Category Archives: charity

oh, sandy

sandy vir 2012302 oh, sandy

{Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy, via NASA}

My email inbox is eerily quiet this morning, missing all of its usual hustle and bustle from my PR friends, readers and even stores. And I’ve spent most of the last 12 hours glued to the news to watch out for all of my friends and readers on the East Coast.

Somehow, shopping doesn’t seem like the thing today. Instead, perhaps we can all send a little something to the Red Cross (text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or go online to do more), or make a phone call to check on a friend.

Don’t worry, I’ll have plenty of distracting fun for you tomorrow. But for now, please stay safe, friends.

 

Leave a comment
Share 'oh, sandy' on Facebook Share 'oh, sandy' on Twitter Share 'oh, sandy' on Pinterest Share 'oh, sandy' on Google+ Share 'oh, sandy' on Email

friday finds

Happy Friday, friends! It’s been a busy week at SMC HQ…want to see what I’ve been up to?

Earlier this week, I got a note that Urban Waxx, my favorite waxing spot in Portland, is hosting a 24-hour Waxx-a-Thon this Saturday, 10/6, starting at 9 am. Yep, you can get your bikini line tidied up at 2 am, friends! Details are over here, but the jist is this: appointments are good, but walk-ins are welcome, and all of the proceeds go to two excellent charities – one for nature, and one for the LGBT community. There will also be food, booze and donuts! If you’re in town, I hope you’ll stop by and groom in the name of charity.

uw wat slider friday finds

My poor nails haven’t seen the inside of a mani/pedi shop in…well, in so long I’m not willing to admit it. That all ends today. I just got my samples of OPI’s new Germany collection, and will be beelining to my friendly neighborhood salon to try them out this afternoon. Can’t even tell you how excited I am about these colors…I’m going for “My Very First Knockwurst” or “Don’t Pretzel My Buttons” for my fingers, and for the toes, it’s got to be “Suzi & the 7 Düsseldorfs”.

opi germany collection friday finds

Crimson Mim, a sweet little shop in Palo Alto, just launched its e-commerce site, which is big news. They have a tightly-edited collection of just about every name I know and love, including Rachel Comey, Philip Lim, Velvet and Loeffler Randall. I’m in love already. Now, where did I put that AmEx?

crimson mim friday finds

Oh! And speaking of great stores, before I forget, there are a couple of fantastic sales to be had this weekend. Take 30% off the fall collection at Diane von Furstenburg with code FALL30. Also, it’s Friends & Family time at Tory Burch, which means that code TBFRIENDS gets you 25% off sitewide. Go forth and shop!

Last but not least, it’s time for my weekly Pinterest pick. I keep going back to this crazy versatile Jerome Dreyfuss bag I spotted at Saks a while back, and pinning images of it in various colors and states. I am pretty much hypnotized by the fact that these two photos are the same bag (albeit in different colors, obvi). Can’t get over it, and kind of think I have to have it.

johan friday finds

Have a wonderful weekend…I’ll be here slaving away on that massive project I keep mentioning. Wish me luck, and have a relaxing weekend on my behalf, won’t you?

Leave a comment
Share 'friday finds' on Facebook Share 'friday finds' on Twitter Share 'friday finds' on Pinterest Share 'friday finds' on Google+ Share 'friday finds' on Email

friday finds

Oh, I have some good, good finds for you this week, friends. Shall we dive right in?

I spotted this little polka-dot baby over at Oh Joy, and fell for almost everything Made by Hank has to offer. If you’re in the market for a crossbody bag on a budget, look no further. madebyhank friday finds

I nabbed this sweet little Lulu Frost tortoise bracelet during J.Crew’s last 25% off special (not to be confused with their current 25% off special – code STYLE25 works on orders of $150+ through Sunday). When I got it, it was even more wonderful than I’d expected. This bad boy’s going to get some serious fall mileage.

