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Wardrobe Staple: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Sand...
Published on Thursday, November 11, 2010 by caryn I remember shopping for Ralph Lauren on the sale racks at Nordstrom with my mom during high school. The brand, to me, has always symbolized luxury, style, and class. Because I don't work in a profession that requires business attire, I don't own many wardrobe pieces that would work well in an office setting. But a pair of black pants can always be dressed up or ... Read More » -
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On the Red Carpet of The Nutcracker 3D Premie...
Published on Thursday, November 11, 2010 by caryn Last night Andrea, Angie, April, Janice, Tracy and I graced the red carpet for the World Premiere of Nutcracker 3D. The premiere was held at The Grove, complete with candy cane tickets, a snow-filled red carpet, and a Christmas tree. The chilly night in LA was the perfect setting for this family-friendly holiday film, out on November 24th. I'm currently under e... Read More » -
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Quick and Easy Homemade Baby Food
Published on Thursday, November 11, 2010 by caryn My daughter is right in the midst of exploring and expanding her palate. I adore this time when I get to introduce my daughter to the wonderful world of food (because who doesn't like to eat?!?!). If you've read some of my previous posts, you may remember that I failed miserably at making my son's baby food. I've actually had a lot more success making my daughte... Read More » -
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Playhouse Disney Engages Preschoolers With Mi...
Published on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by caryn Like most parents, I strive to limit my son's time in front of the television, opting for more active, engaging experiences. But in the mornings when we're getting ready for the day, I'll let my son watch Playhouse Disney. On November 16th Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment will release the Mickey Mote, a one-of-a-kind Mickey-shaped remote control for kids ages... Read More » -
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Snapfish Honors American Veterans
Published on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 by caryn I've had the privilege of working with Snapfish for over a year now and have utilize their services for everything from photo prints to gifts and photo books. Apart from the quality and affordability offered, Snapfish is also recognized for giving back. Through November 30th, Snapfish has partnered with the Paralyzed Veterans of America MISSION:ABLE to celebrate ... Read More » -
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Olivia-Inspired Toys *Giveaway*
Published on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Felicia K. Congrats! My son is at an age where he's actively using his imagination through pretend play. Sometimes, I'll sit back and watch as he makes up stories about the toys he's playing with. It wasn't until Olivia debuted on Nickelodeon that the this little piglet gained notoriety. Or... Read More » -
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Complete Prenatal Wellness *Giveaway*
Published on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jessica. Congrats! If you can believe it, I've been taking prenatal vitamins for over 4 years now. Over the last 4+ years, I've tried a number of different brands and experienced everything from nausea and heartburn to constipation. All of the brands I took required me to take multiple pills inc... Read More » -
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The World Premiere of Nutcracker 3D *Giveaway...
Published on Monday, November 8, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Cid (#2). Congrats! I've had the opportunity to see live performances of the Nutcracker on several occasions in my 32 years of life. But I've yet to see a film on the big screen, or in 3D for that matter! On November 24th, The Nutcracker in 3D will premiere in theaters across the country. Her... Read More » -
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Toy Story 3
Published on Monday, November 8, 2010 by caryn Earlier this summer, my son watched his very first Toy Story film. The result has been a little boy who draws pictures of Woody and runs around the house yelling "to infinity...and beyond!" We have a small collection of toys based on the film and my son insisted on dressing up as Buzz Lightyear this past Halloween. You can just imagine his excitement when we recei... Read More » -
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DIY Baby Food
Published on Monday, November 8, 2010 by caryn Making my children's baby food was something I had aspired to do for months before they both started eating. But we live in a society of convenience and it was so much easier to buy frozen and jarred baby food. Convenience comes at a cost...and after a visit to my pediatrician last week, I'm aiming to start making more of my daughter's food. When my son was bor... Read More » -
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Rockin’ Recipes: Spanish Style Frittat...
Published on Sunday, November 7, 2010 by caryn If you haven't already figured it out, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. And while most days, I stick with a bowl of oatmeal or cereal, my husband and I like to go all out for breakfast on at least one of the weekend days. It was only a few years back that I was introduced to the frittata and I actually prefer it to the traditional omelet because of the ri... Read More » -
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Breakfast Insights From My Favorite OC Gals!
Published on Friday, November 5, 2010 by caryn A couple of weeks ago, a few of us OC gals gathered together with our kids for breakfast. Since I was preparing for my "official" Mom's Breakfast Club, I practiced some of the recipes I received from Kellogg's, including the Corn Pops Frittata (which was the gals' favorite recipe), Special K Granola Parfaits, and the All-Bran Complete Blueberry Lover's Muffins! ... Read More » -
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My Visit to an Apple Orchard!
