Christmas Decorations Are Up

When decorating a room, it is as important to have empty space as it is to bring the right pieces of furniture into it. The most expensive (or festive) object looks cluttered without the proper amount of space framing it.

I'm lucky to live in a nice apartment in Manhattan, but it isn't big, and it doesn't face the street side of the building, so I've always just decorated my golden pothos (epipremnum aureus) plant in lieu of dragging a Christmas tree into a spot where there is really no room to display it. Gets the job done! I think of it as my Egyptian hieroglyphics "Christmas tree." Tucked into a corner, it only takes up vertical space; and guests seem to be charmed by it, so that's fun too. By necessity, Manhattanites are creative arrangers and decorators!🌃

Admittedly I do less in recent years, however, other Christmas artifacts are scattered throughout the rest of the apartment. The nutcracker was my first Christmas decoration. Years ago, I bought him for $17 at Saks Fifth Avenue. My friend, Cara Sue, came into town, and we found her similar nutcrackers at the dollar store for about $3. 

Although not the most church going person in the world, I set out a Nativity Scene. I like to get down to the nitty-gritty of a holiday and remembrance. What's it all about? Striving for better and the hope that the best is yet to come! Go big, or go home. (Who coined the catch-phrase? Answer here.🙂)

Some years I hang out a huge velvet red bow with gold overlay. I like the simple silver bells also. They continue my parents tradition of stringing up silver bell oraments, which dangle over blinking Christmas candolier lights in our front widows. My Dad was so creative. We miss him every day.

The bells hang outside on my front door to cheer folks walking down the hall. When I first moved into my apartment, it was one of many tasteful Christmas motifs and wealths, but newer neighbors (who celebrate) do nothing, so it is the only modest hall decoration on our floor this year. Well, there's a few days left. Forge on people!🎄🔔🐫


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What To Get Teachers For Christmas

Photo: Self

"Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten," according to B.F. Skinner. Most of us know the value of good teachers. Priceless! Not only do they teach reading, writing and math, they motivate and shape minds in countess ways, which last over a lifetime. A mind stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimension! 

Photo: personalization mail

Teachers make nowhere near the salary they deserve for the hours they work. (Their pay doesn't reflect their value in society.) They wear many hats too. At times, educators must work 2 or 3 jobs to support their families.

So what holiday gifts should you give in return? 

Frankly teachers don't need a mishmash of trinkets cluttering up their homes anymore than you do. 

Instead of giving the usual candles, snow globes, or candy they don't need, get them something practical they can use: (1) A gift certificate to either a well-known department store; or food store, so they can buy personal things they truly need ... whatever they might be ... like milk and fruit; a coffeemaker; or new sweater. (2) Gift certificates for movie tickets; or a popular restaurant are thoughtful. (3) Or gift certificates to Walmart, Target or Michaels where they can buy school supplies and classroom decorations. $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, any amount helps! Too often, teachers must spend their own money to cover their classroom essentials. 

Photo: penalization mall

I would also write a warm personal note inside a festive card touching upon a teacher's role in your child's life. Acknowledgement and a genuine expression of gratitude are priceless too! 


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5 Beauty & Style Finds For Holiday Gifts

Today's 5 beauty and style gift ideas are finds I bought for myself at various times and love so much I have no doubt others will love them too:

1) Anne Klein Women's Rose Gold-Tone Bracelet Watch↑ - I own this gorgeous watch. The rose gold is so pretty, and the watch looks ultra expensive, but it's not. It has Japanese quartz movement, and after over 2 years, it still wears shiny and new! Since the watch has been around for a while, the price has dropped, making it a sweet deal as well!

2) Pro Beauty Tools Professional Gold 1" Curling Iron - A find from T.J. Maxx, where I discover lots of stellar brands, I would otherise not know about. Reduced to a bargain price of $12! The curling iron heats up in 30 seconds flat; and the 1" barrel is the perfect size for most hair lengths. Finally, the curling iron is easy to hold and compact to tuck away. 

3) SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo - Usually comes in 13 oz (but look for a special 19.5 oz size) - The beauty brand began in 1912 making personal care products like shampoos and conditions with nothing but clean, botanical ingredients. There is none better on the market! Plus this top-notch brand is sold in drugstores at drugstore prices! 

4) SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Condition - Like the shampoo, this usually contains 13 oz (but luck into a special 19.5 oz size with 50% more free if you see it). SheaMoisture works beautifully on all hair types; and there are tons of different formulas to address individual needs. Every single one is terrific. (The 2 featured in today's blog are the latest formulas I'm trying over the winter.) Each leaves my hair feeling super soft and smelling terrific!

