Editor's Journal: Welcome to the issue!

Summer is in full swing. And if you are like me you are spending as much time as possible on the beach, eating ice cream, tanning, BBQ-ing, jogging, catching up with friends and eating more ice cream. But for some reason I can't help but think about the cool weather that is to come. July usually brings mega summer sales to make space on retail floors for Fall Fashions. Even though the change announces doom and gloom, I try to look at this on the bright side - this gives us yet another excuse to shop, as if we really needed one!

Although summer has a special place in my heart, I must confess that fall is my favorite season in the fashion calendar. Whether I am dressing up or down I love to layer and mix-match pieces in rich textures and colors. Fall staples like blazers, cardigans, trench coats and sweaters make it so easy! We'll show you how in TREND WATCH and STYLE FILE. Not to worry though, we will still showcase some hot weather trends since summer is going to stick around for a couple more months.

A designer well known for her layering savoir-faire is British designer, Vivienne Westwood. Find out more about her life, career and heart in DESIGNER WATCH.

Get ready for a month full of style, heartwarming news and summer fun in the sun.

Love,

XoxO Kelie

Editor's Journal: Welcome to the issue

Calling all dreamers back to earth. Why? Because earth is where dreams come true. You have spent countless hours thinking about your dream, creating it and crafting it in your mind. Now it's time to take this somewhat precise yet vague idea and make it a reality. The world is patiently waiting on you to take the next step. How ever big or small your dream may be, it is worth carrying out. Take our Chit Charity guest, Kristina Lee Grandstaff as an example.

She founded an organization called Freedom Forth. We are truly inspired by her journey to end Human Sex Trafficking in NYC. To raise awareness on this issue she uses many different media outlets, fashion being one of them. Stay tuned for more on her work, life and Freedom Forth's upcoming event: She is Clothe in Strength. This fashion show benefit will be held on June 16th in the Meatpacking District.

Also in June, the CFDA, Council of Fashion Designers of America, is honoring Marc Jacobs with one of its most prestigious awards: the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The CFDA Fashion Awards is one of the biggest events highlighting American fashion and designers and will be taking place on June 6 in New York. Join us as we take a closer look at Jacobs' flourishing career in DESIGNER WATCH.

The flowers are in full bloom and it is finally getting hot - really hot and humid to be exact. But this doesn't mean that your style has to be limited to a bikini and a portable fan. Check out our TREND WATCH and STYLE FILE posts to keep your cool and look good doing it! Follow us on Twitter @fashionwacny for even more fashion tips and inspirations from our partners.

Here's to a summer well lived!

Love,

XoxO Kelie

EDITOR'S JOURNAL: Welcome to the issue

Soren Kierkegaard once said: "life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." Too often life is lived on emergency mode, putting out fires left and right without taking the time to stop and think. If your alloted 24 hours seem too short to get through your to do list, chances are you need a new to do list. Check out our Currently Reading: Book of the Month recommendation. It focuses on time management and organization, something we could all use a little bit more of.

After you read this book and implement all its helpful tips, you'll have all this discretionary time. We suggest you spend some of it with us and spoil yourself a little! After a challenging sartorial month of April, the month of May comes as a sweet relief. One can look forward to the tank top, maxi dress and shorts wearing days ahead! Check out our Trend Watch, Style File and Just Because We Love It posts for advice on how to wear this season's hottest looks and hues!

Speaking of HOT! Our Designer Watch feature is one of New York's biggest fashion powerhouses and knows a thing or two about hot design: Donna Karan. Join us as we take a closer look at her career, brands and giving heart. Also on the hot-o-meter, Jake Gyllenhaal will be visiting us in Chit Charity. Find out how this hunk is giving back!

Love,

XoxO Kelie

Editor's Journal: Are we there yet?

Just because spring is playing with our emotions, this does not mean that we can't let the sunshine in. If the weather affects your mood then it’s time to get over it! Don’t focus on the negative but flip the script on your psyche. An unknown author once said: “Life is too short, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and forgive quickly.” We are adding to this quote: “dress fabulously”. Under your coat, gloves, hat and scarf, letting the sunshine in, is just what the doctor prescribes. You won’t need to do it alone though. Check out Trend Watch and Just Because We Love It as we focus on spring fashion. The weather may be wet, gray and cold but spring fashion is bright, warm and in full bloom.

Another thing blooming this month is our monthly newsletter. Yes, we have a newsletter in the works and cannot wait to share it with you! It will include fashion, deals, beauty and philanthropy FWAC - style. Everything you need to know going straight to your inbox, what more could you ask for? Join the thread by emailing us at info@fashionwithaconscience.org. Sign up quickly so you don’t miss the first letter. Don’t forget that you can use the same address to send in your Style File questions and comments. Check out this segment to get the dish on our best-kept fashion secrets and answers to your sartorial questions.

Speaking of style we are featuring two extraordinary women in business, philanthropy and style: designer Rachel Roy and actress Charlize Theron. Find out how these beauties inspire us in Designer Watch and Chit Charity.

