Celebrate with HoHoTo and support the Daily Bread Food Bank

What?
HoHoTo
A holiday celebration with ticket sales and donations going to Daily Bread Food Bank. According to the organizers, “HoHoTo is for geeks, phreaks, webheads, twitterfiends, techies, media, marketing, and PR types and all their friends.”
In the first 72 hours after HoHoTo was announced, they had raised $10,000!
Cash bar, DJs, lots of interactive fun

When?
Dec. 15: 7 p.m.

Where?
The Mod Club
722 College St. (map)
Toronto, ON

How?
UPDATE: Tickets were $10 per person, now they are $20 and going up $5 per day. As of Dec. 10, there were 50 tickets left. buy one now
You must be 19+ to attend, tickets are non-refundable
Donate to Daily Bread Food Bank

Breast Fest Film Festival 2008

You’re probably familiar with the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer t-shirts Roots sells every year. Did you know all net proceeds go to Rethink Breast Cancer? Rethink is a Canadian volunteer-driven charity helping young people who are concerned about and affected by breast cancer. Funds raised go toward education, research and support programs.

When it comes to fundraising, Rethink does a lot more than sell t-shirts. This year they’re trying something new and exciting… Breast Fest Film Festival 2008 – the world’s first film festival dedicated to breast cancer awareness. Through a variety of film genres and new media, Breast Fest will be showcasing many issues surrounding breast cancer in significant and interesting ways, and connecting people to the breast cancer cause. Why don’t you check it out…

What?
Breast Fest Film Festival 2008

Where?
Royal Ontario Museum (map)
100 Queen’s Park
Toronto, ON

When?
Nov. 21 & 22

How?
Buy tickets now.
Prices range from $10-$25 per showing.

UPDATE (Nov. 11, 2008)
I am officially helping Rethink Breast Cancer promote the Breast Fest Film Festival 2008.

Give to those in need on Blog Action Day

It’s Blog Action Day and poverty is this year’s theme. The idea is that bloggers around the world will help effect change by writing about a single social issue and raising awareness.

One of my pet peeves is when people have perfectly good stuff they throw away instead of donating it to someone in need. It really bothers me to walk through affluent neighbourhoods and see perfectly good furniture left on people’s lawns. I mean c’mon, there’s always Goodwill and plenty of other options.

This morning while getting ready for work, I had BT on and learned about The Furniture Bank. What an amazing concept! If you have some furniture or other basic household items you no longer need, you can arrange to have it picked up from your home – for a fee – and taken to The Furniture Bank. Check the list of exemptions.

At The Furniture Bank, with the assistance of knowledgeable staff, clients (homeless individuals and families who are in need and referred by their caseworkers) can select items they need for their new small apartments. Volunteers and financial donations are also needed.

Do you know of any other places where you can donate gently used clothing, furniture or other household items to help people in your community who are in need?

Tip of the Week: Shoppers Optimum points

Despite what you may think, I’m not a huge fan of loyalty programs. Not because they don’t help me save money but because I hate carrying all kinds of extra cards in my wallet. With most programs, it takes forever to get the even smallest reward.

Shoppers Optimum card is one exception. Shoppers’ Drug Mart is my neighbourhood drugstore. Here’s how it works: For every $1 you spend, you earn 1o Shoppers Optimum rewards point. Once you earn at least 3,500 points you can cash them in for store credit. [Update, I accidentally transposed the amount spent with the number of points earned. It has been corrected. Thanks Chris for alerting me to the error.]

There are also all kinds of products with extra bonus points and other special offers when you can earn all kinds of bonus points. I make a habit of stocking up on days when they offer 10x or 20x the points on purchases. For example, starting today if you spend $50 or more at the cosmetics counter, you’ll get 20x the points.

I’ve also learned a big secret. Twice a year Shoppers’ offers extra credit when you cash in your Optimum points (July and November). At 75,000 points (the max.), instead of getting the usual $150 credit I’ve been getting $200 to use towards a shopping spree (I have to pay the tax.) It’s also the time when I pamper myself and try out a new high-priced goodie from the cosmetics counter.

