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A Moment For Japan With Love
Dermalogica Wants You to FITE For Change
According to the World Bank, the economic empowerment and financial independence of women is one of the greatest drivers of sustainable poverty alleviation in the developing world. Additionally 70% of people living in poverty are women and despite research that shows women who are financially independent can be the greatest agents of change in their communities, only 2% of all international aid money goes to them. Which is why skincare company, Dermalogica has partnered with Kiva.org (the world’s largest personal microlending website) to help alleviate poverty and created FITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), a global campaign that promotes gender equality, and helps boost stagnant economies by offering women entrepreneurs in low-income regions of the United States and 56 other countries micro loans.
“We know that the economic empowerment of women is one of the greatest levers for positive social change. What is particularly thrilling about FITE is the opportunity it provides to give that lever a multiplier effect,” says Jane Wurwand, Founder of Dermalogica. As a blogger, I do see (and write about) a lot of philanthropic initiatives, and consider myself a big advocate of giving back—but I often find it difficult seeing this change. There are so many causes, humanitarian, environmental or otherwise and it feels like just when we ban together to help rebuild one natural disaster, another one hits. At times it can all be rather discouraging but having had the opportunity to meet Jane and hear about her journey to start Dermalogica as well as her devotion to FITE to bring about real change gives me hope.
Hash 55, Bon Jovi and Harboring Hearts
What do they have in common? They were all apart of my Thursday night. And, no, not literally hash (although the invitation did promise “hash brownies”); it was the opening party for Hash 55, a new modern, eclectic lounge and hookah bar in Midtown.
Generally, I’m not one for Midtown bars, but the timing worked out perfecting since I scored two tickets to Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden and figured, why not? I grabbed my date, got a drink and endured an over-booked party –we lasted about 20minutes. I don’t care how much free alcohol is in tow, it’s not worth being constantly bumped into because a party is at capacity. And I’d love to comment on the food (mainly the brownies), but literally the poor waiters would come out with horderves and would get pounced on. The problem was the party was thrown upstairs in the lounge, which is a very cool, intimate space that on a non-open bar, invite-the-entire-city type of an evening, would be a great hang out. And their signature cocktails are great! The downstairs is a large seated restaurant with bar. I wish they extended the celebration into that space so we had more room (the restaurant only had a few reservations). So naturally, my date and I
YOU’RE INVITED 2/24: Harboring Hearts First Annual Fundraiser
Join Harboring Hearts Housing for their premiere fundraiser event: A Winter Cocktail, Thursday February 24th, 2011 from 8:30-11:00pm at the Rubin Museum of Art (150 West 17th Street, NYC).
Special performances by The NY Pops, followed by DJ Harley Viera Newton of Jay Z’s Roc Label, and electric violinist Sarah Charness of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Open bar courtesy of Barcardi, Barefoot Wines, and Nespresso, and treats from Honi Cookies, Stogo Ice Cream, and Tu’Lu’s bakery. VIP Ticket Holders will receive gift bags with goodies from Warren Tricomi, David Barton, Korres, Argo Tea, and many more.
Tickets ave available for purchase online at http://hhrubin.charityhappenings.org/
The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show
In all the printed materials, you’ll see Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week listed as February 10-17. However, it really opens the night before with The Heart Truth’s Red Dress collection. It’s the show that has celebrities and high profile women walk the runway in red dresses by various designers on behalf of The Heats Truth, a national awareness campaign that warns women about heart disease.
Lucky me, I started the evening backstage with sponsors Bumble and Bumble and Bobbi Brown who were doing the hair and makeup for the show and got a sneak preview of Suzanne Somers, Dita Von Teese, Giuliana Rancic, Eve, Camila Alves, Ann Curry, and Gayle King in their gowns!
I was cheering on the inside when I saw Suzanne Somers–I’ve been watching her since Three’s Company through her thighmaster infomercials, I think my excitement was warranted. Especially in her adorable Ina Soltani mini dress that
AHALife and Ivanka Trump Do Good
Event: Ivanka Trump and Ahalife Jewelry Event
Date: February 7, 2011
Location: Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Boutique, Madison Avenue, NYC
I kicked off the week with AHAlife and Ivanka Trump at a private event hosted at her jewelry store on Madison Avenue. If you’re not familiar with AHAlife.com, you should be or at least sign up for their newsletter. They are a website that sells unique finds from all over the world curated by a series of tastemakers (all of which you can “meet” on their site). One of which, Wendi Murdoch, featured Ivanka Trump’s Girl Up Bracelet, which went on sale on AHAlife the very next day. Priced at $40, 100% of the proceeds from the sale benefits the United Nations Girl Up campaign, an organization that works to improve the lives of girls globally.
“We help provide basic needs such as access to school supplies, clean water, life-saving health services, safety from violence and more for these young girls,” says Trump. The bracelet features a sterling silver chain and a coral silk cord joined by two sterling silver charms—the Girl Up bird and the Ivanka Trump logo.
