Lets talk turkey…

Can you believe it? In one week we will all be stuffing turkeys, setting the table fancy, and eating way to much! I love Thanksgiving day – what a great way to relax…food, friends, and a few glasses of wine. Perfect. Here are some things I found to make your Thanksgiving extra special and a little bit easier.

• Warm Biscuit Bedding Company Personalized Plates – Make the kids table the place to be this year with these adorable personalized Thanksgiving plates. Can you even imagine the faces on the kids when they see their name on the plate? These are a little bit smaller than normal dinner plates (8 inches) which is perfect for little meals. What a great way to start a Thanksgiving tradition in your family. They also have personalized Christmas and Hanukkah plates too. I love it!

• The Box Girls - A box of questions made especially for Thanksgiving. This stack of pumpkin pie looking cards will ensure that your family has meaningful conversations at your table. Simply put one card next to each place setting and take turns answering and talking about each card throughout your dinner. Or use the enclosed place cards. “What food on the Thanksgiving table reminds you of a special memory?” I can’t wait to use these! They also have a Christmas box, a family dinner box, a girlfriend box, and more! Keep everyone talking, keep that party flowing!

• Onion Action Goggles – Nothing worse than chopping an onion. My eyes burn and water. This year I will be wearing the Onion Action Goggles from Violet. Not only are they fabulously pink..they are comfortable, anti-fog and seal your eyes from irritating onion vapors. No more tears! Won’t I look stylish this year?

• The Food Loop – I never have cooking twine on hand. I usually try to make do with something when it comes to trussing my bird. It never works. The Food Loop is the first heat resistant silicone trussing tool available. You can use the lace to literally tie your turkey shut. It has a needle-like metal end on it that goes right through your bird. The loops are great for bundling together a bunch of asparagus. The colors are bright and fun, they clean up easy, and you couldn’t melt them if you tried! We even use a set of the loops on our grill last weekend. So handy! I think I am addicted to everything they have at Food Loop…the Poach Pod (great for my eggs) and the Tender Press are two more of my favorites. What I love the best about them is that you simply toss them in the Dishwasher…easy!

• The Wedge – Your fridge is going to be packed this holiday season. I can’t stand it when bottles are rolling around – not to mention that is is dangerous! The wedge is a set of two rubber triangles that act like doorstops for your bottles. You can create a pyramid of bottles or cans. No more crashing and rolling bottles!

• The Cooler Scoop – Will you be using a cooler to keep your beverages cold for Thanksgiving? You don’t want your guests to get their hands wet & cold trying to get a drink out of the cooler. Use the cooler scoop! It is a long handle with a scoop at one end and a bottle opener at the other end. How handy is that?

• Twist Clean – Paper towels are wasteful and expensive. Twist dishtowels and sponges are a great alternative to your old standbys. These are eco-friendly and biodegradable products that you can stick right in your dishwasher to clean. The Loofah Sponge can get the toughest dried on spill gone by using only elbow grease. The colors are great, the packaging is hip- each wrapper contains directions and templates to create something beautiful out of it. Imagine turning the wrapper to your sponge into a bird feeder. Good products that are good for the environment. Yay!

These next items are not Thanksgiving item at all. I know many people set up their Christmas tree during the Thanksgiving holiday. I came across the Elf on the Shelf and wanted to share it with you. I fell in love with this concept and company (it is a local Kennesaw company). Each box comes with an adorable vintage looking elf as well as a illustrated book. After reading the story about the elf with your children you set out your elf to watch them. The elf is always watching to see if they are naughty or nice! Sometimes the elf moves to a new spot during the night…your kids will have a blast trying to find him each morning. What a great holiday tradition!

Another great product is the Name maker personalized wrapping paper. You just have to visit their site to see all of their amazing personalized ribbons, wrapping papers, and gift bags. Our family made wrapping paper that has “merry, merry! From the Swab Family” on it. The nicest part is that I don’t need gift cards to go with the present.

Tiny Prints has the best photo cards around! From traditional Green and Red to hip chocolate and robin’s egg blue. They can even put more than one picture on your card. You could spend all day trying to pick your favorite. I sorta like this pink one…

November 15, 2007. shopping. 3 comments.

