Shop Savvy Savings!
If you’re like most women, you’ve probably logged some serious miles in those malls this month. And sadly you may have just scratched the surface on that never-ending gift list! Why not skip another trip to those overcrowded shopping centers and pick up those last minute deals right from here? You’ll find Web-only savings on these sites, too!
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Ask An Eco Gal: More Green Gift Ideas
Ready for the next round of green gift ideas? Look no further than Greenfeet an online retailer that terms itself the “Planet’s Homestore.” In their Stocking Stuffers category, you’ll find items ranging from bamboo tongs, slotted spoons and utensils, to bicycle chain bottle openers, key chains and business card holders. The site has a huge variety of gifts for the whole family and priced for all budgets.
Taraluna is an online retailer selling fair trade, organic and green gifts for babies, pets, children and grownups. They sell beautiful handmade jewelry and purses, tote bags, toys, dolls, accessories, stationery and cards, baskets and kitchen decor, tea sets and organic tea and chocolates.
Branch … Sustainable Design for Living, an online retailer, has a category for gifts under $50, including woolen hand puppets and stuffed animals; nontoxic glazed cups and vases; wool felt wine racks; bamboo salad servers, bowls and cutting boards, and many other sustainable items. Gift certificates are available, too.
For the athletes on your list, Fair Trade Sports sells sports balls certified to be stitched by adult workers paid fair wages and ensured healthy working conditions. All of their apparel is sweatshop-free and the company’s after-tax profits are donated to children’s charities. Be a good, green sport and explore their products.
Techno-wizards will love the solar-powered flashlights, radios and chargers sold by Solar Style. Using one Solar Charger eliminates having to carry additional batteries for all of your digital devices and charges your cell phone, PDA, MP3, CD player, gaming device and digital camera. Simply someone’s life by giving them a multi-function Solar Charger and be kind to Planet Earth.
Nearly everyone has a person on their list who has everything … what do you get for them? How about a polar bear, moose, gray wolf or desert tortoise? The National Wildlife Federation’s adoption center offers packages starting at $30 for these and other imperiled animals. Visit the Web site (nwf.org) for details.
A gift option for the diehard environmentalist is to buy carbon offsets from Terra Pass. When carbon offsets are purchased, the money funds clean energy and other projects to reduce greenhouse gases to balance the impact of driving, air travel, household appliances and other carbon producers. The Web site has other green gift ideas such as a Smart Surge Protector that automatically turns off your computer and peripherals … even if you forget.
Along with the season’s holiday festivities comes a New Year filled with promise and possibilities … the perfect opportunity to use an eco-friendly calendar. House of Doolittle sells desk, wall and academic calendars made from 100 percent recycled paper with 30 percent post-consumer fiber and printed with soy-based ink. The company also sells planners in daily, weekly and monthly formats available with Earthscapes, Landscapes and plain styles.
The popular Page-A-Day calendars produced by Workman Publishing Company are printed on recycled paper with the back of each page designed for use as notes. Even the plastic backer and tray are recyclable. Visit the company’s Web site (workman.com) to select calendars for your family and friends. Living Green Page-A-Day Calendar 2008 is Eco Gal’s fav.
Rounding out these green shopping resources is Paporganics, which sells sustainable stationery and gift wrap. Use their hemp wrap, a 10 percent hemp/flax blend and 90 percent post-consumer fiber paper processed chlorine-free and printed with vegetable inks, to wrap all of your holiday gifts. Then use the 100 percent organic cotton cards to write thank-you notes.
Now, grab your phone or click your mouse and start green shopping!
Contact Eco Gal: ecogal247@yahoo.com
Shopping for Books: Why Titles Are Weird
Sometimes judging a book by its cover can be a good thing, believe it or not. Pamela Ribon has authored two books with great titles, “Why Girls Are Weird,” published in 2003, and “Why Moms Are Weird,” published in 2006. But the best part about these books goes well beyond their suggestive titles.
Ribon is funny and uses her sense of humor to create real characters in real (albeit slightly wacky) situations. Instead of writing two books where the title overshadows the actual plot, the books require a bit of intelligence in order to fully enjoy what is going on. The humorous situations are the biggest selling points of the books, but there is much more than meets the flap copy on the back of the books, which is enough reason to read the books in the first place, of course.
