In my opinion there is not a much better way to spend a free afternoon than by going shopping. There is truly something magical about walking into the mall or a store and inhaling the scent of everything wonderful and new. I find that I can really relate to Rebecca Bloomwood, the main character in Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series. She tends to get a bit carried away with her spending, and while I am in no way as extreme as she is, I completely understand her love of shoes, clothes and accessories.

Since I tend to be an avid shopper, nothing makes me happier than when a company gives back. One of my favorites is the shoe company, TOMS. (http://www.toms.com/)
They have a movement called 'one for one' and for every pair of shoes sold, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. So neat! Not to mention the fact that the TOMS shoes are cute and comfortable. It's a simple shoe, usually made of a canvas material, and it comes in many colors and patterns. I wear them and love them and what I love most is that by buying a pair, I am giving a less fortunate child a pair as well.

Another generous company that I am going to give a shout out to is one that my cousin and I discovered while we were shopping at a local boutique. It's a company called Willow Organic Jewelry and they make earrings out of recycled wood. Not only do they use recycled materials but they also plant a tree for every pair of earrings bought. I am proud of the fact that because of the two pairs of earrings my cousin and I bought, two trees were planted. Not only did I get a unique pair of earrings, but I helped make the world a little greener.
I am now very interested in finding out about other companies that give back. Any of you know of any? I am always looking for a good excuse to shop!