Clearly, we’re wine fans around these parts. There’s just something about a time-honored tradition, being reliant on the rain, the sun and the earth, and condensing years of hard work into one simple glass — all to better eat with, no less — that we can seriously respect.

What else do we respect?  When there’s a woman behind it all.

A true explorer in every sense of the word, Rachel Rudwall has been to six continents, lived in three countries and has visited almost 60 nations. She’s an EMMY-nominated camera operator, a TV host, producer and social media influencer who has worked with top clients including National Geographic, Travel Channel, Fodor’s Travel, A&E and ABC, merely to name a few.

With the weather warming and our sense of adventure sprouting, we thought of Rachel as the perfect go-to for chatting (and inspiring) all things travel. We’re excited to share more of our conversation with this woman conquering the globe — including what’s the hardest and greatest part of traveling so much — with you, below.

Though it’s true that starting a socially-conscious company requires much, it’s just as true — maybe even more so — that what one gains through building such a business is worth infinitely more. That is certainly evidenced in the life of Sarah Sternberg, co-founder of Songa Designs, a fashion and jewelry company that harnesses the ability of women working together in Rwanda to employ, empower and equip themselves for a life they never thought possible.

Today we’re chatting with Sarah and also Thamar Mukashyaka, one of the first women to join Songa and who is sharing a first-hand account of how Songa has changed her life.

With spring just around the corner, everyone’s looking for those perfect airy pieces that will sway in the light breeze. With a collection that is just that, Laili Lau‘s latest work has been influenced by the contrast of nature and modernity that she’s experienced in her home city of Caracas, Venezuela.

The young designer continues to incorporate her love for adventure into her feminine designs to create collections that embody her personality and lifestyle. We were fortunate enough to get the chance to interview Laili and discuss what’s inspired her to pursue fashion design and are excited to share her story with you, below.

We’re continually impressed at the changes happening within the fashion industry to promote the making, wearing and buying of clothes that help more than they hurt. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you today to two women doing their part to make our closets better.

Meet Cara Bartlett and Vanessa van Zyl of VETTA, a versatile capsule collection made up of only five pieces that creates 30 different outfits. If you’re curious or overwhelmed by a capsule closet, this is the place to start. We’re sharing more about these designers and how you can preorder one (or all!) of their creations below.

Inspired by a dedicated young woman who put herself through school despite the great tragedies she had faced in her youth, Devon Ogden founded Safi Life to help other girls in Rwanda to do the same.

This non-profit organization works with donors to present scholarships to help women cover the costs of attending college. Furthermore, scholarship recipients also participate in mentorship and fellowship programs in their own communities so that they can give back and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. We were fortunate enough to talk to Safi Life’s Outreach Coordinator, Jessica Davis, about the life-changing impact that Safi Life is making.

Lawyer. Scholar. Co-Founder. And licensed Q Grader. Noushin Ketabi could embody any number of our personas, but it’s because she’s harnessed all of her talents to better the lives of coffee farmers in Nicaragua that we’re highlighting her work as a true Explorer today.

As founder of Vega Coffee™ Noushin works with local Nicaraguan communities to help them become entrepreneurs themselves and learn the business model behind coffee production. In the process, she’s also bridging the gap between farmer and coffee connaisseur through Vega’s coffee subscription service. If you fancy a cup, or a healthy serving of inspiration, continue reading for more of Noushin’s story and to learn how you can play a role in it.

The wave of ethical fashion and socially conscious companies continues to rise, which is something that we can’t encourage more. We love highlighting these brands, not only because we can feel good about spending wisely, but also because we get the opportunity to connect with the hearts of founders who have been so moved by experience that they’ve been willing to reorient their entire lives to improving the ones of others.

One such women is Carly Burson. After holding her adopted Ethiopian daughter in her arms, Carly was struck by how often circumstances prevented a woman from being able to care for a child. Carly has since made it her mission to create full-time jobs and to instill confidence and hope in women through Tribe Alive, a marketplace where jewelry, accessories, weekender bags (which we love) and more are made by artisan partners across the globe.

Below, we’re sharing more of Carly’s story and why she believes that women, in particular, hold the key to changing the world.

We first heard of Gingger Shankar because she’s the only women in the world playing the double violin. Then, we learned she also started her own music production company, working on projects for companies including HBO, CBS Sports, AFI, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the World Economic Forum.

