Posts filed under 'Gifts'
Some of the most unique and fun presents come in groups! Gift sets can seem more personal since they usually represent the interests of the recipient, and they also are great because included are a bunch of little surpises instead of one singular gift. One of my favorite things to do is create my own gift baskets for friends and family, the downside is it can be a time consuming task and the cost can skyrocket without realizing it! Fortunately, many stores and websites take the hard work off our backs and sell pre-made gift sets featuring as many themes as you can imagine. For foodies, cooks and superstar hostesses on your list, Dean and Deluca is the place to check out! They have an amazing gift inventory for any budget. Some of my picks are the destination baskets such as St. Helena, the Rise and Shine set is perfect for breakfast lovers and the Dean and Deluca’s Best set is a variety of yummy house favorites. Dean and Deluca has spice sets, coffee and tea gifts, cheese plates, chocolate and pastries sets- pretty much any food gift you want you can find here! For a huge selection of bath and body sets, there’s plenty more than what’s available at your local Bath and Body Works. Philosophy is a fun and inventive company with so many fab gift sets its hard to pick just one! Whether you’re looking for fruity, floral, bakery, or even mixed drinks scents, Philosphy has them all. Try the Holiday House, Holiday Traincase or the Amazing Grace Set. Philosophy has more than just great bath products, they also have amazing skincare, haircare, makeup and fragrances as well. For makeup sets, it’s pretty simple. As I’ve said many times before, you can’t find more brands, ideas and gifts than at Sephora! As for clothing, Cherry Tees is a must see! They have a few tee samplers that feature their high quality shirts packaged in vintage wooden fruit crates with a gift tag and candy attached. They also have cute buckets of tanks and tee of the month clubs too! That’s all I have for now but if you all know of any shops or sites that offer exceptional gift sets then let me know!
December 4th, 2006
nicky
Here’s a few of the items I would love to find wrapped under my tree or in my stocking this year (hint hint Adrian!) I’m trying to be realistic to our budget and not list things like my most wanted handbag or diamond anything! Enjoy:)
1. A always classic, go with any outfit, Tiffany’s sterling silver bracelet.
2. Coach Allie Sunglasses in tortoise, I have been wanting these forever (they fit my face shape perfectly!)
3. Cross pendant from Electric Bling, I love the unique shape and it’s sparkly!
4. “I Like You” by Amy Sedaris, a witty, fun book on entertaining.
5. Rachel Leigh Eagle Ribbon Charm, too cute and girly, love it.
6. Stila Celebration of Color set, I mentioned this a few weeks ago, the ultimate makeup gift!
7. While we’re on the subject of beauty, a giftcard for a pedi at my fav spa Dolce. I’ve been cutting back and doing them myself since it’s an expensive habit.
8. Charlotte Ronson Speckled Henley Tee, so cute and half off at Shop Intuition.
and finally 9. A sister for my Lily girl. Doesn’t she look lonely?
So what are some of your holiday gift wishes? I want to hear about them whether small or big!
November 29th, 2006
nicky
Today is the first day I have turned the AC off in my house. Hooray for low pressure systems! (Finally!!) I am ecstatic, I even got a little severe weather alert for a cold front on my weather desktop thingie. Yes, I am a little obsessed with this topic but anything below 70 degrees in AZ is cause for celebration people! Just wait until the summer when I will be groaning and griping about 115 and sun so hot I burn myself with my seatbelt. Anyway, all these chilly breezes got me to thinking about how fun it would be to come home, change into some snuggly loungewear, drink hot cocoa and read a book. So much more relaxing than my usual household chores and watching Tivo-ed programs. Unfortunately all my sweats are pretty tattered and either have paint splatters, holes, or bleach stains. And my wear-at-home tees have suffered the same fate, I don’t think I’d even want to answer the door in them! Yippee, here’s another excuse to buy some clothes! I obviously love Anthropologie as I have mentioned before but I have never talked about how awesome their loungewear section is! Feast your eyes on the beautiful Sun Salutation pants, the stylish Four-Poster lounge shirt, the fun Crazy Quilt pants, and the softest Touchable tank. And if you prefer boyshorts, babydolls or chemises, they have you covered! Time for a lazy night and my fav part? The Ghirardelli Double Chocolate hot cocoa, YUM!
