Our Kind of Greenola Gal
Here at Greenola, we love ourselves a strong, beautiful, and talented woman. Cue in rising star, Ashley-Lauren Elrod, who modeled some of our Spring/Summer 2013 pieces. A Chicago singer, this down-to-earth lady does WAY more than just that. Ashley is also a painter, violinist, dancer AND actress (She was on The Mob Doctor!). Meet the woman behind that sparkling smile and awesome hair.
1. What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Humble, tenacious, loyal, free-spirited, selfless.
2. Tell us about your single, Warrior.
Warrior was written in my time of need. I’ve always thrown my emotions into art, and I was going through a rough patch when the song came to me. It’s a song to help others feel empowered and driven to pick themselves up when they are down and afterward helping someone else to do the same.
3. Apart from music, what are your other talents?
Apart from music, I’m an actress, dancer, painter, violinist, and currently learning to play guitar and the piano! Along with that busy schedule I love art direction and direct photo sessions in my spare time.
4. What do you think makes you a Greenola girl?
My willingness to put others needs before my own. I am a music activist for the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center and Project AK-47. Both organizations aid in helping children, CCAC helping abuse victims and PJAK-47 helping to save child soldiers from battle. I throw myself in caring for others and fighting for their rights. Greenola serves the same purpose by helping to change lives and bring fair and equal opportunity to women all over the world which is why I love it! It’s an honor to be a Greenola girl and help with this cause as well!
5. What’s your favorite piece of clothing/jewelry in our Spring 2013 collection?
Everything is seriously AMAZING, I love it all. If I had to choose my favorite piece of clothing it would be the Marrakech Shirt Dress and for jewelry I am in love with the Calypso ring collection, it’s absolutely stunning
Want to see Ashley live? She’ll be performing at our Launch Party so RSVP here to catch her in action!
Keep up to date with Ashley’s ever expanding list of talents on her website, Ashley Lauren Online.
The Girl Effect
This month’s blog post is written by one of our marketing interns, Rosie Atkinson. Rosie is a junior at Loyola University Chicago studying International Business, Marketing and Finance. She has been working at Greenola since Fall 2012, and her favorite Greenola product is the peplum shirt, coming in Spring 2013.
The Girl Effect
Over the holidays, the Greenola girls read a fascinating book: Half the Sky by power couple Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The book tells the stories of women in Africa and Asia, oppressed and beaten down who have risen against impossible odds to become something extraordinary. This message of empowering women is one that hits home with our mission here at Greenola. In their book, Kristof and WuDunn highlight a phenomenon called “The Girl Effect.” The idea is simple: instead of oppressing the female half of a population, educate them, give them the freedom to move to urban areas and allow them to join the work force. The results are astonishing on every level. Not only are these women lifted from the depths of poverty to flourish and spread their knowledge and opportunities, but entire regions are improved through this model. Countries (kudos to East Asia for being a front-runner here) benefit economically by tapping into this previously ignored half of the workforce, population is controlled as women who are working delay marriage and also childbearing, and this is simply the opening of the floodgates. These women turn around and fund the education of their children and the cycle continues.
The Girl Effect is something that drives our work every day. By working with women in Bolivia and now Uganda who were previously disenfranchised, we have the chance to facilitate change and opportunity in their lives. One of my favorite stories is about one of the artisans we work with in Bolivia, who after working with Greenola for a few years was able to add an entire section onto her house. This beautiful, visible progress is the kind of thing that reassures us that our work is making a positive impact.
However, the good doesn’t stop with our incredible artisans. It comes full-circle back home where women here now have the option to style with meaning or, as we like to say, “Style like you mean it.” It’s a beautiful day when someone compliments your acai seed necklace or your fabulous peplum shirt (coming soon) and you get the chance to tell the story about Greenola and how your purchase is helping a woman send her children to school or put some extra food on the table. It’s simply a plus that you get to look good while doing it.
Greenola and Half the Sky have the same objective: to light a fire under you and inspire you to do something to combat what is sure to be this era’s most horrendous human rights violation: the repression of women in the developing world. Whether it’s making a conscious decision to purchase a fair trade product or just reading a book (I strongly encourage you to pick up a copy of Half the Sky ASAP), getting informed is the first step.
