Give Makes Philanthropy Chic

Give is a collection of travel accessories that marries the concept between fashion, function, and philanthropy seamlessly. Founded by designer Christine Valenti in April of 2004, the budding company has taken off quickly with rave reviews from local, national and international magazines and a celebrity following that includes Christina Ricci, Rachel Bilson, Samaire Armstrong, Jessica Alba and Sheryl Crow to name a few.

As the name implies, Give donates 10% of its net profits to charities annually. The philosophy at Give is that part of being chic means not just carrying the bag that you love, but also supporting the organizations you love. Organizations We Love is a campaign in which Give chooses a different non-profit each month and in addition to donating to that organization, they feature them on their website and in their e-newsletter so that more people can learn about the great work that they do.

Although Valenti always had an interest in fashion, her education was skewed more toward problem solving, majoring in both Math and Philosophy. That background has proven to be invaluable when you realize Give comes full circle with every detail in her designs painstakingly chosen for not just aesthetics but for function. She has solved the disorganization equation and come up with a whole new generation of business - the concept of one that is genuinely charitable, useful, yet utterly sophisticated. For more information, go to the bags page on Uptown Liz.

Stop the Spray Hits the Runway

Avant Garde Public Relations is using fashion focus to bring awareness for StopTheSpray.org – an organization that was founded to give a voice to those opposing the aerial spraying of pesticides aimed at eradicating the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). Their mission is the people’s right to information and the demand for their consent prior to any spraying program that directly exposes their bodies to toxins.

“Chic for a Cause: Stop the Spray”, an organic and sustainable fashion show, will be held at Muse Studios in San Francisco on May 30th. Models from City Model Management will be wearing fabulous finds from Eco Citizen, Tela D, Kelly B Couture, Verrieres and Sako’s, Love, Melody Originals and Theron Nelson Designs. Guests will munch on organic appetizers and raw chocolates from Good Earth Market and organic caterer Hogan and drink organic wine and beer provided by Frey Vineyards and Butte Creek Brewery. The blues sounds of Diamond Ortiz will play as guests bid on silent auction items from Biondina Spa, Be Sweet, Soulstice Spa, Amy Nordstrom’s and more.

The eco-friendly decorated gallery will be filled with paintings from Lanita Nelson and photography from Jocelyn Knight and Victor J. London (just to name a few) that will show Bay Area spray zones. “I see these as before pictures,” says Avant Garde PR owner Annette Richmond. “Who knows what this spray will do to our environment, our children or our health?”

StopTheSpray.org is currently evaluating ballot initiatives and other measures necessary to curtail the power of the Department of Food and Agriculture to endanger the health and human rights of people in California. To view or sign the online petition opposing pesticide spraying without consent and to read more about the issue please visit: http://www.stopthespray.org/

Dragonfly Designs Improves the World One Bead at a Time

"Be the change you want to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

Stacee Gillelen's grandparents first opened her eyes to the art and beauty in nature when she was a child. She loved to work beside them as they explored many different forms of artistic expression, from gardening and painting to mosaic, sculpting, and stained glass. Over the years, they have continued to be her greatest source of inspiration.

Stacee's passion for beading began one day while she was making jewelry with her three young daughters. She discovered how to attach a clasp, and the love affair began! She started taking classes at local beading stores and couldn't stop practicing her newfound skills. Soon Stacee was dreaming about beads and patterns that she could make into jewelry. With beads, she found yet another artful way to express the beauty she found in nature and in her imagination. In February of 2005, she launched Dragonfly Designs. Their mission is to offer exceptional handmade jewelry and the opportunity to create it, while promoting social justice, personal style and fun.

Stacee feels immense gratitude for the abundance in her life and for the opportunities she has been given. She also feels a personal responsibility as a global citizen to give something back to the community, which is why she donates 10% of each sale from Dragonfly Designs jewelry to organizations that work to improve the human condition (especially for women and children), promote equality, and protect the environment. Some of the non-profits that have benefitted from her generosity are The Princess Project, People's Grocery, National Resource Defense Council, Heifer International, Oxfam, Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Union of Concerned Scientists, Gal to Gal Foundation, Nest and W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Stacee is constantly looking for small grassroots organizations that meet her giving standards. For more information or if you have a suggestion, please go to http://www.jewelrybydfly.com/.

