On a Budget: What to Gift the Beauty Lover on Your List!

So, my day-job involves a lot of waiting in offices.  And when I say "a lot" I mean anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour and a half.  And inevitably, someone always attempts to strike up a conversation with me.  Today, despite my best attempt to appear super-busy, a stranger started chatting me up.  Under normal circumstances I'd end the conversation asap, but we got on the topic of Christmas gifts and, being Gifted, I took the road less traveled and continued the conversation.

She shared with me that she has yet to begin her gift shopping and that she's on a super-tight budget this year.  While last minute shopping is literally panic-inducing for me, I completely understand the importance of sticking to your planned budget.  With a $25-$30 max allowance, these are the items I suggested:

1. Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo Hair Mask  - this product rivals Kiehl's in my opinion and is only $6.50
2. St. Ives Apricot Scrub - every year this scrub makes every beauty must-have list!  $5.00
3. Wet & Wild lipgloss in Bronze Berry - this color is a duplicate (or as I like to say "dupe") for the Chanel Glossimer in Blizzard and is $2.00
4. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Navy Baby or Wine Not - the best long lasting formula for the DIY mani/pedi; these colors are good for any skin tone and are only $6.00
5. Fun cosmetic bag - this will also serve as the wrapping for the gift, let's maximize this budget! $10.00

All of these products are available at drugstore.com and qualify for free shipping!  This woman literally wrote everything down and thanked me a million times, which made me feel really good.  Hopefully, her friend feels the same when she opens, or rather, unzips her gift!

Harajuku Mini: A Not-So-Mini Review

I was so, so, so excited for the debut of Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Mini line at Target!  Having sustained injuries from the now infamous Missoni launch, I was pleased that stores weren't that crazy.  I prefer to see collections in person prior to purchasing; it let's me assess quality/sizing so I can make honest recommendations and purchases for my clients.  And let's be real, there's something about a $13 designer tee that should make everyone raise an eyebrow in disbelief.  

Overall, the line is super-fun, trendy and totally unique!  The colors are bright and it's a great mix of punk and preppy styles.  Two things to be consider before I dive into my must-haves:

1. Don't expect the screen print pieces to be of higher quality than any other Target label.  They are certainly adorable, but sadly, I don't see the tees staying in good shape after a couple of washes.  One exception: the screen print on the motorcycle hoodie is dramatically better and well worth $20!
2. Don't waste time looking for anything in boy's sizes, it's only available for infant and toddlers.  I know, I'm disappointed too.  I mean, come on, Gwen!  You have two boys, you know how hard it is to find trendy, stylish clothes for them!  I expected more from you.  But I still love you...I'm sure you were worried for a second.  

My must-haves for the infant LittleMan you're shopping for:  LOVE these one piece suits!  The stitching makes the quality better than their screen print counterparts.

For the infant Punk Princess on your gift list, these tutu outfits are adorable!  The center isn't cream, despite how it appears in the advertisements.  It has little rosebuds scattered throughout the tulle.  So cute!!

 Only two of the Toddler boy pieces made my cut, I envision this little tux ensemble with jeans!

Toddler and little girl Punk Princesses had a much better selection.  The absolute BEST deal is this plaid dress and the gray leopard version: beautiful, very flouncy and $24.  Yes, correct.  Twenty-four dollars.

My Princess and LittleMan are oblivious to the fact that when I can, I dress them in coordinating ensembles.  If you're shopping for a brother/sister gift, snatch up the motorcycle hoodie jackets.  I'm envisioning my daughter wearing hers with her hot pink/zebra Popatu tutu and my son pairing his with his dark wash True Religion jeans.

