Fido fashion show

Oh, dogs in clothes...

This was an April Fool's joke by Scarves Dot Net, but it wouldn't have surprised me had it been legit.

Love or hate puppies in people clothes, dogs will be dressed to walk the runway tomorrow as part of the Humane Society of Charlotte's Pet Palooza.

The annual fundraiser is the organization's largest, setting a record last year by raising more than $97,000.

Courtesy of dogswearingpeopleclothes.tumblr.com.

The 2014 Pet Palooza will be rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Independence Park, Seventh and Hawthorne, Charlotte.

In addition to an adoption fair and $15 microchipping, there's a 2k dog walk, dog contests, paw painting, the Triple C beer and wine garden, live music, food trucks and more than 70 vendors, among other activities.

For the full schedule of events, click here.

Happy weekend!

Your handbag can make you a hero

"There's change in your purse."

Love the clever duality, it's the perfect summary of Purses with a Purpose. The local, annual sale of gently used handbags started six years ago, when Kelly DeMario was fundraising for her Relay for Life team. 

Uncomfortable asking others for money, even for a reputable cause, DeMario was looking for “an easy ask, something you could ask a girlfriend,” she said. “Everyone has a purse … We take everything as long as it's still intact and someone can get a little life and use out of it.”

Kelly DeMario among a wealth of donations

All proceeds, then and now, go to the American Cancer Society. Purses with a Purpose always holds its annual sale the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend.

This year's sale will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. The website is under construction, but the video link is live.

That first year, DeMario only asked friends and family for donations. She hosted the sale in her front yard, with hundreds of purses strung on a clothesline between two trees. The inaugural sale brought in roughly $1,000 and loads of contacts.

The next year, DeMario tapped those contacts “and it became very organic,” she said. “They asked their girlfriends … we had so many (purses) we moved to my daughter’s preschool.” By year three, DeMario knew the sale would require a large space. A blurb ran on the evening news and by the end of the night, DeMario said, “There were people lined up, willing to donate space.”

For the next several years, the former Blake Hotel in Uptown was the site of the sale and groups would hold “girls’ nights” and book rooms so they could be at the sale first thing, DeMario said. As a Mother's Day gift, one gentleman sent a friend at midnight the night before to be the first in line, so his wife could have first dibs when the sale opened.

The majority of bags are priced between $10 and $18 and higher-end bags such as Coach and Michael Kors usually sell for $50. But DeMario said it’s the volume of donations that allows them to raise money.

"People think ‘My purse is from Target or Macy’s it’s not high-end.’ That’s not what we’re shooting for. So many people just want a cute handbag,” she said. “Prices are very approachable, there’s (even) $1 purses.”

Just a few donations available for sale at the 2014 Purses with a Purpose sale May 10.

In the event's fourth year, DeMario called it a miracle when CLT-based handbag designer Martha Clifford donated her entire inventory as she transitioned into jewelry.

DeMario wasn't sure what to expect (five bags? 10 maybe?) and was floored when she picked up more than $30,000 worth of Italian leather, silk-lined handbags, donated by Clifford.

The M. Clifford designs were priced at $100, a steal considering many originally retailed for more than $400.

"I called my husband and said 'There is more value in the trunk of my Jeep than (the vehicle) is worth.'" That year, the sale raised $13,700, DeMario said.

The annual Purses with a Purpose donation kickoff will be 5-8 p.m. April 10 at The Boulevard in South End, (1440 S. Tryon Street) and will feature wine and nibbles. Those who bring a purse donation will receive 15 percent off any full priced item. (If you can't make it to the kickoff, that offer is good through April 30.)

Or, those with a donation can email to schedule a pick up, arrange to meet/drop off, or take your bags to designated donation spots, such as Boulevard. “We make it as easy as we can.”

For about four months each year, DeMario's garage becomes a holding pen for literally thousands of handbags. It's not unusual to receive a donation of 500 all at once.

Together with some friends, Relay for Life team members and volunteers, DeMario said it takes about a week prior to the sale the make sure each bag has been cleaned out, wiped down and tagged.

