S: Stuff that is beyond Cool!

A website called thinkgeek.com has the coolest stuff around. Inventive, futuristic and just when you thought you couldn't surprise that person who has everything, viola this site has it all. This is a two part column because I found items here that will move even the most stuck person into the present. First up is a video player watch. With a massive 8GB of storage capacity this stainless steel watch has a 1.8" color screen., making this the ultimate in style and coolness. High pixel count and frames per second make viewing a joy. Plus this watch has a built-in voice recorder, multiple OSD languages to choose from, a built-in high quality speaker as well as a earphone jack, the ability to view JPEG pictures and listen to music at the same time, and so much more. This shiny new toy costs $129

Do you have vinyl records collecting dust that you can not replace? Set those vinyl's free... Digitally! Finally a machine that allows outdated media to sound hi-tech with a new with amazing sound. With a digitally Ion USB Turntable, simply plug it in to your PC (Windows or Mac) and use the included Audacity software to rip your vinyl directly to MP3 (or WAV format) for playback You can even use the Audacity software to give your vinyl a digital facelift by removing unsightly clicks and pops. The price to save you old treasures.....$99.99. Gues what they even have a machine for cassettes for $139.99.

The cost of most forms of energy has increased so much lately that families are stress to the max. Thankfully, the energy emitted from the Sun is still free (until some scrooge genius figures out how to charge for it). The Soldius 1 Solar Charger can help you tap into this free source of energy; you just plug it in and point it towards the Sun. It generates enough power to fully recharge your device batteries in just 2 to 3 hours (in direct sunlight). Compatible with all iPod flavors it also includes adapters for more than 250 models of mobile phones. With the extra demands on batteries due to the photo and video capabilities of our devices, the ability to recharge on the go is pretty essential. The device folds in half and it's light enough to fit in your shirt pocket or purse. The Soldius 1 is smaller than previous solar chargers because it does not contain a battery. To save on that ever growing bill $89.99 could be the solution.

Gadgets move us forward and bring us light and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for a President bent on Total Destruction!

The election can not come soon enough and it seems before he is through "President Bush" will also endanger the animal kingdom as well. In the news the Bush administration wants to abolish the Endangered Species Act. It seems as if Mr. Bush is trying to emulate Nigel Hawthorn"s performance in "The Madness of King George". Under the newest policy federal agencies will decide whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants. Like most of what Bush has been doing this would not require the approval of Congress and would reduce the mandatory, independent reviews governmental scientists have been performing for 35 years. If approved, the changes would be the biggest overhaul of the Endangered Species Act since 1986. This accomplishes what Republicans have been unable to achieve in Congress. If adopted, these changes would seriously weaken the safety net of habitat protections that has been relied upon to protect and recover endangered fish, wildlife and plants.

When I was little the animals that I got to see first hand at the zoo, are now dying out. How many of you have seen a Gazelle, Gorilla, Rhino, Orangutang, Hippo, Polar Bear, Wallaby or a Tiger? Can you imagine your children never seeing them or understanding the roles they have played? Right now all of the animals I have named are either extinct or, are soon to be.

Extinction is a natural feature of evolution. Since life began, about 99 percent of the earth's species have disappeared and huge numbers have died out in a relatively short time. The most recent of these mass extinctions, about 65 million years ago, swept away the dinosaurs and many other forms of life. However, despite such catastrophes, the total number of living species has, until recently, followed a generally upward trend. Today, the extinction rate is increasing rapidly as a result of human interference in natural ecosystems. Primates, tropical birds, and many amphibians are not only threatened but may soon cease to exist.

Mr. Bush under your Presidency you have ruined the economy, lied to get us into war, lied to suit your own agenda (North American Union), have recently used your Executive Order to lift the ban on offshore drilling to suit your own needs and now the animals. What's left for you to do? At this point you will go down as a destructive force and that is most definitely a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Charms and Crystals and Shoes! (Oh MY)

Dogeared Jewels and Gifts is all about spreading good energy into the world. Through positive and uplifting charms, jewels, and gifts, Dogeared tries to bring smiles, style, and encouragement to everyone who embraces them. The combination of the Californian lifestyle and the Buddhist notion of impermanence is fused into an expression of beautiful jewelry. The Make A Wish line celebrates the individual spirit in each person, and the power of a wish. Dogeared has become a favorite of celebrities and stylists due to the simplicity of their messages. Dogeared has also expanded into tote bags, home blessing charms and a fabulous new pendant necklaces. Three rings of sterling silver, 10kt yellow gold and 10kt rose gold that symbolize unity and wholeness, connecting you to the past, present and future to help enjoy the journey. My favorite "100 Good Wishes" is like a rosary. Each bead on the chain represents a wish like "balance, compassion, trust, luck, peace, kindness, love and strength. It comes with a card bearing the wishes and a gift box. I can't think of a better way to remind yourself of these characteristics or to wish them on another. These pieces are hot in demand and carry a price tag that reflects that. These simple pieces ranges from $65-$200. Dogeared has jewelry perfect for just about any occasion with baubles representing endless sentiments. I am definitely dogearing this for future gift giving needs and crossing my fingers I'll get one of my own! To see more log onto www.dogeared.com

