TotallyTot | Creating Innovative Solutions for Everyday Women: Holidays

Holidays - Thursday, November 24, 2016

Grief & Gratitude

Can you believe that Thanksgiving 2016 is here already? Where did this year go?! We are in full swing of the holiday season and e...

DressUp - Friday, December 25, 2015

Neon is Always Appropriate - Holiday Party Gear 2

Headed out to another Holiday Party! I had a great time in this flirty number, keep scrolling to see my inspiration for this outf...

I can't believe it's already that time again! That time when every restaurant has at least one peppermint and/or pumpkin spice flavored item on the menu. Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere and TV commercials now have hints of holiday music and beautifully ornamented Christmas trees in their backgrounds. It's the most wonderful time of the yearrrr! Most of us already have our budgets together and the BEST of us have actually begun shopping for our gifts! But.......amidst ALL the warmth and fuzziness of this festive season, have you ever sat back and tried to imagined your life without it? Have you ever considered the possibility of not being able to afford the things you wanted...or even the basic things you needed? Can you imagine being that parent who can't make things happen for their family this year? Just how devastating would that be???

Well...in 2012, a group of friends and I attempted to answer these questions. As a result, we started a volunteer group called Team Turn Up! Or affectionately nicknamed TTU! (exclamation point mandatory) Our sole purpose was to genuinely, creatively and assiduously give back to our communities...especially during the holiday season! We started by partnering with one of the many organizations that adopt low-income families during Christmas. These families are able to submit their basic needs (and wants) with hopes of being adopted by one of the coordinating organization's volunteers. Not afraid to aim high on our very first endeavor, we adopted 15 full families and were able to help them enjoy the holidays and true spirit of the season. TTU! was so humbled by its success and very excited that this set such an awesome precedent for all of our future endeavors!! Throughout the next few years, we served our community in various ways but due to the different stressors and seasons of life, unfortunately TTU! has recently taken a back seat

I do realize that many people people are looking for ways to give back this holiday season and simply may not know where to start. I wanted to use my blog to share some resources that I have used in the past to assist you in your quest to do give back!

If you are looking for something especially for Christmas here are two awesome organizations that I have worked with in the past.

1. Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a very popular organization that partners with churches and volunteer groups to provide gifts for children with incarcerated parents. In 2013 my volunteer group worked with Angel Tree to adopt 100 kids! It truly was life changing for everyone involved. We were able to meet the families and the children. The incarcerated parent provides Angel Tree with their kids names and a list of gifts that they like. You can drop the gifts off to the families or have a location where they announce them up. We had a huge Holiday party for all of the families to attend with activities and light snacks. I'll add some pictures below. You can sign up for Angel Tree on their website. This organization is very organized and provides many resources to ensure that volunteers are successful in their endeavors.

This year Angel Tree even has a virtual program.

The Virtual Angel Tree is a new and easy way to spread joy and cheer to the less fortunate this holiday season. You can view and select Angel tags online, shop from home, and even ship gifts directly to The Salvation Army center close to you. Anyone can be part of the new Virtual Angel Tree Program - just to go The Salvation Army closest to you or call 773-205-3502 or 773-205-3532.

2.Children's Home & Aid

Children's Home and Aid provides gifts for children that are currently in the foster care system. In 2012 we adopted 15 families from Children's Home & Aid. They provided us with a list of wants and needs from the entire family, this included anything from pita and pans for the parents to toys for the children. We hosted a wrapping party for everyone who agreed to assist us which was lots of fun. The wrapped gifts must be labeled and brought to the Children's Home & Aid offices.

Helpful Websites

Here are four of my favorite Websites that provides volunteer opportunities. They are extremely helpful and provide opportunities all year round. If you are looking for something for yourself, your family, or even a group of friends, these sites are very helpful for all of the above. You can edit your search to ensure that only results you need come up.

www.volunteermatch.com

Www.womenoncall.com

Www.chicagocares.org

www.networkforgood.org

Caring - Thursday, November 19, 2015

Tis the Season for Giving!

I can't believe it's already that time again! That time when every restaurant has at least one peppermint and/or pumpkin spi...

We are just one short week away from Thanksgiving and I am so excited! I wanted to provide a few outfit ideas for your house hopping family time. I believe in being picture ready and comfortable enough to enjoy the typical Thanksgiving feast. Some of the outfits you have seen before, but they are all easy breezy Thanksgiving style.

This mixing prints looks is one of my favorites. The peplum top is very forgiving underneath the long vest. It's super chill but still very fashion forward. The patent flats add just enough pizzazz to the entire outfit. Outfit details can be found here.

Who does't love the classic sweatshirt with a shirt under it with jeans?? Super easy and chill. Just because it is Thanksgiving, don't be afraid to add a little personality to your sweatshirt. Here I am rocking a Rocafella Records (Jay-Z's record label) sweatshirt. If you eat a little too much, take off the sweatshirt and rock your plaid shirt with jeans and the over the knee boots making sure you are still picture ready. GO for it!

This is another familiar outfit if you follow my blog. I love dresses with flats! The vegan leather dress is serving on it's on and the spice is the lace tights to add some fun. These 2 pieces go together like turkey and dressing!!! lol! Little note: Skater dresses are super forgiving and when you begin to feel stuffed, take the belt off and go for that Sweet Potato Pie :)

Another skater dresses with some lace tights, this time paired with a leather bomber and the same flat boots. Simple, comfortable, and cute!

Does this simple outfit even need a caption? Long shirts and leggings are the move. Remember that plaid is a fall staple, so a long plaid shirt is on trend, stylish, and leaves room to enjoy the Thanksgiving festivities.

Skirts and tees are one of my favorite combos!

Once again, skater dresses with flats. Pop the belt off for an even more comfortable evening. Skater dress from ASOS and OTK boot is Vince Camuto.

Capes are your friend!!! Mt favorite and probably what I will be wearing on Thanksgiving. I love to belt the cape and I'm certain that the belt will be off after my first plate. lol!