Cool Site of the Week--Total Beauty

I love Total Beauty because they always have interesting and fun articles to read. Many of them are great tutorials on how to look better (and with suggestions for products) but I also love their latest article on Celebrity Oops! Horrible Hairstyles. It just makes me feel better in the morning when I am rushing off to work, not enough time to do my hair, to know that it often takes a team of stylists to make them look good, and, probably only themselves when it goes horribly, horribly wrong! Check out the list HERE....which is your favorite horrible do?

Cool Site of the Week--Struts

Since the warm weather is officially here, I am finally wearing my slingbacks, mules, wedges and sandals. One of my pet peeves (and most other women's too!) though is the constant pulling of my pant hem out from under my heel with every step I take...Out Ease Struts is the perfect solution to end this problem once and for all. Now, I have used other brands in the past, but these are the best ones because of the ease of usage. No ironing or sewing into the pant hem...simply peel the Strut from the backing and press firmly into place at the bottom back center of your pants. They curve to the form of the natural pant hem and are undetectable. The effect: the pant leg stays taut so that it won't get caught in the area between your heel and shoe. Genius! Only $12.95 for a package of 5 pairs...Trust me, you will be getting a pair for every pair of pants you wear!! Get yours HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Spongetta

Simple shapes in incredibly gorgeous fabrics and textures are the heart of the Spongetta line of handbags. The perfect balance between casual and sophisticated, each bag is uniquely pretty and has a flirty up-town girl quality, with a down-town girl sort of price...bags start at only $28! See more HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Viv Magazine

Viv Magazine is a new on-line publication by Zinio that features gorgeous pictures and great articles in an easy to navigate site. Free to read (you just have to click on the Viv link in the right hand column), the March-April edition just went live this week and is a really good read. My favorite reality host, Heidi Klum gives some good pointers to looking great and I loved the article on mixing and matching for some easy dressing this summer! Check it out HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--This Garden is Illegal

One of my passions is gardening. I spend a ton of time in my garden during the summer and love to get my hands dirty planting flowers and watching them grow! I found this fun quiz on This Garden is Illegal...a delightful blog by a fellow Clevelander who loves to garden too. I answered the 20 questions, and apparently I am a snapdragon which means: "Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh." What kind of flower are you? Click here to take your own quiz!! Thank you Kathy Smashing for directing me to this site!

Cool Site of the Week--Jennifer Squires Photography

An easy way to instantly update your house this Spring is to add some artwork to the walls. Beautiful photography is a relatively inexpensive way to add color, design, and a sense of cohesion to a room. Jennifer Squires is a photographer that I came across with a really amazing eye for composition and color. Being an avid gardener, I was instantly drawn to her flower photographs which would look great in any room in my house. I also love the contemporary flair of the wine and the sandwich photographs. I'd like to eat at the restaurant that made that sandwich! What a fun way to add some style to a kitchen! Since each print can be produced as large as 24x30 inches or as small as 4x6 inches, your only decision will be whether to get a large focal or a grouping of smaller images! If you happen to be in the London, Ontario area, she also does the most beautiful photographs of newborns that are sure to be treasures in those lucky families. More of her work can be viewed HERE and can be purchased HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Eating Cleveland

I like to check out the different restaurants in the Cleveland area when I am out for lunch and one of my favorite places to check for restaurant and food reviews is Eating Cleveland, the very funny blog written by Cleveland native Mark. Sarcastic and witty, with a love for food, he is usually dead on with his reviews of local places, some of which I have heard of, some of which I have not, and then gone and tried! If you are in the Cleveland area, this is a must add read to your daily list of blogs!!

Cool Site of the Week--MixtGoods

Mixt Goods is an online marketplace that features handcrafted goods from North American artists. Started by husband and wife team Sandra and Chris Ross, the site supports local independant artists from around the country by providing a marketplace for them to sell their unique handmade goods at fair prices. Handbags, clothing, art...just about anything you would expect to find that is handmade! I recognize a bunch of the names from Etsy and a few new ones that I was happy to find!