Recently, they’ve introduced a program where you can donate your Optimum points to a registered charity – I just found out while researching for this post. What a great idea!

Help fight breast cancer and be part of another social media miracle

If you didn’t catch my earlier post about Keith Burtis’ social miracle, you really should read it … now.

Since then, Keith proposed to Michelle and he said “Yes”.

I met them both the next day and they are as lovely as their legend. Keith made a beautiful sushi set for my sister. He called it “The Prosperity Set” and wrote a wonderful story describing his inspiration.

And now he’s at it again. Keith has partnered with Tommy Vallier and Dave Fleet to help Dave raise money to fight breast cancer at Princess Margaret Hospital. Dave is running the Boston Marathon next month and trying to raise at least $3,000.

Keith is creating a special work of art to be auctioned off on Thursday, March 27, to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to Dave Fleet’s fundraising efforts.

So there you have it, you can be part of another social miracle either by participating in the auction or sponsoring Dave Fleet directly.

Note: The auction begins on Tuesday, March 25 at 9 a.m. EST and ends on Thursday, March 27 at 9 p.m. EST. I’ll add a link to the auction webpage as soon as it’s available.

Women’s Day sale and fundraiser at nathalie-roze & co.

What?
International Women’s Day sale and fundraiser at nathalie-roze & co.

Everything in the store will be 10% off, including sale stock.
Proceeds will go to the Woodgreen Community Centre (a portion of sales will be donated to the Leslieville-based women’s shelter).

Save an extra 5%, if you bring toiletries & other essentials for the shelter.
Suggested Donations: shampoo, toothpaste, pads & tampons, soap, hairbrushes, moisturizer, lip balm, new undies/socks/bras, etc.

Fundraising raffle for the shelter: Enter to win one of several prize packs (including store gift certificates, beauty swag, crafting books, merchandise by in-house designers, etc.) - all ticket money raised benefits the shelter. (Tickets $2)

Labels include: Snoflake, Dagg and Stacey, Embody, Jack & Marjorie, Cha Cha, Melow (Montreal), Lilikoi, SLO, 54 East, Jules & Annie, White Lotus, Kari Lynn Bianchi, Paper People, Glasgow, Spruce Clothing, Taa Daa, Smitten Kitten, Damned Dollies, Kim's Suitcase & more...

Cupcakes will be served!

Where?
nathalie-roze & co.
1015 Queen St. E. at Pape (map)
Toronto

When?
Sat., Mar. 8
11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Info.
visit: www.nathalie-roze.com
call: 416 792-1699

Weekly wish - sponsorship

You may already know I’m participating in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer on September 8 and 9. I need at least one new pair of running shoes. A new outfit or two would also be nice. I’m particularly concerned about the shoes because I have a tough time finding comfortable ones that fit.

For the last several years, women (and men) from all over the province converge in Toronto (and six other Canadian cities) and walk 60km over two days. They must raise at least $2,000 in sponsorships and pay an entry fee in order to participate, not to mention the countless hours they spend training for the event.

Sounds like a great sponsorship opportunity to me. Only I’ve never seen any corporate sponsors actually sponsoring individual participants or teams. Have you?

So, if you’re reading this, I wear a size 9 (sometimes 9.5). If your shoes fit, I’ll wear them. I’ll also wear your clothes and acccessories, heck I’ll even paint a big swoosh across my forehead if you’ll sponsor me. In exchange, I’ll let all my readers know. I’ll wear your stuff and promote your brand each and every time I practice and maybe some other times too.

Let me know if you’re interested. You know where to find me. ; )

And to all of you reading the blog, you’re welcome to sponsor me too!

