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!

Dreaming Away The Holidays

Dreaming about Maiyet today ... And the weather to wear this awesome Pendleton + Portland coat:

Snag it via RevolverSF.

Also, considering a trip to Ethiopia ... let a girl know if you have any ideas/connections. Holla!

Etsy Is Magic

I about died of happiness when I visited Etsy today and found this "a little bit of brown" treasury curated by member Nulka. I would take any one of these finds for Christmas ... So if you're still hard up for presents for fam or friends, think about making a unique IOU and surprising them with an Etsy find ASAP. Some finds from the collection:

Visit the collection and Etsy.

Random Goodies Collection

Goody bag time, blog style!

1. Found another scarf:

Mugisha, which means "blessing" in Kinyarwanda, scarf, $38, made by a young group of refugee women in Kenya. Read more here. The nonprofit behind this, Heshima Kenya, is pretty gahmazing.

2. Aand... Bracelets made of PVC pipe:

They're crafted by the Himba, an indigenous people of Namibia who actually started making these bracelets to add flair to their traditional garb while using up otherwise-junked PVC pipe ... and now you can snag your own (and find the whole story) on Ethical Ocean for only $15.52.

3. Final surprise ... A couple Billabong Pipe Masters shots, taken by moi, on the second day of the competition:

(John John Florence there with the board -- he ended up winning the Triple Crown.)

(My lovely friend Chels, who accompanied me.)

(Unknown surfer takes flight.)

Happy Wednesday all, wishing you plenty of jingles and stuff.

Scarf Time

Gaaah, it's winter! And present time! Eek. Good thing I've had these scarves on back-up for a  while now -- it's the perfect time to check 'em out. Also, see A Peace Treaty's scarf selection, which is pretty amazing (as is its jewelry).

2. FashionABLE Dember scarf, $32:

 FashionABLE is a nonprofit working with women in Africa who have been exploited due to extreme poverty. Learn more here.

3. L.O.V. Project Varkala Scarf, $85

L.O.V. Project stands for the Live One Vision Project and raises awareness of and funds for people and organizations "who have almost lost hope" (these people also create the scarves)... They organization's first stop was Little Flower Mercy Home in India. Learn more here.

4. Mercado Global Loose Weave Striped Scarf, $25

This scarf was handcrafted by artisans using a traditional Mayan foot loom. No biggie, right? Mercado Global  partners with indigenous women artisans to craft amazing goods, and proceeds go to help mothers lift communities out of poverty and send kids to school, according to its website.

So there you are -- not a bad start, right? And each company offers a selection of scarves and accessories beyond what I just shared. Visit away: A Peace Treaty, FashionABLE, L.O.V. Project, and Mercado Global. And of course, feel free to contact me if you know of any other companies or organizations I should share!

If Look & Good Were a Scarf, It Would Be...

Guys, I'm freaking out. This A Peace Treaty scarf is L&G's masthead to a T. Seriously. Look:

A Peace Treaty Madeleine Beige Scarf, $350

I know, right?? Good thing the missions/stories of A Peace Treaty and L&G are like blood sisters and stuff.

Anyway, scarves are a very popular doing-good accessory, and they're looking good too. Not to mention it's, what, winter you say? Eek! So if your neck's a tad chilly, or your wardrobe weary, hold out for Monday, when I'll be sharing three additional (and much more affordable) finds doing good in all sorts of ways.

In the meantime, visit A Peace Treaty, which offers all sorts of lovely scarves as well as incredible jewelry. Another scarf (or, in fact, stole) example:

Daphne-Tan Stole, $340

And of course, feel free to contact me if you know of any other companies or organizations I should share!

Until then, Happy Aloha Friday all -- will be spending the A.M. working on a features piece about the local slaughterhouse and catching Pipe Masters up on North Shore.

(P.S. I guess posted on Lloso today as well -- if you don't know it, now you have no excuse. And will be spending even more time on awesome blogs.)

TEDxBoulder and Colors Mag Inspiration

Just a few finds that I haven't been able to get out of my head, so figured I should document.

1. Leslie Dodson's TEDxBoulder presentation on the misrepresentation of Africa in media and marketing, and being embedded with research projects vs. quick in-and-out reporting. Her observations on how Africa is misrepresented by media and by nonprofits such as USAID are also very relevant to socially conscious businesses' narratives. Listen up, y'all (myself included):

2. As for the Colors Magazine inspiration, I just love these Kenya bike taxis and the story of a few who run the "boda-bodas," as photographed/covered for the Transport issue:

See the full story/all images and the Transport issue here.

Happy hump day!

