December 19, 2014

Cross Pens are gifts of luxury that last a lifetime

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I remember when I received my first Cross pen. The pen was presented to me for my 8th grade graduation. It was a gold pen with my name engraved on and I was so excited to have such a beautiful pen. Forty years later, I still have that pen, I have always treasured it. Cross pens have a way of doing that, they are truly a gift that lasts a lifetime. Cross pens have an elegance about them whether they are presented to men, women or young adults. Cross Pens definitely make a statement. I always turn to Cross for birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, graduations and they make perfect Holiday gifts. My beautiful pen is a Cross Botanica (shown above). It is gorgeous as the intricate details in the pen make it more beautiful than it looks in a photo.

Cross offers so much more than just pens. Their pen and pencil gift sets are extraordinary and each design is unique. Cross also has a wide range of accessories which are perfect for gift giving.

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Cross is a 168 years old company and they are is celebrating their Peerless Pen’s 125th anniversary by bringing back the art of writing. You can win your own Cross Pen by entering the contest below:

The Search for The Peerless 125: “For 168 years, Cross has been creating luxurious writing instruments to ink what matters. For the 125th anniversary of the Peerless pen, Cross is celebrating those who are Peerless, and those who are making a positive mark on history, by launching a contest on cross.com. One nominated Peerless individual is being awarded with a special edition Peerless Gold Pen with a Ruby garnet that is worth $3,900 (only 125 are being made), and 125 second place winners are being awarded with the traditional Peerless line. Yes, Cross is awarding 125 luxury writing tools!”

I love the idea that Cross wants to revive the lost art of hand written notes. I remember way back when when my husband (then boyfriend) and I handwrote notes and cards to each other, they are keepsakes I will always treasure. I still write my own cards and notes and Cross hopes you too, will continue to do so. I love my new Cross pen and I truly enjoy writing with it. I will treasure it for another forty years!!!!

http://www.cross.com 

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December 18, 2014

Gifts for every member of the Family including your pets

It is officially almost the most wonderful time of year! Make gift-giving a cinch this year by finding the perfect present for everyone on your list with these fun finds for the season. See below for holiday offerings to gift your favorite foodie, beauty junkie, and even your pet!

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dr. brandt Best of Brandt Holiday Kit ($80), www.drbrandtskincare.com

Give the gift of radiant skin with this gift set featuring Dr. Brandt’s coveted best sellers from the XYY, DNA and house call collections for a complete beauty regimen. This quartet of products preps & rejuvenates to ensure youthful skin transformation!

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Petsmile Pet Toothpaste ($25) and Applicator Swabs ($9), www.petsmileusa.com

Pamper your pet for the holidays by keeping their teeth clean the smart way with no brushing, begging, or bargaining required. With Petsmile® Pet Toothpaste, created by the humans who brought you Supersmile®, your dog can have healthy teeth and gums plus fresh breath with just a simple swipe.

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Skin & Co. Roma Umbrian Magnifico Bath Set ($52), www.Skinandcoroma.com $58

The exfoliating set for your winter season, smooth away and enjoy these lush scents straight from the Mediterranean. Each exfoliator features the finest, handpicked Italian extracts and oils used for traditional healing and therapy in Italy.

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Dana’s Bakery Holiday Macarons ($30 for a box of 12); www.danasbakery.com

Known for putting a unique American twist on the quintessential French treat, Dana’s Bakery is spicing up the lineup with unique holiday flavors including Sugar Cookie, Egg Nog, Nutcracker, Hanukkah Gelt and Jelly Doughnut. The festive (and naturally gluten-free) macarons will make ultimate gift for your favorite foodie!

 

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December 17, 2014

Enjoy Truffles for the Holidays

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When I hear the word “Truffle”, I immediately think of those decadant chocolate candies which are so irrisistible. Until recently, I didn’t know that there was another kind of truffle. Those truffles are a kind of subterranean fungi, meaning, they are a mushroom that grows underground. There are specials oils extracted from this type of truffle which is used for cooking and is also found in skincare.