5)  Tinted Lip treatments - Any of the following are intensely moisturzing with a pop of flattering color:

a. Laura Merier Lip Balm - A pricey splurge, but it's a super thoughtful gift because it hydrates, prevents and smooths chapped winter tramatized lips.

b. Fresh - The retailer has special edition balm collections for a festive presentation.

c. Bite Beauty - Ditto, 
also available in special balm holiday editions.

d. Smith's Rosebud Salve - A personal favorite. I may buy a friend a $22 lip balm for Christmas, but I use a $6 - $8 salve for myself that has been around since the year 1892. Gladly would I make the introduction to others by gifting it to them! The lip salve comes in an assortment of flavors from the original to vanilla, strawberry, rose & mandarin and  minted rose. Housed in a practical tin container and sold at drugstores, Walmart, Target and Sephora. You can't go wrong! 

The friends and family on your holiday list will absolutely love their gifts and thank you for opening their eyes to such wonderful tried and true products.


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Hot Tools Black Gold Charcoal Infused One-Step Blowout

A bulky blow dryer in the hand.

For one week I used Hot Tools One-Step Blowout dryer (price $80). Other retailers have a blow dryer wand including: Revlon ($59), Conair ($48) and Dyson ($500). The Hot Tools unit is marketed as a blow dryer used by professional stylists.

Did I like it? Yes ... but not as much as my Conair 1875 Watt 3-in-1 Styling Hair Blowdryer (see photo below; cost $20). If you already have a blow dryer you like, you definitely will not need a wand (also called a hot air brush). My Conair Styler does everything the new wands do better! There is no rod to wrap your hair around, but it doesn't matter!

The Hot Tools hot air brush is easy to use and has good heat output to dry thick hair quickly just like my Conair Styler. But as I said, my type of blow dryer performs several functions better! Moreover it only costs $20 versus $80 for the new Hot Tools wand.

The Hot Tools Blowout is heavier and bulky, while the Conair Styler is sturdy, yet light and compact. The Conair blow dryer has 3 attachments, which are detachable. Not so with the Hot Tools' (or Revlon's) blow dryer wands, which have a single non-detachable brush. If after time and use, the bristles fall or wear out, you must buy a new blow dryer. You can replace my Conair Styler's 3 attachments as needed like you can with the Conair and Dyson wands. But jeez, look what you're paying for the Dayson wand ... $500!

I expect the new one-step wands to be more advanced, as well as, more convenient to use over my Conair Styler, but, their bulky bodies make them less so in my experience. The fact that I can twirl my hair around a rod isn't an advantage. The motion doesn't add greater volume, or body to my hair over the Conair Styler, nor do I end up with curls at the ends with staying power. It seems I get the same, if not more, volume with my reliable Conair Styler by blowing out my hair upside down (i.e. with a downward tilted head).

And too, my Conair Styler adds more shine and smoothness to my hair than the Hot Tools wand type. I think this is due to using a comb attachment, as opposed to, going through my hair with the bristles of a brush. And as mentioned, with the Hot Tools wand, you only get one option, a non-detachable brush to blowout your hair. The Conair Styler's comb tames frizz better.

Surprisingly, Conair's comb attachment is gentler on my scalp also. Even though the Hot Tool's brush doesn't scratch my scalp, it leaves it raw ... and I'm unsure if this would feel more severe over a longer period of use.

Still the champion!

Finally the Conair 1875 Styler blow dryer dries my hair in less time (under 5 minutes). Its compact body allows you to move it through a full head of hair faster and with more passes. The Hot Tools wand (i.e. hot air brush) is more of a workout to use, requiring more turns of the wrist to pass over and through the hair. Its bulk makes it slightly awkward to use.

Don't get me wrong: Hot Tools One-Step Blowout does its job of drying the hair straight with less frizz. Everybody on the Internet is loving the new blow dryer wands. Yet they are not comparing them to the Conair 1875 Styler blow dryer, and I am. 

The verdict is in: The Conair 1875 Watt 3-in-1 Styler is still the champ. Better performance for less cash! To straighten long,  medium, or short length hair, I highly recommend it over the hot air brushes ... at least for now. Wait for the next generation of wand blow dryers to become slimmer, cheaper and come with detachable combs and brushes.


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Emerald Jewelry Gifts At Macy's

Hey Macy's, you get me. You had me at "hello!":)

Everybody's heart flutters in response to certain luxuries. Some folks gawk at designer bags; for others it's high fashion clothing; and yet others love couture shoes. Or sometimes the temptation is luxe perfume or makeup. I get it! ~ I'm an under buyer; nonetheless, my hot ticket item is jewelry ... and Macy's knows it! They respond by sending me their jewelry sale catalogs. (I bet you don't get them, do you?) 

