SSDGM with The Five15

Welcome to part 2 of my collab with The Five15! In my last post, I mentioned that my virtual friendship with Angie started because of our shared love of pop culture and feminism. Really, though, the thing that started it was My Favorite Murder. This isn't the first time I've mentioned it, but it truly is my favorite podcast. In fact, talk to almost anyone (mostly women) who listen and they'll also tell you that no other podcast compares. It's not just a podcast; it's a community. The bi-weekly show hosted by Georgia Hardstark and Karen Killgariff inspires such passion in its fans that's hard to believe the subject matter is so dire. Yes, the podcast is about murder, and yes, it's extremely funny. Karen and Georgia have a way of taking true crime and making it compassionate, thought-provoking, and, well, funny. It's a way to lighten up the subject for those of us fascinated, but also to learn about protecting ourselves and become educated on real issues and culture. Karen and Georgia are the first to admit that they aren't experts on the subjects they're speaking on, and they willingly take critiques and better themselves from them. 

I'll be honest, I can't say that I was the biggest true crime fan before listening, but I had heard that the podcast was good and decided to give it a try. This was probably two years ago and it since has not only become my favorite listen but also sparked a huge interest in true crime that I didn't realize I had. One of my favorite parts about it, though, is the community. I'm constantly finding more people online who are also fans, and it instantly becomes a conversation. If I know someone is a murderino, it's clear that we'll be good friends. 

I absolutely love everything from The Five15, but her MFM items are the BEST. I also have this shirt in black, and while I didn't think it was possible to love it any more than I already do, I am obsessed with this grey and pink version. The illustrations are all little nods to the show and quotes from Karen and Georgia. If you're into MFM, you seriously need one of these. I also have one of the keychains, and it's so ridiculously perfect. Angie is a sweet baby angle. 

Don't forget to enter my Six Year Anniversary Giveaway! 

Self Love Club

I am so excited to share that I officially an ambassador for Heartman Clothes! I found Heartman through Instagram a little while ago, and I was immediately in love with the brand when I learned that they donate proceeds from all of their items to worthy organizations. I included Heartman in my Guide to Makers Who Donate Money, and I've been following along with them ever since. I don't usually enter ambassador searches, but I really love the shirts Heartman makes, so I decided to give it a shot. Turns out, the love was mutual! I'm pumped to get to be part of the team and share more with you all.

I had such a hard time choosing my first shirt, but I ultimately had to go with the Self Love Club tee. I feel passionately about all of the causes that Heartman donates to, but it felt appropriate to go with something that represents confidence, body image, and feminism. 10% of the proceeds goes to I AM THAT GIRL, an organization that helps girls with self-doubt and provides a safe space and honest conversation. I'm definitely guilty of thinking of "adult" issues when it comes to feminism (like the wage gap, abortion, etc.) that it gets easy to forget that feminism has to start early. You can read more about I AM THAT GIRL here and donate directly here. 

You can also get 15% off at Heartman Clothes with the code ELANA15. Get yourself a cute tee that does some good!

Girls Support Girl Power

I wasn't joking when I said that I was a T-shirt person now. Well, not completely, but I'm a T-shirt person when brands I like put out cute ones that I can't resist, especially when they're for a good cause. I'm assuming that most of you reading this have seen this shirt and know the story behind it, but I'm going to tell it again just in case. Daisy Natives is the maker behind the adorable and super popular Girls Support Girls shirts, and she teamed up with the beautiful ladies of Hello Holiday to put out this limited edition black one. Only 300 of this run were created, and 100% of the proceeds go to Planned Parenthood. That's right, I said 100%. No one is making money off of these. These women are doing this JUST to donate money to a worthy cause, and if that's not inspiring, I don't know what is. Both Hello Holiday and Daisy Natives never fail to remind me that good people exist.

Whenever I buy something from a maker who donates part of the proceeds to a good cause, I always have a moment of doubt. I assume that anyone who sees thinks that I'm a hypocrite and wonders why I don't just donate the money if I actually care. I know that's just the voice of doubt in the back of my head, but I do understand why someone would ask that. Not that I do need to explain myself, but I really do buy these items for a reason. I could just donate to Planned Parenthood (which I actually do monthly as well), but by buying these items I get to support small businesses (often female entrepreneurs) while also supporting a cause that I care about. I only buy these items from makers who I trust are actually donating the money, and by doing so, I get to help keep them in business and inspire others to do the same. 

And of course, it doesn't hurt when the items are this cute. All of this isn't even mentioning my Luella "girl power" pin or Emily and Fin skirt (also from Hello Holiday). So many cute brands out there right now, you guys.

P.S. Don't forget to enter my five year blogging anniversary for your chance to win prizes from Apricity and Femme De Bloom! 

Guide to Makers Who Donate Money

Didn't get a chance to enter the Feminist Resistance Giveaway? You can still get cute things while doing some good! I've put together this handy guide of makers who donate proceeds from purchases to a variety of organizations. Many of the shops who participated in the fundraiser are included, but there are countless more of my favorite artists and brands that are using their business for important causes. I hope this encourages you to shop with some of those listed below, and keep in mind that this just scratches the surfaces of artists using their businesses to make a difference. I'm exposed to many items that align with my interests (which is where there are so many feminist-themed items), but there is much more to be found. And in case you're wondering - these are in no particular order.

