Don't Forget the Pup: Doggy Tugs Rule!

Nothing comes between me and my dog! This is Max, my 13 year old bundle of joy...look at that face! I think he's smiling! One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is anything for my critters. I know, I know, I know...he's got so many toys. But I just can't resist a new BoBo or sqeakie bear for my little boy :) Just tried out a new product called the Doggy Tug. Oh my gosh did we have fun! Rather than play tug of war with a blanket or sock, try the safer and more durable Doggy Tug. The creators boast that these tug toys, made of 100% dye free terry cloth are virtually indestructible, and I can attest to this. This is the only toy in the bin that Max has not torn apart! They also boast a nice inventory of leashes, collars, doggie water, and "high fashion" accessories for the descriminating pup. Be sure to check them out and put their online store on your gift list! NOTE: A portion of the proceeds of DoggyTug!™ sales goes to help abandoned and abused animals. Major bonus!

Sneak Peaks from My Holiday Gift Guide

Women Thrive Worldwide: Shop the Cause

Here is an opportunity to support a wonderful cause that is working diligently to support women and girls all over the world. Shop the Cause is a project of Women Thrive Worldwide (formerly Women's Edge Coalition), a non-profit that fosters economic opportunity for women living in poverty worlwide. Women in poor countries face unequal barriers that keep them from lifting their families out of poverty. Women Thrive advocates for policies that give women the opportunities they need to overcome these barriers - opportunities such as fair wages and working conditions, access to credit, property rights, and protection against violence. Opportunities that help them create beautiful products and feed their children.

Here is a beautiful example of the beautiful products they have to offer this summer.The Spring Into Change Cosmetic Bag (above), retails for $14.95. These colorful creations are brought to you by Original Good in partnership with Maya Traditions which supports health and educational programs and provides a sustainable livelihood for women in the Guatemalan Highlands. Traditional flower patterns are embroidered into the fabric and then "over-dyed" with pigments. Buy one today!

Bookmark the Site NOW: FreeShipping.org

Searching for great deals online just got much easier! Thanks to www.Freeshipping.org, you can check daily for deals on your favorite products, favorite stores, and more. This site was recently featured on our local news, but be careful to type .org rather than .com. The latter is a subscription based service that you have to pay for...and why would you want to do that? I'll keep this one brief, as I'm sure you're anxious to check out all of the great shipping deals that may soon expire. Good luck and happy shopping!

How to Find Great Gift at Bargain Prices

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, I just completed a new article on eHow that is fun, useful and best of all, FREE! If you'd like to get a jump on finding high quality gifts at bargain basement prices, please take a gander at my new article by clicking HERE. Comments are welcome and much appreciated!

A Tribute to Randy Pausch

Today is a very sad day to all who were awed, inspired, and lived life to fullest after watching The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. Today he lost his battle with cancer but his message and charisma, even while facing death, will resonate in the hearts of millions for many years to come. Life is a gift
Family is a gift
Friends are a gift
Love is a gift
This moment is a gift
Thank you for allowing me to share this moment with you. And now in Randy Pausch's honor, I am going to go shopping with my mother, eat too much ice cream, and tell my husband how much I love him. Have a beautiful evening and enjoy your moments each and every day!

Lake Champlain Chocolates: OMG!!!

I don't normally buy chocolate or confections on line because I fear that the taste or quality won't be nearly what I had expected. And let's face it, really good chocolate is expensive! But today I sit here smiling on this lovely afternoon after eating possibly the best chocolate truffle that I've ever tasted! I will definitely buy them this holiday for my guests and for my gift list. The 9 piece box of Milk and Dark Chocolate retails for $24.95 and is worth every penny. Here is their description of the product:

Champlain Truffles have an exhilarating new world spirit. The velvety smooth, dense ganache centers, rich with whipped Vermont cream and butter, are thinly coated in chocolate, then hand-decorated for a stunning presentation. Distinct natural flavors make these big chocolate morsels the ultimate dessert. A spectacular treat!
Milk and dark chocolate flavors include Cappuccino, Vanilla Malt, All Milk, Amaretto Praline, Grande Valencia (orange liqueur), Legendary Dark, French Roast, Raspberry, and Champagne.