Technorati tags: Nike swoosh, running shoes, sponsorship, walking, The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, training

Kylie’s victory dance

Mother’s Day isn’t the only thing I celebrated last weekend. On Friday night, a group of us went out to celebrate our friend’s last treatment for breast cancer. She has recovered beautifully and been an amazing model of dignity, inspiration and strength for us all... celebration indeed.

Yesterday, I popped into H&M and picked up some gifts and couldn’t miss the Kylie Minogue inspired swimsuit collection: H&M loves Kylie. Last night we took the kids to a movie where they aired a promo of Kylie prancing around in a bikini and co-ordinating cover-ups. What a model of grace and beauty. She looks incredible. Her new short haircut may even start a trend.

In honour of these women and many others like them, this Mother’s Day, make a difference and help other women who are battling this horrible disease. Please sponsor me for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

Technorati tags: breast cancer, H&M, Kylie Minogue, Mother’s Day, Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Original Live Aid concert tees auctioned for African famine relief

James Applegath, Toronto-based owner of Defunked (an online vintage t-shirt boutique), discovered 20 mint vintage Live Aid concert shirts. He’s auctioning them on eBay between now and May 10. According to Applegath, some Live Aid shirts have fetched up to $500 in online auctions.

100% of profits are being donated to benefit the original cause through Africa Aid - a non-profit organization helping to enhance the quality of life in underprivileged African communities.

Live Aid, the world’s biggest rock festival was held in 1985 to raise money for starvation in Africa.

What do you think of using online auctions to raise money for charity?
Did you bid on one of these tees? Tell us about it?

Technorati tags: Africa Aid, Defunked, eBay, fundraising, James Applegath, Live Aid, vintage clothing

Eat My Words - the sweetest taste of all

A group of us were given the sweetest gift on Friday. Cupcakes. Not just any cupcakes. They arrived in a glamourous turquoise hat box, tied with a chocolate-brown bow called a “Treat Box.”

They were the most beautiful cupcakes I’d ever seen and tasted as scrumptious as they looked. Each delectably delicious cupcake was topped with a work of art: a colourful, impeccably-detailed flower (one even had a lady bug) made of rich candied icing.

And that’s not all, they came from a local organization, Eat My Words. Each “Treat Box,” includes a generous donation (part of the price) to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, helping ease the pain and suffering of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

How sweet is that? Yummy!

Note: Delivery is available throughout the GTA. Cakes and gingerbread houses are also available.

Technorati tags: bakery, cupcakes, Eat My Words, gifts, Stephen Lewis Foundation

Toronto Fashion Incubator presents...

I’m going to Ultimate Platinum. TFI’s 20th Anniversary Gala. Are you?

What?
Ultimate Platinum. TFI’s 20th Anniversary Gala:
7:00 p.m. - Silent auction and wine tasting by Vin de Pays d’Oc
9:00 p.m. - Silent Auction closes
9:00 p.m. - TFI New Labels Show presented by ELLE Canada
9:30 p.m. - Ultimate Platinum Celebrity Runway Show
10:00 p.m. - Evening concludes

This is a fundraiser and ticket sales will directly benefit community programming offered by TFI - a non-profit organization that helps new fashion entrepreneurs.

Where?
The Carlu (map)
444 Yonge St., 7th Fl.
Toronto

When?
Tuesday, April 17
7 p.m.-10 p.m.

How?
Buy a $50 Guest Pass
• Reserve your guest pass at the TFI Shop
• Advance orders only (not available at the door)

Guess Pass Includes:
• All the events above plus a gift bag from ELLE Canada.

Technorati tags: fashion, fashion shows, fundraiser, TFI, Toronto Fashion Incubator, Ultimate Platinum

Super Cities Walk for MS; Ding dong, Avon calling

I’ve worked with Giselle for five years. She’s a spunky go-getter who excels in everything she does, a real people person.

Next month for the fourth year in a row, Giselle is participating in the Super Cities Walk for MS. Last year she raised $5,200 and this year she’s trying to raise $10,000. You can help her reach her goal by sponsoring her now.

