Gifts That Keep On Giving: Charitable Gifts!

Give A Little Bit! by elbonner featuring xmas ornaments

Ever year around the holidays, I think about all the stuff I really want, divide them into lists, and send them off to whoever requested them. Every Christmas, I am also riddled with guilt knowing that many people never get anything, regardless if it's the holidays or not. Now, I am not a wealthy individual; I work hard for the pay that I get, but I do not make enough to donate significant amounts of money or support to charities or causes I believe in. I give when I can, but I would love to one day be in a position to be able to help others with something more than a few dollars here and there. The reality is, the holidays are an expensive time. You're spending money on friends, family, meals, transportation, heat (if you live in a cold place), food for work parties or family gatherings; sometimes giving lots to charity gets put on the back burner. What I've started to do is shop a little smarter, buying gifts from companies who give back with every purchase. That way, I'm able to get a gift for a loved one and also know that my purchase is making a positive effect on someone elses life where they may not have money fr shoes or even clean water. I have put together a list of things you can purchase this Christmas that will satisfy your the receivers, as well as help someone in need:

TOMS

Toms is a wonder company. It started out with their One-for-One shoe campaign and has spiraled into a plethora of products that all benefit people in need all over the world. They give a pair of shoes to a child in need for every shoe you purchase, as well as glasses for every pair of frames you buy. They even have a marketplace full of artisan crafted products that gives back to the community where they were made. Toms now offers coffee that provides clean water for a week for each bag purchased. I really don't see any drawbacks with this company; their products are well-made and stylish and they help those in need!

Ankle Boots

Slippers

Necklace

Coffee

Sunglasses

Nena & Co.

Nena and Co is a company that makes some of the prettiest bags I've ever seen. What makes these bags even more beautiful is that they provide skilled workers in impoverished parts of Guatemala with jobs that are desperately needed. Nena & Co is working with communities to provide clean water and educational opportunities for local children, all while creating good-quality bags and accessories. While they are pricey, each unique piece is made by hand using recycled or handmade fabrics that are benefiting more than just your personal style. A bag like this will last you forever and your contribution to Nena & Co employees may change their communities forever, too!

Tote

Daybag- Camel

Daybag- Chocolate Brown

Toms+Target

I know, Toms again?! This is a bit different! Toms has teamed up with retail Gigantor, Target, to create a collection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and home wares that do more than make great Christmas gifts. Each item benefits a different cause: each item of clothing provides someone with meals for a week, with each blanket purchased, one is given to someone in need, shoes for shoes, you get the picture! These items are available at all Target locations and are great quality products, ranging from t-shirts, to candles, coffee mugs, journals, and even some really cute bracelets! They fit into any price range and are great for Christmas gifts on a budget. Even though you feel as though you're spending very little, you're still impacting someones life in a positive way. I recently purchased the denim shirt pictured above and not only is a comfortable and cute, but it provided a hungry person (in the USA) with free meals for a week! That's one full week not spent worrying about where dinner is coming from, and I think that's pretty amazing.

Mugs

Bracelets

Blanket

Shirt

This is the season for giving; if you're going to be doing some questionable things to get good deals this Black Friday, at least help out those who couldn't even imagine buying anything new. Shop smart and shop responsibly and make your purchases count past Christmas morning; give a little bit!

Money Grubbers: New Wallets for Spring!

Wallets for Spring! by elbonner featuring green bags

I have a confession to make: I hate my wallet. I didn't hate it when I bought it, but it was my first foray away from a large wallet since my Roxy Velcro wallet phase that probably lasted longer than it should have. The wallet I have now can't hold bills that aren't folded, the soft leather is very floppy and it's small enough to get lost in the cavernous abyss that is my giant purse. I am, for what might be the first time ever, on a hardcore wallet hunt. I have never had a problem getting wallet because almost every one I've ever had has been given to me as either a birthday gift, Secret Santa present, or a "I bought this and hated it, now you get it" present from my mom. I am excited at all the new possibilities that wallet shopping can bring, but unfortunately, my old nemesis has reared it's head again. It's almost a law of nature that the one thing I really want, whether it be purses, shoes, or even Greek yogurt, is the most expensive one I find. I am having this problem with my current wallet obsession. Cleobella is an awesome retailer of handbags, but they make these "Mexicana" wallets that are just the dogs bollocks. They come in every bright, obnoxious color you can imagine and they just look super cool. Of course, they are $138 a piece, but maybe I'll find $200 stuffed in the pocket of something (never ever going to happen) and spoil myself with a fabulous wallet.

But because I live in the lame world of reality, I will probably be looking at my old haunts like Target, H&M, and Urban Outfitters to find myself a fun new money-holder. Now, these places are in no way a downgrade, in fact, I might find something even better than what I originally lusted after. For now, I'm still shopping around for the perfect wallet, but I can gaurentee this: it will be neon, it will be big, and it will have at least 4 Pita Pit cards in it because I always tell the cashier I forgot mine. Organize your life and get a new wallet!

