unstoppably all-in

I won't even pretend that this list isn't likely to become obsolete before it's even posted.  That said, here are some interesting, currently vibrant communities targeting women that I think are worth a look, both as a marketer and a snazzy lady looking for some new ideas. 

Some, like The Knot and BabyCenter hardly qualify as niche networks anymore, while others like Hot Moms Club and I Like Totally Love It are just becoming interesting.:

Celebrity

www.popsugar.com?650K users

www.superficial.com?225K users

www.igossip.com--100K users

Shopping/trends/fashion

www.iliketotallyloveit.com?20K users

www.kirtsy.com?40K?this is like DIGG but for cool stuff not links

www.pnn.com?23K--?global water cooler for women?--still exploring this one

Moms

www.hotmomsclub.com?12K users

www.cafemom.com?over a million users

www.babycenter.com?almost 5 million users?may not be niche anymore?

www.parentsconnect.com--From Nickelodeon--Dads included--550K users

Weddings

www.chatterberries.com?30K users

www.onewed.com?144K users

www.theknot.com?over a million users of the site, now includes blogs, forums, etc, as well as reviews, polls and recos  

Misc:

www.bakespace.com--not just for women, but certainly skews female--multi-award winner too--100K users

www.dorthy.com--for people with dreams--sort of a support group for general matters--rising with 7k users

And boomers may be an interesting niche option, but most of the sites that launched exclusively for boomers have closed shortly after that.  Only one with any legs right now seems to be: www.eons.com?200K users

Leave your comments with additions, updates, etc.  I'm interested.

*user stats based on compete.com data at time of post

My father used to run the women's accessories division of Stix, Baer, & Fuller--one of the classic department stores of the midwest.  This weekend, I found an old report of his called SPRING 1978 STRATEGIES-BEHRMAN DIVISION.  Besides the quaintness that comes from something type-writer produced and mimeographed, the greatest part is reading through the trends, recognizing how recently some things came into our culture (like fold-up sunglasses) and how much I wish some things had never been introduced (like plastic raincoats and the mini-shawl).

Enjoy:

SPRING 1978 TRENDS:

New Trends in Sunglasses:

• fold-up sunglasses
• Annie Hall styling
• smaller, lighter frames
• 85% sales in plastics, very little metal
• Dark React-a-matic by Renauld at $10.00

New Trends in Costume Jewelry

• necklaces that swing
• naturals- shells and wood on leather, cord or hemp
• body wraps - to be word as necklaces, belts, bandolero's--wrapped any way the customer wants--in tailored metal, leather, cording
• initials

New Trends in Handbags

• The soft look is THE look
• Ultra-soft leathers--blonde tones, natural shades
• body bags (in various sizes)
• vinyls take on a softer look
• leather trim fabrics and straws
• Soft canvas--new look in toes - not always the hard briefcase look--edges are softened and rounded
• The convertable clutch is important
• Colors: neutral-macreme, crochets, bonjas, blonde tones- and Navy is important spring color

New Trends in Accessories

• Vests- basics or gauze and poplin with man tailored or bolero styling. $11-20
• Sundresses- in floral printed violes, poly cotton plaids and gauze with some styles having matching shawls. $11-20
• Belts- wraps and double wraps very important in jute, cotton cord, silk cord, and leathers
• Neckties- pre-tied ties in solids, prints, and stripes- $5
• Shawls- will return in gauze, voile, and crocheted looks - watch the mini-shawl
• Slickers- various styles of rainjackets in brightly colored vinyls. A new look will be transparent slickers in plastics. 
  
• Hair Goods and Flowers- basic and fashion styles created in tortoise, brights, pearlized, wood finishes and metal rims.  Flowers on stick pins and small floral bouquets
  

Cook the pook on low-heat with salsa verde and some chilis until it's falling apart--at least 30 minutes.  Combine with rice about 15 minutes before you serve to help sop-up the sauce. Super-Sweet QED

I'm excited to say I still have mine!  I sat at the kitchen table for hours scratching away at designs.

The last 5 minutes of 321 Contact--the bloodhound gang solved mysteries--

No surprise--I spent hours playing with this thing.