Cute Beyond Words

The I See Me personalized books are my all time favorite gift for a new baby or young kids (or you can buy it for your own, of course). You choose your book (I like My Very Own Name for boys and My Very Own Fairy Tale for girls) and then you supply the company with child's first and last names (you can include their middle name for an additional $4.95), their gender, birth date and a dedication and I See Me will print up a personalized book using the information that you provided. You can also purchase a keepsake box (pictured above) for an additional $4.95 (yes, in addition to the other additional $4.95 for the middle name if you're so inclined). Parents and grandparents should definitely take a look at the the Book, The World According to [INSERT CHILD'S NAME] which makes an excellent project to do with your child to keep or give as a gift from your child. I See Me will send you a kit with personalized instructions and all of the supplies that you will need to create material containing your child's own artwork and words which to send to I See Me which will then turn everything into a professional looking book. Its actually a really great idea!! All Books are $29.95 not including extras. Enter code FSD4165 at checkout for FREE shipping!

Don't Let This Ship SALE...

Thanks to Mom, Bosica is offering a FREE full-size Recharging Night Moisture (usually $33 for 1 fl oz) with every purchase of $70 (excludes Kits and Gift Certificates) or more until May 1st by using the code "4mom4me" and Cherry Tee is offering 20% off on gift sets and tees until May 5th using the code "mom09"!

This Just Makes Cents!

If you haven't already heard about Ebates and you shop online at all, you should sign up ASAP! Ebates is an online rebate site that offers rebates equal to a specified percentage of your purchase at over a thousand online retailers (including drugstore.com, A Pea in the Pod, Target, Home Depot, Victoria's Secret and even Ebay) which are automatically credited to your Ebates account when you make a purchase by going through the Ebates website. Ebates is FREE and incredibly easy to use, all you have to do is go to the website, sign up and whenever you plan to make an online purchase, log on to your account on the Ebates website and check to see if the store that you are making your purchase from participates (the percentage back will be shown). If so, just click on the store's link and once you have made your purchase, the store notifies Ebates and your rebate will appear in your account (it can take a little while). Every three months Ebates sends you a check for the amount in your account as long as you have accumulated at least $5.01, if not, whatever you do have is held for another three months and so on. Essentially, Ebates receives a commission from retailers for purchases made via links from the Ebates site and then shares that commission with you which can amount to a lot of $$$ on large purchases and you would be surprised to see what adds up from smaller, more routine purchases as well. Ebates often offers special coupons and deals that they will send your way and most often, coupon and promotion codes that you have still work so you save even more!! You can find a complete list of participating retailers by clicking here, you might be very surprised to see how many you frequent. Once you join (why would you not), you should also refer your friends on the site because when you do and they sign up, you both get $5 credited to your account (which does not count towards your required $5.01 balance to receive a check)!!

Stuck On You

How often do you find a top, dress etc. that would be perfect if it only stayed put here or there?? If you haven't, I don't like you! If you have, you must get the Miss Oops Mishap Tape ASAP! I have tried double-sided tape (and keep it on hand in my desk drawer just in case) and toupee tape as well but I love the Mishap Tape (fabric friendly and hypoallergenic) the most. The strips are thin so you avoid gathering too much fabric under the tape and the length is perfect - just long enough to really keep a hold while covering enough area so that you likely won't need to use more than one strip (unless you have a major mishap going on). The best part about the Mishap Tape is that it is so easy to apply unlike double sided and toupee tapes which stick to your hands, your hair and itself as you try to get it adhere to the fabric. Unlike other tapes, Mishap Tape is covered on both sides, on one side the covering tab is in two sections so you can place the first part of the tape on the fabric and then remove the covering tab on the second part which makes it so easy to get it in the perfect spot. Once in place, you just peel off the other side which has a little tape-less part on the end so no picking to separate the tape from the covering! This is seriously user friendly fashion tape!! Mishap Tape is perfect for use with low cut tops and dresses and all tops that may volunteer too much cleavage, hems that come undone before you can get them fixed, protruding bra straps, button downs that buckle, fabric belts or sashes that look best just so, the list goes on and on! You can purchase Mishap Tape for $6.99 for a pack of 36 strips on the Miss Oops website but it is also available on other sites and in stores as well.

About Face!

