Shop Affordable and Ethical Products at Hearts.com

As a young New Yorker on a budget, I am always looking for bargains, especially when it comes to clothing. So I'm a real sucker for fast fashion.

But recently I've become aware of the unethical practices used in the apparel industry. Some of my favorite retailers have been caught up in scandals involving sweatshops, pollution, and unfair labor practices. Check out the shocking list here. I was appalled! After learning more about these issues, I am making a conscious effort to support retailers who are socially responsible. However, I've found it difficult because firstly, it's hard to find brands who are transparent about their sourcing procedure and secondly, most of the products I was finding were at a price point out of my budget.

So I was thrilled when I discovered Hearts.com, an e-commerce website that curates hundreds of
ethically made products from vendors around the world, many of which are quite affordable. I love browsing through the different items and learning the stories of the people who created them. And as an added bonus, when you sign up for their newsletter, you get $10 off your first purchase! Score! Read on to see some of my top picks from Heart.com for those on a budget...

My Favorite Things in NYC for a Dollar

The almighty dollar doesn't seem so mighty when you just have one...especially in New York City.  You can't even buy a ride on the subway without shelling out more than twice that. But there are a few things in New York that still only cost a dollar. Here are my top 5 favorite things in NYC for just a buck:

1. Soft Serve Cone at McDonald's- Forget Big Gay's or Van Leeuwen, when you're jonesin' for a good old-fashion unadulterated soft serve cone, look no further than the Golden Arches. For just $1.29 (and apparently only 170 calories), it can't be beat.

2. A Slice of Cheese Pizza at Two Brothers- One dollar slices abound in New York, but no one does it better than Two Bros. Because of their high volume of customers, they bake pies on a continual basis guaranteeing your slice will be freshly made with the cheese still bubbling from the oven.

3. Bagels- New York City is known for its bagels. Forgo loading it up with a fancy cream cheese (which can quadruple the price) and it should only cost you a buck. There's no better way to start the morning than by tearing into a soft, freshly baked New York bagel.

At Tompkins Square Bagel- One of my faves!

4. Rings at Joe's NYC- This midtown discount retailer (located on 8th Avenue and 38th St) has the most amazing jewelry, especially their rings. At a dollar a pop, you can afford to buy a whole bunch. I just picked up this owl one last week. Really cute, eh?

5. Pretty much anything at Jack's 99 Cent Store- Jack's is truly a treasure trove of amazing finds. I've gotten everything from calendars and notebooks to granola bars and cookies to cleaning supplies and cooking utensils at Jack's. In fact, my roommate and I just did a little decorating in our kitchen from posters we found at Jack's.

Tres Chic for Cheap!

So the next time you've got four quarters burning a whole in your pocket, unload on one of these great $1 NYC finds!

Cheap DIY- Jewelry Display

When you're tight on space and money, it's important to think outside of the box. As I decorate my New York City apartment, I'm constantly brainstorming ways to use what I already have, even if that means for a purpose not originally intended.  That's why I transformed my cork board into an earring display and coat rack into a necklace hanger.

Just add sewing pins and you're done! I love that I can add postcards and photo booth strips to the cork board to serve as a back drop for my earrings.

By mixing the metals, lengths, and price points of the necklaces, I created an eclectic-cool vignette. Not to mention, it's super easy to grab a necklace and go. No need to clasp and unclasp like when they're on a rod.