…now i have to buy an apron.  i blame victoria, for pointing this out.  and jake, for being just too cute not to save.  i simply cannot resist a dog in distress (having had too much experience in this area)…especially when i get to feel all warm and fuzzy only $20 later.

you know you want one.

with earth day getting all the press in april, i thought most of you might not even know it’s also autism awareness month.  but with as many as 1 in 110 kids now being diagnosed with some degree of autism (see more depressing stats on the CDC’s website), it’s worth paying attention to.  i was lucky enough to get a little care package and some information about what’s going on to raise money for autism this month, and thought i’d share a couple of my favorites.

when i first saw these tees, if i’m being honest, the charitable aspect was just icing on the cake.  i fell hard for that beautiful graphic – so colorful and fun, but still hip.  designed by kyle westphal (the namesake of kyle’s treehouse, a wonderful nonprofit founded by kyle’s parents and dedicated to providing information about autism) and artist jessie rose vala (and printed on my favorite alternative apparel slub tees!), they’re absolutely beautiful in person…especially that grey with the beautiful blue mountains.  each tee is hand-screened, so it’s totally unique (mine has some pink and green in the mountains, it’s so pretty). i’ve been wearing mine nonstop since it arrived. it’s perfect with boyfriend jeans and a leather blazer.   pick one up for $30, and 100% of the proceeds from these hip tees goes straight to kyle’s treehouse.

much like those tees, i would have had to tell you about these candles even if they weren’t donating 10% of their proceeds to autism awareness this month.  fortunately, they are, which makes it even easier.  you all know i see a fair number of candles these days, so it takes a bit to impress me.  but linnea’s lights managed it.  these burn better than some candles that i’ve spent more than twice the money on (they’re only $29, a serious bargain in the world of luxe candles).  i haven’t tested the whole line, but i can say their magnolia fragrance is my new favorite candle, hands down.  they’ve taken the magnolia scent i utterly adore, and added a touch of citrus to keep it from being overpowering.  it’s fabulous, and the perfect scent for spring.  plus, yes, i love the little matchbox that comes with every candle.

and then, of course, there’s always the old-fashioned way to help:  a quick $5 or $10 donation here (or here, or here) makes a bigger difference than you think.  but mostly, i think the thing is to just be aware that it’s a real problem, badly in need of a solution.

okay, off my “very serious soapbox” now….happy monday, everyone!

they’re one of my favorite jewelry lines, i routinely covet at least five things on their website at any given time, and now gorjana is giving 100% of tomorrow’s (jan. 27) proceeds to charities helping out in haiti.  what more could you ask?  shop hard, dear readers…it’s for an extremely good cause.

i swear, the color theme this week was totally unintentional.  but i couldn’t let october go by without showing you a few things i’m loving in support of breast cancer awareness (BCA) month.

as you probably know, each october, virtually every designer and beauty line under the sun releases a limited-edition pink item in support of breast cancer.  breast cancer blenders, breast cancer flat irons, even breast cancer soap…the options are endless.  in each case, anywhere from a nickel to 100% of the proceeds go to fund research for a cure.  always one to shop for a cause, i thought i’d show you a few of my favorites.  fair warning: i do tend to lean toward the products that donate most or all proceeds to charity – giving $5 from a $200 item doesn’t do much for me.  after all, if you’re shopping for warm fuzzies, you might as well go all out!

i loved this necklace before i even knew it was for BCA.  gorgeous gunmetal chain, and i am crazy for that rose gold feather – so unique, perfect for everyday wear, and really reasonable at $75.  it was designed by elizabeth and james, and is available exclusively at shopbop.

every year, OPI releases a special shade of pink for BCA, and this year’s “pink of hearts” is a personal favorite of mine.  it works as a one-coat sheer (though it’s a little brighter than my usual ’samoan sand’), but is also great full-strength.  it’s a sweet, preppy pink that goes with anything.  and it’s only $6 at amazon!

these flamingo notecards from linda & harriett are so cute, i had to share.  they just make me think of happier, tropical places – i’d love to send them out to friends right about now, when we’re struggling to remember those warm summer days.  you get 6 cards for $14, and 20% of proceeds go to a cancer center in new york.

this one’s pretty cute:  bambako is a headband designer, and has come up with seven different designs for BCA – each named for a breast cancer survivor the designer knows.  plus, a whopping 100% of proceeds go to the susan g. komen foundation!  personally, i’m partial to the feathered ‘rue’ band, but i could definitely see the ‘gloria’ and ‘rhoda’ being darling for holiday fetes.

and last but not least, i can’t resist a cute pair of PJ’s, especially when i know it’s for a good cause.  i love the bright pink and yellow flowers on this set by sleepyheads (on sale for $36), but they have a whole “shop for the cure” section of their site.  any item you find there will get you a 10% donation to breastcancer.org.  sweet dreams indeed!

if you have the cash, this is a great month – and a great excuse – to spend.  besides, who doesn’t need a little pink in their life? if you’ve come across any great BCA products, drop a comment and let us all know…the more ways to spend, the better for everyone!