Holi-Daze: Hassle Free Gift Wrap

'Tis the season for trying to cut straight lines, walking around all day with tape stuck to unflattering places, and struggling with scissors and curling ribbon.

Image courtesy of cgtreasures.blogspot.com

Check out these super simple (not to mention super lovely) wrapping ideas from RealSimple. There are 21 of 'em, so you're bound to find something you can bust out in just a matter of minutes.

Sorry, tape still necessary in most cases. Keep a mirror handy.

Holi-Daze: Happy Feet

Next up on the personal holiday shopping list :

Stiletto Hardware

Image courtesy of en.paperblog.com

I don't know about you, but as much as I love the look of a sky-high heel or the perfect, slim-line ballet flat, the truth is : They suck.

Your heel throbs, the ball of your foot eventually goes [blessedly] numb from pain, your arch is screaming for support. Why do we do it, girls, why??

But we do. So here's why Stiletto Hardware is different from your average drug store gel pad : Memory foam. Yes, like the mattress. That way it offers actual * GASP * comfort to your foot, as well as offering the shock absorption qualities of the gel pads. Find them through the Stiletto Hardware website, where these gems retail for $7.95 a pair and they offer free shipping on orders over $10.

Stock up before you're teetering around those holiday cocktail soirees!

Holi-Daze: Wine Stain Remover

Kicking off a little mini-series today of sneaky tricks to utilize during this holiday crush that's fast approaching.

Under 40 shopping days until Christmas, peeps, can you handle that?

Anyway. First up on the things-you-never-knew-you-desperately-needed list :

Wine Away Red Wine Stain Remover

I've heard nothing but stellar reviews of this stuff, and although I'm not a huge wine fan I know there's no worse combo that gorgeous winter white and a glass of bordeaux. A handy spray bottle that uses no bleach and is safe around kids and pets, Wine Away can remove or fade a stain immediately... Although some toughies may need a run through the wash (or trip to the dry cleaner) to really make them disappear.

Regardless, enough of a trick to not have to carry an emergency brooch to cover a spot on your shirt or have to maniacally move furniture to cover a carpet blotch and keep the party going. Find it at Drugstore.com for $8.99 for 12 ounces, or your local Rite Aid (complete lists of stores that carry it here).

Lune Vintage: ☮

 I just think this is such a fascinating post, and so appropriate on this Veteran's Day. (Click the link below to see the full post and fantastic photos)

Lune Vintage: ☮: The peace sign. A symbol which adorns "Made in China" pre-teen backpacks, key chains, costume jewelry and sparkly pink pajamas. In tr...

ReDub the Bub

As celebration season approaches, you're bound to have some leftover sparkling something-or-other. Heed this tip from Real Simple Magazine (via CupOfJo) :

Drop a raisin into a bottle of flattening champagne (or prosecco, or whatever). Any smidge of carbon dioxide left in the liquid will glom on to the wrinkly raisin and then release in the form of tiny bubbles.

Presto! Reinvigorated bubbly.

25 Ways To Wear a Scarf

Did you know there are 25 ways to wear a scarf? This charming vid shows you how, PLUS click on any image at the end to see a video with a detailed tutorial of the one(s) that grab you. Enjoy!

Updates

Okay, I KNOW.

I haven't posted here in what, a month? Ridic. But look at this and tell me I haven't been busy! It's been a CRAZY few months of projects and planning, but I do have a few updates for you.

I mentioned CrowdTap a while back - Well, about a week ago I applied to be a part of a group to test a product. Specifically the Old Navy Style Council's test of women's outerwear. Low and behold I was chosen to participate, and received a coupon in the mail to go choose ANY PIECE of women's outerwear FOR FREE. Not only that, but they sent a coupon for me to give to 'a stylish friend' so another lucky duck could cash in as well.

It seems to good to be true, I know, but I am living proof it's legit : Went to my local Old Navy yesterday, and although the cashier looked at the coupon long and hard, once she rang it my $89.94 neon red/orange thigh-length felted coat went down to a big fat goose egg. Woooooot! So get yourself over to CrowdTap and sign up. It certainly paid off big time for me, and the cost is just answering a few (0-5) survey questions a week.

My Wool-Blend Double-Breasted coat in Rowdy Red

Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Another update is on Missoni for Target. You all shared in my glee at scoring three pieces : A chiffon sweater, velour hoodie, and a pair of ballet flats. After a short delay (4 weeks instead of 2) I received the chiffon sweater and it is stellar. The velour hoodie met a much sadder fate - Cancelled. Target to the rescue, however, sending me a $25 gift card for my disappointment. The ballet flats are estimated to show up sometime in December... If they show at all. But hey, if Target's handing out $25, I'll take it. They can certainly pay me $50 for not getting anything.

Image courtesy of ItsAllFreeOnline.com

All for now... And, let's face facts, probably all for a while. Feel free to follow my project-o-rama over on In Knots: Attempting a Handmade Wedding if you need a dose in the meantime.