With Chanukah and Christmas falling so close together this year, (actually, at the same time!,) you can do your shopping for both at the same time!

I’ve tried to include a little something for everyone. And everything is ultra-affordable, which everyone should appreciate nowadays, especially for how wonderful all these goodies are. I hate when magazines give us lists that only their top editors can afford!

Here, as usual, are some of my top gift suggestions this holiday season:

JEWELRY

This photo does not do this stunning jewelry justice! You have to see these jewels in person to get the full breath-taking effect.

Marco Polo Designs Jewelry—this gorgeous glass and crystal jewelry collection is absolutely hypnotizing. When I first discovered it at a Secret Room Suite, I noticed that the entire assemblage was drawn to it. I had to fight my way through the crowd to get a gander at the colorful pieces.

Any item from Marco Polo Jewelry would be a super-appreciated gift for any occasion but, just in time for the holidays, designer Claude Cruz has come up with many new designs, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. He does it all! Every single one is gorgeous, but when I saw the Moon Shadow collection, it made my mouth water.

I’ve seen an awful lot of jewelry in my life, so believe me when I tell you that this design is special. Done in sterling silver and Swarovski crystals, it features lunar shadows of indigos, contrasted with pearly silvers and speckles of copper dust that represent the changing phases of the moon. I think this design is the perfect holiday jewelry gift because it takes us out of the bright colors of the season, which many of us are goony enough enough to wear the whole month (anyone else already getting sick of red, green, and blue?,) and offers a super-classy palette for New Year’s Eve and beyond.

Just try not to wear your Moon Shadow bracelet if you’ll be at the same soirees that I am because I can tell you right now, I’ll be rocking that baby for all of 2012, beginning on December 31! www.marcopolodesigns.com

COSMETICS

NYX Cosmetics—I finally found that supreme sparkly eyeshadow I’ve been writing about! The discovery made me realize what a fabulous gift any item from NYX Cosmetics would make, especially for teens and glamour girls such as moi.

This affordable collection is my new favorite cosmetics company. And trust me on this, because I have more make-up than Sephora!!!

What a fun gift for any female (or Adam Lambert or Johnny Weir) to open, no matter what age or level of make-up talent. You can either put one or two items in a Xmas stocking, or even better, place several choices from this fun line in one big box, tie it up with a bow, and have a great gift for less than $50! And, if the recipient is a girly-girl like me, don’t forget to include that sparkly eyeshadow (or eyeliner) that’s just in time for New Year’s Eve! www.nyxcosmetics.com

SPORTSWEAR

Discrete—the second I saw this colorful sportswear at a gifting suite, I knew it would be the perfect gift for hipsters, and sporty guys, like Mr. X! It turns out that the guys behind the company are skiers—the young, hip, daredevil kind. The cute kind of guy I knew in Aspen.

They carry all types of sportswear, including headwear for both sexes, but, with Mr. X being a krump dancer, of course I was drawn to the hoodies. It’s like a krumper’s uniform! I loved the colors they had at the suite, but this being the holidays, I suggest a red or green one. But if the recipient is a fun person, such as I, then I’d go with one one of the striped delights. (Okay, now I’m just getting punchy. It must be the altitude; I’m not in it, but thinking of the skiers is giving me contact altitude high, I think.)

Another plus is that they run big. (The company actually says that they’re tailored for a long, trim fit; they call it “the fit of the generation.”) The large is super-roomy and long, so they’re perfect for those big, tall guys who can never find really hip sportswear. Or for the guys who just don’t want to freeze their nuts off, literally. You know who you are! (In both cases.)

This is the kind-of gift you can’t go wrong with. The hoodies are warm, cozy, colorful, and fit everyone’s taste. They’re perfect in snow, obviously, and—the part I like best about them—in the lodge afterwards! Or in my case, during. www.discretedomepiece.com

HATS

Home Baked Beanies–I found these adorable hand-made unisex hats at a trunk show in Burbank a few weeks ago. There were some other companies there, but I had eyes for these hats only.

Some are decorated with cupcakes, some with animals, and some are simply fun colored yearns, but all have the two “braids” coming down the sides and all are fabulous! They’re perfect for all ages, both sexes, and all cities because it’s winter, you guys!

You can also choose to have them smell like cupcakes, which, of course, I did. Now I’m hungry for sweets all the time. But I’m also definitely toasty, hip, and adorable! www.homebakedbeanies.wordpress.com

LIQUEUR

MF Liqueur—I have a feeling that by now, we all know I don’t drink because I hate the taste of alcohol. But everyone else seems to love this new entry into the world of liqueurs, so I have to go by them. And I love the look of it! I got myself a bottle just to look at when i’m down! The crystal blue color is mouth-watering to me, as the flavor is to my advisors.

It’s a blend of vodka, rum, and exotic fruits, and can be served alone or as I’ve been instructed, mixed with pineapple juice and coconut rum. That sounds yummy to even me!

And the name cracks me up! It’s just MF, so you can make-up what you want it to stand for. I have a feeling that Chris Rock and I would come up with the same thing, but I’ve heard it most often referred to as More Fun. I’m thinking of including them in my food fest early next year, and having a contest to come up with the most creative name for it. You can copy my idea, if you like, as long as you tell your guests you read it here! www.mfliqueur.com

ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTWARE

Anything from new store EcoXOXO in L.A.’s Farmer’s Market!–I’ve been meaning to do a whole column about this wonderful new store that we Angeleno’s are lucky enough to have in out midst, but something else always comes up. Now I can totally recommend anything from them as a holiday gift that will be welcomed by any recipient. But don’t trust just me; look at this clip from a local NBC show, featuring EcoXOXO owner John Cole: www.nbclosangeles.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Small-Business-Saturday/134520668

Every item in the store is made from recycled materials, most of which we can recognize, and go “Ahhh!” over. I wish I had a picture featuring several of their unique items at once, like purses and make-up kits made out of comic books, bowls fashioned from old lPs, and drinking glasses made from used booze bottles, but, alas, I don’t. The best thing to do is got to the shop itself and see it all for yourself. I think you’ll be amazed at what planet-conscious artisans can come up with.

