TypePad Featured Blogs

Nikki Shell

Happy Halloween! While you’re waiting for the trick or treaters, spend some time at Nikki Shell a crafts and fashion blog. Here you’ll find posts on everything from whimsical creations, cupcakes and stitching, and an invitation to a handmade Christmas Postcard Swap. Then take a moment to read Nikki’s insights on consumerism and how she’s amended her buying habits (and how you can too, for the betterment of all). Nikki’s pieces are equal measure classic, fun, and fabulous and with the holidays coming up, might provide some unique inspiration for your gift giving. Great fun!

Dispatches From the Flying M

Jeff Mariotte is an acclaimed author (more than 25 novels and counting), bookstore owner (fantasy/sci-fi/mystery/horror), and ranch dweller (southeastern Arizona). Dispatches From the Flying M offer up his posts and opinions on the world around us, from the global, to the national, to the personal. Jeff’s professional writings center on fantasy-science fiction; his blog contains notices of upcoming works and appearances fans of the genre might like to know about. Incisive, perceptive, and informative, this is a writer’s blog for you!

Cyn City

We love personal blogs – and here’s a great example of their serendipitous nature, written by “dreamer, blog junkie, and wannabe traveler” Cyn McCrackan. And once you visit Cyn City, you’ll find topics such as luxury bathroom accessories, custom tours of New York City, and literal snapshots of her life. Lots of photos abound too, making this a wonderful, intimate tour of one blogger’s life and interests.

Bastien Piano

For everyone who has ever tinkled the ivories (or wished they could), Bastien Piano  provides a close up look at playing piano, through the eyes of teachers Jane, Lisa, and Lori Bastien and their students. Here’s a blog that illustrates the power of words and pictures to create a connection between subjects and readers, no matter where the latter might be. The informal, friendly posts detail such happenings as the upcoming Halloween recital, teaching, and workshop road trips. There are lots of fun photos of students and recitals too – all of which will help you to get to know these budding virtuosos even better!

Applehead

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at hand-made, here’s a perfect place to start. Applehead is a delightful crafts blog written by an artisan with a “lifelong obsession with fiber and crafting of all sorts”. Her postings cover virtually every area of design with observations, tips, and hints on such subjects as food and drink, crocheting, and bookmaking. There’s also a unique Appleseed Shop, where you can browse and buy a wonderful array of one-of-a-kind items (and with the holidays coming up, it's just in time). Anyone who loves the intricate homemade beauty of crafting will love this blog!

Rational Security

Ready for “ramblings from the information security/information survivability/risk management wildside”? It might be a mouthful, but the world of data protection (in all its forms), is of paramount interest to anyone running a business. Rational Security blogs about such subjects as how – and why - casual conversation in a public setting might be bad for business, offensive computing, and Malware. Blog owner Christofer Hoff writes in an engaging, tongue-in-cheek style and makes liberal use of industry anecdotes, information, and links – check it out for yourself!

Online Recruitment

Whether you’re just starting a career or looking to make a change, you probably know that one of the most effective and efficient ways to find and land a job is online. And if you don't know this, it’s time you checked out Online Recruitment for “news, views, and information about online recruitment and online marketing”. Blogger Mike Taylor has extensive experience in online recruitment, and offers his expertise in such posts as a simple way to get more people to view your website, the importance of first impressions, and how Apple (of all companies), may have missed the employment boat during its recent iPhone launch. This is definitely not your parents’ “help wanted” world, and Mike is ready to make it work for you!

Jew Eat Yet?

What? Warner Brothers, home of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, saying they “won't do movies with women in the lead”? It’s true, and you can read about it in the pages of Danny Miller’s blog, a funny, insightful commentary on movies, such as the almost-forgotten “Flower Drum Song”, family life, and how being Jewish ties in to film plots and background stories. Want some refreshments while you read? Pop a Frango mint and relive Danny’s experiences in Marshall Fields, one of the giants of Chicago retailing. This blog is rich in posts and archives and will keep you entertained for hours – so, roll ‘em!

Online Personals Watch

Every wonder what goes on behind the scenes of online personals sites? Online Personals Watch goes beyond the typical boy-meets-girl world of romance and gives you all the facts and news about the personals scene. Anyone who has ever tried speed dating will want to find out what’s happening  with it now, discover how matchmaking is becoming an industry to watch, even get tips on how a photo can make or break your ad. These intriguing social networking shots make fascinating reading for anyone taking part in the online dating world.

Experience The Message

If you think traditional marketing is “cheesy”, you’ll find plenty to read about in Experience The Message, including…cheese! The blogger, (an executive at a Chicago-based marketing firm and an author in his own right), offers his thoughts on how “experiential marketing is changing the brand world” through posts on such subjects as a unique cheese promotion  - and how it might have been better, pop up cuisine, and the new “big” market in advertising. This blog is also rich in links to all things marketing, such as Buzz and Trends, and Marketing and Culture. It’s a resource all students of selling should check out!

