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Carefree kimono

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wearing: blue resin hoop earrings / prescription sunglasses / summer lipstick / white v-neck tee (comes in several colors-love!) / blue print kimono / black snake belt / classic blue jeans / summer nail polish / PVC tote bag / silver bracelet stack / black mules /

There is nothing like summer vacation! I can work any time of day, and my kids have schedules that are so light, I feel like I am in a dream! If you have kids, you know what it’s like to spend all your time taxiing your kids around town. With three kids, I feel like I am always going somewhere, and I am always juggling conflicting schedules! Summer vacation alleviates all of that. Love!

Since summer vacation also means my teacher friends aren’t at work, I get to spend time with my good friend Dawn. We spent an entire morning wandering around Valley Fair, picked up a dress for Dawn at Nordstrom, enjoyed too many dumpling at Din Tai Fung, and of course, snapped pictures of each other! haha It was a ton of fun!

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Dawn and I posing together while taking our outfit photos. Check out her blog at FashionShouldBeFun.com

Kimono’s are one of my favorite “outfit enhancers” during the spring and summer months. I love throwing one over a basic tee and jeans for a put together look. The base outfit is really one of my go-to looks, and it is super comfortable. I love how this kimono makes it look like I put some effort into the outfit; haha, I really didn’t! I feel like everyone needs at least one kimono in their closet, and it’s entirely possible I own three. . .mmmm. . .but I digress. . .

What is your favorite way to spice up a basic and comfortable look during the warmer months?

Shop my summer kimono outfit:

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

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5 brands that give back

adidas parley recycled shoes

pictured: adidas Parley running shoes /

We only have one planet, so we need to care for it, and protect it, as much as possible. That is why it is so important to think about what we purchase, and how it could affect the planet long term, as well as the community.

In the twenty-first century, we have the benefit of advanced technology. This technology offers us so many ways to recycle materials, and make materials, which are sustainable and will be kind to the environment instead of damaging it for future generations.

I love finding companies which are creating products using these advances in technology, as well as donating a portion of profits from specific products to do good in the world. Whether we help those in need, or reduce our waste on our planet, we are helping humanity through giving back and protecting the environment.

There are so many causes and issues for us as humans to care about. It can sometimes be overwhelming as to which ones we choose to support! Sometimes we can donate our time and money to causes, other times it is fine for us to be passive and purchase products we already need which support causes we may not normally donate to, or we don’t have the time to support another way.

These five brands are killing it! They are either using technology to create sustainable fashion, or using their resources to help those in need. I love supporting brands that give back, and hope you enjoy doing so too!

  1. Chico’s: As you know, I am a huge Chico’s fan! They have beautiful prints and patterns designed in-house by artists, as well as practical garments that are easy to wash and wear on a daily basis. The company is dedicated to the community, and one of their big impacts is the work they do for Habitat for Humanity. Chico’s gives both time and money to this important cause, and you can help them! They have a collection online which helps raise money for Habitat for Humanity. They also help collect donations for the charity. You can find the perfect cardigan or top for summer, while supporting an important cause. Love that! You can learn all about it at Chicos.com.
  2. adidas: adidas is my favorite athletic brand, and I love the fact that they are innovating ways to help the environment and make fashion more sustainable. Their “For the Oceans” campaign currently produces shoes made from recycled polyester; and the shoes are 100% recyclable. The company is working hard towards shifting to recycled polyester on their line by 2024. Stay tuned! I will be going more in-depth on this topic later this month. To learn more now, please visit adidas.com.
  3. H&M: This fast fashion retailer is working hard to protect the environment and become more sustainable. They collect old clothing in-store so that it can be recycled instead of thrown away. H&M also has an eco-conscious collection which promotes the use of recycled materials. Love! To see the collection, check out HM.com.
  4. TOMS: I think by now, TOMS is a household names. This innovative company has built their business on giving back to the community. Every TOMS purchase benefits one of six causes the company is dedicated to. These causes include homelessness, equality, safe water, mental health, ending gun violence, and giving shoes to those in need. To learn more, head over to TOMS.com.
  5. Makers Market: This innovative company offers handmade products for the whole family, and for the home. They also offer upcycled goods and sustainable products! To learn more, please visit makersmarket.us.

There you have it! This is my current list of brands that give back. Which brands that give back are your favorites? Please share in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy


Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt

Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt classic outfit ideas over 40

wearing: gold dangle earringsChico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt c/o Chico’s / charcoal jeans /

I have a big rule in my house-no red wine! Someone is always bound to spill it and stain my carpet, my sofa, and themselves! Well, my carpet and my sofa will always be prone to stains from spills, but check this out; we no longer have to worry about our shirts!

Guys-we don’t have to fear red wine-or anything that stains-again! Chico’s has this fabulous No Stain No-Iron shirt which uses this amazing Stain Shield™ technology that keeps stains from sticking! Love this!

When something like red wine or coffee spills on the shirt, you can simply rinse it with water, then wipe it away with a towel; and voila! No stains! Spilling on ourselves won’t stop any of us from enjoying our day.

Chico’s challenged me to test out their crisp white, No Stain No-Iron shirt which uses this amazing Stain Shield™ technology, by spilling red wine on myself. Check out the results:

Taking the #NoStainChallenge

Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt Chico’s No Stain No-Iron shirt

OK, on the first try I had my daughter spill red wine on me while sitting on my sofa. Oops! While the red wine wiped right off the shirt, I got a few drops on my sofa-and not enough photos. Ugh, I had to quickly treat my sofa, and take my photo taking operation outside.

Take two! This time I spilled the red wine on myself while standing in my front yard-my neighbor looked at me strangely while my daughter snapped pictures of me spilling red wine on myself. Um, we must have been quite a sight. My teen and my son were watching the whole thing too. But I digress. . . haha

We were able to get great photos the second time, and not ruin the sofa. That’s a win! I used a towel to wipe off the red wine. I got most of it without leaving a trace on the shirt. The rest I was able to get off with a damp towel; again, not leaving a trace. This shirt is amazing!

Shop my No Stain No-Iron shirt which uses this amazing Stain Shield™ technology outfit:

You can learn more about this fabulous shirt at Chicos.com.

Isn’t this shirt amazing? It comes in more colors, so I may need to add the blue one to my closet too. Love this!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

*Thank you to Chico’s for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.