UN Women + Uber

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Hi friends:

Did you hear the big news? Uber has partnered up with the United Nations and has pledged to provide 1 million jobs to women by 2020. The Executive Director of UN Women and Uber announced that they will work together to promote global economic growth and gender equality by making sure 50% of Uber drivers are women.  UN Women is the branch at the United Nations that promotes gender equality and female empowerment globally. In honor of this amazing partnership, use the promo code, lourdes03 to get a free ride (up to $20)!

Thinx: Change the World, One Pair At a Time

Hi friends:

I found an underwear that could replace your tampons. Yes, you read that correctly. The company is called, Thinx and they are on a mission to change the way the world feels about menstruation. So you may be wondering how this is possible? There’s four layers of protection in these panties: one with continual moisture-wicking technology, another that contains fibers coated with silver to make it resistant to bacteria and stains, a third that’s able to collect up to six teaspoons of fluid (depending on the style you buy), and a last leak resistant layer. I tested the hip hugger style and loved it-they kept me free from leaks all day. It was such a relief to not have to wear a tampon all day.

Not only is this product innovative and cool but also philanthropic. Thinx gives women the tools to become entrepreneurs and young girls the resources to help them not miss school on days when they have their period. For every pair you buy, seven reusable menstrual AFRIpads are made available to keep adolescent women in school in Uganda. So awesome! 🙂 Read more here.

Do yourself a favor and buy a pair…you will thank me later. 🙂

 

 

thinx moisture wicking technology

 

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girls get free menstrual protection from thinx

Photo by Afripads.

 

Kate Spade’s On Purpose Collection

Hi Friends:

Kate Spade’s core business values are seriously one of the best. I feel so happy when I see what this brand is doing to make an impact in the world. Their work with women in Rwanda really warms my heart and pushes me to continue talking to you all about how fashion brands really can make a difference.

So what are they doing? Kate Spade has collaborated with 150 talented women from Masoro, Rwanda to handcraft an accessories line called, On Purpose (super cute name, right?!). These women are being paid 40% higher than the average wage in Rwanda and are now able to help their community of 20,000 people.

I was inspired to do a Kate Spade pinterest mosaic (yes, mosaics are my faves lately..lol) for you! Also, don’t forget to check their site here. Do you have any brands you love that have a cool philanthropic initiative? Share them with me! 🙂

V-DAY RUNWAY FUNDRAISER

Happy Friday!

What is New York Fashion Week without a charity event? In 2005, Naomi Campbell created Fashion for Relief to fundraise for worthy causes via fashions shows and events during NYFW. Fashion for Relief is now global with past events in London, Moscow, Tokyo and Cannes that have raised millions of dollars for various causes. This year Fashion For Relief is on Valentine’s Day and you can go for just $40! Naomi Campbell once again will hit the catwalk with models alike to raise funds and awareness for victims of the Ebola disease. Celebrities will model amazing designers and after the show you have an opportunity to buy pieces anywhere from Diane Von Furstenberg to March Jacobs and Givenchy. All proceeds from Saturday’s events will benefit the Ebola Survival Fund that supports communities affected with Ebola.

Go buy tickets and spread the word!! This is an opportunity for you to attend a fashion show and give back, all on Valentine’s Day.  {But tickets here}

Have a great weekend, Friends!

 

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Jennifer Meyer xo Jessica Alba

Hi Friends:

Everyday 650 babies are born with HIV because their mom didn’t have access to preventative medication during pregnancy.  Jennifer Meyer and Jessica Alba did not just want to live with this reality and so launched a campaign that will benefit the Global Fund through the Red foundation. They designed a Gilt only jewelry collection that includes an 18k ruby heart necklace and an 18k yellow-gold heart necklace.  Each necklace purchased will provide over 9 months of lifesaving medication to a HIV+ pregnant woman in need. This medication will not only keep her alive and healthy but it will also prevent her from transmitting the virus to her unborn baby.

