Recap: Handbags of Hope Hudson County Charity Event Benefiting TN Breast Cancer Foundation

On October 16th, Handbags of Hope Exchange held a "Belles in Pink" held a Kentucky Derby themed breast cancer awareness fundraising brunch held at the Culinary Conference Center in Jersey City, NJ to honor the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (100% of the event profits are being donated to charity). 

The fundraising brunch included several event speakers including Dr. Julie DiGiola (Chief of Surgical Oncology & Medical Director of The Cristie Kerr Women's Center at Jersey City Medical Center), Amber Marchese (Reality TV Star: Bravo TV's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" & WE tv's "Marriage Bootcamp: Reality Stars), Dr. Garrett Wirth (Co-Author) of "Personalized Breast Care, A Guide for Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction"), and Anita Kopacz (Editor-in-Chief, Heart & Soul Magazine). 

Dr. Gioia serves as Chief of Surgical Oncology and is the Medical Director of The Cristie Kerr Women's Center, the first comprehensive state of the art diagnostic imaging facility in Hudson County.  

Marchese, a New Jersey mother, wife, business owner and fearless breast cancer survivor discussed her story, from diagnosis at 31 years old to lessons learned.Jersey City native Dr. Julia DiGioia discussed high risk breast cancer prevention and treatment options. 

Co-author of "Personalized Breast Care, A Guide for Cosmetic Surgery, Breast Cancer and Reconstruction;" Dr. Garrett Wirth shared his new Fenestrated FlexHD pliable allograft - or "internal bra", as it's been dubbed - which allows patients to endure less time with tissue expanders, and more direct-to-implant reconstruction. 

Wirth shared some important breast reconstruction facts with us. Only about 4 out of every 10 women undergoing mastectomy are being offered their breast reconstruction options. Immediate breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy. Regardless of radiation, breast reconstruction is always an option. Microsurgical breast reconstruction using a patient's own tissue is the gold standard for reconstruction. 

"Women are ready to go beyond just the physical healing," explains Heart & Soul Editor-in-Chief, Anita Kopacz. Kopacz shared her tips for using meditation to find balance and inner strength. 

"About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime," explains Handbags of Hope Exchange founder, Erika Hernandez. "When women support each other incredible things happen. I have seen many friends silently suffer in fear and I want this event to be a platform that shows women that they ar not alone in their fight" shares Hernandez.

- Kim Weling

Last Minute Beauty Products in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

There's still time to support Breast Cancer Awareness month with these last minute, limited-edition beauty products. 

Limited edition set includes BCA eos Lip Balm & Nicole by OPI Nail Lacquer ($9.99). 5% of proceeds from the sale of this item will be donated to Young Survival Coalition to support and educate young women with breast cancer.

Japonesque BCA Pro Eyelash Curler comes with a detachable enamel breast cancer ribbon charm ($24).

Tweezerman Precision in Pink BCA Slant Tweezer ($22) has a fresh fun look, covered in pretty pink and white grosgrain ribbons on a white enamel finish. A portion of each tweezer sold is donated to organizations devoted to cancer care and finding a cure.

Clinique BCA Pink With A Purpose ($16.00) includes a special-edition, long-lasting lipstick in Power with Pink and Pretty Pink carrying case. With the purchase of this product $3 will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 

Sephora Collection Together in pink hair ties ($5) includes a set of four no-tug ribbon hair ties in pink for breast cancer awareness month. 

Sephora Collection The Beauty of Giving Back Blush Palette ($15) featuring cream and powder blush and bronzer shades that helps support breast cancer research and awareness. A portion of the sale of this palette will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated tp preventing and curing breast cancer within our lifetime.

- Kim Weling

Lands' End Pink Thread Project

Lands' End and Breastcancer.org have teamed up to launch the Pink Thread Project. Through October 31st, any time you order one of six available logos in pink, a full 75% of the $6 application fee becomes a donation to Breastcancer.org. Proclaim your support on your choice of totes, shirts or towels. For more details, go to landsend.com/pinkthread.

- Kim Weling

GUESS Eyewear Collection Benefiting Susan G. Komen

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness with GUESS Eyewear's limited edition collection of women's frames benefitting Susan G. Komen. Through July 31, 2014, $5.00 will be donated by Viva International Group to Komen in connection with the sale of each specially marked GUESS sunglasses or optical frame, with a collective guaranteed minimum donation of $25,000 to support innovative breast cancer research and global programs. Each pair will also come with a custom collaboration case, box, lens, cloth and pamphlet detailing the partnership.

The limited edition sunglasses offer a playful mix of classic glamour and luxurious femininity. Featuring oversized cat eye and modified square shaped acetate frames, the GU 7276 and GU 7277 are available in black over pink in honor of the signature breast cancer awareness color. Details include pink rhinestones in a metal triangle plaque, a capped GUESS logo, and the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the outside temple tips. The frames are out of stock on GUESS.com but are also available at GUESS retail stores.

