HappiGalGifts, Gift & Party Ideas, Charity Minded Eco-Friendly Going Green

Valentine's Day Means a Good Cuddle

2008-02-04T17:44:00Z

My husband and I don't celebrate on Valentine's Day- we celebrate VD day later on in the month
as a celebration of our first date and the day we got engaged- both occurring on the same day in February.

We don't give each other sexy lingerie or huge boxes of chocolate- usually our gifts lean more towards the practical.
However, recently, we started buying luxury cuddle blankets for each other.

It started with one on the couch in our family room, to cuddle up with when we felt a chill while watching TV.
I noticed that we were always trying to be the first to grab the ultra soft blanket- rather than using an old crocheted blanket we'd had forever.

So, this Christmas, I purchased my husband another, larger blanket.
Yeah!
That solved the family room issue.
I decided to move this soft, cozy, cuddly idea into our bedroom.
Not being able to find sheets made of this material, I purchased two blankets, and now use them as a 'sheet set' in our bed-the bed is now unbelievably warm, soft and cuddly- perfect to curl up to my honey with.

Maybe this is going overboard, but every bedroom should be a sanctuary against the world, and deserves to be treated special, and so does your mate!

nap(TM) Cuddle Blanket for TwoSpecial Offer!

The world's most touchable blanket—now generously sized for two. Surround yourself—and a loved one—in the soothing softness of NAP. The moment you touch our exclusive NapSoft material, a calming sensation sweeps over you, preparing your mind and body to relax. Perfect for snuggling, lounging or catching a few Zzzzzs. Machine-washable. 60" x 70". Available in Camel.

Yes, You Have to Buy Your Honey a Valentines' Gift

2008-01-23T17:01:00Z

Hiya.
I found a couple of neat products recently that I didn't even know existed!

Eco-Friendly Gifts
Send Eco-Friendly Gifts this Valentine's Day!
Here, they have organic gourmet gifts, Valentines Day gift apparel, flowers, chocolates, fruit even an organic Valentines' gift for your lover's pet! Definitely check this one out.

DVDs
I'm very excited about this gift- it would be one that I'd love to get any time.
From the HBO Store, This is one of my favorite shows on TV. I'm not into all the dancing with the stars stuff or any reality TV. But hook me up with Stacy and Clinton on a late Saturday afternoon, and watch them transform sweatshirt wearing Mom's into hip gals, and I'm there. Love this show. I bet the DVD is awesome.

HBO is also selling Great Wonders & Splendors of the World DVD Set which would always interest me, seeing the wonders of the world on one DVD. So many people have the big screen TV's now, I bet the pyramids would be overwhelming on these DVD's.

Romance
Moving on to a more romantic gift, I'm always a sucker for candles. Any kind. But I especially like the scented and soy based candles. Perfect to set the mood for a romantic evening- or even a late afternoon! This North Carolina company promises the freshest Fresh Soy Candles around.

Flowers
I remember being swept of my feet by my husband Michael, when he had a dozen red rosed delivered to my work place years ago. It made me feel very special. Beneva Florist delivers fresh red roses and arrangements all over the U.S. They continue to be my number one florist of choice. For the brave ladies, send your guy a unique plant or flower on Valentine's Day- it will surely get his attention! (I've done this - believe me, he'll remember it forever!)

Chocolates
Buy Gourmet Chocolates at OrganicBouquet.com

Dream Mac, Macbook Air

2008-01-16T19:25:00Z

I have a dream. A dream where I walk into an Apple Store, and can pick out any Macbook Pro, iPhone, iTouch, monitor, audio system, software and hardware that I desire. Ah well. I'll have to settle for just walking into an Apple Store and looking at all the Macbook Pros, iPhones, iTouchs, and software and hardware...

Every January, at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, Steve Jobs gets up to deliver his key note address to all us Mac-a-holics and developers. He delivers a powerful, yet completely human keynote, getting the crowd reved up and ready to receive the new products that Apple is unveiling. Even watching it on my computer is thrilling.

This year, they have announced something new: Macbook Air .
It's the worlds most thinnest computer.
It fits into an inter-office envelope.
It has a 13.3 inch screen.
Yet it has a speed of 1.6GH and 2Gigs of RAM and a 80Gig hard drive.
It's truly amazing.
It's perfect for students and office workers on the go, who rely mostly on the internet for their business.

