Free to grow...

As I prepare to pack up my life in Europe and head back home to plan out the next big thing, I've been doing a lot of extra thinking about the world.

Sometimes, living on a military base, the world seems small. I can't go anywhere on base without running into someone I know. I've even run into people I know while I've been traveling (i.e. saw a dance student while having a sandwich in Temple Bar, ran into another student at the top of Mont Saint Michel, etc.), but really... the world is huge.

And it is absolutely full of people.

Any attempt I've made to wrap my head around the sheer number of humans on the planet leave me spinning. I mean, you sit and people watch for a few hours and you're only seeing the smallest, minutest sliver of the people on the planet going about their daily lives.

Is it just me, or is that mind boggling?

I have to give a shoutout to the people who are on the earth with the mission to better the earth. I've always been a supporter of ethical and sustainable lifestyles, but I feel very strongly, now that I'm kind of in-between lives that my mission is to share with the world all of the wonderful projects that the wonderful people of the earth have set in motion. I've already shared with you my wonderful bamboo tee from Onno Shirts, and I've briefly touched on this amazing pouch from The Tote Project, but I wanted to take this time to really delve into this company.

I discovered @thetoteproject on Instagram and immediately fell in love with their fresh feed and fun products, but quickly discovered that The Tote Project is about more than super fun accessories. This is a company that is all about giving back and helping women.

Each bag sold by The Tote Project has been handmade by a rescued victim of human trafficking and is made using up cycled and eco friendly materials in a certified fair trade factory in India. Each bag is totally unique, as the lining and braided zipper pulls are created from recycled saris. In addition, 20% of the proceeds from each purchase is donated to Two Wings, a non-profit organization that helps to empower and mentor survivors of sex trafficking.

If that isn't a company that gives back, I don't know what is! Please be sure to hop over to their site, follow their Instagram, and remember to #HoldOnToHope!