Outfit Post - Spiffy

 I got a new sweater, and it's spiffy.  See?

Why, hello there!

She wanted a hug...

Not gonna lie, the jewels on the sweater almost veer into ugly Christmas sweater territory, but I think that may be why I love it so much!  That, coupled with my current unhealthy obsession with lime green items.

Outfit Details:
Blue Shirt: Gap, $5 (clearance)
Black Tank: Wal-Mart, $4
Sweater: thrifted, $2
Jeans: Wal-Mart, $12
Shoes: Payless, $7 (so incredibly old!)
Necklace: $1 Jewelry Galore
Earrings: Hot Topic, $5

FTF - A Twofer

As you may have guessed by the title, today's Fair Trade Friday is a twofer.  And, as if that's not enough, today's organizations are very special and personal to me.  First off, I'd like to introduce you to my sister-in-law.

This beautiful little girl is Anna.  She is one of three children my in-laws have adopted from China.  Now, I know the cliche is that I'm not supposed to get along with my in-laws, but that is the farthest thing from the truth!  I can honestly say I am so blessed to be a part of my husband's family, and so happy to get to be a part of their lives.  What impresses me the most is that, after their three boys were grown and (mostly) out of the house, my parents-in-law were willing to take in three more children, all of whom had special needs.  Anna, in particular, required multiple surgeries to repair a cleft palate.  Oftentimes, the stress and medical costs associated with the medical care a child like Anna would need would interfere in whether or not a family decides to adopt a child.  Which brings me to the first organization, Love Without Boundaries.

Now, technically, Love Without Boundaries isn't fair trade.  It is a non-profit organization, founded in 2003, that is "dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned and impoverished children in China, [providing] humanitarian aid in the following areas - Education, Foster Care, Healing Homes, Medical, and Orphanage Assistance. (from their website.)"  They are doing amazing things, including the fact that they helped pay for a surgeon in China to repair my sister Anna's cleft palate before she came home. (I told you they hit a personal spot for me!)  They have a whole array of ways to get involved listed on their website, including monetary donations, sponsoring a child, or with even more in depth ways.  However, if you're hoping to actually get some shopping ideas from today's post, I'll go ahead and introduce you to the second organization on the agenda today.

Meet Sevenly.  Sevenly sells T-Shirts, with a business model that is meant to raise money and awareness for multiple organizations.  Basically, they partner with a new organization each week, 52 each year, design a really cool T-Shirt, and donate $7 from each shirt to the charity of the week.  It's all explained in this nifty flow chart on their website.  In the past, they've partnered with some amazing organizations, such as Love146, water.org, and Autism Speaks.  This week, they're partnered up with, wait for it........... Love Without Boundaries!  They've got this amazing Tee-Shirt design available:

Seriously, how cool is this shirt!  It's also available in two other colors, AND, if there's a guy in your life, they come in a guy's style too.  And, if Tee-Shirts just aren't your thing, they also offer hoodies.

This style for Love Without Boundaries is only available for three more days, before Sevenly starts selling a new style for a new organization.  So, if you miss the time window, don't freak out!  I'm sure there will be even more organizations featured on the Sevenly site, with more amazing designs.  There's even a little box on the bottom of the site where you can enter your e-mail and get a preview of each week's shirt.  They're doing amazing things, and I hope you get a chance to check them out!

Thanks for reading today, and I hope you have an amazing weekend!

Outfit Post - Little Pops

I'm trying to keep it simple for work, but I couldn't resist some grey and yellow combination action.  I wish I had more witty and intelligent things to say about this outfit, but there just isn't anything.  I just like yellow and grey together.  Yep.

Outfit Details:
Shirt: Eddie Bauer Outlet, $10
Sweater: Charlotte Russe, $8 (old)
Jeans: Plato's Closet resale, $4
Shoes: Chucks, $45
Bracelet: gifted
Earrings: Icing by Claire's, $4 (old)
Scarf: Wal-Mart, $5

Outfit Post - Wonky

I don't know if you can see it, but there's a crooked board on the fence behind me.  It's kinda wonky, just like me.  And because it makes me happy, here's a close up:

Oh, and by the way, if you're planning on walking through some grass to stand by a fence and take pictures any time soon, maybe check to see if the grass is dry before walking through it with your suede boots...?

