Starfish Project: Jewelry with a Purpose

Jewelry that helps others speaks to my heart.  I recently came across the Starfish Project and their mission to help restore hope to exploited women in Asia.

Through life changing opportunities with holistic care programs and a social enterprise where women take on jobs they can be proud of.  They have employed over 130 women and have served thousands through community outreach services. 

The Meaning Behind the Name: The Starfish Parable

One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide. As he walked he came upon a young boy who was eagerly throwing the starfish back into the ocean, one by one.

Puzzled, the man looked at the boy and asked what he was doing. Without looking up from his task, the boy simply replied, “I’m saving these starfish, Sir”.

The old man chuckled aloud, “Son, there are thousands of starfish and only one of you. What difference can you make?”

The boy picked up a starfish, gently tossed it into the water and turning to the man, said,

“I made a difference to that one!”

I picked out this beautiful initial necklace.  It is 14K gold and the perfect dainty everyday piece.  I have been wearing mine everyday on it's own and layered up. 

It came in the prettiest packaging and included a handwritten note from a women who is being helped by the Starfish Project.

It's not too soon to start thinking about Christmas presents, a jewelry piece from the Starfish Project would make a perfect gift.  Beautiful jewelry and a mission.

New Favorite Jewelry Pieces!

If you have been around for a while you know I love personalized jewelry (or just things in general).  I am a southern girl and I will always love a well placed monogram or initial.  I discovered Keira Nicole Jewelry on instagram and fell in love with the simplistic designs that are perfect for layering.  She is super sweet and sent me two initial bracelets and a necklace.  I have been obsessed with them ever since!  

I got one bracelet with my initial and the other with my husband's.  I could totally see getting my kid's initials to wear down the road.

I have been wearing these bracelets pretty much nonstop since I got them.  They are super easy to throw on and I love pairing them with other jewelry.

Side note...how cute is my new pearl denim jacket??

I have also been wearing my "e" necklace all the time.  I love how dainty and simple it is.  It looks so chic on its own or layered with other necklaces.

These would also make really great gifts, everyone loves personalized goodies!!

Five Things Friday

1. Blue Diamond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk : To say we are obsessed with this stuff in our house would be an understatement...this stuff is delicious!  Seriously my husband and I fight over who gets the last cup.  It is unsweetened but you can't tell at all, so smooth and absolutely the best almond milk.  We had been getting the store brand or the Silk brand on occasion and weren't crazy about it but I had a coupon for this brand and thank goodness I did because this stuff is AMAZING!!  You might still be able to find the coupon here.  

2. Monogrammed Mug: My father in law got this for me for my birthday and I am in love wit it.  It is a really sturdy mug that just feels good and looks good.  That might be crazy to say about a mug but my mug lovers get me.  

3. Merona Madeline Flats in Sand: I got these last year at Target and I am so glad I did...seriously I should have gotten two pairs.  These are the most versatile flats ever, I wear them with everything.  They are also super comfortable.  

4. My New Business Cards: for those of you who don't know I recently started an etsy shop, Glitter and Grits.  I am really working on this and and so excited to see where things go.  I got my business cards in this week and I am in love with them!  Seriously I feel so official.  I got mine from Vistaprint and they are amazing and the cheapest ones around...you know I was going to get a deal on them :)

5. Thomas Rhett's Crash and Burn: It's been a while since I have had a favorite song of the week...this week I found so many new songs that recently came out and I have been listening to them non-stop.  This guy's has been at the top of the list.  It's really upbeat and fun, I heard it on the radio for the first time and was like wow I really like this one.

What have you been loving this week?

Oh just another shopping haul

Oh my goodness do I have a haul for you, so my little sister and I went shopping last weekend and had a blast.  Spent too much money and had some good quality time together.  Anyways here is a review of the day and all the goodies I found:

1. Plato's Closet- This is only my 3rd time ever going to one of these stores and I am falling in love.  It is a consignment store so they sell used name brand clothes for good prices.

I found this adorable Old Navy shift dress for $8.00!  Love the style and the colors are so pretty!

2. Rugged Wearhouse- I love me some Rugged Wearhouse this store is a little like a T. J. Maxx or a Ross because it sells name brand clothes that come from other stores...but much cheaper!

Yes that is right I got this dress for $1.00!!  Seriously I couldn't pass this up!!

I also picked up a wax melt in Fresh Linen.  I have a million ones that smell like Christmas and winter but I thought it would be nice to have something fresh for the summer.

3. Ross- I love Ross, such cute things and such good deals

Yep $6.99 for this adorable shift dress.  I love the stripes and it is such a simple shape and style that I can have lots of fun with my accessories.

4. Hobby Lobby- I have talked about Hobby Lobby before but it is a HUGE craft/home decor store.  We actually made this shopping trip specifically to go and get craft supplies for my wedding but of course ended up with a whole lot more.

Wedding craft supplies..more on this later

They also had their Easter stuff on sale (90% off) and I got this adorable little chick plate for $0.39!

5. Michaels- So again we stopped here to look at wedding craft supplies and ended up with so much more.  Easter stuff was 80% off here so here are some things I got:

2 little jelly bean ramekins, I already have a few of these but they are perfect for making little desserts and things in them...and seriously how cute are these?? and at $0.39 I couldn't resist

My sister and I love making Oreo Balls (maybe a recipe sometime) and we use the melted chocolate to cover them.  We usually pay around $2 a bag for the chocolate.  These bags were on sale for $0.59!  I got 3, they are marshmallow flavored and we have never tied that before but I'm thinking some kind of S'more recipe might be in the works.

This was a completely random impulse buy, don't judge.  I have seen these little retro cell phone hookups around for a while and I secretly wanted to try them.  Sometimes when I am talking on the phone at my house I get tired of holding my phone to my face (oils and its uncomfortable).  This one is easier to hold, more comfortable and I don't get that oily phone residue.  Bonus it was on sale for less than $2

This is a present for my brother that we picked up.  They had all kinds of Super Hero key caps but he likes Batman so we went with that.  And they were only $0.39

I love Michaels Thank You cards, I always pick them up when they have a good sale.  These are adorable and were only $0.80

They had all kinds of jewelry (necklaces, rings, and earrings) for 50% off and I picked up this little key necklace for $1.49.  Would be perfect for a gift as well!

6. T.J. Maxx- Oh how I love you T.J. Maxx, I can always find something.  This time I just picked up 2 basics:

I have been buying these makeup wipes from T.J. Maxx for a while now and really like them.  They smell nice, they take my makeup off and they are only $3.99 for 60.

I also picked up another bottle of the essie nail polish top coat, I already have one but I wanted to make sure I snagged another bottle for $4.99 before they disappear (seriously if you see something at T.J. Maxx you better get it, things disappear and don't come back)

7. Target- is hit or miss for me.  Oh trust me I always find things I love...I just don't like to pay full price for them.  I am a clearance shopper at target with a capital C.  Here are some of my clearance finds:

This adorable white short sleeved high low sweatshirt 70% for $7.48

Cutest little wallet that I plan on using to keep my coupons and loyalty cards in.  Found on clearance for less than $3

I had never tried Izze soda and always wanted to.  They had 4 packs on sale 2 for $5 so I got two of the blackberry and am loving them!

8. Rue21- This store is hit or miss for me, sometimes they have really great sales and sometimes I walk out empty handed.  This trip my sister found some sandals and I got this beautiful navy and paisley infinity scarf for $2!  Love it!

And what shopping trip would be complete without a trip to Starbucks??

We took advantage of the Frappy Hour (half price frappuccionos from 3-5) and treated ourselves to 2 white mocha frappuccinos (my personal favorite)