Keepin’ It Classy: $90 Off Lisa Curran’s Chic (Not Skimpy) Swimwear
Just because it’s swimsuit season doesn’t mean you have to resort to a barely-there bikini. Don’t get us wrong — you…Read More
Shop It NowWe Found The Perfect Wedding Gift (Bragging Rights Are In Order)
You can't escape it — wedding season is here! Along with all the fun dining and dancing comes the agonizing chore of choosing the perfect present to please the couple who already seem to have everything.In truth, though, you shouldn't stress. We mean, who couldn't use a glass of vino (especially when it's from a bottle by carefully selected top sommeliers).By pre-packaging three of the best selections for the newly hitched — no matter what their personal palates — Lot18 is doing all the work out of the wedding season. In a choice of two irresistible bundles — Wedding Milestone Trio 1 & Wedding Milestone Trio 2 — you can gift the just-married duo with an intoxicating way to celebrate their one-year, five-year, and ten-year anniversaries. Nothing quite says "I do" like a full-bodied Barolo, or "you're still the one" like a bubbly Champagne. The nice folks at Lot18 are showing love for all Refinery29 readers, too, by offering a $10 credit (just click through to redeem) to use on their site. Cheers to that!
Wedding Anniversary Trio 1 (including NV Pommery Apanage Champagne, 2009 Andre Goichot La Maladiere 1er Cru Santenay, 2006 Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio Barolo), $129.99, available at Lot18.
Wedding Anniversary Trio 2 (including 2004 Pommery Grand Cru Champagne, 2006 Pago Viejos Artadi Rioja, and 2009 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateune), $199.99, available at Lot18.
Photo: Courtesy of Lot18
Start Saving, Kiddies! Here's The Expensive Gift 91% Of Moms Want
Sure, most mamas will tell you they love being showered with flowers, perfume, spa days, and the like on Mother’s Day — or maybe even that it's just the thought that counts. But, deep down, they don’t give a hoot about those frilly prezzies. And that card with the noodles pasted to it? Not cutting it, either. What you really need, to win over dear old Mom: an iPad. Yep, it’s a fact: According to a Tech Bargains survey that just came out, a staggering 91% of moms would prefer an iPad over any snoozy florals you plan to send their way. When you think about it, this makes total sense — especially since the number of tech-savvy ‘rents is on the rise (or at least seems like it is, we can't get ours to log off Instagram). It's a kinda pricey ask, but hey, this is the woman who gave birth to you, and made you the lady you are today. So, really, it's the least you could do. Oh, and once you score a shiny new toy for Mama, snag one of these sleek cases for a double-whammy to show her you really care. Only the best for mom, right?
Photo: Via Apple
18 Mother's Day Gifts As Wonderful As She Is
Admit it. If you're looking for an honest opinion on how that dress really looks or whether that new job is worth it, it's Mom that you ask. And, why not? She's already experienced the same successes, struggles, mysterious weight gains, crushing heartbreaks, game-changing promotions — and yes, even that weird obsession with lucite bangles — that you're probably going through now.
And the fact that you're going through your own roller coaster of a life with grace, style, and chutzpah? You probably owe her some of that, too. So, really lay it on her this Mother's Day and don't skimp on the sweetness; even though a luxurious new skin treatment, a beautiful locket, and a softer-than-your-own-butt-when-you-were-a-baby cashmere blanket might not say it all, they're all certainly a good place to start. Ahead, 18 of the best Mother's Day gift picks that Momma deserves to receive.
Sweetness Alert: A DIY Project For You & Your Honey
Remember that Friends episode when Monica and Chandler agree to do DIY Valentine's gifts, and all they can come up with is a sock monkey and a used mixed tape? Yeah, that's us. We love the idea of a homemade, from-the-heart gift for our one and only, but sometimes, we just don't have the time (or the creativity) to make it, well, not suck. Luckily, A Beautiful Mess will be our saving grace when the next birthday/anniversary/Just-Because-You're-Great Day rolls around. They've whipped up a step-by-step for a super-easy yet oh-so-thoughtful scrapbook — it's a great way to highlight all of your favorite memories together (plus, it looks really good). And, since it pretty much just uses recycled paper and tape, it's earth-friendly and easy to pull together when you're short on funds (which is always, if you're like us!). We're definitely going to keep this idea on-hand for the next time we need to score major girlfriend points. So, click on through for the deets and get crafting. (A Beautiful Mess) Photo: Via A Beautiful Mess
Style Syllabus: Forget Everyone Else...Treat Yourself This V-Day
So you’re stocked up on Ryan Gosling’s entire filmography via Netflix, and enough popcorn and wine to feed your entire dorm during a drought.... Wait, is it Valentine’s Day or the apocalypse? Frankly, we can’t be too sure. But before you abandon mascara so you can properly enjoy The Notebook, you deserve to treat yo'self this V-day, beyond Ryan and wine — use the excuse to indulge in something completely unnecessary and absolutely fabulous.
