Internet Shop Girl

Are you done with wrapping those gifts yet? Or are you still doing some last minute Christmas errands and gift-wrapping?

I turn to Martha Stewart for tips on some of those last-minute preparations. Some of it include the following below.

• To make gift wrapping less hectic, buy a variety of papers in a beautiful palette that works with any ribbon you choose.
• To distinguish identically wrapped presents, vary the color, width, and texture of the ribbons.
• Gift tags aren’t necessary if each family member is assigned a different color wrapping. Choose papers in solid hues that will complement one another and enhance the colors on your tree.
• Ribbons and tags can get crushed, so don’t add them until you’re ready to unveil your gifts.
• Using the same type of ribbon is an attractive way to unify packages wrapped in different papers.
  Save bits of ribbons, seam binding, and twine along with decorative fruit, silk leaves, and miniature Christmas ornaments for adorning packages.
• Gift tags are all the sweeter when they happen to be crisp cookies. To make them, cut gingerbread dough into shapes or letters, punch with a small hole for threading with cord, and bake. The cookies can be eaten while the unwrapping takes place, or hung on a tree as ornaments.
• Decorate with a familiar face (or many of them). Print or copy a photo onto heavyweight paper. Then wrap the package with a wide band of ribbon. Using double-sided tape, secure the photo to ribbon. You can use the photos to identify the giver or the getter, or attach one favorite photo to all your presents.

Or follow these steps from this video:

Have a happy holiday!

Last month, Amazon.com introduced their newest packaging system, when it sent out this letter to all of their online customers.

This move is now being followed by other online sites like Best Buy and Sony Microsoft. They, too, are gearing up for a more user-friendly, environmentally-sound packaging.

In fact, this video release will show how much committed they are to this new cause.

I for one am very pleased to know this. Most online shoppers are aware of how rigid unwrapping packages are, especially gadgets.

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Sony’s has recently released a batch on Microvault USB Flash Drive with some of our favorite blockbuster movies pre-loaded in it. The choices though are limited, as there are only three types. Although I like the idea of Sony doing this, which will hopefully be something we’d see more of in the future.

One drive has Thriller: 25th Anniversary Edition, Michael Jackson’s best-selling album ever, and the other two include movies like The Da Vinci Code and Men in Black.

The USB drive has a 2 GB of storage capacity, but you can also purchase anywhere form 4GB to 16GB capacity. It works well with file transferring from one unit to the other; be it pictures, music, videos and data file. The drive is compatible with Windows OS only.

Price range from $19.99 (for Thriller) and $29.99 (For Da Vince Code and Men In Black) respectively.

Via SonyStyle

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Most adored Sesame Street character says that books make the best gifts. And other famous personalities like Maya Angelou, Jon Stewart, Martha Stewart, Barbara Walters, Alec Baldwin, Rachael Ray, Bill O’ Reilly, Kathy Gifford and Dan Brown all agree with him.

This video shows why these famous people think it is so —

So, what book are you giving to your friends and families? Where are you shopping for them?

• Amazon, of course, is a famous book destination.
• Abe Books also has a varied selection, including used books.
• You can easily look for any type of book you want using the Book Finder. That will make shopping a lot less of a hassle.
• For more discounts, you could also check with Half.Com

Happy book shopping!

The premiere toy store in the country, Toys “R” Us, in New York City, has announced it will keep flexible shopping hours this holiday season.

Beginning December 19th, the store will be open from six in the morning up to eight in the evening. This is to provide shoppers with continuous shopping experience and availability through the busy Christmas rush.

This is also so that last minute shoppers will have plenty of time to complete their Christmas list this year.

• “We want to be sure our customers have enough time to select the perfect gift for the children on their lists this holiday season,” said Mindy Clements, general manager of Toys “R” Us Times Square. Via

The store has one of the widest inventory of popular toys like Elmo Live in the country.

So, alright…you have all those Christmas stockings but nothing to hang and secure them with? These Christmas hooks will save the day —

They are from the wonderful site, Spoon Sisters, and they cost about $11 each. The hooks, which can take up to 15 pounds of stocking stuff, got that lovely Christmas color in them, too!

• ….and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care…WAIT…how were they hung…hopefully one of these “sock hooks” was there! Simple in design, these “hangers” balance on mantel or shelf and are the ideal solution for hanging Christmas stockings. Handmade in the USA of durable Maine hardwood. Hook will hold up to 15 pounds. Comes in green and red.