Save the Planet and Your Skin with tarte

Being a former make-up artist, I am a self-professed make-up junkie. I've tried to kick this habit, but with companies like tarte making better beauty products that are good for you designed in chic packaging all while helping the planet, my rehabilitation efforts are out the window. One of the reasons I fell off the wagon was tarte's Spring 2008 Health Couture line, where they are introducing their new t5 super fruit complex. The first blend of its kind has naturally occurring, antioxidant rich nutrients and vitamins and is made with the five most active super fruits: acai, goji, maracuja, acerola and pomegranate.

My make-up mania tends to focus on lip gloss, so when I tried the double dose berry boost & gloss ($21) that lets you control your pigment and shine, I was taken right back to my artist days. With four brilliant colors to choose from you’ll be an expert in no time.

Another product with the t5 super fruit complex is their best-selling natural cheek stain that is swirled with two flattering shades. Full blossom ($28) gave me that perfect flushed color in my cheeks and the formula worked well for my oily skin.

Let’s not forget those lashes. Rejuvelash declumping lash exhilarator ($16) treats, protects and revives lashes. I used this as a lash conditioner before applying my mascara, and my thin, puny lashes turned to red carpet eye openers.

Last but not least is their infinite glow bestsellers palette ($30) with park ave princess mineral powder bronzer, award-winning gel cheek stain in tipsy and a moisturizing 24.7 lip sheer in the new shade may flowers. This bronze, faux-croc, compact with mirror is just what your summer travel plans ordered.

Tarte makes it quite alright to be a make-up-aholic by giving back to Mother Earth with their support of the Sambazon's Sustainable Acai Project. With the purchase of every full blossom cheek stain and double dose berry boost & gloss, you'll be helping to preserve the Amazon Rainforest through forest conservation, improved living conditions and educational opportunities for communities in Brazil.

Team Tunky Unites at Race for the Cure

My husband and I joined our dear friends, Lisa and Hubert Riley, at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to honor the memory of Hubert's mother, Tunky, and my 28 year old sister, Liz, who both lost their lives to breast cancer.

Ann "Tunky" Riley, the former First Lady of South Carolina, lost her life on March 7th from complications to her second battle with breast cancer at the age of 72. Married for more than 50 years to Dick Riley, former Governor of South Carolina and Secretary of Education to President Clinton, Tunky was a devoted mother and grandmother to her four children and 13 grandchildren. She was also a tireless advocate for public education, helping her husband with the Education Improvement Act (EIA) - public school reforms that paved the way to his appointment to the U.S. Department of Education.

“Gracious and kind in every situation,” remembers former state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum. “She was a friend to everyone she knew. If you were one of her close friends, you considered yourself to be very fortunate.”

Photo caption: My husband and I with the Riley family and their friends at Race for the Cure in Sacramento, CA.

Allyson Collins Does Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Liz's Memory

Last year my mother and I co-captained a Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society in Liz’s memory for the first time. We raised over $22,000 – breaking all fundraising records – and won four awards in the process. For several reasons (mainly busy schedules), we will not be doing it this year. However for the third year in a row, our dear friend, Allyson Collins, will be doing the two day, 40 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in my sister's memory.

Allyson was with my family through all of Liz's illness and was incredibly supportive. Despite living, working and going to school in San Francisco, she visited Liz every time she was hospitalized. During the end of Liz's life - while Allyson was in finals at school - she drove to Stockton every day she could (sometimes in the middle of the night) and held vigil in the hospital with us. She slept on the floor of my mother's house the nights immediately following Liz's death and held my hand as I walked behind my sister's casket, barely able to watch my 24 year old brother and husband be some of the young men to carry it.

We are forever grateful to Allyson for her dedication to our family and Liz's memory. Please join me in supporting her efforts to raise money for this wonderful cause. You can make a donation by going to Allyson's personal page before July 12th (click here).