For those of you who aren’t lucky enough to be in L.A. to visit the actual store for yourself, they also have a shopping site: www.ecoxoxo.com. But–please be aware that it’s still a bit under construction. And bear with them for a week or so more. You’ll be glad you did! Trust me.

[Note: I just realized that you can see some of the items from the site in my write-up here: www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2010/03/16/miscellaneous-ecoxoxocom/]

These three items are ones I discovered at various gifting suites this year, and with Mother’s Day, and then Father’s Day, fast approaching, I thought they’d make excellent gifts. All three of them show that the giver is thinking outside the box, and there’s something for everyone on this short list. A bonus is that with so many men getting metro and so many women being able to act on their love of sports without being looked at funny, these products are really unisex.

And by the way, congrats to Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon on the birth of their twins this past week-end. That family will always need gift suggestions because the babies’ birthdays fall on the parents’ wedding anniversary, and right before Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Bad planning, but I hope that my ideas will always help them. And you.

Happy gift choosing!

FOR FATHER’S DAY: BALLPARK CLASSICS BASEBALL GAME

I often leave men out of my suggestions because I have rarely found anything special enough for them. My siblings and I just always bought my father pistachio nuts and diabetic-friendly chocolate. And, most importantly, Mets memorabilia. I’m sure there were other things he wanted, but he never let us know.

He would have loved this wonderful Ballpark Classics stand-up baseball game. It’s the most perfect male gift I’ve ever found! It’s great for everybody, but especially for dads. (Because don’t we like to give them something that the whole family can enjoy? Isn’t that an unwritten dad rule?)

And for me, because I absolutely looove baseball. (Yes, I know it’s a slow game to watch on TV, but that just means you don’t have to pay attention to every single second of it, and can actually go though piling-up papers and emails while watching the games.)

We all get to participate with the Ballpark Classics game. When I saw it at the suite, I stopped in my tracks. It was that mouth-watering. I really did kind-of have that feeling of when you first walk into a real stadium and you get that first glimpse of the green field. That sight still takes my breath away just a little.

The creator of the game, Doug Strom, is as crazy about baseball as I am. I used to have two guy friends who were, but they went by the wayside. So, I was thrilled to get taught how to play this game directly by Doug, who’s a master at pitching. For those of you who haven’t been lucky enough to meet Doug, (which is actually most of you,) the instructions teach you how to throw every kind of ball. [I originally had an observation on spitballs here, but it was just too double entendre, even for me. So use your imagination and chuckle anyway.]

This newcomer to the family of rec room (or man cave) games is easy enough to have fun with, and challenging enough to get your competitive juices flowing. It’s like a pinball game, but with pitching and hand-eye coordination being paramount. And the best part is that it doesn’t require batteries or electricity; it’s self-contained and is table-top so it’s also portable. (There are optional legs available.)

I’m thrilled that they have a Yankees Stadium edition, of course. (Yes, I’m a fan of both the Yankees and the Mets. The only time that’s been a problem for me was during the Subway World Series of 2000. That was painful all around.) They also have one of evil Fenway Park. But the generic one comes with stickers and pennants of all the different ballparks so you can personalize yours. Just don’t put the stickers in the line of the pitches because you want the ball to come down smoothly. I may have to let mine interfere, though, because my pitching is still a little shaky, so I need all the excuses I can get.

Play Ball!!!

FOR MOTHER’S DAY: TEI SPA BEAUTY TOOLS

I’m not saying that females need more skin-tightening tools than males, just that we’re more into it. Out loud, at least. But couples can actually share this, so if you’re a dude, you might want to order this Tei Spa Point Pen Kit for your woman just so you can use it, too.

When you give someone a gift certificate for a facial, that’s a one-time gift. If you instead gift a facial tool, you’re giving something that can be used over and over again. The Point Pen Kit is the newest product in Tei’s line of professional at-home beauty spa appliances. It’s a skinny little thing that’s thinner than an electric toothbrush, and aids in the deepest penetration of gels and serums to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Who doesn’t need that?

Included in the kit is their 24 Karat Gold Firming Serum, which is what the Pen massages into the target areas to achieve the desired results. So, right there, she can tell her friends that you got her something in 24 karat gold for Mother’s Day!

With woman finally being smart enough to start age-prevention skin care as early as their twenties, we’re always looking for new products that will make that process easier, and this company has several that look worthy of my looking into further. I haven’t gotten to use any myself yet, because I just became aware of them recently, but as their headquarters are right here in Los Angeles, I hope to check-out their whole line to tell you about down the line. I’m hoping that by then, they invent a fat-erasing tool! I’ll be the first in line for that one.

http://www.teispa.com/

FOR EVERYBODY: NIGHT FOOD

Included in a gift bag from a recent suite, (one who’s good enough to give us these extra goodies,) was a small food bar that had the potential to change my life for the better. It was a NightFood bar that’s described thusly: “NightFood is a great tasting nighttime food bar which supports and enhances your sleep every night in a way that no other product can.”

Since neither Mr. X nor I have had a full night’s sleep since we began seeing each other, (which I say is a hundred years ago, while he claims, “We went out for three weeks and we’re just having a long break-up,”) it was worth a try. So we ordered a supply to try them out together. And they’re totally working on him! He’s usually pretty skeptical about such things, but now he’s desperate for more because they’re working, which makes me so happy.

[Note: With my crazy schedule, I, unfortunately, haven’t had much time to try them out myself. You’re supposed to take them about a half hour before you want to sleep, and since I’m out most nights and just collapse when I get home, on a full stomach, I can’t be consistent with them. I’m a slow eater to begin with and can’t stay up another half hour when I get home. And I couldn’t eat another bite after most of my events.]

