This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCSD chapter.
Stacking bracelets, or “arm candy” is a trend sweeping through Instagram and social media sites. Next time you are looking for a new piece of “candy” for your arm, check out puravida.com and donate to a charity while still looking stylish.
Pura vida is “pure life” in Spanish. The pura vida lifestyle is embodied by the enjoyment of a life lived slowly, the celebration of good fortune, and the refusal to take anything for granted. It’s about being free and living life to the fullest. The company was started by two SD graduates who took a trip to Costa Rica after graduation. There, they met two men, Jorge and Joaquin, who were selling these bracelets on the streets. Intrigued, the two men asked the street vendors to make 400 bracelets to take back to the United States. Upon arrival, the bracelets were sold in small surf boutiques and sold out quickly and people began asking for more. It was then that the movement launched. Now, they are able to give Jorge and Joaquin enough business to live comfortably in a house of their own and have 65 of their amigos work with them. Jorge and Joaquin went from selling a few bracelets a week to now over 20,000 a week. Their bracelets are now being sold in 2,500+ surf shops, boutiques, college book stores, and large chain stores around the world. The company aims to support more than Costa Rican artisans. The Charity collection was created to give back to charities over the world through the sale of individual charity bracelets. In 2013 alone, the company was able to donate over $140,000 to 190+ charity organizations.
These bracelets are a unique, stylish way to accessorize while still donating to charities of your choice. I have the Sandy Hook Memorial bracelet and always receive compliments on the unique color every time I wear it.