eye see you - Aavrani

Your eyes are the windows to your soul. The Eye Rejuvenating Elixir from Aavrani allows you to take care of your eyes for a great cause. The elixir is 100% bunny approved and is formulated with a combination of avocado oil, rose water, and almond oil. Containing zero sulfates, your purchase will support a young girl’s education in India. 

Aavrani was founded by Rooshy Roy and Nina Davuluri. Together they launched a company based on Indian tradition, using years of Indian beauty rituals as their inspiration. They partner with the Shanti Bhavan School in India where they empower young girls through education.

How Smitten!!

creative arts - Public Supply

Writing things down helps you remember important things and keep track of your daily to - do lists. Public Supply’s notebooks are a bit different. Their Embossed Pocket Notebooks are acid free and FSC Certified, featuring 48 dot or ruled pages, and 10% Post Consumer Waste.

Public Supply is a for – profit company that donates a percentage of their sales to teachers in public schools. Their mission is to help students thrive in their creativity by helping them fund for art supplies in their schools. With budget cuts affecting schools’ creative arts departments, it was important for them to help students have access to the materials they need such as paint, paper, markers, etc. 

thank god for weekends - Beis

Being dramatically picky about your travel bags is nothing to be sorry for. You have to make sure to find a bag that will fit everything you need while staying organized. That’s where Beis steps in with their Weekender Bag. It features a water – resistant lining, padded laptop sleeves, a trolley passthrough, and a bottom compartment to put shoes in so everything stays clean and organized. 

 Beis was founded by Shay Mitchell in 2018. After years of endless traveling, she understood the need to offer travel accessories that were functional but still looked good. Fit for both men and women, Beis makes is incredibly easy to pack everything you need. Each purchase supports Girl Up to empower young girls around the world. 

How Smitten!

bag full of promise - STATE Bags

Backpacks are crucial for maximalists who seem to carry a whole other world with them, much like me. That’s why STATE’s Kane backpack is more than perfect because we’re able to carry everything our hearts desire. Made of 100% leather, it features many compartments to fit your laptop, books, makeup, etc. It’s chic and will compliment any outfit.

STATE Bags was founded by Scot and Jacq Tatelman. The beautiful thing about the company is the way they give back. With every backpack sold, they provide young kids with their very own backpack filled with tools they’ll need to succeed!

be fearless - Cora

Period shame is really cramping our style (pun intended). Cora’s Fearless Necklace stands for period equality among women all over the world. With each purchase, Cora donates a year’s supply of pads to a girl in Kenya. Because let’s face the cold, hard fact: Girls run the world. Period.

After years of travel Molly and Morgen, founders of Cora, witnessed girls in Kenya leave school because they couldn’t afford to buy pads. Thanks to every purchase, Cora is able to provide those girls with pads so that they can continue their education while on their periods.

beauty and the beach bag - Indego Africa

Indego Africa is a non-profit that pairs a NYC-based design team with female artisans in Rwanda and Ghana to create stylish and expertly crafted goods.  All of their goods are created by hand using traditional techniques of weaving, block printing, beading, embroidery, wood carving, and metal shaping. A classic example of the highly-skilled sweetgrass weaving technique can be found in the gorgeous and versatile Palm Tote! Perfect for beach days or a trip to the market, the Palm Tote is a beautiful way to make a statement with your accessory while renewing your commitment to help break the cycle of poverty.

Founded in 2007, Indego Africa believes that education is the key to long-term empowerment.  To that end, they are committed to providing fair wages as well as leadership training, business classes, technology workshops, and public health programs to the artisans they partner with to create Indego Africa’s designs.  100% of their profits, combined with grants and private donations, go back to the artisan’s communities. As of 2017, they have positively impacted 1,100 women in Rwanda and Ghana.

Indeed Smitten!

adorn those ears - Purpose

These gorgeous lithe ornaments for the ear, deserve our applause. These sit 2 ½” long off the ear. Come plated in 14k Gold or Rhodium (tarnish resistant.) They also come in a lovely box in case you're gifting these beauties.

