Unique Girl Gifts

Want to know all the latest accessory trends for 2008?  I attached an article from About.com that I thought my blog readers would enjoy about the accessory trends for 2008.

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Accessory Trends for 2008 

From New York City to Milan, these accessory trends will be prevalent around the world throughout 2008.

Tribal Trend
The biggest global trend for 2008 is tribal fashions. Tribal accessories consist of Native American Indian jewelry, wooden beads, and tribal print bags, shoes and other clothing.

Safari Trend
Safari fashions are complemented nicely with accessories such as wide brimmed hats, giraffe print bags, amber necklaces and wooden bangles.

Grecian-Inspired Trend
The Grecian-inspired trend begins with gladiator sandals. However, it also carries over into jewelry with Grecian, Roman and Egyptian necklaces.

Patchwork Trend
Colorful patchwork is being used to create belts, handbags and even shoes. From soft muted colors to bold brights, patchwork accessories will be present throughout the year.

Floral Trend
Throughout spring and summer 2008, the floral trend will flourish. From floral print sandals to big floral hair pins, this flirty, feminine accessory trend will thrive.

Painterly Print Trend
Abstract art designs and paint splashes are making their way to fashion. Paint drip pumps, abstract jewelry and artistic print scarves will be trendy throughout 2008.

Nautical Trend
Striped handbags and other nautical accessories will grow in popularity beginning in the summer of 2008. Look for nautical charm jewelry, such as anchors, sailboats and even dolphins.

Ombré Trend
It’s called the ombré trend, dégradé, dip dye and any number of other names. This gradient trend is where an item starts out one color and then slowly fades into much lighter shade. It is very popular in clothing and shoes, but it’s also carried over into scarves, handbags, hats and other accessories.

Be sure to check out Simply 4 Girls for all the latest accessory trends.

Let me ask you something…

If you were just one step away from reaching your goal of flooding your life with wealth, would you take that step?

How do you know, right now, that you’re not?

What a shame it would be to stop making the effort, when just a little bit more would make it all worthwhile.

What a shame it would be to have taken all those steps, only to miss this very last one.

This next step you take may very well be the one that makes all the others count.

You owe it to yourself, and the efforts you’ve made, to take this step.

It’s simple… go to this website and read my entire letter from top to bottom. I promise you - you’ll be a changed person for the better.

http://store.sixminutestosuccess.com/?aid=581933

Warmly,

Stephanie

P.S. Don’t delay - run to that website now. At some point success is just one step away. Keep going and you’ll be there.

P.P.S. There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs.

But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success. Go to this website right now - http://store.sixminutestosuccess.com/?aid=581933.

Before you go out and buy your Halloween candy this year, I thought my blog readers would enjoy reading this fun article I found on yahoo.com on Halloween treats nobody wants. 

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The 10 Most Disappointing Treats for Trick-or-Treaters

On Halloween night, some houses struggle with the idea of candy. There are good houses, and there are bad houses. The best trick-or-treaters know to avoid the latter. At the food site Serious Eats, we all love Halloween, but wish certain homes would just stop handing out the classically bad “treats.” They weren’t good last year, the year before that, or now. Our own Erin Zimmer put together this list of our top 10 Halloween treats that nobody wants…

1.  Toothbrushes.  Dentists and orthodontists should not be allowed to celebrate Halloween if they’re going to get all tooth doctory on us. Do not bring your work home with you, folks! We all have a personal responsibility to brush, and maybe some of us will forget, but your complimentary bristles on a stick (instead of a Snickers) will not help us remember. It will make us despise you and your trade.

2.  Raisins.  Little boxes of stuck-together shriveled globs are not what little kids schlep around the neighborhood for all night. When they say trick-or-treat, they want candy that will rot their teeth, not wrinkled grapes. (Using an empty box as a kazoo-like instrument, though, is kinda fun.)

3.  Candy Corn.  The most polarizing candy of all. The fruitcake of Halloween; it just never goes away. If you love them, fine. But don’t subject the rest of us haters to the sickeningly sweet triangle that tastes like neither candy nor corn.