Outfit Details:
Dress: Kohl's, $10 (clearance)
LS Tee: Kohl's, $6
Tights: Target, $5
Sweater: gifted
Boots: gifted
Necklace: eBay, $7
Headband: don't recall (old)

FTF - Indigenous Designs

I found today's fair trade company through one of those Google ads that are here on the blog.  I thought it only fair that I shared them with you as well!  The company is called Indigenous Designs, and they've got some great  clothes on their website.  The company was founded in 1993, after one of the founders had encountered some of the beautiful work of artisans in South America.  He came back with an idea for a business model, and a company, with a commitment to sustainability and socially responsible actions, was created.  Their products are made with eco-friendly and organic fibers, dyed without harmful chemicals, and handmade by artisans that are paid a fair and livable wage.   And their products are gorgeous!  Take this cardigan, for example:

Belted Silk Cardigan

I know spring is on it's way, but the past week has been kinda dreary in these parts.  Dreary weather always makes me crave cozy sweaters, and this one is gorgeous!

Striped Poncho

Speaking of cozy, how comfy would this poncho be? (Rhetorical question, by the way...)  I'm in love with neutral tones lately, especially camel.  This little caplet of comfy is also available in green.

Flower Pins

How fun are these little pins? (Okay, enough with the questions!)  I love all the little colors, and I'm already making a mental list of everything in my closet I'd want to pin these on.

There's so many more products on the Indigenous Designs website, as well as more information on the backstory of the company.  Thanks for reading today!

*Total side note: did you know my niece (the photographer) has a fashion blog now?  She's got this amazing sense of style, and is just starting out in the blogging world.  I'd love it if you'd check out her site, and maybe send a little encouragement her way!*

Outfit Post - Jeans

Today's post is brought to you by: my new job!  I got the call last night, offering me a part-time cashier position at a local children's resale shop.  I'm pretty excited, both about working again after a two year hiatus, and about the discount I'll be getting on new clothes for Lexi.  The only downfall: the dress code is a logo T-shirt, jeans, and probably sneakers (unless I can find some affordable, comfortable, AND cute flats!).  I'll be dipping into my fairly large collection of jewelry to try and lend a little personality to the outfit!  All of that aside, I'm excited to start in this new position tomorrow, it's definitely an answer to prayer.

Outfit Details:
Coat: Navy supply store, gifted
AE Sweater: thrifted, $3
Purple tank: Eddie Bauer Outlet, $6
Jeans: Wal-Mart, $5 (clearance)
Boots: Shoe Carnival, $15 (clearance)
Earrings: handmade, $5
Necklace: $1 Jewelry Galore

Outfit Post - Red

I found something out today.  My closet has a deficit of red or pink clothing.  Normally, that wouldn't bother me, but when you want to dress up for a certain holiday (wait, was that today?), it's nice to have some selection.  Good thing I made this dress a few months ago, or I would've had to rely on my trusty red sweatpants.  No one wants to see that.

Outfit Details:
Dress: DIY, from materials on hand
Sweater: Sears, $3 (clearance)
Leggings: Target, $8
Boots: N Style, $15
Belt: my mom's closet
Earrings: Icing by Claire's, $5 (old)

Thoughts

^{“ 8} Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

I’ve been very good at being negative lately, especially towards myself.  The little dissatisfied voice manages to speak up in my head almost all the time, and for some reason, I allow myself to listen.  “You don’t write anymore, gosh, you are so lazy.  Oh, and did you really need four of those cookies last night?  I mean, you only work out once a week, so all those calories are just going to stick with you.  You keep complaining that your jeans don’t fit, why don’t you just do something about it?”  Yep, that little voice just prattles on, while I just sit back and absorb the negativity.  Then, I’m surprised when I’m cranky and dissatisfied all the time.  When I was sitting in church yesterday, the verse listed above (from Philippians 4) stuck with me.  At first reading, especially out of context, it simply sounds like a sound byte for the Power of Positive Thinking.  But it’s more than that.  It’s a call to focus your mind and thinking on God.  I think it’s about time for me to start refocusing my thoughts.  For example, instead of thinking, “Wow, you’re so lazy,” change that to, “Wow, God is an infinite source of strength and inspiration.”  Instead of, “you’ll never live up to your standards of beauty,” thinking, “God created everything beautiful.”  I am so easily distracted that it’s easy to forget where my eyes and mind need to be directed.  I’m just glad that God is faithful to give me reminders when I’m off track.

Snow Day!

It's our first official (and possibly only) snow day of the year!

FTF - Tiny Hands International

As I'm sure you're aware, Valentine's Day is on it's way.  A lot of flowers and candy will be given as gifts, and you can bet I'll be heading to the grocery store on February 15th to get half-priced chocolate hearts!  Some guys tend to opt for jewelry as a V-Day gift for their significant other, kinda like my husband did!  However, instead of diamonds and gold, he bought me this bracelet:

One Girl bracelet

This is the One Girl bracelet from Tiny Hands International, an organization that is "dedicated to empowering the Body of Christ in the developing world to fight against poverty and social injustice by employing effective strategies and biblical principles."  Basically, they're in a fight against the injustices of human trafficking, as well as working for women's empowerment and orphan care.  The bracelet, handcrafted by young women in Nepal, is a physical reminder that I've committed to praying for one girl, out of the 10,000 trafficked in Nepal every year. The bracelet's braided black band represents the darkness and bondage of trafficking, while the golden color of the stone signifies God's light of hope for the girl I've "adopted."  I'm so excited to receive this bracelet, and so proud of my hubby for thinking of this gift for me!