Giselle is also an Avon sales rep. on the side. If you’re going to buy Avon and want the best service, e-mail Giselle. She’s on the ball. She’s often giving away great gifts with purchase, no matter how big or small. And service is always with a smile! I’m thinking of buying some Foot Works foot care goodies.

In addition to cosmetics and gift items, Avon gives back to the community. It recently launched the Hello Tomorrow Fund. From April-September, Avon will recognize one individual each month who has helped empower woman and make a difference for people who have been touched by the breast cancer, with a $5,000 reward.

Think it’s time you consider learning more about Avon? Contact Giselle and see for yourself. The next deadline for orders is April 10.

Technorati tags: Avon, breast cancer, cosmetics, fundraising, Hello Tomorrow Fund, multiple sclerosis, Super Cities Walk for MS

Jeanne Lottie - spring sample sale

Jeanne Lottie is having a sale and supporting Princess Margaret Hospital at the same time!

You won’t want to miss this one. Print this ad, take it with you and save the tax too:


What?
Jeanne Lottie spring sample sale
Save 80% shoes, accessories and bags

Where?
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
Melville Rm, lower lobby level
7085 Woodbine Ave. (map)
Markham

When?
Mar. 24 & Mar. 25: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Technorati tags: accessories, handbags, Jeanne Lottie, purses, shoes, sales, shopping

Jeanne Lottie’s shoes for heart

You probably figured out I haven’t had a lot of time for offline shopping lately. I had a quick visit to the mall with Mish and Bryan during PodCamp Toronto and two recent trips to the Apple store. (Stay tuned for more info.)

All that changed today. I had time to browse some of the new spring styles. Bright red leather ballet flats with floppy bows on the outside and pretty pink leather hearts on the inside caught my eye.

It wasn’t just because this season’s shoes are either flats or have very high heels.

No, it was this pair in particular. They’re special. They have heart.

Why?
Jeanne Lottie designed them for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
$5 from every pair goes directly to the foundation to help fund world-leading scientific research.

So this spring, have a heart. Buy a pair of these special edition shoes and help save lives.

When?
Now! These babies are moving quickly.

Where?
Available at Jeanne Lottie and select Capezio locations.

What do you think of these shoes?

Are you more likely to buy something if a portion of the sale goes to charity?

Technorati tags: accessories, ballet flats, Capezio, fundraising, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Jeanne Lottie, shoes, shopping

Sporting Life (end of) winter sale

Sporting Life winter sale - I was entered into a draw for a $250 gift card. Am I special or just one of the other thousands of customers in their database?

Did you get one too? Does it make you want to sign-up?

Register now for the annual Sporting Life 10k race supporting Camp Oochigeas - Canada's first sleepover camp for children with cancer.

Technorati tags: Camp Oochigeas, sales, shopping, Sporting Life

Sad day

Actually, it's been a very sad week.

Another mom in the neighbourhood died of breast cancer on Monday. She left behind her three young children. The last time I saw her was at a school concert in December. She'd just received bad news but nothing was going to get in the way of her watching her sons perform. She spent the evening smiling from ear-to-ear.

Her obituary was in the paper today - I knew she was a fighter but hadn't realized how much of one she'd been. I'm going to her memorial tomorrow.

A close friend of mine is fighting breast cancer now. Tonight we shared some tears.

Another friend just had surgery to prevent it from coming back.

My mom died of breast cancer when she was only 37 - I was 15; my sister was 12.

Help me help make a difference and together we can make breast cancer history!

I'm participating in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer benefiting Princess Margaret Hospital. I will be walking 79,200 steps (60 km). I did it in 2004 and I'm determined to do it again but I can't do it alone.

Please support my journey and together we'll have fewer sad days. : )

Thank you.

Technorati tags: breast cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, fundraising, Princess Margaret Hospital, Weekend to End Breast Cancer, walking

Rumours, refunds and doin' good

Today I heard two rumours...

