handmade love for your tree - Thistle Farms

I am beyond Smitten with the way these heart-shaped ornaments are constructed...and by whom. These four delicious ornaments are created out of goodwill and creative inspiration. Adorn your tree this year, and support four worthy, exceptional enterprises. Brought to you by Becca Stevens, founder and President of the wonderful organization that is Thistle Farms.

Thistle Farms is a community of women survivors of addiction, prostitution, and trafficking in Nashville, Tennessee. "This product bears witness that love is the most powerful force for change in the world."

This is the second global holiday collection being presented by Thistle Farms. 'Love from Around the World II' includes four handmade ornaments by women survivors from Nashville, Cambodia, Peru and the Middle East. Each ornament reflects...LOVE.

•  The recycled weave ornament represents Freedom’s Promise who work with at-risk and vulnerable women in Cambodia.

•  The knitted ornament represents the Monkey Project and provides a living wage to men in Huancayo, Peru - enabling change for their entire community.

•  The wood ornament represents Hope Collective is a community dedicated that brings sustainable development to refugees in the Middle East.

•  The copper ornament represents Studios - a division of Thistle Farm's social enterprise, which creates handcrafted paper, sewing and screen printing comprising this unique product line.

Smitten and filled with holiday cheer!!

the perfect christmas stockings - Bombas

These socks here, have stolen my heart! Their style, their construction, their fit. Boom...serious socks!

"Game-changing socks that have to be felt to be believed."

Bombas was started when Randy Goldberg and David Heath learned that socks were the number one most requested clothing item in homeless shelters.

They decided that they would rethink the sock - and create an uber sock. One that could outdo the conventional socks we are all used to. Better fit, more comfort...incredible durability. I dig these socks!

So, it is simple: for every pair of socks they sell, they donate a pair to someone in need. The more socks they sell, the more they can donate.

Bombas is derived from the Latin word for bumblebee. Bees work together to make their hive a better place. They're small, but their combined efforts have a big impact on the world.

Smitten with the socks!

unlock that thanksgiving love - The Giving Keys

Still inspired by a New York hotel room key, the Classic Necklace from The Giving Keys, has been re-imagined into this sleek Black Matte Key. Powerful addition to any guy or gals wardrobe...current, hip...and helpful.

This is the third time I'm writing about The Giving Keys...the initial post with all the love and admiration this company deserves is here. 

You see, I cannot ever say enough about this kick-butt company, based here in Los Angeles. They are on the frontline, educating, employing and assisting the homeless out of homelessness...and doing a very good job of it!

Always inspired and Smitten with The Giving Keys.

sexy, sustainable and star studded - People Tree

Catch the eye with these yummy star-studded studs. Hand pounded, 100% silver-plated brass. Gorgeous!

People Tree is recognized for its production of ethical, sustainable fashion. For more than 25 years, this pioneer company has partnered with Fair Trade producers, garment workers, artisans and farmers in the developing world to create fashion forward, eco-friendly collections.

People Tree gives customers an alternative to "fast fashion". "Fast fashion is fueled by an insatiable demand for cheap clothing and accessories. Fast fashion has a devastating impact, from sweatshops and child labor to pollution and global warming. Slow Fashion means standing up against exploitation, family separation, slum cities and pollution – all the things that make fast fashion so successful."

Fair Trade is ethical, sustainable and fashionable....and the opposite of fast fashion.

People Tree products are made by artisans who work and uphold Fair Trade standards. People Tree was the world’s first clothing company to receive the World Fair Trade Organization Fair Trade product mark in 2013.

Fair Trade makes a powerful difference. People Tree is helping to alleviate poverty in the world's most marginalized communities.

Smitten!

a sparkly, sexy...significant bangle - Eden: Fusion Leather Snap bracelet

This wrist stunner is made from twenty four hand-beaded strands affixed to two soft, sturdy leather strands. The wristlet closes with three snap buttons that adorn the leather. Stand out in this luscious piece of jewelry from Raven and Lily.

This bangle is made by women who live on the Entoto Mountain in Ethiopia, where the artisans melt down bullet casings to create the beads for their designs, "transforming what was once used for harm into beauty."

This is my third post for Raven and Lily, a company I positively love. The initial post with all appropriate accolades here.

Forever Smitten with Raven and Lily.

shimmering gold stocking stuffers - Purpose Jewelry

Exciting, eye-catching, ear candy: classic gold shimmering hoop earrings. Strung with metallic faceted beads...perfectly wearable day or night.

These yummy hoops are available in both Gold and Silver and have a 2 1/4" drop, with a 1 1/2" width.

I love these earrings, but I love the company behind them more.

Purpose jewelry, is handcrafted by survivors of modern-day slavery.

100% of the proceeds from Purpose benefit International Sanctuary, a non-profit that provides holistic care for young women rescued from sex trafficking.

When a girl escapes or is rescued from sex trafficking she is faced with an enormous level of trauma with very little support.

In 2007, International Sanctuary (iSanctuary) was created to address the needs of these young women through holistic care and empowerment. The women are offered mentorship, education, medical and dental care, scholarships, and micro-loans to prepare them for brighter futures.

