Love Nail Tree = Straight Lovin'

Says Michelle Madsen of Love Nail Tree, "Each design has a story/meaning/inspiration that is printed on the inside tag of the shirt. This is our medium for addressing issues that we feel need to be talked about. We also do have light-hearted tees and messages that are meant to be inspiration. We just started doing this with the jewelry as well. For example, we have an arrow shaped pendant that has engraved "TAKE AIM" on the back."

Take Aim, $38

If the quote didn't give the secret away, Love Nail Tree is an L.A.-based company that uses shirts to raise awareness of societal issues. Its bling is also pretty awesome (and affordable!), and everything is made in Los Angeles. The t-shirts are 100 percent cotton, and much of the jewelry is made with repurposed antiques.

Bricks, $22 (Want!)

Telescope, $32 (It even collapses!)

Livin' on Dreams, Women's Crop, $38

Also, I like the line that accompanies every shirt on the website: "We will change the world with the stories we tell." Every t-shirt's online page is accompanied with such a story.

Camera Kills Fascists, Men's T, $32

Love Cuff, $38

Check out the Love Nail Tree website and shop for yourself -- guarantee you'll find a treat and story or two.

Find out Monday how I discovered Love Nail Tree! Hint: It involves pairings and tunes (and it's not a blind date at a salsa class).

Happy Aloha Friday! Woooo!

Dannijo + Falling Whistles = Win Win

Rope and Lure FW/Dannijo necklace, $248

Dannijo has blinged up the staple Falling Whistles necklace, and it's fun. Though it may be slightly noisy, considering I accessorized my FW necklace and occasionally sound like I'm an eager puppy running around the house.

Chain Wrapped FW/Dannijo necklace, $238

Trade Beads FW/Dannijo necklace, $298

Brass Fringe FW/Dannijo necklace, $398

See the whole collection here.

And of course, don't forget the staple FW necklace, which I still can't get enough of:

The Original, $34

All proceeds go to raising awareness of and addressing issues in the Congo.

FW is one of the first nonprofit-meets-business ventures I fell for, and it still impresses me today. It has such a strong sense of identity and branding (hint: check out the FW story, one of the first things you're introduced to when you visit the site and what you'll get in book version along with your necklace). I think Falling Whistles is going to be around for a while, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

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!