#1 GIVE BACK TO YOUR CITY
You’ve probably thought about volunteering somewhere in one way or the other, but have you ever gone through with it? There are so many ways to help and be a part of your community. Once you start looking you’ll realize how much your city could use your help. Don’t know what to do? Think about a topic you're passionate about and google volunteering opportunities. Ex: your local food bank, pet adoption centers, parks, donation centers (the list is endless). Check out a list of Holiday volunteering opportunities here.
#2 SHOP WITH PURPOSE
We get it, shopping after Thanksgiving is almost inevitable. There are some really great deals to take advantage of. HOWEVER, we can totally be conscious of how and where we spend our money. Look for businesses or companies that do more than just sell products. Everlane, an ethical apparel brand, is one example of the many stores that go above and beyond to make conscious decisions within their business model. You’d be surprised at what you can find and maybe some of your favorite brands do more than what you expected! Of course, add supporting LOCAL to this list. The satisfaction of shopping from your community is priceless. Shop small business Saturday from your favorite local boutique, brand or service. It means the world to us!
Check out Houston Blogger Patty Tells All list of local shops to support.
#3 TREAT YOURSELF & RELAX
Stop and smell the roses!
Cheesy but true, take a different approach to a day off. Go outside, plan an outdoor activity and enjoy what Mother Nature has for us. Disconnect and be present. Anything from taking a walk at your favorite park to planning a camping trip with the family. That breath of fresh air is definitely good for the soul.
You just spent a day with all your family, and I don’t know about you, but I have a big family and the day after Thanksgiving is nice to just stay at home and do absolutely nothing.
Eat some leftovers. Binge watch a show you’ve been wanting to watch or start a holiday movie marathon. Enjoy the day on your couch, in a bath or both but just take the day off as an actual day off. Check out Byrdie's tips on how to create the perfect bath for inspo.
#4 REORGANIZE - GET IT TOGETHER OR SAY GOODBYE
We all have those jeans that don’t fit like they used to or some shirt that’s missing a button that “you’ll fix later” (but really has sat in your closet for forever). Use this Friday to clean out your closet and reorganize! Donate those good pieces of clothing… you know if you haven’t worn them by now, you’re never going to wear them. Just go for it without looking back! Our friends at Asch Building are hosting a Sew and Swap event. They’ll add that missing button, repair and renew your items, for free! There will also be a free community clothing swap.
If you haven’t done any of the above, we challenge you to step outside your typical post- Thanksgiving routine and start a new tradition. How do you see yourself making a change?
Not only has this product been carefully created with safe and nourishing ingredients (NON GMO cornstarch and baking soda, coconut oil, shea butter, Candelilla wax and beeswax), it also avoids harmful elements like aluminum, present in most other deodorant products.
In addition to its thoughtful ingredients, The Clean Deo comes with a refillable case. If you need a little help disposing of the rest of the product, Beauty Counter’s got your back with clear recycling instructions.
Last but not least, Beauty Counter’s products are 100% cruelty free and they “require that all our contract manufacturers confirm that they do not test on animals.”
To learn more about Beauty Counter and their products, we recommend you visit their Consultant Stacy Sosa: linktr.ee/stacy_truthinbeauty
We loved this kit because it’s a great alternative to using plastic bags for your grocery store runs while still keeping it stylish and practical!
This set includes:
Made out of 100% unbleached cotton that is totally biodegradable! The bags in this set are shrink resistant and built to last.
The kit comes with:
We are hosting a giveaway starting Earth Day, April 22nd and ending Sunday, April 25th. Follow us on Instagram @lucalovebracelets for the instructions to participate!
Contact Info:
Valentine's is coming up and the first thing we typically think about is having a nice dinner. The not so fun part is going to a crowded restaurant and waiting for forever to get a table. We suggest a quick grocery trip, grab some wine, a couple of ingredients and make your honey something special at home.
We tried out a Shrimp Scampi with Pasta recipe from allrecipes.com and it came out DELISH!
