Funny Pet Toys

Let your dog shake up the election with the very funny squeak toys shown to the left! www.shopfatcat.com carries the 2008 political animal set of 3 for $19.99. The toys include a "Bark Obama," "Capitol Hillary," and "John McCanine."  

HAPPY NEW YEAR*

Happy Jewish New Year to all! For those of you who don't know, tonight is Rosh Hashanah*
- Enjoy a reality escape by heading to your local synagogue...regardless of your denomination, beautiful music and an inspirational speech will certainly leave a positive effect of your psyche*
- Bring apples and honey to work today- your co-workers will love you and you'll be honoring a sacred tradition*
- Cook a high holiday feast for your loved ones...salmon, new potatoes, and chocolate make up a sure-win menu*
- Be grateful for all you have in this world...it's a lot more than many*
Have a great day and post your Rosh Hashanah plans under "comments"!

Payless... Get MORE

Well-known designers Alice + Olivia, Lela Rose, and Abaete have all designed exclusive shoe lines for Payless Shoesource. We have picked our 2 favorites from the collection (www.payless.com), which are shown above. The "Rivington" ankle boot is funky/fun and will be great for fall! The "Sibley" ribbed flat is a classic and charming shoe that would be great for work. For $48 and $34, you will "Payless" and get MORE! 

CITY BUSINESS HONOREE*

We want to extend a special THANK YOU to New Orleans City Business for choosing Ex-cessories.com as one of its 50 nominees for INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR. That's right, we were in some pretty amazing company at yesterday's awards luncheon, so congratulations to all awards recipients! Look for us in this Monday's edition and enjoy your Saturday*

The New Penny

The penny has had a makeover! The US Mint is introducing 4 new penny designs in honor of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. This is the first time the penny has been altered in 50 years! 

Lincoln's profile will remain the same on one side and the other side will feature the new images. The first of the 4 new coins will be released into circulation on February 12th, which is Lincoln's birthday. A different penny with the 3 other images will be introduced every 3 months, from February. The different images will be a log cabin, a young Lincoln reading a book, Lincoln as a young lawyer in Springfield, IL, and a half-completed Capitol dome.  

David Brooks

We had the pleasure of attending a talk by David Brooks this week. His insights into our society, economy, and most importantly, the upcoming Presidential election were both thought provoking and great discussion-starters. It's people like David who foster the most important conversations and truly solicit change on an organic level. We strongly recommend for you to check out 1 or a few of his books/articles, including Bobos in Paradise, which digs into our social class structure using humor, wit, and sophistication. Let us know if you have any books to recommend to our network by posting under "comments" and have a great weekend*

504ward TONIGHT

No plans tonight? Head on over to Tipitina's for a special event launching the newest New Orleans initiative- 504ward. This homebase for young New Orleans talent will work to connect and foster young people so that they stay and THRIVE in the Crescent City. Doors open at 5:04 pm and there's an important press announcement at 6:00...so hurry and sign-up before it's too late! Visit 504ward.com today*

5 Foods to Maximize Muscle Power

According to MSNBC, if you want tighter abs and tighter gluts, you need MORE than a workout program. They have published a list of 5 foods that will help you maximize your muscle mass.

1. Fish

2. Sweet potatoes

3. Low-fat yogurt

4. Quinoa (keen-wah) - an ancient grain from South America 

5. Pumpkin seeds

"Active muscles not only help cut your risk of developing diabetes or osteoporosis, but the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you can burn."

Best-Selling Lip Balms

Allure Magazine has come out with a list of best-selling lip balms. 

1. Bobbi Brown Tinted Lip Balm in Golden Pink (Cos Bar, Scottsdale)

2. Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Balm (Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC)

3. Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 (Sephora, Providence, RI)

4. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm (CVS/Pharmacy, Bismarck, ND)

5. Neutrogena Lip Nutrition Vanilla Replenish Balm (Walmart, Hurst, TX)

Are any of these lip balms a must have for you everyday? What is your favorite lip balm? 

