Christmas for Guys, Most Importantly, the Day After Christmas Shopping Guide

By Laura Medina

http://www.allenbergracingschools.com/

Shopping for guys is as frustrating as it is shopping for tween girls.  They don't want or need a whole lot; and they never say what they truly want, escalating into Christmas fights.

Avoid that problem, just watch and listen for a year then you'll know what he really wants for Christmas.

For the man boy who has everything, bump it up to an experience, a thrilling experience.  Sign him up for Allen Berg Racing Schools.  Instead of watching him sitting on the couch like a bump on a log, get his heart racing having him train with a former Formula 1 driver, there are a staff of ex-professional race driver to instruct him without getting banged up.  Give him that surprise by registering him at http://www.allenbergracingschools.com/ or calling them at (888) 722-3220.

He's not mentally alert yet to handle those razor-sharp curves on the race track?

Get his brain working with this cool brain toys.  Here's a mind game he wouldn't mind playing, the Puzzlebox Orbit, a brain-controlled helicopter now available on Kickstarter.  This orb of a mini-helicopter, you can control the height, the speed, and the direction by wearing NeuroSky and Emotiv EEG headsets.  Yes, your brainwaves control the whole flying orb without touching or remote control, http://brainstorms.puzzlebox.info/

At Brookstone, you can grow a budding paparazzo buying him this more available and conventional remote-controlled camera mounted on an air drone, Parrot® AR.Drone® 2.0 App-Controlled Quadricopter,

http://www.brookstone.com/parrot-ar-drone-2-quadricopter?bkiid=Featured_Products_Zone|World_Landing_Page_Electronic_Toys|WorldLandingWidget|786406p&catId=L2_ElectronicToys|L1_Games&page=featuredproduct.

You can your Apple and Android devices to lift, fly, take-off, and shoot.

• Fly your AR.Drone 2.0 with the free downloadable app* for your iOS or Android Device
• Perform advanced stunts ordinary RC helicopters can't
• Fly up to 165 feet from your Wi-Fi device
• See what the pilot sees with new front facing camera
• Capture 720p HD videos and stills to share online
• Enjoy controlled, level flying with automatic stabilization system
• Play augmented reality games that turn the world around you into a video game
• Fly indoors or out

For ages 14 and up. WARNING: Choking hazard due to small parts.

While shopping, search out a mall that has an Art of Shaving boutique.  Some, but not all, have little barber shop tucked away in the back.  You're marching on a mission, he can be pampered, shaved, or trimmed by a top-notch barber with top-shelf quality Art of Shaving products.  If it's good enough for Santa, it's good enough for the men in life. 

He can ask for:
ROYAL SHAVE $55
Time: 45 min
The Art of Shaving’s most popular service begins with a hot towel. The face is then massaged with Pre-Shave Oil to help protect the skin and soften the beard. Next, warm Shaving Cream is applied to the face and then shaved twice, once with the grain, and then re-lathered and shaved across the grain for The Perfect Shave™. After, the face is then wrapped in a hot towel while the barber prepares with fresh ingredients the After-Shave Mask®. Once the mask has dried, it is removed with natural sea sponges soaked in lemon essential. Finally, Hydrosol Rose Water is applied and the face is lightly massaged with After Shave Balm to help moisturize.

While there, you can pick this up for him,...

 THE REFINED MAN $115
At Home Kit
For the man who enjoys the finer things in life, transform his shaving routine from a chore into a refreshing ritual with The Art of Shaving’s THE 4 Elements of the PERFECT SHAVE™ Full Size Kit. This revolutionary lightweight shaving regimen has everything he needs for a close, comfortable without any ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and irritation – Pre-Shave Gel, Shaving Cream, Badger Hair Shaving Brush, and After-Shave Lotion. The kit comes in 5 different scents: Unscented, Sandalwood, Lemon, Lavender and Ocean Kelp that will leave his skin invigorated, clean and hydrated post shaving.
The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave™ with a Pure Badger Brush is available at The Art of Shaving boutiques and online, Store & Product Locator: www.theartofshaving.com

This is what Santa Claus will be doing.  He's gonna and wanna treat himself to a good, clean, classic shave so he can blend in back into the world, unnoticed yet refreshed for the New Year, watch him transform on "The Perfect Holiday by The Art of Shaving" - Full Length video,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17jOa2ChPWY&feature=youtu.be

In fact, giving your man a Post-Christmas/New Year's Eve shave at the Art of Shaving boutique/barber shop is the best thing to do on the Day-After-Christmas Sale, those super-duper deep discounts that you man truly do appreciate, anything 50% and above sales...

