One for One - Shoes and Skateboards

Shoes and skateboarding were two things I loved as a teenager. And while I managed to put my feet in every tauntingly gorgeous pair of shoes I met over the years, I typically (and wisely) kept my feet off of a moving skateboard. Well, here is something not so typical and wise involving both shoes and skateboards. TOMS shoes and Element have collaborated to give shoes and skateboards to children in need around the world.

TOMS and Element have created several limited edition canvas slip-on shoes for men and women (US$46) which you can buy online (with free shipping in the U.S.). For every pair of these or any other TOMS shoes purchased (even Tiny TOMS for kids), TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. Since 2006, TOMS has given over 10,000 pairs of shoes to children in Argentina and 50,000 pairs to children in South Africa; and in 2008 expected to give 200,000 pairs.

Element has also created a TOMS + Element skateboard with an all natural construction of hard maple and top layer of bamboo (US$150); or you can just buy the deck (US$60). For every TOMS + Element skateboard purchased, Element gives a skateboard to a child outside of Durban, South Africa to provide refuge from the dangerous areas in which they live. Element has also developed a non-profit, youth-based organization called Elemental Awareness whose mission is to reach out to youth through the avenues of skateboarding and education in order to develop self-esteem, awareness, and the tools to lead successful lives. Elemental Awareness is founded upon the believe that a person can positively impact their world through involvement in their passions. Now that is something I aspire to do everyday.

If you or your kids love skateboarding, you will also love the work of the Uganda Skateboard Union which built the first skateboard park in Uganda for the boys in the Kitintale, Kampale district. It is beautiful and inspiring to see how skateboarding (the once not-so-loved by the local cops in our American suburbs) is now spreading love around the world.

Naturally Beautiful at NY Fashion Week

Under the exclusive white tents in Bryant Park, New York Fashion Week is in full swing. Designers like Marc Jacobs, Miss Sixty, and Chris Benz took us back to the inspired 80's (bold colors sans Madonna tribute). Diane von Furstenberg and Hervé Léger by Max Azria paid tribute to the urban jungle. And Lela Rose took her inspiration from the less pretty aspects of the rainforest while Jonathan Saunders took his inspiration from outer space. The who's who of fashion and fame fill the front row seats of the shows of one of the most significant gatherings in American fashion. But given that I'm not a professional fashion reviewer, you'll have to check out Fashion Week Daily for a more in-depth look behind the scenes and the runways.

However, I did find one new-to-me designer John Patrick whose mission is clear in his statement- "I envision a world in the near future where people won't ask "is it organic?" but say "of course, it's organic!" In his Fall 2009 line, John Patrick Organic introduces 50's inspired silhouettes, simple and low on the complicated glitz scale, but high in responsible fashion. Patrick puts forth his ethical practices in the forefront with his fashion using sustainable materials like recycled wool, alpaca wool and organic cottons, and employing a team of cottage-industry workers in Peru. He proves that beautiful clothes that look and feel good on the body can also be good for the environment.

You should definitely check out John Patrick Organic's website (while it only contains his 2008 men's and women's collections), these few words might inspire you as well to learn more about John Patrick- white organic japanese cotton cashmere coat... enough said.

VIVA GLAM - Viva Giving Back

Established in 1994 by M·A·C Cosmetics, the M·A·C AIDS Fund supports men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. Introducing its first VIVA GLAM lipstick that same year, M·A·C Cosmetics has donated every cent of the selling price of the Viva Glam lipsticks to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. With a total of six shades of Viva Glam lipstick and two shades of Viva Glam lipglass now sold worldwide, M·A·C Cosmetics has provided over $100 million to date for the M·A·C AIDS Fund. The M·A·C AIDS Fund is the heart and soul of the company – with its employees giving their time, energy and talent to help those affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide. Viva Glam lipstick and tinted lipglass (in three shades) can be purchased online at M·A·C Cosmetics (US$14).

Together with Viva Glam spokesperson and Grammy-Award winning performer Fergie, the M∙A∙C AIDS Fund is also launching a Global Youth HIV Prevention Initiative to address the rising numbers of HIV infection in young people around the world. With this global initiative, M∙A∙C Cosmetics aims to launch new and scale up existing innovate prevention programs with the goal of reducing infection rates in persons under 25 years old.

Also, as M·A·C Cosmetics' commitment to the environment, M·A·C accepts returns of its primary packaging through the Back to M·A·C Program. By returning six M·A·C primary packaging containers to a M·A·C counter or M·A·C Cosmetics online, you’ll receive a free M·A·C lipstick of your choice.

I'm more of a VIVA GLAM V kind of girl these days. Which GLAM are you? Find your perfect shade and philanthropic spirit with M·A·C Cosmetics and see how easy it is to look stunning while you make a difference.