That is my new dream.
The Macbook Air, only $1,794.00, and it's partner, Time Capsule which at 500GB, will help me back up all my files....sigh...
I can admit it.
I'm a Mac-a-holic.

Check out Mahalo's Steve Job's keynote in 60 seconds.

After Holiday Sales, Discounts, Codes

2008-01-09T18:01:00Z

Wow- It's after the holidays already.
There were some fab deals during the holiday season, but nothing like the deals that are around now.
Check out the deals below.

Walmart Helps you Shape Up in 2008
Get Fit and Save on Exercise Equipment at Walmart.com
Ride into 2008 with Exercise Bikes at Walmart.com
Train with Ellipticals and Save at Walmart.com
Run into 2008 with Treadmills at Walmart.com

Brookstone has some great deals now
Take $70 off orders $700 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF1JAN. Expires 1/31/08.

Take $20 off orders $200 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF6JAN. Expires 1/31/08.
Take $40 off orders $400 or more from Brookstone! Use code AF6DEC. Expires 1/15/08.
Buy one nap Blanket and SAVE 50% when you purchase a second!

PBS is now promoting some specials
So not only do you get some great deals, but you also support a great organization.
20% off American Experience Titles at Shop.PBS.org! Expires 1.07.08
20% off Best Sellers of 2007 at Shop.PBS.org! Valid 1.2.08-2.4.08

More deals and specials to come in 2008!

100 Great Gifts for Gals

2007-12-13T22:46:00Z

100 Gifts for Gals
Ok, no commentary. Just ideas.
Here we go:

Scented candles
Chocolates
Girly hand creams, face creams, body washes
Perfume - something old something new
Trip to Paris
Trip to an art museum
Tickets to the theater
A weekend away with her girlfriends & you promising to do all the work while she's gone.
Dinner out - to a place with a white table cloth
Comfy PJ's
Her fav reality series on DVD
Jewelry (Yes, we really like jewelry! DOH!)
Romantic trip to the Bahamas
Two dozen roses sent to her office
Home Foot massager
Massages for two at a spa
Coffee table book on Paris, Rome, London
Supplies for her fav hobby
New Laptop
Gift certificate to Victoria Secret
Chick Flick DVD's- When Harry Met Sally, Under the Tuscan Sun, You've Got Mail, Bridget Jones Diary, Pride & Prejudice, Elizabethtown, The Wedding Date.
Basket full of gourmet coffees, creamers, sugars
Several bottles of expensive wine or champagne (Shows her she's worth it!)
Art set with new brushes and colored pencils
New digital camera and printer 8 mega pixels or better
iPod Shuffle for when she works out
iPhone
Good hands free set for the car
Help cleaning the house, either by you or getting a service 2x a month
You cooking dinner one night a week
A phone call from you on the way home asking if there is anything you can pick up for her.
New CD's of her fav group or singer
Writing paper, note cards, formal & informal
Some really nice writing pens
Ink for the printer with extras!
Emergency kit for her vehicle & AAA membership (Shows you care for her safety!)
Down comforter
New jewelry box
Tree for the house or garden
Picture frames
Photo albums
Travel jewelry case
Velour jogging suit
Fancy French soaps for the bath
Umbrella with a Monet painting decoration
Stained glass Tiffany lamp
Ultra soft leather gloves
Leather jacket she always wanted
Fancy business card case
Figurine of fav character, family scene, or love birds
Fancy shawl for dinners out
Memory stick
Collectible for her hobby
The leather boots she's been admiring
Fancy Victorian telephone
Bongo Board
CD's of her fav groups from her youth (If most of her bands are on vinyl)
Crystal anything
Incense kit with matches & bowl
Pretty bird feeder
Matching luggage
Girly car mats
Name Pendant
Flowers of the month club membership
Brand named purse (YOU won't get it but she will!)
Family photo enlarged for her desk
Purple backpack
New racquetball or tennis racket
Golf clubs
5,000 piece puzzle that you will do with her
A clean bathroom
Movie theater gift certificate
Treadmill (Note: Only give exercise equipment & videos if she's been asking for them!)
1000+ thread Egyptian cotton sheets
Biography of her fav movie star
Matching bathrobe, slippers and nightie set
Unusual plant
New faux fur coat
Weekend at a remote Bed & Breakfast
Family Genealogy Map or book
Family photos put in photo albums
Video game
All day spa treatment with a friend
Lighted vanity mirror
Top of the line flat iron
Gift certificate to her fav department store
Digital photo frame
Small audio speakers to replace the huge ones from the 70's that you still have
Stereo for the kitchen
Hard drive for backing up the family computer
Video camera
A topiary (real or faux)
Full length mirror for bedroom
Fun watch
Good watch
iTunes gift certificate
Books from her fav author
Flat screen monitor for her computer
Flatscreen HD TV
Surround sound stereo

