Getting the Blog-ball rollin'...again!

Yep - the email notices have been sent out, (and most have been replied - Big thanks, guys!). As you've probably noticed, we've taken a little break from the Vox Blog...

You know what I mean, hit the *Snooze* button on the blogging.

But the school year is here, and the majority of the Voxxie Staff is officially putting on some safari-clothes and preparing to Blog our way through this Internet-jungle! Cheers, mates!

Will we devise a schedule?  Will we change the layout and freshen up? Will we continue to find some weird-crazy-funny-odd-new stuff to blog about? Stay logged on to find out! (Ohh...sounds like a suspense-film..)

All I can say for now: I'm not sure about the first two options, but definitely for the last one! We'll stay here!

What are some new things we could add to the blog? Do we need a lil' facelift? Any requests, questions, or comments?

One for the ladies...

It's not often that I post something that would have absolutely NO interest to the guys...but this could definitely be one. I'll just have to put that aside for now, 'cause this website must be shared!

Rachel Zoe is a Hollywood stylist, having dressed the biggest and the most famous stars of all ages, including Anne Hathaway, Debra Messing, Joy Bryant...ect. Here's another good reference to Zoe: Remember the first stages of the 'Olsen-fashion' trends? Really big sunglasses? Messy hair? Tons of jewlry? Huge layers of knits, furs, and vintage? Yeah - that was all inspired by Rachel's own look.

So I'm now an official addict: I click up to The Zoe Report just about every day while surfing the web. On her website, Rachel sheds some light on new trends and cool designer pieces in a blog-format, while even listing some similar alternatives with more attainable price-tags. It's basically the easiest way to get some great inspiration!

Top Ten...(Making it last...)

This was truly an 'Aha!' moment! I was simply cruisin' the Internet for some blog fodder when 'BAM!', I see the perfect headline...."10 Ways to Extend Your Summer".  (MSN.com has really got my back here...even though I did add a few of my own...)

But we all know that I care even MORE about what you guys have to say! What are you doing to make the feeling of those wonderful, amazing, stress-free and let-loose days of summer last?

1. Look on the Bright Side - Ok, this was originally refering to make-up, but I think it's truly a philosophical question. Think positively! That homework CAN be conquered, and WILL be conquered!

2. Bring the Beach back home - I die over the scent of the beach; the salty water mixed with Coppertone is the best! MSN recommends investing in some 'Beach-Scented' candles or even incense sticks. What's your favorite scent of summer? Popsicles? New notebooks? Both are good to me...

3. Score the perfect Wave - (Again, referring to a girly thing - the perfect wavy hairstyle). But I'd like to think that this could also mean to battle a fear! Do something new! Try something crazy! What change are YOU going to make this school year?

4.  Sip coconut water - Yum...I love new and weird recipes. (Only not as weird as some of the cafeteria food...I'll just get that straight right now...:D) Try Vita Coco 100% pure coconut water. $24 /12 11.2 oz. packages.

5. Extend your tan - Lounging by the pool and getting a great tan are both definitely great memories of summer! (Plus, the sun provides your body with mega Vitamin D!)

6. Find your niche - I now officially love to sew, play the bass, crazy-dance to techno, and eat lime yogurt, ALL by just giving them a spin this summer! Find a new activity that you like and set aside some fall-time to enjoy and de-stress. What's your new niche?

7. Look towards next year - So many new opportunities! So many things to do! Don't get stressed, just think about what you'll accomplish! What are your GOALS for this year?

8. Find some new tunes! - I love making that fall season "Back-to-School Playlist"; full of pump-up tunes to wake me up and get me out the door and onto the bus. Finding the perfect song to listen to down your hallways is just about as great as shiny new pencils. What are your new fall tunes?

9. Have fun! - Yeah, I know that sounds lame...but REALLY! HAVE FUN! The year won't go by any faster by pouting...so have a great time and enjoy every minute. (Even when you could possibly be eaten by your pile of homework OR by what the cafeteria ladies are stirring in that big mysterious pot...or both.)

10. What's a school-tip that YOU would want to share with everyone! Make #10 your own!

School week? Naaa...Fashion Week!

September 10 - September 17...break out the flashbulbs and runways.

It's known as the "Superbowl of Style" and it's coming up fast. The buzz for New York Fashion Week is spreading like wild fire, setting the stage for the big debut of designer's 2010 spring collections.

