Men’s Valentine’s Day Gifts

Men’s Valentine’s Day Gifts

A gift guide for men’s valentine’s day gifts.  Featuring handmade gifts for that male in your life, unique finds that will wow and impress him without breaking the bank.  Supporting the handmade community while providing quality gifts that will shock him when  he sees just how awesome and unique his girlfriend, lover, or mother is!

Men’s Leather Cuff

 

http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.302671262.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90437879/mens-jewelry-valentines-day-gift

Price: 50.00$

Why it’s so cool:  A great staple something that can be worn every day, not your average gift from the department store.  Not only is this cuff handmade but it is up cycled from a vintage belt.  With the distress of vintage making this cuff truly one of a kind.

Guitar Pick

http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.223512877.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/69170095/copper-guitar-pick

Price: 14.00

Why it’s so cool:  For the music lover in your life who just about loves his guitar as much as you, this is the perfect gift.  Personalized with a message and a keepsake that truly expresses your love and your support for his creativity.  A creative unique gift that he is sure to be impressed and love.

Rustic Lighting:

 

http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.282886368.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/83966578/mason-jar-lighting-rustic-wedding-decor

Price: 89.00

Why It’s So Cool: Luke’s whole shop is innovative and fresh with architectural inspired rustic designs to create a unique ambiance for the home.  This lamp in particular I love I feel this would fit perfect in his man cave where it’s interesting yet masculine enough for any gentleman.  Using my favorite Ball Mason Jars and thick rope leaving him saying where on earth did you find such an awesome gift ;)

Razor Sharp:

http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.294277275.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88216444/circuit-board-razor-handle-computer-geek

Price: 49.00

Why it’s so cool:  For your savvy computer geek this is an awesome gift, a practical everyday gift that will  be used.  If your spare bedroom looks like a hard drive with old computer parts from his many projects and side jobs, then chances are this is a razor he needs.  Capturing a computer whiz’s best assets in a Mach 3 razor, sharply handcrafted with the designing best suited for his brains.

Cuff Links:

 http://img2.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.301803986.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90194499/foot-anatomy-cufflinks-by-white-truffle

Price: 40.00

Why it’s so cool:  Typical not so much, this shop offers such a variety of different cuff links with various wording, maps, and objects.  You can find one for just about any man in your life, maybe there a podiatrist or a biker how about a little bit of rock and roll.  Browse around this shop and you will find various styles for any man.

 Compass:

 http://img3.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.290130663.jpg

Available at: http://www.etsy.com/listing/90443071/handcrafted-wood-compass-spruce-wood

Price: 10.50

Why it’s so cool:  Don’t fear your lover never returning from his hiking trip, or woodland adventures.  Just give him this awesome handmade compass, set in a beautiful white spruce and hung from a deerskin leather handle.  A great gift for that lone adventurer looking for some direction!  This is not your average Sports Authority compass!

♥All Images belong to the shops that are linked below each picture♥

Stay tuned for additional Valentine's Day Gift Guides, coming in the next few weeks.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Concealer Stick Brightener Review

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment Concealer Stick Brightener Review

Price: 9.99 varies with drugstore

Where to purchase: any local drugstore near you

Color:  I purchased this in the Brightener color, the color ranges from 6 shades including the brightener shade.  The color is a light pink base, I am very fair right now in mac shade ranges I could be a NC20.  This is significantly lighter than my skin tone but due to impeccable formula it blends in and diffuses the darkness under eyes.  Remember this is a brightener not a concealer.  Other shades are available for concealing.

No Airbrushing or retouching brightener is worn here.

Formula: As said above this has a lightweight almost air like texture, I find it very soothing to put on.  It glides onto the under eye area beautifully without any tug or pull.  It remind me of how a mousse (blush/foundation) feel with that whipped like effect but even smoother.

Packaging:  Genius, I really love this packaging with a twist up product you waist absolutely no product, and there is a bouncy soft sponge on the top that disperses the product.  By the time you would need to replace the sponge for hygienic reasons you will run out the product.  So hygienic, simple, economical, and great for travel or on the go.

Application: After moisturizing and occasionally priming  I twist the cap for some additional product to dispense.  I apply this directly to the darkness avoiding the outer area where crow’s feet would occur.  I apply a light amount and pat in with my ring finger.  After I am finished I go ahead and apply any foundation, tinted moisturizer, powder or alone.  After foundation you can then apply additional concealer’s or correctors to balance out any additional discolorations.