Last Minute Holiday Deals

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100 Great Gifts for Guys

2007-12-12T16:58:00Z

100 Guy Gift Ideas
OK, here we go...

Outdoorsman gloves
$20 bottle of wine
Beer selection from around the world
Hiking socks
Blanket for his car trunk
Wisky flask
Rare single malt scotch
Personalized Pislner glasses
Guiness anything
Flip flops
Wallet with velcro
New keychain
Beer sign
Lava lamp
T-shirt
Dress shirt
Emergency road kit
Art set (yes, art set!)
Bathrobe
Heavy duty leather slippers
Movies gift card
Godfather movies
Fshing rod
Bar stool
Ping pong table
Dart board
Tools
Russian hat
Map of his home town, framed
Postcards from all your vacation destinations real & planned
Stationary- "From the Desk of _____"
Pens. Some really good pens
Earing for his 1 pierced ear
A Tux
Coupon book full of chores that you'll do for him
Godfather music
Sheet music from his favorite group
Harmonica
Favorite candy from his childhood
A handful of cigars, clipper, matches and directions to the back deck
Song "Freebird" downloaded from iTunes
A jazz CD
After dinner liquor
4 kinds of sandpaper (believe me, he'll love it!)
A letter with 3 compliments in it, telling him how much he's loved and appreciated
Rain shield for his car windows
Metal yardstick
100ft tape measure
Gas leaf blower with earplugs
Harley Davidson head kerchief
Tiickets to his fav baseball game
A poker night in with his friends, catered by you, with a smile on your face
Dinner out anywhere
Star Wars Trilogy
Goodfellas movie
Largest Hickory Farms Sausage you can carry
Dress shirt & tie
A saucy coupon book from you
A clean house
Fancy wine bottle opener
Anti fog mirror for the bathroom
Chocolate
A get away to a bed & breakfast
Maps of 3 states he wants to visit
A trip to Vegas
Night at BB Kings in NYC
Superbowl party held at your house
Largest flat screen HD TV you can buy (DOH!)
Leather chair for his home office & a mat that fits underneath
Tool organizer for the basement/garage/shed
A meal his mom used to make him, using her recipe
A trip to his hometown for the weekend
Heavy duty gloves & eye protection
Clock with his favorite hunting scene on it
Large heavy pan for him to cook with
Larger BBQ
Camping equipment- new tent, sleeping bags, stove
New putter (this one you can use every time, there's always a better putter out there!)
Golf weekend away with his buddies
Car racing lessons
A large dog
3 new belts
Latest best seller from his favorite author
iPod Shuffle for when he jogs or works out
Couples massage
Work out clothes
Waterford glass for his single malt scotch
Grandfather clock
Paper, envelopes, stamps, magnifying glass for his office
binoculars with a camera built in
Cigar book
DVD of his childhood photos
Printed photo book of family vacations together
Photo of your family for his desk
5000 piece puzzle
Golf lessons
Bucket of wine or beer with popcorn, DVD's and movie tickets inside
Extra large towels for him for the bathroom
Good set of drill bits for metal and wood
A good screwdriver set - huge

Great bottles to give at Wine.com

Perfect Last Minute Gift for the Hobbiest

2007-12-11T21:22:00Z

Personalized Gift for the Hobbiest
Don't tear your hair out because you can't think of a decent gift for that hobby person in your life.
This will be as easy as 1-2-3, and you will be a hero in their eyes!

