Archive for the ‘gift ideas’ Category


Star Sparkle for Moms

Aug 28, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Advice, gift ideas, sweet

too-sweet

The perfect accessories for the new mom!

Get Personal

These sweet charms are custom made, available at myretrobaby.com.

myretrobaby.com

myretrobaby.com

Another idea – select a moppet from danforthdiamond.com to match gender and birth stone for a reasonable price (pictured below is the moppet for an August baby girl).

danforthdiamond.com

danforthdiamond.com

Available in gold, and they also have a sterling silver option (no stones) for under $40!

danforthdiamond.com

danforthdiamond.com

You can always get a tattoo of your children’s names – this is getting more popular now that tattoos are becoming so mainstream.

Rocker Travis Barker (Blink 182) has his 3 children – Alabama, Landon and Atiana tattooed on his lower back.

trav

Special Delivery

For the truly unique gift, etsy.com is always a good bet.

Here is a vintage locket and charm combination created to safeguard photos of those precious little ones – and for an extra $2.00 she will gift wrap it for you and enclose your personalized note on a card.

il_430xN.84403676

Etsy seller Tamar

Great Things Come in Small Packages

A gift just for mom is also always appreciated in a time where everything is about the baby.

Try to keep jewelry kid proof so she can enjoy it – curious fingers or rough housing rug rats can pull big earrings right out of mom’s ear. These butterfly gold earrings are pretty safe (and pretty!) – they also symbolize the transformation of your friend (or wife, daughter, or sister) into a mother.

danforthdiamond.com

danforthdiamond.com

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Virgos: Style With Star Power

Aug 22, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Astrology, Droolery, Tasty, gift ideas

tastyHappy Birthday to Me!

People born between August 22 and September 23 are Virgos. While some people say we’re persnickety, picky, even prudish, perfectionists – we know that we just like to do things right the first time. Virgos are great planners because they are great at paying attention to the details. And, while you might find us to be hyper critical of everything (and quite possibly every one), keep in mind Virgos are usually the hardest on themselves…

Virgos are a little bit nerdy…

Virgos are also plucky – Pee Wee Herman is back for a limited engagement in November at the Music Box in Hollywood (latimes.com) and there is also talk of other Pee Wee projects in the works… .

Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman

Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman

and a little bit rock and roll…

Or, in the case of Joan Jett, virgos are a LOT rock and a LOT roll! Apparently Kristen Stewart is set to play Joan Jett in an upcoming movie… which is hard to picture at the moment due to her portrayal of the weak, annoying character she plays in Twilight. I’d like to see Joan Jett appear in the Twilight series instead – she could set Edward straight! And I’m betting she’d totally go for that werewolf character (can’t remember his name – is it Sam?) – he’s way hotter than stone cold, Victorian Edward.

rollingstone.com

rollingstone.com

Virgos write it all down…

Agatha Christie

William Rice Burroughs

D.H. Lawrence

Henry L. Mencken

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie

You can read a great article about Agatha Christie, described as “what Steven Spielberg is to American cinema. What Stephen King is to the horror genre” by Yoshinori ‘Todo, at criminalbrief.com.

…and can be, perhaps, a bit creepy

H.G. Wells

Stephen King

Mary Godwyn Shelley

Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley wrote the original Frankenstein story when she was 19 years old and is also the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft (considered by many to be the very first feminist).

Virgo Style

Earrings

simple

simple

Necklaces

balanced

balanced

Rings

detailed

detailed

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Leos: Style with Star Power

Jul 21, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Astrology, Droolery, Star Signs, Tasty, gift ideas

The fifth installment in our astrology series!

tastyGive Your Accessories Some Star Power

If your birthday falls between July 23 and August 22 you are a LEO just like some of Celebrity Icing’s favorite stars: Amelia Earhart, Zelda Fitzgerald, Mick Jagger, Dustin Hoffman, and my friend Darcy! (Happy Birthday Darcy!)

This week we will look at some classic Leos from the black and white era of film…

According to astrology-online.com, Leos are “the most dominant, spontaneously creative and extrovert[ed] of all the zodiacal characters” (astrology-online.com).

