Suzie Says: TOMS + Target

Target debuted the Target + TOMS Limited Edition collection, featuring apparel, accessories, shoes and home goods for women, men and kids, all under $50.  The best part? For every gift you buy,the TOMS/Target partnership will be providing shoes, a blanket or meals to those in need.  

I checked out the Target + TOMS collection first-hand today and it's great! On my gift list is a poncho, retailing at $28 (this purchase provides one blanket to those in need)...

TOMS for Target Poncho

I'm also coveting a coordinating graphic tee which retails for $16 (this tee gives a week of meals to those in need):

TOMS for Target Logo T-Shirt

To date, TOMS as a company has given more than 10 million pairs of new shoes to children and has helped restore sight to more than 200,000 people...(did you know that children cannot attend school in many countries without shoes?)   

By gifting the TOMS + Target Collection this holiday season, you'll be giving back to those in need as well. 

Ralph Lauren's Puppy Love

Ralph Lauren's "The Dog Walk" / Harper's Bazaar

Since 1982, when a stray dog wandered into Ralph Lauren's ranch in Telluride, Colorado, canine causes have been close to Lauren's heart. On October 15th, the designer will launch a video dubbed "The Dog Walk," on Ralphlauren.com. The video will highlight the brand's accessories -- including shoes, handbags, dog carriers and leather leashes -- from a "dog's-eye view," according to Harper's Bazaar. Ten percent of sales from some featured accessories will be donated to the ASPCA in celebration of the organization's Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month.

The best part is that the dogs featured in the video were all rescued, ASPCA pups -- and all of them have been adopted since the video shoot.

"We would do anything to save a dog," Lauren to Harper's Bazaar.

20 Years of Thinking Pink

Next month marks the 20th anniversary of the Estée Lauder Breast Awareness Campaign. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded by Evelyn Lauder (1936-2011) who was the Senior Corporate V.P. and Head of Fragrance Development for the Estée Lauder Companies, and who helped name the Clinique Brand, and developed such globally successful fragrances as Beautiful and Pleasures. 

Lauder's personal experience with early stage breast cancer in 1987 led her to co-create, with Alexandra Penney of SELF magazine, the now ubiquitous Pink Ribbon in 1992. The Pink Ribbon is a universal icon and is recognized as the worldwide symbol of breast health. 

In 1989, she and her husband, Leonard Lauder, son of the late founder of the company, raised $18 million to establish the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, which has become a worldwide model for coordinating supportive services for breast cancer patients.

In 1999 and again in 2007, Lauder was featured in Crain's New York Business magazine as one of New York's 100 most influential women in business. In 2010 Ms. Lauder received the Fashion Group International Humanitarian Award in recognition for her work with BCRF and her tireless work to eradicate breast cancer.

Lauder's good work continues posthumously as her campaign celebrates its 20th year. This October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) there are a wide array of products for sale with a portion of proceeds benefiting the cause, including a hand cream from Aveda, hairspray from Bumble and Bumble, and blush from Bobbi Brown. You can see a selection here.

Estee Lauder Evelyn Lauder Dream Lip Collection $29.50 @ Nordstrom

At Nordstrom,  The Evelyn Lauder Dream Collection includes Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Candy, Pure Color Gloss in Pink Innocence plus a pink snakeskin-printed clutch.  For each purchase of $29.50, Estée Lauder will donate 20% of the purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation from August 2012 to June 2013.

JCPenney is supporting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, too, by offering free styling and haircuts to breast cancer survivors at its salons, and donating $1 for every free haircut it gives (up to $50,000) to the Foundation. The store is also raising funds through customer donations, asking customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the difference going to the Foundation. 

In loving memory of our dear friend, Barbara Minsky, who we lost to breast cancer in October 1990- two years before the launch of the Estée Lauder Breast Awareness Campaign.

"Giving Back is the New Black"

Kate Owens (center) with members of the Kate's Kuts team and Paul DeJoria, CEO of Paul Mitchell (center left)

Kate Owens, stylist and proprietor at Kate's Kuts, her Paul Mitchell Focus salon in Bonita Beach, FL, is a woman with a mission: to help every woman, regardless of income or life adversities, feel beautiful.

