According to the latest numerology reports I’ve read, 2007 is supposed to be my happiest year yet. But with my luck, those psychic predictions will probably backfire, so I’ll need something tangible (aside from Prozac) to keep my spirits on an even keel. Call is kismet, because I’ve found just the ticket: Laurel Denise Jewelry Design, a delicate line of hanging hoops and necklaces inscribed with inspirational images and sayings.
Similar to a chocolate buzz, Laurel Denise glass pendants can instantly elevate your mood sans the sugar crash. These wearable works of art are the brainchild of Laurel Pipkin, a Virginia-born artist who came up with the brilliant idea one night in a dream. Each one-of-a-kind design is hand-etched by Pipkin herself, who happens to have the most meticulous handwriting I’ve ever seen. She begins the labor-intensive process by cutting, smoothing and drilling each piece of glass, then places the tip of her pen against tiny sheets of paper and scribbles serene sentiments that say “She lived in her own little fairytale, “Life whispers, listen closely,” and “Sing the song of your heart.” Each image, some of which include pretty birds and flowers, is then melted onto the glass and strung onto sterling silver and gold chains for an utterly stylish and striking effect. And with four fabulous collections to choose from including “Simply Stated,” “Art & Soul,” “10 Million Wishes,” and “Color Me Happy,” there’s a Laurel Denise phrase to perk-up every personality. In case you can’t find a saying that suits your fancy, just ask Pipkin and she’ll custom-design any style with your favorite quote. Get strung out on Laurel Denise and you’ll no longer need to read your daily horoscope.
Peek inside my packed New York closet and you’ll discover the true meaning of multiple personality disorder. On the top shelf sits a stack of trendy, off-the-shoulder tops, skinny jeans with studs and reconstructed vintage tees in a kaleidoscope of colors. The double-hanging metal rods directly beneath are reserved for business-y blazers, sequined gipsy skirts, frilly, French-cuffed blouses and fancy, floor-grazing dresses. So when it comes to buying accessories, I need a boutique that carries an equally eclectic selection of accoutrements to suit my many changing moods. Thankfully, I found Clarabella, a cozy store-cum-gallery space that sells a jaw-dropping assortment of handcrafted shoes, bags, belts, jewelry and even art.
Founded by Erin Whelan, a 30-year-old music industry marketing whiz who grew tiresome of the daily corporate grind, Clarabella has become the coveted accessories shrine she had always dreamt of creating. Named in honor of her Great-Grandmother, Clara, a serious shoe maven, Clarabella’s shelves are lined with a cherry-picked selection of edgy, hard-to-find brands including Tashkent by Cheyenne (killer leather kicks), Mariana (budget-conscious Brazilian shoes), Andrea Brueckner (Hamptons-inspired travel totes), Judith Haas (Gaudi-inspired gold-cuffed bracelets) and Crystalyn Kae (glaze-coated vegan handbags). In keeping with her artistic background, Whelan, promotes up-and-coming painters and photographers by displaying their artworks on the walls during ongoing, bi-monthly exhibits. You can also sign-up for on-site jewelry making classes led by Nicole Gagne of Leoworks, one of the dozens of talented designers whose baubles are sold at the space. Also be sure to RSVP for the regular rotation of trunk shows – a fun way to shop ’n schmooze with the designers themselves. And thanks to the boutique’s friendly vibe, inviting jazz tunes and informative descriptions detailing how each design was made, a visit to Clarabella will tempt you to stay the entire day.
Exclusive Fashion Junkie Deal Just for YOU! Clarabella is giving subscribers 20% off any items of your choice from Friday, July 20th through Friday, August 3rd. Present a printout of this email at the cash to redeem your discount. Happy shopping!
What’s so good about having fresh breath if you’re smiling with a chunk of chive wedged in between your two front teeth? Yup… even I’ve been caught like a deer in headlights in public because most people were too embarrassed to draw this beauty blunder to my attention. That was until I discovered Little i Mirror Mints – a sleek ’n chic tin packed with flavored mints and a handy mirror designed for make-up checks on the move. Slip the slender tin into any back pocket or purse and kiss those uncomfortable bouts of halitosis and humiliation goodbye.
Made with pretty pink packaging you’ll want to whip out at the dinner table, Mirror Mints are beyond fashionable. Choose from four compacts glitzed-up with girly graphics and giggly catchphrases such as Spoiled Rotten, Hottie, Flirt, Cute and High Maintenance. These minty marvels are so fun and affordable you’ll want to collect Mirror Mints for every occasion. Available in a variety of sugar-free flavors like peppermint, chocolate and citrus, these breath saviors will satisfy your sweet cravings without expanding your waistline. Be sure to look out for the new Card Holder Series Mirror Mints – the same punchy pills, packed in a reusable business card holder. Now that’s brilliant!
Visit littlei.com for prices and store locations near you or contact 360-332-3258
Call me a tad prudish, but I still giggle every time my gyno fondles my “girls” during a check-up. I’m even uncomfortable examining my boobs myself, but the fact remains, 1 in 7 women will develop breast cancer according to a study by the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. Plus, 6% of women diagnosed with the life-threatening disease every year are under the age of 40, further stressing the importance of self-examination. What’s even scarier is the fact that most doctors don’t recommend annual mammograms until women turn 40.
With those startling statistics in mind, Leigh Hurst, a 36 year-old breast cancer survivor who saved her own life by “feeling her boobies,” created a t-shirt emblazoned with the same sexy catchphrase for friends to don during a breast cancer walk during her recovery in 2004. Hurst’s head-turning “Feel Your Boobies” (FYB) tees were so successful that she’s since set up a foundation with the same brash slogan along with an expanded clothing collection of fitted baby doll tees, wife-beater tanks, bandanas, belt buckles and other pastel-hued paraphernalia to raise funds and awareness of the disease. There’s even a limited-edition Boobies Couture line in the fall, which features one-of-a-kind creations from A-List artists and designers. And since every purchase comes with a handy “How To Feel ’Em” tip card, you can now start squeezing your boobies on a regular basis… without shame. Thanks to the choice selection, a cross-section of women from around the globe have become walking billboards in the crusade against breast cancer. Even celebs like Sheryl Crow, also a survivor, have been spotted sporting a stylish FYB tank. Bust out one of these pretty pink tops and you might even save someone’s life.
Bagoholics will flip over the stunning selection of serious arm candy at this heavenly shop. Instantly update your wardrobe with hundreds of drool-worthy shapes, sizes, colours and fabrics du jour ranging from Jack Gomme, Isabella Fiore, Longchamp, Hervé Chapelier, Sequoia, Francesco Biasia, Tano and Elisa Atheniense. Betcha can’t buy just one!
According to the latest numerology reports I’ve read, 2007 is supposed to be my happiest year yet. But with my luck, those psychic predictions will probably backfire, so I’ll need something tangible (aside from Prozac) to keep my spirits on an even keel. Call is kismet, because I’ve found just the ticket: Laurel Denise Jewelry Design, a delicate line of hanging hoops and necklaces inscribed with inspirational images and sayings. 
