Giving Back — Page 3

The Most Amazing Video I’ve Ever Seen #FirstWorldProblems

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali… Most of you have probably noticed that giving back is a pretty important thing to me. Even though I don’t make a ton of money, and we live on a super tight budget, but I always find a way to give back, especially at the holidays. I buy gifts to donate to the local YWCA shelter for women who are trying to get out of a domestic violence type situation. I use my holiday shopping dollars to buy charity gifts to places like Heifer International. And, I’m definitely going to be supporting this new organization that I found today – Water is Life. Seriously – I think that this is one of the best marketing videos that I’ve seen in forever. It’s funny, in a weird way. It’s moving. It makes you think. It does an amazing job of making you realize WHY people around the world need our help. It gets the message across perfectly, in a video that makes people want to share it…

I encourage you to make a donation – even of just one dollar – to the Water is Life foundation. Want to learn a little more about them first? Read a story of the founder of the charity on the TPRF blog, which features real stories of the people behind great groups like this…

As a Fulbright Scholar, Ariane lived with families in the Azawak region and discovered the human face of climate change: people literally dying of thirst because of their inability to adapt to a rapidly changing climate. Ariane found these people to be the most generous and dignified as well as the most vulnerable of the populations she encountered in her travels throughout West Africa. She had never before witnessed an area with so few resources and infrastructure, where individuals live on the brink of disaster on a daily basis due to circumstances beyond their control. Most importantly, she had never seen half a million people in such distress receiving so little assistance from the rest of the world.

Or buy the CD Aman Iman: Water is Life – to show your support.

Let’s Chat: What do you think of this video? Click the retweet or Facebook buttons to share this with your friends too, and spread the word about this great charity!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on October 12, 2012 Filed Under: Giving Back | 2 Comments

How To Support Women with Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month… I had a friend mention to me once that she thought it was silly to have “awareness months” about causes that we are all already aware of. I mean – who out there, if you mentioned breast cancer, would say, “hmmm, tell me more. I’m not aware of such a thing.” So I understood what she meant. But – Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about so much more than just the basic job of educating people about what breast cancer is, and how to prevent it. It’s a time to really focus on making a difference – By raising money, bringing attention to the research that’s being done to move towards a cure, and celebrating the stories of the women who are working towards beating this scary stuff. A couple weeks ago I told you the story of how breast cancer had touched my life, and why this is an important cause to me. Today, I have more info about a great way that you can help “make strides to save lives” too!

“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – William Channing

I’m sure that almost all of you ladies reading this have had your life touched in some way by breast cancer – whether it was an old high school friend who recently was diagnosed, or a family history of it, so many women are diagnosed with this cancer each year that most of us have a story to tell.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36.

Those are some pretty scary statistics, right? The numbers are even higher than I had imagined. But, with new treatments and advances in technology being developed every day, thanks to funding form groups like The American Cancer Society and events like the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, more people are able to beat the odds. There are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone! So – what is this Making Strides walk? It’s a totally amazing way to show support, get support, and help raise money for a cure. Learn more…

“The future you see is the future you get.” – Robert G Allen

If you can picture a world without breast cancer – and with more birthdays! – then join me in supporting the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk and the American Cancer Society. You can visit their site and search for a walk in your city to sign up for, join a team, or even find a specific participant. If you aren’t able to walk, you can still help out – Even if you’re on a tight budget, anyone can skip tomorrow mornings cup of coffee to donate $5 bucks. Or – fill out a form on their site, and learn how your $25 donation can be doubled to $50 in a few simple steps! Or learn more about being a volunteer – there are loads of options and support.

One in every two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support. We are in every community providing free information and services when and where people need it.

You can learn more about the million ways that The American Cancer Society is helping women across the country every day by visiting their How Donations Save Lives page. They help stay healthy by educating them about prevention, and offering free screenings. They are there to support women emotionally, whether it’s transportation assistance to doctor’s appointmens, or their free classes with beauty tips for cancer patients. And they help to raise money for ALL types of cancer research, not just breast cancer. Truly, they are an amazing group, and definitely deserve all of our support!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the American Cancer Society’s nationwide series of walking events to raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer.

