Don't Stress, It's Just A Gift

Gift giving should not be stressful and I am here to share a few tips on how to have a stress-free gifting season...which is all year round! Happy Shopping!

Gather gift ideas all the time: The best way to not be stressed is to gather ideas throughout the year. Take notes (mental or written) on what you see others glancing at, noticing and talking about. These items will give

you clues when it's time for gift giving.

Keep your budget in mind: Before hitting any boutique or store, know what you want to spend and be strict about it. If you go over budget, it will only make you resent the gift receiver....and it doesn't do anything for your bank account.

When you see it, buy it: If you come across the perfect gift for someone, purchase it right then and there. It's best to house the item in your gift closet until their birthday/anniversary, etc comes around rather than waiting to purchase. Odds are if you come back it won't be there and you'll always think "What if'?

Sweet Gift Giving: HoneeBee Gifts by Charlotte Style Magazine

                                               

 I am usually the one behind the pen but a few months ago I spoke with the publisher of Charlotte STYLE Magazine about my blog and after a few chats to learn more about HoneeBee Gifts she expressed interest in conducting an article on me and my blog. Oh happy day!! I was so excited to conduct my first print interview on HoneeBee Gifts! I knew this would be a great opportunity to get the word out and share my thoughts on how my blog came to be, where I'd like to be in five years, as well as a few signature gift tips that I practice daily. Below is a blurb of the article. I would like to give special thanks to photographer GQ Lewis and Makeup Artist Nalini Eldridge. They made me look good! See full article here.

                               Sweet Gift Giving: HoneeBee Gifts by Sasha/Charlotte STYLE Magazine

Gift-giving is always a fun experience. It allows you to show your appreciation for the recipient for any occasion. Sometimes the gift search can be a little frustrating, especially if the receiver has everything you could ever imagine. Trust me, I have been there.Simone McDowell, creator and owner of HoneeBee Gifts gives us some quick tips to “Give in Style”.See full article here.



Since conducting the Charlotte STYLE Magazine interview, I have become a monthly contributor to the publication and I sometimes want to pinch myself I feel so lucky! Right now we are Celebrating September in Style and I urge you to get your ticket to Fashion's Grand Finale on September 30th. It's STYLE's Fall Fashion + Makeover Issue Release Party and you don't want to miss it!

The Gift of the Weekend

It's a bit dreary here in Charlotte so I am thinking it might be a good weekend to stay in and enjoy....

How about you? Any plans?


source: prettythings.tumblr.com

2011 Emmys-- before the event it's all about the gifts!

If I were a celeb, I think I'd be as excited to go to the gift lounges/suites as much as the actual award show! For those not familiar, gift lounges/suites are areas set up with the latest, most original and/or sought after items (i.e. swag) that range from on-site spa services to baby gear to jewelry and more. 
They are set up prior to all the major award shows and welcome celebrities, nominees, writers and producers to check out a candyland of gifts. Most suites are hosted by companies you are familiar with including but not limited to HP TouchSmart,  HBO, and GBK-Tic Tac and the products and experiences are top-notch. Some of the gifts given out for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards include:

• Klipsch's One noise isolating headphones
• Designer sunglasses from Solstice
• Watches from Invicta
• Notebook Computers from  HP
• sterling silver hoop earrings by Silpada 
• Cinnamon sugar popcorn from Popcorn, Indiana
• HoneyPrint Stationary

Who wouldn't want a little swag to go along with an Emmy win? Heck, who wouldn't want a little swag, period?

source: scoop.today.com,abcnews.go.com, news.yahoo.com, boston.com

The Gift of the Weekend

A few pretty photos to help you enjoy the rest of your weekend....

picture source: prettythings.tumblr.com

Five Best Bubblys on a Budget

If you are a regular follower of my blog you may have heard that I started writing for Shecky's, a girlfriend and lifestyle company based in New York. (Bzzz...they are the group that throws the fab Girls Night Out parties in various cities). My first post was on picking the best five champagnes/sparking wines on a shoestring budget. Here's a snidbit...

