Support the Handmade Industry

Because I’ve started a shop on Etsy to sell my handmade soaps and bath products, I tried to buy as many Christmas gifts as possible on Etsy this year. I found some really interesting items. And of course, I couldn’t help but buy a few presents for myself.

Jewelry

I bought six pairs of earrings from The Peach Tree. Her designs are so adorable and affordable. And I love that she lives in Brooklyn. I lived in Brooklyn for two years and still have a soft spot for that borough.

I also bought two necklaces from Ample Goddess Jewelry. She makes pretty, feminine jewelry and offers some items in plus sizes. That’s rare.

And I bought a bracelet from Meadows Jewelry made of semi-precious stones. So lovely.

Art

Artists are selling affordable print versions of their paintings and digital works on Etsy. Here are some highlights.

For myself, I bought a 2010 calendar from The Nebulous Kingdom. Her characters are so beautiful and fantasical. I love looking at them and intend to buy more.

My sister loves Arthurian legends, so from Emily Balivet I bought a print of the Lady of the Lake.

From Robert Foster Art I bought two prints and and got one free. I love the way he plays with light.

Decor

For decoration, I bought 18-inch beeswax candles from West Shore Designs. They come in three colors, are nice and straight (which is rare in the handmade world) and burn perfectly evenly.

I don’t know how to categorize the terrarium I bought at Doodle Bird Designs. But it’s so cute. It’s a little fantasy world in a 4-inch sphere. The item I wanted was sold out, but she made a special order for me. So nice.

Buying handmade is a personal experience. So much nicer than going to a large, faceless store. You get the best quality customer service at affordable prices. The products are creative and original.

Support handmade!

Fingerless Mittens

Bella wears them in the Twilight movie and that’s all anybody needed to know.

Fingerless mittens are IN.

They are warm, versatile and look so cute peeking out from the sleeve of a jacket or sweater. And they leave your fingers free. I tried to crochet my own pair and they came out two different sizes but they still work for me.

I wouldn’t gift them in their crooked state. If I were giving them as a present, I would look on Etsy.com. They have a huge selection of fingerless gloves and mittens. Try this search link for the latest.

Or if you’re feeling adventurous, look on Ravelry.com for free knit and crochet patterns.

Some have finger holes, some only have a hole for the thumb, some just cover the wrist. All are adorable.

Grace Magazine’s Guide to Beautiful Stocking Stuffers

Looking for that little extra something to add to your gifts or stuff into a stocking? Here are some small and inexpensive finds from Sephora.

Harajuku Lovers Love Solid Perfume

This romantic fragrance comes in the most adorable packaging. And now, it is in solid form so you can toss it in your purse without fear of spillage.
$18

Korres Jasmine Butter Duo to Go

I love all things Korres. This set includes jasmine shea body butter and lip balm in a sheer neutral pink. All natural and made out of good stuff.

$15

Too Faced Glamour to Go III

‘Tis the season to shimmer. This Too Faced pocket-sized makeup palette contains 8 eyeshadows in lovely shimmering colors, a peachy pink blush, and 4 lip glosses. The packaging is divine.
$19.50

L’Occitane Hands Celebration Set

L’Occitane are my choice for the finest hand creams in the world. This set includes three 1-oz tubes of lavender, shea butter and shea vanilla hand creams. Get a set for yourself. too.
$25

Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine Set

This set includes five dual-ended mini lip glosses by Clinique. That’s 10 colors of high-quality gloss ranging from peach tones to pinks and plums. What a bargain.
$25

Sephora Color Play Palette II

I could play with this for hours at a time. Sephora’s palette contains 36 eye colors, 12 lippies, 3 powder blushes, and a bronzer.
It’s only 6″ x 7″ so it won’t take up too much precious dressing table space.
$24

Grace Magazine’s Beautiful Gift Guide

Holiday time is quickly approaching. Start your Christmas shopping off beautifully with this handy gift guide.

Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. II

This cool set includes 16 shadows, 8 of which are limited to this set, two travel-size eye pencils, and a mini bottle of primer potion. Behind the secret door you’ll find a look book.
$48

Urban Decay Apolcalyptic Nail Kit

In this collection, you’ll find seven mini nail colors in a little zippered pouch. Colors are edgy and fun.
$26

Smashbox WISH Eye Wish Palette

This glamorous palette contains 12 powder eye shadows, 4 cream liners and a mini Photo Finish primer. You also get a step-by-step instruction booklet. $1 goes to charity.
$44

Sephora Luxe Noir Brush Set

Sephora’s black clutch contains the tools you need to apply makeup like a pro. You get a powder brush, concealer brush, foundation brush and 3 double-ended eye brushes. So, you’re really getting 9 brushes in this six-piece collection.
$69

Chanel No5 Forever Worldly Gift Set

If you want to buy me something (tee hee), this three-piece Chanel No5 collection is just the thing. The set features eau de parfum, body cream and bath gel in the classic fragrance.
$98

All gifts available at Sephora.

Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster

I’m a sucker for makeup palettes.

This Sephora collector’s palette will make a perfect holiday gift for a beauty lover. It contains 84 powder eye shadows in warm and cool shades, 3 blushes, 60 lip glosses, 2 lip liners, 3 eye liners, 6 cream eye liners, 6 matte eye shadows, 6 sparkling eye shadows, and a few applicators.

I have last year’s palatte and I use something from it every day. Just having all of those eye and lip colors is so comforting. No one will use the applicators. But the rest of the kit has good pigment and texture.

Shop for the beauty addict in your life, or for more fun, shop for yourself.

Available at Sephora for $48

Pop-Art Watches

Go back in time to tell time.

Adorable pin-up girls and comic book lasses adorn these retro-inspired watches by Fiorucci.

Fiorucci Pin Up – Rear Window Polkadot Strap Watch

Fiorucci Hi Baby – Marilyn Watch

Fiorucci Leg Up – Lenticular Dial Watch

Each $95 at Forzieri.

Reduce Workout Stress With Bath Salts

Warmer weather means it’s time to get serious with your workout routines. Soon, you will be leaving the jackets and sweaters behind and exposing your arms and legs.

Inevitably, with ramped-up workouts, you are likely to feel a few aches and pains.

Here is a warm, soothing way to ease your tired muscles. Make your own scented bath salts. It’s easy, inexpensive, and fun. They also make great gifts.

In a glass bowl mix together:

1 cup of dead sea salts or Epsom salts
1 teaspoon of glycerin or olive oil
10 drops of lavender essential oil or fragrance oil of your choice.

Add the fragrance one drop at a time until you get the desired strength of fragrance. Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Mix or shake before use. To use, add 1/4 cup of the mixture to the running water as you draw a bath. The warm salt water will soften your muscle aches and pull toxins from your skin. The lavender oil will help you relax and smell wonderful. I like to take a salt bath before I go to bed. I wake up refreshed and ache free.

You can purchase several kinds of bath salts at Wholesale Supplies Plus. They have European Spa Salts, Dead Sea Salts and more. Or you can buy classic Epsom salts at a drug store.

To give as a gift, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the glycerin and mix throughout the salts. Tie a pretty ribbon around the glass jar.

Gift Ideas for Valentine’s Day 2009

Valentine’s Day has gotten so blown out of proportion.

It used to be that a card or flowers or a box of candy were enough. But now it seems that you can’t say “love” without a triple-diamond pendant or a spa weekend.

Perhaps the current economic recession will help us scale back all of these holidays that have gotten out of control. Here are some small gift ideas to bring this holiday back down to Earth.

FOR HER

Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge by The Pierces

This talented sisterly duo were featured on Gossip Girl. We know she’ll love it. XOXO.

$12.99 at Amazon

The Romantic Favorites Collection (includes Bridget Jones-The Edge of Reason, About a Boy, Love Actually, Notting Hill)

Four Hugh Grant movies might drive you crazy but your girl will love it. Two of them have the added bonus of Colin Firth.

$20.00 at Amazon

Dirty Girl Bubble Bath

Here is something you can share. You can’t beat the adorable packaging.

$12.00 at Amazon

FOR HIM

John Wayne War: 4 Film Favorites (includes They Were Expendable, Operation Pacific, Flying Leathernecks, Back to Bataan)

If your man doesn’t like John Wayne, dump him immediately, because he doesn’t know what a man is. They Were Expendable is one of my favorite movies.

$11.49 at Amazon

Complete Bitches Brew Sessions of Miles Davis

The legendary jazz sessions recorded between August 1969 and February 1970.

$24.97 on Amazon

Himalayan Salt Crystal Votive Candle Holders Set of 2

Men like candles, too. Salt crystals act as an ionizer and air purifier by emitting negative ions into the air.

$13.95 on Amazon

Low-Fat Holiday Dips

Why start the new year packing on the pounds? Try these delicious low-fat dips at your New Year’s bash.

Green Goddess Dressing and Dip

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil or cilantro leaves
2 cups fresh parsley leaves
1 cup chopped scallions
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Enjoy with fresh cut veggies such as carrot sticks or cucumber slices or use as a salad dressing.

Spinach-Parmesan Dip

Ingedients:
1/2 pound raw spinach, cooked and drained
1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
5 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender to desired consistency. This also makes a great sauce for grilled chicken or pasta.

Recipes from weightwatchers.com

Cure for Chocoholism

Remember when I said I was making truffles.

Well, this Christmas I made loads of truffles and boxed them up as gifts. My entire house was filled with the scent of chocolate. This sounds like a bonus, doesn’t it?

Well, if you ever need a break from chocolate, try making tons of it. You end up not being able to stand the cloying smell.

I’m sure I’ll get over it soon enough. But right now, I can’t even think about eating a piece of candy.