Gift Me Something Redefining the Gift Giving Experience
Just in time for the holidays, new app inspires users to give more meaningful, personalized gifts
Embracing the belief that it’s better to give than to receive, the newGift Me Something app is redefining gift giving for friends, family, co-workers and everyone in between.
Gift Me Something is a social network that allows friends and family to create, share and suggest gift ideas. Whether creating wish lists for themselves, charities, friends, families or others, Gift Me Something enables users to consolidate wish lists in one place – while inspiring people to think outside the box for more meaningful, personal gifts.
“Gift Me Something redefines gifts not just as products, but also as favors, experiences, self-help, self-fulfillment, generosity, donations and more,” said John Weeden, founder and CEO of Gift Me Something. “Gifting and sharing, even to yourself, engenders gratitude and a healthier approach to our surroundings and interaction with our world.”
Gift Me Something’s app simplifies gift idea collation by allowing individuals to:
Create gift lists, bucket lists, shopping lists and share them with friends and family
Snap and post photos of geo-localized experiences, locations, venues, products and just about anything you can dream of to share with their network as part of their wish list creation.
Create wish lists from around the globe with a single click
Gifts can be organized into wish lists for individuals for specific categories, with the ability to add, edit, or delete as needed. Sample wish lists include:
Special occasions such as holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or
Cause-related lists and ideas for giving to various non-profits or charitable donations
Ideas for party themes including decorations, food and beverage
Hobby lists featuring supplies and experiences
The app is available to download through the App Store or through Google Play.
Since the weather is colder, I am going to be knee-deep in hot drinks. Not literally, well, I hope not. I love my hot chocolate and herbal teas this time of the year, and unfortunately, I am known for spilling my drinks. It doesn't feel very good!
Finally, there’s a disposable coffee cup that’s lab-proven to be spill-proof and burn-proof. Coffee, tea and hot water flow through the patented CoolLidreservoir and are cooled to just the right drinking temperature for immediate enjoyment! The unique flow prevents spills from sudden stops or bumps in the road. Plus, the cup’s textured, insulated wall eliminates the need for sleeves and most importantly, keeps beverages warmer, longer.
Last year, when my family went to get our Christmas tree, I was carrying around my cup of hot chocolate, and I tripped over a tree stump, and my rather steaming cocoa went all over my pants. How I wish I would have had a CoolLid Coffee cup lids! Thankfully, I was given the chance to review these brand new innovative spill-proof coffee cup lids.
I was sent several CoolLid Coffee cups with lids to review. My oldest son, Jonathan, (who is a coffee loving individual) was visiting when I opened the box. He actually got really excited to give them a try. Jonathan and his wife, Cassidy, (one of the bloggers here at Beautiful Mommies) have a ten month-old baby girl. As you can imagine, she is a very hands-on baby, and more than once has attempted to grab her Mommy and Daddy's hot coffee cups. Babies are very fast, and can easily get burned very badly if they happen to grab hot drinks and accidentally spill them all over themselves.
So, CoolLid Spill Proof, Burn Proof coffee cup lids are the perfect invention to keep not only clumsy adults safe from potential hot beverage spills, but fast as lightening babies, too.
The worldwide, patented Coollid coffee cup lid, features a unique cooling Reservoir that holds the hot beverage in suspension and cools it down to the perfect drinking temperature---one sip at the time. This unique Reservoir feature not only protects the consumer from scalding their mouth, but also makes the Coollid Spill proof and enables the consumer to “Drink & Drive” without the fear of spilling their hot coffee on their clothes or in their car. The Coollid coffee cup lid helps to eliminate spills and burns when encountering those sudden road bumps and traffic stops while driving. The amazing Coollid hot beverage lid, is the world’s only patented, Spill-PROOF & Burn-PROOF disposable coffee cup lid! Coollid patented technology makes it possible to drink your favorite hot beverage on the go, without having to worry about Accidental Spilling or Scalding your mouth!
I HATE burning my mouth. It is so painful and takes forever to heal! My family is very happy with CoolLid spill proof lids, and you will be too! Keep them in mind for the perfect holiday gifts this year for coffee/tea or hot chocolate lovers. I think it would be a great gift idea to make up a gift basket with coffee, tea or hot chocolate goodies and to add in plenty of CoolLid hot beverage cups/lids!
This multi-benefit crème primer combines Korean ingredients with French luxury to create the perfect all-over illuminator, highlighter, and makeup base. The lightweight crème will help skin glowing through the winter as it gives the skin a pearly radiance, and the licorice root extract in the formula helps leave the skin brighter looking.
Goutal Paris Alcohol-Free Waters ($100, us.goutalparis.com and Goutal Paris NYC boutiques)
For over three decades, the house of Goutal Paris has created luxurious long-lasting fragrances packaged in elegant, chic glass bottles. This year, the house created a delicate alternative to its best-selling scents called Goutal Alcohol-Free Waters – and the white glass bottle that distinguishes the line is a French girl’s vanity dream. The Waters contain natural ingredient, incredibly gentle when used on the body, hair and clothing, and are safe for sensitive skin. Scents include: Eau d’Hadrien, Rose Pompon, L’Ile au Thé and Songes.
