I thought it only appropriate to share a project that I recently was introduced to this memorial day. #SpreadTheLovey is an initiative started by Baby Jack & Co and their adorable sensory loveys. They donate to a few amazing charities, but their military family donations grabbed at my heartstrings.

I know first hand how important it is for a child to have a lovey when a parent deploys. I’ve watched it with both of my sons. When Daddy goes overseas for his job as an aviation defense contractor I see them hold even tighter to their loveys. They are important to helping them cope with the changes in their lives, and provide the extra comfort they need.

Baby Jack & Co #SpreadTheLovey Donation for Military Families gives back to several different military organizations, but this weekend only they are donating a % of all sales (online and wholesale) until Monday to The Carrying on Project in support of our military. The Carrying On Project is a program dedicated to get baby carriers to military families so that they can wear all the babies.

How Can You Help?

Do you know a military family with young children? Consider sending them a Baby Jack & Co American flag lovey. Your purchase goes so far beyond the family your send it to. Buy HERE – and be sure to use code SPREADTHELOVEYTCOP for free shipping and to make your donation count.

If you miss this Memorial Day event you can still buy an American Flag lovey and select Carrying On Project to allocate your donation too. See more details here: http://babyjackandcompany.com/collections/spreadthelovey/products/spreadthelovey-donation-for-military-families

Giveaway

Baby Jack & Co sent me a very soft and snuggly American Flag sensory lovey. I had planned on passing it on to one of my readers, but D became slightly attached to it – SO I will be buying and shipping directly to the winner!  Keep if for your child or give it to a military friend.

To Enter:

1. Leave a comment below telling me why you would like to win.
2. Tweet the below message for a second entry.

Learn how you can #SpreadTheLovey to deserving military families. @babyjackco
Click To Tweet

Winner will be announced on 6/9/15. Open to US only. 18+ please.

While I loved it and longed to keep it as my own, the colors and style reminded me of someone who I love and highly admire.  My mother.  At the same time I received my beautiful Ethnotek Dep laptop bag, my mother was heading into a new chapter in her career.  She had been appointed as the Pastor at a church in Minnesota.  I knew this tote was destined to have a new home.  I packed it up and brought it to Minnesota to give to my mother.

The Ethnotek Dep bag in Vietnam 5 is a calm cool mix of blues.  It retails for $149.00 and comes with a laptop tote.  The Main pack measures 19.6” x 13.6” x 6” and the Laptop compartment is a removable padded sleeve designed for the Macbook Pro 15” but worked with our laptops no problem.  The tote has plenty of pockets to help keep you organized, and you can really tell it is durable.

The Story behind Ethnotek:

In 2007, while on a solo backpacking adventure through the northern highlands of Vietnam, wanderlust-filled, designer (and now Ethnotek founder) Jake Orak stumbled upon the hand-woven and intricately embroidered textiles of the Hmong hill tribes who live in the area. He felt an instant connection with the people and a sense of responsibility to preserve and share the stories woven into their fabrics. Drawing on his experience as a bag designer, he began to dream up ways to integrate these culturally rich textiles with functional bags and before he knew it, Ethnotek was born. Four years, dozens of international sourcing trips and many sleepless nights later, with boxes of backpacks stacked to the ceiling of his one bedroom apartment, a functioning website, and a deep breath, Jake’s brightly colored bags were introduced to the world.

Check out some of the great work that Ethnotek has done!

• Vietnam (Cham village) – Since our original visit in October 2011 we’ve employed villagers straight through to today, which has yielded 3,150 meters of fabric, that’s 9 eiffel towers stacked on top of each other. Yup!!! pretty proud of that one.
• Indonesia (Candi Cetho) – Since our visit in November 2011 we’ve worked with Iwan and Teddy to produce 470 meters of fabric, that’s 5 statue of liberties stacked on top of each other.
• India (Bhujodi-Gujarat) – Since our first visit to Bhuj during a bag design masterclass that I co-hosted in Feb 2011 in Pune we’ve worked with Shamji, Qasab to produce 600 meters, that’s the height of 6 Big Ben’s stacked on top of each other.
• Guatemala (Chichicastenango) – The family that we work with is The Sic Tzunun family, Maria, Juan and Manuel. The organization that we partner with is Little Mango Imports owned by a Tribe member and based out of Boulder Colorado. Since first hooking up with little mango in October 2010 we’ve worked with the Sic Tzununs to produce 658 meters, that’s 20 meters higher than the Petronas towers!
• Ghana (Ananse village) – Since hooking up with our friends/Tribe members at the Fair Trade Certified Ananse village and Senegalese trader in LA, we’ve commissioned 390 meters of Ltd. Edition fabric. That’s the empire state building.