Big names in the fashion industry, such as Lacoste', BCBG, Erin Fetherson, Michael Kors, and even the famous Vera Wang, will take over the runway at NYC's traditional venue, Bryant Park. You know those photographers and fashion-moguls will gather under the tents and around the runways, reporting on every new trend and style soon to hit the streets.

Reports state that the city has promised a larger venue, thus moving the upcoming Februrary-2010 show to Lincoln Center complex, "home to the Metropolitan Opera House and American Ballet Theatre."

I'm definitely counting down the days until Fashion Week-pictures are tossed up on the Web!

Top 10

Yup - school, school, school: It's coming and coming fast. I've started that seemingly-endless quest of supply shopping and collecting the essentials to achieve a smooth transition into the world of education....(again, *sigh*). Here's MSN.com's list of the Top 10 School Supplies needed by students everywhere, (along with your common sense, of course.)

1. Paper Organizer - Gotta remember your sports practice, after-school events, weekend plans, oh yeah - and homework! Sheesh...so much to do.

2. Backpack - Agreed...but handbags and oversize purses work dang well too. Any other alternatives to the classic backpack? (Still, probably not a good idea to pitch your books into the backseat of your car...)

3. Calendar - I LOVE calendar shopping at the first of the year! I collect the cool "365 Picture-a-Day" ones that investigate cool countries. Last year: Italy. This year: The UK.

4. Downtime Treats - That's the phrase they used for "chilling". I just love to kick back, read for fun, do some DIY, and play guitar. What's your "downtime treat"? (Ha..that phrase reminds me of a happy little brownie that's relaxing on the couch...)

5. Labels - Yup, this site wants to make sure your name is on everything from your calculator to your undies upon re-entering high school this year. Just a warning, I guess...

6. Lucky Charm - Mmm...good breakfast AND good luck! I love to wear my rings and lucky bracelet every day. Any other lucky charms and "rabbit's feet" out there?

7. Study Materials - Classic part of school: Sitting at the desk with books, books, books! Anyone know any good study or homework-help sites?

8. Reference Books - I live by my Webster's Collegiate Dictionary...there have definitely been many an exam paper improved by my friend Webster.

9. Watch - Yay! I collect watches. Plus, they're handy! Making my collection appear to be more then just a weird fetish for timepieces that I have trouble reading...

10. Water Bottle - These reuseable things are one of the greatest inventions on the planet! (Not only are we saving the planet, but you can put crazy stickers on em'! Even attempt to sneak in some *gasp! diet soda or some banned flavored seltzer water...both are my weaknesses...)

Getting ready for school is just dawn over the horizon of a new school year: Any predictions as to the school year? What's your favorite class? Least favorite?

Tweets from the Deceased

Once a Founding Father, now a 'Tweeter'?

Thanks to Twitter, it's as easy as a few mouse-clicks to get into the lives' of your favorite celebrities. Some celebs post and update everything from current moods, locations, destinations, (even the status on their latest break-ups and hook-ups).

According to MSN.com and thanks to the Massachusetts Historical Society, you can now get updates on former president John Quincy Adams. From the address; @JQAdams_MHS, you'll be able to check out Adams' Tweets straight outta' his personal diary entries.

Technology lives on, even if you've been dead for nearly 161 years...

What's your reaction to Twitter? Any 'Tweeters' out there?

Teen multi-tasking

A lifegaurd, waitress, deliverer of newspapers, harvest-truck driver, and even the 'professional lawn-mower'; all of these make up some of my friends' summer jobs. As all teenagers know, the benefits of summer employment are fairly balanced, (the most popular being the spending money...most excellent...)

What about when school rolls around? Are you holding your job? Jill L. Ferguson, author of Teens, Jobs, and School: The Pros and Cons, writes that The National Comission on Youth states that securing a school-year job can greatly "contribute to the transition from youth to adulthood" while also highlighting the importance of responsible use and management of money.

Not everyone is a believer in the power of school-time employment: In a 1997 study by David Stern researchers found that "students who work longer hours report diminished engagement in schooling, lowered school performance...[and] higher drug and alcohol use."

What's your job-situation once the school year comes full swing? Do you think that jobs teach life lessons?, or make it impossible to focus on school?