Kidogo Kidogo

One of my favorite parts of Juggling in Heels is meeting women who have created amazing businesses and sharing them with all of you.  The power of women is incredible and I admire so many who are willing to take the risk to follow an idea.  I admire them even more when that idea offers them the opportunity to give to others.

Kidogo Kidogo was created by Kim and Kristen Waeber, two sisters who shared the vision of helping those in need.  So they began selling iPhone cases.  These cases, however, were not created to simply protect our phone and make them look cute, but are also helping to providing cell phones for women across Tanzania.  That's right.  For each two iPhone cases that are sold, a woman in Tanzania is provided a new cell phone + one SIM card + cell phone credit to get started.  

How are these cell phones changing the lives of these women?  You can read numerous stories here.

The images on each case are designed by Sarah Markes, who has studied the beauty of Tanzania and has created different illustrations of the iconic plants and animals living there.  You can preview all the available designs here.  

Kidogo Kidogo works with FINCA Tanzania, an organization with a mission to provide financial services to the world's lowest income entrepreneurs so they can create jobs, build assets and improve their standards of living.  With the sale of their sea turtle case, they also support Sea Sense, an organization working closely with the Tanzania coastal communities to help the preservation of endangered species.  Together they are changing the lives of many women in Tanzania and the community around them.

If you are interested in purchasing a case or learning more about the company, click here.

Dollar Bills

Right now the boys are really into money.  Whether it is from gifts, finding it on the ground or collecting it from their chores, they love to see their savings build.  Over the years we have spent a lot of time discussing the need to save their money and it is working.  They understand that it is important to put it away rather than spend it at every chance they get.  We can thank the finance hubby for this.  Me, I tend to not be an amazing saver.  But that is a story for another day.

Even though we have spent a lot of time discussing the need to "save" their money, we have really just touched the surface of discussing the need to "give" their money.  It has been mentioned once or twice, and they love to hand out our money at church, but they had not really understood the concept of giving away their own money to others.  Though the hubby and I try to donate whenever possible, we have never really explained this to them.  So, that was our "giving back" exercise for May.

After First Communion, chores, birthday and some great saving, the boys had accumulated a nice amount of cash and they were anxious to spend some.  They added up everything and told me all that they could afford.  My first question to them was, "well, how much are you going to give to those less fortunate?".  They had never really had that questioned asked of them before and they had no idea.  I think I was offered a dollar.

This led to a nice long conversation on "the more you have, the more you give".  We discussed the donations we make to their school, the church, charities and others and just how important this was to do.  We discussed that any amount is great but that they should always assume 10% of their money should go back.  After a little math, they realized how much they would need to give of their own money.  The greatest part of this conversation is that when told their amount, it didn't even phase them.  They didn't question it.  They simply said, "okay, well we will bring it to church on Sunday".  I was proud of them for being so willing to give, but I wasn't sure how long it was going to last.

After a month of discussing this, it is apparent that they will not forget.  They continue to save money and add it to the jar but every time they mention something they want to buy with it, they also mention how much money they will give.  Though it was our May exercise, we will continue to instill this in them each day, month, year.  I am crossing my fingers that they stay generous and aware as they grow up and always remember "the more you have, the more you give".

Happy Friday Everyone.

Diapers

So cool.

At the beginning of April I used Facebook to invite some friends to "A Diaper Drive"

And for one month, friends dropped off boxes of diapers at my home.

And boxes.

And boxes.

And now, we are at over 3,000 diapers.

SO COOL.

To the friends that participated, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

It is amazing what a group of moms can do isn't it?

For our family's fourth month of giving back, I wanted to do something from moms, for moms.  Perhaps it wasn't as focused on the children this time as it could have been but I had a good reason.  

When my friend and I took the canned food from our February event to our local pantry, I happened to throw in a box of old diapers we had left over as well.  The response when I pulled out the diapers was one of excitement as they rarely receive diapers and they are a HUGE need.  As a mother, it was heartbreaking to hear, as we all know how important diapers are and how expensive they can be.  It wasn't a question.  Moms can support other moms.  End of story.

And did they ever!  Thank you again to all the fabulous women who participated.  It is sometimes the little things that make the biggest impact.  I cannot even imagine, if they were excited about receiving one box of diapers, how they will react with receiving this delivery!    

Diana's Bag

Yesterday I spent the afternoon among an array of beautiful Tod's handbags while attending an event hosted by Tod's, in support of the Camino Center Auxiliary, an organization that I have been involved with for some time (remember the fashion show and Marni event?).  Along with the famous "D-Styling" collection, in honor of Princess Diana, the estate was also adorn with many of Tod's signature handbags and shoes.  All attendees sipped champagne, shopped and supported an incredible center.  Not too shabby for a Wednesday.

Thank you Tod's for supporting such an amazing organization.

The limited edition bag created specifically for this event.

Baskets

As mentioned on Wednesday, I invited friends and their children over for our second "Give Back" get together.  I have actually not titled it that but it works doesn't it?  Everyone had such a great time at the food drive that I thought we should keep it going.  This month, we put together Easter baskets for underprivileged children.  Each family was asked to pick up one basket per child and all the goodies to go inside.  We needed practical items such as toothbrushes, pajamas, and socks, but we also wanted to include fun items such as coloring books and crayons as well.  And of course, there MUST be candy!  

