Sarah Fox and The Portsmouth Fire Fighters Charitable Association

When asked to design a cuff for The Portsmouth Fire Fighters Charitable Association's Ride for Sarah Fox, I put all aside, and immediately headed to the studio and my drafting table to begin work on the design.

Portsmouth Firefighter Sarah Fox was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 9, 2007. At the time she was also 36 ½ weeks pregnant with twins. Twelve hours after her diagnosis the twins were born making a family of seven. Sarah fought through the many challenges and treatments that cancer brings and beat the odds returning to work in January 2009. Just over a year later Sarah developed a pain in her hip which was discovered to be cancer. Sarah, her husband Matt, and their 5 children and extended family are faced with the fight against cancer once again.


I had asked what words of inspiration brought comfort and courage to Sarah, and incorporated into the cuff design her favorite quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon, "by perseverance the snail reached the ark”. Another inspiration for the design is a circle; the ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, and infinity, which also represents the strength of the human spirit. Our “circle” is a ¾” metal ring which functions as a closure, and is a unique and decorative element to the Sarah’s Cuff design.



The feedback I am getting from "Sarah's Cuff" is incredibly positive. People feel inspired by the quote Sarah chose because at one time or another, we all have had to muster up the courage to fight, and needed the patience to endure when faced with personal trials and tribulation. Recently, a woman shared with me her story of when she was just a young child suffering from hearing loss, her parents supported her and fought with the school when she was failing. Now she's a breast cancer surgeon.

I would like to thank Sarah Fox for sharing a part of her soul with us which will continue to inspire many. My prayers go out to her, and, her family and friends. Please show your support, by purchasing Sarah's Cuff. http://pffca.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Sarha27s20Ride

Heroes of Hope Breast Cancer Calendar

A calendar featuring Sexy Skins clothing and models is something which I have had the desire to do for some time. I approached New England Walkers for Knockers, Brenda Smith with the idea for a collaboration on such a calendar with the intent to raise money toward the cure for breast cancer. It was agreed that the models should be people who have been afflicted with the disease, giving them a podium to share their stories, and educate the world about this horrific disease. Five of our models chose to wear Sexy Skins.

Through my experience watching as my sister battled Leukemia, I developed an understanding for how much people have to endure while battling a disease. Therefore, it became my personal desire for every person posing in front of the lens for our calendar, to feel extraordinarily beautiful or handsome, and comfortable. For if it was just this one day, I wanted to be somewhat responsible for bringing to their lives, a bit of peace, normalcy, contentment, and self-confidence. My role changed from fashion designer to photo stylist, as I assisted our photographer on the shoots.

The Heroes for Hope Breast Cancer Calendar came out smashingly gorgeous! And it's all because of our team of people who donated their time and energy, and shared their incredible talents with us and the world! I was truly blessed to work with; graphic designer, Lori Elwell, Arielle Andrews of Seacoast Harley Davidson, the extremely talented photographer, Cynthia August, and project coordinator, Brenda Smith of NE-W4K.

The Heroes of Hope Breast Calendar is complete and are now for sale!!
To purchase go to, http://www.ne-w4k.org/ . All proceeds are donated toward helping those who are suffering with breast cancer.

Check out the video above to get a behind the scenes peek during one set of photo shoots. You may be able to tell how this experience blessed all who were involved. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart!!! Together, we have made a difference!!!!

Heroes of Hope Part 2

The photo shoots for the Heroes of Hope Breast Calendar are now complete!! This past weekend, Cynthia August shot the remaining models, all themselves are either survivors, or currently undergoing treatment. The first to have their photos taken were Kelly and her son Ryan. Ryan, at just 10 years old, wrote and dedicated a rap song to his Mom, the song which was the inspiration for Kelly's survival. Janice was up next and brought with her to incorporate in her shoot; her coyote pelt, blue bird feathers, and a few other items. We also photographed Ed, an 81 year old veteran who I must say does not act or look like his age, Pauline, and Darleen. You can read all of our models stories in the calendar. To place your order, go to, http://www.ne-w4k.org/ .