But giving Mr. X the gift of sleep is seriously one of the best things I could ever get him. From those of you who are in the same insomnia boat as we are, can I get an “Amen?!”

This is how NightFood bars work: they contain melatonin and chocomine, which aid with sleep, but aren’t intended to knock you out, as some other products, including prescription meds, do. They’re meant as a healthy part of an overall better sleep routine. And they’re also high in fiber and have a low glycemic index to keep your blood sugar stable.

Almost equally important is the fact that Mr. X says they taste good, kind-of like candy, so they’re not hard to eat. They’re perfect for the person who always feels the need for a pre-bed snack. So far, the only flavor is Cookies ‘N Cream, but they may come out with more down the line. To my mind, that’s a universal flavor, so they got it right the first time.

The delivery company left them outside our door when we got the first batch, so I was really worried that I was going to find a bunch of sleeping coyotes in front of the house. (Hey, better than awake ones!!!) So, just keep an eye out for your order.

And happy good night’s sleep!!!

http://www.nightfood.com/

If you’re anything like I am, you haven’t even begun to think of Valentine’s Day gifts or plans. Well, here’s a news flash–it’s exactly one week away, so time to get crackin’! And I’m here to help, with all new suggestions for 2011, including finally something for the boys!

MEN

WILLIAM HENRY STUDIO MONEY CLIP–I’m so excited that I finally found a gift for the guys that I had to feature it first! I’m sorry I’ve never written about gifts for them in the past, but I’ve always drawn a blank on male gifts. Until I found this very manly company at a recent GBK suite, that is. The designer, Matt Conable, is practically a poster boy for macho! It’s perfect that he designs high-end, limited edition, (each piece has a unique serial number engraved on the back ) in-laid knives, pens, golf tools, and money clips.

When I saw Matt’s work, I was at first drawn to the beautiful knives, but then I realized that Mr. X and I should never have sharp weapons easily accessible to us! Not a good idea in our household.

Most guys love special pens, but I think an upscale money clip is the perfect gift to give your man because it reminds him to spend money on you! And he’ll be happy to because he’ll constantly want to be taking it out of his pocket to show it off! And both of you win! There can be no better outcome of a Valentine’s Day gift!

In addition to the body of the William Henry clips being made from tempered surgical stainless steel with a synthetic diamond coating that gives them a black finish, they have 24-carat gold-plated micro-screws (can I think of more hyphenated words in a row?,) and inlaid gemstones. (Each one is unique, so you have to choose which stones you like.)

I especially like how the actual clip works, which the company explains thusly: “There is an embedded magnet hidden under the scale, which holds a few bills with magnetic tension. As the ‘load’ gets heavier/thicker,” [my note: from their mouths to God’s ears!] “the magnet stops working. That’s when you open the hinge and let the lever act as a mechanical ‘cam-lock’ to hold everything in the clip.” They think the best part is that the magnet isn’t strong enough to interfere with credit cards. I say the best part is that the guy’s got cash and credit cards! He deserves this gift! www.williamhenrystudio.com

JEWELRY

MYCHEL RUSSELL-WARD JEWELRY–I’ve been a fan of Mychel Russell-Ward’s special hand-made jewelry since last year, and shared her earrings with you in my last Gift Ideas column. But being that it’s now Valentine’s Day, you might like to get more serious with your lady and step-up to the ring stage. So, I’m really recommending these beautiful rings that Mychel can actually design, render, and have in your hands in a matter of days!

She can make them with big, pretty, rainbow moonstones or labradorite stones, which are of comparable size and flash to the moonstone, but a little less costly, although even the moonstones rings are incredibly affordable, especially for how gorgeous they are.

Mychel really gets into her creations–she knows so much about the stones she uses, and she gives you the low-down on them, which I, for one, really appreciate. For example, about a ring she’s designing for me, she wrote, “The labradorite I set aside for you is from a well known mine in Madagascar. It flashes orange/red/grey like a butterfly’s wing. It will be oriented so that it flashes when you look at it as you wear it.” I can’t wait to pass that knowledge onto the many admirers I know my ring will have.

And, for your Valentine’s relationship purposes, since most of us like to wear Mychel’s art as cocktail rings, rather than on our ring fingers, you get away with thrilling your girlfriend without making a lifetime commitment! It’s the perfect jewelry solution, for both of you! 

LINGERIE

STAR CANDY PANTIES–Whether you’re the guy buying these for his girl, or the girl buying them to wear for your guy, you won’t go wrong with these stunners. They even make my, shall we say, less-than-hefty butt look good, and that’s saying something!

These colorful panties are trimmed with lace and feature rhinestone sayings and designs. They’re just adorable. I have a pair or two myself and Mr. X just loves them! As do I because they’re also comfortable.

They’re fun and sexy, a combination that can’t be beaten. (At least, that’s what I’ve always thought when the occasional male admirer has said that about moi!) You can even borrow that line from me, to write on the card accompanying these panties: “They remind me of you–fun and sexy.” What girl wouldn’t melt? And insist on modeling them right away! www.starcandyboutique.com

GAME

LOVOPOLY–I found the perfect gift to give Mr. X, but since he reads this column, I have to wait for our anniversary to surprise him. No matter, though–Lovopoly is the perfect gift for all special occasions!

It’s like a mini-monopoly game, but the buyer 100% customizes it for their situation–you name all the properties with places that are special to you guys, you use pictures of the two of you, and you can even put a lovey-dovey message on the board.

My mouth is watering to order ours. But, since Mr. X is much wittier than I, I want him to name our favorite places. All I’ve come up with so far are “our house,” our house,” and “our house!” (Remember–he’s not big on going out.) My alternate choices are “the emergency room,” and “the police station,” but I’m not sure just how romantic those choices are.

