Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Devi Arts Collective. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

Devi Arts Collective

Every once in a while, I like to wear a statement piece, but for the most part, I like my jewelry neutral, dainty, and simple. I almost want to feel like I’m not wearing any because my first instinct is to take it off. I don’t find comfort in having fingers full of big, chunky rings or necklaces getting caught on everything I pass by. I feel like Bayoush Mengesha, the jewelry designer from Devi Arts Collective, knows exactly what I want. She takes it even a step further and makes sure the jewelry, along with the other items in the shop, is empowering others and supporting sustainable livelihoods, too! 

Why I Love Devi Arts Collective

Aesthetic: This one might be very obvious, but the aesthetic of this jewelry collection is lovely. It is meant to be worn every day with anything you have in your closet. Simplicity is what your capsule wardrobe is calling for! When designing, Bayoush is inspired by her Ethiopian heritage, where she has learned beauty dances between the simple and the complex. She is also inspired by the natural world and uses texturing and manipulation techniques to mimic nature. You can easily see this portrayed in some of the materials she chooses, like birch bark and feathers. 

Sustainable Sourcing: What’s super interesting about this jewelry collection is the choice of materials. Bayoush personally sources all the stones from artisans in India and the silver & gold from a responsible jeweler company. The gemstones come from a 3rd generation lapidary family who have been cutting, shaping, and polishing gems in Rajasthan for years. The recycled sterling silver and 14k gold-filled wire come from a company that takes scrap pieces from artisans and creates new materials for designers like Bayoush. 

You are empowering the Maker {& supplier!}: I’ve always loved supporting small independent designers. There is so much love {blood, sweat, and tears, too!} that goes into creating an accessory or piece of jewelry for someone to wear. It’s lovely knowing exactly where your jewelry was made, and for all of these little lovelies, they were made in Bayoush’s studio in Vancouver. If you are a British Columbian resident, this is an excellent brand for you to support - #shoplocal! Besides the beautiful jewelry line, Devi Arts Collective also has a range of hand-woven and organic hand-dyed wristlets made by a small weaving community in Guatemala.

What I’m Wearing

Orbit Ring in 14kt Gold: Handmade by Devi Arts Collective designer Bayoush in Vancouver with recycled 14kt gold-filled wire. Works well as a stacking ring {especially with the Flat Ball Silver Stacking Ring I have paired with it} or beautiful by itself! 

Cleopatra Necklace: Also handmade by Bayoush with recycled sterling silver and Iolite stone forged, cut, shaped and polished by lapidaries in India. You can also choose moonstone, labradorite, emerald, and ruby for gemstones. 

Where to Purchase

You can find the entire collection in their online shop - here - as well as in this list of stockists in British Columbia. 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by IKEA. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

IKEA

I can’t say enough how impressed I am with Ikea’s sustainable initiatives. As I mentioned in my last post with the ODGER chairs, it is so important for big brands like IKEA to lead the way in creating more eco and ethical products. Sustainability within consumerism needs to be accessible to the masses for real change to occur. It also has to be within a price range that is affordable to the majority. When I started looking at rugs for our new place, I couldn’t believe the prices. I understand there is a ton of work and tradition behind the textiles, but it was entirely out of our budget, as I’m sure it is for most other people, too. Travis and I went into the process knowing we would like to spend under $500. We found out that either we got a product we couldn’t trace back to the maker or the quality was too dull. 

Jacksonville had recently opened up its first-ever IKEA, which many were very excited about. After the initial excitement wore down {I don’t do crowds}, I went to have a look with my family. I was so happy to come across the rug selection, which was full of rugs made from cut-offs, and then they have several made by women’s cooperatives. I’ve always advocated for fair trade, and learning more about how they have incorporated social entrepreneurs and weavers gets me pumped on the future of ethically-made, affordable products. 

The KATTRUP

How gorgeous is this rug?! The colors and patterns are so vibrant! Plus, it’s easy to vacuum with its flat surface. We’ve been looking for the perfect rug for our living room for quite some time. Returning to what I said initially, the price was a massive deterrent in biting the bullet. We couldn’t find the right rug at the right price. IKEA solved this issue, and I’m sure many of you will be just as thankful! Even though they use natural materials and provide fair wages in good working conditions, the prices are reasonable. This is the accessibility I’ve been talking about! More people will be able to afford and find this in their backyard, which will only lead to more responsible products being produced in the future.