I can’t wait!!

I’m so excited…I can’t wait to share all of my Christmas gift ideas with you…I have never been good at keeping a secret! I have to hold back…starting next week all of my Radio Thursday segments will have the BEST stuff!! I have them locked in a closet…even my closest friends haven’t seen my goodies. I thought I would go back and highlight some of the things that I have raved about before – these would make great gifts…

• Sticks and Stones – Brad and Jera Deal used to go “letter hunting” with their children. They would snap photos of anything they saw that looked like a letter. Fences, trees, buildings, and more. Jera had the amazing idea to create a gift out of their letter finds. She spelled out her daughter’s teacher in black and white letters. The result was amazing! What a great piece of art. You type in your name and simply pick from the different styles of letters. I had a great time creating mine. I can’t even begin to count the number of compliments that I get on this unique piece of art. This is a great idea for a gift – especially a Christmas gift! Look closely at the picture below…it spells out FAMILY.

• Staxx Rings - These ring sets are amazing! This is a “stackable” ring that uses different designs, metals, stones and shapes to create a truly unique ring. The kits contains a stainless base, 4-5 stacks of interchangeable pieces, and two toppers. This allows the wearer to design a ring to fit her own personal style! You can create a new ring everyday! Sometimes I like to sit and play with my ring set, creating all kinds of different looks. The kits range from $85 – $169, while individual assembled rings range from $36-$86 – not bad for a unique ring that shows your style! Even the box the kit comes in is adorable – please visit her site and take a look. A perfect Christmas gift!

• Yankee Girl Designs – This is a handmade birds nest with colored pearl eggs (that match the birthstones of your children) on a sterling chain. Absolutely beautiful! I wear mine all of the time and still get compliments on it. Get this…its only $34!

• Lucy’s Sister – Marissa Spade has designed the most amazing collection of buckles and interchangeable belt straps that are extremely modern, yet have a total rock and roll feel to them! She sent me the “Kate” buckle (love the name by the way) with my name engraved on it. It is awesome! She sent it on a distressed cowhide strap that looks so vintage – I love it! You can choose your buckle and your strap from a HUGE selection.

• Girly-Twirly – When I received the Weekender Duffle in Chocolate & Hot Pink from Girly-Twirly I couldn’t wait to pack my bag! I even had my monogram on it – you know how much I love monograms. Not only is this bag super cute…it is just the right size for a short trip or a carry on bag, and very lightweight. You can pair it with a matching cosmetic bag, tennis bag, or even a travel cup! I have a monogrammed travel cup that goes perfectly with my bag!! These would be great gifts for travelers!

  

  

I can’t wait to share my goodies with you…………..

November 13, 2007. shopping. 1 comment.

Guest Blog Writer – My daughter Maddie

For the first time ever KatyShops will have a special “guest blogger” – My daughter Maddie. I wanted to write about the awesome spa day that she treated me to last weekend, I thought maybe it would be best if she wrote about the great products that she pampered me with…she is the expert! So here she is………

Everybody needs at least one “spa day” every once in a while, but you may not want to pay high priced for treatments that you can have at home. I’m going to share some of my secrets to having the best spa day so that you could give yourself an at home spa day or treat someone you love to one.

• Delicious Belgian dark chocolate and organic Hawaiian Kona coffee beans. These two sound like something to eat, but instead you can scrub them on you skin. 100% Pure has made a decadent organic chocolate mocha body scrub that will leave your skin soft and smooth. The best part is that is smells wonderful and is 100% natural and 100% vegan. Go ahead, use this scrub and you won’t feel guilty about indulging!

• Frown lines…most people hate them and want to get rid of them. Well, a company called Frownies helps you do just that, but without the painful plastic surgery. The two products that I used were the Rose Water Hydrator Spray and the Frownies Patches for the forehead and between the eyes. All you do is spray the rose water spray onto the patches, stick them onto your forehead and between your eyes, leave on for at least three hours, peel them off, and be on your way to youthful looking skin. These patches are safe and natural, so they won’t harm your skin. Frownies are “Hollywood’s Beauty Secret”.