Go purchase a holiday wreath.
It can be real, or artificial, it's up to you. (If it's artificial, they'll use this gift for year to come!)
Then, think of the person's favorite hobby.
Let's say it's your Uncle Frank, and he's a fisherman.
Pick up some inexpensive lures, some fish hooks, some weights, some fishing line, a cheap pair of pliers,
two or three holiday ornaments with the 'fisherman' theme on it. If you can also find an image of a fish,
maybe from a magazine, or print it from a web site, back it up with cardboard and cut the fish out.
Using the fishing twine, carefully begin mounting all of your 'fishy' things onto the wreath.
Put the fish at the bottom of the wreath.
Top it off with a bow on the top, and voilà!
You have a personalized Fisherman's' Wreath!

You can do with with almost any hobby.
For golfers, use plastic golf balls, tees, maybe a golf glove, some small pencils and score card from their favorite
course, some golf ornaments, and voilà! A personalized Golfer Wreath.

For kids, it could be your daughter Brianna's favorite animal- a horse wreath-
with small stuffed horses, plastic horses, a plastic horse shoe.
Son Danny's wreath could be made up with baseballs cards of his favorite baseball team.
You get the idea.

What ever interest or hobby that your special friend of family member has, you can create a special personalized wreath just for them. The list is endless. Go for it!

Tony Robbins "Get The Edge" Helps You and Others

2007-12-10T18:59:00Z

Tony Robbins "Get The Edge"

Tony and Me
I've been a Tony Robbins fan (Anthony Robbins) for almost 15 years now.
Looking to make some positive changes in my life, I found a small cassette tape called
"Awaken the Giant Within." After listening to that tape just once, I made a cold call about a job, got the interiew, and got the job within 2 weeks, and this job would positively affect my life for years to come.

Repeats
For 10 years, I'd listen to that single tape, and slowly make small improvements to my life and attitude.
I'd share the tape with friends when I could.
Family members and friends noticed a positive change in my attitude over time.

Personal Power II
I've owed Personal Power II, for about 2-3 years now and I've utilized them in every section of my life with positive results.
I listen to his CD's over and over because his positive messages are lessons I need to keep in mind in my daily life to get positive results. You can ask any close friend of mine, and they will tell you I'm a true fan and love the upbeat, positive messages and information that Tony dispenses. That's probably why I affectionately refer to him as "My Tony." My car always has at least one Tony CD laying around someplace.

Tony Live
In early 2007, I finally went to see Tony Robbins life during a 3 day self improvement seminar entitled "Unleash the Power Within." It was an amazing 3 days, during which, I actually walked on hot coals! (Yeppers! Really!)
Watching Tony on stage live with his associates had a huge, positive impact on me and my life.
His energy and insights were amazing- 8-9 hour days flashed past in the blink of an eye.

More Tony
Since then, I've purchased several more products of Tony's and I've never been disappointed with any of them.
They've delivered on their promises (and they do promise lots of results!) each and every time, from powered drinks to audio and video programs. Any program that can help me to reach my personal goals is one I'd easily share with my family and friends. My sister has been to a Tony seminar as well.

Tony Robbins Outreach
The Anthony Robbins Foundation offers hope for many of the forgotten in our society- the poor, homeless, hungry, and elderly. The offer baskets of food to poor families during the holidays. The Anthony Robbins Foundation has products and programs in more than 2,000 schools, 700 prisons, and 100,000 health and human service organization. The Foundation is committed to make a difference in the quality of life for children, the homeless, the prison population, and the elderly through its various programs. Tony and his family grew up very poor, and he's never forgotten the kindess of many of his fellow citizens during the holidays. The Anthony Robbins Foundation is one of his ways of saying thankyou and passing the help and fellowship on. Portions of the profits from Tony's products go to the Anthony Robbins Foundation.

Order Your Copy of Tony Robbin's "The Edge" Today

Shout 'Al Gore!' to Lower Your Electric Bill

2007-12-08T14:38:00Z

Give the Gift of Inspired Film. Spiritual Cinema Circle is the DVD of the Month Club for enlightened and inspiring films.

