M:PT - Fall Edition

Mission: Put Together is back for a fantastic fall edition!

In two weeks, OPH and I hope you’ll take on the challenge to be PT every day in October and post  photographic proof to the M:PT photo pool.  Plus, we’re excited to unveil fancy new headquarters and buttons!

As with the M:PT challenge in May, the photo pool is NOT intended to be:

• A forum to criticize others
• A source of pressure to appear to be 100% on the ball 100% of the time
• A motivator to go out and spend a lot of money

However, we do want the pool to be:

• A way to share and gather fashion tips
• A motivator to be thoughtful and creative with everyday looks
• Fun!

OPH and I want everyone to have fun with the photos and re-energize that community of comments, but for this round, we want to channel the massive amount of positive feeling from this project.  In May, there were over 34,000 views on the photos, and almost 2,900 comments!  What if that energy went toward the greater good?  This time, think of it as Put Together with a Mission!

• The main charity we’d like to support is Dress for Success, whose mission is to “to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” DFS really is M:PT! Donations of professional attire can help women gain confidence to return to or join the workplace, and financial contributions support the organization as a whole.
• In a more general way, we want to encourage M:PTers to purge closets and donate to their nearby Goodwill or Salvation Army. Oh, it’s painful to give up sentimental clothing items, but take a picture of your dearly departed pieces and we will commiserate with you!
• For even more fun photographic evidence, consider parting with your beloved prom dress with local affiliates of DonateMyDress.org.  As their website says, “Once you’ve had your dream night, you can give another girl hers!”
• If you choose to donate clothing and/or money, let us know! Your individual contributions will never be disclosed, but we would love to share how many shirts, pairs of pants, and dollars went toward a good cause this month.

That said, we want to be firm in saying that M:PT is not a back door into your wallet.  We want to enjoy the pool without imposing pressure to donate, so if all you do this month is post pictures, that is completely fine.  Really!  Just think, though — wouldn’t it be great if something really big and positive came out of it?

Anyway, OPH and I are looking forward to seeing everyone who takes on the challenge to be PT and have fun doing it while you keep the following housekeeping items in mind:

• If you don’t have a Flickr account, e-mail your photos to me or OPH with any notes or description, and we’ll submit them for you.
• M:PT extends beyond the work day!  Show us your looks for tailgates, trips to the pumpkin patch, hayrides, and apple-picking!
• Yes, Halloween is the last day of M:PT.  Regardless of what that means for your workplace or your evening plans, please keep it clean in the photo pool, okay?

Spread the word —  M:PT is coming!  Bust out those corduroys, coats, sweaters, and scarves!  Fall is my very favorite season for fashion (and food!), and I can’t wait to see how everyone rings in the chill in the air.  See you at the pool on October 1!