Sustainability

7 Sustainable Products That Will Rock Your Socks Off

Published on April 19, 2018 by PeculiarPorter4 Comments

This month I’ve been really trying to incorporate healthier products into my life. Whether that is a better dry shampoo, an organic deodorant, or a fresh pair of socks I’m trying to tackle the intimating subject of sustainability. Scroll on to find out what sustainable products worked and not worked for me.

Bombas: Socks that Give Back

The most requested item in homeless shelters is socks, which is why two guys set out to make it their mission to provide something as simple as socks to thousands of homeless shelters. For every purchase of Bombas socks, you also donate a pair of socks to a homeless shelter. So far, Bombas has been able to donate 7 million pairs of socks. Plus, these adorable socks come in so many fun patterns and incredibly comfy. Forget Nike elite socks and hello Bombas socks.

Renpure: Coconut Argan Dry Shampoo

After my hairdresser told me I shouldn’t be washing my hair so frequently, I’ve been trying to incorporate a dry shampoo into my life. Since I really liked Renpure’s shampoo and conditioner, I thought I would try out their dry shampoo. Unlike most drugstore dry shampoos, this one doesn’t include sulfates, parabens, dyes, gluten, phthalates, or propylene glycol. It also smells like a delicious blueberry treat. Note: the smell is pretty strong so if you are worried that you might eat your hair from this you might want to stay away. Other than that, I think it smells amazing and really does the trick for second-day hair.

Simply Gum: Natural Mint

This was definitely an impulse purchase and I totally regret it. Not only was it ridiculously expensive for a little pack of gum, it tastes terrible. You know when you brush your teeth and then drink OJ? That is exactly how this tastes. The texture also looks and feels like fish food pellets. I’m all for trying to go organic but this gum was not the answer.

Burt’s Bees Chapstick

I’ve been a huge fan of Burt’s Bees for the longest time but never knew that they made chapstick flavors other than peppermint. Yes, I may hide under a rock. I’m addicted to the Pink Grapefruit because it smells and tastes like breakfast throughout the day. The Vanilla Bean is also lovely because of how subtle it is compared to the peppermint chapstick that I love so dearly. Burt’s Bees actually plants urban gardens to help recover bee populations. Find out more information on that by clicking here.

Soothing Touch Lip Balm

When I was wandering through Whole Foods, I found these two chapsticks 2/$5. I’ve been obsessed with iced chia tea so the vanilla chia chapstick was practically jumping off the shelf and into my pocket. 85% of the chapstick is organic which sometimes worries me because I’ve had some organic chapsticks that are extremely creamy and slip right off. Luckily, these two stayed put and smell amazing.

LaVanila Natural Deodorant

At first, the thought of natural deodorant scared the crap out of me. Was I going to smell? Am I going to sweat a lot? Does it apply weird? The list went on and on. As I was scrolling through Instagram one day I saw an ad for the Lavanila deodorant and I put it in the back of my mind that one day I would finally get it. I was super hesitant because A. I didn’t know if it would work and B. $14 for deodorant sounded outrageous to me. After countless YouTube reviews, I decided to finally bite the bullet and finally purchase the coconut one. Ugh, it smelt terrible to me. I excepted it to smell sweet and floral but instead, it just smelt like old, wet baby powder. I almost wrote off the natural deodorant idea completely until I saw a new pesky ad for their vanilla + earth deodorant. A deodorant that contains patchouli? Count me in. I bought it then and there and was incredibly happy with the delicious smell. It smells like a sweet mix of spring rain, flowers, and baby powder. The deodorant is applied just like a dove deodorant but it doesn’t contain all of the harsh chemicals. Lavanila’s website that when you’re switching over to natural deodorant that you may go through a week where you smell because your pits are getting rid of the toxins. Luckily, I never went through that week. My pits smell like I’ve been frolicking in the woods and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re going to try one thing on this list… try switching out your chemical deodorant for something cleaner.

Raw Sugar Shampoo: The Bounce Back

Target is becoming my go-to for finding natural products like Raw Sugar. Their incredible isle helped me find all of these incredible products. This incredible shampoo and conditioner combo are made with ColdPres Technology. This means that the shampoos and conditioners preserve more of the whole fruit and plant so that it can deliver pure, rich essential oils, vitamins, enzymes and nutrients that nourish and vitalize your skin. If that didn’t convince you, Raw Sugar also donates a bar of soap to a family in need. Note: You can only buy this product at Target.

