Stuff I Love

No beau? No problem. Sick of the icky-sweet candy hearts and teddy bears that pop up all over the place as gift ideas? Ban it. Lingerie that no one can wear? Don’t bother.

Avoid the overpriced dinners for two on Valentine’s Day and instead revel in the anti-Valentine’s Day fun that you can enjoy instead.

Anti-Valentine’s Day t-shirt or for any time of year you’re just sick of hearing another friend’s love story. Esty.com, $15

Have an ex you’d like to release a little pent up energy on? Have the team at Able and Baker studio create a “Hate Pinata” for you. info@ableandbakerstudio.com

Wear your belief with pride. A simple button that says it so succinctly. Cafepress.com, $3

Getting over a break-up and you’re just not ready to go on a date? This is a daily reminder until your heart heals. Cafepress.com, $13

Perhaps this will help secure a date for next year or even next week. Oh heck, just read them and laugh about which guy tried which line over some wine and sweets with your girlfriends. Knockknockstuff.com, $9

For me, Valentine’s Day is just as good a time to pop some bubbly and make a delicious meal or order delivery. What we skip? Reservations. Like New Year’s Eve, we like to avoid the overpriced “special” menu.

When it comes to gifts I suggest both the stereotypical jewelry and chocolate to some off the beaten path.

Whip it Good!

You can read the idea of whipped cream for Valentine’s Day as naughty or nice. You decide. If you’ve ever tried fresh whipped cream, you know that no preservative-laden grocery variety can match the sweet, creamy peaks you get with the real thing. But if you’re daunted by the thought of hand-whipping your own topping, fear not. We’ve found a gadget that does the work for you. The iSi Easy Whip produces twice the volume of hand whipping — one pint of liquid yields about five pints of whipped cream — in seconds. Isi Easy Whip, $49.95 TheDailyGrommet.com

Small World

Sorta silly. Kind of quirky. What’s so special about a glass vessel, a pile of rocks, some plant life and a little figurine or two? I’m not exactly sure where the magic comes from, but the combination is totally endearing. Maybe it’s the tiny people. Twig Terrariums, $50 TheDailyGrommet.com

Dangling Dazzlers

The standard jewelry gift for VD. Bejewel her ears with Opal, Swarovski crystal embellished earrings. Bijoux Heart earrings, $205 TheOutnet.com

Bedtime Beckons

A fun and flirty chemise that’s not over the top nor shy and this item won’t be awkward for the gift giver or reciever. Oscar de la Renta chemise, $69 BareNecessities.com

Brownie Obession-YUM!

Dark and delicious double chocolate espresso brownies. Skip the milk and serve with some champagne on Valentine’s Day. $21.95 for melt in your mouth delicious. StirCrazyBakery.com

Love is a Battlefield

Pat Benatar sang, “Love is a battlefield.” Why not heal with a purple heart. Crunchy, salty-sweet caramel toffee packaged in a petite purple heart. $15 Vosgeschocolate.com

Buying new glasses can be stressful. You try on countless pairs in the store, ask a few salespeople for their opinions and still feel rushed to make a decision. Wouldn’t if be so much nicer to try them on in your own home or outdoors or just anywhere that’s not in a store?  And not feel like you’ve got 20 minutes to make a decision about something as important about what’s on your face?

Well, Mezzmer eyewear came up with a fantastic solution. They have their own collection for women and men and you get to choose five to try at home for free for 30 days. You choose your samples, they send to you in a lovely box and you show off to your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, UPS guy and when you decide just send back the samples for free and order your favorite pair online. And every pair is only $99. SWEET!

So here are the five I’m debating between. Please forgive the bad lighting, glare, not being all gussied up and not being at the best angle, but hey, I was out for coffee with my guy pal, Jordan and figured we’d have you help me make a decision.  (And the Shelley sample was a little crooked-oops.) So please comment on your favorite pair.

King                                                                                        Audrey

Speakeasy                                                                           Halliday

 Shelley

Come watch me live today, throughout the day – http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/pages/home – just click on WATCH US LIVE!

And don’t forget to visit http://www.getsuper.com for all of Dr. Perricone’s fantastic new Super Food-derived products!

Loafers have been synonymous with country club attire, prep school uniforms and freshman mixers with the likes of Muffy and Babs. But now these tassled and coin slotted versions are stepping out of boardrooms and giving us gals a leg up and fast becoming our new footed friends.

Even the Bass Weejun (notably the most famous of the loafer bunch) is celebrating it’s 75th anniversary and  offering a few fun metallic versions.