He's going to enjoy the holidays better when you take him shopping the day after.  This is what guys do.  They don't go clothes shopping until it hits the 80% off then it is the time to shop Perry Ellis' "Country Gent" Fall 2013 Fashion.  These rugged, comfy, warm, but classy plaid, wool blazers and autumn-hued puffer jackets with cozy pullovers and sweaters are what he really wants, some cool clothes to carry him deep into Winter.

Quickie Christmas Stocking Stuffers that Angie Everhart & Debbie Gibson Actually Wear

By Laura Medina

http://www.southhilldesigns.com/www/default

Celebrities like cute stuff as much as the next person.  Gifts don't have to be outlandish expensive to be meaningful.  Angie Everhart, Debbie Gibson, and Jennifer Gimenez keep these cute keepsakes from South Hill Designs, each piece no more than $50.

 

Your local Sears...if you still have a Sears...have equally adorable jewelry that you can stuff in those Christmas stockings...and you can afford to do it many a times.

At your local mall, Icing carries cute and trendy accessories for your emerging fashion-forward tween and teen, all within her budget.

For those who'll be happy snapping stocking stuffers in the work cubicle, you can pick a couple at www.truetous.com. 

Where to stash and carry your trinkets through the airport and the car? 

Caboodle has grown up.  They offer a many stylish train, vanity, and jewelry cases in up-to-date endurable but cute purse materials for lighter lifting and easier carrying.  They even have a clear vinyl vanity case so TSA can see your makeup and jewelry.  Actually, Caboodle's newest vanity cases make nifty retro/vintage-inspired totes and purses in today's high-tech materials and construction that your fashionista tween and teen can neatly organize her tablet, smartphone, school equipment in Caboodle's compartments, alongside her makeup.  All this at a still affordable price.

Forget stocking stuffers, present your cute fashion jewelry in an equally chic Caboodle case/tote.

Have Yourself a Solid Gold "MAC Divine Night" Christmas & Party Like It's Studio 54. Don't Worry, The Arriviste has the Finger on the Pulse.

By Laura Medina

The recent past Thursday and Friday of last week encapsulate the entire history arc of Seventies Disco.

Last Thursday's entertainment for Project Angel Food's annual holiday charity sale fundraiser, Divine Design Sale Gala, was homage to the early days of disco, the proto-type "Loves Saves the Day" a.k.a. "LSD" house parties thrown by an ex-Timothy Leary follower who used his homegrown house parties to pay his West Village loft rent.  Hence, the birth of "rent parties," "house parties," and "House Music."

Yes, it's history/throwback time to give backbone to the two nights of what's running hot and sweaty through this current zeitgeist for all thing's Seventies right now, from Rachel Roy's "Foxy Lady" of two years ago to David O' Russell's "American Hustle" and MAC's "Antonio Lopez" Autumn 2013 Collection.  This scribe has the finger on the pulse of this holiday of "Disco Fever," which is a good thing.  The holidays is the only time acceptable for anything unabashedly glitzy yet appropriately sexy for the more mature New Year's Eve and glamorous to carry you over into the next year.  Whatever sparkles is a good investment now.

Let's start with last Thursday's Divine Design Sale Gala's homage to Studio 54 where the high and the low mingled and where the Old Guard seek fresh blood and fresh ideas from the emerging New Guard on the horizon (believe it or not, Karl Lagerfeld was considered fresh meat back in the Seventies.).

The experimentation of the Free Love Sixties had full-blown into free expression of the Seventies which matured into Louche Luxury of the jet-setting Gyspet Set and the much derided "Bourgeois Bohemians," a.k.a. "Bobos," those lucky yuppies rich enough to live the upscale bohemian life traveling and living in numerous "Bobos" colonies decked out in vintage or neo-retro jumpsuits and easy-going tunics in luxurious fur jackets and velvet coats and chiffon anything.

The Seventies was the living epitome of that lifestyle but they didn't know it until now; and now, we recognize it and want that mentality.