It seems I have been involved with people who design with Swarovski for eons. When I was singing a German designer gave me a fiber optic neckless he had design with them. Firefly Jewelry who I do trade shows for won their highest design award last year and this year was selected for their Crystallized Pavilion at the accessory show. Right now they are in the news with a new contest. Delighting fashionistas and movie goers alike and coinciding with the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, 20 of the world’s most inspired shoe designers will present their own modern interpretation of those beloved ruby slippers.
Louboutin and Blahnik and Choo (oh my!) will present updated versions that will reside in the Smithsonian. Betsey Johnson, who already borrows much from the Wizard of Oz aesthetic (and has presented a collection that included a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, a Cowardly Lion, a Dorothy and a little dog, too.) will present her bedazzled view of Dorothy’s red shoes for the event as well. Crystallized Swarovski Elements, the same name that provided the sparkle of the original shoes, will be used by each designer. The collection will be officially unveiled at Saks Fifth Ave. in the charmed store windows along the famous avenue-Saks’ namesake-as an in-store gala kicks off Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week on September 4th. Throughout the week, the collection will be showcased at an installation in Bryant Park for all to admire. After the tents are taken down at the end of the week, the shoes will travel to the Armory Building on September 20th for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s Kids for Kids Family Carnival. In the fall of 2009, each pair will be sold at auction, not unlike the original slippers, and proceeds will benefit the same Foundation. Before then the slippers will follow a yellow brick road of their own as they embark on a world tour that includes a stop at Art Basel Miami Beach, December 4th through 8th.

Our Jewelry speaks volumes about what we want to say and that is a communicative F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Arriving at the Future!

I can not believe I missed this exhibit because I am so completely fascinated by this work. French designer Mathieu Lehanneur has created Local River, a concept for a domestic “refrigerator-aquarium” that breeds freshwater fish for eating and grows vegetables at the same time. Inspired by the Locavores movement of people who source food grown locally to avoid pollution and ensure freshness, the project allows people to produce their own food at home. Vegetables growing in floating pots would help purify the water by removing nitrates and other minerals. It was shown at the Artists Space Gallery in New York right up until June 21st. Not only is it art but it is a home storage unit for live freshwater fish combined with a mini vegetable patches. This DIY fish-farm-cum-kitchen-garden is based on the principle of aquaponics coupled with the exchange and interdependence of two living organisms - plants and fish. The plants extract nutrients from the nitrate-rich dejecta of the fish. In doing so they act as a natural filter that purifies the water and maintains a vital balance for the eco-system in which the fish live. The same technique is used on large-scale pioneer aquaponics/fish-farms, which raise tilapia (a food fish from the Far East) and lettuce planted in trays floating on the surface of ponds. Local River responds to everyday needs for fresh food that is 100% traceable. It bets on a return to favour of farm-raised freshwater fish (trout, eel, perch, carp, etc…), given the dwindling supplies of many saltwater species due to over-fishing. It also demonstrates the capacity of fish-farmers to deliver their stock live to a private consumer as a guarantee of optimum freshness - impossible in the case of saltwater fish that has been netted. Local River aims to replace the decorative ‘TV aquarium’ by an equally decorative but also functional ‘refrigerator-aquarium’. In this scenario, fish and greens cohabit for a short time in a home storage unit before being eaten by their keepers, the end-players in an exchange cycle within a controlled ecosystem.

Mathieu Lehanneur the designer is currently exploring possibilities in nature and technology for their break-thru potential in functions and their capacity to work magic. Making his international début with a series entitled ‘Elements’ and the ‘Bel Air’ filtering system for plants. Six objects that form a domestic kit for rebalancing everyday physiological needs (such as lack of sunlight in winter) and countering aggression factors in urban settings (noise & air pollution). Go to www.mathieulehanneur.com because this artist is truly thinking towards the future and that is a needed F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Clothes that Fit!

Not everyone is a size 2 and not everyone has a perfect body including models. How many times have you tried on jeans only to find them so low your stomach hangs over the waistband and when you sit down we are talking cleavage. Are you starting to be convinced that your jeans were designed to be worn exclusively by Kate Moss? Do you find your jeans growing so much during the day that you have to wash them every time you wear them to get them back in shape? If you have answered yes to these and other fashion jean disasters, do I have the jeans for you.Thigh slimming, stomach flattening, butt shaping, leg lengthening and stretch jeans in cords, white, black, dark blue and faded. SkinnyJeans® have tackled every possible way to make blue jeans more slimming and flattering. SkinnyJeans® are strictly built to make you look thinner. Seen on the cover of Aug 2008 Glamor and on page 68, May 2008 Special issue of People, O editors choice, Life and Style and Ok, with Lindsey Lohan, Rachel Ray, Jodie Foster and Jessica Simpson singing their praises. Medium-Rise Waist, Memory Stretch, Plain Pockets, Disguised Stomach Flattener, Sexy Thigh-Scooping/Buttocks-Lifting Shape, Leg Lengthening Design in Barely-Boot Cut, and Smart Shading, Fading and never loses its shape. The unique cut of the jeans separates and slims out the thighs and lifts and shapes the buttocks. The inseams are drawn very forward on the leg to make the thighs appear narrower. SkinnyJeans® have a specially-sewn invisible panel-function that flattens the entire stomach area. And SkinnyJeans® have a shaded and faded pattern that creates an optical illusion front and back that makes you look thinner and your legs look longer at a cost of $178. You can find them at Cantaloupe 1036 Lexington Ave or www.slinnyjeans.com

Zaha Hadid, the same designer who designed "The Chanel Mobile Art Pavilion" is now branching out into the coolest Eco-Shoe Line I have ever seen. With eco-friendly fashion being the talk of the town, various types of eco-friendly apparel are coveted, such as this one offered by Neo-modernist architect Zaha Hadid. I am guessing once these hit the market they will be sought after and in high demand. They are a limited-edition for the Brazilian eco-footwear company Melissa. Commitment to the environment with their vegan, recyclable plastic materials, their socially responsible trade and labor practices, and their cute and affordable designs, Melissa is a company on the rise. As sculptural and visionary as her buildings, Zaha's shoes are made from recyclable, sustainable plastic and come in eight colours, including black and silver.

From Jeans that make you skinny to shoes that redesign clothing is expanding F.A.C.T.