Isn’t this amazing?! Go check Gilt.com, it’s never too late to buy a Valentine’s Day gift that gives back. 🙂

 

 

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Photo Credit: Gilt.com

 

BEST NYC RESTAURANTS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Hi Friends:

We are a week away from Valentine’s Day and I wanted to share with you my top restaurant choices for the big day! NYC has so many wonderful restaurants so finding one you like should be fairly easy. I’m super excited because Thomas and I plan to go to Saul, a lovely restaurant inside the Brooklyn Museum.  I can’t wait to share photos with you all. What will you guys be doing for V-Day!? Leave me a message and tell me what your plans are. 🙂

 

il Mulino

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Il Mulino is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants in NYC. Thomas and I went for our first month wedding anniversary and we just loved it. The west village location is cozy and makes you feel like you are sitting in your Italian grandmothers living room. This location is not modern like the others in Manhattan but I sort of like that because I feel like it transports me back to Italy. So if you’re a foodie and really want to impress your significant other than take them here. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Il Mulino: 86 West Third Street, New York, NY

2. Maialino 

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This Roman-Italian eatery inside the Gramercy Park Hotel is a must. Maialino draws inspiration from the classic dishes throughout Rome and features fresh and seasonal food. The cozy yet sophisticated ambience makes this restaurant a perfect choice for Valentine’s Day.

If you are looking to keep drinking and need a hotspot to go to-check out the Rose Bar. This bar is one of my favorite bars in NYC and it’s also right inside the hotel. It is elegant and fashionable….don’t be surprised if you bump into a celeb or two, this bar is known to be a low-key hideout for them.

Maialino: 2 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York

3. Catch 

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Meatpacking seafood restaurant Catch has been a hotspot for quite sometime now. The space is rustic and inviting with large communal tables. Thomas and I went here for V-Day last year and loved it. The seafood is so great that we even decided to try caviar here for our first time! If you decide to go then you must try the lobster mac and cheese and the dessert called, “Hit me”! Afterwards, head upstairs to Catch Roof lounge for some dancing and drinking all while enjoying the panoramic views of the city skyline.

Catch21 9th Avenue, New York, NY

4. Antica Pesa

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I recently visited this restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and loved it. The service is top-notch! For those who appreciate true Italian cuisine and wonderful cocktails then this restaurant would be a great choice. You must try the Crudo E Bufala Croccante (prosciutto di parma cured for 20 months and fresh mozzarella) it was delicious and so fresh.

Oh, and if you’re in Rome be sure to check it out there-yes, the Brooklyn location is just an outpost of the original restaurant in Rome, Italy. 🙂

Antica Pesa: 115 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

5. The House 

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What could be more romantic than taking your date to a 19th century townhouse for dinner? The House is an upscale charming New American restaurant in Gramercy that feels like you’ve been teleported to “old new york”. It’s the perfect date spot-the wine and lobster club are not to be missed.

The House121 East 17th Street, New York, NY 

More Lingerie, Please.

Hi Friends:

As promised, today we will talk lingerie!  Some say lingerie is a waste of money…but how could something silky and lacy be a waste? It’s about your personal style. I believe lingerie should be part of your daily wardrobe.  I’m not saying you should wear a garter everyday but replacing the old t-shirt you may sleep in might be nice {not judging, sometimes I still sleep with t-shirts..shhh}.  Anyways, I really do love how delicate and beautiful it all is-I dream of having not a drawer but a closet full of it.{I’m pretty sure I’ve written this to you guys before..lol} If you’re like me, you will love Journelle. It’s my favorite lingerie shop! It’s like no other in the city. I’ve been to several of their locations in NYC and not only do I get superb service but I never want to leave. It really just captures the “feel good” vibe that we ladies like when we walk into a store. I don’t know how to describe it really, take my word and go check it out! Oh, and for those looking for more than just La Perla slips-don’t you worry-Journelle carries beautiful everyday loungewear as well. After all, they have to live up to the name…. Journelle was inspired by the french word Journellement, which means “daily”. The staff at Journelle truly believes lingerie should be worn everyday. 🙂

Below are my faves for V-Day! 🙂 Don’t forget to check out their site: www.journelle.com.

 

 

 

V-Day Inspirations

Happy Friday!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful week! Valentine’s Day is less than a month away and this week I was inspired to make a V-Day mosaic for you guys! Valentine’s Day is a perfect day to go freshen up that lingerie drawer (or, closet!) and add new pieces. If buying lingerie is not your thing, then maybe a new sparkly necklace or a new outfit for the night out with your lover or bestie will work too! 🙂

I hope the photo clips from Pinterest will inspire you!  Aside from shopping for the special day, I really look forward to getting treated to a fabulous dinner in the city. Next week I will bring you my top 10 restaurants for V-Day along with lingerie pieces from my fave store in NYC. Excited! 🙂

Checkout my Pinterest boards @ http://www.pinterest.com/plsdotell/

Have a great weekend!