12 Athletes Leaving Brains to Concussion Study

A dozen athletes, including 6 NFL players and a former U.S. women's soccer player, have agreed to donate their brains after their deaths to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. The former New England Patriots linebacker, Ted Johnson, is one of the players who has agreed to donate his brain. Johnson hopes that the center will clarify the issue of concussions' long-term effects, which have been tied to cognitive impairment and depression in several published studies. Johnson has dealt with degenerative problems with memory and depression, which are due to the multiple concussions he faced from 2002-2005. The NFL is conducting its own study to see if there are any long-term effects of concussions in NFL athletes.

The findings of this study have the ability to change contact sports forever!

478 Carat Diamond!!!

Miners in the southern African kingdom of Lesotho have found one of the world's largest diamonds, a near-flawless white gem weighing 478 carats! According to one expert, the stone "has the potential to yield one of the largest flawless D color round polished diamonds in history." The diamond was discovered in the Letseng Mine and has very few inclusions and outstanding color and clarity. 

Take a look at the enormous diamond above and let us know what your thoughts are! 

20 Questions

Forbes magazine played 20 questions with 17 self-made members of Forbes' 400 richest Americans list. One of the questions asked was was "What are the first and last questions you ask in any job interview?"

1. John Catsimiditis - What do you like to do?

2. Leon Charney- How did you feel when you walked in?

3. John Paul DeJoria- Welcome, would you please sit down?

4. Tom Golisano- What can you do for the company?

5. Michael Heisley- Why are you seeking this position?

6. R.J. Kirk- Why are you here?

7. Ted Lerner- Questions to elicit and evaluate integrity and character.

8. Rob Maguire- Why are you here?

9. Seth Merin- What are you passionate about?

10. Jorge Perez- What are your strengths?

11. Wilbur Ross- Why do you want to work here?

12. Alexander Rovt- Do you like to work?

13. Phil Ruffin- How much are you going to sue me for?

14. Tom Secunda- If I gave you the answer to this, I'd lose my ability to interview. Everyone would be prepared.

15. Patrick Soon-Shiong- What brought you to us?

16. Allen Stanford- Tell me about yourself and why you are suited for the job.

We have heard most of these questions before except for #13! What would you do if you were asked question #13 at an interview?!

EMMY AWARDS 2008 BEST JEWELRY

Did you watch the Emmy's last night? We sure did....but we weren't paying attention to the television winners or even really the best dressed winners. Our eyes were glued to the jewelry worn by the stars! Here are a few of our favorites:

- Fred Leighton DIAMONDS worn by America Ferrera
- Lavender JADE worn by Heidi Klum
- BULGARI jewels worn by Sandra Oh
- TIFFANY & CO. diamonds worn by Julia-Louis Dreyfous

Thank gosh we can score similar pieces here on Ex-cessories.com. Check out our JADE necklace straight from the glass case at TIFFANY & CO., DIAMONDS galore in all shapes and sizes, and a unique and timeless BULGARI bracelet in mint condition. The best part? You won't be spending a fortune....our prices our reduced about 50%, so hurry up and snatch up these bargains before it's too late!!

FINALLY!

The highly anticipated Sex and the City movie will be released this Tuesday, the 23rd. We cannot wait for this DVD release! We haven't purchased a DVD in ages, but this streak will definitely be broken with the Sex and the City release.  

Do you purchase DVD's regularly? Are you going to purchase the Sex and the City movie or just rent it? 

BANGLES GALORE

We have tons of great bangles on our site in every price range. From gold to silver and diamonds to costume jewelry we have something for everyone! Our favorite pics are the classic and timeless Hermes bangle and the 22 karat yellow gold leaf bangle. The look is great and the price is right, so what are you waiting for?! Go ahead and treat yourself today! 

Flavor Paper

Does your room need a make-over? How about your entire home? When it does come time to redecorate, you MUST check out Flavor Paper, a unique collection of wallcoverings with vintage & contemporary appeal (yes...we said BOTH). Based out of our very own New Orleans, Flavor Paper has made its way into the homes of rock stars, restaurants, and onto the pages of InStyle and Elle magazines. What are you waiting for...check it out at www.FlavorLeague.com and start designing your next live*work*play space!

