Bobbie Brown & Kate Spade Dish on Branding

Ever wondered how powerhouse brands really get built? Sure, there are lots of books out there, but wouldn't it be much more fun to hear it straight from the brand-builders themselves?

Wouldn't it be cool to learn why makeup mogul Bobbi Brown decided to name her business after herself? Or how the name Kate Spade really came about? (It's not simply a case of a woman naming a company after herself.)

To hear directly from Bobbi Brown and stylish marrieds Kate and Andy Spade, tune in to the American Express Small Business Webcast Event: "Making a Name for Yourself".

This is so NOT just any old business event. Originally videotaped in New York, thanks to OPEN from American Express, the forum is now available free, online 24/7, so you can watch whenever the mood moves you.

Moderated by money coach Jean Chatzky, the three openly and candidly share the good, the bad and the ugly – for example, the season Kate just knew she'd made a mistake with her line, and how sometimes the best lessons are learned by our missteps.

So go on. Tune in and learn from the super-successful how to build your brand into a powerhouse. What you learn today will surely pay off tomorrow.

PS. Allow at least an hour to watch. It's sooo worth it.

Mark Your Place In Style

Dog-eared pages in your favorite novel. So typical. So yesterday.

Multi-colored highlights in your essential business books. So out-of-the-moment. So unflattering.

Next time you make time for a little reading, be it business or pleasure, step up your style when it comes to marking your place.

Levenger's Page Points are ideal bookmarks and line markers that are simple, stylish and best of all, won't cause any damage to your hard-covers. The small inconspicuous, arrow-shaped metal pieces work like paper clips (but leave no marks behind) and are easy to remove. This handy little product comes in tins, filled with dozens of bookmarks, and costs less than $10.

Punctuated Page Markers offer a totally fun and colorful way to organize or code pages in books, magazines and documents. The brightly colored stickies come in five punctuation-mark designs and several shades. A set of 50 is $8.

So what now? Tell everyone you're off to mark your place in style – and you'll need several hours of un-interrupted time to get it j-u-s-t right.

A Match Made in Heaven

Know someone who's smart, talented, loves her work... but loves her kids more and is looking for a little flexibility in her work schedule?

Or maybe one of your girlfriends is looking to "opt-back-in" after "opting-out" for awhile? But she knows the typical 9 to 5 just won't do.

Well, tell her all about the matchmaking services of Mom Corps.

Mom Corps matches up companies looking for top talent with experienced professionals who are looking for flexibility. As more Boomers retire, experts say, businesses will be competing for moms who want part-time and project-based work.

Mom Corps also offers information for working moms and women re-entering the workforce, as well as info on local events in six markets – Washington, New York, Chicago, Boston, Charlotte and Atlanta – with plans to fold more cities into the family as soon as possible.

So if you (or a friend) are ready for a little flexibility tucked neatly inside a portfolio of satisfying work, this mother of a staffing service is here to make sure you get just what you need.

Now that's a match made in heaven.

Coming June 20th - Not Just Any Old Bag

You're the queen of multitasking. So why not expect your bag to do the same? The "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" tote by Anya Hindmarch allows you to fashionably tote your leafy greens and share a green message with everyone you encounter at the grocery store, farmer's market or gym.

The British designer's handbags usually cost around $1,000 and can be spied dangling from the arms of Scarlett Johansson and Keira Knightley. But this limited-edition tote is priced at a mere $15 – so that its message can reach a broader audience.

The message, of course, is that we can all avoid dumping more plastic bags into our landfills. Did you know it can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade? And even then, the broken-down particles are toxic to wildlife.

Beginning June 20th, a limited edition of the bag arrives stateside in a handful of stores, including Anya Hindmarch, Ron Herman and Fred Segal Flair in Santa Monica. Beginning July 18th, the bag will be sold at select Whole Foods stores.