The skincare line I am talking about is Skin & Co. Roma Umbrian Truffle. You must try Umbrian Truffle Body Lotion, it is exquisite. You will feel the softness of your hands and skin after the first application. This thick and rich lotion is formulated with anti-oxidants, vitamins and acids essential for achieving healthy skin. As stated by Skin & Co., “The olive oil and shea butter in the formula creates an intensive moisture treatment. Also contains argan oil that softens the skin and prevents sagging and aging of the skin. And lastly sodium hyaluronate to brighten and keep your skin firm. Truffles for the skin are a major luxury. You deserve it!”

Sabatino Truffles is the parent company to Skin & Co. Roma, a skincare line that infuses their luxury beauty products with these very same one of a kind truffles, bringing the luxurious Mediterranean experience to everyone around the globe! Skin & Co. Roma’s newest line, Umbrian Apothecary Umbrian Truffle features premium skincare and body care products infused with the potent, organic truffle extract and is sold at Select Look Boutiques at Duane Reade and Walgreens Stores Nationwide.

Umbrian Truffle Skincare contains: Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Argan Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic aloe Vera Juice, Organic Rose Extract, Truffle Extract, Organic Rosemary Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, and Tocopherol
Umbrian truffle does not contain: Sulfates, Parabens, Mineral Oils, Phtalates, Petrolatum or Paraffin

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One way to sample this luxourous skincare line is to purchase an Umbrian Truffle Holiday kit. This kit is also the perfect gift to give anyone who appreciates quality skincare.

Here’s the kit to surprise your family and friends with Stocking Sized to stuff your Holiday Stockings! Whether they love Truffle or Sicilian Orange, here’s a kit that embraces both collections! This gift includes, 3 pcs Truffle Body Gel, 3 pcs Sicilian Body Gel, 2 pcs Sicillian body Lotion, 2 pcs Truffle Body Milk packaged in a Holiday Bag, perfect for gift giving. View the entire collection of gifts sets and skincare at  skinandcoroma.com.

Learn about Sabatino truffles, their uses and their skincare line at www.sabatinotruffles.com/largest-truffle

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December 16, 2014

Bert’s Bees His and Hers Gift Sets will cover you from head to toe

GiftSets_Holiday_NewSubCat_102814This holiday season, Bert’s Bees has gifts for every member of the family. Bert’s Bees has an incredible assortment of products designed to nourish and protect your skin. Bert’s Bees lip balm make excellent stocking stuffers. Burt’s Bees Beeswax Bounty Lip Balm Quartet, for example contains four dryness-banishing, buttery lip balms in Pomegranate, Mango, Coconut & Pear, or our classic Beeswax formula.

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Treat your friends to a Bert’s Bees Mani Pedi. Who wouldn’t want to treat their feet to Bert’s Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion to ease aches. One of my favorites, Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream helps hydrate your skin and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream will restore battered, brittle nails. Sounds like the perfect gift to me!

2443037_fpx.tifThe Best of Bert’s Bees is a trio of favorites for a die-hard Bert’s Bees fans; This gift sets contains Coconut Foot Cream, Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Cream, and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream; Bert’s Bees most awarded product ever.

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Finding stocking stuffers for men is real a chore for me. Bert’s Bees has that covered too. I love the scent of Bert’s Bees Natural Skincare For Men. The line includes Deodorant, After Shave, Shave Creme, Soap and Body Wash. Natural Skincare For Men is made from natural botanicals and have a sensational aroma of Citrus Oils, Cyprus and Firature. You can make a cute gift basket with these 5 products and they will make great stocking stuffers too. You can find many of these set at your local retail store.

Read more at http://www.burtsbees.com

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December 15, 2014

Enjoy Soft and Luxurious Hair with Arganesse

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I have been enjoying fantastic results from Arganesse, an amazing “leave-in”  hair treatment recently introduced to the beauty market. This amazing oil will surely have your hair looking luxurious as ever. It only took a small amount of Arganesse, which I massaged into my towel dried hair for its magic to work. To my amazement the results were immediate. When my hair dried, it was so soft to the touch, my curls were bouncy and soft and the frizz was nowhere to be found. I am always a little shy to put oils in my hair because I am always afraid of the oily look. I can assure you that Arganesse left no greasy after effects.

As stated by Arganesse, “For centuries, this highly-prized, rare Moroccan oil has been used to protect hair and skin from harsh desert conditions. High in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, argan oil alone naturally hydrates for silky, shiny, frizz-free hair. Unfortunately, it also leaves hair a bit greasy. Arganesse controls the frizz, repairs, and rehydrates while adding shine and eliminating oiliness. Arganesse obtains this by blending argan oil with the perfect combination of complementary ingredients resulting in a winning secret formula.”