Goutal Paris Crème Universelle ($90, us.goutalparis.com and Goutal Paris NYC boutiques)
Treat yourself with this delectably smooth cream, enriched with shea butter and oil, as it effortlessly seeps into the skin to protect, repair and deeply nourish it. The crème was uniquely created to flatter fragrance – thus intensifying and helping extend their scent.
This serene blue/purple nail polish gives nails a certain je ne sais quoi and was inspired by the French countryside’s blooming hydrangeas, lilacs, pungent rosemary, and iconic lavender.
Don't panic! There are still several weeks left to find the perfect holiday gifts. And stocking stuffers? Yes! Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for beauty lovers like myself! (And a sneak peek at what my daughters will be receiving in their stockings!)
Enjoy a spin on the traditional lump of coal this holiday season with the beauty essentials that everyone will love - whether they've been naughty or nice! Bioré Charcoal Products are the perfect stocking stuffers to pick up during your holiday shopping trips. The invigorating scents of peppermint pays homage to the holiday season while having a fun twist on giving them the gift of char-“coal” that also cleans and smooths skin.
I love all of Bioré's Charcoal Products! My favorite new one is the Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water. I absolutely love it, because there are times when I am camping, or that I don't have time for a shower. I simply soak a cotton ball or washcloth with this amazing cleanser, and wash my entire face with it. It safely and effectively removes every trace of makeup. My skin is left feeling refreshed and deeply cleansed!
Available at select food, drug and mass merchant stores
Give a practical present with winter-fighting products from Uncle Bud’s Natural Hemp:
Uncle Bud’s is a new hemp-healthy brand that specializes in skin care, personal care and pain relief products.
Uncle Bud's Belize Seaweed Detoxifying Mask ($2.99): Detoxify and moisturize your skin with this creamy, agave-scented mask, formulated with seaweed and antioxidants that leave your complexion radiant, fresh and intensely hydrated.
Uncle Bud's Hand & Foot Cream ($15.99): This powerful, fast-absorbing cream is specially formulated with moisturizing ingredients to help soothe and restore dry, flaky skin on hands and feet.
Uncle Bud's Bodywash ($15.99): This coconut-scented formula is made with a blend of powerful antioxidant ingredients, cleansing, refreshing, and restoring skin to leave you with a hydrated and radiant complexion.
I recently had the chance to try out Uncle Bud's products, and I am IN LOVE! The detox mask is such a luxury! These colder temperatures have made my skin look so dry and unappealing! After one use of this highly moisturizing mask, my skin looks supple and radiant!
The hand and foot cream is wonderful, too, because my hands and feet were extremely dry as well, and now they feel soft and nicely hydrated.
Uncle Bud's Bodywash is one of the best bodywashes I have ever used because it turns into a rich, sudsy lather that is perfect for shaving my legs. And it smells like coconut! It is so luxurious!
Available at Walmart and GNC nationwide, select Big 5 locations, and Amazon.com.
Find your favorite scent with this LAVANILA trio of hand-crafted, roller-ball fragrances. Each exquisite scent infuses organic sugar cane alcohol with a beautiful blend of pure essential oils for a luxurious experience that is gentle on sensitive skin. Wear individually or layer for a signature scent. Set includes 3 x 5ml roller-ball fragrances $20 ($45 value)
pure vanilla The Perfect Vanilla: Warm Madagascar vanilla, sheer freesia and creamy tonka bean.
vanilla grapefruit Sparkling Citrus: Juicy pink grapefruit, fresh lime, cedar wood and Madagascar vanilla.
I am a huge fan of Lavanila fragrances. They all smell so uplifting and delightful! I keep one of each fragrance on my car, purse and in my bathroom to freshen up whenever I feel the need to smell beautiful.
KORRES Hydrating Luxury Hand Cream Trio ($27.50; Value: $48.00, HSN and KorresUSA.com): Relieve dry hands with rich yet non-oily botanical extracts in a mix of floral and fruity scents to leave skin soft and supple.
Bergamot Pear Hand Cream : There’s nothing quite like biting into a perfectly ripened, juicy pear. Carry that refreshing experience with you every day by lathering your skin with this beautifully scented, luxuriously hydrating cream.
Guava Hand Cream : Invigorating blend of tropical fruits rich in a luxurious hand cream to deeply soften, smooth, and nourish the skin.
Water Lily Hand Cream : A hand cream that deeply moisturizes and nourishes skin. Formulated with shea butter and natural vegetable oils, this luxurious cream is the perfect remedy for dry skin.
These lovely hand creams are the best! I keep one in each of my purses and in my care. The fragrances are intoxicating, and my skin is protected from the elements. My hands have never been so soft!
KORRES Greek Beauty Sleep ($24; Value: $51, Sephora and KorresUSA.com): Get glowing, bright skin by morning with this vitamin-rich Wild Rose duo.
Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil : Filled with real rose petals and rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and C, this ultra-concentrated oil rejuvenates your skin, repairing the look of fine lines while improving the skin’s overall tone and texture.
Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial : Wake up to a bright, revitalized complexion with this overnight facial that targets dull skin with Wild Rose Oil, vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, rosewater and hydrating Imperata Cylindrica Extract.
For youthful, radiant and flawless skin, Korres Greek Beauty Sleep products are the best! I use it all the time, and my skin looks forever young. This year, my daughter (who is 20 years old) asked me for a night cream for Christmas, and guess what she is getting in her stocking?) I know she will love this gift set!
I am a lifelong book lover. I love to read! I am always on the lookout for new reads. I especially enjoy seeking out DIY books, cook books and books about beauty and health. RobertRose Books has brand NEW Fall releases, which I have listed below, as well as a few of my favorites from this past summer.
THE COMPLETE INDIAN INSTANT POT® COOKBOOK 130 Traditional and Modern Recipes Gone are the days when preparing Indian food just seemed too intimidating or for weekends only. Cooking Indian food has never been this approachable, fast or easy!Gorgeous photography with delectable and accessible recipes.Chandra Ram, Chicago
BEST OF BRIDGE WEEKDAY SUPPERS: All-New Easy Everyday RecipesThe Best of Bridge ladies (established in 1975 with a group of 8 female friends) are back with another bestseller and 175 simple recipes with gourmet results for every night of the week. Best of Bridge
5-INGREDIENT INSTANT POT® COOKBOOK: 150 Easy, Quick & Delicious Recipes Dinner is about to get even easier now that you can cook mouthwatering meals in your Instant Pot® with five ingredients or less. Marilyn Haugen, Wisconsin
WHEN A CHILD HAS DIABETES With its friendly, approachable style, this comprehensive and supportive guide will help parents and children learn the hands-on skills needed for at-home diabetes care so they can all live happy, healthy lives. Hospital For Sick Children, Denis Daneman, Shaun Barrett, Jennifer Harrington,
Toronto
150 BEST TOASTER OVEN RECIPES A collection of recipes that is as versatile as your toaster oven itself. Perfect for college, university, elders, singles, camping, RV-ing, etc. Linda Stephen, Ontario
THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE, SECOND EDITION: 300 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Cakes and More This is the ideal guide for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, ensuring that they make the very best cheesecakes. George Geary, California
THE FONDUE BIBLE, SECOND EDITION: The 200 Best RecipesThis updated edition offers 10 new recipes in an entire section devoted to throwing fondue parties. Ilana Simon, Winnipeg
CROHN’S & COLITIS, THIRD EDITION: Understanding & Managing IBD A valuable tool for improving quality of life for anyone diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Dr A Hillary Stein, Toronto
From Spring / Summer 2018:
AROMATHERAPY WITH ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSERS: For Everyday Health & Wellness Aromatherapy and essential oils are more popular than ever.Diffusing essential oils can improve your health and well-being. Karin Parramore, Oregon
150 BEST WAFFLE MAKER RECIPES: From Sweet to Savory Now home cooks can enjoy scrumptious restaurant-quality sweet and savory waffles. Marilyn Haugen, Wisconsin + Jennifer MacKenzie, Ontario
USING THE GAPS DIET: 175 Recipes for Gaining Control of Your Gut FloraA comprehensive introduction and 175 tasty recipes to help you gain control of your health and intestinal flora. Signe Gad, Copenhagen
The frigid cold winter weather can really take its toll on your skin, leaving it dried out and lifeless. Whether it is being chapped by the merciless wind or reddened by the bitter frost, your skin needs a miracle product to protect it in these cooler months. Mirakle Cream, made by The Better Skin Company, is the perfect solution to revitalize, nourish and protect your skin.
I am aleady a huge fan of The Better Skin Co.'s Mirakle Cream because of the way it transforms my skin, so I thought it was interesting to show Orange is the New Black Star Jessica Pimentel using her Mirakle Cream as she gets red carpet ready.
I was just excited to share this as well as the fact that RIGHT NOW with any Mirakle Cream purchase, you will receive the new Epik C for only $21 (a 50% savings). *when you place the Mirakle Cream in your cart a pop up with the offer will occur. Offer ends 01/29/18. Shop now!
T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games(Silver Dolphin Books; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 3-7) features an expanded storyline of the classic Christmas special — the first ever new content in its beloved story. We all recall the most famous reindeer of all. But how much do you know about the story of the Reindeer Games and the other eight reindeer?
Well, now you can know the whole story, meet the rest of Santa's trusted reindeer, and learn what it means to be on T.E.A.M. Rudolph! Featuring themes of caring, acceptance, and the holiday spirit, this is the perfect holiday gift for longtime fans of the TV special, as well as young newcomers to the story.
Timed perfectly to the ABC special Olaf’s Frozen Adventure and just in time for Frozen on Broadway in spring 2018! With the shaped board book acetate, it’ll feel like you’re holding a real snowflake and watching the glittery snow as you read about the sweet and funny experiences of Olaf the Snowman. Watch the snow fall and stay warm as you join your favorite characters in a Frozen Adventure!
