There’s something so romantic about candlelight. As a method of illumination, candlelight is obsolete, yet there’s nothing more appealing than filling our homes with candlelight’s soft, flickering glow. For me, if the candles are subtly scented, so much the better!

That’s why I was so thrilled to be introduced to the Hervé Gambs collection of scented candles. Imported from France (and who’s more romantic than the French?!) these candles are the perfect way to set the mood this Valentine’s Day.

Like all Hervé Gambs interior fragrances and home products, this is a collection of the highest quality and exemplifies both sophistication and superb design. The most extraordinary part is the absolute purity and beauty of the various fragrances, with no hint of the chemical fabrication that you sometimes see in inexpensive scented candles.

Hervé Gambs candles are made with natural wax, lead-free wicks and for burn for hours. In fact, the extra large candle burns for an amazing 60 hours. From Lilas, to Brin de Muguet, to Feuille de Figuier (fig, my fave!), you’ll be hard pressed to choose a favorite

Available for only $49 at Quel Objet, the ultimate source for all things French.

This morning, I turned the calendar page and suddenly realized that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! So this week, Keri and I have decided to assemble some of the best, most stylish, and lust-worthy gifts for the fashionista in all of us!

Personally, one of my top gift choices is always fragrance. I know that a lot of women have a “signature” fragrance, but I love experimenting with new ones, and of course, changing with the seasons – oriental notes for cozy winter nights, light florals for spring, and fresh citrus for summer.

That’s why I was so excited to receive a box of yummy botancial samples from ElyOrganics. This company offers some of the world’s finest skincare, haircare, personal care, healthcare and cosmetic products.

Keri and I had a blast testing out the various fragrances – from Love, to Wild, to Brave – it was impossible to choose just one. If pressed, I would say Calm was my favorite. This scent is a composition of warm woods, with both sweet and musky notes. In a word, soothing – a fragrance that begs you to close your eyes and simply inhale.

The best part about these products, though, is that not only do they smell absolutely wonderful, they also preserve the environment! The Certified Organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. The company has committed years to researching and developing a range of unique, winning product formulas and is the world’s first extensive Certified Organic personal care range, certified to international food standards.

Building on the tremendous success of the firm’s 2009 collections of a variety of interchangeable bead jewelry, WHIMSY™ recently unveiled the Women in Love Collection for Winter 2010.

In this collection, nationally-acclaimed designer R. Craig Whitten offers two exciting new ways to showcase the hottest jewelry trend in years — striking, collectible Murano glass beads. The designs are compatible with the majority of the glass beads made by major bead manufacturers including Trollbeads, Chamilia™, Pandora™ and more. Their interchangeability allows the wearer to express her individuality and easily change the ring to match an outfit, complementary jewelry — even a mood.

The new designs were inspired by some of the world’s most timeless love stories. The Juliet pendant celebrates one true love that lasts forever. Highlighted with a striking bead, this elegant pendant is guaranteed to make a woman’s heart flutter. (Retail: $75, not including chain)

Stunning Elizabeth earrings dangle gaily from sterling wire and are the perfect showcase for eye-catching Murano beads. Worn alone or as a companion to the Juliet pendant, these earrings are extremely versatile and their interchangeability makes them a reflection of each woman’s own personal style. (Retail: $125 per pair)

Like all pieces created by WHIMSY™, the Women in Love Collection is beautifully crafted using eco-friendly, reclaimed sterling silver, is created with uncompromising attention to detail, and each piece is hand-finished.

“The mechanics of pieces by WHIMSY™ make it easy to change your bead and change your style. A threaded center post is so easy to use; you simply unscrew the end cap to release the bead,” says the collection’s designer R. Craig Whitten. “End caps incorporate incised details to allow a firm grip.”

The threaded center post is also ultra secure, making beads are almost impossible to lose. Plus, the center posts are so adjustable that they can accommodate an even wider range of bead widths. The pendant and earrings from the Women in Love Collection are even compatible with many one-of-a-kind art beads by lampwork artists.

Every year, thousands of men and women make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, exercise more and lose weight. And every year, thousands of those same people don’t keep their resolutions. Whether it’s because they don’t have the time or the motivation, there’s a reason (or an excuse!) behind it.

I’m a runner, and I’m not one of those “nothing gets in my way of running every single morning” kind of runners—it’s sometimes very hard for me to drag myself out of bed for my morning run, but I can honestly say I always have more energy, and I feel way better about myself after a workout. That’s a feeling that everyone should know and love.

That said, I found a good excuse for any stylish woman to find the motivation, and it’s not pages of health statistics or some fancy exercise gadget—it’s fashion! Yes, people…fashion.