This particular shampoo reminds me of the Amalfi Coast for some reason. It has a sweet mango smell with a hint of vanilla. It is very subtle once you wash it out of your hair. I’m definitely going to be looking for more of Raw Sugar next time I wander through Target.

Have you tried any of these products or any natural products I should try? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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Half United: 7 Donated Meals for Every Purchase

Published on April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter12 Comments

Do you ever fall so hard for a company that you just want to scream from the rooftops so everyone knows about them? That is how I feel about Half United. In 2009, two siblings made an incredible company out of only $200. Their mission is that for every product a customer buys they will also be purchasing seven meals for children in the USA, Haiti, Fiji, and Cambodia. After running the company for almost 10 years, the company has donated over 800,000 meals to children in need.

I recently picked up two new items from Half United and wanted to share with you my little Half United Haul.

Bracelet | Necklace | Shirt

The way Half United helps these areas in more detail:

USA: Helps implement farming programs into schools. This allows meals to be packed for the hungry, food to be planted, and community gardens maintained. Half United works with the local communities to help improve daily lives.

Haiti: Each beaded item from Half United is supporting the livelihood and well being of artisans in Haiti. Each beaded item is created by men and women in Papillon. The beaded item is then hand-signed and completely unique.

Fiji: The funds sent to Fiji go towards supporting sustainable, thriving feeding projects at the “NCTC” primary school. Half United has funded sweet potato farms, student garden projects, honeybee farms, chicken coops, and more.

Cambodia: Half United has teamed up with the EAI orphanage in Phnom, Penh Cambodia. EAI focuses on empowering children emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Necklace

Half United sells different products ranging from slogan tees to jewelry. The big attraction is the necklace made from recycled bullet casings to represent the fight against hunger. I love the idea of using something negative and turning it into something good. I talk more about my necklace in my first Half United post.

Bracelet

The bracelet pictured is supposed to represent Half United’s connection with Fiji school NCTC. Half United provides meals to these children in need as well as fund the school for long-term sustainable employment. The Fijian people work on beehives to create wax and honey for profit.The brass hex nuts and washers on this leather bracelet represent the rugged farm tools needed to grow healthy food. The symbol of the hexagon represents the shapes in beehives. The leather in this bracelet is from Georgia and the bracelet itself is assembled in Wilmington, NC at the Half United headquarters. I absolutely love the idea of working with beehives because of how necessary it is to have bees in our ecosystem. Saving the bees was actually one of my first “socially responsible” posts I’ve done on Peculiar Porter. You can check out that post here. (I can fully admit now that the dress in this post is waaaaaay too short)

Slogan T-Shirt

As someone who travels and is really diving blindly into the line of sustainable/eco-friendly fashion, I was thrilled when I saw this adorable slogan tee. I’m a sucker for any white graphic tee and this one really poked the inner wanderluster in me. This same shirt also comes in black and they have other adorable slogan tees that say “Giving Back is the New Black” and “Fighter”. Stay tuned on a few posts coming up because I’ll be styling this shirt ASAP.

Have you ever heard of Half United? What do you think about repurposing bullet shells and using them for good? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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Rethink the Way You Buy Jeans

Published on March 20, 2018April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter18 Comments

Let’s talk about America’s favorite piece of clothing: jeans. I’m jean obsessed. Growing up my brothers used to mock me because of my different colored jeans. They even had a song for when I wore my pink pair… “Logan pink pants Porter” still rings in my ears to this day. Nonetheless, my love for the classic pair of jeans has never faded.

It didn’t occur to me how jeans were actually made until I watched the Trust Cost. I figured cotton and a little bit of stretch make the ideal jean. I knew so little about how much jeans and the cotton production ruin the environment surrounding the factories and cotton farms. I never knew that although cotton is only planted on 2.4% of agriculture land, it accounts for nearly 11% of pesticide sales in the world. I never even though of the beloved plastic elasticity in my jeans being the exact reason why it is so hard to recycle jeans. The more I researched the more I started to feel guilty about the cheap pair of $12 jeans I found at Marshalls. Who made those jeans and what conditions were they made in? I started asking myself more and more questions and found myself researching until the wee hours of the night. That’s when it occurred to me that needed to make a vow to stop buying cheap, fast fashion jeans and either thrift of invest in ethical jeans that will last. So when I was looking for a new pair of white jeans, I found Everlane.

