Archive for the ‘Luxe Baby Holiday’ Category

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Your Funny Valentine

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

Have a funny Valentine in your life? And maybe you are looking for just a little extra something to wrap up with your love gifts this Valentine’s Day? I found just the thing. I am a fan of Knock Knock witty paper goods – but who knew they had chocolate? I had to check my excitement while grabbing my credit card.

Grab your sharpie to indicate your level of fondness to your sweetie with these delicious love gifts. Each are 3.5oz of all-natural, premium chocolate and are the perfect little addition to your Valentine’s Day presents.

Knock Knock I Love You Very Very Much Chocolate Bar

I Love You Very Very Much Chocolate Bar, by Knock Knock

Order online (if you have the time) or find a location to buy near you. You may find these cuties at select Urban Outfitters, Z Gallerie, Paper Source, Books-A-Million, Anthropologie and Pier One Imports.

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Nail Polish Love Affair

Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

Janette Vecchiarelli-Bell

By Janette Vecchiarelli-Bell

I love nail polish. It really can be the best accessory, especially during the holidays. I know I’m not in the minority here, so here are a few stocking stuffer ideas that any woman will love.

Get magnetic:

Nails, Inc Magnetic Nail Polish
The minute I heard about this polish, I ran right out and purchased a bottle in “House of Parliament” purple. After you put a coat on, you hold the special magnet in the lid over your nail and it attracts the iron powder in the polish and creates the “secret” design on your nail. It’s a trip and I LOVE it. It’s a bit time consuming, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually a lot of fun. The cool packaging makes it a great gift.

Matte Finish:

Knocked Out Cosmetic has been making great matte polish for years now, especially for those of us that don’t want to “outshine” everyone in the room. You can either let the polish dry for a matte look, buff them to a shine (just don’t use a top coat), or just let them buff out naturally. They come in beautiful Art Deco style bottles that really beg to be displayed. Try it in “Karen,” a long-lasting true red that is as retro as the bottle it comes in.

3 Free:

If you know someone that is into high fashion but isn’t willing to pass out from the fumes from their polish, check out Butter London. Butter’s polish is “3 Free,” meaning it’s free of Formaldahyde, Toluene and DBP (dibutyl phthalate) so while it’s highly pigmentated, it’s safe (and fashionable). In funky colors like the limited edition “The Black Knight,” this glitter fusion contains black, pink, blue and silver all suspended in a black base. If that’s not her style, try one of my personal favorites, “All Hail The Queen”. The opaque, glittery beige is perfect for everyday with a bit of glam.

Top Coats:
For the girl who, like me, has a million bottles of polish or you just don’t know what color to get her, try out these amazing top coats from Nails, Inc. The Kensington Caviar base coat will give any polish a super glossy look AND dries in 45 seconds. It also helps prevent chipping – prolonging the life of your manicure.
Next, to get an instant matte look with any of your favorite polish, try the Westminster Bridge top coat. It is perfect to use as a top coat with matte polish since, up until now, a top coat would ruin the look (see above).
Finally, check out their line of crackle top coats. Create nail art in seconds when it’s applied to the existing coat. The polish “cracks” and creates a texture on the nail that will look like hours were spent at the salon. They come in a variety of looks, but my personal fave is the Farrington Glitter.

Gift Sets:


Check out Butter’s gift sets. Let her try them out with a starter set or for the more adventurous, the “Rock and Roller.” You really can’t go wrong with these. Nails, Inc. also has some great gift sets AND allows you to customize them on their website. Pick the colors you want packaged, and viola! Customized for your favorite nail-phile. :)

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Bring Harmony Home for the Holidays!

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Jingle Bells!  Jingle Bells! It’s time for holiday shopping for the children in our lives!
While it’s definitely fun to revisit those old toy favorites that we grew up with,  selecting a gift for the age 8 and under crowd can be especially daunting for those aunties, uncles and grandparents who don’t live nearby.

Instead of giving another doll, truck, book or gift card – why not give a gift that will last a lifetime?  The gift of music!

All children are musical and can learn to sing, keep a beat and actively participate in a live music experience.  And a fantastic music class will introduce children to the joy of making music rather than passively watching it on TV or listening to your iPod.

Music programs for toddlersThe crème de la crème of music classes is hands-down -  Music Together – an internationally recognized, early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, first and second graders, and the adults who love them.

