It's breast cancer awareness month and there are multiple items out there that contribute a portion of sales to organizations such as Susan G. Komen Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society. This MIO pink heart rate monitor is also a calorie counter. It lets you set your daily calorie limit and enter the ones you consume, then it beeps wehn you go overboard. 10% of sales go to Susan G. Komen. $69.99
Hubby from Minnesota and you are from Atlanta? Don't be stuck watching Vikings football games in silence! Show your transplant pride with pillows from your home state or city. Using thorough research and vivid pictures laid across the state's outline and name, each pillow packs in its sites, cities and culture with flair. A brilliant way to celebrate where you live, where you came from or where you've just traveled, these pillows feature black velvet piping and a soft polyfill and are sure to become heirlooms and delightful additions to your home. $149.
Get straightened out while on vacay. And don't have your straightener take up so much space either! This one is 6 inches long and heats up in 30 seconds. Also has ceramic plates, which are easier on your hair. Only $17.88
Or wireless. Whatever you like to call "getting teckie". This mini iPod Speaker is cute, small and charges your iPod as it plays. Comes in yellow, pink and white. Love that it is called the "iPig". Space saver, 4 speakers &15W Sub, Bass Reflex, Sound Stabilization technology for best sound quality. Compatible with iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod with color display, iPod with video,iPod touch. I especially like the remote control. $139.99. 
Wash those politician mouths out with soap and make this campaign a little cleaner! Set of 2 soaps say "Feel Good" and "Vote". Comes in a tiny 'soap box'. How appropriate! $15.
Compact and lightweight, Handpresso allows for espresso to be enjoyed anywhere. It works without electricity with four easy steps: pump handle, pour hot water, insert coffee pods, and press. Uses standard E.S.E. (easy-serving espresso) coffee pods (not included). Made of aluminum and plastic. No bulky wires or cables and saves counter space too. $129.95
Are they taking over your abode? KinderHarvest collects recycled magazines across the entire magazine supply chain - Publishers, National Distributors, Wholesalers, Retail Newsstands, and Consumers. The magazines are given to new readers - children and families faced with economic challenges who are unable to receive them via traditional consumer channels.
Need an inexpensive, cute gift idea? Maybe an apron by Jessica Steele. Clair Steele & Helena Steele are the mother/daughter design team behind the Jessie Steele label and their designs have been featured on some TV shows and magazines lately. I found this feminine one for $32.95. Perfect for your consummate hostess or your cooking-challenged friend.
Just because you are from Malibu doesn't mean you can't have 'street cred' and become a rapper. Well, whatever the rule is, Shwayze is a cool new sound from Shwayze (born Aaron Smith) and Cisco Adler (son of Lou Adler, Producer). I'm loving the tunes "Corona and Lime" and "Buzzin". I call the music a cross between Jack Johnson and hip/hop rap.
Yes, that's right. She is now a shoe designer as well as an actress and Harvard graduate. She has been a vegetarian since 8 and decided she wanted to see more 'animal-friendly' designer shoes out there. She collaborated with Té Casan. “As a vegan, it’s been challenging finding designer shoes made of alternative materials. This collection offers a great selection without compromising quality or style.” 
The latest Apple offering, unveiled yesterday by Apple Founder Steve Jobs, is the new Nano that comes in either 8GB or 16GB. 8GB offers 2,000 songs / 8 hours of video, 16GB has 4,000 songs / 16 hours of video. The model is curved and made of aluminum and glass. It can supposedly be recycled also. Instead of picking a few colors, Jobs said they decided to pick every color. There is an intelligence feature that allows it to create playlists based on songs it 'thinks would go together'. Has a 2 inch screen (great for photos), games, and you can even 'shake' the iPod to shuffle your music. Turn it sideways if you wish, and the album cover art moves sideways too. Just like the iPhone. Pretty cool. Starts at $149.
Topshop has been dazzling Brits for years with its edgy fashion and now they have launched a Topshop US site today. Motorcycle jackets for $95? Sound nice? Check out some of their funky fashions. FYI, fashionista Kate Moss also designs for Topshop. "Bringing you all the features that have made TOPSHOP.COM the online destination for cutting edge style and weekly fashion fixes but with an American twist."
These big-eyed characters are the perfect way to convey your stuffy corporate business card with flair. "Created by artist Caia Koopman, her original characters have an alternative, rebellious and vulnerable beauty about them." Choose from Rehab Wallet Case and Knitting Card Case. Made in Los Angeles. $30 or $36. Check out the ones by Kelly Haigh too.
Even though their music has been around since 2002, I recently discovered this group and cannot get 2 of their songs out of my head, "Lake Michigan" and "Eyes". Songs conjure different images for everyone, but Lake Michigan makes me think of sitting in a coffee shop on a cold day watching everyone walk by. Rogue Wave is a San Francisco area band formed by Zach Rogue. Check out their music on iTunes. Best described as Indie, Alternative, College Rock.
Have your pooch show your partisan pride with a McCanine 2008 Doggy Tee or a Bark Obama 2008 Tee!!
In 2005, Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin came out with a diet book that quickly became a phenomenon. And with a book name like "Skinny Bitch", it is easy to understand why!
Meetup.com helps groups of people with shared interests plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities around the world. Find a group near you that likes adventure, hiking, biking, running, skiing, networking, reading or even happy hour (ing). Meetup.com is a great way to meet new people with like interests. 47,839 meetups in 112 countries. Give it a whirl!