Seventies wasn't just about hippies who made it.  It was also time that the Established let its hair down, broke out, and got down. The collegiate-turned Studio 54 doorman, Marc Benecke exemplified that Preppy-Let-Loose and got groovy.  Basically, the madra trousers morphed into lean, mean flares and the navy wool blazer slimmed down into a Savile Row princess line, tailored fit.  A tailoring aesthetic that is so desirable now among fashion-forward female preppies, Tommy Hilfilger...are you hearing this?

If the night before of Divine Design Sale's Studio 54 presentation reached back to the birth of Disco then last Friday's MAC's Divine Night massive makeover and concert epitomized the commericalized apex of Disco, Hollywood's "Solid Gold," a music variety show of a discotheque aired to the masses during family hour, like dinner time.

Solid Gold may be late to the party but they weren't slouches when it comes to top-tier performers from the diva, Dionne Warwick as the gracious host to the finest contemporary dancers of that era, the Solid Gold Dancers.  The Solid Gold Dancers were muses to the Diva.  It was the same line-up for MAC's freebie mass makeover (during the day) and concert at night.

As a gift to all their loyal fans through-out the decades, MAC turned a compact from it's current limited edition, holiday "Divine Night" Collection into a real-life stage for makeovers-for-anyone and a "Solid Gold" tribute.

The shoppers got a kick getting special treatments and makeovers from "Divine Night" Collection which is a turbo-charged version of it's earlier Autumn "Antonio Lopez" Collection.  It's all wearable Autumn colors of red russet, peachy apricot, and gold but glided in metallic shimmer.  For a soft, subtle daytime look, wear the eyeshadows dry.  To amp up the volume for night, you can wet them, without problem, for a thicker texture and a more impacted pigmented look.

The stage was a Seventies powdered foundation compact come to life, a life-sized box of ebony trimmed in ivory and gold.  An army of MAC makeup artists guided and tended to the shoppers inside this giant makeup compact all day.  Mind you, this was just the daytime activities buzzing.

MAC Divine Night dancer high-kicking it.

The party really didn't get started until 5pm then lasted all night until 10pm.  God bless their hearts for being real troopers.

The singer, Sydney Michelle, represented all the Disco Divas that came before, from Donna Summer to Vickie Sue Robinson to Thelma Houston to Chic to Cheryl Lynn to Gloria Gaynor to the eternal Diana Ross, belting out gospel soul that turned into sexy, secular, soaring bravura.  Disco, the music itself, was when Sixties Psychadelic Funk streamlined into Disco thumps.

In disco tradition, MAC Divine Night's "Solid Gold" dancers were the accompanying "muses" to the diva, the goddess.

As the finale to the set, which repeated itself every thirty minutes, interspersing with thirty minute intermissions with necessary performance breaks,  the dancers twirled and sashayed like their Seventies counterparts and exude the same sweaty sensuality (thank god, they were dancing on a giant makeup set where they always had their makeup fresh).  

However, considering this is 2013, these dancers step up their game with 21st-century hip-hop, acrobatic back-flips and spinning, marital arts back-kicks and Rockettes' high-kicks...in silhouette killer high heels.  Slithering around on the dance floor like they did back in the days, doesn't count anymore today.

This scribe does admit, the dancers' costumes of chiffon drapey maxi dresses, wrap tops, and jumpsuits makes it easier for anyone to get their groove on by wicking the sweat away while making it appear so easy and glamorous.  These "gypset/Bobo" get-up will carry very well into real life next year.

MAC's Divine Night Dancers rushed in the Gold Rush for the holiday then will turbo-charge it into Awards Season, which just happens to be around the corner after the holidays.

Hot for Disco Gold.

For those who want to "borrow" the concept, watch this behind-the-scene video of what it really takes to pull off a real-life makeup compact come to life, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xiAb86NDlA

The Eyes Have It, Smashbox's Wondervision Mega Palette...and Cheeks too, for the Holiday Travels

By Laura Medina

http://www.smashbox.com/product/6187/27657/Whats-New/WONDERVISION-MEGA-PALETTE/New-Limited-Edition/index.tmpl

Tired of scrambling around hunting for the all-in-one beauty Swiss Army Knife of blush and eyeshadow that will fit every and all occasions during your holiday trip?

Smashbox's holiday limited edition Wondervision Mega Palette is the steamer trunk of beauty.  With eyeshadows that sparkle holiday glitter to subdued seduction to family-friendly naturals and paired with skin-friendly flush that mimic resort holiday bronze to winter flush, Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette has all the eye and blush you can think of.

