Uptown Liz Turns Two

July 17, 2009

Happy Anniversary to Uptown Liz! Two years ago, I launched this business in memory of my 28 year old sister, Liz, who died from breast cancer on what would have been her thirtieth birthday. Not a day goes by that I'm not constantly thinking about her or desperately missing her.

I feel incredibly blessed to have this business and want to thank all of my family, friends, colleagues, retailers and nonprofits who have been so supportive. Your inspirational stories and thoughtful e-mails continue to drive me and, with your help, I have been able to create a legacy for my sister and shine a light on people who are making a difference in the world. It has been such a wonderful two years; I like to think that Liz is working her magic for me.

In gratitude,
Ramona Russell
Founder

UPTOWN LIZ HIGHLIGHTS

·October 2006: Ramona Russell created an e-mail newsletter for breast cancer awareness that sparked the idea for Uptown Liz.
·April 2007: Ramona Russell starting working on the business by joining a Ladies Who Launch incubator and forming a focus group with some of the members.
·July 2007: Ramona Russell launched Uptown Liz on July 17th.
·August 2007: Ramona Russell interviewed by former CNN news anchor, Daryn Kagan.
·August 2007: Uptown Liz reached over 95,000 hits.
·September 2007: Uptown Liz reached over 127,000 hits.
·October 2007: Uptown Liz featured on Great Day Houston.
·October 2007: Ramona Russell featured on Good Day Sacramento.
·October 2007: Uptown Liz reached over 158,000 hits.
·January 2008: Uptown Liz featured on KillerStartups.com.
·January 2008: Uptown Liz featured on Lucky magazine's blog.
·January 2008: Uptown Liz reached over 190,000 hits.
January 2008: ek designs creates the "Uptown Girl Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet" in Liz's memory.
·March 2008: Uptown Liz reached over 220,000 hits.
·April 2008: Ramona Russell invited to participate on the business panel for Microsoft Office Live Small Business' Vision to Venture Conference.
·May 2008: Ramona Russell interviewed by SBTV.com.
·October 2008: The stories of Liz and Uptown Liz featured in FranklinCovey planners.
·October 2008: Fuffy J. Couture creates "The Liz Collection" handbags in Liz's memory.
·October 2008: Ramona Russell interviewed on Good Day Sacramento.
·October 2008: Uptown Liz reached over 330,000 hits.
·November 2008: Ramona Russell featured on FOX News.
·December 2008: Ramona Russell featured in BusinessWeek.
·December 2008: Ramona Russell featured in Sactown Magazine.
·January 2009: Uptown Liz featured in Sacramento Magazine.

Help promote Uptown Liz on your Web site, blog, profiles on social networking sites, etc. Feel free to use the beautiful banners on our Web site. Make sure to read our blog for articles on product reviews, companies and people who are making a difference around the world. To make sure you never miss an entry, you can subscribe to our feed and receive new articles through your e-mail. You can also join our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Uptown Liz adds new products every week, so be sure to check our Web site often.

Photo caption: Ramona Russell (left) and her sister Elizabeth "Liz" Overturf as little girls.

Save the Ta-tas Donates over $300,000 to Breast Cancer Charities

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

SAVE THE TA-TA’S! Thanks to this brand, many more second bases have indeed been saved! Causing smiles and laughter for over five years, ta-tas Brand Clothing has encouraged women in all stages of breast cancer to feel beautiful and confident.

Founded by Julia Fikse in 2004, ta-tas Brand Clothing was created to help fund breast cancer research and education. Customers can go to http://www.savethetatas.com/ and find everything from men’s, women’s and children’s apparel to accessories and fun items, such as their unique boob lube (a special soap designed to encourage women to do self breast exams). For every purchase made, ta-tas Brand Clothing donates 5% of all sales to the fight against breast cancer.

After such little time, ta-tas Brand Clothing has gained respect in the community by: being a sponsor of the Revlon Run/Walk, attending the 2008 Emmy Awards and BET Awards, and being featured in Newsweek, HQ, and Shape magazines.

To date, this power house company has greatly impacted the nonprofit community by donating over $313,000 to help wipe out breast cancer. Now the community is giving back to them; on Sunday, May 31, 2009, ta-tas Brand Clothing received a Corporation for Evolution Humanitarian award from the Hollywood Note Foundation for all of their efforts in their fight against breast cancer.

For more information on ta-tas Brand Clothing go to http://www.savethetatas.com/.

Need for Charitable Giving Increases, Along with Retail Sales

Article written by guest blogger Melissa Long

With these tough economic times, more than just our wallets are suffering; but also the stomachs of the hungry, the hearts of the forsaken, and the minds of the uneducated. Now, more than ever we need to do what we can to help needy charities. Why not buy a little something for yourself while doing so? By shopping at Uptown Liz, you are not only buying gifts for your loved one’s special occasions, but you are also helping the less fortunate.

