TypePad Featured Blogs

Baby Babble

Stonyfield Farm is the leading organic yogurt manufacturer and makers of YoBaby yogurt, which makes them the natural host of the child-friendly blog, Baby Babble. It’s a spot where YoBaby parents can “see what’s new in the world of parenting and kids, the latest research, the quirkiest fads, and the most fascinating bugaboos in child behavior”. Posts are submitted by experts in the field, nutritionists, and everyday bloggers, and range from subjects faced by parents everywhere, to working moms, to health. What makes these posts intriguing is their interactivity – virtually all posts have a “mini poll” or “tell us your opinion” field; readers’ responses add to the sense of community and the answers may surprise you. Additional links to Stonyfield products (for both baby and Mom), special “Moosletters”, “Ask the Doctor” Q & A, and money-saving coupons add to the resources found here.

Snapdragon's garden

The space behind Jane Lindsey’s house in the United Kingdom has been transformed into a cutting garden full of unusual flowers and herbs. It’s an ideal laboratory that allows Jane to produce floral-inspired textiles and toiletries, crafts showcased in her blog, Snapdragon's garden. Within these pages, Jane details the creative process that results in home textile designs, lets us tour her studio, and displays her cutting garden. Jane’s posts, pictures, and products will bring a touch of country to your home; reading her blog is like strolling through the English countryside at the height of a particularly beautiful spring day. Lots of color and fresh things reside here, and they’re available for sale in her shop.

Inking Around

Audra Moncur, author of Inking Around loves stamping and scrapbooking, a passion most beautifully realized in her site and her designs. Whether she’s on vacation or at home, her talent turns even ordinary items into one of a kind pieces. And if you’re the type to get organized very early, here’s something just for you. The designs are elegant and understated, and the author’s instructions will have you turning out your own works of art. Like to learn more in person? Those of you in Illinois can check Audra’s schedule to attend one of her Stampin’ Up events (or request her newsletter).

Garden Design Online

Jane Berger is a journalist and landscape designer and together with business partner Anne Irving, run The Garden Design Group of Washington DC. Jane also authors Garden Design Online, a blog of “landscape design with attitude”. You don’t have to live in the Northeast to put Jane’s expertise to work: her opinions, tips, and observations can “travel” anywhere and will help you take your garden to new heights of beauty, variety, and design. As you’d guess, posts on design take center stage – not just in terms of gardens, but for issues like value and designers as well. Jane will show you how some plants can grow anywhere – that is, if they can. Categories from Associations to Tips and Techniques, lots of suggested sites (on design, famous gardens to visit, plant societies, garden books, and more), and other cool links make this a blog that will really grow on you.

Bois de Jasmin

Victoria is a chemical engineer who found her interest in chemistry shaping a passion for perfumery. Bois de Jasmin is her “tribute to everything I find fascinating about perfume: the people, the materials, and the very essence of the process that leads to the finished composition”. The name for her blog is taken from a scent “that never fails to move me…the aroma of jasmine in the warm evening air.” Indeed, the very pages of her site seem to smell faintly of the most delicate perfumes as Victoria posts on new fragrance launches, love and perfume, and reviews of some of the noted fragrances of the day. (A reader favorite is “how to select a perfume”, and it’s well worth perusing.) Deciding what makes “your” scent yours is a complex pattern of smell, psychology, allure, and other factors, and Victoria brings her expertise to the site to explain it all. Perfume, beauty and fashion blogs complete the list – and when you’re ready to shop, click on one of the many links to select your scent.

Being Belisi

When Peter Belisi, author of Being Belisi, was working in Palm Beach, he started dressing like his high-end clientele because he knew that “if I wanted success, I needed to look the part.” Peter started by building a tie collection, a look both noticed and praised by his customers, and one which ultimately served as his inspiration - to sell a line of luxury fashion accessories with roots in the Palm Beach lifestyle but at a more approachable price. Peter blogs on “fashion, celebrities, and life”, and you can see examples of the first here and here, get a glimpse of some of the stars of Palm Beach, even be a star yourself. The whole sunny, casually elegant Palm Beach style is evident throughout the site, perhaps nowhere more than in Peter’s credo: “giving is part of the Palm Beach lifestyle as much as luxury” – and to that end, a portion of any purchase you make will be donated to the cause of your choice.

The Green Life

Happy Earth Day! We’d like to celebrate the world we live in by featuring The Green Life, the blog of The Sierra Club, one of the country’s premiere environmental organizations. Packed with videos, photos, ideas, and Green Tips, the site is a treasure trove for those wishing to live a greener life. Events large and small are covered here, from the carbon footprint of the Olympic Torch, to Eco-Barbie, to Vegan Booze. Like we said, large and small - but all with an eye toward making this a better world for our children and all those who follow. Written by staffers of the Sierra Club, the site also offers Categories from Art to Outdoors to Work, all with the same eco-friendly approach; if you’d like to take your involvement to the next level, check out the Events List to find out about conferences, festivals, and gatherings worldwide. Lots of blogs and sites are listed too, so you can stay in touch with those livin’ la vida verde.