So if you're feeling funky, punky or just want to gift something different, these Harajuku Mini pieces are the way to go!                                                                                                                                                                                                      

With the holidays just around the corner, it's safe to assume you'll be attending a soiree or two or three.  My Golden Rule when it comes to being a good guest?  Never arrive empty-handed.  But what exactly should you arrive with?  My top five:

1. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE homemade baked goods as hostess gifts!  Not a baker?  Not a problem!  Send Foiled Cupcakes  http://www.foiledcupcakes.com/; delicious, gourmet cupcakes will arrive at your host/hostess's home by noon
2. Wine is a classic; or add some sparkle with a Champagne!  Veuve Clicquot is a personal fav; for an all-girls event, try the Rose.
3. Monogrammed bar accessories are timeless and will get tons of use this time of year!  http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/dinnerware-entertaining/glassware/bar-accessories/
4. Anything L'Occitane Lavander!
5. Make a kit!  Par exemple: Pasta + marinara sauce + block or Parmesan cheese + recipe; present in a reusable basket or stainless steel bowl decorated with ribbon.  This idea is easily customized to not only your hostesses tastes and interests, but your budget.  I love the "Film Buff" example from Real Simple

Real Simple "Film Buff" Hostess Gift

Until I began hosting events in my own home, I never understood how much effort goes into the entertaining process!  So trust me when I say no matter what you gift your host or hostess, your thought and effort will be sincerely appreciated!

Put it in Neutral: Layettes for Patient Parents

My most recent neutral baby gift

It is soooo en vogue right now to wait and find out if Baby is a Prince or Princess.  Personally, I don't have the patience and would most likely be thrown into an anxiety attack.  But as luck would have it, the majority of baby showers I've attended or been hired to shop for lately have been neutral.  Good thing I'm gifted.

What to do when shopping for bouncy and Bumbo seats isn't as appealing as shopping for teeny, tiny clothes?  My advice is go with white, gray or animal print layettes.  Kissy Kissy brand has been my neutral go-to of late.  Love the lightweight, breathable cotton and their gowns also snap as pants.  Another option? A super luxurious Little Giraffe blanket!  Try the silver or cream color versus the standard neutral green or yellow; if those patient parents plan on picking pink or blue bedding once Baby arrives, either will coordinate beautifully.

Little Giraffe blanket in cream

Sophie la Girafe teether

 Most important: stick with a theme!  Par exemple: layette set with lambs on it + a stuffed lamb; froggie hooded towel + froggie bath toy; Little Giraffe blanket + Sophie la Girafe teether.  Be creative, not random.  Speaking of random, how awesome is that Little Giraffe + Sophie combo?  I just thought of that as I was typing!  Next neutral gift?  Done.

Have a Super Orgasm, NARS Style!

No matter what your personal glamour style happens to be, odds are you enjoy a Super Orgasm...of the NARS variety.  This pretty, peachy-pink palette flatters all skin tones and is literally a legend in cosmetic lore.  Interested in a ménage à trois?  Check out the Tempting Trio; a combination set for your lips, cheeks and nails. 



Tempting Trio in Super Orgasm, $39


Generally, I would advise that unless you know your recipients specific makeup brand/color preference, don't opt for blush and lipgloss as a gift.  But honestly, you can't go wrong with this color.  I love this for a birthday present, stocking stuffer, girls gift exchange or flirty addition to a bachelorette present!

NARS is partnering with Sephora inside JCPenny; now through 11-29-11, get a NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base free with an online purchase of $25 (code JCPNARS).  If you go in the store, there's no purchase necessary. 



Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base



They're serious, you really don't have to buy anything if you go in the store!  I know...I tried.  And before you judge me, after I saw they were going to hand over the goods, I told them I was kidding! In addition to The Tempting Trio, I picked up The Multiple in G-Spot , the latest color addition in their line of multitaskers.   



The Multiple in G-Spot, $39



While these products are available at all NARS counters, the promo is exclusive to Sephora inside JCPenney, which are popping up everywhere!  Par exemple, in my great state of Illinois, 14 of the 25 total Sephora boutiques are located in a JCPenney's, five within a 20 mile radius de moi!  So odds are, you live closer to a Sephora inside JCPenny than a freestanding Sephora boutique.  Super gift, easy O! 

 

Tricks, Treats, and Severed Feet

I had a blast working on my latest project: three custom Halloween treat bags for three very lucky little ones!  I mean, who hasn't dreamed of going into a candy store and literally buying every cool, king-sized goodie in site?  Of course, this may have been your dream 20 years ago, but trust me, you'd have fun doing it now.  My only instruction in creating these Halloween dream bags was simple: "I want king-sized candy bars.  None of that fun-sized stuff.  Small candy bars aren't fun."  Well, we wouldn't want Halloween to not be fun now would we?