Screen Shot 2012 09 28 at 8.42.36 AM friday findsI read about this over at Creature Comforts: looks like artist Hannah Evelyn Rowlands is doing some serious good for a puppy shelter in her area. For just under $20 (USD), she’ll sketch your dog, and all of the proceeds go to her local dog shelter. What are you waiting for?

drawingfordogs friday finds

A dear friend of mine is a human rights attorney who’s chosen to spend her life living in some very raw corners of the world, protecting people who sorely need protection. She just left Cambodia to start a new position in Thailand. In addition to being an amazing human being, she is a fantastic photographer and has some serious style. If you’re into the colors and flavors of exotic travel, you’d do well to follow her amazing blog, Anchors Adrift.

joc friday finds

And of course, I can’t go without leaving you my Pinterest pick of the week. It’s been a busy week of pinning for me, so this was no easy feat. But I think my favorite of the week is this amazing shot of someone who’s styled oxblood so perfectly, there’s literally no room for improvement. I want every single thing on her bod.

maroon coat friday finds

Have a wonderful weekend, friends! I’ll see you back here next week.

 

 

Leave a comment
Share 'friday finds' on Facebook Share 'friday finds' on Twitter Share 'friday finds' on Pinterest Share 'friday finds' on Google+ Share 'friday finds' on Email

sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s

{Editor’s Note: The following is sponsored content, but it’s for a good cause, and I loved every bite minute of it!}

Sometimes, my job is pretty wonderful. Like last week, when I got an email from Dreyer’s, that went a little something like this:

Dear Becki,

Please, go buy some ice cream – on us – and help us spread the word about this amazing charitable project we’re undertaking!

Um, twist my arm! Which means I got to spend Sunday night doing the only thing one should do on a Sunday: make ice cream sundaes!

dreyers sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyers

This was an exhaustively (and deliciously) researched story, but in the end, I landed on a masterpiece: Dreyer’s Slow-Churned Butter Pecan ice cream, waffle bowl, hot butterscotch, freshly toasted almonds, whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry. (Honestly, I think sprinkles belong on just about everything.) The maple flavor in the Butter Pecan (which the hubs ended up stealing from me, it was so good) and the butterscotch did some amazing things to that waffle bowl. I highly recommend giving it a try.

So, about the charity part. Dreyer’s has created a program called A Reason to Smile, which is designed to help with cleft palate surgeries…an amazing cause. To pitch in, take a pic of you (or someone you love) wearing a big ice cream smile, and upload it to Dreyer’s Facebook page. Dreyer’s will donate $5 for every pic, and you can score coupons for free ice cream (!). By the end of the summer, the goal is to give away 25,000 scoops of ice cream, capture 25,000 ice cream smiles and gift 500 surgeries/smiles to children in need.

D SC 4CLogoStr8 2012 sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyersFine Print: Dreyer’s® Slow Churned Light Ice Cream is churned slowly for all the rich & creamy taste of regular ice cream, but with half the fat and one-third fewer calories. Now that’s a reason to smile. Give a smile with Operation Smile!
Compensation was provided by Nestle via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Nestle.
1 Comment
Share 'sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s' on Facebook Share 'sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s' on Twitter Share 'sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s' on Pinterest Share 'sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s' on Google+ Share 'sponsored: a reason to smile from dreyer’s' on Email

get gifting: stuff that stocking

It’s that time – our last gift guide of the season! Whether you’re stuffing a stocking or scrambling to gather enough gifts for eight crazy nights, this list of my favorite under-$15 finds is sure to make gifting on the cheap a cinch.

under151 get gifting: stuff that stocking

  1. Keel’s Simple Diary Vol. 2, $12
  2. MintFusion lip balm with SPF 30, Supergoop, $9
  3. Ottoman Iznik tile notecards, Metropolitan Museum of Art, $15
  4. Felt keyfob, Graf + Lantz, $8
  5. Christmas scratchers and Hanukkah scratchers, Chronicle Books, $10 each
  6. Liam’s Robot letterpress cards, Satsuma Press, $10 (all proceeds to go sweet Liam’s special needs trust)
  7. Leather tape measure, Swing Designs, $10
  8. Salted caramel hot chocolate on a stick, Ticket Chocolate, $15 for 4
  9. Glitter in my Stocking and Orna-ment For Each Other, Nicole by OPI, $8 each
3 Comments
Share 'get gifting: stuff that stocking' on Facebook Share 'get gifting: stuff that stocking' on Twitter Share 'get gifting: stuff that stocking' on Pinterest Share 'get gifting: stuff that stocking' on Google+ Share 'get gifting: stuff that stocking' on Email

shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC

I very nearly skipped my annual Breast Cancer Awareness feature this year, friends…it all just felt so “been there, done that.” But then the lovely ladies behind Wantworthy reached out and asked me to curate a list of my favorite pink products, which they’d feature on their site and use the proceeds to raise money for BCA. Being invited to shop for all things pink? And for a good cause? Sign me up!