I can honestly say shopping for gifts is not at all fun this year. And I know a few friends who have been foregoing gift shopping and haven’t been completing their Christmas list yet. The stores in the mall aren’t also as crowded as before. It’s just hard for everybody, I suppose. No one is on a shopping mood and that’s hard to understand for most women who make shopping their therapy.

As a result, many stores are either closing down or are going the extra mile just to encourage shoppers to spend on their merchandise.

But according to this article from WWD, the men’s department doesn’t seem to have this problem. In fact, out of all the other merchandise in stores today, it’s the one thing that’s actually picking up in sales.

• Men’s wear is a surprising holiday performer — relatively speaking, at least. While men’s may not be the savior retailers need to salvage the dismal season, it’s managing to outperform other merchandise categories for most large stores. “It’s less worse by half,” noted David Fisher, executive vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s wear for Bloomingdale’s. The relative strength of men’s apparel is an aberration that has come as a surprise to most merchants. In past economic downturns, men’s has traditionally been the first purchase consumers delay. And with the recession decimating the male-oriented financial sector — through October, 130,000 financial jobs had been eliminated this year, according to CNNMoney.com — it would be logical to assume men’s wear would take a major hit. But instead, stores report that men’s is holding its own, although the sector, like most this season, has been highly promotional. Britt Beamer, founder and chairman of America’s Research Group, said men’s wear “essentials,” such as dress shirts, are doing well this season. “Consumers are in survival mode,” he said. Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation, said that during the holiday season, the reluctant male shopper finally hits the stores, giving men’s wear categories a boost. With business as sluggish as it has been this year, the uptick is more evident this time around, he believes.

Have men began to see shopping as therapy too?

Thinking of gifting someone who is a known wood expert, a carver, an architect or something along those lines?

This would make a great gift for them. It’s a collection of wood samples of different types of trees. They can compare colors, textures and grains using this.

Just don’t make the mistake of giving this to tree lovers though.

$110 Via Nova68 Modern Design

This seems to be something kids can play with more than a cleaning agent.

These sponges are cut and shaped into rooms in the house, so that one doesn’t forget which sponge goes to what item when cleaning. The sponges are color-coded as well.

This product is actually designed by Scotch Brite, I’m sure you’re familiar with it. Many households use a Scotch Brite product one way or another.

• At the time of its 50 years, the mark Scotch tape-Brite™ presents “the sponge House”, a set of cleaning created by the 5.5 Designers. Everyone is one day asked whether the sponge which it was using were well intended with use which it was making some. With this set of cleaning, doubtful confusions do not exist any more. Each sponge functions as a pictogram which identifies and recalls us what it must clean. The variety of the matters and colors Brite the Scotch tape are thus revealed in this sponge collection thought for all the uses: the green fluo for the sink, blue for the bath-tub, it pink for the WC, orange for the crockery and the green for the pans. Into rupture with the code of traditional rectangular sponge, these new forms change the statute of sponge to make of them genuine accessories of house which take seat in each part of the habitat.

It is only sold in France, but we’re hoping it becomes available worldwide.

Admittedly, this is the first time I’ve heard of a shoe clip and I don’t think I’m appalled at the idea. The clips work like hair clips in that they are something you add to a plain shoe for design, color and effect. In other words, it something that makes shoes extra pretty.

The Shoe Clips may be purchased for $25 a pair at Absolutely Audrey. The site carry different styles grouped into different categories: vintage, chic and bridal.

Below are more samples…

So tell me what you think about it?

Designing your own Miche Bag doesn’t seem harder than it looks. First, you pick a bag. Unfortunately, they only come in two colors — black and brown. And they only come in one size. You also get to choose the handle to go with that bag. And afterwards, you then pick a shell. of which there are more than twenty designs. The designs range from girly to classic to polka dots to animal prints to pinks and every type befitting of any style and personality.

And then you check out, and pay $30 for the bag (plus shipping and handling of course). It’s that simple!

You can even order another shell (for about $24) if you would like to switch designs every now and then or to complement your outfit. What it does is offer you the option of having “plenty” of bags for a really practical price. And also — you don’t have to move the contents of your purse from one to the next.

The “shells” stick to the body via magnets. Here…watch a short demo video of how the bag works:

The Miche Bag has a custom friendly website where you can shop online.The site also caters to international clients.