Considering you’ll likely never see anything at the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Boutique priced at $40 (or on AHALife.com), let alone with the proceeds going to such a worthy cause, I would recommend jumping on this opportunity. Oh look at that, I just
12/15-12/17 Volkswagen Jetta on Gilt Groupe
By now I assume all of you have heard of (and many of you are members) of the online sample sale website, Gilt Groupe. And if not, you should, they sell just about everything, and I mean everything –fashion, accessories, jewelry, travel, events and lifestyle sales on luxury merchandise and experiences at up to 70%.
Having recently partnered with Volkswagen, they can now add cars to their list of categories. Tomorrow beginning at noon ET, Gilt will be selling three all-new 2011 Volkswagen for $5,995!! Originally priced at $15,995, they are dropping the “1” from the price, knocking out $10k. Additionally one third of the proceeds of the sale (nearly $18,000) will be donated to the charity Dress for Success. This sale will
Whole Foods Helps You Find the Perfect Gift
For many of us when we think Whole Foods, we think food. Although some of us do shop their Whole Body section as well. What can you find in Whole Body? Vitamins and supplements, bath and body care, hair and beauty products, yoga items, cards, magazines and gifts.
This holiday season Whole Foods is offering personal shoppers at all of their northeast locations. No appointment needed, just visit the Whole Body section and look for a team member wearing a recycled apron and gift tag. They are available everyday from 10am-8pm through January 1st. Members of the team are on hand for all of your gift needs, whether it be to introduce you to a variety of pre-selected gift sets (all under $20) or to help you select those perfect custom gifts. They also offer complimentary gift-wrapping for your convenience.
Featuring everything from holiday scented candles to lotion gift sets. Whole Foods adheres to strict level of quality standards (read more about that HERE) coinciding with their belief with what you put in your body is as important as what you put in your body. So whether you’re shopping popular brands like Burt’s Bees, Kiss My Face, Dr. Haushka, ShiKai, or local products such as LUX Naturals handcrafted soaps (which smell phenomenal) or their philanthropic offerings including Blessing Basket (where your purchase plants crops, improved nutrition, buys livestock, educated children, protects forests and most importantly reduces poverty), you feel good about your selection.
For NYC, the Whole Body I’m partial to their Bowery location. It takes up the whole 2nd floor of Whole
Holiday Gift Guide: Something for Everyone
Okay so it’s the final weeks before Christmas, Hanukkah ends tomorrow so if you’re looking for some gift inspiration, here are some great gifts for everyone on your list.
1. Tocca Gift Sets – Eau de Parfum Viaggio ($45) gift set includes three of their signature fragrances Stella, Florence and Cleopatra in miniature size, and Candele Da Viaggio ($42) box set includes an assortment of four travel size candles including Cleopatra, Grave, Havana and Kyoto.
2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Rock For Ever Aqua Eyes – $36 ($49.50 Value). Set includes five travel size Aqua Eyes pencils in shades Gold, Bronze, Dark Grey, Mat Black and Silver.
3. NARS Cosmetics – Follow the Boys Lip Gloss Coffret – $40 ($48 Value). Set includes four medium size glosses in shades Turkish Delight (Pink Sorbet), Moon Fleet (Sparkling Platinum Gold), Easy Lover (Ultra Sheer Hot Pink) and Sweet Revenge (Sheer Pink Grapefruit).
4. Tarte The Jewelry Box $52 ($637 Value). This combination set includes 32 eye shadows, 8 lip glosses, 5 eyeliners, a mineral powder bronzer and highlight powder in soft pink all, which opens and folds to condense into a compact jewelry box.
5. Cellies ($35) – Fashionable stretch cuff bracelet that carries your cell phone so you don’t have to. They have a terry version perfect for working out, and a collection of decorative studded ones in pink and black to wear as a fashion accessory.
6. Pylones Mug Angel Wings – $25. This mug is available in colors: blue (featured), red, lime, black, pink and orange.
7. ThinkGeek Electronic Rock Guitar Shirt – $29.99. Complete with mini amp this interactive t-shirt has a fully playable guitar built into the t-shit. Available in ADULT
World AIDS DAY – Spread Education NOT the Virus
Today is World AIDS Day, the international movement celebrated annually to help raise awareness, tackle prejudice, and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Campaigners are uniting around the world to commemorate this day and build momentum to defeat this virus. So break out your red ribbons, get involved (even if it’s just by educating yourself) and show your support. Do not underestimate the power of your education and prevention efforts.
Yesterday, I attended the Hairdressers Against AIDS U.S. Symposium at the United Nations. Five Hundred hairdressers from across the country united to kick off the HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign ‘USE YOUR VOICE, USE YOUR POWER, FOR A BEAUTIFUL WORLD WITHOUT AIDS’. Sponsored by