When my husband and I first moved back to our Midwestern roots from a seven-year stint in Los Angeles, we knew tackling a serious renovation was in the cards. For one, real estate is an affordable investment in our sleepy Indiana town (much unlike that of our beach city in California!). And secondly? Well, we love all things home decor, design and DIY related, so the choice was an easy one.

After settling on a foreclosed rundown shack of a home, we had our hearts set on transforming our new gem into a Scandinavian-inspired cabin. That’s right — white, bright and rustic with a touch of modern and natural elements. And because I’m a blogger by trade, we decided we’d invite my readers along for the [rocky!] ride.

Along the way, however, we slowly realized that we were so focused on the remodeling, construction and mess of it all, we haven’t left much time, brain power or finances for the decor of the home (my favorite part!). Luckily, our friends at eBay have stepped in to help us pull together a show-stopping home with key accents that will work well with our existing furnishings.

Care to join us for the ride? We can guarantee tons of shopping, fun and eye candy—especially if you’re a fan of vintage furnishings with a touch of classic, modern flair. Over the next few months, I’ll be popping in to share my shopping progress (and you may even get to see a HaulVlog or two!).

In the mean time, feel free to track our daily renovation progress right here, and wish us luck! We’re certainly going to need it…

Erin Loechner publishes Design for Mankind, which was honored as one of the London Times’s top 50 design blogs in the world. She blogs for HGTV, and her work has been featured in Glamour, Lucky, Dwell, Readymade, Nylon, Print Magazine, Apartment Therapy and The Huffington Post, among others.

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Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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It’s been the summer of basketball: From Lebron James’s move to Miami to news on the Nets’ future home in Brooklyn. Now USA basketball is launching the first ever World Basketball Festival, August 12-15 in New York City, with exhibition games to help the USA team prep for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship. Nike has partnered with the players to bring teams from all over world to the event. They’re also bringing in some entertainment. Jay-Z is just one of the scheduled performers, but he’s doing more than simply arriving onstage. The hip-hop super star has designed five pairs of Nike sneakers (which each represent a team/country playing in the World Basketball Championships). Ten pairs of actual shoes have been made—two in each style. Jay-Z naturally gets to keep a pair of each. The only other ones in existence? They’re being auctioned off starting today on eBay, with proceeds going to Jay-Z’s charity, the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, which offers financial assistance to kids who want to go to college but can’t afford it. The auction begins at 9am and runs through August 22.

But more on the design of those shoes: They’re Nike Air Force Ones, and the style is All Black Everything. The countries respresented are USA, China, Brazil, France and Puerto Rico. What differentiates each pair? Mostly, the way Jay-Z has mixed materials. For instance, Brazil’s shoe has plenty of patent leather, while the China Style is mostly suede.

Wanna get your hands on pair of these Nike x Jay-Z originals? Click here for the auction.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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Cher, mentioning the name alone is enough to leave her ageless fan base breathless with long-winded vows of devotion. At the age of 64, the legendary star is still performing sold out shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Her career spans five decades and has seen more personal reinventions than we’re able to count: from her flower child beginnings opposite Sonny Bono, through her scandalously unclad “If I Could Turn Back Time” video, to the elaborate Bob Mackie-designed costumes she wears for her show today. She’s never been one to curb her outspoken nature for the sake of convention—which is what’s kept us (and the rest of the world) on the edge of our seats anxiously awaiting her next big move—or outfit.

The relentless humanitarian recently teamed up with eBay’s Giving Works program to auction off VIP tickets to see her last show of the summer on July 4th, where you’ll go backstage to meet her, sip champagne and leave with a few choice souvenirs. All proceeds from the sale are going to The Heroes Project, a non-profit organization that works to support war veterans, soldiers and their families. Prequalify to place your bid here from June 21-28 (it’s like you’re already in Vegas!).

To help get you revved-up for a guaranteed good time in Vegas—it is Cher, afterall—we thought we’d take a look back at some of the star’s more memorable fashion moments. We recommend hitting play on her Greatest Hits album while perusing.

The Cher Timeline:

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From Prescriptives to Max Factor, several venerable beauty brands have shuttered in the U.S. over the past couple of years. And for healthier companies—such as Nars, Revlon and Estee Lauder—it’s common practice to discontinue items each year. While these businesses or products may have fallen short when it comes to sales, that doesn’t mean there’s not a loyal pocket of fans out there.

