For my next trick...

Like most (all?) women, I have a love affair with purses. And shoes, but that's a story for another day. Today, we're talking purses.

I have my fair share of Vera Bradley prints, 1154 Lill creations, Target finds and Marshalls gems--and I like to switch it up often. Lately, I've been eyeing some handmade options on various etsy shops and other boutiques for a really different summer option...and then I stumbled across Better Life Bags.

The funny thing is, it's practically in my own backyard--HQed out of Hamtramck (pronounced Ham-tram-ick), Michigan. But the BETTER (get it?) thing is that Rebecca's business is built on something greater: a platform to help others.

From her website:

Since Better Life Bags started, I had been giving a percentage of the profits to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva.org. I still plan on doing this in moderation. However, I also want to invest in the community God has placed us in currently. We moved to Detroit in April 2010 to invest in a small community here called Hamtramck. With 27 different languages spoken, a median income of $23,000, and housing values falling by 80% there is much need here.

We hire women who otherwise could not work to work for us. We pay them a living wage and watch them gain dignity, honor, and respect. Watch our video here. We also give 10% of our monthly GROSS income to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries through Kiva.org.

What makes this whole thing even BETTER is that her bags are beautiful - and totally custom - with leather (durable!) options. I'm rather loving the Beverly and the Molly.

I'd really love to stay and chat, but I've got a new bag to design. Have a great long weekend, loves!

The Big Reveal.

After a long year-or-two-ish of growing out my hair, I bit the bullet on Thursday of last week and made the big CHOP, donating over 9 inches to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. I'm super glad I did it, if for no other reason than my blow dry time has been reduced by at least 80%? Oh, and to the woman that might someday wear my hair? You're welcome for those religious bi-weekly deep conditioning treatments. We should get coffee sometime.

Le progression:

Do It (Again, Please).

It would appear that the radio station had a glitch in their computer systems yesterday, so they are starting the baby voting contest all over again. So, please go vote again...and vote once a day until Friday!

Please cast a vote (again!) for Leighton D.!

Here is the link: http://www.963wdvd.com/Article.asp?id=1245267

Do It!

Today's theme is helping others. :)

My friend, Jackie, entered her baby girl in a contest with a local radio station. The baby with the most votes can win diapers for a year and a gift card... and who doesn't want to win that?!?

Please cast a vote for Leighton D.!

Here is the link: http://www.963wdvd.com/Article.asp?id=1245267

A Little Out Of The Ordinary.

So, today's news really has nothing to do with WIP (although we did have an appointment this morning...more on that tomorrow). Instead, I'm using the power of the internet and all my internet friends to simultaneously help out one of baby brudder's friends AND a good cause. Please take a moment to read the info and vote. Thanks!

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315 million people in Sub Saharan Africa survive on less than one dollar per day.

184 million Africans – 33% of the African population – suffer from malnutrition.

This dream is about those numbers.

My brother's friends, Adam and James, have an amazing opportunity to earn $50,000 to use to fight poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.

They need help to reach the top 20 of this competition in order to make it to the judging process.

Their desire is to use this money to provide food and supplies to a village in Sub-Saharan Africa and document the poverty and success of the help through photography. Their ultimate goal is to raise awareness and cause action in the fight against poverty.

Voting only takes a few seconds, so please take a moment to vote for their cause!

1. http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/ajbaudoux/poverty-ends-where-love-begins/

2. Click "Pic It" (on the left)

3. Register and check your email.

4. Log in and click "Pic It" to vote on their page.