SeaNotes

Over ¾ of the world is covered with water, yet we know less about it than we do the moon. But thanks to SeaNotes, the blog of the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, we can learn more about the oceans every day. The collective work of staff members at the Aquarium, the blog seeks to “spark conversations…among those working toward a future with healthy oceans”. With its conversational language, photos and videos, the blog covers virtually everything that swims, dives, crawls, floats, or simply rests in place, giving you a look at new species, peeks at fearsome denizens of the deep, and some of the dangers faced by aquafarmers. A wonderful array of Categories (including Climate Change, Deep Sea, and Sharks) offers even more opportunities for learning and involvement and the list of recommended sites will keep you coming back for more. And if you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium is an easy day trip from the city and highly recommended!

Market Power

Featuring “selected musings by an Academic Economist on the power of markets”, Market Power takes an interesting twist with many of its posts: it relates economic theories to sports. This makes for interesting reading, as you’ll see in subjects such as Globalization and Soccer, The NFL Salary Cap and an Incentive to Not Win and – just for you, Chicago – a PDF that documents the Empirical Analysis of the demand for White Sox and Cubs tickets. It’s not all economic theory, though - there are fun posts offering such treats as a recipe for Buttermilk Fried Chicken so you can chew on more than numbers for a while. Downloadable podcasts and PDFs, along with links to related blogs and studies, round out the collection of thoughts and opinions.

Emerson

In the words of the author (who in turn is inspired by the 19th century writer and poet Ralph Waldo), Emerson is described as “nature, poetry, thoughtfulness, and individuality…and evokes a time when natural history, philosophy, science, and art were still interwoven”. And just like that long-ago Emerson, the present day online namesake ponders issues large and small, offers insight, and inspires discussion on a diverse set of topics, be it downsizing, politics, or aging. Interweaving philosophy, art, and discourse, the author invites responses from readers; indeed, we may not be able to sit by Walden Pond as did the real Emerson, but we can certainly gather by the “shores” of this online spot and discuss the world around us with our peers.

Simply Me

Donna Downey is an artist – mixed media, painting, and the popular pastime of scrapbooking, among other talents – and you can see all of this and more in the pages of her blog, Simply Me. Scrolling through her site is like stepping into a bustling artist’s studio, with projects going on all about you; Donna makes liberal use of videos, photos, and posts to explain her pieces, her creative process, and her days. Many of her designs are available for sale at her shop, as are her two new books, Designing Layouts (a must for those wanting to showcase their photos in exciting ways), and Fabric Scrapbooking (a great “how to” guide to wearable art, home décor, and albums). Donna’s light, whimsical touch extends from her site to her pieces, and the Photo Galleries and related blog links ensure you many hours of enjoyment (for more hands on experience, check out Donna’s workshops). Fun touch: a “Translate My Blog” widget that looks at Donna’s world in Japanese, French, and other languages.

Sassy and Sweet

Anna Wight is the author of Sassy and Sweet, a site she uses to showcase her love of - and talent for - stamping and paper crafts. As Anna notes, (they) "have allowed me to explore new ideas and creativity I’ve never realized before”, a stance most beautifully expressed in posts and designs such as Bird Lovers, Story Time, and Vase of Roses. Her designs are light and whimsical and make wonderful cards and keepsakes; there’s an impressive list of other craft blogs for you to enjoy too. Anna’s also a photographer and you can see all her work on display, and buy much of it.

Jack and Hil

What do you get when you throw "a true beauty obsessive in Europe together with a veteran beauty journalist in LA”? You get Jack and Hill, the brainstorm of Hillary Johnson (the beauty journalist) and Jackie Danicki (the makeup fan). Together they write, review, recommend, and revisit all things “beauticious”: makeup, hair products, perfume, spas, treatments...all the things that make us feel good and look better. Drinking eight glasses of water a day? Maybe you should rethink that. How long should you wash your face? Try this simple trick. Or be the first to get a whiff of Tom Ford’s new fragrance. And more – lots more, in categories ranging from Acne to Yves St. Laurent. Products, labels, names, treatments…all are discussed in lively bantering posts, with photos and videos adding a colorful touch…and as the authors say, “if we’ve left anything out, you can pry our mirrors from our cold, dead, perfectly manicured hands”.