Zola
A little birdie told me they're having their annual winter sale Jan. 3. Zola is only the hottest shoe shop in town with two locations on Avenue Rd. They also carry designer clothing and accessories. Stay tuned for details.

GAP
I finally did some Boxing Week "me" shopping today. The Gap still had 30% off sales merch. (advertised as a 2-day promo Dec. 26-27). While I was in line returning paying, I overheard the manager telling a sales associate they'd be having another markdown tomorrow. I got a silver puffer down bomber for $27.98 and some groovy long-sleeved-Ts for a mere $4+.

Price adjustment alert: Shop there in the past two weeks? If "yes" me thinks you should pay them a visit and see if you're due for some money back. For the uninitiated, Gap stores (including BR and ON) refunds the price difference for any items marked down with in 14 days from the original purchase date.

And now for something completely different...

And while you're there, remember to do the (RED) thing. What a great way to spend your price adjustment! You can buy (RED) pins for as little a dollar each new leather bracelets for $12. GAP donates the full amount to the cause.

Note: Please check your local store(s) for details.

Technorati tags: Boxing week, clothing, Product (RED), sales, shoes, shopping

Calling all bookworms - part 2

University Health Network (UHN) has teamed up with Indigo for a new fundraising program and it won't cost you a thing - other than the price of the merchandise.

This is the first time a Canadian hospital has worked with a major bookseller in this way. It's the start of an alliance between UHN and Indigo to support improved health and wellness information for patients and the public.

What you need to do:
When shopping online at Indigo, start by visiting www.uhn.ca/indigo and follow instructions.

What Indigo will do:
Indigo will donate a portion of the sale (8.5% for books/music/DVDs; 6% for toys) to support UHN's patient education programs.

Seems pretty simple now, doesn't it?

Note: Used books, iPods, and gift certificates are not included in the program. Other conditions apply.

Weekend offer: Indigo has a buy 3 books get the 4th one free in their stores today (not online.)

Technorati tags: fundraising, healthcare, marketing, online shopping

The spirit of giving

While you're stocking up on all kinds of gifts for our loved ones, don't forget others in need.

All around there are heart-warming displays of generosity...

Two of the hardest-working, class parents are volunteers in my son's grade 3 class. Instead of the traditional teachers' gift, in honour of the teacher, they are co-ordinating a toy drive. Each child can donate a toy for another child living at the Woodgreen Red Door Shelter. What a great way for our children to learn about helping those less fortunate, while honouring their teacher at the same time.

Toys R Us at the Yonge/Eg Centre has a table of toys outside the main entrance with greatly-reduced prices and all proceeds going to the Starlight Foundation. What a great way for to partner with the community to help children. We bought a couple toys and to follow their lead, in turn, we donated them to Toy Mountain.

Have a heart-warming holiday story to share?
E-mail me or leave a comment.

Technorati tags: gifts, Starlight Foundation, Toy Mountain, Toys R Us, Woodgreen Red Door Shelter

Just peachy!

Everything should be just peachy tomorrow night at the Peachy Pre-Christmas Cocktail Party at Peach Berserk Coctails. Kingi Carpenter and crew are hosting a shopping party.

Kingi's got a great sense of style. Just one look at her collection and you'll see the wonderful sense of humour she injects into all her custom-designed silk-screened fabrics. There's something in her clothing line for everyone - all shapes and sizes.

Everything in the store (clothing and more) is 15% off and you'll receive a gift with every purchase. You can enjoy music and performances, fashion shows throughout the store, yummy treats, door prizes and lots of other surprises.

But that's not all... the best part is 10% of ALL sales will be donated to Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders.

Where: Peach Berserk, 507 Queen St. W., and Kingi's groovin' apartment upstairs
When: Friday, November 24 from 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Have fun, be wild, go berserk!

Technorati tags: charity, clothing, home fashions, fundraising, Medcins Sans Frontiers, parties, shopping, sales