Kate believes in the transformational power of beauty. She says, "I have seen women walk in my shop, shoulders slumped, head down.....but walk out anew! Full of life and confidence! It happens every day for women who can afford it, I wanted to make it happen for women who can't."

In order to make women's dreams come true, Kate began asking all her clients if they knew anyone in need and also contacted local organizations such as women's shelters in the area, Dress for Success, and a local mental health facility, The David Lawrence Center.  Kate got some great leads and soon was conducting her first free makeover on a young woman named Brandy who had just received a Habitat for Humanity house in the local area. With less then 24 hours to do the makeover, Kate and her team had Brandy ready for the house dedication, looking beautiful.

The next makeover was on Pat, a single mother of three, who, with no child support, struggles to get by and can't spend her money on hair care, so Kate's team took over. 

Says Kate, "The most emotional make over so far was Miss Jamie. Her transformation was something else, and so is her story. She was in an awful car accident that has left her with quite a large scar on the left side of her forehead and a portion of her brow missing. She was married to the love of her life for two months and he was killed accidentally at a gun range." 

Kate says Jamie looked "like a rock star" when the makeover was done, and "she was so grateful, appreciative, so happy." Kate even enlisted her good friend, Tara Gower of Inflicting Beauty Tattoo in Flagler Beach, Fl  to donate permanent makeup to correct Jamie's eyebrow so that she no longer has anything to hide.

Kate and her team have two more makeovers booked right now. One is for a women coming out of treatment and the other is for a women whose daughter is severely handicapped. Says Kate, "I am so looking forward to having these women inspire me with their journeys, their stories and their courage."

Kate draws inspiration from three sources: her own story, the stories of her staff, and the corporate culture at Paul Mitchell. 

Kate herself has overcome great adversity. "I can tell you right upfront that I am a survivor, a warrior, and a women that would not be where I am without God, my family, and my friends. I have overcome an abusive first marriage, raised a son as a single mom, had a battle with drugs and alcohol, and have made it to the other side, stronger with a renewed faith. I know if I can make it, anyone can," she says.

Among Kate's staff, two women are widowed, one lost her husband at 36 and another was two months pregnant when she lost the child's father in an freak accident. Another staff member was a mom at sixteen to a child with Down's Syndrome. Another employee is a military veteran who served in Afghanistan. 

Says Kate, "I have watched these women on a daily basis overcome these obstacles, show up to work wearing smiles and giving all they have to make our salon what it is every day."

Finally, Kate is inspired by the Paul Mitchell culture, as Kate's Kuts is a Paul Mitchell Focus salon.  John Paul Mitchell Systems is a 32-year-old hair-care products line, which, according to the LA Times, is sold in 87 countries and logs nearly $1 billion in annual sales. The company is led by CEO Paul DeJoria, who has an amazing personal rags-to-riches story and who has a 30 year history of giving through Chrysalis, a nonprofit organization that helps the homeless and low-income individuals get back on their feet and become self-sufficient. 

When Kate is giving back to others, she feels most rewarded. "How lucky am I?," she says.  "I get the chance to change a life everyday."

For more information about Kate's Kuts and her makeover program, or if you want a great haircut for yourself, or know someone in the SW Florida area in need, contact (239) 947-5283.

  

Fabulous Fall Accessories - for a Cause

Photo: DKNY/Elle

DKNY, a brand long known for its philanthropic endeavors, has partnered with FEED in creating three must-have accessories for fall, with all profits going toward the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Founded by Lauren Bush Lauren in 2005, FEED creates and sells apparel and accessories and donates a large portion of its profits in the form of food and aid to women and children worldwide.

FEED collaborates with high-end brands to create items you will be proud to take about town. FEED's recent collaborations have been with Clarins skincare and Godiva. 

The new DKNY collection has been dubbed "The Survival Collection." Among the stand-out accessories are some fabulous packable wellies priced at $115; a diaper bag is priced at $220 and an umbrella with tote is priced at $220.  Purchases will provide emergency food and vitamins to women and children worldwide.

