Tag / self tan

by Kelly Mattei

Stocking Stuffers 2023

Stocking Stuffers 2023.

I used to hate trying to come up with new ideas for stocking stuffers, but no more… now I love it! Stocking stuffers are meant to be fun! But I also like real gifts as stocking stuffers too, because that’s a big surprise to the recipient…

  • Multitool Pen. It’s always hard to find stocking stuffers for men, but this is a good one…a multitool pen that functions in 9 different ways. Priced at $15.99, it’s a no-brainer. Get it here.
  • Dior Addict Lip Products. My friends and I love Dior Addict lip products. I’m a big fan of the plumping maximizers and lip balms, while some of my friends love the lip oils. See a bunch of Dior Addict Lip Products at Amazon here.
  • Amber Book Reading Light. A reading light attached to a plastic book mark that fits inside my book? Yes, please! If you prolific readers on your list, this could be a great stocking stuffer. It’s even great for college students who need to stay up late reading but don’t want to disturb a roommate. Get it here.
  • I Saw That Jesus Door Frame Sign. Sometimes we need a reminder to do the right thing. A friend sent her child to college with one of these. I think it’s a great idea to hang on a door frame, window frame, or mirror frame. Comes in a variety of colors at different prices, starting at $7.96. Get it here.
  • St Tropez Self-Tan Express One-Hour Tan Kit. For the person on your list who feels better with a tan in winter, the St Tropez Express Tan One-Hour Tan Kit is awesome. The one I’m listing is a mini with a mitt included. Tan fat looks better than white fat, and a tan face makes teeth look whiter. Get it for $20 here.
  • Dr. Squatch All Natural Bar Soap. Great natural soaps that come three to a pack in three different “manly” scents. The man on your list will love finding this in his stocking. Get it here.
  • It Happened Right Here: America’s Pop Culture Landmarks book. A book by Chris Epting, the author of cult-fave James Dean Died Here, this latest work shares the locations of lots of pop culture happenings: featured TV show locations, the dorm room where Facebook was created, the scene of the Beyonce and Jay Z elevator incident, and more. I am partial to Mr. Epting’s work, since he co-authored Leif Garrett’s memoir, Idol Truth, and sent me a message thanking me for reviewing it and recommending it on my blog! *Brush with fame!* This book great for anyone who loves pop culture, and it’s great for anyone who might want to visit the landmarks (like me!). Purchase here.
  • Musicozy Sleep Mask. Mine arrived today, and you can bet your sweet bippy I will be sleeping with it tonight. I mentioned it in a previous post. My cousin slept with this sleep mask on our trip to Panama; it has earbuds built in, so you can cover your eyes and listen to stories, music, or white noise as you drift off to sleep. It’s inexpensive, and you can get one here for the stocking of anyone on your list.
  • Silly Putty. Come on. Silly Putty is always fun, whether you’re seven or seventy, right? Don’t we all remember pressing it on the funny pages of the newspaper to see the image on the silly putty? Plus, it’s just fun to shape and mold. Honestly, I guess it’s the original “fidget toy.” Get a three pack of the original Silly Putty eggs from Amazon here.
  • Gwa Sha Stone. I don’t get it, but these are all the rage with high school and college girls. They’re supposed to tone facial muscles and promote lymphatic drainage. My daughter uses hers all the time. This is a super easy and inexpensive stocking stuffer. Get it here.
  • Makeup Erasers. I have written about these more than once, but it’s because I love them so much! Remove all your makeup with a Makeup Eraser and water! Nothing else! It’s awesome! I use them. My daughter uses them. They make a perfect stocking stuffer! They’re reusable; I use one a day and place it in the mesh pouch. When the pouch is full, I throw it in the washer and dryer with my other laundry…and voila! Fresh Makeup Erasers come out of the dryer, ready to be used again! Seriously, stop wasting money on disposable makeup wipes. Get seven erasers for $25, and use them over and over again! Purchase here. Go ahead. Purchase them for everyone in your family who wears makeup.
  • Compact Waterproof Binoculars. Great for boating, birdwatching, sporting events, or the beach. These waterproof binoculars make a great stocking stuffer and will fit in a small handbag. They have a rubber outer shell, decreasing the possibility of breakage. The magnification is 8X, and they are only $17.99 at Amazon here.
  • Wireless Karaoke Machine. Everyone has that obnoxious friend or family member who would love a good wireless karaoke machine to “liven things up” on Christmas. Right? Hi. It’s me. I’m the problem. It’s me. Personally, I think it’s a great stocking stuffer. And at only $26.99, let’s goooooo! Get it here.