My mom loves her Ethotek Dep.  It is really just the perfect work bag for her and I am so glad I was able to give it to her.  She gives so much to others, that it was really nice to give her something nice.  Ethnotek is all about Global Motherhood. Their bags are handcrafted by women all over the world who weave the fabric that Ethnotek uses to create each bag. As a result, every bag is truly one of a kind – just like my mom.  I know she will have many conversations about this bag during her use of it.  With a bag this pretty it is hard not to have people ask about it and it’s story.

Connect:

Twitter – Facebook

Product was provide to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There’s a great new national women’s charity in Las Vegas called Fabulous Shoe Event marrying the best of 3 worlds-shoes, girls night out, and fantastic women with a conscious.

Fabulous Shoe Night will hold monthly girls nights out to benefit a different charity each month.

The first event is August 2nd at Republic Kitchen and Bar (215/Eastern) from 7-9pm. By the way, fabulous does not mean only high end designer shoes. Wearing what you love and have in your closet IS fabulous.

$25 at the door includes your appetizers, access to drink specials, and a sizable donation to this month’s charity Project 150. They serve the over 5,000 homeless teens in the Las Vegas Valley.

Photo Credit: Project 150

They will be also holding a shoe drive to pass along any adult shoes you have been thinking of donating to charity.  If you plan on attending and bring shoes to donate, please rubber band them together and write the gender and size on masking tape on the back.  (Example: W9 or M11)

So put on your favorite pair of shoes, grab some girlfriends and join some really fabulous women while raising money and awareness!

A special thanks to Julie Child Yeomans for sharing this post with Family and Life in Las Vegas readers! I hope you can all attend and have a fabulous evening!

Check out and “like” their facebook page: Fabulous Shoe Night/Las Vegas

RSVP Today to this great Event: RSVP Fabulous Shoe Night/Las Vegas

If you know me, you know I have a super soft spot for children and families in need.  That is why I am so excited to share today’s guest post with you.  Meet Erica, I know you are going to like what you read! I hope you will get involved in anyway you can.  Don’t forget, giving back doesn’t have to be a huge gesture. Even the smallest of actions have huge lasting ripples.

I’m an “actor-bat” by trade. Technically, an aerial acrobat/actorand I make my living performing on The Strip. Twice a night I carry a man 40 feet into the air with one hand, while I’m upside down in the splits. I don’t have children of my own yet, I sleep at odd hours and I may be one of the last people you’d expect to be a passionate force against childhood cancer. I’ve learned though, that things are rarely what they appear to be and the most unexpected faces are lined with the deepest compassion.

My name is Erica, and with a wily band of acrobats, entertainers, technicians, artists, designers and amazing individuals, we have raised more than $124,000 to fight childhood cancer over the last three years. This year, we hope to raise another $110,000 for The St. Baldrick’s Foundation to Conquer Kids’ Cancer through our spectacular circus, fashion and art event “Circus Couture,” and our head-shaving team Cirque du SoBald. “Funds raised will benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation and its work with The Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada.”

The Children’s Specialty Center of Nevada is the only clinic in the state that treats kids with cancer whether or not they have insurance. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has been a huge part in keeping their mission alive by funding grants to make their local work possible. St. Baldrick’s hosts head-shaving events worldwide where participants raise funds by asking “How much would you pay to see me bald?” After collecting donations, they shave in solidarity with kids who typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. I’m proud to be a three-time St. Baldrick’s “shavee.”

Circus Couture will be held this Sunday, June 26th at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The evening begins with a cocktail party and art silent auction featuring a variety of work by prominent local and national artists. The evening evolves into a circus and fashion stage spectacle you simply won’t believe! The show features world-class circus performances intertwined with runway fashion. Featuring aerialists, acrobats, dancers and world champion athletes, all performers are donating their talents for the cause. In addition, the runway scenes feature both name brand fashions and the most avant garde, out of this world garments that Las Vegas designers can dream up. Even better? Tickets are only $35, and all proceeds go to the cause. If Ringling Brothers claims to be the greatest show on earth, Circus Couture might claim to be the kindest.

Circus Couture believes that each person has a gift or talent that can be used to better our world. We believe that you don’t have to be a doctor or a scientist to help children with cancer. You could be an acrobat, artist, designer or technician. For that matter, we believe you can be an orthodontist, accountant, salesperson, bartender, stay at home mom or tattoo artist and use your talents to make a difference. You just have to put your heart in the right place and your ideas into action.

We hope you’ll join us on Sunday as we put our dreams for a healthy future for Las Vegas kids into action. For more information and tickets, go to www.circus-couture.com,

Author: Erica Linz is an aerial acrobat for Cirque du Soleil as well as president and artistic director of Circus Couture and ringleader for shavee team Cirque du SoBald.

