Wedding season ideas

According to the wedding industry, engagement season is “over” and wedding planning is in full swing.  If you are one of the new and happily engaged, I’m sure your knee-deep in websites, wedding ‘reality’ t.v. shows’ and perhaps, a few magazines. So let me help make this easier for you by sharing these companies that want to help making your planning easier. Congratulations and let the planning begin.

Box of Beans – Each box is filled with dozens and in some case dozens-of-dozens individual tubes of either jellybeans or chocolate candies all in cool patterns.  You can spell out your name, propose or customize something special. Because they are all individually packaged they are easy to take away (they fit in your purse or pocket) and they add just a bit of sweetness at the end of your wedding festivities. http://boxofbeans.com/

Just think of Cocograph as the Instrgram of chocolate.  These chocolate bars printed with edible Polaroid-style photographs completely custom, printed with any photograph, logo, or image of your choosing.  This Northern California, family operated company is one that gives back to the global community by being licensed by Fair Trade, with coco beans that are Rainforest Alliance Certifies Gluten Free. Any Jpegs, scans, smartphone, Instagram, or Hipstamatic photo’s are perfect for these square chocolate bars. http://cocoagraph.com/

SnapCuts is a place to create, communicate, and share your thoughts with video. Combine video clips, add text, and share your custom message via email, facebook, twitter and mobile text.  It’s so simple. Finds the clips (photos from anywhere) you like, snap them together, create a text clip (will you marry me for example) and then feel free to share it with your love, family and friends. This cool app is free and user-friendly. http://snapcuts.com/home.php

Keep your furry friend safe and looking stylish with DogIds. Made in the USA, this collar is made from braided, rolled polypropylene, which is vibrant, soft and strong. Available in 10 colors, the hardware can be personalized with two lines of engraving. Choose your size and font style. http://www.dogids.com/abc

Take your time, do it your way and have fun.

Gift ideas from food, DIY to instagram

Planning for your wedding and looking for unique gifts to give can cause a lot of stress. It doesn’t’ have to anymore because now there is a site, app or store for that. From food to pictures, you’ll be saying, “that was easy”.

Do you have a world-famous apple pie recipe or a brisket to die for? Are your friends always asking you to share your secret? Do you know a couple that loves to cook and you want to give them something special for their wedding day then look no further. Tastebook.com allows you to mix your recipes with photos of your own as well as hundreds from other food sites.  What a personalized gift, sounds pretty tasty to me. www.tastebook.com/

Summer may be coming a few months away, but your love for ice cream doesn’t have to wait.  I always wanted to mix my own brand and now I can with eCreamery.  Oh the smoothness of it all. http://www.ecreamery.com/

Are you the queen (or king) of DIY? The Silhouette Cameo looks like a printer but it uses a special blade to cut designs into paper, card stock or fabric.  Here’s to lots of time and creating your own wedding invitations. silhouetteamerica.com/

We’re all obsessed with Instagram and I’ll admit, some photos are really beautiful. If you’ve found some and want to print them into little printed photo books, stickers or t-shirt, head over to Printstagram. This is one of the coolest gift items to share your engagement process or the way you fell in love. http://printstagr.am/

If you love that picture and want it to be on a beautiful canvas that you can hang on your wall, Instacanvas  instacanv.as/ is your friend.

If you or your partner is a camera lover, the Photojojo Store is the store of their dreams. Everything from traditional lenses on our camera, to your camera phone there are some great real and gag-gifts available. I can say that my brother actually got one of these for me for Christmas. I use it daily and it really keeps my coffee hot. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received and I highly recommend them. photojojo.com/store/

 

 

2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty is as beauty does

The holidays are upon us and that means parties.  Of course you want to look your best and these companies will help you on your “merry” way.

Color Daze Blockbluster master kit has 64 eye shadows, 12 eyeliners, 48 lip glosses and there are blushes all packaged in a beautiful box set.  There are enough options and variations to make even the pickiest diva happy.

Molton Brown is always a best bet for the guy or girl in your life.  Their Black Pepper scent is one of their best sellers and while in the “men’s” section…you’ll see a lot of women hoping it’s in their holiday stocking.

A new must have brand Julep has some of the best nail varnishes around.  A limited edition holiday box has 12, all toxin-free and a beautiful array in every color of the rainbow.

This is a perfect stocking stuffer.  The stylish Sonic Toothbrush by VIOLight is a perfect portable sonic toothbrush that can fit in your pocket or pocketbook. In a ton of stylish colors and patterns, I’m sure there is one that matches your wedding décor.

While we share the same last name, I’m not a part of this company  but I am a BIG Fan!  Beautiful sensual scents, from lotions to bubble baths, Barr Co. has beautiful packaging and one whiff, you’ll be hooked.

