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Posts Tagged ‘kara birkenstock’

Father’s Day is just a week away – do you have a gift for Daddy Dearest?  It seems like we’re always looking to find Dad that special gift, that WOW present that will really knock his socks off!  In honor of our Proud Papas, here’s a list of Unique Father’s Day gifts that will not only impress Dear Old Dad, but also won’t break our budgets – all these gifts are under $50! 

The Cocktail Loving Dad

No matter if your Dad enjoys beer in a frosty mug or a stiff martini, the following gifts will definitely add some zest to his cocktail repertoire. 

For the Dad who loves to entertain behind the bar, Peterson’s Happy Hour ($11.56, Amazon.com) is a collection of classic cocktail recipes with a sarcastic twist.  With simple instructions for making more than fifty tasty libations, an equipment glossary, and loads of hilarious vintage photographs, Peterson’s Happy Hour will give Dad some new and inventive ideas for Cocktail Hour.  Clever concoctions like the Tech Tonic and En-Gin Trouble are perfect antidotes for the bombardment of social networking and frustrating auto troubles that Dad faces on a daily basis!

For a great conversation starter at Dad’s next soiree, give the gift of BevShots, uniquely posh prints of beers, wines, and cocktails that have been photographed under a microscope and magnified in to fine art.  On their user friendly website, you can custom create a print for Dad by selecting his favorite alcoholic beverage, or browse by color theme.  Select from Fine Art Prints starting at $24.99 on canvas, or Metallic Prints starting at $37.99.  The vibrant colors and intoxicating designs will add a modern edge to any room, from Dad’s bar to his office or den.  Dad will surely be mesmerized by the beauty of BevShots!  (For rush shipping requests, please email BevShots at media@bevshots.com and mention Your GAL Kara.)

BevShots Print - Tequila

The Fashionable Father

For the Dad that loves to discover the newest and most fabulous finds in fashion, the following gifts will surely excite!

Cuff links, ties and slippers…oh my!  Fortunately, there’s a glam new accessory available for Dad that will set him fashionably apart from the rest!  The G-Tie is a beautifully crafted accessory for men that perfectly envelopes the knot of a tie.  When worn, the G-Tie brings a sleek and polished accent to the classic suit and tie ensemble.  The affordable and environmentally friendly ECO Collection features three finishes: shiny chrome, brushed aluminum and brushed charcoal.  With prices starting at $45.00 for the skinny version and $49.00 for the regular size, Dad can look striking and confident in one of the hottest accessories on the market!

If your Dad hates the bulk of traditional wallets, the Jimi Wallet is the perfect gift!  Made from 100% recyclable materials, the Jimi is the first wallet of its kind that is compact, water resistant, and attachable.  Available in 14 colors, this must have accessory is both fashionable and affordable starting at just $14.95.  The lightweight Jimi is perfect for all Dads, from the suit and tie businessman to the outdoor adventurer.  It also makes for a handy I.D. holder as most Jimis are translucent and can be worn around your neck on a lanyard (clever idea for busy travelers).  Dad will also be proud to know that proceeds from the US made Jimi go back to the environment, through the 1% For The Planet initiative.

Jimi Wallet in Clear

The Gadget Guy

You might think finding a cool tech gift for Dad under $50 would be impossible?  Well, with all the accessories and Apps available today, all you need is a little creativity!

If Dad recently invested in an iPad, he’ll definitely love and appreciate the Neoprene Sleeve for iPad from Built ($30, Builtny.com).  This slim sleeve will protect Dad’s investment without bulk, so it’s easy to carry to business meetings or while traveling.  Available in basic black or fiery orange, Dad can rest assured that his precious iPad will be safe from the bumps and scratches of everyday life!

If Dad enjoys travelling or is in the military, Jibbigo is the ideal gift!  Jibbigo ($24.99 -$27.99, iTunes Store) is a new speech to speech translation application for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (Android and Droid support coming soon).  All Dad has to do is speak a sentence in to his device, and the App instantly speaks the sentence aloud in the other language – like your very own personal interpreter!  The App also shows the translation on the screen so Dad can be sure everything is accurate.  Available in Spanish-English, Chinese-English, Japanese-English, and new Iraqi-English, Jibbigo is the perfect companion for the Dad who travels for business or pleasure, or who is in the military.  The newest Iragi-English App was created specifically for service personnel in the armed forces, so Dad can overcome frustrating language barriers.  (Update 6/16/10 – Sorry friends, but the redemption code is no longer valid.)

Jibbigo - English to Spanish

The Grill Master

For the Dad that lives to grill, the following gifts are a necessity – no BBQ aficionado should start their Summer without these essentials! 

