55 Secret Street

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Citizen's Eco-Drive Watch: Susan G. Komen Edition

Citizen's Eco-Drive women's watch has a pretty face (soft pink dial, diamonds, sapphire glass and a stainless steel bracelet) but it's so much more.  It's water-resistant and powered by Citizen's Eco-Drive technology which means no batteries and worry-free showering. To top off its beauty and function, Citizen has donated $100,000 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. 

Citizen Eco-Drive Women's Watches: $395 (20-diamond bezel) and $325 (8-diamond dial markers) at CitizenWatch.com, Kay Jeweler's, Macy's.com or Helzberg Diamonds.

$55 and Under: Japan Relief T-Shirt by Tory Burch

Generally, when you hear about companies donating portions to disaster relief efforts, you hear the phrase "a portion of the proceeds when it comes to the actual profits."   Therefore, when I heard that Tory Burch was actually donating 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of her Japan Relief T-shirt to the American Red Cross to benefit the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts, I was impressed.  Another bonus for your generosity in buying the shirt: free standard shipping.

Tory Burch Japan Relief T-shirt $29.00.

Divinely Janet: The Janet Jackson Barbie Doll by Mattel

Mattel has created a Janet Jackson Barbie!  It is called Divinely Janet and it was inspired by Janet's performance on American Idol.  I was so excited when I saw it on  Love B. Scott's site and I wish I could afford to put it under my Christmas tree this year.  However proceeds from the doll will benefit Project Angel Food  (you can bid on it at Charity Buzz) so that is nice present in itself. 

More from Charity Buzz:

Inspired by the ultra-glam black gown she wore during her 2010 American Idol performance, I knew we had to recreate that look for her one of a kind doll. Mattel Designer Jackeline Gonzalez duplicated the black gown, including the body-hugging cat-suit underneath that she revealed during her second, upbeat performance. Her gown is kissed with bling created by countless hand-placed Swarovski crystals. Even her mic is crystal-studded.

Divinely Janet includes a certificate of authenticity and a unique display case for your superstar collectible.

Isn't the doll gorgeous?  I love it!

Sustainable Elegance: Monique Pean Fall/Winter 2010

During fashion week, I had a chance to take a look at Monique Pean's Fall/Winter 2010 jewelry collection.  Péan, a former investment banker, was recently a runner-up for the CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award.

 Describing Péan's line of jewelry as eco-friendly is an understatement.  Along with working with indigenous artists who received fair-trade wages, she will only use recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds and other sustainable material in her jewelry. After her 16-year-old sister Vanessa was killed in an accident in 2005, she founded the Vanessa Pean Foundation, an organization that benefits education in Haiti.  Several hundred Haitian students have received scholarships and, after the devastating earthquake in January 2010, the foundation has been active in emergency relief efforts. 

Péan's philanthropic efforts extend to her jewelry line.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of her jewelry goes to Charity: Water, the organization dedicated to providing clean drinking water to underdeveloped nations.

The jewelry is the opening collage will be available in the fall.