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Shopping for a cause
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cindy Hume and Sarah Bass check out a display of earrings at the Posh Moms shopping event, which benefited Reconnecting Families.
Pat and Jim Leake didn’t need to hit the malls for post-Thanksgiving shopping. A mini-mall of sorts came to them.
The couple’s Marietta home was full of holiday cheer — and holiday shopping — Monday night. A display of earrings had taken over one of the kitchen counters. Personalized greeting card samples covered the piano. There were racks of shoes and handbags, cutesy nibbles and a bottle of wine or two, or three.
“It’s always nice to have people over,” a good-natured Jim Leake said, as an army of women descended on the vendors set up in his living room, dining room and kitchen.
Pat and Jim Leake graciously opened their home to an army of shopping women
Coordinated by Jennifer Shields and Shannon Masterson of Posh Mom Events, the private shopping night featured specialty items from a number of local businesses, and benefited Reconnecting Families. The program, in partnership with the Cobb County Juvenile Drug Court to help families affected by substance abuse will receive a portion of the evening’s proceeds.
“We put those families back together,” Judge Juanita Stedman said. “It is our privilege to be part of their lives.”
During her remarks Judge Stedman mentioned one young client the program has worked with, a teenager named Bonnie
Cindy Rozen and Kerri Merriman shopped for a cause at the Posh Mom event
We visited with shoppers Sarah Bass, Cindy Hume, Kerri Merriman and Cindy Rozen. Vendor Margie Verdon of Six Beans, a gourmet food retailer, said participating in the event meshes with the guiding principles of the company she and Amy Waldner operate.
“Amy and I are both mothers of small children,” Verdon said. “One of our missions has been to give back.”
Margie Verdon of Six Beans says giving back is part of her business.
Other participating vendors included Ann Roth Shoes, Jewelry by Designs by Gal Pals, Jewelry by Jen Boaz, Handbags by Sage Sacks, Three Cute Mamas stationery, BonBons Confectionery and Signature Stylus concierge service
Alyson Hoag of Authentic Beauty provided makeup touch-ups.
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Do you regift? Get ready for National Regifting Day!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There are only 16 non-shopping days left before National Regifting Day, which is Dec. 18.
The “official” holiday was created three years ago by a debt-counseling group called Money Management International as a way of espousing recycling and avoiding debt.
But of course, regifting has been going on forever, whether it’s the passing down of a family heirloom or putting an unwanted wedding present in a fresh gift bag.
Some families have a fun “white elephant” tradition, where the same gag gift gets passed around from year to year.
Then there are families, like the eccentric clan I married into, that see no problem passing off slightly used merchandise as new. This practice runs into problems when the regifted items have other people’s monograms on them, or inscriptions from the original givers to the intended recipients. Or when you enter the realm of Extreme Regifting - actually returning the very item to someone that they originally gave to you.
On the other hand, I’ve received items from friends that I’m pretty sure were regifts, but have enjoyed them nonetheless. I restrict my regifting to bringing a bottle of wine as a hostess gift that I’ve received as a hostess gift. And I do reuse gift bags.
The creators of National Regifting Day have come up with some handy guidelines: avoid regifting used, signed or mongrammed gifts. Pick something the recipient will enjoy. Rewrap in nice, new paper.
Or better yet, donated those unwanted items to charity.
Do you regift? What’s your policy on what makes an acceptable regifted item. Have you ever received an obviously regifted present?
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High-society hounds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jane Fonda = fab. Jane Fonda + dog = way fab. Photo by Ben Rose.
Talk about party animals.
I’m noticing a cuddly trend in some of the pix we get promoting charity events. It seems a fabulous picture gets even more so when a photogenic Fido enters the frame.
The photo above shows actress-philanthropist Jane Fonda and Tulea, her Coton de Tulear (along with two-legged buddies Sona Chambers, left, and Chloe Taylor Brown) at a recent private shopping night at Tootsies. The event benefited Fonda’s charity, G-CAPP.
(We’re told Fonda’s furry friend took in the fashion show portion of the evening from atop the mink coat laid upon the lap of a fellow patron, and was well-behaved and charming throughout the evening.)
Fonda’s not alone in enjoying four-legged companionship during charity bashes. Atlanta real estate legend Jenny Pruitt posed with her two lovelies at an event to benefit Chastain Horse Park’s therapeutic riding program.
Jenny Pruitt, left, and Chastain Horse Park President Amy Lance with Jenny’s Shi Tzus, Molly and Murphy and one of the horses involved in the therapeutic riding program. Photo by Kim Link.
Braves manager Bobby Cox and players Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann all posed with their pooches to promote Bets for Pets, benefiting the Homeless Pets Foundation.