This month was much smaller due to everyone's schedules but we were still able to pull together some amazing baskets thanks to the creativity of our little ones.  Yes, some baskets ended up with three sets of toothbrushes (which is funny because it was my Middle Man and he HATES to brush his teeth) but with just a little swapping here and there by the moms, we ended up with baskets stocked with items these children both need but would also want.    

This is now my third month working with my little ones to give back to those less fortunate and I have to say, I am having so much fun getting them involved in this that I should have done it a long time ago.  I am documenting each month here in hopes that perhaps others want to try some of the things we have done.  Yes we are only three months in but by the end of the year there will hopefully be a number of fun suggestions!

Thank you C for being my partner in crime on this and for everyone who provided items, even if they could not attend.

Have a great weekend!

Cans

A while back in this post, I mentioned that each month I was going to work with my little one's to give back to their community.  For January they each adopted a child and so for February, I thought a food drive would be fun.  Numerous friends commented on my previous post about also wanting to get involved so instead of my three simply purchasing some food to donate, I made it fun and invited over a bunch of friends to participate as well.  Twenty two boys and girls filled the house for pizza, cookies and wine for the moms to have a little party on a Tuesday night and give back to those less fortunate.  Some of the children bought the food with their own allowance while others went through their pantry to see what they could share.  We had such a great time and the kids really did a fabulous job of filling up my dining room table with a TON of canned and non-perishable food.  It was such an easy way to show children that even though they are young, they can still make a big impact when they work together.

 We all had so much fun and I am looking forward to putting together something else for March!

Thank you to all the friends that participated! 

Help "Stamp Out Hunger" Tomorrow

I was just introduced to an event that is occurring TOMORROW and could not help but share this with all of you.  Tomorrow is the National Associate of Letter Carriers STAMP OUT HUNGER food drive.  This might be the easiest way to make a contribution to the fight against hunger in the US.  All you need to do is collect and bag non-perishable food items and simply place them by your mailbox.  Your local letter carrier with pick them up and deliver them to a local food bank or pantry.  THAT IS IT.

I challenge all of you to gather just one bag and put it outside tomorrow.  Even better, if you have children, get them involved and have them help you select the items for the bag.  The number of families that deal with hunger both across the country and within our own communities continue to grow and it breaks my heart to think about parents who struggle to put food on the table for their children.  It is amazing to think that this one day can bring in enough food to help many families get through the lean months when children are home from school and do not receive their free lunch. 

If you decide to join me in this event, leave a comment below (or on Facebook or twitter!) and let me know.  I would love to hear who took part in this!

If you are interested in learning more about this national event, click here to visit their Facebook page.

Let the collecting begin!

And so the Christmas shopping begins...

Happy Black Friday everyone!  What a combination Thanksgiving and Black Friday are.  It begins with a day to completely gorge our stomachs, followed by a day to completely purge our wallets.  Black Friday is also a reminder that I better actually start Christmas shopping.

Since I have not purchased ANYTHING for my children, nieces or nephews, imagine how happy I was to hear that Neige Clothing was having a sample sale next Friday and Saturday, December 2nd and 3rd. If you have not visited their site, here is just a piece of some of their fabulous clothing for little ones.

Sophisticated clothing for children.  RIGHT UP MY ALLEY.  Not only that, but a portion of the sales will be donated to The Children's Hospital of Orange County. If you live in Orange County, you are well aware of all the wonderful things CHOC does and most likely know at least one child who has benefited from their care.  Checking gifts off the list AND giving back to an amazing organization?  The only question is, why would you not go?  

Click here for all the details (including times and location) on this event and I hope to see you there!

In addition to the sample sale, for each $100 donated to CHOC Children's, you will be entered to win the following:

* Participation for your child to model in the Neige Spring 2012 Collection photo shoot.  Girls 6m-12y and boys 6m-8y.  Siblings accepted.

* Models will enjoy the full photo shoot experience including fittings, styling, hair and makeup.  Photo shoot will take place in Orange County, CA in February 2012.

* A disk of high resolution photo shoot images for personal printing and portfolio use.

* One Neige outfit

Also, all entrants will receive a full year of 20% off discount code valid through December 31, 2012 for use on the Neige clothing website.

Not in Orange County?  Not a problem!  You can shop their incredible Fall sale on the Neige Clothing website!  

Happy Shopping!

Giving Back Through Shopping: The FEED Projects

I will be honest.  For a long time, I really did not know what the FEED Projects bags were.  I have seen them carried by celebrities and in Nordstrom for some time, and have even purchased some of the Small World products for children.  Other than that, I had no understanding of what this organization did.  Then I received the October issue of Town and Country with Lauren Bush and David Lauren on the cover.  Beyond discussing their relationship, the article also discussed in detail all the philanthropic work they are involved in.  Since Lauren is the co-founder and CEO of the FEED projects, I learned a lot more about what these products mean and continued to do a little research online.  I love what this organization is doing and their mission of feeding the world.  A donation from every sale is made to feeding those in need.  Here are some of my favorite items on their website, all with stories of what this purchase will help to do around the world.

FEED USA Canvas Tote
With purchase, $5 are donated to improve school food and nutritional education 
in America

FEED Back To School Kit
With purchase, food and job skill training are provided to 10 women through 
the UN World Food programme's Food for Assets program

FEED Trick or Treat Bag
With purchase, funding will help UNICEF provide one child in the developing
world with an entire year's worth of micronutrient powder 

FEED 1 Bag
With purchase, will provide one child in Africa with school lunch for an
entire year

To view the all products offered through The FEED Projects, visit the link here.