From totally affordable to mucho moneyz, designer to artisan, organic to socially responsible, here are 5 things I discovered this week that I’m  IN LOVE WITH.

1. Mustache Scarf Cowl, $39, Pip Robins via Etsy; 2. Polka Dot Sweater, £350, Chinti and Parker; 3. Seething Jealousy Polish, $11.99, Scotch Naturals; 4. Fair Isle Long Socks, £20, People Tree; 5. Melissa Oxfords, $74, Raffaelo

Clarins Feed 25 Bag, $90

Fashion gives back in each and every one of the following charitable design initiatives. Take a second to reflect and be grateful, and disseminate good. Join in the spirit of giving and add one of these to your gift list this holiday season!

Clarins and FEED

In collaboration with Lauren Bush, the co-founder of FEED Projects, Clarins has created the Feed 25 Bag aiming to provide 1 million meals to underprivileged children through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The bag’s stenciled number 25 represents that the sale of one bag brings 25 nutritious meals.

The Clarins Feed 25 Bag ($90, but a value of $150+) includes four full-sized versions of Beauty Flash Balm, One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, Moisture Rich Body Lotion and Smoothing Body Scrub for a New Skin, four of Clarins’ most loved products. Not to mention, you’re getting a fantastic, functional tote.

The bag is available at Bloomingdale’s. Clarins has always aimed to create a more beautiful future, and to destroy the struggle of daily hunger may create the most beautiful future of all.

[picture via the Talenthouse Art&Sole Facebook tab]

UGG Australia Art & Sole

Who doesn’t love a little DIY? UGG Australia is hosting a DIY contest allowing users to virtually design their own UGG Australia boots. The winning design will be produced and sold online and in stores across America and a portion of proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of America.  The winner of course gets recognition too! He/She will receive $5,000, a complimentary pair of their boots and a bag, not to mention global exposure!

The interactive application is available on the Talenthouse.com website, and the Art & Sole Facebook tab. Submit creations now through Dec. 26th and/or vote for your favorite Dec. 27-Jan. 5. Simply download the template, design boots and upload!

Nicole Miller

Hand crafted, brightly colored accessories make up the fantastic Indego Africa line to empower women in Rwanda. The enticing color-popping bangles have already made headway, but the wrap skirts and shorts (both $65) are new, fun tributes to this global friendly initative. Nicole Miller visited Rwanda herself to teach sewing, draping and tailoring techniques. While Rwandan women gain confidence, power and skills, let’s work to multiply the impact.

[image via Vogue.co.uk]

Isabel Marant for Gap

French designer Isabel Marant and Gap have used fashion to make the world a better place in their recent t-shirt design collaboration. Gap’s classic boyish heather grey tee (£24.50, $38.50) is printed with a splotched paint pattern, available online at gap.eu, to help support World Aids Day. 50% of the proceeds go to the Global Fund to help eliminate Aids in Africa.

Large Fabric Bag, $75

M. Missoni for Orphanaid Africa

Margherita Missoni’s capsule collection for M. Missoni was created specifically to benefit the vulnerable children and their families of Ghana, West Africa. The cheerful collection of dresses ($165), t-shirts ($125), a skirt ($105), belted coat ($255) ballerinas ($195), pouch ($80) and a hobo bag ($75) in the signature zig-zag pattern are trendy and fun in red and pink. Proceeds from each purchase go to Orphanaid Africa as they fight poverty, hunger and disease.

Let’s follow the company ambassador and become global ambassadors ourselves by helping a country in need! Shop now at yoox.com.

U.S. Fund for Unicef

With one of the worst humanitarian crises occurring at present in the Horn of Africa, Threadless, BBH New York and the U.S. Fund for Unicef have united in their efforts to launch GOOD SHIRTS, a unique clothing line to support the drought and famine in Africa. 100% of the donations will go to the U.S. Fund for Unicef holiday initiative. Each t-shirt design, shown here, pictures a much-needed aid item.

Depending on donation amount, each design mirrors the product those in the Horn of Africa will benefit from. For example, for a donation of $18.57, the cost of three insecticide treated mosquito nets, supporters receive a t-shirt featuring a mosquito. For a donation of $500, the cost of a community water pump, supporters receive a t-shirt featuring a water pump.