They also have a lovely online store with a generous selection for the chocolate lover for under $12. You can visit them here: http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/

So now if you will excuse me, I have must have just one more, for I'm afraid they will melt in this terrible heat :)

Waterford Tea Cups...Not just for tea

While browsing my favorite Gabriel Brother's store, I stumbled upon a collection of Waterford tea cups and saucers in the clearance section. Several patterns to choose from, all out of the box, and marked down to $5. WOW! Now that's a bargain...they retail for over $25 a piece. My gifting genius kicked in and I instantly saw co-worker gifts or party favors for a bridal shower or similar girlie event. Here's what you do. Buy the teacups and or saucers, fill them up with buttermints, tea cookies or the like, then wrap them up like you would a gift-basket, topped off with an elegant bow. Now that's a classy gift under $10! Good luck and happy shopping!

The Black Pants Project Update

Here is a brief but passionate update on all the wonderful things that have happened over the holiday weekend that are a true sign that the Lord really wants the Black Pants Project to take flight. Remember, we are located in a small town that very few people recognize outside of the Pittsburgh City limits, and even those folks are not really sure that we exist only 30 miles away :)

• Two national sponsors have come forward to provide goodie-bag items for our fundraiser in November, not to mention all of the products that I've received to review on my Gift Therapist Blog. We also have a coffee sponsor from Hawaii! (Can he recruit the cast of LOST to come?) BIG companies and PR firms are sending a lot of great samples because they know that ultimately they will be given to a great cause in gift-baskets at the fundraiser as well. I think I'm going to have to rent a storage unit for all of this stuff :)
• Camera Bartolotta, a former LA actress who now calls the Mon Valley her home is excited to become involved in the Black Pants Project. She is a certified image coach and has worked with working wardrobe organizations all over the country. She admitted that she has been looking for a local program like this to get involved with but couldn't find one...until God brought us together last week.
• And now for the biggie...Princeton University's Department of Social Sciences has contacted me in order to include the Schooner Youth Center and the Black Pants Project in a comprehensive study that analyzes how social service programs are delivered in pockets of high poverty. Best part...they are coming here to tour our facility on July 21st. I told you we were going to put the Mid-Mon Valley on the map.

Those are the biggies, but I can't overlook the everyday miracles that I receive in the form of volunteer inquiries, encouraging words and kindness from strangers. These are the gems that give me sustenance and courage to keep moving forward in faith. Praise the Lord! With all the excitement I think it may be appropriate to go test that new Emerson Electric Wine Bottle Opener that I must review before August :0 Cheers!

Escape Adulthood with Kim and Jason

Once in awhile I will stumble upon a website that I think everyone should be aware of. This time, the site owners at www.kimandjason.com found me...and I couldn't be happier! Kim and Jason are a happily married couple who devote their lives to helping others lead happier and more passionate lives. They accomplish this through humor and encouraging a return to childhood FOR adults. Filled with inspiring stories, a great online store called the Lemonade Stand, and awesome cartoons, this entire site will have you hooked! But don't worry...you can even join their club and get lots of free stuff, discounts, and a dose of humor in your mailbox just when you need it the most.

But in order to do my job, and keep my fellow bargain divas happy, I must review their store. Super fun and super affordable stuff that would make great gifts for everyone with a sense of humor and/or unique hard to find gifts. And they throw in a surprise gift for orders over $50...I love surprises. Be sure to check out their family friendly stuff. Kim and Jason are really big on family values and carry a lot of products that are designed to bring families back to the dinner table. Card games such as "52 Alternatives to TV" for only $6.95...priceless! And a portion of the sales proceeds go to some pretty awesome children's charities. Check out some of their most popular products HERE

Thank you Kim and Jason for making this world a better, happier, and fun place to live! And if you are ever in Steeler country, please give me a holler!

