Fair Trade Bedroom Redo!

With the weather turning chillier, I’ve been getting the urge to snuggle under a warm blanket with a cup of tea in the evenings. Anyone else? If so, it might be time for a fun Fall project: transforming your bedroom into a cozy retreat full of soft textiles and a beautiful, rich color palette. Want to see how you can do it, fair trade style? Take a peek below!

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Swap out the summer-weight blanket on your bed with our Plush Glo Organic Sateen Pleated Duvet Cover and Sham!

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This sateen beauty is 300 thread count, 100% Fair Trade Certified, made of certified organic cotton, and includes two coordinating shams with vertical pleats. It’s available in White, Natural, and Quartz. Whichever color you choose will provide a beautiful backdrop for the second item needed to turn your bedroom into a pretty, cool-weather haven: a Vintage Sari Throw in a bold mix of red and orange.

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Toss this beautiful piece over a chair in the corner for a splash of rich color. Made in India and Bangladesh, these throws are created by women who save fabric from their favorite saris, and stitch them together with colorful thread. The multiple quilted layers make these kantha throws soft and warm. Our vibrant sari blankets are also reversible, so when you need a fresh look just flip them over!

And of course, you can’t forget your favorite furry friend, who needs a lounging spot in the bedroom too. Check out this fun Up-Cycled Denim Lounging Pillow:

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And since your bedroom is now so perfectly ready for the changing seasons, why not venture into the bathroom and add a little warmth in there too? These luxurious Glo Striped Towels should do the trick:

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The almost-purple shade draws together the bedspread and throw, and will provide a nice starting point for a total bathroom overhaul if that’s what you’re after. So using these ideas as a starting point, you hopefully have some inspiration for turning your bedroom space into an elegant fair trade Autumn retreat!

XO,

Casey

Friday Favorites

Happy September!

September is one of my favorite months. Even though Spring is technically the season of “fresh starts,” I feel the same way about Autumn! I even signed up for my first Fantasy Football team this year. It’s still nameless (thinking of a name seems to be outside my capability realm this week) and I still don’t totally understand the rules. But I managed to pick my players based on ability instead of “attractiveness level” like I wanted to, so I suppose that’s something, right?

If you enjoy Fall and football season too, let’s kick off the weekend with some fun Fall-themed favorites from around the Web! Feel free to add links to anything you’ve been loving lately in the comments!

Favorite Fashion: I’m loving having a moment with anything bright and plaid. Now if the only the temps would cooperate and drop just a bit so I can break out my scarves!

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Favorite Website: Give Generation compiles tons of socially conscious, “do-good” companies all in one place. It’s my go-to when I have an online shopping urge! They have women’s, men’s and children’s goodies—and even a pet section!

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Favorite Dinner: One of my favorite recipes from one of my favorite blogs! This recipe somehow manages to combine comfort food with sneaky vegetables and the toasty subs are perfect for a chilly evening.

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Favorite Sip: This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Apple cider is always a yes, and if it’s served in such a cute way, I pretty much can’t resist!

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Favorite Home Design: How great is this outdoor kitchen? Perfect for sitting around chatting on a cozy, sweater-weather evening. A girl can dream!

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Have a wonderful weekend!

XO,
Casey

Come Sail Away

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This Labor Day Weekend, let’s all choose to be adventurers! As Summer turns to Fall, I’m trying to remember that each season is precious and contains something to help us grow. I hope your long weekend is filled with fun outings, lots of love, and perhaps a jaunt out of your comfort zone…after all, that’s where the best discoveries are made!

XO,

Casey

Fair Trade Swap: Autumn Edition!

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I know, I know, it’s only August. But where I live the temps have been nice and cool lately, and I can’t help but start getting excited for Fall! Will it help my cliché status a little bit if I tell you I actually don’t like Pumpkin Spice Lattes that much? I’m more of a hazelnut cappuccino kind of girl. But as for changing leaves, bonfires, and cuddly sweatshirts … bring it on!

One of my favorite ways to shop is to take the items I love and can find easily accessible in the mall and search out sustainable, ethical fair trade alternatives. So before you start stocking up on all of your Autumn “essentials,” care to take a look at some fun, ethical, “Octobery” finds with me? Below are a few of my fave Fall items!

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All of the items on the right are fair trade! Just as gorgeous (and affordable) as the ones on the left, right? Sometimes all it takes is a little digging! And I did the digging for you in this case :). Listed below are where each item is from, with links to the fair trade items:

Traditional Items:
1. Bath and Body Works
2. Gap
3. DSW
4. Columbia Activewear
5.Pottery Barn

Fair Trade Items:
1. Seven Hopes United
2. Noonday Collection
3. Teysha
4. Roozt
5. Seven Hopes United

Are you as ready for Fall as I am?

XO,

Casey

Anniversary Gifts by Year

If you’re a recent newlywed, you know how difficult it is to come up with the perfect gift for your husband or wife-to-be on the wedding day. Well, I’ve got news for you—it doesn’t get much easier as the years go by! On anniversaries, it’s easy to hit panic mode when searching for a special gift.

We’re here to help with that! I put together a list below of gift ideas from Seven Hopes that correspond to the “traditional” gifts for each year of marriage. Being traditional doesn’t need to be boring!

Traditional Anniversary Gift for Year 1: Paper

Camellia Necklace: Here you go, guys! The perfect gift for your lovely bride of one year. This beautiful 31BITS necklace is made of recycled paper beads and will be sure to win you some possibly much-needed husband points. :)

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Traditional Anniversary Gift for Year 2: Cotton

Blue Daphne Table Runner: This bright, cheery table runner is will brighten up your dining room in the best way! Whichever one of you is the decorator in the house will love this gift.

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Traditional Anniversary Gift for Year 3: Leather

Mini Bolga Market Basket: This mini African market basket was handwoven by artisans in the Bolgatanga region of Ghana. Each mini market basket is beautiful and unique, designed with a sturdy leather handle and a thick base, perfect for use as a farmers market basket!

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Traditional Anniversary Gift for Year 4: Flowers

Ceramic Talavera Wall Mirror: A fun take on the idea of “Flowers,” this handcrafted mirror depicts colorful wildflowers and would be perfect for the husband who enjoys decorating!

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Traditional Anniversary Gift for Year 5: Wood

Custom Ampersand Wooden Serving TrayA gorgeous piece to liven up your dinner parties, this serving tray highlights your shared last name (if you chose to have the same last name) in a beautiful and fresh way! Be sure to check out our Custom Cutting Boards too!

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Which wedding gift idea is your favorite?

XO,

Casey