Soles4Souls Shoe Charity: Barefoot Week

Please join Soles4Souls as they go barefoot for Barefoot Week, June 1-7.

During barefoot week, the Soles4Souls team will go barefoot for hours at a time to tangibly remind everyone of the importance of safe, sturdy shoes.

Will you join Soles4Souls during Barefoot Week?

Soles4Souls is collecting monetary donations and new or gently worn shoes. For every $1 you donate, Soles4Souls can provide an additional pair of shoes to someone in need. The money also helps the organization process and distribute donated shoes.
Soles4Souls would also like to collect 500,000 pairs of new or gently worn shoes in time for Barefoot Week.

Margaret's Cleaners is proud to be a drop-off location! You can drop off new or gently used shoes at any of our Margaret's stores.

Soles4Souls

To donate, bring your new or gently worn shoes and/or donations into any Margaret's
location.

Margaret’s Cleaners
5150 Convoy
San Diego, CA 92111

Margaret’s Cleaners
7511 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037

Margaret’s Cleaners
3790 Via De La Valle, Suite 213
Del Mar, CA 92014

Margaret’s Cleaners
1831 Westcliff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Soles4Soles is a Nashville-based nonprofit organization that distributes shoes to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 17 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and the United States.

Soles4Souls accepts all types of shoes, including athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, as long as they are new or gently worn. The charity also accepts half pairs. Sometimes they can find matches!

For more information, visit the the Soles4Souls FAQ page.

Testimonial and our CleanByMail service

Check out this wonderful testimonial we received from a long-time client:

"I received your letter inquiring why I had not been in to Margaret's lately.

I have relocated out of the area to Kansas City, MO. I may need to use your service remotely; I understand you can mail cleaned items to customers out-of-state?

Margaret's is, without a doubt, the best cleaner I have ever used. 99% of all my clothes are Gorigio Armari and you have kept them in great shape."

-Robert E.

CleanByMail

Our CleanByMail service is perfect for customers like Robert!  

Like in any successful long-distance relationship, Margaret’s CleanByMail service takes the time to make sure your garments, ties, and bags receive the proper TLC—even when they’re far from home. CleanByMail is a convenience-service for customers who want the best care for their garments and handbags, but aren't near a Margaret's facility.

Why CleanByMail?

CleanByMail is like having a Margaret's facility at your doorstep. The same professionals who work on local drop-offs also clean the CleanByMail items. You simply send us your items, we care for them, and then we package them according to Margaret's standards and ship them back to you. 

How do I send my item?

To get started, simply download and print the CleanByMail request form. Fill out the information, and then send it along with your item to:

CleanByMail

c/o Margaret's Cleaners

5150 Convoy Street

San Diego, CA 92111

For your convenience, you can clip and use the lower right-hand corner of the request form as a shipping label.

Can I get an estimate before I send it to you?

If you'd like a cleaning estimate before you ship your item, plug in your Web cam and make a Live Web call to Margaret's for an instant estimate. Or for a price estimate on a purse, fill out the Purse Cleaning Estimator form. 

Which items do you accept for CleanByMail?

To ensure the highest quality for your items, which will travel long distances, we accept only certain items that travel well and arrive in excellent condition. After all, you expect the best from us, and we want to deliver the best.

Items we accept:

• Purses and handbags
• St. John's knits
• Bridal gowns for preservation
• Neck ties
• and more, depending on the item

If you have an item you're unsure about, give us a call at (866) 454-2375 or send us an email.

Eco-Conscious Fashion

Green. It's a color. It's an eco-buzzword. But what does "green" mean for the fashion industry?

More than likely, you've heard a lot of different buzzwords and phrases tossed around in the last decade, such as "going green," "sustainable," and "carbon footprint."

Because of the growing concern, people are more aware of their own "carbon footprint," which is an individual's personal contribution to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause "climate change." To avoid the risk of starting a political debate, the notion of climate change varies, depending on the report and the scientist. Whether or not you believe in global warming/climate change, most people can agree that keeping the world clean and beautiful is important.

Eco-Chic

The fashion industry is following suit. Designers are listening to clients and making garments that are fashionable as well as socially and ecologically responsible. “Many fashion companies are thinking about how to protect the environment, while still producing their visions” said Susan Rockefeller, an honorary co-chair of the Green Auction.