Her talent and drive make sense, seeing as how she also comes from a line of women responsible for breaking cultural barriers and bringing Indian music to the West during the 1970s. This Embodied Achiever has a lot of wisdom about the music industry, and what it looks like to be a woman in any male-dominated field, so keep reading below to learn more about her story.

Femininity exists in a variety of forms, but we think that courageously pursuing a passion and doing so with beauty, grace and confidence is definitely a hallmark.

That’s why we’re so excited to introduce you today to Kelsea Slade, owner and designer of K.slademade. She’s a self-starter who jumped into the entrepreneur arena in 2010 with a desire to create her own line of classic, American-made handbags.

Below we’re sharing her colorful approach to business, life, and staying unique in a digital age, so keep reading to learn more about this Stylist Embodied… and to find out how to win one of her creations for yourself!

Avocado and quinoa with roasted corn and jicama succotash. Roasted free range chicken with herb aioli and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta with a side of chipotle BBQ sauce. Local kale, crispy wheatberries, and grape tomatoes with a lemon parmesan vinaigrette. Vegan Banh Mi with marinated tofu, housemade sweet chili sauce, pickled daikon & carrots, cucumbers, jalapenos, and cilantro.

We know. It’s lunchtime, you’re starving, and if you’re lucky there’s a Mendocino Farms nearby where one of these menu items is easily within reach. As soon as you enter one of Mendocino’s Southern California locations, however, you’ll immediately notice that you’re about to get more than just a sandwich. You’ve walked into a company that values people with as much attention as they put into their pickle and dill potato salad. Which you should definitely do yourself a favor and try.

We had the chance to sit down — over lunch, of course — with Mendocino Farms co-founder Ellen Chen. Below she sheds new light on the term “customer service”, as well as offers some encouraging insight as to what women can uniquely bring to the hospitality industry. Ready to break some bread with us?

Full disclosure: Seeing as how there’s always something new popping up in the beauty industry, it takes a lot for us to stop and really take notice. While we’ve known for awhile now about the amazing benefits behind fermented foods and teas, (kombucha, anyone?)  we were genuinely impressed to meet Carla Oates of The Beauty Chef and to learn about her inventive line of fermented skincare products.

We know what you’re thinking. So continue reading to learn more about Carla and her inspiring twist on developing this healthy kind of beauty … the kind where you glow from the inside out!

(And by entering our giveaway, you may be able to score some product for yourself!)

Imagine an innovative entrepreneur in the skincare and beauty industry, and an ER physician might not be the first thing that comes to mind.

What dreamy travel curiosities come from a stylist and a cartographer who've fallen in love? The answer, Maptote: environmentally friendly, reusable totes made in the

Being named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list is no small feat, yet, mere minutes with Jaclyn Johnson and you completely understand why she's taking

For jewelry designer Anna Edwards and her husband Christian, character in craftsmanship is most deeply expressed through creating handmade pieces. Inspired by a desire

When dreaming of India, one can't escape vivid visions of vibrant hues and infectiously deep rhythms. Textile company Block Shop is sparking stable employment

Walnut Animal Society creates unique and huggable stuffed animals, handmade with natural and locally-sourced materials in Los Angeles. Designer Lauren Bradshaw began the brand

Traditionally, the automotive industry has been a male-dominated one. However, this didn't stop Alisyn Malek from becoming the only woman out of four investment

As we wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, what do we choose to do in order to prepare ourselves for

What do you believe in? How do you see the world? And do you want to make it better? These are questions that stirred Megan

It is a rarity today to find anyone who has not been affected by cancer's reach, but it is great encouragement to learn about

Beyond Yoga is a clothing company that believes that a woman's clothes should encourage her inner confidence. Founders Jodi Guber Brufsky and Michelle Wahler

Taking a childhood hobby and turning it into a business? That's exactly what Brandy Monique has accomplished with her beauty company Fig + Yarrow,

Never underestimate the power of small things. Even something as simple as a cup of coffee could change a life. Christin and Johnny Eastman

Olives and Grace, located in Boston’s South End, is a shop focused on featuring specialty food items such as chocolates, honey, and salts, handmade

It can be difficult to talk about a broken relationship -- that investment of your heart that's taken a hard turn resulting in pain,

One of the reasons we value our Embodied series so much is that we have the privilege of being able to introduce and connect