Arganesse Hair Treatment is perfect if you have over styled, dry and  brittle hair like I do. I saw immediate results and my hair really does feel wonderful. Formulated with Argan Oil or “Liquid gold”,  Arganesse not only repairs but restores important nutrients such as Vitamin E, Omega 3 and 9 fatty acids that are essential for healthy looking hair. Arganesse is also formulated with Linoleic and Oleic Acid helping to hydrate and lock in moisture.  Arganesse can be used on any hair type, thick, thin, curly or straight and will deliver amazing results.

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Arganesse Hair Treatment is offered in an elegant glass bottle and is beautifully packaged in a soft cloth bag which is perfect for gift giving. Arganesse will make an exquisite gift this holiday season or for any occasion. Visit arganesse.com and order your bottle today.

Did you know that:

**”Argan oil comes from a tree that has survived heat, drought, poor soil, and harsh conditions for centuries. Grown exclusively in southwestern Morocco, the argan tree produces fruit with a green, fleshy exterior similar to an olive, but larger and rounder. The nut inside has an extremely hard shell, which is cracked by hand to extract one, two or three precious almond-shaped kernels. Using traditional methods to transform these kernels into argan oil takes time – up to 20 hours to make just one liter. Women use sharp stones to crack the shells, then grind the kernels between slabs of rock to create a paste. Finally, they knead the paste by hand to extract the golden-hued oil. High in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, pure argan oil moisturizes skin, adds a frizz-free shine to hair, and even tastes great drizzled over salad or couscous.

Over many generations, the native women of Morocco have perfected the art of producing argan oil. To protect this tradition, the Moroccan government established a fund enabling women’s cooperatives to compete in a global marketplace and earn a fair wage. Women from nearby villages are invited to work half days, so they can still tend to their families.

In addition to reducing poverty, the women’s collectives ensure good working conditions, provide education to members, and promote communication and cooperation among women from different villages. Perhaps most important for women, earning an income and participating in business decisions promotes strong self confidence, resulting in an improved social position in the male-dominated regions of rural Morocco. A portion of all Arganesse sales goes to this collective.” 

** Information provided by Arganesse

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December 14, 2014

It’s A Glam Thing Teens are “Wild” for OPI

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Two of our It’s a Glam Thing bloggers, Adrienne Raheb and  and Rachel Murray recently got together to show off their wild side. The result were these stunning nail creations with the help of OPI nail lacquers included in the gift set Wrapped Wild for the Holidays. What an amazing gift set it is, with 2 OPI colors and a cheetah print infinity scarf, they had a blast. OPI Wrapped Wild for the Holidays Duo Set Includes 2 amazing colors, Rollin’ in Cashmere (a luxurious gold) and Love is Hot & Coal (dark brown), both colors shown below. Rachel was lucky enough to snag the Cheethah Print Infinity Scarf and Adrienne showed her several fashionable ways to wear it. They are ready for New Year’s Eve with their spectacular nail creations. Being OPI fans, Adrienne and Rachel know that their designs will hold up at least a couple of weeks because OPI dries hard and rarely chips.  You can find an OPI retailer  by visiting  opi.com.

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December 12, 2014

Trim your tree with Hard Candy

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I created a few gifts for a few special people and all I needed was a tree and a little Hard Candy, Hard Candy Cosmetics that is. If you don’t already know, Hard Candy  has hundreds of items in their beauty line. Hard Candy not only has 45 brand new shades of nail polishes, they also carry products for your skin, eyes and lips. Hard candy offers cosmetics that shimmer, glitter and dazzle. While at a recent trip to Walmart, I found Hard Candy Cosmetics in the form of ornaments and decided to decorate a few trees. The lip gloss Disco Balls added the perfect touch to my tree.

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Hard Candy also has gift sets that are perfect for holiday gift giving. I actually used a set of eyeliners and individually tied them to the trees. Hard Candy Cosmetics are extremely affordable with many of the items costing less than $5. At their website, hardcandy.com/videos/glittery-glam-eyes/,  spend some time viewing their terrific how-to videos which teach you the perfect technique for applying Hard Candy Cosmetics. Enjoy your holidays and I hope you get to enjoy a little Hard Candy.

