11 Eco-Friendly Fall Fashion Items to Celebrate Fair Trade Month

October is Fair Trade Month, so why not celebrate by shopping ethically?  You're updating your wardrobe for fall anyways and with choosing sustainable fashion, you're choosing to help create better lives for Artisans around the world.

Kaylana Scarf

Wrap yourself up in the bold patterned Kaylana Scarf, handmade in India.  The perfect transitional fall accessory for those gloomy, damp, and chilly mornings.

Shop the Kaylana Scarf:  Kaylana Scarf - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Peten Clutch

The Peten Clutch is handmade from traditional Mayan blouses.  Each one is unique, so you'll be guaranteed that no one will be seen with the same clutch.  Made in Guatemala, the artisans are able to invest their earnings in things we take for granted such as smokeless stoves, organic farming, and water filtration, in turn improving the entire community.

Shop the Peten Clutch:  Peten Clutch - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Nadi Ring 

The Nadi Ring is made in India.  Modern straight lines, the Nadi is distinctive with its open design and brushed silver metal texture.

Shop the Nadi Ring:  Nadi Ring - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Nakki Earrings

The Nakki Earrings, also created by Artisan Partners in India, feature the Lotus Flower, a symbol of patience and calmness. 

Shop the Nakki Earrings:  Nakki Earrings - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide 

Tarqui Necklace

The gorgeous teal blue and grey Tarqui Necklace is a stunning accent piece for fall.  The blue beads are sustainably made from the tagua seed and are secured with slate grey leather.  Created in Ecuador, artisans are able to make a living for themselves without leaving their villages, keeping their families together and allowing them to invest in education for their children and themselves.

Shop the Tarqui Necklace:  Tarqui Necklace - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide 

Pangani Keychain

Add some flair to your keys or clip on your handbag!  The Pangani Keychain is made in Kenya from sustainably-sourced leather.  Female artisans in Kenya are able to earn a living wage to provide their children with a healthy nutrition and education.

Shop the Pangani Keychain:  Pangani Keychain - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Nisolo Frida Loafer

Classic, chic, the loafer is currently one of the hottest trends (and may never really go out of style).  The Nisolo Frida Loafer is handcrafted in an ethical factory in León, Mexico.  

Shop the Nisolo Frida Loafer:  Nisolo Frida Loafer

SLUMLOVE The Vee Tee

You can't get by without a go-to basic white tee.  The Vee Tee from SLUMLOVE is the perfect shape for everyday wear with favorite jeans or throw on a leather jacket the casual-cool look. 

Shop the SLUMLOVE Vee Tee:  SLUMLOVE The Vee Tee - White

Krochet Kids Naomi in Organic

Classic on the front, cute cutout on the back.  The Krochet Kids Naomi, created from 100% organic cotton in Peru, is a staple long sleeve top perfect for cooler temperatures. 

Shop the Krochet Kids Naomi:  Krochet Kids Naomi in Organic

Alternative Apparel Fifty Yardliner Printed Burnout Vintage French Terry T-Shirt

I'm crazy about camo this fall, so this Alternative Apparel French Terry T-Shirt HAD to make the cut.  The athletic-inspired, ultra-soft crewneck sweatshirt is a great option whether you're hitting up a yoga class, relaxing with friends, or watching Sunday football.

Shop the Alternative Apparel Fifty Yardliner T-Shirt:  Fifty Yardliner Printed Burnout Vintage T-Shirt

Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny Jean (Ankle)

Remember those loafers from above?  Cropped denim jeans are almost essential for a pair of loafers and this pair from Everlane is designed with ease from premium Japanese denim with a touch of stretch for a flawless fit.

Shop the Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny Jean:  Everlane Mid-Rise Skinny Jean (Ankle)

Which items are you adding to your wardrobe this month?  I'd love to know!

♥ always

Allison

Fair Trade Fashion: Mangal Bracelet

The Mangal Bracelet is the Threads Worldwide piece featured in this post and let me tell you, this thing is gor-geous.  The Mangal Bracelet is a Threads Exclusive and features 3-strands of multicolored beads with soft yellow tassels. The colors are PERFECT for fall, but the section that completely drew me in was the turquoise-green square beads in it. They seriously had me mesmerized.  This bracelet is also adjustable, so it'll fit wrists of all sizes! It's a great piece to layer with others or totally makes a stand-out statement on its own. 

Handmade in Guatemala, our Artisan Partners use techniques inspired by Mayan culture to create fascinating beaded jewelry.  With the income that they earn, they're able to invest in smokeless stoves, solar technology, organic farming, and water filtration to benefit their entire communities.

