happy breast cancer awareness month, dear readers.  no doubt you’ve been seeing BCA-related products everywhere already…like christmas, it starts earlier every year.  nonetheless, the official “BCA month” is october.  and in celebration, i like to pick a product or two to purchase that i’d love to have but otherwise might not splurge on.  after all, it’s for charity!

my cosmetic splurge of choice will be darphin’s predermine corrective wrinkle serum, available at my favorite source for all things beauty:  bluemercury.  this might be the closest i’ve ever seen to botox in a bottle…the stuff is simply amazing.  at $205, it’s a luxury i’d normally have to forego…but this month, $20 of every purchase goes to the breast cancer research foundation.  that justifies it completely.  of course, if you’re looking for a little less splurge, i’m always looking for an excuse to buy a gorgeous candle, and red flower’s wares top my list.  this month, every purchase of their gorgeously floral japanese peony candle ($34) includes a donation to the breast cancer awareness foundation.

fashion choices are tougher, as the options are practically endless.  i’ve been after these celeb-designed tees at shopbop since they were introduced.  sure, i’d normally balk at spending $88 on a t-shirt, but when 50% of the purchase price goes to charity, it’s practically my social obligation to buy one, don’t you think?  i’m especially loving sophia bush’s version, which boasts a perfectly retro, wonder woman-inspired graphic.  or, if you’re looking for a more serious splurge, coach has released a limited-edition watch for the occasion, complete with a sleek updated face and a fuschia-hued snakeskin band that has me all aflutter.  sure, it’s $398, but when you factor in the $100 donation they’re making to the breast cancer research foundation, it’s suddenly much easier to justify.

and, whether you’re a supporter or a survivor, erin condren’s sweet personalized notecards come in three ultra-girly designs perfect for impromptu notes of all varieties.  you get 20 cards, envelopes and address labels for $40, and half the proceeds go to sponsoring women participating in various BCA-related fundraisers.  these would be an amazing gift to a survivor, or just a great way to show your support for the cause.

or, if you’d rather see 100% of that money go to a BCA charity, just go the old-fashioned route and send a donation.  there are dozens of wonderful organizations out there, not to mention the millions of people participating in awareness events across the country and looking for sponsors.  a dear friend of mine walks the 3-day avon walk for breast cancer every year…i admire her more than i can say, and i show my support with my checkbook.  if you don’t know someone who’s participating, i can’t recommend my friend’s team highly enough!

whatever you choose, just choose something this month…whether it’s big or small, it’s a step.

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