Friday Favorites - Shopping for a Good Cause

TGIF! Hope the week has been a good one for you, and the weekend even better.

Not to get preachy, but I've been thinking a lot lately - or I'm trying to be continuously aware of - how blessed I am in this life.  I feel like I'm constantly in the "I want", "I need", "how can I have more" mind set, and while those can be self-motivating, I also don't want to forget all that I do already have. Which is so much more than most of the world.  And if you are reading this, you are likely living a blessed life as well (and I don't mean because you read my blog.  But if you are, that's another way I am blessed. Thank you.  ;) )

My favorites for this Friday are companies that are helping those who have much less than all of us.  Our purchases from these companies provide women, both domestic and foreign, with jobs so they can support themselves and their family, and provide food for hungry school children.  And we get to add some great accessories to our closets, which hopefully when we wear will remind us how fortunate and blessed we are.

Your purchase of a fashionABLE product helps create opportunities for vulnerable women in Africa.  fashionABLE works with women to help them start small business coopertives, and partners with and requires manufacturers to employ women with fair wages and fair hiring practices.
 

Clockwise from top left: The ABLE Scarf, Minka holding the Hibret Zippered Pouch, Tizita Bracelets, ABLE Necklace, and Agnes Foldover Crossbody Bag
 

Founded in 2007 by Lauren Bush Lauren, FEED supports the World Food Programme's School Feeding program, which feeds and educates hungry children.  Every product sold has a measurable donation attached to it and, to date, the social business has been able to provide over 87 million meals globally through the WFP and Feeding America.
 

Clockwise from top left: FEED 5 Bracelet (with pouch) provides 5 meals, FEED Diaper Bag provides 1 mother and 1 child with micronutrients for a year,  and FEED 10 T-shirt provides 10 school meals.
 

Better Life Bags is based in Detroit.  They hire women who otherwise could not get jobs, and then rent them a sewing machine and tools while teaching them skill sets that allow them to become a primary or secondary provider in their families.   Most of the women are fist generation immigrants, so BLB provides them with fellowship and friendship.  They have ready-to-ship items, or you can customize with your choice of fabrics.

Clockwise from top left: Laptop Sleeve, Linda, Brynnda, Wristlet Set, and Nesting Pouches with Leather Bands.