My Birthday Wish

It's my birthday! And isn't Mother Nature pulling the biggest April Fool trick ever? This will be a birthday to remember, not only for me, but for Ali MacGraw, and all of the other Pisces and Aries peeps in the world. I for one, call for a half birthday celebration in the future. This year my birthday wish is for you all to support fashion brands that are supporting our current Coronavirus Crisis. I know that shopping isn't top priority right now. But if you need {want} to make a purchase, start here first.

  

Nordstrom
The Seattle-based department store is working with Kaas Tailored and its teams in California, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. They will sew more than 100,000 masks that will be given to the company to use for sanitation purposes as it continues to stay open. Nordstrom will also donate masks to Providence Health and Services, and it’s been giving to local charities like Seattle Foundation and Youth Care.  Nordstrom happens to be having a big Spring Sale now, so 
it's a good time to shop!

Nike
Nike has pledged a total of more than $15 million to help fight COVID-19, including major donations to the Oregon Food Bank, the Oregon Community Recovery Fund, and the Oregon Health and Service University. The Nike Foundation is giving $1 million to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, as well as to various response funds around the world.

Coach 
In the spirit of giving back and lifting up their community, The Coach Foundation—in partnership with Goldman Sachs and New York City—is a founding partner of NYC’s Small Business Continuity Fund to help the most vulnerable businesses affected by COVID-19. They have committed $2 million to this fund to help the places and the people that make New York the vibrant and unique community
 it is today.

 

Brooks Brothers

America’s oldest retailer, today announced its response to the urgent call from the White House and other state and local leaders for medical supplies. The Company is in the process of converting its' New York, North Carolina, and Massachusetts factories from manufacturing ties, shirts and suits, to now making masks and gowns.

Gap
 The Gap Foundation will be donating over $1 million to local, state, national and international non-profit organizations. In addition, a small and mighty team in the company connected their expansive global supply chain and longstanding suppliers with California hospital networks. These include Sutter Health and Kaiser, to deliver millions of PPE – specifically masks and protective gowns and goggles. 

Alice + Olivia

Fashion label Alice + Olivia is teaming with No Kid Hungry to combat COVID-19, donating 10 percent of online sales back to the organization. It's a good time to shop her website. Everything is reduced by 25% - 30%. 

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Shop To Support Small Businesses

Feeling Blue?

So how is everyone doing by now? I hope that you are feeling good about yourself. The health of the world and those you love is in the hands of each and every one of us. If you are feeling blue, I have some links for you. The purpose of the post is to spark joy. I do hope that you enjoy.

 

Something to look forward to: Astrology is about cycles, and we’re in a tough one. But through it all, remember to nurture yourselves and each other. I am happy to see that there is some joy ahead for me. I hope for you, as well.  Remember, we’re all in this together!  

Alternative Viewing

“Art is the lie that enables us to realize 

the truth.” – Pablo Picasso 

Missing beauty, art, and culture? Now you can discover the galleries and institutions that are helping us digitally reconnect with art, design 

and one another.

The Webster

Box Of Style By Rachel Zoe

Since the Easter Bunny won't be hand delivering baskets this year, a beautiful box filled with goodies, delivered to her door, is a good idea. Almost all girls of any age would love Rachel's Spring Box. For a limited time save $25 and receive your choice of a free gift.  It really is

 joy in a box.

Use Code: SPRING25

Strike a Pose! Why Madonna’s “Vogue” Is Still Relevant 

30 Years Later. 

Her music still makes me happy. Listen and get up and dance! And yes, I need a "holiday!" Don't we all?

8 Ways to Feel Joy and Find Support

While Social Distancing

Feeling Like A Sloth these Days? The Upside of Doing Nothing.....a good article to read if you are feeling guilty.

No Hungry Kid 

Nothing gives me more joy than giving to others.  No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. No Hungry Kid ensures that millions of kids get the meals they need during school closures. William's Sonoma makes it 

easy to give. Details at

Williams Sonoma

 How To Host 

A Digital Dinner Party

We were recently invited to a virtual happy hour. It didn't work out, but I loved the idea. Here's another idea, that's very clever, and officially "a thing." It eliminates hunger and loneliness at the same time. See how at 

Williams Sonoma

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Shop To Support Small Businesses

Foodie Friday: Let Them Eat Cake!

Every year on the Friday nearest my birthday, I like to do a post featuring cakes. If you know me, I live for cake. The truth is, I don't think I have had a piece since a special wedding last July. So I am really looking forward to my own birthday cake next week. Poor Pisces people and those of us born under the Aires sign, are missing  our celebrations this year. The least we can do is bake our own cake and eat it, too!  Now, which cake looks calorie worthy to you?

 

Chocolate Coconut Raspberry Cake –Vegan and Gluten Free

How gorgeous is this cake? That fluffy raspberry frosting along with the chocolate ganache looks so very lickable!