On top of the bracelet, there's more products available on the Tiny Hands website, the sales of which go towards supporting and improving the organization's children's homes, anti-trafficking efforts, and women's empowerment ministries.  They've got some really beautiful stuff in their online shop, and what makes it so much more beautiful is knowing that buying those products has an incredible impact on these girls' lives.  Products like this bracelet are already on my wishlist for later:

Green Multistrand Bracelet

I also really, REALLY want this scarf!  The color is just so vibrant:

Purple Scarf

There is so much more information, as well as many more beautiful products, available on the Tiny Hands International website.  I'd encourage you to check them out!!

Outfit Post: Thrifted

There's a beautiful little town just north of where I live called Eureka Springs.  There are so many great things about that city, but I won't go into all that detail here.   What I do want to talk about is one of their thrift stores.  It's called ECHO, and it's a thrift store/coffee shop/free health clinic.  What, you say?  Did I read that right?  Yes, my friends, my typist skills didn't fail me.  The proceeds from their thrift store go to helping people who cannot afford insurance get free health care, such as physicals and diabetes care.  Seriously, how cool is that?  That's where I got my sweater, as well as my purple skirt.  So, if you happen to be in Eureka (maybe picking up some candied jalapenos?), and also love thrifting, might I suggest checking out this store?

Outfit Details:
Sweater: thrifted, ECHO, $1.50
Skirt: thrifted, Goodwill, $4
Belt: borrowed from another skirt
Tights: Target, $5
Shoes: Charlotte Russe, $8 (old)
Necklace: Wet Seal, $4 (old)

FTF - Sseko Designs

Alright, people, in honor of the unusually warm winter we've been having, I'm breaking out the sandals.  Namely, my Sseko sandals.  What are those, you ask?  Only the coolest shoes I've ever seen.  Not only are they completely customize-able, and re-mixable (I'm looking at you, Kendi), but their sales also help to fund a university education for young women in Uganda.  There's even a section on the website where you can read a short bio of the young ladies that helped to make the sandals.  Like I said, pretty awesome stuff!

Check these out!

The customize-able part of these shoes involves the straps.  You start with a hand-crafted leather base, and then choose whatever straps, available in pretty much any color imaginable, to make your sandals your own.  The straps I pictured above were actually a limited edition strap, as some designs are, but there are a ton more colors and patterns available on the website!  Any prospective brides out there, guess what? You can even order sandals with silk straps (in even more colors!) for you and your bridesmaids to wear in your wedding.

Be Mine Collection

Sseko actually just introduced a new collection this week, in honor of valentine's day, that includes the base sandals and three limited edition straps.  It's called the Be Mine collection, and I'm suffering some serious want for it!!  Maybe a certain hubby might need some nudging and hinting about what my gift should be this year?

Neon Lime Sandals

I'm also suffering some serious envy for these straps!  I mean, they're neon lime green!  What else really needs to be said?

Coral Spice Pleated Clutch

Now, if sandals just aren't your 'thang' (I solemnly swear to you now, I will never use that word again!), Sseko just introduced their pleated clutch.  There's currently two styles available, including the orange beauty pictured above.

And, just in case I haven't convinced you of the awesomeness of this company, you should take a moment to check out their photo gallery and Youtube channel to see the nearly infinite ideas for how to tie the straps.   Seriously, there's like, a million!

*Sseko's are available through the Sseko Designs website, as well as locally, at The Mustache in Fayetteville.*

Outfit Post - Sunny

Well, people, the groundhog saw his shadow.  Supposedly that means we'll have six more weeks of winter, but does that still apply if NWA hasn't really HAD a winter?  It's currently 64 degrees and sunny outside, about the same as it's been all week.  I'd be okay with six more weeks of this.  In honor of the bright and cheery day, the green jeans get to make another appearance.

Outfit Details:
Shirt: Gap, $5 (clearance)
Sweater: Wal-Mart, $8 (old)
Jeans: JC Penney, $15 (just saw these jeans on clearance for $8 the other day!)
Shoes: Payless Shoesource, $7 (insanely old)
Belt: my mom's closet
Long necklace: Forever 21, $5
Short necklace: gifted