Friends! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now it’s time to get on that Christmas shopping list, or that treat yourself list, orrrr getting your start into more ethical shopping! Make this an Ethical Cyber Monday with these wonderful brands having incredible sales!

Also will be adding to this list for #fairTuesday tomorro

Clothing

• ASOS – 30% off EVERYTHING, use code: THANKFUL30 head over the ASOS Eco Edit for fair trade and eco-friendly brands!
• VAUTE COUTURE – go to VC’s CYBER MONDAY SPECIALS for 25% off + an extra $75 off new Snow Coats w/ code WINTERSCOMING, ALSO 60% off almost sold out coats!
• Teeki – 35% site wide (prices marked)
• Nau – site wide 25% with code SAVE25
• Yooxygen – 25% site wide OR 35% in app! No code necessary discount applied at checkout.
• Curator SF – 30% off all clothing w/ code GOODKARMA
• Reformation – 20% off site wide (prices marked)

Jewelry and Accessories

• Noonday Collection – up to 75% (prices marked) in their Hello Holiday section and it is CUTE!
• Ten Thousand Villages – up to 80% off these wonderful fair trade finds (OMG THIS RAINBOW BASKET!!)
• Raven and Lily – use code SHOPEARLY  for 30% off everything, plus free shipping, good on entire site!
• Mata Traders – use code SHOPFAIR16 FOR 25% off site wide

Home

• Indego Africa – 30% off site wide w/ code THANKFUL
• Mela Artisans – 50% off site wide w/c code CM2016

Variety (clothes, home, accessories)

• SCOUTMOB – 20% off site-wide, use code CHEER20

The post Ethical Cyber Monday appeared first on Made-To-Travel.com.

Hello my beautiful friends. I had posts planned for the past 2 weeks, but nothing seemed right. I feel like I needed some time…time to get over our election and heal the hurt feelings that came with the results and the anxiety after that—and now I can honestly and surprisingly say I feel better.

I feel better because I realized I have not changed. I can still make a difference, I can still choose to be hopeful and support causes I believe in, I am still lucky to have the life I have and all the love that’s in it, I am still able to speak with my dollar or my voice for the ethics I hold dear, and I am still incredibly fortunate to be able to educate myself and do my best to inspire others to have open minds and open hearts. I still have all that’s in me to believe and make change and if you’re reading this so do you.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the US and friends I AM THANKFUL, maybe more now than ever. I am thankful for the love in my heart for this world, my small but mighty voice, and the privilege that I can try to be the best person I can be. Thankful for the beautiful love and support of my fiancé, family and friends and for you dear reader. Please stay inspired and be thankful for all the good you have and all the good you can still do.

I’ll be back next week with more ethical shopping and happy things…Thank you so much for believing in a good world with me.

*I work for NBC News, all opinions are my own. 

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(photo via Linkedin)

It’s election day here in the US and EVERY single person who can vote NEEDS to vote. Find out what’s on your ballot right HERE.  Ethical fashion and happy things will resume tomorrow after we all do our civic duty and PRIVILEGE and VOTE.

(photo via ToonRefuge)

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Happy Friday, friends. It’s nearly that time of year! Last minute costumes from my closet have kind of become a Halloween tradition for me, lol.  In case you can’t tell, I’m a bouquet (inspiration here)! While I love dressing up, I absolutely hate wasteful Halloween costumes, so I always head to my closet first!

I really love my bouquet costume and will probably improve it for this year, so get excited for a full tutorial next Halloween! In the meantime there are some WONDERFUL ideas around the internet that I hope gets those creative juices floating for your own costumes this year.

Pizza Rat: Not sure if this is just a local NYC area situation but there was this kind of amazing/terrifying rat dragging a pizza in New York last year and it turned into an internet sensation…Pizza Rat, please never come for me! But this is a great and easy costume: Gray sweats, some poster board or construction paper for ears and pizza. (source TheLala)

Wall Taxidermy: I love how this costume is styled.  Feels wintery and elegant. All you need is a white outfit, some tin foil or even paper to make some ears and antlers, cardboard box, and some paint.  (source The Merry Thought)

Tote: You can use a sheet destined for donation or a large beach towel (beach tote costume!) to make this costume. Or go to your local Goodwill–they’re bound to have curtains to make this easy peasy last minute costume! (source Domino)

