Exclusive sneak peek: Red Cross Red Threads Celebrity Clothing

Red Cross is selling celebrity and designer clothes - at up to 75% off!

It’s only through one Red Cross store - the new Red Threads store opening in Paddington tomorrow Tuesday April 19 - with bargains dying to be snapped up.

A slinky black Giorgio Armani number worn by Cate Blanchett?

A Sass and Bide stunner?

Alice McCall and Romance was Born pieces... all here!

My fave number is the purple and fuchsia number, donated by The 7pm Project's Carrie Bickmore.

For more details of the new store, go here: http://www.redcross.org.au/howyoucanhelp_redcrossstores.htm

Plus, there is a link to the Red Cross Facebook page where people can download a coupon for a 30% discount! (Um, hello... fashion and discount in the same sentence? I am so there!)

http://www.facebook.com/AustralianRedCross

The absolute best part is that you will be parting with cash - in exchange for a designer piece worn by a celeb - all for charity. Now that's nice...

Joy Jewellery Charity Bracelet

The Joy Jewellery brand has launched a new charity bracelet in support of cervical and ovarian cancer.

Many women in Indonesia are faced with poverty, illness and hardship. A foundation has been established to support women who can not afford basic medical treatments, such as pap tests.

This foundation sets up clinics throughout remote villages and offer local women the opportunity to be checked and provided with adequate medical care if they present with dangerous cells.

Joy Jewellery has created this gorgeous wooden bead, pearl and sterling silver charm bracelet in support.

Profits of all sales of this bracelet go directly to this worthy cause - a stylish piece and you're aiding something seriously important. Love shopping with conscience...

For stockists, go to http://www.joyjewellery.com.au/

Nintendo Gets Arty With Australian Indigenous Artists

Four of Australia’s most highly regarded indigenous artists, whose works can fetch up to $70,000 each, have painted on unusual canvasses (see some gorgeous examples here).

Inspired artworks have been painted on eight Wii consoles and will be sold at a auction with all proceeds going to fund the indigenous education programme, Shalom Gamarada.

With 2 million consoles in Aussie homes, Shalom Gamarada has collaborated with Nintendo to spread the message of indigenous education to a much wider audience. Now that, I love.

This scholarship programme has succeeded in making a significant impact in lowering the university drop-out rate within the indigenous community. This, I love even more.

The exhibition launches tonight, Thursday evening, in Sydney.

There will also be many other art works on display that have helped fund the charity.

“Some of the artists involved can boast selling individual pieces upwards of $70,000 and what they have created for Wii are exceptional, one-off originals that I am sure will draw national attention for the eBay auction,” says Jenny Hillman, director of Waterhole Art and co-curator of the exhibition.

Highly acclaimed artists involved in this exciting project include Gloria Petyarre, Barbara Weir, Emily Pwerle and sister Gayla Pwerle.

The auction web address is: http://stores.ebay.com.au/inDemand-Causes/wii

The dates to visit the special eBay auction site: between 25 February to 6 March, 2011.

And you can view the consoles here:

17-23 February Kaleidoscope Gallery – 84 William Street, Paddington, Sydney

25 February- 6 March The Nintendo Connection, Myer Sydney City Level 6, Sydney

25 February- 6 March The Nintendo Experience Store, EB Games Swanston Street, Melbourne

Lorna Jane: activewear meets charity

Australian women’s activewear brand Lorna Jane has just launched an initiative offering its customers the opportunity to give to charity and get Lorna Jane store credit in return.

Lorna Jane is offering women $5 store credit at all Lorna Jane locations for every piece of pre-loved activewear they donate.

Lorna Jane Clarkson, the company's founder and head designer, said Swap Shop has been established in an effort to get women active and support The Salvation Army with the supply of pre-loved exercise wear.

Since Swap Shop debuted on 21 January, Lorna Jane customers have donated over 5500 items of pre-loved exercise wear in exchange for pieces from Lorna Jane’s on-trend active collections.

"It is fantastic to see so many Australians digging deep in their wardrobes and donating their workout gear to our fellow Australians in need," said Ms Clarkson.

"Swap Shop will continue in Lorna Jane stores nationwide, with every thoughtfully exchanged piece of pre-loved exercise wear donated in view to changing someone's life."

