A Passion for Compassion: Give Your Heart This Valentine's Day, No Roses Included!

I've had a longtime love affair with Heifer International, and Valentine's Day is one of the best opportunities you have to use Heifer to show unconditional love to your sweetie!  Most Valentine's Day gifts involve chocolates, roses, romantic date nights, etc., but I dare you to give an unconventional gift...something you'd never think could be even remotely romantic: a goat.  Or, a cow.  Hey, even a chicken!

Give a gift that's life-changing this Valentine's Day.

As wacky as this seems, I believe there's no better way to show love for your valentine than honoring that person by giving a gift in his or her name that could not only improve but possibly save the lives of a family or an entire community of people you've never met.  Have a passion for compassion this holiday by checking out this amazing organization and giving what you're able.  I promise, ladies like a man who has a giving heart!

Gift Different.  Give Heifer.

XOXO,
A


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Bridesmaid Gifts: Wonderful or Wasteful?

I absolutely love giving gifts.  I love picking out items for other people that I know they'll use for a long time, and that's tough task if the gift is for someone in your wedding party.  It's very tempting to give things that refer to your specific date, but come on, who wears a shirt that says "I'm a bridesmaid!" after the wedding is over?

These are so soft and really handy! 

So, trying not to be wasteful means steering clear of gifts that adorn the wedding date, bride & groom names and even words associated with weddings or wedding party.  I thought to myself, "What do I use on a daily basis, and how could I personalize that item as a bridesmaid gift?"  Well, here's the first gift I chose: monogrammed cosmetic bags in colors that complement each girl's wardrobe/personal decor.  I made sure to use their first initials, as their last initial could easily change.  Behold, the outcome:

I love these bags because they're soft on the outside but durable and waterproof on the inside (in makeup terms that means they are super easy to clean!).  They even have a pocket inside for extra storage.  Each is a different color and has a contrasting stitched monogram.  I'm kicking myself for not buying one for me!  Five of them are for the bridesmaids and the sixth is for my officiant.  Our officiant is a dear friend of mine and would have been a bridesmaid but we decided that we would love for her to 'marry' us instead!

More gifts to come, and I'm even more excited about the next batch!  My hope is that each gift given during our wedding planning will be something that will be useful for a long time, whether it be a makeup bag or a goat given to a family on the other side of the world.

Street style I love

Journal entries with photo inspirations are becoming quite habitual, so I'll leave on the note of one of my most recent collages.  I figure that if I document my street style, it will be easier to decide on a dress.

Crossing my fingers, anyway...

D + A at the Hoover Dam

Ciao,
Anna
 
   

Give Thanks by Looking Good (Pt. 1)

My favorite fashions that give back this season (Pt. 1)

It's the season of giving, but let's be honest: this is the time of year when we spend the most money on the people we know and love and ourselves (c'mon, you want to look good in all the family photos during the holidays!).  Not that any of this spending is wrong, of course.  You sister is going to love her earrings you're getting her for Christmas, your dad is in total need of a new wallet, and your own Christmas list is probably full of gorgeous fashion that you can't afford to get for yourself.

So, let's make this shopping time a win-win-win situation.  Yes, that's three wins.  Let's see:
1) the person loves the gift you give them = WIN
2) the feeling you get after the person opens the gift and loves it = WIN
3) the charitable cause that received money after you bought the gift = WIN
You can have all three!  Buying something that has that charitable label on it no longer means having a colored bracelet with a phrase or symbol on it.  Here are some of my favorite brands and fashions that are included in this triple-win scenario:

www.altardstate.com

Altar'd State is a store with a boutique feel, but carrying mostly 'giveback' brands.  It carries charitable brands like Toms, FEED, FashionABLE, Krochet Kids, Rockwell Tharp, Jedidiah, and now it's own charitable namesake brand, Altar'd State! 

 Here are some of my current favorite pieces from the Altar'd State Brand, available in stores or online-

Peak-A-Boo Pleat Dress $69

Trinity Teardrop Necklace in Green

$22

Loose Pocket Sweater $49

(A portion of the proceeds from every Altar'd State brand purchase will be donated to feed, shelter, clothe and educate children around the world.)

Market Bag, $68

If you're a shopaholic, consider purchasing a reusable bag from Apolis x Steven Alan.  The company uses a co-op in India to create these handcrafted totes that are functional and fashionable!  This handy bag will also help you avoid that pesky bag tax (if your state has one).  Can't you just picture tall loaves of french bread sticking out, or a gorgeous scarf tied to the handle?





Next post: more triple-win charitable gifts including jewelry, scarves and more!

Ciao!