I'm Back! Faves to Bring Along

So I was gone a little longer than I intended to be -- forgive me! I had a wonderful visit back to Colorado that let me process life stuffs and catch up with my 'rents and siblings, which I haven't been able to do in way too long. Not to mention I helped plan my dad's 50th birthday party, which included a viewing of Monty Python and the Holy Grail at the independent movie theater and ALSO the fourth quarter of the Broncos game. Win.

Anyway, here's a pic of me rocking the small-town staples: camo, zip-up jacket, and yoga pants, while snowshoeing (OK, the snowshoeing wasn't quite necessary, but it was fun!) to feed my mom's horses. It was AWESOME. Awww, home.

On another (fave) note, a blog I contribute to, Fashion at Liberty is bringing on another contributor who will be documenting her trip to NY from Madison visiting slow-fashion shops and finds along the way. Sounds pretty awesome, and I know that I for one will be checking in. Check in on her here, or follow me on Twitter to find out when she's written an update.

Finally, loving this sequin urban art in Iceland by Theresa Himmer, found via JeannieJeannie:

Happy Wednesday all, looking forward to getting back to regular updates. Thanks for your patience!

Colorado Loves Me! So I'm Taking a Time Out

This is me! Riding Traveler! Through corn fields! In November! (Nevermind that it was taken last year - you get the gist). I'm back visiting my family for my sis's 18th birthday, my dad's 50th, and an early Thanksgiving/Christmas. That said, I'm obviously stoked.

I'll be getting my fill of authentic Mexican food, crossing my fingers that the snow forecast will hold true (us Coloradoans joke about weather reports being completely irrelevant to how the day actually turns out), and planning a b-day party for the daddio.

So between planning, relishing, and enjoying (and a post or two for Fashion at Liberty), I'm going to take the week for myself. And listen to a lot of country music. And frolic. Yayyyy!

Unless it snows tomorrow - then check back for a pic :)

Happy week, everyone!

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.