A recent article published with The New York Times online states, “Charitable giving fell last year by the largest percentage in five decades”, according to the Giving USA Foundation; an organization that researches data about charitable giving and philanthropy. In 2008, there was a 5.7 percent decrease in gifts and pledges made by individuals and institutions from the previous year; this amount is adjusted for inflation and equals a decrease of $6.35 billion. With such great economic trouble, experts are surprised the drop was not greater, since endowments and stocks fell by almost 40 percent and unemployment is at an all time high. Donations were doing well for the better part of 2007, but it was around the last quarter when “we saw individuals begin to revisit their philanthropic priorities” as stated by Giving USA.

Also around this time about two-thirds of all public charities faced a decline in donations. According to Del Martin, the chairwoman of Giving USA, what was most surprising “was the decline in gifts to organizations working to meet basic needs, like food banks and homeless shelters, which are seeing a big increase in demand for their services”.

Even with this decline, retail sales have increased by .5 percent in May, according to the Commerce Department; this is the first rise in the overall industry in three months. Now in the summer months, students are graduating, fathers are being recognized, and birthdays are still being celebrated. People have always liked to show their loved ones they care, by showering them with gifts. Why not show your loved ones you care and also donate to nonprofit organizations?

By utilizing sites like Uptown Liz, you can shop and help others at the same time. For every purchase made, you will feel no buyer’s remorse knowing that a percentage of the sale will go to a charity in need. While browsing, you can search through products or causes, which makes it easier to find the perfect gift or to support the organization of your choice.

Now is the time to help. Cyndi Court, the executive vice president for marketing and development for The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, says this year is not looking any better. “We’re definitely anticipating another down year”. Imagine what a difference we could make if everyone shopped for a cause!

Winner: "Sixtyfive Roses" signed book

Lisa Munley is the winner of the "Sixtyfive Roses" signed book giveaway.

This book chronicles the relationship between Heather and her sister, Pam, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age four, and the journey their family went through. Heather's parents went on to start the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and with the effort for research and new treatments, Pam was given years to live instead of months.

Five percent of the proceeds from book sales go to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Keep checking back for more giveaways from Uptown Liz.

Giveaway: Free "Sixtyfive Roses" Book, Signed Copy

May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month, and nothing seems more appropriate than to give away the touching memoir, "Sixtyfive Roses", by Heather Summerhayes Cariou. This book chronicles the relationship between Heather and her sister, Pam, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at age four, and the journey their family went through. Heather's parents went on to start the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and with the effort for research and new treatments, Pam was given years to live instead of months.

Many celebrities are a fan of this read, including Celine Dion who wrote the foreword and Eva Longoria Parker who has optioned the film rights.

Five percent of the proceeds from book sales go to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Enter the contest by leaving a comment to this blog entry (see rules below). Tell us how Cystic Fibrosis has affected your life, or what your favorite product is on Uptown Liz (or any thing else you would like to comment on). The winner will receive one signed, copy of "Sixtyfive Roses".

Giveaway Rules 1) You must be an Uptown Liz subscriber to our blog feed or our newsletter. 2) Enter the contest by leaving a comment to this blog entry. 3) The winner will be randomly selected on Saturday 6pm PST. 4) The winner will be announced on the blog Sunday (the following day). 5) This item cannot be shipped to a PO Box address.

Body Care Ingredients That Kill

Since losing my 28 year old sister, Liz, to breast cancer, I have done a lot of research on health. One of the many things I have discovered is how toxic our personal care products are to our bodies. Our skin is our largest organ, absorbing 80% of what goes on it into our bloodstream and vital organs. My sister was a huge perfume and lotion junkie, where I was addicted to lip gloss and skin care.

Once I started becoming more aware, it was shocking to discover what we are putting into our bodies. We are using these goodies to look better, but in reality, we are slowly destroying our health (from the inside out). I started buying products that boasted "No sulfates, parabens, etc." without reading the full ingredient list. Further research showed this was only the beginning, and most products claiming to be "natural" or "organic" were false advertisers.

I found this ingredient list from Health Wanted - one of my favorite blogs - to be very helpful. I keep it in my purse and refer to it when I'm purchasing personal care products.

May is Military Appreciation Month

I am the daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and cousin of veterans. I am also the proud sister of a soldier in the United States Army. May is Military Appreciation Month, and there are many ways to honor and give back to our service men and women.

Send a letter of thanks to http://www.amillionthanks.org/.
Ship a care package to a soldier through http://www.uso.org.donate/.
Write an uplifting message at http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/.
Hire a veteran by visiting http://www.hirevetsfirst.gov/.
When you see a service man or woman say "thank you".
Contact your local VA and volunteer your time.
Fly the flag on your house or place of business.

To support military causes by shopping, go to the military page on Uptown Liz.

Photo caption: Ramona Russell (right) with her brother, Nathan, who is serving in the Army.