In the fashion world, there is certainly no more an exciting time than fall. We’re talking Fashion Week, new lines, back to school shopping and all that good stuff. In honor of this glorious time of the year, we’ve created a Fashion Guide to direct you towards all of this season’s biggest trends. They’re sassy, edgy, grungy and lots of other things you may or may no expect. So, on your journey to shopping and discovering, let us be your guide. Along the way, have your voice impact this season’s trends by creating your own list or commenting on other’s.

One of the perks of being a ThisNext Maven is getting a coveted media pass to cool product related events. Our Handmade Expert Maven, girlfromnorthcountry went to the New York International Gift Fair on August 15th through the 20th and was kind enough to cover the event.  She even created a little blog/diary of her journey through the gift fair. We will be posting all of her discoveries here on the ThisNext blog! And here is her first entry ….

I had the pleasure of attending the NYIGF to introduce new products to the ThisNext.com community. To give you a sense of the enormity of this endeavor here are some stats on the “fair”.

- Approximately 30,000 retail buyers attend the show from all over the world. The wholesale exhibitors and designers are also globally represented.

- All of the exhibitors are screened and placed in eight unique design categories,with the emphasis on showing trend setting products in one of the most fashion forward cities in the world.

The categories I focused on were studio, accent on design, handmade, tabletop, and general gift.I began by going to the studio section, this was sort of an eclectic blend of handmade and high design, very beautiful. Intermixed in my wanderings were booths exhibiting accent on design, which is a designer’s dream come true. Truly innovative products that just get your juices flowing.

My number one favorite exhibitor was TOKYOMILK. A delightful booth, featuring bath, body and cosmetics, packaged exquisitely with Asian and Parisian style papers, beautiful bottles and and a space that you just wanted to linger in, you felt transformed into another world.

TOKYOMILK is a truly inspirational line of body care. There product was transformative. Margot Elena is responsible for this exquisite line of coordinating beauty,home,and apparel items designed to enhance environments with innovative formulas and signature packaging.

Margot Elena designs several different lifestyle brands, including Lollia. There is something quite intriguing about her product, it really does seduce you into a world that transports you out of your ordinary life. I think that was what kept me returning to just look and soak in everything. She has several products in the TOKYOMILK line, mini perfumed soaps,travel candles and kiss me kits.

I am featuring three of her newest items, my favorite, TOKYOMILK by Margot Elena Fine Bon Bon Bubbling Bath, in either a small or large size. They are very ‘‘Alice in Wonderland”, you want to just look at them and discover what is inside and that’s without even considering what a wonderful experience bathing will be.

School is out and its time to get a job! We know its tough out there but Jones New York and ThisNext want to help. We want to help outfit you for your big interview! The resume and job hunting part is on you … sorry! To enter the contest, create a list of items that includes at least one piece from JNY.com that you would wear to a job interview or to the workplace. One lucky ThisNext user will receive a $250 JNY.com shopping spree.

To enter:

1.) Create a list of items that includes at least one piece from JNY.com that you would wear to a job interview or to the workplace.

2.) Tag your recommendations from the list “TN JNY”

3.) Multiple entries increases your odds

ThisNext’s Community Team: Chad, JustEliana, and me … FashionKitty

ThisNext’s community team (the clowns pictured above) are pretty much the coolest people you will ever meet. We are so cool that we can make something that most people consider “geeky” or “nerdy” totally freaking cool.

Way back in the fall of 2008, we used our magical trendspotting skills and annouced to the world that geek-chic was going to be a totally hot trend. Well, we were right. Here it is 2009 and people are going bananas over geek glasses. You don’t even have to be visually impaired to sport this trend! You can purchase a pair prescription free, the nerdier the better.

So I’m slowly starting to create a wardrobe inspired by the 2009 fringe trend. I can’t help it. My fringe boots and fringe vest are some of my new wardrobe staples. It’s a combination of the twenties flapper look and a hippie esq. look, it works on anyone! SO even if you feel like you can’t pull off a fringe dress or shirt you can still involve yourself in this trend even with a simple fringe purse! The possibilities are endless!

So in March I will be going to my first country music concert, The Rascal Flatts. I’m pretty excited about it but I’m also excited about the outfit I get to wear to this event. A new plaid shirt and jean shorts will clearly need to be bought. Also a significant amount of tailgating products will also need to be purchased. SO if you are a country music fan I recommend checking out this list, and checking out the Rascal Flatts!

So I lost my wallet this weekend and it got me thinking, I wouldn’t lose things if I went out with a purse. But then I realized I don’t really like any of the purses I own. SO it’s time for a new one. I would prefer to have one with a strap on it in hopes that I might hold onto the purse for longer. But realistically I just want something fun and that can go with a lot! Here are some of my options!

So I know its only January, BUT that doesn’t mean you can’t get excited for when it starts to get hot enough to go swimming! AND if you are in Los Angeles, this time might come sooner rather than later. So its time to figure out what kind of swimsuit fits your style!I prefer single color halter top swimsuits personally but there hopefully is something for everyone in this list!

I don’t know if its quite apparent yet but I love New Years Eve! I love the excuse to buy dresses covered in sequins. But clearly a dress is not the only thing you need for your perfect New Years outfit. Shoes are a must. Forget about the pain heels cause and the dent they cause in your wallet. Those things are non existent in this case! New Years is the perfect excuse to go all out. Buy those pumps you thought you could never wear, start the New Year in style!