Elle magazine reported that FEED co-founder Lauren Bush Lauren stated in a press release: "FEED is thrilled to partner with DKNY on these fashionable and functional carryalls for urban mothers on the go." She added, "The Diaper and City survival bags are sure to please FEED's biggest supporters: stylish mommies and style-conscious shoppers who have embraced the idea of compassionate consumerism and the importance of ending world hunger."

The styles are presently available at Bloomingdales.com, Net-A-Porter.com, feedprojects.com, selecte DKNY shops and DKNY.com.

Happy Mother's Day to All!

We wanted to wish a very happy Mother's Day to all. We hope you have a wonderful day! Our loving and hard-working mothers certainly deserve every indulgence and appreciation.

The holiday of Mother's Day has its roots in honoring mothers whose families were torn apart by the Civil War. In 1868, Anne Jarvis created a committee to establish a "Mother's Friendship Day" whose purpose was "to reunite families that had been divided during the Civil War." She wanted to expand it into an annual memorial for mothers, but she died in 1905 before the celebration became popular.

Appropriately, it was Anne's daughter, Anna, who would continue her mother's efforts and, in 1914, Congress and President Woodrow Wilson issued proclamations declaring the first national Mother's Day.

Amidst the celebration it's also good to take a moment to consider mothers who are less fortunate.

Here are some videos which raise awareness about the plight of mothers around the world:

- Every Mother Counts, a global maternal health advocacy organization founded by Christy Turlington, has declared today "No Mothers Day," in remembrance of the women and girls who die during pregnancy and childbirth each year. Watch their video here. 

-Actor Ben Affleck, an ardent activist for the Eastern Congo, also produced a video honoring the brave mothers who are raising their children in this war-torn nation. Watch his video here.

Happy Mother's Day to Moms everywhere! 

Star Style: Carrie and Carole Underwood

Carrie and Carole Underwood

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood and her mother, Carole, seem to have a wonderful close relationship; Carrie even cast Carole to star in her music video for her song entitled, "Mama's Song."

Now Underwood has teamed up with Olay to launch a new initiative called “Beauty by Example," which invites people to visit Olay’s Facebook page and sign a declaration acknowledging their mothers for being beautiful, both inside and out. For everyone who participates, Olay,  the skincare company renowned for its long tradition of cutting-edge, "these-really-work" products, will donate one ounce of product (up to one million ounces) to Look Good...Feel Better, a national organization that boosts the self-esteem of women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Underwood says that she wishes she would have heeded more of her mother's beauty advice. “If I could go back and talk to my 15-year-old self I’d be like, ‘Seriously, listen to your mom,’” Underwood told People magazine.“Drink more water, put more sunscreen on, moisturize. There are a lot of people like me who wish they did more.”

“My mom is a great example to me and my sisters, she’s just the best,” she says. “If I ever had one of those days when it’s like, ‘I don’t feel so great about myself,’ she’d always tell me, ‘You’re beautiful, you’re funny, you sing well.’ She was always a positive person in my life, which is important,” she adds. “People need more positive influences.”

Underwood isn't the only celebrity to credit both her mother and Olay with helping her achieve great skin. Actress Leven Rambin, 21, who appears in the hit movie, The Hunger Games, told People that her mother started her on Olay moisturizer at age 10. "She'd say, 'If I'd used that when I was young, I'd look 10 years younger,'" says Rambin.

Susan Says: Shop Your Closet

Before indulging in yet another shopping excursion, think, "recession-izing" and consider shopping your own closet.

Stylist Tim Gunn, a member of the team on the ABC television show The Revolution, recently discussed how we can shop our own closets. A simple pencil skirt and a white blouse are basic staples in one's wardrobe but mixing it up with a shoe in a contrasting color can refresh the look and renew your spirit.  It is not about making things match, as much as it is making it work, according to Gunn.  Another good tip is not to wait another season to alter anything you love; it can be much less expensive to make the necessary alternations than to replace it with a similar garment.