Heather Christo

Wild Strawberry & Lemon Verbena Layer Cake

This special cake starts with a box of white cake mix but is improved upon with additions of sugar, flour, sour cream and delicious flavorings. Almost homemade.

Sprinkle Bakes

S'Mores Dessert Layer Cake

Now we can have our favorite taste of Summer in Spring. This to me would be heaven on a plate. Now who has a torch I can borrow?

The Seaside Baker

Bursting Blueberry Lemon Layer Cake

According to Tieghan, this recipe is a combination of a fluffy vanilla cake, lemon cake, and blueberry cake. It’s so moist, just perfectly sweet, and has a hint of lemon flavor throughout. Yum!

Half Baked Harvest

Huckleberry Lemon Verbena Tea Cake {gluten-free}

Here's a recipe for pound cake lovers. It is said to have pillowy texture with a light and bright flavor.

BonJon Gourmet

Key Lime Cake & Cocktail

Oh yes, please, I'll have my cake and drink it, too! This recipe creates a fluffy citrus dessert that's made with lime rum cream, lime zest, and a boozy drizzle icing. Cheers! 

Two Cups Flower

Peanut Butter & Jelly Lava Cakes

PB & J nirvana! It's warm, creamy, and oh so gooey.

Baking A Moment

Cookie Dough Cake

Got a sweet tooth? This cake is for you! These 3 layers are stacked and smothered in cookie dough buttercream then doused in silky chocolate ganache. Yummy!

Butternut Bakery

Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Oh my! This one has my name all over it. There is no better dessert duo than Peanut Butter and Chocolate. 

Taste Of Home

Tiramisu Cake

This recipe gives you a caffeine fix with a boozy kick!

Baking A Moment

Ina's Chocolate Cake

Is this not the perfect looking cake? Click the link or photo to listen to Ina Garten's calming voice give you a step by step tutorial. 

Food Network

Bakewell Cake

The inside of this cake is so moist looking, and almost as pretty as the outside! The flavor is raspberry almond. Special!

Liv For Cake

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Foodie Friday: Let Them ( Me ) Eat Cake

Keep It Clean

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.” We are the world, and we all are in harms way in our current situation. There are several things we can do: stay home, social distance, and keep our hands, body, and homes clean. Washing our hands is a necessity, but it can be a pleasure, too. Here's a round up of products that make sense in today's world.

Dyson Air Purifiers
We all worry about our hands, but what about the air we breathe? One can catch the virus by air born germs from another infected human. Why not really clean the air around us? The Dyson air purifiers are known to do the best job of all. They even heat or cool a room. Take a look at this collection. Some are on sale now. 
Good timing!
Best Buy

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap
This is the very best soap I have ever used, and I am a soap connoisseur. This soap is clean beauty without toxins, artificial fragrance, parabans and sulfates. It's made from goats milk. Did you know that goats have the same PH levels as human skin? So your skin will readily accept the goat milk.  It lathers like crazy and is a total aromatherapy experience. It's on sale for a limited time with Free Shipping. 
What do you have to lose? 
Beekman 1802

Hand & Body Wash
Just received my order and quickly ordered more while it is on sale. It's really fabulous! And you can also buy a set with a caddy for the sink.
Beekman 1802

Lanolips
How are your hands feeling after using those harsh alcohol based hand sanitizers? Miss Shop This mentioned today that her rather young hands hands were looking old from all of the hand washing. Mine are good, as I am using essential oil and aloe based wipes. This brand get's lots of press. Best of all there is no petroleum (the worst) or other harsh chemicals like other creams. It's affordable, too. 
Read about it at
Nordstrom

Zador Soaps

Zador soaps are made with a unique family recipe. They are triple milled using thermal water of Hungary.  "Thermal water has an extremely high mineral content, and contributes to the care and harmonization of healthy clean skin." The soaps are made from raw materials, such as lavender, almond and
 grape seed oils.

Small Flower

Vitruvi Air Diffuser
I have diffused fragrance in my home for years. It's a lovely way to scent your space. But I must admit my oils have had chemicals in them. The idea of inhaling toxins, now that I know better, is not something I want to do any longer. Enter this chic container which also comes in blush and black. It's purpose is to softly stream essential oil-infused steam out into your space.  I have been telling you of the benefits of essential oils often. Read about them here. And you can trust the oils that Dr. Axe sells.  and there is a sale going on right now.  
Get the Diffuser at
Sephora

Goop Bath Soaks
These are unlike any bath product you have ever tried. There are five "flavors" each with its' own purpose. Shown above is Nurse. It fights off misery when you are under the weather. Perfect for our current situation. Each different soak is filled with essential oils, botanicals, salts, and minerals.
Goop

LaVanila Clean Products
Have you switched from aluminum deodorant yet? I made the switch last Summer, and feel so much healthier. I love this clean beauty line. The fragrance is that of vanilla with a little added  zest.  With every application, vitamins, minerals and active botanicals pamper and protect the skin. Now while you are home, is a great time to make the switch. I love the body butter, too!
Anthropologie



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Saturdays At Shop This