Update Time! A Lil Warby Parker and Oliberté

Hey all (PS I'm interspersing pretty pictures I've taken on the islands recently for all you wintered-in folks :)),

Friend hanging 5 at Baby Makapu'u's

Sorry for my prolonged absence -- you know how sometimes everything just piles up at once? Well it's been one of those months. I have three features stories to research and write (topics: O'ahu's only slaughterhouse, ocean artist Heather Brown, and Roxy model and longboarder Kelia Moniz... not too shabby), an entire magazine to copy edit, five nights of restaurant work, and...

OH, right, I got a p/t job with one of my fave blog finds, Oliberté! I'm absolutely stoked and so flattered. As of yet, I'm mostly just handling admin, but eventually I'll also be pulling a lot of online and social media outreach weight, and I largely have this blog to thank.

My lovely friend Charisa

However, this job has also had me pondering how to be open with all of you about the new commitment, yet honest about my research and opinions. I don't want to do Oliberté wrong by plugging competition, but I also need to maintain my own perspective and develop my thoughts on the socially conscious business and nonprofit industry.

Yes, we have a theater out here

So here's what I've decided -- I will tell you all if I feel like it conflicts, but will stick to my guns; meaning even if it isn't necessarily in Oliberté fashion, I'm going to share how I feel appropriate and interesting. I also will not misleadingly promote the company, or be sneaky at all. If I'm excited about something awesome we're doing, I'll share and give a heads up. Deal? Deal. Holler at me if you disagree or have better ideas!

Late-night adventure

In the meantime, check out these awesome Warby Parker glasses I will be waiting for patiently all the way over here in tropical paradise:

They're the Begley in Whiskey Tortoise -- what's awesome about Warby Parker is that they let you order up to 5 types of glasses to try on and then return ... unless you live on the islands, so I'm just hoping they look as awesome on as they do here. I'm sure I'll let you all know.

SO, there's that! I hope to be updating the blog more frequently, and also be guest posting over at Fashion at Liberty, but a lot of change is in the air, so it's a bit tenuous -- I'll do my best to keep you all in the loop.

Aloha!

Word on the B Corp Street - Patagonia

Heyo, looks like Patagonia has taken its socially conscious mission and made it official, as explained in this Economist article. Words such as "slow fashion," "benefit society," and "wrote a book called: "Let My People Go Surfing," make it sound acceptable to me!

So, since I approve of B Corps and am currently obsessed with patterned and wool socks (why do I live in Hawai'i again?), a tribute to Patagonia and warm tootsies:

Women's Merino Knee-High Socks, $20

Midweight Merino Wool Socks, $20

Midweight Marino Ski Socks, $24

Here's what is required to be a B Corporation: "[The firm/company] must have an explicit social or environmental mission, and a legally binding fiduciary responsibility to take into account the interests of workers, the community and the environment as well as its shareholders. It must also publish independently verified reports on its social and environmental impact alongside its financial results. Other than that, it can go about business as usual."

Not too shabby.

Happy Aloha Friday, all!

Raven + Lily, Side of Zooey Deschanel Charm

Wood and Gold Leather Bangles, Set of 3, $18

Almaz: Two Cord Triangle Necklace, $56

Above jewelry is a quick sampling from socially conscious brand Raven + Lily. The necklace has a pretty darn good story behind it: handmade with repurposed bullets by HIV-positive women in Ethiopia. Says the website, "Proceeds help provide healthcare and education for women and their children in our partnership communities." Having HIV, no matter where, is a difficult burden on people and their families, so anything that provides hope and health care is huge.

Also let's face it: Women are badass. All of them deserve the chance to be healthy and choose the directions of their lives.

Learn about a few of Raven + Lily's artisans, who directly receive proceeds from the sales of their products, here. And of course, visit the website to learn more about the story and see more goods. The FAQ's talk all about being fair trade and socially conscious, and how exactly funds have been directed within communities. Gotta love transparency!

Oh .... And Happy 2012!! I don't know if you saw it, but the Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt "New Year's Eve" mix-up is pretty effing adorable (and there's a ukulele!) ... so hey, let's pretend it's NYE for one more night:

Celebrate!

New Year's Eve (Day) Fashion! + Osborn Amazing

1) I love this look, found via a Lookbook.nu contributor. Sequin shorts under a sheer skirt = genius combination of two of the season's most fun wardrobe additions. Check out some sequin shorts via Etsy and Asos and a great mesh dress (you can just toss a cardigan over and -- voila -- a skirt!) from For Love and Lemons.

2) How effing awesome are these boots????? That's all I can say. I'm speechless. And I desperately want them. What makes it even more awesome is first, that they go perfectly with the above outfit, and second, that they're made by Osborn Designs, which is a great company I've previously posted about. Oh, and they're having a wonderful online sale that doesn't hurt one bit.

2012 is around the corner, I hope it's looking as promising for you all as it is for me! Considering a "best of" list for tomorrow's post, so see you then if so :)

Apolis = Niching the Market Right

Hmmm, apparently niching is what happens when you try to make "niche" a verb. And it's weird. Anyway, I mean they rock transparent, well designed, and well executed all the way home. Same same!

For starters, it uses visuals and infographics for its advocacy impact evaluations. Ex.:

Its blog, aka "Journal," brings customers into the lives of the small team as well as the work being done around the world. PLUS, this journal is available on iPad and mobile devices. Clever folks.

(Pic from one such journal post.)

It has well-styled wardrobe examples, so customers can see the Apolis style in action:

All in all, the vibe is great and consistent throughout the website, journal, styling, and marketing. And its transparency/sharing of an obviously difficult task of maintaining worldwide relationships and projects with ease is awesome. Makes customers feel like friends. And that's always the goal, right?

One product with the "this will be cool/last me forever" vibe Apolis owns:

(The Heritage Leather + Apolis Mason Courier Bag, $218 - learn everything you could ever want to know about how it was made and with what on its product page. Go Apolis!)

Oh, and collaboration magic, which may be my favorite aspect of socially conscious fashion? Apolis is all over it.

Visit the Apolis website here, and see all the goodies you can buy here.

OH AND MELE KALIKIMAKA/HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

I can't believe it's almost 2012 -- craziness. Good stuff is in the works, folks.

Seydou Keita

Portrait photographs by Malian photographer Seydou Keita. Reminds me of the traditional Christmas family photo -- but much more beautiful.

Simple Is Best: United By Blue

Love these unisex bracelets. Can it get any better than leather and rope?

All of these bracelets are under $30 and made by local artisans, and for each one purchased, a pound of trash is cleaned up from the oceans and waterways. Learn more about United By Blue here. They sell other jewelry as well as Ts. Let's keep that ocean nice and blue!