Paper Doll: I’ve already decided paper doll will be my next costume! So super easy and adorable. Just paint and poster board with a black outfit underneath. (source Lauren Conrad)

Windup Doll: Pick any dress, I love the lacy one pictured feels more windup doll to me. Just need the cardboard to cut out the key, some glue, to stick it onto a paper towel roll, and ribbon or even a belt you have to strap it on.  (source EHow)

Guess Who: Poster board for the frame and a printer–poof you’re a Guess Who character. I would definitely try to copy your fave character on the game. Mine is Claire! (source: Coolest Homemade Costumes)

So friends, whatcha’ll going to be for Halloween?! Liking any of these costume ideas for yourself? Need more inspiration check the Made-to-Travel archives here, here and here!

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Happy Monday, friends! Hope you had a lovely weekend. I’m renaming my “Review of the Week” situation to just “Props” :). Succinct and more apt, no?

So today props goes to the beautiful film Queen of Katwe released by Disney, based on the book Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers. Queen of Katwe is the incredible story of Phiona Mutesi and her journey from the slums of Uganda to participating in the Chess Olympiad and the circumstances, people and family that doubt, care, and ultimately all uplift Phiona on her way. Queen of Katwe will definitely make you cry and laugh out loud, but what I love most about the film is that director Mira Nair and all the wonderful actors really gave the film a lot of honor.

Nair is Ugandan herself, so is the star Madina Nawalanga and the many wonderful child actors in the film, and co-stars Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo are 1st generation African Brits, so I believe this closeness to Africa among the actual storytellers brought a really fresh and inspired take on this story. HIGHLY recommed you go give this film a watch!

Now please enjoy some recent links that made me heart the internet :).

• Really great post on updating your decor. I have a really hard having patience so I really appreciate the photos showing changes over time.

• Yaaaas! Some emails totally feel like this.

• I think I’m going to send this post on having the best staycation to my boo. We’ve been trying to save so hard for wedding and apartment things, but we both definitely need a break–STAYCATION!

• Now that it’s Fall I want to try my hand at matte lipstick, so loving this review of cruelty free options.

• For real #lifegoals!! This beautiful 98-year-old couple celebrates their wedding with a recreation of their wedding day.

• Your Amazon Prime membership now includes some GREAT free reading.

• Wonderful advice on making kindness a habit–I love that there’s a don’t forget to be kind to yourself moment.

The first thing to consider is that you need to be kind to yourself before you can be kind to others. Knowing that you will make mistakes allows you to accept that you aren’t perfect and is great for your well-being.
Moving on from your own mistakes allows you to move forward. We aren’t machines and we are going to make mistakes at some point in your life. This will help you be more content and your kindness for yourself will shine through.

• Loving everything in this roundup of sustainable wool & alpaca goodies.

Have a wonderful week friends!

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So now that Fall has totally set in, I feel like we should review the basics :). In case you’re looking for your new season essentials here are some great ethical Fall clothes and things to get this season started right!

Ethical Fall Clothes:

• Jacket–Everlane City Anorak $98: Everyone needs a jacket for brisk but not quite cold days. I LOVE this jacket from Everlane. If I didn’t already on a very similar jacket this is tootally the jacket I would buy.

• Scarf–Alternatives Flamestitch Scarf $22: I’m really really trying to justify buying another scarf for this guy! I love a pop of color in an otherwise dark Fall palette. This scarf from Alternatives Global Marketplace is so perfect–tassles! colorful! lightweight!–yes! yes! yes!

• Sweater–ASOS Chunky Sweater Recycled Eco Yarn $57: A sweater that you can wear on it’s own or over a button up or dress is a must in Autumn when layers are key! Love the boxy fit of this sweater from ASOS made of their recycled yarn.

•  Backpack–Earthdivas Hemp & Cotton $35.99: Even though I’m not in school I think backpacks are the best to get in the Fall mood–I love this one with earthy tones.

• Jeans–Lily Skinny Straight Jeans $98: I’m a little obsessed with this cut of jeans; half skinny/half straight looks a little more classic to me than your typical skinny or straight jeans.

