Jan DiCintio is the girl behind Scoutie Girl, a fresh new blog that digs up indie and emerging designers. As a small business owner herself (check out her handmade bags at Daisy Janie), Jan understands the importance of supporting the growing independent community. She has been in the business of art, craft and design for around 7 years now and has owned businesses where she designed, created and sold art pieces and painted funky wallpaper-ish designs for clients in their homes. Basically what I’m saying is - she knows her stuff!

Other than great reviews and features, Scoutie Girl features a Sponsor Giveaway and Designer Q & A’s for you to check out. I’m loving having this blog on my “daily reads” list and am always amazed at what Jan digs up. Add Scoutie Girl to your bookmarks and discover a world of cool artists.

I know I always say this and I probably will continue to say this, but here’s another one of my favorite blogs…

Box vs. Indie is a blog run by Maile in California. The purpose of Box vs. Indie is simple - sharing the belief that indie businesses provide much more than mega-stores ever will. If you are a supporter of the small business community or are an owner of such a business, you will soon be saying that this is one of your new favorite blogs as well.

Maile’s goal is to share what “indie” is all about. She believes that the sellers of handmade goods work hard to offer high quality items, provide more personal service and unique products. At Box vs. Indie you’ll find great interviews and discoveries that Maile has hand-picked from the web.

In addition to writing about the wonderful world of indie on her blog, Maile also has a gorgeous jewelry company called Fossa Designs.

My friend Lindsay is at it again. As if she isn’t busy enough going to school, running Lindsay Designs and helping many small business owners create their websites, she now has a new blog.

Love and Olive Oil is a yummy blog of food and cooking that chronicles the culinary adventures of Lindsay and Taylor. These two are an inspiration in the kitchen, so let the learning begin! They basically cook about 5-6 times a week (if only we ALL did that). They don’t claim to be chefs, but in my eyes they sure are. Everyday there is a new photo and recipe posted by the pair. There is even advice if it’s your first time trying out the dish. You can even take advantage of recipes cards that are set up on the site, perfect for printing out!

If you’re interested in great recipes that are simple, delicious and that aren’t too hard on your wallet, head over to Love and Olive Oil now. The photos alone will have you wanting to mimic Lindsay and Taylor. Who knows, you may start photographing your meals as well. Hmmm…Who’s Hungry?

Indie Fixx is a marvelous blog that brings all things creative to its readers. Each day Jen Wallace, an amazingly crafty gal herself, discovers new things from independent artists and gives us all a taste. Those who are interested in fresh ideas, supporting small businesses and aren’t thrilled by what is mass-produced will enjoy Indie Fixx.

Jen helps to make everyone’s life a little easier by bringing quality handmade goodness to her blog. When ideas of great gifts are in need, Indie Fixx is the spot. Could shopping get any easier?

When Jen isn’t writing up reviews on Indie Fixx or being a mother and wife, she is designing jewelry for her online shop, Tilting Swiftly. Check out her shop where she now also has new guest designers.

As I’m sitting here thinking about what I should make for dinner tonight, I find myself going through the list of local foods that I’d love to cook up. But where to start?

In Hawaii there are so many choices of what and where to eat. With the amount of cultures here we have a vast selection of foods. If you live in Hawaii or are coming for a visit you should check out Mixed Plate’s Blog of the Week - The Tasty Island.

Pomai runs this blog that shares the diverse ethnic flavors that Hawaii has to offer. There are recipes and reviews of eateries ranging from the local plate lunch-style stand to fine dining restaurants. But how exactly does Pomai rate his eating experiences?

Enter the Spam Musubi Rating System (I LOVE this, by the way!). If you’re not familiar with spam musubi, it’s basically a staple at every picnic, outing, party, sporting event, etc. locally (see below). Pomai “grades” different places judging on his overall impression of the restaurant, item or recipe on hand.

So if you’re looking to see how your favorite island eating spot did and what kind of Musubi Grade they got, head on over to Pomai’s blog. Me? I’m about to eat right now - all this talk of spam musubis, recipes and plate lunches made me hungry!

If you’re on the lookout for high end emerging designers and their goods, Independent Luxe may be just what you’re looking for.

Kelly started this blog when she felt there was a lack of places on the internet where you could find emerging designers that were accessible to everyone. The purpose of starting this blog was so that she could offer folks a source to learn more about emerging designer items. It’s a great place to go and browse around without having to break the bank. Kelly also loves to spread the word on small business and shows her support, being a small business owner herself.

In addition to running Independent Luxe, Kelly is also a talented jewelry designer. She owns Kelly Meeker Designs where she creates gorgeous custom and handmade necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more.

So if you’re in the mood for some fabulous finds and want to show your support for Independent Luxe, head on over and discover something (and someone) new.

If you would like to read a blog that will make you think, laugh and you can totally relate to, you absolutely must check out Sure Rants a Lot.

Chris started this blog as a place where she could vent a little bit and discuss her pet peeves. She feels that this helps to maintain her sanity - what a great idea! I think it pretty much helps a lot of us out when reading! Comments are encouraged, as Chris enjoys the idea of us all ranting together. Her intention was not for this blog to be funny, however she’s finding that it does bring a few laughs to folks that read her posts. It’s just one of those things where you read it and you know you’re thinking the same things…Chris is just actually “saying” them for you.