Keep in mind that even with a stiletto heel, loafers are still tried and true preppy so keep your clothing choices to simple patterns or solids. Skip anything that is bohemian, flowy or too romantic in vibe. This is your chance to pull on those cropped ankle length trousers in a bold blue, a polka dot shift dress or a traditional tan trench.

Alexander Wang Anais Metallic High Heeled Loafer
Saks.com, $650

Belle by Sigerson Morrison Patent Leather Ankle Boot Loafer
Saks.com, $350

Biela Satin High Heeled Loafers
JCrew.com, $295

ASOS Scholar Mid Heel Crinkle Patent Loafer
ASOS.com, $77.58

So those are the shoes and here are suggestions of what to wear with your new height.

Class for many of us has been long out of session, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fitted jacket that looks like you went to pricey private school and just add dark jeans. I love a bigger size of the boy’s blazers. Just add a striped Gucci belt.

BrooksBrothers.com, $228

Jcrew.com, $118

Reese Witherspoon, star of Legally Blonde, Walk the Line and Water for Elephants, has good fashion sense AND smart advice when she tells Hollywood gals to avoid the sex tape career bump.

You can re-create Reese’s look for under $200. Get her look for less.

Navy  belted dress, $45 from Tulle4Us.com
Cork wedge sandals, $24.99 from AMIClubwear.com

Paul Frank “Speedboat to Heaven” sunglasses, $104 from EyeSocietyonline.com

Ladies, get “the girls” the best bra support

Last week I had the opportunity to meet eight fabulous women in NYC who were lacking support, and by that I mean that their breasts were drooping.  Those girls and their “girls” needed a lift.  They were among the many thousands who entered a contest – announced on ABC’s The View – to be flown to NYC for three days, receive an on-camera makeover from me and star in their very own webisode that would air throughout the year as part of the PlaytexBraMakeover series. This year, I insisted that we kick it up a notch, and besides giving our ladies a well-needed lift in the boob department with new bras, I wanted to give the ladies a stylish new head-to-toe look.

Let’s face it, once your breasts are in the right place, your clothes will instantly fit better and look better on your body.

I fell for these ladies hook, line and sinker. They came as duos – mother/daughter, sisters and best friends. In less than 72 hours we gals shared laughter and swapped plenty of stories of boobydom, boyfriends, husbands and our best gal pals.  Whether we call them girls, puppies, melons, kiddies, boobies, too big or barely there, it’s true… we all have a story to share.

Thank you all for sharing your breast stories with me and letting me reshape your look with some bra and girlfriend support, along with new outfits to help you proudly stand tall and at attention.

And to cap off a return back to LA, I received these lovely thank you notes from two of the gals, Tuesday & Toniann.

Alison,

Since I have been back in Virginia all I can do is think about where I was this time last week.

It was in wonderful New York City enjoying time on the set with people like yourself, and the rest of the gang who worked on the Playtex Bra Makeover!

I can’t tell you how it has changed me.  I wish I could’ve  put it in words when I was there but I froze up.  Anyway here is what I should have said when they asked me “What do you think about Alison”:

I think the world of Alison because she has changed my world.  It is a wonderful feeling to look down and see my breasts standing up at attention versus sagging below my belt line!  I am so happy with the way my new Playtex 18 hr bra feels.  I would have to say for a woman who is beautiful outside she is also beautiful inside.

My experience in New York is one that I will forever remember and be proud of.  I just hope the pictures reflect what I was feeling – like a queen!!  Thank you Alison and if you are ever in Virginia Beach – please look me up!

Have a blessed week!

Tuesday
Aka “Boobsday”

Alison,

It was so wonderful meeting you last week! Thank you so much for the fabulous time we had and all the great fashion tips you gave us! We will never forget our time in NYC with you and the wonderful people involved with our makeover! We cannot wait to see the finished project! Thanks again!

Toniann

You know that old saying, “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime.” Well that kind of good has come to women with the nonprofit organization, Hands Up Not Handouts. The organization aims to improve the lives of female artisans in developing nations by helping them to produce and sell on-trend  bracelets and earrings.

Their belief is that when women make money they have say in their family and their community. More kids go to school and families eat better.  Sounds like good for everybody.

So why not empower a gal in Rwanda or Palestine and wear a one-of-a-kind accessory.

HandsUpNotHandouts.org

Cuffs, $50

Urukundo means “love” earring collection, $30

I love finding a leather bag that has character and looks like I’ll have it for years and years to come. One that comes less shiny and brand spanking new and instead is more undefined by a brand.  I want a go-to bag that is as comfortable to carry on a plane as it is to walk into a meeting or wander along city streets.

I found that bag in Will Leather Goods. Shoulder meet Will.

WillLeatherGoods.com

Dylan, $450

McQueen, $540