Nifty Gifties for Him! A Men's Gift Guide

Here are some gift ideas for that guy in your life.  Guys are so much harder to shop for than women, for the most part. Hope these suggestions are helpful!

Gifts for Him by janalyssa on Polyvore

1. Shaving Set ($60) - Even guys deserve pampering sometimes, and this set includes fancy soap and a bristle brush for a closer shave.  You could also get him a gift certificate to The Art of Shaving, where he can get a fancy-shmancy shave with a straight razor.  I gave a gift certificate to my husband  before our wedding; I figured, if I was getting spa treatments, maybe he'd like something somewhat similar (but manlier, of course!).

2. Robot Tea Infuser ($15) - If he's a tea drinker, he might like this cool robot; it sits in your tea cup and helps evenly infuse hot water.  Pair it with a fancy loose leaf tea blend, and you have a great gift. 

3. Death Star Ice Mold ($10) - If he prefers to drink something a little stronger, he might like this awesomely geeky ice mold.  Large spheres of ice melt more slowly, so they cool your drink without watering it down.  I got my husband these simple sphere molds for Hanukkah, but the Death Star ones are just so cool!

4. Adidas Track Pants ($30) - My brother asked for comfortable pants that he could actually wear outside the house.  He usually relaxes in giant basketball shorts, but those aren't always the best things to wear to a grocery store, and sweatpants can look somewhat sloppy.  These pants are comfortable and breathable but cool enough to wear in public. Plus, they have pockets!

5. Merino Wool Sweater ($80) - Every guy needs a warm, fashionable sweater this time of year. This one has features a v-neck and neutral stripes that will go with jeans or dressier pants; even the pickiest of guys can't argue with simple navy stripes! J. Crew has been running some great promotions, so watch for those!

6. MistoBox ($45 for 3 month subscription) - If he's a caffeine addict, he might appreciate this subscription box delivered to his door each month.  Each box contains 4 unique types of coffee beans from artisan roasters.  If he finds one he loves, he can order it on the site with free shipping.  Make sure he has a grinder - or you can add one on if you'd like.  Check their website and Facebook page for special deals!  Right now, you can get your first box for $5!

7. Modern Briefcase ($248) - This practical office essential is cool, not stuffy, and has a great vintage patina.  It will help him get organized and look professional yet stylish.  It may seem pricey, but it's high quality leather and can be worn as a messenger bag or briefcase-style. It's the kind of thing he'll carry for years.  This one is from Fossil, but you can find similar styles at Banana Republic, J. Crew, Kenneth Cole, or department stores.

8.  Automobile Magazine Subscription ($10 for a year) - If he's into cars, he'll love this monthly magazine - and he'll think about you for a whole year!  Magazines are awesome (and generally affordable) gifts.  If he's not a car guy, there are about a zillion other options. Just google his interests plus "magazine," and check out what comes up!

9. Record Coasters ($18) - These colorful, useful coasters are made from real vinyl record labels.  They're the perfect gift for a music lover - everyone needs coasters, especially if you're hosting any holiday parties, and these ones have personality!

Happy shopping!  Remember to check RetailMeNot for coupon codes before you buy online!

Review - Zoom Groom

I'm taking a quick break from holiday cheer to bring you a review of a new product I received yesterday.  Our dog, Wilson, is the best dog ever.  He's sweet, loving, and loyal, and it doesn't hurt that he's also super cute and mega soft.

Glamour shots!  Anyway, Wilson, who is a rescue dog of indeterminate breed, but likely some sort of cross between a mini Australian Shepherd and a long-haired chihuahua or dachshund, is one sheddy long-haired puppy.  Seriously.  Now that we have wood floors, we sometimes see tumbleweeds of black Wilson fur gathering in corners.  Yikes.  On the one hand, his fur rarely needs to be cut, but on the other, there is fur everywhere!

We have used the Furminator deshedding tool since we adopted him; it works really well at getting the under layer of loose hair out.  However, it's a little bit rough on him - it's made of metal, and he gets squirmy when we use it and runs away.  Some dogs love it, but Wilson seems to think it's too harsh, which makes us not want to use it.  