4.  Smarties and Necco Wafers.  These chalky candies are supposedly “fruit-flavored,” but no fruit I know tastes like dust — and makes everything eaten after taste like dust, too.

5.  Dum Dum Lollipops.  Usually, foods on a stick are yummy (corn dogs, ice pops), but Dum Dums just can’t be included on that list. Not even if they were breaded and deep-fried and served at a fair.

6.  Apples.  Long before “poisoned candy” scares, evil people were handing out apples instead of candy on Halloween. This disappointing “treat” is the main reason to avoid unwrapped food while trick-or-treating.

7.  Tootsie Rolls.  It looks like chocolate and sort of smells like chocolate, but the mini brown tubes are not real chocolate. They taste like watered-down chocolate, and have a chewy texture that will strip the fillings right off your molars.

8.  Miscellaneous, Wrapped Hard Candies.  Halloween is supposed to be a holiday for young people, not senior citizens who suck on hard candies all day. Something about the strawberry-shaped strawberries, gold-wrapped butterscotch, and peppermint feels past the expiration date. (These usually get set aside for Granny.)

9.  Laffy Taffy.  I do not laffy when I get these. I sobby. I get depressedy. Because it gets all stucky to my teethy and doesn’t even taste that goody.

10.  Anything Fun-Sized.  Who started calling it this? Since when is one bite fun?! Give us the rich houses with the sprawling driveways and full-sized candy bars any day. Portion control doesn’t need to start this young.

I found a great article on Pantone.com that I thought my blog readers would really enjoy.  Pantone is the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries.  Their Fashion Color Report features the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for fall 2008.

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Fashion Color Report for Fall 2008

According to the report, the fall ‘08 palette is best described as a season of change and is defined by rich, elegant hues that offer a vibrant selection. New York’s fashion designers emphasize cooler blues, greens and purples in the top five tones used in their collections, followed by variations of warm red, orange and yellow.

“Fall is traditionally a time for subdued, quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward cool hues with bright, exciting undertones,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Conventional tones such as warm autumn hues, chocolate browns and steel grays are also among the fall color choices. Blue and purple tones have become staples, as illustrated by Blue Iris, one of the top 10 colors chosen by designers this season, and Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2008.”

Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue with an undertone of purple, is a favorite among designers, as it combines the calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple. Dramatic Royal Lilac brings purple to the forefront of fashion and generates a bit of heat with its exciting red undertones.

Serene, sophisticated Caribbean Blue is another popular hue this fall, especially in jewelry and accessories, but it can also add a colorful intensity wherever it is used in the wardrobe. Twilight Blue, a twist on a classic navy, shows the transitional aspect of spring segueing into fall. 
 
Serving as a wonderful base color, Shady Glade delivers a natural elegance to the fall palette. Taking green in an interesting direction with its true green characteristics, this hue is a departure from greens of seasons past, which have had distinctively yellow undertones.

Reds are a steadfast favorite for fall and Aurora Red is no exception. Versatile and universally appealing, this true red adds a splash of energy to the palette. Soft, dusky Withered Rose, with its pinkish qualities and brown undertones, is a versatile hue that blends with every shade. Ochre, a beautifully mellow yellow with a hint of mustard, adds a touch of lightness and spice. Orange has had a long run, and now, more than ever, consumers are gravitating toward intense shades like Burnt Orange, bringing this once steady background color to the foreground. The complex yet modest Shitake is an intriguingly understated shade, especially when teamed with the robust colors of fall ‘08.

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Simply 4 Girls has a wonderful selection of designer inspired handbags in all the fall colors.  Get yours today!
 

I found a great article on RealSimple.com I thought my blog readers who enjoy reading on fall trends worth trying.   I found the article very informative.  I hope you enjoy it.

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Fall Trends Worth Trying
Fashionably up-to-date, meet completely practical

1.  Peep-Toe Flats - Two big trends — flats and peep toes — meet in one beautiful shoe, offering both comfort and sex appeal.