 

 

Bobbi Brown + GirlRising

Hi Friends!

I want to apologize for deserting you for a week. Things got really busy but I’m back with some exciting new posts! 🙂

Today we will talk about how Bobbi Brown is using her company to empower girls around the world. Before I go into the details of her campaign, I want to give you some alarming statistics.

  • 65 million girls around the world don’t attend school.
  • Two-thirds of the 792 million illiterate adults are females.
  • 14 million girls under 18 will be married this year.

Crying yet? Yup…this is really happening.  So now you understand why I jumped with joy when I heard that Bobbi Brown was joining the GirlRising movement and launching her own campaign called: The Pretty Powerful Campaign for Women and Girls. Bobbi Brown is giving us the opportunity to all make a difference and empower women and girls through this initiative. Bobbi Brown will give 100% of the proceeds of every Pot Rouge sold to one of these organizations :

US & UKDress for Success, an international non-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Hong KongHER FUND, a charity that promotes human rights and gender equality for women and girls.

KoreaOpen Closet, an organization that supports job seekers with limited resources by providing access to professional attire, as well as other career development tools.

South AfricaHeartBeat, a charity that cares for the emotional well-being of orphaned and vulnerable young women and girls suffering from the impact of HIV.

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ESCAPE WITH ME

Hi Friends:

Yes, come away with me! Well, virtually, at least.

Okay, so everyone close to me probably already knows that I prefer winter over summer {yes, a bit crazy…I know} but the extreme low temperatures in NYC right now are unacceptable! Anything under 30 degrees shouldn’t be allowed. Who’s with me? So in the midst of the freezing temps, I have decided to write about my travel aspirations. Ahhhh travel-it makes me so happy! 🙂

Unfortunately, I won’t be traveling until late April so for now all I do is daydream about beautiful resorts far, far away.

So here are the top 5 dreamy hotels I am currently obsessing over. Enjoy!!

 

1. Belmond Hotel Caruso

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Where: Amalfi Coast, Italy. This five star 11th century hotel is perched up on the cliff town of Ravello {one of the most beautiful areas of the Amalfi Coast…and a personal favorite of mine :)}

Why should it be on your list: Umm no need to really answer this. Are you looking at the photo? Okay, yeah, so you get it. 🙂

Website: http://www.belmond.com/hotel-caruso-amalfi-coast/

2. Dusit Thani Maldives 

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Where: The luxurious Dusit Thani Maldives is located on Mudhoo Island in Baa Atoll.

Why should it be on your list: This modern Thai inspired resort boasts the biggest pool in the country and tree-top spa treatments {yup…pretty crazy}. Your stay will come with a dedicated butler and a ton of other amenities.

Website: http://www.dusit.com/dusitthani/maldives/default-en.html

 

3. Esperanza Resort 

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Where: Esperanza is located in the very tip of the Baja Peninsula, a couple of miles from Cabo San Lucas.

Why should it be on your list: The beautiful infinity pool overlooks the pacific ocean..need I say more?  This resort is also very secluded so it would be a the perfect romantic retreat from the real worries of the world.

Website: http://esperanza.aubergeresorts.com

4. Enchantment Resort: Sedona Resort & Spa 

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Where: This beautiful resort is located in Sedona, Arizona and surrounded by the majestic red rocks.

Why should it be on your list: Enchantment Resort has been on my list for quite some time! The spa is world-renowned and the views are breathtaking. Your reservations come with free bike rentals and a calendar full of daily activities that include cooking lessons and fitness/wellness classes.

Website: http://www.enchantmentresort.com

 

5. Seychelles Four Seasons

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Where: The Seychelles is a nation of 115 islands scattered over 400,000sq km of Indian Ocean-off the coast of SouthEast Africa.

Why: This little piece of paradise is known for it’s luxury resorts but also for it’s lush surroundings and ecotourism. The island also offers amazing diving {this wouldn’t matter to me considering I don’t know how to swim…awful, I know}.

Website: http://www.fourseasons.com/seychelles/