Schick Quattro for Women

Help Schick Quattro for Women in their partnership with Feeding America, the #1 hunger-relief charity! Give a loved one, or pamper yourself, with this high-performance razor. Visit www.facebook.com/schickquattroforwomen to download a $2.00-off coupon for any of the brand’s razors or refills. In return, they’ll donate 50 cents per coupon download to Feeding America. A coupon that gives thanks – two in one goodness!

Talbots Quotable Tote

Tote around your support or give as a gift the Talbots Quotable Tote, $20, with 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of this tote benefit the Talbots Scholarship Program, which gives assistance to women pursuing a college education later in life. The tote features inspirational words by women who have challenged themselves by heading back to school. The totes are available in-store, at Talbots.

Each gift mentioned above is guaranteed to put a smile on more than the face of the receiver.

-Alana Quagliariello

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There’s been a lot of questions regarding what parabens are, and why they should be avoided, so we decided to pull together some definitions and products to help to shed light on the subject. When’s the last time you looked at the ingredients in your face soap or moisturizer? Maybe it’s time to start paying attention and deciding what you want and don’t want on your body.

What are parabens? A paraben is any of a group of compounds used as preservatives in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the food industry (dictionary.com).

What products have parabens? Shampoos, moisturizers, lipstick, foundation, concealer, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving and cleansing gels to name a few. Without parabens, bacteria would begin to develop in the product, potentially harming users.

Why should we avoid parabens? Recently, health concerns are popping up as we are being told to steer clear of paraben products. They are being linked to cancer and/or hormonal disruptions. Whether or not they are incredibly harmful remains in question, but for those who wish to err on the side of safety, we’ve found plenty of products that do not contain parabens.

1. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion: A lightweight moisturizer designed to leave a balanced appearance, priced at $24.50.

2. Neutrogena Naturals is a line devoted to pure, natural skincare. Prices range from a $2.99 lip balm to a $7.49 cleanser.

3. Tarte 24.7 Natural Lip Sheer, SPF 15 gives lips a “treat-mint” with vitamin E and a breath freshening burst, all for $16. Available in 5 shades at Ulta.com.

4. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation, $25, gives flawless coverage without any harmful substances. Made from only pure, crushed minerals, this powder feels like a cream. Check out the entire Bare Escentuals line available at Sephora.com

5. Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush and Brighten Boysenberry, $29.50 The matte finish of this blush provides a warm, natural-looking flush to the skin, while the color palette is just exquisite to look at.

The preservatives may help shelf life, but these paraben-free products are more concerned with real life. If the results are real, why not take a natural approach to skincare? To find a range of products and brands specifically paraben free and/or made mainly of natural ingredients, most beauty e-tailers now offer sections dedicated just to that classification at places like Sephora, ULTA, and Drugstore.com.

-Alana Quagliariello

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Defined as ‘dried leaf’ in Kiswahili, the jewelry brand Mikuti specializes in partnering and collaborating with individuals, workshops, and artists within Tanzania to help foster a sustainable economy in which workers receive fair wages for their handcrafted goods. The Mikuti story started  in  2009, while founder Erika Freund was volunteering with a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in the Meru District of Tanzania, and came to the realization that the banana tree could yield some artisan crafted,  beautiful baubles.

Fast forward to 2011: Freund offers an array of beautiful, handmade bracelets and necklaces, ranging in price from $27-$95 made of banana tree bark, local textiles, and recycled aluminum — beautiful to look at, wonderful to think about, and perfect to give as a gift this holiday season! We also got to interview Ms. Freund about her journey and her vision for the future of the brand; read below:

FPD: Tell us a bit about your background prior to founding Mikuti?

EF: I grew up in New Jersey, but throughout my 20’s I moved around a bit; Boston, Sydney Australia, Washington DC, and Brooklyn, NY. I studied English during my undergrad, and I have a Masters of Social Work from New York University. My professional experience has a bit of variety to it;  I advised international students for many years, working with hundreds of people who spoke English as a second language. I’ve also done a lot of program development for the social service sector, primarily always working with women and at risks female youth. I think one of my biggest strengths is being able to communicate in many environments and get really creative, which helps because my Swahili is far from proficient.