In “Why Girls Are Weird,” the main character, twentysomething Anna Koval, is more interested in passing the time at her library job in Austin, Texas than actually doing work. This is certainly relatable; who hasn’t felt bored at times while working? Luckily for the readers, Ribon stays away from having Anna act as an airhead, or a typical chick-lit heroine. Instead, Anna learns HTML and sets up a Web site featuring a personal journal starring an alias of herself, “Anna K,” whose life is just a touch more exciting than Anna’s. It’s almost not even a big deal that Anna K has an amazing boyfriend named Ian, who just happened to break up with Anna not too long ago. Of course, the real question here for Anna is something along the lines of “no one will actually read this, right?” Luckily for Anna (and Anna K), there are some fans that are genuinely interested in what she has to say on a daily basis.
It’s intriguing that the titles of Ribon’s two books “match,” but the subjects couldn’t be further apart if they tried. Normally, when an author links two similar titles for her books, it spells out a potentially cutesy franchise able to be turned into a superficial movie. However, this is definitely not the case for Ribon; “Why Moms Are Weird” has nothing to do “Why Girls Are Weird,” other than the fact that both books are hysterical, witty, and feature some of the most realistic characters in recent fiction. It’s one thing to write one book accomplishing this, but two books shows off Ribon’s talent.
“Why Moms Are Weird” is one of those books where we feel as though the answer lies in the first few chapters of the novel. Luckily, since the chapters are so short, none of the major secrets are given away too soon. It’s easy to feel a sense of kinship with main character Belinda “Benny” Bernstein.
Benny lives in Los Angeles and seems to have an independent life (which she recently “got in order”). However, her previous life in Virginia rears its ugly head when Benny’s mother and sister are in a car accident and it’s up to Benny to make sure everything is all right. Here’s the fun catch — her mother didn’t ask her to come and help out, but Benny goes. What she finds is humorous and, in some cases, relatable (including her mother’s promiscuity, which is a little much for Benny to handle in one sitting). It’s refreshing to see a girl in a book who thinks of others before she thinks of her shoe collection. In fact, Benny doesn’t even mention designer shoes at the drop of a hat. Ribon succeeds in creating characters who could easily be real people, instead of just caricatures.
Bottom line: These books are worth more than just a passing glance on the paperback table at every bookstore, perusing their fun covers. If you want to read a book and use intelligence and laugh at the same time, Pamela Ribon is your author of choice. The best part is that the titles do deliver, and ultimately, it’s easy to see why girls and mothers alike are very weird indeed.
Ask An Eco Gal: A Truly ‘Green’ Holiday Season
Holiday shopping is officially upon us. So, think of it as “tis the season to be green and give gifts that use fair trade sources and/or recycled materials.”
You can give stunning designs by Moonrise Jewelry (moonrisejewelry.com). The designers use only fair trade and ethical source vendors for their raw materials (metals and gemstones). You’ll also find recycled, reclaimed and renewable natural materials in their Premier Eco-Jewelry Collection. The collection’s necklaces, bracelets and earrings are sold with free priority shipping.
For the man or woman on your gift list who prefers basic black accessories, give a vegan wallet from Used Rubber USA (usedrubberusa.com). Made from reused truck inner tube and stitched with heavy-duty industrial thread, these wallets can even withstand an accidental run through the washing machine. Available in both standard and billfold styles with windows and pockets, the wallets are waterproof and sleek looking.
If you prefer to give home decor items, the handmade sustainable products crafted by Enlighten Style (enlightenstyle.com) offer dozens of unique options. Bamboo lamps are available in hanging, table and floor styles and compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) are recommended. Reclaimed wood gets a second life as picture frames, which are available in standard sizes such as 3×5, 4×6, and 8×10.
What child can resist a teddy bear? Wildlife Works (wildlifeworks.com) sells an eco-friendly one named Mikey. This adorable bear is handmade from organic cotton terry and is stuffed with scraps of organic cotton from the company’s Eco-Factory in Kenya. The ear and footpads are made of tree bark cloth. Wildlife Works sells clothing for men, women and children and home furnishings, such as wildlife prints.
You can give this Eco Gal’s personal favorite, a canvas bag to use for grocery shopping and trips to the Farmers’ Market. Plus, some natural food markets give a nickel or dime rebate for each bag used. By saying “no” to paper or plastic grocery bags, there is less demand for fossil fuels or virgin paper and what could be greener than that?
More shopping ideas include instead of giving the friend, co-worker or loved one who has everything, is to make a donation to the person’s favorite charity in honor of them instead of buying a gift only to go unused. Most nonprofit organizations will send an acknowledgment letter or card to the person honored and note who made the donation.
