January 2, 2008

Quickies for Smart Girls

Ok, it’s the day after New Year’s Day. Not exactly the most productive day of the year.

Oh, to the outside world you may look industrious:

Decisively organizing desktop paperwork (we know you’re just meaninglessly pushing those files around).

Furiously typing away on your keyboard (we know you’re just randomly banging away - waiting for the Ingenuity Fairy to strike).

Here’s another option: Success Television.com.

Check out their Career channel -- full of quickie (as in 43 seconds to just over 3 minutes) on-demand videos featuring experts talking about everything from a millionaire mindset to the brass tacks of being successful at work.

Try the piece on “Mary Kay, the Self-Esteem Queen”.

Or “The Anti-Bummer Squad” with Brighthouse Thinker and CEO, Joey Reiman (who also just happens to be the husband of Pink Magazine editor Cynthia Good).

Get inside the mind of Jim Clark, billionaire founder of Netscape, with “A Billionaire’s Advice on Success.”

So grab your latte, get comfortable, and cue up a couple.

And when it’s time to get down to some real work, you may not be a whirlwind of activity, but you’ll definitely be more enlightened. And that’s pretty darn amazing for January 2nd.

January 3, 2008

Pile-Style Organization

If you didn’t know better, you’d say a tornado hit your desk every Thursday morning.

(Ok – maybe Mondays, too. And an occasional Wednesday... and Tuesday and... you get the point...)

Unfortunately, that shocking (dis)array of memos, files, receipts, and other miscellany cluttering your workspace can’t be blamed on Mother Nature.

The real culprit? Too much work, and not enough time to organize it all.

So it’s fairly amazing what a tasteful paperweight can do to keep your paperwork under control, clutter-free and organized – pile-style, that is.

(Besides, if you’re going to have to tackle an in box that’s almost as tall as you are, you might as well have something pretty to look at.)

A few stylish suggestions:

Iomoi Custom Paperweights: Indulge your chic streak! These personalized paperweights come in a fabulous array of prints – from ultra-fashionable florals to peacock patterns.

Murano Glass Paperweight in Aquamarine Amber: Add some natural beauty to your in box with this gorgeous glass sea urchin.

Successories Treasured Inspiration Crystal Desk Box: Let this luxe desk box inspire you with this engraved quote: “Be the light that others can come to with their ideas, visions and dreams." You can also opt for a personal engraving.

January 4, 2008

Style File – In the Trenches

Put a man in a trench coat and he turns into Inspector Gadget or Columbo.

But put a woman in a trench and suddenly she’s glamorous, exuding movie-star confidence and classic, effortless chic.

A timeless piece like the trench coat never goes out of style – it just keeps getting better thanks to modern updates like glam fabrics and fashion-forward details.

It’s also a great wardrobe investment, and a fabulous way to command respect as you strut into the office. (Somehow that puffy North Face parka doesn’t carry the same gravitas.)

Besides, isn’t that holiday bonus (you know, that special, self-assigned one) burning a hole in your pocket?

You’ll love the Catherine Malandrino Satin Trench Coat: Does it get any cooler than this femme fatale trench in black satin? We think not.

How about this gorgeous New Blue Trench from Burberry? And you can’t go wrong with the recently introduced Burberry Classic Short Check Trench. Either way is a totally sophisticated look, ideal for layering over your best suits.

The Dana Buchman Metallic Trench is a wonderful way to add a little bit of dazzle. This bronzy, water-resistant number is also available in black and coffee bean.

January 7, 2008

Smart Girls Get the Stylish Office

It’s a widely known supposition that nice girls don’t get the corner office.

A lesser known (but considerably more fascinating) belief is that smart girls don’t really care where their office is, as long as it’s stylish and organized.

So with that in mind we turned to fave organizational guru Candita Clayton for her advice on the latest in chic office décor. Her hip tip?

Shop by color at Russell + Hazel, trend-setting maker of accessories for business.

Say you need something to contain all the brilliant ideas jangling around in your brain. Slip them into a little something from R+H’s Light Blue-Colored Group of Binders (note the totally useful dry-erase interiors).

