I am so freaking sick of all this snow! It actually wasn’t too bad of a winter, just a little snow here and there, possibly a notable storm or two. Then Phil had to go and see his shadow, and all hell done break loose. First there was one terrible two-day storm and then the next week you would have sworn it was Groundhog’s Day because the same damn thing happened all over again. So now it doesn’t matter if it snows again anytime soon because we’ll be too busy shoveling all that other snow for the rest of the winter season. I just know that it’s going get deceptively nice out and then one day we’re gonna get a freak snowstorm right in the middle of it.
Luckily, the Shuellas (Latest Buy, $49.95) can help all you ladies out there prepare for any such occasion. Designed to wear over shoes or high heels, these boot-shaped items are basically umbrellas for your feet. They easily fold up into an included carrying pouch to fit in your purse until you need them, then all you have to do is slide them on over your current footwear, affix the Velcro straps, and you’re good to go. With slip free soles on the bottom, you won’t have to worry about slipping and sliding in icy conditions. Also, these bad boys feature reinforced PVC soles on the inside to prevent wear, which is especially important for all your high heel wearers out there. Made of 100% waterproof material, you can just throw these on over your professional footwear when you’re hoofing it to the office and take them off once inside, with no damage to your expensive shoes. There’s even a towel included so you can wipe down the shoe protectors after use.
I know, they look a little hokey and the price may seem a bit steep, but I’m actually fully behind this product. I mean, how much does it suck to walk around in wet weather when you’re unprepared? You’re pretty much guaranteeing that you’re going to suffer through the way with wet socks – that’s not a pretty picture.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes one pair of Shuellas, carry pouch, and a towel
-Designed to wear over shoes or high heels during wet weather
-Available in women’s sizes 8, 9, 10
-Available in black or pink
-Slip free soles
-Velcro straps for quick and easy use
-Reinforced PVC soles to prevent wear from high heels
-Made of 100% waterproof material
There’s been quite a few options over the past week or so for gifts this Valentine’s Day, some of them silly, some of them romantic, and some of them just downright bitter. But I’ve saved the best gift for last, the one that every woman is hoping deep down in her heart of hearts to receive from her significant other on February 14th: the engagement ring. There are a lot of rings out there that you could choose from and it seems like limitless options when it comes to diamond size and shape. Fortunately for you, I’ve scouted out all the top prospects and have come up with the perfect ring. Trust me, her ring (and your proposal) will be the talk of the town.
Show her just how much you love her this Valentine’s Day with the 2 Carat Mug (Firebox, $14.95), a ring unlike any she’s ever seen before. Imagine her look of shock and surprise when you get down on one knee to present her with this beautiful ring inside an elegant black box. Sure, it’s not a real engagement ring, but that’s part of the fun! When you jokingly show her a ring and ask her to spend the rest of her life with you, I’m sure she’ll laugh out loud when you explain that the ring is actually attached to a mug.* I mean, I’m sure she would much rather have a white porcelain cup with a ring attached to it, especially when said ring has a genuine Swarovski crystal embedded in the center. Available in gold or platinum effect, you’re sure to please your love with this token of your affection.
*I claim no responsibility for the possibility of your impending break-up. I suggest you make sure she’ll find this funny before you consider attempting.
5 out of 5 fake engagement stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 2 3/4″ (cup)
-Available in gold or platinum effect
-Cup made of white porcelain with genuine Swarovski crystal
-Not dishwasher or microwave safe
So now that we’ve talked and talked about what cutesy things you can get your sugarlips for Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be only fair to suggest an item for those not looking forward to the card company holiday. Now, I’m not saying that these unattached people are bitter and full of hate…but, deep down, that’s probably the case. They don’t want hearts and flowers adorning every surface of their home and workplace. Whether these people simply want the holiday to pass by unnoticed or are truly out for blood due to a relationship betrayal, I think we can all agree that a box of chocolates is not an appropriate Valentine’s Day gift for your single friends.
If your possible gift recipient is on the warpath this Valentine’s Day, then the Ex Skewer Set (Perpetual Kid, $59.99) is the perfect gift for him/her. Not only is the set perfect for entertaining at parties, but it has a nice voodoo doll quality to it as well. The set includes a small dipping bowl inset in a larger bowl. The top of the small bowl is a figure pierced with 12 stainless steel skewers, allowing the dip to be covered when not in use. Come on, what better way to vent your frustrations than with a harmless figure with skewers sticking out of its body? Perfect for those “Valentine’s Day Sucks” parties, your guests can spear the figure over and over for hours of enjoyment. Oh, and I guess they could occasionally use the skewers to stab cheese cubes, olives, or any other small dippable appetizer.