In Praise of Sardines

Did the name get your attention? So will the contents of In Praise of Sardines, Brett Emerson’s blog on the “less well-known ingredients, restaurants, farmers, and artisans”. Brett is a San Francisco-based chef planning to open his own restaurant; he also writes about all things gastronomic, including the art of frying an egg, the least popular recipe ever  (and how it’s actually quite good!) and of course his thoughts on opening and running a small restaurant. San Francisco residents (and visitors) will want to take a look at Brett’s Bay Area Shortlist for recommendations on (but not limited to) the best small plates, Italian, and for splurging. Brett has an engaging writing style (and knows his subjects well) so snack on his stuff today!

Tim Worstall

In the words of one observer, Tim Worstall is "that rare commodity: knows economics and can write". His observations on such subjects as the UAW strike at GM, nuclear proliferation, and taxes prove that point.  It's not all macro or micro, though, there are funny observations on such diverse subjects as ephelides and Nicole Kidman, and the latest happenings with tabloid favorite Lindsay Lohan. His posts run the gamut from thought provoking to laugh inducing - see for yourself and check him out today!

The As Was Marketing Hall of Fame

In the pages of her blog, Debbie Levitt, President of As Was, invites you to change how you do business by "taking a good, long look in the mirror".  Debbie is an eBay and marketing expert who has been posting to her "As Was Marketing Hall of Fame" blog since April 2005. As indicated by her posts, Debbie is many things: part observational comedienne, amateur psychologist,  consumer advocate, consultant and advisor, and whistleblower. Debbie's often humorous blog asks businesses and people to laugh, comment, and more importantly, act.

In The Green

The environment is everywhere these days. That’s not play on words, but the reality — and the subject — of In The Green an energy- and environment- related blog produced by students at Imperial College, London. Anyone who is concerned about climate change, energy policy, or even the hidden costs of flying will find interesting reading here. The authors have combined commentary, research, and news with opinion, facts, and figures to create a blog that’s crucial for those concerned about the environment.

Medienkritik

Blogs are our window on the world – and when it’s open, we can see and hear what people are saying. That’s true both on an individual and a national level, and in Medienkritik, you’ll read “observations on reporting in the German media” – most of it regarding the United States and its position in world affairs. There are relevant observations about accuracy in the German media, conspiracy and justice on the world stage. There are in-depth discussions about two of Germany’s largest media sources, Stern and Der Spiegel and links to German-language sites for further information. Here’s an opportunity to widen your view and gain additional perspective on the nation’s place in the world.

Underrated

Are you ready to rock? In the Underrated blog, "sometimes band stalker" Rachael Darmanin writes about the music scene, fans, New York, and life in general. Hers is a fun, urban approach to celebrity, bands, and making a living in Manhattan. There are lots of observations on music and performers with concert schedules, reviews and updates added daily. You may not live in the Big Apple, but Rachael's blog will have you living the experience!

Consumer Generated Media

Pete Blackshaw believes in "the power of the Internet to give individuals a voice and change the way things are done". His blog, Consumer Generated Media, helps promote  ideas on marketing, consumer advocacy, multi media, and more. There are thought-provoking pieces on text mining and how it "undresses" advertising, 10 important takeaways from Steve Jobs' recent iPhone pricing apology, and lighter commentary from one of the original "Mad Men" of advertising.  Many of Pete's categories, from actionability to consumer affairs, relate to consumers themselves, and offer ways in which they (and we) can stay "in control"!

Phil Bradley

Internet Consultant Phil Bradley runs his UK-based blog around topics such as web design, search engines, and "anything that will interest librarians". And if you love to read, you should check out his new fiction list, read how the PHONifier can make travel easier, and indulge in a little bit of libriarianship. Reports on recent reads, humor, daily life, and much more enliven the pages of Phil's blog, too. Take a look!

Surfette

“Do what you love and the money will follow”, says Surfette founder Lisa Stone. It’s certainly true that Lisa loves posting about everything from women in the media, to global health issues. Lisa is the co-founder of BlogHer, which features articles and postings especially pertinent to women, and Surfette offers wry commentary on topics of interest to working women, moms, grandmas, and more.

Leiter Reports

Here’s a blog with a PhD in academia – or more precisely, "news and views about philosophy, intellectual culture, and academic freedom". Interesting reading, even if it’s been a while since you were on campus.  There’s advice for those seeking jobs in academia, a bit of blog poetry, and news from institutions around the world. There are plenty of guest bloggers (and postings from other universities) to keep the conversation lively, so head on back to those ivy-covered walls (the electronic version, at least) and start reading!

Loose Wire

Why doesn't someone invent an alarm clock that knows when it's Saturday and won't wake you up at 6 a.m.? Someone did, and you'll read about it in the pages of Loose Wire, a blog that reports on what's happening in tech. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, blogger Jeremy Wagstaff observes the happenings in tech, from what's up with Xdrive, to what happened with the Foleo, to commentary on Internet life. You don't have to be a tecchie to enjoy Jeremy's posts; they range from the fun to the far out and everywhere in between, so take a look today!

Laid Off Dad

What happens when "she works, he doesn't"? He writes a blog! Laid Off Dad recounts the daily adventures in child rearing from the perspective of a pink-slipped father of two. There are adventures in kindergarten, the challenges of Scrabble, and bittersweet ruminations on the end of summer.  Here's life in the big city (the biggest, in fact: Manhattan), as seen by Dad, Robert, and "TwoBert" while moms at work. And it's hands-on parenting "Dad would never trade". Enjoy!