You Can See That She's Been There

I know a lot of us at this age do not have a lot of extra money to donate, make contributions, and help with all of the natural disasters that need everything we can. There is a great easier way to start which I hope all of you have been doing for years now but if not, today you can make a change too. There are smaller ways to help. Even if it is just within your community. In the United States of America there are around 37 million who are either completely homeless or are unable to put food on the table and provide other necessities, such as clothing. I was unpacking from a trip recently and I noticed I really don't need half of the things that I am so lucky to have. I also have a large amount of things in storage to go through also. I ALWAYS give my belongings to Goodwill and try to do so at least monthly, but is that the best place to take things you really want those who cannot afford much at all? I only say this because I actually run in there every so often(who doesn't love a great vintage find and in Pittsburgh that's the best we have. No Cheap Jack’s Vintage Clothing here.)

So knowing that people like you and me can be caught rummaging through and buying old clothing at Goodwill, then where does that leave the people that actually need these items......and not for Goodwill prices either, but for free. So I did a little research.

I found an amazing way to donate clothing and other items you no longer need right away! I am soo excited about this one. The international organization is called HUMANA(PEOPLE TO PEOPLE). The overall purpose of the Humana People to People Movement is to create development where it is needed in an effort to minimize the gap between the rich and the poor. As for clothing they reach out to about 6 million people annually through the secondhand clothes sales and distribution system. HUMANA sorts and sells the clothing's to different venues (from recycling industries to vintage-chic Newbury stores). Then the profit becomes capital for development projects in Africa, Asia, and Central America. All you need to do is wash, fold, and bag, and drop your donations off at your nearest Planet Aid Collection Box. Recycling your unwanted clothing and shoes at a Planet Aid collection box is easy, convenient, environmentally smart and economically wise. Because of donations like yours, million of poor people are able to buy affordable clothing for their families, and many tons of textiles that would have been discarded as refuse are being used again!!! Our clothes will be sent where needed if be. Amazing. I just LOVE this program and am very lucky to have one where I currently reside. Please check the website for Planet Aid Collection Boxes in your area!

And this second one that I am about to tell you about is the most amazing thing you can do for a young woman. Prom, Homecoming, or your Sweet Sixteen when you are in High School, to you are the biggest nights of your whole entire life. And having an amazing dress is a HUGE part of it. A lot of families cannot afford to get enough money saved to help the their daughter get a Prom/Special dress or may not have any money at all to contribute. Now that's where we step in. Donate My Dress is absolutely fabulous. I can't even tell how excited I am that I found out about this organization and I sure do wish I would have known about it before(although I always gave my dresses to my cousins or girls that were a student of mine when I teach). But let's all just be excited we know about it now. I can't wait to send out my Cache beaded backless gown from my prom! Donate My Dress is the first national network to bring together local dress drive organizations across the U.S. The help us find our local chapter to donate to in our area so that once we've had our dream night, you can give another girl hers! This glamorous organization also has a ton of celebrity support and help. If you think about it.....who really goes to more special dress events besides them! Please click on the site I will post below and get to work! Great for current and older sorority girls as well, for we have a lot of cocktail dresses from formals and such. DONATE!!!!

Okay now I am all worked up and excited to dig through my closet, which have to admit is a tad selective right now because you know I have a thing for cleaning out my closet bi-monthly. I hope you all are as excited as I am about these new opportunities to help those in need. With Planet Aid, Donate My Dress, and our local Salvation Army and Goodwill, I believe you all will be off to a great start. We have too much when others have nothing. Please remember that and be ever so thankful that we can provide clothing on our backs and food on our tables.

Peace & LOVEEEEE
S
-Please send this link to all of your friends so they can get in on the donations as well. Thank You!

You Just Keep Me Hanging On

Ohh Oh Oh Oh You don't really need me, but you keep me hanging on. Are your clothes in your closet and drawer screaming please get me out of here? Well maybe it's time you do some, what some call, spring cleaning. I don't do just spring cleaning. I do monthly cleaning. I cannot stand clothing staring at me everyday that I know I will never wear again. So let's start cleaning!

1. If you haven't wore it in over a year and a half....peace out. The likely hood of you bringing back that piece into your everyday wardrobe is very very rare. In the bag it goes.

2. So you have this amazing Alice + Olivia dress. Just for example we'll use the A+O dress I wore birthday party circa '07 or '08. It was thew perfect b-day dress and every celeb was wearing it. BUT it had a HUGEEEEE flaw. It was a trendy piece. (which I try to never buy anything trendy but that's a whole other blog and believe me I cheat all the time. I'm trying to stop I swear.) I don't know what happened but I think I had quit my cube job and needed some extra cash. It took about a month for me to be able to let it go but it was still VERY popular and sold in a day after putting it up on ebay for $250. I knew in my heart I would never have worn it again and I am happy it is with someone else now.

3. Jeans. Jeans, jeans, jeans. Please go through your jeans regularly and believe me you will find a lot of jeans that can peace out of your closet and into your donation bag. A lot of girl tend to keep jeans for years that they do not fit into. Stop and let the dream go away. I last year at this time went through mine. I had two pairs of my fav skinnies, Tsubi's, paige, and hudsons that all no longer went over my thighs. Although it was highly painful to give them up(basically due to all the money that goes into one pair of jeans), it was for the best. And hopefully someone fabulous is wearing them that shops at Mt. Lebo's Avalon consignment shop.

4. Why the hell do you still have your coat from your college days still hanging up in your closet??? Peace out.

5. If your favorite tops have horrid clothing balls all over, or the white has turned into a lovely yellow shade(ehh!), or they are your pimp or skank shirts from your college days or your early twenties.......PEACE OUT! No explanation needed.

So in conclusion I'll just say that; If you don't wear it, it doesn't fit, doesn't flatter, is sooo not your style anymore, you rocked it out at your early twenties nightclub, and just random things that you are sooo over. It's time to get rid of them! And this is the best part......your trash is someone elses's treasure. It's true. What I do 1st is look at the piece, what I had paid, what year it is, and if it's more of a classic piece over trendy. With those pieces, I take to the consignment shop in Mt. Lebanon, PA. You can find your local consignment shops very easily by just doing some googling. You won't get paid too well but if you are not worrying about the cash then they can also give you a credit to the store. I this particular shop so sometimes I'll just grab something that makes me feel better about losing my clothes. Try to find one like we have in Pittsburgh. You can just brag a pair of Jimmy Choos, Juicy Sweats, or awesome Fendi bags(I can still never afford those.)

If you have something that is in a high price range take it to the best consignment shop you have in your town. We have one here in Shadyside that I use. What they do is keep the dress and when it is sold, you receive half of what it was marked. You get much more doing this but the other way is more simple and instant gratification. But always go and check out your consignment shops cause like I said you can get amazing things from them. Used Chanel bag for $600 anyone?

And the best and most popular way to clean out your things is simply after you have gone through all of your things, grab a few garbage bags and go donate. There are soooooo many people that need out help. Clothes, Food Banks, and Shelters can't help everyone who is in need. We need to do much much more. But this is a great start for you if you are just beginning to help out your community.

Hope everyone cleans out their closets and does a good deed this week!

Peace & Love

S