Looking ahead to the new year, I’m pleased to share my involvement in a longstanding El Paso fundraising event, Power of the Purse. The Power of the Purse is the signature charity event for the Women’s Fund of El Paso and allows women from around El Paso to give back to other community women in a fun and fabulous way. All proceeds from handbag and live and silent auction sales at the event support educational scholarships for El Paso women.

As a result of the Power of the Purse events, the Women’s Fund has awarded 145 scholarships for over $200,000; 30 scholarships for our terrific teens for $15,000 for leadership development; and $10,000 in giving circles for education and leadership development. The event and fundraising activities are truly changing lives.

This upcoming Spring is the best time to purge and clean and dontate for a good cause. Like most of you, I have handbags lying around from years ago that I thought were amazing, and now they sit collecting dust in my closet.

I know it can be hard to let go of these, especially thinking of what splurges these were once upon a time. But, in the tradition of the new year, out with old and in with the new! Make 2016 your year to make a difference and give it up for a good cause. Give it up because old bags are not doing you any good in your closet taking up space, and be comforted to know that your sacrifice is going to a great cause to help women in our community. I have been fortunate enough to be Purse Diva Co-Chairs with my best friend, Lizzie Martinez. We are so honored and blessed to be a part of this thanks to this year’s head chair, Tracey Yellen.

Tracey who is one of the original founders of Power of the Purse in El Paso, and thankfully decided to bring back the tradition in 2016. We are proud to share that New You Gym and both Dry A – Blow Dry Bar locations will be a designated drop off for the handbags you want to donate. Please do not miss this opportunity to start the year right by giving to women in need and to join the fun event we will all be waiting for in May 2016.

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In this month’s issue of City Magazine, I offer holiday style tips to ensure you leave the best kind of impression however you celebrate.

Wishing you warmth, joy and style this Christmas.

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The time has finally come for me to accept applicants for the grand opening of my store. Things are moving smoothly and a lot quicker than expected and I’m excited to move to the next stage: creating a team!

I had the honor of being interviewed recently by News Channel 9. The reporter asked me what will set my boutique apart from the rest. The answer? I will not have traditional “salespeople.”

Let me explain. I have always considered myself an expert in fulfilling my clients’ needs based on their tastes, existing wardrobe, events, and special occasions. My opinion, the best part about retail is being a stylist, and the interaction that happens between myself and the customer. There is so much potential to truly get to know someone’s preferences and what clothing makes them look and feel their very best. Knowledge is power and when you know how to put things together, and how to dress people according to their likes, dislikes, body and style, that’s when you know you are a stylist. Sales people are trained to almost lure the client into buying something, regardless of what’s best for her. Not at my store. Our goal is to assist the client and fulfill their needs, to offer a therapeutic and all-around positive experience with talented people who are passionate about fashion!

When I was creating my stylist manual, I came up with a mission statement that best suited my vision:

Faith- Complete trust or confidence in something or someone. Believing and having confidence, in the company and in yourself. Knowing what you can and will accomplish and having true faith in your capability.

Accountability- the fact or condition of being accountable. Taking responsibility, being respectful of the company’s values, the clients and yourself. Always respecting your clients and your peers.

Style- a distinctive appearance. Dressing in a fashionable manner and developing your own distinctive look that expresses yourself.

Humble- having or showing modesty and humility. Always putting others ahead of one’s own self.

Integrity- the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral upright. Always striving to be better, and to be the best you can.

Obedience- compliance with order, doing things in an orderly fashion, following and respecting the rules.

Nurture- caring for and encouraging the growth or development of the company, growing yourself and nurturing your craft for a better development.

Fashion is my passion, I love what I do more than anything in the world. I love and enjoy my work so much I feel like I’m not even working while I am meeting new friends, attending markets, learning new things, and of course blogging and sharing my experiences.

I am calling out all fashionistas who share the same desire I have, to join me on this amazing experience for fashion training. I promise you it will be a hands on amazing journey. I have a dream and I want to share it with the future stylists of my store. Send all resumes to Gesuina.Legaspy@gmail.com I look forward to reading your emails.

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