Purpose jewelry is brilliantly handcrafted by young women escaping human trafficking. Your purchase helps provide them with the hope and opportunities they deserve while transitioning back into a free and safe future.

100% of proceeds go to International Sanctuary: a safe, loving, holistic community, with an incredible an sustainable model. Addressing income, education, healthcare, and community, the women are able to find their true identities and worth once again. 

Smitten!

a significant and worthy backpack: The Large Ruck - Stone and Cloth

Stone and Cloth knows how to make a gorgeous, classic, high-quality backpack.  The Large Ruck is as functional as it is inspirational - each Stone and Cloth item supports scholarships and developmental projects for children and communities in need.  

After Stone and Cloth’s founder hiked Mount Kilimanjaro and learned that his porter worked a grueling job without earning enough to keep his children in school, he knew he needed to bring support to the local communities at the base of that mountain.  As a result, Stone and Cloth partners with The Knock Foundation.  The Knock Foundation works directly with underserved communities to provide what each specific community needs most - an education system, healthcare infrastructure, or clean living conditions.

happy shopping in these jeans! - Outland Denim

Outland Denim’s Harriet in Pacific jeans are a stylish choice for any lady who not only cares how she dresses, but the impact her purchases make on the world.  Outland Denim provides training and living wages to women who have been rescued and restored from human trafficking, and are also leading the way in environmental and social sustainability.

Each pair is created in Outland’s Cambodian training and production facility - their story here. Striving to erase the deep social and physiological effects of human trafficking, every step of their business model empowers women with transferable life skills.  From the denim itself to the zippers, buttons, rivets and thread, all are supporting the same mission: to make a positive difference in the fashion industry.

Seriously Smitten by any company that combines denim and good deeds!

bighearted jammies - Sudara Punjammies

These gorgeous capris are a scrumptious addition to our wardrobes...morning, noon and night loungewear! I love them!! I love who makes them...and I love the company behind them. I am actually honored to write about these beautiful garments - made from traditional sari fabric that so perfectly represents the colors and textures of the culture.

Sudara is the company behind Punjammies, and they are working tirelessly to end the chain of sexual slavery in India, where some of the highest estimates of slavery and sex-trafficking anywhere in the world are reported. Each pair of jams is made by women in India who have escaped human trafficking. When you purchase from Sudara, "you invest in the freedom and dignity of these women and girls who are working to forge a new life for themselves and their children."

I first became aware of this extraordinary company back in September 2014, please read more here.

Sudara designs other goods for sale and provides a donation opportunity here as well.

Always entirely Smitten!

soft and soothed skin naturally - Honest Beauty

With my husband working in the movie industry, I travel a lot! This fall we have been fortuitous to spend it in the very friendly, bohemian, rustic little town of Manitou Springs, at the base of Pikes Peak. It's positively stunning here...and with an elevation of 6,035 feet, very drying to the skin. After a week here, my face was thirsty, and needed some attention. I sincerely scored when I (finally) stumbled upon Honest Beauty's Magic Balm...it is pure greatness in a 5g/17oz. compact.

Honest Beauty is made without: parabens, gluten, silicones, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, or dyes - they have created an incredible product line. I've been using the balm morning and night, and my skin feels like I've been hanging in Hawaii!

Jessica Alba is the beauty behind The Honest Company and Honest Beauty, and both are devoted to healthy products and the education of our girls. Both ideas notablySmitten supports wholeheartedly!

"Your purchase helps fund access to safe products and advances in research and education that support healthy, happy lives for all."

...am totally Smitten with Honest Beauty!

beautiful block print scarf...Hello fall! - Greenola Style

This luxurious block print scarf certainly welcomes fall with a big "hello!" Not only will neckwear keep you warm, but can pull a look together in one fell swoop...and always adds a bit of mystery. This 100% cotton scarf has such a subtle design, thin geometric lines of lavender and miniature diamonds of deep rose. Gorgeous.

This beautiful garment was made in India.

Greenola Style provides advancement opportunities to artisans in marginalized parts of the world - particularly in Bolivia and Kenya.

Respecting the cultural heritage and promoting the craftsmanship in each country, Greenola pays fair wages - Fair Trade Federation.