The ultimate guide to all things BBQ is Steven Raichlen’s latest book, Planet Barbecue ($15.61, Amazon.com).  The award winning grill expert will inspire Dad with his extensive collection of recipes – Raichlen visited 60 counties and rounded up 309 of the tastiest, most tantalizing, easy-to-make, and guaranteed-to-wow recipes from every corner of the globe.  Raichlen opens the world’s doors and showcases inventive international recipes, unique grilling methods, and mouth watering full color photographs – enough to make Dad salivate! 

Grill Charms are the coolest new BBQ accessory since the branding iron, and a must have for any serious Grill Master!  Grill Charms ($19.99, Grillcharms.com) are dime sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in food before grilling.  The charms distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures and avoid health or allergy issues.  With the Steak Collection (with MR for Medium Rare, etc.), Dad no longer has to cut into each piece of meat to find out how each is cooked.  With the Spicy Collection, Dad can now offer his guests Mild, Medium, or Spicy sauces and rubs without any confusion.  Other collections include the Charmed Life and the Pink Collection.  (For a limited time, Grill Charms is offering a $5 discount, just type “grilling” in the coupon code section at checkout.  Order by Wednesday, June 16th for arrival by Father’s Day!)

Grill Charms - Steak Collection

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Summer Fashion Staple – Comfy Boyfriend Tees for $20!

The new boyfriend tees for Summer are so soft and comfortable, you’ll want to lounge around in them for the next three months!  Nordstrom has a great selection of colorful and affordable tees from juniors brand, Frenchi.  The supersoft tees have a relaxed fit and can be worn with all of the season’s sexiest shorts and skirts.  And for just $20, you can buy one in every fab color! 

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Whether you’re feeling flirty, sexy, or carefree this Summer, there is definitely a shoe to fit your mood!  Summer footwear doesn’t have to mean boring flip flops – your Summer Sandals can be just as smokin’ hot as your stilettos with the following trends for 2010!   Ladies, turn up the heat for the dog days ahead because Summer Sandals have arrived!

Exotic Beaded Sandals

Sandals with global inspiration are the hottest trend this season!  It’s all about embellishments here; from ethnic beads, colorful stones, metallic medallions, chains, and chunky adornments.  Take a cue from Sarah Jessica Parker and the gals of Sex and the City 2, and add some glam to your Summer wardrobe with these striking sandals.  From fierce gladiators to sexy high heels and wedges, this trend definitely makes a statement!

Zigi Soho Beaded Gladiators $59.95 (DSW Shoes)

JS by Jessica Kady Sandal $59.95 (DSW Shoes)

SM Valley Wedge Sandal $59.95 (DSW Shoes)

 Romantic Details

Love is in the air this Summer with flirty romantic sandals!  Feminine touches like dainty flowers and delicate ruffles add elegance to any outfit, whether you’re pretty in pink or casual in shorts and a tee.  Hollywood stars like Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift love to dress up their basics with romantic sandals, peep toe flats, and wedges.  Top off your look with a simple flower in your hair and you’ll be sweet from head to toe!

Report Moxee Flat $44.95 (DSW Shoes)

MIX NO. 6 Ripple Gladiator $39.95 (DSW Shoes)

SM Ven Rosette Platform Wedge $49.95 (DSW Shoes)

Neutral Nudes 

Time to go Au Natural!  If you have to invest in one pair of shoes this season, I would suggest the ultra versatile Neutral Nudes!  From strappy gladiators to peep toe pumps, these shoes will go with EVERYTHING in your closet!  Celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller have known the secret of nude heels for years and now, you will too – find a pair of neutral nudes to match your skin tone and instantly you have longer, leaner, and sexier legs!  What could be better than that?!  

Carlos by Carlos Santana Radical Sandal $49.95 (DSW Shoes)

Audrey Brooke Tabbey Slingback $59.95 (DSW Shoes)

Blowfish Festival Wedge $49.95 (DSW Shoes)

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I spent my Wednesday morning poolside at the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel – shooting a Summer Sandals segment for TV Guide Network’s, The Fashion Team!  The episode airs this Sunday June 6th, so please check your local listings for air times.  I share all the hottest Summer shoe trends and the celebs that can’t live without them!  Here’s a pic after the shoot with myself and Associate Producer, Sabrina Gruneberg! 

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Chic and Affordable Passport Covers, $14.99

Just in time for the Summer travel season, pb Travel’s Leather Passport Covers keep your important documents safe in a fashionable bi-fold wallet.  Available in 6 stylish colors (blue, green, orange, hot pink, light pink, and red), these GAL passport covers are available on Amazon.com for just $14.99! 

