My husband and I don't celebrate on Valentine's Day- we celebrate VD day later on in the month
as a celebration of our first date and the day we got engaged- both occurring on the same day in February.

We don't give each other sexy lingerie or huge boxes of chocolate- usually our gifts lean more towards the practical.
However, recently, we started buying luxury cuddle blankets for each other.

It started with one on the couch in our family room, to cuddle up with when we felt a chill while watching TV.
I noticed that we were always trying to be the first to grab the ultra soft blanket- rather than using an old crocheted blanket we'd had forever.

So, this Christmas, I purchased my husband another, larger blanket.
Yeah!
That solved the family room issue.
I decided to move this soft, cozy, cuddly idea into our bedroom.
Not being able to find sheets made of this material, I purchased two blankets, and now use them as a 'sheet set' in our bed-the bed is now unbelievably warm, soft and cuddly- perfect to curl up to my honey with.

Maybe this is going overboard, but every bedroom should be a sanctuary against the world, and deserves to be treated special, and so does your mate!

nap(TM) Cuddle Blanket for TwoSpecial Offer! The world's most touchable blanket—now generously sized for two. Surround yourself—and a loved one—in the soothing softness of NAP. The moment you touch our exclusive NapSoft material, a calming sensation sweeps over you, preparing your mind and body to relax. Perfect for snuggling, lounging or catching a few Zzzzzs. Machine-washable. 60" x 70". Available in Camel.

        

Hiya.
I found a couple of neat products recently that I didn't even know existed!

Eco-Friendly Gifts
Send Eco-Friendly Gifts this Valentine's Day!
Here, they have organic gourmet gifts, Valentines Day gift apparel, flowers, chocolates, fruit even an organic Valentines' gift for your lover's pet! Definitely check this one out.

DVDs
I'm very excited about this gift- it would be one that I'd love to get any time.
From the HBO Store, This is one of my favorite shows on TV. I'm not into all the dancing with the stars stuff or any reality TV. But hook me up with Stacy and Clinton on a late Saturday afternoon, and watch them transform sweatshirt wearing Mom's into hip gals, and I'm there. Love this show. I bet the DVD is awesome.

What Not to Wear: Best Of DVD Set Fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly convert unknowing but soon-to-be excited fashion disasters from dowdy to dashing during shopping extravaganzas in the fashion-capital of the world, New York City. Hair stylist Nick Arrojo and makeup artist Carmindy add the finishing touches to complete the amazing transformations that stun the participant, their friends…and viewers.Take a tour of your favorite and most memorable What Not to Wear moments in this "Best of" DVD collection. From laughter to tears, revisit unforgettable moments of amazing transformations.

HBO is also selling Great Wonders & Splendors of the World DVD Set which would always interest me, seeing the wonders of the world on one DVD. So many people have the big screen TV's now, I bet the pyramids would be overwhelming on these DVD's.

Romance
Moving on to a more romantic gift, I'm always a sucker for candles. Any kind. But I especially like the scented and soy based candles. Perfect to set the mood for a romantic evening- or even a late afternoon! This North Carolina company promises the freshest Fresh Soy Candles around.

Flowers
I remember being swept of my feet by my husband Michael, when he had a dozen red rosed delivered to my work place years ago. It made me feel very special. Beneva Florist delivers fresh red roses and arrangements all over the U.S. They continue to be my number one florist of choice. For the brave ladies, send your guy a unique plant or flower on Valentine's Day- it will surely get his attention! (I've done this - believe me, he'll remember it forever!)

Chocolates
Buy Gourmet Chocolates at OrganicBouquet.com

        

I have a dream. A dream where I walk into an Apple Store, and can pick out any Macbook Pro, iPhone, iTouch, monitor, audio system, software and hardware that I desire. Ah well. I'll have to settle for just walking into an Apple Store and looking at all the Macbook Pros, iPhones, iTouchs, and software and hardware...

Every January, at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, Steve Jobs gets up to deliver his key note address to all us Mac-a-holics and developers. He delivers a powerful, yet completely human keynote, getting the crowd reved up and ready to receive the new products that Apple is unveiling. Even watching it on my computer is thrilling.

This year, they have announced something new: Macbook Air .
It's the worlds most thinnest computer.
It fits into an inter-office envelope.
It has a 13.3 inch screen.
Yet it has a speed of 1.6GH and 2Gigs of RAM and a 80Gig hard drive.
It's truly amazing.
It's perfect for students and office workers on the go, who rely mostly on the internet for their business.

