Author Archives: nicole

Super Bowl Party Ideas

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Alright, football fans, the time has come. The big day is here. Light up the BBQ, don your favorite team jersey or shirt and get ready to host the best Super Bowl shindig in town.

Let’s break down the essentials needed for the ultimate Super Bowl party.

Décor: Super Bowl XLVI is upon us and it’s a match-up between the Giants and the Patriots. If you’re a huge fan of either team, head to Party City or Target and stock the house up with napkins, plates and cups in the team colors. If you aren’t the type to choose sides, simply purchase some Super Bowl XLVI merchandise at Walmart.

Food: Football-inspired food is where it’s at. Usually finger food, as it’s easy to eat while chatting and watching the game and it’s also good for sharing. Load up on footlong subs, burgers, popcorn, beer and things you’d buy at the stadium or that you can grab at your local warehouse market like Sam’s Club. Or go regional and make Boston baked beans and New York style pizza or hotdogs.

Games: Games played throughout the big game are key. Whether you do the Superbowl commercial game (everyone guesses how many times they will show babies, soda, models, cars, etc.) or the Super Bowl squares game (everyone bets on the score of the game), this will add extra excitement to what’s happening on the field. All you really need is poster board and a can-win attitude!

Do you have a favorite team playing in the game? Great! Grab a shirt from Dicks Sporting Goods,  decorate the entire house in red and blue (you can’t go wrong either way) and make sure that even the cups you drink out of are Super Bowl relevant.

 

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Him

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Figuring out a suitable Valentine’s Day gift for the man in your life can prove to be a hard task. When ties and video games become too predictable there are a few things left that can bring a smile to even the toughest guys face.

While mushy gifts may be lost him, something useful could be just what he needs and wants. Here are some great gift ideas to show him some love this Valentine’s Day.

Give Him Time: For guys, a watch can say a lot about their personality. Whether he is sporty, professional or a bit eccentric, there is a watch out there for him. Peruse a site like worldofwatches.com to find the perfect accessory for him.

Go, Go Gadget: For the gadget-loving guy in your life, the options are endless. For the active man, try a water resistant iPhone case (like Pelican)  or an Apple remote, both available on bestbuy.com, to control all of his electronics with the touch of a button.

A Gift He Can’t Refuse: If you have a movie buff on your hands, this gift will be a surefire hit. Head over to barnesandnoble.com and grab him the complete Godfather collection on Blu-ray/DVD. Not only will you help complete his DVD archives but you will lock in hours of quality couch and movie time with your guy.

Give him a gift that is unique and fun, just like your relationship. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day Gifts For Her

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Chocolates and flowers may be “classic” but there are other ways to show a woman how much she means to you on Valentine’s Day. Whether the special lady in your life is your mom, daughter, girlfriend or wife, there is a perfect gift out there.

Why not think outside of the box this year?

For the Romantic: Is she the kind of girl who loves the written word? Is she a romantic underneath it all? Give her something to warm her heart, like a love letter anthology (available at Barnes&Noble.com).  A collection of famous love letters throughout history, this book will add some passion to your own love story.

Say it with jewelry: Jewelry is a gift that truly never goes out of style and one that always fits. For the special lady in your life, try an initial pendant (available on Overstock.com), so that she can always keep it close to her heart. You don’t just have to buy her initial. If married, buy yours and if it’s for your mother, she may love initials of her children.

Kiss the Cook: Does she cook like no other? Why not celebrate her talent with a new kitchen gadget, gift certificate or chic, dare we say, stylish, apron from cooking.com?  The site sells fabulous Jessie Steele aprons in a plethora of prints and colors.

Celebrate Her Beauty: Sure, you think she is naturally beautiful but she lives for perfume and new makeup. This Valentine’s Day spoil her with designer perfume, makeup or accessories. For a real treat, shower her with Bliss spa products (Body Butter, Glamour Gloves), which can be found on beauty.com.

There is no better way to say I love you than to celebrate who she is and what that means to you. You can’t go wrong by following your heart and these helpful little links.

 

**photo courtesy of giftchooser.com

Classic Pieces Every Woman Needs In Her Closet

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Styles change depending on the season. A silhouette can be in for spring and totally over by summer. However, there are some staples that have been able to stand the test of time. These classic pieces compliment every shape and size and can be worn time and again in a variety of ways and for a variety of occasions.

Here are some classic pieces every woman should own:

The trench coat: Typically, the trench is a khaki color but that isn’t a steadfast rule. The only real thing to know is that a trench coat will keep you stylish through the crispiness of fall and the breeziness of spring. Completely versatile, the trench works with every piece of clothing.

Ballet Flats: They worked for Audrey all those years ago and they will work for you today. Ballet flats are one shoe that will never go out of style and can be worn with literally every piece of clothing—you will never have to worry whether the heel height or the shape is in season.

The White Shirt: Timeless, tailored and versatile, the white shirt can be worn with your favorite jeans or dressed up with pearls for a night out. No matter which silhouette you choose (ruffles, tee or men’s wear inspired) the white shirt exudes a clean look mixed with a bit of chic appeal.

Black Pumps: Since the beginning of time, or at least it feels that way, one shoe has maintained its reputation as a fashion icon. Worn by everyone from Marilyn to Carrie (Bradshaw, that is), the black pump has been made, sold and worn in every shape, heel height and fabric. But the fact remains that it is the shoe to have in your wardrobe.  The black pump can be serious, stylish, sexy or professional and always, always timeless.

Keep your closet stocked with these classic pieces and your wardrobe will be anything but dated and boring. Here’s to being timeless and effortlessly chic!

 

The Best Way to Update that Little Black Dress for 2011

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The LBD is a must for any woman’s closet. A true wardrobe staple this piece can be re-worn and reinvented with a few simple steps. Here are the best ways to get a lot of wear out of favorite LBD:
Glam it up: Add eye-catching accessories to your LBD to take it from ordinary to glam. Bold necklaces, dazzling earrings and great bracelets will dress up your frock. For more drama, layer many necklaces and watch for heads to turn.
Cover, girl: Using a tuxedo jacket, pashmina or a motorcycle jacket will completely transform the look of your dress. For a pop of color, add a scarf or pashmina. For a bit of edge, pair your LBD with a cropped motorcycle jacket. These accessories allow you to play up your personality while wearing a classic piece.
If the Shoe Fits: Shoes are the exclamation mark of any ensemble, so make them count. Dress up that LBD with a pop of color (red shoe, royal blue shoe) or shine from head to toe with a full-on glitter shoe. For winter months and holiday parties, add a great pair of tights to the equation and pair with a smokin’ hot pair of pumps or booties.

 

Images via littleblackdress.com and seattlepi.com