Last year, DeMario and friends also lobbied celebrities for their hardly-used handbags. "Based on how many requests we sent out, I wouldn't call it a success," she said. I have to beg to differ, considering they did receive donations from Carly Rae Jepsen, Patricia Heaton, Gloria Gaynor, Vivica A. Fox, Catherine Bach, Jane Seymour and Susan Sarandon.

Susan Sarandon autographed her donation to the 2013 Purses with a Purpose sale.

Vivica A. Fox sent three bags and an autographed picture for the 2013 sale.

Patricia Heaton, who played Ray Ramano's wife on "Everyone Love Raymond," was one of the celebrities to donate a bag to the 2013 Purses with a Purpose sale.

Sound like a recipe for shopping disaster? Thankfully, there’s never been any Black Friday-esque madness or what DeMario calls “purse drama.”

Happy shopping!

“It’s really funny, people are very strategic.” The first round of shoppers rush through and scoop up anything that remotely strikes their fancy, DeMario said. “They’ll have like 25 purses on their arm.” They’ll meet up with friends and sift through, while “sharks in the water” stand behind them, waiting to start negotiations. Meanwhile, other shoppers take their time, perusing the tables.

So many choices...

And after five years, aside from finding a location to host the sale, DeMario said the fundraiser essentially runs itself.

"You ask one person and it turns into a 'Let me ask my friend.' It's been organic and fun to do," she said.

"We've got a good team of people, it takes lots of hands to make it happen ...  It's fun to watch it grow as purses come in."

Free dresses for prom

No one should miss prom because they can't afford it.

That's the mentality behind Kiss 95.1 Presents Drex & Maney's Gown Town this Saturday. Your old cocktail, evening, bridesmaid or prom dress can help ensure high school girls in the area - who otherwise might not be able to afford it - have something fabulous to wear this prom season. For free.

Gown Town is first-come, first-serve, so there's usually a line of girls waiting to get in.
Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

Morning show hosts Drex, Maney and their cohort, Cassiday, said it’s the 15th year the station has hosted Gown Town, but the third that it's been under their purvey.

They’ve been surprised and pleased with how many dresses have been donated in about three weeks, especially from the gown-getter bins placed at local school. "I think we went from zero to 400 in a week," Drex said.

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

Seeing the mother/daughter duos shopping for the perfect dress at previous Gown Town events is something Cassiday said she personally relates to, having had the same experience with her own mom.

“I saw the same excitement with moms and daughters and their friends, of ‘This is the one,’” she said.

“Every girl wants to go to prom.”

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

But how do two guys feel about herding all those dresses? Pretty awesome, in fact.

“It’s been fun to see people call in, who are so excited to give,” Drex said. “Bob, yes, Bob, in Lincolnton called and said he had 48 dresses.”

“Everybody deserves the prom experience,” Maney said. “No one should sit at home.”

In the past, between 1,000 and 3,000 dresses have been donated each year. Average attendance at Gown Town is between 400 and 700 girls, and more than half find a dress to take home.

(What about the rest? Some are donated to charity, but the majority go into storage for next year, Drex said.)

More than 1,000 dresses in all sizes will be at Saturday’s Gown Town, which will be first-come, first-serve from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the store space between the Body Shop and Dick’s Sporting Goods on the second level of Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Dr.

“I can’t wait to see all the people lined up,” Drex said.

Dresses are grouped by sizes and dressing rooms are available so girls can try them on. “We make it really easy for them,” Cassiday said. “It’s more than just a dress, we’re creating the experience.”

The hosts will be on hand playing music, shoes and accessories will also be available and the only thing missing will be the cash register, Maney said.

“Because it’s free. Everything is 100 percent off.”

Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1

While the event isn’t only for those with a limited income – any high school girl is welcome, Maney said – they’ve tried to make sure every guidance counselor in the six surrounding counties got the info about Gown Town.

“It’s cool the counselors are so in tune with knowing who (could benefit,)” Cassiday said. “There’s no shame in it. We make it like a real store experience. We don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed.”

The morning crew hopes to get a photo album online after the weekend, so listeners can see if their former frocks have found new life, Maney said.

Technically, dresses were only being accepted at area locations through the end of the day Wednesday. "But we would never turn down a dress,” Cassiday said.