When shopping your own closet, you can give a new look to an old jacket by rolling back the cuffs (sometimes a contrasting color of the lining of the jacket will give a great new look) and then rolling your blouse sleeve on top of the rolled-back jacket cuff for a double-cuffed effect.  If a jacket has gotten too tight, you can still save the garment by replacing the zipper with hook and eye closures or wrap a belt around the jacket (if you are well endowed, keep the belt slim!!)

You can also recession-proof your wardrobe through accessories.  Accessories can be inexpensive and I love to forage through Forever 21 whenever I am at the mall; they have an amazing selection of fashion jewelry at rock-bottom prices.  If you visit Southwest Florida, a store called The Best of Everything has an amazing selection of fashion jewelry and knock-offs of many famous brands, mostly priced below $25.00. (They also have a location in Kennebunkport, ME.)

Another way to "shop your own closet" is to enlist a friend who has a good eye for fashion as your "style buddy."  Have your friend help you sort through your closet and breathe new life into old garments. Make a list of items you need to purchase, i.e., camisoles for your sheer tops, interesting hose to update a dress or skirt, colors of accessories to update an outfit; then, donate the items which haven't been worn in some years and might have been impulse purchases that do not fit either your frame or lifestyle.

Here are some other tips of the day which can preserve precious clothing: To avoid lost buttons, dot clear nail polish on button threads to prevent loosening.  When a garment comes with extra buttons, I immediately label them and place them in my sewing box because button replacement can be difficult and expensive; you might have to replace all the buttons on a garment if you can't duplicate the missing button.

Finally, you can double your closet space by using "Huggable" hangers or similar hangers (check Costco) which will preserve your garments in pristine condition and which, because they are so thin, will also enlarge closet space. 

Empowering Women Through Fashion

 Bobbi Brown Dress for Success Scarf $42.00

Dress for Success's mission is to promote economic independence for disadvantaged women by providing them with professional attire, together with a support network and career development tools.
 

Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization which provides candidates with a suit or other appropriate apparel for her intended industry, including accessories, if available.   When the woman has secured employment, she can return to obtain a second suit or separates to mix and match, creating a wardrobe foundation.  

Organizations all over the world send women to Dress for Success for professional attire and career development assistance. To further help women in finding and retaining jobs, Dress for Success instituted the Professional Women's Group (PWG) Program to help women learn communication skills, the "unwritten rules" of the workplace, dealing with childcare issues, financial planning, stress management and juggling responsibilities, among others.  Dress for Success has a Career Center  where staff members are available to meet with women one-on-one and women obtain access to Internet-accessible computer labs with cutting-edge job placement software; job search assistance; resume and cover-letter-writing lessons; and both interview preparation and mock interviews. 

Dress for Success operates solely on financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts of individuals and companies. Click here to learn more about how you can donate.

Or wear your support by purchasing the beautiful blue ikat printed scarf pictured above! The scarf was created by Dress for Success supporter and makeup legend Bobbi Brown together with Echo Design and for every scarf sold on EchoDesign.com, $20 will be donated to Dress for Success Worldwide. The ikat print is totally of-the-moment, scarves are a fabulous accessory for everyone, and the cause is a great one!

Susan Says: The War on Aging, Part Two

Here is a roundup of some of the interesting and unusual products you can use for at-home skin maintenance: 

Clientele Beauty's Gravity Control System is a potent combination of NASA LED technology and cosmetic peptides.  The wand firms and lifts the skin by stimulating circulation and increasing cell turnover. The skin absorbs the LED (photon) light waves, causing an increase in cellular activity and stimulating collagen, causing regeneration to occur.  Apply with gravity control serum  (I have used other serums as well) and move in circular motions.  I have seen my sleep lines diminished and the system is improving the overall firmness of my skin.  I have been using this product for about six months after seeing a demonstration at the high-end retail store where I work. The retail price is $189.00.