These books are absolutely precious, and are the perfect books to get your child excited for the holidays! Both books are perfect keepsakes that can be brought out every December to be read to the children. This can become a new favorite family tradition!
How important is coffee? For 52% of coffee drinkers, it's important enough to skip a shower in order to have time for their cup of joe, and we completely understand those priorities. Sean Cho, Founder and Designer ofMOOD Coffee Drip Kits, created a portable, single-use, and mess-free way to brew the perfect cup of drip coffee.
Sean says, "Because we like to shower and have freshly brewed coffee every morning, our team spent an entire year designing the perfectly portable and recyclable dripper in Japan, sourcing the best ground coffee from Colombia, and making it 3 times more concentrated and flavorful than the "average" drip coffee."
What could a coffee love more than to have premium drip coffee on the go without having to wait in the long Starbucks line?
Each MOOD Coffee Drip Kits comes with a beautiful dripper and a pouch of coffee portioned for one delicious cup.
MOOD drippers drip three times slower than the average filter, which ensures your coffee is concentrated and full of flavor. They're also sized to fit perfectly in any cup or tumbler.
The best gifts you can give to someone that you love is a gift from the heart. With Collage.com, you can create gifts that are made with not only the love in your heart, but with photos of cherished memories. These are the types of gifts that keep on giving.
I was having a hard time coming up with gift ideas for a few of my family members this year, and so I decided on a Collage.com Custom Photo Blanket. With a custom photo blanket, my loved ones will not only be reminded of special memories that we have shared when they look at the photos I chose, they can also feel 'hugged' by me when they wrap the warm fuzzy blanket around them.
Photo Blankets Turn Warm Memories Into Cozy Afternoons
Collage.com is America’s number-one photo blanket destination. They make it easy to print your favorite photos on a soft, cuddly blanket that we guarantee you'll love. Upload photos from your phone, Facebook, Instagram, or your computer in seconds—and wrap yourself in your favorite memories on ultra warm, super soft fleece. See why hundreds of thousands of customers have turned to Collage.com photo blankets for an amazing custom gift, or just a perfect addition to the living room. It is so easy and fun!
Printed-to-order in the USA, each Collage.com blanket is made with incredibly soft, machine-washable Arctic fleece, and created using a special dye-sublimated process to keep your images sharp and bright. These photo blankets have been hailed as a perfect gift by everyone from “Good Morning America,” to “The View,” to AARP: The Magazine, Forbes, Mashable, and Buzzfeed. Every purchase is covered by Collage.com's Just Right 100% satisfaction guarantee.
There are four delightful photo blanket styles you can choose from, which include Fleece, Sherpa, Printed Woven and Woven Image.
While I am waiting for my latest Collage.com order to arrive, I wanted to show you the photo blanket that I ordered for my son, Braxton last Christmas. It is made from the softest fleece. Braxton has slept with it every single night for a year, and it is still in perfect condition (even after several washes!) Braxton loves the sweet memory of when we went to Universal Studios and met Sponge Bob, so this blanket gift was the perfect gift for Braxton.
With the holidays fast approaching and most scrambling to finish buying gifts for all on their list, you may find yourself a bit stumped when it comes to your child. If you’ve got a creative child, finding gifts that put a smile on their face and encourage their creativity can include a bit more thought and effort on their part. The top trending toy of the season typically isn’t going to be what gets them excited, so what will? That’s exactly why we’ve put together this holiday gift guide with creative kids in mind. So let’s get started.
Create Their Own Digital Comic
If you’ve got a pre-teen or teen who loves writing and tends to have a rather lively sense of humor, then why not introduce them to RageMaker.net. This website allows them to use a variety of faces to create their own digital comic strip. They can add text, move images around, and really create something very professional looking. When they are done with their comic it can be saved and even printed.
Now because they can’t open a website on Christmas morning, you could always wrap up some binders or books where they can paste and display their comic strips as they make them.
Art Themed Gift Basket
Rather than buy one or two big gifts for your creative child, you may want to consider doing a whole arts and crafts themed gift basket. You can visit your local craft store, or even dollar-type store to stock up on all kinds of supplies. Things such a glue, googly eyes, sparkles, stickers, popsicle sticks, colored paper, feathers, pompoms, ribbons, jewels, felt, and scissors all make for perfect items.
Your child will love sorting through the various items in the basket, and because there are no rules to how the supplies are used, they will be free to be as creative as they like.
A Professional Art Kit
One of the key items artists need are drawing tools such as colored pencils, paints, drawing pencils, markets, and oil pastels. You can find pre-packaged art too/drawing sets that contain all the necessary items your child will need. As a companion gift you could also include different types of paper that work with the various mediums in the set.
Sign Them up for an Art Class
Art classes are another fabulous gift for creative kids. These classes give them a chance to work on their craft and learn the core skills. You can find classes that are an introduction to drawing, painting, calligraphy, beading, pottery, and more. Just pick the ones that would interest your child the most, and then you can also purchase the supplies they will need to get started in the class.
