TypePad Featured Blogs

Bosom Buddies

The amazing thing about blogs is the way they provide an intimate look at lives and interests around the world – and in doing so, be a force for good. One example: Bosom Buddies, run by a mother of 3 in South Africa and dedicated to providing everything new mothers need in their first days at home: food, clothing, laundry services, and more. The author ‘s a doula (or midwife) and has assisted at many births at many hospitals and knows the sometimes desperate state many expectant moms arrive in. She states, “we ensure that no baby goes home without being adequately clothed, and that the birth is recognized and celebrated.” South Africa is a country where the gap between rich and poor is evident, so a service like Bosom Buddies is welcomed and appreciate d the most by those who have the least. You can get a closer look at the goings on at her hospital here and see what life is like in South Africa. Not many of us live there, but- as mentioned above – this is a blog that brings us closer together. (And if you'd like to support their work, there’s a convenient donation button right on the front page.

French Word A Day

Bonne Annee (Happy New Year) TypePad readers! And for those of you who've made a resolution to do something new, (like learn a new language), we offer French Word a Day a delightful site that integrates learning with storytelling. The author, (an American living in Provence, France with her husband and two children) shares her life in posts that use everyday French words and phrases to enliven them. Result? Heartwarming slices of life abroad that will have you exclaiming, “cafard”, “avouer”, and “brusquer. (No we’re not going to translate them…remember your resolution?) The author includes lots of photos and recommended reading about France and its people to enrich both the site and your experience. Here’s a unique approach to learning that never seemed to make it to American classrooms – enjoy (et bonne chance)!

Daily Poetics

"There is a not a particle of life that does not carry poetry within it". - Gustave Flaubert. Sometimes, we all need to take a break and reflect on simpler things - words and images that help us reflect on the beauty all around us. Flaubert's words are the keystone of  Daily Poetics, a blog that helps you take a few moments to consider the thoughts and postings from artists, poets, and writers from around the world. There are poems, articles, and stories on a surprising variety of topics. The real beauty of the blog is finding something worthwhile in even the most everyday objects. There are links to various studios for sampling, sale, or just to see. Think of this site as your "five minute getaway" on the web - so the next time you're giving a bust day at home or work, relax - and get your dose of Daily Poetics.

3rd House Journal

Have you ever dreamed of snakes? The writer of 3rd House Journal  knows what it means and in the pages of her blog you’ll find out too. Named after the 3^rd house in astrology, that signifies “writing, conversation, personal thoughts, and day-to-day things”, these pages offer up such diverse topics as the “TVs of others”, gods in color, and reflections on the river. Lots of New England flavors and photos highlight this spot on the web, so stop by!

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.

Real Moms

Here's a heartwarming look at middle America: kids, picnics, summer vacations and all! Real Moms displays the thoughts, photos, and "mom tips" collected through daily life, such as early childhood programs to help preschoolers learn smarter and faster, wonderful thoughts on a sleeping child,  even a fun way for busy moms to stay connected.  There are useful links to parenting resources and volunteer opportunities to make children's lives happier and healthier as well. Of course, dads are welcome to log on and read too!

The Spirited Woman

Who is a Spirited Woman?  One who gets up every morning and shouts, "I am a spirited woman." Or one who shakes her tambourine and knows that she lives in the you-are-worth-it capitol of the world.

Here's an energetic blog that celebrates the unique bond between women who share the same upbeat outlook through special events, a spirited store, and above all, a very special approach to life. You can get up close and personal through a phone conversation series with famous women authors, connect with others in workshops, and lots more. It's a celebration of all that makes a spirited woman "#1 on the Self-Inspiration Charts" - check it out today!

Hustler of Culture

Want to discover what's new, now, and next from animals to web/tech? This site has it all -and we mean all -with roving commentary, schedules, and reviews of events, shows, concerts, and more. Hustler of culture rounds up the best happenings in several cities (both in the US and abroad), such as an art show exploring "raw materials and loomed refinements" in Oakland CA, a photography exhibit that captures the "spirit of Brooklyn",  and free outdoor concerts in LA. Or check out sports, see what's on television, or get the latest fashion news - if it's happening out there, it's probably listed here!

The Bathtub

The Bathtub is roomy enough for 13 contributors posting on a new shared theme each week. Take an eclectic soak in a diversity of thoughts and opinions, expressed in columns like Kelly Q & A (Wednesdays) and One Nation Under Jerome (Tuesdays). One recent topic: World Religions, out of which flowed the thoughtful essay Totally FabJewlous, an in-depth account of Catholic-raised Shiny Happy Caitlar's heavy flirtation with Judaism. This collection of clips featuring the intellectual loudmouth Christopher Hitchens debating religion on cable news might provoke flames undousable even in the Tub. Other themes to splash around in: marriage, spring, Disney, and Mom's choice. You can send suggestions for topics to thebathtub@gmail.com. 