Cassiday finds treasure to try on at a previous Gown Town.
Photo courtesy of Kiss 95.1 

So those with special occasion dresses in their closets have till the end of business on Friday to bring them by the CBS Radio studios in SouthEnd.

More than anything, Drex said, it’s about area women helping girls make a memorable experience. “It’s great to see that empathy for a listener they’ll never meet.”

Dress donations for 'Gown Town' Charlotte

I'm the world's biggest fan of this concept. (And I have two dresses to drop off.)

Kiss 95.1's Drex & Maney's annual Gown Town will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Northlake mall.

Your old cocktail, evening, bridesmaid or prom dress can help ensure high school girls in the area - who otherwise might not be able to afford it - have something fabulous to wear this prom season. For free.

Last year alone, more than 600 dresses found new homes.

Through the end of the day Wednesday, dresses, shoes and accessories are being accepted at the Kiss 95.1 studios, 1520 South Blvd. Suite 300 in Charlotte; at Charlotte Skin and Laser, 130 Providence Road Suite 100 or these area Ultra Tan locations.

More details to come...

Party post-Super Bowl with former NFL players

Gentlemen, (and female football fans) you’re about to find yourselves in a win-win situation.

What if I told you that this Sunday doesn’t have to be the end of football season? Suppose instead there’s a post-Super Bowl party featuring drinks and discussion with former NFL players, who will break down the biggest plays from Sunday’s game?

Oh, and P.S., you’ll simultaneously be helping area women break the cycle of poverty.

You’re all in, right?

Next Wednesday, Dress for Success Charlotte and The Charlotte Former Player Foundation will host their first “Football Finale” event at Charlotte City Club. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30.

What exactly is Dress for Success Charlotte? It’s the local affiliate of an international nonprofit that helps disadvantaged women achieve financial independence – by providing professional attire, career development resources and more – all at no cost.

The Dress for Success Charlotte location is a former hardwood floor showroom that didn't survive the recession, Barr O'Connor said. The interior design was done pro bono and utilized donations such as the dressing room curtains.

Kerry Barr O’Connor, executive director with Dress for Success Charlotte, said at least a dozen players (maybe as many as 20) will attend Wednesday’s party and give first-hand perspective on the game, be available for autographs, one-on-one networking and more.

Through Friday, tickets to the party are $40. After that, the price goes to $50. Either way, all proceeds go toward helping local women be successful in the workforce.

“A lot of these (NFL alum) get it, they were raised by single moms,” Barr O’Connor said. “They’re teddy bears off the field who want to open a door for women in the community.”

I toured the Dress for Success Charlotte boutique off Clanton Road this week and was surprised and impressed with what I learned about the organization.

Bobbi Brown, founder and CEO of the internationally-known cosmetics brand, is a board member of Dress for Success. The Charlotte location features a Bobbi Brown counter, part of the no-cost "suiting" each client receives.

Through community donations, volunteer help and agency partnerships, Dress for Success provides women with little to no income at least two interview-appropriate outfits for free. Job training resources, professional and leadership development are also available at no cost.

“We say women leave here four inches taller than when they walked in, and it has nothing to do with the shoes we give them” Barr O’Connor said, adding the right outfit helps to build a woman’s confidence.

Yeah. Clothes can do that.

Dress for Success Charlotte is one of 130 affiliates worldwide and works with more than 40 referral partners locally. Every affiliate is different, Barr O'Connor said, but the client suiting program is the one thing they all have in common.

Once she’s landed the job, Barr O’Connor said, Dress for Success tries to make sure each client has up to five work-ready outfits when inventory allows.

Featuring six private dressing rooms, Dress for Success Charlotte helps to build client confidence at their boutique with interview-appropriate clothing. Last year, about 500 volunteers spent roughly 5,000 hours acting as personal style consultants, providing professional development, helping to process donations and more, Barr O'Connor said. "We passionately believe everybody has something to give, however they want to plug-in."

1) I think I found the solution on where to donate clothing in the future and

2) Dress for Success Charlotte has an incredible inventory: Suits, separates, dresses, bags, accessories, shoes, etc. in a huge range of sizes.

And it’s not like these items are visibly worn castoffs that are outdated.

