Primary Colors {Easy and Eco-friendly Weekend Wear}

As you've seen here and here, oversize sweaters and rolled up jeans have have become one of my favorite uniforms to fall back on this season (if you'll excuse the pun), and today I'm using them to do a little color-blocking.

The colors I'm wearing also signify a red letter day: today (Sunday) is the last day you can enter to win your own red bag like the one I'm wearing. If you aren't the lucky winner, you could also buy one to have as your very own over at Modavanti, and take 15% off of your purchases through November 30 with special code MYFAIRVANITY. 

And, I'm pleased to report that today, I'm wearing a 100% sustainable ensemble:

• Vegan bag by Angela + Roi (repeat: today is the LAST DAY to win one of your own!)
• Bangles made from sustainably grown mango tree wood by Mango Tree Bangles
• Consigned J.Crew cashmere sweater
• Jeans are made in the USA by Lucky Brand denim
• Shoes are consigned Stuart Weitzman kitten heels.

Shop the look (sustainably):

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Linked up!

The Perfect Red Cross-body Bag {Giveaway}

I'm in love, love, love with my new red messenger bag by Angela + Roi (c/o Modavanti). It's that perfect color of poppy red that can work in every season, but it really shines against dark winter and fall coats. Bonus: it's 100% vegan.



I gave it a test drive for a day of shopping last weekend and I really liked how the boxy shape allowed enough room for my camera, make-up, keys and wallet, with plenty of space to spare.



I'm deeply grateful to each and every one of you for joining me in my efforts to build a kinder, more sustainable wardrobe, so I'm pleased to be partnering with sustainable retailer Modavanti to give away one of these beautiful, bright, cheery bags to one lucky winner. It's my own small way of saying "thank you."



Of course, if you have to have the bag right now, you can order one from Modavanti, and be sure to take 15% off of your total purchase with code MYFAIRVANITY. 

You can also feel good about your purchase: for each bag they sell, Angela + Roi donates $5 to a worthy cause. In the case of their red bags, for example, $5 from the purchase of each one will support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wearing a consigned coat and cashmere sweater dress with AGL brogues and an Angela + Roi vegan cross-body bag. 

Photography by Victoria Corkhill.

Style Challenge Recap and Giveaway Winner Announced

Tuesday Trend: Arm Candy

All bracelets by Indego Africa

The Tuesday Trend is a new feature and I'm really excited to be kicking it off with such a worthy company. Also, I thought it might inspire some of you bracelet-lovers to enter the giveaway and win some new, handmade arm candy from a local DC artist (deadline July 23).

Indego Africa truly is, in their own words, "redefining an outdated handicraft model of economic development and mapping out a replicable blueprint for unleashing the power of women entrepreneurs in Africa." What's more, they are a trendy company, partnering with big name brands like Nicole Miller, J Crew, and Anthropologie, which increases their profile and accessibility for the average American consumer. Some people have negative feelings towards trends, but for me, anything that empowers consumers to make kinder, more conscious choices about their purchases without going out of their way to find a new store or change their regular habits is a positive thing.

Their model for success and empowerment is so comprehensive that I think it's worth outlining the whole thing, and you can learn more about it here:

• Indego Africa is an award-winning, design-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise that lifts women-owned businesses in Rwanda toward sustainable economic independence through access to markets and education.
• Indego Africa partners with for-profit cooperatives of more than 400 women artisans in Rwanda and exports, markets, and sells their jewelry, accessories, and home decor (a) on its online store, (b) to more than 80 retail stores across the U.S. and Europe, and (c) at major brands like J.Crew and Nicole Miller through cutting-edge design collaborations.
• Indego Africa then pools its profits from sales with donations to fund training programs – developed internally from the ground up – for the same women in management and entrepreneurship, literacy, technology, and health.
• Indego Africa hires top Rwandan university students from socially-vulnerable backgrounds to administer its training programs.
• Indego Africa has offices in New York City and Rwanda and is managed by a lean and diverse team with extensive experience in development, business, design, law, commerce, fashion, and Africa.
• Indego Africa is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation and the subject of a Harvard Business School case study.

If you're looking for inspiration before you enter the giveaway and style challenge, check out this collection for more delicious arm candy, and remember that only one of the bracelets in your entry has to be "fair" in order to enter. Good luck!

<This contest in now closed>