Lights Out!

Perfect for New Year's Day, perfect for the traveler, perfect for the light sleeper, perfect for a day sleeper! When I was traveling a lot for business, I liked to keep a Bucky Eye Mask in my suitcase and a Bucky in my nightstand. If you have a hard time sleeping, this also helps because you feel like you are on a cloud! The Bucky is an eyemask that does not let ANY light in. This is comfortable and it stays put. Has adjustable sides and also ear plugs come with it. Retails for about $25. As far as eyemasks go, this is it. So leave your pink satin one that say "Princess" behind.

Where to find it:

Bucky Eye Mask

A Better You in the New Year...

The manual for good manners created by Emily Post ages ago has been updated recently by her great-granddaughter-in-law (Peggy Post) today. It still includes the basic principles and applies it to modern day situations. This manual will help you with socially acceptable responses for work situations, and also where to place a soup spoon when setting a table. The integration of new material with old still uses the same principles: respecting others, proceeding with ethics, values and common sense. There are sections on all of life's little situations: dating, e-mail manners, jobs, dining. It also says (gasp) you CAN wear white after Labor Day. Doesn't everyone? "It is truly a wonder that more Americans don't consider Emily Post's discourses on etiquette one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus, and a world atlas." Enjoy the reward of feeling a little more improved...and less rough around the edges.

Where to find it:

Emily Post's Etiquette 17th Edition

Get Wired

Have you been at the beach and needed to recharge your Ipod? Stereo? Computer? Been in your car or at the airport and needed to recharge your computer, cell phone? Been on a plane and needed to recharge your computer's battery in order to watch more movies? The Black & Decker Power To Go can help you with that. It is a cordless AC/USB power supply. Ideal for a laptop, 7 LCD TV, portable DVD player, travel gaming system, cellular phone, PDA, digital camera, MP3 player, Bluetooth headset, AM/FM radio and cordless shaver. I found it for about $45 at Home Depot. They also have smaller sizes that go down in cost. The $45 one has about 9 hours of power, though. It is portable, lightweight and perfect for that European vacation too.
Ahh, the possibilities are endless.

How bout them apples?

I am not a chocoholic, but I do have to say these might change me over. I received a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory gift basket for Christmas and was very, very excited about these caramel apples. I know 'caramel' is not chocolate, but this company also has their famous apples dipped in chocolate, nuts, etc....which is to die for! Their website says they don't have the apples available online, but we got some so I am not sure what loopholes were gone through. Go to their website and find a location near you (http://www.rmcf.com), because these are so yummy. I would venture to say that these are little apples of love.

Peace, Love & Karma baby

Lately I am seeing pictures of celebrities and I am not thinking " Oh poor thing she is always being followed by paparazzi" or "Is she in rehab again?". I am thinking "WHERE did she get that cool scarf?" I figured out that these one of a kind pieces are made by Sir Alistair Rai and are authentic Hindu and Buddhist prayer scarves. The words Love, Karma or Peace are embroidered on one side. You can see Drew Barrymore, Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba and others in these brightly colored wraps. Apparently Sir Alistar Rai's 'Indian heritage, love for rock-n-roll and fashion have merged to create a fashion line that promotes global awareness'. I just like the colors and design...and I guess we could also use a little peace, love and good karma. Namaste!

Where to find it: www.blueheavenboutique.com

Snow Bunny Sweaters

One of my friends (who shall remain nameless) insists that the best casual date outfit is jeans and a white shirt of some sort. She also fell in love with a white cashmere hoodie I had, but sadly it was out of stock a while ago! Most of the ones that I am finding in stores or online are out of every size but large. They are also kinda basic and boring. Of course you can always go with a cashmere sweater from Macy's, as they have a big online/ in-store selection and are fairly reasonable. But...I found this cute furry angora one online. Very sweet, sexy and soft- looking. Don't know about the long white gloves or the matching hat though. I would like pairing it with a long sleeve white fitted V-neck tee underneath and maybe some wide leg jeans. Ohhh, and the best part??? It is ONLY $34.99!!! Amazing. Find it here: http://www.victoriassecret.com/.

A Little Slice of Heaven!

Since cupcakes are my namesake, I have to recommend the best. Sprinkles Cupcakes are just this. These cupcakes come in more extensive flavors than the usual cupakes: red velvet, peanut butter chocolate, banana, carrot, chocolate coconut...yummy! If you are lucky enough to live near a Sprinkles location (Los Angeles, Orange County, Dallas, Phoenix) then stop by and have one of the most delicious things you will ever taste. These cupcakes are huge and can be shared. They have also caught on and won a following so they are opening locations in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, London, Las Vegas, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Seattle, SF/Bay Area, Tokyo and D.C. They have taken something simple and fine-tuned it, like say, another huge company: Starbuck's. You can even go to http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/ and order mix to make your very own cupcakes at home. They come in a cute little cylinder gift box for $14, which makes a great holiday gift/hostess gift also.

