Cute shoes for a good cause

I've long been a fan (about a year) of ShoeDazzle, the members only website that gets you a new pair of shoes for $39.95/month. One of my favorite things about the website is that a few times a year they offer a shoe specially designed to benefit a cause. Last October they offered a hot pink shoe to benefit breast cancer. They've also offered heart health and autism awareness shoes. Their most recent, is a nude shoe designed by Kristen Bell to benefit the Art of Elysium, which offers a variety of artistic workshops to children with serious illnesses. I've already ordered my pair :)

Image via ShoeDazzle

I'm all for indulging in a few spirits before flying

but is this taking it too far?

Gawker's take on this WSJ story is pretty funny, but it's definitely something to think about. Yes, airports need to make more money, but is pushing booze on passengers the way to do it? I usually get to the airport a little early so I can have a drink or two before my flight, and if my layover is a few hours I'll hit up the bar closest to my departing gate, so I know they're making some good money off of me. However, I've never been on a flight that's been delayed because of a drunk unruly passenger, but I can imagine it is quite unpleasant. Do you think 24 hour alcohol sales at airports will increase the number of unruly drunk passengers?

I must admit though, last time I flew, I arrived at DFW at 8am and was quite excited to see all the bars were open ;)

PS - Gawker mentioned the lost wallet while travelling. That's the WORST.

Current Obsession

At the top of my birthday wish list (even though it's a month and a half away)... This Diane von Furstenburg Kindle cover!

Last year for my birthday my mom bought me a Kindle and I've been reading non-stop ever since. Right now I have a red leather case for mine, and yes, its' cute, but ever since seeing this one I've been OBSESSED. DVF is known for classic designs, and I LOVELOVELOVE that the label is embracing modern technology by designing this ebook cover. So many others are very bulky looking but this is super sleek.

And if you know me then you know I can't get enough leopard print. Imagine if blue leopards actually existed ;)

IMAGE SOURCE

Asthma among most costly diseases in Michigan

The Detroit Free Press published THIS story yesterday about how much the state spends on adult medical costs. Among the most costly diseases - asthma - costing $1797 per year per patient. While the state has cut down on the number of smokers, from 25.1% in 1999 to 20.5% in 2008, the amount they are paying per patient on diseases linked to smoking is much higher than in other states.

Sample Sale Heaven

Anyone who knows me knows that if I could, I'd spend all my money shopping. If I can't spend my money shopping, then I'm looking online at all the things I want to buy. Well, here comes the biggest (and most tempting) mid-day distraction - I'm a part of quite a few online sample sale websites that offer designer clothes for a lot less than department stores. How does it work? First, you have to be invited. Shoot me an email: raqlugo@gmail.com if you're interested. Once you're invited, they send you an email with what that day's sales are. They usually last 24-48 hrs or until everything sells out. Act fast, because they can sell out quickly. Usually it takes about 10 business days to get your purchases, but with these prices, it is well worth it!

Some of the deal's I've taken advantage of: $400 Trina Turk trench coat for $68. $200 T-bags dresses for $60, $180 Voom by Joy Han dress for $30, $100 Kitson jacket for $25.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Gilt Groupe
Hautelook
ideeli
RueLaLa
Swirl by Daily Candy
Billion Dollar Babes
Beyond the Rack

Again, if you want an invite, shoot me an email at raqlugo@gmail.com and I'll send one over to ya. Always glad to share my shopping secrets with others :)

NEW BLOG FORMAT

If you are reading this, then you know I've switched over from runraquelrun.blogspot.com (don't click it won't work) to raquelwrites.blogspot.com I figured I had a lot more to say about a lot of different topics - and this would give me a lot more freedom. Don't worry though, runraquelrun is not gone from your lives forever - all posts relating to HEALTH topics will be labelled runraquelrun. As for the other things I plan on writing about, here is how they will be tagged...

FOOD: raquelwantsseconds
FASHION: workitraquel
TRAVEL: raqstarworldtour

Hope you enjoy!

Another good use for salt?

A new (and slightly bizarre if I say so) form of therapy is popping up across the country... Halotherapy. What exactly does it involve?! Sitting in a room caked with salt, while salt from the Dead Sea is pumped into the room. The people who swear by it claim it helps with both respiratory and skin problems, however there is no research to back up these claims. The rooms are modelled after salt caves used in Eastern Europe. The LA Times wrote an interesting piece about it. Read more HERE.


I wonder if salt spas will be the next big thing in DC ;)