Toms Shoes wedges

[toms.com]

The philanthropic Toms Shoes have come out with a line of peep-toe wedges called the 'Calypso' just in time for summer. This is exciting news! They're $69, and for every pair sold, a pair is donated to a child in need. Toms calls them "heels with heart."
Available colors include black, light green, yellow, navy stripe, orange stripe and red stripe. They can be purchased now at toms.com, and they're available for pre-order at Nordstrom also with a ship date around the end of June.

H&M festival gear

[H&M]

Next up for H&M is super-cool festival gear for a good cause. This line benefits the Fashion Against AIDS campaign. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds go to youth HIV/AIDS programs.

I'm sure you've seen all of the fashion photos from this year's Coachella. There's definitely a certain rock 'n roll/boho look going on at these music festivals. Appropriately enough, Lou Doillon and Elizabeth Jagger are the campaign's models.

The collection includes tents, ponchos, sleeping bags, fringe and more. Check out the rest of the collection here (I'm loving that orange leopard dress!). Even if you aren't making the U.K.'s Glastonbury or Tennessee's Bonnaroo this year, there's no reason not to stock up on these fabulously affordable items. The line hits stores on May 20.

Earth Day wear

[hm.com]

Happy Earth Day! Being fashionably green is easy with so many fabulous options out there. I still love H&M's eco-friendly Garden Collection, which I wrote about here. I got the above dress for the bargain price of $14.95. It's a bit sheer, but I have a little neutral slip that works well under it.
[nordstrom.com]

Edun's 'Icarus Kading' dress from Nordstrom is made from organic cotton. It's on the pricey side at $125, but at least it's earth-friendly! Edun was launched by Bono and his wife, Ali Hewson to benefit Africa. [forever21.com]

Forever 21 is selling graphic tees from different cities around the world to show that we are one. Purchase the 'We are One Tank,' and a portion of the proceeds help to bring clean water to the people of Northern Kenya. I adore the Italy 'Ciao Bella' tee. I don't think they're organic cotton, but they're also giving away reusable water bottles with a $40 purchase.

One Day Without Shoes

[nordstrom.com]

I've been trying to take my heels off throughout the day for TOMS Shoes One Day Without Shoes. For every pair of TOMS purchased, they will donate a pair to a child in need. Toms.com says, "We are asking people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes firsthand, and to help spread awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child's life."

I've never had a pair of TOMS, but I think I'm going to buy this very fun pair called 'Cultural Anthropology' from Nordstrom ($54.95). They're made of recycled twill.

H&M's The Garden Collection

[all photos from hm.com]

I'm having flashbacks to last spring when I anxiously awaited the arrival of Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M. This spring H&M is doing something even more affordable and Earth-friendly with The Garden Collection. Everything is made sustainable materials including recycled polyester and organic cotton. What's there not to like about great looking clothes for a good cause?

This feminine, colorful collection will be in stores at the end of March. The pieces are colorful and fun. I'm definitely a dress girl, and there are plenty of those in the collection. Here are a few of my favorites...

Check out a list of the very affordable prices here.

Golden Globe fashion, etc.

[yahoo.com]

It was a rainy night in L.A. last night, so everyone was sporting umbrellas on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards. They've always been my favorite show of awards season because everyone is less uptight (and a little drunker) and more fun. TV and movie people are all schmoozing together in one room. Ricky Gervais hosted last night and told a few jokes at the actors' expense.
[yahoo.com]

Despite the revelry, almost every celeb was wearing a "Remember Haiti" ribbon. It was announced that George Clooney is holding a telethon to raise money on Friday. That, my friends, is why everyone loves that man!

Now for the fashion. Here are my favorites of the night...