Cool Site of the Week--Pretty Social

PrettySocial is an online venue for women to read about and share popular and interesting stories on fashion, beauty, health and celebrity relationships. I have been regularly reading stories on PrettySocial for about a month now and have found some great new blogs. I have also been submitting quite a few stories which is a great way to give the artists that I feature lots of additional exposure! Add this site to your daily blog roll for an easy way to scan all the top stories!

Cool Site of the Week--Lovely Magazine

Designed, written, and photographed with the reader in mind, Lovely Magazine brings the look and feel of a glossy magazine online. Gorgeous pictures and very interesting articles make this a sleek magazine that is accessible to everyone. Easy to use...just click on the top corner to turn the page and click on the credits link to see what the models are wearing and wear to purchase. Lovely is free of charge...you don't have to log in, just go and visit the site. You can also subscribe to the magazine and will receive an email on the day the new issue goes live. For someone who subscribes to every magazine out there...this is a great new addition to my monthly reading! I especially liked the October 2007 issue which featured a stunning cover model who survived breast cancer and turned her scars into a work of body art. See the February 2008 issue and past issues HERE. (FYI...The magazine is best viewed in Mozilla Firefox!)

Cool Site of the Week--Little Pretty

Little Pretty is a fabulous on-line boutique that features gorgeous jewelry from eight gifted American designers. With designs ranging from simple and elegant to bold and chunky, there is something for everyone here and at a great range of prices. What I especially like about the store is that the owner is focused on promoting the designs of smaller independent designers who are committed to the quality and uniqueness of their work. Each piece on Little Pretty is handmade by the designers in their own homes, stores, or workshops, not in a factory. It is a great place to check out some of the new up-and-coming jewelry designers that are out right now. Because everyone deserves a little pretty.

Cool Site of the Week--Hardware Handbags

Lori Naon is the designer behind Hardware Handbags, a new line of cool eco-friendly handbags. Made from ultra durable nylon in three neutral color choices, the totes are chic, modern and practical. What sets them apart, and gives them an urban look, are the cool flexible stainless steel handles made from recycled steel. Available in two styles, the shopper or the shorty, both of which are fabulous depending on your personal needs. And, right now, they are having a fabulous wintersale where all handbags are 50% off by entering the code HH50 at checkout.

Cool Site of the Week--DermStore

I got a gift certificate for the DermStore over the holidays and just had the opportunity to use it...and I have to say that I was totally impressed by this site! Very easy to navigate, tons of cool products that I have not seen anywhere else, and at prices less than I see at the salon. Plus, they offer free shipping, free samples and gifts with purchase! I ordered way more stuff than just the $50 gift certificate and I cannot wait to start using my new products and telling you about them. Until then though...I definitely suggest you check DermStore out for your beauty needs.

Cool Site of the Week--Three Rexes

Tara Greer is the creative force behind Three Rexes, a gorgeous line of sterling silver jewelry inspired by the opulence of the Baroque and Art Nouveau eras. Beautifully cast in sterling silver and accented by lovely gemstones, each design has a romantic and heirloom quality to it. I especially love the Eros necklace, an oversized sterling silver heart with a marquis gemstone dangle that sways from two perfect rings surrounded by small serpentine hearts. A truly stunning piece to wear and a perfect gift idea for Valentines Day!! See more of her collection HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--Truth in Skincare

I use a lot of beauty and face products...I truly am a product junkie. So, when I came across the Truth in Skincare blog, I was pretty intrigued. Written by Dr. David M.D., a real medical doctor, the blog aims to debunk many of the skin care myths and lies that are perpetrated in and by the beauty industry. He writes a very interesting and relevant article on "all-natural" deodorants (which I would never wear outside of the house...too afraid it won't work!) and an even better post on the health risks associated with potted lip gloss (yes...I threw away my potted lip gloss and got a tube one instead!). The blog is relatively new, but I think it will be a great read for anyone who uses beauty products on a regular basis. Check it out HERE.