You may want to call ahead, though. Notably, when the bag debuted in the U.K. earlier this year, it quickly earned "it" status and sold out in a flash.

The same "it" status is expected on this side of the pond.

No time like the present to let those multitasking skills serve the greater good.

When Sexy Works at Work

Unless you're in a creative field, sometimes dressing for work can be as boring as reading monthly P & Ls. However, Ms. Tired-of-Work-Attire, there are lots of little things you can do to spice up your style quotient at the office – without raising any eyebrows (at least in a bad way).

Currently, we're salivating over a fab fashion tip shared by image consultant Peggy Parks, one of the chicest women we know. Her suggestion: Wear nude-colored fishnet stockings or knee-high's under trousers/pants suits for a touch of pizzazz. (She swears by Donna Karan hose.)

Can't you just visualize yourself, sitting in the weekly manager's meeting and crossing an ankle to reveal a teensy slice of sex-ay? Doesn't it feel good? The nude works because it's subtle and soft. Leave the black for aprè�s-work activities.

A few others to try include Wolford's elegant and ultra-sheer Small Weave Fishnet Tights and Sixty-Six Thigh High Fishnets. Spanx Control-Top Fishnets and Spanx Hi-Knee Fishnets, with seriously comfortable leg band, are also favorites.

Next time you feel a bit of the fashion blahs creeping up, don't get sad – go fish(net)ing.

Faith in Yourself

"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forward."
-- Soren Kierkegaard.

What philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said in the 19th century was echoed later, in a different tone, by George Michael: "You gotta have faith."

Well, it'd be a whole lot easier to have faith if we knew what was coming. And if we knew we couldn't fail.

Mmmm...if we knew we couldn't fail...interesting concept.

For a little inspiration on that particular subject, check out the song "If I Were Brave" by Jana Stanfield. It's great for reminding us of the power of believing in ourselves. And moving us to dream of what is possible.

She croons, "How far would I go? What could I achieve?"

Her answer? "If I were brave, I'd walk the razor's edge, where true believers dare to tread."

For a full dose, download Stanfield's song on iTunes or on Stanfield's Web site store. Or drop in at one of Stanfield's "keynote concerts" (a speaking/singing combo) around the country.

Faith – in yourself – is just a song away.

Go Eco-Chic

Maybe you'll swap out all your light bulbs with compact fluorescents. Perhaps you'll re-duce the time you spend daydreaming in the shower. And even seriously consider one of those uber-efficient hybrid vehicles.

No doubt about it, going green is in. And the mega-online-community of iVillage.com recently debuted iGo Green, to help you do it in style.

Chockful of tip-filled stories about women making "little changes" for a "big difference," the content covers a slew of tree-hugging topics – from green home decor to the best or-ganic foods.

Where to click first: Find out how to combine your fashionista tendencies with your eco-awareness by checking out seven of the hottest green designers in "Way Beyond Green Jeans."

Far from the days of Birkenstocks and burlap sacks, today's eco-chic fashions are as stylish as they are Earth-friendly. Take this wrap dress by Pigeon Passenger, a company committed to using organic cotton and hemp. It's tailored enough for casual Fridays at the office, and flirty enough for a night out with mojito and friends.

Eco-chic. Stylish and socially conscious. So you.

Just What a Girl Needs

Bestselling books of late may insist that women are more likely to crush other women under the heels of their Manolo Blahniks than give them a leg up.

But you're the sort who doesn't buy in to the stereotypes.

You're way more than some Prada-outfitted Devil. So much more than some "ambitchous" ladder-climber.

And you're just itching to tell those sweet, fresh-scrubbed, just-out-of-school women ex-actly what you've learned after years in the workforce. So they can become chicks-in-charge themselves one day.

Funny. ForteFoundation.org had the same idea. Their mission is to "substantially increase" the number of women business leaders and have a number of initiatives going on right now. (Amen to that.)

Join the cause by signing up to be a mentor. Simply send an email to info@fortefoundation.org.

