Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Dallas Shelters to Give Back to This Holiday Season

dallas shelters donations


Every time the holiday season hits, it puts things doubly into perspective for me. I am extra thankful for my mine and my family's health, the fact that I have a job, my friends, and no major complaints. I think 2020 has put things into perspective for everyone.


With that being said, this year has made me want to give back more than usual. By no means am I trying to toot my own horn, I just want to share any little bits of happiness I can with others, whether that is for Giving Tuesday or any normal day of the year.

Currently, 21 million Americans are unemployed which means there are so many families that aren't able to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner or provide gifts for their children on Christmas day and that beyond breaks my heart. 

Initially, I wanted to collect donations and put together care packages to give to women's shelters in Dallas but it seems that not many places are taking donations due to COVID, but I did get some great options and wanted to share my findings with anyone who might be interested in donating or adopting a family for the holidays!


Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support

Genesis Women's Shelter & Support is a place for women escaping domestic violence. This place was actually suggested from my Instagram followers—thanks guys!

They are currently not taking physical donations (like clothing or bedding) due to COVID, but are accepting:
  • Gift cards - Visa, Amazon, Target or Walmart
  • Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon but has to be dropped off in person
The above items must be dropped off in person but if you don't live locally, you can donate money online, adopt a family or sponsor an angel tree. In regard to adopting a family, each woman will be given gift cards totaling $150 for herself and every child will receive a $50 gift card. These cards are given early, along with wrapping supplies, so that mom is able to shop for her kiddos and put gifts under the tree herself. Sponsoring an angel tree entails a $25 gift card for each child to allow them to experience the magic of the holidays!

To donate or find out more, visit https://www.genesisshelter.org/events/holiday/


The Family Place

The Family Place supports victims of family violence.

They have donation amount tiers that includes:
  • $1,500 that provides one month worth of medical supplies
  • $500 ensures one month of safety for a dog or cat in The Family Place Kennel
  • $250 provides 300 meals for families living in their Emergency Shelters
  • $125 pays for a week of childcare at their Safe Campus Shelter
  • $70 gives one night of shelter to a mother and child at one of their Emergency Shelters
  • You can also donate any amount you want, these are just the options they give so you know exactly what your donation is going to
They are also still accepting these items in person:
  • Gift Cards: grocery stores, gas, Visa
  • Twin XL Sheets
  • Crib Sheets
  • Full-Size Toiletries
  • Canned Food
  • Formula & Baby Food
They have an Amazon wishlist. When you purchase, the item will be shipped straight to them—so easy and convenient!

To donate or learn more, head to https://www.familyplace.org/donation/donate-items


Mosaic Family Services

Mosaic Family Services helps refugees and immigrants in crisis. They give support through emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling and therapy, legal services and education. 

They have a whole page of categories and sorted items that they need composed of groceries, hygienic and household items.

Mosaic Family Services has donation tiers that include:
  • $25 will help a family fulfill their grocery shopping
  • $50 can help provide counseling and play therapy for a child who has experiened trauma
  • $100 provides survivors with an attorney to ensure their voice is heard and rights are recognized
  • $250 sponsor a child for summer camp for 12 weeks
  • $500 provides health care advocacy and case management for a refugee family
  • $1,000 can sponsor a survivor at Mosaic House for one month
  • You can also input any custom amount you'd like to give
To donate or learn more, check out https://mosaicservices.org


Austin Street Center 

Austin Street Center is a help for the homeless. They provide for more than 400 men and women who find shelter and safety with them each night.

Austin Street Center is asking for monetary donations at this time due to COVID-19 since they are trying to limit donation drop offs and in-person contact. 

Here are the ways to donate:

To donate or learn more, head to https://www.austinstreet.org

These are definitely not the end-all-be-all options, but these are some of the most legitimate Dallas shelters I could find that were in need of items. If they don't tickle your fancy, find something that does :) Whatever you choose to donate your time or money to has the opportunity to change lives.