November 28th, 2006
nicky
So I know that guys can either be the easiest to shop for or so difficult that you’re at a loss for words. In my case, my hubby is very easy to please and likes most everything I get him, but he will NEVER tell me what he wants and if he does it’s something hugely expensive like a 52 inch HDTV or something really boring like, “Well, I need new socks.” But maybe the men in your life let you know exactly what they would like, if so, count yourself lucky! For the rest of us, here are a few ideas for our other halves, amazing fathers, crazy brothers and the male species in general! When it comes to men’s fashion, usually comfort is number one. Keep it simple with a graphic tee, check out these sections at GuyShop, Nordstrom or the even more unique and one-of-a-kind designs at Threadless. We all know that guys love gadgets, here are a few techno savy options: the USB beverage chiller, the iDJ, or the Solio solar universal charger. For the businessman in your life, how about uncommon cufflinks like paperclips, a stylish workbag from Kenneth Cole or a cool desk accessory like the Atomic Bonsai, Rorshock cards or Swiss pen. Men also can be sports obsessed and besides tickets and merchandise from their fav team, a couple options are the statistical nirvana of the book Best by Number, the NYC map baseball or Table Foosball. And when all else fails? Buy him some meat!
November 27th, 2006
nicky
Here’s the second installment of my gift guide for the upcoming Holidays. This week will be devoted to finding unique presents that won’t burst your budget! Maybe you’re trying to cut back on spending or have so many people to buy for that you can’t shell out a ton on each person. Whatever the reason, I hope these ideas get you in the shopping mood! For coffee lovers like me a wonderful gift would be a classic stove top espresso maker and a set of artistic coffee mugs. At the online shop of Typhoon, you can choose from different colors and designs that are a welcome change from the ordinary. I also love the Beveled Mirror frames and boxes from West Elm, they are so elegant and go with almost any decor. A nice detail is that you can monogram them with your recipient’s initial too! Another unique option is the variety of themed journals available at UnCommon Goods, they are an awesome way to organize and document info on interests and hobbies. Choose from: Wine, Recipes, Film, Restaurants, Readers, or Dinner Party. If you’re looking for something more focused on fashion, the cable knit cowl neck sweaters from Gap are so cute and affordable. I also like the Lace Boyshorts from Hanky Panky, pairing them with a soft tee or cami would make any homebody happy! A couple accessories that make perfect presents are Rachel Leigh’s Ribbon Charm, Uptown Studio’s Leaf necklace or any one of the trendy fabric headbands from ShopIntuition. As for beauty gifts, you already know that Sephora has the ultimate gift guide but don’t miss items not available at Sephora like the LaLicious Holiday Set, H2O Plus Spa Set or Jemma Kidd’s Glamour Palette. That’s all I have for this week, check back next week for another gift guide feature!
November 20th, 2006
nicky
You know how I was talking about wanting to be less selfish? The very next minute I spot something that I want so bad but when I think about it, it is completely ridiculous! Do I really need another set of steak knives? No. Do I really want to spend $98 on a set of steak knives? No. Do I really need colorful, made in France, stamped with Napoleon’s bee crest steak knives?? YES, I have to have them!! Good thing Anthropologie is a good 40 minute drive from my house or I would have a lot of problems controlling myself with that store. They have an amazing holiday guide right now, I’m sure I’ll write more about it later. (And Jina, this extra post is for you!) Seriously though, I need help.
November 15th, 2006
nicky
One of my daily goals (and struggles) is to become less selfish and more focused on the needs of others. An amazing young man from West Africa became a part of my family last year through a series of events that could only be described as miraculous and my life has never been the same. He taught me so much about the world that I cannot see or experience in my protected box of America. I am so thankful for the lessons, laughter and brother that I will always have in my heart. Because of this experience, I am looking for ways to apply this awareness that I feel within me both big and small. I found out about a website called Nest that I think is a beautiful example of the good that can be done through the internet. Nest is a nonprofit organization that helps women in developing nations create sustainable businesses through interest-free loans for the purchase of supplies and materials necessary to complete their art or craft. To generate funds, Nest sells unique fashion, jewelry and home accessories made by up and coming designers as well as the women around the world receiving funds from Nest. The site says it best, “When you buy from Nest, you have not only have purchased a unique and beautiful item for yourself or your home, you have participated in a proven effort to better the lives of women all across the globe. Through our work, and your participation, women all over the world are able to plant their roots in a refuge filled with warmth, solace, comfort and joy.” My favorites so far are the Lotus Journal, Miss Owl Shirt, and the Lemon Teardrop Earrings. Check them out!