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www.hardcandy.com

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December 10, 2014

Skin&Co Roma Holiday Deals on Nordstrom.com

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Receive a 10-piece gift including deluxe travel sizes of Truffle Body Gel, Sicilian Body Gel, Truffle Body Milk and Sicilian Body Milk (2 oz. each) with any $98 Skin&Co purchase. A $98 value! Only available on shop.nordstrom.com! Starting 12/8, while supplies last.

Here’s the kit to surprise your family and friends with Stocking Sized to stuff your Holiday Stockings! Whether they love Truffle or Sicilian Orange, here’s a kit that embraces both collections!

THE GIFT:

– 3 PCS Truffle Body Gel (2 FL OZ/ EA)
– 3 PCS Sicilian Body Gel (2 FL OZ/EA)
– 2 PCS Sicilian Body Lotion (2FL OZ/EA)
– 2 PCS Truffle Body Milk (2FL OZ/EA)
– 1 Holiday Bag

Truffle Body Gel – original price for 1 $9.00
Sicilian Body Gel – original price for 1 $8.00
Sicilian Body Lotion – original price for 1 $10.00
Truffle Body Milk – original price for 1 $11.00

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December 9, 2014

Tweeze the Season!!!

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I am always on the lookout for high precision tweezers. The problem I have is that you really don’t know if they work until you try them. Sometimes my daughter’s and I try 3 or 4 different brands before we find the perfect tweezer. A friend of mine recently visited the Uni K Wax Center in New York City and bought a pair of tweezers there. She told me, “they are one of the best tweezers she has tried in a very long time.” I was able to get my own pair of Uni K Tweezers and I agree, they are sensational. Uni K High Precision Tweezers ($11 each at unikwax.com and Uni K Wax Centers) grasps the smallest hair and grabs it every time. It’s the perfect tweezer to keep your brows in check whether you wax or brows or not.

If you have stocking to fill this holiday, don’t forget Uni K High Precision Tweezers. There are several features to the tweezers that you will love:

The 25-degree slanted tip is the perfect angle for precision tweezing

They are designed slightly thicker at the top for a better defined hair grip, while slightly thinner at the bottom for a more comfortable fit between hands

For added fun, Uni K Tweezers come is a vibrant color assortment which includes Black, Cool Grey, Green, Lemonade Yellow, Light Blue, Light Purple, Pink, Purple, Red and White

Below, please read Noemi Grupenmager’s Tweezing Tips that she has shared we us:

What is the best method for shaping a client’s brows and why?

Brow grooming is notably important because eyebrows are the most expressive and dramatic feature of the face that frame the most prominent feature, your eyes. Finding a shape close to their origin and keeping your brows well groomed is extremely beneficial for a heightened self confidence. In order to achieve that the best way is to get them professionally waxed at least once a month to avoid mistakes. It is quite common for women and teens to over-pluck in an attempt to dramatize their face which generally frays too far from their original look which does not compliment their facial structure.

Many women (and men) do their shaping or grooming at home via tweezers. What are your tips for tweezing brows at home?

Whenever you “do it yourself” at home, you lack the professional knowledge that those who have been trained have.  When you talk about shaping your eyebrows and the look of your face which is reflected in your eyebrow shape, it takes a professional to see the true features that should be highlighted and which is the best look for you.  When you tweeze yourself, you may not have the full ability to accentuate your most prominent feature, and in pursuit of keeping the best shape, you may over pluck, not arch the brow enough, leave the side too long and a host of other mishaps which a professional can fix for you very swiftly.  Having an “eye” for eyebrows is a skill that is acquired over time and through experience, it is for these reasons that select professionals train and perfect the art of shaping beautiful brows and why it is really in your best interest to invest in your image through a trained professional. 

At Uni K Wax, our waxers have undergone an extensive training session to include eyebrows and focus on “Celebrity eyebrows”, brow styles that are so finely groomed it is designed for Celebrities.  Our waxers wax the area, then tweeze to give a final shape, next we apply the eyebrow gel to set the shape and the final step being of eyebrow powder to fill in the spaces and set the perfect look.

What do you think is the biggest mistake women make shaping their own brows?