Tips:  To add additional brightness if need extra pep to the under eye area, apply a tiny amount in the same area mentioned above and pat in.  This will give your skin a brighter more awake appearance to the skin!

Overall Thoughts:  Definitely worth it 100%, inexpensive and effective which is the most you could ask for out of a beauty product.  Go out and try it worst comes to worst you can always return this product.

These are just my opinions your results may vary with each and every beauty product reviewed.

Valentines Day Giveaway Swarovski Heart Crystal Necklace - Closed

Giveaway Swarovski Heart Valentine’s Day Necklace !!
This Contest is now closed check back in a few weeks for more contests!

For the next week starting today 1/11/2012 I will be holding a giveaway for the Swarovski Valentine’s day necklace.  This necklace is also available in my permanent collection available at http://www.meshedesigns.etsy.com/.  As a thank you to all my fans and customers I would like to give the opportunity to one lucky person to win this necklace.  This contest ends 1/18/2012 and winner will be announces 1/19/2012.

Rules:

Subscribe to my Blog and comment on this posting enter me.

You must be 18 years or older to enter contest
Like My Facebook Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/meshedesigns (Optional)
Open Domestic and International

Please only comment once, multiple entries will not increase your chance of winning

Winner:

Will Receive A Swarovski Heart Necklace as shown

Free Shipping via USPS First Class Mail

Gift Wrapping

20% Coupon for your next purchase

I will be using a randomized website to generate winner

To see full measurements and description please visit this link for more information regarding this necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90249976/swarovski-heart-necklace-red-heart

Burts Bees Citrus Facial Scrub Review & Pictures

Burts Bee's Citrus Facial Scrub Review 

Cost: 7.99

Purchased at: Target or online and various drug stores.

Smell:  Has a very warm smell spicy like a pie, could be offensive to sensitive noses.  For me I like it has a more natural organic smell.

Texture: Thick paste like consistency with large to small granules of ground almonds, oats, and pecans and mixed exfoliators for an intense scrub.  I would not recommend this for sensitive skin, if you do any more than 10 seconds of scrubbing it is more on the abrasive side.  Although this scrub is abrasive it is not offensive to the skin.  Let me explain, you are required to mix a few drops of water into the scrub to allow it to become a more creamy consistency which glides on the skin.  It does not have a micro sandy feel that feels like you are burning your face off, but it is not as light as a gentle exfoliator.

If you are looking for a hybrid between gentle and harsh this is the perfect concoction for you.  I try not to use this more than 2-3 times a week, exfoliating the skin really is not beneficial in the long run.  But it does create a nice smooth surface for moisturizer and makeup application. 

Application:  Scoop about a dime to nickel size in your hand, add a few drops of water to the create a creamy paste.  Apply gently to skin working it in with circular motions, apply for about 60 seconds.  Remember scrub longer not harder!  Rinse and I like to add a bit of cleanser since there is a slight oil residue.

If you have tough stubborn skin this is a great addition to ad to your skin care regime especially since it is so available and affordable.  This product is free of sulfates and other harsh chemicals.  For the price its a definite try!

Etsy Small Business Tips: Christmas Sales

Etsy Small Business Tips: Christmas Sales

This post will focus on solely Christmas Sales for Etsy Small business owners.  Feel free to apply this to any ecommerce site. 

We are now reaching the Nitti gritty there are exactly 13 shipping days left for the Christmas Rush.  You want to pull in those last few sales, but you have had sales in the past and no one uses your coupon code, matter of fact there is no one in your shop.  Let’s grind out the next 13 days and see if these changes can pull in some extra business.

1 – Double Sale

That’s right scary but true do a double dip, offer that extra incentive for your buyer to purchase from you and not the next guy.  With the world wide web being well as big as the world you need to step up to the plate to amount to the other competition.  Sad but true, if you are not a power seller just yet chances are you need the boost of a double sale.

Example:  Free Shipping Off Every Order!

Or

Spend 50.00 Get an additional 10% off

Spend 100.00 Get an Additional 15% Off

Spend 150.00 Get an Additional 20% Off

Scary but true offering discounts starts to make you count on your hands and toes how much your profit is dwindling.  That’s where your wrong, if you are properly pricing your items with a decent profit margin, overhead, packaging, cost of materials, and labor you should be able to swing this type of sale no problem.   Bottom line people love choices especially when saving money.

