7 smiles for the holidays

One of my favorite things about the Smile Train org is receiving their updates, and i was so thrilled to hear about this one cute child being helped at my homeland, the Philippines!!

here's the letter from SmileTrain's coFounder and prez Brian Mullaney:

Seven Smiles for the Holidays

Hi,

Our second smile is Precious Devine. This darling baby girl was operated on by Smile Train surgeon Dr. Gilbert Esquejo at the Philippine Band of Mercy Hospital in Batasan Hills/Quezon City, Philippines on September 27, 2008.

Her post-surgery picture speaks for itself; she is so happy. Now, she has a chance of living a normal life, of going to school, of having friends, of getting married and having a family, of laughing, of being happy--all of the things that you and I take for granted.

It is amazing that a surgery costing as little as $250 gave Precious a second chance at life. But there are still over 4 million kids with unrepaired clefts all over the world. Poor, forgotten, unlucky kids who wish to express their emotions just as you and I do. These kids may not get a gift this holiday season, but you can change that. You can get them the gift of a smile that will surely be the best gift of their lives.

this is WHY i do this project!! -striving for children around the world to live a happier and better life. =)

happy birthday jc!

the gingerail collection would like to wish you all a very merry christmas!! happy birthday jesus!

He is my purpose for starting this little project of mine. He's the reason why I found out about the Smile Train organization. He helped me figure out what I can do for others and to not live this life for foolish myself.


so have a happy christmas and a merry rockin new year =)

God is always good.

xoxo

haaayyy! i did not realize how long its been since i last blogged! but that doesnt mean i have been doing nothin. although school's been crazy busy, i was able to sell a few totes. hopefully i will be able to collect my anticipated goal before summer. i also want to give a shout out to my lastest customer LC! thanks so much, love ya girl!

for those just joining us the gingerail project is a fundraising fashion colloborating the use of recycling, and making a fashion statement: buy a tote, give a smile. I'm selling magazine totes to fundraise for SmileTrain, a program that provides free cleft surgeries to children around the world. here are some recent ones i've made.

17 tote featuring bffs paris hilton and nicole richie

VF tote featuring Gossip Girl cast (XOXO)

VF tote featuring Angelina Jolie

vogue tote featuring scarlett johanson

teenvogue tote featuring anne hathaway.

xoxo

p.s. happy finals! =)

monay

just wanted to update on how the project is doing. From the past two months I've exceeded the amount needed for medication for one surgery! Almost there to my goal for the entire surgery! Now that I'm on campus at school, I'm taking a mini break so I can get settled in, but hopefully I'll be back in business soon!

holla.

special requests.

yes i do special requests! i think these totes are a lot more personal when i find out what kind of celebs/mags people like. here are some samples of totes i've sold over the past couple days with their requests....

BIG 17 tote...

my friend from work is about to start her freshman year in college this fall and wanted something funky and wide for all her carries.

front:
back:

Elle Oh Elle!

another customer wanted two bags... one for her daughter and one for herself with Elle magazines

front:back:
front:
back: I Heart My Dog

a customer gave me a couple of washingtonian covers to choose from but i knew the cover on pets suited her the best =)

Political Statement: Barack Front to Back!

a customer wanted to buy a tote for an Obama supporting friend, and guess who was on the cover of Newsweek?

front: back:

so if you have a certain magazine, topic, celebrity of your like, let me know! =)

special thanks

i just want to take the opportunity to thank all those who are supporting me on this project!!
a lot of friends and family have been generously suppling me with magazines and material for this: mamacita, rodrigo dodong m., mrs.garafalo, auntie abet... and others have been spreading the word about my project and totes: ica, em, jill m, mehski, ahhh the list goes on. and for smile train's alexander judd for supplying me with s.t. info =) and ofcourse to those who've bought a tote!!

to you all,

thank you!

i'm very grateful! you are all helping to make a difference in someone's life! =)

10 dollar

new bags!

the rachel mcAdams tote: the back...

the oh! mandy tote:

back..

lucky bag ft. tyra banks and nicole richie

back...

harry potter tote:

back....

the Hills tote:
the back....