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  • Beanboozled. Y’all, I thought Beanboozled had left the building, but then, today, a friend started talking about it. It’s a jelly bean game…two different jelly beans look the same, but one is a bad flavor, and one is a yummy flavor. My daughter used to have the best time with Beanboozled, and not just with kids…she would get adults to play too! My brother was the best Beanboozled player (when he was in his 40s!), because he didn’t even flinch when he got a bad flavor (stinky socks, rotten cheese, etc). My daughter thought he was amazing! You can get Beanboozled at Amazon here. It could add some fun to the holidays!
  • Stylus Pens. I write and draw all the time. While I’m on the phone, I’m either walking (getting those steps in!) or writing/drawing in a notebook I keep in my kitchen. I like a pen that writes smoothly, but I also like a pen with a stylus, because I can use it on my phone and iPad. If you have someone on your list who likes to “doodle,” a stylus pen set could be a great stocking stuffer, and they’re inexpensive! These are some smooth-writing pens that look like they cost a lot more than they do! Get the multicolored set here.
  • Mini Cornhole. Enjoy cornhole on a tabletop! No big spaces needed! Get it for under $25 here.
  • Happy Belly Coffee Pods. If you have a coffee drinker on your list, Happy Belly Coffee Pods are awesome, inexpensive, and they come in lots of flavors. I love the breakfast blend. At $26.66 for 100 pods, they are a bargain! Seriously, that’s less than 27 cents a cup. Get them here.
  • Thumbs Up Cellphone Stand. Anyone who relies on their cellphone for daily task could use these cute cellphone stands shaped like “thumbs up.” $8.49 will get a two-pack. Get them here.

I’ll post more stocking stuffers…some more serious ones…later today or tomorrow! This should get you going, though!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

by Kelly Mattei

Holiday Gifting 2021 (Part 7): Gifts for Mom

Gifts for Mom.

Yes, like the Saturday Night Live video from last year, Moms often get robes for Christmas. Personally, I love a good robe, and I always welcome one as a gift, but sometimes it’s nice to get something else. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of items that might make great gifts for the Mom on your list…at lots of different price points. Don’t be alarmed or run away when you see the first one, priced at $549.99…there are items in all price ranges.