Donations are taken by appointment only, Barr O’Connor said, and their inventory was impressive with its sizes, styles and brand representation.

While I was at the boutique, waiting in a plastic bin to be processed were a brand-new pair of Manolo Blahniks, still in the box. They were in good company with a pair of Salvatore Ferragamos, Tracy Reese and the like.

You’ll be happy to hear that three times a year Dress for Success Charlotte hosts an “inventory reduction” event and the next one is March 8.

During the first two days of the sale, clients get first dibs, as their need for professional clothing is greatest. “We try to do inventory reduction at the first part of the month so clients can extend their wardrobe,” Barr O’Connor said.

But the third and final day is open to the public and Barr O’Connor said there are “some fabulous deals.”

Entire outfits (shoes, slacks or skirt, shirt and jacket) for $20; shoes (such as the pair of Stuart Weitzmans that Bar O'Connor found), blazers, purses and slacks for $5; two scarves for $1 and more. All proceeds go back into the program.

Other services provided by Dress for Success Charlotte include job preparedness, such as having an email account set up, understanding social media and resume building, Barr O'Connor said. "Sometimes just getting them set up with an email (account) could be the difference between getting a job or not. Who's taking paper applications anymore," she said. "That one hour can change the direction of somebody's life."

By the numbers

In 2012, Dress for Success Charlotte:

• had 950 women referred to the organization locally, and 842 used at least one of the career transformation services.
• On average, clients are 46 or older, 80 percent of those clients are single heads of households, Barr O'Connor said, and 10 percent are grandparents who find themselves in a parenting role.
• Of those who participate in the professional women's group - which offers free membership, financial literacy, leadership training and more - 75 percent of participants retain employment.

2014 = realistic resolve

While I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions, that’s not to say there aren’t plenty of areas with room for improvement.

I learned in my early 20’s that resolutions almost beg to be broken. I’d set idiotic or unrealistic objectives – “This year I'm going to quit smoking, cold turkey, in three days. And no more Diet Coke for breakfast. That will help lose the 15 pounds I've been loathing.” – with no advance planning or thought to how to achieve said goals.

No wonder I failed at the time.

BuzzFeed is chock-full of testimony and lists of the many things we don't know in our 20s, and (gasp!) I'm finding a lot of them to be both humorous and true.

What I didn’t know then is that sometimes it takes more than a year to get where you want to end up. Habits are hard to break.

It took me the better part of a decade to finally quit smoking. It was only after years of unlimited access to Diet Coke while bar-tending in college that I learned (through saturation) I prefer water to soda.

Those 15 pounds have come and gone several times. I’ve accepted I’ll never be able to swear off pizza and to just be thankful that I’ve got enough to eat. First-world problems, right?

So what’s on the to-do list this year? Plenty. But they’re mainly general guidelines rather than specific goals with hard deadlines.

Make sense of the chaos: The lease at our infuriating apartment complex is finally up in May, and during our countdown to liberation I plan to weed out items to be donated or trashed. My hope is we won’t end up packing/moving/unpacking and finding a place for junk we don’t want or need. (Again.)

There’s a household/organizational purge on Pinterest that suggests getting rid of – either via trash, recycle or donation – 10 items every day for 30 days. Challenge accepted. Anyone have a favorite consignment shop to recommend?

Be gentle: After years of struggling with insomnia, I’d like to start getting more sleep.

Perhaps I’ll literally schedule time during the week (outside of yoga Tuesdays) for some physical activity. Not to lose weight, but because it makes me happy.

I might also try to offset the pizza-consumption by cooking at home more often and adding more produce and unprocessed food.

And that stack of books I’ve been collecting with every intention of tackling might become part of a regular routine.

Be realistic: For better or worse, my 20’s are behind me. Along the lines of lessons learned, I think I’m ready to break up with my MasterCard. We’ve probably had far too much fun together over the years and it might be time to truly make it “in case of emergencies.” (No. 17.)

Get involved: I love talking to senior adults. And helping animals. Literacy (at any age), homelessness, the environment, mental health and poverty are just a few areas I care very deeply about.

So instead of binge-watching a season of something on Netflix during the weekend, I am committing to volunteering with an area organization at least once a month. Because if I’m able to do more than just cut a couple checks, my hair and donate blood, why not?

