Laya's EYE

Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan

Eccentric Glamour by Simon Doonan
Review by Amazon.com:
"Glamorous eccentrics are irresistible people. They are irreverent, occasionally impertinent, a tad mysterious, charming, often self-invented, good at applying eyeliner, and above all nonconformist. They are a fabulous confection of style, self-empowerment, and black patent sling backs. Everyone wants to be one, but how? Ubiquitous style guru Simon Doonan has the answer.

By no means a typical how-to manual, Eccentric Glamour is a mixture of cultural commentary and personal disclosure, generously seasoned with gushings of wildly dictatorial, provocative, and reckless style advice. Through cautionary tales and inspirational examples, Doonan shows how to develop your own brand of eccentric glamour -- by magnifying everything that is already unique and idiosyncratic about you."

Meet Blythe, International Superstar & Model

International superstar and high fashion model Blythe has never let the fact that she is literally a doll slow her down. Rescued from toy box obscurity with the publication of Garan's first book, This Is Blythe (50,000 copies sold), the 12-inch tall diva has been celebrated in the front windows of Bloomingdales; on the cover of Women's Wear Daily; on VH1's "I Love the '70s"; in People, the New York Times, and ad campaigns for Nordstrom, Sony, and trendy Japanese department stores. In Blythe Style, she shows off 100 to-die-for outfits created for her by top designers from around the world and photographed with colorful invention by Garan, including Gucci, Prada, Versace, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, John Galliano, Paul Smith, Issey Miyake, Vivienne Westwood, and dozens more, all for the sake of charity. Tres chic!

About the Author
Gina Garan, a New York based photographer and video producer, saw Blythe by chance and has been her constant companion ever since. Her photographs of Blythe have shown in London, Spain, Asia, and across the U.S. Junko Wong is president of Cross World Connections, a Tokyo-based agency that has been pivotal in returning Blythe to the spotlight she deserves.

Share your tales of adventure from glamorous locales on these stylish postcards. Gina Garan a New York-based photographer and video producer, met Blythe by chance. She owns all of Blythe's original outfits, and lovingly customizes her clothing and hair for these postcards.

Pulp Factory Calendars & more...

Know anyone that is currently engaged, pregnant or a new mom?? If so, you must check out these adorable Pulp Factory Calendars, Sticky Notes & Notepads. It's a unique line of goods that feature witty quips and whimsical illustrations aimed at some of the big occasions in a woman's life... It's the perfect time of year to buy a 2008 calendar!

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary

Graphic Image's collection of gorgeously colored Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaries are chic enough for the coffee table. Available in Terello Hand Stained Italian Leather (Brown, Red, Pink, Yellow Gold) or Crocodile-Embossed Italian Calfskin (Brown). For more information or to find retail locations visit www.graphicimage.com .

For the Kids

Editorial Review by Amazon.com of The Dangerous Book for Boys:
Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men, Conn and Hal Iggulden's The Dangerous Book for Boys became a mammoth bestseller in the United Kingdom in 2006. Adapted, in moderation, for American customs in this edition (cricket is gone, rugby remains; conkers are out, Navajo Code Talkers in), The Dangerous Book is a guide book for dads as well as their sons, as a reminder of lore and technique that have not yet been completely lost to the digital age. Recall the adventures of Scott of the Antarctic and the Battle of the Somme, relearn how to palm a coin, tan a skin, and, most charmingly, wrap a package in brown paper and string. The book's ambitions are both modest and winningly optimistic: you get the sense that by learning how to place a splint or write in invisible ink, a boy might be prepared for anything, even girls (which warrant a small but wise chapter of their own).

Book Description
THE DARING BOOK FOR GIRLS is the manual for everything that girls need to know –– and that doesn't mean sewing buttonholes! Whether it's female heroes in history, secret note–passing skills, science projects, friendship bracelets, double dutch, cats cradle, the perfect cartwheel or the eternal mystery of what boys are thinking, this book has it all. But it's not just a guide to giggling at sleepovers –– although that's included, of course! Whether readers consider themselves tomboys, girly–girls, or a little bit of both, this book is every girl's invitation to adventure.

ULTIMATE STYLE

Great inspiration before shopping.....
Explore the personal style of such fashion icons
as Babe Paley, Grace Kelly, Jackie O., Bianca Jagger,
and many more of the 21st century.

Get In Shape! Look Good Doing It...

