giving that has, at its core, one simple goal: To help people help people—and to do so with wit, imagination and style." = Two thumbs up.

Plus, the few entries they've somehow had time to post while prepping to open the store make me believe the selection is going to be awesome:

(A package from Injiri, an all-handcrafted line from India.)

You can also find the shop's nonprofit partners on the website, as well as the location. Check it out for me! And I'd love to hear thoughts on this interesting Nordstrom move.

A Peace Treaty Bling

For the Thar jewelry collection, A Peace Treaty makes use of traditional metal-smithing skills of desert artisan families in Rajasthan, enabling the revival of centuries-old recycled materials and sustainable techniques including the use of discarded camel bone.

(Above image is from this collection, the Kokna necklace, though it's sold out on the website. Probably a good thing, because it was $225...) Other goodies from this collection:

Baiga bangle, $130

Parja ring, $90

Then there's the Sunari collection, inspired by the Kuchi nomadic tribes of Afghanistan and the Turkoman tribes of Central Asia and is made by Turkish artisans:

Talogan necklace, $168

Chiras ring set, $72

A Peace Treaty started off making stunning scarves. I'd go into them, but the backgrounds and options are just too awesome and I'd blab on and on. So learn about them all for yourself here. Or check out one fave below:

Ondo Sand scarf, $160 (from the Adire line)

While its a bit expensive, these are some of the most high fashion collections I've seen in my time blogging with an awesome concept, definitely worth checking out. The first paragraph of the company description: "Born as a personal pact between Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, A Peace Treaty creates employment for skilled artisans working in places of socio-political strife, effectively supporting their craft while elevating their products to the level of high design for an exclusive, international audience." Read the rest, but right???

Oh, and they donate to Counterpart International -- this season's funds are going to reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

You can find A Peace Treaty goodness at Urban Outfitters, Need Supply Co., Polyvore (which actually links to sites where you can make purchases), Shop Acrimony, and Cloak & Dagger, to start.

Place Settings, Please! Riverside Design

While nesting is only in my far distant future, I still have a soft spot for dinnerware. And man, is the seaglass collection by Riverside Design Group gorgeous.

Combination 5

Combination 1

Combination 18

Riverside Design Group is doggedly eco-friendly, working out of an LEED certified building, using recyclable and sustainable materials, and shipping products in lightweight recycled materials. They also have a Plates with a Purpose line, of which 15 percent of proceeds are donated to nonprofit organizations. All designs are handcrafted by studios in the United States with the exception of the Elements line, which is made by their studio Thailand. Read more here.

If you're ready to snatch some up, you can do so at online ethical shop Equita. They're priced at $152, and while I'm out of the loop when it comes to the cost of house wears, it definitely seems pricey, but possibly justifiable (especially if you only plan on feeding or hosting two people max). Shabby chic mini beachside cottage, anybody?

Boys, Want: Men's Shoes by Sole Rebels

I apparently have a thing for men's shoes -- it's the first section I drift to in the Goodwill shoe section, and in general, I think they're awesome. Sole Rebels does my addiction right with its kicks that are handcrafted in Ethiopia, sustainable, fair trade, AND organic. I mean, what's not to like, ladies?

ClassACT Hi-Top, Brown, $75

RIFF Core, green, $75

RIFF Essence, red, $75

They also have gorgeous slip-on styles and sandals if that's more your, your man's, or your friend's style. Because you might as well share these with everyone you know.

The detailed, good process behind these shoes is incredible. To skim the surface, all of the fabric is handwoven, and they mail the shoes in a cinchsak to reduce the waste of shoe boxes. Learn more here.

Thakoon's Scarf for the Horn of Africa

One-hundred percent of the proceeds of this scarf, made by Thakoon, go to help those affected by the Horn of Africa drought. Not too shabby, and rather beautiful. Another way to help out is buy "High or Low Tide" by Bob Marley and the Wailers - read more in this Lloso post.