Singer Alicia Keys can add jewelry designer to her resume. The Grammy-winner has joined forces with Toronto designer Gisele Theriault for a collection of sterling silver and gemstone pieces inscribed with poetry and prayers.  The jewelry line, called the Barber’s Daughters, will be available in Fall 2010.

Inscribed necklace from the Barber's Daughters collection, $85

Lucky New Yorkers, however, can get a sneak peek at Keys’ jewels on Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 23-24) at a temporary pop-up shop at the Collette Blanchard Gallery at 26 Clinton Street in Lower Manhattan.  The hand-crafted jewelry is priced $85 and up.

Alicia Keys

Keys told Women’s Wear Daily her mission is “to give people beautiful, unique pieces with messages that ignite them to find the best within.”

“Live your inspiration” is the tag line on the Barber’s Daughters website. For me, those are words to live by as I look forward to doing exactly that in the new year.

Image credit: Bauer Griffin, The Barber’s Daughters

It’s better to look and feel good.  Achieving that balance means getting a good night’s sleep. Although factors like stress can interrupt your snooze time, the Essence of Vali’s Sleep Collection ($6-$18) can help you catch some Zzzz’s.
The 100 percent natural sleep collection offers a relaxing blend of lavender, marjoram, cedar wood and ylang/ylang and is available as balm, mist, massage and bath oil, and concentrate. No more counting sheep here. I applied a drop of the Bedtime Ritual ($18) to the corner of my pillow case and was lulled to sleep by the clean aroma.
Image credit: Beauty Press.com

Maui is paradise on earth.  I was blessed with a press trip to the beautiful island several years ago and I yearn to return.  Until I can make my pilgrimage back (Maui is an exhausting-yet-totally worth it 15-hour flight from New York), the Hotel Hana-Maui’s Honua Spa has created homemade recipes — with ingredients good enough to eat — that will help us achieve that Hawaiian glow year round.

Almond Body Scrub
¼ Cup Rolled Oats
¼ Cup Raw Almonds
¼ Cup Water
2 Tablespoons Oil (Coconut, Sesame or Olive)
(Optional: Few drops of your favorite essential oil)
Grind all ingredients in a blender or food …read more

Although this recession has been tough on a Hot Mama’s wallet, that’s no reason to skip holiday gift giving. Actually, it’s a fine time for more thoughtful and unique presents. So when I discovered Lagelle hand-knitted hats and scarves, I had to share.  Every Lagelle item is made by Tahisha Crawford with TLC.
The Pittsburgh-based designer and Brooklyn native has been knitting for seven years and launched her Lagelle accessories line in November 2007.
Tahisha’s inspiration? “Everything,” she says.  ”But I find myself being inspired by vintage fashions.”
The 35-year-old took her line’s name from her mother’s maiden name Laguer.  ”I credit my Mom for …read more

I love taking a long, warm bath filled with my favorite essential oils and bath salts. And just in time for holiday gift giving and post holiday destressing, I’ve discovered a few new bath salts.
Here are my picks:

Feeling frazzled? Garden Girl’s “Simmer Down” (8 oz, $15) blends pure, mineral rich dead sea salts and fragrant nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon oils to warm you up and relax your mind and body.

Socal Cleanse Organic Detox Salt Scrub ($72) is a spa-ready blend of salts, botanical, herbs, seaweeds and plant oils.  This paraben, sulfate, and preservative-free scrub contains virgin coconut oil, and exfoliates, …read more

I love the hipster lumberjack trend.  Or maybe it’s the second coming of grunge with a more tailored twist. Whatever you call it, a piece of plaid is a must have item for your fall/winter wardrobe; particularly if its red and black plaid all over.
Here are a few plaid perfect items I found while surfing Forever 21’s website:
You can’t beat the style or the price.  I picked up a plaid jacket similar to this one at my local Forever 21.
I’m going to put this groovy plaid poncho on my Christmas list; that is, the list of gifts I want for myself.
This …read more

The First Lady has been flying under the Hot Mama Daily fashion radar.  But lately I’ve noticed that Mrs. Obama has been flaunting a lot of fashionable belts during recent public appearances. Not only does she like to buckle up; the trendsetter fancies wearing wide leather belts high above her waist line.
I give Michelle props for daring to be different.  But I’m not a fan of wearing a belt just for show over an overcoat.  It’s impractical.  And the belt’s positioning under her breast bone looks downright uncomfortable.  However, I give her kudos on the coat’s teal color and the …read more

Fashionistas already know that Jimmy Choo’s exclusive, limited-edition line for H&M went on sale today!  Many of you have already battled the crowds for  your piece of the collection.
Alternative hip-hop/dance artist M.I.A. was among the celebs invited to a Hollywood preview of the Jimmy Choo for H&M garb.  The Sri Lankan singer has never been afraid to express herself through fashion as boldly as she does in her kick ass music.  The shark tunic she’s wearing in these photos is no exception.
I like it that M.I.A. takes risks and isn’t afraid to be a rock star.  The shark shirt definitely …read more

‘Tis the season when lounging on the couch is more appealing that going for a run or a power walk.  But we still want to look slim and trim for holiday party dress season, don’t we?  So I enlisted personal trainer, Taj Harris, to provide us (I’ve only made it to one session with the tough love dynamo) with some inspiration.

Here are five tips from the Crunch Fitness trainer that will help you break out of the couch potato rut:
1. Make going to the gym a part of your daily/weekly routine, very similar to that stop you make on the way …read more

While cleaning out my “beauty closet” full of product freebies, I decided that instead of hoarding all of this beauty booty, I should share it with my Hot Mama Daily readers. So it’s giveaway time!
Be among the first readers to Tweet this post and follow me on Twitter @TracyEHopkins. So that I can keep track, reply to this post and let me know you are following me on Twitter.
Increase your chances to win one of 9 great items from my beauty closet if you also share this giveaway on your Facebook page. Then respond to this post and send me a link …read more