Monday, March 31, 2008

Yahoo! Shine for Women

Should you be in the need for advice or discussion of the daily life, head on to Shine. Not physically, virtually.

Shine is a new Yahoo! website for women to get together, connect and be informed.

The site features original blogs from its staff along with contents from major publishing partners including Conde Nast, Hearst and Time.

If you have the flair for writing, readers can also start their own blog that may end up featured on the site.

Shine promises to be different than other already abundant women-focused websites. Go ahead and take a look for yourself.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

UM Carry Bag

I just love it when things are not the way they seem to be but in actuality, functional and fashionable at the same time.

At a glance, this bag looks like an egg, a dinosaur egg. OK maybe I have watched too many documentaries or Steven Spielberg's movies. But you have to admit that it does not look like a bag, at least not at first.

When entirely unzipped, the bag opens flat for easy dry cleaning and storage. When zipped, it is a fully-functional dinosaur egg, I mean bag, that is stylish nonetheless.

What is interesting about this bag other than its ingenious design, is that it is made from excess industrial wool felt, that might otherwise get discarded.

The UM Carry bag, as it is called, is from the UM bags collection which comes in 4 shapes, Carry, Tote, Clutch and Hold.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Painted Art Shoes

How would you like to wear a piece of art on your feet? Something you would consider having on display rather than wear it. "Ndeur" shoes are exactly a piece of art you can tread on.

The shoes are painstakingly handpainted with various designs uncommon on regular shoes found in stores.

The perpetrator behind this brilliant concept is Mathieu Missiaen, a Canadian graphic artist who paints on, not only shoes, but almost anything.

Vintage shoes are often used for this venture, but upon request, those who prefer their own shoes, can also send in their shoes to be custom-painted.

Ndeur designs are modern, fun and what is categorized as street art. This is evident by the name given to each design, for example, Skank n Play (featured here), Screech and Brutus, and neo berlin.

Wooden Bead Maxi Dress by Beaumont Organic

This simple yet interesting dress by Beaumont Organic has all the characteristics required by a woman who cares for her environment.

Looks simple yet stylish, this dress speaks "Nature" through its organically grown cotton fabric and wooden beads.

This beautiful, loose-fitting dress wears comfortably by itself or with a t-shirt.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Saudi Arabia's First Women-only Hotel

Most people who do not understand the Muslim-Arab world often accuse Saudi Arabia as being harshly discriminating against women.

Partly, this is true. But, some people, especially those in the western world might find it hard to believe that most Muslim-Arab women like or choose to be segregated from men on certain occasions.

This is why I am not surprised that the country has opened its first women-only hotel to meet a big demand.

The Luthan Hotel & Spa offers plush lodgings and a full-range of health and beauty facilities away from the prying eyes of men. It is run and managed by women; from its bell-woman, to IT engineer, to electrical engineer.

The exclusive hotel is owned
by a group of 20 Saudi princesses and businesswomen.

Even though all other women-only hotels have been targeting lesbians, this hotel is looking to cater to the Saudi woman's need for a place to stay as she moves around the country, which often made difficult by bureaucracy and conservative family values.

Women who wish to stay at this hotel will find prices ranging from 350 riyals ($93) per night to 979 riyals, with weekend "spa break" rates for around 2,000 riyals.

Unique License Plates Handbag

You would not have guessed that this handbag is made of recycled license plates; two to be exact.

Honestly, I have never thought recycled plates could look this fun and fashionable.

Designed by Leo Espinosa, the bag is named "Roller Dreamer" which aptly describes the cartoon design. The design adds a playful feel to an already unique bag while the Swarovski crystals add sparkle.

Roller Dreamer is only one of many handbag collections from Littlearth, who has been in the business of designing and making trendsetting purses and belts using recycled materials, for 15 years.

Based in the SoHo district of Pittsburgh, Littlearth products and brands are spreading all over the world with distributors in Australia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Kiva Helps Entrepreneurs in the Developing World

The concept is so simple yet the impact is big. Kiva has made it easier to connect people who are willing to loan their money to third-world entrepreneurs, especially women, via an online platform.

Kiva works by partnering with microfinance institutions (MFIs), which in turn actively on the lookout for business-owners in need of small loans. The MFIs are also involved in the fund distribution process.

Lenders, on the other hand, are made up of ordinary people, like you and me, who can be part of this life-changing project by lending as little as $25. Lenders start by selecting a business he or she wants to sponsor. After making a loan, they will receive updates on how their money are used. After loans are repaid, lenders are free to re-loan or withdraw the money.

Almost everything is done online; from the online profile of qualified borrowers uploaded by MFIs or Field Partners, to lenders' profiles uploaded by lenders themselves, to uploading funds for loans.

Kiva's motto is "loans that change lives". To support this worthy cause and change people's lives, you can visit Kiva's website at www.Kiva.org.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Spring Skin Care Products Recommended by Dr. Baumann at Yahoo! Health

To some of us, spring could bring new threats after a grueling winter season. I would not know it as I live in a tropical climate, from which come a whole different problems altogether.

However, to prepare your skin for spring and later on summer, Dr. Baumann at Yahoo! Health has listed five skin care products of her choice which comprised of gentle exfoliating, mattifying, nourishing, gentle cleansing and "scent"ing.

Dr. Baumann recommends these products for spring:

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer - A gentle exfoliator that stimulates skin cell turnover and consequently improve skin condition.

OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel
- A mattifying gel that absorbs oil continuously for up to eight hours.


Celazome Serum Vitae
-
An antioxidant moisturizer that neutralizes free radicals and stimulates skin renewal.

Korres Magnolia Cleansing Emulsion
- A gentle cleansing and moisturizing emulsion that soothes and calm sensitive skin.


Philosophy The Alchemist
- A
synthetic pheromone that is used as aromatherapy to enhance the sense of well-being.

The mattifying gel should be useful both in spring and summer, that is, if you have oily skin like me. Of course, no one product works for everyone. You just have to try it yourself. Do share your experience if any of these products working for you.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

One Pair of Shoes, Unlimited Styles

Wouldn't it be great if you could customise your shoes every day to match the outfit or accessories you are wearing? With only one pair of Mohop shoes, you can.

Their motto is, "a new pair of shoes...every day". Which is exactly what you can achieve if you own a pair of Mohop shoes.

Here is how it's done; the footbed or bottom of the shoes and the straps are separate components. You can change the look of your shoes by changing the ribbons that make up the strapping component. Varying the style and length of the ribbons, not forgetting the patent-pending strapping technique will transform the whole look of the shoes altogether.

The shoes are comfortable enough for everyday use and especially useful when travelling whereby luggage space is limited.

Designed by Annie Mohaupt in her Chicago-based studio, these handcrafted shoes are creatively designed as well as environmentally-friendly.

In the long run, these shoes are cost-effective since you just have to buy new ribbons for a "new" pair of shoes.