So, whether you work it out together or do all the planning yourself to surprise your loved one with, this is the perfect couples gift. Or, to give to close friends/family members whose special moments you want to celebrate. www.lovopoly.com

CULTURE

In the culture department, which I always feel is a wonderful Valentine’s Day gift idea, I picked out two wonderful local shows for those of you lucky enough to live in the Los Angeles area.

But, alas, they’re both closing the night before, being that Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year. But no problem, as I see it; simply go to one of these kind-of romantic shows the day or night before, and then do like Mr. X and I do on February 14^th–RELAX!!! No need to fight the crowds forcing themselves to go out that night–you’ve already had your public fun, so light some candles and have some private fun. Trust me on this one.

I can’t give you better reviews than I already have of these two shows, so here are the links to them, so you know which one to choose for your loved one. And remember, a show is actually a gift to yourself, as well!:

TRACES: http://www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2011/01/19/theatre-traces/

BALLROOM WITH A TWIST: http://www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2011/01/25/live-production-ballroom-with-a-twist/

No matter what route you choose, enjoy! And, since I’m nuts about all my readers, I wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day! You’re all my valentines.

Because of the hectic nature of gifting suites, some of the sponsors have to send their products after the fact, and therefore they don’t make it into this year’s Emmys Gifting Suites column. And, sadly, many of them just don’t bother living up to their word.

But the following ones did, so they must be lauded for their honesty and reliability in addition to the fabulousness of their products.

I chose the top four to tell you about that, given the time of year, are items I feel would make excellent, and creative, gifts, for everyone on your list.

MRS. SMITH’S BAGS

As someone who carries my life with me, I’m a huge fan of multi-tasking totes. I found one at the GBK suite that was really designed for moms, but, with all its fabulous compartments, Mrs. Smith’s diaper bag is perfect for all contingencies, including make-up, travel, and being a most convenient car kit. (Hey, this could be a new baby shower game! The guest who thinks of the most uses for Mrs. Smith’s bags is the winner! The real winner, though, is the mom-to-be who receives it as a gift.)

In addition to insulated bottle and sippy-cup holders, there’s a pull-out drawer, which is genius, so nothing soft gets squished, and you don’t have to dig around in the body of the bag. And, with twelve different fabrics to choose from, every mom can be a fashionista! This wonderful bag almost makes me want to have kids! Almost.
www.mrssmithsbags.com

NO SLEEP CLOTHING

With ultra-hip and soft casual attire for the whole family, No Sleep is a welcome addition to the garment industry. I couldn’t wait to receive my charcoal gray Burnout Hoodie, and now that I’m hip-hop ready, I may even join Mr. X at his krump sessions!

And the attractive prices match the looks of the line. It’s as affordable as is fashionable. And, if I’m any indication, you don’t have to be skinny to look cute in the various tops. They’re also so cozy you can sleep in them, but they’re so adorable that Mr. X may just do like the label says and make sure I get No Sleep in them.
www.nosleepclothing.com

FRESH CLOZ

Speaking of clothing, my mouth was watering for this easy-to-use clothes freshener! It showed-up at my house just in time to use on all my fabulous gifting suites outfits. I was going to send them to the cleaners, but figured it would be a great test for Fresh Cloz and it worked great.

And let me tell you, it was a heck of a lot less expensive, and time-consuming, than the complicated washer and dryer that Mr. X had just gotten. The only problem with Fresh Cloz’s simplicity is that now Mr. X knows I can really clean my outfits by myself! www.freshcloz.com

MYCHEL RUSSELL-WARD JEWELRY

When I got a load of the gorgeous rainbow moonstone ring that designer Mychel Russell-Ward was wearing at the Secret Room suite, I rushed right over to her table. Turns out that it was one of a kind, but it got me interested in the rest of her beautiful jewelry. And we’re both from Brooklyn, so of course I trusted her to pick-out something else from her line to surprise me with.

Luckily for me, she doesn’t know me that well, so she chose a classy pair of pearl and labradorite earrings, that are sweet, elegant, and perfect for all occasions! Every type of female would just love them, and she’ll think the giver is classy for choosing them for her. Of course, it you followed it up with a ring…
www.russell-ward.com

HAPPY HOLIDAY SHOPPING!

Summer still technically has another month to go, though some people erroneously think that Labor Day is the end. (Look at your calendars, people! Autumn begins on Sept. 23.) Here in sunny Southern California, it’s basically summer all-year round. (Though we do try desperately to feel that we have seasons.)

I’m calling these three suggestions Summer Beauty Ideas, because that’s the season we’re in now, but they’re really year-round recommendations.

KONA TAN

Since it’s summer and I was leaving for New York, and was as white as a ghost because I hadn’t left the house for several weeks, (as most of you faithful readers know,) I had to do something to not scare my little mother and east coast pals, who are all used to me looking very L.A.

But with all that went on before my trip, I was even more time-constrained than usual. So, what’s a busy, pasty bon vivette to do? I called Kona Tans mobile service to come to my house, that’s what I did! (I believe they have salons that you can just go to, also, so check out their website below for all the deets.)

I had bonded right away with the adorable married-couple owners, Katie and Kenny Quinn, when I met them this past May at the spectacular 50^th birthday party of the late Dr. Frank Ryan. [You can read a tribute to the doctor and his charitable works, and more about the party, at these links: http://www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2010/08/18/tribute-dr-frank-ryan/ and http://www.itsnotaboutme.tv/news/2010/05/28/parties-dr-frank-ryans-bony-pony-ranch-event/ .]

So, when I needed to get my glow on, that’s exactly who I called. Katie came over, all self-contained (with even a portable tent,) and didn’t need a thing from me for her to go to work making me look gorgeous. She even did the spray tan in a long black gown-like dress, with black latex gloves, so even the getting glamorous had an air of glamour to it! (I asked Mr. X to take pix of her cute outfit, but, unfortunately, he got my not-yet-tanned body in them, too, so I can’t show you how cute Katie looked.)

