nyspender new year's resolutions 2010

I once read that "A Goal is a Dream with a Deadline"

what that means is if you want any of your dreams to come true, you need to give them a deadline, otherwise they will remain dreams forever.

So my dreams/resolutions for this 2010 are the following:

1) I NEED to get back in shape! After the pregnancy and now the baby (and breastfeeding) my body is completely different than what it used to be. But I have faith that with some kind of discipline and routine, I can achieve some good results. I might start something here on the blog, similar to the Bikini Club we had a while back.

2) Write more. Not just blogging. My big dream is to write a novel, and I might start writing it somewhere in here, just to get a start and some motivation.

3) Different blogging. I have been itching to do something different with this blog, or at least to add to it, and the one idea that keeps popping up is VIDEOS. Watch out for the Spender on Video, and feel free to let me know if that would be something that you would like to see (literally)!

4) Less clutter, more organized living. With a baby it has become a necessity to streamline many chores, to be able to do everything quicker and many times with just one hand! Once again, I might share what I learn here, because I can get your feedback on how to do it even better.

Remember, this year don't call them resolutions but call them dreams with a deadline, and maybe they will come true. :)

Happy New Year!
.

shop till you drop!

New York & Company - Up to 70% off

Abercrombie & Fitch - Up to 40% off

Gap - Up to 40% off

Banana Republic - Up to 40% off

Martin+Osa - Up to 60% off

L.L.Bean - Up to 50% off

Shopbop - Up to 70% off

Bebe - Starts at $19.99

Ann Taylor - 40% off

Anne Klein - Up to 60% off

Sephora - Extra 20% off

Bloomingdale's - Up to 50% off

Saks - Up to 60% off

Levi's - Up to 50% off
.

shop the sales

You figure the day after Christmas one should rest and relax instead of shopping.

But these are the days of major sales, so it is my duty to research and report! ;)

So far I've already killed one Lord and Tailor gift certificate.

To be continued...

Merry Christmas!

purple state of mind

I remember a time when I didn't wear eye shadow. It wasn't even that long ago. I preferred keeping my eye makeup simple, with eye pencil and mascara.

Then something happened: I finally learned how to apply eye shadow!

See, the real reason behind not wearing the eye shadow wasn't because I was going for a "clean" look, it really was because I didn't know how to put eye shadow on.

But after I learned the art of eye shadowing, oh man, a whole new aisle in the makeup section opened up for me!

I usually like to keep eye makeup simple, which translates into one color at a time, when possible (no MAC drag queen look for me).

Also, most of the times, I get stuck with one color for the whole season: let's see, there was the shimmery white season, the gray season, the light blue season, the dark blue season.

This winter I'm craving purple!

I think I am going out there today, and instead of focusing on my Christmas presents list that is still waaaay unfinished, I think I might go out there and waste some time in the makeup section, looking for my next purple eye shadow!

dell + opi = stylish laptop

In their continuing quest of personalized designs, Dell has now partnered with Opi nail polish!

You can now choose between 26 shades from "I'm Not Really a Waitress" to "Dear Santa" to "Teal the Cows Come Home" to color your new laptop!

I really like the red glittery one that is Dear Santa (shown in the picture).

Here are all the different shades available:

Visit Dell Design Studio for more info.

fashion success: green coat

See?

You don't need to wear a black coat all the time. And not even a brown coat. Nor a gray one.

You can wear a green coat and look great.

Like this lady in the picture.

See how she stands out in the crowd?

The trick to make something like this work is to keep all the other colors muted. Even better if it's the same color allover.

In her case, she wore black pants, black shoes, a black bag, and black gloves. It also helped that she had beautiful black hair.

another great stocking stuffer this season: fingerless gloves!

Ok, I think it's been long enough (hmm, about 20 years) since I last wore fingerless gloves, and this year is the perfect year to start wearing them again.

Why?

Well, for starters, because they are in style again, which means you can find a pair in a color or pattern you like. And also, because they are really cute!

But not every fingerless glove is perfect for everyone. I think your gloves taste and needs evolve with age, especially when it comes to fingerless.

Way back in 1988, for example, I would have gone for something like this: edgy and cool!





Fingerless knit Gloves - Comes in several colors!





Today, I am more into quality and practicality, so I would choose something warm like wool or cashmere and with a fold-over cap in case I get too cold. And Juicy Couture has some very pretty ones!



Juicy Couture Iconic Pop Top Mittens

Gorgeous in pink, and they also come in purple and in white!















Juicy Couture Luxe Cable Knit Pop Top Gloves

These look so cozy and warm!







Juicy Couture Button Detail Long Pop Top Gloves

The buttons add a touch of simple elegance.

