The perfect addition to your summer/spring handbag collection has arrived! The Chloe Python Bay Bag is the bag du jour, in demand and stylish it features thick quilted ivory leather giving it a sturdy look and feel. Accents include visible stitching, a plaque on the front, feet on the bottom and over sized zipper pulls all done in gold. I love all the pockets on this bag, and the fact that everything zips tightly shut. Overall a very usable and chic purse that won't go out of style with the rest of the white hand bags. Available on net-a-porter.com, $4,000.
The always charming Blake Lively from the hit series Gossip Girl had her work cut out for her at a recent Vanity Fair photo shoot. Her day included prancing around in a 33-pound Christian Dior gown! The yellow satin gown dazzled with Swarovski crystals detailing, 6,000 sequins (I counted), and detailed hand stitching. Lively, always a star, rose to the occasion and truly owned the dress, the photos are effortless and pretty. I wonder how much a gown like that would cost, any guesses?
Lately celebrity moms have been spotted wearing necklaces engraved with the first letter of their new baby's name, a cute trend that's quickly increasing in popularity as more and more A-list ladies get pregnant. Among the first to do so was Nicole Richie, who is frequently seen sporting a gold "H" pendant (for daughter Harlow) . So who's behind the initial craze? Meet LA based jewelry designer to the stars Jennifer Meyer, she's the daughter of Ron Meyer (the President and CEO of Universal Studios) and she's married to Tobey McGuire. You can see her fabulous designs at the hippest jewelry boutiques around. Her famous 18K yellow gold and diamond initial pendants are now available online at twistonline.com, they cost $1,375.
Puppies Behind Bars is an innovative organization that teaches prison inmates to raise and train puppies to be service dogs for the disabled, and explosive detection canines for law enforcement . What began with five puppies placed in a New York maximum-security prison for women, has grown to over a hundred puppies in seven different correctional facilities! The puppies live in cells with the inmates and receive the extensive care, attention and training they require to one day become service dogs. This amazing program, benefits inmates by giving them a sense of servitude and responsibility as well as much needed love and affection. To learn more about Puppies Behind Bars visit their website, which features an online boutique with proceeds going directly to the program
The Atlantic forest in Brazil is considered one of the worlds most endangered tropical rain forests, with as little 7 percent of it's original area remaining! As we all know trees are quite literally the lungs of the earth, without their constant releasing of oxygen we would all be in trouble, what you may not know is that forests like the Atlantic also help regulate the earths climate and atmosphere. The Plant A Billion Trees Project plans to do just that...plant a billion trees in the Atlantic Forrest over the next 7 years, basically they are going to re-forest 2.5 billion acres of land. I write about charities every day and I can't think of one I've heard of that is more important than this amazing project! The facts are staggering, and so impressive, after the project is done 10 million tons of carbon dioxide will have been removed from our air, planting these trees will do the same thing as removing 2 million cars from the road!! I urge you to get involved with this powerful movement. One dollar equals one tree, so tell everyone you know! Plant a Billion Trees website.
The immensely talented, couture jewelry design duo at Erickson Beamon, have created the most fabulous chandelier ever! This exquisite handmade work of art is called the Glam Rock Chandelier, and it looks like it belongs in a castle (it has in fact had a permanent home in a few museums). Completely covered with Japanese glass pearls and Swarovski crystals it still manages to look timeless and classy not gaudy. I adore it, too bad it costs $22,500! Available on vivre.com.
It's not easy to find cutesy stuff for large dogs, I have a 65 pound mutt, so adorable sweaters aren't an option, neither are name brand carriers. I was excited to find this Swarovski retractable lead, it's covered with shimmering crystals and available in a nice assortment of colors. Walk your big pooch in style and be the talk of the dog park! Available online, prices range from $160 (dogs under 20 pounds) to $280 (larger breeds).
London based fashion designer Matthew Williamson is known for his bold use of vibrant colors and patterns. His work is always fresh, often setting trends for seasons to come. This map print scarf is a pretty addition to any summer outfit. Made of a luxurious linen and silk blend, features include bead work and a tassel trim. With each scarf purchased a percentage goes straight to breast cancer research via the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer® Worldwide program. Available on net-a-porter.com for $925.