PET CUSTODY*

One of the Today Show's latest segments featured a story on PET CUSTODY BATTLES...an issue we feel passionate about for a number of reasons:

1) We are animal lovers, thus understanding the importance of this issue. Sophie, Max, and Bailey are just as important as children, cars, and homes.

2) Why should the judge decide? It's harder to prove in court that one owner is "more attached" or "loved more" to/by a pet. This validates one of the news anchor's suggestions: SIGN A PRE-PUP...it might be helpful down the road, and if not, well a piece of paper isn't hurting anybody!

3) Dogs, cats, and other pets are a new form of "Ex-cessories" we haven't given much thought to until now! No, we're not going to be buying & selling people's loved ones on the website, however it's an important point to bring attention to in the relationship sphere.

What are your thoughts on this important issue? Check out the story on the Today Show website at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26771730/ and post your thoughts under "comments"!

Secrets to Living Longer*

The world's oldest man turns 113 today! That's right, Japan's Tomoji Tanabe, born in 1895, has lived to tell about 3 different centuries, 2 world wars, and 1 truly amazing story of longevity. His secret? DIET- Tanabe attributes his age to his healthy lifestyle, which includes wholesome foods, a glass of milk a day, and NO alcohol or cigarettes. What do YOU think about this? Does abstaining from alcohol increase your likelihood to live longer? Post your thoughts under "comments" and Happy Birthday Tomoji!!

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin"

From short to tall, shiny or suede, boots are EVERYWHERE this season! There are so many different styles, cuts, and colors how does a girl choose her perfect pair?! 

Finding the right boot for your taste can be tough, but Piperlime.com has made the search for your perfect pair quite easy! They have boots in all styles and price ranges and even have a section of Rachel Zoe's pics. Another great feature is their free return shipping! 

We recommend going with a black patent boot for a classic and timeless look, but check it out and let us know what style of boots you have picked up for the season* 

5 Tips by Donald Trump

Donald Trump has given momlogic.com his 5 tips for raising kick ass kids. 

1. Be an example. Children watch -- and they will emulate what they see.

2. Set the standard high. Challenge is good, and accomplishment creates healthy self-respect.

3. Stress the importance of education, it's the foundation for success. 

4. Let them know they are exceptional, so exceptional results are expected.

5. Exhibit a sense of community through participation and philanthropy. Giving back is a great reward. 

What are your thoughts on Trump's tips?  

LEATHER MANIA

One the major trends for Fall 2008 is LEATHER! From leather dresses, leggings, boots, jackets, jewelry and MORE, everyone is sporting this new trend in one way or another. Even the leather lookalike, latex, is making its way back into fashionistas wardrobes! 

Many of these trendier looks seem to be going slightly overboard, but a leather jacket is always a fab wardrobe staple. Are YOU partaking in the leather trend? What do YOU think of latex leggings (pictured above)?! 

* Pretty In Pink *

Check out our new platinum diamond and pink sapphire ring set! This ring set sparkles and shines while adding a pretty touch of color. We have fabulous new items that are uploaded daily, so make sure to add our website to your list of shopping websites you visit everyday! Happy shopping* 

Beauty Drink

When you think of the brand Nestle, the first thing that usually comes to mind are Toll House cookies and chocolate! BUT, Nestle has just introduced their new beauty drink, Glowelle. Glowelle proclaims to have anti-aging  properties and comes in 2 flavors, raspberry jasmine and pomegranate lychee. You can pick up Glowelle for $7 at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. 

Beauty drinks at high end department stores?! What are YOUR thoughts? Can a drink REALLY rejuvenate your skin from the inside out? 

COMFORT FOOD*

Do you ever need to fulfill that craving, cure your cold, or get rid of that hangover? We all know that comfort foods work miracles, and now we've found the perfect recipe that's simply delicious but won't compromise all of your hard work at the gym: Wholesome Mac & Cheese!

