What's Giftable For the Holidays? Here are Super Ideas!

STILL SEARCHING FOR A CLEVER GIFT THAT WON'T COST YOU A FORTUNE? THE LIST BELOW HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, AND YOU CAN FIND THEM EASILY, ONLINE, OR IN YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL STORES:

For the "fashionista" (a one-size-fits all gift other than makeup and accessories):

A sincere, quirky book that will please America's Next Top Model fans as well as fashionistas, is Follow the Model Miss J's Guide to Unleashing Presence, Poise, and Power ($22.99) by Miss J Alexander (Simon & Schuster, 2009). Miss "J" reached celebrity status as an America’s Next Top Model judge, but he has been a model, and has worked with models, for decades. Really, it's an autobiography, with basic "model" behavior thrown in (e.g. be polite to shop clerks, always be well groomed, stand out from the crowd, mind your mother, work hard...) The book shows that Miss J worked hard to be noticed, first as a child, and then in the disco scene of the 70's (Studio 54, Xenon) and beyond. Readers learn how Alexander Jenkins got his nickname: "Miss J" and that he is a father to a little boy named Boris (he and his ex boyfriend "Dr." Alex were both sperm donors to a French lesbian -- Alex is the biological father). As to the actual "how-to" in the book, the real message isn't how to look or walk or be a model, but how to be a resourceful, creative, human being. You won't learn anything earth-shatteringly new, but the book is a "gilty" pleasure and a fast read (I finished it in an hour). Honestly, I really had fun reading it. It is a must have for anyone who is a fan of fashion, fashion topics, and ANTM. Buy it online or in your favorite bookstore.

For the Young-at heart in all of us:

Sanrio's Hello Kitty is loved by young and old. She's graced everything from lunchboxes to clothing. Now she is helping to bring smiles (and productivity) to businesses, students, and even busy moms, in the form of a 2GB USB Flash Memory Drive $24.95. There are five different designs: The Hello Kitty Balloon Mimobot on the left is taking to the sky with her birthday bear balloon (it was Hello Kitty's 35th anniversary on November first). The adorable green themed kitty on the right is the Hello Kitty® Fun In Fields Mimobot $24.95 There's also classic kitty, teddy bear kitty, and apple kitty.You can also get an optional, Mimobot ProtoHoodie Keychain accessory to keep Kitty warm, and protected. But these devides are not toys, they're functioning flash drives that make storing and carrying data, a whole lot more fun. The unit lights up while in the USB port, and the drives are compatible with both Windows, and MACs. Packed onto the drive are compressed files for avatars, icons, animated screen savers and wallpaper, all featuring the adorable Hello Kitty! Who wouldn't love one of these?!

For the busy woman who loves gadgets:

What's pink, warms up, and helps you looks beautiful? The Pink heated Eyelash Curler $16.00 by Japonesque. I love the look of curled lashes, but I dislike the large, metal eyelash curlers that are bulky, and squeeze your lashes into submission. The Japonesque version is as slim as a lip gloss, and it's light enough to take anywhere for touch-ups. It is battery powered with one AAA battery and heats up. Even better, this lash curler has a comb (not a vice) that you simply place under your lashes and "comb" them up. The heat (it's warm, not searingly hot) magically straightens out any kinked lashes and curls the entire lashline in seconds. This is one of those "little wonders" that you'll wonder how you ever did without. Your lucky recipient will thank you for years to come! If "Santa" doesn't bring you one of these in your stocking, buy your own!

Japonesque also has several dozen different, Artisan Slant Tip Tweezers $20.00/each that make plucking, more pleasant. I tried a Slant-Tip Tweezer in a leopard design..the ultimate "cat's meow!" There is a color and/or pattern to suit just about every personality, and underneath the enamel design is a serious, steel tool, with a hand-filed precision tip. I usually lose little tools before they wear out, but Japonesque offers a really great guarantee for those who use and keep their tools a long,. long time. Their Tweezer Reconditioning Program means that should your tweezers ever loose their edge, simply send them back to Japonesque, and the company will recondition them for free! Visit http://www.japonesque.colm/ to learn where to buy these, and other great Japonesque items. Ulta, Amazon, Rickys' etc.