Mr. X was so impressed with the color I got from Kona Tan’s secret formula that he bought a huge container of it on the spot!!! (He has tried sprays from other companies over the years, with not great results, so we already have the spray set-up. Now, if only he had Katie’s spraying talent, we’d be all set!)

But there are other ways to get the signature Kona Tan, if you’re too shy for the sprayer to see you naked, or just don’t have time for the full treatment. The company has a range of products with which you can achieve either an instant or gradual tan yourself. I guess Mr. X didn’t even want me to see him naked because he chose to go with the do-it-yourself Spritzer for his tan. And it really worked!

So, unless you want to spring for a trip to the Big Island itself, Kona Tan is the way to go to look fabulous, relaxed, and toned, which I did for more than a week after. So, if you see me appearing that way in the future, you’ll know that Mr. X got busy with his spray-gun. And Kona Tan’s perfect formula!

www.konatanningcompany.com

SPRING CREAMS

Speaking of “spring,” (I used that word in the last paragraph of the previous section, so I’m just being goony right now,) to help you keep the tan that you’ve just gotten, try some Spring aromacology body products. It’s an Israeli brand that’s big in Europe, and new to the U.S. In addition to their oh-so-many yummy items, they have the most mouth-watering website I’ve ever seen! I want to own everything on it!

This sounded like a good job for my Reviewing Panel because my asthma prevents me from experimenting with fragrances, and I was dying to know just how wonderful (or not) these luxurious items are.(No worries here–they are.)

 We decided to try the hand creams in four, as the company calls them, “sensations and moods”: Mystic Amber (pleasure,) Patchouli Lavender Vanilla (sensuality,) French Musk (harmony,) and the one I need the most, Secret Garden (calmness.) The packaging is so beautiful that I’m happy to have one just sit on my bureau and look feminine.

The two most popular ones among my panel members were Secret Garden and Patchouli Lavender Vanilla. The former is “mild enough for even sensitive people,” like moi, and the latter was deemed “the perfect blend of fragrances.” The more exotic of the testers were “drawn to” the other two, which some of them said were “refreshingly different.” One wrote, “I’m so sick of the usual aromas in creams and lotions, so I’m thrilled with these innovative ones from Spring.”

A couple of the people noted that they’re “enriched with Dead Sea minerals” which means that they’re “exceptionally high caliber” products. As to the textures and results, many commented on the “lovely, non-greasy quality” and the “super-soft” hands they came away with. And just about everyone loved the “extremely portable” size and offered that now they “need them in all sensations to put in my car, purse, and every room in my house!” I think I’ll just keep mine in my Secret Garden!

www.myspringusa.com

CABOODLES

I’ve been stocked in Caboodles since they were invented in 1987! I’ve always loved these fabulous carrying cases, for all purposes, and I recommend them to everyone, not just teens, (like I was when they were first made,) especially for summer travel.

I actually still have my first basic one! I keep a couple of smaller ones in New York, with my make-up all set-up in them, ready to travel around the east coast.

But, as I’ve grown-up, so have they. (Actually, they’ve done a little better in that category than I have!) I just got the Goddess Caboodle, (I love that they named one after me!,) which is a train case with an interior that’s so gorgeous and classy, I decided to put my jewelry in it instead of make-up. I don’t want to mess-up the interior.

Trust me, if you’re a female, of any age, you must own at least one Caboodle. And if you’re a true girly girl, like I am, you should own them all! Ah, yet another lofty goal for me to aspire to.

www.caboodles.com

[Note: I am so sorry, but I thought that I had posted this column over a month ago! There was a while there during the past few months when the pain of my back was taking over my mind, so please forgive me for this column’s tardiness. But, I thought with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations coming up, it could serve double-duty as a gift suggestion column, too. Hope it helps.]

If you’ve read some of my recent posts, you may know that I’ve had back problems for three months now, so, unfortunately, many of my usual fun activities have been severely curtailed. I was especially disappointed that I didn’t have the stamina, or ambulatory abilities at the time, to be able to attend my usual half dozen or so Oscar gifting suites.

But there was one I really didn’t want to miss, so with lots of help from my good friend Lauren, and the accommodating staff at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City, (the same hotel whose afternoon tea I reviewed yesterday,) I was able to attend the Secret Room Style Lounge the day before the Oscars. And boy, did it lift my spirits!

Quinton Aaron arriving at the Secret Room gifting suite. Photo by Lauren Bennett.

I’m glad I chose the Secret Room as my sole (and soul!) suite this season because it was jam-packed with lovely personnel and vendors. And, although I never care about supposed celebs, this one had the most recognizable group of attendees that I’ve ever come across. There were lots of television actors from the few shows I actually watch, (Glee, The Forgotten,) the rarely-seen-in-person Candy Spelling, and I was especially happy to see Quinton Aaron, who played Michael Oher in The Blindside, having so much fun.

Usually I concentrate on the gifts, but after five weeks of virtual house rest (which seems like ar-rest,) I headed straight for the spa services. The hotel had provided a wheelchair for me, because the event was too big for me to navigate on crutches, and the lovely spa people worked around it. I didn’t even have to get out of the chair!

Karen getting back to her glamourous self! Photo by Lauren Bennett.

First, I had a very quick massage on my upper back, and then moved on to nails. I was thrilled to get both a mani AND pedi because I usually do both myself, and couldn’t do the toes since it’s hard to move my leg right now. The girl who did them both, Arlene Estrada, was very understanding about my situation, and even had some good info for me on the subject of back surgery. Next, Ami Desai did my brows. I felt like a new woman!

Since it was hard to navigate my way around the room, big as it was, I checked-out only a few gifts. But they were all special. I was especially enamored with a gorgeous one-of-a-kind clutch courtesy of Errienne Designs. Each one is hand-made, with different patterns and materials, including the interiors! (They were so fresh, in fact, that the owner’s mother was upstairs in the room, sewing some of them right then!) The designer, Chelsea Schick, helped me choose a textured navy blue one, with red and white interior, that’s both classy and casual at the same time. Loving it! www.erriennedesigns.com

The colorful Alter Ego Jewlery.

