Last minute holiday gift guide

With just hours left for shopping, many of you out there are still pondering what to get your loved one’s for Christmas. Here are a few last minute suggestions to help you shop for everyone on your list.

You can never go wrong with products from Bath and Body Works. You can create a gift bag including lotions, bath gels, hand sanitizers and candles, or buy a pre-packaged gift set. Select body care starts at $3! Bath and Body has some great stocking stuffer items as well. All of their products are available in mini size and fit perfectly into a stocking. Since it will be pandemonium out there today, here are a few scent suggestions: Sweet Pea, Cucumber Melon, Juniper Breeze, White Tea & Ginger, Cotton Blossom, Warm Vanilla Sugar and Click here to locate the store nearest you http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/corp/index.jsp?page=storeLocator.

 

If you have a wine and chocolate lover on your list, just go ahead and cross them off right now! The Chocolate Shop has a delicious selection of chocolate based wines. Many people are not convinced that chocolate wine is a good idea, but once you have a glass you won’t be disappointed. There are two basic styles of chocolate wine: cream based and wine based. The best known of the cream based products is Creme de Cocoa which tastes just like chocolate milk with a splash of brandy and retails for about $12 a bottle.  

Another well known Chocolate Shop wine is the Chocolate Red Wine with inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate. This bottle retails for about $12 as well. Click here to locate a store near you that carries The Chocolate Shop http://chocolateshopwine.com/wine_finder .

One of my favorite gifts to give all year round is a sonogram picture frame. If someone on your list is pregnant, they’ll love this! You can find these lovely frames at Destination Maternity or Babies R Us, retailing around $12.

Don’t underestimate a nice pair of PJs!! This is a good one for everyone on the list. Target has some great pajamas for him, her and kids between $10 - $20. I’m pretty sure you know where the nearest Target is located, but just in case click here http://www.target.com/store-locator/find-stores#?lnk=Other_HP_P1_ESPOT-0|ESPOT-0.

 

Enjoy your shopping and your time with your loved ones this season. Merry Christmas!!

Holiday fun!

Fun nail polish will definitely lift your spirits and get you in the mood to party!

Girls' Night Out!

By Tuesday night most of us are ready for, at the very least, a glass of wine and some relaxation. If you’re looking for a little break with the girls Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar is the perfect place!

Ayza’s Girls’ Night Out is offered every Tuesday. To participate simply make a reservation and type the code Girls’ Night Out in a special requests' box to receive a complimentary Chocolate Shot (delicious) and a Belgian Chocolate Covered Strawberry (also delicious). To add to the night’s delight, make sure to check in on FourSquare. They reward you with a glass of wine! I would go with the Tropical Sangria, it’s very good!

(Chocolate shot and strawberries)

(Tropical Sangria)

My partners in food and I found out about Ayza via Facebook last winter. If you liked them on FB you would get a complimentary glass of wine. Of course we were sold! Since then the gang and I often frequent this half wine bar and half restaurant. We go to Azya especially for the chocolate martinis which are accompanied with a truffle by Jacques Torres. Fan favorite is the Raspberry Chocolate Martini. Absolutely yummy!! It’s a little pricey ($16 a pop), but so worth it.

(Raspberry Chocolate Martini)

During our latest visit, we were welcomed with a spiced wine in a sake cup that warms you up from the cold.

(Spiced Wine)

Next we went with our usual cheese and charcuterie plate. You’re given a choice of three, five or eight cheeses, and two meats. We went with Aged Manchego, French Brie and Valdeon, and the Sopressata and Prosciutto di Parma. The cheese plates are served with fresh berries, guava paste caper berries and toasted bread.

(Cheese and charcuterie)

Ayza is conveniently located in midtown near Penn Station and newly opened a location in the West Village (which I have yet to visit).

Best part is, even during winter you can enjoy outdoor seating under the heatlamps. Honestly, once you've been sitting for a while you'll forget that you're sitting outside.

Check out more on Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar at www.ayzanyc.com. Stay connected to Ayza on Facebook and Twitter.

Tis the Season to go Shopping!