A groomer friended recommended Zoom Groom by Kong, maker of all things durable and rubber for dogs.  They're much less expensive than the Furminator - mine was about $5 on Amazon - and are made of rubber with little rubber fingers.  I tried it right away, and to my surprise, Wilson loved it! It likely just feels like being pet and is very gentle.  It trapped a good deal of hair, though  not as much as the Furminator... though I think it's worth it to use the Zoom Groom instead, because Wilson tolerates it so much better. He holds perfectly still while we're grooming him and even leans into the brush instead of struggling to run under the table.  A good brushing with the Zoom Groom left Wilson very sleek, as the rubber fingers also help with natural oil production, which helps keep his coat shiny.

The Zoom Groom gets an 8 on the Awesome Meter.  I don't think it gets as much excess fur off as the Furminator, but it's a more gentle choice. I read that it works better on short-haired dogs.  It can also be used when bathing and shampooing your dog.  I purchased the small one (Wilson is 13 pounds), but there is a larger model for bigger dogs, and there's even one for cats!

This could be a great stocking stuffer for a pet lover.

Nifty Gifties - An Awesome Gift Guide

You guys, I am almost completely done with my holiday shopping!!  Granted, Hanukkah is super early this year - though not as early as next year, when I'm told it will start in late November.  Yikes.

Anyway, I took advantage of all the online sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday... and scored a few things for myself, too.

Here are some fun ideas for the women on your list:

Gift Guide by janalyssa featuring cotton sleepwear

1.  These Starfish Earrings ($24.50 plus 30% off with code XOFACTORY) are adorable and versatile - I ordered them on Black Friday and just received them today. They're the perfect size and super sparkly. They are substantial but not too heavy and seem to be good quality.  Remember to check J. Crew Factory for coupon codes - there's usually at least 30% off, but on Black Friday it was 40% off plus an additional 15% off if you hit a minimum.

2. A comfy sweater ($94 plus 30% off with code XOFACTORY) with pretty details - perfect with jeans and boots.

3. Can anyone say no to cotton pajamas ($49.50)? When I worked at VS, our pajama sets were always top sellers, and I loved snagging a pair for myself. They come in flannel, too, and they're so cozy.  They're running a sale right now - free slippers with a cotton pajama purchase (code: SLIPPERS12)!  You'll look so generous! Remember to use your Secret Rewards card!

4. Llamas ($59.50)!!  So cute.  I think llamas have suddenly become the "it" thing without me realizing it.  This scarf has a fun print, and the neutral colors will go with just about anything.  I love wearing light scarves with sweaters or t-shirts - they're a fun alternative to necklaces.

5. Leg warmers ($34) via Etsy store Grace and Lace.  I ordered these and can't wait to get them.  I love the lace detail peeking out over boots! They also have equally adorable socks.  Like Grace and Lace on Facebook for great coupon codes and weekly deals.

6.  Birchbox subscription (my referral link)! If you know a beauty junkie, they'll love getting a box of surprise deluxe samples each month. You can get a 3 month subscription for $30 - good deal, and she'll think about how thoughtful you are each month!  This is also a good one if you've forgotten someone - just a few clicks, and she'll instantly get a notification!

7. You know you can't resist cheesy magazines ($70).  Sure, it's a guilty pleasure, but celeb gossip mags are so much fun!  Check the deal sites (like LivingSocial or Groupon) for special offers.

8. I absolutely adore these sweet gloves with velvet bows ($60).  That little detail makes them so special! Modcloth has some awesome and affordable gift ideas for guys ans gals, plus free shipping over $50 and the best customer service ever.  You can use my referral link to get $15 off your first purchase - good deal!  Also on my ModCloth gifting list: these cozy, ladylike earmuffs and fun, dangly art deco earrings.

9. Your friend who loves hosting parties will adore this brightly colored agate coasters ($64); they'll match any decor!  Each set is unique.

I'll be back with gift ideas for guys, couples, and kids!