What sets Music Together apart from the other run-of-the-mill music classes is their research-based early music curriculum and philosophy. They believe that young children learn best from the powerful role model of parents/caregivers who are actively making music.

Now serving 2000 communities in over 25 countries, Music Together’s early childhood music program supports this natural bonding experience – connecting families and communities across the globe as they express and explore the basic human instinct for making music.  Locate a Music Together class  and bring harmony home for the holidays! - Christina Q. Cross

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Venokado Clutch Gifts

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Every year, we all struggle to find the perfect gift for our loved ones. Holiday after holiday, birthday after birthday – we start to run out of ideas. Thank goodness for the creatives out there that are coming up with great ideas to keep our gift-giving interesting! Venokado, in West Hollywood and now in Santa Monica, has the best gifts, in my opinion, of the season. Their clutch gifts are perfect for just about anyone (over 21) on your list. And I mean everyone. Who wouldn’t like to receive a gorgeous box stuffed with amazing wine, delicious delicacies and original and creative gifts? Perfect for your best friends, colleagues/clients and even favorite relatives. They are completely customizable – so you (with their expert help, of course) can create whatever assortment of goodies that is most appropriate for the very lucky recipient.

Below are a few examples of Venokado’s Clutch Gifts - but the mixing/combining/creating possibilities are endless.

Still shopping for your most fashionable, bubbly-loving bestie? Rosé Colored Glasses is perfect -  with its Gruet N/V Rosé sparkling wine half bottle, Butter London nail lacquer, Valerie Confections chocolate box, Graf & Lantz Los Angeles felt wallet. $49.50

For the eclectic on your list,  Khroma is sure to be a hit. It contains Khroma Cabernet 2007, Los Angeles map baseball, stainless camera flask, Poco Dolce chocolates. $72.00

And for anyone on your list, for an anytime soiree, Celebration is our pick. Evening Land Vineyards Celebration Gamay Oregon 2009, Bakelab cookie, wood/chrome opener,  and a Poco Dolce burnt caramel toffee tin. $56.00

But really – the folks at Venokado are fabulous and will create any gift for any personality, budget and occasion. There is still time to order for the holidays – all gifts are made to order, delivered in LA and shipped immediately everywhere else.

And if you are in the L.A. area – you may want to pop in to either of their locations – as they have a fantastic assortment of original gifts – even for baby.  Not to mention their wine tastings. Oh their wine tastings… - LW

 

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A Little Holiday Playtime

Monday, December 19th, 2011

By Christina Q. Cross

Let’s face it – holiday travel isn’t always really a vacation. More often than not, it is an obligatory annual visit to your in-laws and/or extended family’s home, in an unfamiliar town with inclimate weather, where it’s hard to keep everyone (especially the younger tots) appeased once you’ve arrived.

During the winter months, it’s often too cold to go to the zoo or enjoy other outdoor, child-friendly attractions/activities in your relative’s city.  Or, there may not be enough time to visit indoor kid-friendly museums that typically have limited hours around the holidays.

To help escape your kids’ boredom while staying at a relative’s home, it may seem that you’re left with few options – bring the kiddos to blow of steam at an overcrowded mall (where you will fight for decent parking), or  if they are old enough, to the movies or an indoor ice-skating rink. That’s about it. Or is it?

Before you make your annual holiday trek, we suggest doing a quick Google search on local indoor play gyms for kids, which have been cropping up by the dozens in neighborhoods all across the country. Most allow for a one-time, drop-in play rate – which is perfect for holiday travel.

Indoor play for kids

Pump It Up

Pump it Up  is a private indoor arena, filled with gigantic inflatable slides, bounce houses, and obstacle courses with franchisees nationwide. You can drop in and bring the kids to play for an hour or two during a “Pop-in Playtime.”  Also, depending on your destination, there are likely local coffee house play gyms that offer something for both parents (coffee and free Wi-Fi) and kids (fun play equipment) plus extended winter hours.

While it’s always sunny here in San Diego, here are just a few indoor play spaces throughout the San Diego area that are available in case it rains:

 

 

Kidding Around
WayBeyond
Kid Ventures
My Kids Clubhouse
Kidsville Playtown
Java Mama

All of these offer kids the opportunity to bounce, slide and just be kids for a few hours without messing-up their relatives’ homes (or costing their parents a fortune).