I love the idea behind this blog not just because we all need to bitch sometimes, but that it invites you to take part. It’s always good when you feel like you can relate to what someone else is blogging about. It’s fun and sort of a relief to know that it’s not just you that has those feelings, you know?

In addition to Sure Rants a Lot, Chris also has a business called The Dippy Chick Company that she started in 2004. She makes these dips that look so yummy (and look pretty healthy, too) and candied walnut snacks (she’s named it “Squirrel Bait”).

So if you’re ready to release, rant, vent or just have fun reading a blog, you should surely check out Sure Rants a Lot. Say “hi” to Chris and share some of your thoughts with her. You might find yourself laughing and thinking that you just had one of the experiences she’s blogged about.

Lilie of A Planet 4 Creation has a new blog called Asian Buzz. She features businesses that are run by those of an Asian background, Asian products, resources and events. Being that I an part Chinese, I took interest in this immediately.

Leaving the field of teaching math and science, Lilie turned to her love of jewelry making and crafts. Her career now consists of running A Planet 4 Creation and she is also the owner of Asian Buzz.

Although the bulk of what you find at Asian Buzz is thanks to Lilie’s hard work, she also has a few contributors that lend her a hand. A group of talented small business women also share their ideas with Lilie in order to make Asian Buzz a success.

Head on over and support Asian Buzz. It’s one of my daily reads and I hope that it will be one of yours as well. Advertising opportunities are available on the blog as well and Lilie invites suggestions on things you would like to read about.

A gal from Hawaii, just like me! How fun is that?

Leigh was born and raised on Oahu and moved to the mainland for college. Trying to stay connected to the islands is what started Hapa Hale. When Leigh would search the internet she had a difficult time finding the unique and truly local Hawaiian designs she craved. Putting Hapa Hale online was her way of filling that void, being that she is now 2500 miles away from her home.

Hapa Hale not only helps Leigh keep in touch with what is happening in Hawaii, but also introduces this state to the rest of the world as well as others who have moved from here. It’s a way to help those who may be homesick feel some comfort.

Features such as local designers, great travel deals and things you can do in Hawaii are a few of the fun things you can learn about at Hapa Hale. There is also a spotlight that Leigh tries to shine on things to do in Hawaii that are “off the beaten path”. She feels that so many folks (including us locals) don’t really explore all that the islands have to offer. It’s like having your own special tourguide!

Leigh’s hope for Hapa Hale is that it becomes a guide of everything modern that is coming out of Hawaii for us all. Take a visit to her blog and discover something new.

Another fun Blog of the Week…

Indie Obsession is a wonderful blog that features indie designers to feed the “obsession” of Brandy, a respiratory therapist who aspires to be a stay-at-home mom. Brandy is a wife and mother of two boys. What started as a way to keep sane, Indie Obsession became a true addiction. Brandy feels a need to find cool indie items and share them with her readers, keeping up with new posts each day.

Etsy was Brandy’s first taste of handmade goodies. She began to make her own handbags and accessories under the company name Oblivious Designs. With all that she has going on in her life, she put her handmade items on hold and is now concentrating fully on Indie Obsession. Brandy’s feeling is if she “can’t make things she may as well shop for them”! Isn’t that the truth!

So check out Brandy, the self-proclaimed indie-holic, and see the lovely picks she has up on Indie Obsession today. You’ll soon find yourself wanting to learn about what new thing she’s found. You may even start calling yourself a little obsessed…

just a little note…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BRANDY! I do hope that you can check things off your wish list today!!! :o)

By day, Laurie is a lawyer. By night she is a jewelry designer as well as the woman behind Blooming Lily, a independent style blog. Oh, and did I mention that she’s also a mother?

Her daughter, Elle, is the inspiration behind her jewelry company, Elle-a-Belle Designs, and also helped her mom out with the name. Laurie decided that she needed to express her artistic side and maintain her love of fashion while in the world of law and gray and blue suits…which is how Elle-a-Belle Designs was born.

Blooming Lily is the outlet where she features independent emerging designers. She showcases fashion, jewelry and beauty products, just to name a few. This blog was started because of her own business when she realized how much advertising needed to be done to get your name out there. She felt the need to support not only herself but other independent businesses as well. Laurie chose to name this blog after Lily, her other daughter.

Her blog is fun and she’s always finding something new to share with us. There are a bunch of things that I’ve never seen or heard of before…and isn’t that the best? I love reading blogs like Blooming Lily where you can discover something or someone new.

Head over to Blooming Lily to see what musings of Laurie’s are up today…Oh, and you should know that your wallet may be sparse after reading her blog!

Yet another great Blog of the Week…

Rare Bird Finds was created by Mei-Lynn and Sharla. Separately they are both extremely talented gals. Mei-Lynn is the CEO of Hella Good, LLC, a bath products company, and Sharla is the owner of Sharma Designs, where she sells her handmade jewelry. Together, however, they are the creative minds behind Rare Bird Finds.

At Rare Bird Finds, Mei-Lynn and Sharla work hard to discover cool, unique products and support indie artists. They search for the rare items that you may be looking for to satisfy that hard to please person in your life. They’ve got reviews on the things they’ve found online as well as great designer interviews, which are featured every Friday. They keep you updated by posting rare finds about four to six times per day!

You can look forward to a contest where you can vote for your favorite “Rare Bird” designers and boutiques. What a wonderful way to help support independent business owners!

Bookmark this blog and sign up for their feed to stay current with what the newest and rarest bird finds are…