In September 2014, International Sanctuary launched Purpose, a way to empower the survivors through employment and financial stability. The women are able to enjoy a healthy workplace, free to laugh and grow. A place that helps to transform these once victims, into skilled artisans, survivors...and thrivers. 

Super Smitten!

100% vegan weekender bag for the boys - Matt & Nat

My husband travels A LOT!! He's in the film industry and finds traveling with a backpack (as carry-on,) works best for him. Well, this is going to be under the tree this year, and I'm confident he'll be rockin' this re-cycled, polished, super hip Artigan bag from Matt & Nat in 2016.

100% vegan, up-cycled materials, superior craftsmanship, ideally designed...for both men and women.

notablySmitten first introduced Matt & Nat in May of this year, and we are still crazy about them.

Utterly Smitten.

warm yourself...love someone else - Sackcloth and Ashes

This comfy, supple, beauteous alpaca wool throw is perfect for the season. It is elegant and ultra soft, well-made and edged with a fine fringe.

But the best thing about this sumptuous throw; for every blanket you purchase, you will also be providing a blanket to your local homeless shelter. It's just that simple and straightforward.

Founder of Sackcloth & Ashes, Bob Dalton, was inspired to help the homeless population when his hardworking single mother, found herself living on the streets in 2013.

Because of his mother’s story, he began to call homeless shelters in his area to ask what they needed...they all said blankets. Thus, he created Sackcloth & Ashes.

They sell high quality blankets worldwide, and since the founding, they have provided over 4500 blankets to homeless shelters.

Smitten!

imagine peace - cuff by Yoko Ono for Maiden Nation

This delectable cuff, designed by the prodigiously talented Yoko Ono, is imbued with her late husband John Lennon's stirring message "Imagine Peace." The cut out architecture applies the Japanese tradition of using negative space in a positive way.

This beautiful cuff of bold communique' was made exclusively for Maiden Nation and is available in matte black steel and 14K gold-plated steel.

Maiden Nation is an online marketplace committed to empowering women through ethical fashion and was founded in 2012 by artist Willa Shalit, brand developer Elizabeth Schaeffer Brown and social entrepreneur Juliana Um.

The company seeks to empower women by providing a platform for them to earn an income, either by selling their products directly to consumers or by partnering with a designer for charity.

The mission is “trade not aid, ” which enables the socially conscious company to curate and showcase unknown designers worldwide, thus giving these artisans exposure to a much larger audience.

All products are ethically sourced, and profits are reinvested into women’s entrepreneurship projects.

Yoko Ono’s “Imagine Peace” bracelet goes to the Rainbow House in Japan, an organization to help victims of the 2011 tsunami.

Crazy Smitten with Maiden Nation.

Crazy Smitten for Yoko Ono!

eco-kind magazine rod earrings - Global Goods Partners

I think these rolled magazine rod earrings are truly stunning. The craftsmanship is perfect...I can't believe these are made from rolled magazine paper. Clever artistry and design. Totally stunning, absolutely chic!

~ Made from 100% recycled magazines

~ 3" in length

~ Choose from Black, Green, Fuchsia, Dark Violet, Lime and Teal

Due to the recycled nature of this product, colors may slightly vary

Both professionals in International Development, it was part of Catherine Lieber Shimony and Joan Shifrin's job to travel to impoverished areas around the world to see what could be improved. What they began to witness over and over again, were creative, energized women producing magnifient handmade goods...yet, they lacked any access to sustainable markets in which to sell their products.

Catherine and Joan had witnessed women in marginalized communities throughout Asia, Africa, and the US being able to advance the wellness of their families when their income was stabilized. In 2005, the friends  founded Global Goods Partners to create a practical pathway for women to generate income opportunitites and gain access into the consumer marketplace for handmade, fair trade merchandise.

Global Goods Partners (GGP) is a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to alleviating poverty and promoting social justice and empowers women to create sustainable change.

Smitten again!!

elegant, ethical - Raven + Lily Silver Lake Candle

My shopping list always seem to include: that perfectly well worn pair of jeans…and a terrific smelling candle. Well, leave it to Raven + Lily to help me with the latter. Their Sliver Lake Candle is freshly scented, elegant...and ethical.

[The brilliant company Raven and Lily, was conceived by close friends Kirsten Dickerson and Sophia Lin who both share a love of fashion and ethical design. The socially conscious organization was created as a platform to help alleviate poverty among women and is committed to offering products that are made by hand and follow fair trade standards.]

Stunningly designed, the Silver Lake Candle is a hand-poured, soy wax candle, infused with the lush scents of mango and grapefruit, and beautifully encased in glass with a gold leaf foil bottom.

Created in Los Angeles, California by women who are transitioning out of homelessness. This employment opportunity allows for these talented, dedicated women to continue on their paths to autonomy.

Currently Raven and Lily helps to employ marginalized women in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cambodia, Pakistan, and the USA at fair trade wages, thus giving them access to safe jobs, sustainable incomes, health care, education…a chance to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families.

8 oz. candle stands 3” in diameter and 3.5” high

Totally Smitten.