Shopping party at Pamela Gonzales (Soho store 311 West Broadway)
December 19th, 6-8pm
Complimentary cocktails and 25% off Sandra Baquero Collection
RSVP at rsvp@sandrabaquero.com

http://www.sandrabaquero.com/
http://www.pamela-gonzales.com/storemain.html

Williamsburg Fashion Weekend Holiday Market

Finish up your holiday shopping this weekend at the Williamsburg Fashion Weekend Holiday Market! WFW will bring together designers whose work explores the full spectrum of body adornment from ready-to-wear to wearable art. You will find a range of one of a kind (or some-of-kind), locally made products. This group of designers are not only pushing the boundaries of design but are also pushing to change the fashion industry for the better; believing in transparent business practices, recycling, eco-friendly fabrics and local manufacturing.

December 15^th & 16^th –Saturday & Saturday

Bird River Studios343 Grand Street between Marcy and Havemeyer Sts
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.782.1791
http://www.birdriverstudios.com/

Some of the participating designers include:

  

Nathalie Kraynina Collection www.NathalieKraynina.com

La China Loca www.lachinaloca.com

Natalya Egorova www.NatalyaEgorova.com

Cristina Rose Rabusin www.etsy.com/shop/8020

Himane Sustainable Designs www.himane.com
Apartment 4B www.apartment4b.com
Brittany Erb www.brittanyerb.com

Tis the Season for Yummy Cocktails!

The holidays are in full gear. Here are four great holiday drinks by Pinnacle® to help you celebrate. I tried these last week, they’re dessert in a glass!

Orange Dreamsicle

·         Pinnacle® Whipped® Vodka

·         Orange Juice

·         Lemon-Lime Soda

·         Grenadine

·         Garnished with an orange slice

 

Cookies and Crème Martini

·         Pinnacle® Whipped® Vodka

·         DeKuyper® Dark Crème de Cocoa Liqueur

·         Half & half

·         Drizzled with chocolate and topped with whipped cream

Buttercream Martini

·         Pinnacle® Whipped® Vodka

·         DeKuyper® Buttershots® Liqueur

·         Half & half

·         Drizzled with chocolate and topped with whipped cream

Chocolate Covered Pretzel

·         Pinnacle® Whipped® Vodka

·         DeKuyper® Hazlenut Liqueur

·         Drizzled with chocolate and includes salt rim

MTV moves on up to The Heights

One of MTV's new shows for 2013 is Washington Heights, a show about a group of born-and-bred New Yorkers trying to make it while still honoring their parents' struggle and cultural origins, and living in the highest point of Manhattan.

The internet is buzzing with mixed feelings about the show from Wash Heights natives and Hispanics alike. Many fear it will be like Jersey Shore (although the trailer gives more of a Laguna Beach feel than Jersey Shore) and not represent Washington Heights the way it should be, as a culturally rich neighborhood with a growing amount of educated, artistic, driven and grounded individuals.

I must admit, when I first heard about the show a couple of months ago I wasn't sure if I should be excited, nervous or just roll my eyes. I'll reserve my comments until after the first episode. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, but I'm not holding my breath.

Get More: 

Washington Heights, Full Episodes

Us Weekly Haute for the Holidays Gifting Gallery Event

Last night Us Weekly hosted their Haute for the Holidays Gifting Gallery event. It took place at the New Museum - Sky Room and featured gift ideas from their Holiday Gift Guide (December 3rd issue - the one with Will & Kate on the cover).  All of the gift suggestions on display were part of a raffle with p

roceeds benefiting the American Red Cross. There was also a celebrity photo exhibit by photographer Marc Royce. 

The space was great, food yummy and drinks delicious! Check out some pics from the event and if you haven't started your holiday shopping pick up a copy of the Us Weekly holiday gift guide for some great ideas.

Toy State's 007 car

Corkcicle, Ruff Night Ahead (wine), Lorac gift set

L.L. Bean foosball

Gund's Boo, Burt's Bees Baby sweater, InnoTab's tablet

Boombox Bird, Jessica Simpson PJs, Tory Burch for Target lunch set