Buying gifts for men can be quite difficult and when Father’s Day comes around there are many children out there worrying about what they can buy to show how much they love and appreciate their dads. Thankfully there are some really great things that you can buy that your dad will love and below are just five of the top gifts for Father’s Day:

• If your father loves football then you could consider buying him a ticket to see his favourite team in action. Football tickets are a great gift for any man who loves sport.

• Many men love gadgets so you could consider buying one of the latest devices such as an iPod or iPhone. If your dad is not really technologically minded then he would probably still be very happy with a nice HD TV.

• If your dad likes to play golf then you could always arrange for him to have a round of golf with one of his friends at his favourite golf course. This is the perfect gift for the golf lover especially as it can be quite expensive to play golf these days.

• A day at the races is another great gift for most men. Taking your father to see the horses run and giving him a voucher for a few bets should keep him happy and show how much you care. A day out at the races can be really enjoyable and should give you some bonding time.

• If your dad likes adventure then you should consider taking him out on an adventure day. There are a number of different activity days that your father might love such as a day on the quad bikes or a day out playing paintball.

St. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and like most men, you must be thinking about the best gift ideas. Finding a right gift to win over a woman’s heart is not easy but in today’s technologically advanced world you can find some suggestions that will have the love of live jumping with joy. Just by doing a little research online you will find that following are the top 10 best valentine gifts for a woman.

• If your girl loves to lounge on the living room couch you might want to give her a TV cuddle blanket. Look for the one that comes with built-in pocket so your girl doesn’t have to search hard for the remote control.
• Women always want to know the future of a relationship and that’s when you can give them a picture frame with two of you in it to tell her how serious you really are about this relationship.
• A charm bracelet is another great gift, as it allows you to add a new charm every time you want to praise your girl.
• Buy lingerie! It may sound a little cliché but women are in love with this gift.
• A romantic heart pendant is another great gift idea for Valentine Day.
• A classic perfume is another popular choice.
• Women are in love with jewelry, so if you have already given her some necklaces and bracelets, this is the right time to give her a beautiful jewelry box.
• So she loves listening to her favorite music. Then, how about giving her the iPod Touch? It makes for a great gift, and is increasingly popular too.
• A diamond ring is always one of the most coveted gifts for women. Yes, it’s expensive, but this makes you see the priceless smile on the face of your beloved.
• And of course, you can always give flowers on Valentine Day!

All those women who are wondering what might be the best Valentine gift for men should understand one very important fact – Valentine is the one time of the year when men become materialistic and always analyze the gifts they get from their sweethearts. For men, it’s easy to find a gift for women as most women are in love with diamonds, flowers, chocolates, and pearls; and a dinner at an expensive restaurant will make them extremely happy. Women have to go through some hassle to find a right gift. If you are in a fix, choose one from the following list of top 10 Valentine gifts for men.

1. Some nice sports illustrated magazines are quite popular with men, so you can always try giving away one to your man.
2. If he loves watching late night flicks, then it’s a great idea to buy him some nice sci-fi or action movies.
3. If he likes to drink, giving him a bar set is another great choice.
4. Another popular gift idea is to buy some grooming products. It usually works for all men, but is a perfect option for men who like to pay attention to their physical appearance.
5. A classic perfume is what a woman wants and cologne is perfect for men.
6. Another choice for you is to buy him some accessories. For instance, you can get a beautiful gift box and some trendy accessories such as gloves, a hat, a wallet, a belt, or even a warm scarf.
7. If you want your man to take you as the most thoughtful woman in his life, buying him a handheld organizer is the best bet.
8. Go anywhere you want and you will find men having a great love for watches. So, try a classy watch as a great Valentine gift.
9. A good book is another great choice if your man is more into reading some nice stuff. Or, you can spend some time in creating a memory book to share all the secrets.
10. Lastly, you can try flowers! Cliché of course, but that really works on St. Valentine Day.

How could I not feature my favourite designer handbag brand on my own fashion blog? I can’t believe it took me this long!

Louis Vuitton, at 150, is probably the oldest fashion brand in the world. It is also one of the globe’s most successful (and most counterfeited) labels, instantly recognizable by its iconic, intertwined LV monogram. Louis Vuitton created his first travel bags in 1858 and his signature design is still highly desirable today, standing as a symbol of style and elegance in travel luggage.

The fashion world always waits with bated breath for new creations from the Louis Vuitton team and the eagerly-anticipated Monogram Empriente line was launched at this year’s Paris spring collection. This became available to the rest of the fashion-conscious world this fall. The range comprises a collection of bags fashioned in sensuously supple calf-leather, which combine practicality with the sophistication and style we expect from this classic label.

The Lumineuse tote bag (available two sizes) features two long handles and a detachable shoulder strap, making it a versatile day bag which still oozes worldly appeal. Its zipped front pocket has a gold metal ring for charms, and the top zip includes a padlock for added security. The inside is lined with typical Louis Vuitton style fabric and contains a variety of pockets and pouches. Like most of the new collection, the Lumineuse is available in a choice of five colours: blue (Storm), Burgundy (Flame), taupe (Shadow), off-white (Snow) and navy (Infinite).

