Gifts with Zazzle

One of my favorite websites is Zazzle... Zazzle for customized stamps, clothing and much more.  You can create your own custom stamp or t-shirt and now an iPhone case with a photo of anything you can think of and they make it so easy with their drag-and-drop design tools...

In the section of the website called 'Gift Center' they organize it by women, men, teens and kids.

For instance, the categories for teen gifts are broken down by type of teen, like techno, rockstar, artist, activist, etc...

I love how the tools have become so accessible and easy to use, allowing everyone to express their creativity.

Tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day you could have designed your own or purchased one of their designs for a sticker...

So maybe now you can start thinking about Easter or Passover or the 4th of July!

White Out!

...and I don't mean snow!
That last bit of dirt-crusted granular snow has finally been replaced by spring soaked soggy ground.
Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to see mud and grass again.
Here are some stylish looking electronics that won't break the bank.  I know my kids are always talking about Dr. Dre headphones for $200 to $300 dollars!... what about these cool looking Bongo Headphones I found on Urban Outfitters website...

$76

Or this vintage camera that uses real film!...

Holgawood Camera $46

Or this instant camera which produces credit card size photos in minutes!...

Instax Mini 7S, $130

Also Urban Outfitters offers FREE returns.

Happy Monday!

Brit Style

Allsaints, a British retailer of women's, men's, and children's clothing, accessories, and housewares has a beautiful earthy and feminine line for women this spring...

Well thought of for their graphic T's...

Love this fabric!!!...

Yummy...

 I'd take this over chocolates and flowers any Valentine's Day!!!... Hint Hint honey!

Whimsy in the Kitchen

One of my favorite stores to visit with the kids when we're in NYC is Pylones (pronounced pee-lone), a colorful and innovative French import with everyday objects, but with a twist...

Inside the Lexington Avenue store

I bought this grater for my kitchen years ago and still love it...

$31

The latest kitchen gadget is this pizza cutter which comes in 6 different patterns...

$32

There are 5 different stores in NYC from uptown to downtown and if you can't visit you can shop online.

The kids are off for the Christmas vacation starting tomorrow... it'll be fun and relaxing I hope... wish me luck (I may need it)!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

A mirror can change a room completely with it's shape and reflection, it can really be transforming...
Try this Shell Mirror as seen in Food & Wine magazine's feature on this beautiful Florida kitchen and it comes from Pier 1...

I'll take the kitchen please!

Round Shell Mirror $300

This is an eye-catcher also...

Sunburst on sale for $79

Or this fun wall piece for a girl's or guest room...

Hippie Chic Wall Flower, $99

I love shopping Pier 1... I usually find great buys on their glassware too.  I buy 3 or 4 glasses to mix and match for a dollar or two each like these pressed floral tumblers...

Cool Cardigans

The other day my 14 year old asked me, "What's a cardigan mom?"... WOW!... it made me realize that I had been seeing them in the stores and online but dismissing them or blocking them out somehow as being in fashion again.  Aren't they for old men who smoke pipes?... NOT now anyway... they come in all shapes and styles as I discovered at Urban Outfitters website...

They range in price from about $38 to $78

Since then he has been asking me to buy him one, so if he is any barometer on what's hot and if you're looking for any last minute gifts for your boys (of course you are) then maybe this is it... winter is here and has certainly been here on the East Coast.

Happy first day of WINTER (6:48 EST)!

It's Cold Outside

My new (for me) favorite website for fashion, personal and home Styled On, lead me to these warm and stylish puffer (goose down) Moncler jackets at Jacket-Shop.com... these are $1,200 marked down to $319... WOW!

Love this purple

Saks is selling them at full price... oh, and they have mens and kids jackets too (some in hot colors).

BURRRRRRRRRRRRRRR... it's cold outside!

All Legs

One way to change it up for winter is to pull all the classic black dresses and skirts you have out of the closet and freshen it up with new accessories... only think about tights being the new accessory...
I found these tights from House of Holland on mytights.com from a great and inspirational fashion website StyledOn.com, that the NY Times says, "... is quickly becoming the Facebook for the fashion set."...
If they're too out there for you then what about your daughters or nieces for the holidays!

These chic graphic shapes are fun and will run about $28...

Hope you find what makes you feel glamourous and please share it with us1

A Very Fine Plan

They have a TV show the kids really like!

silly funny... kind of a cult (niche) following 

Sometimes the best layed plans really do work, as in last Saturday... My friend Sue and I took five teen boys (14 - 18) into NYC via train to Penn Station to see the comedy team of Tim and Eric at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square.  This was her treating us for her older sons's birthday.  The younger brother got to invite a friend, that's where we come in to the picture.

It was a perfect afternoon/evening:  We took a 3 o'clock train and arrived at 4pm, then we hoofed it 11 blocks to 44th Street to get on line early for general admission.  We did our mothering thing for awhile until they shooed us away.  We killed about a half hour sizing up the situation and offering a myriad of instructions about staying together etc, etc... It wasn't that hard to leave with the thought of a glass of wine and dinner waiting for the Moms!  They had about an hour to stand on line and and an hour to wait inside and the show didn't start until 7pm, ending at about 9:15pm... So we had a comfortable amount of time to dine and even get some shopping in too.