Mangal Bracelet

Mangal Bracelet 1

The Mangal is a great accent to a mustard yellow toned blouse, really highlighting the tassel detailing.  Throw on your favorite jeans, and a pair of booties and you're good to go for those still sorta warm, not really sure how to dress fall days.  Featured here with the Toluca Stud Earrings, which you can shop here:  Toluca Earrings - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Mangal Bracelet 2

Add a pop to a solid colored dress with the Mangal Bracelet.  Throw on a pair of flats, crossbody bag, Mulki Scarf, and you're all set for a day at a festival, whether it's a Craft Fair or Oktoberfest :)
Shop the Mulki Scarf here:  Mulki Scarf - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Mangal Bracelet 3

For a night out, add a splash of color to a monochromatic look with the Mangal.  Featured here with the stunning Indravati Necklace, three strands draping of gold-tones glass beads.
Shop the Indravati Necklace here:  Indravati Necklace - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Shop the Mangal Bracelet here:

Mangal Bracelet - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Photo Source:  Threads Worldwide

♥ always

Allison

Fair Trade Fashion: Pankha Necklace

The Pankha Necklace is a Threads Worldwide exclusive handmade by our artisan partners in India.  Not only is it the perfect statement piece for fall, but every sale from the Pankha empowers the artisans to advance socially and economically, allowing them to send their children to schools rather than beg on the streets.

Back in June, the Threads Worldwide conference took place in Denver, CO.  The Fair Trade Partners that were there were able to have the first look at (and model!) the fall pieces.  Once the BIG REVEAL came, I immediately had my hands on the Pankha Necklace.  The fan-fringe detailing is huge right now and the gray-blue thread flawlessly falls into the neutral trend.  Bottom line, this necklace is a modern and fun must-have for fall-winter.

 Pankha Necklace 

Pankha Necklace 1 by missallierae

I'm totally crushing on the army print trend at the moment.  The Pankha favors greens like no other.  I paired the Pankha with another Threads Exclusive piece in this set, the Mangal Bracelet.  The Mangal is handmade in Guatemala, and let me tell you, this thing is gor-geous.
Shop the Mangal Bracelet here:
Mangal Bracelet - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Pankha Necklace 2 by missallierae

The perfect transitional outfit, a sundress and booties.  This look is featuring the Toluca Earrings.  Handmade by artisan partners in Mexico, the Toluca Earrings feature gold-toned brass pyramids on sterling-silver posts and are perfect for everyday wear.
Shop the Toluca Studs here:
Toluca Earrings - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Pankha Necklace 3 by missallierae featuring a high heel bootie

And lastly, the Pankha pairs with a boho blouse like a match made in accessory heaven.

Shop the Pankha Necklace here:
Pankha Necklace - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Photo source:  Threads Worldwide

♥ always
Allison

Fair Trade Fashion: Chichi Tote

The Chichi Tote, named after a Guatemalan village, beautifully functions as an everyday tote, from work to travel, to errand running, farmers market trips and the gym.  Because the fabric is handmade, each Chichi Tote is unique.  The Chichi is made in Guatemala, where our Artisan Partners use their earnings to invest in resources to benefit their entire community, such as smokeless stoves, water filtration, organic farming, and solar technology.  Continue through for 3 different looks of how to style the Chichi Tote.

Follow the link here to shop the Chichi Tote along with other gorgeous fair trade accessories:
Threads Worldwide - Chichi Tote

Chichi Tote by missallierae

Chichi Tote 3 by missallierae

Chichi Tote 2 by missallierae 

♥ always
Allison

Photo Source:  Allison Young - Threads Worldwide

Fair Trade Fashion: Amu Necklace

The Amu Necklace.  The Amu was just released in the Spring/Summer line from Threads Worldwide and as soon as I laid my eyes on this piece during the sneak preview, I was jaw on the ground swooning.  Immediately, I knew it needed to be in my jewelry collection.  A cobalt arrowhead agate is set in 18 karat gold.  On one side of the chain, 3 round blue stones lay, creating a trendy asymmetric look.  Each agate stone is unique, so some will be more blue tone while others show more white throughout.

On top of the Amu being a gorgeous one-of-a-kind piece, it also does good for the world.  Handcrafted by Artisan Partners in Asia, who are survivors of the sex trade, they are gaining a safe work environment, a sense of self worth, access to education and counseling, and a chance to heal by learning how to make this jewelry.  This necklace is the ultimate boho-chic addition to your wardrobe, easily transferring from day to night looks.