You Need to be Creative in the Thought Process
When it comes to buying gifts for creative kids, the best technique is for you to be creative yourself in your idea process. Creative kids need to be able to work on their skills and craft, and feel encouraged to do so, so finding gifts that match their interests is always the best plan.
Beautiful Mommies
Product Reviews and advice for Moms of ALL ages to Ensure the Happiness and well-being of families and EVERYTHING else in Life!
A Family, Beauty, Health and Lifestyle Blog
Just in time for the Holidays! This New App Redefines the Gift Giving Experience: Gift Me Something!
Gift Me Something Redefining the Gift Giving Experience
Just in time for the holidays, new app inspires users to give more meaningful, personalized gifts
Embracing the belief that it’s better to give than to receive, the new Gift Me Something app is redefining gift giving for friends, family, co-workers and everyone in between.
Gift Me Something is a social network that allows friends and family to create, share and suggest gift ideas. Whether creating wish lists for themselves, charities, friends, families or others, Gift Me Something enables users to consolidate wish lists in one place – while inspiring people to think outside the box for more meaningful, personal gifts.
“Gift Me Something redefines gifts not just as products, but also as favors, experiences, self-help, self-fulfillment, generosity, donations and more,” said John Weeden, founder and CEO of Gift Me Something. “Gifting and sharing, even to yourself, engenders gratitude and a healthier approach to our surroundings and interaction with our world.”
Gift Me Something’s app simplifies gift idea collation by allowing individuals to:
Create wish lists from around the globe with a single click
Gifts can be organized into wish lists for individuals for specific categories, with the ability to add, edit, or delete as needed. Sample wish lists include:
The app is available to download through the App Store or through Google Play.
For more information, visit www.gift-me-something.com
T'is the Season for Hot Drinks! How about a Spill-Proof, Burn-Proof Coffee Cup?
Since the weather is colder, I am going to be knee-deep in hot drinks. Not literally, well, I hope not. I love my hot chocolate and herbal teas this time of the year, and unfortunately, I am known for spilling my drinks. It doesn't feel very good!
Finally, there’s a disposable coffee cup that’s lab-proven to be spill-proof and burn-proof. Coffee, tea and hot water flow through the patented CoolLid reservoir and are cooled to just the right drinking temperature for immediate enjoyment! The unique flow prevents spills from sudden stops or bumps in the road. Plus, the cup’s textured, insulated wall eliminates the need for sleeves and most importantly, keeps beverages warmer, longer.
Last year, when my family went to get our Christmas tree, I was carrying around my cup of hot chocolate, and I tripped over a tree stump, and my rather steaming cocoa went all over my pants. How I wish I would have had a CoolLid Coffee cup lids! Thankfully, I was given the chance to review these brand new innovative spill-proof coffee cup lids.
I was sent several CoolLid Coffee cups with lids to review. My oldest son, Jonathan, (who is a coffee loving individual) was visiting when I opened the box. He actually got really excited to give them a try. Jonathan and his wife, Cassidy, (one of the bloggers here at Beautiful Mommies) have a ten month-old baby girl. As you can imagine, she is a very hands-on baby, and more than once has attempted to grab her Mommy and Daddy's hot coffee cups. Babies are very fast, and can easily get burned very badly if they happen to grab hot drinks and accidentally spill them all over themselves.
So, CoolLid Spill Proof, Burn Proof coffee cup lids are the perfect invention to keep not only clumsy adults safe from potential hot beverage spills, but fast as lightening babies, too.
The worldwide, patented Coollid coffee cup lid, features a unique cooling Reservoir that holds the hot beverage in suspension and cools it down to the perfect drinking temperature---one sip at the time. This unique Reservoir feature not only protects the consumer from scalding their mouth, but also makes the Coollid Spill proof and enables the consumer to “Drink & Drive” without the fear of spilling their hot coffee on their clothes or in their car. The Coollid coffee cup lid helps to eliminate spills and burns when encountering those sudden road bumps and traffic stops while driving. The amazing Coollid hot beverage lid, is the world’s only patented, Spill-PROOF & Burn-PROOF disposable coffee cup lid! Coollid patented technology makes it possible to drink your favorite hot beverage on the go, without having to worry about Accidental Spilling or Scalding your mouth!
I HATE burning my mouth. It is so painful and takes forever to heal! My family is very happy with CoolLid spill proof lids, and you will be too! Keep them in mind for the perfect holiday gifts this year for coffee/tea or hot chocolate lovers. I think it would be a great gift idea to make up a gift basket with coffee, tea or hot chocolate goodies and to add in plenty of CoolLid hot beverage cups/lids!
For more information, visit: https://coollid.com/shop/ They offer FREE shipping!
Just a Few of my Favorite Things.....Beauty Stocking Stuffers
GIFT IDEAS FOR THE GIRL WHO IS:
Chic, classy, and would much rather be in Paris
Erborian Glow Crème ($42, Sephora.com)
This multi-benefit crème primer combines Korean ingredients with French luxury to create the perfect all-over illuminator, highlighter, and makeup base. The lightweight crème will help skin glowing through the winter as it gives the skin a pearly radiance, and the licorice root extract in the formula helps leave the skin brighter looking.