This scribe put together three defining looks for all sorts of irises for shopping, partying, or sun-tanning during the resort season...

This is the "Golden Russet" look, signaling the transition from Fall to Holiday in shimmering Autumn red as liner, Fall orange to add depth and contour, then a shimmering golden Citrine to glide the lids in gold foil.

This is the more elegant and mature version of the impending trend of the glittery "Disco Diva" that will be burning for next year.

Since today's kids are always hot for "vintage" or anything that is twenty to thirty years old,  kids will love today's version of  the Eighties' "Purple Rain."  Fill out the whole eye lid in Pink.  Deepen and contour the creases with Lavender then rim the eyes in deep Purple for that smokey look.

The flip side to the Seventies' "Disco Diva" is the all-natural, clean-cut, American Healthy.  This look is appropriate for that fresh flush for shopping and cooking and family & friends festivities.  Nothing outlandish but very classic and comforting.

Take all-over Beige to tan the entire lids.  Contour the creases with plain Blue then rim those peepers with Dark Blue to brighten and whiten those weary peepers, pooped out from all that shopping and cooking.  

This is the look you can live in while sipping your Starbucks coffee latte...because you deserve it.

There are way many numerous colors and textures you can get out of Smashbox's Wondervision Mega Palette, from the all-natural to all-out holiday.

The fact is is a steamer trunk of a rainbow of colors, it's less stress on you...and that's comforting.

Starlets, like Taraji P. Henson, are Divine Design Sale Gala Virgins and Excited about the Sale

By Laura Medina

Taraji P. Henson, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3Bjvg2Mt4

There a lot of Divine Design Sale Gala "virgins," young, up & coming starlets celebrating and shopping Hollywood's traditional Holiday charity party, the Divine Design Sale Gala where people shop designer over-stock at knockdown discounts, ranging from 60% off to 80% off while sipping on cocktails and nibbling on hor d' oeuvres catered by RockSugar Restaurant.

While this scribe mentioned to Taraji P. Henson about Elizabeth & James and Band of Outsiders over-stock being discounted at 60% off, she took off running to get the best picks. 

Marguiette Moreau & husband, Christopher Redman, lounging at the Divine Design Sale Party's Furniture Department, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2do9lnTq4Y

Further proving celebrities are just like us, Marguiette Moreau and her fellow actor husband, Christopher Redman, are excited about shopping deep designer discounts, too...

But, she was really fascinated by this scribe's Q2HD Handy Video Recorder.  She was the first actress and the third celebrity to be in awe of this mini camcorder.  It's easier on the back.

The Zarian Twins a.k.a. The Zarian Brothers, Lawrence & Gregory Zarian,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JYR0AR5qg

In a joint effort, the Zarian Brothers, twins Lawrence and Gregory Zarian, always make Project Angel Food's Divine Design Sale Gala as their holiday tradition.  Where else can retailers make room for new merchandise by selling the over-stock then donate the profits to a noteworthy charity that feeds the sick and weak?

Lawrence talked about his new style guide book, "Lawrence Zarian's Ten Commandments for a Perfect Wardrobe" based on women complaining about how they have nothing to wear and can't style anything in their closets.

Gregory chatted about his new play he is in.

As veteran Project Angel Food/Divine Design Sale veterans, they make certain they point "the virgins" in the right direction.

If you want an in-depth interview, go ahead and watch it on  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4JYR0AR5qg

Tarquin Wilding, Elizabeth Taylor's grandson,

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwlCrAfqB-4&feature=youtu.be

Not of all Young Hollywood is about "the sale."  Tarquin Wilding, the legendary Elizabeth Taylor's grandson, modestly yet deeply discusses about continuing his grandmother's charity mission.

He describes himself as "just a body."  He just wants to make sure her spirit and charity interest is kept alive and remembered and making it sure it is on the right path.

Tarquin said his grandma was a big flirt who made sure she was all about being woman.   

Yes, she was a diva, not in an obnoxious way but in a good way.  

She used her charm, her beauty, and her influence to help the little guys.  Mostly importantly, Tarquin wanted people to know about his grandmother's big heart.  Her compassion to care and her feistiness to stand up and fight for those in need..;and that's how Project Angel Food and its legendary holiday sale came about..;and he wants to make sure Elizabeth Taylor's legacy continues.