Whatever your taste, 'tis the season you'll find the perfect pair for you and the perfect present for someone on your list! :)
.

become a fan to win a philip stein watch

Philip Stein, a maker of luxury watches, has recently launched a Facebook Fan Page.

If you become a fan, you are entered in a contest to win one of two free watches worth more than $1,300 each!

Only the first 2,500 fans participate in the contest, but it's ok because as of right now they have 1,055 fans.

Hurry! Philip Stein Facebook Page

what to do with a gift card you don't want?

Gift giving season is upon us, and more times than not we all end up with a few gift cards in our pockets. Lovely!

Except when the gift card is for Dunkin' Donuts and you don't drink coffee. Or for the GAP, and you HATE the GAP. Or for Williams Sonoma when you are more of a Bed, Bath and Beyond kind of gal.

You get my point.

So what do you do with gift cards you know you won't use? You go to Gift Card Rescue and you trade them in for cash or some other gift card of your choice. Cool, isn't it?

Another cool feature of giftcardrescue.com is that you can also buy a gift card on their site at a discounted value! Why buy full price when you can buy on sale?
.

ny spender's ultimate gift guide - part 2

Ok, one last chance to buy your gifts online before it's too late! Here are some more ideas for you:

He loves me, he loves me not- put your feelings on a chain ladies! Self expression has never looked so good from Charmed Circle- a new celebrity adorned line of personalized jewelry that includes charm bracelets, letter necklaces, love capsules and engraved love letters that carry special secrets and sweet messages. Charmed Circle makes the perfect gift for your best gal pal that loves to wear her heart on her sleeve, or in this case as a fab new accessory. From $60 - $300


Great Gift Idea for Teens, Tweens and
Anyone with a Taste for the Odd:
"Seeing is Believing"
the Newest Book from Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Crazy Creatures, Incredible Feats, Body Oddities and more are featured in the latest Yearbook of the Weird from Ripley's Believe It or Not!

I actually own their iPhone case and I love it! Speck’s popular and trusted line of laptop bags and iPhone cases: Speck is a leading designer and manufacturer of cases and bags for notebooks, iPhones, iPods and other various consumer electronics. From fashionable (checkpoint friendly) bags perfect for holiday travel to durable, trendy cases to accompany a new gadget, Speck has a product for anyone on your holiday shopping list. Their line of cases includes the “Candyshell” and “See Thru”, and their line of bags includes the “Aftpack” and the “Port Pack.”

BAGGU a creative, ultra-hip and colorful
eco-friendly, reusable bag company offers functional bags that are both
stylish and affordable. Baggu is the perfect accessory for a grocery run,
trip to the mall or an innovative and stylish way to carry your lunch -
by hand or over the shoulder. Pricing: $8.00 for one or $6.50 for 6 or more
bags.

Every gift bought on the Elegantroots.com website is delivered in luxurious but environmentally responsible, eco-friendly packaging, free of charge. Elegantroots.com also provides customers with the who (made this product), what (is it made from), where (was it made) and why (beyond form and function, is it worth buying) information they need to feel great about what they are buying and giving.

For the sporty guys on your list, Jock Soap's Best Shave Ever Holiday Gift Collection was created to make shaving a bit more interesting and a whole lot more comfortable. Designed to provide guys with the finest shave products available, the Best Shave Ever kit will help all the guys on your gift list achieve smoother, sexier skin – and a studly, irresistible face at that. Who knows, he may even think this is the best gift ever.

The Best Shave Ever Holiday Gift Collection by Jock Soap includes:

*Strapping Complexion Bar
*Shore Leave Shaving Cream
*Lather Up Travel Shave Brush
*Tall Drink Aftershave Balm & Facial Moisturizer
*Bonus Gift: Pow! Right in the Kisser! Lip Balm with SPF 15 (Italian Ice)

Retail Price: $39.00; Available at www.GetJock.com

And don't forget to stop by my store for even more ideas: NY Spender's Christmas Store !!!

stocking stuffers from the spender

I wish us girls would have a hair product line as cool as Axe!

They look out so much for their customers (guys), they understand that hair is very important (!) and they realize that guys need a little help from time to time (styling help).

Axe knows that bad hair really does hurt guys' game, and it's out on a quest to make sure every last guy with hair problem is taken care of! And today the Spender will join them in helping you girls get your guys' hair in order!

The first 10 comments on this post get a coupon good for a free shampoo, conditioner or styling product! FREE! A great stocking stuffer! (make sure you leave your email in the comment!)

Now, if I could give Axe just one piece of advice, it would be this: focus on the young ones, they are the ones that need more guidance!


Also, check out the AXE Hair Hot Tweeters promotion: the top 10 well haired guys, at the end of each month, will win a haircut ($50 gift card) and an array of AXE Hair products. Guys compete and girls vote.

i think i have my holiday party dress

Where did this year go???