Thanks to the folks at TerraFrog, you can look good in your yoga class or out on the track, because they make funky, fashionable and functional running tanks. The Precision Running Tank was professionally designed for high impact activities like running and kickboxing and has a built in shelf bra for maximum support. The tanks come in solid colors with contrasting prints like plaids and polka dots for a surprising twist on the basic, boring workout wear.

TerraFrog also offers warm-up and running jackets with extra long sleeves to keep your hands warm during your chilly morning runs, and they’re made of moisture-wicking fabric to keep you dry, too. If you want a full workout outfit, you can snag a pair of their running shorts or yoga capris. 

The prices on their website are in Canadian dollars, but converted to U.S. dollars, the Frog Tank is $56.71 and the jackets are $69.20. It’s money well spent if it keeps you motivated to stay healthy and active!

And if that’s not enough incentive to buy, TerraFrog is committed to finding environmentally friendly fabrics and manufacturing processes to help the planet.

Now go shopping and get to working out!

(Photos courtesy of TerraFrog)

-Keri

How to look good and do good at the same time? Banyan Paper Handbags from Good Paper (formerly Banyan Paper) are the perfect solution!

These stylish bags are crafted by women who used to live on the world’s largest garbage dump, located in the Philippines. They would scavenge for bottles and cans to feed their families.  But now, thanks to microfinance loans, they produce beautiful handbags and provide for their families in a safe and dignifying work environment. 

Banyan Paper Handbags are handcrafted from local recycled materials such as unused newspapers and telephones books. They are reinforced with wire, and some of handbags use either twine or re-purposed tubing for the handles.  There is also a cloth lining on the inside of each bag and a zipper top on the Mia, Tina, and Christine styles.  All of the handbags have a layer of varnish as a topcoat to help them keep their shape and make them more weather resistant.  Each bag takes between 2-4 days to create, depending on the complexity of the design. 

My personal favorite and at the top of my list is the Mia, pictured. Priced at only $46, this is a great statement bag and sure to generate lots of compliments!

This is a great gift to receive, but it’s also a gift that gives twice – once to the woman that gets to carry this stylish bag and once to the woman whose hands created a beautiful piece of artwork with the power to change her life.

Get a gorgeous Banyan Paper Handbag and make Christmas special this year!

The Audrey ring by WHIMSY™ makes its debut this week! The ring is the most innovative new release in the firm’s line of interchangeable bead jewelry and was inspired by the elegance of the legendary Audrey Hepburn. Star of film and stage, Hepburn’s style has endured for generations, and we think that this investment piece is destined to as well.

The Audrey offers several exciting new features. The double-threaded center post is so easy to use! You simply position the butterfly stamp towards you and unscrew the end cap to release the bead. And the end caps incorporate incised details that allow a firm grip. Even I can do it!

Also, the double-threaded center post is ultra secure. Beads are almost impossible to lose because the thread runs not only through the front end cap, but through the back one as well. And since my Black Diamond Trollbead was $52 and an anniversary gift, I sure don’t want to lose it!

The Audrey is so adjustable that it accommodates a far greater range of bead widths, and the double-threaded center post fits deeply within the end cap. The ring is even compatible with many art beads by lampwork artists – a huge plus because I’ve found so many talented artists online who create one-of-a-kind beads. These little works of art are perfectly showcased in the ring!

 According to WHIMSY™, the Audrey is crafted entirely of eco-friendly, reclaimed sterling silver. And, additional releases in this style will also incorporate the use of reclaimed 14-karat gold, diamonds and other gemstones.

The Manufacturers’ Suggested Retail Price for this beautiful ring is $125. And, even more exciting, new designs are planned for release this fall!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, fashion blogger

 and sales manager for the WHIMSY jewelry line. Susan

also writes for http://mcneilldesigns.wordpress.com and

http://successwontwaitinc

The winner of our WHIMSY ring and Chamilia bead contest and giveaway is … Vivica S.!

She will receive a sterling silver, interchangeable bead ring by WHIMSY™ and a striking, collectible Murano glass bead by Chamilia™. A $150 value!

WHIMSY rings by designer R. Craig Whitten are an exciting new way to showcase the hottest jewelry trend of the year – striking, collectible Murano glass beads. The rings accommodate the majority of the glass beads made by all of the major bead manufacturers including Trollbeads and Chamilia™. Their interchangeability allows the wearer to express their individuality and easily change the ring to match an outfit, complementary jewelry — even a mood.

Because precious metals and gemstones are finite resources, the WHIMSY™ ring is crafted entirely from reclaimed materials. Today’s consumers expect more from the products they purchase — merchandise that is created responsibly.

Congratulations Vivica!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, fashion blogger

 and sales manager for the WHIMSY jewelry line. Susan

also writes for http://mcneilldesigns.wordpress.com and

http://successwontwaitinc.wordpress.com.

