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Chicago Love

  • "No matter where you stand right now - on a hilltop, in a gutter, at a crossroads, in a rut - you need to give yourself the best you have to offer in this moment." — Oprah
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  • In lieu of a quote...
    Let your game speak.
    Failure.
    Tell me. — Jordan
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What I'm Reading Now

Michael lives in my neighborhood. I do not know him but I see him around all the time. This book (his first) was named one of the top 10 best books of 2007 by the NY Times Book Review. He also just won the Impac Dublin Literary Award.

What I Just Read

My rating:

(I need to cry for 5 stars.)

Janelle interviewed me eons ago for Salon.com. She's a sassy lady who's super nice. This is her first novel. It received rave reviews and I loved every minute of it.

Showing posts with label Holiday Shopping 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday Shopping 2008. Show all posts

Dec 3, 2008

Holiday Shopping: Food & Fitness

(Yes, they do go together.)

Welcome to my 2008 holiday shopping list made up of shops and stores that are owned and/or operated by the wonderful readers of this blog! (I've added a couple charities to the mix as well!) Check out their goods... buy them as gifts... and support each other in the process! Times are tight, so let's all band together.

WARNING: Some of the stuff you are about to see is WAY cute. Keep reading at your own risk.

Embittermints



LOVE these. Embittermints are breath mints with cheeky expressions like BUZZ OFF, BITE ME, and YO MAMA carved into them. In addition to being sold at a number of stores, they're also sold on the Embittermints website. They're a fun gift (the perfect stocking stuffer) and a great conversation piece. Embittermints... so mean, so minty.






Get The Bean



Get The Bean is an online store that sells coffee, herbal teas, chai teas and more. A portion of the proceeds from sales are donated to various cancer charities, as the founder, Meghan, is a cancer survivor. To learn more, visit Get The Bean's website, blog, or Meghan's blog. And who doesn't love coffee or tea as a Christmas gift?






Bella Fitness Training



Attention Nashville! How would you like a personal trainer to come to your house and work you out? If so, then Stephanie and Bella Fitness Training is for you. Get some friends together for Bridal Boot Camp or attend a Bikini Boot Camp class. Not only are Stephanie's prices incredibly affordable, but she also gives incentives in the form of Bella Bucks if you stick with the program. Personal training sessions or packages would make a great gift for anyone!






Imagin Aerial



Attention New Yorkers! Have you ever wanted to learn aerial acrobatics and be like all those cool people in Cirque Du Soleil? Well, at ImaginAerial you can do just that. They offer lessons in silks acts (think trapeze, but prettier) and you can buy your friends and family gift certificates. I'm told anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do it (you don't have to be Super Woman. Hell, you don't even have to be able to do a pull-up!), and I'm totally doing it after the new year.






Pampered Chef



The Pampered Chef believes that multipurpose tools are the cornerstone of an efficient kitchen and sells products that are designed to be used in more ways than one. With hundreds of cool things for sale on their extensive website, you're guaranteed to find the perfect gift for that friend or family member who loves to cook.

Posted by Karyn at 3:00 PM

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Nov 25, 2008

Holiday Shopping: Pets

Remembering Ruby: For Families Living Beyond the Loss of a Pet
By Melisa Wells



Remembering Ruby is a wonderful book for anyone who's recently suffered or is about to suffer the loss of a pet. It's written by the lovely Melisa Wells of Suburban Scrawl.






Daisy's Pet Supplies



Daisy's Pet Supplies is an online pet supply store that sells dog toys, beds, leashes, collars—you name it! If Beverly weren't such a freeloader and actually had some money, she'd shop there in a heartbeat.







Vicktory Dog Wine



Okay, the makers of Vicktory Dogs Wine don't exactly read this blog (or maybe they do!), but a few people sent me this link and I had to include it in my gift guide.