I see what I want for Christmas on the latest cover. Unfortunately, it will remain only a wish ... since the tab adds up to a huge chunk of change. Do the math: A budget buster even after applying a 30% discount! 

Still perusing and admiring are free! So let's take a look at the beautiful emerald set on the front cover. For sure, some-lucky-body will get more than sugarplums dancing in her head ... and find these sparklers under her tree. Will it be you?

1) Macy's Emerald (15 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (2-1/2 ct. t.w.) 16" Statement Necklace in 14k White Gold -- Utlra classic! 

2) Brasilica by EFFY® Emerald (9/10 ct. t.w.) and Diamond (1/6 ct. t.w.) Pear-Shaped Ring in 14k White Gold, Created for Macy's - How about created for THE SAVVY SHOPPER ... ahhh, doesn't it have a nice ring to it?:)

3) Macy's Emerald (6-1/2 ct. t.w.) & Diamond (1/8 ct. t.w.) Drop Earrings in 14k White Gold -- Jeminy Cricket Christmas, gorgeous! Also should've been created for muah, but someone forgetful forget to tell the universe!

Save for a small stone in a Christmas bell charm, I don't own any emeralds. They are rarer and thus more expensive than diamonds per carat. Emeralds register an 8 on the Mohl's Hardness Scale of gems; their relative sturdiness make them suitable to wear as necklaces, earrings and rings. They are the birth stone for May babies.

As the Savvy Shopper, allow me to throw you several consolation bones. Many people can't afford the stunning set (above and to the right sans ad copy) without mortgaging their home, but we can find pretty emeralds to get something of the effect of the pricey set. Macy's has a big inventory combined with promotions to fit every budget ... a reason I like their fine jewelry department. You can find a lovely piece and honest customer service at Herald Square and online. Here is a budget friendly pick that will produce a stellar effect for less: 

Macy's Emerald (1-1/5 ct. t.w.) & Diamond Accent Curved Bar Stud Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold - Quite a respectable size! Drop earrings make the effect of smaller stones appear larger.

Other emerald beauties for under $400 (on sale). If you miss one promotion, simply wait for another, as they return during the year:

 
Isn't glitter fun? Gift ideas for a jewelry lover in festive green. Do you have a favorite?


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Holiday Gifts For A Family

For the holidays sometimes people give one thoughtful gift for an entire family, as opposed to, individual gifts to each family member. I like the fewer, curated gift idea. People shouldn't go broke, or allow materialism to hijack the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah (or Festivus for that matter. Hey, to each, his own:)! Giving friends and family hospitality, treats and time together is what they remember the most. 

If you desire and can afford to throw in one gift also, here are 5 gift ideas, perhaps items a family might not think to buy for themselves, yet will love receiving:

1) Wall Heights Ruler (see above↑) - Parents can record the heights of growing children without marking up a wall or doorway with magic markers. And parents can save the ruler without ever having to paint over the height markings (here's a pricey oak ruler version). Ideal for new parents.

2) Murder Mystery Party - A house party activity ... it's a spirited game as an alternative to the usual playing card games.

3) Corkcicle Classic Wine Chiller Cork - The cold ice in the middle keeps a bottle of wine chilled until the last glass. Ideal for wine and cheese evenings at home.

4) Crep Protect Eraser Cleaner - The eraser removes spots from suede and nubuck on leather shoes, jackets and coats. I'll take a practical gift over a glitzy useless one any ole day. It's unlikely your friends will already have a leather spot remover and will love the eraser once you introduce them to it!

5) Personalized Family Mugs - Mugs start as low as $1.70 each unpersonalized. A company with good customer reviews who personalize mugs with a name or logo for about $6 per mug. You can select the size, style, quantity and how to personalize the mugs. Ideal for families with children (who will be thrilled to see their names on the mugs); or people who simply need uniform coffee and tea mugs.

As you can see holiday gifts need not break the bank, these 5 family gifts will please, as well as, suit every budget. Which is your favorite?

  
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A Very Happy Thanksgiving

Photo: 123greetings

Despite challenges along the way, life is good! Thanksgiving is a time to reflect upon our strokes of good fortune: Home, family, friends, health, work, purpose and freedom ... how lucky are we?