I am lucky to have pretty good skin but it doesn't come entirely naturally and people often ask me what I use to keep my complexion clear. My skin type can drive me nuts, sometimes its oily, sometimes normal and sometimes combination depending on the time of year so I tend to switch some of my routine up pretty regularly. One of my favorite product lines is Boscia which offers an ever growing variety of preservative-free, botanically-based skincare products. While sold at Sephora, Beauty.com and other retailers, the Boscia website is the best for selecting which products will work best for you. I have been using this line (increasingly so) for a few years so I'll give you the rundown on what I have tried and what I use. I use the Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15 (1 oz, $27) daily along with the Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment (1/2 oz, $38). The moisturizer is very light, absorbs extremely quickly and even on my most oily days it doesn't make my skin greasy or cause breakouts. All I can say about the eye gel is that I started to use it when I saw tiny lines appearing at the sides of my eyes (I refuse to say that they are crows feet and you can't make me) and ever since then they don't appear to have become any more pronounced and new ones don't seem to be appearing! I did try a product by Prescriptives to see if I would like it better and I didn't like it nearly as much. I also use the Willow Bark Breakout Treatment (0.5 fl oz $25.00) when I first sense that a breakout may be brewing or when any part of my face is particularly oily. I haven't been using this product that long so I can't say much about it other than the fact that it does seems to ward off breakouts to some extent and make any that debut disappear faster than they had in the past. For cleansing I use the Purifying Cleansing Gel (4.06 fl oz, $21.00) when my skin is oily and sometimes when it is normal and the Soothing Cleansing Cream (4.06 fl oz, $21.00) when it is dry and the rest of the time when it is normal. The Purifying Cleansing Gel is great at reducing oil and it isn't very drying so I can use it when my skin is normal as well (though if your skin is normal most of the time this is probably not the best cleanser for you). I love the Soothing Cleansing Cream when my skin is dry because it doesn't dry you out at all (nor does it make you greasy) and it is actually soothing - its a great all around cleanser. Word of caution, if you like a lot of lather, these cleansers aren't going to cut it (by the way, lather is not indicative of a product's efficacy). I have also used the MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil (4.06 fl oz, $21.00) which is one of Bosica's best selling products but I am not in love with it. It could be because it is an oil and even thought they say it won't, I am always scared it will cause me to breakout but I think the other 2 cleansers do just as good of a job removing make-up and I haven't found the value in this one. Give it a shot, based on the popularity of this product, I am quite possibly wrong on this one. Though I don't use it religiously (I just forget) I love the Clarifying Detox Mask (2.8 oz, $25.00) and my skin feels so soft and clean afterwards. I love the fact that this mask is quick drying and it also really helps to clear up breakouts and ward of potential ones. Finally, I also have the Blotting Linens (100 sheets, $10.00) which do an excellent job of absorbing excess oil and reducing shine and come in a variety of scents (I use the plain ones). These are perfect for throwing in your bag and carrying around, especially in the upcoming months! If you want to sample any of the Boscia products you can call their customer service (888.635.8884) and request samples and they are also available when you place an order through the Boscia website (if there is nothing that you want to try, get samples of what you use to travel with). One last note, while the product sizes may seem small, a little goes a long way and I find that they last a lot longer than they look like they will. Shipping is free for order of $45 or more and gift certificates are available.

Mix It Up

I am not a big granola eater but a number of my friends are and were very excited when I told them about MixMyGranola.com, a website that offers custom-mixed granola. How it works: You first pick your base granola (16 ounces of either organic, french vanilla, low fat or 100% Organic Muesli) and then you select your ingredients (priced by the ounce) which include everything from fruit to nuts to seeds to M&Ms and gummy bears! MixMyGranola.com puts it all together and ships it to you (flat rate of $4.99). One of the coolest features on the site is a nutrition calculator that you can click on to see the value of your mix as you are making it!! MixMyGranola.com offers a few pre-mixed options and allows you to reorder mixes you have previously purchased. And of course, gift certificates are available (and I happen to think this is a very unique gift that I would even like - see above).

The Pawfect Treat

In honor of my four-legged furry son's Birthday (he's 8) and Earth Day, I introduce you to Three Dog Bakery which makes all-natural, oven-baked treats for dogs and cats. I found Three Dog Bakery when my dog was a puppy and my Vet warned me that his breed has a propensity to gain weight and told me that I would need to be very careful with it in order to keep him healthy. I went on a hunt for low fat, all natural (always the way to go with your pets) treats that weren't too big. That is when I found Jump N Sit Bits. While all of their treats are great, Jump N Sit Bits are small treats intended to be used for training but I started giving them to my dog as his treats and he loved them (I thought he might catch on when my Father refers to them as his Gandhi goodies but so far, so good). My dog only weighs 20 pounds so one of these probably won't do the trick for larger dogs but Jump N Sit Bits are great for dogs who need to lose a few (or not gain a few to begin with) and, of course, for training purposes. You can find all of Three Dog's products on their website and some specialty pet stores carry them as well. Jump N Sit Bits are $5.35 for a jar which lasts me a few months.

