Retail Therapy: Altruette’s Charitable Charms

 

There’s a special feeling of happiness one experiences after purchasing an adored item, and it’s magnified by 10 when you know proceeds from that purchase are going to a good cause. (No… I don’t have scientific evidence to back that statement up. I’m just going by my own heart.) It’s therapeutic.

Charms Cool

I’m hoping you’ve figured out by now that I fancy myself a writer (and a few other people agree… that’s why they write me checks). You may or may not, however, be privy to my love for notebooks. I almost always have one in my purse (even though I can take notes on my phone), and I have at least 5 in rotation at any given time.

I also dig jewelry, and I’m sentimental, so I swoon over small, meaningful danglies. See where I’m going with the recycled silver Notebook Charm that’s plated in gold and pictured to the left? Here’s the creamy center in all of this goodness, though: Altruette, the company behind it, will donate 50% of the its net proceeds to Girls Write Now. As a matter of fact, they make quite a few different pieces of jewelry, and they’re all tied to charities. This particular charm costs $155, but knowing that a sizeable chunk of that will go toward developing the next generation of writer chicks makes it worth it. Go check them out… whether you’re into animals, tech causes or global initiatives, there’s a piece of jewelry there for you.

Technorati Tags: jewelry,charity,fashion for charity,fashion,accessories,Altruette

Shop to Save (Saving $ is good, but saving lives with Fashion for Haiti is great)

So Let's Start Giving...

A month ago, a large magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti's capital city, killing untold numbers of people and leaving Port-Au-Prince in ruins. In the direct aftermath, peole donated money, clothing and other necessary items to the best of their abilities. Telethons were held, celebrities collaborated on songs, and there seemed to be a general feeling of compassion. However, many of us have short attention spans. Once a story leaves manstream news reports, it also tends to leave the minds of the masses. Well, the fashion industry, via the CFDA's Fashion for Haiti initiative, hasn't forgotten. On February 16th, the "Fashion for Haiti" T-shirt will go on sale at stores throughout the country. Net proceeds from the sale of the $25 tees will be donated by the CFDA Foundation to the Bush Clinton Haiti Fund, which is raising funds for "immediate, high impact relief" and also continued relief over time. I'm a size small, so while you're out buying yours, feel free to get me one. Yes, I'll be buying one for myself, too, but this way I can cut one up, and still have one intact to wear with my black leggings and zebra print high heeled rain boots. (YES... I you read that right. I have them in leopard print, too.)
P.S. If you click HERE, you'll see which retailers are selling the shirts. You'll also find other fashionable ways to assist relief efforts.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Oochie Gucci La La La!

It's baaack, and it may be the drool-worthiest one yet. Yes, girls, the super-dope limited-edition Gucci cruise collection- partial proceeds of which will benefit UNICEF- is here! This time creative director, Frida Giannini, took her cue from the tatted-up trend that's everywhere from designer tees to makeup pallettes, imprinting each piece with a stylized tattoo heart over a backdrop of the brand's iconic double G motif. Prices range from $185 for a small cosmetics case to $4590 for a "Hysteria" bag (love both, but neither are pictured here with my faves), and 25% of sales from the Tattoo Heart Collection will help UNICEF provide education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs to orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Oh, and this year Gucci tapped gorgeous, Grammy Award-winning glam gal, Rihanna (Pictured with Frida Giannini and Madonna) to be the global representative of the 2008 campaign. The gamine goddess is not only featured in print ads but was also on hand the other night for the line's November 19th launch and the lighting of the UNICEF Snowflake at Grand Army Plaza in New York.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might (Rock On, Barbie)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my I-C-E."


Me & You Together Gonna Shine 'Til the End...

When you hear the term "Best Friend", who (or what) comes to mind? StyleScrybe immediately thinks of a chick who's been there "from the nada to the Prada", literally (her name was immortalized by a Cool & the Gang song... mad cool points if you can guess). However, for countless girls (of all ages), that term conjures images of Barbie dolls and/or diamonds. If that group includes you, check this, you can now rock (pun intended) the iconic childhood companion in the most grownup of ways (if your pockets are right). I just got word that Mattel (the company that pulls Barbie's proverbial strings) recently inked a licensing deal to create Barbie Rocks by Layna and Alan Friedman, a new line of precious gem-encrusted baubles inspired by the queen of glamor, herself. If you don't mind going without the jewels, you can cop a simple sterling silver dogtag for $225. Doesn't that all but defeat the purpose, though? If you're gonna do it, do it like Babs would- all the way fly- and go for one of the pave pieces. It'll cost about $2900 at the most, so let's get one in each color. (Close your mouth... we're wishing here, dahhhlings.) Seriously, though, you'll get some karma points because partial proceeds will go to the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation.

If anyone's wondering what gift you should send me in gratitude for some helpful tidbit, I'll take the black Barbie dressed in... yep... diamonds.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might (I Will One Day when My Pockets are Right)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my bag."

New York, New York, Big City of Dreams...

