IKEA does it again. Social Entrepreneurship at its strongest!

I am a Brand Ambassadör for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.

Last month I wrote a blog post about IKEA raising the bar with their sustainability practices, and received such a positive reaction from you guys, I've decided to partner with IKEA again and share more eye-opening and uplifting information like their Social Entrepreneurship Initiative. "Innehallsrik". Have you heard of it? Perfect topic- after celebrating two important days this quarter- for any person that cares about our planet: Earth Day & Fashion Revolution Day. Earth Day serves as a reminder of our responsibility to protect nature, and Fashion Revolution of the importance of giving artisans humane working conditions, fair opportunities, ethical wages and a chance to grow. IKEA, with its Innehallsrik Initiative, covers both! This initiative is a collaboration between IKEA and women in India with the goal of providing them with a platform and the right tools needed to showcase and sell their handmade textiles and baskets to the world. This collaboration is not only providing jobs to these women, but also giving them hopes of a brighter future and economic empowerment. IKEA has been supporting social entrepreneurs and enterprises since 2013 and contributes to the livelihoods of more than 10,500 people through these partnerships! (I know. I had no idea either! IKEA is one of those big companies that has left me speechless and even more inspired!) Lastly, each product sold under this initiative is not only beautifully handmade with natural materials such as banana fibers, but also shares the story and face of women in India who have the talent and vision of entrepreneurs.

I hope you guys enjoy this line as much as I do! I've decorated my 600sf studio in an eco-friendly and fair-trade way. From reclaimed wood palettes and wine crates I collected from different stores to pillows, a jute carpet, banana fiber baskets and a handmade throw from IKEA. Living consciously and sustainably is possible, and getting more convenient and affordable every day!

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Soy un embajadora para IKEA U.S. Esta es una publicación patrocinada.

El mes pasado escribí una publicación en mi blog sobre IKEA y sus prácticas de sostenibilidad, y recibí una reacción tan positiva de ustedes, que he decidido volver a asociarme con IKEA y compartir información reveladora y inspiradora como su Iniciativa de emprendimiento social, "Innehallsrik". ¿Han oido de esto? El tema perfecto, después de celebrar dos días importantes este trimestre, para cualquier persona que se preocupe por nuestro planeta: Día de la Tierra y Día de la Revolución de la Moda (Fashion Revolution). El "Día de la Tierra" sirve como un recordatorio de nuestra responsabilidad de proteger la naturaleza, y "Fashion Revolution" de la importancia de brindar a los artesanos condiciones de trabajo humanas, oportunidades equitativas, salarios éticos y la oportunidad de crecer. IKEA, con su iniciativa Innehallsrik , cubre ambos! Esta iniciativa es una colaboración entre IKEA y las mujeres en India con el objetivo de proporcionarles una plataforma y las herramientas adecuadas para exhibir y vender sus textiles y cestas hechas a mano al mundo. Esta colaboración no solo les da trabajo a estas mujeres, sino que también les da esperanzas de un futuro brillante y empoderamiento económico. IKEA ha estado apoyando a emprendedores y empresas sociales desde 2013 y contribuye a los medios de subsistencia de más de 10.500 personas a través de estas asociaciones! (Lo sé! Yo tampoco tenía ni idea! IKEA es una de esas grandes compañías que me ha dejado sin palabras y aún más inspirada!) Por último, cada producto bajo esta iniciativa no solo está hecho a mano con materiales naturales como fibras de plátano, sino también comparte la historia y la cara de las mujeres en India que tienen el talento y la visión de los emprendedores.

Espero que ustedes disfruten esta línea tanto como yo! He decorado mi estudio de 600sf de una manera ecológica y justa. Desde las paletas de madera recuperadas y cajas de vino que recogí de diferentes tiendas, hasta las almohadas, una alfombra de yute, y cestas de fibra de plátano hechos a mano por IKEA. Vivir de forma consciente y sostenible es posible y cada vez más conveniente!

More Earth-Friendly Home Decor Tips!

(I am a Brand Ambassadör for IKEA U.S. This is a sponsored post.)

If you've been following my journey for the past two years, you know how much I believe in sustainable home décor. If you haven't, I'll summarize the story in one sentence: "my home's décor thrives on green. Everywhere!" Yes, I decorated my 600sf studio in an earth-friendly way from corner to corner. From the nontoxic wall paint to the LED lights around my paddleboard, to the table made of reclaimed wood, the fair-trade and handmade carpet, and even the bioplastic food storage bags I use. Do you know what's even more exciting and surprising than all the sustainable products I just mentioned? IKEA making a conscious lifestyle easier and accessible with their Evergreen initiative! In case you didn't know, IKEA is one of those big and powerful companies that realized the importance of incorporating sustainability and ethics deep within its roots years ago. They started by using less cardboard and paper in their shipping practices, and have grown to be one of the few companies running their stores on solar and wind energy with over 730,000 solar panels and 327 wind turbines worldwide. Are you surprised already? Well, there's more! Besides having stores that use LED lights solely, IKEA has also established strict product criteria when it comes to sustainability with furniture being made from bamboo and recycled wood, fabrics being created with sustainably-grown cotton, flax being used as a material for linen, and bioplastic made from sugarcane (no petroleum) being used to create their food plastic bags. Top that with water faucets designed to reduce your water use, a wide variety of LED lights, and fair-trade practices implemented to empower their artisans and employees, and we have everything we need to start 2018 with the right conscious foot. All in one store!

I'm so proud of this company and its practices that I've partnered with them to provide you guys with all the content and information you need to decorate your home in a planet-friendly way! Below are a few products, and I can't wait to share more throughout the next few months!

Cheers to living and shopping wisely!

To read more about IKEA's sustainably harvested (FSC-certified) wood, and their partnership with WWF, read this article and this one

Weaved Jute Carpet: eco-friendly, made with natural fibers and fair-trade! 

Coffee Table: I used this as a bench and decorated it with book, candles and plants. It is made with natural materials, eco-friendly and fair-trade. 

LED lights: I have these in my balcony. Energy-efficient. 

Bioplastic ziplock bags: Made from plastic which contains at least 85% renewable content (sugarcane rather than petroleum). The material can be recycled together with common plastic.