I'll Drink to This!

I think this wine truly needs no description. I have never tried it, don't know anyone that has, I know nothing about it (other than it is under $20 and widely available online) and I still think it is worth buying!!!

From Your Mouth To Many Ears...

This recommendation is from the favorite cousin of the blog who says that the Mobile Edge Paris - Notebook Carrying Backpack is a great choice if you are looking for a laptop bag. From what I hear, this bag is very light and its slim size makes it more user friendly than bigger bulkier bags not to mention it is a little trendier than most and has a side pocket for water bottles. Since I haven't given this one a try myself, here are the specs from Amazon.com where you can find this bag for $45: SafetyCell computer protection compartment; plenty of interior pockets for organization; ergonomic ventilated back panel for comfort; includes removable pouch for accessories or cosmetics; convenient hide-away water bottle pocket.

Baby Bootie

I was at my friend's place visiting her adorable newborn son when I saw one of her gifts, a pint-sized brown leather (or leather-like) club chair, that was almost as cute as he was! I went to get the info on it to tell you all about it and was crushed to find out that the store that they had purchased it at was no longer in business so I scoured the web to see if I could find it elsewhere - no such luck. BUT, I did find a couple of similarly cute chairs for tiny tushies at Toddle Rock (the pink and brown above, they have a few different styles and tons of different fabrics and personalization options) and AMBShopping.com (the brown leather-like club chair and ottoman above). Rosenberry Rooms had some very cute chairs as well but my favorite one on their site was over $500 (figures) while the Toddle Rock chairs are around $48-$60 (and about another $20 if you want it personalized) and the AMBShopping.com club chair and ottoman is around $148 (you might be able to find it for less elsewhere on the web). The Toddle Rock chairs are about 18-25 inches high and the AMBShopping.com chair is about 25 inches high - too CUTE!

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

If you haven't heard about DonorsChoose.org you should definitely look into this charity and consider adding it to the list of those to which you donate. I am a huge fan of this charity - it serves a vital purpose and offers donors an element of choice not available with most other charities. The organization can describe themselves far better than I can...

"DonorsChoose.org was pioneered by teachers at a Bronx public high school in the spring of 2000. Charles Best, then a social studies teacher, saw first-hand the scarcity of materials in our public school classrooms and the profound impact of this scarcity on kids' education. Looking for a way to address this problem, he sensed an untapped potential in people who were frustrated by their lack of influence over the use of their charitable donations. DonorsChoose.org, a website connecting classrooms in need with individuals who want to help, was born. DonorsChoose.org is dedicated to addressing the scarcity and inequitable distribution of learning materials and experiences in our public schools."

Essentially, you can read requests from teachers from all over the country for funds for various projects necessary for their classrooms. The projects are described by the teachers in detail as is the intended allocation of the requested funds and the amount necessary to complete the request. You can choose the project you would like to fund in a variety of ways including the type of project or resource you would like to fund (or assist with funding), the area in which the school is located, the poverty level of the area or the amount needed to complete the project. As for your contribution, you can contribute the full amount needed to a project, the remaining amount or any amount for that matter (a number of the projects are also eligible for Double Your Impact offers which trigger matching funds from corporations and other foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). Depending on the teacher, the project and the amount you donate you may receive handwritten thank you's from the students and/or be sent a link to pictures of the students using the materials purchased with the donations (both of which are truly rewarding to get/see).

DonorsChoose.org also offers what I believe to be the ultimate gift you can buy for someone (it is one gift that even the person that has everything doesn't have), a DonorsChoose.org Giving Card. Just like any gift card, you prepay an amount which goes on the card and the recipient can choose the project(s) s/he want to receive the funds. You can also make a donation in the name of the recipient and send them a note (through the site) letting them know all the details which is great for those that are not computer savvy but otherwise, I think the Giving Card is a lot more unique, fun and gratifying for the recipient.

Madam Cleo...Buy Me Now!

I will admit that there is no body cream that I have tried that I am madly in love with (feel free to introduce me to one) but I am definitely in like with Cleo Body Cream, Karite' Butter. This Italian-made cream contains yogurt, is very gentle, so light (absorbs really quickly), amazingly moisturizing, smells great and is really inexpensive! The Cleo Line also contains a number of other products including other body creams, shower creams, bathfoam cream and liquid soap but I haven't tried any of them (please tell if you have). I also haven't seen this in any retail stores but I never really looked (could explain it), I get mine at drugstore.com.

