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We are three best friends who are mothers of teenage daughters (and a son!).... read full story →


An Open Letter to 11-Year-Old Girl Scout Miriam Mendoza from Olivia Klaus, Director of “Sin By Silence” Airing on TV Tonight
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Every 9 seconds, a woman is beaten. That fact alone should be enough to get you to set your DVR to tape Sin by Silence when it makes its world broadcast premiere on the Investigation Discovery Channel tonight. This documentary about the survivors of domestic violence who are serving life sentences after ...read full story →


The Women Who Weave by Ellen Agger, Co-Founder of TAMMACHAT Natural Textiles
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I've already confessed my blanket obsession to you so let me now tell you about my secret fabric stash. I don't sew -- although I have made quilts for both my kids just so I'd have an excuse to buy fabric -- but I love texture. So I was immediately ...read full story →


The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity
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In the three months since we posted Join Susan in Helping with the Somalia Crisis, 30,000 children have died of starvation. How can that be allowed to happen in the 21st century?? Please re-read Susan’s post, watch the video from One.org below and get involved.            ...read full story →


Inspired by Kate Spade, Yali’s Carry On® Bags Benefit Kids with Cancer
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With the holidays too quickly approaching – Halloween seems to turn into Christmas/Chanukah overnight! – we thought we’d help you out with some great gift ideas from our Shop With a Conscience section. Every week through Thanksgiving, we’ll be introducing you to a company that gives back in some way, ...read full story →


A Day of Awe by Brauna Walsh
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Last night as I watched the sun set, coloring the sky with soft shades of pink, orange and blue, I felt the crisp breeze of summer’s end.  I smiled, stood up and opened my arms wide to embrace fall – my favorite season! As a child, it was back to ...read full story →


Dr. Wangari Maathai Dies, and We’re Planting Trees in Her Honor
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We'd like to take a little time today to pay tribute to Dr. Wangari Maathai, who, sadly, passed away on Sunday from ovarian cancer at the age of 71. We feel a very personal connection to Dr. Maathai as we featured her during our very first week of StyleSubstanceSoul.com -- ...read full story →


Our Chicago Ultimate Day “O” Service by Julie Lemerond
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Last Saturday, 22 of Oprah’s Ultimate Viewers participated in the Ultimate Day “O” Service (UDOS) at PAWS Chicago, the Midwest’s largest No-Kill shelter for cats and dogs. It came on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the fateful day that we were in the audience of The Oprah Winfrey ...read full story →