The monogrammed Artsy is a soft hobo-style bag with a single leather handle attached by gold metal hoops. Apart from a leather thong with two charm rings, the exterior remains elegantly uncluttered. The interior has the same striped fabric as the Lumineuse and a huge number of pockets.

The Empriente collection also includes the Inspiree, or bowling bag and the timeless Petillante clutch. This is a magnetically secured folding bag with zipped pockets front and back. When unfolded it reveals a patch pocket tucked inside the fold. The clutch has the same interior lining, a lipstick pouch and two patch pockets. The Inspiree is available in three colours and the Petillante in four. To complete this stunning collection there are also two separate wallets: the Portefeulle Secrete long and the compact coin purse, which make ideal accessories to any bag in this gorgeous range.

I have to admit, I love the clutch best of all because the bags would look huge on me as I’m on the petite side.  What would you get or have already gotten from this line?

Anya Hindmarch broke into the fashion world at the tender age of 18 when inspired by Italian bag fashions in the streets of Florence. She introduced these to the UK through Harpers and Queen magazine and became an overnight entrepreneur. Her interest in fashion bags never wavered and she began designing and producing her own bags, still influenced by Italian designs.

She opened her first store in London in 1993 and her earliest major success was the screen-printed ‘Be a Bag’ – a personalised tote bag. Her designs were soon being sought after by Hollywood’s A-list, international socialites and even royalty (Princess Diana was an early fan).

Going from strength to strength, she soon opened stores in New York and Los Angeles, as well as numerous other locations worldwide. Her handbags are now sold in over 19 countries and her turnover doubles every three years. Glamour Magazine gave her the Designer of the Year award two years running and in 2007 she received the British Fashion Awards Designer Brand of the Year; the same year she launched her controversial eco tote bag bearing the slogan “I’m Not a PlasticBag”. Last year she was honoured with an MBE for her contribution to the British Fashion Industry and Anya Hindmarch’s empire is now worth over $30 million.

Hindmarch was particularly interested in bespoke designs and in 2009 she launched her bespoke range at her new London Pont Street store. The 100 product strong range includes handbags, wallets, jewellery boxes, key sets, money clips, USB sticks, albums, diaries and luggage, all available in a variety of finishes and colours and ready to be personalised with embossed messages in the purchaser’s own handwriting.

This year Hindmarch created a capsule collection of four exclusive designs for Barbour’s 2010 Autumn/Winter collection. The quartet comprises a practical but stylish ‘Foxy’ wax cotton jacket and coat trimmed with velvet or fur and two ‘Minx’ quilted styles.

At the age of 42, and regularly consulted by British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the world seems to be Anya Hindmarch’s oyster. But bags are her passion and whatever her political ambitions, Anya Hindmarch seems set to retain her ‘queen of handbags’ crown for many years to come.

Author:Shelly Wu
ISBN-10: 1601630786
ISBN-13: 978-1601630780

If you’re like me and have this thing for Chinese Astrology, you will want to start the new year learning about your true life path with this book, The Definitive Book of Chinese Astrology.

Part 1 of the book will teach you about the Four Pillars of Destiny or better known as Ba Zi, the cornerstones of Chinese astrology. The Four Pillars Chart is derived from the Date of Birth of a person using the Chinese Solar Calendar, which is based on the return of the sun and the subsequent cycles of the sun’s orbit. The 8 chapters in Part 1 covers in depth details of how the Four Pillars can be used to forecast the destiny and characteristics of an individual and the relationships and interaction between the individual with the surrounding environment.

Next, the author Shelly Wu shares with readers about Zi Wei Dou Shu, or “emperor astrology,” known as the best-kept secret for millenniums and formerly accessible only to royalty.  The most accurate and profound divination tool ever discovered—a kind of Dewey decimal system of the universe—will help you identify your inborn capabilities, achievement potential, and life path. One word of caution though, this book may give you some basic information on Zi Wei Dou Shu but it will actually take you years to actually master this astrology.

In the final part,  you will learn about the Chinese astrological subspecialties, from the IChing, feng shui, and Chinese palmistry, to Face reading, 9 Star Ki, and what the combination of your western birth month and eastern birth year reveals. Included in this book is also an interactive CD-ROM which helps  readers create Chinese  astrological charts for themselves, their friends, and family. This will enable them to better understand  their destiny and assess their life options.

BUY IT : The Definitive Book of Chinese Astrology (EAN 978-1-60163-078-0, pages: 216, price: $18.99) was published by New Page Books. The book is available at Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon.com, and many other booksellers

Review copy courtesy of NewPageBooks.com

Hermes is a legendary fashion house and is well-known in the glamour world. The world famous Birkin bag has an interesting history and is named after Jane Birkin. It has gained popularity over the years and is a favorite amongst the Who’s Who of the fashion and film industry. Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and Gwenyth Paltrow are some celebrities rarely seen without their Hermes Birkin Bag.