Jeans | Boots | Sweater (Sold out… Similar) | Jacket (Similiar) | Belt (Same on eBay)

Everlane is a slow fashion company that focuses on basics with a touch of creativity. The reason I found this basic store so incredibly comforting is that they show the factories that make their clothes on the website and then break down the cost of the item directly (see their jean factory here). I know, wild. So let me take you through the process of making these jeans and explain to you why these ones, in particular, are the white jeans you need for spring.

“Belly” washing machines that are used in standard denim manufacture plants waste up to 1,500 liters of water per pair of jeans (about 132 Gatorade coolers).

Depending on where you live water may not seem that important because it always seems like it is raining or snowing (ex: these snowy pictures). But 35% of the world’s population doesn’t have proper access to clean water. Instead of wasting all of that water, Everlane’s factory, Saitex, uses a closed water system and super-efficient jet washing machines. The result? Only .4 liters of water is lost due to evaporation. By being conscious of the water consumption, Everlane is making a difference in jean production and the community around the factories.

Often times factories in developing countries dump polluted water back into the waterway, which directly affects the surrounding communities.

Saitex recycles 98% of all used water and when it comes out the other side, it’s so clean you can actually drink it. You don’t have to worry about Everlane’s factories polluting the surrounding areas. Instead, you can have a clear conscious buying a pair of wicked cute jeans.

Most denim factories use an insane amount of energy for their factories because they have to constantly dry the jeans.

Saitex airdries 85% of their jeans and the rest of the jeans are dried with energy coming from solar panels. This has allowed their factory to reduce energy usage by 5.3 million kilowatts of power and reduce CO2 emissions by almost 80%. Kudos for clean energy!

All denim creates a toxic byproduct called sludge.

No matter how clean a denim factory is, jeans will still create a byproduct called sludge. This byproduct is nearly impossible to get rid of until Saitex found out that when you mix sludge with concrete the toxic material can no longer leech into the environment. The factory uses this method to make concrete bricks to build affordable homes. So far, Saitex has built ten homes with these bricks. So not only are they creating jeans but they’re actually creating homes from a byproduct!

My top four picks for your white jean wardrobe:

Everlane ($68) | Able ($128) | Amour Vert ($178) | DL1961 ($188)

So if you’re ready to buy another pair of white jeans for this spring and summer why not buy a pair that is better for the environment. When you’re buying a pair of jeans that are better quality make sure to check what the jeans are actually made of. Look for the ratio of cotton to spandex and make sure that you’re not just buying a cheap pair of jeggings that will only last a few washes. A good pair of jeans will be made out of either 100% cotton or 99% cotton with 1% spandex. Staples, like jeans, that you wear again and again deserve to be invested in.

What do you think about Everlane? Did you know how jeans were produced? Let me know in the comments down below. (Also, I’m very curious if you think it’s wrong to wear white before Memorial Day… I clearly have no shame).

As always,

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Clean Reserve’s Citron Fig: an Ethically Made Perfume (Review)

Published on March 8, 2018April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter4 Comments

If you saw my post from Tuesday, you know I’m pretty much diving into the world of sustainable, ethical goods blindly. No actually, you could probably put a blindfold over my clueless head and I’d be in the same exact spot. But one thing I do know is that I need to start researching more and more about what and how I’m consuming products.

During the Christmas season, my boyfriend gave me Clean Reserve’s Citron Fig perfume and not only did I fall for the delicious smell but I fell for the company itself. (Props to Rob for really knowing how to give good gifts). The more I researched Clean Reserve and their sustainability practices, the more I started to love the company. They not only use reusable materials, clean energy, eco-friendly oils, but they even pay their workers fairly. Literally, what more could you love about a company?

Citron Fig by Clean Reserve

Fragrance Notes: Ginger, lemon oil, cardamom, mandarin, mint, copaiba, sandalwood, cedarwood, and musk.

What it Smells Like: Having a really good dream and then waking up to the soft glow of the sun on your cheek. It also has the possibility of taking you back in time to the moment where you were first able to ride a bike without training wheels. Hey, I warned you.

The Perfume’s Inspiration: Inspired by a free-spirited confidence that awakens when you realize your true potential.

Perfect for: The up and comer (aka totally me because I’m still trying to figure out the big, bad adult world).