After most of my creative responsibilities for the production of this calendar are complete, I'm once again left saying, "there are just no words" to describe what a journey this has been. I truly have been touched by each and every person I have met on this project. Even if in your life at this very moment you feel as if you're not in the position to help another, try. The littlest act of kindness goes an incredibly long way. And trust me when I say, you will be rewarded. Start here by spreading the word about our project. Pass along this blog entry, the website above, purchase a calendar, or make a donation. It will not only make a difference in the lives of many, but yours too.

Below, are some candid images I took during the last round of shoots. I hope you enjoy them!! And, I hope you do check out the link, spread the word, and become a sponsor! Together, WE CAN make a difference!! Thank You! ♥


Kelly and Ryan


Kelly and Ryan on the set of their photo shoot


Me styling Janice's shoot


The beautiful Miss Janice


Ed on the set of his shoot


Ed looking incredibly dapper


Pauline and I, flying high


Pauline posing for Cynthia


Miss Darleen having a chat with our talented photographer


Darleen and Jeffrey, who assisted Cynthia during our shoots

Heroes of Hope

I spent two entire days with photographer, Cynthia August, and four breast cancer survivors; Michelle, Diane, Joanne, and Heather, capturing images for Heroes of Hope 2011-2012 Breast Cancer Calendar. I cannot remember the last time I have ever felt as moved as I did during that weekend. I'm extremely grateful to have had this opportunity!

Below, are some candid images I took. I hope you enjoy them!! And, I hope you do check out the link, spread the word, and become a sponsor! Together, WE CAN make a difference!!

http://www.ne-w4k.org/Heroes-of-Hope-~-Stories-of-Strength%2C-Courage-and-Survival.php

Cynthia August working a little magic on Heather.

Cynthia working her magic with a camera and lens.

Diane before we got her ready for her shoot.

Diane waiting patiently for her turn.

Michelle, ready and eager to get on her husband's Harley, and have her photo taken!

Michelle looking in the mirror.

Michelle posing on Joe's Harley.

My favorite photo of Mish.

Joanne getting Willie ready for his shoot.

A shot of Joanne's shoot from a distance.

Joanne wearing her custom Sexy Skins jacket, and Willie in his Sexy Skins
matching leather hat.

Beautiful Heather

Heather and Lisa calming the horse

Heather wearing my Blanket Cloak in front of the waterfall.

There are no Words

This past Saturday and Sunday, I spent both days with photographer, Cynthia August, and four breast cancer survivors; Michelle, Diane, Joanne, and Heather. I hate to admit it, but on my hour-long drive to the studio of our talented photographer, I was feeling a little selfish thinking of all the other things I could have been doing and so desperately needed to be doing, and how much of my time and money I was donating. Then I arrived to see Cynthia standing in the driveway as a motorcycle was being unloaded from the trailer, and my high school and college best friend, Michelle, waving from the studio window.

Every negative feeling I had on my drive down, dissipated. I was no longer thinking about anything else but the moment at hand as I got to dress and style these lovely ladies and help them to feel beautiful and sexy. I also witnessed how happy they were to be working with me, to be wearing my clothing, and how appreciative and grateful toward me for my efforts in this project to raise money for the cause.

I cannot remember the last time I have ever felt so moved as I did this weekend. There are just no words to describe the feeling. If you can, take some time and volunteer. Even if this time in your life isn't the most opportune, do it. YOU WILL BE BLESSED!

If you're a wee bit curious as to what this project is about....Sexy Skins, Cynthia August Images, New England Walkers for Knockers and Seacoast Harley Davidson are creating a calendar with breast cancer survivors and their stories. Monies raised will be donated toward the cause. Want to help? See sample calendar and the sponsorship leaflet below.

Think Pink!

