It’s the Friday before V Day, and SheFinds found it’s time to…

» Get your caviar on. “The Little Pearl has a unique Valentine’s Gift, a caviar kit for two. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids caviar is a healthy option for a romantic treat. The kit comes with top quality caviar, two kinds of blini, crème fraiche, mother of pearl spoons and serving tips, including wine pairings.”

» Forget the roses. “Red roses are classic, and well, classic can be boring. Girls want to stand out, and there’s definitely glory to be had in receiving the best flowers in your office on Valentine’s Day… Try something that will last longer than boring old bouquet, like these Boxed in Blooms™ by Jane Carroll.”

» Your boy doesn’t want the roses, either. “We found a slick, very cool and very versatile laptop bag, [WaterField Designs Cargo Laptop Bag], with plenty of room for files and all that extra stuff your guy must have with him at all times. You can customize the fabric and buckle to better match his personality, making it that much more special for Valentine’s Day.” 

» Style a little play into your work. “So, you start contemplating what would be a good way to test the boundaries a little? Maybe you could sneak a mini skirt or tank top into your work wardrobe rotation? Ok, time for a reality check, because unless you want to get fired for that brand new bebe skirt, you may want to stick to the dress code. Freshen up your work-look, while still following the rules, with a brightly colored briefcase, like this light turquoise colored tote by McKlein USA.” 

» Ditch that sleeping bag of a jacket. “Punxsutaney Phil may have proclaimed that winter will soon be at an end, but those of us living north of Florida know better. Still bundled up against the elements, and resembling the Michelin Man? It’s time to take charge,” a la prAna Liza’s fur-trimmed cord jacket.

Fashion/beauty blog SheFinds “shops the web so you don’t have to.”

Kind of like how all our shopcasters do.

So every week you’ll find SheFinds’ top five added to ThisNext and highlighted on our blog - it’s another way to check what SheFinds finds, it’s another source of product discovery on ThisNext.

And it’s another end of a month. With the close of October, SheFinds found it’s time to…

» Save your Jimmy Chouboutins, and buy some rain boots that don’t make you look like “an overgrown five year old.”

» Think pink this last week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and stock up at Beauty.com. Wash your bod, your hair, take a bath, “multi-task with Philosophy Shower for the Cure Shampoo, Bath, Shower Gel,” and get your charity on: “All net profits are donated to EIF Women’s Cancer Research Foundation.”

» Have a fall fling that’ll carry you into winter: check this choco Biba tote Bag by Bambina di Cioccolato. “The leather is super soft and the large size makes the bag excellent for storing all of your stuff.”

» Ditch the leggings and go grownup ladylike with J.Crew crochet tights, which “are the perfect modest wardrobe update for those of us who refuse to buy into leggings as anything other than gym wear.”

» Watch the time after daylight savings with Juicy Couture’s “Charmed I’m Sure” bracelet watch, perfect for “those craving a little more princess than posh.”

Ooh la love. 

I’ll quote Chantel’s shopcast so you can understand why I dig Ms. Chantel, of the Life and Times of Chantel:

“I know, I know. I have red hair and I’m not supposed to wear too much pink.

All I’m saying is, Mama wants a pair of these!!”

She understands fashion do’s. And doesn’t.

I like ladies who gracefully disregard rules, so I had to play Q&A with Chantel.

...continued: Q&A with Chantel

Gi-Gi’s the genius behind Want Need Have, a fashion blog that reads like a wishlist of mine.

It was when I saw this Kenzie cape on her blog and this Rebecca Taylor coat on her shopcast I had to play Q&A with Gi-Gi.

...continued: Q&A with Gi-Gi of Want Need Have

Since high school I’ve daily rocked heels, I’ve been obsessed with height: leopard-print pony skin pumps with a 4” stiletto, deadstock 80’s ankle boots with 4½” stiletto, vintage 5” wooden platforms, 6” plastic stripper shoes, etc.

There’s something about a too-tall heel that makes you stand a little straighter, walk a little prouder, and talk a little taller.

So I’m ooh la loving stiletto expert Miss Meghan’s platform manifesto:

“More than Stilettos, more than the Kitten Heel, and much, much more than the sensible Ballet Flat, platforms make you a tower of strength. Tall and majestic, you can now peer above everyone’s head and spot that cab two blocks away (and grab it before the non-platformed rabble below you even see it.) You can pluck items off high shelves with ease, and now men must look up to you, much like the ancient Greek actors who wore elevated platforms to raise themselves up from mere mortal to godlike status…”

Read the rest of the article in the DAILY NEWS, p. 48.

Here at ThisNext, we appreciate a little ambition, whether it be the pursuit of the perfect meal or plans somewhat more grand. So Garrett at Vanilla Garlic is our kinda guy. We got up close and personal with Garrett, who had a few things to say about premium pans, world domination and keeping it shibby.

When you’re not systematically consuming all that the Sacramento/Davis area dining scene has to offer, what do you do?
I forgot that I do other things, hmm… Well, if I’m not at work toiling away or at home spoiling the cats Cid and Mace, I’m probably cooking, swimming, reading a new book, researching the next place to dine with my partner Rob, or trying to figure out a way to take over a small South American country.