Published on Friday, November 5, 2010 by caryn A little over a year ago, I was introduced to Musselman's, an east-coast based, grower-owned cooperative specializing in apple sauce. Over the past year, I've had an opportunity to learn about the company, it's products, and it's passions. A little over a month ago, I was invited to spend a day touring the company plant and one of the apple orchards that serve... Read More » -
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Space-Saving Entertaining With CSN Stores
Published on Thursday, November 4, 2010 by caryn This holiday season, my husband and I are planning to host at least one get-together with friends and family. From the decorations and food to the entertainment, we strive to offer our guests a lively atmosphere. One of the things we always think about is space. While we don't have a terribly large home, our downstairs area is open and spacious. When we purchase... Read More » -
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Time-Saving Tips for Busy Moms
Published on Thursday, November 4, 2010 by caryn By the time I picked up my son from preschool today, it was dark. We literally had an hour and half to do dinner, stories, and bedtime. This weekend (November 7th) we "fall back" and I always feel like their are less hours in the day during this season. As a busy, working mom, time management is always my struggle. Healthy Women, the nation's leading health i... Read More » -
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Kinect! On Sale Now!
Published on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 by caryn Today, I followed along on Twitter as New Yorkers celebrated the launch of Kinect, Microsoft's innovative controller-free gaming system. Before the official launch, actor/producer Mark Wahlberg announced that Microsoft will donate Kinect 4GB Xbox 360 consoles and two games to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. The system is certain to be a hot... Read More » -
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Vote For A Deserving School to Realize Their ...
Published on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 by caryn Like most parents, I'm passionate about my children's education. Before we purchased our home, my husband and I spent time researching the area's school districts to ensure our son would receive the best education, should we be required to put him in a public school. A child's education prepares him for all aspects of life. Budget cuts from a hard-hit economy mean... Read More » -
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Rockin’ Baja Rocks!
Published on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 by caryn It's the end of the week and the last thing I want to do is cook a gourmet meal (or clean-up afterward). My husband and I reserve weekends for dining out. We enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisines and strive to make fresh, healthy food choices. Because we're foodies, we typically opt for restaurants that are off the beaten path. Last week, I had an opportunity to... Read More » -
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Tag. Give. Read. *Giveaway*
Published on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Lori Z. Congrats! In the past, I've written about the amazing things LeapFrog does to help children learn how to read. Last year, LeapFrog donated $1.5 million in Tag School Reading Systems and books to Kindergarten classrooms which reached more than 10, 000 children. After teachers across the c... Read More » -
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The Ultimate Playdate!
Published on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 by caryn Yes...he's way too young for this ride! My son stares intently at the older kids as they zoom by on bikes and scooters. And just like any 3 year old boy, he hops on a ride that's way to old for him. It's just another playdate at the park... This year, Razor, the brand associated with creating the kick scooter, celebrates 10 years of ride-on fun. And what b... Read More » -
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A Simple Switch
Published on Monday, November 1, 2010 by caryn It seems easy enough. Reduce...Reuse...Recycle. But I always feel like I could be doing more. Phillips recently launched A Simple Switch, a website designed to help you cut back on your personal energy consumption. After answering a series of questions (which takes about 5 minutes), A Simple Switch will assist you in finding your personal color, and offer tips ... Read More » -
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Strawberry Shortcake Celebrates 30 Berryful Y...
Published on Monday, November 1, 2010 by caryn Do you remember my story about Strawberry Shortcake? She's timeless, adorably sweet, and doesn't look a day over 30! This year Strawberry Shortcake celebrates thirty berryful years and I had the honor of being one of her guests at her celebration hosted by Ciaran from Momfluential and Natalie from Hot Moms Club. Strawberry Shortcake evokes sweetness, friendship a... Read More » -
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Sassy City Chicks *Giveaway*
Published on Monday, November 1, 2010 by caryn It's November 1 and time to start thinking about the holiday season! If you want to start shopping early and you live in the L.A. area, Sassy City Chicks is once again hosting it's Fashion Bash event on Thursday, November 4th from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm at the Petersen Automotive Museum. This L.A. designer and boutique showcase will feature deeply discounted designer s... Read More » -
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A Halloween Treat For Scooby-Doo Fans *Giveaw...
Published on Saturday, October 30, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Karen L. Congrats! If you're a Scooby-Doo fan, you may be familiar with Zoinks Points, a rewards program for children. Scooby-Doo fans can access and download free, exclusive content (online games, video clips, wallpapers, screen savers, podcasts) by entering the codes found in Scooby-Doo licensed pro... Read More » -
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The Spooktacular Night Train on PBS Kids!
Published on Friday, October 29, 2010 by caryn It feels like I've been talking about Halloween all month, and alas, it's here! We have an action-filled weekend, complete with a harvest festival and trick-or-treating at the zoo. Earlier today, my son's preschool hosted their annual costume parade. He was the talk of the school with his adorable Buddy Dinosaur Train Costume! There are currently two Dinosaur ... Read More » -
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Disneynature The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the...
