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Fair Trade Fashions You Will Actually Want to Wear
Fashion for Good! During my younger years, I didn't give much thought to where my clothes came from in the world. As a teenager, disposable fashion was what it was all about. In my twenties and thirties, I realized that my mother might have been onto something when she told me that investment pieces and quality items were worth buying. I found that putting my money toward a great cause makes that investment go even farther. Of course, not all fashion brands are up to the challenge of blending style and philanthropy. “If we really wanted to make a difference, we knew we needed to offer what you needed in your day-to-day,” says Jordan Soderholm, fashion director at ABLE, an innovative fashion retailer. ABLE's goal is to create a label that more women can afford while remaining what stylish women will actually want to wear. The company started out modestly selling scarves but has evolved as trends shifted. I first met Soderholm and her team at a conference for creative entrepreneurs. She, along with founder Barrett Ward and his wife, explained that they were helping women in not only Ethiopia, Mexico and Peru, but also their hometown of Nashville, TN. Stepping into their bright and airy shop in The Nations neighborhood, I was instantly overcome with the desire to buy everything: luscious leather bags (handmade in Ethiopia), delicate rings and necklaces (created in-house), jeans (from Mexico) and shoes, glorious shoes (from Peru). What made these items even more special? I met the women who made them in the back of the shop; women who are being paid well above minimum wage. ABLE believes that the key to ending generational poverty isn't just to provide services, but to give a woman a job that will pay her a living wage that will end her reliance on nonprofit services. In an effort to get more fashion labels to end the cycle of taking advantage of women in factories, ABLE has put a call out for companies to join them in publicly publishing their lowest wages. But just because your purchase helps women doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. Investment pieces, even the ones investing in people, should look good and be on-trend. This is why we love brands like ABLE. SUPPORTING WOMEN THROUGH THE ITEMS YOU CRAVE. Raven + Lily Raven + Lily is a lifestyle brand offering fair trade fashion, accessories, and home furnishings with a mission to empower women on a global scale. Founder Kirsten Dickerson travels the world looking for women to employ and has found them in 10 countries so far, providing them with a fair trade wage and access to a safe job, sustainable income, and healthcare. Every Raven + Lily purchase, whether it is artisan jewelry and handbags or handcrafted soaps and soy candles, benefits the Raven + Lily ecosystem while also funding micro-loans to female entrepreneurs. Sseko Designs Buy a pair of sandals = send a girl to college. Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? This is the idea behind Sseko Designs, where every dress, bag and pair of sandals you buy is made by a team of women in Uganda who are saving for their college education. Finally, you can feel good about what you wear, and think about another child you have helped get through college, besides your own. Ecudane When three American sisters combined their love of travel and cultural understanding, Ecudane was born. This online market of curated short-run, high-quality products from around the world features blankets, ponchos, scarves, jewelry and more, enabling us all to become more aware of the beauty of the human experience. TAKING THE 'SEX' OUT OF FASHION No one, and we do mean no one, should ever feel threatened or forced to do something he or she doesn't want to do, no matter his or her gender, which is why we love to support companies who rescue women from human trafficking. And the companies featured here take it one step beyond rescue: they support girls and women at high risk of entering this form of slavery so that they are protected from ever being preyed upon by sex traffickers in the future. Through education, job training, health care, legal aid and counseling, these companies are able to bring new hope to women, and you can too. While there are a number of jewelry and accessory labels out there doing great work in the nonprofit sector, we love Purpose Jewelry, the Branded Collective and Her Future Coalition. These three organizations have made it their sole mission to help women escape from sex slavery, and help you support these efforts through beautiful, handmade creations, made exclusively by the women you have helped to protect. Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve, arm, neck and finger! These fashions were featured in the fall issue of Twist Travel Magazine. Keryn is a freelance writer, content creator, brand ambassador, local TV contributor and digital strategy consultant. Her work has been featured in Thrillist, Travel Age West, and other publications looking for authentic, well-written content. She is also the founder of WalkingOnTravels.com, a site for the active, adventurous parent. Shop Twist Travel Magazine Purchase print copies of single issues or subscribe and save!...