An Inconvenient Truth
Never has a documentary made such a huge impact in my life.
The film was entertaining as well as informative.
Overly dramatic at times, it tugged at your emotionally side purposefully.
It slammed me with facts and figures, that after a while, you just could not deny the outcome- and global warming theory.
Al Gore had invaded our lives and minds.

New Awareness
While my spouse and I were avid recyclers for years (also helped lower our garbage bills considerably),
we were not as 'green' in our home as we should have been.
We would never call ourselves 'Tree Huggers' or stop using soaps, or stop using electricity- but we knew we could do more
that we'd been doing previously.

Eco-Easy-Changes
Immediately after watching the Al Gore documentary, I found myself aware of lights we used.
Wasteful expensive incandescent bulbs. The type that have now been banned in Australia.
That's right. The entire country has banned them! See story.
We are part of an energy saving co-op which is our electric company.
Technically we own part of it. Pretty cool.
My husband started buying compact fluorescent light bulbs because they lasted longer (less changing) and used less electricity. CFLs, as they're known, cost more than old-style incandescent bulbs, but they last longer, use far less electricity, save everyone's' money in the long run and reduce greenhouse gases.
Small changes by LOTS of people make a difference.
We felt good about our switchover.

Shouting "AL GORE!"
Old habits die hard, and though we'd switched to energy efficient light bulbs, we still would leave them on for no reason.
Leaving the lights on in a room or hallway not being utilized is wasteful and expensive.
I wanted to get my husband's attention.
One day I shouted "Al Gore!" as I turned off the hallway light.
My husband came running- "What did you say?"
"Al Gore!" I said, "You left the hallway light on. Al Gore. Let's not be wasteful"
All I got back was a smirk.
But soon, it became a household routine.
"Al Gore! The kitchen light is on." "Al Gore!" When I found a door to the garage ajar, letting in cold air.
"Al Gore!" When i found the heat turned up too high.
Our "Al Gore!" reminder inevitably led to a reduction of our electrical use, and lowered our electric bill.
We are demanding less from our electrical co-op now too.

There are many other small changes we are making in our home to help the planet.
Shouting "Al Gore!" is a reminder of the impact we make in our home and in our lives.

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Unusual Home? Unusual Photo Opportunity

2007-12-07T15:44:00Z

Unusual Location
My brother purchased a condo in north western NJ many years ago.
It's on a golf course on top of a beautiful cliff with a quarry lake at the bottom.
It was a brand new development, and he was one of the very first investors and homeowners to move in.
Since the community was small at first, he made friends quickly and a bond formed between all of them.
I was part of it because I worked for the developer part time.

People Ask for What They Want
After he moved in, he mentioned that he wanted something to put on his bare walls.
He said that some of the homeowners were going to have photographs or paintings done of the surrounding
homes and golf course, which he thought was a great idea. I concurred.
But I never got around to taking the photos...

Busy Lives
Many years past, and my brother only put up a few items on his walls, and left the rest mostly bare.
He's a bachelor and decorating wasn't a priority - getting a good tee time was!
So, he ended up with a few golf posters and one Redskins poster up on his wall, and one very 80's photo
of some salad that officially made it a 'homey kitchen."
(Yes, it was sad...)

Happy Birthday
Well, a big birthday of his was approaching...I'm not going to mention how many candles hit his cake that year, but the fire department was on standby. Trying to think of what I could get the "man who has everything," I stopped to really think about what he'd actually ever asked for. Then I remembered the comments about photos for his condo walls. I grabbed my camera and ran out to take shots right way of his condo area, the clubhouse, the cliffs, the quarry lake and the golf course.

One of the photos I gave my brother on his birthday.

View from my brother's condo in northern NJ.
(Yes, it's really New Jersey!)

Photo Package
Well, I went kind of overboard. I ended up with about 10 prints which I loved. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a ton of nice frames and framed each and every one. He had quite a few presents to open that day! "Oh...yet ANOTHER photo of my condo area...!!!!" he shouted, to roars of laughter from family and friends. In the end, he ended up liking 2 or 3 of them very much. (The one above met his criteria!) He liked them mostly because they were personal. It related to him and his life.

All of the photos are now hanging in his condo.
Guess if you wait a while, and have a lot of patience, you finally can get what you ask for!