Fashion with Concience Archives

economyofstyle December 8, 2020

Rung For Women’s Big Move to Empower St. Louis

I visited Rung for Women’s new campus last week, and it was immediately clear to me that Rung believes that when women do better, St. Louis does better. Rung for Women is a non-profit that plans to provide holistic support to women wanting to pursue their dreams and thrive doing just that. Its first cohort of members is launching in March 2021, so if you or someone you know could benefit from this experience, get an application in (apply here).

2020 has been a year of unmasking social atrocities, from the diminished value some place on Black lives to the illuminating barriers that women face in our world. Rung for Women’s approach is to face all the tough stuff with a supportive, strength-based, woman-focused plan for change. I respect that.

I’ve had the privilege of making risky moves in my life that have yielded big rewards. I was only able to make those moves because I was surrounded by support and safety nets at every step of the way. But for that support, I may have never been able to walk in my purpose against all odds. I’ve mentioned recently that digital content creation sparked an interest in software engineering. Well, with some strong counsel from my most trusted person, I took a leap into that field. What I’ve accomplished in the last 6 months is beyond my own imagination. To think, I was a young woman who started college having barely ever used a computer. Now, I build apps.

What I love about Rung’s program is that it aims to ensure that every one of its members can tap into her potential and achieve goals even when unimaginable. It does so by first reducing major barriers, from child care to food security to healthcare. Doing so gives its empowerment model space to work, space to allow women to dream and to pursue those dreams. And, the only cost to its women members? Sweat equity and time. Members get access to every amenity offered by Rung at no financial cost.

Member Eligibility

There are some requirements to become a member. You must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma/GED, make $50K (personal, not household income) or less, have at least a 6-month work history, and be able to get to the Fox Park campus. Submit applications here.

Did I mention how impressed I was by the campus? I saw a state of the art kitchen that’ll have a chef. I saw a coffee bar. There was a gym, a community garden, a childcare center, meditation rooms, private coaching suites, a health center. I could go on because there’s so much more, but it’s truly the kind of space you have to experience to understand my excitement for what’s about to happen at Rung for Women. Visit the site here for more information.

Location: Rung for Women, Fox Park, St. Louis

economyofstyle November 27, 2018

3 Easy Ways Fashionistas Can Participate in #GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday, celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, is a day to encourage giving and philanthropy. This movement started only 6 years ago but has grown immensely because of the power of social media. There are many ways to participate and many causes to get behind. For more information, visit GivingTuesday.org. To make it super easy for we fashion enthusiasts, I thought it would be cool to highlight a few fashion-related ways to give.

Donate Clothing to Charity-based Thrift Stores

As a fashion blogger, I receive more clothing than I need, so I tend to cycle items out of my closet often. When I do that, I take my things to St. Vincent de Paul. Their thrift stores make donated goods available for free or at a low cost to its shoppers. And, the revenues raised support important programs, including rent, food, and utility assistance to people with low incomes. Unlike similar organizations, St. Vincent de Paul spends over 90% of its budget on programming.

Donate to a Coat Drive

That great coat we never wear could give the gift of warmth to someone who doesn’t have a coat this winter. Many organizations are making it easy by facilitating coat drives. Even retailers are getting involved. J.Crew stores across the country are hosting the My Crew Gives Warmth coat drive. Burlington stores are hosting the Warm Coats & Warm Hearts Drives. To locate coat drives near you or for help organizing one, visit One Warm Coat.

Donate to a Women’s Shelter

I donated my entire collection of nail polishes (most of which I had never used) as well as some polish removers and cotton balls to a shelter with teenage girls recently. They were so appreciative and held a spa day for the girls. I was in turn moved and encouraged to do more. Items we could easily take for granted, like feminine hygiene products, makeup, and bras are in high demand in many women’s shelters.

Related to #GivingTuesday: 4 Ways to Give Thoughtfully

economyofstyle March 8, 2017

Happy International Women’s Day!