To stay in the loop with all things FWAC follow us on Twitter @fashionwacny and like us on Facebook.

Love,

XoxO Kelie

Editor's Journal: Welcome to the issue!

The light is at the end of the tunnel. I can see it. It is dressed in brights with touches of white. It is soft, flirty and confident. The light is indeed at the end of the tunnel. I can feel it's rays. They are warm, gentle and charming. At the end of the tunnel is Spring. Season which represents new beginnings and hope.

Tune in to FWAC this month for the latest Spring trends in beauty and fashion. Your questions will be answered in Style File and your sartorial appetite satisfied in Street thread. I am excited to debut these new segments this month.

Make time to visit us daily. Yes daily! You can now expect to find something new right here Monday through Friday. And for even more beauty and fashion healing 7 days a week, join me on Facebook and Twitter.

A daily dose of FWAC is just what the doctor prescribed.

Love,

XoxO Kelie

Editor's Journal: Time to begin!

About 80% of individuals who make new year resolutions break them before January 31st. I was one of those people once. All the good intentions in the world could not help me follow through with my then seemingly logical and attainable goals. Thank goodness, I wizened up several years ago and stopped making resolutions all together. In lieu of setting myself up for failure, I found a better way to bring positive change into my life at a healthy pace. Over the years, this method has proven to be very effective. What is it, you ask? Well instead of formulating one or more resolutions at the debut of each year I decided to give each one of them a title. By doing so I gave myself a general direction to guide my steps throughout the year and it worked like magic! For example, the title for 2003 was No More Drama! Like for Mary J. Blige, it worked! I had just come out of a relationship and needed to clean house! This title helped me focus on the things that made me happy, cleaning out the people and situations which were negative. By the end of 2003 my world was drama free. Not convinced? Try it for yourself! Select a title which means something to you and is easy to remember. This simple catch phrase will replay in your head like your favorite song and will keep you on track. You will be amazed by your progress. This year I chose: "Make time!" It is simple, yet encompasses everything that I could have formulated in a list of resolutions. Like my new year title this issue is focused on making time; time to collect yourself, enhance your life and sprinkle goodness in your world. A perfect example of that is Tory Burch, our DESIGNER WATCH subject. To find out how making time will change your life this year, tag along for the ride by way of FWAC! Love, Kelie

EDITOR'S JOURNAL: Holiday issue!

What do granny smith apples, Marilyn Monroe's lipstick de choix and a raging fire have in common? The color red, my personal favorite color. Red is the color of passion, energy and enthusiasm. Remember the expression: RED HOT? Red is also the color of Aids Awareness. Aids is a daunting illness which affects us all no matter where we were born, where we live or where we are going.

This season giving back is also red hot! Think about it! What better way to spend the holidays than by being with the ones you love all the while bringing joy to complete strangers.Having the ability to reach others is so simple and you can have it to. We will post many different gift options for you to choose from throughout the month of December in our Feel Good Shopping for the Holidays. A great example of holiday cheers is our Designer Watch focus this month. Kenneth Cole does more than design a very profitable line but uses his influence to raise awareness on the rampant disease. He brings awearness like only he could through his "wear a rubber" line which benefits amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS research.

Make this December doubly jolly by loving and giving. Stay tuned, we'll tell you how!

Love,

Kelie XO

EDITOR'S JOURNAL: It's all about you!

Walking the streets of New York, it is obvious that being fashionable is in this fall. And we are here to add to the mix with a special FWAC Trend Watch series. In November, we are adapting the season's hottest trends to your lifestyle. Why?, you ask. Well, because the many sides of you deserve the best in clothing, beauty and accessories, of course. Keeping up with the Jones just got easier! Not that you would attempt such a thing since keeping up with yourself is exhausting enough.

In FWAC Designer Watch, our StyleStar uncovers Milly by Michelle Smith. He is so excited about this line, we can't wait to read this feature!

To top it all off we are debuting FWAC Style Tips!

So join us this month as we dive into autumn fashion, divulge our fashion secrets and expose a clean, sexy and sophisticated brand, like you!

Love,

Kelie XO

EDITOR'S JOURNAL: Welcome to the issue

Although fall marks the end of summer frolicking, it still holds a special place in so many hearts and for good reason. For FWAConistas mix-matching, layering and the outpouring of new and not-so-new trends with a twist are Autumn faves. Check out FWAC: Trend for all things HOT from our new contributor StyleStar!

Yes, warm apple cider and pumpkin pie are also nice little treats! But nothing warms the soul like fall threads for a cause. If pink is your favorite color as it is the favorite of one of our writer's (she is obsessed) you are in luck. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month designers such as Ralph Lauren are offering a ton of products in the hue. If you are not a big fan of the Pepto Bismol shade do not fret! We will feature other Feel Good Shopping items for you to join the fight. And for all the straight shooters out there who just want to throw money at the problem, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation will gladly take your donations!

Betsey Johnson is not all about fun and games especially this October! This fille de joie is hard at work for a good cause. Her inspiring survival story lands her our Designer Watch spot this month.

This October think pink!

Love,

Kelie XO