Giving Tuesday & the USO

It's Giving Tuesday! Of course I have to promote the USO Wishbook. Did you read your kids a bed time story last night? Tell someone you loved them? Spent Thanksgiving with family or friends with delicious foodstuff?  Our troops and their families give up those special moments for us. Say thank you through the USO!

#OccupyGezi

You may know that my boyfriend is Turkish, but are you aware of what's going on in Turkey right now? In a nutshell, concern had been growing over the ruling party's ability to keep church and state divided. Over the past ten years, the people's rights have been taken away bit by bit. And then, a few days ago, a peaceful protest over the demolition of Gezi Park took a violent turn courtesy of the police. This was the spark that lit the fire over the entire country as thousands of people from all walks of life took to the streets.

In the following days hundreds of people are injured, a handful are dead, and people are still fighting for democracy. You can learn more on Forbes.com. Here are some of the pictures that have stood out to me:

The "women in red" being tear gassed has become an iconic image for the protesters.

Protesters march and stand off with the police.

Excessive use of force is obvious as images and videos of peaceful protesters getting knocked down and beaten appear all over social media.

Two women stand strong against a water cannon.

Pretty sure this picture sums up "la resistance."

No wait, this one does.

Yesterday I was proud to go with my boyfriend and friends to a protest in front of the White House. In America, we are so lucky to be able to attend events like this without fear of being gassed or attacked. I hope that in some way I can help build awareness of what's going on in Turkey.

Generation Know: Truth, Empowerment and Myths

You may recall I got a chance to meet up with some fellow bloggers and discuss a tres taboo subject - our periods. Generation Know reaching out to young girls and showing them that being a healthy woman is empowering, not embarrassing. So I'm proud to get to show you the final products!
 Does watching these videos make you feel a bit uncomfortable? If so, you should ask yourself why! Ack, so weird seeing myself on camera, hahah. I'm simultaneously proud and embarrassed, but I stand by what I said - "Be the change you want to see in the world."  Do you feel inspired to join the movement? I would love to see the day when our periods are celebrated, not hushed up!

U by Kotex Brand is committed to empowering girls to change the way the world thinks about periods and vaginas through Generation Know, the first generation of girls comfortable asking questions, gaining real knowledge and spreading information about their health and bodies to others. To get the facts, learn how to make a difference and get a free Generation Know bracelet to symbolize your commitment, visit www.GenerationKnow.com. For every girl that joins, U by Kotex brand will donate to Girls For A Change to continue to create change.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex®.

Happy #GivingTuesday!

We took all weekend to shop, now it's time to give back! Help me celebrate #GivingTuesday - a campaign to create a national day of giving at the start of the annual holiday season. It celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations.

Of course, I want to highlight a few awesome alternative gift catalogues you can browse today!

The USO Wishbook - Support our troops and their families this holiday season! For just $15 you can send comfort food to our men and women serving overseas.

The National Wildlife Federation Adoption Center - Adopt a fuzzy wuzzy animal!! For just $30 you get a stuffed plushie to remind you how awesome you are!

Oxfam America Unwrapped - You are what you give! Be a pile of manure for just $12.

Help Rebuild Post Sandy

Help Superstorm Sandy survivors by making a monetary donation through iTunes to the American Red Cross. www.itunes.com/superstormsandy

Get My Proud Fan Tee

I don't often post about my day job activities here, and I especially don't often ask for people to take action, but today is special! I am running my own special t-shirt campaign!! From now until Friday you can get a special Vyque-created t-shirt with a $25 donation to the USO! Let's show the execs that you can raise money through social media by helping me reach my goal; I'm less than 200 tees away!

Butters Skin Tee

Ha, I love Butters! Buy this unisex tee at Marc Jacobs for $35 - All proceeds from the sale of this t-shirt will be donated to NYU Skin Cancer Institute.

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is, of course, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There's always lots of cute, mostly pink items that you can purchase in support, but I found ten really fabulous buys that I'd have to highly recommend!! I mean, do you not die over that sequined pink skirt??

My Style Challenge: Real Curves (And Leg) at La Passione di Milano

I was tres excited to attend the DC Goodwill's 2012 runway show and gala, La Passione di Milano! Except I didn't really know what to wear... luckily my brain recalled a fabu red dress with zexy slit I purchased a few months back on a whim! Hello, Jessica Rabbit!

I admit I was a little insecure wearing this dress at first, if I slouch I get some gut going on... but all the more reason to stand up tall, yes?? I'm wearing: ASOS dress & jacket, DV by Dolce Vita sandals, vintage Chanel purse from Portero, necklace from Nicole Miller, stacking rings from Banana Republic & Tina Tang, pearl bangle and earrings from my mom.

Have we noticed my new hair?? Yes I've gone red for the fall! And I did my makeup myself, I was pretty pleased with my results!