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet
Cooperative Colorblock Zip-Aorund Wallet- Urban Outfitters
Merona for Target Zip-Around Wallet

Coats on Coats!

Coats on Coats! by elbonner featuring a down jacket

I remember a time, not too long in the past, when wearing a coat was the lamest thing ever. If you were anywhere near cool, you wore a hoodie no matter how cold it got. Forty degrees? Hoodie. Wind chill of 21 degrees? HOODIE. No exceptions, just prepare to freeze your ass off. Thank god this is not the case anymore. I still see a few stragglers clinging to their fitted Aeropostale hoodies in February hoping for a quick death or a white chocolate mocha (you know who you are), but the times have changed, baby. It's the era of the coat as a part of your outfit, not a total downer. The best way to get out of a non-coat wearing funk is to get a really cool one and plan your outfit around it; make the coat the main event.  Above I have compiled a list of coats that everyone should look into getting that keep you looking good whilst warding off hypothermia. 

1. Mossimo Supply Co. Wool-Wrap Jacket- I have this coat and it's awesome. I got it for 4o bucks and the hood almost doubles as a sort of neck protector to keep the chill off. I have gotten many compliments from both men and women, so it's a confirmed hit with the masses. Available at Target

2. Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket- Super light and super warm, this is a coat for more casual/sporty occasions. Great from to-and-from the gym, grocery store, whatever. Also great for hikes because it's lightweight and packs down to take up less space in your back pack. You can't go wrong with Patagonia. 

3. Zara Long Funnel-Neck Coat: Immediate cool outfit upgrade: add a cool structured coat. This one from Zara can be dressed up or down and just makes anything look way cooler than what you started out with. Pair with a gigantic scarf and a bitch face and you'll look super fierce.

4. FjallRaven Greenland Parka- want and army jacket that doubles as an actual functional piece of clothing? Get this coat! With a coating of Fjallraven's Greenland wax, this thing is windproof, water proof, and miserable weather proof. Plus, you get the hipster clout of wearing A largely unknown European brand and being better prepared from crap weather than anyone else.

5. J. Crew Stadium-Cloth Trench- Everyone needs a dress-up coat and this can do the trick. It's not too dressy so it can still be paired with jeans, but if you need a warm coat for a night out without wanting to look like Zsa Zsa Gabor, this style is clean, sophisticated and won't make you look like you threw on your moms L. L. Bean Parka from 1987 over your formal wear.

6. AllSaints Pitch Leather Biker Jacket- For when it's not deathly cold or you really just want to up the bad-ass factor, you can't go wrong with a leather jacket. The leather does a good job of keeping the wind off and is much warmer than a regular trench or sweatshirt. Leather jackets are always cool, no exceptions, you will always benefit from a leather jacket (unless you're at the beach, and at that point you're just an idiot). 

I hope this after-school special emphasizing the importance of coats gets you out of your hoodie or beat-up Old Navy peacoat and into something that makes, instead of breaks, your outfit. H&M, Zara, Target, and places like Asos.com are great places to find great coats at a reasonable price, so there's no excuse! Stay warm!

Why Target Takes All of My Money: Fitness Fashion

Fitness Fashion Explosion by elbonner featuring nylon stockings

I'm sure you're looking at the image above and thinking"there's no way I could afford cool workout clothes like that. Only Luluwhatever and WhoTheNikeKnows makes stuff that cute. Too bad I have to sell my organs to afford it."

WRONG
 These clothes are from Target...TARGET! I have been trying so hard not to put myself into immediate bankruptcy whenever I walk past the C9 by Champion section because they have such neat stuff for every activity you can think of. And nothing gets me into the gym quicker than when I have a cute new outfit to show off. They have everything from bras to running gloves, yoga cardigans, compression capris, lap swimsuits, and even fancy sweat-wicking underwear to combat your horrendous swamp ass. They all come in really fun colors and prints and in a bunch of mutil-figure flattering pieces; there is something for everyone! Even the shoes look pretty damn decent for home brand athletic shoes. Target's got the money and the eye for style to make great products to keep you looking hot whilst sweating all over squat rack. They also have an insane clearance section too, so go to town and get to work! NO EXCUSES.

Surrendering To Fall: OK, I give up

Fall Things by elbonner featuring fall placemats

After a weekend at a beach house, I have come to the tough realization that plagues my life every year: SUMMER IS OVER. I am still holding out for a few more days I can eek out another sun-filled beach trip, but let's face it, the leaves are falling and everyone is drinking/eating pumpkin spice everything. When the weather cools, I don my usual outfit: t-shirt, sweater, army jacket, boots, and scarves. They are a good go-to because they seem to never go out of style and ooze coolness like the filling of a jelly donut (also a fall favorite). Fall is a time to appreciate hot coffee again, get some reading done, and moisturize compulsively. 