Ah yes, I had my precious baby! :)

Which means most of my time is dedicated to her. And very little room is left in my brain for info not related to her.

Like the fact that my company's Holiday party is next Friday.

And that I don't have a new dress for it.

And that is soooo not me!

Well, in my mind I already had an idea of what I wanted: something in an unusual color, preferable purple, and in a one-shoulder style.

But these days I prefer to spend my money on baby dresses more than on mine, so when I found out about Rent The Runway.com, which, supposedly, rents A-list designer dresses, I was thrilled.

In the back of my head I figured that I could look there if I couldn't find anything at the store.

But when I went to their website and I tried to sign up I got this message:

Thank you for joining our wait list. To guarantee that our customers get the best possible experience, we have to limit the number of memberships. But we’ll get you in—and into one of our dresses—as soon as possible.

Not much help, especially when I need a dress NOW.

But I believe things always happen for a reason, and considering I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a new dress, and the fact that I really don't have any time left to find the dress, I am forced to wear something that's already in my closet.

And that could be the dress I wore to my baby's Christening. I only wore it once. Nobody in my company has seen it. And it's purple!

I believe we have a winner!!! :)

No, it's not the dress from the picture, that one is from edressme.com

.

fashion disaster, or is it?

Opinions vary on this one. Some people say it's ok to walk the streets with rollers in your hair. I personally don't like it.

And just because you bring your friend along it doesn't make it any better, especially if her rolls are all coming undone.

I can't help it: they both look funny to me.
.

great gift idea: victoria's secret pajama set

I recently bought myself this pajama set from Victoria's Secret.

Yes, in this exact color. :)

It is soooo comfortable. I love it!

But there's more to this story...

Back when I placed my order, there was a promotion to get matching slippers for free.

Free is always good!

But I wasn't too sure about these funny looking slippers because I didn't really want to look like an elf, you know?


But, like I've said, free is good, so I added them to the order.


A few days later I received my order and holy crap! These slippers are awesome! They are soooo comfortable and adorable! I love looking like a little elf and quietly gliding around the house in these soft things!


Unfortunately the promotion is over, but I can tell you that I am planning on buying a new pajama (in a different color) and I know I will spend the extra $20 to get the matching slippers.

I think this makes for a great gift, especially if you give the slippers, too! ;)

.

ny spender's 2009 ultimate holiday gift guide - part 1

NY Spender's Holiday Gift Guide!

• The Guggenheim Museum has released a new line of products in celebration of the museum’s 50th Anniversary commemoration. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s famously designed museum, these pieces are the perfect holiday gift for art and architecture lovers on your shopping list this year. For more gifts visit: Guggenheim Store
  
  Guggenheim Lamp by Megara –$55.00 - Light up the night in high design with Zita Watkin’s beautiful, functional tribute to the iconic Guggenheim Museum building. Packaged flat, the seamless, semi-translucent polypropylene spiral opens into beautiful lamp with a few simple steps.
  
• The Metropolitan Opera has launched a new online store! The new Met Opera Shop online offers opera lovers worldwide a selection of music, apparel, jewelry, and other exclusive products, including pieces inspired by the Met’s history, architecture, and productions. All purchases made at metoperashop.org support the Metropolitan Opera.

• Sold exclusively on HSN.com, Rarities is created with genuine precious and semi precious gemstones. From cocktail rings to bracelets, drop earrings to necklaces; Rarities is all about mixing and matching and has something for everyone: Amethyst Ring: $69.90. (check out Rarities all new collection live on HSN December 19, 2009)
  
  



• This holiday season, wrap your posh pooch in something extra special from The Shabby Dog!
  

• Lisa Malcom has launched Viakeywest.com, a new Web site promoting unique gifts inspired by the art, history, culture and characters of Key West. It's the place to find new and old treasures, from hard-to-find, one-of-a-kind jewelry to stunning photography, paintings, and handcrafted goods made from artisans in Key West and around the world.
  
  Schooner Waterfront Size 17" x 22" $275.00
  

• The Perfect Cami: It’s easy to wear, simply slips over your head and hooks to the bra strap, eliminating extra fabric and straps of a traditional camisole. The versatility and comfort of the Perfect Cami takes you from casual wear to the office and then a night out on the town. Each cami comes with its own travel pouch. The Perfect Cami retails from $22 - $45 and is available on line at Perfect Cami
  
  




• Feather Wish Necklace - Rhodium Open each delicate angel wing locket to discover the "wishing feathers" nestled inside. Keep the feathers to hold special dreams by your heart, or offer them as wishful gifts for another. Heart-shaped Rhodium lockets filled with real feathers. Lobster claw closure - 16" chain with 2" extender. $ 45.00 (review coming soon on NY Spender!)