For lovers of high-end, luxury products:
I think high-end skincare is the type of luxury that many people really want, but don't feel they can justify for themselves. Therefore, I am suggesting Prevage Day Ultra Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30 PA++ ** $125.00 1 fl. oz. as a perfect gift for someone who deserves the best, but might not splurge on for her/him-self. The original version of Prevage caused quite a media frenzy, and won all sorts of awards. This serious anti-aging weapon has the ingredient, Idebenone, a powerful antioxidant that helps combat the signs of aging. Idebnone is often compared in efficacy with other ingredients such as compared to alpha lipoic acid, kinetin, vitamin C, vitamin E, and coenzyme Q10. But Idebenone has the highest rating of the six top antioxidants. Prevage Day also has Thiotaine, an antioxidant that "compliments" Idebenone in protecting your skin from environmental agressors. This new, Prevage Day Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 30 has both great moisturization and anti-aging ingredients, and it has a high level, broad spectrum, SPF protection to help you defend against skin damaging UVA and UVB rays. Prevage may not be the fountain of youth (and it won't make a 60 year old look 16), but it is one of the best options men and women have if they don't want to invest in more radical and invasive methods to look younger. By Valentine's day, you might be smiling a whole lot more when you look in the mirror. Prevage is highly regarded among both dermatologists and aestheticans, and there is a 2-month return policy on the product, which shows that Elizabeth Arden believes in, and stands by, it's products. You might want to check out the various other PREVAGE® products and sets, including those for body, and for women of color, and even, men. Prevage products can be purchased at department stores makeup counters and on the Elizabeth Arden Web Site
** *PA++ is used in select, international markets to indicate UVA protection.

For anyone who likes cute, pampering, innovative things:

No, this is NOT a tennis ball! or a scoop of ice cream. Bath Bombs by LUSH Cosmetics are already famous for fizzing, coloring, scenting, and mood-altering, and enhancing baths, everywhere. For the holidays, you can't go wrong giving men, women or teens a LUSH Bath Bomb $6.00 in "Honeybee." The large, lemon-and camel (a layer of rhassoul mud, a natural anti-bacterial cleanser) bath comb reminds me of Charlie Brown's shirt. It has the soft (not sweet, almost toffee-smelling scent of honey. It doesn't just smell nice, it does soothing and moisturizing things for skin, thanks to the honey, and aloe vera. After a tough day, there's nothing better than the little treat of a beautifully scented, relaxing bath. There are more than 50 different LUSH Bath Bombs to choose from, so visit the LUSH Cosmetics Web Site and order a bunch!

....WHAT ABOUT FOR THE GUYS? Here are two gifts of scent that are, sensational!

I simply love the bottle for Diesel Only the Brave Eau de Toilette 1.6 fl. oz. spray $52.50; 2.5 fl. oz. is $65.00. . The outer carton is pristine white with gradiated, blue letters, but the bottle inside is quite dramatic. At first it reminded me of an art deco hood ornament. If you were born way after hood ornaments went the way of fins and chrome, what you'll ntoice is that the bottle is a bold hand in a fist, sporting a large, silver knuckle ring with "Diesel" on it. This Diesel bottle was inspired by founder of the brand Diesel, Renzo Rosso, and an RR tattoo on knuckles, which he gave to himself for his 50th birthday. The bottle is made of clear glass and perfectly displays the grey/blue juice inside. Only The Brave, created by three noses of the house of IFF: Alienor Massenet, Olivier Polge and Pierre Wargnye, is what I'd call a "modern masculine." It's lemony, woodsy, leathery, complimented by a drydown of amber and cedarwood. However, it's is lighter, cleaner, and less heavy than a lot of fragrance in the same category. In fact, it almost has a hint of floral notes at drydown, and a smoothness to it that younger males will find appealing. If you are looking for something new for a modern man, this is a great choice. You can get Diesel Only the Brave at Sephora and a variety of department stores and online stores.

Maybe your special man doesn't think Grey's Anatomy actor, Patrick Dempsey (aka "McDreamy") is all that, but I am sure most women, do! Just launched is Mr. Dempsey's second collaboration with Avon called Patrick Dempsey 2 $35.00 2.5 fl. oz. "Unscripted" was Mr. Dempsy's first scent, and the herbal, clean fragrance went over well with men who didn't care in the least about the hunky actor's connection to it (women may feel differently). Patrick Dempsey 2 is also light and clean, but more oriental citrus and spice, than herbal. The top notes of Patrick Dempsey 2 top notes are mandarin, saffron and nutmeg, followed by mid notes of spiced wood accord, green fig and citrus. The base notes (and they're fairly airy on the nose) are olibanum, patchouli, guaicwood and skin musk. The soft, brown outer carton and brown glass bottle (with a hint of sage green) have a shape that is supposed to reflect strength and intimacy. To quote Patrick: "2 is about possibility. It represents the intimacy and strength of two individuals coming together with endless possibilities." I wonder how many women will purchase this for their special man, because they would like that "intimacy" with Patrick Dempsey?! No matter, it's a nice, everyday fragrance, it's affordable and most importantly, men will like it, too. Get it! There's a shave gel, moisturizer and face wash as well. Visit the Avon Web Site or contact your Avon Representative

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