[yahoo.com]

-Asymmetrical necklines
The common theme of the night seemed to be an asymmetrical neckline. Crazy Heart's Maggie Gyllenhaal wore a lovely peach RM Roland Mouret gown. Nine's Marion Cotillard wore a one-shoulder green satin Christian Dior gown. Award winner Drew Barrymore for her role in Grey Gardens wore a nude one-shoulder Atelier Versace gown. Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman and Amy Adams also wore skewed necklines of some sort.
[yahoo.com]

-Sandra Bullock
The Best Actress winner for her role in The Blind Side had the best color choice in a jewel-toned purple chiffon strapless Bottega Veneta gown. 2009 was definitely her year!
[yahoo.com]

-Sparkly awards
House actress Olivia Wilde wore a sparkly silver-black Gucci gown for a sleek look that appeared to be comfortable too (she's also auctioning her dress to help Haiti). Toni Collette wore a glam gold Elie Saab dress. Felicity Huffman's lovely peach gown had some serious sparkle around the neck. True Blood's Anna Paquin wore a daring plunging Stella McCartney gown.

[yahoo.com]

-Ladies in black
A lot of women wore black dresses, which if you ask me, is smart because everyone knows that black is the most flattering color. Award winner Meryl Streep wore a flattering belted black dress. Helen Mirren looked fabulous in a black, sparkly gown. Jennifer Aniston wore a black asymmetrical dress with a thigh-high slit. Up in the Air's Vera Farmiga also wore a strapless black gown. Mad Men's January Jones wore Lanvin with a polished up-do and black headband. Lea Michelle of Glee wore a dramatic, sweeping black Oscar de la Renta gown.

[yahoo.com]

Where there are favorites, there must be least favorites...

-Mariah Carey. I just have one word for her skin-tight black Hervé Léger dress: yikes!
-Lauren Graham. I think I'm just very picky about satin. It has to be just right to avoid the dreaded bridesmaid look. Graham did not succeed, plus it looks wrinkled.
-Cameron Diaz. Her red satin Alexander McQueen dress was boring and looked too old for her. She unfortunately paired it with a shade of lipstick that didn't match.
-Kristin Bell. Her short white dress seemed out of place. She does get extra credit for not pairing it with white shoes like Kate Hudson did with her Marchesa gown.

-Chloe Sevigny. The winner for role in Big Love wore a bold lilac Valentino dress. I've always admired her risk-taking, but I would have chosen something more flattering.

On another note, Julia Roberts' ego seemed to be in rare form last night. On the red carpet she stood with Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson and didn't let either of them get a word in edgewise. I didn't know if she had one too many glasses of champagne or what. She also wore a black YSL cocktail dress that would've been great for a, uh, cocktail party.

I thought that Jeff Bridges of Crazy Heart and Precious's Mo'Nique had the best acceptance speeches. I really hope that Crazy Heart comes out here soon. It was also great to see James Cameron's Avatar win. I saw the movie yesterday, and it was amazing. The Hangover won for Best Comedy. It's a hilarious movie, but that was a definite upset. That's why these shows are so exciting!

Retailers help Haiti

Everyday I get e-mails from Ruelala about their daily boutiques. They sell designer products at great prices. Today I was very touched by the company's e-mail. CEO Ben Fischman wrote...

Rue La La joins the rest of the world in grieving the tremendous losses to the people of Haiti. Out of respect for those who have lost loved ones, their shelter, and life's basic necessities in this tragedy, we cannot stand by while relief efforts are underway without taking action. We are halting our Boutiques from now until Saturday at 8AM ET. We ask that instead you take this time - as we are - to make a donation to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Effort.

The company also put a link to donate on their landing page, ruelala.com.

I also received an e-mail from New York City-based Fishs Eddy saying that they are donating 10% of sales to the American Red Cross.

Visit the American Red Cross here to donate to Haiti Relief and Development. Every little bit will help.

Lady Gaga & Cyndi Lauper for M.A.C.

[Chic Report]

Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper are the faces for M.A.C.'s spring 2010 Viva Glam campaign to benefit AIDS. Viva Glam Gaga and Viva Glam Cyndi lipstick will be sold for $14 each. All proceeds will go to AIDS.

I like this photo of these two. Gaga doesn't have on any scary makeup like red shadow, which she wore to meet the Queen of England. Maybe this means that Gaga's color will be pink, and Lauper's will be more red? I hope! The Viva Glam colors are usually very neutral. The lipstick goes on sale on March 18.

