10 Gifts That Give Back

Hello!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?  It's not too late.  Also, I've been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. I can't help but recognize how blessed I am to live the life I lead today.  I haven't experienced hunger this week, I have clean water to drink, and I have an amazing family.  I'm extremely grateful.  However, it's also for these reasons that I feel compelled to give back when I can.  I hope that you will consider shopping from this list this year.

10 Gifts That Give Back 

1. AUrate New York

This year give the gift of Literacy.  This company makes beautiful modern yellow, white, and rose gold jewelry in New York.  They employ a "Book for Your Look" philosophy when it comes to giving back.  For every piece of jewelry that is purchased, they donate a book to an economically underprivileged child.  It's the ultimate gift that keeps on giving and that's always a good investment. 

2. The Giving Keys

This year give the gift of Empowerment.  This company is based in Los Angeles and employs those transitioning out of homelessness in Los Angeles to make their keys.  Did you know that Los Angeles is one of the cities with the largest population of homeless individuals in the United States? You can purchase holiday gift sets with a key and candle for your loved ones here.  If you purchase one for yourself, don't forget to pay it forward.

3. Sweet Cavanagh

This year give the gift of Recovery.  You can purchase gorgeous jewelry designed and handmade in London by women recovering from eating disorders and addictions.  All profits go to Free Me, a registered charity that provides free therapy, group support, career training, and access to a registered dietitian.  These proceeds can help give these women access to resources they desperately need, but may not be able to afford.

4. Bloom and Give

This year give the gift of Education.  This company donates 50% of the profits from handmade scarves and bags to support education for girls in India.  This model is based on the premise that education is the most effective way to fight poverty and gender inequality for generations to come.

5. One Hope Wine

This year help Support Our Troops. The Support Our Troops Gift Box contains One Hope Zinfandel, and a special Italian silk David Fin tie with camouflage lining.  With every six gift boxes purchased you will be providing a veteran a chance to continue serving through disaster relief.  Each tie helps a veteran get a job through the Hiring Our Heroes initiative.  It's a great gift for an awesome boss or colleague.

6. Bird and Stone

This year give the gift of  Inspiring Women to become Independent Entrepreneurs.  This company helps teach single and widowed women in Kenya about business, agriculture, and accounting to help lift themselves out of poverty and make a living though starting their own businesses.  This dainty jewelry is so pretty, you'll want to give it to all the special people in your circle.

7. Bombas Socks

This year give the gift of Warm and Comfortable Feet with Socks built with Innovative Technology.  Did you know that socks are the most requested item in homeless shelters? This company donates one pair of their socks for every pair sold to a homeless person in need.  You can never have too many socks, especially unique ones like these.

8. SoapBox Soaps

This year give the gift of Hope, Soap, and Clean Water.  Soap=Hope  By purchasing one bar of soap, this swell little gift will give clean water to someone in need and will help teach individuals about hygienic practices through hand washing to help save lives.  We can always use a little more soap our lives.

9. Warby Parker

This year, give the gift of  Seeing Better.  Warby Parker gives one pair of glasses to a person in need for every pair that is sold.  They offer prescription, reading, and sunglasses.  What could be better than helping someone else see the world better!

10. Alex and Ani- Charity By Design Collection

This year give the gift of Empowerment, Love, and Community.  Alex and Ani donates 20% of each bangle purchased to various organizations during the holiday season.  With so many beautiful bangles and charms to choose from, you will have a hard time deciding on just one.


I hope you enjoyed this post.  What are you grateful for this year?

Uncommonly Good Gifts with UncommonGoods

Have you ever wondered and wondered what gift to get someone?  I most certainly have.  Every time a wedding or bridal shower rolls around, you have to figure something out.  And what about those groomsmen right?  Well, wonder no more.  Now, you don't have to feel as though you are just buying merchandise.  You can actually invest in giving a unique and special gift to someone while making a positive impact in someone else's life and on the world.  Cheers to that!

Here's why...recently, I discovered UncommonGoods, a company that features both Uncommonly Good Gifts while also doing a lot of good at the same time.  What's nice about this company is that they work with artists and small manufacturers, and are committed to selling products that are recycled.  Another interesting fact, UncommonGoods is also a founding member of B Corporation which gives companies a B Seal allowing customers to become aware that these companies have met their standards for providing a living wage, lessening the impact on their environment, and giving back to the community.   

So, let the Uncommonly Good Gift Giving begin...

Looking for something classic?  There is no better way to commemorate someone's wedding day than by creating something memorable.  Artist Alexander Doll composes a very customized version of a wedding gift with city skyline wedding art .  He constructs a classic couple against the iconic skyline of each couple's wedding location with the couple's names, wedding date, and venue name included.  He also uses archival paper and ink to preserve this piece of art from this special day.  For an even more personalized version, you can choose the color of  the backdrop, hair color, and skin tone.

