December 2006 Archives
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Put your personal stamp on the holidays
Express your good will to all this holiday season with this cool personalized stamp. No more getting hand cramps from writing your name and address a hundred times over! It's perfect for sending out your Christmas cards to loved ones, or even lightening up the Scrooges that receive your yuletide bills!
Posted by tracy on December 1, 2006
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Related EntriesJammies make the holiday season more comfortable
I think it goes without saying that we all need a little extra comfort this time of the year. Adding holiday shopping, parties, commitments, and baking on top of our already stuffed lives can leave us feeling a little ragged. It's very important to make sure that we're taking care of ourselves during this busy time. Take time out to treat yourself. My treat? These Pine Cone Hill Retro Swank Flannel Pajamas from Layla Grayce. Sure, they're a little bit of a splurge at $58, but they're adorable, well-made and I'm totally worth it. Aren't you?
Posted by megan on December 2, 2006
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesBecause we'd all rather be at the beach, no?
A cute little twist on the zen garden concept, this Executive Mini Sandbox - Beach Break from is the perfect gift for the office-mate or boss who is particularly difficult to buy for this time of year. The site's description just says it all:
Let go of your mouse for 5 minutes and pick up that grooming rake. Now feel the tension and stress leave your body as you silently smooth the soothing sand. Ahhhh. Physically you are still at your desk under energy-sapping fluorescent lighting, but mentally you are lying on the beach soaking up the vitamin-rich rays of the sun. Hear those ocean waves crash against the shore with every stroke. If you can’t break away from the office, have a Beach Break right at work!
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesHeaven is 800 thread-count
There are a few things I will splurge on. High thread count sheets being one of them. Ever go to a higher-end hotel and wonder why you sleep so well or why the best is sooooo soft and comfortable? Higher thread count sheets. These sheets are so soft they feel like silk snuggling your body. Not a nubby to be found! And if this wasn't a good enough deal for you? How about the set includes four pillowcases instead of the usual two!
Posted by Krista on December 4, 2006
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesSimple, unique and affordable
While drooling over the sheets I recently wrote about, I came across this fancy-cut rose quartz ring. The unique sterling silver setting immediately caught my eye. I love the swirls that hold the stone and it's a great bargain at 84% off retail. I immediately added it to my wish list!
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesOn-line shopping: Yay or Nay?
I looooooove shopping on-line (obviously!) and have had some really great experiences. How about you? A local paper has asked me for help with an article about on-line shopping experiences and is looking for people who have had good and bad experiences on-line. Want to share your experience? Contact me or leave a comment and I'll get back to you.
Happy Shopping!
Comments (6) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesWhy ask for his when you can have your very own!
So many times, especially at the office, I ask for a pocket knife. Never occurred to me to get my own until I saw this! The Miss A Kit has 16 tools for the girl on the go: a flashlight, keychain, needle and thread, perfume bottle, mirror, pill box, knife, and more. It easily fits in your pocket or purse and makes a great stocking stuffer.
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesA Fashionable Hound or Two!
Max and Wolf were happy to model their new collars, courtesy of Fashion-Hound! They have many different collars and leashes to choose from, and get this...you can design your own! The workmanship and colors are fantastic...and the owners are wonderfully helpful! Check them out :-)
Max is seen here modeling the lovely Christmas themed collar, and Wolf is wearing an awesome purple/green combo!
Posted by Janet on December 10, 2006
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesA martini for your Christmas Tree
I love a good martini (or two!). Who doesn't? Of course my love of martinis border on obsessive. Some day I want to own my own martini bar and hang out behind the bar and shake up some really fabulous martinis. My favorite martini the dirty girl scout (also known at the Mega-tini) includes vanilla vodka, godiva chocolate and mint chocolate flavored baileys. Mmmmm!
Where was I? Oh, yes! I discovered these adorable Martini Ornaments at Crate & Barrel and they immediately went on my wish list.
Comments (2) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesSmell Like the Italian Version of Yourself
Acqua Di Parma Profumo ($166.00) is a fragrance that was created in the 1930s specifically for women; today, it's considered a unisex scent. The salesman told me that 300 flowers go into the making of this fragrance yet it's not incredibly floral at all! In fact...there's a certain smokeyness that piqued my curiosity. It certainly costs a bit more than most of the perfumes we showcase here on A Girl Must Shop but I'm compelled to share it with you, that's how much I liked it!
My companion was equally enthralled by Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile ($40.00 - $118.00), a much newer scent that is a tribute to the Iris flower.
