Affordable Handmade Jewels by Jules

I know I've blogged about Etsy several times, but I just can't seem to give up my Etsy habit. I am a sucker for handmade, one of a kind gifts...especially unique jewelry. I just bought a beautiful necklace from Jules for only $12. Where else in the world can you buy a handmade piece of jewelry at that price? Go check her out! She's a great gal and could really use our support! Visit her store by clicking HERE

Endorsed by the Gift Therapist

Have a new product that you would like to introduce to the world? Send me a sample, I will review it and if it meets the following criteria, I will provide you with a seal of approval that you can use to help promote your product:
* Is your product innovative and or creative?
* Is your product high quality?
* Is your product a great value for the price?
If so...contact me and we'll get the ball rolling. What if I do not like the product? If the product fails to meet these requirements, I will contact you personally and discuss other options. As I am a good steward and have established credibility with my readership, I will not post a postive review based on the fact that a sample was sent to me. I donate all my sample products to charity anyway, but would pitch a really bad or unsafe product. On the bright side, I would not give you a bad review either...just NO review. Make sense? I try to keep the karma positive around here and I feel my help to you would be an honest consult in private. WIN/WIN!
Contact me for more info...the Holiday is right around the corner!

Follow Me on Twitter

Want to find out what I'm doing when I'm doing it? Want to get a sneak preview of the products that I will be reviewing? Visit me on twitter, choose to follow me, and be in the insiders loop for the best gift ideas for the holiday season. My "20 Under $20 Holiday Gift Guide" will be published in late October, but why wait? See my initial reactions in real time! Hook up with me at www.twitter.com/gifttherapist! Happy Shopping!

I have found heaven in cyberspace...It's a Glam Thing

Always on the lookout for my upcoming holiday gift guide, soon to be published early this fall, I was introduced to a new and FABULOUS website with all the newest, hottest, and AFFORDABLE gift ideas for the sassy woman! Filled with both unique products, gadgets (my weakness!) and tons of free give-a-ways, this site is a must see! If you are tired of browsing the gift sites full of picture frames, lipstick cases, and body lotions, this site will definitely surprise you. My favorite product is the Purse Pal. It's literally a hanger for your purse that you can attach to any table. No longer do you have to hang your bag on the back of your chair or wedge it under your feet where it can easily become lost or stolen...not to mention the convenience of having your cell-phone handy if it happens to ring at an inconvenient time. I hate when that happens! Please saunter over to www.itsaglamthing.com and take a gander at all of their unique products and be sure to register for their free drawings! And the blog section is full of tips, tricks and great insights from the Diva of Glam herself, Lisa Cocuzza...Great stuff and well worth a read! So go on...Jump on over there and support another great lady doing great things! Tell my good friend Lisa the Gift Therapist sent ya!

Shop Smart GIVE MORE Workshop

Today I spent the afternoon showing off my bargain shopping skills to a wonderful group of young ladies participating in the "Mom's Time Out Program" sponsored by the Monessen Tobacco Free Coalition and Mon Valley Hospital. Thank you Anita Leonard for inviting me to participate and providing copies of "Shop Smart GIVE MORE" to all the program participants! If you or your group would like to sponsor a workshop based on the tips and tricks contained within my book, please contact me as soon as possible. My fall schedule is starting to fill up already! This workshop is a MUST HAVE before you even think about going Holiday shopping!

For the Wine Lover that Rides...

Just found this awesome wine holder at Gabriel Brother's in Belle Vernon for only $19.99. Made by "Just Kooky" in California, this decorative piece retails for $49.99...over 50% off. Great Bargain! They have plenty of other styles and other novelty items like this in the front of the store. Go get 'em while they last!

Time to Stock Up on Emergency Holiday Gifts!

Your spring cleaning is done. You've cleaned out your closets. And now you have room to start stashing away super-bargain gifts that you find on the clearance rack. No, not for yourself! Start shopping NOW for "emergency" holiday gifts! Today I was browsing the clearance section at Gabriel Brothers and found Time and Again candles and fragrance diffusers marked down to $4. The 23oz jar candles usually retail for over $20 in the specialty gift shops and the diffusers for around $15. I bought three large jar candles for myself because I literally burn through them pretty quickly :) As I sit here in my living room, I can smell the gentle aroma of chocolate mocha that is creeping from my kitchen...the next best thing to homemade chocolate chip cookies but without the calories! Candles and home fragrances make great gifts for teachers, co-workers, and grab-bag gifts. Add some gourmet hot chocolate, coffee or tea and you have the perfect relaxation basket. Add champagne and a jazz CD and you have a great romance basket. The possibilities are endless! Good luck and happy shopping!

Online Personal Shopping

Thank you Ashley Diparlo for this wonderful resource! This entry is courtesy of Ashley's blog on thepittsburghchannel.com! Be sure and visit often for great online resources!

Has this ever happened to you? You finally found the clothing you wanted at the right price, but then discovered it wasn’t in your size? UGH! This seriously happens to me all the time!

Well, you can forget browsing online and even wasting time going from store to store looking for deals. With the help of Shopittome.com you’ll get exactly what you want, in your size at a price that’s appealing.

You can think of Shopittome.com as your free personal shopper.

It will search the web sites of leading retailers and then email you a daily or weekly summary of which new items in your size are on sale.

And the best part–the online service is free.

By signing up you can choose women, men, girl or boy clothing.

Next, select your favorites from a list of over 500 brands.

Once that’s done you’ll choose the attire you’re interested in and your size. This also includes shoes.

The site will let you specify whether or not you wish to receive daily, weekly, or semi-weekly emails.

You’ll then start receiving emails listing the dozens of items in your size and on sale! By clicking on an item, Shopittome will connect you to the retailer’s web site for purchasing.

Love it!

Before You Fill Up The Tank

Don't just assume you are getting the best price on gas. Check the web for real time gas prices in your region. Today I stumbled upon the following websites that will help you decide where you will purchase gas and and what price:
www.gasprices.com for national prices: Great for pricing out your future road trip
www.pennsylvaniagasprices.com
www.pittsburghgasprices.com: great for local travelers in the Pittsburgh region.

Every penny counts these days! And again, I urge you to shop grocery stores (buy only what you need and what is on sale!) to get those fuel perks!

Good luck and happy travels!

I'm Back and Need Another Vacation!

I apologize for my long absence! Between a lovely vacation and the demands associated with starting a new program (The Black Pants Project) I just haven't had the time to shop, blog, and keep up with all of my favorite online antics! But I promise to get my tail in gear...the holiday season is only SIX months away! I must admit, the increasing gas prices have really cut into my shopping budget as well, so I urge all of you to continue to shop smart and make fewer trips when you can. During my trip to Aldi's market today I was amazed at how busy the place was at 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon. All the produce was picked over and some of the freezer cases were a bit bare. They are getting hit hard...a result of more folks shopping smart, I hope. Why pay 99 cents for a single cucumber at Giant Eagle when you can get three at Aldi's for 99 cents? Blueberries or a ripe pineapple for $1.49? How about bagged salad mix for only 99 cents or french bread pizzas for $1.49? Are you running for your purse yet???