Shopping Tips Online

Check out the deals at Lego.com! If you have a birthday coming up and need party favors, these bags of bricks are a great idea instead of the usually goody bags filled with candy and toys from the party store. You’ll probably pay less for them, too! Check out the sale items. I saw Bionicles for way over 50% off as well!

LEGO® QUATRO™ Bag of Bricks
Price: USD 7.99 Sale Price: USD 0.98
1×4 Red Bricks - .98
1×4 Green Bricks - .98

Traditional Valentine’s Day gifts like flowers, candy and diamonds were used as the “roadmap to romance” by Wal-Mart. The retail giant released a ranking of the top, and bottom, ten states based on last year’s sales in these three categories. See if your state made the list:

The National Retail Federation estimates that total spending will be $16.9 billion this year, an increase over last year. Men will spend about $156, nearly double what women will. And they do tend to give flowers (58.3%), candy (42.9%) and jewelry (27.6%). While the sentiment is what really matters here, if you want suggestions for gifts that are a little more creative, check out my previous posts on the subject.

My state made none of the top, or bottom, ten lists. But that’s not because Wal-Mart isn’t pushing the sweetest of all holidays. Being one of the 127 million people who shopped at Wal-Mart this week I can say that it was Valentine’s Day sensory overload at our local store! The Bob and I have agreed to exchange cards and share a nice sushi dinner. I will probably have to get him some little token, however, just in case he finally understands that “don’t get me anything” actually means “what are you going to get me?”

Valentine’s Day, Romance, Flowers, Diamonds, Candy, Wal-Mart

A lot of guys decide to pop the question on Valentine’s Day. According to one source, approximately 10% of couples who get engaged do so on February 14th. If you’re planning to propose next Wednesday, chances are you’ve already read all the articles about how to buy a diamond, and may have already made your purchase. (If you haven’t you better get on the ball!)

In the countdown to Valentine’s Day I’ve made some suggestions for switching up some of the more traditional gifts, hoping to inspire people to be a little more creative than the usual box of chocolates. So, in light of that, here are a couple of ideas that are “diamond-related” that could be a neat way to add to the big night.

Why not propose over a lovely glass of red wine? These Waterford Waterford Lismore Nouveau Deep Red Wine Glasses have gorgeous diamond-patterned detailing. They are also stemless, making them a nice twist on the traditional wine glass. They retail for $100 for the set of two. Personally, I advise against the old “ring in the wineglass” trick, only because that last swallow could mean you’re proposing in the E.R. Just hand it over the old fashioned way.

Another idea for a surprise proposal is to fool her with a jewelry box like this cute silver plated one. Have her name engraved on the top, and present it as if this is her “big Valentine’s Day gift,” but of course hide the engagement ring inside and watch her eyes light up when she opens the box.

There are plenty of resources online for other neat ways to make your proposal meaningful and memorable. Good luck, guys!

Proposals, Diamond Rings, Wine Glasses, Jewelry Boxes, Valentine’s Day

There are some gifts that might seem like a good idea at the time. I know from experience. And there’s nothing worse than your sweetheart opening his or her gift on the special day and seeing them try very hard not to roll their eyes or burst out laughing. Just because it’s available in red, or has a heart motif, does not mean it’s a good idea for Valentine’s day. Here are a few examples.

For the Guys

Heart shaped playing cards. No matter how much The Bob likes to play poker, these are not going to come out of the drawer when his buddies come over. No way. I suppose the only time they would see the light of day (so to speak) is if you used them for a game of “naughty poker” on Valentine’s day. Then they would go in a drawer somewhere and eventually be discovered by an inquisitive niece or nephew. They are from Fred Flare, and they retail for ten bucks.

Silk boxers. I tried this one time, years ago. The silk Valentine’s boxers are now the universal signal that it’s time to do laundry because they are the very last pair to come out of the drawer. If you must, however, these are from Nordstrom, and they’re $25.

