Stick it to me

I love when a person finds an area in the marketplace that is lacking and designs something that fills this void with a functional, yet still stylish, solution. Designer Rickina Velte of Stick Me Designs has created a line of accessories for people with diabetes or suffer from any illness that requires constant monitoring and testing. Each of the carrying cases are designed with beautifully feminine and modern fabrics that fits everything you need into an incredibly cute and practical package. Each bag contains numerous clear interior pockets, so everything is visible and you don't need to rummage around for your testing items or medicine. Testing your blood sugar never looked so good! (FYI...these also work fabulously as a makeup bag...the perfect solution to throw your basics for during the day in one handy pouch.)

Etsy Pink

Etsy Pink is a group on Etsy that donates a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer groups. Since Etsy is the largest marketplace for handmade goods, you can be assured that you will find something that will express your individuality, while at the same time, supporting a wonderful cause. These are just a few of the items that I found when I typed in "etsy pink breast cancer" into the etsy search engine.

This awesome tank (pictured above) by Cripple Creek is a cheery reminder to do self breast examinations. 75% of the $8.00 selling price will go directly to benefit a friend of hers who has breast cancer.

These charming little earrings by the Eclectic Slide feature wool felted beads, swarovski crystals and vintage flowers. ALL proceeds of these earrings will be donated to the "Relay for Life" team at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

For those of you who like to knit, this gorgeous merino wool yarn, handspun by Mud Creek, is perfect for creating some cuddly socks to warm your feet. ALL proceeds of this yarn will be donated to the Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

This fabulous Raspberry Swirl necklace by Meristem features individually wire wrapped pink beads centered by a pink chalcedony briolette on a really cool twisted wire mini sculpture. Made in honor of her stepmother, 30% of the $112 purchase price will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation.

This chunky funky three strand necklace by Sandra Eileen featuring rose quartz, mother of pearl and amazonite makes a beautiful statement while supporting a great cause. 50% of the proceeds from the sale of this necklace ($148) will be donated efforts to help women feel beautiful while they are being treated for or recovering from breast cancer.

Grace Yourself

The Grace necklace, created by designer Laura Wells, and sold exclusively at Archestra, displays a simple pink wrapped spiral with a single sterling silver bead nested in the middle. Available on either a creme colored leather cord, or a delicate sterling silver chain, 50% of the purchase price is being donated to the Gal to Gal foundation which supports women with State IV breast cancer. Archestra, one of my favorite on-line shopping boutiques (fabulous one-stop shopping for any person you need to buy a gift for, including yourself!) is a proud sponsor of the virtual "Walk across America" fundraising event that Gal to Gal has organized. Click HERE to get more information on how you can participate in this event and click HERE to buy the Grace necklace or any other piece from the Grace collection. A fabulous way to mix art, shopping and generosity in one online step.

Cool Site of the Week--Placetile Designs

Placetile Designs is a very unique company that offers tablewear, gifts and place cards. The uniqueness comes from the fact that all of the pieces are created from fine ceramic that can be written on with a dry eraser pen. Thus, the pieces can be used over and over again. Some of my favorite items are the Menu tiles (what a fun, hip, and elegant way to announce what dinner will be), napkin rings (perfect for letting everyone know where to sit) and the Babysitting tile (saves time from rewriting notes to the babysitter.) I love when people come up with cool ideas...that still look elegant. These are just so much nicer than those dry eraser boards!! And, Placetile Designs will be donating 5% of all proceeds from the Hats Off place tile (pictured below, and how perfect for a baby shower!), to the Susan G. Komen foundation!!

Covered up in Cashmere

I have a collection of over 30 pashminas...they are truly a must-have fashion accessory for any woman because of their true versatility. The perfect wrap to throw on over a fancy dress, a wonderful way to jazz up a pair of jeans, or a cozy blanket to bring on an airplane (please...don't tell me you use those airplane blankets!). Cashmere pashminas cover up cold shoulders and warm the hearts of those who wear it!! The Pashmina Store offers one of the best selections of pashminas around, with an amazing color selection, and, hands down, the best prices around! Plus, the Pashmina Shop will donate 5% of the purchase of any pink item to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Check out their amazing selection HERE.

Fashion Accessories for Women

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are currently 2 million American women survivors of breast cancer. To raise money for breast cancer awareness, research, and medical treatment, many companies and independent artists are donating a portion of their sales from certain products. This week, I will be posting some of those products! Today, my featured company is Wandering Star Designs. Wandering Star has created a really lovely collection of beaded bracelets and necklaces featuring glass, rose quartz, sterling silver and swarovski crystals. $5 from every sale of the Pink Ribbon Collection will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Get shopping HERE.

Shopping for a Cause--Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

She Finds is sponsoring a wonderful fundraiser to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and many talented artisans are donating a percentage of their proceeds for certain designs to this fund. Each of the designs must feature the letter "O" or the color teal. In addition to my Bea earrings (pictured first below), for which I am donating 50% of the proceeds, there are some other fabulous designs that are all going to support this wonderful cause. Some of my favorites are: the Delilah necklace by Odette New York, this brooch by She Rocks, and the Jingles bracelet by Lori Anderson Designs. Looking great and contributing to a good cause? How divine. Check out all of the designs HERE.