What about those files and papers you need at your fingertips? Store them desktop in one of the Orchid-Colored File Boxes or Stackable Letterboxes.

Or maybe you prefer the Espresso-colored Assortment, with its Audrey Essential Notepad or Companion Book.

With eight color collections in all, finally, your gorgeous mind will have a workspace to match.

After all, it’s less about the location of our office – and more about how we feel when we’re in there cranking out work.

Bold. Clever. Pretty.

And pretty damn smart. You go girl.

January 8, 2008

A Dozen Reasons to Quit Your Diet

Today, let’s throw caution to the wind.

Enough of all that New Year’s resolution dieting low-fat healthy eating stuff.

Let’s get down to some real living again.

After all, the weekend’s almost here. (Well, at least for us glass-half-full girls, anyway.)

Let’s order up some of those sinfully delicious sweets from HeidisHeavenlyCookies.com.

If owner-baker Heidi Nel’s homemade flavor doesn’t knock your socks off, the most perfectly beautiful packaging you’ve ever seen surely will.

So let’s take one box of chocolate chip. No, make that two boxes of toffee chocolate chip (you’ve got to see these). And an order of those chocolate eclipse bites on the side. (And maybe just a teeny tiny box of that English toffee too.)

Soon you’ll be saying things like, “I am so glad I decided to start my diet next week,” and “This is the BEST cookie I’ve ever had in my life, ever.”

(Only no one will understand you with all that cookie in your mouth.)

P.S. Don’t forget to treat a friend or colleague to one of Heidi’s Heavenly sinfully indulgent confections. So what if her (and your) slacks are a bit too...snug. A girl’s gotta live, doesn’t she?

January 9, 2008

Unforgettable You on Vacation

Those three little irresistible words: You On Vacation.

Suddenly your head floods with images of sugary white beaches, unlimited time to read, lazy mornings spent in the sleepy, self-reflective haze of “Maybe I had just one too many”.

Well, girlfriend, put those visions away and take a look at this hot new trend:

Doing good while getting away.

Consider camping at Florida’s Rainbow Springs State Park with Sierra Club to help remove exotic or invasive plants. On days off, canoe down the sparkling-clear Rainbow River or swim in natural springs.

Perhaps you’d prefer to travel with Global Citizens Network to Xiloxochico, a lush, mountainous Mexican village, to build a casito for a women’s group. On your day off, explore Aztec ruins.

Possibly sail away on a vintage boat in Peru with biologists to collect information about dolphins, otters, maccaws and other wildlife. At night, relax on the deck with a glass of wine.

Or simply pick up a hammer and build a house in New Orleans for Habitat.

No matter your choice, no need for lots of photos. That unforgettable impression of making a difference will stay in your mind – and heart – forever.

January 10, 2008

Italian Styling – Why Didn’t They Think of This Sooner?

Aaahhh...wouldn’t it be fabulous to have roomy luxury, exhilarating performance and sleek styling when you hit the road each day?

Something with classic Italian leather, perhaps. Well-lit interiors. Back up power. Maybe even a personal security system.

Now, imagine all this in a handbag – not a car.

Made by Lumanesse, these babies, most of which are made in Italy, come fully loaded – with so many ‘why didn’t they think of this sooner’ design features.

Push a button and two panels light the way to a lipstick, keys or some other usually hard to find necessity.

Plug your cell into the rechargeable battery pack and – yes! – you can make that call now without losing power. (It works with your MP3 player, too).

And, finally, feel safe wherever you go, knowing your Lumanesse bag is equipped with a hidden, easy-to-reach alarm signal.

Aaahhh...performance, beauty, and practicality – all in one. Yes, by redefining the link between glam and gadgetry, Lumanesse and its hybrid handbags are nothing short of an accessories revolution.

To take one for a spin, visit www.lumanesse.com.

January 11, 2008

It’s A Total Shoe In

Just because you have a head for business doesn’t mean you can’t have an eye for style too.

And just because you’re stuck in the office doesn’t mean your shoe fixation has to fall by the wayside.

It does, however, mean that you don’t have a lot of time to play Cinderella in the shoe boutiques you adore.