City of Sound

City of Sound is the personal site of U.K. writer and designer Dan Hill. He's been publishing the site since 2002 and we're proud to say, he's been on TypePad for a good chunk of the last 5 years. You may know Hill from his work for the BBC or, more recently, the eye-openingly gorgeous Monocle magazine, where he is the Director of Web and Broadcast. On his own site, you'll find a smart mix of architecture-, design-, and culture-related commentary, with enough eclectic tangents to keep the most web-weary reader off-balance and intrigued. Take, for instance, Hill's essay on "Design, Archictecture, and Football," where he deftly passes his subject from the World Cup to adaptive design, with a good touch from Alan Partridge. All we can say after a move like that is "Aha!"

Kimchi Mamas

Kimchi is a traditional vegetable dish served with most Korean meals. There are probably hundreds of variations but the overall essence of the dish is that is strong, spicy, and tangy in flavor. Likewise, so are Korean mothers. Kimchi Mamas is a group blog of ten women discussing the lives and parental roles of Koreans, and those that are married to them. The mamas definitely show their saucy side and deliver honest cultural topics and images from home as well as in the media. Whether they are under the wrath of a perfectionist mother-in-law, or trying to get the kimchi smell out of their refrigerator, humor and love abounds. We like that they are embracing their culture and sharing it with others, and can only hope that other Korean Americans longing for a sense of community can find a home here.

Glass Shallot

Adam Baer is a writer by trade and, in print, Travel + Leisure is where you'll typically find him. Online, Glass Shallot is home to his selected work, culled from the pages of the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Wired, Slate, The New Yorker, and dozens of other reputable outlets. Browse Baer's left sidebar for the best of his printed work, covering an epic range of topics from Alain de Botton to Rodney Dangerfield to Space Invaders on cell-phones. Browse the right-hand sidebar for the best of the blog, which includes dispatches from current subjects Baer is researching, personal stories, and eclectic pieces on music, television, and many other topics. We love that Baer's "cultural shards" take him on a meandering path around the world (figuratively speaking) and his blog easily expands to ensconce them all. Sharp edges and odd angles aren't so scary when you wrap them in a reader-friendly blog.

Independent America

Sometimes we don't realize how essential mom-and-pop businesses are until they're gone. That's what happened to Emmy-winning journalist Hanson Hosein and his wife Heather Hughes. After moving to the land of "Big Box" stores, they took a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway and noticed that indie-owned shops were dying out. What they found inspired them to take their message nationally. Independent America, the blog, chronicles the success of Independent America, the documentary film, based on a two month trip across 32 states. Americans in the film pass the message themselves -- the corporate chains are stripping the soul (and democracy) out of communities. Slowly but surely the citizens are seeing the difference between the discounted price on the product and the higher price they are actually paying through the loss of their community. We love that the blog goes beyond media announcements and the production of the movie and continues to spread the good word about where us readers and viewers can find the best of Indie America. Here are their votes for best sleeps, eats, and towns that they encountered on their trip. Hosein and Hughes also link up to American businesses that are "engaged and involved" in supporting the smaller retailers. How often do you shop at a Big Box store? Buy the DVD or watch the trailer and see if your attitude begins to shift.

Don't Believe the Hype

The blogger behind Don't Believe the Hype, Audrey Brashich, is an author and speaker who focuses on healthy body images for girls and keeps an eye on pop culture and the teen-aimed media and how it addresses the concept of "beauty ideals." She's uniquely qualified for the task, not only because, like many bloggers and authors, she's curious, open-minded, and articulate, but also because she's worked as a writer and editor for that very media for most of her career. Now she spends her time on the board of Mind on the Media and consults, as well as supporting her book, All Made Up: A Girl’s Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype and Celebrating Real Beauty. It's great to see a smart voice suggesting some reality checks for an industry that is so scarily effective in shaping the attitudes of its consumers that 43% of middle-school girls would rather be a celebrity's assistant than a CEO, Senator, or university president. If Audrey's voice can carry a little farther, hopefully we'll start seeing more Sassy in the teen media and a little less skinny.

Root Magazine

Do you know the difference between Samba and Salsa? Professional photographer and dance enthusiast Marcy Mendelson is building a global community for lovers of dance, culture, and music. Root Magazine educates its readers on dance while pointing to all kinds of world beats from Bhangra to Tango. There are posts about news, events, and even book reviews. Travelers will enjoy the guides to Flamenco in Andalucía and Sevilla, while music collectors can double check their lists against Marcy's "must-haves" in African Music. We love that readers are encouraged to participate in photo and essay contests. The Root Community Board lists classes and workshops and the left nav bar is reserved for photos -- but the best way to tap into the rhythms of dance on Root is by watching the video clips.