I went with a "gross-out" theme for my client's five-year-old little man.  A three foot long gummi snake creeping out of his bag, a very lifelike toy cockroach, and severed foot will most likely aid in tricking his older sisters.

Sweet treats for my client's little ladies: a large sugar daddy (but of course), ring pops, candy necklaces and glitter fake tattoos surround the crowning jewel of their bags: Justin Bieber hair accessories and clip-in, neon hair pieces.  I'm not going not going to lie, their Bieber Fever takes me back to my NKOTB days.  I mean, sometimes I wake up and wonder how it's possible I'm not Mrs. Jordan Knight.  Sigh.

Whether you're escorting your ghosts and goblins around your neighborhood this evening or attending an adults-only costume parti, Happy Halloween from Gifted.  King-sized.

This One's for the Boys!

When it comes to Itsy-bitsy Glamour, the glamour-style for babies, kids and our animal friends, shopping for boys is très difficile.  My sons wardrobe is literally a quarter the size of my daughter's.  And trust me, it's not from lack of trying.  I have embarked on multiple shopping excursions with one goal in mind: find trendy threads for my LittleMan.  I'm definitely more successful when I stick to boutiques, Psycho Baby in Bucktown is a personal fave: http://www.psychobabyonline.com/ 

I've recently stumbled upon Red 21, an all boys clothing boutique in Burr Ridge and Barrington and I'm in love! They've managed to merge trendy and classic pieces perfectly.  The best part?  They have amazing promos constantly.  And when I say amazing, I mean 30% not 5% off and when I say constantly I mean once a week, not once a season.  And yes, the promos apply to brand new merchandise.  They're planning on releasing a website with online ordering mid-November, perfect timing for holiday shopping!  For now, like them on Facebook and sign up for their email list.  I mean, seriously...how absolutely adorable are these hats?? 

 

Green is the New Black: Thank Goodness it Looks Good on Me!

Seriously, I have green eyes and an olive skin tone...I can pull of any shade.  Yes, even the mustardy one.  But I'm not referring to the result of the infamous yellow-seduces-blue scandal.  Au contraire.  I'm referring to the eco movement, or as I like to call it: Green Glamour.  Two years ago, I began following Homemade Mothering, a blog dedicated to living an eco-conscious lifestyle.  Now, my personal glamour style is Luxe Glamour: extravagant, dramatic and over-the-top.  But Homemade Mothering inspired me to adopt some eco-chic habits.  One of the ways I incorporate Green Glamour into Gifted is by thinking inside the box: using hatboxes as packaging.  They're beautiful, cost-effective and totally reusable!  I love these styles from Hobby Lobby but more importantly, my clients and recipients love them too.  It's a great way to glamorously go green, and unlike every sweater shade, it will definitely look good on you.  

 

Hello, I'm Gifted!

Recently my love of shopping merged with my love of glamour and Gifted by Amy was created!  A concierge gift shopping service, Gifted's motto is: Give Glamorously.  I believe that no matter who you are shopping for or what the occasion may be, your gift should be charmingly and uniquely attractive.  Of course, that doesn't mean that every gift I purchase for my family, friends or clients is extravegant and over-the-top.  Au contraire.  A key element in the art of giving glamorously is keeping your recipients style and taste in mind throughout the entire gifting process.  Par example:  for my eco-chic friend's birthday, I gave her a pair of super-cute, glitter Toms shoes.  The packaging?  The Toms box tied with a simple, reusable ribbon.  Of course, my friend would certainly love any gift I gave her, but she truly appreciated my taking her passion into account with not only the actual present, but the presents presentation. 

Now, this process comes very natural to me...let's call it a gift.  But many of my friends have shared with me that for them, gifting is not only not-so-natural, but the process of deciding on, shopping for, purchasing and packaging a gift can be frustrating and time consuming.  Of course, this doesn't mean they don't want to give something thoughtful and unique, it just means they have busy schedules.  J'entre!  I truly love to shop...for everyone.  And I have so much fun helping my clients present perfect presents, that I thought writing about it would just add to it!  So, enjoy mes amis!