Now before everyone jumps on me for wearing hipster fox sweaters, I've been wearing fox-themed clothing items since I was a first grader, although my fox-wear was decidedly less cool than what is available today and a lot more like this:

To complete this look, pair with black stretch pants, fanny pack, and a crimped side-pony.

I hate putting on more layers, but I'm convinced fall was created to make me appreciate the warmth more. You might as well make the best of the cooler weather by wearing some cute stuff before everyone's enthusiasm for life is destroyed by winter, because really, fuck winter.

Fox Sweater- Markus Lupfer
Skinny Jeans- Rag & Bone
Army Jacket- Madewell
Combat Boots- Nasty Gal
Sunglasses- Raen
Scarf- Lucky Brand
CrossBody Bag- Target
Almost Lipstick "Black Honey"- Clinique
Shea Butter Hand Cream- L'Occitane En Provence

Spring Favorites!

Spring Favorites by elbonner featuring plus size tops

Every beauty-related YouTube phenomenon has made some sort of monthly favorites video. I usually don't go for that sort of thing because I feel as though it promotes irresponsible spending and rampant materialism, but then I remind myself, I HAVE A BLOG THAT IS ALMOST ENTIRELY ABOUT THE ACT OF WANTING AND/OR HAVING STUFF. I can go ahead see myself out of the self-righteous, a-hole door and do my own monthly favorites post featuring a wide breadth of things I have encountered and liked in the month of March. 

Chobani Greek Yogurt: I love Greek yogurt, I eat it almost every morning for breakfast and since my neighborhood grocery store had fruit-flavored Chobanis on sale for 5-for-$5, you bet your ass I got like 10 of them. My only beef is that all the fruit is on the bottom, and I can't understand why they can't just mix it in. It pains me to have to do it myself, how much can a yogurt/fruit mixer cost Chobani?! Why must you make me work to enjoy you?! My favorite flavors: passion fruit, blood orange, banana, and good ol' strawberry! At 140 calories per container they make a great add-on when your Lean Cuisine just ain't cuttin' it!

Kate Somerville"ExfoliKate":I have said this before; this stuff literally eats your face. Not the way a ravenous zombie on AMC does, but the enzymes, along with scrubbies, get off all the dead skin and make you feel like you took the skin off of someones face that you thought was better than yours and replaced it with theirs. Wow, lots of cannibalistic zombie references in that one, must mean it's good stuff!

Target Stuff: Target can do almost no wrong this season. I have bought so much crap from them I'm almost embarrassed to walk in the store because I'm just plastered in their stuff. It's like wearing the t-shirt of a band you're going to see to their concert. My mom (a school teacher) recently alerted me that the cool kids all wear miss-matched socks and of course Target, being its awesome self, is selling packs of even numbered, obnoxiously colored socks. Just how I like them! Now I have an excuse to look like I dressed in the dark, because I actually do! PS- I'm wearing that ombre sweatshirt RIGHT NOW! #ballerstatus

Tone It Up "Beach Babe Workout": Guess who's feeling fat (points to self whilst crying). Instead of actually crying into a bowl of chocolate chips covered in Cool Whip Frosting, I've been working on my fitness with this great little video. I can mix things up since this video has 7 different mini workouts to choose from. They can be done individually if you really don't want to work out but are forcing yourself, or they have longer ones when you are actually motivated. Plus, it's set on a Hawaiian beach and the instructors hair is the stuff of legends.

H&M Conscious Collection: H&M has done something that every store I like should do: give me coupons for bringing them my old crap. H&M is taking your old clothes(2 shopping bags-worth per day) and giving you a 15% off coupon (good for one item) per bag of clothes! Your old clothes go in a box at the registers and are donated or recycled for use in other industries. The Conscious Collection is this seasons featured collection and it focuses on sustainable fashion. H&M was just named the biggest user of organic cotton simultaneously making their client happy and their competitors feel like panda-murderers. 

Lush "Uluru" Bath Bomb: This bath bomb transformed what could have been the most boring bath of all time, complete with amplified farts and ashamed at the cleanliness of my tub, into a sunset-hued, citrus dream-scape. I love fun bath things and this bath bomb is like about as much fun as an adult can have in the bathtub without Clueless playing on the iPad and a pint of Half-Baked.

Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco: Did you know you could get these inside of a Cheesy Gordita Crunch?! If you get them on their own, and skip lunch, you can technically justify eating 4 of these babiesand not feel like you're chair is about to give way. I say, forget the cheesy nacho Dorito taco, Cool Ranch is the only one worth getting. If you disagree, we can't be friends. 

I know, I know. It's not a typical monthly favorites where I swatch the 50 lipsticks, eye shadows, and blushes I put a second mortgage on my house to pay for, but this is what brought me joy in the month of March!  If this wasn't the most pointless thing you've ever read I can do this more often, but who knows, it could spiral down into dish soap and drain cleaner, not that there's anything wrong with that! Happy April Dudes!

PS- Here's a bonus photo of me in crazy glasses!

 (Instagram: @elbonner86)