A lot has changed. You may have noticed a large gap in time where I was in active on my blog. I got really busy at UNB. Gee, being a straight A Honors student takes all your time! Who knew!? I do need to edit offers and summaries on my blog because some things have changed, but mostly I have changed. Good university does that to you. Major health scares can cause change to. I had both.
I had health issues before we moved from NB to Ontario. I took my last semester at UNB off to make myself available for every doctor appointment possible. The move was very hard on my body, I went downhill fast! My plan to slide into Queens a rock star didn't happen. Instead I slide into bed for months on end.
So how did I end up here now a Managing Director for a hot new ethical eco jewelry company? It all started in 2015. I can best explain by sharing my "why" with you...
I have been given the gift of being faced with my mortality. Christmas 2014 I did not know if I was going to live, or die. When they say that you "think things you've never thought of in your life" when you think you are dying, they're right. I am "stabilized" now, but doctors are still running tests, trying to discover what is wrong with me neurologically. I joke maybe I will be immortal if they name a new chronic degenerative disease after me. My husband doesn't like that joke.
Not knowing how long I have to live has completely changed how I feel and therefore how I act. I was a shopper. I consumed. I was privileged and I loved working hard to afford the finer things in life. For the first time I had guilt for my Gucci, my designer leather handbags, and my Tiffanys. Suddenly my daily shopping, my Lug collection, my brand name makeup, my 31 bags overflowing in my closet, it all seemed like unnecessary consumption. (Not to say I'll never buy another 31 bag, but I regress.)
My first thought was: who is going to get and use the stuff I have "saved" for some future moment that is the right time to use all the expensive bags/linens/soaps. (Well, now it is obvious I am far from sainthood!) My second thought was: I own more than my fair share of things. I felt guilty... but I worked so hard for everything I had. Nothing was given to me.
My husband and I both grew up without much, and without any financial support towards education from our parents, but we managed to make very good lives for ourselves. I mulled all this over, wrestled with it and the guilt of success and was left in a limbo. I just kept thinking, "But what could I do?! Me?"
I sure can't go to Africa. I now understand-after over a decade-why my dear girlfriend Michelle is there. Now I had guilt over realizing I was not giving back the way I should be. I was left with the realization that I needed to help others, but, I did not know how this would be possible. I have literally spent most of the last year in bed. It has been hard and given me a lot of time to think about life. I missed my dear brothers wedding. Some days I can hardly care for my beloved cats. I am grateful for my incredible, devoted husband.
My illness ripped me away from University where I was studying philosophy and psychology. I had dreams of a world where businesses were ethical. I took philosophy ethics classes and didn't think any corporation in NA would ever have any sort of moral principles to guide it and if they did, they couldn't make a profit. The best I could do is recycling my cans, cardboard and plastic. Right?!
I always shopped and advocated for The Greater Good. They are a charity that sells stuff that benefits humanity, animals and the environment. Until now, I had never seen another company like it. I always felt best shopping there.
When I heard of Color by Amber I had an epiphany! What if instead of denying myself "shopping" I spent my money on things that made a difference in meaningful ways?! Like the quote I read when I was young, "Every dollar you spent is a vote for what you believe in." I could spent my money on Dior, or I could spend it at businesses that Do Good. Corporations that help the impoverished parts of the world, NOT exploit them. Companies that protect the environment and animals.
I researched Color by Amber for my Real Review Facebook page and was deeply moved and impressed. I continued to dig after my original article published as it all seemed too good to be true. Ever the skeptic I searched for a flaw. Ask my husband, if there is a spot for criticism I will find it and point it out. I could not find anyplace Color by Amber could improve. In fact, they had thought of everything and I just learned more GOOD the deeper I dug.
I knew Color by Amber is made with sustainable materials. Think things like grass or bark or Up-Cycled blue jeans used as interlays. The interlay is then pressed between 2 sheets of eco-resin, made of 40% recycled materials and it is completely non toxic. The interlays are sourced from developing countries where they hire women and pay them higher than Fair Trade wages... then I learnt they include healthcare!
They also have a charity, Full Circle, that provides whatever a community needs, be that clean water, solar power, or education for children. They do not just inject money into an impoverished village, rather they send in managers who live there to assess the situation and help to stabilize the community, teaching them the skills they need to be self-sufficient shortly.
10% of all Color by Ambers net profit goes to Full Circle. When I wrote this 1% off all sales were being donated to 1% For The Planet. But what really blew me away is Color by Amber has a Carbon Neutral Footprint and is a ZERO Landfill Facility! They finish all the jewelry locally- in the USA- not shipping it overseas to exploit cheap labour in horrid factory conditions.
This company was brought to Canada in August 2014 by 2 sisters who believed in it. I believe in it. So I have joined them and became a Premier Founding Stylist because I believe I can help change the world ...and still buy pretty jewelry!
If you want to shop in a meaningful way knowing your purchases provide support and resources for women in developing nations, without cost to our environment, I encourage you to check out this website: celesteeden.mycolorbyamber.com
Until now I have never know what more I could do to help. I want Color by Amber to succeed because it is a role model for all other businesses. Can you say philanthropy?! The way they operate could be the norm for all business! I encourage you to get involved however you can. Support them: shop and Look Good. If you want to share this with your friends host a Pop Up and Feel Good. Or join me as a Stylist and Do Good.
If you want a lifestyle change, join me. Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see in the world." Color by Amber is the business model I want to see in the world, so I will do everything I can to help this spread. I needed to find meaning in my life that would survive after I am gone, and by helping the environment and women in villages I never met have food, clean water, and education-things every human deserves-well, I will feel my life was well spent pushing these ideas forward, through action.
Celeste Eden,
Managing Director
Color by Amber
*Color by Amber has since moved from 1% For The Planet to a Carbon Offsetting Program as every dollar donated here goes to help Global Warming which is our owner, Talley Goodman's biggest passion.
November 20th Personal/ Health Update (copy/paste link):
https://www.facebook.com/ethicalecojewelry/posts/706938032740900:0