Arm and Hammer Whitening Booster Review

I'm kind of crazy about oral hygiene.  I notice teeth and smiles first when I meet new people.  I had two (yes, two!) sets of braces as a child.  So it makes sense that I'm into whitening products.  I've tried several different kinds of whitening sets, and while I find that the "traditional" type - ones that use clear, gel-covered pieces of plastic that sit on top of your teeth for a certain amount of time - do work, they tend to be messy, goopy, inconvenient  and pricey.  I always feel gross pulling off the plastic, and I end up missing days because I just forget to put them on.  Lately, they also hurt my teeth and gums.  I wouldn't consider myself to have sensitive teeth, but perhaps the whitening products are just getting stronger.  Anyway, because they cause a dull ache, I haven't used white strips in a while.

I noticed a teeny, pinprick-sized stain on a tooth the other day and decided it needed to be eliminated, ASAP.  At the drugstore, I scanned all the usual whitening suspects, but then I saw something different: Arm and Hammer Whitening Booster.  At $5 for a smallish tube (2.5oz), it was a much cheaper option than white strips, so I decided to give it a try.

The booster is a clear, mostly tasteless gel, not unlike the stuff on the back of the white strips. You put the normal amount of toothpaste on your toothbrush, then add a dab of the boosting gel and brush as usual.  It seems to foam a bit more, but it doesn't affect the taste of the toothpaste, and you can use whatever toothpaste you prefer.

The booster says it contains 3 times the whitening action of strips, and it recommends that you brush with it twice a day.  I've been doing it for about 2 weeks now, and I've actually seen a difference.  The stain is all but gone, and my teeth generally look whiter.  I did not experience any pain at all, likely because the gel is sitting on your teeth as long.  I think the tube will last for quite awhile; I haven't made a dent in it yet.  It also encourages me to brush for longer to get the full effect, so that's a plus!

I'd recommend giving this a try if you're looking for a whitening product.  It's not a big investment, and it's very easy to use.  I just keep it on the bathroom counter with the toothpaste; it's not much effort to add the gel in the morning and at night.  Sure beats watching the clock while wearing those slimy white strips!

I bought mine at CVS, but you can buy them at almost any drugstore, or online here for $4.99.

Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow Review / OpenSky

It's been so hot here the past few weeks.  It's finally cooling off, but there's always that threat of the temperature skyrocketing for no good reason, even in October.  This was an especially hot summer, and I had issues getting comfortable at night.  I was constantly seeking the cool side of the pillow... and then I saw this product, the Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow.

It's a memory foam pillow with a layer of cooling gel.  Somehow, I was fascinated by this idea and had to try it.  I managed to finagle a credit on OpenSky, which made the pillow much cheaper than anywhere else online, so I decided to give it a shot.  My husband made fun of me; he thought the idea of the pillow was pretty silly, as was my extreme excitement for it.

They say the pillow will have a slightly chemical smell when you first get it that will dissipate if you air it out for a day or two, but I didn't notice it at all and began using the pillow immediately. You guys... it's a game changer.  Though the picture shows the bubble pattern prominently, it actually comes wrapped in a satin-like fabric that covers the bubbles, plus a white, thin pillowcase piped in your chosen color, so you don't really see the bubbles.  They recommend you use the pillowcase for maximum effect.  Only one side has the gel.

It really is pleasantly cool!  I have no idea how it works.  It stays cool for a few hours, after which your body heat warms it up.  However, if you shift to another section of the pillow, you'll get the cool sensation all over again - when I wake up, the center of the pillow is generally room temperature, but I can move to either side to get more glorious cooling action.  I love it; the memory foam is comfortable and supportive like no pillow I've had before.  If I want it to "cool down," I just let it sit for maybe half an hour, and it's cool again.  And guess what - my husband loves it, too, and has begun stealing it.  Because he apologized for calling it silly, I bought him his own.

OpenSky is a members-only shopping site, but to be a member, you just need an email address.  I recommend using a secondary email, because they email you a TON.  They have celebrity curated collections, and you can choose who to follow.  They also have a semi-complicated reward structure that allows you to earn free shipping and coupons.  I've bought the pillows and a cute purse off OpenSky and had a very pleasant experience; their prices can't be beat, even though I always double check before purchasing anything!

You can buy the Hydraluxe Always Cool Pillow on OpenSky.  Sign up using my affiliate link, and you'll get a $20 gift certificate, which makes the pillow $35.  It retails for $140 (in a bizarro world where you'd pay full retail), and can be found on OpenSky for $55 (before your awesome discount, of course).  It comes in 4 colors and 2 patterns; when the pink is in stock, a portion of your purchase goes to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  And they make a mattress pad, too, though I dunno if I can drop $300 on that!