Resistance Recumbent Bike, $199.00

Pilates Beginning Mat Workout DVD, $15.00

Pilates BodyBands Kit, $30.00

Yoga For Beginners DVD, $15.00

Yoga Essentials™ Mat - 68 $22.00

Core Training System w/ FREE Body Target 3 DVD Set, $99.00

The Buddha Machine, $25.00

Rock Star Top, $55.00


Raw 3/4 sweat pants, $55.00


Contre Slip on Womens, Blk/White, $70.00


Spirit Shopper Bag, Gold, $50.00

Hopes, Dreams & Desires for 2007

Go to School - Online!
There are many opportunities out there...here are a few exciting ones!

The Small Business Training Network (SBTN) is a virtual campus providing quality and targeted online training to meet the information needs of prospective and existing small business owners.
http://www.sba.gov/services/training/index.html

University of Phoenix: earn your degree online. University of Phoenix conceived and designed its online programs from the ground up to fit into the lifestyles and competing demands of working students.
http://www.phoenix.edu/online_learning/

Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC: Dreaming of fashion??? Sign up for online courses at F.I.T. in New York City.
http://www.fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=Future:SchoolsAndPrograms:OnlinePrograms

Eye-Opener

Learn to help change the world for a Green future.
An amazing gift idea!

20 Gift Ideas for HIM

Untitled, 1957 Franz Kline Buy From Art.com

Calvin Klein Cotton Knit Lounge Pants Loungewear $19.99

Brannan Deep Navy Stripe Slim Fit Shirt $87.50
$225.00

Alpine Swiss Rallye Chronograph Watch

$54.99

Swiss Army Knife Victorinox SwissChamp

GoSMILE Go All Out Starter Kit with Advanced Formula B1 ($126.50 Value) Go All Out Starter Kit with Advanced Formula B1

$179.99
Weber Q Gas Grill
$10.00

High-Output Showerhead

$4.99
Hanes Perfect T
$19.00
Bombay Noir Travel Shoe Shine Kit
$279.95
Roomba Discovery Robotic Vacuum Cleaner (IR111)

3 Bottles of Wine with custom personalized label created by YOU!

V-Neck Cashmere Sweater $125.00

Watch Movement Cuff Links, $125.00 at Red Envelope, click banner image below for more information.

Double-walled Beer Glasses Set, $75.00 at Red Envelope, click banner image below for more information.

Flashlight Grill Tongs, $50.00 at Red Envelope, click banner image below for more information.

Monogrammed Leather Business Card Case, $28.00 at Red Envelope, click banner image below for more information.

Bose Sounddock, $299.00 at Red Envelope, click banner image below for more information.

This last idea could benefit you too...
THE TOP 10 DESTINATIONS BOOKED ON TRAVELOCITY!

Maine Getaway

It was a cool morning. Air rushed through the open windows whipping her hair around while Toni Colette's soulful lyrics filled the empty spaces that surrounded her. On her drive north she passed charming country inns and tried to imagine the type of families that vacationed in them. She was hypnotized by the splendor of the leaves exhibiting their final breathtaking hues. The scenic mountains and coastal villages captivated her and made her ache for a simpler life.
Her plan was to just get away and relax at her best friend's cottage in Maine while her son spent a few days with his father, however, she felt the desire for an adventure. She looked forward to reading her new books, drinking wine and filling up on the fresh crustaceans the North Atlantic is famous for. Her thoughts distracted her and she realized she had not been paying attention to road signs so pulled into a service station for directions. The ground was muddy and she had to leap over enormous puddles as she made her way to the entrance. Thinking about how smart she had been to wear her new Tretorn rubber boots, she suddenly realized she had left her borrowed Chloe satchel handbag on the front seat of the rental car! As she spun around to dash back for it, she collided into someone and slipped on the mud tumbling wrist-first onto the ground. Stunned and a bit teary-eyed, she glanced and saw that her good luck elephant bracelet had come off and was now bathing in a dingy puddle. Scuffed and dazed, she felt a man's strength grasp her elbow and help her to her feet. He stood there grinning. She felt a flush of excitement.....

Dating Memoir

Single Mom Seeking: Playdates, Blind Dates, and Other Dispatches from the Dating World by Rachel Sarah.

Need a Laugh?

Amy Sedaris's guide to entertaining, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence",
will keep you entertained all while giving helpful hints, instructions and recipes.
Warning: hysterical!