It looks as if I’ll have plenty to keep me busy and out of trouble in 2014 (and beyond.) We’ll see how much of it actually sticks and gets accomplished.

Need some resources for encouragement and sticking to your resolutions?

The Fitnessista blogger Gina Harney shares five tips with Stitch Fix to make taking care of yourself a little easier.

Whole Foods has a wealth of information when it comes to healthy eating. They offer expert advice on how to make a sustainable transition to healthier eating habits. (See entries on affordable, batch cooking.)
Regardless of where you shop, their site has a ton of recipes.

More inspiration?

Yoga instructor Nancy Nicholson shared this with our class on Tuesday.

Help Me Believe In Beginnings from the book "Guerillas of Grace" (adapted by NN)

"I’ve known death and birth;

I’ve been brave and scared;

I’ve hurt, I’ve helped;

I’ve been honest, I’ve lied;

I’ve destroyed, I’ve created;

I’ve been with people, I’ve been lonely.

I’ve been loyal, I’ve betrayed.

I’ve decided, I’ve waffled.

I’ve laughed, and I’ve cried.

Help me to make beginnings:

To begin going out of my weary mind into fresh dreams,

daring to make my own bold tracks in the land of now;

to begin questioning the unquestionable that I may know truth;

to begin disciplining that I may create beauty;

to begin sacrificing that I may accomplish justice;

to begin risking that I may make peace;

to begin loving that I may realize joy.

Help me to believe in beginnings, to make a beginning, to be a beginning

so that I may not just grow old, but grow new

each day of this amazing life."

Newly shorn for 2014

Is there a draft in here?

For the first time in more than half a decade, the back of my neck is cold. But, I guess that's to be expected when you part ways with about 18 inches of hair.






This past Saturday I took a trip to Bang Bang Salon, met the highly-recommended stylist DJ Makowski and couldn’t be more pleased with the experience and results.

Localized anesthetic

I showed him my Pinterest board, he asked a few questions about layers, bangs and length, then away we went. It was an easy, chummy hour that we spent together, chatting about football, New Year's resolutions, families, etc.

Quick and painless

"It's like a nearly 19-inch tail..."

 Originally from Buffalo, DJ has been cutting hair practically half his life. He's had Bumble and Bumble razor cutting training, so I had no apprehension when the straight razor came out instead of shears. (And the fact that he himself has great hair also inspires confidence.)

The end result? A ton of body and movement, while still being very sleek. After the mono-length mass I've had for years, the short style feels super light and healthy. DJ understood when I told him I’m not particularly gifted when it comes to styling, so outside of some relatively basic blow-drying, this style doesn’t need much. Added bonus: Even after sleeping on it, it just needs a bit more spray wax and we’re back in business. 

Before we got started, I forgot to mention the part about wanting to be able to pull my hair up, but I'm actually kind of glad. I may not have ended up with something so fun and different if I’d made those kinds of stipulations.

I can pull the top potion into a super-high, tiny ponytail, channeling Pebbles from The Flintstones. But the hair at the nape of my neck is maybe two inches long, tops, and I affectionately call these ‘twee tresses my pin feathers.

So, what did we learn from this little adventure?

1) Washing your hair every third day isn’t disgusting, but actually quite prudent, as it prevents over-drying. "Would you wash your favorite pair of jeans every day?" was the comparison DJ made. His recommendation to clients is at least go every other day, if not longer, between washes.

2) Leave-in conditioner is your friend, it helps prevent breakage and damage. Aveda's “Brilliant: Damage Control” leave-in spray smells like heaven, protects against UV and thermal damage and was so impressive I give bottles of it as gifts. A little goes a long way so the standard 8.5 ounce bottle actually lasts quite awhile.

3) The donation choice has been a tough one. I spent some time trolling the internet and speaking with people who have donated in the past, in an attempt to research different organizations' legitimacy. I listed more in-depth findings here.

There’s a history of breast cancer in my family, so Pantene’s program seemed like a natural choice. At the same time, life is hard enough whether you’re a kid or an adult, but trying to be a kid while facing an illness that causes you to lose your hair? Wigs for Kids will have my postmarked donation as soon as the 18-inch ponytail is fully dry.

