DO YOU WANT TO WIN A SPONSORSHIP TO BLOGHER 2010?

Well, then it is time to speak up and start talking about SEED!

SEED Power (a line of all natural body care) is providing some lucky ladies with the chance to attend BlogHer 21010 in NYC with their fabulous SEEDS OF INSPIRATION contest.  Not only will the winner receive a $250 CASH sponsorship, but they will also be VIP guests at an exclusive, swanky NYC PAR-TAY the Friday night of the convention.  (And let me tell you – from what I hear it will be FAB-U-LOUS!)

HERE IS HOW ENTER THE SEEDS OF INSPIRATION BLOGHER 2010 SPONSORSHIP CONTEST:

Visit the Seed Website and read about the products and the founder’s story.

Write a blog post about how the products, philosophy or owner’s story INSPIRE YOU to nurture your own entrepreneurial spirit, live a more organic lifestyle OR make a more positive environmental impact! The post must include a link to the SEED website within it and a mention and link back to this contest to be considered. Then come back to Hip As I Wanna Be and link up!

A COUPLE OF OTHER RULES, BABY:

All contestants must ALSO complete the following steps for their entry to be considered:

• Visit the SEED website and join their community via email
• Follow @SeedPower on Twitter
• Tweet the following “I’m inspired by @SEEDpower & the SEEDs of Inspiration #blogher10 #sponsorship contest http://bit.ly/b2oQDM #pickmeseed”
• Become a fan of SEED on FaceBook

{And don’t forget to leave a comment letting the contest host (ME!) know you completed these steps}

Submit your entry via Mr. Linky below and then you are done!

BUT THERE IS ONE MORE THING, LADIES... The fact that you can enter to win once a week until the contest closes. Just create a new post, link up again and tweet!  The coolness, never ends does it?  And if you want extra chances to win in a different way, you can enter each week over at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom (Whrrl contest) and Makeover Momma (Vlog contest) as well.

Each entry must be unique and not simply the submission of the previous week’s entry.

Winners who have followed the submission rules will then have their entries judged by SEED on the following criteria: creativity, originality, interpretation of the theme.

SEED Power Body Care will choose the winner of the contest as well as several other winners who will get invitations to the swank-tastic invite only party being hosted on Saturday August 5th, 2010 by SEED.  BTW – Hip As I Wanna Be, though partially sponsored to BlogHer 2010 by SEED, will have no part in the selection process and is simply hosting this contest.

Contest ends March 31, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced on the SEED website on or about April 9, 2010.  (But it might be a good idea to follow “me” on Twitter and fan Hip As I Wanna Be on Facebook to make sure you are up to date on the contest 411.)

AND…. because they are a truly fabulous company, Seed is also offering the readers of Hip As I Wanna Be a discount on their products.  To order some fabulous products using your special discount code, click here.

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Frivolous.  Vain.  Excessive.  Fabulous.  Passionate.  Genius.

There are many adjectives used to describe the fashion industry and those who make their living in it.

Regardless of one’s personal view on fashion, one cannot deny that what we put on (or don’t) each morning reveals a tremendous amount about who we are. It is an individual expression of our social and cultural views.

Personally, I love fashion but have never been a slave to it.  It is not something that I have had the luxury of spending a lot of time and effort on, although it has become more of a focus for me in the past year.

That doesn’t mean that I am not intrigued by the industry.  Oh contraire.  So when I was offered the opportunity to review the The September Issue, I jumped at the chance.  The documentary film, directed by RJ Cutler, is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of fashion, focusing on the infamous Anna Wintour and the Vogue team as they create the “must have-Bible” of Fashion.

This film is fascinating.  I must admit that I was riveted.

Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue, is, by far, one of the most caricatured figures in modern culture.  (Ever seen The Devil Wears Prada? It is rumored to be based on the author’s time spent working as assistant to Wintour.)

Although I had heard, it wasn’t until I watched this film that I realized exactly how prominent Wintour’s position in the fashion industry is. Judging by the footage, the scope of her power and influence is phenomenal. In a 300-billion dollar global industry, it is amazing to witness that no one can really be a successful fashion designer right without her blessing.