This Malia Designs Clutch Is L&G Lovely

Malia Designs Agatha Clutch, $36

This clutch is made in Cambodia, fair trade certified, and according to Fashioning Change, supports the fight against human trafficking. How? Malia Designs employs women workers in Cambodia and donates a percentage of sales to nonprofits working in the area. Scrutinize for yourself here.

Fashioning Change provides a thorough and pretty well designed background of Malia Designs, and I'm guessing other such companies that they stock. The online shop just kicked off in the last week or so officially, and is still in beta design, but it's looking pretty good.

Happy Monday! If you have a little extra energy, feel free to send it my way. Shoots!

Happy Feet Thanks to The Bootstrap Project

I love this footstool. 'Nuff said. And if it's not, then just know that that the footstool is made by an artisan in Tajikistan and his goods in turn are made available to the world via The Bootstrap Project. To be all transparent and stuff, they did send me a wonderful email wishing me happy holidays, but I don't think this makes me biased... Either way, make your own mind up about the project and goods by reading all abouts it here (yes, the "abouts" is intentional. Because I like it. No questions allowed!).

Quite possibly the most fun socks ever... Nadzhida's Stockings made in Tajikistan, $60

I'm sure I'll be sharing more of its artisans and products in the future -- I'd love if the cashmere creations from Nepal one day included that white maxi skirt of my dreams! But I can't complain about adorable hats, either...

As for the organization itself, The Bootstrap Project is an interesting example of globalism meets nonprofit meets microfinance meets business. The company's blog is a fun behind-the-scenes of the work, artisans, and travel involved. Explore away, and see what you think.

Happy Friday, all! Boy, that came fast.

Acumen Fund Words of Wisdom

"Low-income people face a different set of constraints because of their economic situation, but they make decisions, like everyone, that are based on status and beauty and avoidance of risk, and not just 'what’s good for them.'"

THANK YOU for saying this, Acumen Fund. It is somehow forgotten way too often, whether it's by news sources or NGO marketing campaigns, that poor people are people too, with (and with the rights to have!) the same wants and desires, not just needs. It's what makes us all human.

Read all of Acumen's 10 Things We've Learned to Be True.

Beulah London Supports Survivors

Beulah London Tigris Dress, £356

Yesterday, I spoke with a friend who has lived and worked for a nonprofit in the red lights district in Amsterdam about the complications of the sudden upswing in awareness and campaigning against human trafficking. While awareness is important, she said, the movement isn't necessarily offering up answers for those who survive the industry after brothel raids.

These people who survive sex trafficking have been hardened, or don't know where to turn. They may have even been "freed," and are sending money to impoverished families in home countries.

The women, an acquaintance of my friend said, consider themselves survivors, not human trafficking victims. And to take any means away from someone empowered enough to believe they have the will to survive is a dilemma in itself. There has to be another option, one that offers long-term surviving.

This is where I find the Beulah London model interesting. While the clothing reads a bit more mother-in-law than hot new style (and is a bit above my price range, of course), the mission behind it is worth a gander. Here is what its CSR states:

"Alongside every purchase of Beulah, a canvas bag is given which has been made by women victims of trafficking in India through a project based in Kolkata. The women are provided with fair wages, health insurance, and training schemes that help them start their journey towards freedom. Currently the project employs circa 150 women. Natasha and Lavinia's vision is to further the women's textile skills so that one day they can be involved in the whole process from start to finish. In the meantime, all the clothes are being made through ethical means on a separate production site."

Peony Skirt

With some wedges and a chambray tank?? Just maybe ...

Plus, all kinda British celebs are lovin' up on Beulah London:

Pippa Middleton wearing the Shibani scarf

Learn more about Beulah London here. And please let me know if you have heard of a company or mission that you think addresses this issue as well!

Bhalo for a Monday Pick-Me-Up

Saturday Shirt, $135; Cargo Shorts, $155

As I hinted on Friday, today's post is about Bhalo. This company has a fun, quirky, patterned fashion sense, and is created in Bangladesh. Everything is handcrafted/dyed/loomed and eco-friendly. The focus is on fashion inspired by the region and travel, made under ethical working conditions, and engaged in community development.

Scarecrow Trousers, $195

Sale jacket!...

Tailfeather Jacket, $40 (only large left)

There are also lovely dresses, embroidered skirts, and gauzy shirts, but I'm in a jacket, pants and shorts kind of mood (blame the "cold" Honolulu weather!). If you would like see the rest for yourself, go here.

Hope everyone has slept off the Tryptophan haze and is enjoying the final touches of fall!