Key:

* = donates to more than one cause

** = offers other items that donates proceeds

1. Who: All Riot Donation: 50% to the ACLU My pick: This Means Love Anti-Islamophobia T-shirt** Follow for more: @allriotshirts

2.   Who: Bang Up Betty Donation: $1 to the ACLU* My pick: Nasty Woman Statue of Liberty Pin** Follow for more: @bangupbetty

3. Who: Color Theory Shop Donation: 20% to Girls Who Code* My pick: I Believe in Science Pin **Follow for more: @colortheoryshop

4. Who: Culture Flock Donation: $2 to the ACLU* My pick: Resist & Persist T-shirt** Follow for more: @cultureflock

5. Who: Daisy Natives Donation: $1 to a variety of organizations that benefit women* My pick: The Revolution Tee** Follow for more: @daisynatives

6. Who: Oh Plesiosaur Donation: 20% to The Trevor Project* My pick: Rainbow T-Rex Pin** Follow for more:  @ohplesiosaur

7. Who: Marigold + Mars Donation: $5 to Planned Parenthood My pick: Nasty Hoop Follow for more: @marigoldandmars

8. Who: Heartman Donation: 10% to Earth Justice* My pick: Keep Earth Sexy Tee** Follow for more: @heartmanclothes

9. Who: Made Au Gold Donation: $2 to Planned Parenthood* My pick: Nasty Woman Keychain ** Follow for more: @madeaugold

10. Who: Kimothy Joy Donation: $2 to Emily's List* My pick: Nevertheless, She Persisted Print** Follow for more: @kimothyjoy

11. Who: Sweet Stella Designs Donation: 50% to Planned Parenthood and Women Have Options Ohio My pick: Uterus Cookie Earrings Follow for more: @sweetstellaoh

12. Who: Jen Zeano Designs Donation: $1 to the ACLU* My pick: Latina Power Tee** Follow for more: @jenzeanodesigns 

13. Who: Google Ghost Donation: 15% to Planned Parenthood My pick: Nasty Woman ASL T-shirt Follow for more: @googleghostpress

14. Who: Otherwild Donation: 25% to the National Center for Transgender Equality* My pick: Gender is a Drag T-shirt** Follow for more: @otherwild

15. Who: Susan Alexandra Donation: Part of the proceeds to The Human Rights Campaign* My pick: Equal Bracelet** Follow for more:  @susan_alexandra

16. Who: Everlane Donation: $5 to Equality Now* My pick: The Human Cotton Box Tee** Follow for more: @everlane

17. Who: Pincause Donation: $1 to the IRC and $1 to White Helmets* My pick: Rise for Refugees Pin** Follow for more: @thepincause

18. Who: The Crybaby Club Donation: 50% to She Should Run* My pick: She Persisted Tee **Follow for more: @thecrybabyclubofficial 

19. Who: Hello Holiday Donation: 100% of proceeds to Planned Parenthood of the Heartland My pick: Never Again Pin Follow for more: @helloholiday

20. Who: My Sister Donation: Supports after-care programs and provides growth opportunities for survivors or sexual exploitation My pick: You Don't Own Me Tee** Follow for more: @mysisterorg

21. Who: Little Arrow Shop Donation: 20% to Planned Parenthood My pick: Nasty Woman Pin Follow for more: @littlearrowshop

22. Who: Luella Donation: $2 to Austin Pets Alive My pick: Puppy Love Pin Follow for more: @shop.luella

23. Who: Radical Buttons Donation: Part of proceeds to organizations that seek to empower marginalized groups and promote social justice My pick: Grow A Pair of Ovaries Pin** Follow for more: @radicalbuttons

24. Who: Josh Hara Donation: All proceed to Planned Parenthood My pick: One Love Travel Mug Follow for more: @yoyoha

25. Who: Five15 Donation: 5-10% to animal rescues, female advocacy groups, and human rights & social justice orgnaizations My pick: Full-Time Feminist Pin** Follow for more: @thefive15

26. Who: Tuesday Bassen  Donation: 10% to organizations including Inner-City Arts, Art Buddies, and others My pick: Girls Pennant Pin Follow for more: @tuesdaybassen

27. Who: Sara M. Lyons Donation: 15% to the Louder Coalition My pick: Sad Ghost Hat** Follow for more: @saramlyons

28. Who: Band of Weirdos Donation: 50% to Planned Parenthood My pick: Can't Touch Dis Patch Set** Follow for more: @bandofweirdos

29. Who: The Silver Spider Donation: $1 to Planned Parenthood My pick: Nasty Woman Necklace** Follow for more: @thesilverspiderprintshop

30. Who: Bloody Nora Pam Donation: 10% to the UK Sepsis Trust My pick: Eliminate Girl Hate Tee** Follow for more: @bloodynorapam 

Would you want to see more of this guide, possibly on a larger scale? Do you know of any other makers using their items for good causes? Leave a comment below or email me at room334blog@gmail.com! I'd love to hear!