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Another exciting collection available at select IKEAs:

The INNEHÅLLSRIK Collection

With few work opportunities for village women in India, it’s so important for big companies like IKEA to step in and empower these women to create stronger communities and sustainable livelihoods. India is known for their weaving skills and beautifully woven patterns. Unfortunately, most rugs you see today are being done on machines to produce quicker and cheaper. Because of this, many weavers are losing their jobs. With the help of IKEA, this traditional craftsmanship can be restored. For this particular collection, IKEA partnered with two Indian social enterprises, Rangsutra and Industree, to showcase traditional hand weaving and embroidery with natural materials. Rangsutra employs over 3,000 artisans, with 70% being women. Industree, which uses unique natural materials like banana fibers, supports about 600 artisans. *note: the KATTRUP rug pictured in this post is not from this particular collection & can be found at many IKEAs nationwide*

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Baabuk. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

BAABUK

I've always been a big fan of wool. I love its properties as a fabric, and it is an important part of the sustainable fashion industry. However, this is the first time I've tried wool in my sneakers! Now, I think more shoes need to use this material. Not only is it very comfortable, but I'm drawn to its felted aesthetic. Baabuk is a Swiss brand preserving an old tradition of shoemaking. It started with a single pair of slippers and two entrepreneurs, Galina and Dan. They were inspired by nature and a pair of traditional Russian 'Valenkis' back in 2013. Today, they have increased their product range to boots and some pretty rad sneakers, which I'm excited to share with you!

What I Love About Baabuk

Comfort: It's like walking on little pillows in these guys! They are incredibly comfortable, so if you need shoes to wear all day or you're traveling, these are the ones to get {OR if you are eight months pregnant like me!}. Since Baabuk uses wool, the shoe naturally takes the shape of your foot over time. Wool is also great for moisture wicking, meaning your feet can breath, and the fibers will absorb and evaporate the moisture. Synthetics are known to make you sweat more because there is nowhere for moisture to go. With these sneakers, you will have comfort throughout the day since your foot will not become swollen. Plus, wool naturally regulates your temperature, keeping your foot warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. 

Style: It's a sleek sneaker look - not too bulky, not too loud. I've never been one for the usual sneaker look, so finding this classic style by Baabuk has me crazy about sneakers again. The best part is you don't have to wear socks :D 

Responsible Material: Who needs synthetics that don't biodegrade when you have such great resources like wool?! Wool is renewable and naturally grown {of course}, and since shearing is done by hand, less energy is used. Ultimately, you can compost and use it as a fertilizer because of its high nitrogen level. Also, wool is 7x stronger than cotton and can be bent over 30,000 without damage! 

Easy to Care For: Did you know you can throw these sneakers into the washing machine? Yeah, it's that easy!! Since wool is naturally anti-bacterial, your shoes won't get that stinky foot odor, and with them being water-repellant, you are less likely to have major stains. 

B Corp Certified: For Baabuk, it's more than just making a great shoe. It's about where they source the materials and who creates the end product. Their wool comes from healthy, happy sheep, and all their manufacturers are given a fair wage in good working conditions. 

 What I’m Wearing

Classic Sneaker: These are my first sustainable pair of sneakers, and I’m in love! You can find them in 5 different colors {some great ones for summer, too!}, but I’m partial to the grey & black - they go great with my closet! 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by La Terza. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

La Terza Coffee

I can’t start my day without a good cup of coffee. It’s something I look forward to right when I wake up. Even during this pregnancy, I kept the same ritual - one cup a day {although more petite than usual}! There’s just something about that cup of coffee that paves the path to a productive and good day. It’s even better when I know it was roasted with love and mindfulness. La Terza puts a lot of thought into that morning cup of goodness! 

 Why I Love La Terza

 The Taste & Meticulous Roasting: Okay, this has to be the most noticeable part. I will talk about a coffee if I genuinely love it, and this brew is so good that Travis asked me where I got it {he is pretty picky about his beans! It’s even replaced our previous favorite! 

The Sustainable Sourcing & Farming: La Terza only sources from the best farms in the world. They want to pay farmers fair wages for their true artisan work. Each coffee they sell through their online shop has a profile of where the beans come from. 