The Hydraluxe Always Cool Gel Pillow gets an 8 out of 10 on the Awesome Meter.  If it stayed cool all night long, it'd be a 10!  I think this would be a great holiday gift, too.  And as a bonus, they just introduced the his-and-hers set - it's exclusive to Open Sky and allows you to get a pink and a blue (or two pink, or two blue) pillow(s) for $99 (or $79 after your discount!).

*Note - All views are my own.  I am not compensated in any way for these reviews - I'm just trying to help you find awesome stuff!

October 2012 Birchbox - Goop Review!

Goop goop bedoop!

When I heard that Birchbox was doing a collaboration with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop.com, I figured I'd opt into it.  I have to say that I'm not a huge fan of Goop; I've looked at it before, and it just seemed very focused on expensive and pretentious things.  Seriously, have you heard Gwyneth fawn over the fact that her kids like vegetables?  I mean, barf me.  And they can only watch TV in French or Spanish?  Good luck with that.  Anyway, they have some recipes, too, but they're a bit too fussy for me.  Oh, and they sell stuff, but today's main item is simple gold hoop earrings for $795.  It's not gonna happen, Gwenny.  Sorry.  However, the collaboration Birchboxes always seem somewhat better than the regular ones, and since Goop specializes in upscale stuff I can't afford, I figured maybe I'd get a little taste of it.

I've gotten off-track.  Let me show you what I got this time around.  I'm actually very pleased with it!

Ooh la la!

First up is a full-sized Essie nail polish, the Goop pick (is it just me, or does the thought of a "goop pick" make you think about Gwyneth digging for nose gold? No? Just me? Okay then).  I've gotten a lot of polishes since starting up with Birchbox, which is great because I hate buying them.  I've yet to use an entire bottle of polish.  Since I've been getting all these samples, though, I've probably saved a lot of money in manicures! This dark red is definitely classic and will work for fall and winter, and once my current gel nails are off, I'll give it a go. Full size: $8.

Next is a tiny vial (5 ml) of Joanna Vargas Daily Serum, which promises to brighten your skin with various vitamins.  My skin is mega dry right now thanks to a nasty cold, so I'm looking forward to trying it.  Full size: $85.

Next, Marie Veronique Organics Body Oil in an adorable itty bitty jar.  It has a vaguely fruity smell and is meant for use on skin, not hair.  I have been getting a ton of oils from Birchbox, and while I don't mind them, I hardly ever use them in their entirety.  I find it really hard to get the oil out of the jar or bottle - there's never a pump or easy way to dispense it!  Full size: $36 (and the full size DOES have a pump, huzzah!)

There is also a Sprout Lip Balm in Cocoa.  These come in a pack of 4 and are all-natural.  I slicked this on as soon as I opened the box - my lips are majorly chapped, again, from that icky cold, and the balm offered relief.  It goes on soft and smooth and isn't at all waxy or sticky.  After one application, my lips felt much better.  It doesn't have much of a smell - is it meant to be chocolate?  Or is it just cocoa butter?  Unclear!  The other "flavors" are cinnamon, peppermint, and citrus, all of which sound appealing to me.  You can get a pack of 4 for $18.

Lastly, I received a Luna Bar in Lemon Zest.  I do like Luna Bars, or, as I call them, lady bars, but I'm not a lemon fan.  Nope, not lemon meringue, lemon bars, or lemon cake.  I'll probably give this a try anyway, but I can tell you that I love the caramel nut brownie and peppermint stick flavors!!  Nom.  This is the "extra," and you can buy 15 for $18.75 via the Birchbox site.

Not a bad haul, I'd say!  I definitely think I got my money's worth this time around and will continue to subscribe to Birchbox.

You can use my referral link to subscribe to Birchbox, too - $10 per month, and you earn Birchbox points - redeemable for products in their store - for every item you review and everything you buy!  I've gotten lots of free or mega-discounted products by vigilantly reviewing everything I get and saving up my points for a beauty splurge!

Birchbox Review

I've subscribed to Birchbox for more than a year now, and I must say, I love getting a little gift each month in the mail - it's like a little cutely wrapped birthday present filled with girly stuff.

