By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
I have been invited to a weekend away. My only fashion requirements are a bathing suit (yikes!), a bathing suit cover up (whew), a sundress for dinner out and a casual skirt for sightseeing. I pulled out all my clothing requirements with accessories and realized that I was going to need a bigger suitcase.
I resent having to pay to check luggage – and the wait to retrieve it at the carousel – and every other nickel and diming the airlines have had to resort to, especially when I’m just traveling for a weekend!  It was [...]

Well, by now, I’m sure that each of us is subscribed to at least a few of the discount shopping sites à la Ideeli, Gilt, RueLaLa, etc… And then the Deal-of-the-Day sites, à la Groupon. Will we ever buy retail again?
Of course, all of these shopping platforms have been born to the Web, which has made it all possible. The latest shopping discount model? Online auctions that combine auctions

With cold days limiting the variety of outdoor activities and Valentine’s Day around the corner, ’tis the season to get frisky. The Kama Sutra, the most famous erotic book in all history, in all its wisdom, can certainly help us to to cultivate our knowledge and prowness in the Art of Love…
The Kamasutra, written sometime in the 3rd century by a north Indian scholar called Vatsyayana Mallanaga, means literally, the Treatise on Pleasure. Kama is the Hindu God of Love. Kama also means desire. Sutra refers to a narrative, manual or guide. The KamaSutra is a classic guide to lovemaking, [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
My husband and I are actually going out this New Year’s Eve. Although we usually do not make a big deal out of the over-rated evening, it is still fun to be a part of the elevated festivities. I dislike taking a handbag out with me on New Year’s because of 1) the inconvenience of carrying it and 2) always being worried about it getting stolen should I leave it on my seat or table when I’m on the dance floor. I have had my husband put my lipstick in his pocket before, but that [...]

Are women hard to buy for? We certainly don’t think so.
Gentlemen, listen up! Know that we always love a little – relative term – bling (check out our compelling Jewelry Gift Guide! ), and should you need further inspiration, here are some other great gift ideas that any woman would love to receive. We could almost offer a guarantee.
 

Vintage Starlet Robe -  This gorgeous robe is reminiscent of a glamorous era and is certain to make  her feel like a princess. A royal feeling for $128.95! Buy at SoftSurroundings.com.

UNII Makeup Organizer – UNII palette stores multiple [...]

We’ve said it before. And we, as women know this all too well. A carefully chosen piece of jewelry is always – ALWAYS – an appreciated gift. We have searched far and wide to select the jewelry featured here. All of it is handmade by artisans who are passionate about their crafts. There is something in every price point. And each of these pieces, beautiful in their own very unique style, are destined to become magnets for compliments.

Smersh Design
This piece is from the Smersh Design new Tattoo Collection. The bold shape designs are cut into stainless steel and then colored. [...]

You’ll Laugh. You’ll Cry. You’ll think about it. And you will want to show your daughters.
The word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mine will be contained in five letters. You will be pretty intelligent, pretty creative, pretty amazing, but you will never be merely “pretty.” Katie Makkai
Powerful stuff this poetry.

I am still in my honeymoon phase with fall. The weather is getting colder but it’s not unbearable by any means – yet. It merely nudges me towards cozier, cushier fashion accessories. Like these wraps and shawls that caught my attention recently…

I’m not sure if I would prefer to wear this sculptural Rose Scarf with a coat or with an evening gown. It would probably work well with both… Jenne Giles uses the most ancient of fabric techniques to craft her sumptuous Rose Scarves from Merino wool, Tussah silk, and silk chiffon. Here are more pieces from the artist. Vavavoom [...]

I love convertible anything… Convertible clothing, shoes, furniture, cars… and now, jewelry. And combine convertible WITH playful… Well, I’m completely smitten.
Somewhat like the Buckyballs that I wrote about here, the Klik Klik pieces are polished metal spheres, cubes and wands that actually become wearable jewelry, the configuration of which is only limited by one’s imagination.

KLIK KLIK™ jewelry is a kit of 300 nickel-plated neodymium magnets that snap together to create thousands of custom bracelets, anklets, necklaces, chokers, armbands, rings, and more.
A basic kit is available directly from the website for $65 and an “expansion” kit is available for $35. The [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
While spending the summer in Ontario, Canada I noticed many women with the same pink keychains. Attached to their keys is a pink string with 4 cascading balls, from small to large. After seeing it on several occasions, I felt there had to be something to these keychains so I finally asked a woman about it. She told me that it was her Thingamaboob. Her what?
She explained that she is a breast cancer survivor and a Thingamaboob helps remind women about the importance of regular mammograms. The largest [...]