Giving Back Through Team PINK

I am super excited to share with everyone a great non-profit charity called Team PINK.  Team PINK was born from two young ladies’ passion and desire to give back to the community as a whole.  Their goal is a simple one - to inspire individuals of all ages and all athletic abilities to have fun and kick butt while training and racing for a cause.   Jessica Crate and Emily Nelson are the founders of Team Pink.  I will share more about each of these fabulous women in a minute, but first, more about their amazing charity work.

Team PINK is a grassroots athletic philanthropy with the love for the color PINK. They are your typical girly girls but yet are not afraid of hard work, dedication, and come with huge athletic goals.   Jessica and Emily are on a mission – to get people up and moving – any and all ages and at any of athletic fitness. They know you do not need to be a super star athletic to make a difference when it comes to giving of oneself.   With hearts bigger than the U.S., Jessica and Emily don’t want anyone to ever give up on their dreams and want to help where they can to make some dreams a reality.  

Jessica shares, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you put your mind to it and just push yourself one step further. I like to tell people that I wasn't born fast or talented, I just absolutely refuse to quit which is also behind the motto of TEAM PINK - No matter what age, gender or talent level, you too can accomplish your goals!”

 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am all about giving and helping when I can.  Part of the reason I created and started the Corky Kouture® brand was to see people smile and feel special and I use it in many charitable manners.  I am passionate about lifting people up – not bringing them down or knocking them further down when they are already out.  Because of this I love to surround myself with likeminded individuals and Jessica and Emily are both champions not only in their athletic fields but also in my book.

We are runners, we are swimmers,
we are cyclists, we are professionals,
we are visionaries, we are leaders,
we are best friends, we are women
and we are ‪#‎teamPINK‬.
Together we INSPIRE,
GIVE BACK & Raise Awareness!
 — with Jessica Crate and Emily Nelson.

Jessica Crate, Elite Athlete, USAT Coach is known for being 9th Overall Female and Boston Marathon Qualifier at the 2009 Las Vegas Rock-N-Roll Marathon, Qualified and raced at ITU World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand and Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas in 2012.  

Jessica shares, “I am also committed to running all of my races to benefit a charity in 2013. I love giving back, coaching and encouraging others. A non-profit that I co-founded with a personal friend of mine is entitled Giving Athletics, Inc. Our goal is “inspiring social change through athletic participation.” A goal that also resonates with what TEAM PINK is all about and one that we look forward to instilling in other women, men, children and young adults across the country and around the world.”

Emily Nelson, Athlete, is known for her Surf Coast Trifecta Age Group Series Championship win 2011, 2nd Overall Female Cocoa Beach Triathlon 2012, 9th Place Age Group Ironman St. Croix 70.3 2012, 3rd Overall Female Jacksonville Tri Series #1 2013. 

Emily shares, “We have all dealt with our own obstacles but we can never let them knock us down. Jessica and I, coming together as Team PINK, we’re strong than ever. We hope to serve as role models in the community & be an inspiration to others. I want people to see us and think if they can do it, I can too!”

Let’s all help support these two amazing young ladies in their efforts to inspire and encourage others through athletic participation, give back to the community, and to promote and raise awareness for local charities. 

You can connect with Team Pink on Facebook here:  Team PINK

And visit their website here to see what these fabulous ladies are up to next!  Team PINK Website

Why the Feather Boa Remains A Fashion Mainstay

Feather boas are fun, flirty, and feel good accessories no one should be without. I’ve seen everyone from celebrities to friends wearing them over the years and they have not waned in popularity. This accessory takes fashion to a whole new level, adding character to any look. They are available in an array of colors which makes them and their wearer even more alluring.

I've often associated feather boas with various periods, but they’re still very much alive and well among many wearers of today. Whether you’re going to a party, out on the town, or just want an accessory to express your individuality, a feather boa is the perfect choice for any occasion and one of the main reasons I incorporated them into the Corky Kouture™ Bottled Gift bag collection.

Feather boas are documented as being worn since at least 1820, but are thought to go back even farther. While feather boas are often considered elegant, they are also quite sexy both in the way they look and make one feel.

Feather boas have lasted through many eras to include the Victorian and Edwardian. They were also quite popular accessories during the Roaring ‘20's, and made a comeback in the 1970's with the advent of glam rock and disco. The late 1990's and early 2000's saw a resurgence of the feather boa and it continues to be a chosen accessory item today.