That is my new dream.
The Macbook Air, only $1,794.00, and it's partner, Time Capsule which at 500GB, will help me back up all my files....sigh...
I can admit it.
I'm a Mac-a-holic.

Check out Mahalo's Steve Job's keynote in 60 seconds.

        

Wow- It's after the holidays already.
There were some fab deals during the holiday season, but nothing like the deals that are around now.
Check out the deals below.

Walmart Helps you Shape Up in 2008
Get Fit and Save on Exercise Equipment at Walmart.com
Ride into 2008 with Exercise Bikes at Walmart.com
Train with Ellipticals and Save at Walmart.com
Run into 2008 with Treadmills at Walmart.com

Brookstone has some great deals now
Take $70 off orders $700 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF1JAN. Expires 1/31/08.

Take $20 off orders $200 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF6JAN. Expires 1/31/08.
Take $40 off orders $400 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF6DEC. Expires 1/15/08.
Buy one nap Blanket and SAVE 50% when you purchase a second!

PBS is now promoting some specials
So not only do you get some great deals, but you also support a great organization. 
20% off American Experience Titles at Shop.PBS.org! Expires 1.07.08
20% off Best Sellers of 2007 at Shop.PBS.org! Valid 1.2.08-2.4.08

More deals and specials to come in 2008!

        

100 Gifts for Gals
Ok, no commentary. Just ideas.
Here we go:

1. Scented candles
2. Chocolates
3. Girly hand creams, face creams, body washes
4. Perfume - something old something new
5. Trip to Paris
6. Trip to an art museum
7. Tickets to the theater
8. A weekend away with her girlfriends & you promising to do all the work while she's gone.
9. Dinner out - to a place with a white table cloth
10. Comfy PJ's
11. Her fav reality series on DVD
12. Jewelry (Yes, we really like jewelry! DOH!)
13. Romantic trip to the Bahamas
14. Two dozen roses sent to her office
15. Home Foot massager
16. Massages for two at a spa
17. Coffee table book on Paris, Rome, London
18. Supplies for her fav hobby
19. New Laptop
20. Gift certificate to Victoria Secret
21. Chick Flick DVD's- When Harry Met Sally, Under the Tuscan Sun, You've Got Mail, Bridget Jones Diary, Pride & Prejudice, Elizabethtown, The Wedding Date.
22. Basket full of gourmet coffees, creamers, sugars
    
23. Several bottles of expensive wine or champagne (Shows her she's worth it!)
24. Art set with new brushes and colored pencils
25. New digital camera and printer 8 mega pixels or better
26. iPod Shuffle for when she works out
27. iPhone
28. Good hands free set for the car
29. Help cleaning the house, either by you or getting a service 2x a month
30. You cooking dinner one night a week
31. A phone call from you on the way home asking if there is anything you can pick up for her.
32. New CD's of her fav group or singer
33. Writing paper, note cards, formal & informal
34. Some really nice writing pens
35. Ink for the printer with extras!
36. Emergency kit for her vehicle & AAA membership (Shows you care for her safety!)
37. Down comforter
38. New jewelry box
39. Tree for the house or garden
40. Picture frames
41. Photo albums
42. Travel jewelry case
43. Velour jogging suit
44. Fancy French soaps for the bath
45. Umbrella with a Monet painting decoration
46. Stained glass Tiffany lamp
47. Ultra soft leather gloves
48. Leather jacket she always wanted
49. Fancy business card case
50. Figurine of fav character, family scene, or love birds
51. Fancy shawl for dinners out
52. Memory stick
53. Collectible for her hobby
54. The leather boots she's been admiring
55. Fancy Victorian telephone
56. Bongo Board
57. CD's of her fav groups from her youth (If most of her bands are on vinyl)
58. Crystal anything
59. Incense kit with matches & bowl
60. Pretty bird feeder
61. Matching luggage
62. Girly car mats
63. Name Pendant
64. Flowers of the month club membership
65. Brand named purse (YOU won't get it but she will!)
66. Family photo enlarged for her desk
67. Purple backpack
68. New racquetball or tennis racket
69. Golf clubs
70. 5,000 piece puzzle that you will do with her
71. A clean bathroom
72. Movie theater gift certificate
73. Treadmill (Note: Only give exercise equipment & videos if she's been asking for them!)
74. 1000+ thread Egyptian cotton sheets
75. Biography of her fav movie star
76. Matching bathrobe, slippers and nightie set
77. Unusual plant
78. New faux fur coat
79. Weekend at a remote Bed & Breakfast
80. Family Genealogy Map or book
81. Family photos put in photo albums
82. Video game
83. All day spa treatment with a friend
84. Lighted vanity mirror
85. Top of the line flat iron
86. Gift certificate to her fav department store
87. Digital photo frame
88. Small audio speakers to replace the huge ones from the 70's that you still have
89. Stereo for the kitchen
90. Hard drive for backing up the family computer
91. Video camera
92. A topiary (real or faux)
93. Full length mirror for bedroom
94. Fun watch
95. Good watch
96. iTunes gift certificate
97. Books from her fav author
98. Flat screen monitor for her computer
99. Flatscreen HD TV
100. Surround sound stereo
     

