These Hangers are an Absolute Must...

These have to be the best thing to keep your wardrobe looking nice. They are ultra thin, velvet-flocked (which pretty much means coated with a soft fabric type coating) hangers to keep your clothes from falling on the ground. I've tried plastic with hooks and cloth covered, but the plastic ones are slippery and the cloth ones are just too thick. This is the perfect middle ground!

Heirloom Tomatoes, Sure... but Heirloom Legumes?

I have no idea what to do with this post, as I'm sure it would be odd to bring someone kidney beans as a hosting gift, but what the heck - this is just an interesting product. They look really cool, almost like the most colorful Jelly Bellies, so I'm sure worst case you could make some mean macaroni art! Get them from http://www.ranchogordo.com/

Cork Board Journals - Love 'em

These are the best looking notebooks that I've seen in a long time. Perfect next to the phone, in the kitchen to jot down grocery lists, or on the nightstand for waking up with an idea to express. Get one at www.momastore.org - get two and give one to a friend. Here is the direct link if it is hard to find: http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_Cork%20Notebook_10451_10001_46657

Quick Ring Size Fix For Those Cheap Heavy Baubles...

Great idea for a too-big, but too-cheap-to-size-it ring. Remember that one you bought last week? And that other one you bought the week before that? The big costumey ones? The little worker bee will fix the slips and slides. You just put a dab of this 'glue' on the inside and it will stay put. Genius.

For the 'Wino' or 'Wino-to-be' With Everything

We all have that one person...or persons, who are impossible to buy gifts for, and here is a great solution - the 'Le Nez du Vin wine aroma kit' from Williams Sonoma. This wine tasting set would be such a fun present for an entertainer or a couple. If they are already into wine they could hone their senses. If they aren't, all the better, they could have the neighborhood over to drink a little and learn a little. There is really no down side, and if you get it for your parents they might buy better wine next Christmas!

Is That a Penny on Your Finger, Or...?

Some really funky round cocktail rings have been popping up in the fashion mags lately. The one pictured ($68) was in Lucky recently, and the website (allisondanieldesigns.com) has a ton of other cute ones too. Check out the 'moonstone ring' and the 'round ring'. I'm sure you could browse the vintage stores and kick-knack shops as well to lower the price point if you wanted the investment to be a little more fad-worthy.

Gimmicky Goods

These 'Beauty Magnets' might make you laugh a little, but what a cute adder to a bachlorette gifty basket. Supposedly the ancient ritual of putting these tiny charged discs on your face makes your circulation increase...soooo....you look like a million bucks! I'm not sure, but a map of wear to put them onto your face comes with the set up, good thing.

Cuticle Oil That Works!

Solar Oil...I swear by this stuff, it is the absolute best. The bottle is cute, lasts forever, and has a diagonal side so you can tilt it toward you without holding it. Genius! The oil feels really silky when you massage it into your hands and your cuticles look better right away. No delayed gratification here. It has been a favorite for so long, I can't believe I haven't written about it yet. I am going to have to dig into my own medicine cabinet to remember the great stuff that I've been holding out on!

Xmas Sweet Treats

Yum, yum, yum....these look so good! Who says the perfect hostess gift can't be edible? Not me - and definitley not when I'm playing the host. Both of the treats pictured are from Williams Sonoma holiday. Ever heard of 'Perfect Endings'? Maybe on Oprah or when planning a wedding? This Napa Valley bakery is famous for their wedding cakes (which can be shipped) and their cupcakes. You get 9 cakes in the box (all pictured above) sent right to your door. Spendy...but so sought after! If your budget is a little less though, no need to show it, just get the Black and White Caramels with Sea Salt. They come in a cute box of 16 (only $16.50) AND you can pick it up right at the store when you are running late to that next holiday party. Perfect.

Monagram Letter Seals

Nearly everytime I get a William Sonoma catalog, I pull out the same page. It is the page that has the round monagram embosser. You can use the metallic stickers or the metallic tags, and there are all lots of different designs. I keep thinking it would be so useful for so many things, cute invites, christmas cards, all sorts of things. This holiday catalog has the printed stickers as well if you aren't as excited about the embossed look but want the same effect.

Avoiding Deodorant Disasters

Gal Pal markets these Garment Deodorant Removers, and they work, I just tried mine today. BUT...they are just round sponges! Hilarious! I have to say though, it would be a cute gift and you couldn't use your old kitchen sponge to clean your clothes anyway. Basically, the directions just say to rub the sponge on your spot. If that doesn't work, put a little water on the sponge, ring it out, and then wipe the damp sponge on your clothes. There doesn't appear to be any coating on the sponges, and the packaging doesn't make any amazing claims about secret ingredients either. You can't exactly just fake your own though, most sponges now come with chemical layers and you would definitely need to hunt down the same type of foam sponge - so I say go for the Gal Pals, you can use the same ones for a long time anyway...

