I love birthdays and I love when people commemorate their special day with some kind of charitable/kind act. So, you guys can imagine how excited I was to hear about DJ C-Lo’s “A Night of Fame” birthday bash and benefit being held TONIGHT (11/6) at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN. Not only is DJ C-Lo one of Nashville’s top DJs but he is now serving as a spokesperson for Soles 4 Souls, an organization that facilitates the worldwide donation of shoes to those in need.

DJ C-Lo hopes that this event will bring awareness of the organization’s need and role within the African-American community.  Not only will a portion of the proceeds benefit S4S, but partygoers can also donate shoes (donation goal: 500 shoes).  As this weekend is Tennessee State University’s Homecoming, it is safe to say that there will be plenty of people partying for a cause.

To find out more information on the event, please visit www.nightoffame.com. Doors open at 9p and you can still grab tickets at the door for $40. Have a great time if you’re going. Can’t make it? Don’t worry…The wonderful Tracey over at BlackGivesBack.com is the media partner for the event and will be sure to snap plenty of pics!

Thanks to Aerial of Urbane Imagery for the details!

-kb

Hot Dots Note Cube, $30

Every adult should have a set of stationary for sending notes, Thank You cards, etc. As I get older, I find myself spending hours in Papyrus or the stationary section at Borders and Target. I’m now the proud owner of 3 sets of Thank You cards, 2 boxes of note cards, and some cute invitations. I’ve tried to curb this habit, but I fear that it’s only going to get worse!

While researching the Junior League of Chicago, I saw a little icon in the bottom right corner that caught my eye. All I remember seeing was “SoLuxe store.” With a name like SoLUXE, I figured that there had to be some goodies in store. *nods head* I was absolutely correct!

SoLUXE carries stationary, gift tags, coasters, plates and more! The best part is that you have the option to customize your design to best fit your style. Some items can even be monogrammed. I’ve always wanted something with my initials on it!

After doing some digging (read: Googling), it appears that SoLUXE is in cahoots with Junior League chapters across the country to help raise funds for the great work being done in the respective communities! To shop and support your local Junior League, just visit the webpage of the JL nearest and there should be a link to the SoLUXE site!

-kb

Yesterday, I posted about the SoHo Stroll and one of the participants was the Housing Works Thrift Store. Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, as well as the nation’s largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization. Since they were founded in 1990, they’ve provided “lifesaving services, such as housing, medical and mental health care, meals, job training, drug treatment, HIV prevention education, and social support to more than 20,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS.”

In addition to their thrift stores, they also operate the The Works Catering and Housing Works Bookstore Cafe to help pay for the services of the programs and provide employment opportunities to program graduates! Housing Works operates 9 upscale thrift stores in NYC, so you’re sure to find something that peaks your interest (and gives back).

If you’re not in NYC, you can also shop some of their great finds online. Similar to eBay, you can either bid on the items or “buy them now.” There are way too many great finds on the website. I’ve pulled a few of my favorites below:

Roberto Cavalli Dress, $285

Large Vase, Current Bid $35

Cole Haan Handbag, $145

Ladies, how many of us have unused bras that just occupy our drawers and boudoirs? Instead of letting them just sit there, perhaps you should consider donating them. 

Gigi’s Closet, an online lingerie retailer, launched Bras for Charity to collect unused and gently worn bras and donate them to women in need who may not be able to afford properly fitting bras.

Here is how it works:

-Customers can use the free return shipping option to send donated bras back to the boutique, or

-Simply pop your bras in an envelope and mail to:

  Gigi’s Closet

  c/o Bras for Charity

  17 Martin Ct.

  Newtown, PA 18940

The bras are then donated to the Goodwill facilities in Bucks County, PA and funds raised by the non-profit organization will go directly towards job training, job placement and education within the community. If you’re looking for some new styles, Gigi’s has a selection from brands such as Betsey Johnson, Chantelle, and Huit. You can never have enough undergarments…Especially not the pretty kind. Ha

-kb

Okay…I was looking at my iCal today and noticed that Thursday, the 26th is about to be a CRAZY night for Chicagoans. Literally. I don’t want to take up anymore space, so I’m just going to list them out for your reading pleasure!

Parties…!

TheChiGuide.com Launch Party (9p-12a) - Landmark (1633 N. Halsted)

TheChiGuide spotlights Chicago’s best events in music, dining, nightlife, arts & culture, sports, and everything in between. This red carpet launch will benefit Imerman Angels, a Chicago-based non-profit supporting cancer fighters, survivors, and caregivers. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door.

Who Gives A Shot (8-10p) – Angels and Kings (710 N. Clark)

Guest bartenders will be serving up $5 specialty cocktails to benefit Rock for Kids, a nonprofit providing free year-round music education for children in need. 100% of drink sales and tips will benefit Rock for Kids and Chicago’s own Flosstradamus will not perform on the 1s and 2s to keep the party going!