There are also fashion shows that focus solely on eco-friendly clothing. “I think the [fashion] industry is making great progress in terms of going green, and it’s doing it in a way that shows consumers that ‘green’ doesn’t have to mean unstylish or boring,” Rockefeller said.

Margaret's is Green, too!

Did you know that Margaret's is a licensed Green Earth cleaner? We offer a ZeroCarbon/carbon offset wedding gown preservation service and use the most advanced and environmentally friendly cleaning methods available.

Additionally, we use non-toxic and perc-free wet cleaning solutions, organic cotton, perc-free hydrogen cleaning techniques, and silicone-based solvents. We also recycle and reuse garment bags and hangers.

Margaret's is also the only cleaner in Southern California that has the SystemK4. This $75,000 machine enables Margaret's to clean garments using the highest quality, eco-friendly cleaning solvent available on the market.

Eco Buzz Words

Carbon Footprint
A measured amount of greenhouse gasses (CO2) that are released into the atmosphere through daily activities.

Carbon Offsetting
Canceling out the amount of CO2 that's released into the atmosphere by investing in environmentally friendly projects.

Climate Change
Change in the earth's atmosphere over a long period of time. Linked to global warming.

Eco-Chic
The fashion trend of being environmentally conscious and purchasing only environmentally conscious products.

Energy Efficient
Products that use lower amounts of energy to operate.

Global Warming
An increase in the earth's temperature over a long period of time.

Go Green
To make a conscious effort to use eco-friendly products and reduce one's carbon footprint through lifestyle choices.
 
Sustainable
Avoiding the depletion of natural resources by conserving the ecological balance.

TELL US: How do you "go green"?

Princess Project Runway Show

Last week was the Princess Project Runway show at Fifty Seven Degrees wine bar. The event was a huge success!

Congratulations to the FIDM San Diego students who participated! The fashion design contestants included first-place winner Allan Huang, as well as Angeline Minnocci, Xylina Lim, Ryan Poole and Lena Lollis.

There was a silent auction that was filled with salon services, golf packages, boating/kayaking packages, trust and estate certificates, Tony Hawk Merchandise, wine packages, hotel certificates, and more. There was also a raffle with prize baskets that included movie passes, gift certificates, and lots of other incredible stuff.

The wine bar included a specially priced menu of drinks made exclusively for this event. Jodi Kodesh, the event emcee, did an outstanding job, and the DJ kept the party going all night!

Check out more pictures from the event here.

Don't forget about The Princess Project

The Princess Project is hosting its fourth annual Princess Project Runway show! It’s a fun fashion event that will raise money for the The Princess Project.

All photos from San Diego Magazine

The show features students from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). The students will demonstrate live, interactive draping and production of a prom dress. Each student chooses the fabric and creates the pattern for the dress. Attendees get to watch the dress creations from start to finish!

Our own Jan Bohn (co-owner of Margaret's and couture handling expert) will be a sitting judge in this year’s competition!

The other judges are Gordana Gehlhausen of Project Runway and owner/designer of Goga by Gordana; Elena Han, owner/designer of Va Lena Valentina Couture; and Jodi Kodesh, event emcee from NBC San Diego News.

Gordana Gehlhausen

The night will include a fabulous show and attendees will also be treated to a special menu of cocktails and delicious appetizers. There will be a silent auction with items donated from local businesses.

For pictures from last year's show, click here.

4th Annual Princess Project Runway

March 29, 2012

6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fifty Seven Degrees wine bar   

1735 Hancock Street

San Diego, CA 92101

Prepay: $20; At door: $25

Hungry for Fashion: The Hunger Games Costumes

Are you ready for The Hunger Games? This popular young-reader book-series-turned-movie makes its theatrical debut this Friday, March 23. Not since the Twilight series have we seen such excitement and anticipation for a movie opening. Theaters across the country are selling out of presale tickets. This movie is already breaking records.

For those of you into the book series and fashion, this movie just might be the perfect marriage of the two.

Costume designer Judianna Makovsky researched costume ideas by studying images of “working-class people from the turn-of-the-19th century to the 1960s in Appalachia and other places in America.”

A pair of hunting pants that Katniss wears are made from a vintage 1870s Levi Strauss pattern. 

The blue Sunday-best dress that Katniss wears at the lottery for the Hunger Games was made using rayon from the Western Costume fabric shop. The designers bleached and dyed the fabric to create the perfect blue hue, and then added smocking to the shoulders.

Effie Trinket wears gold booties from Alexander McQueen and a vintage 1930s flower hat.

