TOMS: One For One

It's difficult to miss these colorful shoes popping up at places such as Nordstrom and on people's feet all over the world.  TOMS are a fun, trendy way to keep our feet fashionable as well as a means to support young kids in need of a pair of shoes.  Great fashion and an amazing cause.. WHAT A DEAL!

Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS, saw the great need for a simple pair of shoes from the children he met while traveling in Argentina in 2006.  He saw they had no protection for their feet and began the process of what is now known as the TOMS company today.  With every pair of shoes purchased TOMS gives a pair away to a child in need.  

Not only does our support give back to children in dire need of protecting their feet from disease and injury.. but TOMS shoes are also incredibly comfortable and come in a variety of different styles and colors.  

I bought my first pair of TOMS about six months ago and have enjoyed wearing them everywhere I go.  In particular, my TOMS are glittery and resemble a mini disco ball.. they're AWESOME to say the  least.  

Here are some images taken from the TOMS website and off of the official Facebook page.

glassybaby: lighting the way

Seattle is full of entrepreneurs with a vision and passion to help others.  Here is just another example of how an inspiring story has grown into a successful business that is focused on helping those in need. 

Lee Rhodes, owner of what is now known as Glassbaby, battled a rare form of lung cancer for 7yrs.  During that time she found peace and comfort when decorating her home with these beautiful candles. 

Lee decided to learn how to make these candles herself, and soon the demand was so high she hired professional glassblowers.  The first store opened in 2003 in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle and now today there are four stores: three in the Seattle area and one in New York.  A multi-layered glassblowing process produces these durable, translucent candles.

Throughout cancer treatment Lee met many people who couldn’t afford basic needs such as medical help or groceries.  She began Glassbaby Goodwill, an organization that donates money to people who can’t afford to pay for their own basic essentials.   Glassbaby has donated more than half a million dollars from sales to charities that help people meet their basic needs.

By purchasing Glassbaby products we can be a part of something greater than ourselves.  Not to mention these candles are refreshing, colorful, and beautiful!  To find out more visit the Glassbaby website, here are some photos taken from there.

Madrona store in Seattle

University Village store in Seattle

Additional pictures of these adorable candles!

Krochet Kids International: Buy a Hat. Change a Life.

Like I said…

I am going to post about a fabulous organization that was created by some very inspiring men who grew up in Spokane, WA.  While in high school Kohl Crecelius, Stewart Ramsey, and Travis Hartanov loved snow sports and began crocheting there own knit hats in order to have their very own style on the mountain.  Eventually, they began taking orders from friends and anyone interested in buying a custom knit hat.  Soon their local newspaper named them the “Krochet Kids” and it stuck ever since.

When they went off to college they each spent time in other countries. It wasn’t until one of them went to Uganda that their ideas began to hit the ground running.  With encouragement from friends and family, these three young men began the process of what is now known today as Krochet Kids International (which received its non-profit status in 2007).

This organization empowers women in Uganda by employing them and giving them the opportunity to support their families.  These women use their gifts of crocheting to make products such as hats, scarves, and laptop cases.  By purchasing these products from KrochetKids.org we too can help bring these women out of poverty.  The woman who makes each product signs her name on the tag so that we have the opportunity to go onto the Krochet Kids website and learn more about her. 

KKI's next step is Lima, Peru.  They hope to make change in the lives of women there the way lives have been changing in Northern Uganda.  With continual support we can be a part of this process.  To make donations for this new project or to start your own campaign click here. 

With that being said… this is an incredible and inspiring story.  Check out their website to see the awesome products they have to offer (the new spring line launches March 30^th!) and to learn more about this empowering and life-changing organization. 

Also, for those in the Seattle area… Krochet Kids is putting on their 3^rd annual gala, a fundraising benefit for the Krochet Kids programs.  This is a great opportunity for us to hear inspiring stories, learn ways that we can continue to support KKI, and the future goals of the organization.

The 3^rd annual gala will be coming to Spokane, WA on May 4^th, 2011 at the Bing Crosby Theatre from 7:30-9pm.  The next day, May 5^th, 2011 they will be coming to the Kirkland Performance Center in Seattle from 7:30-9pm.  Be sure to buy your tickets online.

Below you will see pictures taken from the Krochet Kids International website of some of the new products for their spring line!  If you haven't already, check out their website!

Here is a picture of me and my friend Heidi... I'm wearing one of the "Betty" hats from Krochet Kids!  I especially love the color!

& here we go

Hello hello!

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now and I finally got myself to commit.  I'm excited to be able to share my thoughts and write about topics that are important to me.  The main reason I wanted to begin blogging is because I love finding organizations and businesses that have a passion for helping others.. and I want to be able to share those great findings with everyone!  I've found that locally, here in Seattle, there are some amazing organizations and businesses that are just getting started or are continuing to grow that I think people should hear more about!  My mom Christi, along with her wonderful business partner Kathy, began an online women's clothing site called krisandkate.com and I've had the great opportunity to help out with some of the photography and blogging for the website.  With every purchase Kris&Kate donates 10% to organizations such as World Vision which help impoverished women in other countries begin and sustain their own businesses.  Getting hands on experience with the website has really helped ignite my growing interest in businesses (especially local ones!) that have a true passion to make a difference in the lives of others.

That being said... I hope to share some of these great findings with everyone reading!  Of course I'll also be sharing other random thoughts that I may have...

brace yourselves.

www.krisandkate.com