For $10 (including shipping), you get a box with 4-5 deluxe beauty samples, plus a bonus, which may not be beauty related - I've gotten pretty greeting cards, granola, a fruit and nut bar, etc. When you purchase items through the site, you get a point per dollar you spend. You also get 50 points for referring others, plus 10 points for every product from your Birchbox that you review. Every 100 points = $10 off your purchase. Oh, and items from your box - if you decide to buy a full-size product - ship free!

Some months are definitely better than others, and I've had some duds - eyeliner stickers? Ick. This was a pretty good month, though - check it out:

Spring themed box!

5 products plus 1 bonus. From left to right - I Coloniali Deep Massage Body Cream with Myrrh (in a foil packet - this is the bonus), I Coloniali Invigorating Tibetan Shower Cream with Rhubarb (full size $29, sample size is 3.3 fl. oz), Miss Jessie's Quick Curls (full size $32, sample size is 2 fl oz), One Love Organics Waterless Beauty Balm (full size $68, sample size is .5oz), Color Club Nail Lacquer in Jackie Oh! (full size $8, sample size is .25 oz), and WEI Pomegranate Buffing beads (20 packets for $20, sample size is 1 packet).

All in all, I'm very pleased with this box. The hot pink nail polish feels very spring appropriate, and I'm hoping the Quick Curls cream can control my frizz. I'm also excited to try the shower cream after a tough workout! These are all nicely sized samples, too.

I give Birchbox a 7 on the Awesome Meter - I'm a fan. Although some boxes can be disappointing, I think the majority contain some great products, and it's a fun way to try out new beauty trends without shelling out a lot of money. Click here to enroll - remember, it's a subscription, so you'll be charged $10 per month, though it's easy to cancel.

Garlicky Goodness - Garlic Rocker Review

I absolutely love cooking, particularly Italian food. A key ingredient in many of the items I make is garlic. Now, don't judge, but after getting frustrated with garlic presses and sick of manually cutting the garlic into teeny pieces, we came up with a solution at our house. Peel garlic. Put a sheet of wax paper on top. Pound it to death with a hammer.

I SAID, don't judge!! It works, and it's a great way to get frustration out.

However, I came across a device the other day that has changed everything in the world of garlic smashing, which, granted, is a fairly small world.

May I introduce.... the garlic rocker.

Yeah, I don't like unitaskers, either, but this one is fairly small and well worth the space in your drawer if you frequently cook with garlic.

Just position a clove of garlic underneath, press down, and gently rock back and forth. The garlic comes out in neat little squares. The garlic doesn't get minced quite as small as it might in a traditional garlic press, but it works fine for me. It requires little effort and is very easy to clean - it's also dishwasher safe! Not only that, it's made of stainless steel, so it resists the garlic odor. You can also rub your hands on it to remove the odor from your skin. Amazing!

This little sucker has made cooking with garlic much easier. I bought mine at Vat19.com because I found a coupon over at (where else) RetailMeNot that gave me $5 off my purchase. Psst - use code "cookie" (no quotes) to get $5 off your $15 Vat19 purchase through 3/3/12. It's also available through Amazon, where you can score free shipping if you're a prime member. Without discounts, it costs about $15.

9 on the awesome meter. Great product at an affordable price!

Jewelmint Review

It's no secret that I love getting stuff in the mail. I know, I know, nowadays you can order anything online and have it delivered, but I still squee when I get a package.

I heard about Jewelmint a while ago and took a look at the site's offerings but didn't bite, even though I love jewelry, particularly fun statement pieces. Jewelmint, founded by Kate Bosworth and her stylist, works as a membership subscription service. For $29.99 per month, you get a credit you can redeem for one piece of jewelry - rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and broaches. Jewelmint's designs are all unique to the site and limited edition, so if you really like something, you're encouraged to snap it up before it's gone. If, between the 1st and 5th of a month, you decide you don't want anything, you can skip that month. Otherwise, you are automatically charged, but you can save your credit and use it another month if nothing strikes your fancy. However, this IS a subscription site - your credit card WILL be charged $29.99 automatically if you do not select "skip the month" between the 1st and 5th. Shipping is included.

