Holiday Gift Ideas #4 ~ Votivo For All

What smells good, looks pretty and can light up an entire room (no, it's not me - j/k) .....well the Votivo Holdiay Collection Candles of course! I recently had the pleasure of smelling this collection, and let me just say, they do NOT disappoint. Not only are the scents divine and holiday-icious, but the candles themselves are very pretty and will blend in with any decor.

Christmas Sage

Freshly harvested juniper berries, tangy hemlock cones, and fragrant emerald hued spruce boughs transform the rustic cabin into a light filled workshop where dreams are crafted with pride and hope fills the heart eternal with gifts that truly linger...and inspire memories for generations to come. (Translation - Smells like a Christmas tree.... but better)

Clementine & Clove

An ode to a bygone era- coarsely chopped clove with fresh cinnamon sticks and dashes of black peppered nutmeg gently coat the dried Clementine oranges and fresh thyme sprigs, all wrapped to the tune of an old Christmas carol—a perfect symphony of the senses. (Translation - Smells like a caramel apple cider from Starbucks....but better)

Red Current

A savory blend of tart red currants and golden fruit glaze ladled over coarsely ground vanilla bean ice cream and served along side of raspberry filled sugar cookies… the original Red Currant. (Translation - Your home will smell like fresh baked good out of the oven....but better)

Winter Soltice

Early morning, 6:00am on the longest day of the year- the rich spurt of pine spice and cold, cold wet winter are scorched by the brazen blaze of the crystal, powerful, white light. Unabashedly, three elements collide - the water, the earth, and the sun – tantalizing the senses into perfect, harmonious solstice. (Translation - Smells like the first breath of air when you walk your dog in a forest....but better)

Joie De Noel

In a centuries old tradition, darkened hearty cut spices, woody strands of aged rosemary, fragrant spruce and delicate hemlock boughs are mulled with caravan herbs and thickened honey combs in a blackened copper kettle over an open cherry wood flame: an unspoken welcome home anytime throughout the year. (Translation - It smells like marshmallows, hot chocolate, cookies, and eggnog & rum....but better)

Any of these candles are sure to be a hit for a secret Santa gift, co-worker, friend, or just yourself! Picking the scent is what will be difficult but with descriptions like these, it should be a breeze!

Rainy Days in LA...

...bring beautiful rainbows! The rainbow was so big, I couldn't capture the entire thing, but it was quite spectacular and brought a huge smile to my face!

Then when the sun goes down...the rain clouds provide a beautiful setting!

Song Of The Week: Wonderful Christmastime

I've said it before, and I'll say it again....it is just too hard to be in a bad mood when listening to holiday music. This morning I was stuck in heavy traffic, in the rain (don't tell but I love it when it rains in LA) and yet I had a huge smile on my face because Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" was blaring on the radio. I totally caught myself rocking back and forth in my car and even snapping my fingers.

Hope ya'll are having a "Wonderful Christmastime" as well this Monday morning!

Holiday Gift Ideas #3 ~ Glove Love

Happy Friday Folks! I cannot believe the first weekend of December is already here and there are only 20 shopping days left. A great, practical, trendy and affordable gift this holiday season are gloves.

These Fingerless Cable Gloves are not only darling but totally functional with your fingers free to navigate. I love the contrast of the cable knit against the tough studs.

A bit more lady like and traditional, these Rosette Gloves are a perfect fit.

My personal favorite however are these Sequin Bow Striped Gloves. Love the grey and cream combo and those sequin bows are just the icing on the cake.

So go ahead, spread some love with the gift of gloves!

Happy Birthday Lynners!

Me, Mrs. R and Lynne in Hawaii

Happy, Happy Birthday to my gorgeous gal pal Lynne!

You are a beautiful and inspiring woman and I am so thankful to have you in my life and chat with you daily. 30 is going to be a year for the books, full of happiness and wonderful things!

I cannot wait to give you a big hug next week and celebrate it up!! Cheers to you love!

XOXO

Holiday Gift Ideas #2 ~ Naughty & Nice Knickers

Every year, without fail Santa always leaves me some knickers in my stocking. One year he may have forgotten and I may or may not have thrown a little of a fit. In any case, the little gifts below are sure to bring a smile to however receives (or sees) them!

For the gal who reads her horoscope everyday (sometimes guilty myself), these Aerie Horoscope Undies are sure to please. Also, if some D-Bag decides to use that cheesy line, "What's your sign" she can gladly send two messages at once!

On my wish list from Santa are these darling Hanky Panky Candy Low Rise Thongs. They are just so darn comfortable and since my sweet pup Waldo has a bit of a Hanky Panky fetish to, I would like to replenish my supply (TMI I know) .

These Juicy Couture Sweet Boyshorts are a piece of cake that will go straight to her ass, but in a good way ;)

This little PINK Tank & Panty set is angelic and perfect for cozy time in bed. (Did anyone else watch the Victoria Secret Fashion Show last night? WOW!)

Perhaps you have a friend who never dresses down regardless of where she is...well she shouldn't have to dress down under there either, and this Aerie Tuxedo Undie Set will allow her to be black tie always.

My girlfriend Jaime and I always exchange little undies for Christmas and every year she treats me to a new darling pair of Honeydew Mesh Boyshorts, which are perfect for under dresses without being all granny panty like.

For the girl who is a little prim and proper, why not serve her some cute Juicy Couture Boyshorts in a tea cup?

Last but not least, for that wild child minx friend of yours, the Aerie Wild Thong Set may just tame her for a bit.

Hip, Hip, Hooray for Knickers!

Holiday Gift Ideas #1 ~ My Philosophy

...is that you can never go wrong giving Philosophy products for gifts. Their packaging is absolutely darling, their prices are very reasonable and the products smell just incredible! Below are some fabulous gift ideas for that friend, co-worker, assistant or secret Santa you're just not sure what to get.

The A Kiss & A Wish lip shine set would be a perfect little stocking stuffer, or you could break the 4 lip glosses apart and add them as decoration to another gift.

Nothing says holidays more than this Candy Cane 3 in 1 wash. This yummy scent is sure to help wake you up in the morning.

The First Snow Gift Set is great for that 13 year old that is just about impossible to shop for. The shimmer lotion and lip gloss will definitely bring a sparkling smile to her face.

I am pretty sure Oprah was the first to put the Gingerbread Man Salt Scrub on the map, but it hasn't gone very far and it really does provide results. A great gift for anyone who wants to scrub away the past year, and let the new them shine in 2010.

Speaking of 2010...it is only 30 days away and it is never to early to prep yourself and celebrate with bubbles. This Bring On The Bubbles is sure to help with the headache brought on by those "other bubbles".

I am all for puns and this Have A Cherry Christmas is just too fun.

Have that friend or family member who is naughty but also nice? Then the Holiday Spice & Everything Nice duo is just what Santa ordered.

Have that friend who goes away to the family cabin or skiing in Vail every holiday? The Winter Escape kit will have her skipping those extra calories of marshmallows by the fire, because this tube of lip gloss will be hitting her sweet tooth just right.

We all know that Santa likes his milk & cookies, but why not do him and Mrs. Claus a favor and leave him this cute set out instead?

On my personal wish list from Santa is the Old Fashioned Eggnog 3 in 1 wash. It smells just like my eggnog latte tastes and I am pretty sure it would be pretty heavenly to be surrounded by this scent in the shower every morning.

Whomever you are gifting for, Philosophy has got something for every price range and most definitely for everybody on your list!