Every project I work on is special in its own right, but this last custom project was doubly so because it was created for a woman who has survived breast cancer. She came to me wanting to have a pink motorcycle jacket made. As we discussed the style and cut for her new custom jacket, and the type of leather she wanted, she began to share a little bit about her experiences battling the disease. She told me about her dogs, and how they are what carried her through. She showed me a pair of her favorite pink and beige cowboy boots, a pink ribbon key chain, and a little paw print do-hickey. Then, the light bulb went off! Below, are photos of the jacket we created for Joanne. What do you think?

Above photograph courtesy of, Cynthia August Images

Joanne, wearing her new Sexy Skins Custom on her motorcycle and Willie who's
wearing his matching Sexy Skins Pink leather hat.

More photos of Joanne's jacket in the making:

Charities We Support

Through the five years Sexy Skins has been in business, we have donated gift certificates as well as product to help individuals who are faced with personal health issues and hardships. We have also made donations to organizations such as The Jimmy Fund, and the Portsmouth FireFighters Charitable Association. In 2009, we joined with a team of artisans/businesses from around the country called, Etsy Project Embrace.

"Etsy Project Embrace began to support someone touched by cancer and continues to do so. The team's purpose is to reach out to those affected by the disease, create awareness and raise money for cancer research. "This is an incredible group of people whose bonding power could be summed up in these four words: altruism, advocacy, awareness and love. We are all about giving strength, hope and courage to each other and those in need no matter where they are,” explains team leader Kristin."

The ACS Etsy Project Embrace Team has surpassed its goal and collectively raised, $17,286.97.

Sexy Skins donates to ACS Team EPE 10% of each sale from our "Leather L ♥ V E Line". On December 31, we made our donation for 2010 to the American Cancer Society, of $106.00, our best donation as of yet, for a total donation amount of $151.00. Even though we met our fundraising goal, this is a feat I am very proud of, for it is because of your support we have been able to contribute. This disease has hit close to home in 2007 with the deaths of both my sister and Mother. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sexy Skins "Leather L ♥ V E Line":




Another charitable organization which Sexy Skins has shown support is one I'm sure you all have heard of...The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. In the summer of 2010 we met Brenda Smith of New England Walkers for Knockers. Shortly after, Sexy Skins became involved in NEW-4K's First Annual Breast Cancer Ride and After Ride Bash. You can read about the event's success here.

Sexy Skins put on one fabulous fashion show at the Bash, and we donated the beautiful Midnight Heaven Halter raising $300.00 in raffle sales. We also designed The Spirit Cuffs for the Cure (for Him and Her), donating $1.00 from the sale of each cuff which on it's own raised $100.00 for The Avon Walk. I am extremely grateful for the support from all of you!!


As we enter into the new year, Sexy Skins will continue to show our support for these two great charitable organizations with the continued sales of The Spirit Cuffs, and the Leather L ♥ V E Line, however we will be adding a third charitable organization to our list, The American Hospice Foundation. Both my family members spent their last moments under their care where I got to experience how amazingly wonderful and gifted the hospice staff truly are. I am eternally grateful for the love and compassion they demonstrated to my loved ones and my family during such a horrific time.

My love and devotion to Sexy Skins; our beautiful line of products and our customers, will continue to be my driving force and what inspires me to march on with hope, faith, and belief that 2011 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all! Many blessings and much love and thanks to you! Happy New Year!

♥
Lisa

Charities We Support....

Through the five years Sexy Skins has been in business, we have donated gift certificates as well as product to help individuals who are faced with personal health issues and hardships. We have also made donations to organizations such as The Jimmy Fund, and the Portsmouth FireFighters Charitable Association. In 2009, we joined with a team of artisans/businesses from around the country called, Etsy Project Embrace.

"Etsy Project Embrace began to support someone touched by cancer and continues to do so. The team's purpose is to reach out to those affected by the disease, create awareness and raise money for cancer research. "This is an incredible group of people whose bonding power could be summed up in these four words: altruism, advocacy, awareness and love. We are all about giving strength, hope and courage to each other and those in need no matter where they are,” explains team leader Kristin."