No Mess, Quick Nail Color

I tried these for a wedding, when I knew for sure that I would be running late. They are made by Avon and are called 'Instant Manicure Dry Enamel Strips'. It was so great, because when I finished doing them (in the car) they were already dry. The packets come with some extra ones, like press-on kits, in case you mess up or for if your fingers are wider or thinner than the average. They are almost like stickers, except that there is no glue just pre-dried nail polish. You would think they would look different, but if you put them on carefully they really look painted. It's the weirdest thing.
I've recently heard there are knock-offs now in the drugstore, which might be cheaper, but I would wonder about quality. These are $8 each, but you get a free one when you buy. So...$4 really, which is cheap for a manicure but not quite the deal that painting them yourself would be. My attempt lasted over a week, which is pretty good for my nails, and they looked good despite my less than surgical steady hand. They make pedicure ones as well. Click below and search 'Instant Manicure' to find them on Avon.

Terrible Bottle, but it Smells Great...

My favorite new scent is 'Princess' by Vera Wang. Sadly, it has a sort of tacky bottle that I don't know if I can bring myself to buy! I couldn't not tell you about it though, because it is so light and fresh. Maybe they were going for the medicine cabinet crowd...that is where mine will be hiding.Vera Wang Princess Perfume - 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray

Customized Soap Chips For Your Guests

These soaps are such a cute idea for your guest bathroom. They come in a nice display box, or just order the refills and then put them into any basket you like. The flavors are yummy (mango butter, white grapefruit, cinnamon orange, etc.) and they are made of all natural ingredients. It could also be a great hostess gift if you ordered the little box with only 5 soaps in it. www.valseyandme.com

Keeping the Girls From Peeking

We all have those button up stretch dress shirts that fit right...usually. Then you lean the wrong way a little and all the sudden you have a massive gap. Yikes, no bra shot intended. This product (www.bugcatcherz.com) can help. It is basically double sided tape that fits around your button. Just one thing though...if all of your button-ups do this all the time, it is time for a new size not a roll of doublestick!

Natural Pumpkin Hand Cream for Halloween

Here is a lotion that doesn't contain artificial fragrance or dye - a fun seasonal option. Desert Essence Organics Pumpkin Hand Repair Cream. It moisturizes with pumpkin seed oil...which is super silky, and for the price - you could use a bottle a week stress-free. I know drugstore.com has it and they have a sale going on right now:
The Big October Sale - Get up to 40% off at drugstore.com. Offer ends 11.02.07. Enjoy!

Beach Time With Your Nano

Someone asked me a few days ago about cute, waterproof cases for the iPod Nano that everyone seems to have (good gift opportunity?). I like the one that is pictured at the left for $40 at Amazon, called the 'Otterbox'. They make them to fit all the different iPods and even the iPhone. Otterbox 910-01.3 Waterproof Case for iPod Nano 2nd Generation

For $80 there is also a great one for submerging, it has a double locking mechanism, at http://www.h20audio.com/. That would be a great gift if someone you are buying a Xmas present for is going on a snorkeling vacation...

Life After the 'Chicken Cutlets'...

'Cleavage Cupcakes' offer a new alternative to the old 'chicken cutlets', you know what I'm talking about ladies. These are much cuter and potentially giftable to someone close (like a sister!). $44 at http://www.cleavagecupcakes.com/

Snugly Men's Sweatshirt/Jacket for This Winter

I LOVE this sherpa sweatshirt by JCrew, but bummer I can't find the picture of it on their website anymore. Perfect for walking around with a coffee on a Saturday, and so snugly! Go look for it in the store! It comes in navy and coffee (ironic), did I say I love it yet?

Cool Custom Invites

How cute, custom invites for any occasion. At http://www.mountaincow.com/ you can order plain cards and envelopes of all types, and then design your own and print them at home. I'm not sure if the software packages are necessary (my printer is pretty smart on its own), but the cards are all of the fun, funky colors that I've been looking for. Free shipping on orders over $100 (coupon code RSSHIP7) for those of you who may be getting married...

Yummy Sierra Nevada Soaps

Can't go wrong with soap - everyone uses it. I like to give yummy smelling soap as a hostess gift (a functional, unintrusive, don't-have-to-dust-it type of gift), and this is version is perfect. They are made by the Sierra Nevada Soap Company (http://www.sierranevadasoap.com/), and they look super natural and kitchy. The flavors are really strong and good, love the Raspberry & Creme, and only $4.50 each!