Melissa Makes Bread

Caution: the following blog may be hazardous to your waistline! A “multimedia blog devoted to home bread making, pastry, and all things dessert”, Melissa Makes Bread, is the creative outlet of a chemical engineer. This unusual mix of talents began in the author’s school days, where she studied organic chemistry and “the heat transfer in a mug of hot cocoa…and the molecular units that form gluten in dough”. This unlike journey continued in France where her love of patisseries and boulangeries became ingrained; now she’s making breads and pastries in the United States, and you can taste the results in her recipes for bread pudding, plum tarts, and “no knead” bread. Lots of things to make and bake here; recipes are included for most of them and video demonstrations show how to prepare still others. The site has a lot of resources for the home baker too, including cookbooks, links to purveyors of fine ingredients, sites containing top of the line supplies, and more. Dig in!

Allison Rodgers Photography

One picture is worth a thousand words…and if you’re Allison Rodgers, professional photographer and author (along with her husband Jeff), of the similarly named blog, some of your words would be laughter, beauty, love, landscapes, and children. Allison and her crew of amazing assistants capture images and events with expert eyes, and you can see the company’s results throughout the site, from life’s romantic moments, to portraits, to weekend fun. As befits a professional, Allison also posts valuable shooting tips for photographers looking for insider help and her comments on the background of her shots provide a little “why and how” on subjects such as composition and models. The blog also uses assorted widgets to enhance your experience: you can see what Allison and her husband are up to with their Twitter feeds and a geo map shows you where posters are hailing from. 

Next Hottest Model

Ready for some eye candy? Next Hottest Model has it in spades – and what’s more, you get to see the action from both sides of the camera. An online portfolio of the models, photographers, designers, and professionals in the industry, the site is rich in photographs, as you’d expect. It covers areas such as design and fashion, so you get a real sense of what’s happening, who’s wearing what (and where), who’s it, and what some of the hottest styles and trends are. And if you’re considering shooting for success – as a photographer or model – you might want to check out some of the campaigns, the styles, and the contacts embedded in the site.

SISU

Politics and…cats? You bet, and mixed quite expertly in the pages of SISU, a blog from the heart of Sissy Willis. Combining thoughts on the world situation and the growing phenomenon of cat blogging, Sissy melds photos and text to create posts such as The Modern Major Pussycat, When Faith is devoid of Reason, and The Unkindest Cut. Given the state of the country and the world today, her opinions are candid, thoughtful and are bound to provoke debate; her humorous takes on dealing with the felines in her life are a burst of humor. Very, very rich in recommended blogs (from cat lovers, politicos, and more), plus reference links, videos and photos of her four legged friends, SISU is a blog that sneaks up on you with little cat feet, settles in, and doesn’t let go.

Equity Green

Green is the future – of business, of people, of our planet – and in Equity Green it’s the future of real estate as well. How green innovation influences community, investments, growth, and operating budgets are areas which are only now being explored in detail, and the author – a real estate tax advisor living in Salt Lake City – documents them with candor and insight, as you’ll read in posts on green construction, infrastructure, and trends. You’ll even discover the "new" green and how it all impacts areas such as construction, materials selection, design, economics, and more. Interesting reading recommendations from blogrolls to books add to the knowledge base, with subjects such as sustainable architecture helping readers find “equity in green real estate”.

Karen's Muse and Musings

What’s a muse? One of the mythical goddesses of inspiration, creativity, and artistic expression – and one seems to have settled in on the shoulder of mixed media artist Karen, author of Karen's Muse and Musings. Karen believes that “music and song…play important roles in my art, since lyrics and musical terms frequently inspire or influence my art”. Indeed they do, as you’ll see in Karen’s posts, many of which feature her creations, such as Bobby, Boy With Goose, and Clara. Many of Karen’s pieces have a dreamlike, slightly Victorian feel to them and will add a fanciful, romantic touch to your rooms; a slideshow and collage sheets round out her blog, and her shop offers you the opportunity to buy many of her pieces.

Feral Thoughts

Tony Peacock is the CEO of the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre in Canberra Australia. He’s also a professor at the University of Canberra and the author of Feral Thoughts, his site that details the impact of invasive species, whether it’s far from home happening all year long, or right outside his door. Photo albums document the people, the pests (two-, four, and no-legged), and the impact; and one particular link offers possible solutions to the problem. Whether you’re batting insects in your garden, rodents in your field, or are just concerned about the global impact, Feral Thoughts offers welcome opinion and insight.

Living Fair

Jenna Raby is the Founder and CEO of Laborfair.com and author of Living Fair, a site that “benefits everyone through direct connection and transparent access to an open market”. Who to hire and how much to pay for a job well done are questions facing employers – and would be employees – every day, and Living Fair helps ensure that both consumers and providers are fairly charged and compensated for work performed through wage tables from several California cities. The idea of living fair also extends to the individual, and posts documenting how to economize during rough times abound, as those detailing the best time, money-wise, to buy gas, providing money saving tips for pet owners and how to “green” your way to more green in your pocket will show. Homeowners, business owners - indeed, everyone wanting to live fair at work, in the home, and out in the world will benefit from the ideas in this blog.

