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.