As bloggers, we sit at the computer for hours on end, scouring the internet and our very souls for the features, stories and posts you read and enjoy every day. We are a part of a community, a family, a movement and a revolution. We have our own internet language and an unspoken code of ethics. We have virtual friends and locationless parties, but one thing we don’t have is an eau de parfume… until now.

CrowdGather, a network of online forums, intends to bottle, sell and market the scent of social media. The fragrance has been named “Erox” and will include a patent pending compound called ER303 that’s similar to human pheromones but derived from sea coral. CrowdGather partnered with Human Pheromone Sciences, a company that manufactures markets and develops consumer products that contain synthetic human pheromones.

That begs the question, “If blogging is traditionally a job with limited human interaction, where/when do we wear Erox?” Is CrowdGather trying to say that we bloggers need help in the face-to-face socialization? (…and that we smell bad?)

Erox will cost between $25 and $30 per bottle and is expected to ship by Labor Day. “The purpose of the scent is to give the wearer added confidence during their social interactions,” said Sanjay Sabnani, CEO of CrowdGather. What kind of “social interactions” does Sanjay mean? Blogging? Dating? Tweeting? Does the marketing world think bloggers need an extra boost when it comes to interacting with something other than technology? You read between the lines. We’re not all anti-social techies!

Even if CrowdGather is marketing their perfume to the hopeless romantic social media guru, we’re still curious to sniff this scent. Would you want to smell like synthetic pheromones? Do you think it could make you a better blogger? A better socialite? A hotter lover?

It’s around Memorial Day Weekend every year that we all rejoice in the return of our fashionable whites. What goes best with a crisp white sundress? A glowing tan! Many of us still turn to sunbeds to get bronzed, but at what cost?

Stephanie’s tanning background: I went to college in New Jersey—The Garden State, and the home of the Jersey Shore. I definitely felt the pressure and desire to be tan. Pale was not an option. Over my four years of college, I don’t want to think about the couple thousands of dollars I must have spent at tanning salons. It was only when my dermatologist said I had to have a mole removed on my right shoulder that I questioned my tanning addiction. That was about two years ago. I knew about skin cancer, I just didn’t think it could happen to me. I had so many questions:

What Is Melanoma?
Melaoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Your melanocyte cells produce melanin, or your skin pigment. When your skin is exposed to ultraviolet, UV radiation (aka the sun and tanning bulbs) melanin is produced to protect your skin, i.e turning your skin darker. Over exposure to UV rays causes temporary, but skin damaging sunburn.

How serious is it?
Although melanoma accounts for only about five percent of all skin cancer cases, it causes 77 percent of all skin cancer-related deaths (according to the American Cancer Society). It accounts for five percent of all cancers in men and four percent of all cancers in women. The lifetime risk of developing melanoma has risen and continues to rise.

How to reduce your risk?

Best Advice: Don’t wait. Have a professional check out anything specious asap. Better safe than sorry.

After my mole was removed, it was tested and came back negative! Thank goodness. Since my cancer scare, I have quit UV tanning and embraced the airbrush tan with open arms. I don’t know why more people don’t do it. It’s practically instant gratification every time. You can control how tan you want to be and if you spray tan once every 2-3 weeks, it’s cheaper then tanning in a sunbed. I go spray tanning now throughout the year, usually in the winter I’ll go for a “Light” shade and wait longer between applications. In the spring, I opt for a brozned, “Medium” and right around MDW I up the bronze and go for a “Dark” beach ready shade and re-up usually every 10-14 days.  Save money and your tan by mositurizing after showers with a “build-a-tan” product.

Plus, if you spray tan instead of fake-and-bake, you’ll reduce your risk of cancer. If you’re not going to quit tanning for melanoma’s sake, remember this: tanning robs your skin of moisture and elasticity, leaving you with premature fine lines and age spots. You may look tan now, but you’ll look older, faster. Is tanning still worth the risk? You be the judge. 

Guest column by: The Chefanies

We picked up some super-fresh seasonal ingredients like asparagus, shiitake mushrooms, leeks, and farm fresh eggs at the market the other day and decided to make a frittata. We were kind of daunted to make this because it seems intimidating, but it turned out to be super easy. You make everything in one pan which makes clean up pretty quick. We was completely won over by this dish – it’s something you can quickly whip up that looks and tastes elegant, yet rustic. A fresh salad and some crusty bread would make nice accompaniments to this meal. It is a perfect dish to wow brunch or lunch guests.

Asparagus and Leek Frittata

Ingredients
adapted from Bon Apetit
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 cup chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)
1 12-ounce bunch thin asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)
1 cup sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms
8 large eggs
1 cup diced Fontina cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Nothing comes close to the golden coast! Before I left for Cali I asked some of my LA blogger friends for their insider hotspots/must-sees/hidden gems in LA that they would recommend to me. I have a lot of work to do (and so little transportation) to get around to all these places, but go and use this list for your own reference next time you’re in LA. These California Girls know what’s up!

From Vivianne Lapointe, www.livefastmag.com

Last night Viv took me out to some of her favorite spots in person – Monsieur Marcel for delectable wine, cheese and mussels, then the brand new Rosewood Tavern (they say the steaks are to die for – we just stopped for a glass of wine), followed by a very Hollywood scene at the Tropicana at the famous Roosevelt Hotel. Awesome night! Here are 3 more of her recommendations:

Banditz Grooming in L.A. A tattoo and barber shop on Melrose

Tenversix boutique : One of Hollywood’s most cherished shopping destinations

Paul & Andre: Nightclub

From Bethany Winters, bethanywinters.com

Yuca’s: BEST Cohinita Pibil tacos I’ve EVER had. EVER.

Lost & Found: My fave store in L.A. for clothing, home goods and kids’ stuff.

Musso & Franks: One of the few legitimate old school places in L.A. – like stepping back in time. At least stop in for the best Martini in town…I promise!

From Romy Raves, romyraves.com

In Santa Monica, I LOVE the deelish Italian at Café Delfini and Giorgio Baldi, drinks at the Penthouse, try an Umami Burger, I have heard Manchego in Santa Monica is a byob tapas joint and Gjelina in Venice is a new hot spot.

Café Delfini

Giorgio Baldi

Penthouse: Rooftop Resturant, Santa Monica

Umami Burger: Gourmet Resturant

Manchego: Fare from Spain

Gjelina in Venice

From TIffany Tse, Stylesophisticate

There’s not one specific place I’d pinpoint, but downtown Los Angeles is the hot place to be nowadays. I highly recommend checking out the gorgeous Disney Concert Hall and eating at Bottega Louie (gorgeous brunch place).  

Bottega Louie: Restaurant and Gourmet Market in Los Angeles

From Alexia Shiri, LosAngelesMammaBlog.com

Burke Williams in Santa Monica (it’s not necessarily an insider hotspot or a “hidden” gem, but my spa experience there is always fantastic)!