Yesterday, in a cruelly teasing mood, Mother Nature rose the temps into the 60’s in the Chicago area. So, we all divested our heavy winter layers but still, there was a chill in the air. That’s what spring is all about… warm, cold, hot, warm, cold, hot…
Perfect solution to one -up the Mam Nature: The Shoul. It’s a simple yet brilliant variation of the shawl, or wrap, except much smarter. Why is it such a great accessory? As opposed to large bulky wraps, this one stays on your shoulders. You know, as opposed to the points of a normal wrap [...]

Know someone who’s not so lucky with her amorous relationships? That wants to forget all about Valentine’s Day and instead vent a little? Or a lot. Here’s a cute gift line for those who live with many of the “didn’t put the cover back on the toothpaste” type of annoyances.
The Would It Kill Him® line features the edgy yet vulnerable Miranda June character. She is Laura Brucato’s creation and artistic outlet, used to unleash frustrations gained during a series of unfortunate romantic relationships. Actually, Miranda is very much Laura’s alter ego. Miranda is the one who fully expresses the extent [...]

Note: Ladies, please feel free to forward this to the men in your lives that need gift ideas and inspiration this Valentine’s Day.
The “picture is worth a thousand words” cliché is enduring for a reason: because it’s so true. Which is quite a relief for those not so poetic because now, simply handing over one of these little jewelry pieces should say it all. Well, actually, some pieces here conjure images that can be left to interpretation, which interpretation should really be left to the gift recipient, after all…

My Friend Roze has molded and cast bubble wrap to produce these [...]

Need to stir things up a little this Valentine’s Day? You might want to pop in any DVDs from the Intimacy Spa collection and see what happens…
Taking a tasteful approach that features real life couples, the Intimacy Spa DVD series proposes six different titles aimed to boost a couple’s intimacy. ‘Cause it’s a well known fact that increased intimacy makes for healthier, more satisfying relationships. The titles include the almost sedate variety like Sensual Massage for Couples, Sensual Yoga for Couples, Sensual Fitness for Couples (I’m trying to imagine the exercise routine) and Sensual Thai Massage. And then, for good [...]

I have been following Courtney Laine’s work for a number of years now, always in dreamy adoration of her Passementerie line and now of the Laine collection (Laine houses Courtney’s latest line, higher-end one-of-kind collectible pieces while Passementerie features Courtney’s classic designs).

You would never guess it but Courtney is completely self-taught, except for a few metalsmithing classes and graduate gemology classes that she has enrolled in to get a better understanding of the precious gems that are used in her designs.
I am entirely self taught, which has allowed me to take my time, to truly explore the materials that I [...]

So, it’s snowing shovel-fulls here.  Makes me want to put on some chains. But not for my tires. I’m thinking chains for my boots. With snow, slush and cold limiting the range of wearable (practical) footware, I’m already growing tired of wearing my boots, every.single.day. I thought it would be liberating and fun to change the look of said boots with these “shoe jewelry” pieces by Litter SF.

Litter SF was launched out of San Francisco by two sisters, Mackensie & Rachel. They also design body and head jewelry (no, not for piercings), with very avant-garde styling, also made with vintage [...]

By Shari Bonnin, Contributing Editor
You know how most of your friends and family just don’t get you and your internet “thing” and have no idea how involved you are or how big it’s gotten? Kirsten Wright and moi, Shari Bonnin have designed a t-shirt (in hot pink or turquoise) with the catchphrase “I’m a pretty big deal on the internet™”.
You know you’re a pretty big deal when your blog, Facebook fan page and your Twitter account have so many followers you’ve stopped counting. When you’ve had so many Etsy sales you can’t believe it’s just you at your kitchen table. [...]

An open letter to our gentlemen,
I know that you come to this site looking for gifts ideas for your wife, girlfriends, daughters and for all other women in your life. So listen up. If you are still out of ideas, please carefully and permanently note that jewelry is ALWAYS an appropriate gift. If you happen to be shopping for the discerning, design-aware, creative woman with a distinct sense of personal style, you also need to know that a generic, mass-produced piece of jewelry just won’t do. Pas du tout, non, non, non.
Which is why I propose this beautiful array of [...]

I hold a special place for Lady Guru. Hers was one of the first brands that I featured when I had the gift shop. Now, Karen, aka Lady Guru has introduced an Affirmation Card Deck, which features 49 cards, 7 cards for each corresponding chakra. The cards reflect Karen’s mission to “inspire people to find compassion, acceptance and peace within themselves and others”.
Each affirmation card features a yoga pose and an inspiring quote such as:
“Blossom… and suddenly you are expanding your own potential. Bloom into the flower you already are!”
“Forgive… and suddenly you have set yourself free. Release the prisoner [...]

So, it’s only when my husband told me, TWO days in a row (and that would include a no-wash-day2 hair day), that my hair was looking great, that I knew I was onto something. Well, actually, that my hair stylist (the fabulous Amy of the eponymous Amy G. Salon)  was onto something.
She had applied Moroccanoil on my hair in previous visits and had extolled its merits, but it was really upon reading the write-ups in a couple magazines that I decided to splurge for a bottle of the stuff. Glad I did, because now I know that the [...]

The Necklush™ (available in various lengths and colors) is an all-in-one scarf, cowl and necklace made of multiple seamless loops that creates a very stylish and modern look. I got mine on 1000markets (this one to be exact) and am assaulted by comments and compliments every time I wear it.

Two absolutely charming gentlemen created the Necklush, Troy and Stephano. I was so enamored with their product that I had to feature them here and had to ask them a few questions about their backgrounds and inspirations.:
I’d love to know more about the Troy & Stephano creative partnership. What creative vision [...]

A business model perfect for our times. ShopitupChic, is a cute little online boutique that sells as well as lends out fashionable, contemporary clothing. The site was launched just a couple of months ago by Christin and Katie, formerly apparel & shoe buyers for a highly visible online retailer. These two young ladies believe that fashion should be accessible to all body types and wallet sizes. So, in their boutique, one can buy any of the (very well priced) pieces that are displayed or rent a number of them, depending on the rental membership program that is picked. For example, [...]