Gifts Galore Day TWENTY!

Marquise Twig Ring

Bittersweet's Famous Letter Ring

New York Bittersweets Rings ($$$)

     I think this is my first splurge I've posted to date. Looking for jewelry for your sweetheart but want something unique? New York Bittersweet has the prettiest rings I've ever seen on the web by far, with some really interesting designs.

     Their monogrammed and letter rings are gorgeous, and come in a variety of metals and finishes. The rings are available in yellow gold, white gold, rose, gold, and silver. You can also choose a shiny or matte finish. And some rings have the option of an "antiqued" finish as well. The rings come in ALL sizes, including half and quarter sizes. The letter options include caps, lowercase, and cursive.

     The letter/monogrammed rings are simple, elegant, understated and delicate. Bittersweets also has a wedding line that is unbelievable. Some designs include a band shaped like a lily, with a diamond nestled with the petals, and an engagement ring cast from a real twig. Gorgeous.

Check out New York Bittersweets here for all of their styles and prices.

Gifts Galore Day NINETEEN!

Stila: Dream in Full Color Palette

Stila 'Dream in Full Color Palette' ($$)

     Yes, this ANOTHER makeup palette. But this one is really pretty, you can't even deny it. This set includes a whopping 29 eyeshadows, seven cheek colours, a smudge liner and a 12-page instructional booklet that teaches you how to master different looks like a pro. All for only about $40 CAD!

     Stila designed the palette to look like a dreamcatcher with the colours of a kaleidoscope, embodying a dream-like feel.

     The palette is super easy to use, just follow the lines from the outside of the palette to the inside to use the perfect shades that compliment each other. The palette gives you countless options that will take you from a day look to a night look. This palette makes a great gift for any makeup lover of any skill level in your life.

Buy Stila 'Dream in Full Color' Palette here

Gifts Galore Day EIGHTEEN!

Martha Stewart Pets Marled Sweater w/Hood

Martha Stewart Pets Marled Sweater w/ Hood ($)

      I know you've all seen them walking down the street, and you just can't help but feel bad: dogs dressed in ridiculous outfits. It's always a no no. Just no. No respectable dog can be happy wearing a skirt. But this is Canada, and it's freaking cold in the Winter. And despite being furry, your pets feel the cold too. Plus we can't forget about our four-legged friends at Christmastime.

     This marled sweater designed by our favourite criminal homemaker, Martha Stewart, is actually gorgeous. I love the soft plum colour, it's perfect for the winter. It has a sweet little hood. It has fashionable wooden buttons all the way down the front so you don't have to struggle to get it on your pup. And it even has an opening in the back where you can hook your leash to the collar with ease. It also comes in a variety of sizes so it fits mutts of all kinds. Oh and it's machine washable because it's a blend of acrylic, cotton and polyester. Are you sold yet?

     At only about $17 CAD, this sweater is the perfect gift for your dog who wants to keep their dignity AND keep warm this winter. Good owner.

Buy Martha Stewart Pets Marled Sweater w/ Hood online here

     

Gifts Galore Day SEVENTEEN!

Korres Tropical Holidays Set

 

 

Korres "Tropical Holidays" Mini Gift Set ($$)

      Today's gift is another great stocking stuffer. Korres' "Tropical Holidays" mini gift set is the perfect little treat to take your mind off of this bitter winter we're about to have. This trio of guava body butter, coconut body milk, and mango shower gel smells so heavenly you'll feel like you're on a tropical vacation. 

     I just need to brag about Korres a little bit. I swear by their body butter. Korres products are between 96-100% natural and are created in a pharmacy in Greece. I love knowing I'm not putting harsh chemicals onto my body that could cause ill effects down the road. The Guava Body Butter smells so freaking good I want to gnaw my arm off sometimes. I'm crazy I know. It smells sweet and fruity without being too strong and it definitely does not smell artificial. And it's SO moisturizing. I never ever ever get chapped skin in the winter when I use this stuff. It's still great in the summer too. Not too greasy while still intensely moisturizing. 