Telstar Logistics

Todd Lappin is a Senior Editor at Business 2.0 and he's written for Wired, The New York Times, Make, and many other fine publications. He's also the Group Leader for the Telstar Logistics Strategic Development Taskforce. What exactly is Telstar Logistics, you ask? Well, it's either an "ongoing experiment in corporate phenomenology" or a clever way to avoid parking tickets. Or maybe it's both. In any case, what began in a van in Providence, Rhode Island, is now a burgeoning media empire, with a great blog and flickr stream documenting Lappin's curiousities, which include, but are not limited to antique automobiles, classic avionics, naval hardware, and modern ruins. Don't have the opportunity to interview San Francisco legend Frank Chu? Don't have time to visit Boeing Field and photograph the first 747 to ever roll off an assembly line? Don't let any of that stop you. Live vicariously through the on-demand fact-finding services of Telstar Logistics. (And have yourself a Merry Christmas!)

Back in Skinny Jeans

At Back in Skinny Jeans, Stephanie blogs about society's standards of beauty and what it takes to live up to them or, better yet, stand up to them. Frequently updated with news, imagery, and ideas from the media-saturated world we live in, Back in Skinny Jeans combines a rich subject, a distinct point-of-view, and a great sense of humor. Stephanie is serious about challenging the mindless pursuit of perfection, but she doesn't make reading about it a solemn affair. There is plenty of entertainment mixed in with the education, and the tone of the blog is consistently upbeat. There are plenty of great minds, memes, and movements out there combating the idea of unattainable physical standards -- and Stephanie takes a lot of pleasure in bringing them to light on her beautiful blog.

3 Quarks Daily

3 Quarks Daily is primarily a filter blog -- one that captures interesting flotsam and jetsam from around the web and republishes excerpts, commentary, and links to the original. But on Mondays, 3 Quarks Daily is something very different. The group behind the filter -- an erudite cadre of scientists, artists, and philosophers -- each take their turn penning regular columns on any subject they choose or, in some cases, regular subjects such as politics, poetry, and art. The site's title is a reference to the sub-atomic particles that emerged from a turn of phrase by literary legend James Joyce, and the blog itself hopes to span the breadth of culture -- from science to literature, from politics to philosophy. Judging by the success of this blog at drawing readers and contributors of keen intellect, they're found a winning formula.

Confessions from the Velvet Ropes

This past summer,  scenesters everywhere were dying to get inside of the latest tell-all book about New York clubs and celebs. Confessions from the Velvet Ropes and the companion blog are the work of Glenn Belverio, a NYC writer, and Thomas Onorato, king gatekeeper to New York's hippest party scene. Madonna, Nicky Hilton, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Adrien Brody are all part of the book and featured in the blog as well. Fans will appreciate that the blog keeps the club scene flowing well past the book covers, and beyond virtual velvet ropes into current beautiful-people fantasies. See a picture of Onorato amidst a line outside the MisShapes party at Don Hill's, link up to Onorato's predictions for the best New York nightclubs this fall, see videos from inside MisShapes, and get tips for how you can get beyond the velvet ropes.

WFMU's Beware of the Blog

WFMU's Beware of the Blog is a hub for all the action at the freeform station Rolling Stone called "the best radio station" for four years in a row. More importantly, Matt Groening -- creator of The Simpsons -- likes WFMU. Playing a dizzying variety of programs that range from Antique Phonograph Music to "Fist-pumping, air-drumming freeform mayhem," WFMU is based near New York City. Of course, you don't have to be local to partake -- FMU is fully Internet ready with streams and downloadable podcasts. It's okay if you don't know what twee indie pop, hot-rod music, or schlock-a-billy is, if you want your rock caffeinated, need a hit of the latest hip hop or world beat music, or want to get hooked on a DJ that gives a damn -- WFMU is your new best friend. They even have one show that sums up the best of WFMU for those that want a taste before ordering a full cup. Use the blog to get the DJs favorite MP3 downloads, find out what's hot this week, hear about film, fiction, and much more. Obscure music that touches you like no one else has doesn't come cheap. WFMU is totally supported by their listeners, just like the blog. So show up to their annual record fair and contribute to the cause.

psfk

Founded by Piers Fawkes and Simon King, psfk is a "lens" focused on the cultural ebbs and flows that shape modern life. From advertising to youth culture, psfk tackles about 50 different categories of cool. In fact, the phrase "a wealth of content" is woefully inadequate here. How do they do it? Well, the torrential outpouring of posts is made possible by a staff of trendspotting contributors that report from around the world. And while the psfk army spreads out across the globe, they're also staking their claim on networks like Second Life, YouTube, and MySpace. If you like exploring the leading edge of culture, whether for your own edification or to make your business more successful, you couldn't ask for a better scout than psfk.