For the Gals

I Heart Your Name Tee. Guys, as much as you might like to see your name splayed across our chest, it tends to make a girl feel a little self-conscious. We love you and all, but it’s like being branded. This will go in the drawer, at the bottom, and when you ask us “why don’t you ever wear that tee shirt I gave you” we will make up an excuse and change the subject. Now, if you simply have to give your woman an I Heart Me shirt, you can order them from Cafe Press.

Trashy underwear. Do I really need to explain this one? Maybe I do. There’s a difference between sexy and trashy. If you need help determining the difference, ask a woman. If it’s got faux fur anywhere on it, it may be trashy. Don’t waste your money. It’s obviously a gift for you and not for us. Think of the per-wear cost. However, if you simply must go there, this thing with faux fur top, was available at Siren’s Secrets.

Valentine’s day is supposed to be a special, romantic occasion. Let’s not screw it up with bad gifts this year, okay? When in doubt for women, think simple, elegant, classic and thoughtful. For the guys, think like a guy. Good luck!

Valentine’s Day, Bad Gifts, Silk Boxers, Nordstrom, Fred Flare, Trashy Lingerie

Of course a romantic dinner is a Valentine’s day staple. When in doubt, you can always take him or her to a favorite restaurant for wine and great food. But what’s creative about that?

Why not a romantic dinner in. In fact, why not a romantic dinner once a month, not just on February 14th? To get the party started, go to Omaha Steaks.

They offer gift plans – monthly or quarterly shipments of their famous steaks – at a variety of price points. I would suggest their quarterly “Filet Fling.” With this plan you get 6, 6-oz. filets delivered four times a year. It’s $59.99 per shipment, which is about 15 bucks a month, which is a lot less than eating out at that fancy restaurant.

I think any guy would love to be on the quarterly steak program! A great steak dinner with all the fixins, a bottle of wine or his favorite beer, and you will win the “best Valentine’s gift giver” award hands down.

Omaha Steaks, Valentine’s Day, Valentine’s Dinner

In this series I have been focusing on traditional Valentine’s gifts, but giving them a completely unique spin. Cologne has always been a good Valentine’s day gift choice for guys or gals. It’s just personal enough, and it’s romantic. So what would be unique about a gift of cologne?

In my search for something extraordinary, I ran across Escentric Molecules – two really different fragrances available from Lucky Scent. They are called Escentric 01 and Molecule 01, and both are created around a single scent molecule, called Iso E Super. Retail price is $135 for 3.5 oz., or $4 for a 1/32 oz. sample.

ozMoz, a site dedicated to trends and news in the fragrance industry, has an interesting story on this line of cologne. Iso E Super is used in many fragrances, in very small quantities. Molecule 01 is 100% Iso I Super. And Escentric 01 contains 65% of the molecule, in combination with pepper and Iris notes. They describe the top notes of Molecule 01 as lime and pink pepper, the middle note as Iris, and the base note as Iso E Super. But what the heck does Iso E Super smell like?

Aroma chemical; described by International Flavors & Fragrances as “Smooth, woody, amber note with a ‘velvet’ like sensation. Superb floralizer. Used to impart fullness and subtle strength to fragrances.”

Some writeups on these colognes call them an “effect” rather than a traditional fragrance. And many of the consumer reviews on Lucky Scent bear that out. In fact, some reviewers said they couldn’t smell the cologne on themselves, but the people around them perceived a distinct, pleasant smell. There were as many reviews from women as from men, so I think this could be good for either sex, particularly if the woman in your life likes woodsy, earthy or musky fragrances.

Of course one could opt for the usual cologne this Valentine’s day. But if your relationship is unique, shouldn’t the gift be just as unique? If you don’t have the bank to spring for the full bottle, pick up a couple of the samples as little extra gifts, maybe tie them onto another gift. Then, try them out on Valentine’s day and see what “effect” they have on you!

Valentines Day, Escentric Molecules, Iso E Super, Cologne, Lucky Scent, ozMoz

Candy is another traditional Valentine’s day gift, but why resort to the ho hum heart-shaped box of chocolates when you have so many other options?

This Tootsie Roll metal lunch box comes with two pounds of Tootsie Roll treats. The nostalgic lunch box is printed with the classic owl character. How adorable!

