Anonymous Kindness December 04 2012, 0 Comments

When my husband and I first had a baby, we were struggling to make ends meet. He had just started a new career, making entry level pay, when we decided I should stay home with our daughter. We went down to one car, and cut back on all of our expenses to make things work. After being a two income, no child household, this was a humbling experience. We had rough times, and I took on odd jobs to make a littlle bit of money here and there. I barely remember what those days were like, but what stands out the most is the anonymous generosity we received on several occasions.

Once I opened the mail and found an unmarked envelope with a $100 gift card to the grocery store. No return address, no name attached to it. It was a time where we really strapped, and it was such a gift!

Another time I arrived home to find an envelope taped to my door with $200 in it. Bills were due, my daughter needed diapers, etc. This couldn't have come at a better time!

Since I don't know who to thank, those people will never know what those kind gestures meant to me. They brought sunshine when things seemed dark. Obviously, everyone can't afford to spend $100 or $200 at a time, but many of us can afford a little here or there. It might seem unnatural to give anonymously, but what an exercise in humility if you can give without needing the recognition. It is a true act of kindness.

OAK backpacks have a little pouch specifically designed to keep items to give to those in need. Consider keeping a gift card or some money in it for when the time arises to give anonymously. Selfless kindness is wonderful, and rest assured that they appreciate it!

--Jessica

Updated: Holiday Shopping that Gives Back November 23 2012, 1 Comment

As you shop for the holidays, we highly recommend you look for buy one, give one companies, fair trade, and other companies whose mission is to give back through their products, while not causing harm to anyone in the process. Below is a list of a number of socially conscious brands that are spreading kindness through their businesses. Please share this with your contacts, and show your support for fashionable brands that are giving back.

Austin favorites:

• Good and Fair Clothing: scarves, panties, boxers and t-shirts
• Hill Country Hill Tribers: jewelry, scarves, bags
• Noonday Collection: jewelry and accessories
• OAK Lifestyle: canvas backpacks for men, women & students
• Purse and Clutch: purses, clutches and scarves
• Mitscoots: socks
• Radiant Cosmetics: makeup
• Raven + Lily: jewelry and accessories
• SOCO Hammocks: hammocks
• The Open Arms Shop: skirts and scarves
• Ten Thousand Villages: art and jewelry (and stores are across the U.S.)
• Be the Joy: jewelry (beads)

Additional companies:

• One Mango Tree: women's clothing and accessories
• Sari Bari: linens (home and baby), bags and scarves
• No One Without: men and women's clothing
• Krochet Kids: hand-knitted hats, scarves and more
• Hello Somebody and Flex Watches: women's watches
• fashionABLE: scarves
• Project 7: gum, mints, and more (stocking stuffers!)
• Everything Happy: baby and toddler items
• Roma Provisions: rain boots
• Warby Parker: eyeglasses (gift cards)
• Global Girlfriend: women's apparel, accessories and bath/body
• 31 Bits and iSanctuary: jewelry
• Got Your Back Movement and Sevenly: t-shirts (many of the above companies sell t-shirts, but here are a couple who focus solely on them)
• Kammock and Yellow Leaf: hammocks
• LSTN Headphones: headphones
• Slate & Stylus: iPhone and iPad cove
• TOMS: shoes, sunglasses
• FEED projects: bags/purses

Online ethical shopping markets:

• DesignedGood.com
• EthicalOcean.com
• Roozt.com
• GivenGoods.com
• SOCOMarketplace.com

When you purchase from socially conscious companies, you are truly taking your dollar further.

--Jessica

Countdown to Launch July 25 2012, 0 Comments

We are counting down the days until OAK Lifestyle officially launches!

Austin is such a hotbed of socially conscious citizens. In addition to being tied for the highest nonprofits per capita in the southwestern U.S., many entrepreneurs in our community are putting the needs of the world ahead of their profits. We have been inspired by those seeking to:

• Improve and maintain our environment through sustainable and conscientous products
• Create jobs for the disadvantaged across the world to reduce poverty
• Eliminate slavery through fair trade products
• Give back by donating portions of their profits to the community and abroad

As we sought to form a company, we wanted kindness and giving to be central to our focus. We believe that the world can be changed through small, ordinary actions, and we didn't want to make this an add-on to what we do, we wanted it to be the reason our company exists!

It seems like forever ago when we spent countless hours designing our first backpack and specifying the features we wanted, We were so excited the day we got our first backpack prototype, even though it was far from perfect. After a number of revisions and tweaks, we are thrilled to present our first product line - the Ordinary Backpack.

When you purchase this backpack, you will be giving a backpack + school supplies to a child in need. What an easy way to give back in your ordinary life!

Look for more updates from our founders as OAK Lifestyle gets underway.

--Jessica