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Fashion Project: Fashion as a Force for Good

Not that I ever really need an excuse to shop, but I recently discovered a site that helps me put my dollars to good use for others while filling up my wardrobe.  Introducing… FashionProject_logo Fashion Project is an online clothing donation center with a mission to raise as much money as possible for charity by creating a community where members can donate clothing and shop for causes they care about.  Every sweater, handbag, or designer shoe that’s donated starts a movement that impacts the lives of others around the world. I’m a professed thrift store enthusiast (as seen here), but while perusing the Fashion Project site, I was surprised to learn what actually happens to the ~$52 billion in inventory that gets donated every year.  Any surplus inventory that isn’t sold is quickly sorted, compressed into a bale, and sold for .30 per pound to textile recycling facilities overseas.  Founders Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk created Fashion Project to maximize the value of these items and donate the majority of the proceeds to any cause chosen by the donor. So far, the results have been phenomenal, and the graphic below shows the impact of your simple purchases. fashionprojectimpact Pretty cool stuff, right?! And the best part about Fashion Project is that they actually have a great selection of merchandise at awesome products.

I’ve personally got my eye on the following items:

fashion-project-items1. Missoni Dress //  2. Giambattista Valli Jacket // 3. Givenchy Scarf 
4. Donna Morgan Dress // 5. Michael Kors Top // 6. Gucci Heels

P.S. You can also save 15% on your first order with code FASHIONHERO15

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Business Casual

Closet Confection: Jewel Thief

little-mistress-midi-skirt-2little-mistress-midi-skirt-judith-lieber-overturejudith-leiber-overturenine-west-purple-suede-shoes
{BCBGeneration Blouse (doppelganger here), c/o Little Mistress Midi Skirt (matching top here), Judith Leiber Overture Clutch (similar), Forever 21 Ring (similar), Nine West Shoes (similar)}

There’s just something about a tea-length skirt that makes me feel so posh and refined. So when the generous team over at Little Mistress reached out to me, I was irresistibly drawn to this beautiful midi skirt by Girls on Film.  It can be a tough length to pull off for some (which I learned the hard way when choosing my bridesmaids’ gowns years ago). But I think the key is to pick a shoe with a low-vamp in the front (bring on the toe cleavage, if you’re game!) to help elongate the leg.

You always take a gamble when you try out an online retailer, but this skirt exceeded my expectations.  I’ll probably be going back for the matching top on my own dime to wear for my upcoming birthday dinner. But for today’s ensemble, I went for a mix of rich jewel tones and automatically reached for this citrine-colored top. I acquired it way back in 2011, but I located it’s doppelganger at Forever 21. You can get it here, and it comes in the most gorgeous teal color. In fact, don’t be surprised if you see me wearing it soon!

My birthday’s still 2 weeks away, and my wishlist seems to be growing by the second as I type up this post. So I’ll just quit while I’m ahead.

Thanks for reading!

 P.S. This post is linked up with the following:
More Pieces of Me | PinkSole | I Would So Rock This | Still Being Molly

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Recipes

A Sweet Little Recipe: Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae

VEGAN SALTED CARAMEL ICECREAM SUNDAE My husband has a crazy sweet tooth, but I generally try to keep sweets and junk food out of the house.  But the other day, it was me who was craving ice cream and I just couldn’t get THIS delectable confection out of my head.  Luckily, I had all the ingredients on hand, so I dusted off my seldom-used ice cream maker and whipped up a batch of salted caramel icecream. And because I hate doing things halfway, I also made a delicious caramel syrup to go on top, borrowing from a previous recipe HERE.

But enough chit-chat. It’s time to queue the ingredients!

vegan-salted-caramel-icecream INGREDIENTS

Ice Cream

  • (3) 14 oz. cans of coconut milk
  • 3/4 cup of unrefined coconut palm sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt 
  • 1 vanilla bean 

Caramel Sauce

  • 1 cup of unrefined coconut palm sugar
  • 1/2 cup water 
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt 
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, but highly recommended!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract 

DIRECTIONS

  1. Refrigerate coconut milk overnight.
  2. When you open the cans the next day, the solids and liquids should have separated.  Spoon the milk solids into a small mixing bowl.
  3. Add coconut sugar, salt and the seeds and pulp from 1 vanilla bean.
  4. Beat until well blended with a hand mixer.
  5. Follow the instructions on your ice cream maker and let mixture freeze for at least 3 hours.
  6. For the caramel sauce, bring the coconut sugar, water, salt, and cayenne pepper to a boil in a small saucepan.
  7. Once the liquid has reduced to a thick syrupy consistency, add the vanilla extract and remove from heat.
  8. Allow to cool a few minutes and spoon over ice cream before serving.

vegan-salted-caramel-icecream-2

I still never cease to be amazed by all the different ways you can transform coconut milk (like THIS, for instance). This dessert turned out to be way more delicious than I expected, and I can’t wait to give other types of vegan ice cream a try!

Now for the burning question: how do you pronounce caramel? I used to be a ‘car-mel’ girl back when I lived in Detroit, but now I sound it out into three syllables.  No judgment either way, just curious…