Train, Plane or Automobile?

Hey!  Any vacation plans  this year?  Are you thinking about a trip?  “No way,” you scoff,  “with what money and what time? “

Well according to travel.msn. com, their 2009 travel trend report is suggesting otherwise.  People are heading out of town and they’re going West either by train or bus.

The thing I love about designing handbags; especially what I adore about creating Star50,  is  I get to talk about the places I love to visit and remember myself.

Some of the best destinations in the world are located right in our backyard.  But did you know that these ’special spots’–national parks and vacation getaways  in our country can’t keep up without support from us?

That’s  why I’m including this list of  my personal favorites.  It’s where you can get the lowdown on what’s hot this season and what might need a little face lift here and there.

Remember, these organizations work towards leaving behind a legacy that celebrates our culture,  history,  and especially our lands.  By supporting their stewardship, we help them maintain, conserve, and preserve not only our physical geography but also our national integrity.

It’s my intention to feature something from each of these organizations throughout the year so start familiarizing yourself with them now.

The Trust for Historic Preservation: Helping people protect, enhance, and enjoy the places that matter most, comes in at number one for me.

The Nature Conservancy — The leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. They are in every state and more than 30 countries. You can’t live ethically without them.

www.americantrails.org:  The only non-profit that’s creating a network of interconnected trails across America.  So get some fresh air already and take a hike.

AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!

If a trip West to any of our National Parks sounds inviting; before you make your reservation, check these sites out.  Choose your state of mind and preserve our national treasures with a donation and/or community building vacation.

Till next time enjoy the trip!

Amity

Anybody out there?

We want to hear from you!  What kind of information are you looking for–travel or fashion?  Unfortunately we didn’t get the kind of response we were looking for last time we asked, so we’re going trying it again.

Here at Star50 we love to talk about the quirky, the kitsch, and the undiscovered but we also love to discuss fashion.  I mean, who doesn’t love to talk handbags, hats, shoes, and makeup, right?

So give it to us straight.  We created a survey on www.constantcontact.com

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2fzz171fq76t5vh/start

Let us know how we can help you have a better, happy-feel-good experience with us; whether its shopping on our site our reading this blog,  give me the chance to do it right.

Thanks and enjoy the trip!

Amity

Colorado Charm

February is especially cold here in Colorado. For me, it’s even too cold to attempt a drive to the mountains. It’s a sad day when I’m not interested in being outside. If you haven’t heard, Colorado has some of the best skiing in the world and its right here in my backyard.

From Denver, you’re within a 3 hours drive of at least 5 ski areas that boast beautiful powder, fabulous food and Colorado charm.

One of my favorite destinations because of its simple, authentic mountain flair is only a quick hour and a half up Loveland pass and over the continental divide, where you’ll drop down into Winter Park; a true rocky mountain ski town that blows chilling temperatures all winter long.

The ski area of Winter Park is nestled right off of I-40. You also have the option of taking the famed http://www.skitrain.com/winter.html from Downtown Denver’s Union Station; starting this February 6^th, Thursdays-Sundays, the Train boards at 6:30 am. You arrive, slope-side, at 9:30am. Enjoy the day and jump back on the train at 4:30pm, fully exhausted but satisfied.

If downhill isn’t you’re thing, head out and through the town of Winter Park about 10 minutes and visit Devil’s Thumb Ranch and Spa http://www.devilsthumbranch.com/ . 5000 acres of sprawling lands and views, take your breath away. Consider resting up in one of their lovely cabins and soak those tired feet of yours in their special buttermilk bliss soak.

Take advantage of the Ranch’s February Sweetheart Special. Offered through 2/28/09.

For more about getting to and from Winter Park, check out http://www.skiwinterpark.com/index.htm

Until next time, Enjoy the trip!

Amity

Purse Party Anyone?

Spring is almost here and what better way to celebrate than with a brand new bag from Star50? This Valentine’s Day, treat your sweetheart (or yourself!) to a state-inspired piece at our first ever Purse Party!

Visit Star50 Handbags from 12-2 p.m. on Thursday, February 14^th and receive 50% off our entire, in-stock inventory.  Enter STARLET in the code section and receive your discount at checkout.

And that’s not all! Pass this along to your friends and they can get the same benefits. Each purchase counts towards building your Star50 club points. As a Star Club member, you earn Star Points with every purchase. Use those Points to earn gift certificates you can use on the Star 50 handbag of your choice. You also receive a discount coupon for every third bag you purchase. Reach milestones in your collection and get big rewards!  

Star50 offers more than 15 unique bags with more on the way! Daydream about summer vacation with your Hawaii Weekender, imagine  the wind on the ski slope with your Colorado Lodge Tote, or pay your respects to the people of the Gulf Coast as they rebuild their cities and towns with the Louisiana Market Sac and the Mississippi Brunch Bag.

Want to help? Brad Pitt’s Make It Right project has a goal of building 150 green affordable homes in New Orleans, with an emphasis on the Lower 9^th Ward, one of the hardest areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.

To learn more about the Make It Right project, or to donate to help rebuild the 9^th Ward, click here