2 – Liquidating Merchandise

In the process of this sale you will do what you love most besides creating and that’s selling.  Get rid of merchandise to refresh your shop with newer material, and now you will have the income to put back into your business.  Now were starting a pattern, selling! 

3 – Tagging your Sale

You can use sites like Etsy On Sale to add tags in one batch to your items such as sale, Christmas sale, free shipping etc.  When you want to stop the sale you can then remove that tag,  and it will remove them in one batch.  There is a fee for this service but if you never used Etsy on Sale you get four free credits.

You can also put your shop on sale without any promo codes, it will automatically reduce prices by dollar amount or percentage.

Click link below:

http://www.etsyonsale.com/sellers?referralCode=CAWDYS7X43

3-  Promoting Sales:

As part of the Team Etsy Entrepreneurs Holiday Challenge 2011 we are inviting 16 shops to promote one item of there choice to a holiday sale team treasury.  Your item will be featured and in the description of the treasury will state All shops featured in this treasury are running different promotions feel free to click and take advantage of the holiday sales.

All team members participating must post this treasury and promote for the next two weeks by blogging, tweeting, facebook, or share with other promotion teams.

We did a similar challenge in the past that brought a lot of views to our team members.  If successful we can repeat challenge for other holidays such as Valentines Day, Saint Pattys Day, Easter etc.

Link to Etsy Entrepreneurs:

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7978/etsy-entrepreneurs

Happy Sales,

Michelle

DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew Review

This is a complete review for the DDF Ultra Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew.

Price: 40.00

Where to Buy: Sephora, Ulta, Online Shops

Why I like it:  I have normal to dry skin, I occasionally break out due to bad eating habits (greasy food).  Most moisturizers are too scented, too greasy, or too thick for me.  This oil free formulation is fantastic a lightweight almost whipped like texture.  There is virtually no scent, and absorbs within 30 seconds of applying.  Ideally this would be great for oily skin, but it does not irritate or break my skin out.  I never get shiny with this moisturizer and it truly sinks in.  You can over apply and it will still continue to sink it.

I apply this with jojoba oil in the winter and summer to avoid dry skin issues.  I would imagine if you had extra shine from oil this wouldn't add to the issue.  If your looking for moisture with no bells and whistles this is for you. 

Packaging:  Is a love, very hygienic the pump is air tight, you waste absolutely no product.  I've gone through about  5 bottles so I know when it runs low.  But you can easily run out due to the opaque white bottle.  The pump has no clogging issues and easy to control.

Price:  I really hate buying this every time I am running low I try to seek out a cheaper brand but I cant seem to find the right alternative.  For 40.00 its a bit steep for having no real benefits other than moisture.  But I will repurchase until I find a more cost effective solution.  If price is not an issue go for the gold!


Overall thoughts great product good for a basic no fuss mouisturizer with a hygienic packaging and a high price tag!  Hope to find a dupe soon!



Mac Midnight Blues Fluid Line Review Mac Me Over Collection

Mac Midnight Blues Fluid Line Review

Collection: MAC Me Over

Price: 15.00

Sold Out @ www.maccosmetics.com

Find on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=mac+midnight+blues&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Color:  This color in pan shows a bit lighter in photo.  This is very close up in great lighting, this is a deep blueish green with finely milled sparkles.  The sparkle is not offensive and barely noticeable.  This is a great color very rich and fall appropriate.  If you are looking for something more jazzy than your regular black liner, this is a great way to incorporate color into your collection.  A deep blue green lays beautifully on the lid creating the perfect deep color.

Staying Power: All Mac Fluidliners in my opinions are alright when it comes to longevity.  Every color I own I love the color more than the formula.  Mac does a great job in bringing makeup lovers a truly unique range of colors.  But the fluid lines always wear off a bit throughout an 8 hour work day, they are not smudge or waterproof.  I would still recommend these fluid liner with a good base like Too Face Shadow Insurance or Urban Decay Primer Potion. 

Applying:  Easy to apply with a small liner brush, the consistency is beautiful and smooth.  A great way to introduce liner into your makeup routine.  These are not recommend on the eye lid, especially the colors with sparkle/glitter.  The ones without glitter are very long wearing and pigmented on the waterline.

Overall:  A great colored eyeliner to have in the collection, not to bright or bold.  Office appropriate, a great alternative to black, and as always smooth and creamy.  If you love Mac Fluid Lines than this is a great addition.  Not a must need product, but again a great alternative.