Buying Green for the Sake of our Planet

Green while Helping out a Charity

With Earth Day coming up on April 22, 2009 I thought it would be perfect timing for a quick blog about how being green not only helps the planet but also helps your body, health, and spirit. I know I just did a blog on being green but I came across a bunch of items that not only are great for our planet but also great for charities. On Earth Day you can contribute by purchasing one of these many items to help charities even though not all are earth or eco-friendly.

Great Buys

Cute, eco-friendly and great for the grocery store or at the mall, instead of using stores plastic bags you can show off how stylish it is to be green. Forever21 and American Forests have teamed up and if you buy a Polypropylene reusable Green Tote bag at Forever21 for only $1.75 (incredibly cheap) American Forests will plant a tree for each tote sold. You can find it in the store or at www.forever21.com.

Public Library is offering a "Samburu Hope" cotton tee for $38.00 I know it seems like a lot of money for just a tee shirt but $2.00 will go the Samburu Project which helps increase accessibility to clean water in Kenya, which is an epidemic there. It would help families especially children to grow up healthier and have a possibility at life. Who doesn't want to do that, it's available at www.publiclibrarybrand.com

Organic Lotion Kiehl's Limited edition Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion is not only soft on your skin but also all proceeds go to help keep local waterways clean and at $55.00 dollars it's well worth it www.kiehls.com

MAC-Viva Glam Lipstick & Lipgloss ($14.00) is hot and sexy we all know that but did you know that if you purchase one of these items that every cent of the selling price goes towards the MAC AIDS Fund Supporting Men & Women living with HIV and AIDS. www.maccosmetics.com

Marie Claire Magazine's U.N. World Food Program and Lauren Bush (niece of former President Bush) have teamed up to sell "FEED" T-Shirt and Bag which will fight hunger in developing nations around the world. All net proceeds (100%) will go to programs to feed the world's children and each FEED bag ($60.00) will feed a child for an entire year. The T-Shirt is cream cotton and comfortable with a price of $34.95 it's incredibly reasonable also one T-Shirt will feed 100 children for one day. So it's well worth the buy to help the kids out. To order the FEED bag visit http://www.amazon.com/ and to order the T-Shirt call 800-727-1274.

Who doesn't love dogs, they're so cute and great companions. theBalm is a company that sells Lip Balm (duh) and they are offering a Rescue Vegan Lip Treatment balm, who doesn't love soft lips to kiss all the people you love. The Vegan Lip Balm is not tested on animals and made by 100% vitamins. It leaves your lips soft and moisturized plus if you purchase this balm which is $16.00 all net proceeds will go to Pug Rescue which helps abused dogs. http://www.blogger.com/www.thebalm.com

We all have sweet tooth's, some more than other's (like myself) and when you mix sweet and salt together it can be amazing. Well you can have just that, if you buy a box of Comfort Food Salty Turtles ($20.00) you can stop that craving and indulge in everyone's dirty little secret. Also all profits are donated to HELP USA which is a charity that helps homelessness. And with the economy the way it is and more tent homes appearing all over the country this would help all those out on the streets during this tough recession. http://www.helpusa.org/

Being fashionable and doing it for a good cause just makes this one a great steal. It's cute and I'm sure everyone will be asking you where you got it. It's the Hope Bracelet ($10.00) written on it is "Hope Starts Here" and all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. http://www.thehopeshop.com/

This Kiss Me Delia's T-Shirt is one of my favorites, it's so cute and would look great with a pair of jeans, it's stylish and yet so comfortable. You can be spreading a message and I'm sure it'll be a conversational piece. It's reasonable at a whopping $22.50 and ten percent of the proceeds goes towards the American Cancer Society. www.cancer.org/hopeshop

Everyone gets stressed out now and again so why not relax by taking a nice bubble bath in Philosophy She Colors My Day ($20.00). It's a great gift for mother's, sister's, girl friends, or sister in-laws. Every women would love it, Philosophy will donate 100% of its net proceeds to women's cancer research. http://www.philosophy.com/

Lastly,

The Shemergency Survival Kit ($20.00) is great for girls who are so busy and always on the go that you don't have time to touch up your makeup, this kit is made by Mr. & Mrs. and is great to keep in the car or wherever you may be.

http://www.msandmrs.com/shemergency.php

All of these fashionable items are not just great buys but also help out alot of great charities and it's guiltless too because you'll be helping out a great cause while feeling great about yourself.

Let me know how these work out for you, if you suggest them to others, feel free to post or e-amil and don't forget keep being stylish.