(What makes this idea green? Because a telephone or the Internet was used for the transactions, which means no petroleum products were used to travel back and forth to a Post Office or shopping center. Less CO2 in the atmosphere is good for the earth!)
Two words for the chocolate lovers on your list: “buy organic!” Cocoa beans used for organic chocolate are grown under the shade of indigenous rainforest trees. Look for “fair trade” on the label to choose companies that buy cocoa directly from growers who are paid a higher price than suppliers of conventional cocoa. This improves the growers’ quality of life and provides a better education for their families and community. Shop locally for organic chocolate at health food stores and other sellers of fair trade food products.
While you’re at it with the green shopping, why not think green for the entire holiday season? One of the easiest things you can do to make the holiday season greener is to forego mailing greeting cards and send holiday emails instead. If many on your list don’t have email and you wish to send a traditional holiday card, look for one printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink (which is made from soybeans, making the recycling easier and the printing waste less hazardous).
Another idea to save both energy and money is to use Light Emitting Diode (LED) holiday lights. These energy-efficient lights use only 0.08 watts per LED C7 multicolor bulb, compared to 0.48 watts for an incandescent mini-light and the LED lights can last up to 100,000 hours or more when used indoors or 50,000 hours for outdoors. These lights are safer because there’s no chance of combustion with bulbs that are cool to the touch no matter how long they are left on.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about broken bulbs because the epoxy lenses of LED lights are virtually indestructible.
And, of course, you can’t buy green and not wrap your gifts with paper made from recycled paper. Local retailers may carry rolls of recycled wrapping paper — ask the manager. Get creative and use plain brown paper adorned with colorful stickers or have your children draw holiday designs.
Reusable cloth bags are gaining popularity as wrapping for gifts. Peaceful Valley Earth Friendly Clothing & Gifts (peacefulvalleygreetings.com) sells an assortment of hemp, banana leaf, kenaf and other tree-free papers. All gift-wrap designs are printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper. Peaceful Valley also has a selection of 2008 calendars printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper.
These are just a few of the thousands of options available for shoppers who want their gifts to be sustainable. Look for more holiday gift ideas next month … in the meantime, happy green shopping!
Contact Eco Gal with questions or comments at ecogal247@yahoo.com
Shop for a New Book about a Man and the World of Microsoft
What if you decided what you were doing with your life – your career, your training, your aspirations up the corporate ladder – wasn’t what you wanted to do with the rest of your life? What would you be willing to do about it?
John Wood in his book, “Leaving Microsoft to Change the World: An Entrepreneur’s Odyssey to Educate the World’s Children” recounts his journey to finding his life’s mission and how it changed in an unexpected way.
Wood was a successful executive with Microsoft, living in Sydney, Australia and then Beijing, China, working 60-hour weeks, making great money and cruising along with a girlfriend and a strong work ethic.
On his holidays he would backpack and hike through the mountains of Nepal. On one such trip, he came upon a small village and began asking questions of the citizens through his hiking companion and interpreter … and the rest was history.
While there, he asked about the town library; there was none. He asked about books for the school-aged children to read; there were none. Having been raised on reading himself, encouraged by a mother and older sister to devour books, Wood found it amazing books could be so absent in any setting, even a remote and mountainous Nepalese village.
And as he asked himself what could be done for this village, and a nonprofit ministry was born: Room to Read. Excited about the prospect of bringing books to this village, Wood went back to his home in the States and gathered books from various sources, discovered a way to ship them inexpensively, and encouraged his father to help him in this project.
The satisfaction he felt was immense, so great that after a few years of supervising this ministry, he began to wonder what it would be like to quit his job at Microsoft, get off the success and career ladder, and work full time for Room to Read.
And this is exactly what he eventually did, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, herself on the corporate ladder to the corner office, who didn’t understand nor want to stay around to do so. Which left John Wood managing an ever-growing, rapidly expanding nonprofit that began to move into various other countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Honduras.
Wherever there were young people who did not have the benefits of reading, Room to Read would set up a presence. Libraries were built, using local labor so the citizens of the town or village would feel invested in the project and could call it their own.
This book is a testimony to the power of reading and education to change lives. Often Wood and his staff would get reports of students who had participated in the Room to Read program and then go on to higher education and secure jobs in their cities and countries. Never once did John Wood look back to regret his decision to leave Microsoft and pursue this course in his life.
The book is an encouragement to us all to find a dream outside of ourselves and to make it happen. There is no greater reward than to invest one’s life in helping others, and John Wood’s book is a testament to the fact.
