We all said we wouldn’t do it. I said I wouldn’t do it. But I did.
I became that mom.
The one who wears yoga pants, flip-flops, and a slicked back bun…EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Well, let’s be fair; I’ve worn my orange sweatpants a few times in public too.
You may have seen last month’s post about Utopia Food & Fitness, which documented how I lost most of my baby weight. And while I was feeling pretty confident about my weight loss, I still wasn’t dying to look in the mirror. I’d lost any sort of style I ever had and it was time to make a change. It was time to get “Me” back. Yet, like most moms, I felt guilty when doing something for myself. That’s when it hit me- I could update my style while helping others.
As I sat down to begin my search, I had no idea that I would find companies that would “change my look” while also changing my heart. I’m so thrilled to share them with you.
Before
The Goods
After
This was my first step to my style make-over. I was quite proud of my long hair, thanks to the 2 years of prenatal vitamins. However, with my 2 kids, I found that my hair was always thrown into an unattractive, slicked back bun. I finally decided it was wrecking my style and it was time to go. I booked an appointment, cut off 8 inches, and donated it to Pantene Beautiful lengths where my hair would be turned into a wig for a woman who was fighting cancer.
Solos are handcrafted sunglasses made with recycled bamboo. The founder, Jenny Amaraneni, discovered that approximately 1 billion people do not have access to eye care and that nearly 80% of the world’s blindness is preventable. This inspired her to launch Solo Eyewear which sells super stylish glasses that, when purchased, provide eye care for people in need. Even when I slip back into my sweatpants, these glasses make me feel insta-cool. Sidenote: my husband steals them often.
Nicole Flowers designed an improved hip bag, not only in style but also because it gives back. It gives busy moms their hands back, and more importantly, with every purchase Hiip gives away a HiipKit (filled with basic necessities) to a person in need. Hiip hopes that their involvement with the homeless will have a positive impact, as well as encourage others to join in on the movement. Added bonus: Remove the hip strap to have an awesome clutch purse.
Woah. This shop is the gift that keeps on giving. Givington’s is a cool concept- they carry things you would want to buy anyway, yet give 30-50% of the profit to a charity OF YOUR CHOICE! That’s right, you can buy all sorts of goodies from coffee and books, to fashion, then choose where you want your money to be donated. Right now they have 81 charities to choose from (yes, I counted) but they are open to adding any 501 (c) 3 charity to the list. I LOVE the coffee and scarf I got from their site and plan on finding many Christmas presents this holiday season!
JEM Beverage Co:
Well, what do you expect? If you are going to take the mommy out of her sweatpants, you better hand her a cocktail! Especially if you are serving one that’s high-quality, local, AND gives back to charity. With every purchase of Western Son Vodka, JEM Beverage Co. donates money to the Peter Burks Unsung Hero Fund. This amazing charity sends items such as clean socks, books, calling cards and candy bars to our soldiers overseas. Since 2007, the charity has sent over 11 tons of goods.
So, mommies, you now have an excuse to get out there and spoil yourself a little. It feels good to help others while doing a little something for yourself!
Do you have a favorite business that gives back to charity?