Last Minute Holiday Deals



NEW Women's Spa Comfort Robe - only $89!


15% off personalized gifts at PersonalizationMall.com! Enter coupon code PM3201 at checkout.$10 off personalized gifts with $50 purchase at PersonalizationMall.com! Enter PM5514 at checkout.$15 off personalized gifts with $75 purchase at PersonalizationMall.com! Enter PM9837 at checkout.

        

100 Guy Gift Ideas
OK, here we go...

1. Outdoorsman gloves
2. $20 bottle of wine
3. Beer selection from around the world
4. Hiking socks
5. Blanket for his car trunk
6. Wisky flask
7. Rare single malt scotch
8. Personalized Pislner glasses
9. Guiness anything
10. Flip flops
11. Wallet with velcro
12. New keychain
13. Beer sign
14. Lava lamp
15. T-shirt
16. Dress shirt
17. Emergency road kit
18. Art set (yes, art set!)
19. Bathrobe
20. Heavy duty leather slippers
21. Movies gift card
22. Godfather movies
23. Fshing rod
24. Bar stool
25. Ping pong table
26. Dart board
27. Tools
28. Russian hat
29. Map of his home town, framed
30. Postcards from all your vacation destinations real & planned
31. Stationary- "From the Desk of _____"
32. Pens. Some really good pens
33. Earing for his 1 pierced ear
34. A Tux
35. Coupon book full of chores that you'll do for him
36. Godfather music
37. Sheet music from his favorite group
38. Harmonica
39. Favorite candy from his childhood
40. A handful of cigars, clipper, matches and directions to the back deck
41. Song "Freebird" downloaded from iTunes
42. A jazz CD
43. After dinner liquor
44. 4 kinds of sandpaper (believe me, he'll love it!)
45. A letter with 3 compliments in it, telling him how much he's loved and appreciated
46. Rain shield for his car windows
47. Metal yardstick
48. 100ft tape measure
49. Gas leaf blower with earplugs
50. Harley Davidson head kerchief
51. Tiickets to his fav baseball game
52. A poker night in with his friends, catered by you, with a smile on your face
53. Dinner out anywhere
54. Star Wars Trilogy
55. Goodfellas movie
56. Largest Hickory Farms Sausage you can carry
57. Dress shirt & tie
58. A saucy coupon book from you
59. A clean house
60. Fancy wine bottle opener
61. Anti fog mirror for the bathroom
62. Chocolate
63. A get away to a bed & breakfast
64. Maps of 3 states he wants to visit
65. A trip to Vegas
66. Night at BB Kings in NYC
67. Superbowl party held at your house
68. Largest flat screen HD TV you can buy (DOH!)
69. Leather chair for his home office & a mat that fits underneath
70. Tool organizer for the basement/garage/shed
71. A meal his mom used to make him, using her recipe
72. A trip to his hometown for the weekend
73. Heavy duty gloves & eye protection
74. Clock with his favorite hunting scene on it
75. Large heavy pan for him to cook with
76. Larger BBQ
77. Camping equipment- new tent, sleeping bags, stove
78. New putter (this one you can use every time, there's always a better putter out there!)
79. Golf weekend away with his buddies
80. Car racing lessons
81. A large dog
82. 3 new belts
83. Latest best seller from his favorite author
84. iPod Shuffle for when he jogs or works out
85. Couples massage
86. Work out clothes
87. Waterford glass for his single malt scotch
88. Grandfather clock
89. Paper, envelopes, stamps, magnifying glass for his office
90. binoculars with a camera built in
91. Cigar book
92. DVD of his childhood photos
93. Printed photo book of family vacations together
94. Photo of your family for his desk
95. 5000 piece puzzle
96. Golf lessons
97. Bucket of wine or beer with popcorn, DVD's and movie tickets inside
98. Extra large towels for him for the bathroom
99. Good set of drill bits for metal and wood
100. A good screwdriver set - huge

     



  Great bottles to give at Wine.com

        

Personalized Gift for the Hobbiest
Don't tear your hair out because you can't think of a decent gift for that hobby person in your life.
This will be as easy as 1-2-3, and you will be a hero in their eyes!