Savvy Style for Less: Shopping like a Frugal Fashionista
Pop quiz! True or False: In order to have a chic wardrobe you need to spend big bucks. Pencils down. Answer: false!
It can be easy to think it is necessary to spend a million dollars to have a stylish look. But with some time, creativity and a little savvy thinking you can have fashionable wardrobe without breaking your budget.
Off-Price
Off-price retailers sell current fashions that happen to be either be first-quality stock overruns or clothes with slight irregularities (like sizing, etc.); but they still completely wearable and yield big savings. With a little patience, a good search through the racks can unearth great casual or investment pieces to add pizzazz. Things turn over quickly, so check back often. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales if you’re in need of certain items like bathing suits, for example.
Department and Specialty Stores
Shopping at department and specialty stores doesn’t mean you have to pay their prices. Keep track of their seasonal, clearance and promotional sales and shop around these. Scope them out and come early to get the best selection.
Check newspapers and their Web sites for money-saving coupons to use at these sales. Sign up for their credit card (even if you don’t use credit), because you’ll get on their mailing list and be sent additional coupons and information about special deals not available to everyone.
Online Shopping and E-bay
Online shopping is swift and easy. Many stores have special online-only sales, too. Do pay attention to the sizing, description and measurements to understand the fit. And do be aware of the return policy. Sites like bluefly.com and overstock.com offer beautiful, designer pieces at great discounted prices; they are an online bargain-hunter’s dream. Ebay can get crazy, but is great if you’re tracking down a certain item.
Consignment and Resale
Resale shops are a Frugal Fashionista’s secret — but it does take some sleuthing. The donation-based inventory can be hit-or-miss. And consignment shops can be a best-kept secret for finding designer wear, evening gowns, even wedding dresses. Consignment shops tend to be the choosier sister of resale shops and only accept pieces on consignment (thus the name). When an item is sold, the seller gets back a portion of the sale-price. Some consignment shops take gently used clothing, others take designer only. This is a smart way to add better quality pieces to your wardrobe for a fraction of their original price. Sometimes, especially in upscale neighborhoods, it’s not uncommon to find new pieces with the tags on! These clothes all come “as-is,” so investigate your finds to make sure there aren’t any flaws. To make some cash, consider consigning your own unwanted clothes. Just ask the store for a copy of their policy.
Vintage
Dressing in vintage can recall the glamour of days gone by while still being stylish and affordable. Vintage goods are often made better, and add a unique sparkle to any wardrobe. If you wish to wear real fur, save a mink and buy a vintage fur coat. Shop for what you love and it will last for years if you treat and wash it with care. Look in antiques shops, estate sales or online. Two online sellers with affordable, great selection include Dandelion Vintage and Vintage Vixen.
Sample Sales
Uber-fashionistas know sample sales are the way to go for finding genuine designer items on big discount. Designers hold sample sales to sell off “samples” from their lines at a discounted price, and are often held in large cities. It can get competitive sometimes, so watch out for “snatchy” shoppers! Fitting rooms aren’t often provided so wear fitted camis and leggings under your clothes to try things on. Also, bring cash.
Not living in a big city? Sign up for updates from DailyCandy.com. DailyCandy sends out “DailyCandyDeals” and can inform you of sample sales happening near you. Not to mention you get an inside look at what’s fresh and hot.
Sewing and Tailors:
Sewing can work if you’re handy with a needle or hard-to-fit. There are many attractive patterns and fabrics available.
Sure, there’s the cost of fabric and labor, but there’s the benefit of a customized fit. There are many great books available to help you get started. Tailors and seamstresses in dry-cleaners can do nearly anything from fixing zippers to hemming to remaking that (awful) bridesmaid dress into something you can wear again.
Cheap vs. Investment
Be aware — buying cheap is not always frugal. Consider “cost-per-wear” — don’t bother spending big money on really trendy wear; by the time it’s worn out, the trend will be over. But if you live in jeans, it is worth it to buy a few good pairs higher priced than buying several “cheapies” that hit the skids after a season. What’s “cheaper?” A $100 pair of shoes worn twenty times, or a $30 pair worn only once?
Poorly-made cheap pieces soon fall apart. Quality-made “investment” pieces fit and feel better. The heart of being a frugal fashionista is about buying the best quality you can find and getting the most for your dollar. It’s only right for a “Savvy Gal” to look like a million bucks — but only she knows she didn’t have to spend that much. Ssshh! The secret’s safe with me.
