We were excited to sign up over 30 organ donors in a single day at our boutique so that we could help the thousands of New York organ recipients waiting on the organ donor list.

Quick Fact: Over 9,705 people waiting for Organs in NYS. Every 18 hours someone in NYS dies waiting for an organ.

My brother's friend George was a family friend and almost like a second brother to me. He was young, extremely smart and very personable. He was a tech guru and everyone who knew him always called upon him to help with their confusing computer issues. He always knew the answers. He also was a great trivia game player. I was always amazed how he knew so much about so many topics! He was my hero.

Many years ago, he developed emphysema in the prime of his life and needed a double lung transplant. He waited so long and as time went on, he couldn't work. He was on disability and had to move to a friends apartment because he couldn't afford a NY City apartment anymore. Then the 5th floor walk up was too much for his lungs to handle so he moved to a local shelter. With a wheelchair and oxygen tank in tow, he managed to keep living life as best as possible. 

The emphysema only got worse and his many trips to NY Presbyterian Hospital got harder and harder.

Finally, he got the call that a person passed away and he would get the double lung transplant he waited for for so long!  Post operation, it was a long road to recovery but he did recover and participated in many normal activities for a very long time.

About 5 years into his new life, his lungs were having a hard time and the Dr.'s said it would be time to try for a second set of lungs. He knew the routine and was only happy to wait.

His lungs never came as he waited and waited. No match and no donor.

I can't let this happen to someone else so I am sponsoring and hosting our 2nd annual Organ Donor Day this year. On site, we will have volunteer friends, customers and nurses ready to answer any questions about the day.

Please help me honor George's memory by signing up as an organ donor on Oct. 6th at the Pippy&Lily boutique. You could be the one who saves a "George" someday.

Please email or call for more information. anita@pippyandlily.com or 516.456.6638.

Fondly,

Anita Manfredonia

Owner/ Pippy&Lily, Inc.

• My favorite bags are the personalized totes made of striped canvas, jute or navy searsucker! Let Pippy&Lily monogram or initial each one with a vibrant Spring color initial!

• The bag that you must check out is the new Mighty Purse that has a cell charger in every handbag and wallet. The new Spring styles are amazingly fashion forward and classic. A perfect gift for Mom. Join us for a Trunk show on Saturday April 16th from 12-4pm to see the latest bags and offer from HButler. 
  

• HButler even has a new men's wallet that is sleek and handsome...perfect for Father's Day! It has a cell charger inside the wallet! The Navy color is my favorite.

• Another one of my favorite gifts is the personalized jewelry from ShameOnJane!     14kt dipped and sterling silver charms with or without a diamond! Create your own necklace by adding an initial tag, cutout initial, cubic zirconia heart, cross, star of david, mini initial, or cutout "&" and heart symbols. A trunk show is scheduled for Saturday April 16th 12-4pm to see the latest jewelry for Mother's Day Gifts.

Another of my absolute favorite Mother's Day Gifts are from JW Maximal Art and NLS Inspirational Jewelry both handcrafted in the USA.  JW Maximal Art's New Rose Gold Sorority Gal Initial Bracelet is as classy as the person wearing it. NLS created a new Lasso Necklace with Druzy Stone made of hand hammered copper and brass. Each has a brass or copper bar with an inspirational word. Create your own necklace or wear an original. Words include: Blessed, Grateful, Dream, Strength, Inspire, Loved, Fearless and Peace. 2 weeks to handcraft.

The bags come in an array of colors and styles. Pippy&Lily will have a mix of wristlets, crossbody bags and wallets. The bags are either leather or vegan leather. New this Fall will be the fringed crossbody bags. Stop by our boutique and see them up close and personal.

Pippy&Lily, 161-05 29th Ave. Flushing, New York 11358.

I always like to purchase accessories and clothing that are classic yet have a slight trend attached to them. You always feel polished with a classic, yet adding a trendy embellishment or one single trendy piece will make you look stylish in the moment.

So, here’s what I found.

Handcrafted in the USA!  Sentimental and inspirational jewelry handcrafted with 14kt gold, brass and/ or stones. Charms, Charms, Charms…especially initials, hearts, stars, feathers, lips, Buddha, or foliage.                                                                                                    

Crystal stone earrings are hot…semi-precious, glass or crystal.