Tarquin Wilding is here to remind people that behind the fun and desirable designer sale, it is about compassion and caring.

Use the American Music Awards Swag as Christmas Stocking Stuffers!

By Laura Medina

Limited Edition Carmex Lip Balms, http://mycarmex.com/lip-care/moisture-plus

Totally dead, empty, and stressed in what to give for your finicky tween and teens?

How to make them look cool at school without breaking the bank?

Do you covet what your tween/teen gets and wish you all can share?

Have no fear!  Believe it or not, the American Music Awards has the stocking stuffers that anyone in the family can share and borrow...if you all want to.

An awards show style and beauty suite is an amazing moment to discover the newest and latest and the most innovative that cover all budgets.

Since the fans and the voters of the American Music Awards are mostly the junior high and high school sets, the American Music Awards targets the bulls-eye on what tweens and teens need and want.

Thank God, the cutest is the most affordable both you and the kid can buy multiples for your car, backpack, tote bag, gym bag, lockers, and pockets, Carmex Moisture Plus in limited edition decorative, uniquely designed tubes and cases, only for the holidays.

Don't worry, nothing weird.  It's still same ole classic, clear lip balm for everyone, from men to tween girls just starting to try out lipstick and makeup.  It's still the reliable stand-by at the same ole basic price but dressed up for the holidays.

Mark Hill Salon Products at Walgreens, http://www.walgreens.com/topic/promotion/mark-hill-hair.jsp

After being a hair care hit in the UK's Boots Pharmacy for nine years, Mark  Hill Salon Products made its debut at the American Music Awards Beauty and Style Suite.

For us normal, mere mortals, we all can get Moroccan Argan Oil-enriched Mark Hill Salon Products at Walgreens, at drugstore prices with salon quality.  Isn't that what every tween and teen and college-girls want and need?

Rolf Bleu™ by Caryn Sterling iPad Clutches, wallets, Crossbody Purses.

When both you and your daughter covet wallets, clutches, purses, and tote bags that pamper and protect our smartphones and tablets that we can't live without, it's time to upgrade to Rolf Bleu™ by Caryn Sterling iPad Clutches, wallets, Crossbody Purses.

What looks deceptively like Chanel quilted crossbody purses and clutches are actually quilted tablet protectors.  Ladylike on the outside yet tech-chic in the inside.  Flipped out, the crossbody purses transform into a tablet stand as a portable office table.  Now, isn't this a wise investment for Mother and Daughter style.  Business for mom.  School and homework for the daughter.

Don't forget the wanna-be rocker son for the holidays, give him what he covets from David Appel's Cohesive line, preppy-rocker cardigans, blazers, and jeans from a NBC' "Fashion Star" alumni, David Appel.

The American Music Awards Style and Beauty Suite is a great showcase to gleam ideas for your finicky tween and teenager.

Henri Bendel, "Sex and the City" Lifestyle Store

By Laura Medina

 

The venerable Manhattan department, before there was a Barneys, Henri Bendel has evolved into something nimble and agile.  Instead hulking down in several different cities as a bulky department store, it morphed into a chic and stylish lifestyle boutique for the "Sex and the City" women and "Carrie Diaries" girls.

 

 Whatever it lacks in space, it makes it up with quality items that any "Sex and the City" women and "Carrie Diaries" girls cannot live without, purses, clutches, totes, and watches named "The Samantha" and "The Carrie."

Henri Bendel the Boutique still has a gift wrapping in the back.

If you're a guy or a musty olde-aunt befuddled what to give for Christmas, Henri Bendel is your one-stop shop.  From fashionable ornaments to deliciously-scented diffusers and candles, that can be color-coordinated with any room decor.

Most people, guys, girls, men, women, and kids (we're all just big kids), go crazy over chocolates and Henri Bendel has it's own chocolate collection, already neatly wrapped and packaged in Henri Bendel's iconic brown-and-white stripes.  This scribe's fave is the solid blocks of milk chocolates and white chocolate blocks on stirring sticks to swirl into hot mugs of milk or water for fresh mugs of hot cocoa, everyone's Winter Hit.

So despite, being "Sex and the City" lifestyle store, there are some stuff for everyone at Henri Bendel.  If not, you can't be "Clueless" about what to buy for your favorite "Sex and the City" woman or girl.