Three fantastic fall recipes
Fall Recipes that will make your mouth water! When temperatures start to cool off, it is time to heat things up in the kitchen. We love healthy dishes that don’t require a ton of time to make and ones that are crowd pleasers for the entire family! Try this simple sausage, vegetable and apple sheet pan dinner for busy weeknights, wow your friends at the next potluck with this twist on bruschetta using butternut squash and apples or gift a hard-working teacher this delicious pumpkin bread with coconut frosting! INGREDIENTS 12 oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced into 1/3 inch thick slices 16 oz sweet potatoes, peeled and diced 16 oz brussel sprouts, halved 1/2 medium red onion, diced into chunks 2 crisp baking apples, cored and diced 1/4 cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 tbsp chopped parsley (divided) DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. 2. Add sausage, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, apples and onion to sheet pan. 3. Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle with 1 tbsp parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat. 4. Roast in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove and toss. 5. Return to oven and continue to roast until vegetables and apples are tender, about 15-20 minutes longer. 6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. INGREDIENTS 2 cups diced butternut squash 1 cup diced apples 4 tbsp olive oil (divided) ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground nutmeg and ¼ tsp allspice 1 tsp salt (divided) and 1 tsp black pepper (divided) 8 slices french bread 1 cup ricotta cheese 2 tbsp balsamic glaze DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. 2. Toss the butternut squash and apples with 2 tbsp olive oil, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. 3. Place evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. 4. While the squash and apples are roasting, brush the sliced bread with 2 tbsp olive oil. Set aside. 5. Combine the ricotta cheese with the remaining ½ tsp black pepper and salt. 6. Place the slices of bread into the oven for 4-5 minutes, or until toasted. 7. Remove the bread from the oven and top with the ricotta cheese, roasted squash and apple mix. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze. INGREDIENTS 3 cups sugar 1 cup oil 3 eggs 1 16-ounce can of pumpkin 3 cups plain flour, unsifted 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg chopped pecans DIRECTIONS 1. Mix first four ingredients well. 2. Add dry ingredients and spices. 3. Mix thoroughly. 4. Divide mixture among three loaf pans, which have been greased and floured. 5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. COCONUT ICING 1 1/2 unsalted butter, softened 5 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1/8 tsp salt 6 tbsp canned coconut milk 1. Using a handheld mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, or about 5 minutes. 2. Add 2 cups of confectioners' sugar; beat on medium to low speed until most of the sugar is moistened. Gradually add in the remaining sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. 3. Add salt and coconut milk and beat on medium speed until fully mixed. To finish this dessert, microwave 1 cup of coconut icing for 30 seconds and drizzle over cooled bread. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. These recipes were featured in the fall issue of Twist Travel Magazine and created by the Magnolia Mamas! Andrea Fellman is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Twist Travel Magazine. She is a stylish nomad and expat mom living in Barcelona with her husband, two kids and a dog! She blogs about family travel, expat life, and her online business adventures at Wanderlust Living. Shop Twist Travel Magazine Purchase print copies of single issues or subscribe and save!...
5 Places to get the best views in London
There's no doubt about it, London's skyline is impressive. The cityscape has changed dramatically over the years and is now filled with iconic landmarks such as The Shard and the Walkie Talkie. If you arrive in the capital by plane then you may be lucky enough to fly right over central London, providing you with a birds-eye view of the city. A flight is an expensive way to get a view, however, so if you're looking to see the skyline from up high, try one of these five best places to get a London view instead. The London Eye The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel that sits on the South Bank of the River Thames (right near the London Aquarium). It opened to the public in March 2000 and has since become the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. The structure measures 135 metres tall and was once the highest public viewing point in London until The Shard came along and stole its crown. Still, it's a really fun way to see the city and a great way to get a view. Visitors enter glass pods that revolve slowly around the large wheel, allowing you to see the capital at its best. The Shard Measuring 310m, The Shard is London's tallest building and one of its most dramatic. This 95-storey skyscraper is home to offices, three restaurants, ten residential apartments, the five-star Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and the UK's highest viewing gallery, The View from The Shard. Located at the top of the building, on floors 68, 69 and 72, the viewing gallery offers incredible 360-degree views for up to 40 miles. Visits are timed and it's wise to book your tickets in advance, especially if you're visiting during the holidays. If you're lucky enough to source a babysitter, then book a date night at GŎNG Bar on level 52 and enjoy drinks with views across the city. Duck and Waffle For breakfast (or lunch, or dinner) with a view, head to the Duck and Waffle, a 24-hour restaurant located in the heart London's financial district. Its signature dish is fried duck leg, and fried duck egg, on a crispy waffle but the menu also serves a wide range of other dishes including everything from big breakfasts and large steaks to grilled cheese sandwiches, beer-braised rabbit and more. But it's not just the food that you come for here; located on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower with floor to ceiling windows, the Duck and Waffle boasts some of the best views in London. Primrose Hill It's not just sky-high buildings that offer the best views in town, some of London's parks also offer spectacular views across the capital. In north London, Primrose Hill is a lovely area located on the northern side of Regent's Park. From the top of the 213ft eponymous hill, you can see across central London as well as Hampstead and Belsize Park to the north. The area was once hunting ground for the royal family and later a place where duels were fought and prize-fights took place. These days, however, it's one of the city's most upmarket neighbourhoods, home to the rich and famous. Greenwich Park Another place where you can get a fabulous natural view of London is from Greenwich, located in the south of the capital. Greenwich is a World Heritage Site and Greenwich Park is home to a number of historic buildings including the Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory, which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (who was also the architect behind St. Paul's Cathedral). Climb to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park and, outside the observatory, you will be rewarded with stunning views of London. Afterwards, head to the Trafalgar Tavern on the waterside, one of the most historic pubs in the area where Charles Dickens once used to drink! Katja Gaskell is a travel writer recently returned to London, U.K. after 12 years of living abroad in Australia, India and Mexico. She's the co-founder of globetotting.com and is a firm believer that you can - and should! - take your kids everywhere. Katja has written across a range of titles for Lonely Planet guidebooks, tested luxury hotels for Mr & Mrs Smith and has contributed to publications including BBC Food, Hotelier International and The Australian. Shop Twist Travel Magazine Purchase print copies of single issues or subscribe and save!...
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