What you'll need:
- 1 package of broccoli florets
- 1 box wheat pasta shells
- 3 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 T Smart Balance butter
- 2 T flour
- 4 C skim milk
- 2 C cheese- we used shredded Cheddar & Mozzarella
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Chives

What to do:
Cook broccoli as directed and drain (about 7 minutes). Bake chicken in olive oil, salt, & pepper at 400 (about 30 minutes) and cut into cubes. Cook pasta as directed and drain (about 10 minutes). Once these 3 portions are ready, combine in large serving bowl and toss with olive oil, salt & pepper. This should be heated for about 1 minute in microwave just before adding sauce. Melt butter in large saucepan and add flour, stirring constantly (about 2 minutes). Add milk, allow to boil, then reduce to simmer (about 10 minutes), stirring often. Add cheese and stir until smooth. Pour on top of pasta and toss with salt & pepper to taste. Top with chives and serve*

CHICK FLICK ALERT

Sex and the City has come and gone and so has The Devil Wears Prada, so delight that same guilty pleasure with this weekend's release of The Women. As one woman's marriage unravels, so do relationships with best friends, jobs, and children. We learn that while relationships can change directions abruptly, the bond of women can pretty much withstand it all.

Check out The Women for laughs, tears, and just a light escape from reality, and while you're checking out movie times, post some thoughts under "comments". What or who do YOU consider your anchor in life? Is it a best friend, parent, husband/wife? Let us know your thoughts and enjoy the rest of your weekend*

New Flavor

The classic candy company, Jelly Belly, has just announced their new jelly bean flavor. Acai Berry is the newest addition to their 50 official flavors. Fans voted for this "trendy energy fruit" that we have seen popping up in yogurt flavors and specialty drinks and smoothies. 

There were also 5 finalist flavors: honey, sublime chili lime, Thai iced tea, mojito, and acai. We are eager to get our hands on this Jelly Belly and give it a try! What do YOU think about the new flavor choice? 

Trash: AnyColorYouLike

Trash: AnyColorYouLike is Adrian Kondratowicz's new project making a statement on mass consumption. The idea behind this project is to beautify garbage by using vibrant colored bags, causing people to realize how much trash they produce. The garbage bags are hot pink with gold or white polka dots, are made of 100% biodegradable PVC, are scented with peppermint bubble gum, and repel insects and vermin! 

You can purchase 1 for $10, fill it with air, and then display it outside your home, explaining to people that it is not only art but a movement. Or you can buy a box for $30 and jazz up your garbage, while making an important statement. The goal: "a vivid citywide art intervention." For additional information and tips on how to get involved, please visit anycoloryoulike.biz. 

A Day of Remembrance*

Today we remember all of those who lost their lives during the terrible events of September 11th. Our thoughts are with their families today and always*

"NANO-CHROMATIC"

Apple has introduced the new iPod nano in 9 great colors! The new iPod nano also has amazingly cool features. If you turn your nano to the side the image in the viewing glass will also turn, if you shake up your nano it will shuffle to a different song, and there is a new "genius" feature that will automatically find songs in your nano that go with the song that you are listening to. With a starting price of $149, your biggest question will be... what COLOR do I choose?! 

Holy Haircut!!!

Victoria Beckham has debuted a brand new, MUCH shorter, hairdo at NYC's Fashion Week. What do YOU think?! 

LOVE it or HATE it? Let us know what you think under "comments." 

* MEGA SALE ALERT *

Shopbop.com has just taken another 20% off of all sale items that are already marked 50% off and 70% off! All you need to do is enter code SAVETHEPIG at checkout. 

There are tons of amazing tops, jeans, bathing suits, lounge wear, and more! We recommend Lauren Merkin's Glitter Cassie Beach Tote in tan (Shown above). 

Hurry, because this offer expires on Thursday at 11:59 PM PST!

