LUSH Better Than a Blintz Gift: Holiday Beauty Gift Guide

Scrambling to make this year's Festival of Lights more memorable than the last?

Top off 8 days of presents with the unique dreidel-shaped Better Than a Blintz Gift from LUSH. With four of LUSH’s best selling bath bombs, it’s the perfect gift to help a loved one unwind and relax this holiday season. At only $19.95 and pre-wrapped with reusable post-consumer recycled packaging, feel good about the affordable and eco-friendly gift you are giving. Choose from a lemongrass infused Avobath, grapefruit and mandarin packed Happy Pill, apple-scented So White or a peppermint-infused Magic. Take a long relaxing bath with one of these bath bombs and see why this gift is really better than a blintz (or potato pancake).

For more expert gift picks, check out Spoiled Pretty's 2009 Holiday Beauty Gift Guide!

Lush Decapitated Frosty and Threw His Head In A Bag

I’m a recessionista at heart and Christmas just happens to be my all time fave holiday, so you can imagine how giddy I got about Winter Goodies: Nothing Over $10, an article in the latest issue of People Style Watch magazine. I flipped to page 68, when, what do my wondering eyes should appear but a "wonderland of snowscape-inspired finds." As my eyes scanned the page, I’m all, "that’s cute, that’s pretty, ooh…that’s pretty cute!" But then my gaze fell on the un-prettiest beauty product I’ve seen in, possibly, forever.

Lush’s Frothy The Snowman Bubble Bar looks like someone asphyxiated poor old Frothy with a plastic sack, then hacked off his head and tied the bag off with a bow. How sick is that? It’s the holidays, not Halloween, Lush. I mean, how can a brand be animal-friendly and cruelty-free and then go decapitating such a jolly happy soul?

If you think that’s twisted, just wait…it gets more disturbing. To use Frothy The Snowman Bubble Bar, take his head in your hands and squeeze. Then sprinkle his crushed skull in your bathtub and fill it up with water.

The upside? If being an accessory in Frothy’s demise leaves you feeling shameful, wash away those dirty thoughts with the vanilla-coconut scented suds.

Lovely Gifts For Valentine’s Day

Let’s be honest - when it comes to gift-giving, most men are clueless. So if you haven’t already dropped some major hints, don’t be surprised when your man comes home with a tired box of Russell Stover chocolates.

That’s why I am an staunch advocate of buying treats for oneself on Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or presently unattached, there’s no shame in purchasing these lovely gifts for yourself.

Here are some Spoiled Pretty picks:


Fresh Cannabis Rose Eau de Parfum: Fresh’s newest fragrance is the ultra-sensual and completely intoxicating floral counterpart to the highly popular Cannabis Santal Collection. Top notes burst with the captivating aroma of Bulgarian roses infused with pomegranate flower and Italian bergamot. An alluring blend of cannabis accord, sheer jasmine, and rich dark chocolate make the heart of this sultry scent truly intoxicating, while base notes of white musk, patchouli, and oolong tea leave a lasting sensual finish. ($75).


Avon Valentine's Day Mini Hand Creams: Available in Vita Moist, Silicone Glove, Soft & Sensual, and Intensive. (.99 each)


Lush Silky Perfect Match: Includes Lush’s very popular Silky Underwear solid perfume with jasmine and vetivert and their equally popular Alkmaar soap in a special heart shape. Making these perfect matches even more precious, the packaging is 100% biodegradable. In fact, if you plant the box with someone special, you can watch your love grow – literally. The entire box contains real seeds and when you plant it you will grow beautiful wild flowers to enjoy together. ($19.95)


Kissable Couture Valentine’s Collection: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Kissable Couture adds three more shades to its repertoire. New colors include Fantasies (Red Rose), Dreams (Soft Pink, Very Airy, Truly a Hint of Color), and Bliss (Mauve, Rose Pink). ($22 each)


Noodle & Boo All of my Heart: This heart-shaped soap is not only fun, but has a rich and creamy lather that gently cleans delicate skin leaving it soft and supple. Made with 100% pure vegetable oil, it does not contain the dehydrating detergents or irritating surfactants in most soap today. Wholesome oatmeal and aloe carefully soothe, while sweet almond oil and nutrient-rich milk protein moisturize skin. ($15)


Suzanne Aux Bains Relaxing Organic Massage Oil: Pamper your skin with this natural, nourishing massage oil with a captivating scent. This soothing massage oil softens the body while relaxing the mind for a spa experience right in your bathroom. Perfect for all skin types, especially dry or sensitive skin, this quick-absorbing, golden-hued oil from France is certified organic. It helps ease muscle tension with Jasmine, Mandarin, Ylang Ylang, Chamomile and Lavender essential oils, while a combination of organic Apricot, Sesame and Jojoba essential oils protect and soften the skin. Kirstin, the beauty behind Saffron Rouge, says it’s her favorite body oil. ($37)


Philosophy Candy Hearts: Contains three mouth-watering flavored lip shines with sweet-nothings written right on the tubes. Say "be mine" with melon daiquiri, "ask me" with vanilla birthday cake, and "love you" with raspberry sorbet. ($25)


Jaqua Pink Champagne and Cocoa Buttercream bath and body products: Indulge in bubbly and chocolate without the hangover or the calories. And to help achieve the perfect bath treat for Valentine's Day, Jaqua is giving you 25% off their Pink Champagne and Cocoa Buttercream fragrances. Enter promotion code VALDAY2A at checkout. Offer expires Feb 13th.

Blogging Is Hard Work

Philadelphia Magazine recently had a chance to catch up with Jay McCarroll, Season 1 winner of Project Runway and Philly’s prodigal son (he’s back in town after a brief stint in NYC). Here’s an excerpt from the interview:

PM: Now, I know you’re watching Season 4 of Project Runway, because you’re blogging about it on Elle.com.

Jay: Yeah, it’s super fun. It’s hard blogging, which I had no idea about. I thought, Oh, it’ll take, like, 45 minutes of my day. But that turned into an entire day with editing and rewriting.

PM: Where are your favorite places in Philly to shop?

Jay: I go to all the thrift stores. I like to peek around at the little boutiques in Northern Liberties and 3rd Street. I love Lush cosmetics on Walnut. That’s probably my favorite store.

For the full transcript, visit phillymag.com.

Photo courtesy of ontheinside.info