The LBB (Little Black Boot)

Have you checked out zappos.com yet? If you haven’t then you are really missing the boat. This site is one of the best consumer inventions since iTunes. Say you can’t find a pair of boots you like. You can go to Zappo’s, sort by ‘dress boots’, pick ‘black’ and even hit heel height. You can also sort by brand, by sale and by price. If you are not sure which size might fit, you can look at candid reader reviews and you can also order 2 sizes of the same shoe and send one back. Here’s the kicker: shipping BOTH WAYS is free. You can try on shoes in the comfort of your own home. Also perfect for guys who hate to shop. They carry virtually every designer, even higher end ones. From Nine West to Roberto Cavalli. These are a pair I love! They are fashionable because they have a cone heel but because of this and the round toe they are also comfortable. They come in suede or leather and can be worn with dresses, skirts, skinny jeans or leggings. At $99 they are also pretty reasonable for a unique designer pair of boots. Love the back zipper too. Such a rocker boot. This is called the 'Carlie' boot by Gabriella Rocha. Cheers!

The 3 C's (Cute, Chic Clutches)

It has been a while since a bag has caught my eye. Actually over a year. I was walking through the Grove in L.A. and ducked into Barney’s Coop. I saw this purse by Erva and was instantly drawn to it. I loved that the clutch folded over, that it was a good size, that it had a cute wooden clasp on one side, that the material was cute on the outside as well as the inside and that it looked like your belongings won't fall out. It was priced at $495 and I decided to write the bag name down and go home and Google it. Sure enough it came up on Shopbop.com for much less. $360 on sale, with free shipping. If you haven’t moved over to bringing a clutch when you go out, you really should. It just looks more feminine than the big clunky day purse. Now if this price is too much for you, I discovered another awesome website. This site has cute knock offs of the purses you see in magazines: shopsueyboutique.com . I got the one to the right for $12.99 in black. What a deal!! It is a wristlet too, so it won’t go anywhere. I got many compliments on it and my friend was amazed at the price I got it for. It looks like it is worth much more. They have some other good ones too. Check it out. Posh Spice would be proud!

Get the Skinny, yo

Have you become hooked on skinny jeans after seeing pictures of Cameron Diaz, Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller and just about everyone else under the sun in them? A pair of black skinny jeans can be dressed up or down and has endless possibilities. They look cute with gray high heeled, mid calf suede boots, with flats for kicking around running errands, with pointy toe pumps...You get the picture. Don't have $200 to spend on a pair of jeans? Come on, we don't all have celeb shopping budgets. I am going to share with you my secret. Shhhh, listen very very carefully. Go to http://www.delias.com and order the Morgan Low Rise Skinny Jeans. They are only $39.50 and are even buy one, get one half off! Get Indigo and the Black Overdye. You can also order them in many different lengths. Hard to feel guilty now, right? You will get your money's worth long before this trend goes out! I also love the pockets on these jeans. Very flattering on your hiney, which is always important. Ashlee Simpson, eat your heart out.

Where to find low rise skinny jeans for cheap:
Morgan Low-Rise Skinny

Cocktail Rings - Make A Statement

Every girl needs a cocktail ring, especially over the holiday season! I continue to get compliments for a $4 one I bought at Forever 21 and a $16 one I got at Urban Outfitters. If you don’t have one near you, check out their websites. You don’t have to be a rich girl to look fabulous. Ohhh, and I found I prefer the ring to be on my index finger. It doesn’t get in the way as much. This is one I saw recently for only $3.80. I could definitely see myself rockin this. http://www.forever21.com/

Burt’s Bees Wax Lip Shimmer

With it being dry outside during the winter, I feel like I constantly need some kind of lip stick, lip balm or gloss on my lips. If you have long hair sometimes the gloss can become sticky. This lip shimmer is a favorite. I have a few sticks in my purse, in the house and in the car. Burt’s Bees Wax Lip Shimmer has a nice minty smell and is also tinted so you don’t need lipstick and it looks natural. These are also perfect stocking stuffers! My suggestion is not to get them too light in color so your teeth look ultra bright white. You can buy Burt's Bees at many places, but not most drug stores. Heck, they even carry it at Border's bookstore. My favorites are Rhubarb and Watermelon. Enjoy. And try not to eat it off your lips because it tastes kinda good!

Heidi Klum Jewelry

Heidi Klum (married to Seal, funny, business savvy, family woman). Creative (has her own jewelry line). I noticed the clover leaf -shaped hoops she wears and thought they were unique. She sells her own line on heidiklum.com, qvc.com and the Project Runway website. The latest things I am loving (which she models weekly on Project Runway) are her wrap-around clover necklace, her gold clover hoops and her bangles. Chic and unique. They are also priced right (compared to other gold jewelry designers). The Project Runway site has the most current pieces: http://projectrunway.seenon.com/. You can also find more on http://www.qvc.com. Check it out. We all could use a little more luck. Danke Heidi!

