In past years, as satirized on Saturday Night Live, Oprah went full out -- often causing a case of 'the vapors' for many women -- during her annual "Favorite Things" show. This was the day that so many viewers wished they could have had the luck of the draw to be in the audience for -- to be able to leave the studio with a truckload of coveted loot. But -- due to the recession, Oprah has announced over the last couple of years that it would be in poor taste to do a show that focused on such pricier items and instead concentrated on free things that could bring as much joy (oh, the crestfallen looks on the poor audience members' faces when they heard this!).
Well, this writer asks, "Why can't we do a favorite things edition, with just a little restraint, instead? In other words, why throw the baby out with the bath water?" To that end, Christabelle presents the top ten items to present your favorite lady in Mandeville this year -- and each is under $50!!!!!!!
1. Bare Escentuals Bare & Healthy Lip Polish. Ohmygosh, I'm not even a girly girl and I'm crazy for this one. If you have lips that are feeling dry and chapped from the onset of winter weather, and are tired of the sameoldsameoldsameold gloss or -- worse -- lipsticks that seem to never be the color on YOU that they are in the tube, then get yourself over to "About Face" in Mandeville http://www.aboutfaceco.com/AF_Home.html and spend the best $18 that your lips have ever seen on one of these. And it's just about impossible to go wrong with any shade.
2. bareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush. The most important brush you will ever own. I had mine for years, then lost it several days ago and rushed over to About Face to get another. Would have eaten peanut butter sandwiches for a week to fit this $20 essential into my weekly budget!
3. About a year ago I bought -- for under $30 -- a pair of CZ stud earrings in a truly one-of-a-kind crown setting. They go with jeans, a little black dress, and even with my dance leotards when I want to feel great in ballet class. I bought them during a fun-filled neighborhood show presented by Premier Designs. Click here to find local info: https://gem.premierdesigns.com/public/contactform_pdi25.asp
4. Head over to Fresh Market http://www.thefreshmarket.com/and pick up Republic of Tea's Acerola Cherry Green Tea for your favorite tea drinker. This is one of the 'prettiest' tasting teas, with a high Vitamin C content, and it will set you back a slim $10! While you're there, pick up a fragrant bouquet of roses for your sweetheart. Their flowers last FAR longer than any I have purchased anywhere else and the price couldn't be be better -- under $10 for a dozen!
5. You can't go wrong with a PJ's http://www.pjscoffee.com/ gift card for your favorite giftee -- they start at just $10, which will provide a few fragrant lattes (I prefer chai, myself) inside an Acadian-style cottage on Highway 22.
6. Kmart -- yes, Kmart -- on U.S. 190 in Mandeville, sells a package of 15 environmentally friendly natural wood hangers,http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/search_10151_10104?keyword=wood+hangers&vName=&x=20&y=5 for $14.99. I have bought several packages of these, and they are fantastic for everything from slacks to knits, with no rough spots to snag your clothing.
7. I've got to promote my friend Abby Sands Miller's latest collaborative project -- with OR nurse by day/cougar by night, Rosemary Donnelly: a one-of-a kind cookbook that's fraught with cougar-isms! Being released this month! http://www.cougarinstincts.com/
8. That piano in your living room shouldn't be a still life during the holidays -- it's meant to make music. Why not start making THAT, instead of the television over the mantel (ugh -- whoever came up with that decorating faux pas?!?!?!?!) the focal point of the room? Just a $40 registration fee at the Louisiana Academy of Performing Arts, with its several locations, including one on Girod Street in Old Mandeville, will get the love of your life started or re-started as a musician.
9. While you're out and about, why not take a lunchtime breather at La Madeleine in the Premier Centre, on Highway 190 in Mandeville, with its consistently good fare. My favorite is the grilled chicken Caesar salad with an accompanying cup of hot potato soup, topped with cheddar http://www.lamadeleine.com/menu/lunch#fresh%20salades. If fate shines upon you, you'll be able to snag a table by the fireplace. Cost, including a glass of wine -- under $20 apiece. Yum!
10. Although dessert is tempting at La Madeleine, you might want to take a walk over to T.J. Maxx, also in the Premier Centre, and pick up a few boxes of Harry & David high quality chocolate truffles, discounted at just $5.99 for a dozen! Right now, for the holidays, you can find the special edition of Peppermint Truffles. Double yum!
See, it really doesn't take a whole lot to make a Mandeville lady's holidays a bit brighter. Enjoy!
Monday, December 7, 2009
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