Get informed. Get inspired. And STYLE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!
Got gift wrapping woes?
Do your holiday gifts ever look like that? Or any one of these? Never know how to wrap awkwardly shaped presents? Or maybe you’re already a gift wrap pro, but are you doing it in an eco friendly way?
Well, we’ve got a cure for your gift wrapping woes, Greenola Style!
SATURDAY WITH THE PRINCE: Discovering Chicago’s Social Good.
In this monthly, Saturday post, our founder Jen Moran ventures out into the city of Chicago, discovering the city’s brighter side. With her son Princeton, Moran shares her experiences at local gems, social [good] hot-spots, and change inspiring businesses all in an effort of discovery, and encouraging awareness to a next generation.SATURDAY, November 17th: ENTER PIE HEAVEN
Everyone that knows me personally, knows that for me to take a day off from GREENOLA Style is a miracle; it’s the oxygen that runs through my veins (I also tend to be quite dramatic). Two years into motherhood, I am still learning about, and working on the balance between being a mom and leading a revolutionary organization. I’m far from perfection in this journey, but recently have committed to taking a full day off and spending it with my son, Princeton. It is INCREDIBLY important for me to learn with him, and guide him to be not only a nice/caring person, but someone who gives back, works towards a better world, and continues to challenge/refuse to settle with “normal.”
Today, without even knowing what we were getting ourselves into… Prince and I stumbled into the local, Andersonville Pie Shop, FIRST SLICE.
Let’s talk about challenging the norm: First Slice not only deserves praise for their AMAZING pies, cookies, and quiches (we devoured the Bacon and Sweet Onion quiche), their social mission blew me away. Believing that everyone deserves local, organic, flavorful, soulful food made from the heart, First Slice treats the Chicago homeless just as well as their paying customers (!). Is that normal?! Don’t we wish we could say ALL pie stores follow this same organizational structure; First Slice is revolutionary, and driven by their social mission. Some awe-inspiring facts:
“First Slice today funds its efforts with a “shareholders program,” with some 100 subscriber families receiving home-cooked, restaurant-quality meals weekly. Funds from those subscriptions are used to make the same quality meals for people in need. Community volunteers, working with First Slice staff, serve often 300-plus needy and homeless each week through several social service organizations, such as Streetwise. And there are three cafes (North Ravenswood inside the Lillstreet Art Center, North Ashland Avenue, and Manor Street).” – firstslice.org The Prince and I are drooling in anticipation of our next visit. Check them out, and visit regularly: www.Firstslice.org
SUPERMAN and I left with satisfied hearts and stomachs.
Move over November. Movember is Here!
GREENOLA Mo Sistas!
It ain’t November any longer. Change that N to an M and label this month Movember. A new phenomenon has taken off all in the name of a great cause: Men’s Health. Especially prostate and testicular cancer awareness, treatments, and cures. Move over pink ribbon. The moustache has taken over this month. Women may not be too thrilled, but don’t look at all the Mo Bros in disgrace this month if they haven’t shaved their hairy faces. In fact, take after Greenola and many other women out there. Join the Mo Sistas! Wear fake moustaches in support of men’s health and help Movember grow!
For one week (starting on Monday, November 19 ending Sunday, November 25) GREENOLA will be donating 15% of all sales to the Loyola University Men’s Volleyball team, who have joined in on the Movember cause and are letting it all grow out this month. The Loyola men’s volleyball team has a special connection with Movember and men’s health, as one of their own players was diagnosed with testicular cancer over a year ago. He is alive and well! BUT there are many men out there who are NOT, so let’s help them beat testicular and prostate cancer starting today! For more information about the Men’s Volleyball team at Loyola and their Movember cause visit: http://www.
Buy GREENOLA products from November 19th until the 25th and support the Movember cause!
Loyola University Volleyball Mo Bros!
For moustache-growing-beginners please refer to the following video: Nick Offerman Offers up some Moustache Advice