Filling A Need

September is Breast Cancer month, and I am always happy to promote and feature products that either help to find a cure or provide a service to survivors of it. So, I was happy to come across Wear Ease, a company that designs and manufactures post-mastectomy lingerie for women to wear after breast or chest surgery. The Dawn camisole (featured below) is a cotton camisole that has been designed to be worn home from the hospital after a lumpectomy or mastectomy because it features elastic support for the healthy breast and two drainage pouches (front and back). What I especially like is that it is feminine and pretty and doesn't look like you just left the hospital.

The Lexie gown, featured below, is made of charmeuse and lace, and features bilateral soft pockets to hold breast forms comfortably in place. Available in pink or black, this gown is beautiful and designed to make a woman feel feminine and sexy post-surgery.

I also loved this Isabel camisole (below) with the beautiful lace accents around the hem and bodice. Very versatile, it can be easily be worn with a suit to work, layered with jeans for a stylish, chic weekend look, or with black trousers for a sexy night-out look. No one would ever know that this elegant camisole features comfortable support and bilateral soft pockets to hold breast forms.

Owner Sarah Lorenz's goal is to give breast cancer survivors lingerie that enables them to dress independently, helping them to maintain their dignity and femininity...all with beauty and style. Mission accomplished. Check out more designs HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Maneater Threads

A fabulous selection of women's clothing and accessories can be found on the site of Maneater Threads, a great on-line boutique showcasing collections from established and up and coming labels such as Art Nouveau, Geren Ford, and Made her Think. Their selection of dresses, which I love love love to wear during the summer, are to-die-for and are perfect for sultry summer nights. Best of all, most can be worn casual or fancy depending on your choice of shoes and accessories. Two of my favorites are this lilac lace tunic by By Francine (a mini-dress for the bold or a tunic for the rest of us), and this silk dress by Candice Held (a bold mix of colors and prints for a modern bohemian look). Plus, starting in July, Maneater Threads will be donating 5% of their sales to a different nonprofit organization, starting with the American Refugee Committee, with an emphasis (but not limited to) women’s issues, international relief, animals, and the environment.

Raffle!

I recently heard about the Stephanie Barr Fund. Stephanie is a young mother of two who was recently diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. (Read more HERE). Jaycee Danielle, a bath and body products company, is sponsoring a raffle to help her and her family with the medical costs associated with her treatment. Manor Hall Soap Company, one of my favorite bath and body products companies, donated a $25 gift certificate to the cause. Click HERE to purchase a raffle ticket for only $1. All of the proceeds are being donated to the Stephanie Barr Fund. While you are there, check out all the other great sponsors of this caring raffle. This is a great way to sample some wonderful products from some great indie companies that have banded together to try and help a person in need.

Grace Jewelry

With the fight against breast cancer so near and dear to many hearts, Artchestra and jewelry artist Laura C. Wells have joined to create and offer the Grace Jewelry Collection. Each piece in the collection features a beautiful pink silver wrapped spiral with a single sterling bead nested in the middle. 50% of the profits made by Artchestra and 15% of the profits made by Laura Wells will be given to a Breast Cancer Foundation. During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, 100% of Artchestra’s profits will be given away. What a wonderful way of mixing art, shopping, and generosity in one online step.

Cool Site of The Week--Ta Tas for Life

Day Two of my Breast Cancer Awareness Week features Ta Tas for Life as my Cool Site of the Week. Ta Tas is a wonderful tongue in cheek clothing line developed by Julie Fikse that donates 5% of every sale to breast cancer research. What a fun cute way to celebrate your femininity and also support a good cause. I also love that they are available for every member of the family so that everyone can be involved!

Tie One On

A friend of mine recently found told me that his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. That makes 3 women I know in the past year that have been diagnosed with this disease. I have been running in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure for at least the past 6 years, and this only gives me more motivation to do it. (Click here to find a date and location near you.) Bethanie Brandon makes these beautiful and soft shawls/head wraps in a variety of colors that are hand painted along the edge with the words "celebrate life" or "in search of a cure." All manufacturing profits are donated to The Marin Breast Cancer Council and The American Cancer Society. Contributing to a finding a cure while shopping? How divine.

A plus N = Awesome Bags!

A plus N is a New York-based manufacturer and retailer of handbags for women. Started in 2004, A plus N offers an expansive year-round collection of purses that are fun, vibrant and effortlessly cool. Big and roomy, these totes are available in a multitude of colors and fabrications, including leather and weather resistant nylon canvas with leather accents. You can even design your own bag! Named after the owner/designer's two children, A plus N's goal is to make high quality products, while supporting the domestic fashion industry and encouraging social responsibility in the workplace. Specifically, A plus N works with one of the best no sweat-shop factories still operating in the USA, which enables them to not only control the quality of the handmade bags, but to provide jobs to people in our country. Helping our economy, while still carrying a cool bag? How awesome is that? Want something even better? Now through December 30, 2006, A plus N is offering a 30% Holiday Discount on all products on the site (even sale!) simply by entering the code:INSTYLE06.

Take Five

My father was a dutch man who was born and raised in Indonesia. So, when I came across these earthy, organic purses handcrafted by villagers in Bali, I was pretty excited. Made with natural bamboo wood, solid wood handles, and your choice of brown, green or hot pink satin linings, these are totally statement making bags. Ranging from $36 to $46, I can justify wanting one of each. The best part, other than the fact that these are just really cool gorgeous bags, is that $5 from each product sold will be given back to the local village. Contributing to a good cause while shopping? How divine. Check out their website at fiveaccessories.com to see more purses and learn more about the company.