Each frame in the women's optical collection benefiting Susan G. Komen features handmade acetate temples in black over pink in honor of the signature breast cancer awareness color. These limited edition styles such as GU 2396 shown above feature the collection's signature pink rhinestones on the temples and the breast cancer awareness ribbon on the temple tips.

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with the Aerie Limited-Edition Bright Pink Bridget Bra

During October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 100% of sales from the Aerie Limited-Edition Bridget Bra will go to Bright Pink, a non-profit organization dedicated to prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. 

A personalized hangtag will also come with each purchase, so customers can dedicate their bras to someone they love. With in-store purchases, customers who make a donation of $5 or more to Bright Pink will receive an Aerie Bright Pink Nail Polish (while supplies last).

- Kim Weling

Veronica Brett Luxury Swimwear for Breast Cancer Survivors

As we continue to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to focus on Veronica Brett, luxury swimwear designed especially for breast cancer survivors and women who have had risk-reducing mastectomies.

Designer and founder Patricia Brett had a risk-reducing bilateral mastectomy in 2003, after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene. Facing issues of buying swimwear after mastectomy and reconstruction inspired her to create this line, with survivors looking and feeling confident about themselves in their new swimwear.

Veronica Brett is made from the finest Italian swim fabrics. Each suit is designed to strategically cover surgical scars while still giving a semblance of cleavage. Interior pockets can conceal a prosthetic breast as well as properly fit a reconstructed breast. What I love about this swimwear is that although it is designed for breast cancer survivors, any woman can wear it and look and feel great!

Patricia named the brand after her aunt Veronica, who she had lost to breast cancer 35 years ago. Veronica Brett is "pink" year round, donating 10% of each swimwear sale to help support breast cancer research and organizations. For the month of October Veronica Brett is donating 20% of on-line sales to Women At Risk (WAR), the Breast Cancer Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. WAR’s mission is to enhance the lives of women who are at high risk for the development of breast cancer, (and women with breast cancer) through research, education and support.

Here are the current styles from Veronica Brett. The convertible bandeau bikini provides additional neck coverage for women who have undergone radiation or may have a concavity of the chest due to a mastectomy. The multi-function top instantly transforms from strapless to halter to asymmetrical - so versatile!

Convertible Bandeau Bikini, $178 (sizes 2-16) and Sarong, $68 (sizes S, M , L)

My favorite is this popular one-piece halter - it's a sexy, modern classic that would look flattering on many body types!

Halter, $198 (sizes 2-16) and Wrap, $198 (sizes 4-18)

Bandeau, $198 and Pareo, $145

- Kim Weling

Support Breast Cancer Awareness with Aveda and Origins

Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn't over yet - you can still show your support with these Origins and Aveda products. I happened to stop over at Origins and Aveda during the Garden State Plaza Westfield Style Tour this past weekend. They are both two of my favorite brands!

You can de-stress with Origins Peace of Mind® On-the-Spot Relief. You can feel the tension and tightness leave your body as you apply this to the back of your neck, temples and earlobes, leaving you with a soothing, tingling feeling.

Throughout October, Origins will donate $35,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. On-the-spot relief will not impact the amount of the Origins donation. This contribution supports the research dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime.

When you purchase Pink Ribbon Hand ReliefTM, $4 goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It's the perfect moisture treatment for soothing dry, chapped hands, leaving them softer and smoother.

Yoana Baraschi's Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf‏

Contemporary womenswear designer Yoana Baraschi is joining the fight against Breast Cancer with her Breast Cancer Awareness Scarf. During the month of October, 100% of the profits of this limited edition Yoana Baraschi pure cashmere scarf will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to support Breast Cancer Awareness. The scarf is available in BCA’s signature pink for $98.60 at YoanaBaraschi.com.

Shop in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness - Coach, BCBGMAXAZRIA and Betsey Johnson

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and you can do your part by wearing pink and purchasing products that support Breast Cancer Awareness.

During the month of October, I'll be sharing my top picks of designers and brands supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.

Here are some of my favorites.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Coach will donate 20% of their Positively Pink Collection to BCRF, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a charity dedicated to prevention and a cure for breast cancer. You can shop at coach.com for these special products, which include this BCRF Pave Turnlock Valet Keyfob ($58) and BCRF Op Art 27 x 27 Scarf ($68), among other items.



Purchase BCBGMAXAZRIA's Dream Scarf ($48), Notebook ($15) or Sunglasses ($120) and 25% of your purchase will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Shop at bcbg.com.



Betsey Johnson has been a breast cancer survivor for 11 years! Each year Betsey designs limited edition items, from which a portion of the proceeds benefit various breast cancer related causes. This year proceeds will support two of her favorite charities - National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund and Weill Cornell Breast Cancer of the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where Betsey was treated. You can shop the oversized tote ($75), knit hat ($30), gloves ($30), cozy socks ($10) and glitzy charm bracelet ($125) at betseyjohnson.com.