     Korres Shower Gel is great as well. It lathers nicely with the perfect amount of bubbles and gets you squeaky clean without making your skin tight and dry like some harsh soaps. It's actually quite moisturizing. It leaves your skin smelling great when you get out of the shower, too.

     At only 18 bucks, this is a perfect way to try out some great Korres products without spending a fortune.

Buy Korres "Tropical Holidays" mini gift set here

Gifts Galore Day SIXTEEN!

Cranberry Joy Heatable Hand Warmers

The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Heatable Hand Warmers ($)

     Sometimes stockings are the hardest part of Christmas shopping. Nobody wants to buy crap, and nobody wants to open a stocking full of crap. However, no one wants to spend a fortune on stocking gifts, either. This year, The Body Shop is my stocking stuffer sanctuary.

    These Cranberry Joy Heatable Hand Warmers are an awesome stocking stuffer for Mom, sis, or your girlfriend. Whoever. These two little microwavable hearts are filled with beans and seeds that retain heat long-term to keep your fingers warm. 

     Just heat them up for 8 seconds on a medium power setting, and pop them in your pockets. Instant cozy warmth on a cold Canadian winter morning! They are covered in soft fleece and release a subtle and comforting cranberry scent when heated. So sweet.

     At only $8 CAD, they are a unique, practical and affordable little stocking stuffer! 

   Check out The Body Shop's other stocking stuffers here!

Buy Cranberry Joy Heatable Hand Warmers online here

Gifts Galore Day FIFTEEN!

PetSmart Adoptions - My kitten Ellie!

PetSmart Adoption ($$)

      Today's gift is one that truly keeps on giving. If you're thinking about getting a pet this holiday season, please consider adopting from PetSmart. Almost every PetSmart has an adoption centre full of cats (and dogs on weekends!) that need forever homes. 

     A few months ago I was visiting a PetSmart in Whitby when I fell in love with a little half-Siamese kitten I happened to see while passing their adoption centre. A few days later my boyfriend and I went to go get her and bring her home. Her name is Ellie and she was 12 weeks old when we rescued her. She was dropped off in front of PetSmart in a cardboard box with her two brothers one early chilly morning, all alone. Fortunately PetSmart fostered her until I scooped her up and brought her home.

     PetSmart animals are about $100 CAD to adopt and come vaccinated, and sometimes chipped and/or spayed depending on the age of the animal. Also when you adopt, they send you home with free kitty litter and a big bag of food. Not a bad price for a new family addition that will provide you unconditional love!

Gifts Galore Day FOURTEEN!

Cabbage Patch Kids "Surprise Newborn"

Cabbage Patch Kids "Surprise Newborn" ($)

     Yay! Another gift for kids! This one is a good one though because it's perfect to give a little girl who isn't old enough for Barbie but is too old for a Glo Worm. Today's great gift idea is Cabbage Patch Kids "Surprise Newborn."

     Who hasn't owned a Cabbage Patch Kid in their life? These things are adorable, chubby-cheeked little classics that can never go out of style no matter how much you might want them too. I really think this particular series is fantastic, because I really like the "surprise" aspect of this doll. 

     Basically, the doll comes all bundled up in some cabbage leaves which hides the gender of the baby. When opened, the gender is revealed! A blue diaper means a boy, and a pink diaper means it's a girl (Duh?). The girl baby has hair and the boy baby is bald. The Surprise Newborn comes with a baby bottle, a surprise outfit that corresponds with the gender, and a birth certificate including the baby's unique birth date and name.

     The Surprise Newborn's come in a variety of ethnicities, with varying eye colours, hair colours, and skin colours. I think they're a perfect doll to give in today's diverse society. I've been very frustrated with the amount of blonde haired blue eyed babies out there, and these dolls actually break the stereotype. I was fortunate enough to find one with lightly tanned skin and brown eyes to give to my boyfriends niece. Yay!

     The Cabbage Patch Kids Surprise Newborn retails for $29.99 CAD at Toys R Us. I know they had a crazy sale where it was 50% for $14.99 CAD about a week ago, which is a steal.

     Buy Cabbage Patch Kids Surprise Newborn online here

Gifts Galore Day THIRTEEN!