• SHOES– ZOMG! I die for Fall shoes! Time to cover them toes with this cuties :). Oxfords: Insect Shoes $139: These oxfords are so cool! The print is made out of an upcycled pair of jeans! // Sneakers: Inkkas Adobe Low Top $50: Sneakers that go with everything and don’t look like running shoes–definite yes! // Ankle Boots: Golden Ponies Pixie Boot $50: I think this boot can go with everything and love the black detail with the tan….so pretty. //Black Flat: Matt and Nat $85: I’m super into a pointy black flat and these look so modern and even though there’s barely a heel, I think they still read as sexy and chic.

So there you go friends! Your Fall basics! Find anything you’re missing in your Fall arsenal? Also side note: I know I’m constantly recommending beautiful things for you to buy–but these are to fill in the gaps of what you already have! Shop your closet FIRST–ALWAYS! And if you see any brisk weather needs, I hope these ethical fall clothes and things can fill them!

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Hello friends! Happy first week of Fall! Even though the weather’s cooler I feel like it’s still a wonderful time to garden…maybe an even better time than Summer! My new apartment has GREAT light and a balcony, so if you follow me on instagram or pinterest you may have noticed I’ve become a little obsessed with all things plants, making my review of the week super relevant :).

Review of the Week: The Urban Garden Center in Harlem is one of my happy places in the city. Tucked away under a bridge uptown; it’s totally an oasis in the city, staffed with the sweetest most helpful people ever. ADORE YOU Urban Garden Center!!

Now friends, please do enjoy some links that makes me heart the internet…

• Just bought my first bottle of castile soap so super excited to try out some of these: 10 Household Products to Replace With Castile Soap.

• Great shortlist of secondhand shopping sites and apps. Yesssssss.

• OMG! Totally excited for this diy on how to make towel animals!

• I actually don’t get my nails done too often, but when I do I like the place to have great standards, so love these tips on how to spot an ethical nail salon.

• Would love to own just one of these dreamy surrealist paintings. I heart people’s imagination.

• A thoughtful look at 9 behaviors that hold people back…my favorite one: “Letting impatience derail every possibility for making progress.”

– Patience is not about waiting – it’s the ability to keep a good attitude while working hard for what you believe in.

• Really helpful list of where you can find cruelty free makeup.

• Totally brilliant!! — 5 tips to quickly make your home look cleaner than it is! You know for those last minute guests ;).

• I really really REALLY want to try Stowaway Cosmetics—it takes me  forever to finish a tube of lipstick–Stoaway’s mini sized cosmetics are perfect for a girl like me! Plus they’re cruelty free, and they recycle empties.

Have a beautiful week, friends!

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Hi Fall and HIIIIIEEEEE ya’ll!!! I’m so so happy to be back :). If you remember this year was kind of a benchmark of a year for me and with work being crazy I decided I needed to take some time off. Hope you had a beautiful summer and are excited for Fall!

I really really love the Summer into Fall transition– it allows me to still wear shorts (all-time favorite bottom) and break out some cozier items like this sweater. A couple of weekends ago, we had our very first taste of Fall and this was the perfect outfit to run around doing errands.

sweater-thrifted via Goodwill // shorts-diy // bag-thrifted via HousingWorks // shoes-see below // pearl ring-gifted via Philippines // sunglasses-vintage ray bans via Etsy

As I was writing this post I noticed pretty much everything I’m wearing is thrifted. Yay for recycling, yay for saving money, but boo for not being able to get you guys good links. Inspired by the gorgeous and amazing Apartment Therapy’s Shop the Style, I wanted to start helping you guys achieve a look—but ethically!

crew neck sweater via Accompany-$68.95 // shorts via the Outnet current/elliott-$69.42 // sterling silver pearl ring via Novica -$35.99 // vintage fringe bag via Etsy-$44.86 // sandals via UO Birkenstock-$30

Yay! Now you can recreate the outfit if you’re so inspired :). I plan to make Get the Look…Ethically! into a new feature on Made-to-Travel and I thought it would be nice to introduce it with moi! I won’t be recreating every outfit from What I Wore, but I will be recreating looks from celebs and other inspiring outfits from around the internet. Get excited!

Hope you’re getting this new season started right! So happy to be back and inspired. Tell me about your Summer! Are you liking this Get the Look…Ethically situation?

The post What I Wore / Get the Look-Oh Hello Fall appeared first on Made-To-Travel.com.