Go purchase a holiday wreath.
It can be real, or artificial, it's up to you. (If it's artificial, they'll use this gift for year to come!)
Then, think of the person's favorite hobby.
Let's say it's your Uncle Frank, and he's a fisherman.
Pick up some inexpensive lures, some fish hooks, some weights, some fishing line, a cheap pair of pliers,
two or three holiday ornaments with the 'fisherman' theme on it. If you can also find an image of a fish,
maybe from a magazine, or print it from a web site, back it up with cardboard and cut the fish out.
Using the fishing twine, carefully begin mounting all of your 'fishy' things onto the wreath.
Put the fish at the bottom of the wreath.
Top it off with a bow on the top, and voilà!
You have a personalized Fisherman's' Wreath!

You can do with with almost any hobby.
For golfers, use plastic golf balls, tees, maybe a golf glove, some small pencils and score card from their favorite
course, some golf ornaments, and voilà! A personalized Golfer Wreath.

For kids, it could be your daughter Brianna's favorite animal- a horse wreath-
with small stuffed horses, plastic horses, a plastic horse shoe.
Son Danny's wreath could be made up with baseballs cards of his favorite baseball team.
You get the idea.

What ever interest or hobby that your special friend of family member has, you can create a special personalized wreath just for them. The list is endless. Go for it!

        

Tony Robbins "Get The Edge"

Tony and Me
I've been a Tony Robbins fan (Anthony Robbins) for almost 15 years now.
Looking to make some positive changes in my life, I found a small cassette tape called
"Awaken the Giant Within." After listening to that tape just once, I made a cold call about a job, got the interiew, and got the job within 2 weeks, and this job would positively affect my life for years to come.

Repeats
For 10 years, I'd listen to that single tape, and slowly make small improvements to my life and attitude.
I'd share the tape with friends when I could.
Family members and friends noticed a positive change in my attitude over time.

Personal Power II
I've owed Personal Power II, for about 2-3 years now and I've utilized them in every section of my life with positive results.
I listen to his CD's over and over because his positive messages are lessons I need to keep in mind in my daily life to get positive results. You can ask any close friend of mine, and they will tell you I'm a true fan and love the upbeat, positive messages and information that Tony dispenses. That's probably why I affectionately refer to him as "My Tony." My car always has at least one Tony CD laying around someplace.

Tony Live
In early 2007, I finally went to see Tony Robbins life during a 3 day self improvement seminar entitled "Unleash the Power Within." It was an amazing 3 days, during which, I actually walked on hot coals! (Yeppers! Really!)
Watching Tony on stage live with his associates had a huge, positive impact on me and my life.
His energy and insights were amazing- 8-9 hour days flashed past in the blink of an eye.

More Tony
Since then, I've purchased several more products of Tony's and I've never been disappointed with any of them.
They've delivered on their promises (and they do promise lots of results!) each and every time, from powered drinks to audio and video programs. Any program that can help me to reach my personal goals is one I'd easily share with my family and friends. My sister has been to a Tony seminar as well.

Tony Robbins Outreach
The Anthony Robbins Foundation offers hope for many of the forgotten in our society- the poor, homeless, hungry, and elderly. The offer baskets of food to poor families during the holidays. The Anthony Robbins Foundation has products and programs in more than 2,000 schools, 700 prisons, and 100,000 health and human service organization. The Foundation is committed to make a difference in the quality of life for children, the homeless, the prison population, and the elderly through its various programs. Tony and his family grew up very poor, and he's never forgotten the kindess of many of his fellow citizens during the holidays. The Anthony Robbins Foundation is one of his ways of saying thankyou and passing the help and fellowship on. Portions of the profits from Tony's products go to the Anthony Robbins Foundation.

