Gift Idea Friday - Recycled Glass Bottle Platter from Uncommon Goods

Uncommon Goods is one of my favorite places to search for a unique gift and one of the gifts that I have given most frequently is their Recycled Glass Bottle Platter. It is the perfect gift for anyone who likes to entertain because its a different take on a serving platter. It's also a unique gift to give at a bridal shower. I have given this as a gift to my aunt, cousin and both my sisters-in-law. I liked it so much that I just recently bought it as a housewarming gift to myself.

Here is some information about this piece from the Uncommon Goods website:

"Made from 100 percent recycled glass, these wine bottle-shaped platters will provide a lovely backdrop to the cheese, crackers, fruits or vegetables you serve at your next wine tasting party. Each piece undergoes an 8-hour process to emerge as a one-of-a-kind platter. These striking platters also shed new light on candles, give spoons a rest and make for an interesting butter dish. Choose from cobalt blue or green. Spreader included. Made in India and Italy."

Favorite Thing #37 -BCBGIRLS Black "Katchen" Pump

These shoes are by far one of my favorite pairs of work shoes - BCBGIRLS Black "Katchen" Pump. They are classy, modern and chic. This shoe is a leather upper with a 4 inch heel and a man-made sole. I love this shoe for the simplistic style and the high heel. Since I am barely over five feet tall I'll take any extra height I can get. I can't take full credit for these shoes either, my good friend Margaret had a pair and I love them so much that I wanted a pair for myself.

Favorite Thing #36 - Aveda's Air Control Hairspray

I have been using this favorite thing for years and yes it's another Aveda product - Aveda's Air Control Hairspray. I'm normally not a big fan of hairspray because I don't like the stiff look and feel that it normally gives you. With this product you don't get any of that. It's the perfect balance of hold but without the stiffness. After the amount of time that I spend flat ironing my hair I want to hold that look throughout the day and this hairspray definitely helps. According to Aveda it:

"takes hold of innovation: with a flexible, lasting hold hair spray—for all hair types—that has a net-zero impact on the Earth's climate."

Favorite Thing #35 - Williams-Sonoma Microfiber Mitt

This a a new addition to my favorite things - Williams-Sonoma Microfiber Mitt. This was a recommendation from my friend Chandra. In the past had been using Pledge Dry Cloths to dust my furniture and they worked great. The problem is that I am constantly dusting our place because we have dark furniture so I am constantly buying these cloths. That has all changed thanks to this favorite thing. This is an all purpose "mitt" and I only need one. According to Williams-Sonoma:

"Wearing this plush mitt, you’ll speed your way through all sorts of cleaning tasks – from dusting and damp-wiping surfaces to polishing glass and mirrors. Its thick “noodles” of soft microfiber absorb spills instantly, reach into crevices for deep cleaning and trap dust particles rather than stirring them into the air. The back side is a flat-loop microfiber weave that is ideal for metal and glass surfaces. Use the machine-washable mitt wet or dry, with or without cleaning products. One size fits all. 9" long."

I have only used this for dusting and wiping smudges on stainless steel products. I love this so much that I am thinking about getting another one so that I can have one of each of the levels of my house.

My Apologies

Hello readers! I am so sorry that I haven't posted in a while. Things have been nuts in my life lately - work has been super busy and my husband and I sold our condo and moved into our new townhouse. I promise that I will get back to regular postings by the end of the week.

Also, I know that the subscriber isn't working right now. I am trying to work with Feedblitz to get the issue resolved. Hopefully you it will be back up and running soon.