November 15th, 2006
nicky
I don’t even care that it’s still about 80 degrees here anymore. Screw the weather, I’m starting to wear sweaters- make that turtleneck sweaters! If nature doesn’t want to cooperate and send some chilly breezes my way, then I am happy to take matters into my own hands and create the vibe myself. So today I am wearing a black knit turtleneck from Ann Taylor, some jeans and black velvet moccasins. Yes, I could wear a t-shirt and flip flops and not be freezing my buns off but that is beside the point! Tonight you will find me sitting in my backyard on my patio set, wearing my turtleneck, cozied up to a log burning in my outdoor fireplace and drinking mulled cider from Williams Sonoma. In your face Mother Nature!! Then tomorrow, I am going to take it one step further and head down to Banana Republic to indulge in their cashmere jersey wrap. The wrap can be worn as a scarf and comes in 7 colors with detailed loop fringe ends. I could go spend over $250 at Burberry for a cashmere scarf but this one is only $98! Saves some money so I can add in the cashmere jersey gloves to match. So if you see me walking around Phoenix in my sweater, scarf and gloves, don’t laugh! I’m just living in my make believe winter wonderland…and enjoying it!
November 14th, 2006
nicky
With only 42 shopping days left, it’s time to start brainstorming gift ideas for the people (and pets!) in your life. Every week until the Holidays, I am going to highlight some gift options that can suit a variety of budgets and tastes. Hopefully it will help you to find something special for your loved ones! This week is focused on presents for the girl who has everything. We all know her- she already has plenty of clothes, handbags, jewelry, beauty products and her home is completely and stylishly decorated. What do you get for the friend who is not only hard to shop for but has seen it all? It’s best to stick with things that are unique and play to her interests. If your friend is a makeup junkie, get her a gorgeous cosmetic bag from Stephanie Johnson. This site is loaded with every shape of cosmetic storage imaginable and also has beautiful and fun fabrics to choose from. My pick from her collection is the San Sebastian Cargo Case. If your friend is a clean freak, get her the new Dirt Devil KONE. At only $40, it is a functional yet attractive hand vacuum that can go from table to cleaning duty in no time. They also come in many colors to match her decor and are so practical but make tidying up a little more fun! For the pal who is a little less domestic diva, check out the Take Out Menu Organizer. You could go one step ahead and fill it with menus from local restaurants and even a gift card to her fav dining spot. For your fashionista friend, get a designer Ipod case from Coach, they are affordable and will also fulfill her love for labels! If she’s more into accessories, try a fabulous necklace from Kenneth Jay Lane, my favorite for the winter is the Acorn Necklace in Amber. As for your foodie friend, a good idea is a high quality slate board for cheeses, and a set of specialty cheese knives. Throw in a bottle of wine to complete the gift! Well, I hope these tips give you some solutions to your shopping needs. If you need more ideas for a specific situation, feel free to email me on the contact form link!
November 13th, 2006
nicky
I must admit that even though the summer is long gone, I am still using bronzer. I am a natural, fair-skinned blondie and I don’t tan easily, so you could say I could verge on pastey. That means any color you see on me is fake. I use self tanner because I’m scared of burning in the sun and it’s better for you to avoid anyway, right? And it’s not the easiest thing to do in Arizona since it only rains like 10 days a year! So now it is the season when I should be more natural, although I did wear short sleeves today since it was 87 degrees, but I am reluctant to embrace my paleness. Plus my husband is Latino and has gorgeous tan skin and I’m just a little jealous! My bronzer of choice is Stila Sun. I love Stila’s products so much and their bronzer is one of the best selling around. A dusting on my cheeks, forehead and nose gives me a subtle glow that I think makes a big difference! I am low on bronzer and need to get more when I noticed Stila has a huge holiday gift set in a train case. It is overflowing with 4 eye shadows, 1 eye smudge pot, 1 eye liner, 3 lip glazes, 3 lip glosses, 2 lip liners, 2 cheek colors, a mascara, two makeup brushes and even my fav bronzer Stila Sun! If I could only have one makeup gift this Christmas, this would be it, I am crossing all the others off my list. Yes it is $160, but look at all it comes with! That much makeup is such a bargain and it’s all in a cute brown suede train case! Okay, I’m waking up my hubby from his nap on the couch to tell him about this right now…
November 8th, 2006
nicky
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