Alligator and crocodile have always been considered luxuries (there are only a few differences b/w the two including their snout shape and what water they live in) . Expensive bags and accessories are readily available. The red Coach crocodile bag is rich looking , even in pictures (this will take a $7000 bite out of you). I am absolutely coveting the Zagalini puffy croc satchel. If I win the lottery this week (because I don’t have an extra $11,800) – this bag is mine.

If you don’t win the lottery or just don’t want real gator, then you too can carry a luxurious gator looking bag. Keywords “printed” , “embossed” , and “textured” are crafty words meaning- leather made to look like something else. This words are tools of the trade …you can save money by going ‘faux” and save the life of an endangered species. Who says fashion can’t save the world?

The beautiful plum Lockheart soft croc ‘textured’ satchel is $725 . Etro’s manlier messenger croc embossed bag is $1000.

The Prada Coco flats feature a black alligator cap on the toe (lovely for $950) or Jessica Simpson has her own offering for under $60 in gunmetal.

Guiseppe Zanott’s preppy pink & green real croc thong is $550 while the ‘textured’ Lambertson Truex orange thong is $595.

*Warning:Only someone with a foot fetish (and in depth knowledge of skins) would notice the difference . Creep!

If thongs aren’t your things…Max Studio has graced us with a refined pair of beige croc print mary janes for $153. But Pucci’s $500 get up and dance criss cross wedges will certainly put a spring in your step…croc texture and all. These look really comfy. If there’s any truth to the whole “secret” then I will be wearing these to my next ” girls’ night out dance party”. (I’ll keep you updated).

Caiman is the lesser known but more available cousin to the alligator. Carlos Falchi is a designer known for his designs using all sorts of skins. But this caiman hobo is truly a modern silhouette and must have (for the must haves that have $3500).

Python is another huge trend right now. Gucci’s $4000 Pelham hobo is made in natural python …and I love it. Kara Ross has decorated her clutch with quartz bobbles atop python. Certainly not your mother’s evening bag.

For a really special evening out…why not show up to the party in this $2000 Armani silver python print dress. And dare to pair it with Bulgari’s silver python bag. No need to buy the Bulgari, as it’s available from bagborrowsteal.com

Not feeling your inner tinman ? Then just drape a pair of Wendy Nichol’s python hoops on your lobes for $165. Or the budget conscious girl can wave her arm with a 9 West snake print bangle on it for $50 (6 fun , springy colors to choose from).

Now, if you’ve been a good girl…you deserve this pair of Miss Dior python peeptoe pumps (try saying that 3 times). Yikes these are gorge ! I couldn’t make it to a cab in these but they might look nice on a shelf. For $560 ….maybe I should just buy another book (for my shelf ). Is it better to look cute or be literate ? Let the debate begin.

Just as glamorous , but far more healthy (sorry, podiatrists) is Cole Haan’s gold python ballet flat for $500. These shoes remind me of Audrey Hepburn . I’ve seen the cutest picture of her , on a bike, riding around a movie studio (wearing flats like these) . I picture myself strolling the piazzas in Rome (with a talk , dark, & handsome Roman;of course ). London Sole can offer a similar pink pair for $65 and just as cute. But instead of roaming in Rome, I’m brunching in Soho. Bring on the crepes !

Michael Kors offers both real python and print for a very reasonable price. The natural python belt, with decorative buckle, is $59 while his Tiara python print flat is $153.

Ostrich has long been a fashion favorite. Not only for its unique skin pattern but also for its durability. My Dad told me the reason cowboy boots are made with ostrich (either on toes or entire boot) is because of its eternal durability. I can just picture a group of cowboys on the range comparing their exotic boots. Sounds like a steamy scene from Brokeback Mountain (RIP Heath…we miss ya). Louis Vuitton featured spry male models with velveteen pants tucked into English style ostrich boots.

The ladies can tote along this Nuti hobo for $3400 or its cheaper “printed ” doppleganger by Adamis for $72 . Both are equally lovely to me.

Everyone needs something a little exotic in their life. So whether you choose to have a Morroccan tagine for dinner or go searching for some exotic skin – let your inner huntress loose ! Diana would be proud.

Products available from the following sites:

jcrew.com, zappos.com , bagborrowsteal.com, coach.com , colehaan.com, saks.com , bluefly.com, 9west.com, ravinstyle.com

The lichen’s beauty is in the many different colors it can exhibit from rock to rock.

“When you take photos the lichen almost looks like flowers,” Dininger said. “The lichen pulls different minerals out of the rock and that is how they get their color, pink, lavender, orange, yellow, green and even black,” she said. “It’s a very cool phenomena and after it rains the lichen look brilliant.”

Vasquez Rocks is a wildlife sanctuary and all natural and cultural features are protected by law. There is no wood or rock
gathering allowed.

Photo from UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research.

The first total lunar eclipse in 2 1/2 years is expected to begin at about 5:30 p.m. Atlantic time this Saturday. The moon will be seen best (or maybe I should say not seen) by those along the east coast of the United States and Canada, as well as South Africa, Europe, and much of Asia.

The main shadow will begin to cross the moon and the moon will continue to get darker until it disappears at about 6:44 p. m. Atlantic time. The moon will not reappear until around 9:14 p. m.

Just before the moon disappears, its color usually changes to a red or deep orange; the color varies because it is caused by refracted rays of red light passing through the earth’s atmosphere that bathe the moon in color. The hue and depth of color depends on the amount of dust in the atmosphere, with the main contributor to the deepness of red being the amount of volcanic ash.

Lunar eclipses, unlike solar eclipses, can be watched safely with the naked eye – so no need to worry about enjoying the show!

The “Purple Haze” carrot is one of the 2006 winners recognized by All-America Selections as “a flower or vegetable for significant achievements, proven to be superior to all others on the market.” With a deep purple exterior and bright orange interior, it is sure to be a hit with gourmet chefs.

Where might purple turn up next?

See all of this year’s winners.

As I was reading about an upcoming Blue Crab festival this morning, I remembered a fun tidbit about these colorful crustaceans and wanted to share it with you.

Did you know that there is an easy way to tell the difference between a male and female blue crab?

Male blue crabs have claws with blue tips and female blue crabs “paint their fingernails” red.

For more fun facts, humorous t-shirts, and useful information about blue crabs, visit www.bluecrab.info

Clouds are composed of tiny droplets of water that have condensed on particles present in our atmosphere. Though water droplets are basically transparent, they scatter sunlight which produces the pearly white cloud color we see most often in the sky.

As clouds accumulate more moisture, the space between droplets becomes larger and larger, permitting more light to penetrate deeper into the cloud. This causes light to be absorbed rather than reflected, making the cloud appear darker. The amount of light absorbed versus light reflected is what produces clouds that range from bright white to almost black.

Clouds often take on a blue-gray hue when light is scattered by rain droplets. They can turn an ominous green when light is scattered through ice, and greenish clouds often signal heavy rain and hail, as well as a potential tornado. Large quantities of smoke in the air produce yellowish clouds and are often the result of a forest fire.

Although clouds may appear pink, red, or orange at sunrise or sunset, they don’t actually change color. They simply reflect the long, reddish rays of sunlight that are predominant at those times of day and thus produce a beautiful backdrop for the beginning or ending of our day.

Photos courtesy of Cloudman