Greenola donates a percentage of their profits to Solidarity Bridge, an organization that trains and equips medical communities in Bolivia and Paraguay empowering them to provide high-complexity surgery and other healthcare for those living in poverty.

This partnership also helps Bolivian artisans access quality healthcare.

To donate directly to Solidarity Bridge.

Greenola Style is not affiliated with Solidarity Bridge, however they donate to help support their mission.

Smitten with Greenola Style and Solidarity Bridge!

joy and the summer lovin' necklace - The Shine Project

The Summer Lovin Necklace Stack from The Shine Project is the perfect accompaniment to a sundress or beachy outfit.  We love it when doing good, looking good and feeling good are all wrapped into one great accessory!

The Shine Project’s jewelry line was born from blogger Ashley LeMieux’s desire to provide scholarships for her under-prepared and potentially college-bound mentees.  What started as a group of students making friendship bracelets in Ashley’s condo - initially called Threads by The Shine Project - has grown into a full fledged for-profit company with a beautiful line of accessories.  Thier mission is to provide scholarships, life experience, employment and mentoring to teens who otherwise would not have the resources to seek higher education.  Since 2011, The Shine Project has provided over 40 Scholarships, and currently employs 11 inner city students at their Phoenix, Arizona workspace.  In addition to the support from product purchases, 100% of direct donations go to providing books and supplies to their scholarship recipients. 

Shine on! Smitten.

educate girls, change the world - Girl Rising

Firstly, I am a proud ambassador of Girl Rising! This position has put me in the company of a rich tapestry of women from countries all over the world, working in unison on this global campaign for girls’ education.

Holly Gordon is Co-founder and CEO of Girl Rising, and Lauren Manning is our fearless, passionate and hands-on Campaign Manager.

Girl Rising is a movement today, but began as an outstanding documentary.

Released in 2013 to international kudos and recognition, the documentary film, directed by Academy Award nominee Richard E. Robbins, tells the story of nine girls from around the world, facing and overcoming hardships in pursuit of their dreams of an education.

The young women deal with issues such as arranged marriages, child slavery, gender violence and discrimination. Each girl’s story is written by a renowned writer from her native country and narrated by a celebrated actress.

Around the world, millions of girls face obstacles to education that boys do not. The community of Girl Rising, know that educating girls is the smartest investment of our time!

When girls are educated, communities prosper and economies grow.

And yet there is an estimated 62 million girls missing from classrooms worldwide, and tremendous opportunities are lost.

Through film and other tools, such as educational and advocacy videos, Girl Rising is working to raise awareness about the importance of educating girls and changing the way the world values girls.

Educating girls can break cycles of poverty in just one generation.

The Girl Rising Fund distributes contributions to their girl-focused programs, providing scholarships and uniforms, building libraries, classrooms, supporting safe-spaces, providing health training, and more.

More funding means more girls in school, more economic growth, and a brighter future for us all.

You too can join the Girl Rising community as well, and become a champion for girls’ education here.

Smitten with everything about Girl Rising!

philanthropic pencil packs - KITE

Since Halloween is around the corner, I can’t help but think of the year my mother began to hand out pencils instead of candy to the little monsters ringing our big brass doorbell. I remember being slightly embarrassed initially, but came around to understanding her choice...and thinking it was very cool.

I’m not suggesting my above anecdote this Halloween, however...I do love the idea of KITE pencil packs for stocking stuffers and secret Santa exchanges in December. It would also be a great gift from teacher to student...providing a perfect opportunity to teach about giving back and philanthropy.

KITE (Kids Inspiring Tomorrow's Education) is a school supply company that gives back based on a "one-for-one" model. For every pencil pack purchased, KITE provides one to a child in need. Hard to believe, 13 million kids in the US don’t have access to basic school supplies, with millions more children around the world facing the same issue.  

KITE is starting with pencils but hopes to develop a full line of school supplies, and help make the image of an education a reality for children around the world.  They give both domestically and internationally and partner with organizations and schools on the ground to distribute supplies.  

Totally Smitten.