Cinna bears a simple black Lurex Prada sweater.

The “girl on fire” dress seen on Katniss on the eve of the games is red silk taffeta and organza with vertical pleats. It also has flame-like crystal embroidery to give the illusion of flames, as described in the book.

For more Hunger Games fashion info from The Chicago Tribune, click here.

Talk to us! Are you excited for The Hunger Games? Did you read the books?

Sending a batch of donated shoes to Soles4Souls charity!

We are sending out our first batch of donated shoes!

Shoes!

And more...

These shoes will go directly to Soles4Souls, which will distribute them as needed around the world.

Quick facts:
Over 1.5 billion pairs of shoes lay idle in American closets, many of which can be saved from landfills by sending them to Soles4Souls.

Over 300 million children around the world are without shoes.

Soles4Souls delivered over 15 million pairs of shoes throughout its five-year history. They currently deliver a pair every seven seconds!

Soles4Soles, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization, distributes shoes to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 17 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and the United States.

 To donate, bring your new or gently worn shoes into any Margaret's
location.


Margaret’s Cleaners
5150 Convoy
San Diego, CA 92111

Margaret’s Cleaners
7511 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037

Margaret’s Cleaners
3790 Via De La Valle, Suite 213
Del Mar, CA 92014

Margaret’s Cleaners
1831 Westcliff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Margaret's Collects Shoes for Soles4Souls

Soles4Soles, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization, distributes shoes to people in need around the world. Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 17 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, and the United States.

Margaret's Cleaners is proud to be a drop-off location! You can drop off new or gently used shoes at any of our Margaret's stores in Las Vegas or throughout Southern California.

Soles4Souls accepts all types of shoes, including athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, flip flops, as long as they are new or gently worn. The charity also accepts half pairs. Sometimes they can find matches!

For more information, visit the the Soles4Souls FAQ page. 

To donate, bring your shoes into any Margaret's
location.

Margaret’s Cleaners
5150 Convoy
San Diego, CA 92111

Margaret’s Cleaners
7511 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037

Margaret’s Cleaners
3790 Via De La Valle, Suite 213
Del Mar, CA 92014

Margaret’s Cleaners
1831 Westcliff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Cut the Closet Clutter!

Does this look like your closet?

If you’re buried in clothing, it’s probably time to do something about it. Katie Trotter, writer for The National, says “when in doubt, throw it out.”

Trotter’s rule of three advises that you ask yourself the following questions to evaluate each garment: Does it fit? Have you worn it more than once in the last six months? Does it serve a solid purpose? According to Trotter, if you answer “no” to all three, you should toss (or donate) the item.

But wait--do you really have to throw it out? Although Trotter’s assessment is valuable and clever for cutting clutter, it’s not always necessary to discard everything. You love your Jimmy Choo shoes, right? But you only wear them maybe once in a blue moon (after all, you have quite an extensive shoe collection!). Just because you don’t wear them all the time, doesn’t mean you should get rid of them; especially if the design is classic and timeless.

Now think about this:

What if you had endless closet space?

What if you didn’t have to pack a suitcase the next time you take a trip?

What if your clothes were documented, stored in a temperature-controlled climate, and on surveillance 24/7?

If finding storage space is a challenge for you, perhaps you should consider employing a clothing storage company, such as Garde Robe. Garde Robe ensures that you always have enough space for your own stuff, regardless of current closet size. And (maybe the best part), Garde Robe will prep your clothing and deliver it to your hotel so it's ready to go when you need it!

Of course, there’s certainly nothing wrong with the occasional donation to a good cause. But if you love what you have, and you want to keep it looking nice, clothing storage might be a good way to go.

TELL US: How do you cut the clutter?

USS Midway Museum and Laundry

My parents-in-law were in town over the weekend, so we decided to take a tour of the USS Midway Museum. In case you're unfamiliar with this ship, it's one of America's longest-serving aircraft carriers. And the thing is gigantic!

We saw everything from restored aircraft to living quarters and mess halls. It was fascinating, and it gave me a greater appreciation for the men and women who serve currently.

I thought the laundry and tailoring section of the ship was interesting. It was sort of a mini version of what we do here at Margaret's. (See pictures below)

If you're ever in the San Diego area, or if you live here and you still haven't checked out the USS Midway Museum, add it to your list of things to see. 

