For bagel junkies, it’s a good idea to have a bagel slicer on hand in your kitchen. Trust me, it’s way safer than wielding a bread knife first thing in the morning. One of my favorites is the Bagelpod, which is a handy little gadget that can make slicing your bagels a breeze. Unlike traditional slicers, this one doesn’t scrape the tasty toppings off your bagel. Instead, the Bagelpod’s side covers, which are hinged at the bottom, close in gently around the bagel. The slicing system uses two blades that counter rotate to make perfect, even cuts.

Then I saw these products by Southwest Specialty Products being promoted at the International Home & Housewares Show. Mind you, they may not be the sexiest looking decor accessories, but boy are they clever! The company makes diversion safes, taking common objects like soda cans,  garage and cleaning products, or books, and turns them into secret places to hide your valuables. Cash, jewelry, your office stash of Jolly Ranchers…whatever floats your boat. Just open up the secret compartment, hide your goodies inside and set it someplace in plain view. A snooper would never expect to find something valuable inside a can of Arizona iced tea, except for caffeine, of course!

The classic French press pot is one of the best—and easiest—ways to brew the perfect cup of coffee. The press pot is simple in design: a metal or glass cylinder, a screen filter, and a lid. To make it, I place coffee grounds into the container (two tablespoons or so for each six ounces of water), pour in the amount of hot water needed, and watch it brew. Stirring or swirling the container helps the grounds and water combine quickly. After a few minutes, you insert the filter and press down, which separates the grounds from the water.

A pretty press pot makes the whole morning ritual a bit more civilized, as I stand in my robe and slippers in the kitchen. The Bodum Eileen Press is stylish option. It was conceived in honor of the great designer Eileen Gray, who was a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture, and was inspired by the cafes of Paris. The Eileen press has an easy-grip, santoprene-coated, square handle, ensuring safe and convenient handling at all times. A solid stainless steel frame protects the glass jug from bumps, but does not conceal the freshly brewed coffee inside.

I love the simplicity of Teaposy’s Juliet Coffee/Tea Press. For maximum heat retention, the pot features an innovative double-walled clear glass design that will keep your coffee or tea piping hot with an insulating layer of air. It holds 16 ounces of coffee or tea and is made of 20 percent recycled material.

Alessi’s Cactus Press has been around for a few years, but I’ve always admired its clever punched stainless steel decoration. It holds 24 ounces of coffee.

Hidden Message Collar Stays

In middle school, it was all about the dance. I’d shop at 5-7-9 for some satin or lace dress in red or pink. Gussied up in Bonnie Bell chapstick, my friends and I would wait near the bleachers until some “cool” boys would ask us to dance. We were waiting a long time.

I’m all grown up now, and I realize that Valentine’s Day isn’t about waiting around for your date to make the first move. It’s nice to find a silly, romantic gift to share with your loved one. For my husband, I’m thinking about these secret message collar stays. This set of 12 stays come with six each of two sizes, 2-1/2″ and 2-3/4″. They say cute things like “You’re so handsome,” “You make me laugh,” and “You keep me warm.” Bonus: they come all wrapped up in a black leather carrying case lined with red faux suede. Oo la la!

Free Shipping Day Today!

If ever there was a good time to order last-minute Christmas gifts, today IS IT! Over 700 stores are offering amazing free shipping deals today, with guaranteed delivery by Christmas. Check out the list here and don’t miss out!

Sony Bravia LCD TV 1080p 52 in. $1147.99

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Edition $49.99

Elle Sweater $21.99 plus get xtra 15% with code TURKEY15 at Kohl's

Apple's One-Day Sale Today!! iPod nano $138

Nikon Coolpix L20 10megapixel Camera $96.95

Nikon Coolpix digital camera in deep red seem to be on sale everywhere right now. At Buydig, you can get a great bundle too that includes the camera, the case, 2GB of memory, and more for only $117.94!

If you were anywhere around a movie theater last night or today, you probably saw an interminable line of teenage girls (and some boys and adult women too) for the new Twilight: New Moon movie premiere. It’s the second movie in the entire Twilight trilogy based on the book by Stephenie Meyer and it is probably one of 2009’s biggest movies, sweeping the nation by storm a la Harry Potter. Ok, that’s hyperbole, but you know what I mean. The kids are going crazy for it — so crazy that brands are starting to align themselves with the movie, creating Twilight-themed clothing, jewelry, beauty products, and more.