  • Dyson Air Wrap Complete Styler. This one is a pricey gift, but Mom will definitely appreciate it…if you hurry up and get it, because this particular hair “system” is in hot demand and limited supply. Priced at $549.99 (yep, you read that right), it’s a hair dryer/styler/brush all in one. Somehow it dries hair but uses less heat than traditional hair dryers, causing less damage. Add in the fact that it dries hair while you style it, saving Mom lots of time, and it could be her very favorite gift ever! I purchased one for myself this past summer after several friends told me how much they loved theirs, and I have to say I give it five stars! There was a little learning curve, but once I got it all figured out, I love it. Right now, I see it is still available online at Ulta here. If you purchase from Ulta, make sure you sign up for Ultamate Rewards, because you can get free stuff in exchange for points later!
  • MikWright Gifts. I have been a fan of MikWright products for years. They make the funniest greeting cards and gifts using old family photos. And sometimes, the “greetings” are a little naughty…making them even funnier. I love their bar towels and would welcome them as gifts. Priced at $7.95 and $9.95, they could make great gifts for the mom who has a fun sense of humor. See MikWright’s website here. The towel show below come with the caption “#almostdrunkenough to wish you were here”
  • Brookstone Heated Shiatsu Foot Massager. If I didn’t have one of these myself, I’d likely laugh if you asked me if this would make a great gift. If I didn’t have one myself, it would sound like one of those things someone gives someone…and it never gets used. But at my house, it gets used! My husband bought this for me a few years ago when I was having aching feet after working on a project that required me to be on my feet a lot. He surprised me with it, and frankly, I thought he had lost his mind, but then I tried it. It is a great, great thing…probably one of the best gifts I’ve ever received! It heats, kneads, and massages feet. There are nights that I find myself having trouble falling asleep, so I go into the living room and put my feet into the feet massager. After 10 or 20 minutes, I’m much more relaxed and fall asleep pretty quickly. It’s a great gift. Get it for Mom if you can. She might thing you’re crazy at first, but she will find out it’s a great gift. Priced at $199.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond right now, it’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny. And remember, you always have those 20% off coupons from Bed Bath & Beyond. If you don’t have one, you can get one by entering your email address at the website. Trust me…Mom will thank you. See it here.
  • St Tropez Award Winning Kit. If Mom likes to keep a little “color” year-round, she might like St.Tropez Bronzing Kit with Mousse, Gradual Tan-in-Shower Lotion and a Luxe Double-Sided Applicator Mitt. Again, this is something I have at home…I keep it on hand all the time, because I have found I feel better if I have a little “color.” When I look in the mirror and see pale face, I don’t like what I see…and my makeup doesn’t work so well when my face doesn’t have some color. If Mom likes to have a tan in winter, this would make a great gift. Priced at $49 at Ulta right now, it’s a deal and a great gift. See it here.
  • Giant Hoodies. This is not the first time I’ve recommended Giant Hoodies. There’s a reason I recommend them repeatedly: I love them! They make great gifts, because no size selection is required…they are one size fits all (most). They’re comfy. They’re cozy. They’re perfect for hanging out on the sofa watching football or Mom’s favorite TV shows. And the price is right. See the Giant Hoodies website here. OR if you prefer their bleach-dyed versions (my personal favorite), you can get them for $60 on Amazon here.
  • Cadence. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you realize you haven’t seen it all! Created by a woman who, on a camping trip, realized she and many others needed a solution for carrying all the little things one has to carry. She developed Cadence, magnetic capsules for carrying all those little things you need: skincare, haircare, makeup, meds, and more! The magnetic capsules stick together to form a larger “honeycomb” of sorts! Perfect for your carry-on bag when you travel, for going to the gym, or for camping trips, these capsules are environmentally friendly, because they’re reusable…instead of all those sandwich bags you throw away after every use, the mom on your list can use Cadence! Prices start at $14 for one capsule, or build a bundle of seven for $84! Pick Mom’s favorite color! See the website here. (Thanks to my friend, Meg, for telling me about this!)
  • Family Art. Mom love their families, and they (we) love anything that makes us think of our families or depicts our families. Uncommon Goods offers lots of options for family art…Personalized Family Fire Pit Art, Personalized Beach Family Art…all kinds of options…even family dance sculptures! And from what I can see, prices start at about $75. Remember, it’s personalized…Mom loves knowing you put some thought into the gift. See the offerings here.
Family Campfire Art from Uncommon Goods
  • Bala Bangles. I’m obsessed with the thought of these…I say “the thought,” because I haven’t purchased them yet. I’ve added them to my own personal wish list for Christmas…maybe my husband will read this. These cute bangles are wearable weights that can amp up a work out. They come in lots of colors, so they look cute while you exercise. I’ll take the Blush Pink, thank you very much. They come in one-pound or two-pound weights, priced at $45 and $65 on Amazon, respectively. See them here.
  • The Mini. I’ve sung the praises of Away luggage all over the place, but now I’m singing about the Away Mini. This little accessory is designed to stow your small travel essentials, like hand sanitizer and tiny toiletries. It’s made of the same durable polycarbonate shell as the suitcases I love, but this case is just 6.5″ x 5″ x 3″. It’s a great companion to the Away luggage or any luggage (till you decide to break down and purchase the Away brand), and at $45, it’s priced right. It comes in several colors. I could use a blush pink one to match my carry-on bag. See it here.
  • Marc Jacobs Snapshot Bag. I’ve mentioned the Marc Jacobs Snapshot Bags several times before, and those are as popular (and convenient) as ever. But now they’ve upped the game, and they’ve offering a “shaggy” version that I love! Offered at $350 for a confection pink version or a bonfire orange version, these cute bags are eye-catching and fun! I’ll take one of each, please! See them at Neiman Marcus here.
  • Ugg Scuffette II Sparkle Shearling Slippers. Y’all know I love shiny, and you know I love comfort. Put those two things together, and you get the Ugg Scuffette II Metallic Slippers that any mom would love. My daddy would have laughed at them, but my mother would have loved them. Priced at $100, they’re a great buy for a gift Mom is sure to love. I always hope to have one pair of good slippers under the tree each year, and this year, I hope it’s these. See them here.
  • Sorel Go Mail Run Multicolored Faux Fur Slipper. Or if you’d like to spend a little less on a cool slipper for Mom, this Sorel slipper is different and stylish for just $75. Highly recommend. See it here.
  • French Riviera Trinket Tray. I keep a trinket tray on my nightstand, so I can drop little things there at night that I’m going to need the next day. Maybe I’m too lazy to get up and put my earrings in the jewelry box before I doze off? Maybe I keep a pen handy at all times? Maybe I just need to put my reading glasses there before I drift off for the night? I love a good trinket tray, and who wouldn’t love to see the French Riviera before they fall asleep at night? This is a favorite, and at $40, it’s a steal. See it here.
  • Great Escapes USA Book. Mom loves seeing beautiful places and beautiful photography? If so, she will love this book of hotel photos by Angelika Taschen. Priced at just $60, it is literally a beautiful gift. Mom can appreciate the beauty as it is presented or plan a getaway to some of the glorious hotels featured. That’s what I plan to do. Purchase this lovely gift here.
  • Instant Pot. Don’t shoot me for putting a kitchen appliance on the list. I’m always hesitant to do this, but I have so many friends who love kitchen appliances…I’d be remiss if I didn’t have one on here. The Instant Pot is here to stay. I remember when people first started buying microwave ovens…and they’re still here. I also remember when folks started purchasing Instant Pots. If you don’t have one, you’re behind the curve. If mom likes to try to pressure cook things faster (that roast? that spaghetti squash?) this could be the perfect gift for her. Get it on sale at Target here.
  • Hermes Mini Jardin Collection Coffret Set. Who doesn’t love opening a gift to find a lovely Hermés gift box? Mom will be pleasantly surprised. And the fragrances inside the box reflect the scent of gardens. At $55, these bottles of eau de toilette will be one of Mom’s favorite gifts this year. Purchase it here.
  • Hermés Esperon d’or Scarf 45. Another orange-box gift option? A scarf. This lovely silk twill scarf offered by Hermés is pricey but not as pricey as one would think. It’s offered in four colors, and it’s $205. Mom will be proud to say she got it for Christmas. Purchase it here.
  • Memories. If you want a guaranteed Mom-pleasing gift, give her a memory gift. I posted about them recently, and any of the “memory” options would make Mom happy. See them here.