Photo credit: Jerry Metellus (photographer); Jenny Leigh Dupuis (design); Meghann Mason/MDM Artistry (makeup); and Kelsey Contois (hair). Models from left to right are Karlee Klow, Wayne Skivington, Jonas “Tatu” Zuniga and Erica Linz.

Thank you so much to Erica for bringing attention to this much deserving cause.  I am so excited and honored to share her story about the Circus Couture event.  If you live in Las Vegas, cancel your plans on Sunday and get your ticket today!  They start at only $35!

Coming soon: I am going to be hosting a facebook giveaway for 2 pairs of tickets for the Circus Couture event on Sunday June 26th.  Make sure you check out the Family and Life in Las Vegas facebook page for your chance to win.  While you are there like Circus Couture on facebook!

You all know I love using Social Media to help give back!  Well Disney is doing just that with their newest movie “African Cats”!

“African Cats,” which will be released in theaters worldwide, opens in North America on April 22, 2011.  Tickets for groups of 20 or more are available in the United States by calling 1-888-DISNEY6 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-DISNEY6 end_of_the_skype_highlighting .

As the April 22 opening of the awe-inspiring “African Cats” approaches, Disneynature is tapping into the true power of social media by building awareness of its “See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” program. During the film’s opening week (April 22-28), a portion of the proceeds from that week’s ticket sales will be donated to AWF through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect the Amboseli Wildlife Corridor, a passage between the Amboseli, Tsavo West and Chyulu Hills National Parks that is frequently used by lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras, giraffes and a host of other animals in the African savanna.

“See ‘African Cats,’ Save the Savanna” continues Disneynature’s conservation efforts, which began with its first release, “Earth” (2009), for which three million trees were planted in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. “Oceans” (2010) audiences helped establish 40,000 acres of marine protected areas in The Bahamas, which contain miles of vital coral reef.

How can you help?

Like African Cats on Facebook!
By becoming a fan of Disneynature on Facebook, participants have the ability to interact with “African Cats” content daily. Furthermore, liking, commenting on and sharing the content with friends spreads the viral reach of the film’s message and philanthropic mission exponentially.

Pledge to see African Cats on Eventful!
Fans pledge to see “African Cats” opening week by logging onto http://eventful.com/africancats. Participants can watch how honoring that pledge can effectively save the savanna.  A real-time counter will show how many people have participated, and there will also be a graphical map representing the number of acres across the savanna that are being conserved based upon the number of pledges received. Upon arriving at the theater, fans can check in via their mobile device to win special prizes.

Join the “African Cats” grassroots community and donate to the African Wildlife Foundation on Causes!
Fans can join the “African Cats” grassroots community on Causes by signing the pledge to help Africa’s lions and other imperiled wildlife survive and thrive for generations to come.  Additionally, users are given the opportunity to enhance Disneynature’s commitment by donating directly to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) via the platform.

Buy tickets through Disney Tickets Together, invite friends and Disneynature will double its donation:
Disney Tickets Together, Facebook’s first social ticketing application, allows fans to engage with the film by inviting friends to see “African Cats” and purchase tickets for local theaters without ever leaving Facebook. For all “African Cats” events created in Tickets Together, Disney will increase the donation to the Save the Savanna fund for every “Yes” RSVP that the events receive. The application launches during the week of April 18.

How easy is that.  You know you were going to see the movie anyway, but now you can help the African Wildlife Foundation by a doing a few simple things.  Are you ready to Give Back?

My blog friend Meg over at Be the Change Bookclub has been trying to do something to GIVE BACK.  I am a true believer that even the smallest of donations can really make a big impact.  If everyone donated $10 a month (two lattes) to their favorite charities, the whole world would be a better place.  That may sound idealistic, but I believe in it!

Go check out Meg’s Blog Do Good – There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do

Currently Meg is trying to help fundraiser for the people of Christchurch New Zealand.  I love when bloggers use social media to raise awareness for something they believe in.  So I offered up on of my big felt flowers in the color of your choice just for helping spread the word on her fundraising efforts.  Check out this video form Russel Crow:

Meg has two giveaways going on for those who help by donating, and for those who help by spreading the word.

For those who Donate:

And when you do donate, don’t forget to send a copy of your receipt to bethechangebookclub at gmail dot com and you’ll be in the draw to win up to US$80 of vouchers to spend at Better World Books. You can get all the details here.

The more people who enter, the bigger the giveaway …

If up to 25 people enter, I will offer a prize of a US$20 voucher
If I receive between 25 and 50 entries, I will reward the winner with a US$40 voucher
And if there are more than 50 entries, then the draw will be for an US$80 voucher

So spread the word!

For those of you who spread the word (whether or not you donate), I have a special giveaway:

$5 Amazon.com voucher

and

Please head over to Meg’s blog and see how you can help make a difference and Give Back today! (Instructions for entering her contests are on her blog as well!)

