Buy the River: Put your money where your heart is

If I can combine two things to make each one even better, I do it. Shopping and giving to an organization or people in need is one of the ways I can do that. I love to help people. It's one of the reasons I joined the Association of Junior Leagues while I lived in New York. Seeing how the work we did directly impacted lives made any work we did worth it. Since fashion is a major part of my life, I get excited when I see companies giving consumers opportunities to participate in some guilt-free goodwill!

Here in Cape Girardeau, we have businesses doing the same by offering high-style products while building a platform for their customers to give back in a meaningful way:

Philanthropy

Photo courtesy of Philanthropy

Bridgett Kielhofner's downtown boutique, soon to be a west Cape Girardeau boutique, is founded on Christian faith and gives a percentage of its proceeds to various charities. I find Philanthropy to have something for everyone. Bridgett knows how to offer the trends of the season while picking classic and stylish pieces that pull the entire floor together. Whether it's skinnies, pretty dresses, all-purpose scarves or standout accessories, this shop has it all, including a prayer wall to cast your cares upon. It's a truly amazing space and place. Visit them online at philanthropyfashion.com.

Warby Parker (online)

Photo courtesy of Warby Parker

Photo courtesy of Warby Parker

I recently was introduced to this innovative company with a serious mission. Warby Parker is a designer eyewear company that offers the best in quality and style, in addition to operating a socially conscious business. Not only does Warby Parker design its glasses in-house (in the U.S.) as opposed to buying frames from a manufacturer and then marking up the price to the consumer, Parker also distributes a pair of glasses to someone in need for each pair of glasses sold. Almost 1 billion people in the world lack access to glasses, according to Warby Parker, so the company's four former college pals consider this their way to chip away at that gargantuan number. This week is the launch of their newest collection, the Daydream Collection, consisting of nothing but sunglasses. My fave of this line is the Topper Crystal because it is beyond cool with its translucent frames. It gives me a '60s vibe, which is one of the hot trends of the season. Another favorite is the Piper Petal Tortoise because the frame is chic and ultra-feminine. I picture an Audrey Hepburn updo and a convertible when I look at these shades. Finally, the Abel Jet Black rounds out my top three because the wide frame is flattering on all face shapes, and everyone needs a jet black shade -- this one is pretty perfect. Check them out at warbyparker.com/daydream.

Lattitudes

This fair-trade store is another goodwill-inspired business you should visit. Lattitudes sells "clothing you can wear with a clean conscience." I had the pleasure of meeting owner Rayme Hooten-Caruso last year when the store first opened on Main Street in downtown Cape Girardeau. Lattitudes sells merchandise made by artisans in impoverished communities. A percentage of those proceeds is given back to those local communities. It is truly a humanitarian effort. Visit Lattitudes online at fairtradelattitudes.com.

Safe House for Women Thrift Shop

All proceeds from this well-stocked thrift store go toward the Safe House for Women, an organization that provides refuge and support for those affected by domestic abuse and violence. For more information, visit semosafehouse.org.

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Sheila McKinley is an independent fashion consultant working exclusively with luxury women's golf wear line Ladyb New York. After living in New York City for the better end of 10 years, she has come back home to Missouri to do one of the things she does best: Talk fashion. Check out her Buy the River blog at semissourian.com/flourish.