African Black Soap, one of the most healing yet little-know soaps, was recently featured on a segment of The Dr. Oz Show.  This intriguing soap is made from dried plantain skins, palm leaves, cocoa pod powder and kernel oil for an all-natural cleansing process.  It is a natural source of vitamins A, E and iron.  When black soap is made, the skin of the plantain is dried under thse sun and roasted in a clay oven.  The heat is constant in order to achieve the color, texture and smell.  Afterwards, the cocoa pod powder is added, which is the shell of the cocoa fruit and also has natural healing properties. The next part of the process is having the roasted plantain skin mixed with palm and palm kernel oil to form the soap.  The roasted plantains determine the color of the soap- the longer the plantains are roasted, the darker the black soap will become. The soap is not oily and it can be used on hands, face, body and even as a shampoo for hair.

The benefits of black soap are pretty astounding and include:

• cleansing
• helps clear skin bumps and spots by daily use
• helps relieve acne and other skin problems
• and most relevantly... guards against premature lines and wrinkles!

You can purchase African Black Soap from many retailers. We found a brand called Out of Africa (pictured above) on Drugstore.com. It contains a high concentration of Shea Butter made from the nut of the Karite (ka - ree - tay) tree, which is found only in Africa.  Women in Benin, West Africa, harvest the Shea nuts and then process them by hand into Shea Butter to make the soap. Another beautiful thing about this soap? A portion of each purchase will be donated to help pay for the education of children in Benin, West Africa.

  

The Dream Skin Pillow says it is a "luxurious pillow that acts like an anti-aging wrinkle cream." It was developed by a skin physiologist, Dr. Peter T. Pugliese, who claims that the pillow's fabric moisturizes the skin naturally without chemicals. The pillows are made of a proprietary blend of fibers called JuveTex. According to the company's website,  " Lack of moisture is one of the leading causes of sleep lines and wrinkles. In a clinical comparison of cotton and JuveTex, the DreamSkin Pillowcase retained more water and prevented more moisture from going through the fiber." The pillow retails for $36.50.

Getting Uplifted in 2012!

Building your fashion wardrobe begins with the right foundation. But did you know that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size? Yikes! That means only a small minority of women are actually walking around in bras that fit properly!

Did you know that to perfect your look you should have your bra size measured every two years?  Breast size changes over time due to pregnancy, menopause and weight loss or gain. So if you think you know your bra size, but you haven't been measured within the last couple of years, you could be in for a surprise when your measurements are taken. 

Here are some tell tale signs that you are probably wearing the incorrect bra size:

• Straps that slip off your arm (annoying!)
• Bra strap cutting into shoulders (ouch!)
• Wrinkled bra cups
• Bra band riding up in the back
• Underwire discomfort

The correct bra size provides support and comfort, uplifting to reveal your waist and aiding in good posture (an absolute must!). Also,  a properly fitted bra can help eliminate back pain and can help eliminate tension. Ahh, that sounds good!

Of course if you haven't been measured in a while, it's a great idea to go to a trusted store and have a professional fit you for size. If you can't make it to the store, check out Soma Intimates' online Fit Guide Video which will walk you through the process of taking your own measurements so you can then buy a bra online.

Soma Intimates is actually running its big Semi-Annual sale which will be in effect for about another week; (they do not have an official end date for the sale).

 
Soma is also running a bra donation campaign now through February 26- they explain that "bras are the most needed yet least donated item of clothing."  We never thought of this before, but it makes so much sense.

Soma is partnering with The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV); donate new or gently used bras to benefit local shelters in your area.  Bring your bra donations to a Soma store near you, or mail your donated bras to:

Soma Bra Donation

National Network to End Domestic Violence

2001 S. Streeet N.W. Suite 400

Washington, D.C.  20009

 

Priscillia of Boston Massacre

 
Recently, dozens of brand new white wedding dresses were reportedly found draped over a parking lot of Priscilla of Boston in Edina, Minnesota while two men sprayed red paint on the gowns, priced in the thousands.  One wedding gown, priced at $6,000, was a Vera Wang design.

In August, 2011, David's Bridal, the parent company, announced it would close its Priscilla of Boston stores on December 30th, 2011 after 65 years in business.  The blatant destruction of the gowns, rather than a decision by the corporation to donate the gowns, caused an uproar, and David's Bridal responded with a statement saying, “While it has been Priscilla of Boston’s policy not to make donations of sample dresses that are in poor condition, we recognize that some of these dresses could possibly have gone to worthy causes. David’s Bridal has already begun bringing together all of the remaining Priscilla of Boston gowns to evaluate them and ensure that they are donated to our charitable partners wherever possible."