How long does it last: 6-8 hours

Sustainable Ingredients: They procure Cardamom from a local supplier in Guatemala who works directly with native Guatemalan farmers. This allows Clean to guarantee that the local farmers receive a higher profit for the essential oils and a steady income. Working directly with the communities in the Amazon and providing them with technical and financial support ensures the sustainable sourcing of Copaiba Oil and an increase of income for the farmers.

There are so many reasons why I think this is such an incredible company but the main one is that they are actually paying their farmers a living wage. My mom grew up on a dairy farm and from this, I know how hard farmers have to work in order to get the job done. Most of the time farmers are undercut by big corporations even though the farmers are doing all of the hard work. You often see this in any type of farm work from cotton farming to milk production to even essential oils. Companies like Clean Reserve are putting a stop to this unfair practice. I couldn’t be happier to wear their playful scent because of this.

For more information about their sustainable practices including their packaging I decided to pull this super informative picture from their website:

Now that I know more about their company I literally want to try them all… is that bad? If I had to try another one next it would definitely be the Sueded Oud because we all know how I feel about patchouli (if you don’t definitely check out my weirdly obsessive blog post on this candle. But Sueded Oud is apparently for “the boss” so I might have to wait a while until I get to that level!

Have you ever heard or smelled perfumes from Clean Reserve? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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5 Ways to Stop Buying Fast Fashion Today

Published on March 6, 2018April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter26 Comments

Vent. Okay, so originally this post was going to be about my weekend and how wonderful it was visiting Terrain with Juliette from Julietteful (which by the way was all kinds of wonderful). But before I sat down to write this blog post I watched The True Cost on Netflix and I couldn’t focus because I was so unbelievably frustrated and overwhelmed. For those who don’t know, The True Cost is a documentary that explains negative impact fast fashion has on the social, economic, political, and environmental structures of developing countries. That was a mouthful. In short: fast fashion is ruining everything around us. But what really resonated with me were the following statistics:

The fashion industry is the world’s second-largestpolluter. (Oil is the first).
The world now consumes a staggering 80 billionpieces of clothing. (And we throw clothes away just as quickly as we consume them).
One-in-six people work in the global fashion industry. (The majority of them are women and are being paid less than $3 a day).
Only 10% of the clothes people donate to charity or thrift stores get sold (When the clothes are not sold, they are shipped to various developing countries where they are bought by the box and kill the local textile industry).

After watching this film, I feel so overwhelmed. I have been so blind to what was happening right underneath my nose. More than half the products I own I don’t even know where they came from. I don’t even know how my clothes came to American or the processes in which they were cut, dyed, or sewn. I love shopping and the “rush” of finding a good deal but I’m quickly realizing how wrong that is. Do I really want a cheaply made garment that will unravel after a few washes? Do I really want a garment that people have made with their own blood, sweat, and tears? I think it’s time I drastically rethink the way I consume, which is why I plan on implementing these steps into my daily life.

Sell your clothes on eBay.

I know it feels great giving your clothes to charity and thrift stores but the harsh reality is that only 10% of those clothes are actually being sold and the majority of those profits aren’t going back to charity. Some second-hand stores even have a 30-day cycle so that if they aren’t sold in the 30 days they are removed and either thrown away or shipped in a box to a developing country. Once the box arrives at the developing country, buyers pick random boxes without knowing what exactly is inside. Those clothes then flood the textile industry in that country and diminish work opportunities.

By selling clothes on eBay you not only make a profit, but you can potentially donate that money to a charity that you choose. You then can know how much of your proceeds are actually going to the charity. Or you can simply just keep the money and use it to purchase clothes that are sustainable. I’ve been selling clothes on eBay for about a year now and have made a decent amount of money. It is a great way to have a little extra cash and I often use that money to buy sustainable alternatives. Let’s face it, I own a good amount of fast fashion clothes but I’m not going to just throw them all away because that would just be adding to the problem. Instead, I can think of different ways to reuse these items and get the longest life out of them.

Shop on eBay or go thrift shopping.

Now, I know this idea might deter a few people but hear me out. This adorable dress was actually found thrifting. Since the cut of the dress is way too rebellious for my taste, I just threw on a simple turtleneck and called it a day. When I go thrift shopping, I really need to be in the right mood or else I won’t find anything. You really need to be open-minded to different ways you can style something. If you are, you’ll find endless things.

This is a great way to find vintage clothes and clothes for DIY projects. Plus, you’re helping cut down the impact of clothes that would be going to landfills and adding to our pollution problem.

Research the products and companies you’re buying from.