Goutal Paris Alcohol-Free Waters ($100, us.goutalparis.com and Goutal Paris NYC boutiques)
For over three decades, the house of Goutal Paris has created luxurious long-lasting fragrances packaged in elegant, chic glass bottles. This year, the house created a delicate alternative to its best-selling scents called Goutal Alcohol-Free Waters – and the white glass bottle that distinguishes the line is a French girl’s vanity dream. The Waters contain natural ingredient, incredibly gentle when used on the body, hair and clothing, and are safe for sensitive skin. Scents include: Eau d’Hadrien, Rose Pompon, L’Ile au Thé and Songes.
Goutal Paris Crème Universelle ($90, us.goutalparis.com and Goutal Paris NYC boutiques)
Treat yourself with this delectably smooth cream, enriched with shea butter and oil, as it effortlessly seeps into the skin to protect, repair and deeply nourish it. The crème was uniquely created to flatter fragrance – thus intensifying and helping extend their scent.
Lauren B Beauty - Summer in Provence ($18, Laurenbbeauty.com)
This serene blue/purple nail polish gives nails a certain je ne sais quoi and was inspired by the French countryside’s blooming hydrangeas, lilacs, pungent rosemary, and iconic lavender.
Stocking Stuffer Steals! (And Reviews of my FAVORITES)
Don't panic! There are still several weeks left to find the perfect holiday gifts. And stocking stuffers? Yes! Here are a few of my favorite gift ideas for beauty lovers like myself! (And a sneak peek at what my daughters will be receiving in their stockings!)
Enjoy a spin on the traditional lump of coal this holiday season with the beauty essentials that everyone will love - whether they've been naughty or nice! Bioré Charcoal Products are the perfect stocking stuffers to pick up during your holiday shopping trips. The invigorating scents of peppermint pays homage to the holiday season while having a fun twist on giving them the gift of char-“coal” that also cleans and smooths skin.
I love all of Bioré's Charcoal Products! My favorite new one is the Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water. I absolutely love it, because there are times when I am camping, or that I don't have time for a shower. I simply soak a cotton ball or washcloth with this amazing cleanser, and wash my entire face with it. It safely and effectively removes every trace of makeup. My skin is left feeling refreshed and deeply cleansed!
Available at select food, drug and mass merchant stores
Give a practical present with winter-fighting products from Uncle Bud’s Natural Hemp:
Uncle Bud’s is a new hemp-healthy brand that specializes in skin care, personal care and pain relief products.
I recently had the chance to try out Uncle Bud's products, and I am IN LOVE! The detox mask is such a luxury! These colder temperatures have made my skin look so dry and unappealing! After one use of this highly moisturizing mask, my skin looks supple and radiant!
The hand and foot cream is wonderful, too, because my hands and feet were extremely dry as well, and now they feel soft and nicely hydrated.
Uncle Bud's Bodywash is one of the best bodywashes I have ever used because it turns into a rich, sudsy lather that is perfect for shaving my legs. And it smells like coconut! It is so luxurious!
Available at Walmart and GNC nationwide, select Big 5 locations, and Amazon.com.
Find your favorite scent with this LAVANILA trio of hand-crafted, roller-ball fragrances. Each exquisite scent infuses organic sugar cane alcohol with a beautiful blend of pure essential oils for a luxurious experience that is gentle on sensitive skin. Wear individually or layer for a signature scent. Set includes 3 x 5ml roller-ball fragrances $20 ($45 value)
I am a huge fan of Lavanila fragrances. They all smell so uplifting and delightful! I keep one of each fragrance on my car, purse and in my bathroom to freshen up whenever I feel the need to smell beautiful.
KORRES Hydrating Luxury Hand Cream Trio ($27.50; Value: $48.00, HSN and KorresUSA.com): Relieve dry hands with rich yet non-oily botanical extracts in a mix of floral and fruity scents to leave skin soft and supple.
These lovely hand creams are the best! I keep one in each of my purses and in my care. The fragrances are intoxicating, and my skin is protected from the elements. My hands have never been so soft!
KORRES Greek Beauty Sleep ($24; Value: $51, Sephora and KorresUSA.com): Get glowing, bright skin by morning with this vitamin-rich Wild Rose duo.
For youthful, radiant and flawless skin, Korres Greek Beauty Sleep products are the best! I use it all the time, and my skin looks forever young. This year, my daughter (who is 20 years old) asked me for a night cream for Christmas, and guess what she is getting in her stocking?) I know she will love this gift set!
Books! Books! Books! Check out these NEW Fall titles from RobertRose Books!
I am a lifelong book lover. I love to read! I am always on the lookout for new reads. I especially enjoy seeking out DIY books, cook books and books about beauty and health. RobertRose Books has brand NEW Fall releases, which I have listed below, as well as a few of my favorites from this past summer.
