Gifts from Real People 2

November 28, 2009

Despite the work, and the panic when I think of what has to come together in the next 30 days, and that I’m responsible for most of it, I try to like Christmas. If the financial pressure could be subtracted from the picture, I would like it so much more.

Ours in not a family that can give $250 watches as gifts, though the magazines tell us that we’re supposed to give them and expect to receive them.

For those of us, which includes most of us, who shop at our local malls and box stores, how about these?

1. Hair products – a very high end shampoo and conditioner, whether it really does anything or not, it can’t be bad.

A gift certificate for a glazing treatment the next time they have their hair coloured.

A bottle of It’s A 10 Leave-In Spray. These are both things I like and use.

Have you looked at the hair stuff at Sephora? The deals? I couldn’t pick just one. Fekkai’s Glossing Shampoo. Juicy Couture’s hair elastics. The Carol’s Daughter set is $37. Do you have girl children from 15 to 25 to buy for?

2. Free passes to a Les Mills gym. If there’s one in my little town, they cannot be hard to find. Do you know Les Mills? I believe they’re an exercise franchise from Australia. The classes and music are pre-choreographed. There are no bad classes and there are many class styles. I’ve taken several, all outstanding.

No pressure. Go whenever.

3.Chalean Extreme . I really want this. You may remember Chalene Johnson from the Turbojam exercise videos at BeachBody. This series is focused on building muscle with strength training. For women over 40, for anyone, cardio is all fine and good, but equal amounts of strength and resistance training make your frame of body and your frame of mind strong. It deeply roots the “If I can do this, I can do anything” notion in your head.

Here’s what I couldn’t wait for : Insanity. The hardest workout ever put on DVD. This link takes you to the BeachBody homepage. On the right is the link to Insanity. Watch the video. I can tell you, it is all this and more.

4. Smart Wool socks. So much more than socks. Many places to buy. Being warm goes a long way towards being enveloped by that festive feeling.

5. Wyndham Estate’s Bin 555 Shiraz. At $15 or so, this is a wonderful red wine. Though I don’t distinguish all the flavors wines possess, this one is said to taste of strawberries, plums, licorice, and pepper. Getting into the Wynham Estate’s site requires that you be of legal drinking age, but you can Google and read many reviews.

6. Towel warmer. Until they build ladders into bathrooms, since which home of 5 has enough towel racks in the bathroom, and it eludes me why they haven’t exploited this vertical design option yet, this is very useful. And such a treat.

There are several designs and prices. The one below is about $50 at Sears Canada.

7. Brie warmer. It is the thing. Arrive with one of these little tubs, like a round ceramic butter dish with a top, plus the Brie inside, a loaf of French bread, a few raspberries, and you are the star of the show. I saw some cute ones at Chapters, though I don’t see them on the site. They were $19.99.

8. Festive Stripe Stemware and table runners at Pier 1 Imports. Whether it’s the glasses that get me festive or the stuff inside, something will work. These are so pretty I’d keep them out all year.

The tablerunners are so beautiful too. I loved this Christmas tree design, and the Starburst. Lovely hostess gifts.

9. The camis at Smart Set. $20 for 2. In nylon/spandex, the feel is light and silky, not cotton, underwear, or sleepwear. They are not childishly ornate. They have a smooth ballerina scoop, rather than a more casual looking V. The straps are set wider apart, better with a more open neck blouse or sweater. The 20! colours are good. The straps are adjustable. It is SO hard to find lower layers that don’t look too much like lingerie or our daughter’s tank tops. It is not too short or too long. The border and straps are satiny.

The link will take you to Smart Set but the Flash viewer won’t let me link further. Just look for Nylon/Spandex Cami under Smart Fashion.

10. These SO-cute mascara samplers. Know a teenager? After they get over the discovery of their own hair when they’re about 13, the next fascination is eyelashes. Ships for free in the US, as does a lot of product at this great store. When will retailers ship free to Canada?

What’s going on at 12B? There is a trilogy of articles in process. The first is What Are Clear And Soft Colours?, because every Season needs to know.

The next one, going up sometime today, is The Mystery Of Brown, where I think about how to choose Spring’s browns from Autumn’s. It’s easier with clothing than makeup.

These are leading up to visiting Louise again, from Louise and Stevan Are Light Springs, and choosing makeup for Louise’s eyes.

Posted by Christine Scaman | Filed Under Great Hair, Happiness, Outside The Box

Comments

3 Responses to “Gifts from Real People 2”

sonja on November 28th, 2009 11:51 am

You know, that shampoo idea is great because my kids have been coveting the expensive one from the hairdresser. At $18 a bottle, Christmas is the only time they are going to get it. Of course, it might set a new standard, but then they would just have to get a job, right?
Christine Scaman on November 29th, 2009 8:30 am

For the 12-14 set, it’s an excellent thing. There are even some cheap and coveted items, like TresSemme Heat Protectant Spray. $6 at Shoppers, has a nice little trigger handle, very effective looking. Heat protectant spray is something one cannot live without because, you know, like, split ends. Buy 1 swank item and a bunch of cheap ones, load em all up in a pretty basket from Dollarama. John Frieda’s Leave-in Daily Nourishment spray is also a big item you should know. Watch the flyers, it will go on half price, Shoppers.
Once they’re ready for makeup, Shoppers has a boxed kit of about 6 different brushes, $9.99!! I bought 3, on sale for 6.99. Buy ahead for next year.
Brad on November 30th, 2009 12:36 pm

Insanity will kick your butt. It did it to me. My girlfriend dropped 10% body fat with ChaLean. I recommend both.

http://www.BeachBodyCoach.com/wrkoutjorney