Customers are encouraged to donate their washed exercise gear of any brand to a Lorna Jane store in exchange for a five dollar store credit per item (maximum of 3 items exchanged per customer, per transaction). All donated items will continue to be sent to the Salvation Army.

What's not to love about that?

Sly Underwear: Dan Murray donates almost $40K worth of clothing to QLD flood victims.

How cool is this guy?

Dan Murray - the 20 year old dynamo behind burgeoning Australian undie brand Sly Underwear - is donating $37,000 worth of his fab duds (or 1500 pieces) to the Queensland flood victims.

Okay, so the poor QLD folk definitely need funds to rebuild their lives ASAP, but this supreme act of generosity is a damn good start to getting them sorted with some basics to start rebuilding their lives.

Says Dan: “Like all of us, I have seen the devastation on the news and I have good friends who have been affected greatly by these devastating floods. These people have lost everything, so the least we can do is give them some clean underwear.”

Dan has also put the call out to neighbouring businesses, encouraging them to do the same, sparing whatever stock they can - especially basics such as clothing - to fellow Australians in this urgent time of need.

And so far, one local business has answered Dan’s call to action. Deeply moved by footage on the news and first-hand reports from friends, neighbouring business Mad Keen Fishing is to donate $5000 worth of apparel to the victims.

The generosity of Aussies in times of need is legendary. Let's follow Dan's lead and give however we can.

For more on Sly Underwear, see: www.slyunderwear.com

Samantha Wills: Shop For a Cause

There's not much I can post here about the QLD floods that you haven't already read.

My take: absolutely devastated for the flood victims. I know of some people who have been confirmed dead as the flood swept through Toowoomba a few days ago.

If you want to donate (um... you have a beating heart and are made of flesh and blood... so why wouldn't you?), go here: http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/

A good friend of mine works for the Red Cross and shared some info yesterday: he says that the Red Cross produced a 3000-bed evacuation centre in a single day. These people are gods, in my opinion.

Businesses too are trying to help in whatever way they can.

I just got an email advising that jewellery designer Samantha Wills will donate $20 from every selected piece sold on the SAMANTHA WILLS website to the flood appeal over the next four days, with hopes to raise a minimum of $10,000.

“Since hearing the breaking news of communities being destroyed and lives being lost, I knew I had to do something to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrifying disaster,” says Samantha.

Selected products for the appeal will also be discounted by 30% to encourage customers to shop for the worthy cause.

For more information, visit http://www.samanthawills.com.au/shop/FLOOD%20APPEAL

Gideon: world-first 100% Australian-made, sweatshop-free, sustainable sneaker.

I was so impressed when I heard about Gideon.

Gideon sneakers are the world's first 100% Australian made, sweatshop-free, completely sustainable sneaker. The cool shoes are a venture of Rupert and Matt Noffs (of the Noffs Foundation), who have taken a proactive stance against the exploitation of factory employees by manufacturing Gideon in Sydney.

Made from kangaroo leather and cane toad hide, the hand stitched premium sneaker is street-cred with a conscience. It's highly likely sneaker-freakers are drooling over the images right now - lucky for them the uber cool shoes come in a variety of colours and styles. We know they love collecting... but these are deffo worth actually wearing, not just for safe keeping in a box.

With all profits going directly to the Noffs Foundation Street University, Gideon shoes are available now through http://www.gideon.com.au/ and select retail outlets across Australia within weeks, with a launch in the US to follow. RRP from $189-$320.

For more, see http://www.gideon.com.au/ or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GIDEONShoes and read their blog musings at http://www.gideonshoes.blogspot.com/

Dora The Explorer: limited edition backpacks designed by Salma Hayek, Shakira, Heidi Klum, and Slash

Four limited edition Dora the Explorer backpacks have been designed by Salma Hayek, Shakira, Heidi Klum, and Slash and will be auctioned off online by Nick Jr. from Friday December 3 – Sunday December 12, with 100% of proceeds to be donated to the Future Kids Program run by Variety - the children’s charity.

To round off this year’s Dora the Explorer 10th anniversary celebrations, Nick Jr. Australia will launch a campaign called ‘Dora: Beyond the Backpack’ this November, teaming with local charity Variety to raise proceeds for Variety’s ‘Future Kids Program’ – a very worthy program which enables kids from all walks of life and abilities to realise their ambitions and dreams in education, sports, music or the arts.