Clara Bow

The characters played by silent film star Clara Bow fit this description perfectly: a real ‘go-getter’ who would always get her man. According to a fansite, she “was the first actress who visibly flaunted her sex appeal” and has become “an icon of sexual freedom for women everywhere” (clarabow.net).

clarabow.net

clarabow.net

Note that Ms. Bow didn’t feel the need to wear showy jewelry to get attention – her natural charisma and confident poise would have been enough. Instead she wears a simple gold watch and a yellow gold link bracelet.

danforthdiamond.com

danforthdiamond.com

Myrna Loy

Another favorite of mine, Myrna Loy is best known for her role as Nora Charles in the Thin Man movies.

Here’s a glimpse of her wilder side. The picture is from an early role in the movie “Across the Pacific”. Note this famous Leo’s wild mane – perfect for a lioness. Hair like this is the only accessory you need (and I should know, trust me!) Perhaps a flower tucked behind your ear is a nice touch; otherwise, simple gold earrings would be enough.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

1830

Her most famous roles cast her as a perfect wife – her response to this was “Some perfect wife I am,” she said, referring to her typecasting. “I’ve been married four times, divorced four times, have no children, and can’t boil an egg.” (wikepedia.org)

lo

Myrna Loy

Happy Birthday Leos!

Here are some gift ideas for the Leos in your life.

Amber or yellow stones are always a favorite of the feline friendly…

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The Tiger Eye stone traditionally belongs to Capricorns, but also suits Leos.

It also reportedly helps you gain personal empowerment and courage (not that most Leos need help in those areas). Here’s the perfect gift for the stylish Leo man in your life:

amazon.co.uk/Fred-Bennett-Tigers-Eye-Cufflinks

amazon.co.uk/Fred-Bennett-Tigers-Eye-Cufflinks

Charm Your Leo

A sweet tiger will charm your Leo.

neimanmarcus.com

neimanmarcus.com

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Chocolate Icing: Celebrity Chocolatiers

Jul 14, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Droolery, Hot Topic, Tasty, gift ideas, sweet

tastyWe all know that A list celebrities can afford the very best of the best. We also know that most of them are following strict diets to maintain their famous figures.

What if you have a sweet tooth and a fat bank account but you’re on a calorie budget?

It’s all about quality not quantity…

Featured in our very first Celebrity Icing article, Jessica Simpson might want to sweeten up with some of these tasty treats  now that her and Tony Romo’s relationship has gone sour. (See “Jessica Simpson Covered in Icing“, September 2008.) The couple got together in 2007 and there were rumors in 2008 of engagement ring shopping, which Jessica denied. Rumors of an impending wedding surfaced again as recently as January 2009 (USmagazine.com).

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I never met a chocolate I didn’t like. (Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation)

The Best Chocolate in the World (and most expensive chocolate)

Amedei Porcelana

The Chuao bar from Amedei has received Chocopaedia’s highest rating so far (9.3 out of 10). It shares this rating with four other bars – you can see the entire list at Chocopaedia – they describe themselves as an “encyclopaedia of fine chocolate, with lists and information about fine chocolate makers and reviews of the chocolate bars they produce.”

Chuao, Baby!

wikipedia

wikipedia

“The often-quoted price of this chocolate is $90 a pound” (wikipedia). The cocoa beans used to make this chocolate are very rare so that only limited quantities of the chocolate can be made each  year, contributing to the high price.

While Amedei Porcelana has often been called the world’s most expensive chocolate, the truffle pictured  below is $250. For. Just. One.

La Madeline au Truffe, by Knipschildt Chocolatier

$250

$250 at knipschildt.com

Knipschildt Chocolate

According to their website, Knipschildt Chocolatier was “voted as one of the top 3 chocolates in the world by Gourmet Magazine” (knipschildt.com). Not all of their chocolates are priced so high – you can get their Giant Chocolate Box for $25.00. Warning – it only contains 9 chocolates (the term ‘giant’ refers to the fact that each chocolate is slightly larger than the regular size).