**PREP 20 MIN**COOK TIME 20 MIN** Makes about 5-6 servings. You'll want a second plate & lunch.
Pair with a yummy salad and you're set! This recipe is light and fresh. Doesn't feel as heavy as an alfredo sauce. We hope you enjoy it!
]]>To plan and focus on what we want doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it can be fun! Making a vision board is a creative way to remind ourselves of the things we want to achieve.
What is a Vision Board?
A vision board is basically a DIY poster or collage where you display your dreams and goals. You can make a vision board around any area of your life and set fulfillment dates in a month, a year or whatever time you like.
Your vision board should be placed in a visible spot that you can see daily. This can be your bathroom mirror, your desk, behind your bedroom door, etc. The idea behind making a vision board is that you are constantly being reminded of the life you want. The decisions and efforts you make during the day will be based upon the things you envision for yourself.
What you'll need:
Begin by gaining clarity on what it is you are happy with. Then focus on areas you can improve or what you wish to gain in each area of your life. Write all of it down!
We recommend dividing your board into 6 areas:
After reviewing the 6 areas and writing down your goals comes the fun part! At the top of each sheet of paper, write a title for every one of the previous areas. One sheet for health, one for relationships, one for experiences and so on.
Go through your magazines and newspapers and cut out anything that symbolizes the things you want for your life. Glue your cut-out images onto their corresponding sheet. If you have a printer, you can be more specific and print out images of your dream car, your dream vacation or that seminar you’ve been wanting to go to!
After you’ve filled up each sheet with your cut outs, feel free to decorate them with colors, markers, stickers or anything you like. Make it fun and make it your own, remember you’ll be looking at it every day. Ask yourself what you want to see.
Once you’re done, hang up your vision board wherever you want. Make sure you can see it easily during the week.
At the end of the year, review your dream board and check off all the things you fulfilled. You’ll be surprised by all the things you got done!
Esmeralda Llindis is the creator behind So Much Cute Crochet. She learned how to crochet by watching YouTube videos using a mirror! She is left handed and couldn't find a helpful tutorial for lefties. Talk about perseverance and patience! Esmeralda has now been making her beautiful creations for 9 years.
Claudia Saucedo is the talented artist behind Amora Flower Bar. Claudia is a Mexicana that creates beautiful designs and atmospheres using flowers. She specializes in installations, displays, bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, centerpieces, and all things flowers!
The muy bonita Gabriella Campos is the owner of Miradela, named after her Abuelita Adela. Gaby creates one of a kind jewelry pieces and gifts that are inspired by her culture and the women in her family. You may also know Gabriella as the co-founder of HTX Boss Babes.
Luisa Vidal is another fellow Colombiana and the owner of Be Joyful. She hand makes and designs all of her accessories. Luisa was inspired to name her shop by Psalms 35:9 "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation."
Monica Zoubovsky is part of a family of beekeepers. She became knowledgable on all the amazing benefits of honey and this inspired her to create Honey Bubbles, a line of natural bath and body products. Their bees are never exposed to harmful chemicals such as pesticides and antibiotics used in agriculture. This is because their beehives are kept in Florida Keys away from the mainland.
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5 years. It seems like a lot and hardly enough at the same time. Either way, this milestone is a blessing.
Luca Love started with 20 bracelets and a big dream. At the beginning we weren't exactly sure how we were going to make an impact or how this dream would unfold. However, with hard work, time, faith and unending passion the path became more and more clear.
When Luca started we only had a two artisans. Also, we hadn't defined how to give back beyond creating employment. Each month we picked a different cause to donate a percentage of our sales to. Throughout this time we bought blankets for the homeless in Houston, sent special needs kids and elderly to visit the ocean for the first time, and supported families who needed medical funds to name a few.
In 2016 we decided to dedicate our giving back program to a specific group: underprivileged kids. In October of that year Luca Love began the first classes of our free English program in rural Marinilla, Colombia. Not only does a group of kids get the opportunity to learn a new language that will open doors for them, but they gain a family that believes in them and teaches them to dream big!
On this 5th birthday we look back at all we have achieved and all we can say is THANK YOU.