• The next great product that I have with me is a banana and blueberry mud mask from Fruitify. This mask will re-hydrate and restore your skin and make it look beautiful and flawless. you can use this on your face or your body. Either way, you will feel soothed and relaxed!

• My last two products are from BeautiControl. These two products, Lip Apeel and Nourishing Eye Pads, are essentials for a great spa day. The Lip Apeel comes with a line peel to smooth over your lips and then a lip balm to put on after the peel has been washed off. This treatment diminishes lines around lips and helps prevent chapped lips. Also, the Nourishing Eye Pads reduce puffiness. These two are a match made in heaven!

If you want to learn about more great products, then visit my blog trendyteen!

November 9, 2007. shopping. 1 comment.

Radio Thursday…don’t gain a pound this holiday season!

You hear it every year…everyone seems to gain weight during the holidays. I found some really simple ways to make sure that this does not happen to you.

• Power Diet Shoes – The first pair of shoes that have been FDA approved for weight loss! Yes, thats right you will actually burn more calories wearing these sneaks! They have an interchangeable weighted insole system that helps you burn 50% more calories when wearing them. You can either work out in them or simply wear them around the house during the day. Either way you will tone your legs and burn calories at the same time. I also like the fact that these shoes are great looking too…you know you have to be stylish when burning calories! I have a special for you….you can get $10 off of the purchase price! Just put in the code Katyshops at checkout. They come in mens & womens styles and run pretty true to size.

• Spring Boost Shoes – Dorsiflexion Technology. What? These shoes come with different insoles that lower your heel and raise your toes. This mimics walking on an incline which boosts your workout. Not only do they pump up your workout they also improve your posture and strengthen your muscles. They will actually improve muscle strength from your feet up to your abs. You can get them for fitness, nordic walking, walking, volleyball, and performance training. Pick your activity and they have a shoe for you. You can totally tell the difference as you switch out insoles. They come with 1, 3, and 5 degree insoles – you simply gradually work up to the highest incline.

• Daily Food Diary – A nifty Little Black Book to track your eating and behavior habits. It is a proven fact that you eat less when you log everything that you put into your mouth. This book is easy to use, convenient, discreet, and oh so helpful. Its so small that no one will know what you are jotting down. I like the fact that I can just flip it open and write down what I have consumed – no computer system to log on to or gizmo to plug my calories into. Pen & paper…simple.

• Memory Minder Journals – Want something bigger? A little more detailed? Memory Minder has many journals to choose from. Body Minder is a workout and exercise journal that keeps track of all your exercise experiences along with space for your diet log. The Diet Minder is a very detailed daily food log that also has a small section for physical activity. The Memory Minder Personal Health Journal is perfect for anyone with health concerns. Record your daily information and look for patterns that may emerge. You will gain a better awareness and control of health issues that you may have. It charts everything from the weather to your respiratory system.

• Kangoo Jumps- Want to have some fun while exercising? Are your knees bothering you and you can’t run? Kangoo Jumps are the answer! Get fit & have fun while wearing these unique rebound shoes. They had me bounding across my cul-de-sac like a gazelle. Not only are they fun, they are a serious workout tool. The lowest of low impact shoes. Just put them on like you would put on roller blades and then away you go…take a jog, play with the kids, or goof off in them. You really bounce along…they are so much fun that my kids and I fight over who’s turn it is to use them. These would be a great gift for kids this Christmas season…or buy yourself a pair…jump to it!

• Lightfull Smoothies – Satiety Smoothies. What does that mean? It means that if you drink these delicious little 90 calorie treats before you head out to a holiday party you won’t be starving! They are high in both fiber & protein (a full 5 grams)- two things that make you feel extra full. These little guys stay with you! I’m hooked on the Peachy Cream…Yum! I think these will be a huge lifesaver during the busy holiday season. Yummy and healthy…perfect!

You also want to stay healthy this holiday season and you especially want to make sure that your kids stay clean! MomSpit is a universal no-rinse cleanser for hands and face. Get it? MomSpit. Now you don’t have to spit on your finger and wipe away the grime on your little guys face…use MomSpit. It contains no alcohol and actually cleans like soap and water. Just squirt it, rub it, and the dirt is gone. It comes in unscented and scented varieties. I like the Fig & Green Tea Scent. Stop rubbing your kids down with hand sanitizer for every little thing…they don’t need all of that alcohol. Save the alcohol for the egg nog!

