Vacation: What August is All About

Each year, I traditionally take the month of August to vacation and have some fun. Many of you know that Summer is my favorite season. It' so easy...living in tees, shorts, and flip-flops, sleeping in, no day planned, soaking up the beach, and relaxing evenings.



I also try to take time away from fashion philanthropy and cause marketing projects, blogging and social media. This respite energizes me to 'get back to school' come September. New ideas and feeling refreshed. However, I have to admit, this summer has brought new contacts with new opportunities and I have logged a few more days at the computer than I have on the water.



I do hope you had time to spend with family and friends having some fun, vacationing, and enjoying all that Summer has to offer.



Will be back early September.



Maggie~

Spin Into Fitness and Support a Cause

Care2Spin? No, really! I first came across Care2Spin through Twitter about one month ago. After learning about the purpose of Care2Spin and seeing it combines fitness (of all levels) with philanthropy, I just had to share.



John Eagle Honda of Houston, Texas has announced the first annual Care2SpinTM and is one company a mission to make a difference and support Easter Seals of Greater Houston. And they are inviting anyone who wants to spin or hula hoop a chance to become involved in the Care2Spin™ fundraising events.



The Care2Spin™ Bike Spinning Marathon will be held on September 17, 2011. "This unique event, in partnership with L.A. Fitness , encourages Houston residents to engage in a spinning marathon on a stationary bike to raise money for those affected by a disability." But, you don't just have to have a stationary bike to participate and raise funds. Care2Spin invites all kinds of spinners to join in the fun. You can spin a glass of vino, spin clothes in a washing machine, spin on roller skates, or any activity you can think of that involves spinning. It is all to raise money for Easter Seals of Greater Houston to help improve lives.



To learn more about the Bike Spinning Marathon that will take place at John Eagle Honda on September 17 from 8am-12pm, or to donate, sponsor, or create you own challenge, visit Care2Spin website.



John Eagle Honda auto dealership that gets 2 thumbs up. They have gone above and beyond the standard sponsorship for events we are most familiar and created a unique, fun, challenging and community-wide event where anyone can spin a little something-something and support a cause. More important it promotes fitness philanthropy!

Nine West and Modelinia Team Up for Steps for a Cause

The 2nd Annual Steps for a Cause. Cool and creative idea as a way to give back! Click the link to learn how Nine West, Modelina and CFDA are making a difference. This is a great example how to leverage your networks and partnerships for the 'greater good.'

Nine West and Modelinia Team Up for Nine West Targets Breast Cancer's Second Season

Photo Source: Modelina and Nine West.

Yoga Bag Gives Back

Do you do yoga? If so, you just may love this bag and for good reasons.

Designed for the yoga buff on the go, this compact, lightweight yoga mat bag includes a compartment for your keys, smart phone, iPod or just about any other personal item. Every bag comes with a different Vietnamese print lettering, giving you a one-of-a-kind item. Best of all the bag is made with recycled rice bag material in Cambodia and supports NomiNetwork.

Buy Her Bag Not her BodyTM is created by Nomi Network, "a non-profit organization working to eradicate sexual slavery and the trafficking of women. Nomi created a partnership between the fashion industry and cause-driven, well-designed merchandise made by at-risk women and survivors of sexual exploitation, providing them with fair, sustainable employment opportunities. Supported by people like you, their bags don't just look good, they do good." (Source: Nomi Network)

So now you can do good for the environment, humanity and your body with our new yoga bag!

100% of the profit is reinvest into training and career development programs for women. To purchase your yoga bag and see others by Nomi Network, click here.

Same Sky: Creating Self Sustaining Lives for Women

SAME SKY is a fair-trade company whose mission is to empower women worldwide and inspire a movement of women empowering women. Founded in 2008, the company seeks to be a part of the global movement lifting women out of poverty by giving them the tools to become entrepreneurs and lead self sustaining lives.

SAME SKY’s inaugural project is in Rwanda and employs HIV+ women in Africa who survived the 1994 Genocide. All bracelets are handmade by these women artisans.

In a recent interview with Candy Washington of Fashion Edits, Same Sky's Founder, Francine LeFrak, "spent 8years making a film on the Rwandan genocide that never proceeded to fruition. However, Francine still wanted to shed light on the genocide and especially lend her support to women survivors. A friend introduced her to the idea of fair trade and suggested she come up with jewelry products for women to create as a way of making a means. The glass bead bracelet, a design inspired by a renowned artist and HIV/AIDS activist Mary Fisher, became Same Sky's signature product and symbol of women empowering women. The rest is history."

The bracelets are adorned by many celebrities including: Goldie Hawn, Halle Berry, and Sela Ward to name a few.

All net proceeds from sales are reinvested into the company to buy more materials, employ more women artisans, and expand to other regions of the world.

Photo Source: Same Sky

Nicole Miller Collaborates with IndegoAfrica

Fashion designer, Nicole Miller, has launched her latest collection "IndegoAfrica." The vibrant colors, patterns and hand-crafted feel are what makes the collection unique. But what really makes this line special is Nicole has partnered with Indego Africa.

Indego Africa is an innovative social enterprise that partners with women artisans in Rwanda on a fair trade basis to drive forward a sustainable, long-term solution to systemic poverty in Africa. The organization and it's programs emphasize entrepreneurship and independence, by empowering African women to lift their families out of poverty through fair trade partnerships, international export market access, and long-term skills (source: Indego Africa).

Nicole Miller will donate 15% of proceeds to the organization.

Shop Nicole Miller's IndegoAfrica collection here: http://tinyurl.com/3m3xtd4

Photo Source: Nicole Miller

Join Neutrogena's Wave for Change to Raise Up to $250,000 for Charities

Join Neutrogena's Annual Wave for Change™ to Raise Up to $250,000 to Benefit Disaster Relief, Education & Environmental Charities

via PRNewsire