Gift Guide #2: Gifts that Give Back

The holiday season is about giving, and here are some presents that do double duty. Each product in today's gift guide benefits charity in some way, so you don't have to feel guilty if you have a few To: me, From: me gifts under the tree.

1.) Rachel Roy UNICEF Charity Tote (Shopbop, $20): After designer Rachel Roy heard about the recent floods in Pakistan that affected over 10 million children, she teamed up with UNICEF to design a tote for the cause. For each bag sold Roy will donate $20 to the US Fund for UNICEF in support of flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

2.) Tory Burch Foundation Studded Cuff (Tory Burch, $95): These colorful bangles with metallic studs are so popular, the Tory Burch website already sold out! If you're dying for one of these bracelets that benefits the Tory Burch Foundation, give customer service a call at 1-866-480-8679--they assured me that all colors can still be found in stores and would be more than happy to ship them through the mail.

3.) Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream (The Body Shop, $7): The Body Shop's moisturizing cream does more than leave hands soft, 100% of the proceeds from the product go to ECPAT International, a nonprofit that focuses on combating and raising awareness of sex trafficking of children and young people.

4.) Silver Morocco Women's Classics (Tom's Shoes, $54): In 2006 Blake Mycoskie created Toms Shoes, a for-profit company with a mentality of giving. After spending time with children in Argentina, Mycoskie was struck by how many could not afford shoes, and pledged to help the situation. Toms shoes operates under the motto "one for one," for every pair of shoes, like these chic silver morocco classics, the company donates a pair to a child in need.

5.) Brass Wrapped Circle Earrings (Ten Thousand Villages, $24): I've written about Ten Thousand Villages on this blog before, but it is such a great non-profit, I can't help but include it in this post. Ten Thousand Villages is one of the world's largest fair trade organizations and focuses on improving the lives of artisans in over 35 countries. These particular earrings were handcrafted by jewelry artisans in Mombasa, Kenya.

Trick-or-Treat Tote

In my book, Halloween preparation begins October 1. We have pumpkins on our kitchen table, candy corn in our cabinets, and I've already started planning my costume. Nothing's better than spooky fun that supports a great cause, so I was super excited to hear about Feed's latest collaboration.

Feed co-founders Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson recently teamed up with the Home Shopping Network to create a chic Trick-or-Treat tote benefiting UNICEF. The bag, sold on HSN.com retails for $13.20 with $3.50 from each purchase going toward UNICEF nutrition programs-enough to supply a child with micronutrient powder for one year. 

Readers--Do you have Halloween plans?

Back to School Book Bags

As my first full week of senior year comes to a close, I'm slowly easing back into the routine of school. Unfortunately, my schedule requires that I lug around a laptop, planner and numerous school books at all times. If you have to study hard, you might as well look good doing it, right? These are my top picks for a chic book bag:

1.) Marc by Marc Jacobs Nylon Tate Tote ($198)
2.) Feed Bag Large Ikat Tote ($39.50) For each bag purchased, Lord and Taylor will donate $3.50 to UNICEF in support of nutrition programs in Guatemala.
3.) Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote ($145)
4.) Urban Outfitters Briefcase Bag ($158)
5.) Topshop Contrast Strap Satchel ($90)
6.) Gap Leather Tassel Tote ($98)



Or, if none of my above choices strike your fancy, try this Red Cross Bag. I love mine!