What Would You Do for LOVE?

That question is the campaign slogan for Cartier's charity initiative and the Cartier LOVE bracelet. This bracelet was part of my inspiration for writing this blog. I fell in love with the beautiful design of the bracelet, so simple and very symbolic of love - two gold rings permanently intertwined together yet held together by a delicate cord of silk. Then I learned that there are 8 charities in the United States that benefit from the sale of these bracelets. So I did some research and discovered many other charitable initiatives by socially responsible companies, new designers and plenty of beautiful and interesting products. At the same time I was learning about many new causes and non-profit organizations doing ground-breaking work. So I felt compelled to share what I learn with you.

The Cartier LOVE bracelet 2008 edition has an 18K white gold ring intertwined with an 18K pink gold ring and comes with a different colored silk cord representing one of the following charities selected by a celebrity ambassador: BLUE - Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Ashanti). KHAKI - Common Ground Foundation (Common). PURPLE - Blessings in a Backpack (Hilary Duff). PEACH - Women in Transition (Eve). ORANGE - Peapod Foundation (Fergie). GREEN - The Richie-Madden Children's Foundation (Good Charlotte). GRAY - Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (Janet Jackson). PINK - Susan G. Komen for the Cure (Emmy Rossum).

Each 2008 edition Cartier charity bracelet is $995 and Cartier donates $200 to the corresponding charity. I have called a few Cartier stores on the west coast and their lovely French-accented sales personnel confirmed that Cartier does have them in stock. If Cartier does not carry it in their store, one can be ordered for you. There is also a 2006 edition charity bracelet which comes with a single 18K white gold or pink gold ring for $475 with a donation of $100 to one of 16 other associated charities. Cartier stores that I called did not have this in stock; but, you should inquire about ordering. The list of 16 other charities can be found on the Cartier LOVE website (click on the US Charities link at the bottom of their home page for a brochure). You can learn more about all 24 charities in this brochure.

These would make an unbelievably exceptional Valentine's Day gift! But if these bracelets are beyond your current budget, at least check out the Cartier LOVE website which is stunning. On this website, Cartier features some very interesting (mostly non-US) artists; and you can download their original songs on the theme of love for free. I'm listening to Hawksley Workman's song "The Ground that We Stand On" while I write this.

So something as simple as a bracelet inspired me to follow my passions through this blog. Ask yourself, what inspires you to make a difference? What would you do for love?

Flip for Good

As a mother and self-appointed family historian, I'm constantly chasing my children around with a camcorder and posting their hilarious antics onto YouTube, Facebook, and our family website to share with friends and family. One of the "best gadgets ever" (such title awarded by my husband who received one of these as a gift for father's day) is the Flip Video made by Pure Digital Technologies. This little camcorder is so compact, it feels like a cell phone; and it's so easy to use, I often find my two year old and four year old taking video of each other.

The makers of Flip Video recently have come out with the Flip MinoHD, the world's smallest high definition camcorder at just over 3 ounces and records up to 60 minutes of HD video. Their advanced on-board software platform allows you to plug the camcorder’s signature flip-out USB arm into any computer for easy drag-and-drop video organizing, editing and sharing online. MinoHD also becomes the first and only “designable” HD camcorder. If you go to TheFlip.com, you can choose from thousands of professional designs or custom-design your own Flip Mino or MinoHD at no extra cost. Additionally, you have the option to share your designs on TheFlip.com to earn commissions for themselves or non-profit causes. The camcorders range from $149.99 to $229.99.

There are many ways to Flip for Good, which actually is a design category on their website. For example, if you buy a Flip Video with the Kiva design, $10 will be donated to Kiva, a non-profit whose mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. I am a huge fan of Kiva. Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. I can search for an entrepreneur (even by gender) in a particular region of the world and a business sector, learn about her business and make a difference with a loan as little as $25. Kiva handles the loan process; and once the loan is paid back, I can choose to lend it again to another entrepreneur, donate it to Kiva to support their work or withdraw the money. It's great that the camcorder has a Kiva logo; people are bound to ask about them if they see it on your camcorder. You can also get one with a breatkthrough.tv design or a Witness design; both are organizations that focus on human rights issues.

There are also other Flip for Good designs like this "dots dots dots" camcorder or the "ornaments" (orange circles above) which do not consist of a non-profit logo; but for every 7 camcorders sold with these Flip for Good designs, Flip Video will donate one to charity. And if that wasn't enough options... if you're a U.S. based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, you can apply for a Flip Video Spotlight Kit which helps charitable organizations use video to make the world a better place.

So that's a lot of flippin' good for one little gadget... but, seriously, it will totally change the way you take and use video in your life. It did for me. And now you can also change the world a little bit with your itty bitty camcorder.