TED Blog

At the risk of repeating ourselves, we'd like to point out that the TED Blog continues to post great video content from their TEDTalks series. When we first featured TED back in June, they had only released a couple of clips. Now, there is a real wealth of material, including recent additions from Nicholas Negroponte, former director of MIT's Media Lab; Larry Brilliant, winner of the TEDPrize and executive director of the Google Foundation; Julia Sweeney, actor and playwright; Amy Smith, MacArthur grant-winning inventor of amazing low-cost products; and Jennifer Lin, 14-year-old concert pianist. Every week, the TED blog features a pair of new speakers. With the amount of whimsical video frippery that circulates online (which we love!), it's great to see that enlightening filmed content is also finding its place on the Web, giving everyone a chance to enjoy new ideas.

EinBlog

According to their website, the five members of the Einbahn Studio are "independent artists and designers sharing ideas, resources, and opportunities." The EinBlog is the group's collaborative space for ruminating on everything from careers to tech accessories. They've got their eyes on contemporary art, and this space is like looking over their shoulders as they create a group canvas. Explore their passion for fine art, modern film, and even graffiti.Those with a dry sense of humor will enjoy their take on design in culture.

Digital Roam

Dan Roam is a communication wizard. After a meandering career as a magazine art director, an international marketing communications manager, and a design director at a web boutique – he connected the dots and found out that in all cases he was using pictures to help people improve their business. With all his travel, images became more and more valuable. "When I couldn't speak the local language, pictures were worth a thousand words. When I could speak local language, they could be worth a million." Now, Dan's passion is visual thinking, and his purpose is to help others work with images so that they can tell their story, solve problems, and discover their best ideas. If you like to solve problems with pictures, Digital Roam will point you toward tools to help you think and communicate visually. And if you want to see the whole picture, jump from the blog to an website dedicated to Dan's business consulting. Happily, Roam's professional picture just got a little bit brighter as he landed a deal for his book, The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems with Pictures.

Ephemera

Ephemera is defined as "printed matter of passing interest," although to Marty Weil, purveyor of the Ephemera blog, the appeal of printed matter is anything but fleeting. As a dealer, consultant, and freelance writer, Weil is on a mission to raise the profile of ephemera as both collectibles and research tools. Always on the hunt for intriguing bits of cultural flotsam and jetsam -- from vintage snapshots to obscure magazines to antique documents -- Weil's TypePad blog features categories such as publications, advertising, sports & entertainment, and a whole bunch more. If you're a paper pack rat, you'll definitely want to check out Ephemera. And if you're a dedicated collector of printed artifacts, make sure you browse through Weil's ephemera auctions, which are conveniently linked on the blog's sidebar.

Organicopia

Organicopia is a filter blog -- one that basically collects interesting items from other sources. Despite a dearth of original writing, Organicopia certainly has its own point of view: "Celebrating the Natural Body and the Culture That Surrounds It." You'll find tidbits on organic farming and living from outlets across the Web -- from the CUESA (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) to the Center for Ecoliteracy. The amply populated sidebars of Organicopia also make great use of TypePad's "feed" feature, which allows blogs to include content from related sites. In this case, Organicopia sports headlines from Grist, the Organic Consumers Association, and Beyond Organic. So if you're naturally inclined, check out the rich harvest of organic material at Organicopia.

Something Glorious

Something Glorious, the brainchild of Ari Bendersky, offers an eclectic mix of recommendations about music, design, men's accessories, and assorted cultural ephemera. Subtitled "Things that I love that you should love too," Glorious is a beautiful example of the new breed of personal journalism that transcends simple consumer shout-outs. Bendersky writes most extensively about contemporary music, and includes a number of interviews with artists like Bloc Party and Dave Matthews. However, he's clearly dedicated to covering a wide spectrum -- from gadgets to grooming to gourmet foods (Humboldt Fog, mmmmmm). Presented with such a broad range of goodness, we'd be amazed if  readers of Something Glorious didn't find something intriguing on each and every visit.