Since we're in wish mode, I'm gonna put another one out there. I wish i was going to the Super Bowl! My Giants are gonna win, and you know why? Because Gucci said so (OK, they didn't exactly say that, but they did release a limited edition red, white and blue "Gucci Loves NY" bag just in time for the Big Game). I'd kill to be sitting in some great seats with this beauty on my lap, cheering my team to victory. Oh, and I'd feel especially good since I'd know that 100% of the proceeds from my purchase went to the Playground Partners of the Central Park Conservancy (Chick luh tha kids). While it's way too late for me to make my way to Arizona, all hope isn't lost for the bag. I'm going to enter to win one at www.guccilovesny.com. Then I'm wishin' on a star!

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Peace it Up

Some things never go out of style, and contrary to what Pres. Bush and all the other thugs of the world might say, peace is one of them... so is charity. Oh, and let's not forget self-sustainability. OmniPeace has joined forces with Millenium Promise in an endeavor to end extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa by the year 2025, and you can help the cause if you buy one of their tres chic tees, tanks or accessories. Either go to the OmniPeace site and score or cop one of the celeb favorites at Kitson. They even have chocolate bars!

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might (I Will One Day when My Pockets get Right!)

Let's pretend I won the lottery, had a visit from my fairy godparent (he or she's out there somewhere, I just know it) or found some other way into a whole lotta chedda. If said fantasy were to come true, please believe a MAJOR shopping spree would be very close to the top of my to-do list. 'Til that happens, let's play a little game of "that's my bag."

Picture Me Rollin...

In a couple of weeks I'll be rolling through the airport with my little DVF luggage set, A-Town bound. As much as I love my second home, if I was a rich girl (na nana nana nana... you know the rest), I'd be headed to somebody's foreign "clearport" with this Louis Vuitton "Ultimate Travel Bag" in tow. It's up for bid on London's CLIC Sargent children's Cancer charity website from December 10-18, and with bids starting at £10,000 (about $20,500), I'd need damn near "all the money in the world" to make it mine. A collaboration between the LV special order workshop and Times of London fashion editor, Lisa Armstrong, the purple calfskin-trimmed one-of-a-kind roller is carry-on compliant and comes with a bunch of bonuses. In case the image is too small for you to identify, they are:

• a passport cover in MONOGRAM canvas
  
• oversized cashmere eyeshades and blanket
  
• laptop case
• a transparent detachable toiletries kit
  
• a foldable jewellery kit
  
• an evening clutch in MONOGRAM Vernis leather
  
• a laundry pouch.

OK, right now, everybody close your eyes, cross your fingers and pray i win the Mega Millions this Friday. Thanks!!!

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

There Once Was a Tree...

I think we all know the camp song about "the prettiest tree that you ever did see." Well, on that tree, there was a leaf, (also the prettiest that you ever did see) and it somehow fell into melted 18K gold before ending up on the end of a 30" chain. OK, that's not exactly how this beautiful piece of jewelry came to be, but it's pretty close to the truth. The real deal is that eco-conscious Nugaard Designs dipped dehydrated real leaves off Brazilian trees into silver or gold to create their Flora Collection. Through a partnership with Trees for the Future, a tree will be planted for each piece sold from the collection. Lucky's editors liked the Round Leaf Earrings, but my favorite piece was this necklace I found on delight.com for $87.75. Either choice makes the perfect Holiday gift, (no matter which you celebrate), so this Cyber-Monday, get one for every eco-chic(k) in your life.

Shop to Save (Because Saving $$$ is Good but Saving Lives is Best)

Africa's the new "black." Along with the whole "green" thing, the continent and its various woes are the collective cause du'jour, and rightfully so. (Let's not forget it's the birthplace of humanity.) So here are a couple of shop ops that let you score some goods and do a little good in the process.

Join EDUN and The One Campaign to Combat AIDS in Africa

Buy one of these $40 ONE Campaign tees, and $10 will be donated to ALAFA (Apparel Lesotho Alliance for Africa), which provides life-saving ARV (antiretroviral) drugs to Lesotho's factory workers and their families. Just like last year, (yep, this is round two and folks are still dying) the shirts are made in Lesotho from 100% African cotton. I know, you're already picturing how you're gonna accessorize and personalize yours, right? Well here's how you get one: click here, bid here for one customized by a celebrity or hit up Nordstrom, which will match the $10 for every shirt sold in the U.S. up to $100,000.

Get a Gucci and Give to UNICEF

It's not here yet, but the holiday season is right around the corner, and once again, a percentage of sales from Gucci's holiday collection of bags and accessories will be donated to UNICEF. 25% of all sales will go to providing healthcare, education, protection and clean water to children in Malawi and Mozambique. Purchasing the keystone piece, the large Frida Giannini-designed Gucci for UNICEF Indy bag at $2350, will sustain the health of an orphan for a full year. The collection will be available from November 15 through December 31st at over 200 Gucci stores and www.gucci.com, so start saving now. Then, go and give some money little Gucci Bag Girl. (Ok, I'm no Lil' Wayne... Sue me)

See, Just because there was a lack of black faces on the Spring '08 runways doesn't mean the fashion industry isn't concerned about us "coluhd" folks right? Sike!