We’ve scoured the web for the most enticing yet affordable ways to appreciate yourself, be it glamorous soap or a fantastic display for hand-picked flowers. These are the pretty little things that are guaranteed to make you smile. Oh, and we're throwing in a fun giveaway for two of our readers!
We’ve scoured the web for the most enticing yet affordable ways to appreciate yourself, be it glamorous soap or a fantastic display for hand-picked flowers. These are the pretty little things that are guaranteed to make you smile. Oh, and we're throwing in a fun giveaway for two of our readers!
An Editor-Approved V-Day Wish List (Hint, Hint!)
While we're not huge fans of Valentine's Day and all the hoopla and melodrama that goes with it, we are a big fan of making wish lists. We're also firm believers in treating yourself — and whether that means dropping a hint or two to your significant other or taking matters into your own hands, V-Day is as good an occasion as any to direct some love toward yourself. But what is it (other than chocolate) that you're craving? Stumped? In need of inspiration? We've got plenty!
We went on a virtual shopping spree, scouring for a few things to sweeten our day (and yours). Click through to see what we're pining for — and don't worry, no hard feelings if you scoop them up before we do. See how much we love you?
6 Insanely Luxe Date Ideas For V-Day!
Okay, so we don't all have "eff you money," or a fella with the big bucks, but even if you're not blessed in either department, aren't you the least bit curious about what the 1% does for V-Day? Well, we definitely were, and that's why we tapped Stacey Gordon, Director of Communications for L.A.'s luxe concierge service, Quintessentially, to spill the beans on how the ballers say "be mine" (it's rumored that Gwynnie and Madge are members). Wouldn't it be nice to land on a helipad for your decadent chef's-table dinner date, or have a service like Q secretly slip into your pad and sprinkle your fave flowers and chocolate truffles everywhere? Or what about a private tour of an art gallery before boarding a private yacht? These lavish L.A. rendezvous are enough to make any woman swoon. And hey, even if these insanely spendy date nights aren't in your immediate future, a little wishful daydreaming never hurt anyone, right?
"We just had a last minute request from a film executive who's taking his wife on a helicopter tour of their three Los Angeles homes, then landing at a helipad in Malibu for a dinner at Saddle Peak Lodge, where we've hired a private violinist to serenade their table with her favorite songs all evening long."
Elite Adventure Tours, 249 N. Brand Boulevard #340 (Near Wilson Way); 818-216-0067.
Price: Starting at $2,500 for a 30 minute ride.
"We always get requests for wineries in Malibu since it's the closest Angelenos can get to a vineyard. We actually had a member pop the question last Valentine's Day on the Malibu Romance VIP Wine Tour, where they sipped champagne on a picnic overlooking the ocean, and frolicked around the estate all day. They obviously were picked up in a souped up limo, too!"
Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours, 1102 South La Cienega Boulevard (At Whitworth Drive); 310-289-8687.
Price: $1498
"We have a really cool female member who's surprising her hubby for V-Day this year. She's picking him up from work in a chauffeured Rolls Royce Ghost, then taking him to a taping of Jay Leno, where they're sitting front row, and will get to hang in the green room for some pics with the host first."
Midway Car Rental, 8931 Wilshire Blvd (Between North Almont and La Peer Drives); 310-860-9047.
Price: Starting at $2,000 for the evening.
Photos (clockwise from left): Via Elite Adventure Tours, Another Side of Los Angeles Tours, and Midway Car Rental.