Luca Love is a family united, and despite the distance we are connected and woven together to create something beautiful and meaningful. When you wear your Luca Love remember this symbolism. It is way more than just a pretty bracelet.
We look forward to many more years and hope to continue unfolding what this path has in store for us. We truly believe we are capable of creating many more great things!
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With all these changes we hope to grow even bigger and better! Every bracelet has been a building block to our future. Your purchase has and continues to support women empowerment, employment opportunities and global education.
Houston is the home of Luca Love. As many of you know Hurricane Harvey came and caused great damage to our city. However, the unity and strength of the people of Houston and surrounding areas has only grown stronger.
New Hope Church is collecting funds to help those in our city who have experienced damage to their home or have great financial needs because of this storm. The New Hope Church has been of great support to Luca Love and we will be donating 100% of profits from our bracelet sales to their relief fund. To learn more or to donate directly to their relief funds Click Here
SHOUT OUT TO TEXAS ROADHOUSE
Every week we stand outside the doors of Texas Roadhouse in Pasadena with our Pop-up shop. This restaurant is a giant family and it is awesome to see their continuous support for the community.
THANK YOU to all of the rescue teams, businesses, communities and individuals that have come together to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
This is how we BE THE CHANGE
Want to learn on other ways to help out? Check out this link by NPR.ORG
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No matter the age, Luca Love bracelets make the perfect gift, that you can in turn feel genuinely good about gifting! But, how should you wrap them? What else can you give with them? How can the gift look fun? Lets get started!
Gift 1 Special Delivery
This packaging is perfect for children and animal lovers alike!
All you need is:
I simply placed the bracelets in the boxes and tied the boxes onto the toy animals backs with the twine and voila! This gift option is complete!
Gift 2 Candy Jar
Perfect for Teachers, best friends, or anyone who loves style and sweets!
All you need:
For this cute and easy present; just pour your selected candy into the mason jar, slide the bracelets around the outside, and add some ribbon for garnishment.
Gift 3 Welcome Home
This gift is perfect young adults, newlyweds, homeowners etc.
All you have to do for this gift is wrap the bracelets around the top coaster, and to garnish, I placed the stack in cellophane and tied with curling ribbon.
Gift 4 Personal Wrap
If you want to keep it simple but personalized, try your hand at decorating your own gift wrap!
All you need:
Here I decorated the craft paper with polka dots using paint and added a strip of plaid scrap-booking paper for accent. I tied it all together with a twine bow and that's it!
I hope these gifting ideas help boost your creativity, and get you inspired! Just remember it is always the thought that counts. Adding personal touches to your gifts makes them that much more special, and the bracelets inside are just as wonderful as all of the hard work and thoughtfulness you put into the packaging. For each bracelet was handmade by someone who is just as thankful for you purchasing it as your recipient will be to receive it.
Enjoy this holiday season, give from the heart, and share the Luca Love!
Another glance at the featured bracelets:
]]>The first community we had the chance to help out was a school where Luca Love gives English classes. We all got together in Christmas celebration! There was lots of food and love to go around after the celebration of a mass. The smaller children recieved toys while the older ones recieved clothing. It was a rainy afternoon but that didn't stop us from having some fun!
Happy with his new toy truck! This little one shows his gift to his parents.
Say Cheese! The Kids at the school were loving to get their picture taken.
Not only do we help give presents, The Luca Love Family participates in the events and spends time with the Kids.
The second Community we visited was in a rural area were families who lived there got together to do the "Novena" which is a Catholic Christmas tradition of praying, singing, eating and spending time together for nine days before Christmas Day. Here, kids got a fuzzy blanket and toys as their gift.
Here Jorge and Marleny (Parents of the Luca Love Family) taking the presents to the car to be delivered.
The kids were happy to participate in the celebration of the Novena.
Marisol who is a Luca Love Artisan played a big part in making all of this happen, she was key in organizing this event!
Luca Love couldn't have done this without your help! We hope you and your family had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Lets continue to make a change together 2017!
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