Sunkissed Summer 2016

Today is the day! The Little Pieces of Hope Sunkissed Summer 2016 Collection is out!

With this collection, I wanted to change things up a bit in terms of design as well as inspiration. Since I went to College in Colorado, I usually take my inspiration from that good ol' mountain living and people. However, this time I thought it would be fun to change locations and focus on that Salty, Sandy & Sunkissed lifestyle.

While searching around on Pinterest, I noticed that beach jewelry is a lot different than "mountain" jewelry. Instead of longer necklaces, I wanted to focus on necklaces that were short, dainty and simple with the ability to layer one upon the other if desired.

Along with the new jewelry designs, we have also switched up our charity for the Summer months to go hand-in-hand with our sunkissed, beachy theme. May I introduce, Surfrider Foundation. Surfrider Foundation is an amazing non-profit that is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches. To learn more about their story and what they do as a company, click here.

View on Flipagram

Progress Update: Charity: Water

We just received a progress update on our latest Charity: Water fundraising campaign! Take a peek at the video below to see how your donation was able to help empower women, and change lives in Ethiopia.

I can't thank y'all enough for the continued support and fundraising. Not only are you helping give a little piece of hope towards those in need, but you are allowing me to live my dream every single day. So for that, I thank you!

Giving Tuesday 2015

Celebrate Giving Tuesday by giving a little piece of hope to those in need. Help give the gift of clean water by donating directly to our Little Pieces of Hope + Charity:Water Campaign page. 100% of your donation will fund water projects for families in need. 

Be the change you wish to see in the world, and give a little piece of hope to those in need this Holiday season.

Donate Here!

care package

With y'all's help we are able to send our very first care package to our Adopted Soldier! Here is a little glimpse of what's inside.

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-Hygiene Products: Qtips, Baby Wipes, Wet Ones, Gold Bond

- Snacks: Emergen-C, Nutella, Beef Jerky, Gum, Reese's 

Above all things, our Soldier tells us Reese's are his absolute favorite. It was extremely difficult not to open these for myself after buying ;) 

Other: Playing Cards, Helmet Light, 100 MPH Duct Tape

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If you are interested in being apart of our next care package there are many ways to help!

1. Buy some Little Pieces of Hope jewelry! 15% of proceeds benefit our Adopt A US Soldier care package

2. If jewelry isn't your thing, but you would like to make a donation, check out our Etsy listing here for our AAUSS Donations. 100% of these proceeds will go to the care package

3. Write a letter. It's said that letters are the best part of a care package. Soldiers like to hear what's happening back in the States. They believe these letters are little "hugs from home". If you are interested in writing a letter, feel free to email me! 

4. Or if you live in Austin, and are interested in buying a few items for our Soldier, again feel free to email me, and we can coordinate what items are needed and a drop off date

write our Adopted Soldier

       Picture from Adopt a US Soldier Facebook Page

As you know, Little Pieces of Hope is fundraising for Adopt A US Soldier these next few months, and we are about to send our FIRST care package over to our adopted soldier. Above all things, AAUSS recommends sending letters to our soldiers. They believe letters help keep the soldiers spirits high, and gives them a little "hug from home".

I have had the privilege to write our soldier for a little over a month now, but I wanted to give YOU an opportunity to write him yourself. If you are interested in sending a "hug from home" please email me (or message me on FB) for more details. Thank you so much, and I hope to hear back from a few of you!

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. 

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 *

Elsie Ring // Sloan Midi Ring // Sienna Knuckle Ring

a d e l e necklace

Little Pieces of Hope // Running Wild 

Adele Necklace 

running wild //

<> For the girls who live simply <>

For the ones who enjoy the sight of sunrises over the mountains, the taste of berries, the sound of laughter, and the company of her friends. For the women who embrace messy hair, and the feeling of being fully alive. This collection is for the ones who live simply. The lovers, the dreamers and the wild ones at heart. 

* this video is a compilation of inspiration pictures pulled from Pinterest, as well as LPOH Etsy pictures  

Monday Madness

Today's Monday Madness discount is for the infamous "Stevie Necklace" that has been seen on it-girl Ivana Revic. No coupon code is needed, just simply add this item to your cart and automatically save 15%. Discount lasts for today only. 

meet the entrepreneurs

Meet Zahara from Morocco. She uses her loans from Whole Planet Foundation to support her weaving and livestock business. 

Meet Julienne from Rwanda, she is a bean and corn farmer. Thanks to her micro-credit loan she has been able to purchase more seeds, and increase her harvest and output.

