Giftology

 

InStyle Magazine conducted a survey asking its readers about their bling. I thought I would share a bit of their findings to help you in making future jewelry purchases for a lucky giftee….

This season the jewelry you most want to add to your collection is…

57% Classic and ladylike

26% Modern and artsy

11% Boho and tribal

6% Edgy and goth

source: instyle magazine (may 2012)

The Gift of the Weekend

Weekend time, folks! Want to put a smile on someone's face in the next day or two? Here are a few last minute gift tips...and remember last minute does not mean thoughtless! Check out these options for a lucky giftee...

Take a date or the kiddies to see the Blind Side movie at UNC Charlotte Center City.  Before the movie, there will be music by DJ Zach, animation station with John Lemmon, a Hula Hoop competition, and animated shorts by digital media student Sarah Hartley. The Tin Kitchen food truck and Sticks & Cones Ice Cream will also be available. Don't forget your chair and blanket!


Why not get your bike out and ride into the sunset with your buddies?  Pack small snack bags and gift to your friends for a low cost way to enjoy your friends. If you don't have a bike, check out local programs/businesses that allow you to rent. Here's one for Charlotte: Charlotte B-cycle.

HoneeBee Gifts buzzes around SouthPark Magazine (blvd. section)

Many of you know that I blog for SouthPark Magazine but recently I have had the privilege of working with the print publication too. My first opportunity was the Father’s Day Gift Guide in June. Now, I would like for you to check out the blvd. section in this month’s SouthPark Magazine (page 15) to see a few items I shared with readers. You will find handmade glassware trays, a chic handwoven raffia clutch and more. The blvd. section highlights people, places and things to engage the SouthPark Magazine reader.

SouthPark Magazine is speciality publication under the Charlotte Observer family. It is Charlotte's premier luxury lifestyle magazine and highlights various topics including fashion, travel, philanthropy and more.

You can check out all the featured items here.

Want to pick up a copy? Please click here to find a location near you.

source: southparkmagazine.com

Experience: The Grey Experience Workshop

This one is for all the 50 Shades of Grey fans out there...those that freely read the sexy series while sunbathing or others that read secretly in the confines of their own home. The Grey Experience workshop is hosted by Vertical Tease Fitness, a boutique that specializes in pole dance fitness. The workshop is inspired by the book trilogy and will share ways for women to spice things up in the bedroom. Ladies can expect a discussion around making the pages of 50 Shades your reality, check out some play "tools" and learn a seductive dance routine to perform for your lucky guy. You can reserve your space, by clicking here.

This would be a great gift for all your book club friends (you know they are reading it!) and any beau wanting a few extra points...and a sexy dance. Of course, this would be a fun girls night out too.

source: teasefitnessboutique.com

J Lo gifts beau new truck

Jennifer Lopez gifted her backup dancing boyfriend, Casper Smart with a customized white Dodge RAM truck for his 25th Birthday. The evening began with an intimate dinner and then came the surprise gift. Must be nice...

source: huffingtonpost.com

The Gift of the Weekend

First, let me apologize for my absence this week. While there were fun moments sprinkled throughout my week, work got the best of me! I wondered "How did all my deadlines fall in the same week"?  I don't want to bore you with the details but I did experience a magical night with Relish Carolina, traveled for work and met an amazing career woman, who inspired me with her story and energy and chatted and brainstormed with industry friends with genuine hearts. Anyhoo, next week I promise to not leave you hanging. In the meantime, let me share a few last minute gift ideas that you can treat someone to as early as this evening ...

Tonight, why not have a date night to see the production of A Raisin in the Sun at Duke Energy Theatre? The play is considered the most well known from playwright, Lorraine Hansberry and centers around the Youngers family and their trials, tribulations, love of each other and much more. While the play debuted on Broadway in 1959, you may remember the most recent production of this play included Sean "Diddy" Combs who played Walter Lee. 

Gather the kids up and experience Sunday Fun day: Red, White and Blue at The Mint Museum. The afternoon will include family-friendly craft projects, tours, healthy living activities, artist demonstrations, and more.

Looking for something not so crafty yet kid-friendly (or date friendly) to do this Sunday? Try out Concerts on the Green in Davidson, a free festival on the grounds of the Davidson Public Library. This is the first one of the season and will feature the BackBeat band. Bring a blanket, picnic and relax on the lawn listening to live music...sounds good to me!

The Gift of the Weekend

Weekend time, folks! Want to put a smile on someone's face in the next two days? Here are a few last minute gift tips...and remember last minute does not mean thoughtless! Check out these options for a lucky giftee...

After this festive week with 4th of July celebrations, you may want to stay in....and by all means do so if that's how you feel...but it would not be me if I did not recommend a few low-key gift options. I would recommend  making it a "Redbox" night so you are not bored.com. Rent your family's favorite movie, gather everyone's favorite treats and have a laugh/sing/cuddle the night away. The key is including everyone's faves to make this a four star movie night.

Next up, looking for a little yoga in your life? Take your beau or BFF to Studio K for a free yoga class on Saturday. Afterwards, you can check out art in the space. Namaste.

On Sunday, swing by The Harvey B. Gantt Center and see the film, Body and Soul which is apart of their "Oscar, Spencer and Paul" series that highlights Black cinema pioneers Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams and Paul Robeson.



source: prettythings.tumblr.com, ganttcenter.org, facebook.com/studiok
 

One Way To Upgrade A Gift Certificate

The 2011-2012 Young Affiliates of the Mint (YAM) Museum President, Emily Walker has achieved great milestones at the helm of the museum's young professionals group and as her term came to a close on June 30th, all YAM board members* decided to give her a well-deserved parting gift. Emily also recently got engaged to the love of her life, Brad and the parting gift turned into a wedding gift too.


Once the gift was decided upon--a gift certificate for a wine train excursion in Napa Valley (where they will go on their honeymoon) I offered to elevate the gift experience. I put on my thinking cap and I came up with a creative way to package the gift certificate. Once I had all my ideas together, it was off to the wine store (priorities!) and then a local craft store. I picked up a bottle of champagne (I thought this would be an unexpected touch as they probably expected wine. In addition, I feel all celebrations should include bubbly), wine crate, glasses, spanish moss and grapes. I even snagged a complimentary wine tasting in Napa Valley, after discussing my idea with the wine store attendant. Here's the outcome:

Sorry--no pre pics but here is the box all put together

The wine crate is normally used to transport wine bottles but I used the crate to create a "scene" in a box

Emily holding the wine crate after each board member shared their well wishes on the top of the box in a silver pen


*Disclosure: I am a current board member for YAM's 

Source: My camera

Great Gifts To Bring To A July 4th BBQ

It’s almost time to bust out the grill and enjoy the independence of our beautiful country with family and friends! At this time of the year, BBQs are a dime a dozen but the question remains: what can you bring to make this BBQ the standout of the summer season—and enjoyable for you! It doesn’t have to be red, white, blue everything but I shared some items over at Shecky's that will definitely help you and your fellow party guests have a summer day to remember. Grab up one (or all!) of these great gifts and bring ‘em to your next BBQ to ensure a sizzling good time!

To see my July 4th BBQ gift picks and read the rest of the article, please visit Shecky's, a girlfriend and lifestyle company's website here.  

source: sheckys.com