Hanky Panky Time

So I know that everyone already knows about Hanky Panky thongs (and to know is to LOVE) but if you only have the solid colors it may be time for an upgrade! A Brief Affair is like Hanky Panky Heaven, they have a huge selection of Hanky Pankys (thongs, boy shorts, camis, bras, sleepwear and loungewear) and their thongs come in far more than basic colors. Consider...

Helping others with the Breast Cancer Awareness Thong (Hanky Panky will donate $2.00 from each pair to SUSAN G. KOMEN for the CURE, or...

Taking business attire to a new level with the Pinstriped Modal Thong, or...

For you girly girls (or those of you that are having hot flahes just from reading this), the Floral Splash Thong or the Original Ruffled Thong, or...

Maybe you want to give this "peace" a chance (terrible, I know, I couldn't help it) with the Original Peace Thong!

If you are in the giving mood (or have no choice), they also have some adorable pairs that make well appreciated gifts beyond the always cute thongs that say (in Swarovski crystals) "BRIDE", "MAID OF HONOR", "MRS.", "BRIDESMAID", "HOT MOMMA" and "MOM TO BE" like the Leopard Love Letter Thong, complete with the matching leopard stationary...

Or the adorable Vintage Gift Box...

Whatever you pick out (and you can't go wrong), the BEST part is that if you shop at A Brief Affair between now and July 31st, you will get 10% off your order by using the promotion code LatestAndGreatest (shipping is free right now too for orders over $50)!!!

Don't Let This Ship SALE!!!

Cherry Tee is having free shipping on all purchases of $25 or more beginning today through Monday, April 20. Enter code "fsapril" at checkout.

Finger Food

Nailezee is latest (that I have heard of) in a line of nail products that make the possibility of having nails a reality for those of us that aren't so blessed. Sick of seeing my thin, peeling nails not improving week after week no matter what we tried, my manicurist suggested I try this and another customer sitting next to me swore by it so of course, I tried it and it really works!! I am not aware of any stores that sell this so you have to buy it online but if you use Protein 1 daily for a month (without nail polish) and then over your nail polish (I do it a few times a week when I remember, not daily), your nails will become much stronger and will grow. The people at Nailezee suggested that I buy Protein 2 for maintenance because continued use of Protein 1 can make your nails so hard that they become brittle (I switch them up). I also randomly tried their Avocado Foot Creme and it is well worth its $6 price tag! The Proteins will run you $17 for a 1/2 ounce bottle. Oh, and for those of you that often ask me to remind you what colors I wear, I am faithful to (and have been for years) Essie's Mademoiselle (base) and Waltz (top).

Not Your Average Joe

After a disappointing break-up with a Tassimo, I really researched single serve brewers and decided I wanted to try a Keurig Home Brewer. Luckily, Shlomo Clause heard my wish and delivered one for Chrismukah. Since getting mine, I have two other friends who followed suit based on my recommendation and both (and two significant others too) love it as much as I do. In fact, two of us loved it so much that we each bought the Mini Brewer (available in three colors) for the office. There are over 200 K-Cup varieties for the Brewers covering coffees (regular, decaf, flavored, organic and free trade varieties), teas (regular, decaf, green, herbal and chai) and hot chocolates (milk, white and dark)and all are made by top brands including Green Mountain, Timothy's, Newman's Own, Emeril's, Twinings, Celestial Seasonings and Ghiradelli to name a few. The larger Home Brewers make a slightly better cup than the Mini Brewer but the Mini is still pretty impressive for its size and at $80 (you can find sales on these or just bring your faithful 20% off coupon to Bed, Bath and Beyond and pick one up there), it is totally worth avoiding spilling coffee out of your "non-spill" travel mug (what can I say, I am talented) on yourself, your car and other belongings. The Home Brewers begin at around $100 depending on the model you select and Keurig customer service is great. If you get one feel free to post or email to swap favorites (French Toast is definitely my favorite flavor, I think...) Word of caution...they are not the quietest machines in the world so if you plan on using it while others are sleeping consider yourself warned!

Sweeter Beater

You can never have enough enough wife beaters and the search for the perfect one never ends!! The Cherry Tee Bing Collection offers a great selection of tees and tanks but the ribbed tanks are the best - they aren't too long, aren't too short, come in 2 sizes and 15 colors! I'll also give honorable mention to the camisoles which are also great and the cap sleeve crew and long sleeve crew which would be also be great IF they were a longer.