I may not have Angelina Jolie thigh, but I have real curves and a smile!!

The event itself was spectacular, with living statues, a pop-up shop curated with some of the best Goodwill finds (I scored a military-esque H&M jacket for $7!), delicious foodstuff and lots of fellow DC fashion bloggettes, including Brea of What I Wore: Tip to Toe, Whitney Stringer and Morgan Fykes. The show was great, with a live opera singer and some seriously amazing Goodwill finds that I wish I could have gotten my hands on!

Pretty wedding dress!

The opera singer was amazing! She sang the Diva song from the Fifth Element!! Did you all know I used to be an opera singer? aaAAaaAAaaAAA!

This coat... I want it!!

Goodwill is an amazing organization that provides job opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages. It really raises people up and makes a difference and I'm proud to be a supporter!

My Style Challenge: Monotone at a Charity Shopping Event

I got invited to an exclusive in-store shopping event at my nearby David Yurman. Guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres whilst perusing the mind-blowningly desirable jewelry that I hope to one day have! They donated a portion of the evening’s proceeds to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... alas, if only I could have afforded a piece!

So what to wear to a rub elbows with DC's upper crust? I had previously tried a monotone look but it came out more pink and purple. But then I discovered that my pants exactly matched one of my tops... apparently this is one of my favorite colors!

I'm wearing: Top from Bluefly, pants and coat by J. Crew, purse by Jill Stuart, Michael Michael Kors heels and Oliver Peoples sunglasses. Jewelry includes: Necklace from Last Call, vintage Gucci watch, rhinestone and multicolored bracelets from CUSP, silver ring by Old Navy, wedding band by Tina Tang.

One day smething in this case will be mine... oh yes...

Baby's first bauble? Cutest little girls ever!

X Out Bullying!

X Out, an all-in-one facial cleanser and spot treatment, recently challenged nine top DIY bloggers to create an X-Out-inspired dress using their own unique design and the letter “X” as their muse. Wow, the results are less DIY and more Project Runway - I know I certainly couldn't produce a beautiful dress like that! Luckily, we can bid on said dresses on eBay and 100% of the proceeds from each dress to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center!

Currently all the dresses are tres affordable... and I just placed a bid on one, here's hoping I win!

Gaga's Workshop

I'm a fan of Lady Gaga, but I'm beginning to think her branding team has run amok. I mean, last week I saw "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" on tv - seriously??? And currently Barney's New York is featuring an entire floor of Gaga's Workshop - Lady Gaga's interpretation of Santa's Workshop. They worked with assume vivid astro focus (a.k.a. avaf), defined as "avaf emerged as an art collective in 2000. Pulling inspiration from music, video, and technology, avaf creates their own all-encompassing world through a unique psychedelic pop-nouveau style." I may have to go roll my eyes right now.

Anyhoo, Gaga's workshop features lots of unique items that look especially Gaga-esque and 25% of sales from all items will be donated to the recently established Born This Way Foundation, which fights bullying. I'm certainly against bullying, though I wonder why she didn't join up with the Trevor Project or something similar. You can buy lots of embellished pieces, gloves, jackets, hats, sunglasses, even crazy press-on nails that would definitely wreck havoc on my tights. There are some affordable (under $100) items for her younger fans, but of course I'm only interested in the $400+ items! Alas, those not in NY don't get to experience the workshop in person, but at least we can shop online at Barneys.com!

Charitable Gift Receiving Challenge & Guide

As the gift giving holidays come at us like a freight train, I imagine many non-profiteers like myself will be extolling the joys of charitable gift giving. But let's be honest with ourselves for a second - gifts like funding mosquito nets for an impoverished village in someone's name will probably lead to quickly concealed disappointment from the receiver. Realistically, unless your family and friends are those always do-gooders that the rest of us hate for making us look bad, people just want stuff. I'm not saying we shouldn't try to change that about our culture, just that I understand why so many people are hesitant to give charitable gifts instead of one of Oprah's favorite things.

Gee, thanks?

So, instead of crafting an alternative giving guide, I am challenging each and every one of you: swap out one item from your holiday wishlist for a charitable gift. By removing the fear of disappointing the receiver, I'm sure we can all double, triple, bazilpe the amount of charitable giving this season!!

I'm sure many of you can immediately think of a favorite nonprofit or two that you'd like to benefit, but how can I resist writing a gift receiving guide?? So here are a few alternative giving catalogues I'd like to recommend:

1. The USO Wishbook - I'd be remiss if I didn't highlight my own organization!!! There are hundreds of men and women out there fighting for what they believe is right, thousands of miles away from their families for months at a time. Don't forget our troops are often the first to bring aid to areas hit by natural disasters - my navy doctor friend spent more than a month deployed in Haiti after the earthquake hit treating injuries. So why not ask to help fund a phone call back home ($25) or kickball equipment ($75) for our service members?
   

