The Travelers Bookcase

The new owner, Natalie Compagno, looks like one of those girls who sips French wines at the Little Door or was in your favorite sorority. Turns out, she’s a hard headed travel maven who has traversed her way through sixty countries - her favorite being a hike through the jungle of Honduras. An ongoing patron of The Traveler’s Bookcase, she leapt on the opportunity to take it over earlier this summer. Natalie’s edgy changes have already upgraded the Travelers Bookcase with a first class ticket to be the youngest, hippest travel store in town.

Under the new owner’s trendy tutelage, this goldmine of wanderlust has become brighter, cozier and hopelessly chic. Bright orange and red accents line the windows and doors while inspiring quotes graffiti the walls. “Our happiness moments as tourists always seem to come when we stumble upon one thing while in pursuit of something else” - Lawrence Block. The overall vibe is a sense of artistic worldliness; reminding us why we travel. There’s even a travel speaker series in the works, co-hosted by screenwriter Scott Burns (The Bourne Supremacy). Nibble on exotic appetizers, sip on foreign wine, imagine you’re in foreign places - all without leaving LA.

The best gift ever hides in the midst of Votivo travelers candles and jet lag cures - Visual phrase sheet, anyone? If you were too busy flirting your way through Spanish Class - que divertido! - you can still point at the handy pictures on the print-out when you need to get your hands on a latte.

Already reasonably priced, Natalie ended our conversation with a, “You’re doing a post on us? Great - give your readers 10% off on purchases of $20 or more.” That’s a little something worth traveling for.

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Artfulwears.com

Artfulwears.com

Shopping is both a blessing and a curse. The endless expanse of mall stores and clothing and accessories options can be trying in those high heels. And navigating through a tangle of clothing and accessories Web sites can be as exhausting as finding the perfect boyfriend.

Artfulwears.com is a fun, brightly-colored potpourri of excellent suggestions for the trendy at heart. From freshly colored tees to innovative jewelry and travel ideas, the site is a bundle of booty joy.

You can delight in the colorful descriptions that accompany each piece. The “Dirty White Slouchy Bag” by Landau is “a great solution to a white handbag,” the site quips. “You can pair this with just about anything.” Even a café mocha…

From iPod cases to hair ties and leather diamond bracelets, the site gives you a one stop shop solution to great style. Plus the “Basement Sale” link offers merchandise up to 70% off original prices, so there’s definitely a reason to keep clicking and coming back for more.

There’s also a “Window Shopping” link that gives you descriptions and style pairing options in one page (think tanks, shorts, bags and jewelry options on one page to give you maximum style with minimum effort).

So, what are you waiting for? Check it out and be artful! www.artfulwears.com. Shown below is a “Red and Black Polka Dot Dress” by Sugarlips.

Price: $70

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