HX Philadelphia

We love to spotlight local blogs – that is, sites that cover a specific area. Readers get a taste of the region and have an inside track on where to go, eat, stay, and play. Case in point: HX Philadelphia, “the definitive guide to what’s going on in Philadelphia”. You won’t find the Liberty Bell here: a definite gay sensibility flavors this blog, as you’ll see in posts about what’s happening, but straight hipsters will also appreciate the wit and tips of the posts on eats, music, and events. This “totally biased, politically incorrect” blog makes liberal use of videos interspersed with witty comments, so you’ll get a lively mix of pictures and posts; the site is updated frequently as befits a “what’s happening now” guide, so check in frequently – especially if you’re planning a trip to the city of brotherly love.

Sugar Sugar

Analise loves pink. Also: Shabby Chic, Vintage Goodies, and antique/thrift shops – a passion that’s woven throughout her blog, Sugar Sugar. Wife and mother of three living in central California, Analise loves finding, crafting, and showing the designs she makes from odds and ends she’s procured in her travels, whether it’s buttons, delicate designs, or ribbons. Her designs are romantic, soft and inspired by spring and everything sweet; many of her designs are available for sale as well. And when you’re done browsing, check out the listings of “blogs to love” for more shopping temptation.

Well, It's Not Going To Kill You

There are few things a woman can experience that are as frightening, traumatic, and transformative than breast cancer, as Cathy Carey documents in her blog, Well, It’s Not Going To Kill You. Married, 53, and living in the Sonoma wine country north of San Francisco, Cathy’s posts trace her "unexpected journey through breast cancer with a little bit of real life thrown in", including her life BC (before breast cancer) and AC (after breast cancer). Cathy’s moods, emotions, and outlook quite naturally run the gamut, from the bad to the good to everything in between. (Readers: Cathy has placed a New York Times book widget on her blog to provide capsule reviews of current sellers.) As someone who has experienced what this disease can do first hand, Cathy provides an intensely personal viewpoint; associated breast cancer-focused sites give additional information to those who may be grappling with the same issues.

The Vote

As voters in North Carolina and Pennsylvania prepare to cast their votes in the presidential primaries, we take another look at one of the many political blogs that are covering the race, the candidates, and the issues.

Tom Abrahams is the weekend anchor for abc13 in Houston, Texas – and he’s also a political junkie, an avocation that combines with his professional life to provide the observations on his blog, The Vote. Following the candidates “who will try to take The Vote in 2008”, Tom mixes news, analysis, and insights (with links from other news sources) to provide A Look Ahead to North Carolina, Notes on Pennsylvania, and an intriguing proposal for a potential presidential fundraiser. The candidates and their stands on the issues are covered here too, of course, as are Tom’s thoughts on what it’s like to write about politics. At once factual and personal, The Vote will appeal to members of both parties looking for more insight into the political process.

Executive Conversations In Real Estate

Steven Groves is an Arizona-based entrepreneur with “expertise in technology, marketing, and social media”, skill sets that make his blog, Executive Conversations In Real Estate a natural “intersection of social media, Web 2.0, and Real Estate”. The site’s feature topics might be called “the other side of real estate” – that is, the viewpoint of executives and leaders, such as Michael Gerber and Saul Klein. Other posts detail how the successful agent will deal with rough times and how entrepreneurs are already using technology to seek out and find new business. You’ll also have the opportunity to join in webcasts, conference calls, and other messaging; both site and author point to a future in the field that is very different from just a few years ago.

Wonderland

Years ago, Alice started playing PacMan and Space Invaders in the UK as a child, and she’s still at it - although today you’ll likely find her playing World of Warcraft and Sims. Her lifelong passion for electronic games is covered in Wonderland along with news, articles, video clips and more from the world of gaming. Alice reviews the newest games such as Sims 3 with its fully explorable 3D world; shows us a peek at Disney’s latest virtual world for kids; and lets us in on the latest from Retro Sabotage. There’s room for humor, too, as you’ll read in Waffle Tetris and Knitted Hellboy. “Sites We Like” and “People We Know” offer additional reading for all those occupying a spot in the gamer’s universe.

Soule Mama

Coming to you from Portland, Maine, Soule Mama features the daily observations of Amanda Soule, mother of three and partner of Steve. Amanda's also a craftsperson, and her blog features many of her handmade country-inspired textile designs such as handbags and quilts. Taking her inspirations one step further, Amanda believes that families that create and play together “nurture and connect the soul of a family” and become all the stronger for it, a position that is evident in her posts on life, her work, and the blending of both. Parents just emerging from a long cold winter can find a hint or two about helping kids get over their cabin fever and developing closer relationships with them. Intrigued by her ideas? Amanda’s put forth many of them in her new book, The Creative Family: How To Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections, available at Amazon right now!