The First (Paper)cut is the Deepest

Singing: I know someone who's going to want this!

www.alittlehut.com, $30

Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Marilyn-d Me Your Ears

If you're going to get on board the red lipstick trend, you need a few things, the first being the right red. Here's one that would flatter a lot of people; I won't say everyone because anyone who says one color will flatter everyone is just a big, fat liar and probably trying to sell said color. And I should know. Ahem. So...try Smashbox Lavish -- described on the website as a "cherry red," it's bright and more orange than blue, which is more flattering on most people. Better for making your teeth look white, not as harsh against your skin tone. Pair it with a strong brown/gold eye for the au courant look stolen straight out of the nineties, or if you're not ready for that, a tiny bit of black liner. The other things you'll need for wearing red lipstick are time -- slap it on and you'll look like a clown -- and confidence, because baby, you will get noticed.

www.sephora.com, $22

Water(bottles), Water(bottles) Everywhere

The debate about the dangers of plastic water bottles continues. Whether you believe them or not, it's obviously better for the environment to reuse the same bottle than to empty several a day. Plus, this one's really pretty, and not made by exploited workers in developing countries. (It's made by exploited workers in Switzerland). If you're not up for a flamboyant, purple water bottle, check out the more unobtrusive stainless bottles also available on the site.

www.isabellacatalog.com, $24.95

Rotten Denmark!

Darn those smarmy Europeans for keeping all the good stuff for themselves! First, the Euro beats the U.S. dollar, and now this -- a gorgeous porcelain ring unavailable to those of us outside of Denmark! If only the prodigious use of exclamation points could guarantee finding one on Ebay!
I mean...!!!

www.casalinga.dk

I'll Take Them (Out)

I can't say much about these earrings that they don't say for themselves.

www.etsy.com
$4

A Fine Line

Always on the lookout for new things for the store, I came across Far Fetched, a fair trade jewelry company based in California. Their jewelry is mostly sterling silver, made in Taxco, Mexico (famous for its silver). Some of it ventures dangerously close to cutesy -- not to be confused with "cute" -- but there is one cuff bracelet coveted by all of our staff, and I'm not sure I can live without it much longer. It's a simple silver cuff (similar to those pictured at left) and the inscription reads: "Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult." I don't think you can buy it online, but if you want one, Ten Thousand Villages will be happy to ship!

To Noir Me is to Love Me

Collecting books has never been my thing -- as much as I love to read, I'm perfectly content to use the public library or borrow from an obliging friend. Then, I discovered the Hard Case Crime Series. Garish, retro covers and a heart of dark, noir goodness. Perhaps it might reveal too much about my character to have a bookshelf full of these, but I don't care...I want them all.

www.hardcasecrime.com