Published on Friday, October 29, 2010 by caryn My son knows quite a bit about animals for a 3 year old. It's not uncommon for my son to point out polar bears and tortoises by name. His first look at flamingos was at our local zoo. He recognized them from the Animal Baby books we get every month in the mail. Disneynature recently released The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos on DVD and Blu-Ray. I f... Read More » -
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Disneynature Oceans
Published on Friday, October 29, 2010 by caryn Earlier this year, Disneynature Oceans premiered in theaters across the country, perfectly timed with Earth Day. This is the second production by Disneynature and offers an extraordinary look at "the mysteries that lie beneath." Here is a brief synopsis of the film, from the site: Nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and OCEANS bol... Read More » -
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Claire Robinson Shares Her Five Ingredient Fi...
Published on Thursday, October 28, 2010 by caryn For moms like me, cooking 2-3 meals a day can get redundant and tiresome. Elaborate, gourmet meals are the exception. Five Ingredient Fixes? Now that I can handle! Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to interview Claire Robinson, who recently released her book 5 Ingredient Fix: Easy, Elegant and Irresistible Recipes. Claire's Food Network Series, 5 I... Read More » -
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Spinning for a Cure
Published on Thursday, October 28, 2010 by caryn During the past month, I've written about companies and organizations that support breast cancer research and awareness. On Saturday October 30th, twenty-five cyclists will attempt to complete four consecutive 35-minute spin classes and one Pilates class at four New York Sports Club fitness centers throughout Soho and Greenwich Village. This is the first annual NYC ... Read More » -
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Let Souplantation Cater Your Next Event
Published on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by caryn Despite the fact that we try not to eat out, towards the end of the week neither my husband nor I want to cook. One of our favorite lunchtime venues is Souplantation. There are not many restaurants that offer all-you-can eat soup, salad, pastas, baked potatoes, breads, and desserts for under $10. Souplantation recently launched their new catering and boxed lunc... Read More » -
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How to Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween *Li...
Published on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Cheryl M., Jack, Ken B. Congrats! Over the weekend, kids across the country will trick or treat in their neighborhoods. Our little boy is definitely too young to go out by himself, but I'm a bit more comfortable in our neighborhood because it's a private community. Children dressed in dark ... Read More » -
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Xbox Launches Kinect!
Published on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by caryn If you can believe it, I had never played an Xbox game until earlier this year when Kinect was still in development. On November 4th, Xbox will launch it's innovative controller-free gaming system. I've had at least four opportunities to play the game, and I'm hooked! My favorite aspect of this new way to play is that it gets kids and adults off the couch! K... Read More » -
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Spotlight on CASA OC’s Halloween Extrav...
Published on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by caryn On Sunday, the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA) held their annual Pumpkins & Pancakes Halloween Extravaganza at South Coast Plaza. Kids rocked out to tunes spun by Radio Disney, parents sipped cappuccinos and ate a gourmet breakfast catered by Plum's Cafe...the Costa Mesa Fire Department gave tours of their Fire Truck while adjacent skat... Read More » -
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Special Offers For New Los Angeles Times Subs...
Published on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by caryn I lived in Los Angeles all of my life until my husband and I moved down to the OC 3 years ago. I remember waking up every Sunday morning as a child, climbing into bed with my parents, and reading the newspaper before getting ready for church. If you're SoCal local, the LA Times is THE newspaper detailing the happenings of the Southland. New subscribers can take a... Read More » -
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Spooktacular Halloween Treats
Published on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by caryn We're less than one week away from Halloween and it feels like my family has been celebrating for weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I went back to Chicago to glean decorating inspiration from Wilton. Thanks to some tips I received during my visit, I finally perfected the fine art of making candy! I used Wilton's Smiling Pumpkins Lollipop Mold to make single colo... Read More » -
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Dove’s Movement For Self-Esteem
Published on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by caryn Imagine a world …where every girl grows up with the self-esteem she needs to reach her full potential. …where every woman enjoys feeling confident in her own beauty. …where we all help to build self-esteem in the people we love most. ~Dove~ I was neither the prettiest nor the most popular girl in school. In fact, I really liked academics, like AP Engl... Read More » -
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Holiday Cards by Snapfish
Published on Monday, October 25, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Sarah L. Congrats! It's hard to grasp my mind around the fact that November is right around the corner. Once the Halloween weekend wraps up, we'll be focusing on getting ready for the holidays. Which means, we'll have to take our annual family picture for the photo Christmas cards we always send t... Read More » -
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“Read” to Your Child Anytime With...
