Not A Shopaholic Updates

I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all those who take the time to read my blog and especially to those who link to my posts.
It seems as though the Retail Challenge has caught on. I still see activity to this post through Google Analytics which makes me very happy. A very special thank you to French Vanilla Home and the Always Upward Blog for passing on the challenge to their own followers. Cinda has even taken it to the next level with the 3/50 challenge. Let's keep it going.
True to my promise, now that I am employed, I am working on contributing my $1000 to the cause via independent retailers. Look for posts in the next few months as I set out to different shopping areas in Toronto to spend some money. I was hoping to have already completed my challenge but then I went a little nuts on tickets to the Olympics. Obviously that is quite a chunk of change but I am working through it, don't worry!
Another post that got a lot of views was Luv Your Shoes Miz Mooz. A few comments have come in from different people letting us know where they found this fabulous affordable brand in their cities. Keep it coming please! I will continue to approve all relevant comments no matter how long ago it was posted.
I'm also very excited to tell you of a new blog opportunity for me. Some of you may already read my other Blog, Journey to Vancouver 2010-Diary of a Fan. I was asked by someone at Tourism Vancouver to write for their blog, Inside Vancouver. They are asking different people from outside of Vancouver to write about their experiences as we get ready to travel to Vancouver for the Olympics. Apparently my love of the Olympics is coming through in those posts, lol. I'm honoured and excited to be a part of their blog. I will continue to post on my own as well. Follow all of them if you can!

The Best Aura to Have

Once in awhile, I come across something through my job that really makes me love what I do. This time that feeling is due to Aura Collective. The company was started by two business men, Eric Andrade and Colin Aikman and their idea is truly ingenious. Aura Collective is a website that brings the creative, talented artists across Canada to one central location. There are a wide variety of products and artists and all the items are spectacular. From jewellery to decor pieces, each one is unique and beautiful.

The Aura Collective website not only brings the talent of Canadian artists to our attention, it also contributes to the well being of society by donating a portion of each sale to a charity. When ordering from the website, you can dictate which charity you want the money to be donated to. How amazing is that? Now we can shop and feel doubly good about our purchases, not only are we putting money into the economy, we are also supporting a good cause. Retail therapy is now guilt free! The best thing about it is, I'm sure whatever you buy from the website, it will be a real conversation piece. When Eric and Colin first came to see us, we were all ohhhing and ahhing over the jewellery pieces and other trinkets they brought as a preview.

New artists and products are being added all the time. This is a site you should definitely bookmark. All around, a great idea, a great website and a great cause.

Be sure to visit the site to read up on the artists profiles and products for sale. Its like the One of a Kind show, all year round!