So how to feed your craving for new shoes and get all that work done at the same time?

That, my dear, is why they invented conference calls.

You see, next time your client in Tokyo is droning away about platform optimization, get online and optimize some platforms of your own at these trendy shoe shopping destinations.

PiperLime.com: Score style tips from guest editors and a huge selection that ranges from the modest (Aerosoles) to the major (Sigerson Morrison). Great sales to boot (badum dum). Plus get a first look at Spring styles – just starting to come in.

SoleStruck.com: Mass brands like Chinese Laundry and Seychelles are heavy on the trends, light on the wallet.

Net-a-Porter.com: Splurge-worthy shoes from Chloe, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Fendi, Sergio Rossi, and other runway faves.

MonaMoore.com: The source for edgy high-end designers like Lanvin, Marni, Rick Owens, and Miu Miu. It’s oh so Vogue.

JildorShoes.com: Impressive selection, mid-range prices. Highlights include Tory Burch and Kate Spade.

January 14, 2008

A (Cheaper) Ticket to Ride, Anyone?

Mere days after you purchase a ticket to Los Angeles, you see that the fare has dropped by $1,100.

But do you hurl all sorts of bad words at the travel gods? Nope.

Because your amazing personal travel assistant already alerted you to the discrepancy and thoughtfully arranged for a refund of the price difference.

“Your amazing personal travel assistant,” in this case, is a Web site called Yapta.

The bottom line is that air fares drop frequently. The trouble is, you never know whether they’re at a high or low. (Airline prices are about as volatile as our hair stylist’s love life.)

With handy online tool Yapta, you’ll receive an alerting, telling you when flight prices drop and by how much.

When the price does plunge, you can snatch up the ticket you were wavering over (“Vegas, here I come!”). Or, if it turns out you overpaid for a ticket, you can get back the difference in “travel credits” to use toward a future flight (“Paris in springtime, anyone?”)

And when you have a ton of money left over to spend on shoes, bags and... well, more shoes and bags, you can thank Yapta.

January 15, 2008

Extreme Hands-Free Productivity

Sometimes you think you’d have been better off skipping all that college and enrolling in the Barnum & Bailey Circus instead.

In fact, certain parts of your daily work routine are a juggling act that would put even Bozo the Clown to shame (send emails, zing and ping your way through the morning papers, sip low-fat soy latte, read online reports, answer that incessantly beeping BlackBerry, draft documents, etc.).

And you have the symptoms of carpal tunnel to prove it.

So check out the incredibly invaluable business tool Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.

This oh-so-clever PC-compatible speech recognition software allows the user to draft documents, surf the web, and send emails and instant messages simply by talking.

That’s right – you don’t have to lift a finger. The software even comes in special professional, medical, and legal editions tailor-made for your profession.

While you chat away, your hands are free to tackle the other manual tasks that creep up on your to do list.

Whether you use that opportunity to catch up on your filing, sign off on documents, do a Sudoku puzzle, or gesture wildly just because you can, though, is entirely up to you.

January 16, 2008

London Chic Means Business

Pulling off two feats at once comes second nature to a multitasking wonder-woman like yourself.

Take, for instance, the way you shimmy into an after-work number while wrapping up a conference call.

So when we at Uptown Scoop run across an accessory that’s equally adept at the art of the double-do, we know you’ll be a heavenly match.

Which is why we’re compelled to gush over the “ladies leather goods” by Smythson of Bond Street.

(As in Bond Street, London, that is).

When these lovelies aren’t helping you accomplish and do, they’ll be busy looking fabulous, no matter what the task:

Working on the go? Practically everything you need for staying organized has a cozy spot inside the Lippiatt Folder (-- business cards, BlackBerry or cell phone, Post-It notes, and writing pad.

Traveling? Slip the Slim Travel Wallet in a handbag to consolidate tickets, money, passport, credit cards and business cards.

Networking? Make fast friends with the card case with clasp – seen here in Lilac.

Planning? The Bijou Organizer with weekly-view calendar makes it a breeze.

