Elegantees: Modest Fashion to Fight Human Trafficking

I was so excited to learn about this line of clothing and the ministry of its designer.

When Katie Martinez learned of the horrors of sex trafficking, she purposed to find a way to fight, using her talents as a fashion designer to provide healing and hope to the victims of such crimes. Elegantees mission is two fold: To provide modest and affordable tops, and to provide fair-trade sewing jobs to women coming out of the sex trade. There are some really cute clothes on this website, so if you're shopping around I encourage you to check it out! Proceeds go towards the fight against trafficking. 

Elegantees partners with The Nepali Rescue Project and Restore NYC. Check out the following links for more information. 

Elegantees

Nepali Rescue Project

Restore NYC

T-Shirt Projects

If you're like me, you have a collection of t-shirts that you've compiled over the years. Eventually they wear out, fade, or just don't fit any more. What now? Special memories may be tied to them and you can't just throw them out! But there isn't room to store them forever either. Below are two fun ideas for reusing old shirts.

Picnic Blanket. Cut 12x12" squares out of shirts being sure to center the design. Sew squares together in strips to creat rows. Sew together rows. Use an old sheet as a back, and sew your squares to the sheet. BAM!! You have a new picnic blanket.

Tote Bag. Take an old t-shirt and cut off the sleeves and the collar. Flip inside out and sew bottom shut. Curl in edges and top stitch to finish the neck and sleeves. The finished product is a roomy tote that can be used for whatever! I use mine to transport my son's blanket and toys when we go places. 

These are just two fun ways to recycle old clothes. Give those sentimental shirts a new use while reducing clutter in your drawers and trash in the land fills. Happy sewing!

Natural, Inexpensive Air Feshener

Here's a fun idea! I've been doing this for the past week as a means of freshening up the house and also adding some moisture back into the air.
Eat an orange (or just cut one up) and put the peel into two cups of water in a pot. Add a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg or a few whole cloves, and then boil over the stove! It smells wonderful and it's all natural! :)

Here's another great way to get clean smelling air. Next time you go to change the air filter, pour some vanilla extract over it first. The delicious smell will fill your home each time the air runs! It's natural, and far less expensive than buying store brand air fresheners. Plus, it will make you entire home smell good rather than just one room.