Resolutions For 2010: Less Stuff

I'm not one to make resolutions come New Years. I can't even remember the last time I put a resolution on paper.

This year, I have a few things that I'm really committed to working on for 2010. One of those things is reducing my consumption and my reliance on "stuff". I've already made some big changes to this end but there's always room to do better. For example, I love my Tim Horton's coffees and when I'm on the road all day for meetings and such I'll often buy two or three and I rarely remember to bring my travel mug along. I think I'll start leaving a cup in my car.

My motivation for this resolution came from "The Story of Stuff". It's an enlightening 20-minute film and I hope you'll check it out.



If this film interests you, you may also be interested in the book "Not Buying It: My Year Without Shopping" by Judith Levine.

What sorts of resolutions are you making for 2010?

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

All the very best to you and yours,

Sophie

Ottawa's Wedding Gown Consigment Store

December has become gown month on the Coverall blog! I've had two posts on wedding gowns in as many weeks. I wonder what will come about next...

This week I want to let you know that Ottawa FINALLY has a wedding gown consignment store!! White Haute Bridal is now accepting dresses from past brides (by appointment only) and opens its doors to new brides in January.

The store offers a selection of once loved and never worn dresses at a fraction of the original sale price. All dresses are dry-cleaned and restored to like new condition.

Personally, I love consignment stores for their eco-friendly qualities. Imagine if half of all wedding gowns were purchased on consignment and if every new wedding gown was sold on consignment once used. The impact in terms of materials and chemicals used and the transportation required to get new dresses out to the market would be significantly reduced. (John Lennon's Imagine comes to mind, ha ha).

My dreams of a more socially responsible planet aside, this is a fantastic way for new brides to save some money on their wedding gowns and for newlywed brides to make a bit of money on their once loved dresses. You'll want to call to make your appointment soon as I'm sure White Haute's calendar will be packed in no time!

You can check out the White Haute Bridal website here.

Happy Planning!

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination

The Breast Dress Project

There are so many fundraising organizations out there looking to get their hands on your money. While each of these groups is out to serve a good cause, with the economy being what it is these days donating your dollars may not be a realistic option.

The Breast Dress Project is an initiative that was launched this past November. What's so fantastic about this program is that you don't have to dig into your pockets and spend money that you wouldn't have spent otherwise in order to help. The fundraising structure is pretty straightforward:

1. The Breast Dress Project collects gently used dresses from brides whose weddings have come and gone. This frees up a bit of space in their closets for new stuff AND supports a great cause;

2. TBDP then sells the dresses to future brides-to-be who want to look fabulous on their wedding day AND support a great cause; and

3. Then TBDP donates the proceeds from the purchased dresses to support breast cancer research.

Jamie Johnston, one of the project's co-founders, is fighting a personal battle with breast cancer right now. Your support will help to arm her, and millions like her, with the right tools to fight back and beat this for good.

The organization's website is under construction but you can check out their Facebook page here. If you have a dress you want to donate or if you'd like more information on The Breast Dress Project you can contact Jamie Johnston at 613-723-5755 / jamie@groovylinen.com.

I also invite any of you who have your own blogs to post about this project and help spread the word.

Your amigo in this fight for a better world,

Sophie
Coverall Event Coordination