Over the years, a number of entertainers have incorporated the use of feather boas into their acts. Some notable names you may remember include: dancer Isadora Duncan, singer Diana Ross, singer Marc Bolan from the glam rock band T.Rex, singers Cher and Elton John, and wrestler Hulk Hogan. Numerous other cabaret and opera singers have also adorned themselves with these fun fashion pieces. So what has made the feather boa such a popular accessory through the generations?  Most likely, because they make a statement – a bold entrance and get one noticed.

I have found the feather boas to be the perfect glam accent to our fabulous Corky Kouture™ bottled gift bags.  They add to the statement that the gift bags stand for - individual, unique, fashionable, playful, glamorous, and simply fabulous!  They’re the perfect glam gift for any occasion, whether you’re giving it to a friend or yourself, for weddings, birthdays, engagements, house warming’s, dinner parties – the gifting options are unlimited! They’ll add the flare that will be sure to get everyone talking just like a gorgeous feather boa.

Get Engaged on Valentines Day

Surprise your loved one this February 14^th with a ring! You know you want to ask the man of your dreams or woman of your dreams to marry you. Why wait? Getting engaged on Valentines Day is the perfect time.

You can buy a bottle of your favorite wine the two of you enjoy. Instantly turn the wine gift into a spectacular gift when you place it inside one of the Corky Kouture™ wine giftbags. Choose a sexy red wine bag, a stunning pink wine bag, a sophisticated black wine bag or a sharp white wine bag. The fancy bottle gift bags come with a zippered pouch. Inside of the pouch may be the perfect place to put the engagement ring for your loved one. This year make Valentines Day gift giving a magnificent celebration!

Choose the setting where you want to ask him or her to marry you. You may want to take your loved one to your favorite restaurants. Make sure you call to make reservations ahead of time as Valentines Day is a busy day of the year. While the two of you are enjoying each other’s company, and the time feels right, bring out your wonderful gift.

If the person you are about to propose to is an adventure enthusiast, plan a hot air balloon ride, skydiving, bungee jumping or another thrilling outing. After all of the excitement is over with, sit down and propose to him or her and watch the adrenaline kick back in!

If you live in a warm area you may set up a picnic after horseback riding. Imagine the two of you slowly riding horses though the beautiful countryside. As your appetites awaken, bring out the picnic basket and blanket. Enjoy the day together. Pop open a bottle of wine and share with your loved one how much he or she truly means to you.

Take your honey to the city for a day of shopping and lunch. Surprise your loved one with a ride on a carriage. The carriage is the perfect place to ask your significant other to marry you.

Getting engaged on Valentines Day, celebrating the way the two of you like to along with your great gift of a bottle of wine, a fancy wine bag by Corky Kouture™ along with an engagement ring will make a lifelong cherished engagement story to share with your family and friends.

Valentines Day Gifting: Show You Care

Skip the boring chocolates and flowers this Valentines Day. People expect to get the same old same old every year. Make this Valentines Day gifting extra special. You can create a more meaningful gift when you make your own card and slip it into the adorned zippered pouch of a upscale Corky Kouture bottled gift bag with a fine wine nestled inside.  You do not have to be a scrap booking enthusiast to make a card. Look online how to make a simple Valentines Day card. You may decide to take a piece of red construction paper and glue a photo of the two of you on the front. If you do not like your handwriting, use your computer to type Happy Valentines Day. On the inside use the computer to type out your thoughts, feelings and/or a poem to your loved one. Use a glue stick to paste the poem or written thoughts inside of the handmade card. The fact that you took the time to create something with your own hands will impress your loved one.

Along with the lovely card you created, purchase a bottle of wine. Get the wine your significant other likes or a bottle the two of you enjoy sipping together. There is no need to wrap the wine bottle as you can purchase a stunning Corky Kouture™ fancy winebag to place the wine in. The wine bag is absolutely gorgeous and makes any gift appear lavish. If you want to purchase jewelry, a gift card or another small item you can place it inside of the clever zippered pouch. 

If you are getting cabin fever plan ahead to spend Valentines Day at a hotel. Splurge and get a hotel room with a hot tub. The two of you will wash away your cares and stress in the hot tub while sipping the wine you gave as a gift to your sweetheart earlier. This one night focusing on the two of you can rejuvenate your relationship in no time.

Spending quality time together is a must to keep your relationship thriving. Small or large gifts show the other person you care. Buy your sweetheart a candy bar when you go to the store when it is not on the list. Your significant other will know that you are thinking of him or her when the two of you are apart. Treat your spouse or significant other to a larger gift such as the wine inside one of the CorkyKouture™ fancy bottle gift bags and a hotel room for the night. Valentines Day gifting is made special when you spend time together and take the time to buy a special gift for your significant other.