A season of giving

The Holidays are for children and people I love. Family, friends and people in need. As the holidays grow closer, I am happy to say my shopping for my Mom, sisters and baby are done. After I get Bruce and my friends token gifts, I can focus on The Women's Shelter and Toys for Tots. After a while, you realize you can only have so many shoes, etc. Since my husband works every Holiday, it gives me a great opportunity to serve my fellow Americans.

I am excited about Volunteering. I LOVE buying for other people. Yes, I like my sparklies and my vintage clothes, but as I see people in true poverty, I say to myself "I really don't need to buy more jewelry. I need to donate my things and my time to helping others." I love seeing a child's face light up after getting them a gift, or a fellow Mother hugging me for paying one of her bills. I wish I was wealthier so I could give more, but as my friend Ms. James says, "if you don't have the money, invest your time!" So, if anyone (Nick Emilio Santiago, Richard Stellar, Terry Buchanan, and Dick Macdonald, and of course David Kelley) has any ideas where my love and support are needed, let me know.

I am really tired of the trend of spending loads of money on ourselves when so many people struggle right now. Enough with the Jimmy Choo and Manolo shoes already! You are just buying the name. There are good qaulity shoes for a couple hundred, if you MUST splurge. FYI, the boots in the white sweater dress photo I recently posted, are from Alloy.com. They are faux leather and cost about $50! Everyone loves them and no one cares who the designer is!

I told my sisters we should keep our gifts under $20 this year (which is a big deal for 3 fashionistas), that way we can use our $ to extend the love.
I know I'm a bit of a hypocrit with my gift wish lists and love for sparkly jewels (real and faux) but I DO have my priorities straight. My baby, my family, the people in need, teachers and schools, and then me. I only dress up when I work, otherwise I shlep around Westwood and Beverly Hills looking so plain in my house dress people ask me if I'm a maid in our building. Hah. I always say thank you, knowing those jobs are damn hard. I deeply admire people who work waiting table, cleaning houses, landscaping...basically work you do with your hands.
Yes, I have to promote myself and be shi-shi fabulous, but the goal is to make enough to pass it on and make a real difference.

So, let's all buy less and give more this year with the purpose of giving a hand to those in need. I believe we should take care of our own first so we can be a real UNITED States. Our country first, then the rest of the world. We must adopt American babies, buy American...which means buying less, I understand. No one can compete with China (which worried me and it should worry you too!). We must hire Americans for all work! What little work we have needs to be given to residents first. My immigrant policy is simple...we allow everyone here to stay and not let anyone else in. (New Zealand has a fantastic immigrant policy, look it up. It's fair and doesn't create a separation with the people!) I will always be a proud American, regardless of how the world sees us. With my actions, I represent to foreigners "an American Woman" and you never know how deeply you can touch a person with just a smile and a non-judgemental attitude.

Everyone has a favorite charity. Mine is giving to the less fortunate. When I was little, we had many years of poverty. I know how much a gallon of milk meant to me! So let's all go out and make single Moms and children's holidays easier and more special instead of buying sooo much for our own families. Many americans are hurting and one by one we can all save "Christmas" this year!

Write me any suggestions you have! Happy Holidays.
I love you all!

Malena