Posh Spice With Her Hermes Birkin

The Birkin bag is favored for its timeless elegance and ineffable style- an almost magical blend of ageless grace and continued modernity that makes it an ideal accessory for any age and season. You can have the bag customized and make it your own by adding a personal touch to it.

The size of the bag ranges from 25 cm to 45 cm. The material used is leather which is scratch-resistant and beautifully textured. The bag is available in a variety of colors, and the most popular choices include- ink, that is the darkest blue and potiron which is orange in color and its shine depends on your choice of leather.

You can also add precious metals to the clasp of your Hermes Birkin bag. Silver palladium, 24 karat gold, guilloche and ruthenium are some examples of the metals used.

These bags are entirely hand-made and are recognized as the ultimate status symbols.

Pictured left : Nicole Richie

Reusable bags have helped people eliminate thousands of plastic and paper shopping bags choking our planet. Without a doubt, they are a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to paper and plastic bags - if you can remember to take them with you to the store. Many times, the store-branded, 99-cent bags are either left at home or are too small to hold everything. If you’re planning to do your part to save the environment, here are some sites you can check out for reusable bags:

1. www.joeytotes.com -  Joey Totes were designed to make it simple for people to get in the reusable bag habit.  Each bag stows into a tiny storage pouch that is sewn directly into each Joey Tote, so it’s impossible to misplace. Better still, each pouch can also store at least one other tote (two for the “Big Joey”), so all of the bags are conveniently kept in one place that’s still small enough to easily fit into a purse or coat pocket.

Great for use at the mall, the beach or even the gym, Joey Totes are made from rip-stop nylon, hold up to 40 pounds each and are machine washable.

2. www.reusablebags.com -Envirosax are for the environmentally-conscious consumer who wants a practical, stylish option to plastic and paper bags. Made of durable, waterproof, lightweight polyester, built for toughness and extra strength.

Design features include double-fabric handle for comfort, reinforced seams for added strength, and long handles for carrying over the shoulder. Each Envirosax Graphic Series bag rolls up into a tiny, compact package so it’s easy to always have one with you – small enough to stow into a glove compartment or a handbag. To use, unsnap its closure tab and unroll. The bag expands to hold the equivalent of two grocery plastic bags.

3. www.simplygreensolutions.com – Foldable Curve Bag is one of the most stylish reusable promotional bags in their collection. With its curved shape and unique fold-up feature, its easy storage without sacrificing style. Perfect if you’re looking for a unique bag for your organization or as a giveaway. Perfect for promotional and retail stores. Comes in non woven polypropylene only.

Some of you may recall that I ran a giveaway for FLABuLESS a while back. Well, FLABuLESS has now changed its name to TRES SLEEK.

For the benefit of my new readers, here’s a little background information about TRES SLEEK:

Founded in August of 2008 by Lee Stevenson TRES SLEEK is the first ever arm shapewear for real women. Lee saw a void in the shapewear market and TRES SLEEK was born. A pioneer in arm shapewear, Lee created these unique compression sleeves for the “everyday” woman to instantly smooth the arms and reduced the appearance of sagging and bulging skin. TRES SLEEK arm shapewear comes in four lengths long sleeve, short sleeve and cap sleeve, in two colors nude and black, as well as a variety of sizes. For more information please visit www.TRESSLEEK.com

While it takes hard work and discipline to stay in shape certain parts of the body can at times seem unresponsive to diet and exercise, leaving women frustrated and discouraged. TRES SLEEK, offers innovative, convenient and affordable solutions that slenderize, conceal, and reshape common trouble areas. The arm shapewear collection is available in two styles, the Pleine, and the De Quart; two colors, black and copper nude. Retail Cost: $29.95 and $26.95 respectively.

If you use discount code “TresSleekApril09” throughout the month of April 2009,  you will be eligible for 20% off your purchase at www.TRESSLEEK.com. Offer is valid for US and Canada only.

What do you buy for a brother in law who has everything? I am actually making my holiday gift list for my friends and relatives but I am already  stuck at number eight, which is my brother in law. Forget about the usual pen, cuff links, wallet, shirts, chocolates and all that regular stuff. Trust me, he has more of those than he actually needs. In fact, he has been stuffing my kids with plenty of chocolates whenever he comes back for a visit, not that we are complaining. 

After a lot of surfing on the net, I’ve finally found something that might be ideal for him. My brother in law is an outdoor enthusiast who loves hunting, surfing, mountain climbing, snow boarding and hiking. So, I figured that we could get him something useful like those north face jackets, a set of new skis or even a backpack.

I had consulted the hubby and we narrowed down the option to the jacket and backpack. Even with only two choice of gifts, there were so many brands to choose from. And boy, they were not cheap! Getting a good quality jacket or backpack meant we had to part with close to $150. We preferred not to get those cheaper ones as they would be less durable for the outdoor lifestyle. So, a friend advised me to try to bid for those goods at eBay and you know what? I managed to win a bid on a jacket, which ordinarily would have cost $199. I got a brand new one at only $110, a discount of 45%. I’m sooo happy, I’m definitely bidding for more stuff from eBay this Christmas. Just to share, here’s a look at the jacket we bought (pictured below).