Tukula

I am so excited Friday is finally here.  I have been having to keep this post under wraps for a few weeks now, but it is sooo worth the wait.  So, without further ado here is the big secret I've had to keep lol.

I have teamed up with an AMAZING accessories company named Tukula which means "We Grow" to help raise awareness about  their beautiful mission and for a...... A GIVEAWAY!!!!  Yes! Tukula has been kind enough to sponsor a giveaway. So thank you so much Tukula!! Before we get to their beautiful products, let me tell you why I feel like Tukula is such an inspirational company.

Tukula is based in Jinja, Uganda which if you didn't know, is the second largest town in Uganda, Africa. Times in Uganda are far from simple and leisure.  There is a lot of devastating poverty and secure, reliable jobs are hard to come by.  Tukula is amazing because they offer stable and consistent seamstress jobs for women in Jinja.  These women are given health benefits, a safe and encouraging work environment, they are introduced to savings programs, and they are paid fare wages.  Can you imagine how relieving these benefits are to these women in a poverty stricken town??

Another reason Tukula is amazing is because they see how important education is for the women in Uganda. Like I said before times are hard so an education can get you far.  Tukula offers paid internships for girls & women who are considering dropping out of sewing school due to lack of funds, health, or other issues.  The internships allow the women to finish their education and have a guaranteed job after their graduation. Did I mention that the interns also receive the same benefits as the full time employees, so they are able to focus on their education worry free?

I love that Tukula's mission is trying to help Women in Uganda have a better life with benefits and education. These women all have hopes, and dreams.  Many of them have families and small children.  Because of Tukula they are able to achieve their dreams and, give their families more opportunities and set examples for their children.

Tukula has really been a blessing to so many women in Jinja, Uganda. Please head on over to Tukula's website and get to know the amazing artisans.  Their stories are spectacular, and they all are so beautiful and so humble, and loving.  Their smiles are contagious and you can see how genuine they are.  Their stories really put into perspective how much Tukula has helped them, and given them hope.

I think this is super cool, the cloth the items are made from is not always available in the same print, so you my friends will be either be winning a one of a kind beautiful, beaded, handmade clutch, or a gorgeous, bright red, handmade beaded bracelet.  I couldn't decide which one to give away to the winner.  So, I thought it would be fun to let the winner pick the item they'd like.
Just to let you know these items are from their Spring/Summer 2014 line.  Their new website launched this morning so please show your support and go check it out.  Below are some photos of the gorgeous products you have a chance to win!!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED!!!!!  Thank you to all who entered!

***How to enter***

This is a NATIONAL giveaway only!!!

1. Like Tukula's Facebook Page (Here)

2. Follow me on Instagram (jaimeytripp)

3. Follow my blog (Here)

4. Leave a comment telling me you did all of the above and let me which item you would like to win.

Contest will end Thursday March 20th at 10:00PM (MST)where the winner will be randomly picked.  This will allow me to announce who the winner is on Friday's post.

Good Luck to you all!!!

Fashion + Giving Back = Sword & Plough

Happy Friday friends.
I'm really enjoying doing my inspirational Friday posts.  I hope you guys are able to find some inspiration from them.  Inspiring people was one of the biggest reasons why I started blogging.  It's been fun finding quotes and books and fashion companies I think will inspire you.

I came across this company who I find has a very inspiring mission.  The company is Sword & Plough.  Are you wondering what their name means?  Here you go.  Sword & Plough is an ancient saying that means "To turn swords into plough shares."  Translation... "To take military technologies and materials and apply them to peaceful civilian applications."  So basically they take military supplies and turn them into items civilians can use.  In this case their items are handbags, and accessories!!!

Their mission: Empower Veteran employment, Reduce waste and Strengthen shared civil-military understanding.  What their company does is first they recycle over 1000 pounds of military surplus materials (tents, sleeping bags, parachutes) that would've been trashed.  Then they combine durable fabrics with Eco-friendly leather accents into stylish designs.  These leather accents, and other durable textiles are manufactured in America.  From there the materials are sent to Veteran owned, and staffed manufactures.  This is where the construction of the bags take place.  One of the manufacturers is Green Vets LA.  Sword & Plough also works with many other American manufacturing companies as well as non-profit organizations. These beautiful bags are then sold and with each sale 10% of the profit goes back to the initial users of the products.

How cool is that?  Their mission is both amazing & beautiful.  Are you guys ready to see their products? Well I think you all will be very surprised.  Theses bags are not only beautiful, but because they are military products, they are all extremely durable and water resistant.

 I will be the first to admit that I forget that there are men and women overseas fighting for our country which allows me to raise my children in a safe country.  I am so grateful for all the selfless men and women who sacrifice their lives and time away from their families.  So thank you so much to all of you who have ties to the military.  We appreciate your service so much!  My challenge for you friends, is the next time you see a vet or a military personal smile at them and thank them for their service.  Or if you have an opportunity to do help them out, please do so and don't forget that they've helped you too.  Pay it forward!!
Don't forget to check out Sword & Plough's website.

I hope you found a little inspiration in today's post.  Big Hugs XxX
                                                                                                   Jaimey

A little bit Vintage

So, for my very first post, I thought I would do just a simple outfit.  This piece kind of fell together.  While I was at a thrift store I saw this Ann Taylor top.  I wasn't there to look for shirts, I was actually there looking for fur coats and vests.  But, every time I walked past this shirt rack this shirt kept popping out at me.  Finally, I decided to give it a look.  I am so glad I did.  I love this shirt, I love the pleating down the front of the shirt, I love the little peek a boo windows on the upper sleeves, and I love how the sleeves flow over my wrists.  Did I mention I love this shirt???

I paired it with my acid wash black jeans, a skinny belt, boots, and some gold jewelry.  I like to tuck a section of my loose shirts into my pants, because I feel like it gives it a more polished and put together look.  I felt by adding a little bit of gold to the outfit it would warm it up and make it feel a little more vintage.

How cute is this coat?  This was another accidental find... the best kind right?  I was actually looking for a brown coat and just like the shirt this coat kept screaming my name.  Again, I tried it on and fell in love with it.  I think the ruffles around the collar are so cute and feminine.  This coat is cute and warm, and the best part... $12.  I know right?  I love bargains!

 

 

 

 

 

shirt: Ann Taylor (thrift store)

Pants: H&M

belt: target

boots: old

necklaces: forever21

gold bracelet: forever21

gold glasses bracelet: kohls

pink stone bracelet: old

coat: rue21