Pantene requires a donation of at least eight inches, Wigs for Kids needs 12. I’ll undoubtedly grow to donate again, but who knows if I’ll ever have the patience or ability to grow 12-plus inches again? It will be Pantene’s turn next time.

I must have been really ready: I was a bit surprised by the lack of nerves Saturday and have yet to feel any regret. A coworker asked me which I feel is the more natural, best version of myself: long or short?

At this point, it’s too soon too tell, but I’m very much enjoying the change.

Here’s to a new year.

Thanks friend! See you in eight weeks.

New Year's Day = free career clothing

After two successful donation dates, the Delta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will offer free career clothing to both men and women on New Year's Day. 

In conjunction with the chapter's 79th anniversary, members began gathering gently-used professional clothing in November, with the hope of providing interview attire for unemployed or underemployed individuals in the Charlotte area.

Collectively, roughly 40 men’s and 50 women’s outfits in a variety of sizes were donated. Chapter member Jessica Minter said one gentleman drove more than an hour to make a donation. 

The total number of donations surpassed the chapter's goal of  collecting at least 79 items – the same number of years the local chapter has been in Charlotte – and separate shopping times will be available for men and women. 

All items are free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Men's shopping hours will be 9 a.m. to noon, women's from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Delta Zeta Chapter property, 4248 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.

The Delta Zeta Chapter also partnered with Collins Cleaners to provide complimentary dry cleaning services and a limited amount of vouchers will be distributed during the event.

Details or questions: www.zetasofcharlotte.org.

Read more here: http://cltatyourbest.blogspot.com/2013/11/getting-ahead-of-holidays.html#storylink=cpy

Stylish and stress-free Saturday

Happy Friday. Here are a couple things going on this weekend that will help make a soggy Saturday a bit more lively...

Appropriate timing

Aveda Institute Charlotte is holding a "Stress-Fix" event today and tomorrow which features a number of goodies that include complimentary Stress Fix rituals, complimentary holiday shampoo and style with any purchase, a free Stress-Fix gift with the purchase of any gift set and more.

If you've never tried their Stress-Fix products, they're quite nice. Heavy on the lavender but surprisingly effective. I won't pretend it cures all ails, but I do carry a roller bottle of the concentrate in my Mary Poppins handbag...

Aveda Institute Charlotte
1520 South Blvd. Ste. 150
(704) 333-9940
www.aisouth.com

Holiday grooming

Gentleman, you've got the opportunity to get some grooming upgrades for free at the new Sport Clips location near the Arboretum.

Located at #1700 8206 Providence Road, this is the sixth location to open in the Charlotte area. Jason McManus, owner of the new store, is a Charlotte-area native that says he's planning to open still another local location in the next 12 months.

The new location opened Thursday and will provide free 20-minute “MVP upgrades” - which include a massaging shampoo, hot-steamed towel treatment and neck and shoulder massage - to all new clients who purchase a haircut service.

McManus said special lighting and massaging chairs in the shampoo area promote relaxation,and you can watch football/basketball/hockey/NASCAR throughout your entire visit. Bonus.

Details: haircutmenarboretumcharlottenc.com, 980-237-3322.

Also on Saturday afternoon, "Style Travels" fashion show:

A group of teen models from Acting Out Studios - a local talent development company - will host a fashion show to benefit Bright Blessings, the local organization that provides birthday and Christmas gifts to homeless children and families in Charlotte.

In lieu of an admission charge, attendees can bring a donation for the children of Bright Blessings.

Organizers hope the fashion show will become an annual tradition that will benefit other local charities and non-profits. Because, as their Facebook page states, "(We're) a group of models who've learned beauty isn't clothing or makeup, but the way we give ourselves to others."

Trends from L.A., London, NYC and Paris will be worn by 16 models starting at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at Acting Out Studios, 8154 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte. Additional details here.

Enjoy the weekend.

Soap for Hope

Happy December.

Just because October and November are officially over doesn't mean you can't still care about the cause.

Method, the people against dirty, launched two limited edition soaps aimed at raising awareness (and some research funding) for breast and prostate cancers.