Favorite Thing #34 - Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult

This was the first Jodi Picout Book that I read thanks again to my sister-in-law April. I read Vanishing Acts in about one day on my honeymoon last year. It's such an exciting book to read that I didn't want to put it down. This book definitely takes some upexpected turn of events...and they start right in the beginning chapters. In true Picoult fashion, the book is narrated by five different characters. Below is a synopsis of the book from Amazon:

"New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her ability to tap into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she explores what happens when a young woman's past -- a past she didn't even know she had -- catches up to her just in time to threaten her future. Delia Hopkins has led a charmed life. Raised in rural New Hampshire by her widowed father, Andrew, she now has a young daughter, a handsome fiancé, and her own search-and-rescue bloodhound, which she uses to find missing persons. But as Delia plans her wedding, she is plagued by flashbacks of a life she can't recall. And then a policeman knocks on her door, revealing a secret that changes the world as she knows it. In shock and confusion, Delia must sift through the truth -- even when it jeopardizes her life and the lives of those she loves. What happens when you learn you are not who you thought you were? When the people you've loved and trusted suddenly change before your eyes? When getting your deepest wish means giving up what you've always taken for granted? Vanishing Acts explores how life -- as we know it -- might not turn out the way we imagined; how doing the right thing could mean doing the wrong thing; how the memory we thought had vanished could return as a threat. Once again, Jodi Picoult handles a difficult and timely topic with understanding, insight, and compassion. "

Favorite Thing #33 - Bumble and Bumble Prep

I have been using this products for years and years - Bumble and Bumble's Prep spray. If I could only have one hair product to use on my hair it would be this. I know what you are thinking - you have blogged about countless hair products, what makes this one so different. Well this is the one that I use no fail every single morning. It's purpose is to protect and prep the hair before you blow dry and style. It's an oil-free product that gives your hair the nutrients it needs. I guarantee it will leave your hair silky smooth after you blow dry it. I've tried other products like Aveda's Brilliant Damage Control but didn't get the same results as I get with Bumble's Prep. This product is available online or at salon's that career Bumble and Bumble products.

Favorite Thing #32 - Narciso Rodriguez for Her

I just recently started wearing this favorite thing - Narciso Rodriguez for Her perfume - but I have loved it for a while. My friend Michel started wearing this years ago and I always wanted to pick up a bottle but never did because I had so much perfume at home already. I ended up getting two bottles of it for Christmas this year (thanks Mom and VoVo) and I have been wearing it almost every day since. All of my friends compliment me on it so I thought I definitely needed to blog about it. It actually won Allure magazine's 'Best of Beauty' award. Nordstrom's describes the perfume as a "musk at the heart of 'For Her', expressing itself through honey flower, radiant amber and tactile woody pulsations. The fragrant harmony develops gently, slowly, rounding out into the warm tones of sun-kissed skin, dusted in a soft, velvety sensuality."

Favorite Thing #31 - Snapfish

I switched over to using Snapfish as my internet photo storage place at the end of 2006 and have been super satisfied with their service. I don't just like it because it is free and easy to use but I also like the products that they have. For Christmas this year, my husband and I made leather-bound photo books for our family with all of our wedding pictures. It was great because we were able to customize them to each person with different pictures. They start at about 19.99 and make the PERFECT gift. I also love that the prints are SO cheap...9 cents per 4x6 print - you can't beat that! I also love Snapfish because I feel like a valued client. Since signing up with them I have recieved two freebie offers - one 11x14 poster print and a photo notebook. I haven't redeemed either one yet...waiting till we have moved into our new place.

Favorite Thing #30 - Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow

I have been using Bobbi Brown makeup for several years now and just discovered this favorite thing thanks to my friend Margaret - Cream Shadow! It is what it says it is a cream based shadow. I have it in three different colors (thanks to the hubby for getting me some for Christmas) - Bone, Ballet Pink, and Galaxy. I use the bone color 95% of the time. It's my base shadow and I like using it because it actually helps the other shadow I use stay on longer. The ballet pink color I use here in there if I want a little more color and the galaxy is a darker grey color so I only use that when I'm trying to do a smokey eye. There are some great options for color and I am sure that I will expand upon my collection in the future. These are $22 per shadow but they last a long time. I have had mine only isnce Christmas but I have over 75% left. Another favorite thing that goes along with the cream shadow is the cream shadow brush.

This is a great tool to help put the cream shadow on evenly. It's $25 for the brush but it something that will last you many, many, many years!