Cell Phone Reincarnation

Cell phone.  Check.  Laptop.  Check.

What would I do without having my cell phone, laptop and iPod accessible for my every whim?  These days its as if a little piece of my world has ended as I internalize a scream capable of blowing the leaves off the Maple tree outside.  Yes, its ludacris.  But, admit it. We count on being connected at all times of the day.

So what do we do with these tiny but magical pieces of metal once we've used and abused them and a newer, "got to have it" model has come out?  No idea? 

I've got a better idea than to toss this metal corpse in the trash can - an idea that can earn you cold hard cash for your old cell phones, laptops, video games, digital cameras, MP3 players and gaming consoles.  And no, this is not a scam.

Gazelle helps consumers sell and recycle their used electronics, helping find a new home for over 20,000 electronics to date.  The basic concept is this:

1. Visit http://www.gazelle.com/
2. Find your item and rate the condition
3. Gazelle will automatically calculate the monetary amount of this item (If the item is broken or too out of date, Gazelle will recycle your electronics for you)
4. Gazelle will mail you a box or you can use your own (free shipping of course) in order to send your item.  (Don't worry - they wipe all of your personal data immediately)
5. Gazelle will send payment via PayPal, check, or Amazon.com® Gift Card* which is issued by email. You designate which method as part of the process. (You can also elect to send the money to the non-profit of your choice if you're feeling generous.)

For instance, if you have an 8 GB Apple iPhone you don't use anymore, Gazelle will give you $124 for it!

Gifts to Make Her Say Nomaste

Well, only 2 days left until Christmas!  The good news is that I've been done with my Christmas shopping since November, but on a quick trip to the mall earlier today, I realized just  how many people waited until the last minute this year.  If you're one of those people, I've got a great idea for any athletes on your Christmas list - and this gift will not require you to step foot in the mall.  However, you may just have to shell out a few extra bucks for express shipping!

Ame & Lulu is a sporting goods Web site geared for women with products like yoga bags, tennis raquet covers, golf head covers and duffle bags.  I read about this company in the December issue of Glamour's "How To Do Anything Guide" and checked out the Web site.  I love the assortment of fabrics offered, which are certainly not the run of the mill choices you'd find at the typical local sporting goods stores.  Yoga bags run $60, racquet covers $99, golf head covers $74 and a variety of duffle bags for under $100.  You can even choose to embroider an initial into the fabric if you'd like to add a personal touch.

You'll feel better about making your purchase (even though its last minute), knowing that through December 31, 10 percent of all proceeds to go Grateful Nation to fund women's cancer research and care.

 

This Look Will Turn Heads

A bracelet, a set of earrings, a necklace or a ring.  Any of these are good choices to accessorize your outfit, but here's another idea.  Ditch your other jewelry accessories for the night and try a headband instead. 

And I'm not talking about the dark brown headband camoflagued by the dark brown hair.  Think color.  Think texture.  Not only are headbands becoming the have to wear accessory this year, they are becoming available in more and more unique designs and styles - from tastefully configured feathers to chiffon to ribbons.

Check out Bambako ( pronounced Bum-BAH-koe), and choose from dozens of different colors pallettes and patterns.  Launched in February 2009, this site was recently promoted by Daily Candy.  Just enter DC30 at checkout and get 30% off your order.

You look good girl - now show it off! 

The Writings on the Wall - Literally

I want to share with you a simple home decor idea that I recently came across to really personalize your home - removable vinyl wall art.  Available in the form of inspirational quotes, patterns, flowers, monograms, clocks, etc. I recently placed a quote in chocolate text on our mint green wall in the hallway near the bedrooms that says, "Dream On, Dream On, Dream Until Your Dream Comes True. It looks so good that I want to show everyone who comes over!

There are so many designs and quotes to choose from to enhance any room in your house from the living room, entryway, kitchen, bedroom, children's room. This is a great and unique substitution to hanging a picture frame or adding wallpaper or a border to a room. If you are looking to be even more creative, this would be great for a teacher's classroom, a store display, a wedding reception with the bride and groom's new name - and more.

