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...

Oscar trends most likely to be seen around CLT

(Full disclosure: This mainly has to do with hair and makeup, as dresses are entirely their own category. Though, not sure about anyone else, I preferred a lot of the "after-party" gowns to what was worn on the red carpet. But that's another story...)

Soft, unstructured and sweet. These are elements from the 2014 Oscars that local experts believe will carry forward, particularly in Charlotte.

 There’s always at least one beloved or trending element - hair, makeup, dress style - that gets recreated by the masses after the red carpet gets rolled back up.

Old Hollywood glamour is expected to be a big request with everyone from women attending special events to teens for the upcoming prom season.

Sandra Bullock, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lawrence were the celebs named most frequently by local stylists for representing the night’s best.

“Everything was sweeter this year, very soft and ethereal looking, almost like it could have been from ‘Frozen’,” said Tonya Reid, owner and stylist at T. Reid & Company in Dilworth.

A refreshing change from the perfect doughnut buns and sky-high ponytails of past seasons were the long, relatively simple styles at the Oscars, Reid said.

“I noticed the trends are changing, things are not as severe.”

The hair

“Every year, post-award season, we definitely see more and more photos coming in of celeb styles from different red carpet looks,” said Terra Hines, stylist at Varji & Varji Salon & Spa in SouthPark.

The Academy Awards appear to be the event that bring out elegance in the stars, Hines said, noting  Margot Robbie was another who wore their hair in a way she believes will be replicated around Charlotte in the coming months.

“The biggest trend that I noticed this year were the stars wearing their hair down, curled and either pinned and tucked to the side or tucked behind an ear,” she said.

This trend isn’t entirely new, Hines said, but a recurring classic. Last year, she had several clients request similar side-swept, curled looks, particularly the style Jennifer Lopez wore at the 2013 Golden Globes, she said.

But the loose, long curls and wavy styles will be considerably different among the younger crowd, Hines said, after requests for lots of braids dominated prom season in Charlotte. “When it comes to prom last year, the largest influences came from “The Hunger Games” styles.”

Reid doesn’t believe braids have come to an end, but will be a way for the prom set to give texture to the side-swept styles. “Or you could put a pretty brooch or something sparkly (where the hair gets secured at one side), which could really play it up,” she said.

"Or y could take that side of the hair and do a chain of knots or loops ... There are ways you could make it a little more interesting,playful and youthful."

For those with shorter hair, local experts said Jennifer Lawrence's red carpet pompadour up-style impressed on a number of levels.

Chelsea Below, a stylist with Shine Salon in Elizabeth, said the volume in the front JLaw’s 2014 Oscar style “was really different” and gave great inspiration for a formal, but playful and temporary, change.

“We’re seeing a trend toward shorter styles. That (could) be a challenge with prom to see how to change it up.”

And volume isn’t just for those with shorter hair, Below said, but all lengths and ages. “We’re seeing a lot more volume than a couple years ago. Instead of sleek, straight hair, there’s move volume, waves, (in styles) up or down.”

Jennifer Misenheimer is one of two stylists at Escape Hair & Skin Studio in SouthEnd who mainly does special occasion styles,  such as prom and weddings. Hands down, Lawrence wore the next hottest trend with her tousled crop, Mishenheimer said.

“It’s between a bob and pixie cut, between the shoulder and jawline,” she said. Unlike a traditional bob, the perimeter of trending crop cuts remains one length with choppy, textured layers.

JLaw also disproved the misconception that updos are impossible with shorter lengths, Misenheimer said. “There are a lot of interesting new twists to put waves in and tease short hair."

“With the shorter haircut, we’re starting to see a lot of clients warm up as celebrities do it. There’s been long hair for awhile, and it will stay a trend, but my more fashion-forward clients are going towards these cuts.”

Especially for those who dare the seriously short styles, Misenheimer said, hair accessories are expected to grow in popularity, thanks to Lupita Nyong’o’s “fabulous” jeweled headband.

The Makeup

What was noticeable about Oscar makeup is that it wasn’t, said Kenna Ehman, a stylist and makeup artist at the Hearst Tower location of Modern Salon & Spa.

“In general there were a lot of very soft nude lips, not a lot of blush, but very natural,” she said.

Proving popular was an abundance of “really accentuated” lashes - real or false - with smokey eyes using natural tones of shadows or cat eyes using only liner and no shadow, she said.

“Very pretty but not over the top, it looks like they did their own hair and makeup even though you know they didn’t,” she said. “It’s very re-creatable, which is awesome.”

Misenheimer agreed, citing Bullock again as an example. “You didn’t see very bold looks, everyone was looking more natural, with softer looks.”

And the men?

"I'm not sure about men with hombre hair," Misenheimer said with a laugh.
"But if anyone can do it, Jared Leto can," she said of his subtle two-tone locks.

Another surprising trendsetter for men was Johnny Weir and his pompadour, Misenheimer said.

"Johnny looked quirky and right on trend." She's noticed a number of male models who have updated the style of shorter/shaved on the sides with a longer, often slicked-back length over the top turning to blow-outs for yes, more volume.

Expect to see more pompadour in edgier men's fashion, she said, and even on the local hipster scene.

Honorable mentions

Color has to be considered, Misenheimer said, citing Liza Minnelli's cobalt blue streak and Kelly Osbourne's continued work in pastel lavender.

"How bold is that to wear something like that to the Oscars, where it's all glamour? Those two were great."

While pastels have been popular in hair for some time, Misenheimer said she expects to see more bold colors like Minnelli's, as a nod to the returning  90's styles, particularly in Charlotte.

"I've got clients wanting streaks and panels of bold colors. It's right on trend."

Scarves, snow boots and Rodarte's 'Star Wars' dresses

This #snowpocalypse isn't expected to be nearly as cold as the last.

But an official "winter storm warning" goes into effect at 6 p.m., so it seems a festive occasion to consider layering up, snow gear, etc.

Daily Worth has put together eight shop-able slides on what to wear when you want warmth without "frump."

Personally, I can't be without some type of scarf at all times, so extra love for scarves.net's "Scarf Knot Library." (It's been around on Pinterest for ages, but this seems the perfect time to break out a refresher on the double-knot or the double-wrap neck knot.)

Who needs bread and milk?

And I'm probably more excited than necessary about finally getting a true test of the new snow boots.

To be fair, I spent more than a year debating these boots. I read a review - around Christmas 2012 - that these were the best boots for winter travel: waterproof, warm and super lightweight in a suitcase.

I've still got family in Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin, all places that see plenty of snow. So it seemed prudent (at some point) to get a pair of travel-friendly boots.

There's a cozy inner-liner (see the plaid bits) that slips in and out of the boot and the outer boot casing can fold in half/flat. So I put them on my Amazon wish list and got emails about price fluctuations for months.

I think it might have been August or September, but at one point they were nearly half the price of when I'd started eyeballing them. That was finally permission to purchase.

Oh, Teva, you're about so much more than just sandals.

During the year's previous "snow event," the parking lot of my apartment complex was pure treachery. It was hardly an inch of snow, but the feet stayed warm, dry and the tread kept me from falling on my face.

We'll see how they hold up to the predicted 6.5 inches we're allegedly in for.

And if the impending winter weather hasn't made Charlotte feel enough like an alternate universe for you, check out the Star Wars dresses that Rodarte had on the runway today at #NWFW, courtesy of (British) Vogue.

Yes to the Death Star

Be safe and stay warm!