To shop the Amu Necklace and more, click here:  Threads Worldwide - Allison Young

Amu Necklace 2 by missallierae

Amu Necklace 1 by missallierae

Amu Necklace 3 by missallierae

Shop here:  Amu Necklace - Threads Worldwide, Allison Young

What do you think about the Amu Necklace?  How would you style it?

♥ always
allison

Fair Trade Fashion: Capilla Necklace

The Capilla Necklace, a personal favorite from Threads Worldwide, is handcrafted in Ecuador and created from Acai and Tagua seeds.  The Acai beads are dyed gray and yellow then held in place with two pieces of Tagua seed.  In South America, many families leave their homes to search for work in the cities.  Through hand making these gorgeous necklaces, our artisan partners in Ecuador are able to earn an income without leaving their villages.  This allows them to keep their families together and invest in education for their children and themselves.

Shop the Capilla Necklace HERE:  Capilla Necklace - Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

Add a pop of sunshine to a neutral outfit, or pair the Capilla Necklace with coordinating colors.  Here's 3 outfit to help inspire looks of your own!

Capilla Necklace Outfit 1 by missallierae

Capilla Necklace Outfit 2 by missallierae

Capilla Necklace Outfit 3 by missallierae

View the Capilla Necklace and other Fair Trade Items at my online boutique:  

Allison Young, Threads Worldwide

always allison

A new direction.
Back in 2013 (which OMG, I didn't realize it was that long ago) when I started my blog, Sparkles and Flamingos, I wanted to do "fashion".  As the time passed, I realized that there is SO much more to my life than fashion.  There's family, relationships, traveling, thrifting, foods, fitness, work, crafting, living LIFE for crying out loud.  Yes, I may still be fashionable (I don't know, maybe not), but I don't have to be obsessed.  After a while, "Sparkles and Flamingos" didn't feel like me anymore.  The name reminds me more of "Palm Springs socialite drenched in diamonds sipping bubbly on the reg" rather than "Midwestern gal styling a thrifted $2 blouse enjoying a vodka water on the weekend".  I stressed because when a title doesn't fit a "theme" and lifestyle, it just doesn't work.  "Rules" and "ways" of blogging got the best of me and I felt like I was doing it all wrong.  In the end, it seemed pointless and like more of a "chore" to blog than something fun that I enjoyed.  Being overly critical on myself, I figured if I wasn't satisfied with how the blog was, who would read it anyways?  It's funny how the internet can get into your head like that ;)

Well, acquaintances would randomly ask me if I was still doing the blog thing.  After a reluctant "yeahhh" with a shoulder shrug type thing, I was floored by the fact that people actually did take the time to look at it.  This would lead me to open up a Sparkles and Flamingos window while the insecurities mentioned in the first paragraph built up enough to leave me staring at this scary blank page.  What should I post about this time?  What type of post would people care about?  Is this dumb?  Am I wasting my time?  I would leave my blog tab open for days at a time hoping it would inspire me to "get around to it" only to be defeated by the computer shutting down and bye-bye blog tab.  ::Phew, off the hook::...kidding...sorta.

Fast forward (reallyyy fast because time seems to FLY by) to the now and let me introduce you to "Always Allison".  Here you'll find me being me, like always.  "Who is Allison?" you might ask.  Well, let me introduce myself.  Hi!  I'm Allison, 30 years old, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.  My dog-hter is a rescue monster-like little dog.  I'm a part owner of my family's business, Style Your Space, and recently became a Fair Trade Partner selling handcrafted jewelry with Threads Worldwide.  I'm at the gym 5 times a week, practice yoga, and don't eat much meat (I've actually attempted practicing a pescetarian diet since January 3rd).  Thrift shopping is a favorite hobby, shiny shoes are a weakness, and my brain typically has a million tabs open.  I love tacos, a good vodka drink, and supporting local.

This is where the transition from Sparkles and Flamingos to Always Allison comes in.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still a HUGE flamingo enthusiast and have a deep love for all things sparkly.  But my "fashion" related blog isn't just fashion anymore...it's...waittt for it...this really cool thing called LIFESTYLE.  Change is good.  What I hope to share with you include thrifting hauls, styling ideas, fair trade companies, shopping local, recipes, stories, travel adventures, things that were really good, situations that may have not gone my way, feelings, inspiration, music, anything, and overall a little bit of me.

Even if no one is reads this, this is why I'm blogging.  To express creativity.  To share these things with you.  To document these times.  To inspire.  And more.  And maybe if you don't relate to me, my posts, my writing or expression, maybe someone somewhere out there does, and that's a pretty cool and amazing thing.

So anyways, I hope you're not too torn up about the name change and that you'll follow along on this new direction.

♥ always
Allison