So, remember the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog-fighting ring? Well, the dogs now live at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill, no-cage animal rescue sanctuary in the U.S. An artist began painting portraits of these dogs, and a vineyard in California put the portraits on bottles of wine and is giving 100% of the proceeds back to Best Friends. The wine is available by the bottle or the case and would make a great gift for any animal lover.






World Animal Foundation: Adopt An Animal



WAF's Adopt An Animal symbolic adoption helps preserve the planet and protect its animals. It makes a great gift and comes with a kit that includes the following:
  • Photo of Your Adopted Animal
  • Adopt An Animal Adoption Certificate
  • Fact Sheet About Your Adopted Animal
  • Help Animals Info Packet Packed With Information On Animal Issues & How You Can Help Animals And The Environment
Each kit can be sent directly to the recipient at a date of your choosing and will include a letter stating the Adopt A Cow is from you.

Posted by Karyn at 1:37 PM

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Nov 20, 2008

Holiday Shopping: Clothing & Accessories

Juella Designs



I love Juella Designs! She makes the cutest stamped silver jewelry ever! According to her bio, she's "inspired daily to create new jewelry pieces. The simplest things give me design ideas... a song lyric, an item of clothing, movies, even a color." She also loves doing custom orders so if you see something you like but would like to tweak it a bit, let her know.






Zero Calories



Zero Calories is an Etsy store that sells the most adorable jewelry in the shape of your favorite sweets! So if there are any poptart lovers or donut freaks on your list this year, then look no further! Zero Calories is the place for you.






EXIST981



EXIST1981 makes wearable art for men and women. All pieces are hand-printed with love, by the artist, in limited edition quantities. EXIST1981 is based in San Diego, California.






three twenty seven designs



three twenty seven designs sells one-of-a-kind aprons through an Etsy store, but will also make custom aprons upon request. In addition to being functional with ribbon ties and strategically placed pockets, the aprons are also super cute and fashionable. So, whether you want a premade design or would like the designer to make a special creation out of Grandma's vintage table cloth, it's a great gift!

20% of the profits are donated to a Dallas charity that helps women re-enter the workforce.







Fadenschoen



Fadenschoen makes cute little bags for cell phones, mp3 players, make up etc. The website is only in German yet but she ships internationally and you can email her in English.

Posted by Karyn at 11:38 PM

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Holiday Shopping: Babies & Children

Too Cute Boutique




Too cute boutique is a super-cute Etsy store that sells mostly baby/child related items, but also carries stationary items, too. Chjeck out the adorable burp cloths and the ginormous crayons called "Chunks."






SugarVillage



SugarVillage is an Etsy store that sells the CUTEST original watercolor paintings ever! I might have to get a couple for Nora and Jack.







Mama Kanga



Mama Kanga is a San Diego-based company that sells adorable baby slings in lovely fabrics. I love that they say that they "specialize in the art of babywearing."






Flakey the Naked Snowman
Written and animated by Amy Tubbs. Photography by Joe Shymanski.



Flakey the Naked Snowman is a 32-page, full-color, soft cover story book reminiscent of retro Christmas specials like Rudolf and Frosty. Children (and adults!) will love it.

20% of the proceeds from the sale of this book will go to charitable organizations worldwide.


Posted by Karyn at 9:02 PM

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Nov 19, 2008

Holiday Shopping

This is your last chance! I'm putting together a holiday shopping made up of stuff that readers (you!) make and sell. So send me an email if you've written a book, own a store, have an Etsy store—whatever! Perhaps I can help get you some business this holiday season.

I'll put my list up later tonight, so email me at mail [at] prettyinthecity.com

Posted by Karyn at 9:41 AM

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Nov 8, 2008

What Do You Do?

I know some people who read this blog have written books, own stores, make jewelry, etc. I want to highlight some readers and help promote your businesses, books, etc. —especially with the holidays coming up. So, what do you do?

Email me at mail [at] prettyinthecity.com.

Posted by Karyn at 1:23 PM

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