Happy International Women’s Day! I started this blog many years ago to engage, empower, and be inspired by women. That this blog has connected me to you has been the greatest reward.

I recently had an amazing opportunity to be featured in the Collections by Joya Spring 2017 lookbook. I’ve been a longtime fan of Collections by Joya, a jewelry business owned by a woman . Collections by Joya is the kind of company that I’ve always been proud to support. Every piece of jewelry is handmade using the finest natural materials, often by the hands of talented women across the globe. In addition, a portion of every sale benefits women’s charities.

Shooting the looks from Joya’s Spring 2016 collection was a positive, woman-centric experience. I got to wear clothing by Paisley Boutque, a local women’s clothing store owned by Stacie Swederska. I was photographed by the talented Heidi Drexler of Heidi Drexler Photography. And, of course, I got to wear lots of Joya jewelry.

I’m also thrilled and honored to be featured in Collections by Joya’s trailblazer series this month, a series that shares and celebrates women’s stories. You can read my full interview here.

Location: Bowood Farms, St. Louis

economyofstyle July 19, 2016

Give Thoughtfully: 4 Easy Ways I Support My Community

I believe that poverty is a pervasive social problem that’s at the root of most community turmoil, and hence affects us all. Given the escalating poverty rates in this country, we all share a responsibility, then, in trying to reduce its impact in our neighborhoods. And, if we’re creative, helping can be easier than we think. Here are 4 simple ways I offer support in my local St. Louis neighborhood.

1. I donate clothing to neighborhood organizations.
As a fashion blogger, I’m constantly editing my wardrobe. I donate clothing and accessories
to 3 neighborhood organizations that raise money for antipoverty programs via thrift stores.

2. I teach free fitness classes for low-income women in my community.
Every Saturday, I teach an hour-long dance fitness class that’s free to all members of a local group helping women strive for economic independence.

3. I donate beauty products and toiletries to local shelters.
As an influencer, I receive more beauty products and toiletries than I could ever use. A few times a year, I round those products up and gift them to local women’s shelters.

4. I contribute to professional development workshops for women in transition.
I’ve had the honor of contributing to an inspiring group of women who are transitioning from social assistance to work. We’ve worked on everything from writing effective cover letters to practicing for job interviews.

I do these particular things because they allow me to simultaneously tap into my strengths and the strengths of the people I work with and for. I believe that meaningful social change happens that way.

I also love supporting organizations that are committed to promoting social change. That’s why I’ve been voting daily for my favorite cause in the Band Together campaign by Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company. Join me! Our votes will help Jewelers Mutual decide how to divide a generous $2 million donation among 3 important nonprofits—St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, and Feeding America or Food Banks Canada. Voting closes on July 31, 2016 at 11pm CT. At that time, the cause with the most votes will receive a whopping $1 million donation from Jewelers Mutual. $700,ooo will be donated to the runner-up and $300,000 to third place. As an added bonus for voting, you’ll be entered for a weekly chance to win a set of 3 stacking bands valued at $450. Let’s band together to support these 3 causes.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

economyofstyle March 23, 2015

Bargain Shopping for a Cause

Today’s post is the first in a series I’m launching in partnership with the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, an organization working to find forever homes for children in foster care. On April 28, the Coalition will be hosting Old Bags, an annual silent auction to raise funds to support its important work. Picture this. Special Cocktails. Delicious appetizers. Big ticket giveaways. And, hundreds of new and like-new designer bags available at a fraction of their values. Old Bags is a bargain shopping party, all for a good cause.

I got a sneak peek of the bags that’ll be available at the auction. Louis Vuitton. Tory Burch. Kate Spade. All the high-end designers that we know and love. You can take a peek at some of the available bags as well by visiting the Old Bags Pinterest board.

Today, I’m styling a Kate Spade Grove Court Lainey bag. This bag has a retail value of $428 and will be available for bidding at the Old Bags party. The bag is in a like-new condition. Its vibrant green color is perfect for spring.