Friday, February 27, 2009

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream


When it comes to skincare, it's always good to stick with formulas that have been around for a while; the wisdom of the crowd over time is generally a good sign especially when it comes to the sensitivity of your skin. Yu-Be, a Japanese brand, has been producing this vitamin enriched skincare formula for over 50 years. Unlike many of the products in the market today that are petroleum based resulting with an oily and ineffective result, Yu-Be is made with glycerine, vitamin E and vitamin B2 to combat dry, cracked skin. Available at Yu-Be.com.

Price: $24
For: Him, Her
Interests: Beauty, Spa, Skincare
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What's your go-to moisturizer?

Thursday, February 26, 2009

ESPN Subscription

Gift Challenge: I am needing a gift for my boyfriend who is in college at Wake Forest.  I go to college in Texas.  We have known each other since 6th grade and dated for 3 years.  He is very thoughtful and romantic.  He plays basketball and is learning Chinese.  He plans on being involved in international business and will be studying in China in his junior year.  Hope you can help.

Shopping for guys can be difficult. Ideally you want to find something romantic but not too cute, functional but not too boring, trendy but not overly stylish. Here are some ideas, see what you think:

READ
-Most basketball lovers would enjoy this:
ESPN magazine subscription $26


PRACTICE
-I'm sure your boyfriend is taking chinese classes, but this may be really helpful for everyday use, I have a copy and love it:
15 minute chinese $15.56

EAT
-For something on the cute/romantic side, perhaps you could get him a pair of these egg cups, so you can enjoy them when you visit:
Alessi Egg Cup $17
PLAY
-This is a fun electronic version of taboo, definitely useful in the dorm or at parties:
Catch Phrase $25.99

ORGANIZE
- My favorite of all is this Fossil wallet - it's functional, stylish and will be perfect for his year abroad and something he can remember you by everyday.
Fossil Traveler Apex $30
What would you pick? Feel free to share other ideas!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Organic Mini Tomato Kit


If you are not a gardener, potted kits are a great way to start becoming one. Otherwise, deliver this charming surprise to your new neighbor or express your gratitude to mom for baby-sitting while you were on a Carribean getaway. This kit includes everything you need to grow your own mini-tomatoes: organic soil, rice hulls for drainage, sketch gloves and instructions in a leak-proof recycled steel pail. Available at Surlatable.com.

Price: $35
For: Him, Her
Interests: Eco-gifts, Home, Gardening, Food
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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Claus Porto Fantasia Gift Box of 9 Fragranced Bars

Gift Challenge: It's my mother-in-law's birthday next week. We are planning on spending $150 on her gift. But she's not easy to shop for. Most of the things we have bought her before didn't quite meet her requirements for form and function. She's a french lady, very chic and practical. 


Yes, shopping for the mother-in-law can be tricky. Soaps are a great candidate because they deliver a sweet, personal statement without being too specific or imposing. Also my grandmother happens to love soaps, so I'm always on the look out for fragrant bars with high quality ingredients. Made in Europe with 100% natural mango butter, this set of nine are wrapped in whimsical designs from the 1920s. Flavors include: honeysuckle, grapefruit & fig, mimosa, rosa and wild-orchid. Available at LafcoNewYork.com.

Price: $110
For: Her
Interests: Beauty, Spa, Home, Accessories
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What kinds of gifts impress your mother-in-law? Email me or leave a comment :)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Hotel Laundry Bag by The Laundress New York

Notice how you often have to "borrow" the hotel laundry bag as you pack up and head home? One way to keep your suitcase clean and neat is to personalize a few matching laundry bags: "whites", "colors", "intimates", "beach", "ski" or "weekend" for your next trip away. Available at LaundressNY.com.

Price: $18
For: Him, Her
Interests: Accessories, Travel
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What are you tricks to organizing your suit case pre and post trip?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Swissmar Red Raclette Party Grill


Just recently we enjoyed a delicious Swiss meal of fondue, raclette, roasted sausages and rosti (potato pancake). In the winter time when it's rainy and cold out, a cheese dinner with champagne delivers delectable warmth. Make your own feast with this nonstick grill and griddle pan. Available at Surlatable.com.

Price: $99
For: Him, Her
Interests: Food, Home, Entertaining, Gadgets
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What's your favorite Swiss dish?

Monday, February 16, 2009

Glass Beverage Bottles by Crate and Barrel


Not sure you are ready to give up your convenient but earth-unfriendly plastic water bottles? Finally, plastic-looking glass water bottles have arrived. Reduce your consumption of water from plastic water bottles by replacing them with this glass version at work and home. Available at CrateandBarrel.com.

Price: starting at $7.95
For: Him, Her
Interests: Accessories, Gadgets, Eco-gifts
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How do you transport your beverages in an eco-way?

Mani-Pedi Spa Suitcase


Gift Challenge: My three girlfriends are throwing a bridal party for me in a few weeks. We are spending the weekend in Sonoma visiting a couple wineries and doing some spa treatments. I'd like to get them something in return, what should I get?
 
Give them something they will remember the trip by. Fill this mani-pedi kit with a few goodies from the spa you visit and drop in a note thanking them for their friendship and celebrating this special event for you. Available at PBTeen.com.

Price: $59
For: Her
Interests: Accessories, Beauty, Spa
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Where's your favorite spa? Is it a romantic island getaway or a down-town retreat?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

3 Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's Day at Home

Happy Valentine's Day!