I love vintage Chanel bags, truly timeless, they never go out of style, if anything they seem to get more fabulous with each passing year! However they always sell out at vintage shops so it can be quite hard to get your hands on one, thankfully with the Internet, haute purse collecting has gotten easier. This black shoulder bag in patent leather crocodile print is one of the nicest collectible bags I've seen. Details include two outside pockets and a top zipper closure. It's available online for $4639! Pricey but well worth every penny.
Kara Ross is the designer that celebrities turn to for exquisite handbags and one of a kind jewelry, fans include Kate Beckinsale, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Oprah Winfrey! The new Kara Ross Zebra Wood Cuff Bracelet is unique and stunning, it features a single blue topaz stone atop an 18kt gold closure. Wood bangle cuff bracelets are in style this summer/fall, and so are animal prints, so this is the ultimate accessory du jour! Available online for $6,892.
We constantly hear about big givers, but today's charity One Buck for the Planet focuses on small giving, and lots of it. Based on the simple principal that if millions of people each give a dollar, huge change is possible. One Buck works with only the best green earth charities; the Surfrider Foundation, Trees for the Future, Conservation International and many more. They distribute all donations received to one of the groups they trust to get things done! They take the guess work out of donating for you, no need to spend time trying to figure out which charity to give to. So simple and easy...I love this charity. Who can't afford to give a dollar to help keep the earth healthy for generations to come. Pass the word on about this cool charity!
Straight off the runway comes the Dior Jazzclub Handbag Collection. I don't love these bags, but they are definitely unique and worth taking a peek at. Made of lambskin and available in black, beige, white, zebra and leopard, the jazzclub collection is recognizable by its unique large logo-engraved toggle closure and slouchy shape. The hardware is polished silver, which is refreshing after a few seasons of gold. Available on eluxury.com for $1,950.
Bring the woodsy outdoors charm into your home with this limited edition unique find. It's called the Meteor Table, it's made by Christa and it's an actual teak tree root that's been coated with bronze. Definitely a conversation starter in any home! I guess you can't rush such a ginormous and heavy package (750 pounds) via mail so it takes 6 months to arrive. Tree tables don't come cheap, this purchase will set you back $55,000! Of course I'm trying to figure out how I can start making these things! It's available on vivre.com, a very cool decor site.
Today's Charity of the Day is co-owned by none other than Madonna herself. When Michael Berg and Madonna founded Raising Malawi (RM), their goal was to help over one million orphaned children in Malawi that suffer from deadly diseases, extreme poverty and the effects of severe drought. Raising Malawi volunteers are hard at work, fund-raising, conducting research, and raising awareness. Check out this organization's website, there is a heartwarming and educational letter that Madonna wrote about Malawi and the children that reside there.
I've never fallen in love with a laptop bag but the stunning YSL Downtown Computer Case is in a league of it's own! Finely crafted in Italy from luxurious black patent leather, embellished with gold hardware featuring a sturdy working lock and key. And the bottom is stamped with a large YSL logo, so chic. The adjustable shoulder strap and double zipper closure offer convenience while the inside zip pocket keeps you organized. Did I mention I'm obsessed with this bag? Available on YSL.com for $1,795. I'm saving up!
The perfect addition to your summer/spring handbag collection has arrived! The Chloe Python Bay Bag is the bag du jour, in demand and stylish it features thick quilted ivory leather giving it a sturdy look and feel. Accents include visible stitching, a plaque on the front, feet on the bottom and over sized zipper pulls all done in gold. I love all the pockets on this bag, and the fact that everything zips tightly shut. Overall a very usable and chic purse that won't go out of style with the rest of the white hand bags. Available on net-a-porter.com, $4,000.
I've never fallen in love with a laptop bag but the stunning YSL Downtown Computer Case is in a league of it's own! Finely crafted in Italy from luxurious black patent leather, embellished with gold hardware featuring a sturdy working lock and key. And the bottom is stamped with a large YSL logo, so chic. The adjustable shoulder strap and double zipper closure offer convenience while the inside zip pocket keeps you organized. Did I mention I'm obsessed with this bag? Available on 