The practice of destroying merchandise is not unique to this situation, unfortunately.  A news report out of Pittsburgh revealed that employees at a local JC Penney were instructed to destroy rather than donate merchandise from Ralph Lauren's American Living line.  There have also been reports of merchandise destruction at Victoria's Secret as well as H&M and WalMart. Dr. Audrey Guskey, a consumer expert at Duquesne University, told the ABC News affiliate in Pittsburgh that sometimes retailers "prefer to slash the merchandise rather than slash the prices, and that's very unfortunate."

We are big believers in recycling clothing and shopping for previously used goods when possible, as well buying products that support charitable causes.  And it's especially appalling to think about something as intricate, sentimental and valuable as a wedding gown being destroyed rather than donated, when there are so many brides who need access to affordable gowns and so many worthy causes that can benefit from having the ability the sell such gowns for charitable purposes.

We know first-hand of a wonderful nonprofit bridal boutique in New York City called The Bridal Garden. They sell the absolute best names in bridal design for up to 75 percent off retail prices, with the proceeds going to support education for New York City children. If you have a wedding gown, considering donating it, and if you know any brides-to-be in the New York City metropolitan area, send them to The Bridal Garden store!

Other worthy organizations that accept donated dresses include Brides Across America, which donates gowns to military brides, or Brides Against Breast Cancer, an organization which provides support for cancer patients and which holds bridal gown sales to raise funds for their endeavors.

We are hoping that the "Priscilla of Boston Massacre" - and the bad press it generated- will give retailers food for thought as to the merits of donating, rather than destroying, superfluous or flawed merchandise to worthy causes.

The Season for Giving: Beauty Buys with Benefits

With a dwindling number of  pre-holiday shopping days left, we wanted to give you a few more ideas for little gifts or stocking stuffers that allow you to feel good, look good and do good.

These buys offer some of the most luxurious beauty products in gorgeous exclusive limited-edition packaging with an amazing payoff: your purchase will benefit some incredibly worthy charities for children. Now that's a beautiful thing!

The Buy: Kiehl's Limited Edition Jeff Koons Balloon Flower Creme de Corps Lotion. Kiehl's teamed up with the artist Jeff Koons to create limited-edition versions of their popular, super-hydrating, super-enriched Creme de Corps Lotion which are embellished with Koon's iconic artwork. A luxury lotion encased in an art-embellished canister is deluxe enough, but if you really want to get fancy, you can add one of these outrageous decorative Koon's Balloon Flower toppers too. Through 12/14 (today!), Kiehl's is offering free shipping plus a deluxe sample on orders over $35; use the promo code PRESENT.

The Benefit: Kiehl's is donating 100% of net proceeds up to $200,000 to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC). According to an IMEC press release, "Most people know Jeff Koons for his art, but less known is that he is also the father of an abducted child, Ludwig. He has battled on two continents to get his son back, yet despite his fame and influence, his son was not able to be returned to his custody. Jeff Koons is a fervent advocate for protecting children..." Read more about the Kiehl's initiative here and more about the organization at icmec.org.

The Buy: Lancome "Golden Hat" Illuminating Smooth Powder. The actress Kate Winslet created a line of holiday products with Lancome, including an amazing red lipstick, and all the products are encased in cool limited-edition black packaging embellished with the "Golden Hat" as well as Winslet's signature in glamorous gold script. While all the products look lovely, we especially adore this gorgeous golden illuminating powder, which is available at Nordstrom (by the way, did you know that Nordstrom now offers free shipping and free returns, all the time?)

The Benefit: Lancome is donating over $200,000 to the Golden Hat Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Winslet to better the lives of children with autism.  Winslet collaborated with the beauty brand to create the Golden Hat holiday makeup collection to support the organization which she founded after she was asked to do the voice-over narration of a documentary about a severely autistic boy.  She made a video to explain the importance of the cause.