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You don’t need to have a movie star budget to entertain like Carrie Bradshaw and the gals!  Today marks the release of the much-anticipated Sex and the City 2, and fashionable women across the country will be gathering for the ultimate girl’s night out!  With a little work and creativity, we can all throw a Sex and the City 2 inspired party, for as little as $100! 

Décor

Hosting a great party is all about atmosphere!  Even if you have a small space to work with, adding a bit of mood lighting and other décor will change the mood from frumpy to fabulous!  First, set the scene with either the original Sex and the City: The Movie ($12.99 on Amazon) DVD or the new Sex and the City 2: The Soundtrack ($11.99 on Amazon).  Can we say Liza Minnelli singing Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”!?  What could be better party music than that?

Flowers are next – it’s amazing how impressive a room can become with the addition of fresh flowers.  Stock up on one type of flower in one color – pink or purple roses, gerbera daisies and orchids are always beautiful.   Local grocery stores like Kroger and Albertsons have great deals on fresh flowers, usually 3 bunches for about $12-$15.  This way, you can create your own assortment without spending a ton of money on a florist.  Keep arrangements simple, and if you want to jazz it up, add a colorful ribbon around a square vase to give it a modern look.  Or, go simpler with single bud vases throughout the room. 

For the buffet or cocktail area, an exotic table runner ($18.49 on Overstock) or tapestry would be perfect for a Sex and the City 2 inspired soiree.  Metallic accents will also add a Middle Eastern flair, from chargers and jewels to decorative glassware.  Stores like Pier 1 and Cost Plus always have great exotic accessories for as little as $5! 

Nothing completes a room like candles.  Small, simple clear votives are best and a great bargain when purchased in bulk ($6 at Big Lots).  Like the flowers, you can coordinate themes here by wrapping each glass candle holder with the same color ribbon. 

Drink

No Sex and the City party would be complete without the perfect Cosmo!  This recipe from Prairie Organic Vodka is the perfect combination of sweet and sassy, just like Carrie Bradshaw herself! 

Carrie Cosmo

2 oz. Prairie Organic Vodka ($18.99 on Marketview Liquor)

1 oz. St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

1 oz.  Organic Cranberry Juice

Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh lime. 

For another glamorous beverage option, try Nuvo Sparkling Liqueur ($19.99 on Raeder’s Wines) served over ice in an elegant champagne flute.  The bottle alone is centerpiece worthy, just gorgeous! 

It’s always a good idea to have a non-alcoholic option as well, here’s one for a delicious Virgin Cosmo:

Virgin Cosmo

1 oz. Tonic Water

1/2 oz. Citrus Juice

1/2 oz. Lime Juice

1/2 oz. Cranberry Juice

Shake over ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with strip of lemon, orange peel, or sprig of mint. 

Dine

When it comes to food, keep it simple and easy with appetizers.  Finger foods are best as there’s no need for plates or utensils, just festive cocktail napkins!  Get some help from your local deli by creating your own antipasto platter with assorted cheeses, meats, olives, grapes, and crackers.  Remember it’s all about presentation – place all items on a rustic cutting board or modern serving tray and garnish with fresh herbs or a single flower bud.  Serve a warm and savory appetizer as well – I love Pillsbury Savorings.  For just $4 at your local grocery store, guests will think you slaved for hours to roll these delicious pastries filled with cheese and spinach!  Round out your appetizers with a vegetable platter (create your own to save) and some sweet bites. 

Another money-saving tip, have each of your guests bring an appetizer – this way, all you have to do is supply the atmosphere and beverages! 

Dress

Other than cocktails, fashion is THE most important thing to make a fabulous Sex and the City party!  Have your guests wear their most glamorous pair of high heels, or dress up like their favorite SATC character.  To find out which SATC character you are and for some amazing looks for less, check out my Sex and the City 2 Fashion Roundup!

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The Carrie Diaries, $9.49

Seeing that Sex and the City 2 is hitting theaters this Thursday, I thought it would be fitting for the GAL Find of the Week to be SATC inspired!  I can’t get enough of Carrie Bradshaw, and with the release of Candace Bushnell’s new book, The Carrie Diaries ($9.49 on Amazon), fans will learn the backstory of how Carrie became so fabulous! 

Here’s what Amazon.com had to say about The Carrie DiariesWith an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

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I’m in beautiful St. George, Utah this week, shooting for the Red Mountain Resort & Spa!  I have to admit, before this trip I had never heard of this town.  But after spending a few days at this resort, I can see why people love it here – hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, yoga and pilates, not to mention great food!  Stay tuned for a GAL Travel post on my trip to St. George.  Here are some pics from the photo shoot, doing Tai Chi at sunrise, and with the cast!