Jeff Francoeur and Brody, a King Cavalier Charles Spaniel. Photos courtesy of the Atlanta Braves
Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur and their best friends
Braves Manager Bobby Cox and his four-legged pals. Photo by Colby Kidd
And check out the handsome fellows in this picture showing the chairs of last month’s benefit for the fourth annual New Leash on Life benefit.
Sandra Baldwin, left, and Tony Conway, chaired the fourth annual New Leash on Life event. David York, top, was honorary chair. Photo by Jim Fitts
Rhonda Milner, with Petey, helped with last year’s New Leash event. She’s shown here with David York as well.
Finally, here’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Remington Rainer in the arms of human companion Kathy Rainer, along with member of the committee planning the Peachtree Garden Club Christmas Home Tour.
The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and features four classic Buckhead homes, including the Rainer residence.
From left, Barbara Harkey, sponsor Jody Abstance, tour chair Jan Stair, Lynne Lowance and Kathy Rainer, with King Charles Cavalier Remington Rainer.
The tour commemorates the Peachtree Garden Club’s 85th anniversary and is sponsored by Dorsey Alston, Realtors and president Jody Abstance.
Proceeds will benefit the Swan Woods Trail at the Atlanta History Center and a scholarship in Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia in memory of famed local architect Neel Reid.
Admission is a $20 donation in advance or $25 at the door. For info see peachtreegardenclub@gmail.com.
Remington would love to see you there.
Is your dog a diva? Does your pooch like to party? Send me a picture! butterfly@ajc.com
Here are a few that have rolled in - keep them coming!
Diana Mohs says Dash, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, “loves to party and will literally dance for a bowlful of crushed ice.”
Ryan Sepanski says his dog, Jake, likes to break out the outerwear when it gets cold. Note the cute little hat and matching parka. Do you accessorize this well?
Here’s another Jake. His owner says that as this Jake approaches age 13, he’s reached “semi-retired bliss” where he wags his tail as exercise, then spends his time napping in the sun. For variety he naps in the shade or on a pillow. We should all have it so good!
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Toy Party is this Sunday, Dec. 7!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stephanie Keal, from left, Alison Hall, Jorge Esteban and For the Kid in All of Us president Frank Bragg at the patron event for this Sunday’s Toy Party. Photo by Eric Bryant.
For the Kid in All of Us, which delivers holiday gifts to children served by a number of area shelters, welcomed patrons and corporate sponsors at a recent bash at the Bill Lowe Gallery.
The annual Toy Party will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. this Sunday, Dec. 7, at AmericasMart Atlanta downtown. It features food, drinks and a fantastic silent auction - while benefiting children in need throughout metro Atlanta and beyond.
More than 200 guests attended the patron event, enjoying a spread from Gloriosa Designs and taking in the gallery’s most recent installations from Gabriele Schnitzenbaumer and Hyunmee Lee.
This Sunday’s party will feature a silent auction of more than 200 items with a value of nearly $80,000.
Items include round-trip tickets from presenting sponsor Delta, along with tickets on as well as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and mountain cabin and beach home vacations, cooking classes and gift certificates to local area businesses and restaurants.
Then there’s a special “mystery gift” from Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Entry into the event is one new, unwrapped toy or gift card of $15 or greater value. Organizers challenge guests to be extra-generous this year, with so many in need. And “holiday cocktail” attire is suggested.
Funds raised through The Toy Party & Silent Auction will benefit 15 Atlanta and North Georgia agencies that serve Georgia’s children in need.
For more information see the group’s web site.
Tony Lewis, from left, Neal Rhoney, Sam Morgan and Jeff Mifsud at the patron party preceding this Sunday’s Toy Party and Silent Auction. Photo by Eric Bryant.
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Do you shop for charity?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I
No lines, no shoving: the at-home alternative to mall madness.
It seems Black Friday was a bit subdued this year, and at some places the AJC visited on Saturday, clerks outnumbered customers.
Liquidators aren’t having much luck moving merchandise, although e-tailers are gearing up for what they hope will be a robust Cyber Monday.
I’m invited to a private shopping event Monday night. Held in someone’s home, the event features wares from a number of small-business owners. And it will benefit charity. A portion of sales will be donated to an organization called Reconnecting Families, which works with people whose lives have been affected by drug abuse.
With everyone keeping a close eye on their wallets these days, I’m interested to witness this low-key alternative to mall madness. We’ve all been to home parties where the hostess was hawking products from Pampered Chef, Southern Living at Home, Arbonne and the like.
The idea of introducing a charitable angle during uncertain economic times is interesting, and we’ll see whether that impacts how many items are sold. Stay tuned.
Would you be more willing to spend money this holiday season if you knew a portion of your dollars would benefit charity?
Have you shopped at similar at-home parties, or hosted one? Do you feel pressured into buying stuff you don’t need, or do you enjoy the personal attention of at-home commerce?
Merchants, does the at-home business model impact your bottom line?
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