2. The National Wildlife Federation Adoption Center - No secret that I love animals! There are so many cuddlies to symbolically adopt: seals, eagles, panthers, alligators, meercats, and otters! Everything has a base price of $20, but some have add-ons like a plush toy, a calendar, even binoculars! 

3. 
   UNICEF Inspired Gifts - UNICEF provides care for children all over the world and you can help buy buying measles vaccines for 100 kids ($24) or a child survival food pack ($82). These are actual gifts that will go to one of the 150 UNICEF serves.
   

4. CARE Package - CARE fights global poverty, with a focus on empowering women. Wow, you can send a girl to school for a year for just $49? You can also join in other people's CARE Packages, which is neat.




Oxfam America Unwrapped - An international relief and development organization that helps communities fight poverty, I think they're the only charity that let's you give crap... well, manure ($12). Hee hee hee! There's a multitude of options, from art supplies for kids ($15) to a pair of sheep ($90).

Join the challenge and help me spread the word!!! What were you planning on asking for this year and what charitable gift will you ask for instead? Let me know in the comments, or, even better, on your on blog!

UNICEF Teddy Tee

I saw this tee and was intrigued, though not totally sold on sharing it with all of you. But then I saw that 100% of the proceeds go to UNICEF and was sold! Buy Net-A-Porter for $115.

Recycled Horn Collar

I was looking for a thin, silver metal collar as the one I have is rather overwhelming on my small self, and came across this beautiful piece! Made from recycled cow horn and handcrafted by artisans in Africa to promote fair trade and sustainability, buy at Anthropologie for $238.

FEED Trick-or-Treat bag

Check out the new FEED Trick-or-Treat bag to benefit UNICEF designed by Lauren Bush! Sure, unless you have kids you probably don't trick or treat anymore, but it's a cute tote bag for a great cause! For every purchase of this $13 limited-edition bag through HSN, a $3.50 donation will be made to help support UNICEF’s nutrition programs for children in need. That’s enough to provide one child in the developing world with a year’s supply of micronutrient powders!!

Runway Moms for a Cause

L~Shandi Presents "Runway Moms for a Cause" hosted by Maureen Umeh of Fox DC!

"Runway Moms for a Cause" (RMFAC) is an impactful intersection of philanthropy and fashion at its best. RMFC is a runway show for philanthropists to take a stance on an often overlooked issue, and lend a helping hand towards a solution. The inaugural black-tie event will focus on influential Washington, DC mothers raising funds for orphans through the United for Kids Foundation (UKF) - a nonprofit committed to fighting poverty and illiteracy through education and social welfare programs in Nigeria. RMFAC is recognized by the Embassy of Nigeria as a prelude to the Nigerian Independence Day celebrations.

Participating mothers will be adorned in one of a kind designs by L-Shandi and guests will partake in a silent auction featuring original artwork, sent from Nigeria, by the benefitting orphans depicting their life goals and dreams.

Friday, September 30, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW
Washington, DC

Tickets are available now and are $100 / $150

The Marty McFly Shoe

The majority of my fashion friends don't wear sneakers, but we all grew up crushing on Marty McFly!! Well, Nike has announced there will be a limited number - just 1,500 pairs - of Marty McFly shoes available for purchase. They're so intensely 80s it boggles my mind just to look at them! IYou can learn more at www.back4thefuture.com and bid on the shoes on the Nike Mag eBay Store. Looks like prices are already in the $4k territory, but all proceeds will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for funding research to fight Parkinson’s Disease.

Gretchen Jones for Piperlime

Last season's "Project Runway" winner, Gretchen Jones, got hated on quite a bit, especially when she won over fan favorite Mondo. But try to put your residual crankiness aside and look as her exclusive jewelry collection for Piperlime with fresh eyes!The collection was created to support and bring awareness to Aid to Artisans, which will receive 100% of the net profits. Working with Ipuna Artisan Workshop in Bogota, Colombia, Gretchen developed 14 pieces in her glam boho aesthetic. Prices range from $48 to $120, which is nicely affordable.
I find the collection... fine. It's a touch uninspired and I'm not compelled to buy any of the pieces, though I admit I'm still rarely compelled to spend money on jewelry! Inspired by Egyptian pyramids and the 1973 cult film "Holy Mountain," supposedly the jewelry is etched with various magical symbols, but mostly I see lines and studs.

What do you think of Gretchen's first major debut?

Toms Teams Up with The Row

Well haven't the twins been busy! I just wrote about this new collection of handbags and have now discovered they've teamed up with Toms shoes to create a limited edition colleciton of cashmere and wool shoes in classic Toms style! Buy for $140 -$150 now.