Now that Summer is just about over, it’s time to trade those summer shawls and bright accessories for warm knits and fun Fall jewelry. Check out these brands that will have you ready for Fall before the leaves change!

1. Charity Wrap

This is one of those brands that not only has an awesome selection or accessories, but also donates a portion of the proceeds to various organizations, such as Feed the Children! Favorite pick for Fall is the Emma infinity scarf; it has the perfect combo of softness and warmth that you’ll need for those chillier Fall days.

2. Khalama

Khalama is a gorgeous jewelry and accessories brand that is filled with Tibetan symbolism that’ll help ground you as the busy school year begins! Khalama takes the beauty of nature and Tibetan spiritual symbols, like the Buddha and koi fish, along with natural stones to create the perfect accessories for Fall and beyond!

3. Sh*t That I Knit

Not only do they have an incredible name, they also have an incredible line of knitwear that designed to last! From beanies to soft, warm, cowls, they have exactly what you need to stay warm for all of those hay rides…or maybe just school drop offs.

4. Sugar Bean

Get your funky Fall style on with Sugar Bean jewelry, an awesome collection favored by celebs that will make you feel like the rock star that you are! From fun lightning bolt earrings to simple gold cuffs, you can find the perfect look for you.

5. s.t.e.f.

If you’re looking for something super clean, classic, and ethically made, check out s.t.e.f- a brand straight out of Austin, TX. This made in the US brand has a great collection of clutches, cuffs, and clothes that will set you up for Fall!

The post Warm Up and Dress Up: Fall is (almost) Here appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Ever feel overwhelmed when it comes to finding fashion that speaks directly to you? Are you looking for a brand that offers more than just a high-end or popular label? Do you support companies with valuable products that inspire you to take the world by storm and live up to your potential rather than fall in line behind others? What about stylists who design for a cause? If you answered “yes” to any of these, then we’ve got something in common! We too crave more when it comes to the statements we wish to make with our clothes and accessories. Get inspired with us as we explore the options for those seeking serious style with a purpose.

Tees with quotes are definitely having a moment in fashion! While most teens and young adults are sporting Beyoncé’s “I Woke Up Like This” lyrics or something of the like as part of their favorite fashion, it’s probably more of a cry for attention rather than a form of self-expression. Ditch the monotonous memes, habitual hashtags and clichéd quotes that have saturated the clothing industry, and opt for All the Above Clothing.  ATA Clothing line for men and women features tees inspired by precious life moments and experiences rather than pop culture. Pulling inspiration from unlikely sources throughout life and history, ATA pairs abstract designs with meaningful themes that are sure to tug at your heartstrings. Whether it’s heaven, freedom, giving, unanswered prayers or courage, ATA Clothing features products that reach the heart and soul of their customers. To view the entire collection, visit ata-clothing.com.

Find and keep your daily motivation with casual jewelry born out of one woman’s need for inspiration. With an assortment of casual sporty pieces ranging from bracelets to shoelace charms, Momentum’s athletic jewelry will keep your motivation going strong. Amy, Momentum’s founder, was in search of a little something extra when planking during a fitness class! What a simple yet powerful “you’ve got this!” would have meant at the time is what inspired her to create functional fashion to get others through a tough workout or even a tough day! Whether at work, at play or on the go, this personal champion is the perfect pick-me-up! With a visible reminder to “Dig Deep” or “Live Every Day with Intention,” these vibrant baubles will truly speak to you when you need it most! To shop all of Momentum’s looks, visit DesignsThatMoveYou.com.

It was a simple request from her 10-year-old son Oliver that drove Mindy Scheier to challenge conventional clothing options for children and adults with physical disabilities. Suffering with muscular dystrophy, Oliver’s request to wear jeans to school left Mindy questioning why jeans were not created to fit over her child’s leg braces he needed in order to walk. She saw this request from her son as an opportunity to enhance his options by adapting mainstream clothing to fit those who are differently-abled. Whether confined by a wheelchair, leg braces or other obstacle that once left a person with fewer fashion options, the possibilities are now improving thanks to Mindy’s Runway of Dream Foundation. Now the authority on adapting mainstream clothing, Runway of Dreams’ goal is to “change the fashion landscape so it’s inclusive of everyone,” especially children like Mindy’s son. Collaborating with major players in the fashion industry, not-for-profit Runway of Dreams has launched a successful indiegogo campaign which encourages people to take action and change the lives of those struggling with fewer clothing options due to physical disabilities. Ultimately, the designer hopes that Runway of Dreams will become an option in major mainstream clothing stores throughout the nation and beyond. To support Runway of Dreams, visit RunwayOfDreams.org.

In her hometown of Montreal, Canada, Amanda was gearing up to raise money for The Women’s Weekend to End Breast Cancer, when she re-discovered her love for crafting unique jewelry that would help support a cause. Amanda, along with her sister Tiffany, launched Sweetheart Jewelry Box, an affordable and hand-made line of jewelry featuring bracelets, earrings and necklaces that won’t break the bank. Using gorgeous glass beads and chic crystals in their designs, Amanda and Tiffany have made it easy to find pieces to layer or match with others in their collection.  “We’re pursuing our dream to be creative on a daily basis,” says Amanda. “We are passionate about what we do and hope you can see the love we put into each handmade piece.” These delicate and feminine baubles can be found at SweetheartJewelryBox.com, and with the majority of the collection below $20, you’ll have the look of luxury without paying the price!