The Rachel Zoe Project

Tonight is the season premiere of the much anticipated new show, The Rachel Zoe Project! This is definitely going to be one of our new favorite guilty pleasures! With Rachel Zoe's catch phrases "OH MY GOD," "You look bananas," "That's bananas amazing," "Fashion is my drug and I'm addicted to it" we are sure this show is going to be the next BIG thing.  

In addition to Rachel Zoe, the show will feature her tough and quirky associate Taylor, the preppy new kid Brad, as well as fashion's biggest designers and some of today's biggest celebrities (clients of Rachel Zoe). So, are you going to be watching Bravo tonight?! 

Take a Load Off

One good thing that came from Gustav was the time and lack of cable access to rent/watch an entire television series...LIFE. The show follows Detective Charlie Cruz, who was wrongly convicted and imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. Now, after winning a large settlement from the city, Cruz is back in action, solving civilian crimes in addition to snooping for new evidence from his own case. Think Law & Order/CSI with the added twist of Cruz's personal life taking a secondary focal point. The series is a must see....hurry before Season 2 begins on 9/29 on NBC!

MTV VMA'S TONIGHT*

Don't forget to tune into MTV at 9:00 EST for the 2008 VMA's!

What will be tonight's "Britney moment"? Will Mariah Carey win for "Touch My Body"? Post your thoughts and/or who YOU want to win under "comments" and enjoy the show*

GOOGLE

We would like to wish our favorite search engine a very happy 10th birthday! With nearly 20,000 employees and a $150 billion market value Google is only planning on growing and flourishing with ground breaking new ideas and and interesting acquisitions.  

* Energy Muse *

Energy Muse is a "conscious lifestyle brand providing tools of empowerment, inspiration and hope." Energy Muse jewelry "combines energy and intention which create a desired outcome." This great jewelry has been worn my world famous soccer super star David Beckham, Entourage star Jeremy Piven, Heidi Klum, Beijing Olympians and many more! We are lucky to now have 2 Energy Muse necklaces on our site! Check out our Energy Muse Protection and Prosperity necklaces on Ex-cessories.com. Happy shopping*  

Fashionable Protection

Rumor has it that famous designers Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney are teaming up with PETA to design cruelty free guards uniforms for the Queen! When visiting London, checking out the Queen's guards is a must and they have become somewhat of a landmark in England. One might be puzzled by why PETA would need to join this dynamic duo, but apparently 1 bear must be killed for every guard's hat to be made! We can't wait to see what the new outfits will look like...

* Recommended Reading *

Candace Bushnell, famous for her novels Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle, is coming out with a new book, One Fifth Avenue. "The novel is about a hedge-fund genius and his wife who buy at tony One Fifth Avenue, riling longtime residents who are embroiled in their own petty rivalries and botched love affairs." A sneak peak from her new book, "That's the difference between girls and women: Girls find men fascinating. Women know better." One Fifth Avenue goes on sale September 22 and we can't wait! 

Source:USA Today

Awareness Reminder

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and teal is the Ovarian Cancer Awareness color. So, make sure to flaunt some fabulous teal accessories or even paint your toes teal in order to raise awareness! Visit TealToes.org to find out more about painting your toes teal. 

* Seeing Gold *

You MUST check out our fabulous selection of bracelets! We have several different styles of diamond and gold tennis bracelets to choose from as well as beautiful vintage 1 of a kind pieces. The best part of the deal are the prices! Check out our selection today at Ex-cessories.com and treat yourself to something special. You deserve it! (Bracelet shown above can be found at Ex-cessories.com)

Shrinkage

Have you noticed the shrinking sizes of popular foods and beverages with no adjustments in price? Tropicana, for example, recently redesigned its large orange juice container, adding an easy pour lid and the space to hold 89 ounces, as opposed to the 96 ounces it used to hold. The price remains the same. According to industry analysts 30% of all packaged goods, not just food, have had some sort of size reduction. 

So, what products have YOU noticed shrinking in size?  

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY*

Hurricane Gustav is plowing through New Orleans and across Louisiana right now...we hope everyone is safe, the levees hold, and that we can all go home and return to normalcy in the next couple of days. Thank you to all who are concerned and on high alert with us*