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Make Any Trip Luxurious

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Still looking for the perfect gift for the traveler in your life? We may just have found it. And not only is it wonderful, but it can get to you before December 25th AND it’s on sale!

 

This yummy travel set, made from soft baby alpaca yarns, definitely makes any trip more luxurious – even if you are in the very last row of coach. The set, which includes an eyemask, blanket and pouch, is made from Suri alpacas – a breed known for its amazingly soft wool. The pouch can be filled and serves as the most comfy travel pillow ever. We are loving the purple too.

About Alicia Adams Alpaca: Alicia Adams Alpaca Inc. raises a herd of more than 200 Suri alpacas at a beautiful farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. With about 80 acres, the farm is also home to Alicia Adams and her family. The alpacas are shorn yearly; the throws and pillows are created in the United States and in Peru, utilizing the incredible handiwork of local artisans who perpetuate the pre-Incan tradition of working alpaca fibers.

$128 (on sale from $270) at One Kings Lane

Estimated Delivery: December 20 – 23 if you order today

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Bring on the Bubbly

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

If you want to make your holiday party stand apart from all the others -  I say, “Bring on the bubbly!” and serve a signature champagne or sparkling wine cocktail!

Yes, it requires a tad more effort than corking a bottle of wine, but champagne and sparkling wine are not only widely available, but also very affordable.

For swank drink recipes, channel champagne and sparking wine guru Maria C. Hunt, aka “The Bubbly Girl,” whose motto is, “It’s always better with bubbly!”    From her book, “The Bubbly Bar: Champagne & Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion”  (Clarkson Potter), you’ll learn how to create delicious cocktails by mixing sparkling wines with everything from rum and gin to seasonal fruit and handcrafted syrups to create delicious drinks that will impress your guests.  Not only should you order “The Bubbly Bar” for yourself, it’s a unique hostess gift or stocking stuffer for friends who love cocktails and entertaining.  And it’s even better with a personalized inscription from the author when you order it from her online!

Any mixer recipe you can imagine can be found in the  book – from Bubbletinis to Happy Ending (dessert) cocktails, along with a guide to purchasing champagne and sparkling wine by brand, region and price.  Serve up a classic like the Kir Royale (champagne and cassis) or be more daring and offer a Ginger Snap (sparkling sake and gingerroot). But if you are feeling extra fancy and are in need of a custom cocktail for your party, contact The Bubbly Girl directly and she will dream up a signature drink just for you and your guests.  She has created custom cocktails for weddings and celebrities, (including floral and event designer Preston Bailey) and for a New Year’s Eve champagne dinner at the famed U.S. Grant Hotel.

Go ahead, put a little sparkle in your drink and have a bubbly holiday! - Christina Q. Cross

Luxe Baby is giving away ~2~ autographed copies of “The Bubbly Bar.”  To win a copy, please comment below on how you’d use the The Bubbly Girl’s recipes!   You have through Friday, December 16th. So get typing!

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iPad Cases, Anyone?

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Traveling this holiday season, along with everyone else on the planet? I thought you might be. And of course you are taking the iPad so the kids (and you) will have some entertainment at the airport, during airline delays and of course, mid-flight. So you better make sure you have the appropriate case for your beloved tablet. And depending on what you are looking for (form vs. function) we have a couple of options you should consider. PS husbands – these make pretty fantastic presents…

Marc Jacobs Quilted iPad Case

Because having to carry handbag, briefcase, and iPad case is really cumbersome, do yourself a fashionable favor by downsizing (and accessorizing) with this plush, quilted lambskin Marc Jacobs iPad case. It has a fancy  jewelry-ish chain shoulder strap and even a front pocket to store your wallet, compact and maybe even a lipgloss.

$495 at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom

 

But if you have kids like mine – form has clearly lost the battle with function, I am sure you are already considering a more protective (ok, bulletproof) case for your iPad. So we have a suggestion for that too from our friends at Otter Box.

