Last Minute Gift Ideas (You can make!)

Click HERE to find the tutorial on making these ADORABLE lavender sachets...perfect for any woman on your Christmas list.

Click HERE to find the tutorial on Homemade Vanilla Extract! GREAT idea for the cook in your life.

Pretty Journals, Etc.

My mom recently bought me this journal from Barnes and Noble.  It was created by Susie Ghahremani.  You can visit her website for this journal and many more adorable things such as bags, notepads, cards, magnets, shirts and more. The prices are very affordable. This journal ending up costing only $8.95 with the Barnes and Noble Membership Discount.

(Did you know...you can buy ONE MEMBERSHIP for your entire extended family to receive discounts from Barnes and Noble. All you need to know is the phone number of the person who opened up the account.)

World's Tiniest Letter

My future sister-in-law sent me this link to the World's Tiniest Letter.  Adorable!!  You could send one to a loved one for only $8.  What a sweet little valentine, huh??  

Freakin' Fabulous

One of the most entertaining people on the planet: Clinton Kelly from TLC's What Not to Wear. I recently saw him in person at Macy's in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was promoting his new book, FREAKIN' FABULOUS.

In his book, Clinton teaches "HOW TO DRESS, SPEAK, BEHAVE, EAT, DRINK, ENTERTAIN, DECORATE, AND GENERALLY BE BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE."

Here is an excerpt from the section How to DRESS: "I'll begin by teaching you some of the most important components of style because, quite frankly, if you look like h*!!, nobody will ever find you fabulous. People might say, "Oh, that Mary sure throws an amazing party. Did you know she speaks six languages? And isn't it swell how she single-handedly rescued that busload of blind children from the Mississippi River?" But they will never use the word "fabulous" to describe you if you did it all while wearing tapered acid-washed jeans." (page 3)

Clinton will teach you how to look amazing, speak brilliantly, entertain like a rockstar and make your home look like it was decorated by a professional.

Order your copy TODAY!

Man "Stuff" that a Woman Can Love too!

As much as all of us would love to girlie-fy our homes, it is import in giving our men space to breathe, relax, have fun & enjoy football seasons.

Some women let their men have 1 room in the house: the basement, the attic, the den, the garage or maybe the shed out back.

If this is not an option...if you must control the decor of every room in your home (like me), then here are a few items that your man will love & you might even (secretly) enjoy as well...

Check out this Bulldog Bottle Opener from Potterybarn.com. It is made of cast iron and is made to be mounted on the wall. It is only $12.00!

This is a fun game table that will have you smiling! The Ms. Pacman (and Galaga) Arcade Game from the 1980s can be found at Frontgate.com. Your husband's friends will think you are the Wife of the Year. Careful though, other wives might get jealous. :) The table costs just under $4,000, but hey, it will definitely be a family heirloom that your kids will be fighting over. (Plus, it is not the size or weight of a pool table!)  

If you get sick of looking at it...you could always cover it with a pretty table cloth and make it double as and end table.  Put a lamp, some books, a frame, etc...it becomes another place for you display all your pretty things!  

Another great item from Frontgate.com is their Three Piece Game Table Set made of hardwood & leather.  I think it could double as a Scrabble Table for you, your girlfriends & some Martinis!  

And what man isn't dying to have a recliner?  Here is one from Pottery Barn that you can deal with.  It is not your Grandpa's recliner!  Throw a cheetah blanket on the back & you might enjoy watching reruns of Sex in the City while reclining it.  Sshhh...don't tell "him" that you actually like "his" chair.  

These next three recliners are all options from Ballard Designs.  (One of my favorite stores!)  This recliner comes in about 100 different fabrics.  There are so many to choose from--solids, stripes, floral, animal print, etc.  The possibilities are endless.  Depending on the fabric, this recliner will run somewhere between $1,100 - $1,400.  

To be a true Glamorous Girl means to let your Man be a MAN!  Don't sissy-fy him.  Don't make him like chick-stuff or force him into doing girlie things...that is why you HAVE GIRLFRIENDS.  :)   Let him do his Fantasy Football thing.  It will give you an excuse to get out of the house & hang out with a girlfriend.  

SmartMom Jewelry

My brother, who is secretly dying to be a writer on this blog (hee hee), sent me a link with this jewelry.   

My 1 year old is always trying to chew on my jewelry.  I am constantly pulling it out of her mouth & giving her one of HER toys to play with.  She still keeps coming back to MY jewelry.  

Thanks to my brother, a solution has been found for my daughter & me!  

This jewelry line, Teething Bling™, is made of material that is non-toxic, latex-free, food–safe, even dishwasher-friendly! It is the same silicone used in many other popular teething products.

Even a percentage of the sales go to worthy causes:

http://www.curesearch.org

http://www.dressforsuccess.org

This donut shaped pendant is less than $20 and can be ordered in 9 different colors.  Go to www.smartmomjewelry.com to order one for yourself or someone special.  

Great Gifts for Nursing Moms

People are always asking me what my favorite baby products are.  This is the ULTIMATE PRODUCT:  Bebe au Lait's Hooter Hider.  

