Hello Dears,

Welcome to the "dog days" of summer 2020! As we enter August temperatures are soaring and many of us are squeezing in vacations before the "back to school" season sets in. If you're looking for a chic beach bag, fun straw hat, or fashionable face covering to take on an upcoming getaway, be sure to read today's issue in full.

Our popular grosgrain "boater" hats are back in stock (so many fabulous color options to choose from!) along with a limited shipment of straw sun-visors and sequined cane beach totes. We have just two each of the latter styles, so be sure to check out photos below and order today to snag yours!

With "back to school" season in mind, we should also add that two brand new gift bundles (one for students and one for teachers) will be launching later this month. More details to come on these thoughtful and imaginative sets! And this week, we're also debuting a new mask chain design!

Mask chains are the popular, practical, and stylish accessories we now never leave home without, and we cannot recommend these enough for anyone routinely losing, misplacing, or forgetting their mask. How do they work? The chains (featuring a novelty design of your choice) include simple lobster clasps that attach to the elasticized loops of your mask allowing you to carry, hands-free, wherever you go.

You can also remove the clasps and make your chain into a fun necklace with one simple swap, if the mood strikes. The hardest part is choosing between our colorful beaded chain design...an elegant pearl chain...or our newest chain featuring a mix of rainbow beads and small pearls. Mask chains are customizable with a name or nickname, and available for kids and adults in The Gift Vault (not to mention that they can be gift-wrapped and shipped anywhere in the U.S.)!

To kick things up a notch, we recommend pairing a custom mask chain with one of our new Secretly Gifting exclusive mask and headband sets in adorable eyelet or whimsical tie-dye print. You'll find complete details and close-up photos of all available designs below, as well as a handful of "mix and match" combinations that are both functional and stylish.

Keep in mind that all mask purchases count toward our "buy one, give one" initiative, meaning that there has never been a better time to purchase one for yourself or a friend! We're also proud to announce that we've partnered with N Street Village for our first mask donation effort, so be sure to read below to learn how your purchase will help homeless women in DC's most impoverished neighborhoods.

In this week's "local spotlight" column we're featuring Food & Friends, a non-profit dedicated to servicing the nutritional needs of terminally ill, homebound individuals throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. Volunteers are desperately needed, and we're proud to personally support this inspiring and essential cause. Be sure to read below to find out how you can get involved, and email us the names of any causes or organizations you'd like to see highlighted in an upcoming "local spotlight" feature.

We're grateful for your continued patronage, and delighted to see so many of you tagging us in photos with your new masks, headbands, mask chains, earrings, hats, and other fun summer accessories...keep them coming and follow along on Instagram (@SecretlyGifting) for inspiration!

xo,

Ashley and Candace

Co-Founders, Secretly Gifting

Mix n' Match Masks & Headbands

Face coverings are going to be a requirement for months to come, and in DC they're now mandatory for any outdoor activity, whether solo or in groups. For this reason, we're embracing the mandate with two comfy and cute private label mask designs!

Our exclusive Secretly Gifting face masks are produced in collaboration with Corrado NYC, and utilize "luxury upcycled" fabrics. This means the materials are not only breathable, washable, and hand-dyed (ensuring that each piece is completely unique)...but double-lined for durability and sustainably sourced as well.

As a bonus, every mask purchase counts toward our "buy one, give one" initiative, and our first batch of donated masks will benefit the women in N Street Village's community health and wellness programs. (Click here for more information)

Masks Designs: Rainbow Eyelet, Tie-Dye Ruffle ($40 each, $75 for two-pack, $75 with coordinating headband)

If you love the darling eyelet and ruffle details on these summery masks as much as we do, you'll be thrilled to learn that coordinating headbands are also available for purchase! Headbands are sold individually (perfect for mixing and matching!), as a set with a matching mask, or as a pack of three!

Headband Designs: Rainbow Eyelet, Tie-Dye, White Eyelet ($40 each, $75 paired with mask, $110 as a set of three)

“Must Have” Mask Chains!

Our mask chains are a game-changer for anyone routinely losing, forgetting, or misplacing their mask(s)...and they've been so popular that we've decided to launch a third design!

You can now order the "rainbow and pearl mini bead" chain (pictured below) online, and have it shipped anywhere, nationwide, for just $8. If color is not your thing, our classic pearl mask chain may be more your speed (photographed above)...or perhaps a totally custom beaded chain (single color, two-toned, whatever design you prefer!) personalized with a name, phrase, nickname, or fun saying of your choice.

The sky's the limit on color and design options for these functional and fashionable accessories...which we highly recommend for yourself, or as a "pick me up" surprise for a friend! (If interested in kid's mask chains, click here for color and design options.)

The Perfect Hat for Sunny Days

Our popular "boater hat" got a colorful update thanks to grosgrain ribbon detailing now available in seven fabulous colors (dark green, mint green, bright pink, cobalt blue, fuchsia, yellow, orange, and black). Ribbon bands are elasticized and removable meaning you can wear your hat with or without the colorful accent for two distinct looks!

We love all of the colors, but find ourselves particularly partial to the olive green, bright orange, and aqua...which one is your favorite? These handwoven Lebanese hats are a fun, practical addition to any summer outfit, and a steal at just $135 each...click here to order!

Going…Going…Gone!

We have a "final few" of two popular styles back in stock, and these exclusives are going to go fast! To get your hands on one of the cane "beach bag" rainbow sequin totes pictured below (only two left!), or a straw baseball cap style visor (available in pink or blue), you must place a special order!

Simply email us to reserve one of these limited re-stock items and we will ship your purchase this week...both the cane totes and visors are perfect for a last minute getaway or local staycation, whether seaside or poolside!

Local Spotlight: Food & Friends

This week we're taking the opportunity to highlight an incredible DC-based organization providing nutrition support and essential nourishment to terminally ill, homebound adults and children throughout our city and surrounding areas. Whether delivering groceries, preparing meals, or providing nutrition counseling, Food & Friends (@foodandfriendsdc) staff workers and volunteers serve more than 2,200 new clients each year.

We love how many different opportunities there are to volunteer individually or as a group, whether you're looking to donate your time, pledge cash, or provide essential food products and groceries. Food & Friends has enacted a variety of COVID-19 safety precautions as well, so volunteers can participate using contact-less methods and sign-up couldn't be easier with their new VolunteerHub page.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here. To make a donation, click here...and for more details on Food & Friend's mission and vision, click here.