Candles may be cliche gifts for the holidays, but for your last minute gift-giving rush, it’s good to have sets of this stocked up at home.

This set of five candles from the Valerie Parr Hill Collection comes in individual gift bags with tags and trinkets.

Choose from any of three types of candle batches

• Holiday Memories: candy cane-scented candle, cranberry orange-scented candle, holiday spices-scented candle, sweet cinnamon sugar-scented candle, and Christmas tree-scented candle
• Fruit Treats: orange clove muffin-scented candle, spiced pear crisp-scented candle, Grandma’s cinnamon apple pie-scented candle, fresh blueberry cobbler-scented candle, and plum walnut crumble-scented candle
• Sugar and Spice: cinnamon sticks-scented candle, spiced pecan-scented candle, orange pomander-scented candle, oatmeal raisin cookie-scented candle, and iced gingerbread-scented candle

The other two choices are meant for all-occasions. The set comes with the jar, too. The burn time for each candle is about 140 hours each.

If not intended as gifts, you can buy yourself sets and decorate your garden with these candles for Christmas. Or you can also adorn the inside of your house with it. Let it sit against mirror, in a glass vase, lined up on the staircase or in an unused fireplace….and create a very dramatic effect. Candles enhances the mood to the season. More so because it is scented, the atmosphere will look and smell even better this holiday! It’s a lovely way to commemorate and celebrate the season with family and friends with mood-enhancing scented candles.

This set of candles is available at QVC for $43.56. The wick is lead free.

The classic white shirt has been modified, updated and  done in different styles. The classic white shirt is comfortable and gives such a put-together look. It still remains one of the best selling piece of clothing among women, perhaps next to the little black dress.

Below are a selection of classic white shirts from BlueFly. Details are from their site.

BCBGMAXAZRIA white poplin ruffle front blouse retail value: $160.00 bluefly: $96.00 you save 40% Color: White Lightweight stretch cotton blend poplin Banded collar with partial button front Ruffle trim down front French cuff with goldtone cufflinks Inset ties at back Fitted shape	ADAM white poplin safari shirt retail value: $235.00 bluefly: $139.00 reduced: $109.99 you save 53% Color: White Lightweight cotton poplin Button front with spread collar Button flap chest pockets Short puff sleeve with single button cuff Contemporary fit
Chaiken white dot print ‘Camp’ blouse retail value: $238.00 bluefly: $142.00 reduced: $109.99 you save 54% Color: White Subtle dot printed woven cotton Spread collar Pearlescent button front Short sleeve with 4-button cuff Rounded hem Fitted shape	Elie Tahari white stretch poplin ‘Janay’ blouse retail value: $168.00 bluefly: $101.00 you save 40% Color: White Lightweight stretch poplin Button down collar with pick-stitching V-neck slit with button front placket Ruching at bust Short sleeve Fitted
Robert Rodriguez white poplin shirred detail blouse retail value: $275.00 bluefly: $165.00 reduced: $156.99 you save 43% Color: White Mid-weight stretch poplin Pointed collar with pearlescent button front Pleating at sleeve with 3 button wide cuff Shirring down side and center back Rounded hem Fitted shape	Fashionista white stretch ‘Roxanne’ tucked blouse retail value: $160.00 bluefly: $96.00 reduced: $86.99 you save 46% Color: White Stretch cotton blend woven Point collar with button front placket Tucked detailing along front waist Short sleeve with single button cuff Unlined Fitted

Something new from Clinique — these are limited edition fragrance pencils with Clinique Happy scent in both citrus and floral. Scribble a dash or so on your pulse or behind your ears, as we do with regular perfumes, and remain freshened and sweet smelling the whole day.

The pencils go for $30 and are retailed at all Clinique counters across the country.

I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to find a pair of slippers online. I like any type of shoes like the next shoe-obsessed woman. But like most people who are neat freaks like I am, this is like finding gold.

The Slipper Genie not only comes in cute colors and feels super comfortable on the feet. At the sole of this slippers are micro-fibers chenille which you can use to clean out the dust as you walk around the house all day.

This slipper works on any type of floor — hardwood, tile, linoleum.

The chenille may be detached, which is a good thing…and it may be machine washed, ready for use the next day.

The slippers come in sizes 6–9 and it’s priced less than $10 via Sur La Table.

Genius, right?