Many women make the mistake of over-plucking or shaping their eyebrows in a way that does not complement the natural brow shape of their facial structure. Eyebrows are a very delicate area when it comes to hair removal because once removed, the hair will most likely not grow back evenly. Eyebrows highlight the most dramatic and expressive part of the body, your beautiful face!

Since men don’t want their brows to look the same as women, what advice do you give to them for grooming their brows?

Men have different challenges when it comes to eyebrows.  They may have a “mono brow” one brow across the whole areas or they may have “grandpa hairs” as you age, you have longer eyebrow hair that grows and takes on its own characters.  So other than the simple eye brow hair that needs to define and highlight the face and hair line, they have to “tidy-up” more to keep their very masculine and distinguished features. Taking all of this into consideration, I recommend they start by recognizing that they don’t have to put up with wayward hair and they have professionals on hand to help them look their best with professional eyebrow services.  I have seen men who have well manicured eyebrows, return regularly to keep their very well groomed look, as they truly appreciate what fine grooming to their eyebrows has benefited their personal image.

What should you look for when choosing a pair of tweezers?

When choosing a pair of tweezers, you should look for the following key attributes: They must be perfectly slanted at a 25 degree angle, so that it makes it that much easier to grab any pesky little hair, and also make sure they are sharpened to a precise point, and they also must be comfortable to hold. 

How should tweezers be cared for?

Tweezers are best kept clean, away from moisture and in a pouch so they are not damaged from rolling around in a bag or draw.  Through regular care, quality tweezers will last a long time.

Do you have any other tips to keep great looking brows?

There are a few tips for maintaining great looking brows.  1. Once you have your perfect eyebrow style, maintain them with regular waxing services.  2. Always keep a good pair of tweezers at home, for those emergency situations when a hair is out of place and 3. Always set your lovely brows with a good eyebrow gel and highlight them with eyebrow powder.  

 

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December 8, 2014

Which States Have the Most Holiday Spirit?

Sure, you know that Santa sees you when you’re sleeping, and he knows when you’re awake – but did you realize he also knows how much holiday music you’re listening to? We sent our team of elves to research how many hours of holiday music different states streamed to see which states would make the naughty or nice list for having the most holiday spirit.

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Top states who hate and love Christmas holiday music the most.

On the “Nice” list, Washington, D.C. can look forward to a holiday filled with presents, proving that they have the most holiday cheer in the country. Pennsylvania, home to Christmas City, USA, came in at a close second, followed by Tennessee, Washington state, Ohio, Massachusetts, Missouri, Alabama, Iowa, and Mississippi.

Unfortunately, New Jersey may be getting a stocking full of coal this year; not even hometown hero Bruce Springsteen and his rockin’ rendition of “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” could pull New Jersey off our “Naughty” list. New Jersey is joined by New Hampshire, Delaware, Wyoming (fittingly, the top producer of coal in the U.S.), Hawaii, Connecticut, Montana, California, Alaska, and Idaho on the list of the ten states who listen to Christmas music the least.

Throughout the nation, certain holiday songs have stood the test of time: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song” have been noted as the most popular holiday songs in the United States, classics that are sure to bring holiday cheer anywhere they’re played.

On the flip side, there are a few songs that some would say ruin Christmas worse than Grandma getting run over by a reindeer. The Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late” irritates listeners rather than excites them, while Enya’s “My! My! Time Flies!” isn’t too popular either. Other songs to avoid, especially if you’re angling to make a trip to the mistletoe? “(Let’s Give) a Christmas Present to Santa Claus” by Rosemary Clooney, “This Christmas” by Chris Brown, and “New Year’s Eve” by Snoop Dogg.

So if you’re planning a Christmas getaway, avoid a “Blue Christmas” in New Jersey and instead head to our nation’s capital, where you can rock around the Christmas tree as much as you want. Pair your holiday tunes with a few Christmas cookies and a little bit of eggnog, and it’ll be a merry little Christmas for all!

AccuRadio features over 50 channels of Christmas music, hand-picked by our programmers. There’s bound to be something for every taste! After you’ve checked out our holiday stations, turn to AccuRadio year-round and listen to thousands of channels of VARIETY with unlimited skips!

BY ERIC BOWDEN · DECEMBER 2, 2014

See more at: accuradio.com

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