And so they did.

305703 231885236865201 139726269414432 568387 58262750 n shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC

To find yourself a little something pink, check out my list and shop ’til you drop!

Leave a comment
Share 'shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC' on Facebook Share 'shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC' on Twitter Share 'shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC' on Pinterest Share 'shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC' on Google+ Share 'shop for a cause: wantworthy x SMC' on Email

friday finds

Happy Friday, all! It’s supposed to be sunny here in Portland this weekend, thank the good lord…we’ve earned it! So, let’s get right to the point so that I can head off and meet a friend for brunch (ah, the perks of working from home).

I’ve been loving Rebecca Minkoff’s new shoe collection…particularly these flats, which I very nearly bought last night. Should I have splurged?

Screen shot 2011 05 13 at 8.23.16 AM friday finds

And I’m pretty much completely in love with Kate Spade’s enamel bracelets this season, made even better by the cheeky little sayings engraved inside. We’ve officially passed “want” and are dangerously close to “need.”

friday finds friday finds

Trouser jeans are everywhere this time of year, but face it – it’s going to be too hot very soon. When that day finally arrives, these chic inky linen trousers from Max Studio are going to be a stand-up stand-in. True, linen is awfully high-maintenance…but I think these might be just as pretty in their raw, wrinkled state as they are all pressed and perfect.  What do you think?

1202D08 0 ink friday finds

And last up, if you’re in a do-gooder mood this weekend, stop by your local Kiehl’s on Saturday. They’re partnering with Share Our Strength, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America, for an event that benefits everyone. Just for stopping in the store, you’ll get a 10-day sample of their Powerful Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, and they’ll donate $1.50 per person to Share Our Strength. Plus, a few of the stores are hosting bake sales. Cupcakes, no wrinkles, and you get to feel good about your day.

Screen shot 2011 05 13 at 8.21.03 AM friday finds

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

1 Comment
Share 'friday finds' on Facebook Share 'friday finds' on Twitter Share 'friday finds' on Pinterest Share 'friday finds' on Google+ Share 'friday finds' on Email

get gifting: on the cheap

happy hanukkah, everyone!  for those of you not frantically rushing around to find a gift before sunset, tonight is the first night of hanukkah.  and so, in honor of the festival of lights, today’s gift guide is full of ideas perfect for friends, loves, and family, but the common thread is that each and every one is under $30…and that’s a list i’m guessing you’ll want no matter what holiday(s) you’re celebrating this year.  because if you thought christmas left you feeling broke, just imagine stringing it out for eight craaaazy nights!

0811852881 norm get gifting: on the cheappostcarden get gifting: on the cheapPicture 11 get gifting: on the cheapPicture 15 get gifting: on the cheap

Picture 10 get gifting: on the cheapPicture 12 get gifting: on the cheap

calendar antonia get gifting: on the cheapdcallo2l get gifting: on the cheap

Picture 14 get gifting: on the cheap logo lrg get gifting: on the cheapitem blankets 0 get gifting: on the cheap

ermoumag happy socks3 get gifting: on the cheapPicture 16 get gifting: on the cheap

left to right, from top: angela adams address book and notepad sets (so, so beautiful in person), $14-15; postcarden “season’s greetings” pop-up card, $13; clinique “connect the gloss” interchangeable lip gloss set, $25; cast iron owlet (literally impossible not to love), $18; tocca crema mani viaggio hand cream trio, $18; vosges bacon chocolate chip pancake mix, $12; michelle armas signed antonia 2011 calendar, $30; allo-allo french tea towel, $15; origins “peace of mind” on-the-spot relief (great for men and women – i’m obsessed!), $10; international rescue committee blankets, school supplies or first aid kits, $20-28; happy socks (!), $10; modern madness moustache mug, $14.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

2 Comments
Share 'get gifting: on the cheap' on Facebook Share 'get gifting: on the cheap' on Twitter Share 'get gifting: on the cheap' on Pinterest Share 'get gifting: on the cheap' on Google+ Share 'get gifting: on the cheap' on Email