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Francesca's Sale: 50-70% off

All of these items are pretty affordable anyways, but with the sale, these are great prices. A tiny bit over my price point but I got some basics that would be totally worth it at full price. To be fully transparent, from the sale, I purchased:

  • Cream fur coat for $27
  • Cognac suede skirt for $19
  • Black pom pom sweater for $27


Monday, August 3, 2020

What I Bought on Amazon: July 2020


Another day, another dolla, another month of Amazon purchases!

I put a poll on IG asking if you guys wanted to see the things I didn't keep from Amazon as well so that portion is added onto the button of this post! 


Women's Yoga Short

Ever since summer (and quarantine) hit, I’ve been working out and ton and living in lounge wear. These shorts are probably the third pair of workout shorts I’ve bought in the last few months but they. were.  necessary.

I’m not a fan of the biker short trend (I was the queen of this trend in elementary school and I think I’ve hit my quote of bike shorts in my life) and these are short enough that I don’t feel like a frump.

What I wanted in a new pair of shorts was: high waisted, a couple inch inseam (these are 4”), comfortable, durable, and ideally with some compression and these were perfect! They aren’t super tight and I wish they had a bit more compression to them but overall, I like them. 

I’m 5’5”, 135 lbs and wearing a size M. I probably could have gone with the S but my worst fear was having them too tight and a muffin top would begin to form so I decided to go with the larger size, but I think in general, they run pretty TTS and you could go with your normal size!





Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Current Favorites: Old Navy Activewear Pieces

Since I'm not quite back to real life yet (I go into our office 3x a week, WFH for 2) and have been steadily working out, I've really only been buying activewear and loungewear lately. I wanted to share a few of my favorites and give you my sizing suggestions! 



2. Lightweight Racerback Performance Tanka little large, I'd get your normal size or even go down one
4. Seamless Light Support Sports Bra - go up a size (this is seamless, comfortable with a bit of compression to it)
 

Thursday, July 2, 2020

What I Bought on Amazon: June 2020

Amazon Prime Purchases




Spoiler alert: this month has been full of necessities and randos. Enjoy!



L'Oreal Paris Makeup Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil

Even pre-pandemic, I was trying to go to the grocery store/shopping less. I've had friends ordering their groceries of Amazon Prime for what, maybe years now, but I'm not quite there. I've moved on to Instacart and still do my weekly Trader Joe's trip because I like to pick out my own produce ðŸ¤“

Anyways, one day I decided to get my eyebrow pencils (I'm very fancy) on Amazon because I was in dire need - bless you 2 day shipping, bless you. I set up my account for a subscription style delivery and now they deliver my eyebrow pencils at the exact time that I need them every month. Subscribe and save is the way to go!

Shop here




Sunday, April 12, 2020

Abercrombie & Fitch Sale: 50% off + 15% off

Abercrombie is having an incredible sale through Tuesday and I really can't believe these prices!

I am such a bargain shopper and honestly, rarely spend over $25 on one item (unless it's something important or a solid pair of shoes) so when I saw bathing suit bottoms for under $15 and shorts for $25 I about died.



And if I was rolling in the dough, here are all the things I'd love to get for myself!





But to be transparent, here is what I personally bought from the sale:


Monday, March 30, 2020

How to Keep Sane During the 2020 Quarantine



Hola compadres. Hope you're all holding up nicely so far in the apocalypse!

I'm not here to give you a pep talk about how we are all in this together and how you should stay home (BUT YOU SHOULD BE STAYING HOME) because there are way too many messages about that right now, I simply wanted to put together a list of things I've been doing to keep myself occupied!

I know there are a million lists out there for things to do while we await the conquering of COVID-19 and I almost didn't put together this list, but you never know when ideas will spark something new for someone else!

Here's my list of things to do to keep sane during the 2020 quarantine...

Friday, January 31, 2020

What I'm Loving: January 2020

Each month I round up a list of my current favorites - from TV shows, to beauty products, outfits and everything in between!

SONG

Honeybody by Kishi Bashi (redone by Nu Deco Ensemble)