Liz Shaw Rocks!

How can you not love a designer who is quoted saying, "Handbags are one of the last luxuries within reach?" Liz Shaw is an amazing handbag designer who uses her rock-n-roll spirit to make one of a kind, beautiful handbags. Shaw has a fine art background and uses this in her line to make her creations one of a kind. She only runs each design for a short period of time--this way, there won't be 5 other girls on the street with the same bag as you (I just hate that). Shaw also enjoys designing custom orders, so if there is some rockin' creation you have to have, let Shaw know and she will design it for you.

The clutch I reviewed is magnificent! It is a beautiful blue corduroy with a little purple guitar sewn into the left hand corner. The lining is a gorgeous purplish-gold material that changes colors in the light. It also looks as if spill will come out easily. I love this bag, I have never seen anyone with anything like it and I will be sporting it all over Atlanta. I think every girl has aspirations of being a rock star (maybe it's just me) and Shaw's bags will make you feel as if you are a little closer to waving to your screaming fans.

Wearable Art

Megan is a fun loving, creative person who lives and works near the ocean (can't we all wish to be so lucky). Besides being fun loving, Megan Stelzer is extremely talented. Stelzer claims to be inspired by everything and this open minded nature shows through her work. Her pieces often reflect nature.

The pieces I reviewed are amazing. I have gotten so many comments on the pieces from men and women alike. The first item is the Shield Earrings (that look like shields or leaves) and brushed silver. While they aren't dangly, they are large and fun. I really prefer studs and these are just my kind of studs. Next are the JellyFish Earrings. These are great because they don't obviously look like jellyfish, more like the jellyfish's more dignified cousin. These earring compliment most outfits and hairstyles and are not heavy. My favorite of the three is the Key Pendant. I really like this and wish that all keys came this way. There are no seams in this work which just shows Stelzer's extreme talent. The key pendant is beautiful and has multiple deep meanings.

You are missing out if you don't own one of Stelzer's pieces! She rocks!

Art that Grabs my Heart

Lawrence Young is the genius behind the art I am about to show you. For some reason, his art grabs me and pulls me in. He implements ink, watercolor, and markers in his designs, which are breathtaking. I love Young's work and there is not much more I can say. His art opens an ethereal world that seems fun and magical. Below is a slide show of his wonderful talent.

Hush Puppies are Great for Footsies!

Hush Puppies are generally known as those comfortable, reliable shoes you wear when you just want to be comfortable. Understandibly so, because in 1958, Hush Puppies designed the first casual shoe. Well, those days are gone, ladies! You can no longer use Hush Puppies as your "Old Reliables." They have a whole new line which is totally fashion forward and extremely comfortable! There is even a line dedicated to guest designers!

I tested the Ariana shoe in of the guest desingers line in Red Suede. These shoes are gorgeous and comfortable! I love tall heels, but they hurt my feel after a while. Hush Puppies lets me have the best of both worlds. The Ariana shoe is sooo comfortable, I can wear them around the house like slippers. These shoes come in red, black and gray. I love these shoes, they are now a staple in my wardrobe.

The rest of the guest designer shoes are beautfiful, as well as the Hush Puppies classics.

Hush Puppies has stepped it up a notch and they now sell beautiful, yet comfortable shoes. The rest of the shoe world needs to take notice!

Make Your Skin Shine

Admittedly, I really hate to wash my face. I don't know why. I will get on some regimen and buy all of the stuff in the line and be really good with it for about a week (often less) and then give up. I have tried Mary Kay, Clean & Clear and even ProActive. It is just so much work! Cleanse this, rinse, lather this, rinse, spread this in circles, rinse, then finish it off. Those are a lot of steps that I just don't want to do. If it wasn't for for those Ponds makeup remover and cleansing pads, I don't think I would wash my face except in the shower.

But--Clarisonic has come into my life and saved me (particularly my skin). The steps of use are super easy and it will even take off your makeup (only you need to remove your eye makeup first.

Clarisonic is the sonic technology proven to gently yet effectively loosen dirt and oil to clear your pores. The Clarisonic Skin Care Brush uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to clean, soften and smooth your skin. In just 60 seconds a day, the Clarisonic micro-massage action cleans more than twice as effectively as manual cleansing.

It even shrinks your pores after a little while of use! It is the lazy person's (me) answer to having great skin!

Before using the Clarisonic, I assumed that the brush would be hard so that it would be able to easily get rid of dead skin, like I had heard. The brush is so soft, you will want to run it all over your body. All I had to do was chose one of three cleansers (regular, oily, or dry skin) and put a good amount on the brush. Splash a little water on the Clarisonic and then press on. Your are supposed to use it for a minute, but the Clarisonic is pre-set to beep every 20 seconds so you know when to move to a different area of the face and when your 60 seconds are up! Easy, easy.