‘Dora: Beyond the Backpack’ is a global initiative which launched in the US earlier this year with Salma Hayak Pinault as ambassador, with a focus on raising money for early childhood education. The winning bidders of these four backpacks allocated to Australia will be auctioned online on the dates above. The auction is accessible through the Nick. Jr. website right now at www.nickjr.com.au/dorabackpack or directly through eBay.

The four celebrity Dora backpacks will be on display at Westfield Doncaster in Victoria during the auction period, so Melbourne shoppers can check out the adorable designs in person before bidding. Each backpack was personally designed and signed for authenticity by each respective celebrity. Hand-made in the United States, the backpacks are all so different: design elements–range from punk-rock, to preppy, to goth-chic, to bohemian, to glam. Vivid and colourful soft metallic leather, ultra-suede, rubber, nylon, textured leather and canvas materials are highlighted with statement-making patterns featuring various graphic styles of Dora and her best pal Boots, plus Swarovski crystal embellishments, embroidery, appliqués and dangling Dora-themed charms.

I cannot even tell you how Dora-obsessed my almost three year old Estella is. We are talking Dora dresses, socks, singlets, shoes, underpants, dolls, bags, and more.

On working with Variety as the local charity to benefit from the Dora: Beyond the Backpack campaign, Katrina Southon, General Manager of Nickelodeon Australia said, “Variety’s Future Kids Program does excellent work, and is a great fit for what Dora and Beyond the Backpack represents. Auctioning the celebrity designed Dora backpacks is a fun way for Nick Jr. and Variety to throw a spotlight on the importance of assisting kids early on in their education and encouraging them to explore the world around them like Dora does, through various activities.”

David Small, General Manager of Variety, said “Variety’s Future Kids Program is the gift of education and achievement by helping disadvantaged and children who have special needs fulfill their academic, sport or art potential by supporting individual children or schools with special equipment, advanced tuition and practical support. Variety is extremely grateful to Nickelodeon Australia and Dora the Explorer for helping us to provide solutions for these children.”

Go forth and bid! It's all for a good cause.

1 Million Women - how we can change the world

The 1 Million Women campaign, which launched in May 2009, aims to engage, empower and mobilise women to take practical action on climate change. Every woman who joins has a personal goal to cut 1 tonne of CO2 from their daily lives within a year of joining the campaign.

Their goal is to stop 1 million tonnes of CO2 pollution - the main greenhouse pollutant causing global warming - from entering the atmosphere, which is the equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road for 12 months and enough pollution to fill 2.1 billion wheelie bins or 20 billion balloons.

Based on scientific evidence, we are on a course for a climate disaster and there is a great urgency to take action now.

Women are powerful natural networks (ain't that the truth!) have enormous influence in the consumer market place, make over 70% of consumer purchasing decisions affecting the household carbon footprint, and are 51% of the Australian Electorate. The folks at 1 Million Women believe 1MW will have a real and significant impact through the changes made by the women of Australia which will influence women globally. Hear, hear!

1 Million Women is all about creating long-term behaviour change by starting with achievable things women can do in their everyday lives to cut carbon emissions.

Women can join the campaign at www.1millionwomen.com.au and commit to start cutting carbon. The website also features an ‘Activity Centre’ that will show you how to cut 1 tonne of CO2 pollution – in your home, on food, on transport, flights, when shopping and with renewable energy. Here's some steps to get us started:

o Say no to plastic bags, over-packaged products & non-recyclable packaging
o Choose fresh, local fruit & vegetables + cut down on excessive waste
o Wash clothes in cold water & dry on the clothesline
o Think green when buying fabrics, fashion & accessories
o Set up a ‘walking school’ bus with local friends/neighbours

And here, ambassador Katie Noonan answers some questions just for Josie's Juice. Love her; I had the pleasure of interviewing her for her album "Skin" and I blasted "Time To Begin" on my car CD player when I was pregnant with my twins. I am sure they recognise the song when I put it on now.

Thanks, Katie!

What spoke to you about the “1Million Women” campaign?

After years of beating around the bush I decided it was time to make some changes in my life and not wait for the government to fix this climate change problem! Being a busy working mum and the primary decision maker in the home, I was inspired to join other women in helping motivate some change in our homes. In the words of Kev Carmody: from little things big things grow!