Vanilla and garlic are not two flavors that leap to mind as a great pairing. What is the significance of your blog’s name?
Well, basically I have to keep a variety of both ingredients on hand or I’ll shrivel up and die, much like Madonna with attention. They’re two such diametric flavors, yet so integral in cooking, I can’t imagine living without them. That, and it sounded damn catchy. Plus I have a recipe or two where they work together perfectly!

...continued: Interview: Garrett from Vanilla Garlic

Sadly, Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin was killed today by a sting ray while filming.

Writes The Bag Lady:

“It’s ironic he was killed by one, as they’re normally such placid animals, when he has been in contact with some of the world’s most deadliest animals in the past. So, in honour of Steve, I’m posting this stingray envelope clutch made by VBH, you can pick it up for £595.01. RIP Steve - the animal world will miss you greatly.”

As will the people world.

Ooh la love.

I’ve been checking The Ivy - “University Chic” - and though I’m a longtime college grad - I think I earned my English Lit BS last spring - I adore the outfits they make and blog about.

Check this one:

“Here I have taken advantage of the camel pinstripe in the jacket by matching it with the trousers and the skirt. This is a great way to break up a suit. If there is a pattern, like pinstripes or glen plaid, then pull colors from that to make putting together new outfits much easier. The skirt is very trendy, but when paired with the button-down and blazer, it looks very put together. The button down also has a plethora of colors to play with. I took the dusty blue from the shirt and brought it into the footwear. This keeps the look young, fresh, and interesting, rather than sticking with basic black. The second outfit could work without the blazer if you were interviewing at a more casual workplace, but the blazer adds another layer of interest, and makes the outfit look more suit-y. The red heels pop, but still complement the rose top nicely. Sparkly earrings finish the look.”

And shopcasting would add a little sparkly to your blog.

At ThisNext, we think all bloggers are rock stars, but relatively few are rally car drivers. Fewer yet are rally car drivers with a mission to rid the world of crap food. Of course, we also accept only the best, so we sense a kindred spirit in Matt Johnston of The Food Ass. By “ass” we’re sure he means his mule-like stubbornness, so we guess you can call us shopping asses. We sat down with Matt for a little ass-to-ass chat.

When you’re not not eating crap, what do you do?
I drive rally cars. No really. That’s how this started. I was so poor for a couple of years paying to race cars all over the country, that all I could afford to eat was ramen noodles, and those 97-cent frozen pizzas. I gained 50 lbs. I’m thinking to myself, “Man, I gotta change this,” and food is the key to having a good life. Then you start looking and learning, and you see that you can make fresh garlic mashed potatoes for 50 cents, and you can make seared tuna and steamed veggies for a couple of dollars. All this really good food so easy, and cheap, why eat crap? You just have to invest a little time, and have some desire to try new things every once and a while.

...continued: Interview: Matt Johnston from The Food Ass

Move over, Iron Chef: Makiko (Maki) Itoh reigns supreme in the food blog world. A native of Tokyo, erstwhile resident of New York and England, she ultimately became an expat in Switzerland, crossroads of Europe. Her blog, i was just really very hungry, is one of the most revered food blogs in the world (and #1 in Switzerland!). Maki graciously took some time out of her busy schedule to tell us a little about gender politics, finding a taste of Japanese amidst the Alps and finding the best shopping in the world.

When you’re not musing on the more delicious things in life, what  do you do?
In my working life I work at a web and forms/application design and development company. In my spare time I like to make things, travel whenever and wherever I can, and browse flea markets and vintage/antique shops.

You’re truly a citizen of the world, born in Tokyo and now in Switzerland via New York and England. How does that global view influence your tastes when it comes to food and products?
It makes me very nostalgic for things from where I used to live  (Japanese stationery! New York bagels!), but also makes me appreciate  the good and unique aspects of where I am. For instance, Switzerland  has some terrific modern design and architecture, and of course the natural beauty is out of this world.

...continued: Interview: Maki Itoh from i was just really very hungry

Shopcasting isn’t just about buying things, y’know. It’s about the things that are important to you – the products, the tools, the places, the people. Ann Douglas, the Mother of All Bloggers, understands that: one of her lists (she’s got ten of ‘em!) here is The Best Things in Life Are Free, and it talks about exactly that: everything from Blogher to The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation – items on the net and in the real world that, as Ann says, “won’t cost you one sweet dime”…but really will make your life more worthwhile.

We’re all about making fashion accessible, and apparently so is punk couture queen Vivienne Westwood, who just partnered up with NineWest.

Blogs Miss Lovely:

“Here it comes! Vivienne Westwood for ninewest. High-end designers are very active lately working with big chain retailers. H&M has it every year! Payless will have theirs by September 6th working with Laura Poretzky and now here we go, ViVienne Westwood. The boots are cute!”

Ooh la love, they sure are… When do I get to see them on your shopcast?

Famed Los Angeles vintage boutique Decades Inc. has just launched a blog, largely covering their collection -

Think Hermes Birkin bags, vintage Versace, Nelly Furtado’s Decades dress she wore to the Teen Choice Awards, and -

Reworked vintage mink.

Ooh la love.