Order Your Copy of Tony Robbin's "The Edge" Today

        

Give the Gift of Inspired Film. Spiritual Cinema Circle is the DVD of the Month Club for enlightened and inspiring films.


An Inconvenient Truth
Never has a documentary made such a huge impact in my life.
The film was entertaining as well as informative.
Overly dramatic at times, it tugged at your emotionally side purposefully.
It slammed me with facts and figures, that after a while, you just could not deny the outcome- and global warming theory.
Al Gore had invaded our lives and minds.

New Awareness
While my spouse and I were avid recyclers for years (also helped lower our garbage bills considerably),
we were not as 'green' in our home as we should have been.
We would never call ourselves 'Tree Huggers' or stop using soaps, or stop using electricity- but we knew we could do more
that we'd been doing previously.

Eco-Easy-Changes
Immediately after watching the Al Gore documentary, I found myself aware of lights we used.
Wasteful expensive incandescent bulbs. The type that have now been banned in Australia.
That's right. The entire country has banned them! See story.
We are part of an energy saving co-op which is our electric company.
Technically we own part of it. Pretty cool.
My husband started buying compact fluorescent light bulbs because they lasted longer (less changing) and used less electricity. CFLs, as they're known, cost more than old-style incandescent bulbs, but they last longer, use far less electricity, save everyone's' money in the long run and reduce greenhouse gases.
Small changes by LOTS of people make a difference.
We felt good about our switchover.

Shouting "AL GORE!"
Old habits die hard, and though we'd switched to energy efficient light bulbs, we still would leave them on for no reason.
Leaving the lights on in a room or hallway not being utilized is wasteful and expensive.
I wanted to get my husband's attention.
One day I shouted "Al Gore!" as I turned off the hallway light.
My husband came running- "What did you say?"
"Al Gore!" I said, "You left the hallway light on. Al Gore. Let's not be wasteful"
All I got back was a smirk.
But soon, it became a household routine.
"Al Gore! The kitchen light is on." "Al Gore!" When I found a door to the garage ajar, letting in cold air.
"Al Gore!" When i found the heat turned up too high.
Our "Al Gore!" reminder inevitably led to a reduction of our electrical use, and lowered our electric bill.
We are demanding less from our electrical co-op now too.

There are many other small changes we are making in our home to help the planet.
Shouting "Al Gore!" is a reminder of the impact we make in our home and in our lives.


Enjoy Organic India's Premier Organic Teas and Supplements. Shop Now!

        

Unusual Location
My brother purchased a condo in north western NJ many years ago.
It's on a golf course on top of a beautiful cliff with a quarry lake at the bottom.
It was a brand new development, and he was one of the very first investors and homeowners to move in.
Since the community was small at first, he made friends quickly and a bond formed between all of them.
I was part of it because I worked for the developer part time.

People Ask for What They Want
After he moved in, he mentioned that he wanted something to put on his bare walls.
He said that some of the homeowners were going to have photographs or paintings done of the surrounding
homes and golf course, which he thought was a great idea. I concurred.
But I never got around to taking the photos...

Busy Lives
Many years past, and my brother only put up a few items on his walls, and left the rest mostly bare.
He's a bachelor and decorating wasn't a priority - getting a good tee time was!
So, he ended up with a few golf posters and one Redskins poster up on his wall, and one very 80's photo
of some salad that officially made it a 'homey kitchen."
(Yes, it was sad...)

Happy Birthday
Well, a big birthday of his was approaching...I'm not going to mention how many candles hit his cake that year, but the fire department was on standby. Trying to think of what I could get the "man who has everything," I stopped to really think about what he'd actually ever asked for. Then I remembered the comments about photos for his condo walls. I grabbed my camera and ran out to take shots right way of his condo area, the clubhouse, the cliffs, the quarry lake and the golf course.

One of the photos I gave my brother on his birthday. View from my brother's condo in northern NJ. (Yes, it's really New Jersey!)

Photo Package
Well, I went kind of overboard. I ended up with about 10 prints which I loved. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a ton of nice frames and framed each and every one. He had quite a few presents to open that day! "Oh...yet ANOTHER photo of my condo area...!!!!" he shouted, to roars of laughter from family and friends. In the end, he ended up liking 2 or 3 of them very much. (The one above met his criteria!) He liked them mostly because they were personal. It related to him and his life.

All of the photos are now hanging in his condo.
Guess if you wait a while, and have a lot of patience, you finally can get what you ask for!