• +Beryll boots are hand-restored 1960’s leather, unique and numbered. The boots have quite a history dating back to the French military and are completely refurbished and resoled right here in the +Beryll Los Angeles studio.
  
  


• Blacksocks. For an annual fee of $89 (includes shipping), “sockscribers” receive three pairs of high-quality socks every four months for a total of nine pairs. Sockscribers have the option of calf socks, knee socks, athletic socks, ski socks or cashmere silk socks. Never match, sort or shop for socks again.

• Former lawyers and co-owners Greg and Gina Shugar launched TheTieBar.com in 2004 after being fed up with paying a fortune for neckties. They created TheTieBar.com to offer an affordable, stylish option for men looking to add to their wardrobe without the budget. The website offers hundreds of styles of 100% silk ties in a variety of colors and patterns for only $15 each. You can join The Tie Bar’s “Tie of the Month Club” and you’ll have new ties shipped to your door each month. 12 ties per year (1 per month): $199

• MyJewelryBox.com is the leading online jewelry retailer in North America with the largest selection of fashion-forward jewelry.
  
  Blue Topaz Cocktail Ring $199
  

• Set for December 17, Free Shipping Day is a one day shopping event when participating merchants offer free shipping to their customers with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. More than 450 retailers have already signed up to participate, eclipsing last year’s final tally of 250. For more info, visit freeshippingday.com

Stay tuned for part 2!

And don't forget to visit my store for even more gift ideas! :)

breakfast at tiffany

Let's admit it: we all love to receive one of these blue boxes for Christmas.

A present from Tiffany must be one of the most exciting ones, because it can be anything from a chic pendant to a gorgeous engagement ring, and no matter what, there's that certainty that it will definitely be a beautiful present.

Last week I was invited to have "Breakfast at Tiffany" to preview Tiffany's gift collection for the holidays, which was comprised of 10 perfect gifts to give this season.

Their list included famous jewelry icons and colorful gemstones from Jean Schlumberger's rings to Elsa Peretti's Bone cuff.

I loved their list, but to me everything in the store is a candidate for the gift collection!

Even better, I can also come up with my "Top 10 gifts I would love to receive from Tiffany". ;)

In no particular order (and without any budgeting limits):

1) A pink sapphire and diamond Circles bracelet in platinum.


2) This green tourmaline and diamond opera length necklace set in platinum and these cushion-cut green tourmaline and diamond flower earrings set in platinum (this was part of their list).


3) Morganite drop earrings with diamonds set in 18k rose gold.


4) A lace-like diamond pendant in platinum.



5) Any of the Tiffany Celebration® rings! From top: baguette diamonds, bead-set diamonds with milgrain edge, shared setting with round brilliant diamonds, channel-set with round brilliant and baguette diamonds, Etoile four-row with pavé-set diamonds, channel-set with square diamonds, channel-set with round brilliant diamonds in platinum.

$4,675, $2,950, $13,725, $3,100, $11,850, $7,650, $4,125

6) Something for every budget: Tiffany Keys Collection pendants in sterling silver, 18 karat gold, 18 karat gold and diamonds, diamonds and platinum (also on their list).


7) An emerald-cut, Lucida®, Tiffany Novo diamond ring in platinum (aka engagement ring)


8) A Tiffany & Co. sterling silver Skate charm bracelet, with charms of the season, from left: snowflake, blue and white candy cane with enamel finish, Return to Tiffany™ medium Heart Tag, skate with blue enamel finish, mini heart key, and shopping bag with blue enamel finish. Oval link bracelet in sterling silver sold separately ($450).

$80, $115, $80, $150, $100, $150

9) A Jean Schlumberger enamel bracelet for Tiffany & Co.

$27,000, $27,000, $22,000, $35,000, $65,000

10) One of Jean Schlumberger’s lavish gemstone rings. The designer plays up the charisma of pink with the extravagant Leaves ring, featuring an 11.99-carat cushion-shape rubellite emerging from lush gold leaves set with 120 round diamonds. And blue at its coolest is captured in a ring with indicolite tourmaline brightly lit by diamonds in full flower (also on their list).



What would your list include?

FTC Disclosure: The Spender received a pretty silver Tiffany key pendant (and breakfast!) as a gift for stopping by Tiffany and previewing the gift collection.
.

weekend reads

For this week’s best of Sass, Style & Substance beauty & fashion news!

• Raging Rouge
  Raging Rouge posts breaking news on Urban Decay Spring 2010 24/7 Eye Pencil colors!


• Beauty and Fashion Tech
  Winter Skin Care Tips.

• Splendicity Accessories
  Are you having problems finding a gift for the vegan on your holiday shopping list? Here are some stylish suggestions.



• A Touch of Blusher
  A Touch of Blusher looks at YSL's spring 2010 makeup collection.