News from BelleRinger PR

BLOGS SPELL SUCCESS FOR SMALL BUSINESS There's a lot of talk about how blogs and social networking are changing the way PR and marketing are done today. They've turned it on its ear! Witness the phenomena of handbags. It's doubtful that many of today's smaller designers would be as successful as they are without word of mouth. Or rather, buzz among the bloggers. It's always gratifying to learn about an acquaintance or client who's gained national recognition through blogs alone. KLEAN Bath & Body recently reached out to beauty and fashion bloggers; what better way to gain exposure for bath and body products. The company hoped to see increased orders and customers - which happened. Many of the major bloggers posted product reviews (including product pictures and the company logo); smaller bloggers followed, having seen the first round of reviews. Social networking in action. But it gets better. KLEAN was recently contacted by a major national retailer (

AT LONG LAST, HARRY POTTER HAIR ACCESSORIES They've been long in the pipeline but they're finally available. The only licensed Harry Potter hair accessories are designed and distributed by Sassy Tails and can be purchased through their web site - www.sassytails.com . This is exciting news to the scores of female Potter fans. Until the introduction of Sassy Tails' products, there haven't been any Harry Potter-themed accessories. This is a picture of a Gryffindor head scarf. They're available in all of the house colors in addition to solid black and red . The line also includes three styles of ponytail holders and reversible headbands. Any guys who are feeling left out need to take a look at Sassy Snaps . These ponytail holders are being used on backpacks, belts, shoes and as bookmarks. (They look great on Crocs!)

TICK TOCK . . . I know there are worse things than insomnia. But it sure is hard to think of any while tossing and turning, chasing that elusive state - sleep. I found this photo while sleepily looking for a picture of another suffering soul. Thank you, Sleep-Aid-Tips - it's perfect. Experts recommend things to do when searching for sleep - drink warm milk, read a book, etc. But I have my own list of activities to pursue when insomnia visits - all things that make me want to crawl back into bed to escape them. These are some of things I recommend: Wrap gifts (this can be seasonal), organize a kitchen cupboard, write a blog post, start the laundry, or - my favorite - tweeze and shave all unwanted body hair. These are enough to make me hide under my pillow and really work on sleeping.

SHAMELESS (?) PROMOTION Just wanted to tell you a little bit about BelleRinger PR's newest client, Nubius Organics . It's the site to visit to pick up a new SIGG bottle from their extensive selection, find an eco-friendly gift bag from B.HappyBags and darling stuffed toys to put in it . I fell for the onesies in the picture on the left. They're silk-screened with Sweet Pea, Perfect Peach, and Apple of My Eye. Designed by Elizabeth, the site owner, they're 100% organic cotton, printed with soy-based ink, and made in the U.S. Talk about all the right stuff! And only $34.75 for the set of three.

SUMMER LOVE I always have trouble finding the perfect summer jewelry. Anything too heavy or wide (like the oh-so-popular plastic bangles) tend to get sticky in the hot weather. And any weight on my ears just adds to my irritability. That's why I fell in love with these simple earrings from Wink . The open design would look perfect with a baby doll dress or light-weight tunic. Another great find - this adorable fedora. (It's the closest I ever want to be to any spider! (Thanks to Daily Candy for introducing me to Wink!)

FINALLY, A NEW SUMMER BAG After hitting major purse and fashion blogs all across the web for inspiration ( Bag Snob , Beauty Snob , Fashion Tribes and more) I finally found my 24/7 summer bag. Thank you, fellow bloggers, for doing so much work for us! This is Lucky Brand Jean's 'Patchwork' Tote. I'm not usually a fan of any kind of patchwork but this caught my eye. The colors give a ho-hum shape a modish kind of look, don't they? (I bought it online from Macy's, $188.00) While doing all my browsing I discovered a great Harvey's Seatbelt Bag in their Carriage Collection. This bag's now at the top of my list! By the way, Frankie had another one of his hacking attacks today. At 5am. It sounded like he was trying to toss up something the size of a baseball. Pepcid AC to the rescue! The hacking stopped within minutes. How many dogs do you know who have acid reflux?

FRANKIE GOES ORGANIC The recent discovery of toxic substances in some pet foods, followed by the recalls, sent shivers down my spine. Like most pet owners I quickly became paranoid that my little friend, Frankie, might be effected by it. My reaction was to start preparing Frankie's dinner myself, in my own kitchen. My husband fell out of his shoes when I started doing this. He had to help me find the map to the kitchen. Then he quickly became envious of Frankie's healthy home-cooked meals. I decided that if I was going to cook for Frankie I would prepare the safest and best food possible for him. After consulting with his vet I started feeding him a combination of brown rice, organic green peas, fresh baby carrots, and organic ground round. I add a sirloin-flavored multi-vitamin goop (it's impossible to get a pill down this boy's throat). Originally this was going to be a short-term project (I use the word project because that's how I describe any food prep that ha

STEF'S SUMMER READING LIST I would love to lounge in a hammock all afternoon with a good read, an oversized floppy hat and some lemonade. Should the opportunity ever arise, amidst the baby showers and new jobs and piling bills, I'll have a book list ready. I love interesting stories, raw, blunt poetry and the occasional classic piece of literature. Here's my list: 1) Grendel , John Gardner takes the Beowulf myth and creates a fiercesome protagonist, 2) Wicked , Gregory Maguire's take on The Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch, 3) The Book of Ruth , Jane Hamilton's novel of a young woman's search for integrity and discovery of hope - I can't put this one down! 4) Fast Food Nation , Eric Schlosser; "The Dark Side of the American Meal." Enough said., 5) Cosmo en Espanol . Why not? Should be great reading for the long flight to Costa Rica. I'm always looking for great reads. Send me some titles! Posted by Stef.