I’ve always considered fashion an artform: what you wear speaks volumes about your personality. People express themselves through clothes and accessories, whether a funky piece of jewelry or a flowing, feminine dress. Lesley Scott, the Editor in Chief of the addictive blog Fashiontribes.com, was working for the NYC-based trendspotting firm Coolhunt when she began to notice certain groups of styles. She began categorizing photographs of fashionable women into five fashion “tribes:” Afro Love for bohemians, Downtown Doll for hipsters, Fancy Flirt for party girls, Global Chic for socialites, and Rock Punk for music lovers.

When she became frustrated that magazines were only catering to a narrow style instead of appealing to all of these “tribes,” she started five separate online e-zines for each tribe. That’s one reason why I love the site so much: Lesley and I are similar in that we both saw a need for quality information directed at a specific audience, and we created online companies to fill the gap. Eventually, Lesley started her Fashiontribes blog and replaced the five e-zines with well-written, fun info for everyone. The blog has developed into a site discussing new trends and styles for all tastes, as well as lifestyle tips. The blog isn’t just entertaining, it’s also charitable: Lesley spends a lot of time and money on Breast Cancer Awareness & Research. So, calling all fashionistas! Check out Fashiontribes, because self-expression is always in style.

As a foodie who is aware of good health, I always do my best to eat foods that are good for me, and lately I’ve been thinking about foods that are good for the environment, too! What I’ve learned is that you don’t need to deprive yourself to eat sustainably; rather, just make wiser decisions at the grocery store. I know that becoming a vegetarian is good for the environment, but I don’t think I could ever give up meat. Instead, I’ve tried to pay more attention to where my meat comes from. Supporting local farmers and butchers doesn’t just help small businesses – think of the lower shipping costs, which also means less energy wasted on transportation. If the meat is organic and grain-fed, that’s even better – I cringe to think of all of the added hormones and chemicals that could be in other meat.

As the oceans are being depleted by over-fishing, it’s also important to choose fish wisely and look for wild, sustainably fished options. It’s best to get fish that are line-caught, which eliminates the risk of catching dolphins and other sea creatures in big fishing nets. The principle of learning where food comes from can be applied to everything in your grocery cart: whether veggies or wine, always shoot for local, organic, and environmentally-aware producers. Stores like Whole Foods or local farmers’ markets are perfect for helping with this. If you’re in the U.S., find a nearby farmer’s market.

And you know what? By taking greater care in researching where my food comes from and what exactly is in it, I feel even better after eating! Being green can be so delicious…

When I first started Suzanne’s Files I didn’t set out to build a personality-driven business; I was simply impassioned by finding the best and leaving the rest — and wanted to share my finds with as many people as possible. With that said, as the business has grown I have amassed a considerable following of discerning individuals who have come to rely on the insight provided in my files. The trust has built very quickly and here we are: building a personality-driven lifestyle business!

The growth of my own business has got me thinking — why do some personality-driven media efforts succeed where others fail? Why have Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey been able to build such strong publishing brands while others, such as JFK Jr. (George) and Rosie O’Donnell (Rosie) have not been as fortunate?

Read more of what I have to say via my blog entry on The Huffington Post…

Even though my darling doggie Henry is less than a year old, I’m just sure he has inherited my love of travel. I’m often zipping around the world to review hotels and restaurants for readers like yourself, but I hate being away from my pooch for too long. Even if he were to travel with me, I don’t like the idea of him in a dark cargo area for the entire plane trip. But, my prayers have been answered! A friend recently told me about Pet Airways, so Henry can join me on my adventures while flying comfortably.

Basically, owners drop their pets off at the Pet Lounge up to 72 hours before the flight. After potty breaks, the “pawsengers” board the plane, and staff ensure that their carriers are secure. The animals get to stay in the main cabin, and a pet attendant checks up on them every 15 minutes to make sure they are comfy. Meanwhile, owners can check the progress online. Once they land, the people and pets are reunited in the Pet Lounge. The next step is for both of you to enjoy the vacation!

It’s really something to wag your tail about…

As if you needed motivation to know about new wine, here it is: you absolutely must check out the new to the market “Chene Bleu” from La Verriere’s vineyard. You can order the wine direct from the producer through us via email.

The boutique wine estate is located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve near Mount Ventoux, can also be stayed in - the visual treats alone are worth the trip. The estate, which was bought by Nicole and Xavier Rolet ten years ago, is in a micro-climate and truly special (I’ve been several times over the years). The owners have restructured the 400-year-old vineyards, and now it’s the site of some of the most precise, biodynamic practices in the wine industry. High acclaims from leading wine critics. The gorgeous surroundings and attention to detail contribute to some of the best wine you’ll ever taste in its price point.

If you’re more interested in becoming a wine expert or discovering how the delicious wine is produced, check out the vineyard’s Extreme Wine Experience. Guests stay in the renovated Priory and embark on a wine boot camp – even if you don’t become a connoisseur by the end of your stay, you’ll be completely relaxed in the serene settings. So, grab your glasses and let the good times pour! Read the file.

And… see me at their wonderful Bacchus party last Saturday night in London where they kicked off to some of their varied and knowledgeable clientele – a real success and great party!