This is something I’m still trying to get used to. As an American and a blogger, I love consuming countless things I really don’t need. This is why I’m trying to refocus what I’ve been putting my money towards and seeing if it is really worth it. For example, instead of spending $50-70 bucks on a pair of cheap boots that I knew my awkward, pigeon-toed feet would ruin, I decided to buy a pair of high-quality boots from Thursday Boot Co. I did just as much research on these boots as I would on a camera. I looked up what type of leather they use, where they manufacture the boots, and what other consumers say about the boots. Since we live in such a technology-driven world, there is really no excuse to not researching a company before you buy from them. Plus, this really helps cut down on my impulse shopaholic habits.

Quality over quantity.

Just like my boots, you really want to make sure the products you’re buying are worth it. Are your boots going to last walking around three airports at top speed? Will that white shirt still look white after the 20th wash? Will that seam stay pull or unravel after the third wear? These are all questions I am starting to ask myself as I shop. I admit, I still shop and Marshalls and Nordstrom Rack. The only difference is that when I buy products from there I really want to make sure they’re really good quality. I no longer buy a $5 cotton shirt that is thinner than a piece of paper because I know that I might only get a few uses out of it. Plus, if the shirt is $5 think of how much the person making that shirt is getting paid. I’m hoping that as I start this journey I can start developing a sense of what is good quality and what isn’t. Lastly, just be aware.

Since fast fashion is so ingrained in our lives, it is so hard to quit cold turkey. I totally get that and I’m right there with you. But now that I’ve opened Pandora’s box for you, you’re going to start hearing a little nagging voice in the back of your head every time you want to buy a cheaply made shirt. Sorry! But, hopefully, your bank account will thank you.

If you want to know more about fast and slow fashion I highly recommend watching The True Cost on Netflix, listening or reading the book Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Fast Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, listening to the podcast Conscious Chatter by Kestrel Jenkins, and downloading the app Good on You. The following blogs are also great resources for finding more information on companies: Ecocult, Sustainably Chic, The Good Trade, and Ethical Unicorn.

Now I know conscious shopping isn’t for everyone, but I hope this makes you just a little bit more aware of where you’re getting your clothes. What do you think about fast fashion/slow fashion? Have you seen The True Cost? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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5 Eco-Friendly Products You Need in Your Travel Bag

Published on February 8, 2018February 8, 2018 by PeculiarPorter6 Comments

As some of you already know from my Instagram stories, I’ve been traveling a little bit more for work. I recently went on a trip to Houston, Texas and I’m currently in Anaheim, California. I’m seriously living the dream. One of my goals this year was to find more products that are better for the environment and have fewer chemicals in them. I recently wandered to target to find a deodorant without aluminum and came across Target’s natural products aisle. I was floored to find so many natural products in one area. Here are some of the natural products I found for traveling.

Thayer’s Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner

I’ve been looking for a toner to put into my daily routine to tighten my pores without drying my already dry skin. I was super happy to find this alcohol-free toner from a family owned farm in Fairfield County, Connecticut. This toner is alcohol-free, paragon-free, pthalate-free, and cruelty-free. It also includes rose water to help soften and calm your skin. Since using it, I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin’s quality. The directions recommend applying the toner with a cotton ball but I find that very wasteful because you constantly are throwing them out. Not to totally promote my company, but I’ve actually been applying it with a swab so I can reuse it instead of constantly throwing out in the trash.

Java Truly Skin Care Body Serum

This is actually the only product in my eco-friendly list that wasn’t purchased at Target. I talked about this product before and felt the need to bring it up again because of how much I love it. The delicious coffee grind oil has rejuvenated my skin in ways beyond belief. It has the power to improve the appearance of wrinkles, firmness, redness, and texture all while protecting against skin damage. And it does all that while smelling like drops of heaven. Plus, this company is cruelty-free and they exclusively import all of their green coffee from Smithsonian Certified Coffee Farms and then it is stone milled in Rhode Island.

Shea Moisture Sensitive Skin Facial Moisturizer

I’m obsessed with not only this product but the mission behind this product. Every time you buy this facial moisturizer from Shea Moisture, they donate 10% of their profits to support empowerment in entrepreneurship, education, and equity. They do this by investing in communities through funding, infrastructure, and safety programs to sustainably source indigenous ingredients, grow local manufacturing of high-quality goods in their own villages, and provide fair prices for their goods and labor. They sum it up through their slogan, “It’s not a donation. It’s an investment in an equitable world.” If that wasn’t enough to make you say “oh, heck yes” then let me talk about how it smells. Think about getting your favorite flowers and chocolate on a random Tuesday. Yes, it smells that good. It has a sweet, subtle rose fragrance with hints of palm and camellia extracts.

Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner

In my quest to find products that were chemical free, I found a few duds. I recently tried Love Beauty and Planet shampoo and conditioner and I wanted to love it so much. I tried it for three days and it made my hair knotty, frizzy, and curlier than you can even imagine. Because of this, I was very hesitant to try Maui Moisture. Nonetheless, I persisted and bought travel sized bottles to try out on my business trip. After using it for a couple days, I absolutely love this product! It is made with aloe vera juice, shea butter, and coconut water so you know it smells amazing and makes your hair feel like a mermaid’s locks. If you’re looking for a product that is silicone free then definitely check it out! Plus, the plastic is all made from post-consumer plastic.

Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Cleanser

Yes to has been on my radar ever since I tried their face masks this past summer. All of their products contain at least 95% natural ingredients, are free of parabens, cruelty-free, and are made with recyclable materials (literally everything I want to hear). This is a very similar product to the chemical collector Boire. I love Boire, but I felt it was time to find something that wouldn’t be as harsh on my skin. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking out Yes to’s product line and face masks.

What eco-friendly products do you love? Let me know in the comments down below (I would love to try some out)!

As always,

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Half United: Sustainable Fashion that Gives Back

Published on November 17, 2017April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter6 Comments

I hope your day is going wonderfully. The holiday season has been on my mind all week. I even filmed a holiday video for work on Tuesday. With that said, I wanted to talk about a great gift that not only is cute but gives back. The last time I was in Albany, I stumbled upon La Luce Boutique. It was an adorable shop filled with sustainable fashion projects and they even had products from few companies I talked about last year. I was thrilled to find a Half United necklace hanging in all its glory. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it.

The idea behind Half United is that customers are doing their half by uniting together to make a lasting change in children’s lives. Each product has seven meals built into the cost. These meals go to children in the USA, Haiti, Fiji, and Cambodia. After every three months, Half United divides the funds into four charity partners.

The partners and locations explained in more detail:

Cambodia: Half United has teamed up with the EAI orphanage in Phnom, Penh Cambodia. EAI focuses on empowering children emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Half United sells different products ranging from slogan tees to jewelry. One item they sell the most is the necklace I’m picturing in this post. The necklace is made out of a recycled bullet casing to represent the fight against hunger. Every time a customer purchases a ‘Fighting Hunter’ necklace, they are peacefully fighting hunger all over the world by providing seven meals to a child in need. Personally, I love this idea of using something that is usually aggressive and harsh and showing it used in a way that can help others. Plus, Half United is recycling metal that would otherwise be thrown away.

This holiday season, when you’re filling up your bellies and dragging yourself out to the madness of Black Friday, think about how you could help others with your gifts. Be on the lookout next week for a full list of sustainable fashion that gives back to communities in need. Afterall, isn’t part of the holiday season helping others? I’ll also be showing how I style this necklace soon.

What do you think about Half United? What do you think about wearing a bullet casing? Let me know in the comments down below.

The Giving Keys

Published on November 7, 2017April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter9 Comments

Hello friend! Hope your week is going well! I had a busy weekend in Boston. Tomorrow will be traveling to New York City for a Copywriter’s workshop. I’m very excited to see what kind of skills they will be highlighting.

Packing for New York City got me thinking about the necklace I constantly put on. You may have noticed this dainty necklace in many of my outfit of the day posts. For example, here are four of my most recent outfits where I wore this necklace:

Outfit 1, Outfit 2, Outfit 3, Outfit 4

This necklace is from The Giving Keys, a small company based in Los Angeles. The Giving Keys is a pay it forward company that employees people who are transitioning out of homelessness. They live with a three-word philosophy: dream, create, and inspire.

Each key is labeled with words such as, “dream”, “believe”, “brave”, “hope”, “let go”, and “love.” These words are meant to be a reminder that you can carry with you throughout your daily life. Personally, I decided to pick a small, tiny necklace that reads “dream.” I picked this word because I believe that one day I will be able to make an impact in this world whether that be through my words or my actions. I want to dream of endless opportunities and situations where I can achieve that goal. Wearing this necklace is a constant reminder to make an impact on today, tomorrow, and all the days to come. It’s a touch of inspiration every day.