This, of course, makes it very simple for you to find the perfect gift for that Twilight fan in your life.  Nordstrom, for example launched an entire Twilight: New Moon line of clothing, cosmetics, and jewelry that’s…well, to die for. Check out this chunky charm bracelet from Nordstrom’s Brass Plum line:

Twilight Charm Bracelet

And for those fans that want to slumber soundly at the thought of a dreamy Edward Cullen, check out this Twilight Trio Pack — it includes a fleece blanket, a tote, and a throw pillow. Plus you get a free New Moon bracelet with any purchase of $30 or more!

Twilight Trio Pack ,$29.99

Plus check out these other Twilight movie gift ideas:

Twilight Wallet,$19.99

Twilight Lip Venom, $16.99

Twilight New Moon Movie Poster, sale $9.95

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Shop Twilight board games, collectors dolls, and other Twilight toys

Football season is upon us! If you’re an avid NFL, college ball or high school football fan, you’re probably figuring out how to roast up a few burgers or brats before or after the big game.

At just 18-inches tall and weighing in at only 20 pounds, the portable propane M-iGrill from Gastar is part grill and part MP3 player. It has 8,500 BTUs and 14 inches of cooking surface, which is enough grilling space for five burgers, or several chicken breasts. Both the cooking surface and the drip pan are dishwasher-safe, making cleanup at home easy after the game. The grill uses a 1-pound disposable tank of propane.

The sound system on this baby includes two powerful speakers and works with an iPod or other MP3 player, and the adapter is included. The speakers and amplifier are powered by a 110v power cord (included) or 4 AA batteries (not included). Choose from red, white, black or silver. At just $129, what’s not to like?

The challenge: fit nine months worth of clothes, decor, entertainment and (of course!) study aids into a tiny room (the average size for a dorm with two beds is 12×19 feet), and many will share that space with a roommate.

As part of their off-to-college shopping frenzy, freshman spend quite a bit of time and money decorating their dorm rooms. It’s part of the post-high-school makeover process, and how coeds outfit their personal space will speak volumes about who they are and where they want to go. My 17-year-old stepkids, who are twins, head off to different colleges this year. Our boy is going out of state and lucked out with a single dorm in a brand new building right in the middle of campus. He’s after the ultimate bachelor pad (oh dear). Our girl is staying closer to home and will live in a circa-1970s dorm with a roommate. We’re going to have to work extra hard to transform that cinder block room into a palace!

No matter what your dorm circumstances, there are a few must-haves that can make any room feel more like home. Check with your college office of residential life to see what’s allowed, and then SHOP your way to the ultimate dorm room!

Haier 1.8 Cubic Foot Refrigerator

Emerson 900-Watt Microwave

Lite Source Flower Mosaic Desk Lamp

Karen Rhodes Ultra Slim Anti-Slip Hangers

Blue Chenille 4x6 Shag Rug--just $69.99!

Cool Ice Beverage Molds, $15.99

It’s over 90 degrees here today and I am literally melting. That’s why I’m longing for a cold, thirst-quenching glass of lemonade to sip poolside.

Imagine my excitement when I discovered Cool Ice cocktail glass molds! Made of food-grade silicone, you can use these molds again and again to make fabulous icy beverage glasses. Just fill the mold with water and set it in the freezer to chill. Once frozen, the glasses are perfect for sipping lemonade, iced tea, juice or a fruity cocktail. Each mold makes two icy 7-ounce drinking glasses at a time. Yes, they will melt as you drink your beverage, but I just love the idea of keeping my hands cool while I hydrate. Novel summertime fun!

It probably boils down to thoughtfulness. I’m love to cook and don’t mind providing an endless supply of clean towels. If you’re staying longer than 3 days, however, it’s nice when guests chip in and help with the dishes.

Luckily, most of my guests are great to have around. We laugh, cook together and feel sad when it’s time to say goodbye. They’re not pilfering stuff from my medicine cabinet or hogging the television remote!

Then there’s the guest horror stories. Recently a certain guest left a pile of sopping wet towels on my guest room bed. Yes, I have to wash the sheets anyway, but now I have to let the mattress air dry, too. And then there was the married couple who can’t sleep in the same bed because the husband snores. So he sleeps on the sofa and keeps the rest of us up all night. Joy!

One of the most thoughtful gestures any guest can do is to bring a little token of appreciation. If you’re one of those people who love to bring people little gifts, SHOP.COM has lots of adorable options that will make you and your host happy!

First there were Tickle-Me-Elmos, then there were Webkinz – now, I think I’m going to have to go ahead and say that the cutest IT gadget is the Mimobot USB. Mimobot USBs are created by a company called Mimoco, who launched their “Designer Mimobot USB flash drives” in 2005. They’re a Boston design house that specializes in merging functional personal data storage devices with cool, contemporary characters and is a big player in the Art Toy underground movement.