The Hooter Hider is a Nursing Cover for  a Chic Mom.

From the Bebe Au Lait website...
Established in 2004, Bebe au Lait is committed to being the most trusted and reliably stylish Nursing Cover on the market. With every Bebe au Lait or Hooter Hider Nursing Cover purchase, we know that more and more nursing moms are out and about enjoying life with baby without any restrictions.

A MONEY SAVING SECRET ~~~  To get the Hooter Hider for about $7 less than the Bebe Au Lait website, go to www.embellishedmom.com .  Embellished Mom ships for FREE!!!  

Another one of my must haves...the Glamourmom Nursing Tanks.  

"It's a bra, a tank, an undershirt!" 

The tanks are between $34-$39.  If you order 2 or more you receive 10% off your order.  

This month, the Apple Green tank is only $29!!

Here's how the tank works:  

Must Have Magazine

Finding my InStyle Magazine in my mailbox is one of the highlights of my month!! The August 2008 issue showed up at my house on Friday. I seriously skipped into my house holding it in my arms.
There are many great articles this month. 

There is a spot on Issac Mizrahi, if any of you shop at Target, you know who I am talking about. He give his Best Shopping Tip--

 "No matter what you are buying, don't bring your man." 

(InStyle, August 2008, p. 241)

Also, check out the DEALS & STEALS article.  InStyle gives affordable finds that "real" people can afford from places like Target, Old Navy, Victoria's Secret, Simply Vera Vera Wang from Kohl's, Club Monaco, Chinese Laundry, etc. 

This bag can be purchase Target for $40. (in stores or online.)

It is Faux-python "Hobo" bag.  

Or you can spend $1550 and by this Prada Python "Hobo" bag.

 

Check out magazines.  Look for things that you like, then see if you can find a store, in your price range, that sells a similar look.  OR, better yet, go to your closet & use the items you ALREADY have to put a NEW look together.  

Looking great & trendy doesn't have to cost a lot.  

Visit stores like H&M, Charlotte Russe, Target, Kohl's, Macy's and buy "trendy" pieces for low prices.  

Only spend money on classic items that won't be out of style in a week.  

Lovely Letter Project

This is a simple project that ANY glamorous (or not-so-glamorous) girl can do.  It is easy & will be impressive.  

1.  Buy a frame at a flea market or garage sale or reuse one from your home.  (This one is recycled from a previous project.)  Sand the edges if you want a shabby chic look. 

2. Buy several different types of paper from a craft or fancy paper store.  

3.  On your computer, print off a large letter in the font of your choice. Use the letter as a pattern for what will be "center stage" in your finished product.  

4.  Cut the largest piece to fit in the frame.  

5.  Cut another piece that is about 1 1/2-2 inches smaller around each edge.  Glue on top of the largest piece of paper.  

6.  Take your final piece of paper & trace the letter that you printed off of your computer.  Glue this to the other two pieces of paper. 

7.  Insert into frame and you are ready to hang your masterpiece!  

This can be hung as a single work of art OR you repeat the project to spell initials, or a name completely, and make a series.   It would look smashing in your own home and it would be a thoughtful gift for a loved one.   

Must-Have Monogrammed Mementos

I am giving my secret away! I love monogrammed gifts for every occasion...new baby, wedding, new house, Christmas, birthday or thank you. A few of my favorite gifts...

1. Ballard Basic Pillow from ballarddesigns.com

The key to this gift is ordering the COVER only.  (Twill covers are $12.  Velvet covers are $15.95.)  Monogramming is FREE with the purchase of pillow cover. 

Then go to your local craft/fabric store and buy an affordable (about $4-5) 18" square pillowform to insert inside the cover. 

Tie a beautiful bow around the pillow & wow your family & friends!

2. Ballard Tote Bags from ballarddesigns.com

This bag comes in Petite, Medium & Large.  The price ranges from $19.95-$25.95.  Again, Monogramming is FREE!  

This is a great gift for a Glamorous Girlfriend, Aunt, Mom, Mother-in-Law, Teacher, Babysitter or Hair Stylist.  It comes in Lime Green, Navy, Aqua, White, Pink, Sand, Brown, Black or Red with either Cream or Brown Monogram thread.  

When buying one for a gift...don't forget to order one for yourself!  This bag will make your closet look extremely chic!

3. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote Bag  from llbean.com

This is my mom's signature gift!  This bag comes in MANY colors and sizes.  You can buy it with an open top or zip-top.  (I prefer the zip-top.)  The prices are anywhere from $17-$37.  Monogramming is only $6.00!

A GREAT gift for men, women, college students, athletes...basically ANYONE!  My mom got one for each of my brothers and me for Christmas one year.  It is always fun to get together as a family & see all of our matching bags.  

OTHER MONOGRAM IDEAS:  

• Go to TJ Maxx or Marshalls & find a fabulous throw pillow, some luxurious linens or fluffy towels, then head to a local embroidery shop & have them monogram your item for a small fee.  (Anywhere between $5-25 dollars per item.)