Navigating Flea Market Styles the “Savvy” Way
Looking for some unique home adornment? Find them flea market style! Once the haven of antiques dealers and interior designers, flea markets are now popular with savvy folks looking for creative home decor.
The hunt is fun and addicting, but if you’re green, the varied piles in the booths can be downright overwhelming. Want treasure? Consider this a friendly guide to navigating flea markets the “savvy” way.
Know thy flea market
Flea markets vary. Some peddle new goods, such as knockoff designer bags and window cleaner. Others showcase antiques and collectibles; markets carry nearly anything from yesteryear — and these markets are rich with “old treasures.” Search local listings online and in print for local markets. Traditional wisdom advises early arrival to find deals before antiques dealers grab them, but many seasoned market-goers often arrive three to four hours before the market closes. Deals can be had, but be warned if weather’s bad or the dealers have done well, they might start packing up early.
Be ready
Often outdoors, flea markets can get dusty. Dress comfortably in layers and wear good walking shoes. Do come prepared for the weather. Leave big purses at home and opt for a backpack or a slim hands-free bag. In your bag pack cash, a notebook to track your budget and/or purchases, measuring tape, any needed room measurements, paper and plastic bags, water, hand sanitizer or wet naps. You may also want to bring: energizing snacks, a magnifying glass, flashlight, magnets to test metal and guidebooks pertaining to a collectible-of-interest. Wagons and luggage carts work great to lug small purchases around the market.
What to buy
The #1 rule of all flea market shopping is: Buy only what you love. Buy the best quality you can find and afford. It’s a waste to buy cheap and risk purchasing things you’re not thrilled with. Look for colors, textures and shapes delightful to you. Chances are your varied finds will work together, since they’ll be linked by your personal tastes. Research any collectible you’re sniffing out on eBay and guidebooks to learn about its value and rarity and all the “whats” about it.
Condition is important. Evaluate every piece — is it genuine? Ask yourself, “Does this fit my needs?” Flaky paint can make primitives look charming, but may be dangerous for small children. It could contain lead! Most paint made before 1978 is lead-based. Old sofas and upholstered chairs needing major reupholstering may seem attractive but do consider the cost of new fabric and restoration before you buy.
How to shop
Some prefer a quick whiz through the booths, then returning to give eye-catching items a closer look; others prefer the “scan-and-zoom” approach. This works well if you’re seeking out certain items, like Fiestaware, for example. For “newbies,” a relaxed stroll through is just as fun — and less overwhelming. Feel free to ask the dealers any questions.
They’re full of knowledge and glad to chat. You might have to pass some deals up but don’t worry. Just remind yourself, “If it’s not there when I return, it wasn’t meant to be mine.” Take comfort — there’s probably one like it at the next “flea.”
How to pay
Carry cash. Dealers rarely take credit; some dealers take checks. Cash helps to keep you on budget, also. Bargaining is part of the fun. When you’re ready to buy, ask the dealer something like, “Is this your best offer?” or “Will you take X amount for this?” Never offer a price too much lower or it’ll be taken as stinginess. Dealers will usually give 10 to 20 percent off, unless it’s marked “firm.” They may also offer a better deal if you purchase a few items together.
How to use it
Always ask yourself, “What else could this be?” What can you put in it, on it, or even hang it? If it can hold something, try using it as a storage container. Imperfect, stained linens and blankets can be cut up for sewing projects or used as slipcovers. Iron grillwork and fencing make striking wall art or room screens. Bottles and cans make quirky vases. Place a mirror in a gilded frame, and you’ve got a distinctive mirror. Old stacked suitcases make an interesting side-table. The possibilities go on …
Getting it home
Keep old blankets, bungee cords and bubble-wrap in your trunk for the after-purchase. Wrap bubble-wrap around small finds; blankets can pad bigger purchases. Mirrors can be sheathed in flat cardboard boxes. You can arrange delivery with some dealers for pieces too big to cart in your car. Several do provide this service, though be prepared to arrange it yourself.
Caring for it
Flea market finds come “as-is.” With some careful assessment you can determine if it’s worth saving. Furniture should be sturdy. Examine upholstered furniture to see if it’s heavy, has an interesting shape and to evaluate the condition.
Also check the springs and upholstery. Re-springing is cheaper than reupholstering. Check wood for broken parts, splits and insect holes. If you think a piece is valuable, do check with an appraiser before you refinish. (Though, refinishing will not usually hurt a common piece’s value; wax it, stain it, or repaint.)