“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt!” (Lucy Van Pelt, Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz)

Not Rich and Famous, But Still Want a Taste the Sweet Life?

Pralus

In contrast, the ‘Le 100%’ bar from Pralus is ranked equally with the Amedei bar mentioned above – and you can buy a 3.5oz bar online for $7.75 .

worldwidechocolate.com

worldwidechocolate.com

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Gemini: Stars and Signs

May 20, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Astrology, Droolery, Foolery, Hot, Star Signs, gift ideas

The third installment in a series about how your accessories can have some star power!

hotBorn between May 21 and June 20? Then you are a Gemini just like Johnny Depp, Joan Rivers, Stevie Nicks, and Nicole Kidman.

Geminis are adventurers in life – they aren’t afraid to try new things and they are fun people to have around. Geminis are known as great communicators – they’re good talkers but also good listeners and are usually dialed in to all the dirt on their friends (famous gossip columnist Hedda Hopper was a Gemini). The Gemini, or two sisters, are also known for having two sides to their personalities.

Gemini Star Style: Nicole Kidman

n c

Nicole Kidman’s adventurous spirit is seen in her very diverse choice of film roles: from chick flick Practical Magic, edgy comedy To Die For, experimental foreign film Dogville, to blah Hollywood flicks like Far and Away and Days of Thunder. Like all Geminis, Kidman has two sides to her character: she is a celebrity but she is also a humanitarian (recipient of the United Nations Citizen of the World Award). She has had two very different husbands. She is a dual citizen: American and Australian – she was born in Hawaii but has lived most of her life in Australia.

n kk6358_1_s_100jpg

One of my best friends is a Gemini and all of these characteristics fit perfectly with her as well: she loves life and is a fantastic listener. She has her professional side, working in the corporate legal world, but also uses her connections and talents to contribute to local fundraising. Early years in California but living in Canada – she has enjoyed two very different childhoods. Happy Birthday, Kristine!

Gems for the Gemini

When a Gemini arrives in our world, Summer is just around the corner. Perhaps that is why they look great in anything that catches the light: sparkly stones, transparent gems, and silver or white gold.

Here are some great birthday gifts for Geminis:

Bulky Bracelet

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Birthstone Moppet

8803jpg


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Taurus: Stars and Star Signs

Apr 21, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Astrology, Droolery, Hot, Star Signs, gift ideas

hotThe second week in a new Celebrity Icing series about Star Signs, Style, and – of course – our favorite Stars! 

TAURUS STAR STYLE: NORA EPHRON

 

ephron

Nora Ephron spent her earliest childhood in the Upper West Side of New York City so it’s not surprising that, like most Taureans, her calm and coolness might be mistaken for snobbery. 

Generally the Taurus personality is one that is known for its steadiness of character, it’s calmness in the face of obstacles,and it’s steadfast nature. 

eph0-003

N0ra Ephron, successful as a writer and a filmmaker, has rightfully earned respect and accolades for her work. She wrote the scripts to the successful films Silkwood, Heartburn, and When Harry Met Sally. She hit success as a director in 1993, with Sleepless in Seattle. Her 2006 Collection of Essays was on the NY Times bestseller list in 2006. 

If you were lucky enough to be born between April 20th and May 20th then you are a Taurus – destiny made me a huge fan of this star sign: my husband, my daughter, and one of my very best friends is  a Taurus. So is my sister-in-law and she is one of the women that I truly admire – she’s classy, cool, and kind – and she’s the type of mom that I aspire to be.

Classic Yellow Gold, Timeless Styles

10711830

And, while we’re on the topic of When Harry Met Sally – here is a funny version of the trailer recut as if it was actually a Horror! 