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Men’s Fashion Items from $5.90

21Men is the new, fashionably affordable line for men from the folks who brought us Forever 21.  From basics and graphic tees to outerwear and accessories, men can stock up for Summer with unbelievable prices starting as low as $5.90.  Have you shopped at 21Men?  If anything like its female counterpart, it should be a great one stop shop for trendy item pieces and seasonal finds.  To see more, visit http://www.forever21.com/21men/

 

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Do you ever wonder how your favorite Hollywood stars manage to look so flawless, from their glamorous hair and makeup down to their perfect skin?  While we’re all not fortunate enough to have a team of makeup artists and stylists on speed dial, there are some amazing products available that can help give us the Hollywood look for less.  I reached out to some of my friends in the biz and they shared the following Celebrity Beauty Secrets – with these insider favorites, we can all look like we’re walking the red carpet!

1.       Mai Couture 2-1 Oil Blotting/Bronzing Papiers

           $33.00

           www.maicouture.com

For flawless, airbrushed looking skin like Jennifer Lopez and The Kardashians, try Mai Couture’s 2-1 Oil Blotting/Bronzing Papiers.  This handy, compact beauty fix is a must have for all red carpet vets.  Carry these babies in your purse and get camera ready in a flash – gently press the papers on your face and instantly eliminate oil and shine while applying just the right amount of shimmer to give you that sun-kissed glow!  These booklet style papers are perfect for on the go touch ups anywhere, anytime.  The 100 sheet booklet comes with a chic Papier Wallet, so you can go glam in style!  The papers come in two shades, light to medium and medium to dark, and refills are just $25. 

2.       ROHTO Eye Drops

           $6.99

           www.cool4eyes.com

Want to party all night like Lady Gaga and Rihanna, but still look well rested in the morning?  Makeup artists to the stars and supermodels alike swear by ROHTO Eye Drops.  These unique drops contain a cooling kick that perks up eyes while removing redness.  A drop or two will do you – a few minutes later, your eyes will look like bright, refreshed, and ready for a new day!  There are four products in the ROHTO line – new Hydra, Cool, Ice and Arctic. For newcomers to the line, start with Cool (the mildest) and then work your way up to the other varieties.  ROHTO eye drops are the quickest and easiest way to get rid of tired, red eyes, so your whites can be their brightest!  ROHTO drops are sold at drugstore.com and retailers nationwide.  (Note to contact lens wearers – wait 15 minutes before putting your contacts on after using ROHTO drops)

3.      Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

           $17.00

           www.mariobadescu.com

Have an unexpected breakout?  Clear it up overnight with Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion!  Hollywood stars like Jennifer Aniston and Ashley Judd have known about this amazing potion for years and it is hands down, the best acne spot treatment on the market.  Just dab a bit of the pink sediment lotion directly on the blemish before bed, let dry and rinse in the morning.  The blend of Calamine and Salicylic Acid clears and soothes breakouts overnight.  This product is great for preventing breakouts too – as soon as you feel a blemish coming, dab this on to zap it away!  Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion is AMAZING!

4.      Smith’s Rosebud Salve

          $6.00

          www.sephora.com

Smith’s Rosebud Salve is a must have staple for celebrity makeup bags, from Eva Longoria to Katherine Heigl.  This super-versatile salve moisturizes lips, and is the perfect primer for the hottest lipsticks and glosses.  Before any photo shoot or walk down the red carpet, stars prep their lips with this 100-year-old remedy, which is also a quick fix for burns, dry elbows, and even diaper rash!  The best part is, Rosebud Salve is only $6 and comes in a variety of flavors including Rosebud, Menthol, Minted Rose, Brambleberry, and Strawberry.

5.      New York Fashionista Emergency Kit by K.I.S. Kits

          $24.99

          www.kiskits.com

Be prepared for any and all fashion emergencies with K.I.S. Kit’s New York Fashionista Emergency Kit!  Stylists to the stars are always prepared – you never know when you will need to correct a wardrobe malfunction!  With this eco-friendly kit, you’ll have everything you’ll need to fix and tame hems, cuffs, bra straps, sling-back shoes, peekaboo clothes, gaping necklines, missing buttons, shorten pants, lapels, bulging pockets, split seams, keep strapless tops in place, and even de-wrinkle and freshen fabrics!  The New York Fashionista Emergency Kit includes the No-Iron Crease Removing Mist, Seam Saver, Presto Buttons, Double Sided Fashion Tape, and a Mini Shoe Shine Sponge, all in a stylish clear travel case so you will always arrive runway ready!

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