Stylish with Substance

This new Mac Book looks great, mix the Mac Book green with pro and make it small (13" width, widescreen would be nice) and it could be my next computer.

It's a good thing the economy is the way it is though, because there is no mention of this machine on Apple.com whatsoever. Or any sign of it being purchasable in the near future. No "Froogle" or news jumps out at me. (And I'm demanding and require that for it to count as marketed.)

The worst thing is that Apple.com's search doesn't make any sense, they promote random movies when I search for what should be Apple products. Is this some lame iTunes tie-in? That's just what it is, lame.

Add a page for every product and/or ad you serve to TV Apple, god, I thought you were smarter than that!

At least(???) we can enjoy the above ad, but it's kind of like the fairy tale that is the rest of our hopes for bettering our planet. It's not like I don't trust Barack Obama, it's just that well, it's lame duck season, and unfortunately that doesn't mean hunting.

A foot note, kudos to YouTube for their new video embed. Not only does it work well with WordPress, but it matches almost any site, which is so tempting now that there are so many other embeddable video sites! I just wish the Google affiliation with it could fit into my layouts (sidebars) like these vids do my posts!! (However we can go straight to YouTube to get Google code for single videos or multiples, so although it won't fit most sidebars, it's a great step!) (Of course, getting revenue from embedding YouTube videos into posts is also huge incentive!)

*Update* Vote for this story on these social / "green" sites here:

• @Digg


• @ PlanetChange


• @ MindBodyGreen


• @ Care2

Apple Computers is giving us working proof that environmentalism fails in the face of business. If a company produces things made of solar power, we think that's green, as in environmentally-friendly, right? But if that company attempts to patent this technology, therefore not wishing to share/spread/encourage all competition to do the same (we're not in competition when the Earth's life is at stake though!) - that's not about saving the world at all, it's about getting the edge = getting the green, but not lush leafy green; dark, dirty dollar signs green.

Dirty is right! And it's not sexy. Sure, sitting out on my back patio un-plugging away on my fully wireless-ness until I can't take the global Florida heat anymore sounds like an attractive prospect, but this - it's not "hot". In fact, I find it rotten.

*Update*

We don't regularly post eco blogs, so I'm going to list here the green social bookmarking sites we've submitted this post to, and actually link to the permalink there. Vote if you agree, and/or comment if you do or don't!

• @ Plant Change


• @ Hugg


• @ Mind, Body, Green


• @ Green Voice


• @ Care2


• @ NewsLadder (progressive politics / causes)
  


• @ Mixx *This site just has a green category, and I'm probably about to add it to our links here.

I'm not a trend follower of late, but the announcement of this one excited me for a very important reason. Seeing the hot, neon, sparkly, etc. pumps on the show What Not to Wear started my love for shoes, which brought on this blog, which introduced me to handbags, and ultimately that led to my handbag line I'm finally ready to start!

But back to the blog for now, and well the shoes..

Reports say bright shoes are in for Spring. Fun! Cute, and definite excitement in your steps.

I'd like to go over some "hot" (pun intended, as per usual) choices in different categories ...

First, fashionista in different price points:

$$$$$ Manolo Blahnik
Velour Brooch Slide $645

$$$ Banana Republic
Shielded Sandal $78

$$ Not Rated
Juicy $43

$ Forever 21
Sweetheart Flip Flop $5.80

Different types of shoes:

Sneaker Flat
Piper Lime

Indie Designer
Etrelles

Rain Boots
Kamik

Do you give your lady high-priced items or more fairly priced yet quality gems?

Well, here are some ruby jewelry options for three budgets:

Budget Blower:

Cushion-Cut Ruby Ring
highest price, but synthetic stone,
plus cubic zirconia accents
by Fantasia by DeSerio
$630

Quality Keeper:

Poinsettia Flower Pendant/Necklace
with 5 ct. center ruby, fine silver
by Lucinda Fox Wood

$299

Passionate Cheap Thrill:

Jewels of My Heart
shaded rubies & sterling silver
by Sky Dreams

$89

Notice the materials get more quality, truer gems or silver, when the price decreases? Take a lesson. Although the fake ruby and the "fine" silver (aka silver plated, etc.) look more expensive, and are more expensive, they're less of the "true" fineries. Hmmmm?

That being said, there's nothing wrong with fine silver, or any of these items. But $630 for faux stones is wrong, imho. Thanks, Needless Markup.

What fun! How cheerful! In Nemain Marcus's Spring Preview for Manolo Blahnik shoes, are these pink poppy-printed Slingback Mary Janes with peep toes. I think the best feature of these, even with their powers of anti-depression, is the green top-stitching. High design meets indie funkiness? Love it!

With a high high heel, these shoes cost $675, and right now Neiman Marcus .com has an offer that gives a free Blahnik sketch book with a Manolo purchase over $650.

But really, you'll buy this shoe for the joy & jubilation!

*falls over* ...

I'm sorry, I'm very excitable today. Quite overwhelmed with the entire collection, actually. It's Ralph Lauren's 40th anniversary, to note. I really must do a more detailed post later in the week, as the show deserves it really. But there are so many notable pieces and I'm a bit *dizzy* - lol. :-) Way to go, Ralph! That's all for now.

This year global warming may cause thinking ahead to Fall Fashion to become even more important than some fashionistas may realize. This is important for both buyers and small-run independent sellers and designers who create or put out supply closer to the "need" date. Why? Why when one would think Summer should last longer, with "warming"? Well, global warming is more complicated than it sounds, and we all see effects from it that we may not, or perhaps no one could, have predicted. Around Massachusetts, the late-Summer effect has been a very dry climate, with nary a rain drop in my area. And a surprising, odd, side effect of that has been our leaves have already been "turning" a good deal. Many have fallen to the grounds below the trees as well. While weather seems about normal for my area; hot and humid with some cool "New England surprise" spells mixed in---Fall foliage has already switched us a season ahead.

So aesthetically, the season has turned, and we may already want some foliage-hued accessories, and summer scarves might be a more popular idea, if we want that Autumn look during an August-feeling early September.

Hopefully the calendar will catch up with the forest and things will seem to even out. In the mean time I think I need to crank out my stringy scarves I have ready to make.

Also in order and seemingly out of whack, I need to do some "Spring cleaning" first. And may I mention that today I noticed another odd, this time Spring-like, unseasonal pop of colour in our backyard---the yellow of dandelions. Is this year really strange, or have I just not paid attention to pretty weeds' life patterns before?

To fellow designers, I suggest cranking out autumn leaf bracelets and cozy socks ... ASAP! Just in case it helps. ;-)

The Fall season is pretty much upon us in the fashion hemisphere, and many of us - I know - can't wait to get started on shopping and even wearing Autumn-toned goodies.

Now how to wear a gorgeously warm looking scarf in the dog days of August, a month that also celebrates the hot hot reds of the Earth?

An Hermès silk scarf in a sharp graphic print is perfect, and don't get too scared, this Silk Twilly is only $115. That's not bad for a die-hard fashionista or a moderately-budgeted H. admirer. The print is too fashionable and the price only tells you this accessory will last.