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Key Ring Bling

Mar 18, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Tasty, gift ideas, sweet

tastyEveryone needs a key ring – this accessory is extremely practical but it doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, these rings can make great gifts! Here are some celebrity-inspired key rings…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

It’s not green but it’s still the perfect accessory on March 17th or the perfect gift to get your favorite Irish eyes a-smiling…

And, let’s face it hot Irish Colin Farrell could use some help accessorizing – what’s with the scarf? I think the role of “pretentious indie hipster” has already been taken and if it was vacant, he’d be too old for it anyways…

www.danforthdiamond.com

www.danforthdiamond.com

C

His and Her Gifts

Just moved in with the love of your life?  Here’s a mushy way to present him or her with a key. Awwwwwwwwwwwww….

metrographics_2042_42604401

www.giftsforprofessionals.com

Geek Love

Do you have a weakness for nerdy guys like me? Then, here is the perfect gift for your man – and, it’s an accessory that actually comes with an accessory – how cute is that? The character is a flash drive and the hoodie turns it into a keychain!

domox_lowstock

www.mimoco.com

rh

www.mimoco.com

Jet Set Jewelry

Is your love always leaving on a jet plane? (or maybe just dreams about traveling?) Here’s a great gift. PS Also a great way to impress your jet setter with one of those famous blue Tiffany & Co boxes for under $200!

www.tiffany.com

www.tiffany.com

Way to Go, Tiger!

Now we here at Celebrity Icing would never suggest a golf-themed gift for Tiger Woods… but if you have a golfing enthusiast in your life you might consider this. Also the perfect way to present that key to the brand new golf cart he or she has been drooling over…

tiger-woods-pga-tour-1

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www.danforthdiamond.com

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Purr-fectly Proud to be a Cougar

Jan 5, 2009 Author: tanya | Filed under: Advice, Foolery, gift ideas

Hockey Player Pavel Bure coined the term ‘cougar’ when he was playing for the Canucks in Vancouver, BC Canada. He used it to decribe the older women who would hit on the hockey players at the local bars. There are lots of definitions of the word out there and varying age thresholds (from 30 to 40). Basically, the term ‘cougar’ is used to describe a mature woman who is out on the prowl for younger men. In some definitions, she needs to be a particular age; in others she needs to be divorced and rich. Some descriptions paint cougars as desperate, old barflies who are easy to pick up; others paint them as attractive, experienced hunters who quickly go for the kill when they detect ‘fresh meat’.

What I find annoying is often all women over 35 who are enjoying a drink at a bar with a girl friend are labeled ‘cougars’ when this is just not true. Many of us are happily married, in relationships, or single by choice.

As a musician in a local band, I tend to find myself out late at night and so here are some tips about how you can avoid being called a cougar if you aren’t one:

5 Things to Avoid If You Don’t Want to be called a Cougar

1. Cat Images

All cat images evoke the cougar. You could be wearing a panther pin on your sweater or have a kitty cat on your purse, either way people will make the jump to cougar if you are even close to cougar age and if you are spotted in a potential cougar hunting ground.

Here is all the cougar you need and it comes in its very own jewelry box! Earrings, a pin, and a necklace – cougarrific!

animalden_2034_108796154

2. Animal Print

The road to cougardom is paved with leopard print. Actually, any animal print falls in to this category. Beware of zebra and the dreaded cow prints – you’d think these would because they are not cat-related but I’m sorry to say they are not. While we’re on the subject of animalia: think twice about wearing leather pants (particularly if they come with a matching jacket), feathers, or fake fur.

graduate

3. Fancy Drinks

If you’re in a fancy cocktail bar or restaurant then this doesn’t apply – but you’re not likely to be called a cougar if you are surrounded by other people your own age, are you?

If you find yourself in a much younger crowd, drink what everyone else is drinking unless you want to annoy the bartender or just stand out. Nothing says ‘newly divorced on a boyhunt’ than the liquid courage of a margarita, glass of white wine, or martini in a standing room only sports bar full of college boys playing foozball and drinking pitchers of beer.

Of course, when I say this I’m not implying that you should enter any chugging contests or beer pong tournaments, either. Unless you want to, of course…

4. Cleavage

If your ladies are pushed up to the point that your chin hits them when you talk, you might want to accept the fact that they are not anyone’s secret any more, let alone Victoria’s!

5. Big, Clunky Jewelry

Leave your diamonds at home, especially if you bought them from the Home Shopping Channel. Another good tip: if you can imagine Peggy Bundy putting it on, it’s probably wise to take it off! Actually that applies to all accessories and clothing…

bundy

Of course, there are actually cougars out there – and there’s nothing wrong with that, either; but…

Cougars be proud!