They almost couldn’t get me away from the Alter Ego Jewelry table that featured campy jewelry made out of small toys! I mean it–smurfs, matchbox cars, you name it. I wanted a bracelet with Cruella DeVille, but that would have been type-casting! www.alteregojewelry.com

I was happy to discover three luxurious skin care lines at the suite:
Fanie International was featuring botanical skin care products, including a masque that I can’t wait to try. I hope the products are as lovely as the people manning their booth! www.fanie.com
Hylunia has so many helpful treatments, many for sensitive skin, that there’s truly something for all types. And the girls in their booth are Capricorns, just like me! www.hylunia.com
Cellcosmet was developed in Switzerland, so if it’s as good as their chocolates, we’re in luck! And the mini-products came in an eye-catching red clutch. www.cellcosmet-cellmen.com

Many of my pals are having babies nowadays, and they’re all boys!!! So I pleased to find organic onesies by Sweet Prince Design, that are made of organic cotton. So far, they say their products are “exclusively for boys,” but I think they’d look good on all babies. www.sweetprincedesign.com

As we were on our way out, we noticed a table with mini-cupcakes from Two Parts Sugar in Orange County. I always feel responsible for the cupcake craze in southern California because no one here had ever thought of it until I reviewed New York’s Magnolia Bakery on my show, and told of the lines around the block for simple cupcakes! The audience response (both in-studio and viewers’ calls and emails) was one of astonishment that so much money could be made from something as basic as cupcakes. Well, a few months later, creepy Sprinkles came along, and all hell broke loose. I should have just whipped some up myself, and I’d be rich now!

But back to the Two Parts Sugar. I tried their one that looks like an old-fashioned Hostess cupcake, (which I lived on in my formative years–how I managed to be skinny then, God only knows!), and I loved it!!! It was truly the best cupcake I’ve had in years! I’m lucky they deliver in only a 100 mile radius, which is far, but not enough to get to me, or I’d be gorging on them–I loved them that much! And to top it off, they gave me the sweetest little cupcake pendant. That whole experience cheered me right up. www.twopartssugar.com

One last note: I don’t think I’ve ever written about this, but though I’m not a prejudiced person, I always say there are two groups I’m not fond-of: Hare Krishna and child actors. But I think I may have just found the exception to that last rule. Ashley Boettcher, whose work I’m not familiar with, but photogs were taking her pix, was just the sweetest little girl. We compared nails, and let me tell you, I was seriously jealous of her choice of a different bold color on each nail. Exactly what I used to do, and I was way older than seven! (It was in recent years that I was so colorful.) I hope she stays as good-natured and adorable as she was at the Secret Room.

Valentine’s Day is upon us again. But don’t panic–I’m here to help you think a little outside the box this year. Human valentines come in many forms–it can be your spouse, friends, parents, children–anyone. So I tried to come up with something for everyone. Hope these ideas help.

BABIES

BRITAX BABY CAR SEAT–Valentine’s Day is not just for couples–love is for everybody. I would venture a guess that new moms love their babies the most in the world, and therefore, safety and comfort are now top priorities.

Keeping that in mind, I wanted to find a wonderful car seat for one of my newest valentines, Marcus, the giant baby I’ve written about before, because his mom, Amanda, had jokingly told me, “My baby is a chubber and has out-grown his old car seat.” When I asked her where to look for one, because baby gear is not exactly my forte, she said, “Britax makes car seats that are, most importantly, safe, and also stylish. My favorite style, the Advocate CS, is something my son can continue to use for years, as he grows.”

So, that’s the one she got! After she checked it out it a little bit, she wrote to say it was one of the best Valentine’s Day gifts she’s ever received. She raved about it, writing that “the car seat was so easy to install! Adjusting the straps was so easy and pain free (which I can’t say about other car seat brands) and one of the reasons that I wanted to go with the CS (Click and Safe) series. It looks so comfy and seems to be very padded and safe.”

Before I ordered it, I counted 18 special features of this particular model, but it seems that you can’t go wrong with anything from the Britax line. Knowing that my little pal is now safe is making my Valentine’s Day that much more special for me. www.britax.com

CULTURE

LUMINARIO BALLET–here’s a wonderful idea that covers so many bases–the gift of culture! It’s so romantic, and shows love and respect for the recipient. And I have the perfect event to that end, for those of you in the Los Angles area. It’s an intimate evening of ballet and refreshments, to benefit the Luminario Ballet Company.

With dance shows being so popular on television for the past few years, it seems that people across the board are finally appreciating this beautiful art form. So, you’ll look like a hero (or heroine) if you surprise your loved one(s) with tickets to a fabulous performance-and-party fundraiser, that I’m due to be attending, as well. (I guess I already received my valentine.)

The best part is that the event celebrating the Luminario Ballet is actually on February 21, so you can give the tickets as the Valentine’s Day present without having to fight the crowds and go out that exact night! I hate leaving the house on the 14th and having to make like we’re romantic, so a gift on that day, to be used at a close future date, is ideal.

This “evening under the stars” is being held at a private home, and features two ballets plus either full dinner, or cocktails and dessert. I think it will feel like a scene out of a soap opera, where everyone’s dressed-up and being elegant. I can’t wait!

If you mention that you read it here, there will be a $50. discount on all tickets.  That’s my Valentine’s gift to you. Hope to see you there! www.luminarioballet.org  (For the INAM special price, please call 818-395-6506 and say you’d like the ItsNotAboutMe.TV discount.)

JEWELRY

VERRAGIO DIAMONDS–if u want to go the traditional route, diamonds, I have the perfect company for you. And if you want the same look, but not the same price tag, (especially with most people’s finances still being a tad troublesome nowadays,) Verragio makes beautiful jewelry featuring their Diamonique(R) simulated diamonds, which rivals their pieces made with actual diamonds.