The ACS Etsy Project Embrace Team has surpassed its goal and collectively raised, $17,286.97.

Sexy Skins donates to ACS Team EPE 10% of each sale from our "Leather L ♥ V E Line". On December 31, we made our final donation for 2010 to the American Cancer Society, of $106.00, our best donation as of yet, for a total donation amount of $151.00. This to some, might not be much nor have we met our fundraising goal, but this is a feat I am very proud of, for it is because of your support we have been able to contribute. This disease has hit close to home in 2007 with the deaths of both my sister and Mother. So, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sexy Skins "Leather L ♥ V E Line":




Another charitable organization which Sexy Skins has shown support is one I'm sure you all have heard of...The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. In the summer of 2010 we met Brenda Smith of New England Walkers for Knockers. Shortly after, Sexy Skins became involved in NEW-4K's First Annual Breast Cancer Ride and After Ride Bash. You can read about the event's success here.

Sexy Skins put on one fabulous fashion show at the Bash, and we donated the beautiful Midnight Heaven Halter raising $300.00 in raffle sales. We also designed The Spirit Cuffs for the Cure (for Him and Her), donating $1.00 from the sale of each cuff which on it's own raised $100.00 for The Avon Walk. Not quite reaching our goal, but again, I am extremely grateful for the support from all of you!!


As we enter into the new year, Sexy Skins will continue to show our support for these two great charitable organizations with the continued sales of The Spirit Cuffs, and the Leather L ♥ V E Line, however we will be adding a third charitable organization to our list, The American Hospice Foundation. Both my family members spent their last moments under their care where I got to experience how amazingly wonderful and gifted the hospice staff truly are. I am eternally grateful for the love and compassion they demonstrated to my loved ones and my family during such a horrific time.

My love and devotion to Sexy Skins; our beautiful line of products and our customers, will continue to be my driving force and what inspires me to march on with hope, faith, and belief that 2011 will be a happy, healthy and prosperous year for all! Many blessings and much love and thanks to you! Happy New Year!

♥
Lisa

Lisa's Picks for the Gift Giving Season

The Holiday Season is upon us. Shopping for gifts can sometime feel like a task. I thought it may be helpful to offer a bit of gift giving advice to our Sexy Skins followers.

Fashion is in my blood (I was probably designing clothing in my Mother’s womb and she and my Grandma were sewing before they ever learned how to ride a bicycle). I have my BFA degree in Fashion Design. I can draw, paint, decorate...you name it, if it has anything to do with creating, I can do it. Besides all that, I usually am the one you will speak with when you call Sexy Skins or email with questions or to place an order. I'm always the one who measures our clients, and the one who drafts their pattern. I am the only designer for Sexy Skins. I am also Sexy Skins best customer!! I have worn everything!! Who better than me to handle the responsibility of helping you do your Sexy Skins shopping?

So without further ado, here are my 10 top Sexy Skins picks:

10. Zen Cuff….what I love about the Zen Cuff is pretty simple; it looks hot on my man! And I have to admit, it looks hot on every guy I have seen wear it. It’s a simple, uncomplicated and sexy design. Period.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47631018/the-zen-cuff

9. Kiss Me Halter…one of my favorite halter designs because it looks great on every woman whom I have made one for, and here’s why: It was designed that way! It was meant to flatter the figure and lift the puppies. To ensure that, all I need is her bra and cup size. Waist measurement helps too. If you’re not sure what color combinations she may want, then a gift certificate may be the way to go.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/6653911/the-kiss-me-brown-suede-leather-halter

8. Large Brown LOVE Pouch….I confess, was a designer’s accident and I’m glad it happened! It’s different, attractive, and functional. This is a great leather bag to cart around your makeup, school supplies or travel goodies. And, 10% of its sale is donated to charity through Etsy Project Embrace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61309473/large-brown-love-pouch-transformed

