Archive for December, 2007

I was on Good Day Atlanta a few days ago discussing quick
and easy holiday decorating tips and thought with Christmas around the corner
this would be the perfect time to share them with you.

I’m a big believer in repurposing so I love the idea of
taking last year’s Christmas cards, cutting them up and using the front cover
as present tags. You can also find some blank cards on eBay and cut frame
windows and odd shapes, and then on the back side glue a cut cover from one of
your old Christmas cards…add your own personal touch with stamps, glitter or
any craft accessory you like:)

Here is a shot of the cards I made for Good Day Atlanta.

Another easy thing to do is to run waxed twine through the holes of some classic hemstitch napkins…the great thing about this is that you can change up the color of the twine depending on the season.

Here are some hemstitch napkins I found on
eBay:

Hemstitch napkins

On another note, some of you might remember my posting a
while back on plasti-dipping… I recently filmed a holiday-themed video about it
–check it out!

First off I want to thank everyone who has been reading this blog these past few months. I’ve received some great feedback and I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to a comment one reader recently posted regarding buying art on eBay. The comment couldn’t have come at a better time because I am about to leave for Art Basel, which is an international art show in Miami Beach featuring leading art galleries from around the globe. Needless to say, art is on my mind and I am looking forward to being able to report back on exciting new trends I discover at Art Basel

Now Back to the comment…this particular eBay user wanted to know if I was aware of self-representing artists who sell their own art on eBay, and the answer is yes, I am. I don’t know these artists personally, but I do know they’re on eBay because they have emailed me to let me know their art is on the site. Personally, I love Asian inspired watercolors, oil landscapes, and most of all, modern photography – it works great with my design sensibility for a monochromatic color palette. I’m always looking to expand my art collection, and I actually have my eye on a beautiful nature-inspired photograph that I’m watching on my eBay page. But, if you know of any great artists selling their original work on eBay, be sure to let me know so I can check them out, and can also help spread the word.

Modern Photograph

I love seeing toys from back in the day making a splash once
again on the hot-toy front! This means that my son, Baby Jack, will get to
experience some of the same fun I had when I was young. 

Like the good old Rubik’s Cube. This was pretty much a
staple for my brother and me whenever we went anywhere in the car or on a
plane. Forget the portable DVD player, which would now be your choice of
distraction tool, and check out the new and improved Rubik’s Cube. It’s pretty
cool. It has the ability to light up and lead kids on a hunt for the flashing
light. The sounds it makes increase the fun and intensity as you twist and turn
the cube. The old one is still fun, but the new one takes things to another
level. 

Rubiks Revolution

Even toys that were huge just a few years ago, like Tickle Me Elmo, have taken big steps forward. The old Elmo already looks retro. This year Elmo has a gang of T.M.X. friends, like Cookie Monster and Ernie.

Tickle Me Elmo

To get an even closer look at the toys from long ago, check
this out:

http://www.stitch.net/ebay_holidaybook2007/.

It’s time to make the list. What to get Mum, Dad, your spouse, your kids, your best friend, your sibling and what to get yourself for Christmas?

http://7thonsale.ebay.com offers a range of possibilities.

I worked on the merchandising committee for 7th on Sale for several days last summer and into fall. We combed through thousands of items donated by almost 500 generous designers. Several stand out in my mind and from these, I have selected luxury items that will make a gift giver look good, a receiver’s eyes light up and thoughts of last year’s fruitcake disappear!

Here are my picks for:

• Your fashionista daughter: A Coach bag
• Your cool son: Rock & Republic fashion sneakers or Dior Sunglasses
• Your precious little one: A Little Marc Jacobs sweater or an Amber Hagen “peace sign” sweater
• Your fantastic sister: A dress from TopShop,a Tory Burch bag or shoes
• Your goofy, lovable brother: MAC T-shirt signed by a celebrity like Pamela Anderson or a David Bowie-inspired look from Keenan Duffty
• Your adorable Mum: A luxurious sweater or jacket from Carolina Herrera or Oscar de la Renta
• Your pragmatic Dad: Kenneth Cole Oxfords or Ralph Lauren cashmere
• The girls at work: Henri Bendel fragrant candles or a signed designer fragrance
• Your gay or metrosexual best friend: Theory second-skin T or Dior or Giorgio Armani sunglasses
• Your hot, size 6(oh you could just kill her) best friend: A dress from celebrity designers Kevan Hall or Gilles Mendel
• And you, the V.I.P.: An evening dress, a clutch handbag, a Marc Jacobs watch, a cashmere sweater and silk pajamas. Too much? Non.

All available at http://7thonsale.ebay.com. Every $ raised goes to help people living with HIV/AIDS.

DANGEROUS DISEASES: SHOPPING HELPS

AIDS, an international health crisis, is on the rise again in our country. The rate of infection has not slowed since two decades ago and there is still no cure. Recently, I received an email from the GMHC- Gay Men’s Health Crisis. However, AIDS is no longer an exclusively gay man’s disease and it has not been for sometime. Black women are being infected at a faster rate than any other group- and that’s just in the U.S.

Young women between 18 and 35 are particularly hard hit.

The email from GMHC pointed out that the U.S. does not have an articulated AIDS policy, yet the government will not fund countries that do not have the same. Write to your senator, write to the president or shop at http://www.7thonsale.ebay.com. to help those who are suffering and to help eradicate AIDS for our children.

Every $ you spend shopping at http://7thonsale.ebay.com will be matched by MAC up to $500,000. MAC was an early crusader in the fight against AIDS including efforts to de-stigmatize the disease.