The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (1)

Fourth Quarter Check-Ins (& Link-Up)

Cardigan: The Flourish Market(Use code “stillbeingmolly” for free shipping) | Shirt: Elegantees via The Flourish Market (Use code “stillbeingmolly” for free shipping) | Jeans: Paige Denim via Shopbop c/o | Booties: The Root Collective (Use this link for 10% off) | Necklace: The Giving Keys c/o | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban via Shopbop c/o | Watch: Wristology Watches c/o (Use code “45” for 20% off) | Cuff: Branded Collective | Earrings: Nickel and Suede

My 2016 word of the year is “Purposeful” (or “purpose” – I’ve been using them interchangeably), and in the last few years, I’ve actually taken the whole “word-of-the-year-thing” pretty seriously. Because of that, I like to do periodic “check-ins” with myself to see how I’m doing or how my “word of the year” is holding up and if I am holding up MY end of the deal… or something.

And, so now that we’re well into the fourth quarter of the year, I have been thinking back to all that’s been going on for the last ten months and thinking, “How am I doing?” The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (2) 

In some ways, this year has been really hard. One of the hardest ever. And in other ways, it’s been one of my favorite years ever. I realize that sounds crazy, and it’s because it is. It’s truly been a roller coaster of a year in so many different ways. But one thing is for sure, “purpose” was the perfect word for this year. This year has been one of refining and challenge and growth for me. I’ve really been thrust into really thinking more about what I need to be saying yes to and what I need to be saying no to. I’m learning that I’ve got to stick to things that really, truly, and ultimately align with my purpose.

The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (3)

Launching my Business with Purpose podcast was a huge passion project for me this year and I really am so proud of it. The feedback I’ve gotten so far from readers and from listeners has blown me away. But what has fueled me most is hearing from listeners how the podcast is leaving them inspired to support businesses that are creating a culture of kindness in this world and to shop differently and to check labels and to do whatever THEY can in their own professional careers to leave a lasting, positive impact on the world.

The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (4)

My necklace from The Giving Keys says “purpose” and it’s one of those thing that I love being able to wear all the time and have as a tangible reminder of what I was created for. I was created, we all were created, with a purpose, for a purpose. And ultimately, fulfilling that purpose is something I’m doing everything that I can to focus on.

I certainly do not have it all figured out and I certainly do not have it all together. Life is a whole lot of trial and error and I have learned that especially this year. The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (5) The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (6) The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (7) The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (8) The Giving Keys, The Flourish Market, Elegantees, Paige Denim, The Root Collective booties | Ethical Fashion, fall style (9)

What about you? Do you have a “word of the year”? Do you do quarterly check-ins with yourself? What tangible reminders do you have to keep you focused?

let it shine logo

Now, one more thing.  Carly and I are teaming up to do more than host our link up.  We are teaming up to share brands that we love……brands that give back.  Each week we’ll be collaborating with one of our favorite brands to share the cause they support, and their amazing products.  If YOU have a post (new or old) that features a brand that give back…..please include it in the link up.  We’d LOVE to see it!

This week we are teaming up with The Giving Keys.  The Giving Keys are…..keys.  Words carved on keys, and worn as jewelry.  These keys are reminders of what we need, and what we can give.  The Giving Keys headquarters is in Downtown Los Angeles, and they employee individuals transitioning out of homelessness to make their amazing products.

See more of the Giving Keys Story from founder Caitlin Crosby:

Want to see Carly’s take on the Giving Keys? Check out her post here!

This week, we are loving:let-it-shine-october-23

/ bomber jacket / plaid and ponchos /



21 Comments

  1. Just wanted to tell youth I so much enjoy reading your blog. You are a precious young lady and this world really needs more people like you. God Bless you really Big, sweet girl!!!

    Reply

  2. I have six words …do good, feel good, fair trade. Does that count? Or am i cheating! 😛 …Molly molly!!! You are working harder than ever, and I think to myself, ..”hmmm, she has husband, kids, job, blogging, fashionista, photography, word smith … etc etc etc”., ..”and how does she do it all?” Sooo, I am over at feedly, (feedly.com) you know the place, a mega newsy aggregator for those of us who can never get enough of our favorite ‘purpose’ …soooo, i say “okay, let’s streamline news for Fair Trade” and guess who comes up First Over and Over Again??? YOU!!! 😉 …soooo, your PURPOSE must be doing something right! – Luv ya for you and all you do! Just sayin.

    Reply

  3. Ahhh, Molly, I knew there was a reason why I keep gravitating back to your blog and reading your posts 🙂 you phrase things so eloquently, so succinctly, and I really appreciate it. Much as I would like to confess to having a similar word of the year, I do not. I do, however, have a “do not use phrase” of the year which, I am glad to say, I have not used since February. It’s a tough one, it involves cuss words, and it involves self-disparagement by the truckload. I know, I know, work-in-progress BUT I am so very intrigued by this word of the year thing you’ve been doing and hope to try it myself for 2017. I first need to discern what my word is, and then work on it xoxo

    Reply
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  11. My word for this year was devotion or devoted. I was devoting myself to learn to put the negative self talk aside and to embrace the community in which I live continuing the legacy that my dad left of giving back and as well as putting myself out there to meet new people.

    Reply
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  15. I think the word that best describes my year would be “roller coaster.” There have been so many ups and downs this year that I’m ready to move on to 2017! However, I’m so inspired by all of your hard work and achievements that I’m ready to make rest of this year and next the best ever.

    NCsquared Life

    Reply
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