FIVE Accessories Review AND Giveaway!

It's not very often that I hear about a company that really "touches" me. One that is doing so much for the greater good, to really and genuinely help people. Today I'm going to tell you about one of those companies. 

Here's the story of FIVE accessories: 

From the site: 

five ACCESSORIES, a social enterprise that grew out of its founders' desire to import handmade handbags and accessories from a Bali mountain village, now carries handmade purses and jewelry from global areas such as Bali, Honduras, Cambodia and India.

The company recently started two income generating programs in Chicago under the new line called Off The Street. five ACCESSORIES supports grassroots efforts around the globe to aid under-privileged children by donating FIVE DOLLARS of every handbag sold and 15 percent of all other sales to each artisan's local cause.

The company began while Christine Hutchison and her husband, Wells, were on their honeymoon in Bali.  While there, they met a Balinese tour guide who told them how much difference five dollars a month can make to a family in Bali. While admiring the beautiful handbags and jewelry made by local artisans, the couple had the idea to start five, a company that embodies both their entrepreneurial and philanthropic zeal.

The mission of the company is to create income generating programs for individuals in need, donate a large portion of it's sales to worthy charitable causes and foster the use of sustainable material in fashion. 

I knew I would love their company as soon as I read this. FIVE accessories products not only help people around the world that craft the products, but also the enviroment. All their products are made out of recycled materials, bamboo, natural fibers, recycled potato chip bags, and candy wrappers. 

You might think my reading this, that their products would be sub-par, funky, or cheap. But they are not. They have some of the most gorgeous accessories I've seen anywhere.

This is what I received for my review. This is the pop top bracelet. It is made with, you guessed it, recycled pop tops. It is part of Off The Streets, which is an income-generating program for street vendors of Chicago. They use refuse collected off the streets of Chicago to make their awesome jewelery and more. Items include an all pine wood picture frame adorned with used transit cards and sports ticket stubs, newspaper themed picture frames and bottle cap jewelry.  Additionally, the best selling kids pop top ribbon bracelets. Off The Streets is a part of Streetwise, which helps severely impoverished men and women start a better life.

What Mama Thinks: 

Well I pretty much told you what Mama thinks, lol. I love programs that help people in need, and companies that use eco-friendly products. So, FIVE accessories is a win/win for me! I love my pop top bracelet, it is gorgeous, and so unique!! I love having the opportunity to explain to people about the StreetWise program and all the good that FIVE accessories does. Thumbs up from Mama! 

Right now, FIVE accessories is offering a coupon code for 25% off any order of $25.00 or more!

Just enter code "fall25" at checkout!

The wonderful folks at FIVE accessories are kind enough to give away one pop top bracelet to a lucky Flip Out Mama reader! 

Here's how to win! 

*Mandatory Entry: Go to FIVE accessories and tell me your favorite product. 

 

+1 extra: follow my blog via GFC (right sidebar)

+1 extra: Join *Flip Out Mama* on facebook

 

+1 extra: *Join *Flip Out Mama* on Twitter

+1 extra: Join FIVE accessories on Facebook 

 

+1 extra: Join FIVE accessories on Twitter

*rules and such* 

Contest will end on 10/25/2010 @ approx 9pm. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to contact me or an alternate winner will be chosen. Please don't be a cheater, they never prosper. I am not responsible for prizes that are lost, damaged, or otherwise not received. 

Disclosure: I received a sample of the product to perform my review. All opinions are my own and no compensation was given.