Some people love this day, some hate it. Wherever you stand on this spectrum of love and hate, it really is just a day to do a few sweet things for people you love and cherish. It does not have to involve red, candy, chocolates or even roses because the best gifts are thoughtful, simple experiences that sink in and make you smile.

This Valentine's Day instead of decadent gifts, explore these economical and fun ideas:

#1: Make your own v-day cards:

Don't want to pick from an isle of generic cards? Easy, make it yourself. Stop by your nearest arts and craft store and pick up a selection of paper, stickers and glitter. Instead of wasting your time running around the shops looking for the most romantic present, why not get together and let card making be a fun, romantic event in itself. Checkout Martha Stewart Crafts for tons of ideas and tools.

#2: Make your own creme brulee:

I'm not a baker. I can hardly follow a recipe without mixing it up. But if there is one dessert you can master during your first attempt, it's going to be creme brulee. There are tons of recipes online, however, the basic concept is simple: heat the milk, whisk the sugar and egg yolks, slowly whisk the milk into the egg mixture, steam, sprinkle with sugar and fire away. So pick up a torch at your nearest kitchen store (don't forget the can of butane!) and work together for this deliciously decadent surprise. Available at SurLaTable.com.

#3: Make your own spa soak:

Hotels, spas, florists, they know when to raise prices. So today, really is not a good day to make a reservation or shop from any of the above. Instead, pick up a bottle of bubble bath, a few scent-free candles and pop a bottle of prosecco to create a luxurious and money-saving spa experience right in the comforts of your home. Available at Jurlique.com.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day? What were your best/worst gifts?

Friday, February 13, 2009

Big Green Purse

Are you walking through supermarket isles searching for big red sale tags? These days everyone is focused on saving the extra dollar. Here's a smart way to save and be green. Follow the tips in Big Green Purse and learn how to shop for cosmetics, coffee, paper products, appliances and more. Available at Amazon.com. 

What to learn more about how to use your spending power to create a cleaner, greener world, read on, here

Price: $5.99
For: Her
Interests: Home, Green
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Where do you shop for green products? Email me or leave a comment.

Florida Tangerines


There is something about the sweet, juicy and summery flavor of tangerines that make them a special treat in winter. If the cold, rainy days have zapped away your appetite, then it's time to add a zest of citrus warmth back into your diet. Available at HaleGroves.com.

Price: $29.98 for a 15 pack
For: Him, Her, Kids
Interests: Food
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Do you order fresh fruit online? What do you order? Email me or leave a comment.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Twinkle Ballet Flats by Jcrew

Skip the candy and chocolates this v-day. Your little girl, niece or granddaughter will love a pair of twinkle ballet flats. It's always exciting to receive a gift that's out of the ordinary and ten times more delightful. Available at Jcrew.com. 

Price: $128
For: Kids
Interests: Accessories
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Are you skipping the candy and chocolates as well? What are you giving for v-day?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Seacliff Herringbone Diaper Bag by Pottery Barn Kids



Gift Challenge: My sister-in-law is due with her first baby girl in a few weeks. I looked at her registry and it looks like people have gotten most of what she wants - baby clothes, monitors, changing tables etc. What else can I get her that's different, chic and functional?

You want your gift to be treasured and used often, right? Skip the crib mobiles and baby blankets and instead opt for a practical, everyday diaper bag. She can tote it to play dates, grandparents' homes and the park. Here's one crafted of herringbone cotton-canvas with vegetable-dyed tanned leather details. Available at Potterybarnkids.com.

Price: $149
For: Her
Interests: Accessories, Baby
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Kindle 2


Got a bookworm in your life? Surprise him or her with a completely functional and sweet idea, the 2nd generation Kindle. It's the latest and greatest in digital book technology. I have a couple of avid readers in my life and they have all given up their heavy hardcovers and traded over to the Kindle. The Kindle 2 is redesigned to be slimmer and sleeker (at 1/3 of an inch) holding more selections (over 1500 books) and now it can even read aloud with the text to speech feature.

This is how simple it gets: order a book through the Kindle, receive it wirelessly in under 60 seconds, read or listen to it, take notes, look up words, scroll to the next page, play music in the background, email your comments to friends. The Kindle 2, does it all. Available at Amazon.com.

Price: $359
For: Him, Her
Interests: Books, Reading, Gadgets
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Do you own a Kindle? What do you think?

Monday, February 09, 2009

Chocolate Truffle Lipgloss

Here's a shopping tip from our reader Dora. Buying chocolates this Valentine's Day? Well here are some that are so delicious looking, you can almost eat them. They will be a great surprise, with delicious tasting Praline Princess, Mocha Choca, Rose Swirl and Vanilla Fancy lipgloss on the inside. Available at npw.co.uk.



Price: approx. $13
For: Her
Interests: Accessories, Beauty, Gadgets
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Monday, February 02, 2009

What am I looking for this month?

February 2009
It's February, already! This month, share your Valentine's Day ideas. Tell us what your best and worst Valentine's Day gifts were. Can't decide what to get? Email in your gift challenges. As always, you can reach me at shoplittlegifts@gmail.com.

-Sweettooth

Sarpaneva Pot


I love to cook one-pot meals: Mediterranean chicken with olives, lemon tomatoes and capers, vegetable Thai curry, lobster and clambake. For all the home cooks out there, this cast iron design will help you transport and present your creation without burning your fingers. Available at TwentyTwentyOne.com.

Price: approx $250
For: Him, Her
Interests: Cooking, Home Decor, Gadgets
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Here are some of my one-pot dishes:
Share your dishes! Email me or leave a comment.