If you’d love to give your valentine a timeless piece of jewelry, but a ring seems too serious, and earrings seem too personal, why not go with a classic “diamond” drop pendant?

Someone just sent me a beautiful piece from Verragio’s collection and I can’t wait to wear it. It’s small enough to be elegant, and sparkly enough to be make my friends jealous! What more could a fashionista want? www.verragio.com

SWEET TREATS

GOTTA HAVE SMORE–With the way the world is going nowadays, everyone is always looking for the next big thing, and this is it! I almost hate to share this new dessert product because serving them at my most recent event made me look like a genius! They were the hit of that party.

They’re called S’muffins and are basically classic s’mores (remember them from scouting days?) in a compact muffin shape. What a concept. My guests ate them at room temp, but the company also suggests heating them in the microwave for a few seconds, to feel more like the real thing. It seems like something Private Benjamin would have come up with–designer campfire food!

They come in about a dozen flavors, and you can order a pre-determined assortment, or all one flavor. I wish I could recommend a couple for you, but they went so fast at my party that I didn’t even get one myself! But they all appeared to be equally popular.

You can get S’muffins year-round for all occasions, but for Valentine’s Day, (and anytime you want to let someone know you love them, like even your favorite journalist–hint, hint) there are S’more Adores, which come with little hearts on top. I guarantee your loved one(s) has never seen a treat like this before, so it’ll be a doubly wonderful surprise.

And nothing says “I love you” more than permission to pack on the pounds! (But S’muffins are so rich, that you won’t eat too many at one sitting, so no real worries in that department. And, c’mon it’s Valentine’s Day!) www.gottahavesmore.com

CHARITY

VOICE YOUR CHOICE–(no, that isn’t the name of a charity…though it should be!) As with all holidays, it behooves us to consider sending some love to those less fortunate than we. And what better holiday for that endeavor than Valentine’s Day? With all the recent troubles in the world, I seriously can not single out one charity to suggest at this time.

Right now, Haiti seems to be the focus. But let’s not forget the troops, the homeless, and all the diseases that are in desperate need of research. Anything you can do is appreciated by all charitable organization, whether it be donations, volunteering, or simply sending an ecard to brighten someone’s day. I noticed a new charity for Haiti, Haiti Hope Help & Relief, that sounds like they’re doing good work.

With the Olympics beginning two days before Valentine’s Day, it might be fun to donate to the athletes in some form. These amazing people perform feats that most of us can only dream of, and that takes lifetimes of dedication. And money. There’s a site that accepts donations for the athletes, while giving you tons of information. www.TeamUSA.org

As far as affections go, I truly love all of you for supporting my sight and hope I can continue to entertain you throughout the year.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

But this time, I’m here to help you. (And me!) So, here are some new products I’ve happened upon recently and can really recommend to you. Hope it helps! (And if not in time for Xmas, there’re always Capricorn birthdays–like mine, on January 14. Hint, hint, Mr. X!)

FOOD

Leslie’s Famous Biscotti–I recently attended a party that was serving these long, flat biscotti, and people were going nuts over them. I brought a couple of Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch ones home to Mr. X and he really enjoyed them, so I looked into getting them for my Xmas list peeps.

Turns out, Chef Leslie creates them right here in West Los Angeles. So for you locals, you can probably just call and pick them up. For everyone else, their website gives all the info and creative flavors, and they ship to you. It seems every time I check, she’s come-up with something new. The special Holiday Flavors-of-the-Month look fun, and you naughty types should love the Chocolate Seduction Spice. I’m just hoping Santa sends me some Double Chocolate Hazelnut because I’ve been so nice. www.lesliesfamousbiscotti.com Local: 310-470-2177 Otherwise: 866-553-8707

These are my new “boy shorts.” This line carries mainly sexier panties, but I’m sexy enough already!

Honeydew Intimates–this is for the guys to get their gals, (even though several of my best female friends have picked-out really cute bras for me over the years! Nothing weird, they just know that I’m always looking for that perfect bra, just like I am with lipstick.) Mr. X gets me cute underwear when he can muster-up the courage to walk into a lingerie store.

But with these cute Honeydew Intimates, you can just order on-line; their pix are pretty realistic. (Except for the bodies on the models.) I just received a pair of colorfully-striped boy shorts, my absolutely favorites. I can’t wait for the next time I have to be in a non-private changing room! I’ll definitely have the best underwear in there!  www.honeydewintimates.com

BEAUTY

Rada Pro Nail Station–Those of you who’ve watched my show know that I’m fingernail-obsessed. Have been since I was a little girl. In my teen-age diaries, as a matter-of-fact, I wrote my whole nail routine almost every day!

I occasionally get my nails done professionally, but I really do prefer to do them myself in the comfort of my own home. Though finances and cleanliness are two of the reasons, it’s really a time-constraint thing. Just the travel time saved is enough to convince me. And I can watch TV or talk on the phone the whole time, thus killing two birds with one stone. Sometimes even all three!!!

But I often polish them while sitting on the couch, which makes Mr. X nuts, worrying that I may spill something. Enter the Rada Pro Nail Station, to restore peace and harmony to my happy home. It’s a whole nail station, with a holder for the bottle and space for either hands or feet. The whole thing is fabulous! So, if you’re a guy who knows a girly-girl such as me, (and most of my cute friends), and don’t want to commit to jewelry or clothing just yet, I can’t tell you how thoughtful a nail polish station is. Lets her know that you appreciate her beauty efforts. www.radapro.com

CHARITY

Let’s Say Thanks–I feel that no list of holiday gift ideas is complete without at least one charity suggestion. And this is the easiest one ever! It costs nothing outside of maybe three minutes of your time! And I’m sure that there’s no one reading this who can’t spare that for charity.

This is one of the child-designed notes to add your own sentiments to. It looks almost exactly like my signature scene I always draw, except that I have a house and flowers, too.