Steam presses

“Some of the guys were permanently assigned down here. I counted down the 90 days of my temporary duty until I could get back to what I was trained for.” –L. Roberts, 1969

Steam presses

Pressing uniforms

"I had to run three presses at once. Not only was it hotter'n heck, we were right over the propellers. Their vibrations ran right up our legs." -W. Davis, 1984

Sewing/tailoring area

"You'd be surprised how much sewing was needed on this ship--from fixing torn uniforms to attaching new ratings badges to repairing Midway's flags." -G. Hodges, 1967

Ironing machine

"When the laundry was returned to our division, a big bag of it was dumped on the deck for us to sort. Good luck if your stenciled name had faded." -R. Duffee, 1951

The Princess Project Prom Dress Design Competition

All photos from San Diego Magazine

The Princess Project is hosting its fourth annual Princess Project Runway show! It’s a fun fashion event that will raise money for the The Princess Project.

The show features students from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). The students will demonstrate live, interactive draping and production of a prom dress. Each student chooses the fabric and creates the pattern for the dress. Attendees get to watch the dress creations from start to finish!

The dress draping competition begins at 7 p.m. and lasts about one hour. Each dress will reflect the style and color of current prom dress trends. The ultimate goal: design a dress that is a fabulous, fashionable, must-have garment for today’s high school prom girl.

Our own Jan Bohn (co-owner of Margaret's and couture handling expert) will be a sitting judge in this year’s competition!

Gordana Gehlhausen

The other judges are Gordana Gehlhausen of Project Runway and owner/designer of Goga by Gordana; Elena Han, owner/designer of Va Lena Valentina Couture; and Jodi Kodesh, event emcee from NBC San Diego News.

The night will include a fabulous show and attendees will also be treated to a special menu of cocktails and delicious appetizers. There will be a silent auction with items donated from local businesses.

For pictures from last year's show, click here.

4th Annual Princess Project Runway

March 29, 2012

6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Fifty Seven Degrees wine bar   

1735 Hancock Street

San Diego, CA 92101

Prepay: $20; At door: $25

Top Fashion Designers Show Off "Real" Sizes on "Real" Women

To top off New York Fashion Week, celebrity stylist Derek Warburton and Bottomless Closet present "Real Fashion. Real Women," a runway show that merges prominent fashion designers and "real" women (sizes ranging from 4 to 12).

Photo courtesy of New York Daily News

This show proves that fashion designers create ensembles with both glamor and their consumers in mind. Fashion designers include Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Comey, Ivana Helsinki, and more.


A Little Bit of History
Derek Warburton has a four-year working relationship with Bottomless Closet. His workshop, "How to Be Derek Fabulous" empowers underprivileged and homeless women  with the skills and confidence to nail job interviews. When Warburton was 14 years old, he and his mother were homeless for eight months. Because of his experiences, Warburton's mission is to help women in similar situations.

What is Bottomless Closet?
Bottomless Closet is a nonprofit organization that helps underprivileged New York women get back on their feet by providing interview-appropriate attire at no charge to the recipient. The organization works to help women who are facing difficulty, whether homelessness, abuse, or job loss.

For more stories about these real women, read the full article from New York Daily News.

The show takes place tonight (February 16, 2012) at the Empire Hotel (NYC) at 8 p.m.

New York Fashion Week Showcases Top Designers and Affordable Styles

Marc Jacobs runway show; Photo courtesy of LA Times

It's Valentine's Day and that means love is in the air! So is there really a better week to celebrate fashion?

Versace for H&M; Photo courtesy of Fashionista

If you love fashion, you’re probably following this year’s New York Fashion Week in New York City. This year, some of the most famous fashion designers from all over are crossing runways with mall brands and chain stores, such as Levi’s, Kohl’s, and J. Crew.

If you haven’t noticed while shopping at your favorite store, more and more elite fashion designers are pairing up with department stores to offer affordable items for the everyday fashionista. Missoni designs garments for Target, Versace has a line at H&M, and Diane von Furstenberg is creating dapper duds for Gap Kids.

Why are these top designers making moderately priced clothing for the everyday customer?  "That, analysts and insiders said, is due to the fashion elite's tighter embrace of top bloggers, live video streaming by a growing number of designers and the explosion of social media allowing anyone with a camera phone to tweet from the once-insular world." Basically, fashion designers are making an effort to reach out to more people.