They have many necklaces and some are a little bit more of an eye-catching statement. I personally want a big silver necklace like the necklace one or the exact same necklace I have in silver. Some of my personal favorites that I’ve been eyeing are the following:

BREATHE_Gold_BallChain_Classic_001.progressive

Necklace 1, Necklace 2, Necklace 3

As you may have noticed, I’m starting to write more about pay it forward companies that help other people in their daily lives. I recently did a post on socially conscious tees and want to continue bringing this idea into the fashion world. Fashion can be so much deeper than a pretty pair of clothes or jewelry. With the right plan or idea you can help so many different people just as The Giving Keys. I hope to take you on my journey of finding more and more products that help give people opportunities to thrive in this world.

What is your opinion on companies that pay it forward? Do you know any companies in mind I should look into? Let me know in the comments down below.

P.S. Dream on.

As always,

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5 Graphic Tees that Give Back

Published on October 24, 2017April 3, 2018 by PeculiarPorter8 Comments

Disclaimer: Running for Rescues contacted me to review their organization. They personally sent me this graphic tee. Every thought and opinion expressed on Peculiar Porter are entirely mine alone and do not reflect the views or opinions of Running for Rescues.

Style can do so many great things for your confidence, but it can also help others in need. Running for Rescues, a local Connecticut organization, recently reached out to me and asked if they could send me one of their shirts. Since I’m a huge animal lover, I immediately said yes.

Running for Rescues is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that raises money through races, donations, and products to help rescue animals from high-kill shelters. Runners from across the country can pick a race they want to run and fundraise independently for Running for Rescues. This money then goes to small organizations that help fun the rescuing animals and the associated costs.

As some of you may already know, I’m that obnoxious person who talks in baby voices to dogs. I know, it’s embarrassing and I cannot help it in the slightest. With that said, I don’t know what I would do without my two dogs. Butch and Daisy are like weird, goofy humans. They both have their own personalities compact with weird poses, obsessive habits, and funky sounds. We picked up my dogs from a farm in the middle of a huge blizzard. With that said, Butch and Daisy were not rescued from a kill-shelter. However, I can only imagine what it would be like if my dogs were behind bars, constantly waiting for a warm home, hugs, kisses, and above all… love. No animal should be put down just because they simply exist. If you have the ability to run, donate, or purchase a shirt from Running for Rescues, I’m sure each and every dog and cat would be thankful with warm, slobbery kisses.

Buying socially conscious goods opens an opportunity to start conversations and develop awareness to values you believe in. It is one thing to be stylish and another thing to be able to convey messages you’re passionate about. By wearing a t-shirt that captures the values you believe in, you can create a conversation that wouldn’t have been able to happen otherwise. Plus, you’ll look good doing so.

Graphic tees are incredibly easy to style with any outfit. You can throw on a fun skirt like I did in this post or put on a bold pair of colored pants like I did in these pictures. Lately, I’ve been really into trying the graphic tee into a knot and rolling up the sleeves. Just throw a fun jacket over this look and bam a whole new look. You’re making an impact while having an incredible outfit.

I admit it is pretty hard to find socially conscious t-shirts unless you look hard for them. That is why I developed a little list of five companies you can buy shirts from. You can buy a Running for Rescue shirt here or you can buy one from these four other companies:

1, 2, 3, 4

Feed Shirt ($16.50). For every purchase from Feed, a portion of the money goes to school meals. This particular shirt provides 10 school meals to children in need. Feed has a wide selection of bags and accessories. I’ve been saving for one of their beautiful, leather bags.
Arm the Animals ($21.99). Similar to the company I’m sporting in this post, tArm the Animals’ mission is to spread the word about animal welfare. They have a long list of witty t-shirts that bring awareness to neglected animals.
Krochet Kids ($48). Every product that is made from Krochet Kids is hand signed by the person who made it. They do this in an effort to make you realize where your products come from. This particular shirt states “Wear for Hope.” Their business is established on the principle that people in developing countries should be paired fairly and equality.
Serengetee ($32). Serenge Tee supports 32 different causes ranging from education to ending sex trafficking. Each shirt comes with a different pattern that is linked to a specific cause. If you want to incorporate abstract patterns in your every day look while helping out great causes look at this company.

What do you think about graphic tees that give back? Do you think we’ll be seeing it more in fashion? Do you know of any similar companies? Let me know in the comments down below.

As always,

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