The Buy: Clarins FEED 25 Set is a compilation of four full-size skin care products including some of Clarins most iconic products: the Beauty Flash Balm; One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser; Smoothing Body Scrub; and the Moisture-Rich Body Lotion. The contents of this set are a great introduction to the Clarins brand, or a treat for someone who is already a Clarins devotee, and it's all wrapped up in the FEED stenciled tote bag. You can order your FEED 25 Set here, or if you want a smaller version, check out the Clarins FEED 15 Set, which offers a smaller stenciled pouch and a different variety of smaller-sized products, and which is available at Nordstrom.

The Benefit: The FEED Project was founded by model/activist Lauren Bush in 2007 with the mission of feeding hungry children and the nonprofit has distributed over 60 millions meals worldwide. With each purchase of a FEED 25 Set, Clarins and FEED will contribute 25 meals to children worldwide through the United National World Food Programme. (Likewise with each FEED 15 Set sold, the organizations will distribute 15 meals.) 

Why Buy Organic?

We have already realized the value of eating organic foods. But why consider organic when it comes to clothing?

Because conventional cotton receives 25% of the world's insecticides, which makes it the  most toxic crop grown on the planet! Yikes!

We haven't made the switch to organic clothing, but the idea of toxic chemicals in fabric is a good reason to check out more sustainable, healthy alternatives. So we were excited to hear about Thoughtful Threads Organic Clothing and Sustainable Lifestyle in Naples, Florida.  Thoughtful Threads is an extension to Food & Thought which is a great place to purchase organic fruit and vegetables, or pick up a healthy lunch.  In addition to their grocery section, Food & Thought has an amazing cafe with wonders like Tropical Broccoli Salad, homemade hummus, and Vegan Bliss Shakes that are made with no sugar and coconut cream.

If you are in the Naples area, stop by the sister shops from December 9th through December 10th for some fabulous buys on organic products to eat and to wear. If you aren't in Southwest Florida, check out the Thoughtful Threads and Food & Thought web sites for lots of interesting information answering the question, "Why organic?"

Some of Thoughtful Threads and Food & Thought's weekend specials include: 

Organic cotton bras: SRP $38.00, sale price: $19.00 

Organic cotton beach towels: SRP $36.00, sale price: $18.00 

ERGO organic baby carriers: SRP $135-$160.00, sale price: $99.00

Organic bananas are a steal at 39 cents a pound

Vine ripe certified organic tomatoes are 99 cents a pound

All pottery is on sale at 50% off

All fresh veggies and berries picked from an organic farm will be at 20% for the two day sale.

Let's help save the planet and eat well and dress well!

The Season for Giving: TOMS Gift Guide

"Giving is what fuels us; Giving is our future." - TOMS Founder Blake Mycoskie

You may be familiar with TOMS shoes and their policy of donating a pair of shoes to a needy person in a developing country for every pair of TOMS shoes sold. The company's founder, Blake Mycoskie, calls it a "One for One" policy. TOMS has donated over 600,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need through giving partners around the world.
 

It is difficult to imagine the daily hardships faced by children who do not have shoes; these hardships which go way beyond the obvious and can have life-altering or life-threatening consequences. For instance, many countries will not permit children to enter school unless they have a pair of shoes, which means having no access to shoes can equate to having no access to education. Also, children in Third World countries who go barefoot are prone to getting soil transmitted diseases which penetrate the skin through bare feet, so being barefoot is a serious health risk as well.

So this holiday season, when you are buying gift for family and friends, consider buying one of these fabulous TOMS products and, when you do, you'll be simultaneously giving a gift to a person in need.

Here are some fantastic TOMS gift ideas:

TOMS Shoes: Of course, TOMS is famous for their signature shoe. The Glitter shoes below are especially fun for the holidays. Also, many stores have artists who come in to paint TOMS shoes with original designs, gratis, for shoes purchased at a painting event; a pair of TOMS shoes embellished with original artwork makes for a fabulous gift, too.