That’s a wide array of gifts in a broad price range…from $7.95 to $550. Happy Shopping!

****Coming next, my favorite: Stocking Stuffers!****

by Kelly Mattei

Working On My Tan

Yes, it’s September. Even though temperatures are still in the 90s in Charlotte, leaves are beginning to fall. Autumn is officially here. But this year, fall is going to be different.

Usually, as summer comes to an end, I watch my summer tan fade quickly. I look like a ghost by Halloween. This year, though, is going to be different. I plan to work on my tan year-round.

Nope. I won’t be sitting out in the sun in a swimsuit in frigid temperatures. I won’t be going to a tanning bed…no way. I won’t be getting a spray tan at the local spray tan salon…not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just too time consuming for me.

I plan to work on my tan in the privacy of my own home. I’ve tried lots of different self tanning products, but this year, I found one I absolutely love. I first purchased it in Target when it was displayed on an end cap. It’s called Tanologist. According to the Tanologist website, it is “the future of self-tanning, created by makeup artist and beauty influencer, Lottie Tomlinson.” You can see the website here.

 

 

There are multiple Tanologist products. I have tried two, and I will be trying more in the near future. I’ve been pleased with the results from both products I’ve used…one is the Tanologist Face + Body Drops, and the other is the Tanologist Self Tan Water.

The drops were the first product I tried. I’m going to admit something here that I’ve only admitted to my daughter: the first time I used it, I didn’t read the directions. I simply put a few drops in my hands and rubbed it all over my face. The next day, my daughter remarked on my “tan” and said it was really dark. I went back to take a look at the Tanologist bottle and read the directions, and they said to “add two to three drops to moisturizer.” Eek. No wonder it was too dark! I did it wrong! So the next time, I followed the directions, and I was very pleased with the results. For me, I have found that it’s best to add a few drops to my moisturizer and apply it to my face…then wait 15 or 20 minutes before applying foundation. And if you’re not wearing gloves or a tanning mitt when you apply it, wash your hands thoroughly immediately after using it. I learned the hard way…

For use on my arms/legs/chest, at first, I preferred the Tanologist Water. It’s a spray, and I’ve found it easy to use.  I spray a few pumps on my arms and legs, rub it evenly all over, and then quickly wash my hands (unless I’m wearing gloves). No one wants the insides of their hands to be tan, and this stuff will definitely tan the palms of your hands if you don’t wash it off quickly. Don’t ask me how I know. Like I said, at first, I preferred the water on my arms and legs, but I later discovered I prefer using the drops with my body lotion. I have friends who swear by the water, though.

A word of caution: after you use it, wait a while before putting on clothes. I usually wait for it to air dry a little before I put on an old bathrobe. If it stains the inside of my old bathrobe, it’s OK, because I’ve had it forever. But the stuff will stain your clothes if you aren’t careful.

I love the color it gives my skin, and I also love that it doesn’t have the same odor that a lot of other self tanners have. It does have an odor, but I actually like it! To me, the color seems more natural than other self tanners I have used in the past…and I’ve used a lot of them. And if you have those tiny white spots that show up on your skin at a certain age, Tanologist helps blend those spots to match the rest of your skin! Therefore, even when I have a real tan, I use it occasionally to help even out my skin tone. It has only looked streaky one time, and that was because, when I washed my hands after applying it, some water ran down my forearm, so as the color developed, there was a white streak on my arm. So just be careful when you wash your hands.

So yes, I plan keep a bit of a tan year round. I just don’t like the ghostly look on me. You can purchase Tanologist at your local Target or online from Target here. I’ve checked other places, and Target had the best pricing I could find. If you opt to try Tanologist, let me know what you think!

 

 

 

 

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