And speaking of planning, with so many gorgeous items and colors to choose from, better pencil in some serious digital shopping time for this site.

January 17, 2008

Trend Report – Tunics Totally In

Great news from Uptown Scoop today, girlfriends! What if we told you could look hip, chic and totally in -- without sucking in your stomach?

Yes, we know all about your race to meet those big end-of-the-year work deadlines, and how your early morning exercise fell by the wayside.

Throw in that non-stop holiday food and beverage consumption, and well... we’ve done the math, too.

So isn’t it absolutely f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s that stylish tunics just happen to be one of this season’s hottest fashion trends?

Next time you reach for a top that’s oh-so-tight, instead, opt for one of these tunics that’s oh-so-right-now (not to mention forgiving in all the right places):

Alberto Makali Patterned Mesh Tunic: Add a little pizzaza to an otherwise lackluster suit with this pretty gathered detail tunic. Note the tie at the side and ruffles -- makes for just the right amount of glam.

Sweet Pea Black Floral Paisley: Give Casual Fridays a fashionable kick with this hip blouson-style top.

Flounce tbd Printed Tunic: This gorgeous print is destined for date night.

Quotation: Hale Bob Burnout Tunic: A velvet top with beaded trim that adds a flirty flair to this party-perfect tunic.

January 18, 2008

These Boots Were Made for Walking

There’s nothing hotter than a pair of dramatic knee-high heels...

Until you hit a patch of ice as you walk into work, or trip while running down the hall, sending you careening straight into the lap of your brand-new boss.

Hmmm. Maybe trying to support your weight on a tiny, sky-high heel while navigating through winter weather and that fast-forward career of yours isn’t such a great idea after all.

So save your soles and slip on these short-but-sweet low-heeled boots instead. You’ll be able to keep your feet (and not your rear) on the ground without sacrificing the sex appeal.

And by the way, next time you do a nose-dive into someone’s lap, make it the hot guy down the hall – not your boss.

ALDO Pasiansi Boots: This absolutely gorgeous boot – in dark brown, red, black or teal - with back-buckle detail will appeal to every hip fashionista.

Nine West Benton: These classic black riding boots are a savvy (and stylish) investment. Pair them with black tights and a skirt or over skinny pants.

BC Footwear Public Transit: Fashion meets sport on this tall flat boot – adjust the fit with the side buckles.

Loeffler Randall Flat Leather Boot: Available in black or honey brown, this perfectly polished pair sports a low wedge heel.

January 21, 2008

Permission to Advance Granted

Old rule: A woman’s place is in the kitchen.
New rule: A woman belongs in the boardroom (preferably at the head of the table).

Old rule: Navy blue suit equals all-business.
New rule: Pink equals ultra-success.

Pink magazine, the only national magazine just for professional women, is at the forefront of the ‘rules were made to be broken’ movement.

Yes, the magazine is great, but you’ll love the online Pink Knowledge Bank, too.

Full of tools and tactics to advance your career, you’ll find notable features such as Questions & Evans (from Gail Evans, bestselling author of Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman) and smart ways to Manage Your Image.

The Pink Build Your Business channel features information-packed articles on everything from financing fast growth to marketing your business.

And take note: Pink believes not only in a beautiful career, but a beautiful life. With a wide array of resources online to Enhance Your Life.

Yes, the rules of business have changed.

These days, you have permission to be feminine and powerful, beautiful and ballsy, passionate and empathetic. In short, you’re allowed to be yourself and be rewarded for it.

Here’s to the power of Pink.

January 22, 2008

The (NY) Times is Totally Trendy

Of course you’re familiar with New York Times online edition.

The virtual experience is part of your “Hey, world, what’s cooking?” morning ritual:

Click on headline, scan, arch eyebrow, forward article to friends. Repeat.

Still, you rarely make it beyond the above-the-fold headlines, Most Popular stories, and the Business section.

Worthy reads, all.

But, there’s so much, much more.

First foray: Start with a scan of the addictive Fashion & Style section, ground zero for designer scoop (look for the drop-down menu by designer) and style-spouting blogs. And speaking of...