2.  High-Waisted Pants - Find salvation from revealing low-riders. Wide-leg pants that sit at the natural waistline have an aura of refinement. Tuck in a blouse to emphasize a cinched-in version.

3.  Jewel-Tone Handbag - Opt for a satchel in the rich tones of gemstones instead of one in seen-it black or brown. Deep purple is especially complementary with autumnal shades, as is a lush green.

To Buy:  Simply4Girls Designer Inspired Jeweled Shopper Bag (Purple) , $34.95; Simply4Girls Designer Inspired Jeweled Shopper Bag (Yellow) , $34.95.

4.  Satin Trench Coat - Nothing turns utilitarian into utterly chic like a luxe fabric — except, perhaps, a wide portrait collar and a moody blue shade.

5.  Sweaterdress - Not all knit dresses are hard to wear. Military details and a belt give this cozy style a flattering structure.

6.  Patent-Leather Riding Boots - A step up from run-of-the-mill leather, glossy boots lend inherent polish to any ensemble, day or evening.

7.  Statement Necklace - Loop a dramatic strand around the neck to upgrade any outfit, especially same-old basics.

To Buy:  Simply 4 Girls women’s jewelry.

8.  Velvet Jacket - A plush-fabric jacket can mix with jeans as effortlessly as with a dressy skirt. This one has satin cuffs and wooden buttons.

It’s easy to create a gift basket for a new baby. You just need to pick out tiny clothes, adorable stuffed animals, awesome toys and a decorative basket to hold it all.  Regardless of your budget or creative ability, you can make the perfect gift basket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Basket (size will depend on how many items you have to fill the basket)
• Ribbons
• Shredded paper for filling
• Cellophane gift wrap
• Greeting card
• Items to fill basket, such as Baby Clothes, Baby Sleeper Suits, Baby Lotion, Baby Wash, Pacifier, Disposable Diapers, Lullaby CD or Tape, Gift Certificate, Infant/toddler Toys, Stuffed Animals, etc.

Choosing the Gifts and Basket:

1. Pick a basket style. Your choices include those with one handle, with two side handles or without handles. Make certain the basket is large enough to hold the gifts you have selected.
2. Decide on the color of the basket by choosing one that complements the baby’s room decor. If in doubt, choose a neutral color by selecting a natural wicker basket.
3. Use shredded paper filling to make the gifts fit snugly in the basket.
4. Buy a cute greeting card for a newborn.

Packing the Basket:

1. Put a layer of shredded paper filling on the bottom of the basket.
2. Place the gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit. Cover some of the gifts completely with the filling to create mini surprises when the basket is unpacked.
3. Place the basket in the center of a large piece of clear or tinted cellophane gift wrap. You may need two pieces of the wrap to completely cover a large basket.
4. Bring all sides of the wrap up to a few inches above the top of the basket. Secure the wrap by tying it with a long, colorful ribbon.
5. Tape your greeting card onto the wrap.

Have you been invited to a baby shower? Do you want to give the mother-to-be a creative and original gift that she’ll actually end up using? With a few tips I found on Wikihow.com, you can now make your own!

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Things You’ll Need:

• At least two packs of diapers
• Gifts to hide (i.e., pacifiers, washcloths, onesies, mittens, socks and baby supplies like lotions, rash cream and baby wash)
• Rubber bands (various sizes; you can find a variety pack for less than a dollar at Target)
• Wooden dowels
• Cardboard large enough for the base
• Colorful ribbons and bows
• Netting or cellophane

Steps:

1. To form the top of the diaper cake, roll up a diaper, starting at the ‘open’ top end. Wrap a rubber band around the rolled diaper to stop it from unrolling.
2. Add 7 more diapers to the rubber band. For the middle layer, repeat step 1. Then add a new, bigger rubber band and add about 15 diapers. You can also secure them around a new 8 oz baby bottle.
3. For the base, repeat step 2. Add a very big rubber band and add about 30 diapers.
4. Now that you know how big your cake will be, cut a circular base out of cardboard.
5. Place the largest layer of the cake on the cardboard base. Or, use a decorative plastic tray or even a pizza pan from the dollar store.
6. Remove one or two diapers and replace with a gift. Inside each layer, hide a surprise, such as a coupon, a doll, some cream, or a piece of baby clothing. Use a bottle of baby lotion or shampoo in the center for stability.
7. Once you have the gifts inserted into each layer, assemble the remaining tiers of the cake.
8. Secure them together by carefully inserting 1 or 2 wooden dowels through the base layer and then carefully stacking the other two layers on top of it, being careful to get the dowels between the diapers and not through any of the diapers.
9. Add a ribbon around each layer to cover the rubber bands.
10. To finish off (and help transport) you can wrap the “nappy cake” in cellophane or netting. Tie at the top with a bow, or add a stuffed animal to the tie for a “topper” to the cake.
11. An alternative to rolling up each diaper is to use the diapers as they come, placing them side by side and forming a rolling circle, place a large rubber band or ribbon or both around each “tier”.

Tips:

• One of the things that is very helpful is seeing the expected result before setting to work. Flickr.com is a great place to search for images of diaper cakes, and then it’s much easier, both in the building process, but more important, in decorating.
• Most packages have a see-through side panel or a picture of the diaper on which you can see the design on the diapers. If the design colors are really busy it might detract from the overall look.
• Use size 2 diapers or larger. That allows the mom to enjoy the diaper cake longer before needing to take it apart. Be sure to let them know if any of the gifts are perishable.
• On the other hand, using size 1 diapers will allow the mom to have some on hand to use right away. You could also make the top 2 layers out of one size and the bottom layer out of a larger size, depending on the number of diapers in the bag you buy.
• The number of diapers in each layer are just an indication and will change depending on the brand of diaper and how tight you wrap them.
• For a fatter cake, add a ring of diapers to each tier.
• You can buy commercial diaper cakes, but people will love the fact that you’ve put effort into the project.
• You could do this project with cloth diapers if the parents are environmentally conscious. The cake would be smaller because you don’t need as many diapers and they’re more expensive.
• You can use the same directions, but instead of using diapers, use hand towels, decorate with small flowers and add a few small kitchen utensils, and use it as a Wedding Shower gift to the bride to be.

Fall is right around the corner, and with the days gradually getting shorter and the nights getting longer, more people like to burn candles. Here are some great tips I found on HGTV.com on utilizing candles.

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Candle Basics - Tips on Utilizing Candles

• Burn candles in appropriate, heat-resistant holders on heat-safe surfaces.

• Never leave a lit candle unattended.

• Consider using refillable candles. These act as a very safe taper candle. They twist together and can be lit and used like any other taper candle.

• Place a small amount of water in the bottom of a votive candleholder to prevent the votive from sticking.

• Candle stakes come in a variety of different sizes and are great for putting together floral arrangements.

• Before inserting a taper candle into foam, slice off one end from the bottom on an angle to help it stay put. You could also use a stake to insert the candle into foam. These can heighten the candle too.

• Shave off the extra wax on the very bottom of a taper candle to make sure it sits flat.

• Refrigerate candles a couple of hours before using and they will burn longer. Do not put them in the freezer.

• Clean candles by rubbing gently with a nylon stocking or a nylon kitchen scrubber.

• Always cut the wick to about a 1/4 inch in length. If the wick is any longer, it could be a fire hazard.

• If you lose the wick, cut off 1/2 inch of the wax to the wick and start over.

• If you use hurricane candleholders make sure they are very stable. One way to do that is to secure a candle in marbles, or place on an anchor pin with double-sided tape. Both of these techniques prevent the candle from getting too close to the glass inside a hurricane and becoming too hot.

• Place votive candles inside really large candles to prevent burning the large ones.

I found this great article in About.com on helping teens and parents cope with the stresses of going back to school. Since I am a mother of a teen myself, I know first-hand and how stressful it can be for a teen going back to school. Here’s wishing you all the best!

