You guys who have been following me for a while now, know how passionate I am about making women look and feel good. The reason I even started LoveBrownSugar.com back in 2009 is because I felt that there needed to be more online spaces for women to feel comfortable in their own skin. It’s something I think is SO important. That’s why I’ve saved and cherished every email, tweet and comment I’ve ever gotten from one of you about how inspired you were by reading one of my posts or by seeing me rock an outfit with confidence. It means SO much to me!
So when I was contacted by J. Jill (a really classic clothing brand focused on garments that have confident simplicity and a relaxed feminine touch) to co-host a styling party in support of their J.Jill Compassion Fund at their Mall at Short Hills location in New Jersey, I was super excited. J. Jill’s Compassion Fund, founded in 2002, is the retailer’s way of giving back to community-based organizations that support and aid disadvantaged and homeless women to regain their confidence and independence through education, job skills and transitional and affordable housing. This year’s Gently Worn styling party event series will support a month-long donation program for the Compassion Fund that allows J. Jill customers to give back by bringing in gently worn clothing and receiving 25% off a purchase of new clothing at J.Jill in exchange for the donation.
It is such an amazing concept and I’m excited to announce that I’m hosting the very first kickoff styling party for the month-long initiative at The Mall at Short Hills on this Wednesday, October 2nd from 12PM – 2PM EST at their J.Jill location in support of the York Street Project. I will be styling women who are part of the York Street Project, providing them with guidance and tips on getting a professional look using J. Jill clothing. I am SO excited to be part of this because this gives me a REAL chance to give back and make women (who I can touch and see!) feel beautiful and empowered.
The mission of York Street Project is to weave innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate and promote the healing and independence of persons in need, especially women and their children. York Street Project breaks the cycle of poverty by simultaneously providing housing, education, and childhood development with counseling and life-skills training to more than 300 economically-disadvantaged women and children each year.
As a new mom, I have a much deeper understanding now of how important it is to be your best self so you can support and empower your children. This organization helps these women by providing them with shelter, education and the bare necessities they need in order to be productive and to raise their families. I feel so blessed and honored that I get to be a small part of their journey to becoming confident with this J. Jill styling party!
For those of you who can’t come out to my styling party at The Mall at Short Hills on Wednesday, here are some other great ways you can participate in the initiative with J.Jill:
Donate – Give the gift of warmth by bringing your gently worn clothing to your nearest J.Jill store from October 9th-22nd and as a thank you, receive 25% off a new purchase per item donated.
Volunteer – The volunteer coordinators of grant recipients can always use more help! Contact them to make a difference in your community.
Giving – If you’d like to help women in need, any financial donation you can make is appreciated. Head to J.Jill.com/Compassion for more details.
I hope to see some of you at the J.Jill styling party on Wednesday!