Profess your love with custom m&ms. Choose two colors and write your message, then choose your packaging. Place your order soon to receive them by the 14th.

I’m a sucker for the classics, so of course I love the Pez mug with a heart Pez dispenser. So cute. It’s a limited time offer, so jump on it now.

For something a little more offbeat, how about this ginger candy from Pearl River? All this exotic happiness for just $1.55.

This year go for something fun, different and oh-so endearing.

Valentines Day, Pez, M&Ms, Tootsie Roll, Retro Candy, Ginger Candy

Flowers and jewelry are two of the most traditional gifts for Valentine’s Day. But why not flowers AND jewlery? Swarovski Crystal, manufacturer of lovely crystal objects for your home, including figurines and collectibles, also carries a line of jewelry, with styles to please most tastes.

Here are two necklaces that are beautiful but not break-the-bank expensive. The first is Sweet Blossom necklace. It retails for $75, and it’s adorable multi-colored flowers of beads and bezel-set crystals are suspended from a cable chain.

If the Blossoms necklace is a little to twee for your honey, try their Buds necklace. Pear shaped and chaton crystals become stylized “buds” on the gold-plated branches. Retail price is $95.

Matching earrings are also available.

Flowers and jewelry make a great Valentine’s gift – especially when they’re pretty little necklaces like these.

Jewelry, Valentine’s Day, Flowers, Swarovski

After Christmas, the next big gift-giving event to look forward to is Valentine’s day. And when I say “look forward to” I mean mostly “dread” for many guys. Starting with the ubiquitous Valentine’s Day card.

According to the National Retail Federation, 62% of consumers surveyed were buying at least one Valentine’s card.

Hallmark has identified some trends in cards for Valentine’s day in 2007. Among those are cards that actually play “CD quality” music or sound clips. They released 49 of these cards, some with movie soundbites, for Valentine’s Day. They say that “Ring of Fire” and “Wild Thingâ€? will be top sellers. If those aren’t your thing, Hallmark has over 2,000 cards to choose from. Most cards are purchased within the 6 days of February 14th. Almost 50% of Valentine’s cards are delivered in person.

Choosing a card can be tricky. Where you are in your relationship may dictate whether you go with something fun, clever, sentimental or outright romantic. But, if you are in a relationship at all, a card is non-negotiable.

And guys, when we say “don’t get me anything” we do not mean it. Trust me on this, and look here for gift ideas over the next couple of weeks.

Valentine’s Day, Hallmark Cards, Valentine’s Gift, Musical Cards

Sadly, after only a year, Marilyn Manson and his dancer wife Dita Von Teese are divorcing.

If I had been invited to the wedding, I would have given them these awesome “Cannibal Kingdom” plates from French Paper. They are heavy-duty melamine, and the set of four, featuring very strange images of cute little animals all set to devour some red meat, retail for $40.

I am now glad I didn’t get that invite because who knows which of them would have ended up with these incredibly cute plates.

Marilyn Manson, Wedding Gift, French Paper, Dita Von Teese

I just learned that another 80s oddity is back and, according to the company who developed the new line, better than ever.

Clothes that change colors while you wear them. I didn’t get it then, I don’t get it now.

That’s right. Body Faders has introduced a new line of tees, hoodies, sweatshirts and polos that literally change colors with the heat from the sun or body heat. They come in sizes for men, women and kids, so you can dress the whole family in their trendy tops. Hypercolor, the first brand of color-changing tees and shorts were all the rage in the 80s. Body Faders claim to have improved on the technology, so the color-changing effect will last as long as you follow their laundering directions.

So, if you feel the need to leave a discreet (or not so discreet) hand print on your guy or gal, by all means get on this bandwagon. I have no other ideas for what color-changing-clothing would be good for.

Body Faders, Hypercolor, Color-Changing Clothes

You’re rockin’ around the Christmas tree today having an egg nog and basking in the glow of a holiday shopping season at its end. You have fought the good fight to get all the best gifts, wrapped them carefully and now… wait a second. What did I get cousin Luke? Oh. No.