Miniature bottles of these scents can be found for a lot less at various sites, like the following link from amazon: Acqua Di Parma by Parma Profumo Edition - 0.17 oz Miniature Collectible
"
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesA Girl Loves Diamonds
Most of you don't know that I was li'l miss jewelry sales girl in college. I loved it. Of course I spent half of my paycheck on jewelry, but it was a fun job! Certainly my knowledge of jewelry was greatly expanded, and has thus made me the go-to person for all my friends and family on everything jewelry-related. I guess you could call me a jewelry snob.
Last week the people at Helzberg Diamonds offered to send me a diamond necklace to review on this site. Well of course I said yes, but I wasn't expecting much since the necklace that they were sending retailed for $149.99. Yesterday the FedEx man dropped off a box with this absolutely gorgeous necklace and I was tickled pink! It is not what I thought a $149.99 diamond necklace would look like.
This necklace is a 1/4 carat of really nice quality diamonds set in 10kt white gold on a strong box-link chain. I liked it so much I tried it on immeditately and didn't take it off until this morning when I lent it to fellow-contributor Tara to wear (and show off) for the day.
It's the best bargain I've seen all season and I would be tickled pink to find this in my stocking. I do wish I could say that this necklace is mine to keep, but that wouldn't be fair to any of you! So, I'm going to give it away to one lucky subscriber in our February newsletter. So, if you haven't subscribed, do so now and tell all your friends!
And say thanks to the lovely people at Helzberg Diamonds!
Comments (3) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesPenguins love to entertain - check out the tuxedo!
Jimbo and I just loved March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition)
and apparently a whole lot of other people did too, since it seems like penguins are all over the place! While perusing the Crate & Barrel web site I came across these adorable Penguin Appetizer Plates. These will look gorgeous against a red tablecloth and will be perfect for your holiday entertaining!
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesIt's not too late!
You
can still shop online and get your gifts in time for Christmas.
Today is the last day for shipping on Oldnavy.com
. Spend just $50 and get free shipping! Enter code SHOPNSHIP at checkout.
I like these cozy flannel slippers for just $10!
Check out more shipping deadlines at Dealhack.
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesYou too can be a runway star!
I recently attended a must-see exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Fashion Show: Paris Collections 2006 is absolutely fabulous - if you're in the Boston area between now and March 18, I definitely recommend checking it out! The whole show is done as a multimedia presentation, with the REAL!!! runway garments from the Fall 2006-Winter 2007 collections from the best world fashion designers, and videos of the runways projected on the walls.
You
can be sure, I did not miss an opportunity to shop there. No, no, no, not the haute couture garments – I don’t have that type of funds. I bought a little book. A beautiful book in turquoise dust jacket, with the title written in a black calligraphy script: Genevieve Antoine Driaux, A guide to Elegance. For every woman who wants to be well and properly dressed on all occasions. I noticed this book about 3-4 years ago at the bookstore, did not buy it then, and since then I was looking for it everywhere, until I found it at the MFA exhibit shop. This is a MUST HAVE book for every woman. It has tons of useful stuff, like matching colors, fabrics, basic outfits, etc… and ways to save money.
Posted by Sarah on December 18, 2006
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesThis Gorilla won't eat your camera
Finally,
a tripod for your camera that isn't going to weigh you down, won't trip you or collapse or take out someone's eye AND will wrap around trees in the woods or a street sign, etc.! I just ordered one, this gadget WILL hold my SLR, and I can't wait to try it out. Course, it's on backorder til 1/1/07, but what the hey! I'm patient...kinda...
There's even another model
for your point and shoot! It sticks to just about anything, and the good thing is, it completely stabilizes your camera! On a street corner with your friends and you want to take a picture of everyone? Stick it to the nearest building or pole or sign and voila! Makes me want to get a smaller camera...kinda!
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesI'll have a cup o yard to go please! No whip, thanks!
I've always wanted to learn how to knit. I've walked by the yarn section of the craft store many a time, but couldn't get myself to buy the supplies. I didn't really know where to start and I didn't want to invest a heck of a lot of money into a new project. But then I discovered Cup o Yarn, that contains enough yarn to knit a full length scarf as well as bamboo knitting needles and a complete instruction booklet for knitters of all levels. It's just what I've needed! Come January 1st, I'm going to start me a new hobby!