TED Blog

We've always been fans of TED -- the long-running, annual Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference. It doesn't hurt that they're good bloggers, who are constantly sharing insights on an eclectic mix of topics from advertising to wunderkind.  (Check our their impressive tag cloud.) Starting today, they have some even more amazing material to share -- video and audio posts from the participants of the annual TED meetups. These are presenters like Al Gore, Hans Rosling, Sir Ken Robinson, Tony Robbins, David Pogue, and Majora Carter. The organizers of the event have always wanted the ideas discussed there to flourish and spread beyond the conference hall. Now, they've got the ultimate outlet -- their TypePad blog and the integrated VideoEgg service. That means you can get the content how ever you like -- via your browser, your feedreader, or iTunes. You can also visit the standalone TedTalks site, which compiles all the videos in one convenient location. You can even cut and paste a snippet of code to serve the videos from your own blog. According to June Cohen, the Director of TED Media, the the idea is simple, "to share these profound ideas with the widest possible audience." Look for more and more speeches from this amazing lineup of thinkers in the weeks and months to come.

BAGnewsNotes

BAGnewsNotes is Michael Shaw's "progressive blog dedicated to the discussion and analysis of news images." Shaw originally began BAGnews as an online comic that skewered the political perversity that he saw unfolding around him. Later, the writer moved on to dissecting the visual language of mainstream media. You'll find images from the covers of magazines like TIME and The Economist, along with "telestrator" style analysis of what Shaw sees going on in each. Images that emanate from the White House also provide fodder for the author's semiotic scrutiny. Shaw, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and a private psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles, also writes a column for the popular progressive site The Huffington Post.

Republica Update

Most of the time, we meet our customers in the same place as everyone -- on the web. In the case of Republica Update, we had the pleasure of meeting face to face at Six Apart's recent Business Seminar in New York City. (There's another one coming up in L.A. on June 22nd.) And while it's always great to hear about our products making an impact, it's doubly exciting to see it in action. That was certainly the case when we loaded up this multi-faceted multicultural blog curated by Led Black, Daisy Cabrera, and Angie Cruz. The site's mission is to support the goals of Republica Trading Company, a clothing line based in New York that "was founded in order to help fill a void in the market place for better quality goods targeted to a multi-ethnic consumer." The blog covers style, art, business, entertainment, and just about anything under the sun, with a Latino and NYC-centric view of points. It's a vibrant view that expands beyond definitions and boundaries and is just plain great to read if you are interested in cutting-edge art and style. 

This is Broken

If you're the kind of person who can't stand shoddy design decisions, This is Broken will undoubtedly stoke your ire. It's a user-driven blog where people vent their frustrations for all things broken. The site's goal is to "make businesses more aware of their customer experience, and how to fix it."  The site's chosen medium -- photos -- makes reading the blog both entertaining and educational. The submitted snapshots range from quizzical to comical and include doozies like a house balcony with no way to get to it. You'll also marvel at websites that don't work, products destined to perplex, and labels that, um, don't tell the truth. The mastermind behind this project is Mark Hurst, founder of Creative Good, a consulting group dedicated to helping improve the customer experience for any business smart enough to ask.

Random Culture

There's something about advertising that brings out the blogger in people, whether you're a marketing professional or just a fan of creativity and emerging trends in the great capitalist artform. Random Culture posts updates from the front lines of product marketing, from Red Bull to Take the Lead to 1-800-Got-Junk to Amazon's latest foray into podcasting. The blog doesn't aim to be an all-inclusive news source, but rather add useful details and thought-provoking insights along with their links. If you like knowing how companies are experimenting in the advertising space, Random Culture is worth bookmarking.

AdFreak

Here's a place where media junkies can get their fix. Ad Freak is a blog by the folks at Adweek, a publication aimed at advertising execs. While Adweek delivers the more newsy bits like client/agency relationships and successful global advertising strategies -- Ad Freak is the fun-loving best friend that dishes campaigns getting in front of consumers right now. From print spreads to TV commercials to billboards, if it's in the ad world, the freaks are gossiping about it. And even if you decide to fast-forward through the posts ("badoop badoop badoop"), the links in their comprehensive blogroll are well worth taking a look at.

Modestly Yours

Twenty women speak out and offer their view on the crudity and nudity that seems to be growing in today's media. The bloggers at Modestly Yours hail from a wide range of backgrounds and interests: They include a 16-year old student who crosses the country speaking on non-violence and abstinence, a professional singer who is an ambassador for race relations, a mother who homeschools her three children, the Programs Director at the Poetry Society of America, and an Orthodox Jew who was born in Australia, to name a few. The blog forum is sponsored by the Modesty Zone, which celebrates women who walk their own path of good values. Some of the issues discussed are sexuality and dating for today's teens, role models in modern media, religious holidays, challenging situations for parents, and good book reads.