Pretty In Pink - Make your $$ count!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  It is set aside as a month to bring awareness and to raise money for breast cancer charities and research organizations.  Most importantly, I believe, organizations emphasize the importance of early detection.  My Mom and a good friend are survivors thanks to early detection.  Getting regular exams are crucial.  Getting a mammogram is one of my least favorite things to do but they are so important, due to my family history.  Take care of yourself too. Get your mammogram in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Celebrating survivors and raising money are great goals for the month.  Because of this we are being inundated with pink products. I read an article the other day about scams that are praying on people's emotions.  Just because and item is pink or has a pink ribbon doesn't mean proceeds are going to support breast cancer research or charities.  If your intention is to make a donation via your purchase, check out the product, the labeling and the charity for validity. There are so many items out there that I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

The Desert Rose Necklace from JewelMint was one of my October picks. 15% of every necklace purchase will be donated to Pink Party.  Boutique owner Elyse Walker created Pink Party after losing her mother to a long battle with ovarian cancer. Pink Party is an annual fundraiser for Cedars-Sinai Women's Caner Program (formerly Women's Cancer Research Institute ) which has raised $5.5 million in the past six years.

Ford created the Warriors in Pink initiative many years ago and every year they sell t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and accessories for men and women.  100% of the net proceeds from the sale of items goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I love this scarf.  Go figure, you know I have a scarf additiction. This colorful beauty sells for $34 and $24.05 of that will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

QVC is conducting their annual FFANY shoe sale all month.  During the sale, they sell designer shoes for 1/2 the retail price.  Bargain shoes for a cure!  The proceeds will benefit a multitude of breast cancer charities and research foundations.  They will host a special event on October 15, 6 - 9 p.m. ET.

OPI has produced its Pink of Hearts shade before but this year it's in a Shatter version.  Each bottle of Pink Shatter: Pink of Hearts has a special pink-ribbon tag and pink cap wrap. OPI will also be making a donation of $25,000 to Komen for the Cure.

Sally Beauty is selling quite a few items in support and benefit of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  They have pledge a minimum donation of $750,000.  My favorite is the China Glaze and Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat combo pack.  It's on sale for $8.99.  That's a bargain.  Seche Vite sells for $8.99 or more, regularly.  Essentially you are getting the bottle of China Glaze and the little charm, free.

I couldn't let this post go by without pointing out that Fiat is selling a pink ribbon car.  They'll be donating $1,000 for each car sold for a minimum of $50, 000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon is a limited edition model sold through special order from Fiat, starting at $22,000.

You can also donate directly to these amazing charities. 75% or more of their budgets go to programs.

Breast Cancer Research Foundation

National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund

Breast Cancer Fund

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Help a Teen Go To Prom

Do you have an old prom dress, formal dress, bridesmaid dress, shoes, accessories that you could donate?  There is a great group that is in need of formal wear for young girls.  Please consider donating. All the details are below:

For more details go to: http://thepromdressproject.tumblr.com/

District Sample Sale - Coming Soon...

I attended the 10th District Sample Sale last night and covered the event for GalTime, Deacon Does DC as well as RGR.  I'm excited to tell you all about this fun event.  Here are a couple of  photos. I have so much for you. Later today, my fashion mavens...

Summer for Good

Along with a new bathing suit, it's always fun to buy new items for summer. There are so many needs in this world that I started thinking about doing some good with my summer purchases. What if that beach bag could help feed children or your new t-shirt could buy a book for a kid who wouldn't normally have one? Luckily there are charities and companies who do great things with the profits they make.

Here are a few of my favorite picks for the summer.

Beach Bag
You'll need a bag to carry your sunscreen, towel, and summer book. This one will provide money to feed fifty school meals to kids in Haiti. You can go to Feed Projects to purchase this bag and many others.


Sun Hat
Along with sunscreen, one of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun is a hat. This one has a big brim and is sold by Ten Thousand Villages. The folks at Ten Thousand Villages ensure that artisans in developing countries are paid a fair wage for their goods and help to keep them employed.


Summer T-Shirt
A new summer T or a beach cover-up (an extra big guy's shirt) is always a must. Out of Print Clothing creates t-shirts featuring iconic or out of print book cover art. For every shirt purchased, they donate a book to needy children through Books For Africa. One of my favorites, that fits with the beachy themes of summer, is this Moby Dick shirt.


Espadrilles
This list wouldn't be complete without shoes. What girl doesn't need a new pair of shoes for summer? I love flip flops for the beach but even at the beach, I like something special for dinner or a night out. For every pair of shoes purchased from TOMS, they donate a pair of shoes to a child in a developing country. Many kids in these countries grow up without shoes. I love these espadrilles but make sure to check out their other summer styles.


Another one of my favorite sites, Uncommon Goods, has a large selection of items made from recycled materials.

With a little hunting, your summer shopping can make you look good and do some good for others at the same time.