Consider Prescriptives, best known for its customized lipstick and foundation formulas. During the first three months of 2010, over 6,100 Prescriptives items were sold on eBay, despite—or maybe because of?—the fact that it was pulled out of stores at the end of January. An in-demand item? Flirt, one of the makeup firm’s most popular fragrances. Right now, a 3.4 oz bottle is up for a Buy it Now price of $134.99. Other popular products include the Anywear Makeup Stick, as well as any lipstick or lip pencil in Ginger.

For some, finding limited-edition items is the greatest challenge. For instance, MAC typically produces its Paint Pots in very small quantities, which means each season’s colors tend to sell out. The market for Paint Pots is incredible—over 675 were sold on eBay in the first three months of 2010. But they’re not cheap. For instance, the “Pharaoh” Paint Pot, part of the Alexander McQueen for MAC collection, is currently available for a Buy it Now price of $49.99.

Regardless of what type of cream, pencil or perfume you’re after, you might be wary of buying them via a secondary seller, but fear not: the makeup business on eBay has been so successful that the marketplace posted $16 million in makeup sales for the first three months of the year. (It also sold $25 million worth of skin care and $17 million in fragrances.) To ensure you’re getting a never-used item, look for products labeled New, or NIB for “new in box.” Top sellers will indicate whether or not the product is still in its original packaging, and many offer a money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the color or scent.

For those anxious to scoop up some of the country’s most coveted beauty products, we’ve put a list together to give you a head start.

Clockwise from top left: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara in Black Brown (buy it now price, $29.99) While Max Factor is still available abroad, it’s been pulled off the shelves here in the US. Good news: The brand’s ever-popular 2000 Calorie Mascara is still available–new and unused–via eBay. NEW MAC Rollickin’ Paint Pot (buy it now price, $39.99) This aqua eyeshadow paint pot is brand-new, unopened, and unused. What’s more, it’s a rare and discontinued color–ideal for avid collectors. CALYX by Prescriptives Four Piece Gift Set (buy it now price, $73.95) While Prescriptives’ Flirt was popular, CALYX is more of a cult item. Around since 1986, the scent is fruity and citrusy. This set includes a 1.7 oz. fragrance spray, 3.3 oz. body lotion, .33 mini spray, and carrying case. NEW Chanel Nouvelle Vague Resort Nail Polish (buy it now price, $38.99) Chanel has a knack for creating nail polish colors that sell out within days, and it’s new Resort collection is no difference. A spin on last fall’s popular Jade color, Nouvelle Vague is a pastel bluish-green. Chris Benz “Chris and Tell” Lipstick for Lancome (buy it now price, $65) Like Proenza Schouler and Behnaz Sarafpour before him, this spring designer Chris Benz created a lipstick for Lancome’s Pout-a-Porter series. The peachy lipstick hit stores in February 2010, but quickly sold out. Originally $29, it’s now selling for more than double the price.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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“Ugly Betty” may be no more, but there’s still a chance to hold on to this chapter in television history. Top-rated eBay seller VipFanClubs, which has been bringing Hollywood to the masses since 2003, has exclusive rights to a months-long “Ugly Betty Last Chance” auction happening now on eBay with auction partner ABC Studios. Each week, the seller posts 20 to 30 wardrobe pieces and props from design team Patricia Field and Mark Agnes (they of the “Sex and the City” franchise). In total, several hundred costumes from main characters will be auctioned off, including designer goods ranging from Christian Louboutin shoes to a Jil Sander dress. There are items worn by Wilhelmina (played by Vanessa Williams), Betty (America Ferrera), Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), Amanda (Becki Newton) and others. The best part: you can bid on whole outfits, not just pieces, so in a matter of clicks, you can score Betty’s Jax dress, belt and yellow purse, or Wilhelmina’s Cavalli blouse, belt and Stewart Weitzman shoes.

On Tuesday, a pair of Betty’s signature red Hero glasses started out at $24.99, garnered 55 bids and ultimately went for $510. Not a bad price for an iconic small screen memento you can actually wear.

Next up from VipFanClubs: an auction of costumes and props from the Fox show “24.” We’re already counting down.

From left to right: Wilhelmina’s Jil Sander Dress (starting bid, $24.99); Betty’s Lela Rose Dress (starting bid, $24.99)

From left to right: Hilda’s Christian Louboutin Shoes (starting bid, $24.99) Claire’s Yves Saint Lauren Shoes (starting bid, $24.99)

Ivanka Adam is eBay’s Collectibles Manager. 

