Pamper Yourself in 2010: A Cup of Tea, a Book and a Smile

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It's a new year! Take care of yourself.

On one of those cold January days, take the time to have a cup of tea with a biscotti... read a classic like Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility or maybe dip into a biography of Coco Chanel, one of the first fashionistas.

Curl up on the couch and write in your Keel's Simple diary. There are fill in the blank questions to make it easier.

Then have a relaxing bubble bath. 

Life is good.

Chocolate Chic from Marie Belle Chocolates

When I received a beautiful blue jewel box tied with a lovely brown ribbon from my hubby, I instantly knew the meaning of indulge. 

No, he didn’t give me a diamond from Tiffany, but he might as well have. Inside were luscious morsels from MarieBelle made with only the highest quality chocolate. Named after the chocolatier and designer Maribel Lieberman, each exquisite handmade-painted chocolate is a tiny work of art.

I savored exotic Saffron and Cardamom flavors. My favorite was delicate Lavender with just a touch of the sweet flower. And for the ultimate luxury, Champagne flavor pops in your mouth for one wonderful celebration… until the next bite.

MarieBelle: www.mariebelle.com / 4-piece box @ $14.00 other sizes available/484 Broome Street, New York, NY 10013


Photo credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clemson/ / CC BY 2.0

J.Crew Tees Go with Everything: Especially Your Budget, Under $25

J.Crew is one of my favorite clothing stores. I especially love their tees. You can never have enough of them. (Can you?)

In the winter I love to pair one of their tees with jeans, a blazer or a cardigan and heels. That dressy casual look you can go anywhere with.

The floral and the rosette tees are my choices. And so are the sale prices.

6 Natural Beauty Products Under $25: Selected by Whole Foods Body Care Pro

I love browsing the natural beauty and body care products at my local Whole Foods store. Yet these unique beauty products are a mystery to me. There are jars and jars of organic body lotions that promise to make your skin silky smooth; tubes of lovely scented hand creams; row after row of lipsticks in fabulous colors and so many choices for shampoos. 


Where does a girl begin? 


So I decided to ask an expert. I spoke to Meghan Elliott, Whole Foods Body Care Buyer in West Orange, New Jersey. I told her I was intrigued by Whole Foods huge selection of natural products, but I didn't know much about them. In particular, I wanted to learn about some of the beauty and body care products under $25. 


Meghan was happy to share with me with some of her favorite picks. This is what she had to say:

Giovanni Grapefruit Sky Body Lotion 

This has a great fresh scent, not overwhelmingly citrus, made with certified organic ingredients and leaves skin super soft and smooth with no oily feeling.

Giovanni Lotion: $9.99

Hemp Organics Lipsticks

Certified organic ingredients, great color selection (my favorites are mocha and red earth), super long-lasting even after eating I rarely re-apply.

Hemp Organics Lipsticks: $14.99

Karite-Lips Shea Butter Vanilla Lip Balm

Best lip balm I've ever used. Heals dry/chapped lips within a couple days. Relieves discomfort. Really protective in cold weather.

Karite-Lips Shea Balm: $8.59

Earth Science: Apricot Gentle Facial Scrub 

Gently exfoliates without irritating or drying. Leaves my skin soft and smoother after use. Soap free and PH balanced at 5. It is my favorite thing to use at the end of a long day!

Earth Science Apricot Facial Scrub: $8.59

Nubian Heritage Bar Soaps

My favorite is the African Black Soap with oats, aloe and vitamin E. The soap deep cleanses and gently exfoliates while moisturizing. Black soap in particular is good for evening skin tone and healing any irritations.We carry 12 other varieties all unique and all smell amazing.100% vegetable based, no animal by-products or animal testing.

Nubian Heritage Soap: $3.99

Aubrey Organics Shampoos and Conditioners

Aubrey Organics makes many varieties for any hair type. 100% natural, no sodium lauryl sulfate, no parabens or petro-chemicals, vegan, no animal testing. Amazing line, great results. My favorite is the Primrose and Lavender scalp soothing shampoo. Leaves hair cleansed and hydrated.

Aubrey Organics Shampoos and Conditioners: $10-13 range

I've already tried the Giovanni Grapefruit Sky Body Lotion, and the scent is light and pleasing. Delicious!

Thank you Meghan, for the sampling of Whole Foods organic beauty care products. (And thank you Denise Dagnino for the photos.) I look forward to checking out more of your recommendations!

Note: Meghan recently took a position as ATL of Whole Body at the Whole Foods Madison, NJ store. 

Photo credits: Denise J. Danino, Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader 

Photo credit for lip balm: Mode de Vie

Illustration: www.imagezoo.com

What to Shop for in January: Get More for Less!

What should you be looking for on sale in January? It's not just the White Sale.

If you are aware of the retail sales calendar you'll know what to keep your eyes open for. In a previous blog post, What to Shop for in December: Get More for Less! I discussed how you can get bargains by making your purchases in the months these items are traditionally on sale.

Watch for sales for these items in January:

• Appliances
• Clothing: Winter and Fall clothing
• Calendars
• Coats
• Furniture
• Holiday merchandise: Christmas cards, wrapping paper and decorations
• Lingerie
• Purses: seasonal
• Shoes and Winter boots
• Toys 
• TV's
• White Sale: bedding, towels and bath

Each month I'll preview the next month's sales. Look for my next blog post in the series,"What to Shop For in February: Get More for Less!"

Photo credit: Tim Parkinson @ Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timparkinson/ / CC BY 2.0

Fun All Year Round with Fred Flare!

I'm always looking for "Fashionable Finds." But today, we'll forget about fashionable. There are times you just want to have a good laugh!


These items from Fred Flare will tickle your funny bone all year round. LOL!

For a giggle how about the We Met On Facebook gum. (see above) It is so ridiculous, it just cracks me up. You get eight, fruity pieces for $2.00.

Friend someone and share it.

Or what about this...

Make NY Souvenir Cards

This really capture NYC for me. I love the city. You can send one of these five 4 x 6 postcards to a buddy. Or assemble the 3-D models at home. What could be more NY than: the Empire State Building with King Kong; a hot dog cart: the Brooklyn Bridge; the Staten Island ferry, a yellow taxi; or a bagel with lox and... a cup of coffee, of course.

Make NY Souvenir cards: $6.00

How about a yummy burger with a Sesame bun? You can't eat this one, though.

Cheeseburger Kitchen Timer

Cheeseburger Kitchen Time: $10.00

Be a kid again with...

The Indie Rock Coloring Book

Features over 25 indie bands from Bon Iver to Iron and Wine and The Shins. You can have a grand time coloring in the designs. Proceeds go to charity. Remember to color in the lines!

Indie Rock Coloring Book: $9.95

FredFlare: www.fredflare.com/fredflare.com’s first-ever BRICK & MORTAR STORE: 131 Meserole Ave at Leonard Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn 11222, 718-349-1257

Stuff for Him Under $25

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Great stocking stuffers or gifts under the tree for the classical or modern man.