I mentioned above that the bristles are so soft you will want to rub it everywhere, well, you can! The Clarisonic comes with a body brush to handle those problem areas on your the rest of your skin! Now your face and your body can get cleansed in no time! I don't think that there is a better beauty product out there!

The Sock Journal: Knit the Year in Socks

The Sock Journal: Knit the Year in Socks is an awesome book with 12 sock patterns by Catherine Wingate and edited, photographed, and pattern tested by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer. Even as an avid knitter, I must admit that I have often found myself totally intimidated with sock patterns. I love the look of knitted socks and have the greatest respect for them, but they often look so complex, I am too afraid to try. The Sock Journal really tries to quell this fear. The book starts off with an encouraging note from Wingate and Erickson-Schweitzer and the next page walks you through the difficult parts of sock making. I appreciate that this book begins by encouraging me! Some knitting books seem to be written in some kind of enhanced knitting code that I am not smart enough to figure out and with this book, this is not the case. Wingate and Erickson-Schweitzer encourage knitters to try each pattern with their different sock and heel styles--I don't know the last time I read a pattern that encouraged me to deviate!

Not only does The Sock Journal have sock patterns, it is also a calendar. There is one pattern for each month of the year. This book can be used as a planner, calendar, or a project planner. It will pretty much work for all of your calendar needs. Each month features a sock pattern and most of the sock patterns go along with the theme of the month, i.e. hearts for February, Celtic knots for March, ect. Also, the calendar portion of the page features a detailed image of the unique stitching for each month's pattern.

My personal favorites are the "Sweet Valentine" pattern for February (the stitches make the hearts) and the "Hearth and Tree" pattern for December (which can be made into a stocking or an actual sock). I cannot wait to get started on some of these knitting projects!

Angela Spencer's Irresistible Stuff is Truely Irresistible

A.S.I.S. (Angela Spencer's Irresistible Stuff) was founded in 2004. Angela hand crochets each necklace chain and adds her favorite stone, Rose Quartz. Everything at A.S.I.S. is handmade and has little variations that make each piece special. Angela's mum helps her with the knitting and crocheting (Mom, that is a cue for you to try knitting again, please don't let the dog eat it this time).

I reviewed one of A.S.I.S.'s creations and I really like it. The necklace is very original, I have never seen anything like this line! The light color of the necklace chain really allows the piece to stand out against darker clothing. It's great!

Angela also makes beautiful crocheted and knitted collars that will add a little something to your plain tees. I know, I know, "lace collars?!" you ask. "Didn't my mom force me to wear those against my will as a child?" The answer is yes, but I promise you, you will be pining for one of these!

Coraline

I read Coraline by Neil Gaiman last week, I must admit that I was skeptical about reading this book. Sure, there was a movie about it, but that doesn't mean a good read. And, I started reading another Neil Gaiman book that I ended up hating. But, I was told by several sources that Coraline is a must read.

I am here to tell you that Coraline is definitely a must read. I loved it! I read the book in 2 days during the work week. I couldn't put it down! It has a "through the rabbit" hole approach, but it is way more twisted.

I don't want to give any thing away, so read it for yourself! You won't be sorry!

Say ooh

Besides the adorable store name, Say ooh is a company of handmade, gorgeous hair pieces. Everyone needs a little more ethereal in her life, especially today with instant everything. Say ohh's pieces reminisce of a time when life was slower and people still believed there was magic in the world.

I reviewed the Huntery-Maiden hair piece and it is beautiful! The piece adds a touch of dreaminess to my outfit. I can't wait until my hair get a little longer, then the dreamy effect will get even better!

Say ohh's whole line is right out of a fairy tale. Along with hair pieces, there is a beautiful nighty collection and an equally as beautiful jewelry line. I will be keeping Say ooh in mind for gifts to myself and others for years to come!

Hats and More Hats!!

As I have told you before, I love hats. They are just wonderful and more people should be wearing them on a regular basis. Hence, the San Diego Hat Company makes me smile.

Friends and world travelers Andrew Bleecher and Teresa Gardner came together in 1993 to form this awesome company. Their first hat, the Original Cotton Crotchet Hat®, was successful and spurred the two to search throughout Asia for materials and craftsmanship so they could expand their hat line. In the years since, they have expanded by leaps and bounds and now make hats for the fashion conscious.

San Diego Hat Company makes striking hats. They have hats for men, kids, women, the beach, fall, summer, you name it, they make. And it is made well. And, 'gasp,' they are affordable! I know, almost too good to be true! (You can also get some great bags to match your amazing hat!) The hat I reviewed is a great summer hat. It is light weight, it stays on and it looks good!

Their summer collection is still up, but San Diego Hat Company has already launched their Fall line, so you can get a jump start on Fall!