jewels brimming with good will - Fortuned Cuture

I am so incredibly grateful for the inspiration and energy that the companies and organizations I write about enkindle in me.

Fortuned Culture, founded by Eritrean American entrepreneur, Azie Tesfai, is a recent revelation. An incomparable jewelry line with good will intentions of hope and change for the world. 

Each of her collections reflects the culture of its collaborating charity, while symbolizing what the charity hopes to achieve. Fortuned Culture is currently working with the Fregenet Foundation in Ethiopia, that provide early childhood education to children from lower income families. They also work with Corazon de Vida in Mexico, whose work supports orphanages in Baja.

This article features her Health Bracelet, priced at $30. This splendid, delicate adornment will feed a child in an Ethiopian school, 65 meals! She wants to remind consumers that they can make a difference with every dollar they spend, "Why not buy something beautiful and help feed a group of children."

Through the farsightedness of Fortuned Culture, the consumer has an observable way of connecting to a charity and the goals it seeks.

The team at FC, tell each culture’s story beautifully, giving the consumer an insight into the impact that their contribution will have.

I am Smitten with this collaboration of charity and art!

[All of Azie Tesfai's hard work caught the attention of TOMS, and Fortuned Culture is now a part of TOMS Marketplace - ever working to change the consumer’s perspective on spending.]

super supple galoshes - Roma Boots

When it comes to rain boots...supple, chic Roma Boots are THE way to go. These rubber beauties are not only resilient to inclement weather, but are playful, colorful and wonderfully mod. Offering an array of styles and hues to choose from, Roma boots are cornering the market!

Roma Boots were conceived by Romanian born Samuel Bistrian, who grew up in the remote village of Benesti, and had experienced poverty firsthand in the still communist ruled country. Though having moved to the states when he was 8, he returned to Romania in 2001, and though communism no longer remained, poverty did. He witnessed children in the streets lacking proper shoes, or no footwear at all.

After college, Bistrian took a job with Neiman Marcus and in 2009 met Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes. Bistrian was truly inspired by his story, and a year later Samuel decided to take his experience in retail fashion and meld it with his altruistic efforts - with the help of family and friends, Roma Boots was born. 

With a mission to help eradicate poverty, Roma aspires to directly serve street children and orphans. Working  on a "buy one, give one" model: for every pair of boots sold, a new pair are donated to a child in need. In addition to the protective galoshes, the boots are filled to the brim with educational supplies. Fantastic!

Expanding the effort: 10% of all sales go to the Roma For All Foundation, created with an aim to help educate these children to break the cycle of poverty. 

Smitten!