{Disclosure: Compensation was provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the American Cancer Society (ACS). Photo credit: Obihave on Flickr.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 27, 2012 Filed Under: Giving Back | No Comments

This Holiday Season – Shop the Meaningful Marketplace

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali… It’s 13 weeks now until Christmas – Can you believe it? That means it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping and budgeting for gifts. A couple of weeks ago I shared how I do the majority of my holiday shopping totally for free – which is amazing. But, one thing that is a big passion of mine is using my purchasing power to give back .When brands or sites use part of their profits to help make the world a little bit brighter and better, they are the type of people I want to support. This feels especially important during the holidays, when so many people are struggling to make ends meet – and it makes a gift more meaningful when you can tell the recipient the story behind it. So, I’m very excited to introduce you to a new site that I’ve fallen in love with: Patchwork Road, a Meaningful Marketplace.

About Patchwork Road

Patchwork Road is a Meaningful Marketplace: Shop exclusive products & deals you won’t find anywhere else. PLUS, Patchwork Road will donate at least 10% of the item’s price to a cause that you choose… every time you shop! This is perfect for gift shopping – Find a great item that’s perfect for someone special on your list. Then make it even better by choosing a charity that has meaning to the recipient. Love it, right? They have a huge selection – from gadgets to clothes, fitness to kids stuff, you’ll find the perfect pick for anyone on your list. {And don’t forget to pick up a gift – or two, or three – for yourself too!} Check out some of my favorites:

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Sir Winston Churchill

31 Bits: 31 uses fashion and design to empower women to rise above poverty. They purchase jewelry from 108 women in Gulu, Uganda, providing them with an immediate, consistent and fair income. Each piece of jewelry is handmade using 100% recycled paper and other local materials. The gorgeous, handmade pieces range from necklaces to bracelets to rings. This would pair great with a donation to the Precious Life Shelter – One purchase could help women and their families in both Uganda and here in the US!

“The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” – William James

Grip Sense: An iPad case you won’t find anywhere else that’s perfect for both kids and adults. The case keeps the sleekness of the iPad, but protects against those accidental drops – because you KNOW they will happen! It also has an ergonomic grip to make holding your iPad while reading or watching movies that much easier. Learn more by visiting www.gripsense.com or watching how it’s used on YouTube.

“If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.” – Arabic Proverb

Holiday Silhouettes: These modern, indoor/outdoor Holiday Silhouettes feature a patented 3D design that will brighten your home this holiday season! Display them in your living room, dining room, hallway, fireplace, bedrooms, front door or windows. The remarkable Silhouette appearance is made possible through the use of 18 pre-assembled ultra-bright LED’s for high quality and long lasting brightness and shine. Finely crafted with durable, high quality EVA material that protects against sunlight and rain.

“For it is in giving that we receive.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Sugar Snap: You’ll never have to navigate the “Bermuda Triangle” diaper bag again! The Sugar Snap is a series of five lightweight, beautifully-designed smaller bags with tabs. Created to fit perfectly inside your existing diaper bag, purse, or tote, they make switching bags a snap. All of the files stay organized by snapping together with an innovative, patent-pending hook-and-ring system. The ring resembles a beautiful silver bracelet with the words “Go Play” imprinted on it, reminding us to play each day. I have this – and it is a LIFE SAVER! Car-Go is a compact, beautifully designed bin that fits perfectly in your car or SUV trunk, leaving plenty of space for a stroller, shopping bags and more, that holds your sugarSNAP files inside. This is on my “to-buy” list!

PATCHWORK ROAD WANTS YOU TO “GET FOR GIVING”!

They are having a fantastic giveaway event – One lucky winner will get a $500 PRIZE: $250 DONATED TO THE CAUSE OF YOUR CHOICE PLUS $250 FOR YOU TO HAVE A SHOPPING SPREE ON PATCHWORK ROAD! WHAT WOULD YOU DO? If you had $250 for your favorite cause, how would you spend it (blankets, clothing, food, supplies)? Enter here on Patchwork Road’s Facebook page – then leave a comment here and let me know what great things YOU would do if you won.