What changed way of living will you be adopting for the cause?
We live remote, so we are on tank water and we have a septic and grey water system in place. We have no garbage pick up so we recycle a lot and try to buy products with recyclable packaging. We take green bags to the shop or use boxes, we car pool when we can, we have a solar hot water system. Just little things like that around the house. I also carbon offset all my flights for my work.

What does climate change and its implications mean to you?
I just want to try to help make this world stay beautiful for my children.

Eat Pray Love - charity screening

If you're planning on seeing one of the most talked about flicks of the year - Eat Pray Love - why not see it knowing your ticket purchase price is going to charity?

In partnership with Hoyts and hosted by Team LOV1, the all girls team in Variety's 4WD Adventure will hold a special screening of Eat Pray Love, with all funds raised going to Variety, the Children's Charity.

WHEN: Wednesday 6th October.

WHERE: Hoyts Cinemas, Fox Studios.

PRICE: $35.00 includes drinks and canapes on arrival.

TIME: 6.30pm for 7.30pm viewing

A special announcement to be made on the night from Variety & Inspired Adventure - Dharmsala TREK 2011.

All tickets purchased will go into the draw to win two economy flights to Bali with Garuda Airlines and four nights accommodation at the exclusive Alila Abud Resort as featured in the film.

To book tickets for this worthwhile cause, visit http://www.varietynsw.org.au/

Photo credit: Julia Roberts in a scene from Eat, Pray, Love. Photograph: Francois Duhamel/Sony.

The Children's Hospital at Westmead - take a massive bow

(Photos: Estella in hospital lift with Liverpool FC necklace dad loaned her for good luck; daggy); a random pic she took of me before theatre; and recovering post-op).

This post is not about a fashion range, or new TV show, or anything superficial like that. It's about one of the most harrowing experiences of my life. And it happened today.

My daughter went in for surgery today - she had a dermoid cyst in her right eyelid - and it was a very distressing experience for us both. Maybe a little more for mummy; the events of today still linger, while little poppet is sleeping it off.

Dermoid cysts in babies develop in utero. So, at mere weeks gestation, the tiny little foetus that was Estella was growing the beginnings of this cyst in her eyelid. It only started to show itself about six months ago and today her surgery to remove it took place.

My experience was made infinitely better thanks to the staff at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Everyone, and I do mean everyone - from security staff, to the lady at the [lowered] enquiries desk, to the volunteer elderly woman in a pink candy striped pinafore ushering us to the lift, to the admissions woman, to all the medical staff - were beyond amazing.

My first concern was how to convince a two (and three quarters) year old that she could not eat anything after 7am. Nor drink anything after 11am, for a 12.30pm admission. I asked the anaesthetist those questions (including what's the worst possible thing that could happen, and yes, it included that), and the registrar if she could have permanent damage around the eye area (yes, possible, but unlikely). By the time we were ushered into the theatre (I was gowned up and as we walked into theatre, Estella was casually walking, flicking through all my videos and photos in my iPhone... I am not kidding), I was almost grateful for her pending sedation so my tired, ravenous child could have a bit of a rest. And I could hopefully stop worrying. Turns out, I'd be far from 'grateful'.

They'd explained that they would slip a 'gas' mask on her face while I held her and after 30 or so seconds she'd cough and splutter a bit, then be 'out'. As they positioned the mask on her face, serious surgeons with colourful hairnets were blowing soap bubbles to divert Estella's attention (told you they were amazing) and within half a minute, Estella closed her eyes and flopped in my arms. Now, I've got to tell you, it's one of the most horrible things for a mum to see their child appear lifeless. They asked me to place her on the bed and I was... well, a total mess. One kind nurse herded me out quick smart, even after I begged to stay to see her anaesthetic be administered. They wouldn't have it, and out we went, sobbing down the hallway. The lovely nurse assured me that no parent ever copes with that. Even surgeons watching their own child go 'under' dissolve into a pool of tears.

The nice people at The Children's Hospital at Westmead continued to show themselves: the coffee shop people, the staff, even the other parents wheeling around sick kids. Earlier in the day, I'd experienced the kindness of an elderly volunteer female chaplain, doing the rounds checking in on the parents. Even a cheery duo of doctors carrying crutches to a waiting patient were happy. I mean, it was like scenes from the Robin Williams flick, Patch Adams.

I am not kidding when I say that a place in which you'd expect gloom was so bright and happy; it was like nothing I'd ever seen inside the walls of a hospital.

