"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have". - Frederick Koenig
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift. Show all posts

Monday, November 28, 2011

Get Gorgeous this Holiday with a Gift List from QVC



Well folks, it's Cyber Monday, and after making it through all of the plates of turkey and hoards of aggro black Friday shoppers you can now just sit back, relax, and hardly have to lift a finger to get everything you need to fulfill your holiday gift list this year.  Whether you need some help in the giving department for one of those 'hard to buy for' ladies on your list, or if you're feeling a little lost when it comes to the receiving department and have no idea what to include on your own wish list as requested from a special someone; Vogue Influencers has brought in some help from QVC's Lisa Robertson.  Lisa has put together a list of her top holiday gift picks that allow you to participate in all of the joy without all of the craziness - most coming in at less than $100.  So what are you waiting for?  Scroll on down and start your clicking, or head on over to QVC.com.  Happy shopping!



1. Mally 10-piece Deluxe Automatic Waterproof Liner Collection
Mally Beauty Evercolor Automatic Waterproof Eyeliners have a long-wearing formula that contains nourishing and conditioning ingredients. For a really cool trick, line the top lash line with the Onyx, then line that line with a colored pencil. It's a subtle peep of color.












2. bareMinerals Box of Gems 20-piece Color Collection
A 20-piece collection of stunning eye and lip shades. Experience the ultimate in luxury with 10 new eye colors and 10 high-shine lip glosses that will drizzle lips in pure color. Tip: For a jewel-toned look, pair Gem and Glow eye colors--and deepen and smoke out even more with the Twinkle shade.


3. Judith Ripka Sterling Hematite Doublet Ring
A rich, deep, cushion-cut synthetic blue quartz doublet rests above a section of hematite in this mesmerizing ring. A sterling silver twisted-rope border accents the gemstone, while four heart-shaped prongs sparkle with a Diamonique® simulated diamond in the center of each.



4. Melania Madison Avenue Bold Case Bracelet Watch
As glamorous and show-stopping as New York City itself. Clear, round crystals on the connecting links of this bracelet watch are sure to attract attention, while the bold face with its mother-of-pearl dial is a classic finishing touch.



5. Nadri Micro Pave' Criss Cross Hinged Bangle Bracelet
Eternally elegant. With four bands crafted into a crisscross design and encrusted with micro-pave-style round, clear crystals on the front, this highly polished silvertone bracelet is sure to create a lasting look.


6. Dennis Basso Button Front Ruffle Collar Coat with Rosette Detail
Everything's coming up rosettes. This gorgeous fully lined, button-front coat will warm up your outlook. Ruffle details, in-seam pockets, and a cloth rosette on the collar help this stunning outerwear piece rise to the top.



7. ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! 2 Ply Cashmere V-Neck Boyfriend Cardi
Wear this boyfriend cardigan over a simple tee paired with your favorite jeans, and accessorize it with anything from a scarf to an extra-long necklace.


8. Michael Dawkins Sterling Signature Pod Small Earrings 
Small in size, but big on stylish impact, these free-form pod earrings are ideal for every day wear and special occasions. The earrings have a seamless silhouette.






If you like what you see, let me know!  Just click the 'Join This Site' button at the top right of the homepage to keep up with Vogue fashion exclusives, new product launches, events, beauty reviews and more.  Know it first, see it first, hear it first.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Spud Love



Well, it's V-Day again, and I have to admit that this year I did not go overboard with a gift for Jay.  As a matter of fact, I kind of went 'underboard' for the first time I can remember.  This year, the purchasing of Godiva chocolates with frilly wrapping, silly heart-themed boxers, or funny yet sentimental cards didn't get done, so we currently have an unwrapped, uncute, slightly ripped bag of run-of-the-mill Peanut butter M&Ms on our counter instead.  I was kind of left feeling like a disappointing cupid this year.

This synthetic feeling of inadequacy did start me thinking though.  First, I logically thought about how the idea of this day is totally over-marketed and causes unnecessary stress for those in a relationship as well as those who are not.  Then, I 'rebelled' against the entire idea of the holiday and rationalized about how I don't need to provide chocolate or flowers or cards this day every year as a marker of my emotion when it truly should be a year-round daily sentiment that chocolate just can't touch.   Finally, all of this 'serious' thought led back to the very first Valentine's gift I gave Jay, and even after all these years - no, especially after all these years, how it really did mean more than any chocolate candy or flowers that I could have given, or that I could give even now.

Though I don't remember exactly all of the components of the first V-Day gift I presented to Jay, I do remember the heart of the gift - a small sack of potatoes.  I know, you're thinking I really went out of my way for that one, completely bent over backwards to make sure that I got just THE perfect gift for that very special first Valentine's token; who wouldn't melt immediately at receiving a bag of potatoes ... and organic to boot, right?  Well, I should have known it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship because Jay loved them, and knew exactly what I was saying.

You see, just prior to Valentine's day that year, Jay had sent me this clip he saw on bash.org that we both couldn't stop laughing over.  It was an argument as to why flowers are really awful things to give someone as a token of affection, and why instead, we should give potatoes.  So why would someone give potatoes you ask?  Lucky for you I have relocated that comment thread from so many years ago to explain.

well, there's a lot of reasons
i mean, roses only last like a couple weeks
and that's if you leave them in water
and they really only exist to be pretty
so that's like saying
"my love for you is transitory and based solely on your appearance"
but a potato!
potatoes last for f***ing ever, man
in fact, not only will they not rot, they actually grow s**t even if you just leave them in the sack
that part alone makes it a good symbol
but there's more!
there are so many ways to enjoy a potato! you can even make a battery with it!
and that's like saying "i have many ways in which I show my love for you"
and potatoes may be ugly, but they're still awesome
so that's like saying "it doesn't matter at all what you look like, I'll still love you"


At first read, I hadn't really thought of actually gifting a bag of potatoes for real, but the more I thought about it, the more I knew that I couldn't express what I felt we had together any better.  There was certainly no chocolate, fancy dinner, or stuffed animal that was going to sum it up with that much meaning or provide that much laughter.  What I failed to realize back then, is that starting with that sack of potatoes, our relationship grew into something more substantial than I could ever have imagined - just like the comment thread pointed out - solid, enduring, and unwavering.  So, because of a small bag of potatoes gifted six years ago, this Valentine's Day we will share that slightly ripped, run-of-the-mill bag of  Peanut Butter M&Ms together, and smile  as we realize that there is no gift that can be given or received, wrapped in red ribbon or otherwise, that could be better than just spending our time together.


Happy Valentine's Jay, I love you!