Looking for something elegant?  This two tiered serving tray vase is a perfect wedding or bridal shower gift for the couple who likes to entertain around the holidays and other special occasions.  What I like about this gift is that it's both chic and functional.  

Looking for something really rare and beautiful?  How about selecting this one-of-a-kind rose quartz platter.  It's a gorgeous gift for that special bridesmaid, your friend who likes to host dinner parties, or for yourself for blogging.  This natural Brazilian rose quartz platter with glittering sterling silver edges would serve up a classy presentation of meat and cheese selections next to a complementary set of cocktails.  This stunning flat surface can also give an appealing visual while displaying fine jewelry pieces and also adds a decorative flair to any bedroom or dressing area.  Or, you could buy it as a gift for yourself.  After all, it would be the perfect alternative to photographing a marble stone flat lay when showcasing your jewelry, perfume, beauty, and skincare products for your blog.

Looking for something useful?  This wooden beer caddy is the perfect gift for your groomsmen, or those people in your life who love tailgating before a football game, bringing some brews to a backyard barbecue, and makes a great companion to game nights and camping trips in the great outdoors.

What do you think of UncommonGoods gifts?

*This is a sponsored post however, all opinions are my own.

10 Ways to Shop and Give Back

Hello!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful week.  Have you finished your holiday shopping yet?  It's not too late.  Also, I've been thinking a lot about gratitude. I can't help but recognize how blessed I am to live the life I lead today.  I haven't experienced hunger this week, I have clean water to drink, and I have acquired an education.  I'm extremely grateful.  However, it's also for this reason that I feel compelled to give back when I can.  I hope that you too will consider shopping from this list this season.

10 Ways to Shop and Give Back 

1. AUrate New York

This year give the gift of Literacy.  This company makes beautiful modern yellow, white, and rose gold jewelry in New York.  They employ a "Book for Your Look" philosophy when it comes to giving back.  For every piece of jewelry that is purchased, they donate a book to an economically underprivileged child.  It's the ultimate gift that keeps on giving and that's always a good investment. 

2. The Giving Keys

This year give the gift of Empowerment.  This company is based in Los Angeles and employs those transitioning out of homelessness in Los Angeles to make their keys.  Did you know that Los Angeles is one of the cities with the largest population of homeless individuals in the United States? You can purchase holiday gift sets with a key and candle for your loved ones here.  And if you purchase one for yourself, don't forget to pay it forward.

3. Sweet Cavanagh

This year give the gift of Recovery.  You can purchase gorgeous jewelry designed and handmade in London by women recovering from eating disorders and addictions.  All profits go to Free Me, a registered charity that provides free therapy, group support, career training, and access to a registered dietitian.  These proceeds can help give these women access to resources they desperately need, but may not be able to afford.

4. Bloom and Give

This year give the gift of Education.  This company donates 50% of the profits from handmade scarves and bags to support education for girls in India.  This model is based on the premise that education is the most effective way to fight poverty and gender inequality for generations to come.

5. One Hope Wine

This year help Support Our Troops. The Support Our Troops Gift Box contains One Hope Zinfandel, and a special Italian silk David Fin tie with camouflage lining.  With every six gift boxes purchased you will be providing a veteran a chance to continue serving through disaster relief.  Each tie helps a veteran get a job through the Hiring Our Heroes initiative.  It's a great gift for an awesome boss or colleague.

6. Bird and Stone

This year give the gift of  Inspiring Women to become Independent Entrepreneurs.  This company helps teach single and widowed women in Kenya about business, agriculture, and accounting to help lift themselves out of poverty and make a living though starting their own businesses.  This dainty jewelry is so pretty, you'll want to give it to all the special people in your circle.

7. Bombas Socks

This year give the gift of Warm and Comfortable Feet with Socks built with Innovative Technology.  Did you know that socks are the most requested item in homeless shelters? This company donates one pair of their socks for every pair sold to a homeless person in need.  You can never have too many socks, especially unique ones like these.

8. SoapBox Soaps

This year give the gift of Hope, Soap, and Clean Water.  Soap=Hope  By purchasing one bar of soap, this swell little gift will give clean water to someone in need and will help teach individuals about hygienic practices through hand washing to help save lives.  We can always use a little more soap our lives.

9. Warby Parker

This year, give the gift of  Seeing Better.  Warby Parker gives one pair of glasses to a person in need for every pair that is sold.  They offer prescription, reading, and sunglasses.  What could be better than helping someone else see the world better!

10. Alex and Ani- Charity By Design Collection

This year give the gift of Empowerment, Love, and Community.  Alex and Ani donates 20% of each bangle purchased to various organizations during the holiday season.  With so many beautiful bangles and charms to choose from, you will have a hard time deciding on just one.

I hope you enjoyed this post. What are you grateful for?