Magellan Maestro

If you didn’t have enough planning and foresight like me, then you probably did not get your car loaded with GPS. I found out some guys are reading this site, so I figured I would offer up some Xmas goodies they will like as well. I personally love techy gadgets that make life easier. I bought this portable Magellan Maestro and it has been a lifesaver! Great for outside sales reps who think the printing of the Mapquest directions has gotten old! You can use this Magellan (or Maggie as I like to call her) with voice prompts, which means you don’t have to take your eyes off of the road to read directions. It is also pretty small, about the size of a larger Ipod. When you miss a turn, it redirects you to the correct destination path. I love the feature where it will determine your destination and point you towards the closest Starbuck’s, gas station, grocery store, etc! I plan on bringing it with me when I travel next, for walking directions. This is very worth the $240 ish price tag. Maggie has been a very loyal friend. Cheers!

Find it here for only $149! Magellan Maestros

Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter

What a heavenly smell! All citrus-y and whatnot! I stayed at the W in New Orleans a while ago and they had this to sample in the bathroom. That was all it took to get hooked. This cream is moisturizing without being heavy. I carry a small tube in my purse and use it as a hand cream. You can order online and some major cities also have Bliss Spas, so you can head down to one and see what else they have to offer. Ohh, and because it is a citrus smell, it is a product that guys love using also. Could be a great stocking stuffer!

Order here: Blissworld.com

The Gorillapod Tripod

Ever feel bad leaving someone out of a picture because someone has to take the darn thing? This will solve that problem. This is a small tripod that is flexible, so you can attach it to a tree branch, a chair, a pole, a railing…ok enough, you get the picture! And yes, you will get the picture. This is such a great gadget and it comes in a few different colors (for those of you who like to express yourself). Perfect for the camera aficionado or the gadget guru. It is about $25. Mom & Dad, this is on my Christmas list! Don’t let me down!

Find it here: Joby Tripods

Don Francisco Butterscotch Toffee Ground Coffee

Britney Spears is photographed leaving Starbuck’s on a daily basis. Most of us do not have the time, energy or funds to go there every day, nor would we want to be photographed sans java. Personally, I do not want to even have coffee that is not flavored. Flavor syrups are sometimes too sweet and highly caloric. I must have coffee every morning and this is a brand that I really like. Not only are they inexpensive compared to other coffees, but they taste good and have a wide range of flavors. My favorite is Butterscotch Toffee. I even found it at Rite Aid recently! It also comes in a can, which stays sealed a little bit better than the usual bag. Someone should tell Britney to try this. Not being photographed can be a good thing!

Mistral French Shea Butter Soap

Hate getting out of bed? Maybe this will help. I first got this soap from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie. I noticed that the soap lasts a long time and is very moisturizing on your skin. The folks at Mistral do not animal test their soaps either. My favorite scent is the Verbena because the smell lasts until the last scrap and also energizes you in the morning. It is just a very clean smell. This company was started in Solana Beach, CA and has an interesting background of how the California founder studied making soaps in France underneath the direction of a ‘master soap maker’. Go to their website link to read more: http://www.mistralsoap.com/

Gardenia Candle by Diptyque

About 7ish years ago a dear friend gave me this candle for my birthday. I was later appalled to find out that the candle was around $50! Who pays that much for a candle? I was afraid to even burn it at that point. Once I did, the love affair between me and this candle began. I would burn this candle in my house when I would have company over and I would be able to smell it clear to the other side of the house. No candle I have ever encountered burns this long and smells this good in such a wide radius! Pretty soon I was giving this candle as a gift and creating more gardenia addicts. We all agreed to not let anyone in on how much it costs for fear they would find us crazy. This candle is worth every penny and distinctly Southern.

Gaga's Sweet Potato Soufflé recipe

My grandmother Madolyn passed away last week after living 95 years of greatness. She exuded love, grace, style and Southern charm. No one has ever told me that they love me more than my grandmother and no one can cook like her either. Grandma (Gaga) did not believe in cooking light and always thought things tasted better fried or sweetened. Our family favorites were her Thanksgiving dishes and today I share her Sweet Potato Soufflé recipe with you.

3 small cans or 1 large can of sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
1 c. sugar
3 eggs
½ c. milk
½ stick of butter or margarine
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all above ingredients for in greased baking dish (use cooking spray or butter). Then combine all topping ingredients and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Topping:

1 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. self rising flour

1 c. chopped pecans

1/4 c. melted butter
1 small box of raisins
Sprinkle of coconut