Published on Monday, October 25, 2010 by caryn Children love to be read to. I remember reading book after book after book during the early weeks of my daughter's pregnancy when I was too sick to do much of anything. My son is getting to the point where he'll pick up one of the many books we've been reading for the past three years and tell the story out loud. He's not reading yet, but he's definitely movin... Read More » -
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It’s Timmy Time!
Published on Sunday, October 24, 2010 by caryn If you can imagine, we aren't home enough to watch a lot of television (just read my blog or follow me on Twitter). However, those times when I'm trying to get the three of us out the door to start the day and he is trying to get into mischief, I've been known to turn on Playhouse Disney for a few minutes. There are distinct shows he won't watch...and I know this ... Read More » -
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Your Chance at a New Bosch Kitchen
Published on Sunday, October 24, 2010 by caryn Bosch wants to know, Watts Your Green Tip? At the beginning of October, the company launched a new Facebook contest and one person with the best green tip will win a green suite of Bosch kitchen appliances valued at $6,000 which will include the following: Integra dishwasher (SHX45P05UC) Evolution gas range (HGS7282UC) Over the range microwave (HMV5051U) ... Read More » -
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The (Mom’s) Breakfast Club
Published on Sunday, October 24, 2010 by caryn It's the most important meal of the day and my favorite meal of the day. Yet, children are still going to school without breakfast. I know how difficult it is to get two kids dressed, fed, and out the door in the mornings. But I do whatever it takes, including waking up early or being late, to ensure my son has breakfast every single day. For the last few mon... Read More » -
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How to Plan a Blogger Event With Lasting Valu...
Published on Saturday, October 23, 2010 by caryn Companies (both big and small) are moving their conversation into "the real world" and engaging with bloggers in cities across the country. Last year, I was invited to meet with General Mills in Minneapolis. It was my first "official" blog event and I was honored to be their guest. I had "read" about bloggers being flown across the country to meet with brands, b... Read More » -
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Wendy’s New Pick 2 Menu *Giveaway*
Published on Saturday, October 23, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Shirley. Congrats! Whenever I go to a fast food restaurant, I order either a chicken sandwich or a salad. Now, not all fast food restaurants are alike...I have my favorites and Wendy's tops the list. I remember how sad my mom and I were when the location on the pier in Redondo Beach closed. Ear... Read More » -
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Magnolia Bakery’s New Fall Indulgences
Published on Friday, October 22, 2010 by caryn Almost fifteen years ago, Magnolia Bakery opened it's doors to New York City. When I was in New York City over the summer, I had to pay a visit to one of their four New York locations, unaware of the fact that an Los Angeles store was set to open. Even today as I walk into the store's Los Angeles location, I'm captivated by it's cozy, vintage appeal and the delic... Read More » -
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My Thirty Seconds of Fame
Published on Friday, October 22, 2010 by caryn Last month I told you all about the 2011 Honda Odyssey. I was invited to a media preview in La Jolla, CA and opted to appear on camera with my thoughts about the newly-designed mini van. I honestly never thought they'd use my video...but they did! It went up this week along with Jodi's from Mom's Favorite Stuff on sites like dooce and BlogHer! Without further ... Read More » -
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Halloween Dress-Up by Pure Costumes
Published on Friday, October 22, 2010 by caryn Halloween is a little over one week away, and my little boy can't wait to dress up to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. Because he has no concept of time, he pulls out his Halloween costume almost every day asking if it's time to trick-or-treat! If you're looking for last minute ideas for dressing up, check out the assortment of Halloween costumes available at Pu... Read More » -
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Pumpkins & Pancakes For a Great Cause
Published on Friday, October 22, 2010 by caryn Did you know that nearly 3,000 children are removed from their parents' care for abuse or neglect in Orange County on any given day? The number is astoundingly tragic. But these children have hope, thanks to an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County). The non-profit organization trains community volunteers to serve as mentors ... Read More » -
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Sesame Street Launches Video Games For Presch...
Published on Thursday, October 21, 2010 by caryn Gaming has changed so much since I conquered all three Super Mario Bros. games on NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). Adults can get fit while children learn to count on the same gaming system. Gaming has only recently been accepted as an educational method and traditional gaming systems are targeted towards young children. Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Inte... Read More » -
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Promote Urinary Health With AZO *Giveaway*
Published on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by caryn This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is CherylS22. Congrats! As a mom, it's easy to talk about potty training and discipline. As a woman, it's not so easy to talk about burning and itching. Did you know that 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection in their lives (and from experience, they're not. fun.) and half of al... Read More » -
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Ralph Lauren Goes Pink For The Cure
Published on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by caryn It's the middle of October and companies across the country are going pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the next few months, I'll be working on a campaign with Ralph Lauren, a brand who's clothes I've been wearing since I was in junior high school. Do you know someone affected by breast cancer? A sister, friend, neighbor? I went to gradua... Read More »