Learn more about Patchwork Road on their WebSite, and follow them on Facebook & Twitter for updates on new products and promotions!

{Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time in researching this site, sharing my opinions with you, and writing this post – compliments of Simply Sassy Media. But all opinions and ideas are 100% my own – Nobody can pay me to say nice things :) And only the best sites and services I review make it onto this site.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 27, 2012 Filed Under: Giving Back, Shopping | 3 Comments

Lilikin & Friends – Extra Special Friends for Extra Special Kids

“Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare.” – Ed Asner… If you’re the mom of a toddler, you understand what this quote means, right? It’s a never ending battle of wills… You tell them to eat their veggies, so they throw the veggies – along with the entire plate, fork, placemat, and bib, onto the floor. You tell them to play nice with the other kids, so they whack them over the head with a foam sword for the third time. Ah… The joys of motherhood. Well, now there’s a super cute trio of plush dolls that are sure to win your fussy one over, even during the grumpiest of days – Meet Lilikin & Friends.

Lilikin & Friends – Extra Special Friends for Extra Special Kids

“It’s not that they’re depressed or anything; they’re just hard to impress. They’re like that guy who, instead of laughing uproariously at a hilarious joke, simply declares dryly, “That’s funny.” It’s a little hard to tell, but they really would love to get to know you. Whether you’re happy, sad, or just plain confused, your new friends understand and will stay by your side. They can turn frowns upside down, and make smiles shine even brighter!” – Isn’t this the perfect way to teach toddlers that those wild waves of emotions that they feel are ok? They also a great partner for kids with Autism, {and they even have a special set of Autism Awareness Special Edition dolls that raise money for the Canadian National Autism Foundation. Very cool, right?} – They show them that it’s ok to not always have the smiley face that everyone expects of you. These little dolls are adorable, and meaningful – and we’ve fallen totally head over heels from them in our house!

We love Lilikin & Friends – and know YOU will too!

There are three different adorable plush friends available – Lilikin, The Melancholy Grey Kitten. Mollycoddle, The Ultra-Dainty Albino Bunny {love, love, LOVE her adorable tutu.} And Eleven, The Small-for-his-Age Monkey. I am so glad that I found Lilikin & Friends – I know so many moms who have kids with disabilities or challenges. What a great way to show them that different is ok, by giving them a little plush buddy to love on that’s also a little different. As kids, we need to identify with others – so having a doll that’s “like us” means a lot. My favorite toy as a kid was my Cabbage Patch doll that had brown hair, brown eyes, and wore one of my old baby dresses – Just like me :) These toys are great for any kiddo – but can have some extra special meaning for extra special kids!

You can visit Lilikin & Friends online – learn more about these adorably soft little buddies, and order right from the site. And make sure to show your support by following them on Facebook and Twitter – to stay updated on new products and promotions!

{I received a complimentary product from the lovely Rachel Florio PR – Celebrity Baby Trend Expert – to review for this post. Only the best products make it onto Sunshine and Sippy Cups – We love Lilikin & Friends, and know that you will too!}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 20, 2012 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | No Comments

How Breast Cancer Touched My Life

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” – Christopher Reeve… Cancer. It’s one of the scariest words in the English language, isn’t it? And for women, one of our biggest fears is often breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society – The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is a little less 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 36. Scary stuff, right? And cancer is one of those big issues – those things that seem so overwhelming, and make you feel so helpless, like there’s not much that you can do about it. But you CAN do something about it. We all have a story of how breast cancer has touched our lives, and I have a great way for you to show your support for finding a cure….