7. X-Cuff…is available in so many pretty colored rhinestones including Black (Black is missing from the photograph)!! Just the right amount of bling to keep the look sophisticated and classy, but without losing that biker style. It’s a great looking cuff! And made with the same top grade latigo leather used on our belts except the X-Cuffs are a little thinner making them comfy to wear.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SexySkins?section_id=6523715

6. Sequoyah Suede Scoop….one of my personal favorites for the color alone. I LOVE purple! I LOVE the scooped front! It shows just the perfect amount of cleavage so you feel sexy, and classy while wearing it. It’s affordable too!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61303087/the-sequoyah-suede-scoop-halter-top

5. LOVE Belt….this is one nice belt just for the leather we use alone. We don’t line the belt because we don’t have to. We use top grade, thick, latigo leather in black or brown. All we need is the size you want it (instructions on how to measure are posted on the listing to purchase). A great looking belt with a beautiful buckle which coordinates perfectly with the entire LOVE Series Line with 10% of the sales donated to charity through Etsy Project Embrace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61299763/the-love-belt

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55248719/the-love-belt-in-brown

4. LOVE Hip Pouch/Purse….I created the design and made the prototype based upon my own personal needs. I wore it around on and off the motorcycle for a while, then went back to the drafting board to make changes to the design, and voila! I LOVE the LOVE Hip Pouch/Purse!! It’s so versatile…one minute it’s a hip pouch attached to your belt loops, then in seconds, you can clip the shoulder strap on and you’re good to go wearing it as a purse instead. I think the design is just beautiful and it matches the LOVE Belt and other LOVE accessories!! I LOVVVVVVVVVVVE it!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55249039/the-new-and-improved-love-hip-bag-purse


http://www.etsy.com/listing/47502193/the-new-and-improved-love-hip-bag-purse

3. Trilogie Cuff…rugged, sexy, masculine all in one cuff!!! When I see a guy wearing the Trilogie, I get the goose bumps. There’s just something about the way it looks on a man’s wrist. The photograph does not do it justice. You really have to see for yourself.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61304310/trilogie-latigo-leather-cuff

2. Heaven Halter…we sell more of this design than any other, and in all different colors, and even some with little changes like; closing up the front tummy, the addition of side slits, and covering up the extra bit of junk in the back…oh and ask me about my little cutlet secret. The Heaven makes my top 10 list not just for those reasons but because, you can wear it without wearing a bra! All Sexy Skins are designed that way – to lift and support! I hate bras!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/15037052/beige-heaven-lambskin-leather-halter-top


http://www.etsy.com/listing/7301787/the-blue-heaven-lambskin-leather-halter

1. And my number ONE Sexy Skins pick is……drum roll please……honestly, I couldn’t decide! It is a toss-up between the Santa Fe Suede Halter and all the custom clothing we create here at Sexy Skins (in case you haven’t heard, Sexy Skins is NH Magazines Best for Custom Leather).

I love the Santa Fe for its beautiful cut. This design ROCKS!!! It supports! It lifts! It separates! It looks great in suede! It looks fantastic in leather (Vegas Heat)! Beautiful with the addition of bling, with grommets, or with an inlay design…even with nothing at all! It feels beautiful on your skin! It is sexy, and it looks good on every single woman I have seen it on from the tiniest of busts to the double D’s. The Santa Fe is my all-time favorit, by far!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/10597550/vegas-heat-red-lambskin-leather-halter


http://www.etsy.com/listing/15025953/the-brown-santa-fe-suede-halter-top

I get so much joy making people happy so the experience of working intimately with an individual to design and create a custom piece that they will enjoy wearing for a long time, also has to be my number one pick. Some of my most creative pieces have come from working with some very extraordinary people. We even have seen Sexy Skins being worn on television! Maybe you will recognize one…

http://mysexyskins.com/contact.php

Well, that’s it….Lisa’s Top 10 Sexy Skins Picks for 2010. I hope this is of some help. If not, there's always a gift certificate!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SexySkins?section_id=5429994

Should you have any questions, you can always give us a call or send an email!
Wishing you a safe and happy Holiday Season filled with much love and peace!