Levi’s wants you to donate those old jeans to Goodwill instead of throwing them away! Continuing their partnership with the nonprofit organization, Levi’s rolled out the “A Care Tag for Our Planet” initiative this month. Levi’s jeans now feature a care tag that encourages owners to donate to Goodwill when no longer needed, with the hopes of reducing the billions of pounds of clothing that end up in landfills.

Donations of gently used clothing and other items are sold in Goodwill stores, where the revenues help fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience, and those facing other challenges to finding employment. “The simple act of donating your used Levi’s jeans to Goodwill helps to reduce the approximately 23.8 billion pounds of clothing and textiles that go into U.S. landfills each year,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

To get you even more excited about this cool initiative, Levi’s will give you a 30% off coupon when you bring a gently used pair of jeans in by January 30th!

All lil’ goodwill for your goodwill. Sounds like a plan to me! I personally have my eye on the pair above. I can make those work in all seasons!

-kb

I’ve been wanting to put together a volunteer outing for a loooong time, and finally decided “Why not now?” SO, on August 8th, I’m asking for peeps to join me at The Bottomless Closet (445 N. Wells) from 8:30a-12p to volunteer at their monthly intake. Here’s how it works: People drop off clothing and we receive it and help sort it out. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? And, to top it off, we’re going to brunch afterwards! We are going to walk down the street to Yolk (747 N. Wells) to dine and dish.

If you’re interested in joining the crew, then shoot me an email at kb@thefabulousgiver.com by Monday, 8/3! Hope to see you there!

-kb

This Saturday, it’s time for you to get your shop on without stressing about the economy (or lack thereof). The Bottomless Closet, a non-profit that assists women in job transition, is inviting you into their office to shop new and gently used women’s clothing starting at $5. Inventory includes suits and tops, as well as accessories ranging from shoes to belts to purses. Every now and then, Bottomless Closet hosts these sales to reduce inventory and raise funds for the organization.

The office is located at 445 N. Wells, and although the sale will last from 9a-1p, you might want to get there early to snag any great deals!

-kb

Entrepreneur and beauty maven, Bobbi Brown, is involved in many charitable causes, including Dress for Success. She recently chatted with Forbes.com to discuss how she balances her career with giving back, and why it’s important for women to make a difference.

Here’s an excerpt:

Why did you want to get involved?

Just look at what I do for a living and who I am as a person. I can help a woman take care of herself and help her to get a job. Keeping her looking and feeling confident is what I’m all about.

I heard the stories of the women who were involved with the Dress for Success program and how it was really able to help. I saw that I could make a difference.

What do you say to women who claim they simply don’t have the time, energy or money to give back to their community?

I don’t believe in excuses. I believe in choices. It doesn’t matter what you do. Just do it.

You can read the entire interview on Forbes.com by clicking here. While you’re there, make sure you check out the “Busy Woman’s Guide to Volunteering.” There are some great tips in there for all of my busy Queen bees out there!

-kb

Okay, folks…You know that I’m always pushing you to donate your gently used and wanted clothes to charity. Well, if it seems like too much for you to drive to your closest thrift haunt, then why not stop by one of these two local Chicago businesses instead?

Sensual Steps' Treasure Chest

Bronzeville shoe retailer, Sensual Steps, has an ongoing clothing drive for women’s clothes and shoes. All items donated will benefit local women’s shelters and second chance programs designed to get women.

Or you can pop into South Loop art gallery, Three Peas Art Lounge. If you have any clothes to donate, they will be collecting them for a limited time.

So, there you have it! Stop, drop, and shop for shoes OR sip some wine. It’s your choice…Just make sure you drop those clothes off!

-kb

Based on previous posts, including “Goodwill (Dress) Hunting,” it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of thrifting, particularly for a great cause. I discovered the DC Goodwill Fashion Blog earlier this year, and peek in every so often to catch up on the latest fashion trends and to also see what kind of treasures what been unearthed by the wonderful DC Goodwill Fashionista. Her blog is such an entertaining read! I encourage you all to stop on buy there and read an entry or two or five!

-kb

This weekend, my sister and I drove down to Alton, IL to watch our aunt and uncle renew their vows in honor of their 25th wedding anniversary. The ceremony was beautiful and we had a great time getting reacquainted with our mother’s hometown. Yesterday, we decided to do some exploring and check out some of the shops.