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Back to School in 5 Trouble-free Steps

Every school year your teen faces big changes when he/she goes back to school. Your teen is older, classes are getting harder and his/her future is getting closer. All of this causes very real stress - your teen is going to need your help!

You can give your teen a strong trouble-free start this school year by following these five back to school steps:

Organize your family’s time. As appointments and daily schedules for the year form, take note of them and write them down. Place a weekly schedule for each person on the refrigerator or other prominent place in your home. All changes and additions to this weekly schedule should be made on the family calendar which is kept in the same place. This is your ‘what’s going on at a glance’ center. Make a habit of checking it twice a day - in the morning and at night. Teach this habit to all of your family members.

Purchase new school clothes. Take advantage of all of the back to school sales to purchase what your teen will need for the school year. Don’t forget gym and practice clothes. Your teen will feel good about himself/herself when he/she is sporting the new duds. While you don’t want to spoil your teen, or turn him/her into a shop-o-holic, the new clothes will give his/her self-confidence a much-needed boost on his/her first day of school.

Buy and organize school supplies. In high school your teen is going to need everything from a sharpened #2 pencil for all computerized tests to deodorant for gym class. Use your teen’s school list as your guide and sit down with your teen to make your shopping list. Be prepared to have to go out and purchase something else the night of the first day of school. There is always one teacher who requires a certain supply but doesn’t let their students know until the first day of school.

Set goals and expectations. The start of the school year is a wonderful time to re-examine school performance – both academically and extra curricular activities. Remember to set doable goals and try not to over stress your teenager. Be sure to set the time for homework.

Get emotionally ready. A new school year can mean a lot of stress for a teen and parents alike. Take some time before school starts to relax and enjoy an activity together. Talk to each other about the school year coming up and reaffirm with your teenager that you are there to help whenever help is needed. Be sure to tell him/her this and don’t assume he/she already knows. It is easier to handle stress from outside sources – like school – when you know someone is on your side.

In response to my blog readers’ requests for more articles on the Law of Attraction, below is some information on a program I recently discovered called the Attraction Accelerator, which is simply amazing, and I would know because I started using it recently.  (I also included a link to this amazing program in my blog article, “Attracting Wealth, Success, Love & More Into Your Life.”)

With a push of a button, the Attraction Accelerator locks your brainwaves into a precisely tuned frequency where you can experience powerfully focused visualization.  Take a minute and read about this incredibly amazing program below.

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The Attraction Accelerator 

Why does one person seem to have so much success in life, business, and relationships when another doesn’t?  Is it smarts?  Luck?  Who you know?  A combination of all three?

Nope. I’ll tell you exactly what it is. . .

The successful person has a crisp, clear visualization of who they want to be, what they want to achieve, and the lifestyle they want to live. That’s what drives them.

They’re focused, determined, and will let nothing stop them from reaching their ultimate goal. Success comes to them like a magnet.  It’s the basic principle behind the Law of Attraction.

On the other hand, the unsuccessful person is more scatterbrained and unfocused. They always seem to be chasing after the newest money-making-method-of-the-month.  They never visualize what they want, and therefore have no set goals in mind. And eventually…they fail.

So which one are you?

When Mission Control was frantically looking for ways to bring Apollo 13 back to earth safely, lead flight director Gene Kranz told them in no uncertain terms, “Failure is not an option.”

And it’s the same with the Attraction Accelerator.

When you play the Attraction Accelerator CD, you will hear some dreamy music with specially designed beats in the background. Those beats are scientifically proven to train your brain to go into the ideal mental state for focused visualization so you can harness the full power of The Law of Attraction.

Within a few moments, you will have the ability to visualize deeply, vividly and emotionally - guaranteed.

That’s when the Law of Attraction goes into Turbo Drive - you apply the juice and your new successful life is off and running. And the Attraction Accelerator is the conduit for that juice.

The Attraction Accelerator works the first time you use it and every time after.