Valentine's Day for HER!

No matter who the "her" is... Valentine's Day is always one of those hard days to do right. You may be buying for your Nana, your Mom, your spouse/partner, newly found girlfriend or even a daughter or granddaughter. Maybe even the person you intend to marry (hello jewelry store). And somehow, they all have different expectations on Valentine's Day.

There are the perennial favorites: candy, flowers, jewelry and dinner out. I remember the first time I had flowers delivered to me from a beau -- I won't lie -- it was pretty cool.

But creativity would be a good thing, too.

I just stumbled upon this version of a bouquet. Yes, perhaps more than you want to spend, but what a cool idea. Flowers and productivity -- all rolled into one. As those who read often know -- I do have an inner Geek that needs feeding every once in a while. (This little cutie is presented by HP... it's the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition.)

Speaking of creativity... how about a gift certificate entitling the Valentine girl to a new coat of paint in her bedroom. Maybe a spa weekend for the both of you while that work is getting done?

If you happen to be buying a special ring for that special someone, it may help to know that the three-stone ring is gaining more momentum in the engagement ring category. Previously known more as an anniversary ring (along with the circle-diamond band) -- many couples are opting for these new ideas about the engagement ring. Though I doubt anyone would get all too upset if they received a traditional solitaire. It's all about knowing her taste. But isn't that always the way.

Happy Valentine's Day shopping -- for HER!

-reenie

Valentine's Day for HIM!

So, the savvy reader might ask, "Why start with guy gifts?" My theory: the ladies are thinking ahead, so why not help them out. Suggestions for what to buy the ladies will come later on.

Is your guy a rock star?
Make him feel like one with the Memorex SingStand (TM)
I saw this item during the holiday season, but failed to mention here. I think it's a hoot, and it could probably work for anyone, any age. The microphone speaks system allows you to sing along with music from any MP3 device that includes a headphone jack. The full range speakers are built into the base (not shown in this picture). It even has dual microphone inputs if you're planning on a Valentine's Day duet.

Stressed out guy?
How about a massage at a spa? Book it for Valentine's Day weekend or for any weekend in the general vicinity of February 14. Spend the whole weekend and reap some benefits for you, too.



Gift certificates make great gifts... but how about tucking one into a cool wallet? I get such a kick out of these. The 100% duct tape wallet by ducti. Think restaurants, sporting events, put-put golf - anything fun you can do as a duo. Even if he has a wallet - this one is affordable and would make a great certificate or card holder. Don't you think?

Happy Valentine's Day shopping!

-reenie

Menu trends for 2009

OK, I admit it... I have 'dining out' on the brain. Do you hear me Saint Valentine? It's that time of year when we think about how to treat someone special -- be it on February 14 or any other day. Maybe it's because we lived through the stress of the holidays, and we just need a break and a special treat for ourselves.

Whatever the reason, I found this news from the National Restaurant Association very interesting. The hot new trends for 2009 seem great to me.

The top five:

• Locally grown produce



• Bite-size/mini desserts



• Organic produce



• Nutritionally balanced children's dishes



• New/fabricated cuts of meat (e.g. Denver steak, pork flat iron, bone-in Tuscan veal chop)
  

So... if you happen to be in charge of making Valentines' Day special for someone you know -- you might want to think about these things as you plan that special night out. Be adventurous. Try something new. And if you can make it affordable and fun -- all the better.

-reenie

Inauguration Day

Today's topic was going to be "Looking Good." I stumbled onto this link this morning and realized I needed to take a minute and wish our country well on this special day.



No matter your party affiliation... today we as a country takes a step forward like no other.


I am speechless and humbled.


If you want your own 'Obamicon' to commemorate this special day, visit obamiconme.pastemagazine.com

(Thank you Sheppard Fairey, the famed artist of the original Obama poster, for letting all of us feel special today.)


I think I look good in "hopeful.'



-reenie

Fashion Friday: What's hot for Spring/Summer 2009?

It's mid-January and I'm having those typical Spring-Summer-would-feel-awfully-nice-right-about-now blues. So, I decided to do a little web surfing to picture what I'll be wearing in a few months. Goodbye sweaters and warm coats... hello fashion trends for the new season.
Seriously, I'm not a fashionista, but I like to keep current... so my daughter doesn't wrinkle her nose every time I get dressed. OK, she will always 'wrinkle.' but I can pretend that I know what's going on.

Look for these things:

The Butterfly motif. This one scares me. Really. The big thing about the butterfly motif -- don't overdo. Don't be too girly. Apparently designers like Diana von Furstenberg and Badgley Mischka had butterflies on their 2009 catwalks.

Single-shouldered dresses, tops, bikini tops. Kind of an interesting trend. Asymmetrical seems to be in. I know some people who will feel unbalanced. I might be one of them.

The Grecian or Romanesque trend. Grecian trend meet the single-shouldered trend. It all makes sense to me now. I can't finish writing this without mentioning a toga party. It would just be wrong.

Fringe and flapper trend. A lot of skirts/dresses (short or long) sported this trend on the 2009 Spring/Summer runways. This one I can do.