Smashbox Wish products

[Ulta.com]

Smashbox has some great deals on box sets and palettes, but I think the Wish collection might be their best offer yet. They're offering six different WISH gift sets - $1 of each sale benefits the Children's Miracle Network. Buy an amazing holiday gift and give to a good cause...what more could you ask for?

My favorite (and the best deal by far in my opinion) is the 'WISH for the perfect palette' set. For $59 ($225 value) you get 64 eye shadows, 8 cream eye liners, 6 brow tech powders, 1 brow wax, 8 lip glosses, 2 blushes, 1 complexion brightener, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter, 4 mini brushes (shadow, liner, brow & lip). Unbelievable!

The other sets are:
Wish Eye Palette, $44 ($234 value)
Wish for the Perfect Tools, $49
Wish for the Perfect Pout, $29 ($96 value)
Wish for a Flawless Complexion Set, $39 ($52 value)
Wish for the Stars, $20

Lust: John Hardy Palu Macan Tiger collection

[jrdunn.com]

I'm a big John Hardy fan. Though I've had a few issues with some of his pieces, and they had to be sent back to Bali (where their main workshop is located) to be repaired, I think that the company does beautiful work. I have a lot of pieces from the Kali collection. They're all very wearable. Right now I'm obsessed with the Palu Macan Tiger collection.

My favorite pieces in the Palu Macan collection are the silver kick cuff ($895), dome ring ($495) and medium twist chain bracelet ($495). Though I'm very into gold jewelry at the moment, the sterling silver tiger design is unique and beautiful. Plus, it would go well with my other Hardy pieces.

According to johnhardy.com, Macan means tiger in Balinese. It is the symbol of "courage, passion and triumph over the impossible." Hardy moved to Bali in 1975 where he studied Balinese jewelry making. He formed the company in 1989. Then in 1998, Hardy hired Guy Bedarida from Van Cleef & Arpels as head designer. In 2007, Hardy retired and sold the company to Damien Dernoncourt and Bedarida.

The company is very green and earth-friendly too. Who doesn't love that? In 2006, they launched their Sustainable Advertising Program where they calculate carbon emissions associated with their print ads then plant the equivalent number of bamboo trees in Bali. They also plant bamboo for every piece in sold in the lovely bamboo collection.

My local jewelry store Fink's sent me a gift card for $100 off $500 purchase of John Hardy (hence the reason this falls in the budget category too!). So tempting. They're also hosting an event in Richmond where you can meet Bedarida on Saturday, November 7 at Short Pump Town Center where he will talk about his inspirations for the pieces in the 2009 fall collection. He will also autograph any piece purchased at the event.

Fab Breast Cancer Awareness Month buys

[saksfifthavenue.com/toryburch.com/dickssportinggoods.com/kitchenaid.com]

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (http://www.nbcam.org/). Many retailers are donating proceeds from their products to support the cause. Here are a few fabulous and, most importantly, supportive finds...

-Saks Fifth Avenue is donating over $30 of the Michael Kors-designed 'Key to the Cure' tee, modeled by Heidi Klum, to local women's cancer charities. It's available for $40. Saks is also donating 2% of their sales (up to $250,000) this weekend, 10/15-10/18, to local and national women's cancer charity partners. How great is that? They're also having a 25% off friends and family sale online with the code FRIENDS2.

-Tory Burch is donating 15% of sales of the adorable hot pink 'Colin Vest' ($295) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The vest features Tory's signature gold logo buttons.

-A portion of the proceeds of the North Face's cozy 'Pink Ribbon Khumbu' jacket will go to Boarding for Breast Cancer. Dick's Sporting Goods is selling the jacket for $80.

-KitchenAid is donating $50 for each pink Cook for the Cure Edition Stand Mixer purchased and registered to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Plus, they've pledged to donate a minimum of $500,000 to the Komen foundation in 2009 with their pink collection.