Recently, Mimoco released their brand new Star Wars line of USB Flash Drives, and while I might usually balk at spending more than $15 on a flash drive, I gotta say, these are worth the spend. After all, who’s going to lose a Princess Leia flash drive, right?

Mimobot designer drives come in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB file sizes and in a variety of styles that range from the newly released Star Wars characters to the fashion brand Tokidoki for Mimobot. Check them out soon, Boba Fett is already sold out and Luke Skywalker and Darth Sidious are in low stock!

May the flash be with you!!

Shop Mimobot Designer USB Flash Drives now

I’m usually the go-to person for gifts and gift ideas in our family, so I’m always on the hunt for fresh finds. If your mom is one of those people who has everything, the stakes are even higher. How do you find a gift that will wow the stilettos off of a gal who has it all? Go for the unexpected. Buy them something she would never buy for herself. In this case, I’m thinking a gift that could be relaxing, “aww”-inducing  or fun. Something that might inspire laughter, a walk down memory lane, or a spontaneous gathering. Here are some ideas:

I really, really love aprons. I think they’re fun to wear, keep you mess-free while doing the dishes, and come in a lot of fashionable and fun prints, like the Diva Delights version from the Fashionista series shown above (call me a cat lady but it has funky cute cats all over it). But would my mother love an apron for Mother’s Day? I don’t know, but here’s my guess: Negative.

It can be a tough call when it comes to Mother’s Day — after all, perhaps Mom’s been complaining about needing a new dishwasher or fancy new cookware. But does that mean you should buy it for her, as a gift? My policy is to never get my mother gifts that inspire images and remind her the domestic part of her life…unless it’s something really, really cool. I love these new Aerogardens that are all the rage right now — they’re utilitarian, pleasant to look at, and a gift that’s just plain hard to get mad at. Take the Roomba for instance.  I’ve been seeing it all over the place on Mother’s Day Gift Guide lists, and while they’re really amazing, a Red Roomba still a Roomba, isn’t it? Which is still a vacuum?

Or what about these designer rubber gloves:

I mean, they’re very fashionable (and really cute), but does the giver of these deserved to get slapped with them by Mom?

Sigh. Who knows. Perhaps you should just call it a day and get her The Wine Rack to make life easier. (Just kidding Mom!)

Who’s watching American Idol tonight? If you’re an American Idol regular, then you’ve probably seen judge Paula Abdul and perhaps have even noticed that sometimes, well, she’s sparkling from SO MUCH BLING! Coincidentally, she has her very own jewelry line as well and has even flashed it every now and then during the show. (OK, once, last month, when a contestant was wearing a piece from her line.)

Paul Abdul’s line of jewelry is called “Forever Your Girl”,  just like the song we all know and love, and can be almost exclusively found on the Home Shopping Network. Paula Abdul on the Home Shopping Network? Yes, it’s true. She’s even appeared on the channel to showcase her jewelry — who knew? I didn’t!

Anyhow, her jewelry is super-affordable and very empowering — she’s got a “Reach for the Stars”, “Take Your Breath Away”, and “Her” lines which are really inspiring. Let’s hope that her pieces are always as sparkling as her personality! Straight up now tell me — do you love her jewelry or don’t ya?

Shop Paula Abdul’s FYG jewelry line

Seriously, someone actually wrote that in my high school yearbook. Well, they wrote, “May your summer be long and useful, like a roll of toilet paper.” I guess that’s a bit different.

So I’m an open-minded person, but I really can’t imagine why anyone would buy a roll of Valentine’s Toilet Paper. I mean, it’s cute and all, but is that really the best way to say “I love you”? Really, the message you’re sending seems to be, “your bottom is wiped with love.” But maybe that’s the message that people buying this toilet paper would be going for? Who knows.

Anyhow, Valentine’s Day is approaching, and although we’re in a recession, I can’t help but find a lot of what’s out there for V-Day to be pretty cute. I really love this heart-shaped waffle maker, I think it’s a fantastic idea to make someone heart shaped waffles and totally utilitarian too.

And although it’s pretty cheesy, I kind of like the idea behind personalized Valentine’s Day fortune cookies like this one from 1-800-Flowers. It’s cheesy but edible, so you can forget about how kitschy the gift was in a few days while you’re digesting.