Meet Poul from Cambodia, she operates a small restaurant. With her micro-credit loans she has been able to buy more materials and food, in order to keep her business alive and healthy. 

Meet Bern from Cambodia. She used her micro-credit loan to start her very own independent recycling business. 

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Interested in helping empower artisans such as the ones above? Head on over to the Little Pieces of Hope Donation Page! 

<< t r u n k s h o w >>

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Cotone Trunk Show this passed Saturday! It was so great getting to catch up with some old friends, while also meeting some new ones!

 When supporting Little Pieces of Hope you aren't just helping me live my dream, but you are also giving a little piece of hope for a better life to those in need. Thank you so very much for all your love! I wouldn't  be able to do any of this without y'all. 

See the progress Little Pieces of Hope has made with the Whole Planet Fundraiser here!

If you live in the Austin area and are looking for something fun to do this weekend, come on out to the Little Pieces of Hope Trunk Show! Cotone on Guadalupe will be hosting the Young, Wild & Free Trunk Show on Saturday from 1-4pm. Not to mention, they just received a HUGE shipment of Summer clothing from brands such as Alternative Apparel, Chaser as well as Mink Pink. So if you are looking for a few new pieces to add to your Summer wardrobe, this is the time and place to go! If I haven't convinced you already, there will even be a Mother's Day special -  Buy 1 item, get the other less expensive item 30% off! Can't go wrong with that!

This will be one of the last trunk shows in Austin for the Young, Wild & Free Collection, as I am packing up my Jeep and moving to Colorado for the Summer. If you are currently living in Colorado and have a favorite farmers market or boutique, please share! I'm looking for all the help I can get when it comes to expanding the brand :)

Hope to see a few of you there on Saturday! 

r i l e y

Tee // BeeHive- Austin, TX

Dress // Nordstrom

Bangle // Kendra Scott

Necklace // Little Pieces of Hope - Riley 

s t e v i e

Kimono // BeeHive

Dress // Nordstrom

Necklace // Little Pieces of Hope - Stevie 

b l a i z e

Kimono // Feathers 

Dress // Headdress 

Bangle // Kendra Scott - "Natalia" 

Necklace // Little Pieces of Hope - Blaize Necklace

<< u p d a t e s >>

From March through May, Little Pieces of Hope will be donating to Whole Planet Foundation. Whole Planet's mission is to help alleviate poverty world-wide through micro-loans. When purchasing LPOH you are helping to empower entrepreneurs and giving them a hand out of poverty. 

To learn more about Whole Planet Foundation, visit their website here.

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Now I know in the last updates blog post I mentioned donating to WOLF Sanctuary in Colorado. Don't worry! I still plan to donate to this awesome charity during the months of June and July. I will be temporarily moving back up to Colorado throughout the summer months and I figured that during my time there it would would be the perfect opportunity to donate, and hopefully visit, WOLF Sanctuary! 

Who // What // Wear

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Who: Ivana Revic // 

What: ivanarevic.com // 

Wear: Little Pieces of Hope Harlow Necklace & Sienna Knuckle Ring //

<< u p d a t e s >>

A lot has been going on with Little Pieces of Hope these past few weeks and I thought I would write a little post to keep you all informed. 

Firstly, Little Pieces of Hope will be at HOPE Farmers Market this Sunday from 11am-3pm. The Market's address is 412 Comal St, Austin, TX 78702. There will be tons of local vendors, and delicious produce for you to stock up on. So even if you aren't in the market for jewelry, definitely stop by to say hello and check out what all the Market has to offer. 

Secondly, for the month of January Little Pieces of Hope has been sending proceeds to Eco Rise Youth Innovations. If you didn't see my recent post regarding this organization, take a peek here. Since things went so well in January, I figured why not keep fundraising for them throughout February! 

Lastly, I want to hear from y'all what the next charity Little Pieces of Hope should support. I have one in mind and I would love to hear your thoughts. When I went to school in Colorado there was a terrible wildfire really close to our town. When I was watching the news one day I saw a Wolf Sanctuary located in La Porte, Colorado. Due to the High Park fire the wolves were being displaced, and needed help finding  temporary homes. After the fire was resolved, the company then needed help to repair the destruction the fire caused. I immediately got on their website and donated a few bucks right then and there. Since then, I have been an absolute sucker for keeping up with Wolf Sanctuary. If you have some free time, look at their Facebook page. It's full of pictures, videos and updates regarding their beautiful Wolves. If Little Pieces of Hope does decide to jump on board with Wolf Sanctuary the money would be going to repair, and build a better environment for the wolves to live and play in. So cool, right?! So let me know what y'all think, or if you have any other charities in mind.