Take over the term and wear it as a badge of honor so that it can’t be used as an insult anymore! You can use the list above to pump up the volume on your cougar mating call.

Wear Whatever You Want

And, if you’re not a cougar but the above list describes you perfectly? You can just let everyone think you’re on the prowl and let them wonder why you never make a move. Let the boys who like to use the term as an insult go home with some insecurities for a change…

PS: I regularly break every rule above (except the leather pants rule) and I’ve been called a cougar twice (to my face).

What about you?

Do you consider yourself a cougar? Do you think of the term as an insult or a compliment? Have you ever been called a cougar? Did I miss anything off the list? Let me know!

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Let Color Work For You

Dec 29, 2008 Author: tanya | Filed under: Advice, Droolery, Tasty, gift ideas

As you may have noticed, lately I’ve been thinking about color. I’ve decided to continue on with this theme after my two-week series on the traditional Christmas colors red and green.

This week we are going to look at how celebrities (or, quite likely, their stylists) use color.

What’s Your Favorite Color?

You probably have a favorite color. If you’re not sure, go take a look in the closet – is there one color you predominantly wear?

Make sure you wear colors that work for you, not against you.

Clueless? Ask a trusted friend or, better yet, someone at a department store make up counter to tell you what colors work best with your complexion and hair.

Ready to commit?

If you want to have your own ‘color’, consider purchasing high quality apparel in classic styles: a coat, leather boots, a purse, a cashmere sweater, a wool skirt. Then you can mix and match with your other clothing.

Not sure?

If you’re not ready to commit to one color, or not sure if this will work for you – buy accessories instead. Hat, scarf, umbrella, gloves, purse, and perhaps one nice cardigan. These purchases will help you incorporate your new color into your clothes without too much expense. This will also allow you to change your color every year if you like.

tastyExamples from the Stars

I’ve selected two funny celebrities who have a serious talent for color. They both show that you can have a classy style and be hilarious at the same time.

Ellen Degeneres

Ellen wears a lot of blue in different shades. This color accents her beautiful eyes.

Blue Ellen

ellend

ellendegeneres

Parker Posey

Parker Posey is one of my favorite comic actors. She also shows us that you don’t have to look goofy to be funny. Notice how wearing one solid color is the perfect setting for jewelry – Parker Posey allows her red clothing to highlight the beautiful necklaces she wears.

Parker

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244poseyparker100506

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Green on the Scene

Dec 22, 2008 Author: tanya | Filed under: Droolery, Hot, gift ideas

hotI’m dreaming of a green Christmas, as I look out at the slushy weather outside…

Last week we looked at Red and this week is devoted to that other Christmas color….

Green

Who says it’s not easy?

Make sure you click on the video below for the perfect soundtrack to listen to while you help us celebrate all things green this season!

Green is Good

Admittedly it’s hard not to be cynical about their motives because it is so cool to be green these days. However, these celebs still deserve recognition because we emulate their behavior and it’s nice to have some wise and practical behavior to imitate for a change.

Heather Mills

Vegetarian, Animal Rights activist, PETA member.

heather-mills

Get a list of the top 10 green celebs at Hippyshopper.com.

Chris Martin

His music is coma-inducing and he’s not really my type but someone out there likes him because he was recently voted the World’s Sexiest Vegetarian. I’m guessing Jason Lee, Dean Wareham, and Colin Firth must all be carnivores… either that or the judges have very different taste from me.

chris_martin_coldplay

Green is Romantic

You can do your part to support the global effort to preserve our planet’s future – buy a wedding ring that has been refined, not mined! You don’t want your wedding ring to be connected to continued mining of our planet, or to the violence associated with conflict diamonds. Instead, you can buy a ring that is made from 100% recycled scrap. Otherwise, five tons of environmental waste is created each time one new gold ring is produced! Not something you want to think about when you are wearing your ring in to your future years of marriage. You can read more about this at Recycled Metals.

Green Ring

Green Ring

Green is Groovy

coily_green_body

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