Hey, Etsy, Indiepublic, and 1000 markets sellers and other Indie users, we would love for you to use our site to showcase your items and we’re always looking for the next “it” product, which may just be that hot laptop cover or the rad steam punk ring YOU made. We know you are creative, talented and the next trendsetters, and we’d love to help you connect with consumers that are out there looking for unique items.

To be a successful ThisNext Handmade user we ask that you follow a few guidelines:

1. Firstly, and most importantly, recommend in a ratio of 3 to 1. Meaning you recommend three items from other sources on the web to each item of your own creation. (You may, if you would like, put your own items in lists that promote them as your own to organize your page, or you can have them throughout multiple lists.) We ask this because
a) more content on our site means more search options, higher ratings for the site - more people looking at your products.
b) users appreciate pages that are flushed out and may not be as receptive to items that appear to be completely from one site. (your page will look more organic - There is synergy in recommending a new blackberry and a great handmade blackberry holder that you made in the same space.)

2. Pimp your profile. ThisNext users get to know you and your personality, through not only your recommendations but through your profile. Your content will look better if you fill out your profile and spiff up your page (organize your items into lists). Would-be customers appreciate having a background to their handmade purchases. Including personal pics is also appreciated by customers. (Also we cannot include you in any promotions - like our newsletters - if you do not have a picture in your profile)

3. Clearly tag your items. To get your products more clearly integrated into our search, tag your items precisely and clearly. Just think, the more accurate tags the more users will be directed to your content. Remember to include tags like “etsy”, “handmade”, “unique” and colors/fabrics/materials, and obvious tags like “laptop cover”, “jewelry”, “hat”.

4. Take clear and detailed pictures of your products. This is fairly self explanatory, but white backgrounds look best on our site.

5. Clearly describe your product in the recommendation. If would-be customers can’t see or understand your product they will certainly not be actual customers. Remember while writing a description to be specific in what your product does - a poster and a t-shirt may look the same in a picture, or you might have a brilliant corkscrew that is disguised as something else, so be clear.

ThisNext wishes you luck and looks forward to seeing your items throughout our site!

Even though Thanksgiving is over, there are still a TON of holidays to look forward to! So there is still tons of shopping to look forward too for the upcoming holiday parties! With that said, there are plenty of new beauty products to look for so you will for sure stand out at your upcoming holiday parties. BUT how do you decide which products are better than other?! ThisNext created a list to give you the BEST recommendations for glowing skin, smoky eyes and full lips, all great new trends!

Purpli-fy your life. Ok so you know purple is the “it” color right now for fashion, but did you know you can get everything in your life purple? You can wear purple, play purple, walk purple, watch purple, do purple… and if you master food coloring techniques… eat purple too (although when I try it usually come out black- which is most unappetizing - especially black creamed corn …. don’t ask)

Be at one with the purple and check out this list for your Purplification. Don’t you love how I can write purple?

I was watching Karate Kid II the other night (the one where Daniel-san goes to Japan and meets up with the dancing chick and the bad guys with the horrible accents?). And as I saw Mr. Miyagi wager that Daniel-san could break through six sheets of ice with his bare hands, I realized that so much of our childhood was spend in hours on rainy afternoons watching films like Karate Kid, and Ghostbusters, The Goonies and the Princess Bride. I’m sure I paid much more attention to those flicks than hours spent in school.

How much of my generation has been influenced by these films? A whole generation of 80s movie wisdom. Do you know what to do when meeting a stranger? (Ask them if they’ve got six fingers on their right hand) Should you outcast people with disabilities, even if they look like monsters? (No, they’re helpful! Just look at Sloth in The Goonies) Is love forever? (It can bring you back from the death if it’s Twuu Luvv - The Princess Bride) Is meditation good? (Wax on, wax off…)

It’s never ever ever too early to start looking for that perfect New Years Eve dress. In fact you might as well start saving now because that perfect dress will definitely put a dent in your wallet. It’s worth it though. Must have for a NYE dress includes sequins or rhinestones, it’s the unofficial NYE dress rule. So get started searching with this list and even if your let down on New Years Eve at least you be the best looking in the room!

ThisNext is launching our FABULOUS Myspace application today! So now you can Wish List all that you want for the Christmakwanzichah holidays… (I’m sorry “world peace” is too much of a Beauty Contestant wish, so save that for your “Q&A” section of the pageant) Browse the TN world o’ goodies, WISH LIST what you want, share it with your family and friends and all your Myspace Entourage. While you’re looking for yourself, go ahead, take notes those hot items as ideas for what to get your Friend’s Mother’s New Husband’s Podiatrist’s Dog as well.

If all you want for Christmas is your two front teeth… then go see a dentist, but if you’re looking for some fabulous gifts this holiday season all you have to do is Wish List it!



Go ahead… install it… be the first on your block to have your very own Wish List… you know you want to!

Unbeknownst to me, bow ties have slowly been creeping up and embedding themselves back into popular culture and trendsetting style. How long has this been going on? I have no Idea. That’s probably a question for Fashion Kitty. All I know is that the coolest guys (which I am not one of those) are sporting bow ties like they’re going out of style (again). But for now, it looks like they’re here to stay for a bit.

More than anything, they’re a sign of confidence. So, you can never go wrong with the bright or the bold. But, don’t worry something more traditional will probably still get you some love.