shefinds» gifts

Get It Before It’s Gone: Elaine Turner Patent Leah Clutch

SheFindsCatesby — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A few months ago we attended the launch of Elaine Turner's Spring 2009 handbags–but we ended up more taken, in many ways, with the designer's current collection. Turns out we aren't the only ones crushing on her style: these Leah clutches are flying off the shelves. With its adorable rose decoration, the patent version ($195) is perfect for a night out in the city; the more staid lizard-skin embossed clutch ($195)would make an impression at a dinner event. Also, don't forget your loved ones this holiday season: these darling numbers are a perfect present for the fashionista sister or best friend in your life. Get them before they're gone at ElaineTurner.com.

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What To Do With All Those Gifts That Are Just Plain Wrong

Rebekah — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Some happy thoughts to help cure today’s food, wine, and bad gifts hangover: it might take a little effort on your part, but you can turn all those so-not-you presents into cash, store credits, other gifts or positive karma points. Read on to find out how.

Return Tactics
Do it ASAP. If you plan to return anything, do it soon. Maybe today. Prices can drop fast after Christmas, especially in this sale-crazy economic environment, and then you could be stuck with a $6 credit for your deluxe knife set.

Keep it closed. To get the most cash or store credits back for your items, particularly electronics, make sure to keep them safely sealed in their boxes – some stores won’t accept open ones at all.

Have an open mind. And check with the store to see if you can get more bang for your bad gift if you take a store credit instead of cash.

Not your style? It’s probably someone else’s.
Re-gift…carefully. If you received lots of generic gifts from colleagues, clients and acquaintances – things like soaps, candles, and coffee table books – feel free to pass them on in similar circumstances. But it's best not re-gift personal presents – perfume, clothing, and jewelry aren't great candidates.

Hold a swapping party. This is a great money-saving way to score new stuff any time of year, but particularly useful after the holidays, when someone else's ill-fitting gift could be your new favorite sweater. Just make sure not to invite the offending gifters.

Swap virtually. Swap or sell gift cards you don’t want. Sites like certificateswap.com, swapagift.com, and cardavenue.com will connect you with other swappers or buyers.

Donate it. There are tons of charities that could use your new item. Just type the type of item and "donate" or "charity" into Google. And don't forget about the tax write-off.

Sell it. There’s eBay, of course, and Gazelle.com, a similar service that’s just for electronics. To post a free classified ad in your area, check out Craigslist or Kijiji.

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Get Ready To Reveal Your Worst Christmas Present And Win

SheFindsHenley — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

What: The Worst Christmas Present Contest

Why: If you've suffered through gifts this bad, you deserve a pick-me-up. Take a look at the contest MomFinds is running now, and then tune back in to SheFinds on December 26th to report what kind of awful gifts you made off with this year. We want to hear about the ugly sweaters, embarassing personal grooming devices, and Santa-themed socks your family gave you. Just to sweeten the deal, the winner will receive a packed goodie bag full of some of the best products we've got stashed away in the SheFinds beauty closet. Hopefully that will help ease the pain of yet another year of self-help books from your overly nosy Grandmother.

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Our Last Minute Gift Guide… Because Those Presents Won’t Buy Themselves

Bryn — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If you don't want to bust out the arts and crafts kit, our Last Minute Gift Guide could be your only salvation this late in the game. We don't fault you for waiting until Christmas Eve to think about your loved ones, we just ask that you at least put a little thought into what they're going to unwrap tomorrow morning.

Below are some suggestions from our guide sure to please even the toughest customers.

An eBay gift card is ideal for the loved one who loves to bid. Cards are available from $5 to $500 and you can either email or print them out. If you've got a bit more time before gift-giving, upload your own photo on the card for a personal touch.

The music maven on your list will go crazy for an iTunes gift card. Amounts range from $15 to $100 and you can choose from 12 very hip, very Apple designs.

At Avelle (aka Bag Borrow or Steal) you can give a gift membership from $15 per week by way of an Avelle gift card. Right now, get 4 weeks for the price of 3 with promo code 1WEEKFREE.

For those who love dining out, a print-and-go Restaurant.com gift certificate is pretty much perfect. Opt for a $10 gift, or go all out with a gift of $375. Right now, take 80% off $25 gift certificates. Use code HOLIDAY and pay $2.

Or if you want to pull an all-nighter in search of the perfect present (which probably doesn't exist), below are stores open late. Be sure to call or check the websites for your local store's hours.