What’s the best Valentine’s Day gift you’ve ever gotten? Please share…

Shop Valentine’s Day gifts

The only way to shave

Let’s face it, men are the hardest to buy for. I’m always at a loss of what to get my husband, my dad and my brother-in-laws. The usuals–a tie, shirt or sweater–are getting old, and not to mention, kind of useless. Those gifts seem to get pushed into dark corners of a drawer or closet, waiting to make an appearance only when the other stuff starts to look seedy (which could be years from now).

So in a quest to get something useful, I turned to grooming. I’ve always thought the old-fashioned, brush-on shave seems more fitting for the Mad Men generation than today. But I’m determined to find something unusual this season, so I’m hoping I can convince my husband (who embraces shaving with as much enthusiasm as taking out the garbage) to be as dapper as Don Draper. Enter the Art of Shaving Starter Set. It’s basically a two week trial period, complete with a pre-shave oil, shaving cream, brush and after shave balm, that will hopefully transform my sick-of-shaving husband into a grooming guru. Plus, I love the scents–sandalwood, lemon or lavender–though, my guy would probably be more into the unscented set. For $25, it’s a worth a try, and beats the “Oh another tie!” expression. Art of Shaving “The Four Elements of the Perfect Shave”, $25.

Macy’s one-day sale today is amazing, you’ve really got to check it out. Tons of Kenneth Cole shoes on sale, tons of really amazing dresses on sale, and lots of handbags & clutches like this one from Fossil on sale for $27. I would DEFINITELY start your holiday shopping TODAY at Macy’s…this one-day sale is unbelievable!

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PowerMusic 5-in-1 MP3 Player + 128MB Flash Drive $42.99

by: ss_shopgirl

I’m a child of the 80s, so I’m about to make an anachronistic reference: Remember Pee Wee’s Playhouse? Remember the Secret Word of the Day? Well these days it seems like the (not-so) Secret Word of the Day is: Economy. I can’t go 5 minutes without hearing about it. At lunch today, while my colleague was talking about how bad the economy was, someone walked by saying the word at the exact same time.

We know it and we hate it: The economy is bad right now. Almost makes shopping seem completely irrelevant.

Almost.

I was reading this article today about how people will be buying smaller ticket items for holiday gifts this year, especially in electronics and gadgets. I totally agree, and think it’s actually a bit better this way, because maybe that’ll mean people will watch a little less TV, play a few hours less of video games, and spend a little less time on the computer. (I know, wishful thinking.) But at least maybe in shoppers’ quest to search for cheap gadget gifts for the holidays, they’ll get a little more creative. 

I decided to see what I could find and I think these are my favorite gadget gifts under $50:

Apple iPod Shuffle $49
Cobra Digital Squeeze Camera sale: $17.99
Sakar Spiderman Digital Camera Keychain sale: $17.99
PowerMusic 5-in-1 MP3 Player + 128MB Flash Drive $42.99
Wi-Fi Detecting shirt (yes, it detects Wi-Fi in the area!) $29.99
Photokinz Cow Marbles Huggable Digital Photo Frame $14.99

Estee Lauder

by: ss_shopgirl
Everywhere I turn, I hear people exclaiming, “Oh my gosh it’s almost October!” It seems that somewhere along the way, summer has passed most of us by, only to be so rudely replaced with an entirely new, and usually colder, season.

This of course means many things to many people, but to those of us who are even slightly vain, it means switching up our moisturizers and adding some renewal products to our regimen.

I’m not one to douse myself in tons of cremes and gels and scents — I prefer $2 home made avocado masks to $80 Lancome masks myself, but there is one ritzy skincare brand that I swear by, and that’s Estee Lauder. I have the fortune of having a friend who works part time at the Macy’s makeup counter, and once she gave me some Estee Lauder products as a gift — and that was it, I was HOOKED!

I especially love their eye creams, and the newest eye cream that they’ve just created — Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme – definitely takes the cake. If you can afford the $100/.5 oz, I definitely recommend you check this out. And this one boasts a special “Youth Molecule” that’s supposed to double the survival rate of skin cells.

Get some friends together, chip in $20 each, and try it out!

I think it used to be a bad idea, but the way they’re making some of these appliances and gadgets today really make these items pretty desireable. Take a look at this new line of global print aprons from Cost Plus World Market. Each apron is printed with iconography from a different culture and is basically wearable art. Which makes it ok to give as a gift, right? And if you’re a man giving this as a gift, I’m sure there are some “creative” ways you can pull off giving this to her that will make her feel really great. You know what I mean.

Turkish Tile Apron	Japanese Toile Apron
Paradise Bird Apron	Red Royalty Apron
Misaki Apron

Shop aprons at SHOP.COM