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Everyone knows that eBay is the world’s number one destination for buying and selling practically anything. But not everyone realizes that the marketplace is also an ideal platform for raising money for charity. Well, Oprah knows this (she sold pieces from her personal wardrobe and raised more than $150K to benefit her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa), as does Cher and Ellen DeGeneres and Leo DiCaprio. The list of celebrities goes on. Collectively, our favorite stars have raised millions for a plethora of worthy causes by sponsoring high-profile auctions and events through eBay Giving Works, a six-year-old program that offers eBay community members a convenient way to support their favorite nonprofits.

Celebrities are great, but the success of the eBay Giving Works program hinges on eBay’s uber generous sellers and buyers—all 90 million of them globally—who have raised about $191M total funds to date for charity. This week marks the official launch of Who’s Your Favorite?, a new initiative allowing eBay shoppers to indicate one or more favorite nonprofits that will be served up to them every time they checkout on eBay.com and want to donate a little something to their favorite causes.

Robert Duvall, Warren Buffett and Carlos Santana are just three of the notable figures auctioning off their time and goods on eBay in coming weeks, to benefit their favorite charities.

As far as celebrity auctions are concerned, June is a busy month on eBay. Robert Duvall, Warren Buffett, Carlos Santana, Pawn Stars and ESPN are hosting major auctions to raise money for their favorite causes. Check eBay Givings Works’ site often for details, posted shortly before each auction opens. And stay tuned for upcoming stories on The Inside Source profiling our celebrity friends and the social and environmental programs they care about and support.

** Images provided by eBay. **

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Currently up for auction are wardrobe pieces and props from all seasons of ABC’s Ugly Betty.  The collection consists of several hundred main character costumes including full wardrobes from Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina), America Ferrara (Betty), Eric Mabius (Daniel Meade), Becki Newton (Amanda), Ana Ortiz (Hilda), Judith Light (Claire Meade) and Michael Urie (Marc St. James).  The costumes represent high end designer items from costume designer Mark Agnes (Sex In The City and Sex In The City 2).  Also offered is a variety of high profile props and accessories from the show.

Top-rated seller VipFanClubs, which has exclusive rights to these items from the network, will be posting 20 to 30 new items a week for several weeks. 

One of the most fun things about the auction is that you’re bidding on outfits, not just pieces.  So, in a matter of a few mouse clicks, you can score Betty’s Jax dress, belt and yellow purse, or Wilhelmina’s Cavalli blouse, belt and Stewart Weitzman shoes!

From left to right: Ugly Betty America Ferrera Jax Dress & Purse (current bid, $31); Ugly Betty Wilhelmina Vanessa Williams Cavalli Blouse (current bid, $45)

Other items to watch for include [Mark – your input w/ pics is requested].

Follow @eBayCollectors on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest in the Entertainment Memorabilia category.

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Just a little over a month after the tragic January 12 earthquake hit Haiti, athletes from around the world gathered in Vancouver to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Unable to watch the devastation unfolding from the sidelines, NHL veteran Georges Laraque, the National Hockey League Player’s Association (NHLPA) Goals & Dreams fund and World Vision Canada joined together to create Hockey for Haiti, a program that aims to strengthen Haiti’s ability to provide critical medical care to earthquake survivors. So far, Hockey for Haiti is helping to build and operate a health clinic, restore the country’s Grace Children’s Hospital and contribute to short term emergency relief efforts and long term development.

In its latest fund-raising effort, the charity is auctioning off—via eBay—140 Olympic jerseys from 12 countries worn by NHL players during the games. The jerseys are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the NHLPA, and players who’ve donated their wares include the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (who scored the winning goal in the gold medal game), Alex Ovechkin (from the Washington Capitals, arguably the best player in the world) and Jarome Iginia (star of the Calgary Flames). The jerseys of Ryan Miller (US Olympic goalie and Buffalo Sabres player), twins Henrik & Daniel Sedin (of the Vancouver Canuks), and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane are also on the roster.

Each Tuesday, starting May 11, jerseys will be auctioned off by country. On May 11, 23 jerseys from Team Canada’s game against Germany will hit the block. Team USA is up on May 18, Team Finland May 25, Teams Slovakia and Sweden June 1, Teams Russia and Czech Republic June 8, and Teams Switzerland, Belarus, Norway, Germany and Latvia June 15.
 