“Women agonize… over cancer; we take as a personal threat the lump in every friend’s breast.” – Martha Weinman Lear

My story starts when I was 22 years old. I knew that I should be doing the self-exams every month, for breast cancer detection, but hadn’t ever really made it a priority. I was young, healthy, and invincible, right? One month I did remember. And I remember that day so vividly. I felt a lump. Immediately, that bubble of fear lodged in my throat. It must be a mistake, right? I felt again, and it was pretty unmistakable – a lump. I didn’t say anything to anyone for 2 days. Finally, I realized that ignoring this wasn’t going to make it go away… I called my mom, crying. She reassured me that it probably really WAS nothing. She had felt lumps before in her life, and they ended up being nothing at all to worry about – But, it was very important that I call my doctor right away.

“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.” – Emory Austin

As I waited for my appointment, I decided that talking about my fears and worries might make them more manageable. I couldn’t believe it – Every single woman I talked to had her own story of how breast cancer had affected her life. I heard about women who found a lump after never having done self exams, and suddenly facing treatment for advanced breast cancer. I heard stories of women who fought bravely against this horrible disease – some who won, and some who lost. And while many of the stories were heartbreaking to hear, there was also a ton of hope. Hope for those in recovery, hope for our kids – that they’ll never face this. Hope for a future without breast cancer. Luckily, my story ended uneventfully – after an exam and further appointment with my doctor, it was determined that the lump I felt was a small harmless cyst. I was lucky, and I know it. But the whole experience changed me, made breast cancer more real in my life, and encouraged me to help support all of the women who don’t get so lucky. And – I’m here to share something that all of us with hope can do to help. Keep reading to learn more…

Your Strides Save Lives

The American Cancer Society has a great event that you can get involved in – It’s called the Making Strides breast cancer walk. It’s happening in communities all across the country, and it’s easy to get involved. You can learn more about how to sign up, how to show your support, and how your strides help save lives – visit their site to get more info. And stay tuned for an update soon from me, about how I’m getting involved too. Join me!

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the American Cancer Society’s nationwide series of walking events to raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer.

Posted by Meagan Paullin on September 14, 2012 Filed Under: Giving Back | No Comments

Why This is the Best Way to Spend 2 Minutes Today…

Save money, get cool gear and experiences – and give back to your community!

I’ve told you guys before about my fave deal site – Sharing Spree. If you’re not already set up with a sweet account over there, the post will take you through the super easy peasy steps to getting started. {Takes less than 2 minutes. Best 2 minutes you’ll spend all day – guaranteed!} At the time I wrote that post a couple of months ago, Sharing Spree had raised $311,665 for local charities in cities across the country… That’s now up to $346,249 raised for non-profits!! How amazing is that? A bunch of moms, saving money by buying these awesome family-friendly local deals, using their purchasing power to help others in need. That’s rock star stuff right there ladies. Love it.

What will you find on Sharing Spree?

Well, you’ll find super sweet deals on stuff moms and kids love – Like today’s Spree here in the Seattle area:

$14 for 4 Drop-In Bounce Sessions at Kidz Bounce in Issaquah ($28 Value)

Not in Seattle? Well, there are amazing deals all over the country too – In Birmingham, you’ll find a Spree for One Microdermabrasion Treatment and also get the Renew & Refresh Cleanse with Soothing Serum Masque Treatment at Little Flower Day Spa. It’s just $39! (Regularly $80). In Nashville you’ll find a Spree from Skincare by Shannon. For $34, you’ll receive the Ultimate Relaxing and Rejuvenating Facial treatment ($85 value). Or, one of my FAVE Sprees going on now : Look under Portland’s deals to find a Spree to pay just $7.50 for a Zoo Animal Lunch Bag from Bella Sweet Boutique ($15.00 value), plus a matching backpack deal too. And it is ah-doooooor-able. For real. Check it out, and grab one today!

So – what are you waiting for?

Sign up for a free Sharing Spree account today – earn credits for sharing deals with your friends and family {and save up those credits to do some totally free Christmas shopping in a few months!} – and know that every single purchase you make is helping to give back to others in need! If you have ANY questions on how this works – leave me a comment here, or email me at sunshineandsippycups@gmail.com. And if you’re a blogger in the PNW who’d love to learn more about spreading the word about this awesome group, email me too!