When you first sign up, you take a short style quiz to determine what jewelry will best suit your needs. You are then shown a personalized showroom. However, if you do not like what has been selected, you can click "see more recommendations" and scroll through other selections. Signing up and taking the style quiz is free and does not require you to put your credit card on file.

I resisted for a long time, but Jewelmint sent out a 70% off coupon for new members, and I decided that, for $9, it was worth a try.

I selected the Persephone pendant - a small silver-plated "perfume bottle" with a vintage look hanging on a 30" chain. I personally really like long necklaces; they're perfect for spicing up basic t-shirts.

Here's what I got:

This came in a timely manner in a bubble pack. The magnetized box is mint green with a black ribbon. Cute!

Inside the box, a little description of the product, "signed" by Kate and her stylist, Cher.

Nestled beneath a black sponge is the Persephone Pendant!

The top unscrews, though I doubt you could actually put perfume inside, unless you have an eye dropper. The screw-off cap is topped by a white enamel accent... a nice touch!

The pendant was fairly heavy and felt substantial, and the chain is high quality. Overall, I was pleased with my purchase; I think it will be versatile, as it will go with almost anything. The white enamel detail is a nice touch, and I love how unique it is. However, I don't know if it's necessarily worth $29.99; remember, I got this for $9 (including shipping). For $29.99, I feel like I could find something cool and unique on Etsy.

If you sign up for Jewelmint, peruse their selections, but wait until you can find a coupon to purchase your first piece - they do 50% off - 70% off, from what I've seen, and they'll send emails. I'm not sure how coupons work on subsequent purchases, but I'm determined not to buy anything else until I can get another coupon code! As usual, remember to check RetailMeNot for coupon codes!

BTW, Jewelmint has a sister site, Stylemint. Stylemint works exactly the same way, but features shirts instead of jewelry. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the spokesgals, but I couldn't find anything I liked more than, say, the generic tees I pick up at American Eagle.

Jewelmint, for now, gets a 6 on the awesome meter.

Awesome Mascara Review

Hi there! Long time, no see! I have a bunch of fun reviews of random awesome things coming up, so stay tuned.

I'm not really a makeup person. I have a few techniques that I use over and over, but never anything complex. My eye makeup routine is particularly simple, mostly because I have sensitive eyes, an I desperately hate touching them. It creeps me out. I use eyeliner extremely rarely, and even so, I can't get close to the waterline, so I just line the corners or above the lashes. I use eyeshadow and brow pencil, and that's usually it... if I'm feeling fancy, I'll put on eyeshadow base.

I've found that one thing makes a big difference in how polished my makeup looks, though: mascara. I've had lots of issues with mascara. I hate fighting to get the waterproof stuff off. My lashes are pretty long, so when I put on mascara and blink, the lashes hit the area below my eyes and make for little black dots and smears. I also tend to get mascara flakes later in the afternoon. Not cute.

Through my Birchbox subscription, I discovered Blinc mascara. This mascara forms small tubes over each individual lash. You have to work fast, because it dries quickly, and you can't really "build" it in layers, but it's basically idiot-proof; just glide it on like normal mascara. It does not clump, which is awesome, because who wants spider eyes? Once it's on, it does not smear or smudge, and it really does stay all day. It's not waterproof, but to remove it, you apply warm water and gently push the tubes off your lashes. It's kind of strange, and it takes a little longer than just washing your face, but it's actually oddly satisfying to take off.

Anyway, this is the only mascara that has really worked for me. I've tried all the drugstore brands as well as fancier ones, but all the non-waterproof formulas smudge too easily; I'm always rubbing my eyes, and I end up raccoon-like by midday. It's also recommended for people who wear contacts. Blinc is an awesome mascara solution, and I give it an 8 on the Awesome Meter!

A quick note on Birchbox: it's a subscription service, and every month you get a box of 4-5 premium beauty samples. It's always packaged very nicely, so it feels like getting a gift each month, and I love surprises. Some months are definitely better than other months. You also get points for reviewing the items you get, buying items in their store, or referring friends, so I've gotten some awesome deals on products I've loved from their boxes - I saved up my points and got the mascara for $4. Plus, free shipping on their monthly picks. I'll review a full box next month!