Mmm, nothing like spending an afternoon sticking skewers into a makeshift voodoo doll. That pretty much describes my weekend.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 12″ x 9″
-Includes 12 stainless steel skewers
-Ex figure is detachable to reveal dip bowl
-Available in white only
-Made of ABS plastic
-Hand wash
One of the classic mistakes you can make when purchasing a gift for your loved one this Valentine’s Day is to go with something generic and boring. Sure, everybody loves chocolates, right? So what’s wrong with going with old reliable? Everything, starting with the fact that the chocolates you’re thinking about buying probably come from the corner drugstore and are of the Whitman’s variety. Even if you went out and bought the most expensive candy you could find (think Godiva), it still wouldn’t be what she wants for Valentine’s Day. So unless you want to supplement that cheap chocolate with some very expensive jewelry, you might want to get creative.
Some people seem to think that the word “creative” is synonymous with “cheap” and/or “tacky” but it doesn’t have to be. The Name a Rose Gift Box (Drinkstuff, £19.95), while not overly expensive, is a pretty good deal when it comes to unconventional Valentine’s Day gifts. So before you start planning an outrageous handmade card, take a gander at this gift set. Your sweetie will receive a luxury metal gift tin full of all the makings for growing her very own rose. And while that would be enough to satisfy most green thumb enthusiasts, here’s the kicker: the rose is one of a kind and will be named after its recipient once bloomed. After submitting the rose’s details, the information is entered into the Rose Naming Registry, and its name is stored at the British Library. As if that wasn’t enough, your snugglepuss will also receive a personalized rose naming certificate that displays her name and the rose naming details.
This is a particularly thoughtful gift if your lady’s name is Rose. Well, either thoughtful or painfully obvious, your choice.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes welcome letter, explanation of gift, rose naming instructions, packet of unnamed rose seeds, how to grow roses booklet, history of roses fact sheet, fertilizer measuring spoon and markers, presentation certificate, and personalization pen
-Presented in luxury metal gift tin
-A rose named after recipient forever
-Rose name stored at the British Library
-Register rose online or by postal mail
-Not available for delivery in Canada or the United States
Maybe some of you out there are looking to tell that special person in your life just much they mean to you. Perhaps this is a huge step in your relationship because neither of you have told the other how you feel about each other. Could this be the very first time you are prepared to say the big “L” word to each other? If so, you’re probably planning something really romantic, right? I know, you’re gonna cash in on the whole Valentine’s Day thing, because what better way is there to conjure instant romance than a holiday that’s literally all hearts and flowers. The most important thing to remember when going for the big “L” is to make it special, and a one-way ticket to specialtown are the two u’s: unique and unexpected.
If you’re looking for a one of a kind way to drop the “L” bomb, then look no further than the I Love You Bean (Miles Kimball, $5.99). You’ve got everything you need in this kit to let the lovely lady in your life know that she makes you feel all warm and gooey inside. All you need to do is add water and sunlight (the recipe also calls for love, but I think you’ve got that one covered) to the sprouting cup full of soil mix and seeds. Then when the bean sprouts, the words you’ve been trying to spit out will magically appear on the beans: I Love You. It’s recommended for kids ages 4 and up, but I think it just might work in your situation as well.
Ok, so maybe I forgot to mention a third requirement for professing your love – cheese. I’m not kidding, the cheesier the better. Sure, the ladies all like to pretend that they aren’t into the cheeseballs, but it’s simply not true. Take any sappy romantic chick flick and you’ll see exactly what I mean. There’s always, without fail, some sort of ridiculous scene in which the knight in shining armor declares his love for the leading lady. It’s never anything easy or laid back. Some examples:
When Harry Met Sally: Guy runs through the streets on New Year’s Eve to get to girl before the new year to spout big long speech about all the reasons why he loves her.
Say Anything: Guy holds up boombox outside girl’s window playing the song they first consummated their love to.
Dirty Dancing: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”
Love Actually: The entire movie.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Includes sprouting cup, soil mix, and seeds
-Just add water, sunlight, and love
-“I Love You” will appear when bean sprouts
-Great for kids ages 4 and up
-Not available for shipment to Canada