TOMS Sunglasses: Mr. Mycoskie has expanded his "One for One" policy to include a new line of TOMS sunglasses.  Using natural materials with hand painted accents, the eyewear is extremely fashionable. For every pair of sunglasses sold, a pair of eyeglasses will be provided to someone to save or restore their vision.  A pair of TOMS sunglasses would make a great holiday gift, too!

TOMS Book: Mr. Mycoskie has written a book entitled Start Something That Matters.  Available on Amazon, this book offers inspirational reading with profits going to the "One for One" movement.  A great holiday read.

TOMS Gift Pack:  This great gift pack contains a $50 gift card for TOMS.com, a DVD of a documentary about the company and a TOMS poster. It's also offered at a great price of $50, which means the poster and DVD are basically free. Check it out here.

Susan Says: Accessorizing for Charity

While I was at work the other day, I had the good fortune of stopping to admire a necklace and earrings worn by one of my customers.  I thought she probably bought it at a wonderful boutique because of its beauty and complexity of design.

I was overjoyed to learn that the artist who created the necklace, Michelle Levine-Troupp, creates the jewelry for charity, with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  

A cancer survivor for over 16 years, Michelle learned first hand what it is to receive a deadly diagnosis.  She vowed to do something to make a difference for children battling cancer and she was strongly moved by the fact that St. Jude's never turns a patient away, even when the patient does not have the financial resources to pay for medical costs.

Made of real gemstones, each of Michelle's pieces is unique, one of a kind, handmade, and not available in any store. All of Michelle's pieces are very reasonably priced, because she only charges enough to cover the costs of the gemstones plus the donation. Michelle's creations won top prize at a recent juried art event in Bonita Springs, Florida and Michelle was profiled in today's Naples Daily News.

We hope that everyone will take a moment to browse her website and make a purchase. Your purchase will directly support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and you'll love wearing Michelle's amazing designs. Visit her web site, uniquedesignsbymichelle.com, to buy now.

Susan Says: Forever 21 Rocks for Fashion and Furry Friends

One of my favorite stores is Forever 21.  The name says it all.

I work for a major retailer and I recently admired a jacket worn by someone in our designer department, who is in her late forties.  To my utter surprise, I learned that the jacket was not purchased at our store's designer department, but rather at Forever 21.  In fact the jacket was a fantastic low-price version of a designer look. The amazing thing about Forever 21 is that prices are unbelievably low!!!  At first glance, Forever 21 may seem to be solely the domain of the very young shopper, but I believe mothers and daughters can both delight in this shopping destination.

And now, Forever 21 is officially in my Fashion Hall of Fame for doing a benefit for the ASPCA, a charity which is near to my heart.  Forever 21 has created a shirt exclusively for the ASPCA, which can be purchased beginning December 9th.  One dollar will be donated to the ASPCA for every shirt sold. Visit their web site or see below for more information.

Dana's Shopping Hero

Alicia Silverstone is my hero. Not just because she starred in Clueless, the best movie ever which I was obsessed with when it was released in 1995 and still can't resist watching when I find it while channel-surfing on the TV. Not just because I absolutely wanted to be her when she starred in those amazing Aerosmith videos. Not just because she is about my age, super talented and amazingly accomplished.

For about a year now, Alicia has been my kitchen hero, too, since I am a huge fan of her awesome vegan/macrobiotic cookbook, The Kind Diet. The recipes are simple, yummy, healthy and of course, kind to the planet. If you haven't checked it out, you must take a look at both the book and her accompanying blog, The Kind Life.

And now, after reading this People article, Alicia is my shopping hero too! Alicia told People that she buys everything second-hand, which I think is awesome and admirable.

Most of the things we want and need are available second-hand, either at thrift or consignment stores, or via Craigslist, or just in the good old fashioned classified ads. Most of the times, with a little perseverance and patience, you can find everything you are looking for used. You'll be doing both the planet and your wallet a favor, since used merchandise will cost you nothing but a fraction of the retail price, and, as Alicia points out, you are buying "really locally, and it already exists."

PS: Susan adds: "Alicia is my hero, too, because of her ongoing animal rescue efforts!"