See-through and sheer fabrics. Again, not so much for me, but the info I read said that it was more about being stylish than playing the part of the sex-kitten. Maybe even cooler to wear(temperature-wise) - could this be the fashion world's nod to the keeping-it-green movement?

And finally, black and white seems to be the trend for 2009. Phew... I'm going to be OK.

Now back to your regularly scheduled winter day....

-reenie

Amazon names top selling products for 2008

So, I heard recently that Amazon published their their top selling products for 2008. I was curious and checked them out. Two items jumped out at me -- maybe because I'm in that winter homebody mode....

They noted the Oster 4207 electric wine opener. I get it... wine was probably a big gift for the 2008 holiday season and the wine opener made a nice 'extra.' I checked the model out on the Oster site and can see how this baby has legs in the gift-giving area. Though I have to admit... I find it pretty satisfying when a cork is pulled from a bottle just right. It says having this will allow me more time with guests. Not so sure on that, but it will definitely make me look way more cool in front of guests (as my bottle opening skills leave a lot to be desired). I'd love to see one in action. Local kitchen store -- here I come.



The other item... and this one makes tons of sense this time of year: First Alert CO600 plug-in carbon monoxide alarm. I was a little confused about it being a "plug-in," but just confirmed that it has a battery back up. Now I get it.
What made this listing even more important to me? I just completed a survey from my state's Department of Health and Human Services and they made a point of asking if I had one of these. That question right up there with the major life/health questions on heart disease and diabetes. When I hung up... I put the item on my shopping list. Then, voila, here it is on the Amazon list. Someone is definitely trying to send me a message. I get it -- message received! Keeping my family safe and healthy really does top my list of needs in 2009.

Fitness Friday

Have you ever had a hard time sticking with something? A commitment? A new resolution? Sometimes the "accessories" make the idea of it way more fun than the reality, but I think I've found something that might actually merge the two, and make the new goal more attainable. OK, I'll stop writing in code. I stumbled on this a couple of months ago, but it was today, while thinking about my daughter's idea to learn how to snowboard (and to take me with her) that I thought this stuff might be a really cool addition to the idea of learning.

Have you heard about this new active wear? It actually includes shock absorbing material inside the design. You don't end up looking like a kid with pillows tied to her backside, but you end up with some protection for that rather delicate and aging backside all the same.

It's called Armadillo Scooterwear and it's "designed with the modern scooter rider in mind including scooter jackets, classic trench coats, hooded jackets and scooter gloves, all of our collection features d30 (TM) body armour, just in case you need it." Imagine... clothing that looks stylish and protects you if you take a fall. Apparently the material is soft and flexible, but when impacted at high speed offers shock absorption. This could be an amazing find for the gravity-inclined like me. I know they say 'made for the scooter-rider,' but as I'm more often in a car... figure it has to offer more protection than the average jacket or pants. I've even read that the inventor, Richard Palmer, cracks his knee with a shovel (while wearing the stuff) to prove to non-believers that it really does work. That's commitment (and maybe this side of crazy).

Stay safe

-reenie

Winter fun

So, it may be cold where you are. You may even have snow, and if you don't, you may be making plans to travel someplace that does have snow. With that in mind... allow me to introduce two new winter must-haves. OK, maybe just one must-have and one 'wouldn't-that-be-fun-to-have.'

The Porsche sled. Yes, I said Porsche. Who needs a plastic saucer or toboggan? This baby will scream 'style' when you swoosh down the nearest hill. The Porsche site calls it a "sledge" -- am I missing something or did they? In any case... it has an aluminum frame with stainless steel runners. No loose parts and easy-fold mechanism, "ready to use within seconds." The UV-resistant, imitation leather seat is black, and, of course, the Porsche logo sits on the top. It also comes with a high quality carrying bag, Just be sure you don't hit anyone as you speed on by... the logo may make you look like you can afford way more than you want to. About $425....

And if you're out there in the cold and need to stay connected with your pals via text or cell phone, try Freehands (R). These gloves allow you to flip back caps to expose both your thumb and index fingers... so you can use your electronic devices without exposing your whole hand. Magnets keep the caps out of your way. Stay warm and stay in touch. Ahhh, where ingenuity meets personal comfort. Looks like they come in fleece, stretch or leather... ranging from $20-$40 -- in case that sled seems a little, shall I say, "steep"?

Stay warm,

-reenie

Typical January sales

I don't know about you, but I have this lingering memory of January white sales. Do other people remember those? I even remember buying my new college towels/linens/blankets/pillows in the January of my Senior year of High School because that's when the sales were. That memory, dear readers, is nearly 25 years old. For some odd reason it just sticks in my head.

So, with that in mind, I decided to do a little research on what is typically on sale during the month of January. As we all have heard, holiday sales figures were not where most retailers wanted them to be, so plenty more might be on sale in this particular January.

Here's what I found:

Men's coats

Formal dresses (think prom, weddings and other formal occasions)

Hats and handbags

Lingerie

Shoes

(Special thanks to the frugal.families.com/blog for their interesting list of January sales. The funny thing: they didn't even mention white sales. Go figure)

-reenie