November 7, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.

I bet you are wondering…

I’m sure you are all at the edge of your seat wondering what new awesome things I am running with as I train for my Half Marathon. Honestly…the two things that I like the best about running is the fact that you can eat whatever you want and still lose weight and trying out some cool new products. You see its all about eating & shopping…I’m still the same old Katy.

Trimarket has an amazing selection of books and logs geared to athletes. They were nice enough to send me copies of 3 different books. Two of the books were even signed! This husband and wife (and cutie pie daughter) team has written many books using their vast knowledge, experience, and networking that they have learned in their many years of athletic competitions. These amazing people have made a life around fitness. If you are not a runner I am sure you know one – keep these in mind for Christmas gifts.

• The Total Runners Log by Dr. Sharon L. Svensson packs a bunch of info into a little package! Not only is it a runner’s log but it is also a complete manual made especially for runners. It is small enough to carry with you and only costs $7.95. It has 53 weeks to log your running on. I personally love to manually write out my mileage…I know computers are great, but when it comes to logging my exercise I am a paper & pen girl!

• The Total Runners Almanac – 3 by Dr. Sharon L. Svensson is a more detailed manual and log book. Bigger in size and packed with a little more info. It still has a place to log your workouts. The training advice is very helpful and comes from some really knowledgeable folks like Midde Hamrin and Steve Scott. Nothing like getting tips from the pros! You will be getting advice from world class Atheletes – its like having your own set of coaches.

• The Total Triathlon Almanac-5 by Tony Svensson came signed …this is what it said…”Katy, Beyond the Marathon lies the Triathlon, Tony Svensson”. Yikes! A triathlon??? Wow. Although I am not training for or even thinking about a triathlon I found this book really interesting. I have always been in utter awe of triathletes and gained a better understanding of the sport. With their tips and training advice it makes it look do-able. I have been asked by my friend Tanya to complete the Acworth Triathlon with her…now I just need a good bike.

• Fuel Belts – I can’t tell you enough how much I love my Fuel Belts. They come in so many options and styles that there is one for everyone. My two bottle belt is what I use the most. I love it because it comes with two little 8 ounce bottles – perfect for a short run. The belt has a pocket to store a cell phone in it. The bottles don’t rattle around while you are running either…now thats a big plus! My other favorite belt is the Crush Pink One Bottle Holder. Okay…yeah its pink..love that! But it also holds my bottle without bouncing around and has a great big zippered pocket in it. The bottle holds a big 22 ounces…great for a big run. Both of these belts really help me out…I have looked long and hard to avoid bouncing bottles!

November 6, 2007. shopping. 4 comments.

Holiday…Yay!

Today is a Holiday! No school or work for us. Tomorrow is too. This makes me very happy! Maddie was away at a retreat all weekend and has requested a visit to the mall now that she is back. I’m okay with the mall today…I have a VS free underwear coupon to use. Both of the girls made straight A’s on their report card and want to spend their “all A’s money” on something..anything. So to the mall it is! It will be fun to check out all of the early Christmas things…time to start shopping! Here are some great mall deals:

J.Crew is having its annual Fall Sale. I happen to love this umbrella – its pink & has dogs on it! On sale for $19.99.

I wanted one of these Sherpa-lined hoodies so bad last year….now I can get one for only $29.99!!! Yay!

Victoria’s Secret is having a HUGE clearance sale right now – up to 70% off! How great are these sandals? These would make a great gift for a college student – the perfect shower shoes. Only $8.99!

Williams-Sonoma is getting in on the clearance wagon…look at this great grill top popcorn popper for only $12.99. This would make another great gift!

Everyone is clearing out! Look what I found at Pottery Barn…this gorgeous iron gate is 50% off.

Coldwater Creek is offering free shipping from now until December 22nd. Just enter the code SHIPFREE at checkout. Look at the amazing reversible scarves that are marked down to $1.99! They have matching hats for $1.99 too. Great for gifts!

November 5, 2007. shopping. Leave a comment.