How are you going to Give Back today?

“each new window contributes to the breadth of our view.” – cecil frank powell

Recently a wonderful blogger Nicole wrote a post on her blog Searching for Sustenance. Her post – Where are all my Hummingbirds – A Call to Action reminded us that today – March 4th – is Do Something Day.  And while it is wonderful to have a day where we all try to do something different to help change the world one small change at a time, she challenged us to take it a step further and make March – Do Something Month.

She talked about a movie she had recently watched, (and I plan to check out soon) called Dirt: The Movie.  In this movie they talk about the story of a little hummingbird.

I think we all feel like this hummingbird at times. We are just one person – what difference can we really make?

But the answer to that isn’t what you think it is. One person doing the best they can, really can make change. No matter how small, or how big.

For instance, Nicole wrote one post – And it had an impact on me. So I wrote a post. Who knows if I will impact anyone, but I am doing the best I can.

Want another example – look at the teacher, and parents, and everyday people, standing up in Wisconsin saying they will no longer stand for over Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to cut union rights for state workers.

Or here is another one – Did you know that $25 donated to From Hunger to Hope = 100 hungry children will have a full belly? ($1 = 4 children fed)

You see making a difference doesn’t have to mean a huge effort on your part. Here are some more ideas:

1. Start Recycling
2. Pick a cause you love and donate $10 a month. (that is only 2 coffees!)
3. Teach your child how to garden.
4. Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth.
5. Stand in support of something you believe in.
6. Smile at a stranger.
7. Pick up trash on your daily walk, or trip to the playground.
8. Donate a few cans of food to your local food bank.
9. Buy an extra pack of diapers and donate it to your local family support or woman’s shelter.
10. Buy Local and support your community.

See how simple doing something can really be?  So what are you going to do today? 

Start by doing the best you can.

I am trying to put together a more accurate view of my readership demographics, and I was hoping you would be able to help me.  It is only 10 questions and is super easy and fast to do.

But just in case you need more incentive, I am also offering a $20 paypal gift card to one lucky survey participant.

If you wish to be entered into the giveaway please follow these simple steps:

(You must be a Family and Life in Las Vegas follower via GFC to win, and you must have a valid paypal account.)

1. Take survey, and leave your email address in the response box of Question #10.
2. Come back and leave a comment on this post with the same email you entered into the response box in the survey. (This will allow me to verify the survey completion, and use the “And the Winner is” plug-in to choose a winner.)

Extra Entry:
(You must complete the mandatory entry first)
Tweet/Facebook this giveaway.  Leave a comment with a link. (1 entry each)

Thank you for your time and readership!

Good Luck!

(Giveaway ends on 3/10 at 11:59 PST.  Winner will be choose by “And the Winner Is” and emailed.  They have 48 hours to respond before a new winner will be chosen.)

In December, I happened to turn on 20/20.  This isn’t a show I normally watch.  But the description caught my eye.  By the time the story was over, I knew I had to get involved with Embrace.

Watch the 20/20 story here.

Embrace started in Stanford.  It started as a college project.  It is a game changer.

Embrace is a portable infant warmer.   It almost looks like a mini sleeping bag.  It can be cleaned in boiling water, and combines water and paraffin wax to heat up to 98 degrees for up to 4 hours. It is safe and easy to use, and is very portable.

I think we take for granted that our babies will not die from something as simple as maintaining their body temperature.  But in many parts of the world, India for example (where Embrace is currently working), to afford a $20,000 piece of equipment isn’t an option.

This is what is so great and revolutionary about the Embrace Infant Warmer – it costs only $200!  According to the website:

20,000,000 low birth weight and premature infants are born each year – 450 of them die an HOUR

That statistic alone was something that struck so close to home for me.  I knew I had to do something to help these babies, and I knew I wanted to help promote and fundraise for Embrace.

So what can I do?  What can you do?

I am going to be putting together and online auction for Embrace.  I am going to be asking all of you to help me with it.

• I am looking for companies to donate product for action.  All proceeds with go to Embrace.
• I am looking for bloggers to donate ad space on their blog.  All proceeds to go to Embrace.
• I am looking for you to help spread the word, if you have a contact with a business you think would be interested in helping out, email me.  I will email you back a letter explaining what we are doing, and what it is for. (familyandlifeinlv(at)gmail(dot)com – subject line Embrace)
• Tweet “Help me support @embracewarmer Spread the warmth and prevent another infant from dying from lack of resources http://ow.ly/3Kbdz #giveback“

Do it for the mother in the 20/20 story who lost 3 babies due to not being able to maintain their body temperature.  Do it because your baby had the infant warmer and technology at hand.

Do it because no one deserves to know the loss of a child.  Ever.