THE COMPLETE INDIAN INSTANT POT® COOKBOOK 130 Traditional and Modern Recipes Gone are the days when preparing Indian food just seemed too intimidating or for weekends only. Cooking Indian food has never been this approachable, fast or easy!Gorgeous photography with delectable and accessible recipes. Chandra Ram, Chicago
BEST OF BRIDGE WEEKDAY SUPPERS: All-New Easy Everyday Recipes The Best of Bridge ladies (established in 1975 with a group of 8 female friends) are back with another bestseller and 175 simple recipes with gourmet results for every night of the week. Best of Bridge
5-INGREDIENT INSTANT POT® COOKBOOK: 150 Easy, Quick & Delicious Recipes Dinner is about to get even easier now that you can cook mouthwatering meals in your Instant Pot® with five ingredients or less. Marilyn Haugen, Wisconsin
THE CHEESECAKE BIBLE, SECOND EDITION: 300 Sweet & Savory Recipes for Cakes and More This is the ideal guide for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, ensuring that they make the very best cheesecakes. George Geary, California
THE FONDUE BIBLE, SECOND EDITION: The 200 Best Recipes This updated edition offers 10 new recipes in an entire section devoted to throwing fondue parties. Ilana Simon, Winnipeg
CROHN’S & COLITIS, THIRD EDITION: Understanding & Managing IBD A valuable tool for improving quality of life for anyone diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. Dr A Hillary Stein, Toronto
From Spring / Summer 2018:
AROMATHERAPY WITH ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSERS: For Everyday Health & Wellness Aromatherapy and essential oils are more popular than ever. Diffusing essential oils can improve your health and well-being. Karin Parramore, Oregon
150 BEST WAFFLE MAKER RECIPES: From Sweet to Savory Now home cooks can enjoy scrumptious restaurant-quality sweet and savory waffles. Marilyn Haugen, Wisconsin + Jennifer MacKenzie, Ontario
USING THE GAPS DIET: 175 Recipes for Gaining Control of Your Gut Flora A comprehensive introduction and 175 tasty recipes to help you gain control of your health and intestinal flora. Signe Gad, Copenhagen
RobertRose also has a number of skincare & beauty books , natural health & aging/brain exercise titles, sports & wellness books , BBQ + cook books, baking books and parenting books. They even have books focusing on autism , ayurvedic , recipes for camping and hiking , and everything in between! Happy book hunting!
To order any of the above titles, or to check out the amazing and vast collection of titles from RobertRose Books, simply visit: www.robertrose.ca
Revitalize Dry Winter Skin with Mirakle Cream, a Celeb Favorite for Getting Red Carpet Ready!
The frigid cold winter weather can really take its toll on your skin, leaving it dried out and lifeless. Whether it is being chapped by the merciless wind or reddened by the bitter frost, your skin needs a miracle product to protect it in these cooler months. Mirakle Cream, made by The Better Skin Company, is the perfect solution to revitalize, nourish and protect your skin.
I am aleady a huge fan of The Better Skin Co.'s Mirakle Cream because of the way it transforms my skin, so I thought it was interesting to show Orange is the New Black Star Jessica Pimentel using her Mirakle Cream as she gets red carpet ready.
I was just excited to share this as well as the fact that RIGHT NOW with any Mirakle Cream purchase, you will receive the new Epik C for only $21 (a 50% savings). *when you place the Mirakle Cream in your cart a pop up with the offer will occur. Offer ends 01/29/18. Shop now!
For more information go to: https://thebetterskinco.com
Holiday Books your Child will Love!
T.E.A.M. Rudolph and the Reindeer Games (Silver Dolphin Books; Hardcover $17.99; Ages 3-7) features an expanded storyline of the classic Christmas special — the first ever new content in its beloved story. We all recall the most famous reindeer of all. But how much do you know about the story of the Reindeer Games and the other eight reindeer?
Well, now you can know the whole story, meet the rest of Santa's trusted reindeer, and learn what it means to be on T.E.A.M. Rudolph! Featuring themes of caring, acceptance, and the holiday spirit, this is the perfect holiday gift for longtime fans of the TV special, as well as young newcomers to the story.
In Disney Olaf’s Frozen Adventures: A Holiday Surprise (Studio Fun International; Hardcover $8.99; Ages 3+) , follow your favorite snuggly snowman in this heart-melting holiday adventure!
Timed perfectly to the ABC special Olaf’s Frozen Adventure and just in time for Frozen on Broadway in spring 2018! With the shaped board book acetate, it’ll feel like you’re holding a real snowflake and watching the glittery snow as you read about the sweet and funny experiences of Olaf the Snowman. Watch the snow fall and stay warm as you join your favorite characters in a Frozen Adventure!
These books are absolutely precious, and are the perfect books to get your child excited for the holidays! Both books are perfect keepsakes that can be brought out every December to be read to the children. This can become a new favorite family tradition!
Last Minute Gift Ideas for Coffee Lovers
How important is coffee? For 52% of coffee drinkers, it's important enough to skip a shower in order to have time for their cup of joe, and we completely understand those priorities. Sean Cho, Founder and Designer of MOOD Coffee Drip Kits, created a portable, single-use, and mess-free way to brew the perfect cup of drip coffee.