We all like to celebrate and have fun, but sometimes our fun factor is bigger than our finances will allow for. Well, that small problem doesn’t have to stop the soiree…or the gift you may need to bring to it! I am here to the rescue with five bottles of bubbly that will make any hostess or giftee smile. Whether it’s the hostess at your next dinner party or popping a bottle at your next grown-up girl’s night in, your gift will be the toast of the party. Here are five of the most tasty champagnes and sparkling wines under $20.

To read my bubbly picks go here and let me know what you think!


sources: prettystuff.tumblr.com, sheckys.com

HoneeBee Gifts Announcement: CharlotteStyle Magazine

Fresh off Fashion Week...I have a new announcement! I am now a contributing writer to Charlotte STYLE Magazine! I will share my creative gift ideas (with a stylish flair, of course) to over 80,000 fashionistas of Charlotte and beyond!

Check out my first article on Giving the Gift of Personal Style here. Leave comments and let me know what you think and please share any content you'd like to see!

About Charlotte STYLE Magazine
Charlotte STYLE Magazine highlights Charlotte’s presence in the fashion and lifestyle industry to readers viewing the magazine in the Charlotte Region and around the world. We represent, embody and influence Charlotte’s STYLE community. We are the voice of the stylish, sophisticated and informed.

I think the Charlotte STYLE Magazine creator Bridgette West said it best..."Charlotte STYLE Magazine was created to enrich the lives of our readers through fashion-based lifestyle editorial.  It is our goal to inspire our readers to look, feel and live their best".  I am happy to be apart of the Charlotte STYLE Magazine family!

Gift Tip #85: Gourmet Blends Balsamic Vinegars

These are not your average balsamic vinegars--they boast to be the best and so far I have not found any that can argue with that. These vinegars are barrel aged in Italy and then shipped to Napa Valley (yes--wine country) to be blended and bottled. You can choose from traditional balsamic vinegars to other flavors including black current, pomegranate and more. I am currently in love with the rasberry flavor. While I have used it in my salads, these vinegars can also be paired with fresh fruit, ice cream, meats and more. They would be a great gift for a health conscious friend (did you know that the products contain no sugar, msg, etc), foodie or someone who loves all things gourmet.

Gourmet Blends are not found in stores but are located online, local farmer's markets and special events. In addition to the balsamic vinegars the company sells dipping oils, olive oils and truffle oil. Next month you can find Gourmet Blends at the following Charlotte-area events selling their goods:

Great Grapes & Wine Festival: October 1st at Symphony Park
Fall Holiday Craft Show: Oct 14-16 at Signal Hill Mall
Ciao, Italia! October 15 at St. Matthew Catholic Church
Holiday Gift Galleria: Oct 29-31 at Shelby City Park

source: gourmetblends.us

The Gift of the Weekend

This was a week I had something to do every second of the day and this weekend I need to catch up on all my chores. You know clean my place, do laundry and such. Boooooring!! I encourage you guys to do the opposite of what I'm doing. Here are some ideas...

The Importance of a Gift Closet

Busy, busy, busy--that's us, right? Truly, that is the society we live in and I wanted to share a "to-do" that will make life easier in the long run--having a gift closet. A gift closet (or drawer or cabinet) is a place to stash gifts that can be given at a moments notice. These would be a gift that would suit a variety of people (teacher, family friend, relative or neighbor) but still has your special touch on it. Some items that would be a good fit for a gift closet include candles, stationary/notecards, books, wine and more. To ensure that your special touch is seen in every item, you must pick presents that you have tried and loved, cannot live without or is simply one of your favorite things. Everyone that receives the gift will feel that you chose something you enjoy and thought they would too....and you arrive carrying the gift like the calm, poised person you are. No one ever needs to know that you pulled the item from your sanity..errr...secret stash!

photo source: Domino Mag, 2007

The Gift of the Weekend

I almost forgot--it's a long weekend. What a pleasant surprise! Alot of people feel that this weekend is the end of summer but I am fighting it with all I got. Have you ever heard that joke from Martin Lawrence...something about riding that thang til' the wheels fall off...that's what I am trying to do with Summer. I don't want it to go but I feel it slipping away with every day. So I've decided--there's one way to get over this...plan a trip to somewhere warm. Are you with me?

image sources: pretythings.tumblr.com