2012 Heart & Stroke Lottery Calendar

2012 Heart & Stroke Lottery Calendar ($)

     What's better than donating to a great cause AND having a chance to win a lot of money? Yeah, I couldn't think of anything either. Today's gift is the 2012 Heart & Stroke Calendar Lottery. You literally can't go wrong with this one. Anyone can appreciate the gift of a chance to win big bucks. You buy a calendar and you help support Heart & Stroke research. Boom.

    You can order the calendar in a few ways:

1) Online: here 

2) Phone: 

416-514-7767 ext. 50 or 1-888-514-7767 ext. 50 

 3) Mail: 

Heart&Stroke Calendar Lottery

PO Box 42355 STN BRM B

Toronto ON, M7Y 7J1

     The Heart & Stroke Foundation will then mail you your 32-page calendar along with your Official Calendar Lottery Number. Then, you must write your lottery number on the designated area in the calendar for easy reference. 

     Every day from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 there will be 3 prizes of $5,000 dollars to be won! There are also weekly prizes of $10,000 every Friday, a $100,000 prize  at the end of each month, and $25,000 every month as a holiday prize! The odds are pretty damn good, especially because this calendar is for Ontario residents ONLY (Sorry!) :D 
   
     So go on, get ordering! At $25 CAD it makes a great gift for anyone, and you should even buy this one for yourself.

Gifts Galore Day TWELVE!

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Gift Set

Jean Paul Gaultier "Le Male" Gift Set ($$)

     Today's gift is for the MAN in your life...If you couldn't tell already by the shape of the cologne bottle. "Le Male" is my favourite smelling cologne of all time. It's been on the market for over a decade and it still a top selling scent. This gift set includes a 4.2oz Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.6oz of Shower Gel, and 1oz of Soothing After Shave Balm.

     It suits every man, and every personality of man. You know how some fragrances smell different on different people? A fragrance on one person can smell great and that same fragrance on another can smell terrible...This smells great on EVERYONE. Seriously. 

     The undertones of the fragrance are wormwood, bergamot, cardamom, lavender, orange blossom, cinnamon, cumin, wood, musk, amber, vanilla, and tonka bean. The overall result is warm, fresh scent with a hint of musk and the perfect amount of sweetness. If I was a dude, I'd wear this every day.

   This would make a great gift for your boyfriend as it might be a little bit too suggestive to give your Dad (so make your Mom buy it for him!) At $79 CAD, this is a really great price for the trio of Le Male products. However this particular set is only offered online.

     If you want to take a good whiff of this scent before you buy, hit up your local department store because they're guaranteed to have it. 

Buy Jean Paul Gaultier "Le Male" Gift Set online here 

Gifts Galore Day ELEVEN!

Indigo Down Slippers - Amethyst/Steel

Indigo Holiday Throw - Grey Dusk/Winter White

Indigo Down Slippers and Holiday Throw ($$)

     Today I am featuring two gifts from Indigo - Down Slippers and a Holiday Throw. Pair these two items and give them to Grandma and I promise you, you'll be her favourite grandchild forever.

     These slippers aren't just any ordinary slippers. They are down-filled with premium duck feathers. They feature an incredibly soft plush lining. The slippers come in Seagrass (cream), Steel (grey), and Amethyst (light purple), and the cuffs fold down in a fashionable way that reveals the pretty lining. It is impossible to slip in these slippers as they have a lightly treaded sole. These slippers are awesome, and keep your feet at the perfect temperature. The down ensures your feet will be cozy, warm and comfortable, but not all hot and sweaty. At $34.50 CAD, they are a great investment for your tootsies. 

     Now onto the Holiday Throw...I love this blanket. Don't be surprised if you see me at work cuddling this thing behind cash. It is a reversible throw made of soft, plush polyester. On one side, the plush is longer, and the other side has more of a suede feel. It is the softest blanket I have ever touched. The Holiday Throw comes in Dusk Grey and Winter White. It is plenty nice and big too, at 5 feet by 4 feet in dimension. This blanket retails for $79.99 CAD, but if you spend over $50 CAD at any Indigo store you can purchase it for only $30 CAD. Sweet!

Buy Indigo Down Slippers online here

Buy Indigo Holiday Throw online here