  We dined at a favorite spot,  I wrote about last year,  Gallo Nero Wine Bar and Restaurant, mostly for the atmosphere, small, intimate (not noisy) and beautiful candle lighting, a great place to relax with an amazing wine selection.  The grilled octopus with olives and capers was fantastic and a first for my friend, the rest of the Italian fare was good but a little salty... but boy did we enjoy ourselves!
After a most enjoyable dinner we sauntered back to Times Square with about an hour left to shop.  Since Hannukah was only a few days away (Dec. 1), I had a few little things left to buy the kids which I found at the Billabong Super Store right near the theater at 44th and Broadway... I bought long socks to go with the latest trend of wearing lacrosse shorts in Winter, and a cool hat too.
Then we went into the bustling Levi's Superstore where I spotted some great stuff for me and today I see on their website that there's 40% off on many items, including this sweater I liked...

Fair Isle Sweater, was $89, now 40% 0ff

... great with these black legging jeans

We were back at the theater just in time as they were letting out, but none of our kids came out!  First we were a little panicked, but then we remembered that they were selling merchandise, like posters and T-shirts, and since they're our kids we knew they would be shopping too.
We had to run to make the 9:51 train and we did with only 4 minutes to spare...
I was tired, but a good tired, after hosting Thanksgiving, a cousin sleepover at our house, running the kids around on Friday, and this satisfying Saturday, I knew I would sleep well and rest on Sunday.

Thanks Sue for a great time had by all!

Pendants of Strength

As we approach the gift-giving time of year, I have a major resistance to buying gifts under pressure.  I'm one who likes to buy gifts when I see something and it hits me how perfect this would be for so and so...  I'll buy it and give it a friend or family member no matter what day of the week it is, it doesn't have to be their birthday or Christmas/Hannukah... I can hardly wait for that giving moment!

A friend of mine recently emailed me about her good friend Ellen's Equestrian Jewelry and since I'm not a horse person, I wasn't sure if I would like it... but I just love the necklaces... you don't have to a be a horse person because these special pieces are just great looking and the bonus is that they also send a message of HOPE!
 They're inspired by antique medals from the 1800's and Ellen's life-long passion for horses. One of the medals depicts Joan of Arc on one side and her shield on the other.  When Ellen decided to engrave words like Strength, Triumph and Valor on the medals she soon realized just how powerful these pieces would be especially for women facing life's greatest challenges head on...

love the chains too

Ellen can engrave your special message... as one friend told Ellen, "I gave it to a dear friend who is fighting every day for her life, I hope it brings comfort and strength to her".

If you're interested in purchasing Ellen's Equestrian Jewelry, contact her at this NY number: 516-695-2423.

Just remember, that gift-giving time will be upon us in a flash!... Enjoy. 

A Sunny Holiday Kitchen

It's not too early to start planning for Thanksgiving if you're the host... I mean as far as your kitchen tools, dishes, etc....  or if you're a guest invited to a Thanksgiving feast, what will you bring your host?
Don't wait until the last minute and putting thought into a gift really shows you care...  Here are some ideas of things I liked at one of my favorite sites, Anthropologie... I love yellow, so here are some great gifts with a sunny theme... 

Oh, and the price is right too!

This reminds me of my something my grandmother had in her collection...

Milkmaid Butter Dish, $28

You can use this to limit the kids TV time too...

Magnetic Timer, $12

This is great for everyday cooking... I have so many tops with oil splatter stains...

Jitterbug Apron, $32

If there are young kids around, these illustrations by Charley Harper are unique...

Flash Cards and Puzzle, $14.95

Italian Cooking is my favorite and this book gives you a glimpse into the folk culture also...

Cookbook, $45

I'll be keeping you posted on my Thanksgiving menu plans.

Share your ideas with us by leaving a comment.

Back To School Tools

Many of us Moms have made a few plus trips already to Staples for the obligatory back-to-school supplies. If your looking for something a little different for your tweens, teens or college bound children I found some great organizational tools that are well designed.  And for that reason they are on the MOMA Store (Museum of Modern Art) website.  So here are a few really I liked... they make great gifts...

Amigo Leather Desk Accessory

Tower of Clips

Conceal Bookshelf

Poster Hanger

If these are too nice for the kids then maybe it's time to buy something for Mom or Dad... and they're not expensive!

What organizational tools work for you?

Tennis Anyone

The scorcher of a day I went to the US Open was the hottest in US Open history, August 31st (see my post).  All of the players struggled to play in the heat with wet spots apparent on their clothes, clothes made of the latest in wicking fabrics.  But as of late the weather turned cool, dry and windy...  comfortable but difficult, playing against their opponents and the ball.

Venus Williams had a close match yesterday, but persevered to secure her place in the quarterfinals.
What do you think of her outfit?... a little too ice capades for me.  Gilt.com has an exclusive on some of her better designs until 9/13...  EleVen by Venus Williams...

                                         photo by Getty

$79

$89

Signing on to Gilt.com is free and if you time it right there are real deals to be had... it's addicting so keep an eye on your budget!