Kohl's
Open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. today

Kmart
Some stores open most of the day today

Macy's
Six stores open 24 hours until 6 p.m. today

Target
Some stores open most of the day today

Wal-Mart
Most supercenters open 24 hours year round

And sign up for our newsletter to get the latest trends, sales, and deals delivered to your inbox every week.

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Shop Online, Pick Up In-Store Today (You Procrastinator, You)

Rebekah — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We’re trying to make this easy. To keep you from being the empty-hand end of a would-be gift exchange tomorrow, you can e-mail or print something out from our Last Minute Gifts guide, or, if you’re ready to brave the cold, order online from one of the retailers below then pick up your gifts in-store.

They’re all open today (but check with your city’s location for hours), and we know you’re not at work.

Select items from Nordstrom can be picked up in-store – they’ll even e-mail you when your item is ready for pickup, usually about an hour after you order.

Order from Best Buy by 3 PM today and you’ll be able to pick it up by closing time, 5 PM in many locations.

Sears lets you pick up certain items in-store; they’ll e-mail you when your order is ready, and guarantee you’ll have it in five minutes of your arrival.

Pick up from any of Lowes more than 1,625 locations in North America.

Circuit City guarantees your local store will have your items ready 24 minutes after you order them online.

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Donate To Oxfam International On Behalf Of The Sister-In-Law Who Returns Everything

SheFindsSuzelle — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

If buying your sister-in-law another generic gift card just isn’t ringing your bell this year, making a donation to Oxfam International in honor of your loved one is a gift that will make everyone feel good.

Oxfam is one of my favorite charities. It’s a confederation of 13 organizations that are working around the world to bring lasting change in the areas of poverty and justice. A donation can provide buckets for clean water, buy textbooks to students, improve farming methods, or fund small-business training. And you can rest easy knowing your money really is helping the people who need it. In 2006, Oxfam America was awarded four out of a possible four stars by Charity Navigator and again received the Better Business Bureau’s highest rating for charitable organizations by meeting all 20 of its “Standards for Charity Accountability.”

To make it really easy, you can send an e-card in a denomination of your choosing. So what are you waiting for? Make a difference this holiday season!

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Last-Minute Gift: Stocking Stuffers for the One Who Has It All

SheFindsSuzelle — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

We all have that one person on our list who not only has everything she could need, but goes out and buys it for herself anyway. Before you panic, we have a couple of last minute stocking stuffer ideas that will help you cross that last one off your list.

Sephora’s Pocket Brush Set $12: This mini brush set is a must-have for touch-ups and travel bags. It has all of your essential brushes and packs them into a silvery micro-clutch that fits in the palm of your hand.

UnCommon Goods Recycled Yoga Bag $35: It’s a one-of-a-kind tote made from recycled rice bags. The proceeds from its sale benefit the disadvantaged works in Cambodia who made it so everybody can feel good.

Aveda Rosemary Mint Bath Bar $12: This moisturizing bath bar is so luxurious it’ll transform her shower into the spa. Rosemary and mint fibers gently exfoliate and their delicious scent lingers.

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What SheFindsErin Wants For Christmas

SheFindsErin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sure, the holiday season is about spending time with our loved ones and sharing the spirit with those around us. But as long as Santa's going to be in the neighborhood, it doesn't hurt to drop a few hints for ourselves, right? Here are a few stylish goodies I hope there's room in the sleigh for:

Here at SheFinds, we've been gushing over J. Crew's vintage-inspired jewelry all year. It's time to enhance my necklace collection with the statement-making Karma necklace ($100) in exotic saffron tones. One bold way to do gold jewelry, this chunky design on a delicate chain is such a pretty balance of feminine charm and in-your-face glamour.

OK, so practical isn't the first word that came to mind when I first saw these Puma Berlin boots ($140). But I love that they're in a category all their own—Athleisure—and that they're not quite white, but "white asparagus" (seriously, there's a Puma copywriter out there who's after my own heart). Snow, ice, and slush would be no match for me if I could run around town in these superhero-meets-country clubber kicks.

I don't know anyone who stashes her perfume bottles in a makeup drawer. Those bottles are designed to be seen, and I can't think of a vanity-top accessory more artsy and funky than Pucci's Vivara perfume bottle ($85). Forget that the scent inside is deliciously bright and floral and romantic. That's just an added bonus for the dazzling bottle, inspired by Pucci's iconic Vivara prints.

