For many, shopping is an American pastime, but it's the spending part that leaves us with pangs of guilt. What if every time you bought something, you were making an investment? With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many manufacturers are donating a portion of their proceeds to a cure. Elaine D'Farley, Self magazine's beauty director, offers a preview of some of the products.
Housewares
Dyson vacuum
Dyson DC07 Pink: A limited-edition vacuum, using Dyson’s patented cyclone technology and doesn't lose suction. Picks up across all floor types and has incredible suction power, $399.99.
Where to find and when? Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide. Available late September 2006, onward.Proceeds: $40 of each vacuum sold is donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
Rowenta iron
Rowenta Pink Iron (model # DZ5065): The brand new professional iron by Rowenta has 400 microsteam holes, a 3-way auto off, a self-clean feature and anti-drip feature, $80.
Where to buy it? Various housewares retails like Linen's 'n Things, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and amazon.com. Visit www.rowentausa-ironforpink.com for full list of retailers. When to buy it? Available now and throughout October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Proceeds: 100% of the profits will be donated to BCRF.
T-shirt
Warriors in Pink (powered by Ford) Pink Baby Doll Tee: This pink baby doll tee that features Warrior heads, comprised of symbols of strength, love, life and remembrance. Part of a larger Warrior line of apparel and accessories for men, women and children that feature bold symbols that embody the Warrior credo of taking charge, living out loud, harnessing power and standing together, $20.
Where to find and when? Sold at www.fordcares.com, 365 days of the year. This style will be available throughout the year.Proceeds: 100% of net proceeds go to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Awareness bras
Wacoal Bra: In leopard or light pink, the bras are from the Wacoal Awareness Collection. Each bra comes with an instruction card telling how to conduct a self exam as well as a ribbon printed or sewn onto the back of the bra, $50.
Where to find and when? Find at nationwide “Fit for the Cure” events throughout the year at Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com. Proceeds: Wacoal is conducting complimentary fittings at “Fit for the Cure” events and will donate $2 every time someone gets fitted. Also, for each bra purchased, $2 goes to Susan G. Komen.
Fab flats
Etienne Aigner Pink Flats: Monogrammed slip-on flats in pale pink, $34.50 through the QVC “FFANY Shoes on Sale” (retail: $64.50).
Where to find and when? October 18 during the QVC breast cancer awareness sale; www.QVC.com or 800-345-1515.Proceeds: Net proceeds go to the beneficiaries of “Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY),” which supports breast cancer research and education programs. (QVC is selling assorted brands at half price and donating the net proceeds.)
Sparkling sweater
Cashmere Crewneck with Crystal Pink Pony: The sweater will be available starting in October; Pink Pony product is available year round, $498.
About Pink Pony: The Pink Pony Fund supports programs for early diagnosis, patient education, treatment and research and is dedicated to bringing patient navigation and excellence in cancer care to medically underserved communities. Ten percent of the sales of all Pink Pony products will benefit the Pink Pony Fund of the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation. Pink Pony is sold at Polo.com and select Ralph Lauren stores.
Jewelry
Cartier bracelet
LOVE Charity Bracelet: The LOVE Charity bracelet features an 18 carat rose-gold mini LOVE ring on a silk cord. From the new LOVE Collection, this style is available in eight colors, each designated to the support of a separate cause, $475.
Where to find and when? Cartier stores. Until sold out. Proceeds: $100 towards BCRF.
White House/Black Market key chain
Hope Key Ring: This limited-edition ring can be attached to most handbags and contains clusters of glass pearls, glass beads and metal charms with ribbons and angels, $18.
Where to find and when? Sold at all WHBM stores nationwide and at www.whitehouseblackmarket.com. Only available for the month of October. Proceeds: 100% of proceeds from the Hope Key Ring (and also their Hope Umbrella) will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
Coach WatchCoach Gallery Breast Cancer Watch: Stainless steel watch with three interchangeable faces: Swarvoski crystal, pink Signature pattern and pink enamel. Case is engraved with the breast cancer ribbon, $398.
Where to find and when? Coach stores and www.coach.com; on sale now. Proceeds: For each sold between now and December 31, $100 of each purchase will be donated to BCRF.
Food
Cute Cookies
Gift Boxes“Reach for a Cure”:16 shopping bags iced in pink and red, embossed with the signature Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon. Also included are five mini circle cookies with the BC ribbon, $58.50.
Where to buy and when? www.elenis.com, 1-888-4-ELENIS; available year round.Proceeds: 50% of sales of this gift box is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
“Fashion Awareness”: The perfect way a fashionista can support a great cause. Includes cookies iced as clothes, accessories, shoes, perfume bottles, and mini cookies iced with the signature BCA ribbon, $75.
Where to buy and when? www.elenis.com, www.bcrfcure.org, 1-888-4-ELENIS; available year round.Proceeds: 50% of the sales from this gift box is donated to the BCRF.
Single cookie: Pink ribbon large cookie, individually wrapped, $8.
Where to buy: www.elenis.com, 1-888-4-ELENIS and the NYC store.Proceeds: 50% to BCRF.
B. Sweets chocolate Chocolate Rx Sampler: 12 oz. box of assorted chocolates from a company run by four cousins. This yummy sampler has 15 milk chocolate treats to try, $25.
Where to find and when? Can buy in certain boutiques across the country, but also online at www.bsweets.com.Proceeds: 20% of its online sales of this sampler to BCRF.
Beauty
Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick “In the Pink”
In the Pink: Clinique celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a limited-edition Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in an exclusive Breast Cancer Awareness shade, “In the Pink.” To make it even more collectible, In the Pink is featured in an eye-catching pink bamboo-inspired case and matching pink carton. This award-winning formula delivers the shine of a gloss with the comfort of a lipstick. It is a chance to look good and do good, $14.
Where to find and when? Available at select Clinique counters nationwide and www.clinique.com. On sale for the month of October or until supplies last. Proceeds: $10 per lipstick goes to BCRF.
Bobbi Brown lip gloss
Bobbi Brown Pink Bouquet Shimmer Lip Gloss: Bobbi Brown has created an exclusive, limited-edition shade of shimmery pink lip gloss in a mirrored, flip-top compact, packaged in a pink carton, $21.
Where to find and when? Available at all Bobbi Brown counters. On sale for the month of October or until supplies last.Proceeds: Bobbi Brown will be donating $35,000 from the North American sales of Pink Bouquet Shimmer Lip Gloss to BCRF.
Clarins lip tintClarins Lip Colour Tint in Pink Sorbet: A moisturizing, sheer lip treatment that leaves you with sparkling color and natural, subtle shine, $19.
Where to find and when? Available at Sephoras nationwide. Color is available year round, but proceeds are only if you buy it in October. Proceeds: 15% towards BCRF.
Fun
K2 Snowboard“Moment”: A new women’s snowboard that features Hybritech construction, dual progressive sidecut, a narrower waist and softer flex designed for comfort and control. Whether you ride 10 days a year or 100, the Moment is a great first impression and the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the snow, $280.
Where to find and when? Most ski shops, like Sport Chalet. Visit www.k2snowboarding.com to find a dealer near you. On sale October–March.Proceeds: K2 donates over 100,000 each year to the BCRF from all its women’s products.
For more information and Self's new 2006 Breast Cancer Handbook, check out .