Sean says, "Because we like to shower and have freshly brewed coffee every morning, our team spent an entire year designing the perfectly portable and recyclable dripper in Japan, sourcing the best ground coffee from Colombia, and making it 3 times more concentrated and flavorful than the "average" drip coffee."
What could a coffee love more than to have premium drip coffee on the go without having to wait in the long Starbucks line?
Each MOOD Coffee Drip Kits comes with a beautiful dripper and a pouch of coffee portioned for one delicious cup.
MOOD drippers drip three times slower than the average filter, which ensures your coffee is concentrated and full of flavor. They're also sized to fit perfectly in any cup or tumbler.
Give the Gift of Cherished Memories from Collage.com
The best gifts you can give to someone that you love is a gift from the heart. With Collage.com, you can create gifts that are made with not only the love in your heart, but with photos of cherished memories. These are the types of gifts that keep on giving.
I was having a hard time coming up with gift ideas for a few of my family members this year, and so I decided on a Collage.com Custom Photo Blanket. With a custom photo blanket, my loved ones will not only be reminded of special memories that we have shared when they look at the photos I chose, they can also feel 'hugged' by me when they wrap the warm fuzzy blanket around them.
Photo Blankets Turn Warm Memories Into Cozy Afternoons
Collage.com is America’s number-one photo blanket destination. They make it easy to print your favorite photos on a soft, cuddly blanket that we guarantee you'll love. Upload photos from your phone, Facebook, Instagram, or your computer in seconds—and wrap yourself in your favorite memories on ultra warm, super soft fleece. See why hundreds of thousands of customers have turned to Collage.com photo blankets for an amazing custom gift, or just a perfect addition to the living room. It is so easy and fun!
Printed-to-order in the USA, each Collage.com blanket is made with incredibly soft, machine-washable Arctic fleece, and created using a special dye-sublimated process to keep your images sharp and bright. These photo blankets have been hailed as a perfect gift by everyone from “Good Morning America,” to “The View,” to AARP: The Magazine, Forbes, Mashable, and Buzzfeed. Every purchase is covered by Collage.com's Just Right 100% satisfaction guarantee.
There are four delightful photo blanket styles you can choose from, which include Fleece, Sherpa, Printed Woven and Woven Image.
While I am waiting for my latest Collage.com order to arrive, I wanted to show you the photo blanket that I ordered for my son, Braxton last Christmas. It is made from the softest fleece. Braxton has slept with it every single night for a year, and it is still in perfect condition (even after several washes!) Braxton loves the sweet memory of when we went to Universal Studios and met Sponge Bob, so this blanket gift was the perfect gift for Braxton.
Get started on your custom blanket here!
Giveaway
Enter to win! One winner will receive a gift code to create a custom blanket of their choice from Collage.com. (up to a $300 value.)
How? It's easy! Just fill out the Giveaway Tools form below. Good luck!
*Product received. All opinions are my own.
Holiday Gift Guide for Creative Kids
Holiday Gift Guide for Creative Kids
With the holidays fast approaching and most scrambling to finish buying gifts for all on their list, you may find yourself a bit stumped when it comes to your child. If you’ve got a creative child, finding gifts that put a smile on their face and encourage their creativity can include a bit more thought and effort on their part. The top trending toy of the season typically isn’t going to be what gets them excited, so what will? That’s exactly why we’ve put together this holiday gift guide with creative kids in mind. So let’s get started.
Create Their Own Digital Comic
If you’ve got a pre-teen or teen who loves writing and tends to have a rather lively sense of humor, then why not introduce them to RageMaker.net. This website allows them to use a variety of faces to create their own digital comic strip. They can add text, move images around, and really create something very professional looking. When they are done with their comic it can be saved and even printed.
Now because they can’t open a website on Christmas morning, you could always wrap up some binders or books where they can paste and display their comic strips as they make them.
Art Themed Gift Basket
Rather than buy one or two big gifts for your creative child, you may want to consider doing a whole arts and crafts themed gift basket. You can visit your local craft store, or even dollar-type store to stock up on all kinds of supplies. Things such a glue, googly eyes, sparkles, stickers, popsicle sticks, colored paper, feathers, pompoms, ribbons, jewels, felt, and scissors all make for perfect items.
Your child will love sorting through the various items in the basket, and because there are no rules to how the supplies are used, they will be free to be as creative as they like.
A Professional Art Kit
One of the key items artists need are drawing tools such as colored pencils, paints, drawing pencils, markets, and oil pastels. You can find pre-packaged art too/drawing sets that contain all the necessary items your child will need. As a companion gift you could also include different types of paper that work with the various mediums in the set.
Sign Them up for an Art Class
Art classes are another fabulous gift for creative kids. These classes give them a chance to work on their craft and learn the core skills. You can find classes that are an introduction to drawing, painting, calligraphy, beading, pottery, and more. Just pick the ones that would interest your child the most, and then you can also purchase the supplies they will need to get started in the class.
You Need to be Creative in the Thought Process
When it comes to buying gifts for creative kids, the best technique is for you to be creative yourself in your idea process. Creative kids need to be able to work on their skills and craft, and feel encouraged to do so, so finding gifts that match their interests is always the best plan.