They sent us a sample of the botanical garden scent, which comes in a mustache-bedecked bottle and (despite the name) actually smells mildly masculine. In a good way.

There's also the mimosa sun scent.

Both 12-ounce bottles have a suggested retail price of $3.99 and will be available nationwide through March.

And apparently, these two "designed for good" products are only the most recent installment in Method's series meant to raise awareness of various issues. Previous releases have focused on the ethical treatment of animals - Method products are 100-percent vegan and cruelty-free - the importance of being non-toxic, as well as recycling.

While I've loved Method as a company for years, it's peeving that the brand frequently discontinues products you've already fallen in love with. (Le Scrub soft abrasive bathroom cleaner and the "cut grass" air fragrance capsules, I can't find comparable replacements.)

So if you like these limited-edition soaps, stock up now. At least in this case Method was upfront about the fact they won't be around forever.

Countdown to cut

Growing ridiculously straight hair might be my one natural ability. So it seemed like a no-brainer to grow it out and donate it to a TBD philanthropic group.

But it’s almost embarrassing to admit that course of action started more than half a decade ago. I was barely out of college, single and living in Knoxville. What’s taken so long?

The best excuse I’ve got is laziness, though procrastination is a very close second. 

It started out as having to grow the blonde out of my hair, after reading Locks of Love can’t accept hair that’s been bleached. 

Christmas 2005

Summer 2006

(This entailed a relatively unattractive period of growing roots and slowly cutting all the blonde out. We'll skip that part of the photo album.)

My one requirement for hair length is that I've got to be able to pull it back/up. Locks of Love requires a 10-inch minimum donation in order to be used in a hairpiece, so once I could finally start accumulating length, I still had a long way to go. By this time I was married and we'd moved to Nashville. 

But it slowly started getting longer.

 

And darker.

Titans vs. Ravens 2008 playoffs. 

And because I apparently have the attention span of a fruit fly, I had to tinker with style without losing length, which is how I ended up with bangs for the first time since fourth grade.

Winter 2010

Fall 2011

Thanksgiving 2012

And the longer my hair got, the better care I took of it. Dead ends trimmed every 8 weeks with a pro Aveda repairing/moisturizing treatment, despite having stopped styling with heat. (Sadly, I wasn't this meticulous when I was coloring my hair.)

Under the premise of keeping it healthy enough to donate: I discovered that I can let my hair air dry (no flat iron needed), a single shampoo can last up to three days and Pinterest has endless updos and darling braids to emulate...

Enter the waffling stage.

"I don't know how short I want it/what kind of style to get."

"I heard some of these hair donation organizations aren't as altruistic as they make out to be, I need to do my research first."

"I haven't found a stylist I love yet."

What gives? What happened to being so gung-ho about sharing an abundance of hair with those in need?

Have I subconsciously been derailed by my husband's stated preference for longer hair? Or will cutting my hair short be a symbolic shedding of youth, now that I celebrate the repeated anniversaries of my 29th birthday?

Or have my locks become an adult security blanket by which I've measured some major milestones of my life?

It's likely I'm completely over-thinking this and making it far more difficult than it needs to be, which is pretty typical. Because currently, these strands are nearly at my waist and cutting off  even 15 inches wouldn't bring it above my chin. 

It's almost become a menace. My hair gets stuck in rolling up car windows, coat zippers, under handbag straps. (Pulling it out from under coats/scarves is the ultimate generator of static electricity, which equals immediate and irrational anger.)

Enough.

While I may not have the answers to life's big questions I do know I'm motivated by deadlines and a friend gave me a gift card (about six months ago) for a cut at Plaza Midwood's Bang Bang Salon. (She tells me they offer clients lovely adult beverages that may or may not include vodka.)

So I'm giving myself till the end of the week to make an appointment. And this hair has till the end of 2013 before its tenure is over. 

I'm not particularly enamored with New Year's prompting "fresh starts," but it seems like a fitting deadline. Especially since one of my besties and her husband come to play every NYE, and I'm hoping to time the cut so she can come for moral support.

Yes, change is daunting, especially when you have a look that's been working for you. (For years.) 

But it's not as if more ridiculously straight hair won't grow again.