[ Wearing: One Mango Tree bag (loaned by TK Maxx), UNIQLO denim dress (worn as shirt), M&S skirt*, Carvela boots from Kurt Geiger, Ray Ban sunglasses via very.co.uk, ponyskin belt via TK Maxx, wood and shell ring from a market in Florence, No7 Wild Volume Lipstick in Forever Cherry ]
I’m sure I’m not alone in finding it tricky to get dressed at the moment (it feels wrong that it’s this warm in March) but this outfit is a no-brainer: I love the clash of this tote’s print with my skirt, and have thrown on my fail-safe denim dress as a shirt. Add perfectly-worn ankle boots for easy-peasy spring style.
The bag is on loan from TK Maxx (TJ Maxx if you’re on the other side of the pond), who often team up with good causes; in this case the latest charity they’re supporting is One Mango Tree, a group of Ugandan women who produce clothing and accessories which they sell to raise money to help improve their local communities.
A cute touch is that each bag can be traced back to the lady who made it and you can read her story on the website; this bag was made by Aber Grace, who at 34-years-old is the sole provider for her 7 children and dreams of owning some land so she can grow vegetables. I can always find an excuse to shop (bad day at work/giant spot/cycled to work so I deserve a treat…) but when I hear of a collaboration between a global brand and an innovative charity I can think of no better reason to spend some cash.
give up clothes for good
Not as scary as it sounds, TK Maxx are also running a campaign throughout April called Give Up Clothes For Good. All you have to do is bag-up unwanted clothes and drop them off at your local store; all money raised will go to help Cancer Research UK.
Image of Aber Grace and her family via.