If you think your favorite player’s jersey might be up for sale, great news: Every auction starts at just $0.99, with no reserve. That means anyone has a chance of winning a piece of hockey history. Talk about fair game.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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When we heard eBay was hosting something called a Comic Book Superhero Event, simply had to know more. Lucky for us, Ivanka Adam, eBay’s very own Collectibles Manager, donned her cape and flew in to save the day. As a guest writer for The Inside Source, Adam penned the following article on the virtual event, an auction of highly coveted comic books and more celebrating next Friday’s release of Iron Man 2, the star-studded flick featuring Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark and his superhero alter ego, Iron Man.—The Editors

The highly anticipated sequel to Iron Man premiers on Friday, May 7. To get into the spirit, eBay is holding a themed auction of comic books, original comic art, and other comic-related collectibles.  The Comic Book Super Hero Event runs through Sunday, May 9 and features mostly rare, hard-to-find items, many of which have never before been listed on eBay.  Albert Moy, a well-known dealer in the comic art industry and a long time eBay seller commented on his participation: “I’m thrilled to be included in eBay’s comics auction event.  eBay is providing a great opportunity for their loyal comics fans to win rare and highly sought after items. We should see some good bidding frenzy when the auctions come to a close on May 9th.”

clockwise from top left: Don Heck Silver Age Iron Man Original “Tales of Suspense” Splash Page Art, Silver Age Iron Man # 1 (1968) CGC 9.2, John Cassaday Captain America Reborn #4 Original Cover Art, Marvel Silver Age Lot of over 2,200 books including Amazing Fantasy #15, Ed Benes Birds of Prey #1 Original Cover Art, James Jean Fables #69 Framed Painting, John Romita Jr. Marvel Age Iron Man Original Cover Art, Kick-Ass Run #1-8 Complete First Print Comic Book Set

Each item in the event is being will be offered as an auction with no reserve…yes, even the Don Heck original art, which is valued at $11,000. (For comics novices, Don Heck co-created the Iron Man character and penciled the Marvel series, The Avengers, during the 1960′s Silver Age of comic books.) Items with an estimated value less than $1,000 will start at $.99 and those with an estimated value greater than $1,000 will start at $99.99.  So don your skin-tight suit, grab your weapon of choice and get ready to bid!

The most buzz-worthy items in the auction include:

• Don Heck Silver Age Iron Man Original “Tales of Suspense” Splash Page Art 
• Marvel Silver Age Lot of over 2,200 books including Amazing Fantasy #15 
• James Jean Fables #69 Framed Painting 
• Ed Benes Birds of Prey #1 Original Cover Art 
• John Cassaday Captain America Reborn #4 Original Cover Art  
• John Romita Jr. Marvel Age Iron Man Original Cover Art
  
• Silver Age Iron Man # 1 (1968) CGC 9.2
  
• Kick-Ass Run #1-8 Complete First Print Comic Book Set  

Did you know?

• March is the best performing month for Comics each year on eBay.
• Modern Age (1992-now) and Silver Age (1956-69) comics are the highest grossing sub-categories within the Comics Category.
• A comic-related item is sold every 10 seconds on eBay.
• The top ten most expensive comics sold on eBay since 2004 are:

The ten most expensive comics sold on eBay since 2004 are:

• Batman #11 Golden Age Comic Book from 1942 (sold for $30,000 in June 2008) 
• Alex Raymond Original Art – Flash Gordon Comic Strip (sold for $28,100 in February 2008)
• Marvel Comics #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $28,000 in September 2008)
  
• Neal Adams Original Art – Batman #232 from 1970 (sold for $27,300 in April 2007) 
• Amazing Fantasy #15 Silver Age Comic Book from 1962 in near mint condition (sold for $27,123 October 2004)
• Action Comics #2 Golden Age Comic Book from 1938 with white pages (sold for $27,100 July 2006) 
• Unrestored Superman #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $27,100 in March 2009) 
• Superman #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $26,100 in June 2006) 
• Jim Starlin Original Art – Captain Marvel #28 from 1973  (sold for $25,878 in May 2009) 
• Tales of Suspense #39 Silver Age Comic Book from 1963 (sold for $25,200 in August 2008)

 Ivanka Adam is eBay’s Collectibles Manager. Follow @eBayCollectors on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest in the Comics category.

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