Personalized Jewelry: Single Initial charms can be worn alone or with other initials or symbols. 14kt gold dipped over sterling silver, sterling silver, or ones with CZ stones. Add a chain or chord to create your own style necklace. They can be as individual as you are. I love them because they are affordable and make a great gift. 

Handbags: One MUST and I repeat MUST have a crossbody bag this season. Fringe is everywhere….However; you will need a bag that is fashionable yet functional. I found a crossbody/wristlet handbag that has a Smartphone charger inside. It will charge your phone up to 2xs before a need to charge the battery. Recharge the battery using a USB port and you’re done. These leather bags come in all colors. There’s even a faux leopard, cork and faux pony-hair bag. I especially LOVE the ones with fringe!! Totes are still selling well. I love the ones that have a second bag inside that you can use as a crossbody bag or an organizer.

Cold Weather Wear….Thick cable knit turtleneck ponchos, hoodie ponchos, hounds-tooth wool scarves, tartan plaids, two toned scarves and fingerless Smartphone gloves with faux fur.

Plaid capes in Oak Buff (Pantone color for Fall 2015).

Apparel: Another "Must Have" is a sweater with fringe. Sweaters are comfortable, lightweight, slouchy and feel like a soft blanket against your skin. Sweaters with a touch of leather piping are classic and simple. Jeggings are back as well as high waisted jeans. They’re great looking and we’ll have them in Stormy Weather (Pantone) color grey and well as Indigo. New to the boutique are black stretch leggings with ankle zippers as well as jeans with faux leather sides. See them at the Pippy&Lily boutique.  

New to our collection will be lace bikini lingerie, more apparel and new jewelry brands.

Pantone Colors Fall 2015: Stormy Weather, Biscay Bay, Oak Buff, Marsala, and Desert Sage are my favorites since they are classic and can be worn with many other colors.

Happy Fall Shopping!

Anita Manfredonia

I get the chance to meet some of the most amazing and beautiful people of the neighborhood. I know their kids, sisters, brothers, family and friends. They openly tell me their most personal stories, both good and bad. We laugh, we sometimes cry together. 

Looking back, I opened the boutique to bring pretty, unique, and attainable products to those who want to feel and look good. Or, to bring a gift to a friend, hostess or to say "thank you". In the grand scheme of things, I feel lucky that my little haven Pippy&Lily draws those who feel happy or sad, ill or well...if it makes them joyous for the moment, then I did my job!

God bless Geri and her family at this time of overwhelming grief!  

Anita Manfredonia

After 5 years without an animal, I decided to rescue a beautiful tuxedo kitten that was left in the street alone. The Southhampton Animal Shelter http://www.southamptonanimalshelter.com/pets/ was fostering him and I scooped him up without a second thought. He was only 6 months old. I named him Pippy! He was the most loving, affectionate and needy little boy. I babied him.  Six months later, I rescued another kitten from the Southhampton Animal Shelter again so that he could have a companion. Her name is Lily. She is a calico with an attitude of a thousand tigers. Pippy found it very challenging to deal with her. She wanted to be the only cat in the house. He was content with anything that happened in the house. She was a big annoyance to him. But, he learned to love her because that was Pippy...a gentle soul without any mean bones.

They lived together for the last 10 years and have brought me the most joy, love and peace anyone could ever hope for. These are gifts I was given. Pippy was only on earth until this past Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 after losing his 2 year battle with Chronic Kidney Disease. The pain is back....deep and heartbreaking. I think to myself, the 11 years that I owned him and the immense love that he gave was worth all this pain that I have. I will never forget him as he will always fill my heart with warmth and amazing memories.

If you are a compassionate person and are on the fence about owning an animal, think no more.....you are losing out if you don't! 

God bless our Pippy.

"John Wind/Maximal Art has always taken pride in manufacturing the majority of our jewelry in the US. We still use the manufacturing vendors that used to make up the “jewelry and findings capital of the US” in Rhode Island and other parts of New England." 

"Our Modern Vintage aesthetic is inspired by a passion for travel, art, fashion, and style, along with a love for the symbolism and history of vintage jewelry."