FPD: What are your long-term goals for the brand, lets say for five years from now what do you hope to have accomplished?

EF: My most important long-term goal of the brand is for the pieces to be recognized.  I want people to know that a bracelet is a Mikuti bracelet when they look at it.  I want Mikuti to be a known brand that people love and look forward to seeing the new collections. I’m also very focused on connecting with designers in Tanzania and Kenya in hopes of collaborating with them.  This is something that’s really important to me. I feel as though there has been so much buzz about “ethical fashion” and “trade not aide” and the truth is, there are some amazing designers in East Africa creating hot, ready to wear styles that people in the west don’t know about.  We see a lot of designers collaborating with local NGO’s (Non-Governmental Organization), which is fantastic. But no one is seeing that there is an abundance of very talented young designers in this region who would be so much fun to collaborate with.

FPD: How difficult (or easy) was it to set up the different groups and individuals that you work with, i.e. Edu-Care and Shanga?

EF: Working with people, anywhere in the world requires cultivating a relationship with them. I have a genuine interest in others and I enjoy the process of getting to know someone. This has been a huge part of why working with Edu-Care and Shanga has worked so well. Because before I started actually working with them, I spent time with them.  I had a lot to learn about how the workshop worked and functioned and I had to learn about the other individuals’ and their lives, schedules, and other responsibilities before I was able to ask them to work with me.  I also think that we’ve worked through some tough patches together, in terms of production and design.  That’s how strong partnerships are created.

FPD: Why jewelry, and are there plans to expand into other categories?

EF: It started with a bracelet, just one basic banana bark bracelet.  I’m really enjoying the process of designing jewelry right now.  I’ve been working on some great necklaces for the spring/summer 2012 and I’m really excited to see the pieces through the creative process. I would love to do a line of handbags because personally they are a favorite of mine. I am a confessed handbag junkie. But I’m not there yet, hopefully one day.

FPD: Which style is your favorite?

EF: I love every piece, but the original bangles will always have my heart.

Where is Mikuti available for purchase?

EF: Online at www.mikuti.com and Calalilai stores in New York City (Brooklyn, Union Square, and Soho).

FPD: What is the number one most important message that people should receive about Mikuti?

EF: I have to give you two – first and the most important that we try to be extremely cognizant of the way our work and decisions impact the individuals we work with. Secondly, that we have so much fun in Tanzania with the people we work with, we laugh a lot or they laugh a lot, at me.

-Julia DiNardo

Ethic responsibility at the core of a brand is something that certainly encourages me to choose one brand over another, really just based on this fact alone. Luckily, NIYOT nail polish, which just launched in the USA with a core three-color red collection, produces amazing results, as well as following their mission as ethically sound products.  The formulas are non-toxic and Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP free (3-free), made in the United Kingdom with no animal testing, as well as possessing packaging that was ethically sourced from sustainable manufacturing.

I tested NIYOT’s Lost Red (the color in the middle, picture above), which went on smoothly and after two coats produced a shiny, glamorous laquer hue that didn’t even need a clear top coat! I can’t wait to see what colors they will come out next, and in the meanwhile, shop NIYOT nail polish, $10 each, at NIYOT.com.

-Julia DiNardo

There’s certainly nothing pretty about having a cold; the red, irritated face from blowing the nose and the ultra chapped lips from the heavy breathing at night and generally grossness associated with the common cold.  Since I was in such a state this weekend, it came to be the perfect time to pull the FixMySkin balms out of my “to review” bin and give ‘em a good old a test run.  Each medicated product contains 1% hydrocortisone, that heals while moisturizing the skin and also includes beeswax, soy bean, Shea butter and cocoa seed butter.

Using the face balm, my t-zone was quickly soothed, while my lips were quenched without feeling addicted to needing more and more of the balm. Great for psoriasis, eczema, insect bites, poison ivy, dermatitis, I won’t be surprised if I start to see this product popping up everywhere. Check out the options at FixMySkin.com, where you can choose from unscented or vanilla for face ($10), lips ($8) or body ($12).