Hair Styles Hitting the Scene this Summer

Fresh, Sexy, and Modern Hair is Just as Fashionable as Clothes

Hair is just as important as what your outfits look like this summer. When it comes to styles it's hard picking what fits for your hair texture but these styles can be used with curly, frizzy, straight, and wavy hair. These styles aren't just for one certain texture of hair, luckily we have so many products and tools that anyone can have their hairstyle dream. What do you think of this summer hair fads? All About Braids I know when people think of braids it brings them back to slumber party days when everyone sat around braiding each other's hair but not in this case they're back in a sexy, modern design. They're hip and can be very attractive on many faces. Just a few style of braids are the double twist, single twist, twisted front, and braided bun. They have been scene on actresses like Lauren Conrad, Jessica Alba, Nicky Hilton, Kate Hudson, Isla Fisher and just recently Jennifer Aniston. All hair can be worn curly, straight or wavy to add drama. The Double Twist Braid * Get the Look- Always start with damp hair it lays better afterward. Add a styling cream which adds texture, I like L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style Smooth Gloss Anti-Frizz Cream ($4.99) http://www.drugstore.com/ -Part Hair from Center -Pull from above the ear braid backward and pin, let remaining hair lay partly wavy. -Spray with small amount of hairspray for hold. The Single Braid this can be worn with a curly or wavy finish but I prefer it being straight, it gives it a classic look. *Get the Look- Always start with wet hair to make it as smooth and straight as possible I like using Bed Head TIGI Control Freak Extra Extra Straight Hair Straightener ($16.50) http://www.drugstore.com/ -Straighten all hair first -Pull hair back from one side (left or right) and braid until lays flat with natural hair. -You can also pull hair slightly back and braid to add more curvature and drama especially if worn at night. -Spray with strong holding hairspray to finish.

The Twisted French Front Braid we saw it recently on Jennifer Aniston at the 2009 Oscars and once again everyone wants her latest style. * Get the Look it's actually very simple, if you follow the same steps previously for prep all you have to do is: -Part hair to one side. -Take a strand of hair from the front, braid and tuck under remaining hair. -Tease the rest as desired.

The Braided Bun has become extremely popular with celebrities and adds definition to a single bun, it can be worn with a cocktail dress, evening gown, work outfit or out for the afternoon with friends. It's universal, stylish and can be any accessory.

*Get the Look it's very simple and takes ten minutes to do.

-Part two strands of hair in front and braid to each

side.

-Take remainder hair, brush back and pull each strand of braids to intertwine all together.

-Grab an elastic and form into a ball making sure the braids are evenly level on both sides.

-Leave strands lose on top.

-Lightly spray hairspray for a hold.

If you don't know how to braid or aren't in the mood but want the look, they have the fake look alike headbands that are already braided for you. When using them make sure you wear them right behind the hair line.

All About Ponytails

This style is elegant and can be worn casually or fashionably chic. I especially love Ponytail's because you can throw them up going to class, work, a hot date, or breakfast with your family. Multiple styles are natural, curled, voluminous, high, mid-length, and low. So many to chose from, great for each day of the week.

The Natural look is simple and makes your face stand out, it can be classic, elegant, casual or dressy. Looks best with people who have bangs because they make the look pop. *Get the Look -Comb out hair and if desired use a flat iron to straighten out any messy pieces. -Use a shine cream to make it pop, I recommend Citre Shine Shine Anit-Frizz Serum ($6.89) www.drugstore.com -Naturally pull back and tie with an elastic, letting bangs drop naturally in your face. The Curled style is one of my favorites, when you do a ponytail you can add curls just to the tail part, and leave top part wavy or straight. It adds texture to a natural look. *Get the Look -Pull hair back into a ponytail, low or natural height. -Use a curling iron and pull strands from the ponytail and curl, I recommend big curls and not tight ones. You can also use wide Velcro curlers if your in a rush. -Pull curlers or curling iron out and brush. -Use hairspray for extra hold. The Voluminous look is sultry and sexy it adds height to any flat hair. It's becoming sexier and dramatized in photo shoots, the red carpet or an evening out with the girls. If your hair is naturally curly just leave the back curly. *Get the Look -It's all about the texture, it's important to create volume even if there isn't any I suggest using TRESemme Volumizing Mousse ($4.99) http://www.drugstore.com/ -Pull hair back into a pony tail with hands, you don't need a brush. -Pull out from top ponytail until it becomes puffy and slick back the sides.

-You can even pull out some lose pieces to form around your face.

-Curl the remaining pony with curling iron or curlers.

-Spray with extra holding hairspray.

The High, Low, and Mid length Ponytails are a time classic. The key to this style is having no bumps.

*Get the Look For All Three*

Each style is very easy to design. With all these styles you need to blow-dry hair smooth, tilt your head back and brush into a ponytail. Tie with elastic and cover elastic with one inch strand of hair, tucking it in afterward. Very simple for such a classic hairstyle. These styles are the hottest of the season and will look great with any outfit, I'd like to hear what everyone thinks, is it something to gossip about or we've seen it way too much, let me know.