The post Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

A note from AKA Mom Associate Publisher, Wendy Manning:

I was recently invited to my first Trades of Hope home party at a friend and neighbor of mine’s house. I was truly inspired by the idea behind this company. I hope you will read the article below and be inspired to make a difference in the life of another. The uplifting feeling of helping someone will definitely make a difference in yours! Please help spread the word about Trades of Hope.

While attending a candle party, Holly Wehde of Palm Coast, Florida had an inspiration:  If candles and kitchenware can get into every home in America through home parties, why not use a home party business to help women all over the world out of poverty? And that is how Trades of Hope began.  It’s a mission AND a business which creates a market for exquisite handcrafts such as scarves, jewelry, baskets, wall hangings, purses, etc.

Trades of Hope is NOT a typical “party” business where mass-produced items are sold to benefit only the manufacturer and the saleswomen.  Here’s the difference:  the women who create Trades of Hope products are real people with real needs.  They are women who love their children, but who, through no fault of their own, have not been able to feed and clothe those children.

Trades of Hope works through fair trade organizations, ensuring that artisans are paid fair wages, which gives them the opportunity to improve their living conditions and provide for their families.  Women are being rescued from the sex trade, sweatshops, slums and extreme poverty.

The “party with a purpose” and the idea of “women helping women” has been warmly embraced by customers.  Each Trades of Hope item comes with an attached card stating where it was made and telling something about the artisan.  These products make wonderful gifts, as the giver is giving twice….once to the gift recipient and once to the artisan.

The following is a message from a Trades of Hope artisan who lives in Bangladesh:

“My name is Shova. I am 35.  My only son died of a fever when he was four.  My husband did not earn enough money to feed us so he left me and I had to move in with my brother.  Before I started making products to sell we did not have proper clothes or food. Our house was a mud hut. Now I make more than most people in my community and I send my brother’s children to school. I receive respect now and other women ask for my advice. I must give a message to those who buy my baskets and journals. Thank you for understanding our sorrow and situation. You have given us food and shelter and respect.”

Since its inception in September, 2010, Trades of Hope has acquired 90 representatives (Compassion Entrepreneurs) in 21 states, and continues to expand. The company also gives back 10% of sales in Gifts of Hope, buying sewing machines for women Haiti, and chickens, goats and pigs for women in Africa, thus enabling them to further improve their lives and become self sustaining.

 To learn more about Trades of Hope, visit www.tradesofhope.com. 

*Information above was provided by Deborah Adair – Compassion Entrepreneur in Tennessee. Deborah Adair is selling Trades of Hope as a ministry. In addition to the product sales helping women in poverty, Deborah is using her commissions to give to world missions and to organizations such as Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse and Rafiki African Orphanages to meet the needs of children in poverty around the world. To learn more about hosting a party or becoming a Compassion Entrepreneur, contact Deborah Adair at 931-490-0698, by email at debiadair@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TradesofHopeDeborahAdair

The post PARTIES WITH A PURPOSE appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

When thinking of essential accessories, it’s important to think of versatility, especially as gorgeous jewelry can be very expensive.  The ideal pieces should be classically interesting in order to go from a professional setting, to grocery shopping, to then a night out with friends. These select items don’t have to shatter your budget either, if you purchase with these simple tips in mind:

Earrings

A simple gem stone earring set is probably one of the most versatile of all styles.  A small sparkle in each lobe can effortlessly go from office to evening wear.  They will never go out of style, and will add a dash of bling to your look. Gemstone earrings make for the perfect versatile jewelry because they have the potential to be worn everyday and at the same time as most other jewelry, without being overpowering.

Necklaces

Simple but stylish is a great mantra to repeat when choosing a necklace suitable for every occasion. A small rope style chain in gold with a discrete charm, stone or pearl will look delicate and complimentary to almost all outfits. It can be worn to frame a button down shirt, to decorate your upper chest when going strapless or even over high neck sweaters for a sparkly touch. You may think a simple necklace like this is not very inspiring, but you’ll be surprised how many comments you receive when wearing it, because a sweet, precious piece radiates classic beauty.

Bracelets

In either silver or gold tones, a simple charm bracelet is an enchanting choice for your wrist. It can look great with a suit, dress, or a casual jeans look. What’s so fantastic about a charm bracelet is that if your jewelry budget is low, you can take time to add to it, by buying new charms only when you have some spare cash.

Watches

Increase elegance, style or creativity to your wardrobe by having a watch to suit your personal look. Every woman likes to have a little sparkle in her jewelry box, so a boldfaced metallic watch, encrusted with diamonds, will add a touch of sparkle and luxury to any outfit.  A quality timepiece will never be an investment to regret.

In a world of beautiful jewelry it’s easy to get carried away with the choice of color, design and variety, but with these four statement pieces you will never have to think too hard about matching your jewelry to your daily outfit changes. Consider this, one less thing to worry about!

By Amy Fleming

The post Jewelry for Every Occasion appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Deep Red Wool Floppy Hat
www.newlook.com

Crystal Flower Studs
www.accessorize.com

   Marino Cape
www.landsend.com

   Luxury Leather Water Resistant Gloves
  www.marksandspencer.com

Peacock Feather Earrings
www.georgeatasda.com

Felt Hat
www.frenchconnection.com

The post Winter Accessories appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.