Did you know that 13 million people purchase the September issue of Vogue?

Staggering.

The September Issue (trailer here) is being released as a two-disc “Double Issue” DVD on February 23^rd.  The bonus DVD contains over 90 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes, commentary with the director and a photo gallery.  To find out more, see the Facebook fan page for the film.

AUDIO CUT ABOVE: The audio cut at the top of the post is an excerpt of an interview I did with director RJ Cutler. In it he talks about the moments in the film that he considers the most powerful.

INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE AUDIO?

• My interview with Uma Thurman. (Yeah, THAT Uma Thurman)
• My interview with Anthony Edwards. (Goose!)

FTC Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this movie for review purposes.

If you have read my blog more than once you already know that I am a sucker for books. Specifically self-help books.  So when I was given the opportunity to review one – I jumped on it.  Hey, I’m lookin’ for my MOJO, remember?

The book is called Stop Praying. Now, right off the bat I didn’t know what to expect because I am a faith-filled gal.  Turns out it is not anti-God just more directed at motivating readers “who are fed up with a normal, go nowhere life.”  Okay, then. I’m in.

It uses five daily disciplines to spur you into action for a 21 day commitment, complete with journal for writing activities.

I must say that one particular chapter struck me.  It was the chapter on Choice Awareness. (Wince) I’d never thought about choices the way they were presented in the book before: “Every day we are subconsciously making hundreds of mini choices….by mini choices I mean things like tossing something towards the trash, missing by a little bit and walking on.” The author goes on to give examples of stopping your three mile run at 2.5 because you are “close” or having “just one” brownie because you skipped breakfast, ect…  The point being made is that by choosing the easy way out, not finishing and not taking the high road, you dismiss the little decisions as “unimportant” and consequently you are not living up to your potential. Basically arguing that our subconscious KNOWS and RECORDS these little moments.  Thus killing your self-confidence.

Fascinating and unnerving at the same time.  I’ve found myself way more conscious of these “mini-choices.”  So I’m committing to the 21 day journaling exercize.  I’m hoping that it will create a greater awareness and intention in my life.

AND BONUS: Two lucky folks will receive a free book copy and tote bag!  Just visit this site and enter the promo code “hip” … IT IS THAT SIMPLE!

This is the first of a new series I’m calling  “Stuff You’ve Just GOTTA Have!”

I don’t know about you, but when I find something that I think is terrific I’ve just gotta spread the word.  Have something you want to share?  Feel free to recommend your favorites to me by using the contact form found here.

STUFF YOU’VE JUST GOTTA HAVE: Julie Boonshaft Jewelry

My friend Julie Boonshaft is a true inspiration.  She is stunningly beautiful and tremendously joyful.  I am not-so-secretly-convinced that she can do anything – be it wrangle her four kids (Yes, I said FOUR!) or create delightful jewelry.

Julie is like so many of us mothers – although we relish every hectic day with our children, our aspirations to do something unique with our individual gifts aren’t always fulfilled. 

Julie found her artistic outlet in the creation of jewelry.

“Ultimately, I absolutely love being a mom, but I’ve also never had a more challenging job! There are so many times in the day where you question- Did I teach them all I could? Are they going to remember all the acitivities we do? The playdates? The swim lessons? The picnics in the basement just for fun?! I found that my days were absolutely consumed with the joys and perils of mommyhood. Selfishly, I needed something of my own- an outlet for my creativity, a tangible result to something that I had done.”

“I make jewelry in the middle of the night when the kids are asleep, my own time, just for me… and yet, ironically, the very first jewelry I created was “mommy” jewelry…  a name bracelet for myself.  Little did I know, the ‘Jared and Josh’ bracelet I wore so proudly would be the beginning of this incredible journey. They are and always will be my inspiration.”

Through her online website, Julie Boonshaft Jewelry, Julie offers stunning and unique personalized jewelry pieces that range from Yoga-inspired to bridal adornments and one of a kind commemorative necklaces and bracelets.  I dare you to find something you don’t love!  BTW – THIS is my favorite.  LOVE IT!

A mother's inspiration!