You'll have a chance to tell recent college grads (i.e., career newbies) how collaboration, sharing credit and listening are the sort of "feminine" talents that don't conflict with being a leader.

And that a pair of Manolos – if worn on the right day – won't hurt them either.

PS – you may also enjoy the Work/Life Balance or the Real Women– Real Stories sections on the site too.

Fashion Meets Biz Cards

All contacts were not created equal. Consider exhibit A: the guy with the sweaty hand-shake you met at a recent trade show. Exhibit B: the software genius who just may have the solution to your current computer woes. And exhibit C: your newest A-list client.

So why in the world would you lump their business cards together in the same pile?

The answer, of course, is that you won't. Not if you have these Pepperpot Business Card Holders from SeeJaneWork.com. At only $10 a piece, you can afford to use one to hold clients' business cards, one to capture vendors' cards and carry a third when you head out to a trade show or convention.

A magnetic closure keeps cards tucked in safely, and the wipe-clean exterior means the case is practically impervious to cocktail sauce. Choose a graphic botanical print to make a bold statement, or a subdued brown with limey-yellow stitching to project smarts. Each case holds 120 cards.

Taking names has never looked better.

Designer Handbag Today, Tomorrow, Everyday

It's time you faced the facts. You have a serious case of H.A.S. –  Handbag Addict Syndrome.

It's good to say it aloud... I have H.A.S... slowly so as to appreciate the gravity of the situation.

You tell yourself over and over... I'm a smart business woman... spending the better part of a mortgage payment on one handbag is r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s. With a capital R.

Still, you struggle.

That's why we're sending you to Bag Borrow or Steal.com. This glorious online service, overflowing with top handbag labels, allows you to r-e-n-t (with a capital R) the latest "It" bags for a fraction of the cost to buy.

Simply pay a nominal membership fee and choose your arm candy. Bags are categorized by designers and rental fees correlate to luxe factor.

Couture styles, featuring runway-ready and red-carpet-worthy bags (think Gucci, Chloe, Chanel), range from $175-$275/month while Diva's (LV, Prada, Botkier) go for $90/month and so on. At $20/month, bags from Trendsetter (BCBG, The Sak, Perlina) are the least expensive.

Hold onto your obsession for as long as you want. When you tire of your latest crush (and you will), just move on to the next hottie du jour.

Ahhh... isn't H.A.S. rehab ronderful? With capital R's, of course.

Inspiration and Then Some

Darn. The weekend is over. How did that happen so fast? Mondays can be so... so... uninspiring... (insert stifled yawn here).

Not anymore. Introducing your own private Monday morning motivator – Inspirational Movies – available free online at SimpleTruths.com.

Want a totally-feel-good story about how one person can make a difference? Try watching "Simple Truths of Service" about a young man who single-handedly changes the entire culture of his workplace – despite having Down's Syndrome.

Or perhaps you'll choose "The Race", a story about getting up after a stumble (or three) and what "winning" is really all about.

And "The Dash" is sure to get you up and moving – in a way you've never moved before. All in all, there are nine different movies from which to choose.

These very short – very uplifting – movies take just a few minutes to watch, but will leave you feeling inspired for days.

Not bad for a Monday.

PS – The Simple Truths site, started by Mac Anderson, the mind behind the mega-hit store Successories, also offers a full range of for-sale motivational books, movies and audio CDs.

Perfect for clients or new colleagues. Or maybe just you.

Make a Dream Come True

Halfway around the world, in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, lives an ambitious entrepreneur. A talented seamstress – happy to earn $2.50 a day weaving and selling clothes.

Her dream? To purchase more weaving machines and hire workers to help her – and, in turn, raising the standard of living for her, her husband and their two children. Cost: $500.

What does any of this have to do with you?