Are you ready to be fabulous for fall? We’re here to help!

Enter now to win a sterling silver, interchangeable bead ring by WHIMSY™ and a striking, collectible Murano glass bead by Chamilia™. A $150 value!

WHIMSY rings by designer R. Craig Whitten are an exciting new way to showcase the hottest jewelry trend of the year – striking, collectible Murano glass beads. The rings accommodate the majority of the glass beads made by all of the major bead manufacturers including Trollbeads and Chamilia™. Their interchangeability allows the wearer to express their individuality and easily change the ring to match an outfit, complementary jewelry — even a mood.

Because precious metals and gemstones are finite resources, the WHIMSY™ ring is crafted entirely from reclaimed materials. Today’s consumers expect more from the products they purchase — merchandise that is created responsibly.

Ready to win? Simply enter a comment below. Winner will be randomly chosen. Contest runs from August 21 – 30 and winner will be announced on Monday, August 31.

Good luck!

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, fashion blogger

and sales manager for the WHIMSY jewelry line. Susan

also writes for http://mcneilldesigns.wordpress.com and

http://successwontwaitinc.wordpress.com.

Since 1977, artist and jeweler R. Craig Whitten has created one-of-a-kind jewelry for discriminating clients. From coast to coast, his pieces are designed to showcase each client’s individuality. His original designs can be seen regularly gracing instantly recognizable faces in music, television, stage and fashion.

The following interview explains his dedication to the use of recycled materials, his love of great design and most importantly – what’s next for the WHIMSY™ line.

How did the WHIMSY™ line come about?

In 2008, I created a very special ring as a gift for my wife Cynthia. She’s a huge fan of Murano glass bead jewelry, but she couldn’t find an attractive ring that would incorporate the beautiful beads. So, I created a simple, elegant piece that highlighted the beauty of the beads and allowed her to change them easily to match her various bracelets and outfits.

After seeing the ring, her friends and coworkers began asking for rings for themselves and to give as gifts. In 2009, we launched WHIMSY™, a collection of interchangeable bead rings that are uniquely customizable.

The WHIMSY line is created entirely using reclaimed and recycled sterling silver, 14-karat gold and gemstones. Why did you decide to use reclaimed materials in your designs?

It’s about being responsible. Everyone still wants beautiful jewelry and lots of style. They don’t have to sacrifice style in order to use reclaimed materials. With the WHIMSY™ jewelry line, the two come together for some truly gorgeous jewelry that you can feel good about wearing!

Why do you think it’s important for the jewelry industry to “go green”?

If we don’t who will? This may be a small step, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Where do you get your materials?

We purchase “old” gold, sterling silver and gemstones directly from consumers, rather than use post-industrial scrap materials. We also produce on-site. So we can say with certainty, that the WHIMSY™ jewelry line comes from 100% reclaimed materials.

What’s next in the WHIMSY™ line?

A new collection of ring designs is in process, with a release date for fall 2009. We also have several other pieces to add to the line, some of which also incorporate the use of glass beads. A third collection release is planned for spring 2010.

How can people purchase your products?

Our website is www.whimsyworldwide.com and includes an easy-to-use Store Locator. For convenience, there is also on online shopping option.

Susan McNeill is a wife, mother, author, fashion blogger

 and sales manager for the WHIMSY jewelry line. Susan

also writes for http://mcneilldesigns.wordpress.com and

http://successwontwaitinc.wordpress.com.

Cinched Wasit Dress by Viridis Luxe

I love the Internet! How else could I find a fabulous place like www.mygreenlipstick.com?

This fun site, which is based in Great Britain, features a host of trendy designers who are environmentally conscious — creating products which are both luxe and socially responsible. An irresistible combination!

The site also really makes it easy to find just what you need – something I’ve noticed that not every web designer recognizes. At www.mygreenlipstick.com you can search for products by ethics with designations such as carbon footprint, eco-friendly, fair-trade, organic, recycled, vegan and vintage. You can also conduct general searches by ethics, by products or by designers.

If you are looking for eco-conscience shirts, dresses or pants, jewelry, boots and shoes, or even coats and outerwear, you can find it there. The site even has a large selection of extremely funky vintage finds for a unique look that’s also earth friendly.

What I like the most, though, is the high quality of the offerings from fave designers like Beaumont, whose collection is composed of made of 100% organic cotton or Deborah Lindquist whose “reincarnated” fabrics and new, earth-friendly ones combine to create one of a kind looks.

Trendsetting Deborah Lindqusit runway style

But maybe my favorite find at www.mygreenlipstick.com is from Viridis Luxe. VL offers a

signature fabric — exclusive to the firm — a unique combination of organic hemp and cashmere. Who says green can’t be luxurious?!

–Susan