Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday: A global day dedicated to giving back. Today charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. 

Yesterday I was tagged by @ashleyakeila on Instagram to share a cause I strongly believe in. Of course there are many causes and companies I hold dear to my heart, as I have partnered up with a variety of non-profit organizations. However, there is one company I have yet to team up with that I wanted to share. 

In my family we have always had an abundance of animals...mainly cats and dogs. At one point, we actually had FIVE dogs living in our house (I promise we aren't animal hoarders) My family and I have been raised to love animals of all kinds. Thanks to my sister, who is also my roomie, I have turned into that crazy hippie lady who catches all the rogue moths in the house with a cup and paper to let it free outside, rather than killing it. I know, it's crazy... Sometimes I can't even believe I'm doing it.

The company I want to share today also believes in saving animals. Austin Pets Alive! is a local animal shelter here in Austin that uses innovative and comprehensive programs to help save Austin's adoptable dogs and cats. Founder, Dr. Ellen Jefferson's, main goal is to see the end of killing of homeless pets in Austin, Central Texas, and the entire country. 

In 2008, APA! embarked on a bold and aggressive initiative to make Austin a no-kill city as fast as possible. Before 2008, the city of Austin was euthanizing over 50% of the animals that came through the shelter each year. By February 2011, Austin was able to reach the  nationally accepted standard for a no-kill community of 90%. Thanks to APA! Austin has earned the title of the "Largest No-Kill City in America". Just this year, they were able to celebrate 3 years as a no-kill city! Truly unbelievable.

 I wanted to take a quick second to show you some of the pups available for either adoption, or sponsorship.

This here is Mustang Sally. Super smart, super athletic, and super cute. Unfortunately, Mustang Sally was a victim of serious neglect early in life. At first, she had a hard time meeting strangers as she didn't quite trust them. Lucky for us, she has come a long way and now loves to meet new people. 

This is Sunday. She is a fun-loving and wiggly pup. She is a little nervous at the shelter, like a lot of her friends are, but once she gets to a quieter area she is full of life! She loves playing with balls, chew toys, other dogs or even rocks ;) 

This pup's name is Tortilla...so adorable, right!? He is full of affection, playfulness and good manners. He loves to be loved, and he wiggles all around when he greets you. He loves going on a good walk, or even just lounging right next to you. 

Interested in learning more? Please head on over to Austin Pets Alive! Website. 

small business saturday

Happy Small Business Saturday!

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Shopping small. A fairly new idea to some, and the only way to shop for others. My favorite part about shopping local, is meeting the people behind the brand. Not only do I enjoy hearing their start up story, but I love seeing the passion behind their eyes when they talk about the things they love.

There are so many benefits to supporting Small Businesses. One of them being, it creates jobs and keeps local residents employed... such as me! Without Small Businesses, Little Pieces of Hope wouldn't be where it is today. 

Since starting LPOH I have been graciously greeted by many other small business owners and I honestly can't tell you how thankful I am for them. Small Businesses have helped me live my dream...and for that I am thankful.

One of the second reasons supporting Small Businesses is important, is it keeps your community creative and unique. Small Businesses and brands are the backbone of Austin. For as long as I can remember Austin's city slogan has been "Keep Austin Weird." Thanks to local companies, we can continue to be weird even through all this transition and growth. Small businesses are the ones who helped Leslie find all his extravagant clothing (or lack there of). Small Businesses are the ones who help feed the homeless...and the hung over. Small businesses are the ones who change the world, and for that I am thankful.

LONG LIVE AUSTIN, & LONG LIVE SMALL BUSINESSES!

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Here are some of my favorite boutiques and eateries in the cities I love

Austin

 Shopping

Beehive
Cotone
Still & Sea
C.Jane
Teysha


Eateries

Black Sheep Lodge
Soup Peddler
Home Slice
Torchy's Tacos

Other

Black Swan Yoga
HOPE Farmers Market



Fort Collins 

Shopping

Kansas City Kitty
Screamin Peach
Tula

Eateries

Spoons
Gibbs Bagels
Odell's Brewery


Online

Ascot + Hart
Balm Apparel
James Michelle
Seven Seas

black friday

Take it easy this Black Friday by shopping online with Little Pieces of Hope. We will be offering a 40% discount (the biggest one we have ever offered!) today through midnight (EST). So skip waiting in lines, and knock out some early Christmas shopping. 

Simply type in "BLACKFRIDAY2014" before checking out and save yourself 40%.

Happy Shopping!

Jessica Cuff

Sippin' on some tea in my Jessica Cuff // This bracelet is available in 3 different healing stones. 

The Black (onyx) is meant for stabilizing and grounding

The Green (Prehnite) is meant for calmness and unconditional love

The Crystal Quartz is a spiritual stone meant for aura cleansing

The best part about this bracelet... it's adjustable! Meaning, you can loosen it up and wear it as an arm cuff during the warmer months.

Seven Seas //

     

Just a few snapshots of one of my favorite hats! 

Hat // Seven Seas - The Sur Hat

Sweater // Free People - Sudan V Neck

Undershirt // Free People - Rory Tee

Do you spy a little wishbone necklace? This necklace is one of the few items about to debut for a great cause! Stay tuned these next few weeks for more information ;) 

April Morlock // Jensen Body Chain

One of my favorite parts about what I do is seeing how girls make the LPOH accessories their own. 