You are the one who can make her dreams come true.

www.Kiva.org offers the rare opportunity to invest in women's (and men's) business dreams, without shelling out a bundle. The microloan organization matches investments as small as $25 with aspiring entrepreneurs in developing countries. Choose who you want to invest in, then send the money via PayPal.

And why stop at one good deed? Once the individual pays you back, you can roll the money into the next worthy venture.

Send a few dollars to Fernanda – a regional-cuisine vendor in Bolivia who wants to purchase an ice cream maker.

Or to Toeafe, a young, single mother who wants to stock her general store in the Samoan islands.

Imagine: For $25, you can actually change the world, one woman at a time.

Desk, Meet Elegance. Elegance, Meet Desk.

With that not-a-hair-out-of-place coiffure, sleeveless dress and those oversized sunglasses, you're the spitting image of classic Hollywood chic.

An era when one wouldn't dare go out without a quick brushing on of lipstick. When the rules of graciousness demanded that one dash off handwritten thank-you notes at the drop of a hat. When celebrity was synonymous with class.

While you're channeling that finer era, why not add a few accessories to bring classic chic to the office? And for that, there's no better source than the Audrey Collection at russel+hazel.

Inspired by classic Hollywood but with a nod to contemporary couture, the file totes, notebooks, note cards and labels are as graceful as Holly Golightly herself.

The Expanding Five-File Tote for example, comes in matte white or glossy black, with detachable leather handles, and adds elegance to the ordinary task of schlepping files around.

And the boxed set of Fine Finishing Touches ought to be a staple of any well-mannered desk. Letter-pressed place cards, bookmarks, page finders, notes and gift enclosures make being gracious as easy as batting an eyelash.

Welcome back, elegance. May we be together, always.

Style Alert: Double-Duty Gems

Accessories are the spice of any outfit. A plain bo-ring black suit suddenly becomes a head turner when paired with killer red Louboutin heels.

Or a wow!-worthy necklace.

That's why we're fans of Jamie Diane Custom Jewelry. What really tugs at our style strings is the line's split personality: The Atlanta-based designer's hand-made line of "Vintage Pendant" and "Long or Layered" necklaces, made of gold and silver with a variety of precious stones, look equally sophisticated worn at work and on weekends. No easy feat, mind you.

Right now we can't resist the Allison, a gorgeous display of citrine and ambernite. The Carmen, an antique gold crystal chandelier pendant, will dazzle any ensemble, especially when paired with open necklines and suit jackets.

The tri-strand Jana, with her gold circles and delicate, eye-catching gold chain is both hip and haute, and a match made in heaven for everything from white tees to black tie.

Any of these handmade designs are pieces that will surely become favorites – whether you're a buttoned-up corporate lawyer or free-spirited creative.

Or both.

Now, where can we get our hands on those designer stilettos...

You Light Up My Life

Yes, you are definitely a bright light. Always a source of energy, innovation, and delight to others.

So next time you're stuck at your computer late at night (no doubt coming up with more ways to innovate and delight), you might need a little light of your own.

Check out these very cool lamps – all worthy of lighting your way, and all with a USB plug that fits handily right into your laptop or desktop:

Retro lamp: Perk up your desk with the cozy glow from this orange or purple lamp that bends any which way you like.

Mini lava lamp: Late nights at the office feel a bit more like college cramming sessions (in a good, nostalgic way) with this six inch-high mood setter. Filled with a bunch of glit-ter flakes, the Mini Lava Lamp comes in clear, blue, pink or purple lava.

And for a whole lot more lighting choices that plug right in to your computer, visit Your USB Solution.

So plug one in. With a little more light for yourself tonight, you'll surely shine even brighter tomorrow.

You Deserve a Fantasy Vacation

You deserve it. You've earned it. You know it.

It's time to reward all your hard work with a deluxe vacation to some tantalizing tropical resort. No, better yet, the most exclusive hotel in that elegant city you've always dreamed of visiting.

