While Spring is Definitely Not Here, the Urge to Shop Has Certainly Arrived

Beneath layers of sweaters, jackets and scarves, women gaze into shop windows filled with spring time delights, and are tempted to cast off their clothing to slip into something new .... something 'for when it gets warmer.'

My advice? Resist the urge to buy.

This time of year, think of shop windows are a sneak preview of what will inspire the trends of the coming season. Take it in, look for styles and color paletes, and decide which you really want to buy into.

This advice comes from experience. Too many years I've found myself stuck with a closet of treasures I lusted after in Februeary. Beautiful? Yes. Practical? No.

This spring, I'm marinating on bright patent leather shoes, dip dyed dresses and bejeweled bracelets. When it finally gets warmer, I look forward to fresh air and exciting purchases I can walk out the door wearing.

True Blue

We exchanged colorful, braided bracelets at summer camp with the friends we'd bunked with, split candy bars with, and shared clothes with. Back at school, these bracelets served as little mementos to summer nights spent together in the throws of growing up.

But the thing is, the older we get, the tougher the growth spurts. A best friend has seen you through it all ... and shared a drink to both relive and repress the past. What to get that kind of true blue, road hard friend?

A pastel trinket simply won't do. Links of London's black and gold friendship bracelet fits the part - utility inspired, part-survival and part-indulgence... a tribute to the main stakes of grown-up friendship. This is what a real friendship bracelet looks like.

This Valentine's, throw a little love at your friends. http://www.linksoflondon.com/us-en/online-shop/women/bracelets/6746-black-and-gold-friendship-bracelet

A Match Made in Heaven ... or Just Economics?

Today's Slate 'Undercover Economist' features two excerpts from Tim Harford's new book, The Logic of Life. The pieces debunk the myth that 'black culture' is to blame for single motherhood in African American communities, and play out the effect of birth control on the institution of marriage. If you can keep up with Harford's string of logic and game theory.

It's much more complicated than love at first sight...

Click here to read it on Slate

Get Smart

Some deep thinking on how we will consume in 2008 ...
www.trendwatching.com

Click through to the article on what to expect this year:
http://www.trendwatching.com/briefing/

Spread the Word

A small jar of this eggplant spread transformed an ordinary sandwich into something really extraordinary this weekend. Going back for just a little bit more, the back label grabbed my attention. I thought I'd spread the word ...

Meditalia is a line of pestos and tapenades produced in Israel as a joint project between Israelis and Palestinians. Farmers and manufacturers from different parts of society work together closely to create this collection of savory spreads.

Good for the world and good for your health, these items are all natural, dairy-free and gluten-free. They're also certified both kosher and halal.

Sometimes, the easiest way to get people to the table is great food.

Visit www.peaceworks.com to learn about the cause and locate Meditalia products near you.

Read about the creation of the company here.

You'll have no problems going back for seconds.

Something to covet

Jessica Alba and Mary Kate Olsen have been sporting beautiful, eastern inspired scarfs by Tolani. The company's website suggests the brand rests on humble and charming origins.

Picture courtesy of www.shopkitson.com.

More styles and celebrity pics available at www.singer22.com.

"Conspicuous Consumption and Race"

Today on Slate, Ray Fisman discusses race and consumption. The piece centers on an unpublished study, "Conspicuous Consumption and Race", conducted by economists Kerwin Charles, Erik Hurst, and Nikolai Roussanov.

And interesting read, but it might just boil down to simple logic of competition ....

Click here to read Fisman's article