Great Gifts at Staples

M by Staples: My Style My Way


I've fallen in love at Staples...AGAIN! New to one of my all time fave stores is M by Staples. Did they design this line with me in mind? Have they read my mind? LOVE IT! For men and women that are looking to stay organized and professional with style, M by Staples has great offerings such as a variety of journals, stylish folders, chic note cards, and much, much more. So much to choose from, coordinate, and show off to the girls at the office...and all under $20!

M by Stales is designed to allow for self expression in the workplace, in the classroom or in your home office. See a preview of what to look for on your next trip to Staples: www.MbyStaples.com
You won't have to look very hard...the quality and style will jump right out at you!

The Gift of Memories

"Life is not measured by it's length, but by it's depth..."
This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. While cleaning out my photo drawer today, I was launched back in time remembering wonderful times with wonderful people. I probably rifled through a good 15 years worth of unorganized photos! That's what we did back then before photo books and photo gifts could be created from the comfort of our home. I am a huge fan of Photoworks. Their products are high quality and they ship very quickly. And it seems they always have a coupon or incentive before and after you make a purchase. Right now, they have free shipping on all photo gifts. Get Free Shipping on Photo Gifts at PhotoWorks.com
. My last project was an 8x8 Photo Tile (complete with stand) that puts a really creative twist on the traditional picture frame. What a perfect gift for a housewarming, wedding, or birthday. And they are only $15.99. Go check them out and tell them the Gift Therapist sent you!

Photo Tile Our ceramic photo tile is a simple, elegant way to display your images. Hang it on the wall (hanger not included) or display it on a stand (included).Dimensions:6' x 6' square

Shop Riverside Village in Lower Speers

If you are reading this and are from the Pittsburgh region, I want to recommend an idea for the perfect day of shopping and fine food. In a small river town, just off the Charleroi exit of I-70 is a little village known as lower Speers. Perched right on the Monongahela river, this little nook provides an excellent little excursion if you love specialty shops, great food, and a scenic view. Riverside Village is full of quaint shops that will keep you treasure hunting for hours. If you like the unusual gift, this is the place to visit. From antiques, handmade lace, and handcrafted gifts, this shopping venue has all desires covered. For an upscale dining experience, visit the Back Porch Restaurant. For something more casual, visit the Speer's Street Grill right across the street. And for dessert, visit the new Tea Room and Ice Cream shop...YUM! Serving lunch and dinner Tuesday - Sunday, these fine establishments will meet a myriad of culinary expectations. And the best part of all, Shop Smart GIVE MORE is now available at the Village Shoppes! Pop in and be sure to tell Roberta the Gift Therapist sent you! Happy Shopping!

Macy's 4th of July Sale - Free Shipping

Begin your holiday shopping this weekend from the comfort of your home and enjoy free shipping site-wide with $100 purchase. Be sure to check their clearance sections for the perfect gift! Hurry, offer expires July 8th! Happy Shopping!

Sharing the Love with The Budget Fashionista!

Great news everyone! In celebration and preparation of the upcoming holiday season, I am proud to announce that the gals from hugely popular website and blog, www.thebugetfashionista.com, will be sharing some of their favorite tips and tricks right here on our blog! These gals really know their stuff and their website is a must see for everyone who desires to have the greatest and most fashionable looks for less. I participate actively in their forum and feel right at home swapping stories and advice with their readers. Why not visit them and take advantage off all the free tips, tricks, giveaways and expert advice? No time to browse? Then buy their book, "How to be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less" and spread the love to friends and family via a hard-copy! Welcome girls! We can't wait to have you!

It's Christmas in July!

Just wanted to send out a quick thank you for all the product vendors, PR firms, and specialty gift retailers who sent out sample products for me to review for my Holiday Gift Guide. I never dreamed I would receive such fantatic gift ideas! God Bless all of you and I can wait to review every single one for all of you to check out this holiday season!