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Shipping Deadlines For Stores You Care About

Rebekah — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

To ensure your annual gift-ordering procrastination doesn’t actually hinder the gift giving, we’ve compiled a list of order-by dates for the holidays. Here are the dates by which you’ll need to place your order to receive, for example, pretty red boxes from Red Envelope by December 25th.

These dates apply to orders inside the continental US, and times are Eastern Standard unless otherwise noted.

7 For All Mankind
12/17 with FedEx ground
12/ 23 by noon with premium shipping

Amazon
12/18 with standard shipping
12/22 by 6 PM with expedited shipping
12/23 by 6 PM with fastest shipping

Ann Taylor LOFT
12/19 by noon with 2nd day air
12/22 by noon with next day air

Arden B
12/16 with standard shipping
12/22 with premium shipping

Armani Exchange
12/18 with standard shipping
12/22 with premium shipping

Bare Necessities
12/19 by noon with standard shipping
12/23 by noon with UPS Next Day

Barnes & Noble
12/22 with premium shipping

Bloomingdales
The following dates are for in-stock merchandise
12/19 by 11:59 PM with standard shipping
12/21 by 11:59 PM with premium shipping
12/22 by 11:59 PM with express delivery

Brooks Brothers
12/16 by 12 PM with standard shipping
12/23 by 12 PM with fastest shipping

FAO Schwartz
12/17 with standard shipping
12/21 with premium shipping

Kmart
12/18 by 11:59 PM with standard shipping
12/23 by 9 AM with premium shipping

Kohls
12/17 by midnight with standard shipping
12/19 by 3 PM with premium shipping

Macy’s
The following dates are for in-stock merchandise
12/19 by 11:59 PM with standard shipping
12/21 by 11:59 PM with premium shipping
12/22 by 11:59 PM with express shipping

Nordstrom
12/19 by 12 PM with standard shipping
12/22 by 12 PM with expedited shipping
12/23 by 12 PM with fastest shipping

New York & Company
12/20 with free upgrade to FedEx Ground
12/22 with 2-day FedEx
12/23 with 1-day FedEx

Ralph Lauren
12/18 by midnight with standard shipping
12/22 by midnight with premium shipping

RedEnvelope
12/19 with premium shipping

Saks Fifth Avenue
12/19 by 1 PM with Saturday delivery
12/23 by 1 PM with rush delivery

Sears
12/18 by 11:59 PM with standard shipping
12/23 by 9 AM with premium shipping

Sephora
12/18 by 12 AM PST with standard shipping

Shoes.com
12/19 with standard shipping
12/22 by 12 PM with expedited shipping
12/23 by 12 PM with fastest shipping

Shopbop
12/22 by 11 AM with expedited shipping

Singer22
12/17 by midnight with standard ground
12/22 by midnight with UPS 2 day
12/23 by midnight with next day air

Sur La Table
12/18 by 9 AM with standard shipping
12/23 by 3 PM with premium shipping

Target
12/18 with standard shipping
12/22 with premium shipping

The Container Store
12/18

Urban Outfitters
12/22 by 10 AM with 2-day
12/23 by 10 AM with overnight

Victoria’s Secret
12/18 by 1 PM with standard shipping
12/22 by 1 PM with expedited shipping
12/23 by 1 PM with fastest shipping

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Jewelry From Green Karat For Your Tree-Hugging Loved One

SheFindsCatesby — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Last week, we shared a few green gifts you could buy instead of non-eco items. This time around, we'd like to show you some jewelry that'd be ideal for your environmentally aware friend, spouse, or famly member.

What: Green Karat Recycled Titanium Sylph Earrings, $250

Why: Green Karat makes exquisitely hand-carved jewelry that's so lovely we don't really need to mention its green credentials to sell you on it. But we will, because it will really be the icing on the cake for your tree-hugging loved one. All GK products are created from 100% recycled post-consumer materials. We love these modern titanium Sylph Earrings, whose price includes a voluntary carbon offset tax. Or opt for the 18-karat gold Lobe earrings ($175) – a careful and delicate rendition of a natural shape. And Green Karat offers second day shipping, so you're guaranteed to receive in time for the holidays.

Get Yours: greenkarat.com

Check out our Jewelry Staples Guide for pieces that every stylish woman should own.

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