Look up guidelines on how to strip peeling paint safely in case it contains lead. Rust can be brushed off old metal. Metal can also be left bare, painted with enamel paint or even powder-coated. Old lamps can be re-wired. Wash linens by hand with mild soap, but sturdier pieces can handle the washing machine. Soaking whites in enzyme cleaners like Biz can restore them to brightness. Old glass and kitchenware clean well when washed by hand. Dishwashers can damage the finishes of certain vintage glassware, like colored old Pyrex or Fire King Lusterware. They’ve lasted this long, so be good to your old treasures, and enjoy them!
Ready to get hunting? For more in-depth information than I can offer here, check out these books: “Flea Market Style: Decorating with a Creative Edge” by Chris Mead and Emeile Tolley and “Flea Market Decorating: Creating Style with Vintage Finds” by Better Homes and Gardens Books. Happy Marketing!
Shop for a New Book: “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
Many of us read fiction to escape. Well, sometimes escape is impossible when reading a gripping and compelling novel, and you can feel the pain and suffering of its characters, hurt for them and wish for them to be able to change a terrifying situation.
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini is such a novel. His first work, “The Kite Runner,” was an international best seller (and is also highly recommended), and his second novel will most likely be just as successful in terms of books sold.
But it isn’t monetary good fortune making the novel so wonderful. This book brings out feelings so strong, true and powerful. It wrenches your heart as you read about the trauma of life in modern Afghanistan for the characters in the book and what they endure. By the poignant end of the book, I promise you will feel as if you have lived through what Mariam and Laila endured.
We first meet Mariam, the illegitimate daughter of a rich man in a small Afghani town. Mariam and her mother are isolated by the stigma of their situation, but Mariam loves her father dearly. Eventually she decides, at 15 years of age, to walk to her father’s house and present herself to him and his “real” family. Upon her return home in humiliation and tears, events happen changing the course of her life forever.
Mariam is married off by her father to Rasheed, a man we will come to despise for his cruelty and insensitivity. Because she cannot give him a child, Rasheed turns on Mariam and makes her his servant rather than his wife.
Enter Laila, a young woman in Kabul who loves Tariq and finds herself pregnant by him, a life-threatening disaster in the culture in which they live. Laila winds up marrying Rasheed to give the child a “father,” and the rest of the novel illuminates the growing friendship between Mariam and Laila, allied against the brutality of Rasheed in a culture that allows men to abuse their wives even to the point of death.
Set against the historic background of Afghanistan during the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, filled with names and places we have heard in the news here at home, this novel brings the political scene to life as we see how people we come to care about are impacted in horrifying and horrible ways.
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” is not for the faint of heart; if it tears you up to read of the misfortunes and vicissitudes of others, you will be in a heap at the end of the story. But if you love when a novel makes history come alive and shows you how human emotion is the same in every culture, then this is a “can’t put down” book for you.
As for me, I can’t wait for Hosseini’s third novel! Let’s see if he can truly top “The Kite Runner,” and “A Thousand Splendid Suns.”
Fall Into Fashion
Fall Into Fashion
It’s the time of year when savvy gals worldwide update their styles to fit the seasonal climate. We at The Savvy Gal found a collection of our most favored sites with enticing deals to make it more convenient for our readers to shop online. Click through to uncover the best in this year’s fashions and pick up some great deals at the same time!
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The Best So Far
Amazon has released their list of best-selling books year-to-date. Shop a few of their top picks so far in 2007:
Fiction
“The Savage Detectives: A Novel
“The Yiddish Policemen’s Union: A Novel
“Sacred Games: A Novel
“Falling Man: A Novel
“Then We Came to the End: A Novel
“In the Woods
“A Thousand Splendid Suns
“No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories
“The God of Animals: A Novel
“The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears
NonFiction
“A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
“Stealing Lincoln’s Body
“The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857
“Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Control of the United States Supreme Court
“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
“Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See
“Send: The Essential Guide to Email for Office and Home
Kids and Teens
“Dragon Slippers
“The Secret Life of Walter Kitty
“The Dangerous Book for Boys
“The Incredible Book-Eating Boy
“Evil Genius
“Wicked Lovely
“17 Things I’m Not Allowed to Do Anymore
Hidden Gems
“Cat Getting Out of a Bag and Other Observations
“Getting Unstuck: How Dead Ends Become New Paths
“Patterns Of The Earth
“The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One)
Follow us everywhere …
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A must-read of every new grad!
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