Love free stuff? Then Join here for Free Family Fun Passes and More!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on August 19, 2012 Filed Under: Shopping | No Comments

How Buying Your Daughter a New Dress Can Help Others….

“You’re never too little to make a big difference.” – Who’s Little… I love having a little girl. I’ve always loved princesses, and sparkles, and frills and bows and polka dots… Yes, my name is Meagan, and I’m a girly girl. I would spend hours playing dress up with my dolls when I was little, and I always longed for a sister. But no – I was ~~stuck with,~~ er, I mean blessed with 3 brothers instead. When I found out that I was expecting, I hoped for a girl, but honestly – I was sure it would be a boy. I grew up with all brothers, and mostly boy cousins. All of my friends had boys. Even our dog had all boy puppies. I was starting to wonder if babies even still came in girl? The day that I found out that the baby I’d seen waving at me on the ultrasound screen was a GIRL, that was priceless. And even better, I got lucky and have a little girl who loves sparkles and ruffles just as much as I do. And that is even more priceless. So – now knowing that background, you’ll understand why I am so totally in love with this new clothing line that I’ve just discovered, called Who’s Little? Check it out…

About Who’s Little?

“Picture a little girl twirling in a new dress, and you’ll come to fully understand the phrase, “You’re only young once.” The twirls – which are usually accompanied by giggles and smiles (and possibly a dance step or two) – mark a fleeting moment in every young girls life. While putting on an outfit holds a certain charm no matter your age, nothing quite measures up to the joy found in the full skirts, bright colors, and girly details of our memories.” – That lovely line of thinking is what led the founder to create Who’s Little? – a line that she describes as “unapologetically sweet,” that works to capture that sweet youthful innocence and joy before kids grow up into teens and beyond. The line is separated into three size and style runs – 0-24 months, 2-6, and 7-10 years old, and I love that all of the cute fashions are totally age appropriate. {Unlike some of the stuff I’ve seen marketed towards kids lately.} Since capturing those sweet moments with Abby is the most important thing in the world to me, this company is total perfection for us.

“In every gardener there is a child who believes in The Seed Fairy.” – Robert Brault

Abby and I love to spend the day out in the garden. When she’s out there helping me dig, and plant, and tend to the flowers and the new veggie plants, she needs clothes that are comfy and cool. So – how excited was I when I received this super cute little jumper from Who’s Little?? It’s a lightweight cotton so she stays cool, it’s loose and easy to move in – but the details and fabric make it simply as cute as can be. I wish it came in my size :) It’s just one easy piece that pulls on and ties at the neck, and has two fun little pockets on each side that are trimmed in a contrasting fabric. Abby LOVED picking flowers to put in her pockets. So sweet.

“You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.” – Author Unknown

While Abby and I absolutely loved this sweet little summer jumper for the style and comfort – there are more reasons to fall in love with Who’s Little? – The One Girl, One Dress Project helps give back to girls in need with every dress purchased from their site. I am such a huge fan of this type of giving – as she mentions, it’s similar to what Tom’s shoes does… Each pair of Tom’s shoes purchased means a donation of a second pair to someone who needs it. This helps people feel more involved and connected to charitable causes, which I love. And… Yes, donating a dress to a child living in poverty isn’t going to solve all of her problems. But as a little girl who grew up extremely poor, I know what it’s like to get the bare minimum to get by, and not often get luxuries. A beautiful dress can make any of us feel transformed, and it’s a pretty special thing for a little girl who seldom gets something new like that. So when you shop for fun fashions for your own little girl, you can smile knowing that you’re bringing happiness to another little girl too.

Connect with Who’s Little? Today

You can find Who’s Little online – check out the great behind-the-scenes video of their Holiday 2012 photo shoot. Then follow them on their fab social media accounts too, to stay updated on new products and promotions – Facebook, on
Twitter @whoslittle, and on Pinterest too.

For more little girl’s fashion ideas, check out my Little Fashionista board on Pinterest!

{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary jumper from Who’s Little? to evaluate and share with you. Only the best products we check out are shared here with you. All opinions here are my own – I love this brand, and know you will too!}