March Madness…!

March Madness with the Les Turner Young ProfessionALS (6p) – McFadden’s (1206 N. State)

Come and watch the NCAA games and enjoy drink specials and a silent auction to benefit the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Keith Van Horne (from the shufflin’ 1985 Bears championship crew) will be guest bartending as well! A $10 donation earns you a wristband and access to alllll of the shenanigans. 

RedHot March Madness 2009 (6-8p) – Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard)

This hot tourney event benefits the Primo Center for Women and Children. Guests will enjoy an open bar and hors d’oeuvres at the event, co-hosted by Chicago Bears’ Jason McKie. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by clicking here.

Hoops for Youth (6-9p) – Rebel Bar & Grill (3462 N. Clark)

What better way to support the dreams and future of Chicago children than by hanging out with friends and having some tourney time? This watch party benefits Youth Guidance, is one of Chicago’s oldest and most established social service agencies dedicated to providing academic and youth-development programs to at-risk, Chicago public school students. The $30 tickets include a 3-hour open bar, and can be purchased by clicking here.

Whew! Yesterday, I told you guys that the spring was ushering in busy season If there’s anyone out there, who attends all four of these events on Thursday, I will buy you two drinks at your favorite bar. Seriously! Email me if you’re up for the challenge!!!

-kb

P.S. Don’t forget that all the events listed above will be happening this Thursday, March 26th!

Has anyone out there heard of Sazerac? It’s reported to be the oldest cocktail in America with roots in pre-Civil War New Orleans.

According to the Sazerac Company of New Orleans, the modern recipe consists of: 

1 cube of sugar, 1 1/2 ounces of Sazerac Rye Whiskey, 1/4 ounce of Herbsaint, 3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters and a lemon peel

The reason that I ask is because 5 Chicago restuarants are celebrating the drink this month. When you purchase a Sazerac cocktail at the spots below, they will donate 50% of New Orleans charities for the rest of the month!

The Violet Hour – 1520 N. Damen

Sepia – 123 N. Jefferson

Nacional 27 – 325 W. Huron

The Whistler – 2421 N. Milwaukee

The Drawing Room – 937 N. Rush

Cheers!

-kb

Wow…Here’s another sale for you!!!

All Carson Pirie Scott department stores are participating in the Semi-Annual Goodwill sale until Wednesday, March 24h! For each gently-used item that you donate, you will receive a coupon for 20% of any item in the store (with some exceptions of course).

To find the Carson’s (or store within the Carson’s family) nearest you, click here!

Okay…NOW have a great weekend

-kb

I know my first post is super late, but I’ve been volunteering at the MS Society all day. Well, at least, for the better part of the day…Anyways, I just walked in the door and have a couple of quick notes to mention!

• So far, 60 female bloggers have signed up to Rock the Red Pump on their blogs!!! Yay…That’s an amazing response within 3 days, so thank you to everyone who’s signed up and/or spread the word! For all of my Chicago peeps (guys and gals), we are organizing a fundraising happy hour next Tuesday to benefit the Chicago Women AIDS Project. I’ll post the details tomorrow!

• Don’t forget to take your gently used pants to LOFT stores in exchange for $15 off a new pair! You have until Sunday to do so!

• Did you watch the Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday? Head on over to The Examiner and check out my twist on the traditional recap where I take things that happen on the show and translate them into lessons for the nonprofit community! 

Hope you all had a great day!!!

-kb

This month, Chic Gems will be partnering with PAVE, a national organization dedicated to raising funds for domestic abuse awareness and prevention. Chic Gems is no stranger to supporting charitable causes. Past partners have included Imerman Angels and UCAN, an organization supporting Illinois youth and families. For a list of locations where Chic Gems jewelry is sold, please visit chicgemsetc.com/stores.

-kb

Update: If you purchase Chic Gems on the website and use the code “pave” during checkout, you will get 10% off AND 20% will be donated to PAVE! Again, this is only valid until Jan. 31st and is only applicable for online sales! Thanks for the added info, Sarah!

Today when I opened my Daily Candy email, I was pleasantly surprised to see a feature on a local nonprofit initiative, Reason to Give. Reason to Give is focused on helping residents of the Humboldt Park neighborhood, by providing personal and direct opportunities to give. Residents share their stories on the website, and you can select which individual or family to assist. After you make your donation, Reason to Give takes care of everything else (delivering the supplies, etc).

I love the concept of this program because I can select who to help and can “see” where my donation is going. It’s kind of like, I’m playing fairy godmother (in a real and sincere way).

For more information on Reason to Give and to learn how you can help, visit Reasontogive.com!

-kb

UPDATE: I corrected the link to Reason to Give. My apologies!