A reader actually sent this link to me, knowing that I’d be happy to do it myself, so I thought I’d pass it on to all of you. It’s a website that let’s you send a note to members of our troops, via an email to the site. Then they print them out and send the off by regular mail.

I believe this can be done all-year-round, but there’s no time like the present. Or the holidays. Not only will these notes cheer-up the recipients, hopefully, but I think participating will make your holiday a little merrier as well. www.LetsSayThanks.com

BEAUTY/CHARITY COMBO

MUD Cares Palette of Eye Colors–last, but far from least, is this great gift, which combines beauty and charity, a wonderful combo. Those who practice charity are, indeed, beautiful. To enhance both simultaneously, you can order a MUD Cares Palette of Eye Colors, which benefits a charity called NextAid.

Trust me, I have more make-up than Sephora, but am always interested in finding the new, hip beauty enhancers, especially eye shadows and lip glosses. Someone recently sent me this shadow palette from MUD, (which stands for Make-Up Designory) and I love it. The website even has detailed instructions for the different looks you can achieve with just these four colors. And the compact itself is thin and lightweight enough to carry in even a clutch.  (It doesn’t contain any little swabs with it, but really, who ever uses those anyway?)

The two colors on the top level are better than the ones shown here.

And the best part, is that, in the charity’s own words, “100% of the proceeds will be going toward building a safe and sustainable home for children in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS.” Now that’s a gift for the recipient, the charity, and your own soul. http://shop.mudshop.com/mud-cares-palette www.mudshop.com www.nextaid.org

I hope these come in handy, not just for the holidays, but for all occasions.

DVD GIFT BASKETS

When I was in NY over the summer, some pals who knew of my quest to get into Yankee Stadium before its demise, which wasn’t looking likely for me, sent me one of the best presents ever–a DVD gift basket that included DVDs of “Yankee Stadium, Baseball’s Cathedral” and “When It Was A Game” Volumes I, II, and III, along with tons of candy, a disposable camera, and even seeds to grow grass for my very own stadium!

I’ve since checked into dvdgiftbaskets.com, and they have DVDs for every occasion. They even carry my latest film, “Brothers In Arms,” but please don’t request that one unless you have a high boredom threshold.

The wonderful staff can put together any kind of basket you can think of, and even ones you can’t. This makes such a perfect holiday gift for acquaintances and loved ones alike. People will be elated to receive something so original and creative that you’ll forever be known as the supreme gift-giver. Just tell the folks at dvdgiftbaskets.com what genre you’re looking for, and they’ll take it from there.

And if “Brothers In Arms” goes flying off the shelves, they’ll know that some masochists have read this column!

www.dvdgiftbaskets.com 877-218-4438

HOUSE OF DOG PET CARRIER

I found this one at a GBK gifting suite. When I entered the building, the first thing I noticed was a woman carrying the most gorgeous pet carrier I’ve ever seen! I forgot that I was at a gifting event and ran up to her to find out where she had bought it. She said that she had gotten it there!!! Lucky me!

I wound-up getting side-tracked on another level of the event, but have since become the proud owner of one myself. My precious Clarence, the Singing Toy Poodle, appeared on my show in it.

He had missed the previous taping due to dental work, (that sounds a bit strange, doesn’t it?) so I wanted him to return like a king. Which he did, in his House of Dog Pet Carrier. We both love it. Now I try to think of places to take him, just because I want to be seen with the bag! I’m thinking of getting a stuffed animal to put in it so I can let poor Clarence stay home and chill, while I’m seen stylin’ ’round town.
www.houseofdog.com

GODIVA HOLIDAY CHOCOLATES

I usually feature more obscure gift ideas, but there’s one traditional one I must suggest, that has a new twist.
I always remember when I first heard about Godiva Chocolates, back in the day. It was the most special chocolate you could get. If someone even gave you one of those 2-pioce boxes, you were in heaven.

Boy, has this line expanded! They come up with more products all the time, and are much more accessible, I’m happy to say. My Brooklyn friend, Carol Rampino, even pointed out that they now have a store in the Kings Plaza Mall, and took me right over, on my last visit, to get an iced chocolate drink.

Now they’ve come out with some new pieces for this season’s Holiday Gift Assortment that even she doesn’t know about yet. The flavors, such as Winter Cocoa and Mandarin Snowflake, are absolutely delicious and evoke a fireplace and snow.
They come in several-size boxes, and I guarantee that the recipient of any one of them will feel special.

www.godiva.com

SUDS IN A BUCKET

I’m seeing a trend here–I guess I find my best items at gifting suites! That’s where I met the bubbly Teri Ennis, who started Suds In A Bucket. These organizers had a sense of humor and had her stationed in the bathroom of the suite! That’s because these are bath and body products.

I spent so much time in there with this company that I forgot to take my gift when I left! But I smelled every one and tried out the creams, including some for babies. I was most impressed with all the cute holiday names and “flavors.” It took me a year, but I finally featured them on my show, which is rarely about restaurants anymore, but these do fit in with the foodie theme anyway.

Suds In A Bucket has so much to choose from that I can’t recommend just one product. They all look and smell fabulous. But the holiday line is special–I wouldn’t be surprised if I wind-up ordering some for my own giftees this season! Or maybe just for myself.

www.sudsinabucket.com

ULTIMATE GREEN TEA

And lastly, this is more a gift to yourself–the gift of health. At yet another gifting suite this year, I received a bottle of Viva Herbals Ultimate Green Tea. It’s green tea extract in a dropper bottle.

You put a dropper-ful into hot or cold water, drink it up, and rarely get sick. I’ve seen some friends do it for years, but had never tried it myself before. Now Mr. X and I swear by it. I know it’ll come in handy while I’m on the east coast this month. Doesn’t the combo of airplane germs and snow just cry out for preventative measures?

www.vivaherbals.com

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