"We just had a last minute request from a film executive who's taking his wife on a helicopter tour of their three Los Angeles homes, then landing at a helipad in Malibu for a dinner at Saddle Peak Lodge, where we've hired a private violinist to serenade their table with her favorite songs all evening long."
Elite Adventure Tours, 249 N. Brand Boulevard #340 (Near Wilson Way); 818-216-0067.
Price: Starting at $2,500 for a 30 minute ride.
"We always get requests for wineries in Malibu since it's the closest Angelenos can get to a vineyard. We actually had a member pop the question last Valentine's Day on the Malibu Romance VIP Wine Tour, where they sipped champagne on a picnic overlooking the ocean, and frolicked around the estate all day. They obviously were picked up in a souped up limo, too!"
Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours, 1102 South La Cienega Boulevard (At Whitworth Drive); 310-289-8687.
Price: $1498
"We have a really cool female member who's surprising her hubby for V-Day this year. She's picking him up from work in a chauffeured Rolls Royce Ghost, then taking him to a taping of Jay Leno, where they're sitting front row, and will get to hang in the green room for some pics with the host first."
Midway Car Rental, 8931 Wilshire Blvd (Between North Almont and La Peer Drives); 310-860-9047.
Price: Starting at $2,000 for the evening.
Photos (clockwise from left): Via Elite Adventure Tours, Another Side of Los Angeles Tours, and Midway Car Rental.
18 Valentine's Day Gifts We'd Buy For Ourselves
Our ideal Valentine would be a mind reader, totally capable of peeking into our deepest, most self-indulgent desires, to find a gift we'll cherish forever. Back in the real world, we know we're probably about to get a singing stuffed animal. Yawn. And that's why this year, we took matters into our own hands and hunted down the finest, most fun, romantic-but-not-sappy presents that money (but not too much money) can buy. Take a spin through our gift guide, and send a virtual nudge to your Valentine that he or she will probably thank you for later. A V-Day gift you actually want and can maybe even (gasp!) use? What's not to love?
17 V-Day Gifts For The Anti-Hallmark Couple
If the thought of celebrating February 14 with teddy bears, Champagne, and roses gives you hives, we hear you. We'll take any excuse to shower our sweetie with love, but treating a Hallmark holiday with Hallmark cheesiness is just not our thing. So, if you're still presentless, we're here to help. Behold: 16 Valentine's Day gifts that don't make us cringe. Cross our hearts.
Quirky-Cool Valentine's Day Gifts That You Can Score Locally, Right Now!
Real talk: Valentine’s Day tends to sneak up on even the most holiday-savvy. Between lugging ourselves back to work after New Year's and recovering from the massive amounts of gluttony we all so enjoyed, it’s admittedly an occasion that can get lost in the mix. But really — disregarding all the V-Day naysayers — it is an important holiday meant to energize not only our love lives but our self-appreciation, as well. (Besides, as Miami locals, do we ever really need a reason to celebrate?)
So, whether you’re toasting to a girls’ night out or spending a sultry evening with a date, don’t disappoint your Valentine by showing up to the festivities empty-handed. We found you some fun, flavorful gifts you can grab *this* minute that'll guarantee some excitement, no matter their intended recipient.
Gloomy Moods Begone: Fun Little Gifts Under $50
If the shorter days and colder weather's got you feeling bum-bums, we'd like to advocate a little retail therapy to put that pep back in your step. True, it might not be the holidays anymore, but that's all the more reason to treat yourself to a little gift, especially if the price-tag is manageable. We've found a few petite prezzies that are like instant mood lifters, guaranteed to eke out a smile as you wear it, use it, or play with it during the winter doldrums. From a new candle to burn on your nightstand to a liquor that tastes like root beer, these are beautiful little things that'll get you through the months.
The Ultimate Valentine's Day Gifts That Keep On Giving & Giving &...
Slightly stressed about how show your Valentine you love 'em to pieces without resorting to rom-com levels of cheesiness? No worries: All you need is a gift that keeps on giving. We're all about subscription gifts here at R29, and the upcoming holiday is the perfect time to lay one on your loved ones.
No, really. There are sub options that are slightly quirkier than what you may be thinking, and then of course, there are some classic stand-bys. We’ve uncovered some monthly clubs willing to send your gift recipients (or you) amazing books, minerals, and even marshmallows each month. Click through for the picks that will make you the gift hero of any holiday.
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