Just one small problem. A street-smart girl like you is w-a-y too practical to shell out the top dollar these luxurious vacations spots command.

Unless you use Luxury Link, that is.

This hotter than hot online auction site allows you to actually bid on deluxe vacation packages – and nab one at a great value.

Captivating, glamorous, and exotic trips go up for auction every week. Imagine - African safaris... Parisian decadence... sailing the Nile in style. Showcasing more than 1,000 upscale hotels, resorts, cruises and tours in more than 60 countries, Luxury Link provides unparalleled, direct access to the world's best, high-end travel.

So throw away those notions of auctions past – including numbered paddles and wooden gavels - and go to the world's most sophisticated (not to mention, fabulous) online auction.

Vacation going once, going twice, sold! To the smartest girl on the street.

In Her Shoes (Not)

You're just the type of leader to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

But speaking of someone else's shoes, are you tired of showing up at the office, at lunch or anywhere else, only to spy your new Marc Jacobs peep toes or chic Sigerson Morrison flats gracing the freshly pedicured tootsies of some other fetching fashionista?

Well, don't get mad – get a new pair of shoes at SimplySoles.

This site offers shoes not seen on store shelves everywhere. Its well edited and manageable inventory features the best of the best.

And thanks to their SimplySole Exclusives, designers like Bettye Muller and Nancy Geist, Bruno Magli and Coclico offer up distinct colors and styles available only at SimplySoles.

Yes, we women don't mind walking that mile – we just don't want to do it in the same shoes she has on. And frankly, we don't want to see her in ours either.

P.S. Best of all: The company partners with D.C.-based Suited for Change, which provides professional clothing and accessories to women in transition. Simply send in a pair of your gently worn, closed-toed professional shoes. In recognition of your generosity, you will receive 10% off your next order.

How to Get a Brilliant Idea off the Ground

It's happened to the best of us. While flipping channels to relax, you couldn't help yourself. You stopped at the QVC network.

No, not because you were actually interested in the latest kitchen gadget, guaranteed to cut your cooking time in half. Rather, you couldn't help but think, "I could come up with something w-a-y better that!"

No doubt, someday you will.

And when you do, you'll need to know all the important things. Like how you turn an idea into a marketable product. How to pay yourself during the start-up phase. How you get your product onto retailers' shelves.

To find these answers and more, turn to Entrepreneur's Coaches' Corner.

The site offers short, motivating videos on sales, marketing, setting goals, and staying on track. Experts offer insightful articles on topics like choosing the best business idea and why having a great idea isn't enough. You may also want to read about the latest inventing trends and learn how to demystify profit margins and markups.

Now, when a brilliant idea strikes, you'll know where to start.

And who knows? Someday we may even see you (insert throat clearing sound) on the QVC channel.

Your Knight in Shining... Denim

How do you take one sensational, savvy, self-reliant woman and transform her into a Damsel in Distress?

Send her out to find the perfect pair of jeans.

Yes, the quest for fits-like-a-glove-but-gives-in-all-the-right-places denim has been driving women mad since Mr. Strauss invented the first pair of jeans (1873, in case you're wondering).

For those who have a tiny bit of boot-ay, a hint of tummy, and are not keen on super low-rise jeans, Pine IV may be your Knight in Shining... high-end Japanese denim.

These great fitting jeans come in an array of sophisticated washes and styles.

The Kyoto Jean, in white or black, with fun back flap-pocket detail, is a celeb favorite and bestseller. They are made with the ideal amount of stretch for ultimate comfort but without meeting the fate of many a premium label--becoming baggy and droopy by day's end.

But what really sets these babies apart is this: For every pair of Pine IV you buy, the company makes a donation to one of several eco-friendly organizations who plant a tree on your behalf. Nothing better than shopping and green-do-gooding simultaneously.

So now, milady, looks like you'll have to find something else to distress over.

For more Pine IV, try Robertsons, Zappos or True Jeans.