Post-op, and wow: relief. She made it through just fine. But they warned me a child coming off anaesthetic is a not a pretty sight. This wasn't a tantrum; it was what can be best described as a child gone totally feral. Coming off anaesthetic - plus a massive bandage across your head - would set off even an adult. And she went off. It took a few medical personnel to hold her down to take the bandage off. And then she slept. And awoke when other poor poppets were wheeled in. Then slept again. Within a couple of hours, cheeky bugger was playing with my iPhone again.

As I drove my car out of the carpark and into a 15 minute zone outside the hospital, the kind doctor monitoring my girl decided to bring her down to me to save me a trip back up. I mean, the kind gestures continued until the very end.

So, the very least I can do is give their renowned Teddy Bear's Picnic day a big plug.

The picnic will be held on Sunday 17 October from 10.30am to 4pm at Rosehill Gardens.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of this iconic event that raises significant funds to support the life-saving work of The Children's Hospital at Westmead. It's so cute to think that for three decades, families have been packing their teddy bears and picnic blankets and enjoying this event for a very special cause.

The 2010 Teddy Bears' Picnic will be jam-packed with fun activities for families including themed areas for the first time this year: Adventure Land, Fern Tree Gully and Hundred and One Acre Wood.

Kids can enjoy rides, art and crafts, sporting clinics, meeting celebrities, face painting, prizes, toy testing and a special Bear Clinic, where your child can have their bear's health checked by a beary-special bear doctor.

Other highlights will be at centre stage, where Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the crew from Lazy Town will be performing.

There is one low ticket price which covers entry and all activities. Tickets, on sale now, are $20 each or $60 for a family of four (kids under 12 months are free). http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

And any child carrying their teddy to the event will travel free on Cityrail trains, or they wll have free parking at Rosehill Gardens.

Other highlights?

The 'Wild Aussies' show featuring Australia's most endangered aquatic animal species; Angelina Ballerina and My Friend Mark at centre stage; Bunnings DIY kid's workshop; Channel 7 autograph signing; face painting; Kindifarm mobile animal farm; and loads more.

And if you can't attend but still want to help?

You can give help through the charity ticket drive (your donation will 'buy' tickets for disadvantaged families), with proceeds from these ticket sales helping the Children's Hospital at Westmead to provide exceptional care for sick children and their families by funding medical equipment and vital research into the causes and cures of childhood diseases.

Go here for the brochure: http://www.chw.edu.au/tbp/charity_ticket.pdf

Or, you could volunteer... They are looking for more than 500 volunteers to assist on the day. There are a wide range of activities to be involved in including face painting, rides, the bear clinic, hair spraying, temporary tattoos, crowd marshalling and much more.

As a volunteer you will receive free parking, an event T-shirt and cap as well as lunch and refreshments for the day.

To become a volunteer simply fill out this:

http://www.chw.edu.au/tbp/application_form.pdf

And this: http://www.chw.edu.au/tbp/official_volunteer_docs.pdf

And schools can get involved too!

The 'School Stage' will showcase talented young performers from across NSW and is centre-stage for the famous Picnic Popstars Competition.

They also have a 'picnic popstar' comp, where you can win a great prize by singing and dancing to a song of your choice on the School Stage (karaoke machine available, if required). This contest is open to performers up to 12 years old.

Performances will be judged by Sara Groen from Channel 7, and one of their very own clown doctors. Entry into the contest is free but you need to register early as there are limited spots available. No entries are taken on the day.

Schools can also participate by hosting a 'Pyjama-Rama Picnic.'

Students and teachers can wear their pyjamas to school on a day chosen by them during September or November and each make a gold coin donation to The Children's Hospital at Westmead; and go in the draw to win a digital camera for your school.

Then there is a colouring-in competition for schools, where one winner will be selected from each year group (across NSW) and winners will receive a family ticket to the event or a Bandaged Bear merchandise pack.

If your school would like to be involved in the School Stage, hold a Pyjama-Rama Picnic or enter the colouring-in competition, phone Michelle Morgan on (02) 9845 3469 or email michel10@chw.edu.au

And if you work for a company that is interested in promoting itself at The Teddy Bears' Picnic, there are plenty of opportunities for your organisation to get involved and become part of the event. Call the special events team at events@chw.edu.au or call (02) 9845 3364.

For more information, see: www.chw.edu.au/tbp/