Favorite blog: It’s a toss-up between Shifting Careers (its brilliant tag line is “Smart thinking at work”) and The Moment. The latter hits on fashion, design, food and travel.

Coolest customizable feature: My Times. Aggregated content that you can drag, edit and add to until the page features all the journalistic goodies you snack on daily -- WSJ, Time, Washington Post, BBC. Plus, a “journalists pick” feature shows you what your favorite Times writers are reading online today.

Hello? What’s not to l-o-v-e about that?

(Better head for more coffee – we think you’ll be online awhile longer this morning.)

January 23, 2008

You’ll Go To Great Lengths to Give

How much would you do for a girlfriend in need?

Devote your full attention to listening, whenever she needs to talk? Definitely.

Lend her your lucky boots for a big date? No doubt.

Give her your luxurious locks? What?

Odds are that, someday, one of your girlfriends will be diagnosed with a form of cancer. Roughly one in three American women will face the diagnosis in just one year.

And losing her hair is often a side effect of chemotherapy treatment.

Enter Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program, which encourages women to donate their healthy hair to create free wigs for women receiving cancer treatments. (Oprah whacked off Hillary Swank’s famous tresses for the cause on a recent show.)

Already have short hair? You can still make a difference.

• Organize a “cutting event” or “ponytail drive,” like the Procter & Gamble employees (pictured here) who gathered together to cut their hair for the cause in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  
  
• Or submit a wish for your community and life to the Web site. For every wish you make, Pantene will donate $1 on your behalf to Beautiful Lengths.

Any way you cut it (yes, pun intended), it’s a worthy cause.

January 24, 2008

Undeniably Cool Cocktail Bling

Forget little velvet boxes and robin’s egg blue shopping bags. Some rings just aren’t meant to be worn on ring fingers to symbolize commitment.

Oh, no.

This season’s hottest jewelry trend – oversize gemstone and crystal cocktail rings -- were born to steal the spotlight, dazzling the eye with their super-sized, mega-watt appearance.

And convey to the world your sparkling ability.

Oh, yes -- a word to the wise: Bling this bulky may make shooting back emails on your BlackBerry a tad tricky, and shaking hands with fellow power players a tad painful...but knowing you’re totally in style will totally offset these downsides.

Ariella Collection Cushion Cut Ring: There’s a reason why they call this cushion-cut, faceted crystal stone beauty a “statement ring.” All eyes will be on you.

Kenneth Jay Lane Multi Pink with Light Amythest Center Ring: This rock offers incredible bling for your buck.

W.A. Studios Crystal Rings: Swarovski crystal center stones at totally affordable prices? These dazzlers are all about puttin’ on the glitz.

Judith Jack Oregon Sky Large Ring: Glamorous faceted blue-coated quartz makes this dramatic ring destined for a big night out. (And those of you with big checkbooks. But s-o-o-o worth it.)

January 25, 2008

Patent Bags Take Spring Fashion By Storm

It’s pitch black outside well before you leave the office, temperatures are downright frigid, and that paper skyscraper that happens to be your in-box doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Seriously – you measured.

You desperately need something to look forward to.

So break out of your winter funk by feasting your eyes on the new batch of colorful patent handbags that are set to take spring fashion by storm.

Bright, cheerful, and oh so slick, these handbags make for some serious arm candy.

Hey, it’s never too early to start planning for the outfits ahead. Besides, you’ll want to scoop up bags now – because styles this hip won’t stay on the shelves for long.

Maxx New York Fenway Patent Bowler: You, boring? Not with this candy-colored, zebra-print-lined handbag on your arm.

Cole Haan Patent Mini Satchel: This slick claret bag offers a bold contrast to your basic black suit.

MICHAEL Michael Kors Ranger Patent Leather Shoulder Bag: This roomy purse (available in daring royal blue) sports a softer patent finish.

Kiki Pearl Patent Leather Handbag: Everything’s perfectly in order for Spring with this exquisite bag, available in shiny black or white.

January 28, 2008

Don’t Let Them Rain on Your Parade

If April showers bring May flowers, what do January and February showers bring?

Bad hair days.

And that’s enough to put a normally happy girl like you in a bit of a funk.