The Joey Healy Eyebrow Collection is the ideal gift for any brow-fanatic.  Dedicated to perfecting brows, Joey Healy has created five luxe products to streamline brow maintenance: The Luxe Brow Powders – ideal for softly filling in eyebrows with natural definition; Brow Architect Stylos – fully retractable, waterproof pencil that creates definition, shape and structure to brows; Duo Brow Brush – ideal for applying the Luxe Brow Powder; Brow Structure Clear Set – transparent gel that provides definition while setting brow hair in place, all day; and the Brow Renovation Serum – a unique, paraben-free formula that stimulates growth and thickens hair follicles and promotes growth.

 

 

Accessory Council offers Mother’s Day Gift ideas

If you are lucky enough to have a mom (or be one) Mother’s Day is quickly approaching.  If you are looking for some great gift ideas for the mom or woman in your life, you should look at these recommendations by the Accessory Council.  Oh…these aren’t just for Mother’s Day, if you are wondering about a gift for your future mother in law, I can’t think of a better opportunity to really show you care.

Did someone say Lunch?

Lunch or dinner at a restaurant considered ‘fine-dining’, using the freshest locally sourced ingredients plus has a wine list of over 200 is Rouge Tomate.  This restaurant reduced its carbon footprint by choosing ecological materials made from recycled materials, using forest stewardship certified wood for floor and furniture and energy-efficient lighting.  Oh, and the food is so good!! This is a place where you can truly say “put your brand where your mouth is.”

Having a good “Hair” day:

I don’t know a single woman who doesn’t care about her hair.  HairRules provides a cleaner and condition in one process.  It helps to detangle your hair while you wash it, which means less hair breakage when you dry it.  It’s sulfate and paraben free so you know it’s good for your hair and the environment.

If you need to walk in with a gift in hand:

How about a leopard tote?  Nine West has a beautiful bag that is not only fashionable but also large enough to hold everything she needs.  I also love the cute yet spacious purse that is attached.  You can find it at nine west or Macy’s nationwide in time for Mother’s Day.  $79

So many designers are using headbands on their models this season.  To have a large mesh flower headband in rose gold by Colette Malouf, you have two for one.  Made of fine woven wire and large Swarovski crystals, this is truly jewelry for the hair.  Each piece is crafted by hand so no two will be exactly like….just like the woman in your life.  $158

Belk’s Originality Beads is as one of the leading brands of sterling silver bead charms.  You can show your personal style by mixing and matching them.  Available in Sterling silver, diamond or glass they come in a number of colors.  With hundreds of styles and endless combinations you can give one to your mom, one to your future mother in law and each would be uniquely special.  $25

How about a little Givenchy? Their necklaces they have silk colored stones in a hematite-tone setting.  This soft, feminine design adds shine to-day or evening dress.  One of their pieces with a crisp shirt and skirt or jeans will kick their outfit up a notch.  $65

Do you ever get tired of wondering where your keys are in the bottom of your bag?  I know I am.  These adorable animal key fobs from MCM will make it easier to find your keys in the deepest pocketbook.  Actually, they are so cute, you may want to have them showing on the outside of your bag.   $135

Sometimes it IS all about karma.  In this case, Good Charma has beautiful necklaces, bracelets, charms and accessories but the “Lucky 7” bracelet features genuine turquise, lapis, red coral an pyrite gemstones with sterling silver and 22k gold vermeil along with our favorite charm.  It’s really a beauty.

If a rich mother of pearl reflected under a faceted blue stone is more your speed, then the Perfect Match by Judith Jack is the answer. This necklace is available on a 18”-36” necklace in sterling silver, marcasite accented chain. $350

How about something fun and playful the Noon Copenhagen Watches are just that.  This is the only watch in the world with “turning disc” technology.  The dial of the watch actually changes and ‘shades’ the face of the watch as time passes. That makes figuring out what time it is a snap – cool huh?! $55-$155

Oh, how I love Michael Kors! I’m honestly one of his biggest fans (do you hear that Michael??) and his new eyewear collection is simply stunning.  Available in Petit or Glam, black or tortoise brown they are ideal for any face shape.  I know that she will like love them.  $100

I heard rumor that spring and dare I say summer will be arriving soon.  Dorfman Pacific is a millinery company that you should check out for a little sun protection.  A wide range of hats, styles, textures and colors I’m sure you can find something that will fit her personal style.  These may be wonderful for that garden or beach wedding….just a though. $42-$145 (women) $35-$75 (men)

Susan Beard Design creates a photo cube unlike any I’ve seen. You send them pictures and they will sculpt them into a perfect cube of photo’s that can be used as a planter, or any other shape you choose.  Why not create one filled with memories from your childhood and give it to your mom as a way of saying…Thanks for the memories. $120

So Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in the world.  I hope your day is filed with goodness and goodies.