Otter Box iPad Defender Series Case

No, it’s not quite as pretty as the Marc Jacobs case, but we have to admit – it’s pretty cute. And this one might actually keep your tablet protected. The Otter Box Defender series is not messing around – with their three layers of hardcore protection, your toddler might have a hard time destroying it’s contents. It has the ultimate screen protection, silicone grips on the bottom and even has a built-in stand. And well, it comes in great color combos, including pink – so I am sold. - LW

$70 at Otterbox.com

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Adorably Delicious.

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Chocolate-covered potato chips are just not ok. Not in any way. I mean, who thought of this calorie explosion? They should be shot. Or maybe celebrated. Ok, definitely celebrated.

These chips are BEYOND delicious – more like decadent. And are actually packaged so adorably too – so they more than fit the criteria for a perfect hostess gift or stocking stuffer. These Chocolate-Coated Potato Crisps from Neiman Marcus are a tongue-tantalizing twist of salty and sweet deliciousness. Select a single-pack (milk chocolate, white fudge or dark chocolate) or triple-pack, which includes one can of each.

I think I’ll take the triple pack…LW

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chips

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Coated Potato Crisps

$19.00 – $55.00

(P.S. – these will fit perfectly into my stocking. Just kidding…sort of…)

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Gifts for the Host

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Janette Vecchiarelli-Bell

By Janette Vecchiarelli-Bell

We hear a lot about hostess gifts, but what about gifts for our fine gentlemen hosts?  These days it’s just as likely that they have been the ones slaving over a hot stove, perfecting culinary delights for us this holiday season.  So how do we show our gratitude?

For the Whiskey Lover:

If you know a man that likes his scotch but you’re like me and have no clue on how to pick a good one out, why not pick up these whiskey stones from Uncommon Goods for him to try instead? He can have his drink literally on the rocks with these cool cubes made out of soapstone that will keep his drink cold without watering it down.  Just pop them in the freezer and the flavor-free and odorless stones keep his drink as cool as he is. $19.50 – 58.00

host gifts

Whiskey Stones from Uncommon Goods

If that’s not enough, why not pair it with an Age Your Own Whiskey Kit?  This kit comes complete with step by step instructions, un-aged whiskey, an aging barrel, a pouring funnel and two tasting glasses.  In a few short months, the whiskey is aged and ready to sip.  Perfect for the DIY whiskey drinker in your life. $149.99

host gift

Age Your Own Whiskey Kit from Woodinville Whiskey Co.

 

For Mr. Stylish:

He will stay warm and cool at the same time with this padded scarf from Steven Alan.  In black or red with the signature Steven Alan plaid on the reverse side it will keep him puffed up and cozy on those super cold winter days. $89.00

padded scarf steven alan

Padded Scarf from Steven Alan

For the Foodie:

There are so many cute, reusable bags for us gals to use for shopping.  What about the guys? They deserve a stylish option as well.  Also from Steven Alan, a collaboration with Apolis, this reusable bag is perfect for trips to the market with a waterproof lining and reinforced leather straps. $68.00

Market Bag by Apolis + Steven Alan

Market Bag by Apolis + Steven Alan

For the Beer Guy:

I’m trying not to generalize here but guys like beer.  Instead of bringing a 6 pack, why not make him work for it and give him a home brew kit? With this brew kit from Williams-Sonoma he can play out his mad chemist fantasies while brewing up something he can brag about at the next dinner party.   $39.95

Beer Making Kit

Beer Making Kit from Williams Sonoma

For The Grill Master/Meat Lover:

Instead of sending a bouquet of flowers as a “Thanks for Having Us”, why not send the gift of meat?  For the ultimate meat lover. Peter Luger, Brooklyn’s famous steakhouse, will overnight their signature steaks  in a reusable cooler along with their famous steak sauce and chocolate Luger coins.  No reservations required. Add to that some of these steak button thermometers from Sur La Table and he’s ready to grill. $20.00

Steak Thermometers Sur la Table

Steak Thermometers from Sur la Table

For the Music Lover:

Nevermind.  Tell me who didn’t have that album when it came out 20 years ago?  You can’t go wrong with this Nirvana box set that includes remasters,”boombox recordings”, b-sides and more. $73.00

Nevermind Nirvana box set

Nevermind Deluxe Edition Box Set

Don’t forget to include a pair of Beats by Dre available in various colors, earbuds and over ear.  Also, check out the artist series with Heartbeats by Gaga and Beats by Diddy. $100 and up.
Beats by Dre

Beats by Dre

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