Some of my favorite sites to order from based on the designs are:

• Sticky Words  
• Blik
• Right on the Walls

Many wall decals are under $20, although prices can vary depending on the size of your wall decal.  Kohl's and Target offers a line of vinyl wall art called Once Upon A Wall at discounted price as well.  However, with the discounted price comes a lack of selection since typically only a handful of quote options are available.

And the best part is that once you are finished with the quote and wish to swap out your home decor, the wall decals are easily removable and leave no residue.  Just grab your hair dryer and it will peel right off!

The MotorCity Becomes Fashion City

If you find yourself in the Detroit area this weekend, take your seat for the first-ever Fashion In Detroit event. I think this is a great way to bring fashion to the forefront of Detroit and showcase the art of fashion through the eyes of many established and emerging designers. 

The shows take place on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2 at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Michigan (8450 West Ten Mile Rd.)  Tickets are $75 per day or $140 for a two-day pass.

Project Runway's Joe Faris created this bi-annual two-day fashion event to put Detroit on the map in fashion. Featured designers in the show include Betsey Johnson, Peter Soronen, Femilia Couture, North Beach Leather - Joe Faris, MYNT 1792 - Kevin Christiana, Marlaina Stone, Schott NYC - Joe Faris and Kid Rock's Made in Detroit. 

The show schedule is below:

DAY 1

• 2:00pm - Schott NYC - Joe Faris
• 2:40pm - PS. by Peter Soronen
• 3:40pm - Student Show
• 4:20pm - Dana Keaton
• 5:00pm - Marlaina Stone
• 5:45pm - Kevan Hall

DAY 2

• 2:00pm - North Beach Leather - Joe Faris
• 2:40pm - MYNT 1792 - Kevin Christiana
• 3:40pm - Carhartt
• 4:20pm - Femilia Couture
• 5:00pm - Betsey Johnson
• 5:45pm - Made In Detroit

If you attend, I'd love to hear your feedback about the event.  I've got my fingers crossed that it will be a huge success and attract vistiors and residents to Detroit twice a year - and hopefully open up local jobs in this field!

Germs and the Gym

Now that the outdoors aren't quite as desirable for working out, I joined the gym up the street in an effort to get/stay in shape throughout the winter.  I went for the first time last night.  I jumped on a treadmill and was fascinated by the individual TV's attached to each treadmill as well as the built-in fan that kept me cool during my workout.  It was the mack daddy treadmill, that's for sure. 

But things went slightly downhill after my walk.  I went to use some of the weight machines and that's when I realized what this gym was lacking.  CLEANLINESS!  I am a complete germophobe and there were no sanitizing wipes for any of the machines, which I found disgusting.  My last gym had cleaning wipes all over the gym, which I used before using each piece of equipment. 

With the Fall setting in as well as the cold and flu season, if you are hitting the gym, make sure to use the cleaning wipes that your gym provides or else (as overprotective as it sounds) you might want to consider bringing a small supply of your own wipes.  Purell  and Wet Ones are great options - just be sure the label says antibacterial.

You will be happy you followed this tip when you stay healthy this Fall and avoid that cold that the last guy using your treadmill had.  Hah-choo!

Pillow Talk

This summer, my boyfriend of three years and I took the leap and moved in together.  I've spent the past six months working on transforming a bachelor pad into a modern, adult home.  In addition to boxing up the Nintendo games, the Pistons bobbleheads and an ocassional poker chip that turns up, we painted, installed new carpet, ordered a new sectional for the new, adult living room and more. 

I spent plenty of time accessorizing our new and improved living room.  I wanted to give it a punch of color and make it an original space.   I decided to use throw pillows to bring some additional splashes of color and pattern into the room, and that's when I realized the market for trendy, modern throw pillows is severely lacking.

Through my subscription to Daily Candy, I came across an awesome company called Freddy & Ma who makes customized throw pillows (along with customized handbags, plates and jewelry). You can choose from hundreds of patterns or you can even upload your own artwork. The cost is between $55-$70 per pillow depending on the size.  In my opinion, it's well worth the cost if you're looking to create an artistic, unique living room space.

Other sites that I give two thumbs up for their modern throw pillow selection as well as other home decor pieces are:

1. 2 Modern
2. Design Public
3. All Modern
4. Pillows and Throws

Enjoy checking out these sites, and good luck in your throw pillow quest!