Across the street from our hotel was a Goodwill store. While we went in there just to look around and possibly shop, we ended up falling in love with one particular section of the store…The wedding gowns!

I don’t know if it was the nuptial theme of the weekend, but we spent more time fawning and feigning over those gowns than anything else in the store! When many women dream of walking down the aisle, they never think of walking down the aisle in a stranger’s dress! But, with times the way that they are, and the growing recycle/reuse movement, there is a growing number of women who have no issue purchasing a second-hand gown.

The first thing we noticed in the section was that some of the gowns in the store were very, hmm…let’s say dated. There were definitely some poofy sleeves and crazy necklines. The second thing we noticed, and the most important thing, were the amazing trains and beading on a few of those gowns. So intricately designed…and at such GREAT bargains! Of course, any one who purchased a gown would need to have it worked on (i.e., altering, cleaning, etc). That is with the exception of one gown…

There was a gorgeous Cinderella dress that was my size and absolutely beautiful. I tried it on and was borderline obsessed with it. My sister almost bought it for me! It would have definitely been my reception gown.

So beautiful and only $125!

Here are some more pics from our excursion:

We didn’t buy any wedding gowns, but at the end of the day, my sister snagged four dresses (including the silk Banana Republic dress below), two wrap sweaters, and a pair of sunglasses for about $34. Whoo hoo!!!

All purchases at Goodwill stores benefit the job training and other programs supported by Goodwill Industries. You can find your nearest Goodwill store by visiting www.goodwill.org!

Bloomingdale's SoHo

I just checked the weather in NYC this weekend, and minus a couple of showers on Thursday-Friday, you all will have some beautiful weather! Why not take full advantage of the sunshine and take a stroll around some of SoHo’s best shops and restaurants? From June 11-13, you can receive exclusive access to discounts and promotions in each participating store, gallery or restaurant WHILE raising funds for the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (A.C.E.).

Here’s how the stroll works:

1. You purchase a SoHo Stroll bracelet for $20, and this bracelet is the key to your discounts. The bracelet proceeds benefit A.C.E.

2. Just show up and visit participating businesses.

Pretty simple, right? I spent last night reading about all the great promotions, and I honestly have to say that I’m going to be jealous of all NYC’ers (this weekend only)! Promotions will range from shopping discounts to free samples to complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Over 100 SoHo businesses are expected to participate in the event.

Here are some examples of the great deals and offers:

Grand Bar & Lounge at the Soho Grand Hotel (310 West Broadway) – 15% discount on food and beverage charges

La Esquina (114 Kenmare Street) – One free margarita with the purchase of any entree in the cafe

Bloomingdales (504 West Broadway) – Receive gifts with purchase and a special gift with purchases over $100

Billionaire Boys Club (456 West Broadway) – 40% off

Housing Works Thrift Shop (130 Crosby Street) – 25% off all clothing

Get the drift? During the event, bracelets will be for sale at participating stores and at the SoHo Stroll Information Booth, located at the intersection of Wooster Street and Spring Street. You can learn more about the event and participants by visiting www.sohostroll.com.

If you go, I want to hear allllll about it! Have fun!

-kb

The ladies of Y.E.S! (Young Executives for Success), a great group who supports Dress for Success, will be hosting a Happy Hour this Wednesday at Bull and Bear (431 N. Wells) from 6-8p. It’s supposed to be 80 degrees in Chicago on Wednesday, so if you’re looking for something to do after work, definitely come by and join the fun! Attendees are asked to bring a pair of Queen-sized flesh (neutral) tone pantyhose to the event. They, of course, will be donated to Dress for Success, an organization which supports the professional empowerment of women by donating suits and hosting beneficial workshops.

For more information, you can visit the Y.E.S! website or check out their Facebook page. Hope to see you there!

-kb

Yesterday, I posted my second article on the Examiner.com discussing African-American philanthropy. For this article, I had the chance to talk with David W., a friend of a friend (Brian), who is involved with many charitable organizations and serves on the board of some Chicago nonprofits as well.

You can read the article here!

In the article, I also plug an event for the Primo Center for Women and Children. The event, RedHot Cocktails will be this Thursday at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron). Click the flyer below for more details!

-kb