Freshest Coffee Delivered Quick: Within 48 hours of roasting, coffee is delivered straight to your door. They say their coffee tastes best within 7-10 minutes of roasting, giving you plenty of time to get the ‘peak’ flavor. 

They Want Their Consumers Educated: La Terza designed their roasteries in Cincinnati, OH, with us in mind. Coffee drinkers are allowed to come in for tours and classes, and they are always encouraging us to ask questions. I love a brand that takes the time to educate its customers!! 

What I'm Drinking 

Mexico SHG EP Topacio:

{Bright Acidity - Medium Body - Chocolate, Caramel, Citrus Flavor} 

This coffee is grown by a small group of farmers in Jaltenango and Villacorzo Chiapas, Mexico. They hand-pulp the coffee and ferment it in little tanks before sun-drying. It is one of the best coffees I have tried in a long time. This one has replaced our favorite, and we will be stocking up for future morning brews! 

Mountain Water Process Decaf Colombia Excels Huila:

{Medium Acidity - Full Body - Graham, Citric & Heavy Flavor}

Since I'm pregnant, I must keep my caffeine intake to a minimum. If I want a second taste of coffee in the day, I reach for this one! I learned something about decaf coffee. Most of the coffee industry takes unwanted, discarded coffee and makes it into decaf, which is why it could taste better. With La Terza, there is more intentionality behind their decaf by choosing the best single-origin coffees and blends, so it tastes just as great. Plus, instead of using chemicals to decaffeinate the beans, La Terza only uses water to extract the caffeine! How great is that?! 

Completely Customizable Coffee Subscription

You can find all their roasts online - here - and choose according to how you like it most! They start by asking which you prefer, from light to dark {they also have decaf & espresso}. Then you can customize the frequency and coffee rhythm - aka ship date - if you love your first try, which I'm sure you will! Then, your account is created, and you can modify it based on your changing preferences and curious palette. Psst.. you can also give the gift of a great cup of coffee to your family and friends through their gift card program. 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Laidback London. We only ever add brands & products we truly believe in. Thank you for supporting the brands who are making the world a better place!

Laidback London

To say I’m excited to welcome sandal weather back is an understatement. I’ve wanted this warm weather to arrive more than anything, even being eight months pregnant. I thrive when I can be dressed in short dresses and shoes that let my toes loose. I’ve gone through many sandals, mainly because they haven’t been made well. Most people I know buy sandals for the season and throw them out. This is not how I do my closet, so when Laidback London made its way into my life, I felt I had found a sandal I could bring back every year. I believe sustainable fashion is meant to last way more than 30 wears, and that’s something I can get from this gorgeous pair!  

Why I Love Laidback London

Craftsmanship & Quality: From the beadwork to the sole, these sandals are made to last and wear better with age as the leather softens. Mohamed, the creator of Laidback London, visited Mombasa {an island town along the Kenyan coastline} in 2001. After several trips from England to Kenya and suitcases full of artisan-made goods he sold at London markets, Mohamed decided to work with them on an entire collection using their traditional craftsmanship. He wanted to provide consumers with a product with a story and one supporting sustainable livelihoods for the makers behind them. Since they are all handmade, each one is unique. They say, "Where the sandals lack in perfection, they make up for in charm and character," and I couldn't agree more! 

The Designs & Versatility: There is something for every sandal lover. From arrows to flowers, you can find a pair to suit any occasion. The beadwork is just unbelievably beautiful and gives this brand something unique to hold on to. They have a few different styles depending on how you like to wear them - you can choose between wrap-around, traditional flip-flop, and double-strapped. When the weather becomes a little cooler again {or for my friends who live down-under}, Laidback London has a great selection of boots that look incredibly cozy! They even have an accessory line featuring beaded belts and bags. Oh, & I can't not mention their most fabulous fan ever… Beyonce! So yeah, if you get a pair of their sandals, you're playing twinsies with one fantastic woman. 

What I’m Wearing

Bree Flat Mid Brown Metal Copper / Green Sandal: I must admit, I had difficulty picking out my favorite pair of sandals from their site. The beadwork is stunning on each, and you can easily get lost with heart eyes in the many designs they offer. I have to say I’m partial to anything ‘leaf’ related, so when I saw this pair, the decision was made in an instant! 

*note: It did take me a few wears to break them in to fit my foot comfortably. They are so incredibly well-made with high-quality leather that they are meant to fit and wear well with you over time!*