In case you happened to be on the hunt for a unique gift and know someone that lives in their beaters (or just doesn't know what they are missing), consider getting them a Cherry Tee Big Bucket O' Tanks or send a Cherry Tee Sampler so they can pick their favorite tank/tee! The tanks are 2 for $30 or $19.50 for one.

Fluff Frocks

So while we are on the subject of being comfy, Barefoot Dreams® CozyChic™ Robes are heavenly!! They are made of this delicious Poly-Microfiber knit which may be the softest fabric I have ever felt! These make great gifts because no matter how many robes someone might have, unless they have this one, they don't have one nearly as soft and cozy (you can have the monogrammed too). Bonus for us vertically challenged folk - if you happen to be a size 0 or 2, you can get away with the Barefoot Dreams® CozyChic™ Youth Robe since these tend to be pricey (not to mention long). You have 16 colors to choose from (some are easier to find than others) and they run around $100-$120 (around $70 for the Youth Robe) depending on where you get them.

Fluff Flops

The Ugg Fluff Slippers are hands down these are the best slippers ever (in my opinion anyway). They are made of the yummy Ugg sheepskin that everyone seems to love (there could be no other reason so many people are walking around is such uggly boots) and they come in a bunch of colors. Second to how comfy they are, the best thing about these slipper is that they don't melt your feet because they are largely open but they have enough sheepskin to keep keep them perfectly warm. They also have a rubber bottom which is great for walking your dog or going for a spa day (with perfect toe exposure for a pedi). Dillards has a few left for $52.50 (if you search for more than 30 seconds like I did you might be able to find even better prices) but they retail for $70.

The Land of Make Believe

After finding out my flight was delayed a few months ago I decided to browse the shops in the new Jet Blue terminal at JFK. I found these candles made by Lafco that are intended to smell like various dream homes -the cutest idea (they have another line that smell like rooms in a home) - and I immediately spotted the Ski House candle (they also have Country House, Beach House, Towne House, Lake House and Penthouse) - the scent was amazing, it smelled just like a ski house! I loved the candle (and I am not a big candle person) and thought that it would make a great little gift for a friend until I saw that it was around $50 and thought that you had to be somewhat nuts (at least more nuts than I thought that I was) to spend $50 on a candle! I left the store and finally left the airport only to think about the candle and how much I loved the scent the entire time that I was away. So I did what any normal person would and ran right to the store to buy one as I got off the plane back in NY (of course I checked the prices online while I was away to see if they were less expensive elsewhere - actually, the Jet Blue Terminal was the least expensive retailer that I found if you happen to be in the terminal)! The candles are made from soy and supposedly last for over 90 hours (I wouldn't know because that would require me to burn it and I haven't been able to get myself to do that, it smells great anyway and what if I couldn't find another one??). Until I can afford a real ski house (or someone generously wishes to purchase one for me), this is the next best thing!

Jeanius

Don't throw away your favorite jeans just because you have [Fill in the Blank: ripped the knee (potentially because you tripped and fell in the middle of 51st street on your way out to dinner), found a hole, split the crotch (we won't go there or ask any questions) or shredded the hem]!! I can speak from experience, I have used them twice and my friend once, Denim Therapy does a great job of repairing jeans better than any tailor I have ever used. They won't be perfect but they will likely be worth the price of fixing or at the very least sending them to Denim Therapy for a quote (you send the jeans, they send you a quote and you can either agree to have them fixed or tell them to send them back to you).

My First Post

Where to begin??? The obvious choice would be my sweats. Everyone that knows me knows I am beyond attached to my sweats. I throw these on all the time and so fast when I get home from work that if my bedroom was a phone booth and my sweats were a cape I would be a threat to Superman! Thanks to a friend of mine I found Spa Sweats which I can't thank her enough for or say enough things about. They come in a bunch of different colors, the bottoms come in 3 different lengths (pants, capris and shorts) and the hoodies go with all 3. The fit is the best part, they are perfectly fitted (yes, they grow when you sit in them) so you can wear them out to run errands (or go to brunch hung-over) and still look cute. They are also mid-weight so they are great all year (layer with 2 longs sleeves in the winter, a long and short sleeve in the fall, a short sleeve in the spring and a tank in the summer). P.S. The link is to my friend's website where you can buy the Spa Sweats at a great price (and a number of other really cute things) and no, I am not getting anything for posting her site, I really get my sweats from her (and some of the other cute things) - go browse!