Cool Site of the Week--PeaceLoveMom

PeaceLoveMom is a lifestyle brand company started by three moms, Lori, Suzanne and Karen, to create “a celebration of motherhood” for all types of mothers. Their fun t-shirts, available in a variety of styles and fabrics are soft, colorful. Worn by every day women and celebrities alike, they feature inspiring, empowering, and just all around cute sayings. I also love their collection of leather belts with over-sized buckles. The one featured here has an awesome camouflage background that would look so amazing when paired with a pair of jeans and one of the tees. Holiday shopping starts this weekend...these would make great gifts for any of the moms in your life. Get a matching tee for baby or toddler as well! And, now through December 31, 2007, you can take 10% off your total purchase by entering the code BLOOMING at checkout.

Cool Site of the Week--IndieSave

I love blogs that promote the designs of independent artists. IndieSave.com is a new one that is a little different...it offers coupons, deals, sales and other promotional offers from indie designers, brands and boutiques. The premise is simple...indie artists are encouraged to offer specials, and indie-loving shoppers can visit and browse by discount amount or search for their favorite shop. IndieSave.com also has a daily email notifying you of any new promo that has been added. If you are an indie artist, IndieSave.com offers affordable advertising prices so that your shop can be seen. IndieSave.com is a great resource for both indie boutiques and shoppers alike. Click HERE to start shopping...and saving!!

Cool Site of the Week--LoungeLuxe

LoungeLuxe is a fabulous site that features stylish handbags, unique jewelry, chic apparel, and luxurious skin care products from some of the most promising emerging talent in the country. Not a retail site, LoungeLuxe is an advertising co-operative that enables independent designers to pool their promotional dollars to purchase advertising they might not be able to afford on their own. For indie designers, like myself, this is a great tool to help get your name out there. For buyers, this is a great way to see some wonderful talent all in one place. And, now through November 15, sign up for their mailing list and automatically be entered to win a fabulous collection of goodies from various members of LoungeLuxe.

Cool Site of the Week--Art and Design Online

As a small indie jewelry artist, I know how important it is to get the word out to the mainstream about the beauty and value in seeking out and shopping from independent designers, artists and craftsmen (THE reason I started this blog in the first place). So, I am always happy to come across sites that also promote this idea. Art and Design Online is a fabulous tool for the artist and designer community as it connects the artists with sophisticated collectors, buyers, galleries and enthusiasts around the world. A&D has an extensive database of artisans from around the world in categories such as jewelry, fashion, photograpy, painting, decorative arts and furniture (to name a few!). There are three forms of membership: a visitor membership (for buyers who want to participate in the community), a basic free membership (the ability to upload 4 images of your work, a link to your site, ability to participate in the community) (I have been a member for about a year, you can see my free listing HERE), and a premium membership ($9.95 a month gives you premium exposure on the visual site, and numerous other benefits.) Also, right now, A&D is accepting entries for the 3rd Art and Design Online Invitational--a series of exhibits that showcase and promote the creative talents of their members. The current exhibit can be viewed now at A&D and Youtube. Click HERE for information on how you can participate.

Photo credits: LJWildside Lantern Dress Ashley-Matisse Handbag by Susy S. Chen Designs Cobalt Glass Bowl by Marriart

Cool Site of the Week--Pants Stay Put

I am definitely a shoe person. I love my mules, my sling backs, my backless sandals...I hate, however, when they get caught on my jeans, trousers, wide leg pants. You know what I am talking about don't you? When the back of the pants gets caught between the heel of your foot and your shoewear? Ugh. The constant tugging at the bottom of my pants takes away the chic factor of anything I am wearing almost instantly. So, I cannot tell you how excited I was to come across this absolutely ingenious product called Pants Stay Put. Easy to use: 4 of the iron-on pouches (2 per leg) are ironed onto the back hem of the pant leg for a secure bond. Then, you insert a pant stick (reminds me of a collar stay for those of you that have significant others that wear dress shirts to work) into the pant stay pouch. It is truly amazing...it keeps the back of the pants taut and away from the back of the shoe. I love this product. For any women who has experienced this problem, Pants Stay Put will be a godsend to you! Check out their website HERE to order yours!