Photo: Getty

Again this year, I'm roasting a Thanksgiving chicken in lieu of a big turkey. As much as I love turkey, it's too much of a good thing. Due to all the sides (like potatoes, gravy, asparagus, carrots, broccoli, butternut squash, cranberries, my beer bread) and desserts (pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake -- we couldn't decide on the finisher, so we didn't:) even a chicken leaves more leftovers than can be eaten! Next year perhaps it will be a small Thanksgiving Cornish hen. My favorite side, the bird's stuffing, I'm omitting because it's simply too much to consume, plus the beer bread turned out sooo good ... and can be dipped into gravy! Enough starch, I decided.🙂

Photo: thsobrosnetwork

Wishing all my readers time to relax, reflect, connect with family and friends and a scrumptious meal with all your favorite trimmings to enjoy.

🌽Happy Thanksgiving my Friends ... I'm grateful you stopped by today!🦃    

-- xoxo --

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Which Diamond "C" Is The Most Important?

Photo: Getty Images - 101.7-carat - Worlds largest flawless diamond

Pure carbon, heat and pressure make a diamond. The gem is the hardest natural mineral on earth. It takes 1-3 billion years for nature to create one and 6-10 weeks for a lab to do so. Although both are real diamonds with the same chemical composition, lab diamonds are substantially cheaper due to demand. The demand for diamonds made by nature is greater.*

Most of us know when buying diamonds there are 4 Cs to consider and they determine the value. But do you know how the 4 Cs fall in importance? I won't keep you in suspense for long! When buying diamonds the order of importance is the following:

Photo: Blue Nile

1) Cut -  The most important of the 4 Cs is the cut. Why? Because it has the biggest influence on the diamond's sparkle (its "brilliance" and "fire"). Even if a diamond has a perfect color and clarity, a poor cut -- one that is too "shallow" or "deep" -- will make a diamond look dull. In an "ideal" cut -- one in the right proportion -- "light is returned out of the top of the diamond" (source: Blue Nile Jewelers).

2) Color - The 2nd most important C is a diamond's color ... in reality its lack of color. The less color the higher the grade and cost of a diamond. 

3) Carat - The 3rd C in the hierarchy is the carat, which refers to the diamond's total weight, not its size.

4) Clarity - Often the least important C is clarity since tiny imperfections are microscopic and can't be seen with the naked eye. Natural diamonds nearly always have flaws: blemishes (exterior) and inclusions (interior) but usually lumped together as inclusions. The number and size of inclusions will set the price as they can effect the beauty, brilliance (how well white light reflects) and fire (how well colored light reflects) off the diamond. Tiny imperfections that can only be seen by using a loupe may not effect the beauty of the diamond to the naked eye.

The value of diamonds gets tricky. Diamonds are not rare in nature. but bigger gem-quality diamonds are rare in nature, therefore a 5-carat diamond will cost much more than 5 times the cost of a 1-carat diamond. Each carat of diamonds increases exponentially because the gem-quality stones over 2 carats are rarer finds. Also, demand plays a role. If demand for diamonds ever fell, so would the price.

On a budget, you can get more carats for your money by choosing lower grades of color and clarity and still end up with beautiful diamonds. In other words, by being flexible with color and clarity, you can get a great effect without going broke.

Here's how I see it. Like sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other precious stones [technically semi-precious, but Alexandrite and tanzanite are expensive], diamonds are the work of nature over billions of years improved by the artistry of man. Although the element carbon is as common as dirt, people covet and will pay $1000s for it after heat and pressure have worked their magic by turning it into a diamond.

*Diamonds created by nature are marketed as unique; no two are alike. Lab grown diamonds can be mass produced in a factory, which lowers their price. Whether or not, it's a bad thing is debatable. Hey, I'll take an affordable lab grown 20 carat diamond. Hand it over! :)



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Sèzane: The French Way

Once again it's time to think about the holidays. Noël is upon us, so I'll feature a few places to pick up some lovely gifts and/or attire for holiday parties.

Sèzane is an clothing, shoes and accessories retailer designed with a French flair. Launched in 2013 by Morgane Sèzalory, many items are handmade using quality fabrics and leathers that are created to last over time. The merchant is committed to making quality pieces -- not exactly cheap, but affordable with margins below the industry standard for what you get. 

An e-company, Sèzane also has brick and mortar stores in 3 major cities: New York, Paris and London. The shops sponsor fun activities like group yoga, talk events and teas.   

Goods are made to be durable with eco-friendly materials and manufacturing. Giving back is important to the retailer and backed up with sustainability and philanthropy programs.

It's French style you don't have to jump through hoops to acquire  -- like spending years on waiting lists, or buying lesser items first before you move up on that list (a practice of Hermès). Just walk in the store (or go online) and walk out with your selections, as well as, a few bucks left in your wallet. Ooh la, la! 

Finally uncomplicated French fashion fit for a fashionista!

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