Michelle Obama; Photo courtesy of Shiny Style

Diane Kruger; Photo courtesy of Style Frizz

Remember Michelle Obama's glamorous Inaugural ball gown? Or how about the gorgeous mustard-yellow gown that Diane Kruger sported at the 2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards? Those beautiful gowns were designed by Jason Wu, who recently brought a signature collection to Target stores. His Target collection includes fashionable and affordable sweaters, dresses, bags, and more.

Jason Wu for Target; Photo courtesy of Target

Jason Wu for Target; Photo courtesy of Target

Alexander McQueen (1969-2010) said it best: "It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together."

New York Fashion Week runs runs February 9 - 16, closing with the Calvin Klein show. Find your favorite designer and follow his or her trends. For a complete NYFW schedule, click here.

Donate a Prom Dress to Help a Young Woman

Donate a formal gown to The Princess Project and make a young woman’s prom night extra special.

The Princess Project will be at the Carlsbad Bridal Show collecting formal prom dresses and accessories to give to high school girls who otherwise can't afford them.

What is The Princess Project’s goal this year?
This is San Diego's 4th year, and The Princess Project's goal is to give 1,000+ dresses to San Diego high school girls through dress giveaways this spring.

Was The Princess Project at this bridal show last year?
This is The Princess Project’s first dress drive at a wedding show. Dress drives are usually held at retail and consignment shops and high schools.

How many dresses does The Princess Project receive at a dress drive like this?
About 10 to 30.

How many dress drives does The Princess Project host each year?
February is a busy month for The Princess Project! The organization holds about 15 dress drives during the month of February, and around 5 to 10 others throughout the year.

What does The Princess Project do with any dresses they can’t give away?
Any dresses that aren’t prom-appropriate (cocktail-style or casual dresses) are sold for $5 to $10 per dress to raise money for the organization. The Dress Sale will be held at Horton Plaza on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more information to come).

Does The Princess Project provide receipts for tax purposes?
Yes. Because The Princess Project is a nonprofit 503/c, all donations are completely tax-deductible.

Do I get anything in return for my donation?
If you donate a dress at this event, you'll receive two FREE tickets for admission into the show ($30 value). And, of course, you'll also receive free warm fuzzies for making a girl's day brighter.

When is the Bridal Show?
Sunday, February 26, 2012
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where is The Princess Project drop-off location at the Brial Show?
You will find The Princess Project dress drop-off in front of the bridal show.

Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa
5480 Grand Pacific Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008

Are there any donation guidelines?

• Dresses MUST be from 2006 to present.
• Dresses MUST be dry-cleaned and on hangers.
• Dresses MUST be prom dresses, formal gowns, or fancy party dresses.
• Accessories and dresses MUST be stylish, clean, and in excellent condition.

Is there anything The Princess Project will not accept?

• Garments that are out of style (i.e., purchased before 2006)
• Garments that have not been dry-cleaned
• Shoes
• Make-up
• Casual or semi-formal clothing
• Wedding dresses
• Tuxedos or men's clothing 

I can’t make it to the Bridal show on February 26, but I still want to help this great cause. What can I do?

Make a financial contribution! Or drop off your dress at any Margaret's location.

Did you know: The Princess Project receives about 1,000 dresses annually from Margaret’s drop-offs. Overall, The Princess Project receives about 2,000+ dresses from all various dress drive locations. That means that you, our wonderful Margaret’s customers, are making a difference!

Margaret’s Cleaners
5150 Convoy
San Diego, CA 92111

Margaret’s Cleaners
7511 La Jolla Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037

Margaret’s Cleaners
3790 Via De La Valle, Suite 213
Del Mar, CA 92014

Margaret’s Cleaners
1831 Westcliff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

How can I volunteer for The Princess Project?
For more information on how to volunteer or donate, email The Princess Project or visit the website.

What other ventures does The Princess Project have planned this year?
This month, The Princess Project is partnering with My Girlfriend’s Closet to collect donations at the Westfield Shopping Center-Horton Plaza. The downtown mall donated storefront space for these two nonprofit organizations to collect prom dresses, shoes, and other apparel (see list below). Bring donations to the second level between Gymboree and ALDO on Feb. 11-12, Feb. 18-19, and Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. All clothing should be in good condition.

What can I donate at the Westfield Shopping Center-Horton Plaza donation drive?
Gently worn jeans, pants, shorts, shirts, sweaters, jackets, pajamas, dresses shirts, sweatshirts, shoes, and accessories. Dresses can be formal gowns, party dresses, or cocktail dresses, but they must be in excellent condition and they should be dry-cleaned and on hangers upon donation.