Facing the mall today? Out of the question. It’s too late to go online. But what does that leave? Here are some ideas for last-minute gifts you can get at – get this – your grocery store! Groceries are becoming true one-stop shops with everything from floral departments to housewares to seasonal items and more. So take a deep breath. Here are some ideas for the last-minute gift ideas that beat the grab-and-go gift card for creativity.

1. Chili-Makin’ Fixins – If the grocery has housewares, pick up a stock pot and fill it with ingredients for quick and easy chili. Include dried beans, the chili powder and all the spices. Grab some cute red and white checked napkins and a bow for the pot. (For fun, you could also add a jar of Beano!)
2. Car Cleaning Kit – Grab a metal bucket from the cleaning aisle and throw in car wash, car wax, auto air fresheners, interior wipes and a big-o sponge.
3. Coffee-Lover Package – Start with a pound or two of gourmet coffee, then add flavorings, creamers and a travel mug.
4. Breakfast for Two – Put together some pancake mix, a can of blueberries, a jar of good maple syrup, and a couple of cute breakfast plates, placemats and napkins. This would look cute in a basket from the floral department.
5. Movie Night – Popcorn, popcorn salt, big candy bars or theater-style candy, two-liter of pop and a family-friendly DVD. (more…)

I thought I was ahead of the game. But I just checked my list. I haven’t even started shopping for two people on my list, and I need additional gifts for four of them, and stocking stuffers for everyone. According to a
recent study by Compete, Inc., an online market research firm, it’s not just me. Most people have not finished their holiday shopping, and will probably be buying gifts up to the zero hour.

Here are some of the findings.

• Survey respondents have yet to do 54% of their holiday shopping, and plan on doing about one quarter of that shopping the week before Christmas
• 38% of respondents said that they plan to leave a gift for their spouse until the last minute. Only 22% plan to leave a gift for their mother until the last minute
• 78% of respondents have delayed shopping because they can’t find appropriate gifts
• 14% delay shopping because they enjoy doing so at the last minute

Here are five things I like to keep in mind:
1. I will get it done. There’s no need to panic.
2. When in doubt, shop. If I’m stuck on an idea for someone, I resort to the old fashioned browse mode. More often than not I will find something that is perfect that I hadn’t thought of.
3. It really IS the thought that counts. Try as I might, I may not please everyone every time. That’s not about me.
4. People really do love gift cards. They don’t mean I didn’t know what to give, because I choose the retailer or restaurant because I KNOW the person likes it.
5. Last minute shopping fills me with the Christmas spirit! It suddenly feels like Christmas when you’re picking up those fun little surprises at the last minute.

So, last minute shoppers, let’s stop feeling bad about it! Let’s have fun while we’re getting it done!

They were in, they were out, then they were way out. You probably deny ever having had a pair. But pull them out of the back of the closet – UGGs are back, baby. The sheepskin boots out of Australia are selling like hotcakes again, according to this article on Newsday.com.

So, I hopped on over to the company’s official website and checked out some of their new styles. Of course, the old favorites are still extremely popular, but they do have some fresh looks that aren’t so, well, UGGish. Like these boots with decorative buckles ($400), and some cute driving mocs that come in several colors ($90). And guys, don’t feel left out, they have some boots just for you, like these Arapahoes that retail for $185.

So, go for the classics, or something new, but if you want to be back in the IN crowd, get yourself (another) pair of UGGs.

UGG, Australia, Sheepskin, Boots

I scoured the Internet to find 10 unusual stocking stuffers for around 10 bucks. There is still time with most online vendors to order and receive by Christmas without additional shipping costs. So, get out there and get those stockings stuffed with something fun on the cheap!

1. Printed Nalgene water bottle from L.L.Bean.

2. Medium tortoiseshell claw clip from J.Crew. (Sale: 25% off 3 or more.)

3. Mini Multi Tool from Cabela’s. (Sale: buy one get one free.)

4. Rudolph Lip Balm Set from Fred Flare. (Okay, who wouldn’t love these?)

5. Dog “Manikin” from Blick Art Materials ($9.95).

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