-Julia DiNardo

This story is really about thinking naturally in more ways than one; while on a casual nature walk this fall with my lovely parents, I  tested out the New Balance newSKY™ 01, a great new pair of lifestyle footwear made of eco-friendly materials that also encourage the natural movement of the feet.

Quick Verdict: the shoes performed to be of the utmost of comfort, a barefoot-inspired lifestyle offering that mimic the toe spread and support of barefoot technology; something that I’ve been full embracing as of late

About NewSKY™ 01: the shoe is garnering buzz not only for it’s ultra chic aesthetic, available for both men and women in a series of colors, but also because it is actually environmentally-conscious footwear made of 95% recycled PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles.  Yep, that’s right – those ‘ol plastic bottles that many Americans use, and discard of, on a daily basis. It takes about eight 20-ounce recycled water bottles to make one shoe, which are also incredibly lightweight (only 4.1 oz for the women’s style) and made of less material than the average New Balance design.

The New Balance NewSKY 01 model just hit stores and online this October and retail for $90.

Full disclosure: these shoes were given for review.

-Julia DiNardo

[Rosemary Mint $8, at Cleanupsoap.com]

Cleanup Soap’s Design Metaphor: “As the soap disappears, so do the landmines.”

Cleanup Soap’s Design Goal: “Wash them away”.

Wondering what is going on? Cleanup is a company that raises funds for de-mining organizations to remove landmines, a target operated explosive weapon, and provide survivor assistance. Shockingly, the global landmine crisis is a pressing issue in over 80 countries worldwide.

Product designer Hidea Matsui strove towards addressing this humanitarian and economic issue while working on his senior project at Parsons. Landmines render land useless, “prohibiting communities from producing food and utilizing water sources, or from building infrastructure, schools and hospitals.”

The devastation caused by landmines led to a collaboration between Matsui and a team of students at Milano School for Management and Urban Policy – The New School (Parsons). Retailing at $8, $2 from each bar, available in Coconut or Rosemary Mint, is donated to the Cambodia Landmine Museum (NGO partner), outside of  Siem Reap. This facility is the home to an orphanage and school for over 30 at-risk children, and serves as a spiritual dwelling to heal the body and soul alike.

[Coconut Rice $8, at Cleanupsoap.com]

The Cambodian Landmine Relief Fund was founded by Aki Ra, a former child soldier. Aki Ra cleared mines slowly using the training he learned while working as a UN de-miner in 1994. He founded the museum, slowly compiling the collection of bombs, mines and other explosive remnants of the war. Today, the Cambodia Landmine Museum is the first licensed and accredited museum of its kind across the globe.

We are normally disconnected from such issues as we can easily shrug off things that do not interfere with our own daily lives. Yet, Cleanup is providing the opportunity to eradicate a crisis that you’lll never forget. By visiting Cleanupsoap.com and purchasing one of the two varieties of soaps, Cleanup is offering us the opportunity to care, support and secure a safer world.

With the simple act of washing our hands, we help clean the earth of a much larger issue.

From totally affordable to mucho moneyz, designer to artisan, organic to socially responsible, here are 5 things I discovered this week that I’m  IN LOVE WITH.

1. Recycled Dress Shirt Robe, $59, Uncommon Goods; 2. Shabd Pack, $58, BAGGU; 3. Recycled Fire Extinguisher Vase, $65, Uncommon Goods; 4. Priti in Pink Refinery 29 Nail Polish Kit, $37.50, Priti NYC; 5. Antique Victorian Tiger Eye Cameo Ring, $359, Ageless Heirlooms

I had the pleasure of attending Nolcha Fashion Week over at the Metropolitan Pavilion a few days ago and getting to talk to some awesome eco-designers as well as see a fab fashion show featuring Daisy & Elizabeth an eco-friendly lingerie line, which was hot. My favorite pieces were those that combined the tangerine orange straps with tan bodices. Click here to read the rest at GreenHouseOfFashion.com