But there’s one one sure way to fend off a case of the rainy-day blues: a cute umbrella.

Just like your favorite bag or beret, the right umbrella can brighten moods (yours and everyone else around you) and cap off an already impeccable ensemble.

So let one of these foul-weather fashions keep the weather from raining on your parade (and that great hairdo you work so hard on every morning):

Lace-like graphics and chrome hardware draw all eyes to this distinctive umbrella by Seattle-based pare*.

Think spring with this Paris Skyline designer umbrella.

Avoid the fuss and muss of a soggy umbrella. This model from Charles & Marie props up on three little feet, wet or dry.

For a bit of throw-back chic, try this retro Marc Jacobs umbrella.

And nothing beats the rain like the bright colors of this leafy-print umbrella by the fashionably London-based Orla Kiely.

January 29, 2008

How to Get Exactly What You Want

Oh, no. Soon you will be seated across from the King Negotiator. Maybe it’s a business deal, maybe it’s a car, maybe it’s your salary.

Last time you dealt with a King Negotiator, before you knew it, he had bested you on every point, reached out to shake your hand (giant grin on his face), and sauntered out.

Totally ticked (at yourself way more than him), you sat there at the bargaining table, wishing you’d channeled a little Gordon Gekko.

But next time it will be different.

Because now you’re smart enough to jump online at Negotiating Women.com to take advantage of their valuable learning resources.

The video series by negotiation and leadership expert Dr. Deborah Kolb is full of sage advice and perspective.

Articles like Strategic Moves in Negotiation or Grace’s Givebacks will build your knowledge and confidence.

And when you’re really ready to wheel and deal, purchase and indulge yourself in one of the e-learning courses like “Getting What You’re Worth”.

So get tough, stand firm and prepare to chant an occasional: “Greed is good.” But be sure to use your inside voice. You don’t want the King walking out until the Queen has gotten e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g she wants.

January 30, 2008

The Hip New Gift for Girlfriends Everywhere

When it comes to gifting girlfriends, you rely on splendidly scented candles, hand-loomed scarves, baubles -- a list of sure bets that always win admiring oohs and aahs.

But this year, give her something that will make her feel especially special. A gift she’ll remember for years to come.

A gift card.

W-h-a-t?

Puh-lease. A gift card doesn’t exactly scream “picked out lovingly just for you.”

Aahh, but here’s one that will:

The Philanthropic Gift Card.

These hip new alternatives to a box-with-bow allow the giftee to choose which organization receives money given in her name.

Make her day – and someone else’s too – by wrapping up one of these charitable cards:

Let recipients choose from over 100 major charitable causes (broken down into 12 categories) on Charitygiftcertificates.org. Give $50 or more, and you’ll get a plastic card to present.

TisBest has carefully screened over 200 responsible nonprofits for recipients to choose from.

And if your girlfriend doesn’t already have zeal for a particular cause, JustGive.org offers a guide to more than 1,000 of them, so she can find one that strikes that especially memorable chord with her.

January 31, 2008

Be The Totally Chic Travel Girl

Nothing can whisk you into a fabulous frame of mind like travel.

Unless, of course, it’s the type that forces you to catch a commuter plane at 6 a.m. and spend the next 18 hours hustling from meeting to meeting, in a city you don’t even know, subsisting only on caffeine.

However, that’s exactly the sort of situation where a strategic injection of style can make a world of difference in a girl’s business-travel attitude.

For starters, one simply cannot feel fabulous while lugging around a nondescript piece of luggage.

Instead, tote along a vintage-styled steamer trunk. These modern old-fashioned beauties come in a variety of finishes, along with all the straps, buckles and locks your 1930s-glamour-loving mind could dream of.

Plus, snag a quick fix of travel chic from one of these accessories:

Bonjour Fluerette Luggage tags: Big, bold and bright, so you don't have to squint down the luggage carousel to pick out your bag.

Amethyst oval travel alarm clock: Rise and shine with a bejeweled alarm clock. It beats the heck out of a wake-up call.

Look, no doubt it’s a rough journey to the top. So we might as well look good on the way.