Especially when it's this babe! April, from Free People Aspen & Aspen Life, can seriously do no wrong in my book.

Here she is styling one of the newest items from the shop, the Jensen Body Chain.

 I'm telling you, this is one of the most versatile items Little Pieces of Hope carries right now. You can wear this body chain with a distressed vintage tee, bodycon dress, or even like April does over a slouchy sweater. 

To see more of this Colorado babe check out April's FPME profile 

*all pictures were taken from April's FPME account*

Progress Update

I just received a Progress Update regarding our 2013 Charity: Water September Campaign Fundrasier. Last year we were able to raise over $1,800 to send to Orissa, India.  More than 43 million people live in Orissa, and only 26% of the households there have access to clean, safe drinking water. 

Thanks to all the beautiful Little Pieces of Hope supporters, we have been able to help change that.

Charity: Water's partner on the ground in Orissa is Gram Vikas. This company works closely with local government and during construction, they team up with members of the community that become very well-known around town.

This here is Lokandh Reddy. His name translates to "leader." After seeing the impact of clean water in a neighboring community Lokandh pushed every household in the Kaliabali community to agree to build toilets and bathing facilities (a requirement for all communities working with Gram Vikas). 

Here is Kailash, he is a project coordinator at Gram Vikas. He works with communities to make sure that projects are being built to last. In the photo above, he is ensuring that the roof to a recently completed water tower is installed correctly.

It's said that the water project we helped with will be completed in the Fall of 2015! Can't wait to hear back, and see the impact of our campaign! 

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi

* all information provided by the Charity: Water Progress Update Email *

jensen body chain

The Jensen Body Chain is the FIRST body chain for Little Pieces of Hope. While I never have personally worn a body chain before, I am finding so many new ways to style it. You may think that body chains are only for the Summer time, but I promise you there are SO many ways to style it for Winter. It's great to wear with a distressed tee and baggy cardigan, or even a long sleeve tee/sweater.  

Show us how you style your LPOH accessories by tagging @littlepiecesofhope and #MYLPOH

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- Distressed Tee // Tula - Fort Collins, Colorado

-Cozy Cardigan // BeeHive - Austin, Texas

-Leggings // Nordstrom (online)

corina // wild & free

All pictures are from the Wild & Free "Home Sweet Home" post

How amazing is this room?! Corina, the designer behind Wild & Free jewelry, just recently showed off her boho-chic bedroom and oh.my.goodness. Jewelry Heaven!! From my experience, long necklaces can always be a pain when organizing and displaying. Her solution...dedicate an entire wall to jewelry! 

We even saw our LPOH Eden Ring in White! 

To see more pictures of this Jewelry Paradise, head over to the Wild & Free Jewelry Blog 

o t i s // necklace

Necklaces // LPOH Otis Necklace & Grayson Necklace 

Tee // Urban Outfitters (Thank you Arisara!!)

Cardigan // Brandy Melville 

embrace the darkness

It brings me great joy to finally release the LPOH Winter 2014 Collection, Black Velvet. 

Here is a quick little video of some of the new pieces, along with pictures of what inspired me. 

b l a c k // v e l v e t

sneak peek

I'm working non-stop to bring you the LPOH Winter Collection by next week! Here is a little sneak peek of two of the necklaces that will be in the collection. 

More to come on Monday ;) 

Tee // Target

Cardigan // Brandy Melville 

Shorts // Tula - Fort Collins

FPME

I don't always share pictures of myself, but when I do you can bet I'm wearing Free People + Little Pieces of Hope. 

Top // Free People - We The Free Fallin Tee

Shorts // Urban Outfitters (no they didn't come THIS torn up)

Necklace // LPOH - Noel Necklace

Hat // Free People - Extended Brim Clipperton

Bangles // Sneak peek of what's to come for LPOH Winter 2014 

Check out my FPME page! 

new stockist in town!

Just dropped off a bunch of goodies to our newest stockist in town, Still & Sea! I know it's crazy to already mention Holiday Shopping, but in the retail world we are all very much in full Holiday Mode. This is the perfect opportunity to knock out some early Holiday shopping, or even treat yourself to a little summin' summin. 

Have you seen our stockist page lately? It's growing slowly but surely! 

these are a few of my favorite things...

These are a few of my favorite things ... (I'm hoping you read that in song)

Hat // Seven Seas 

Necklace // LPOH Tegan Necklace 

Shoes // Birkenstocks - Arizona in Magenta

LPOH Monday Madness

This Summer we introduced a new discount series called "LPOH Monday Madness". This discount series is meant for all those hardworkin' women who are in need of a little treat. 

Today's discount is for the Zoey Necklace, from the Running Wild Collection. Originally this necklace retails for $68, but today we are offering it for $50! 

No need for a coupon code! The discount is already fixed within the Etsy listing, so go on with your badself and get this necklace before it's gone! 

Happy shopping :) 

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This necklace has been seen on April Morlock from Free People Aspen & Aspen Life. All photos belong to April.

who // what // wear

Who // Bethany Menzel 

What // Treasures & Travels 

Wear // LPOH Cobie Necklace 

For more information regarding her outfit deets visit the original blog post here <<