Trend Alert: Animal Jewelry

I recently got this little guy with a gift card @ GiltGroup, but there are tons of options when searching for the perfect animal piece for your jewelry box. 

I particularly like this crystal owl ring

and 

this snake fashion necklace.

So as you see, there are plenty of ways we can show admiration for animals without slaughtering them for their fur, leather or ivory. <3

Facebook Causes: Autism Speaks . . . a birthday wish.

So I spent my lovely snow day drinking an endless cup of coffee, shoveling my car out of a mountain of snow and . ..  creating My Birthday Cause.



I joined the causes application on Facebook about a year or so ago, and occasionally poked around to locate new and interesting charities, but this morning I received an email telling me I could create a fund for the cause of my choice and ask people to donate to it instead of receiving birthday gifts. 


First of all let me praise this amazing idea. We should always be trying to contribute to humanitarian efforts, but on our birthday, the anniversary of our LIFE, we SHOULD be thinking about others as well. 


I am so lucky to have been born without any disorders or disabilities, but also I believe I was born with several gifts. I only realized my gift of working with children in recent years, but I would never go back to being ignorant about it. When I graduated college, I promised myself I wouldn't get caught working for some corporation day after day without making some kind of difference in this world. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I discovered Autism. I say that I discovered it, because really, that is what happened. It's scary to think how little I really knew about the disorder before I started working with these amazing kids. 


It makes me realize though, how little most people know about Autism. For something that affects SO MANY people know little to nothing about the disorder itself. 


So please, if you have nothing to give, that is fine, but just take the time to visit this website: Autism Speaks, and read the passage that I wrote on my birthday wish. 

Want to own a piece of Jack Johnson?

How about Avril Lavigne, Anna Nalick or Bryan Adams? 

All of these artists, plus several more participate in one of the coolest charities I've ever heard of. Wear Your Music (wearyourmusic.org) is an organization which use recycled guitar strings to make collectible bracelets you can use to make any outfit a bit more hipper. The guitar strings donated by specific artists are pricier, but the entire proceeds of the purchase go to charity. All of the artist designs are silver plated guitarstrings. The fashion bracelets, which are much cheaper ($9.99) come in an array of different colors and can be customized with sterling silver charms that have the option of being stamped with an initial. A percentage of the proceeds goes to charity with the purchase of a fashion bracelet. This is such a cool, creative way to give back, and when people ask about your awesome new bracelet you have something to talk about as well.

Officially obsessed with: TOM Shoes

TOMs have been around since about 2006, yet I just recently heard about them through co-workers this past summer. I bought my first pair of red canvas classics in November which quietly started my love affair with the shoes. Now I own a second pair in navy (Love is the new black colorways) and have a pair of black glitters on the way. 

It is not just the trendy style of the shoe itself that grabs my attention. TOM's "One for one," mission is a beautiful idea in which for every pair of shoes you buy, the company donates a second pair to a child who is without shoes. 

TOMs are available for purchase at their official store, but also at high end department stores such as Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman's where you can score a pair that was made exclusively for that store. 

I've found they make amazing gifts because are trendy, yet versatile, plus it's pretty cool to say that your gift is helping out some cool kids having a rough time.

Sweet little bag.

I am in love with this pretty birdy bag. And this is coming from someone who doesn't particularly like the actual animals. However, I do tend to buy a lot of jewelry and accessories showcasing birds. I suppose I agree with the basic symbolism despite my fear of them attacking my hair on a windy city day.

Although I usually opt for leather bags, I've been becoming increasingly aware of more eco-friendly materials and looking for more hipster-esque items to add to my wardrobe.