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesGift ideas for last-minute Lucy
Not all of us can start and finish our shopping before Thanksgiving starts. Life happens and many of us don't have the time or the inclination to start our shopping until the eleventh hour. Of course eleventh hour shoppers can't buy on-line. For that reason, I've put together this nifty list of last minute gifts that you can get locally.
- Booz. Almost everyone likes booz. While at a Yankee Swap recently the bottles of booz ended up changing hands and where undoubtedly the hit of the swap.
- Scratch/Lottery Tickets. These tend to be number two at a swap, people love the possibility of winning some cash!
- Gift certificates (Dunkin Donuts/Starbucks/Restaurants, etc.). Gift certificates are a GREAT idea and you can get a gift certificate for just about anything! Even gas stations!
- Magazine Subscription. If you're really last-minute, stop by a convenience store and pick up the current issue then tear out the gift subscription form and send it in. Then wrap the magazine and add a tag.
- Food. Bake it up. If it's too late to bake, stop at whatever convenience store is open and pick up some chocolates or cookies and wrap them in paper and ribbons.
- Pictures. Grab a picture or take a new one and get copies made. Many places will do it in under and hour. Throw it in a frame and voila! Perfect present!
- Flowers/Plants. Poinsettas are the perfect gift this time of year. If you can't find one, pick up a pretty bouquet in holiday colors. Flowers never go out of style.
- Raid the closets. If you're like me you have a closet/drawer/room where you keep all of your emergency gifts. I stock mine with candles, soaps, lotions, and toys. Because you never know when you're going to need a quick gift. Don't forget about the wine rack or liquor cabinet. Anything unopened is free to give, just make sure to dust it off!
- Music. I've got a zillion songs on my computer - I'm sure the rest of you do as well. Burn them to a CD and give those out for Christmas. Download a bunch of Christmas songs from itunes and hand those out, they make especially good Christmas Presents. Got a few minutes to spare - design a fancy label or cover to make it even more festive!
- e-Certificates. It's Christmas morning and no stores are open and you need a gift. What to do? Thanks to modern technology, you can now purchase gift certificates online, print them for use as a stocking stuffer, or send them by email! Amazon.com, Buy.com, and GiftCertificates.com are a few of many sites providing this service.
Comments (1) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesWho says there's no such thing as perfection?
Not I, that's for sure!
This necklace, called Pink Perfection, is every bit pink and perfect! I just love the combination of pink mother of pearl and the jazzy little star charm on a sterling silver chain. The pink makes it so versatile, I wore it with a few different outfits and got tons of compliments.
But I won't be keeping this lovely necklace. Nope! I'm giving it away to one random subscriber in the January Newsletter. Haven't signed up yet? Whatcha waiting for!?
Comments (0) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesJust what we need: stress relief!
Janet and I are in love with Aveda. Whenever we stop at the mall for a little browse we end up in Aveda for some tea and, if we're lucky, Stacey is there to give us a hand treatment. Of course the best part of the hand treatment has nothing to do with the hands, and everything to do with calm.
At the end of our little hand treatment, Stacey tabs a few drops of this stress-relieving blue oil on the temple and at the back of the neck. According to the Aveda web site, the oil "helps dissolve tension and raise energy levels with the balancing aromas of refreshing peppermint and soothing blue camomile." I agree with that! I really love the tingly feeling that it gives. It definitely makes for a more relaxing shopping adventure.
I just discovered this handy little purse-sized applicator with a hand little roll-on applicator last week during Christmas shopping. I was a good girl, though, and I put off buying it until the next time I hit Aveda. Next week, right Janet!?
Comments (2) | Tell a friendRelated EntriesBlow some bubbles for New Year!
New Year's Eve. The time to say good-bye to another year and celebrate the the new. The time for partying and dancing and drinking champagne! Many of you already know that I love champagne! I think it's the combination of sweet white wine with bubbles and the fancy, sophistication of holding a flute. There, I said it! I drink champagne because I like the flute.
If you're like most people, you drink champagne on special occasions, but rarely ever indulge in a glass any other time of the year. This proves difficult when you have the task of choosing a bottle of champagne for a party or as a gift. Here's a little primer for you:
I'm a huge fan of Pommery. These single-serving bottles are perfect for a small gathering or a little treat.
A few other bubblies that I recommend:
The finest (read most expensive) Champagne ever tasted: Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut
Bargain buy; the best inexpensive bubble out there: Korbel
The happy medium: Moet & Chandon White Star
For those who like the red with a little sweetness: Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui 2005
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