Oh NO! Not again

I'm wondering.... does anyone else question where the year went? Wasn't it just Thanksgiving? What the heck happened to summer. The Christmas season is looming - talk about turkey, parties and the 'what to get for them' gift questions.

Good gift ideas are hard to come by, so once again, here is our weekly installment of suggestions. Today, we visit one of our favorite stores and then throw a couple more in for good measure.

The LCBO - Liquor Control Board of Ontario, the place where those who live in this fine Province must go to purchase liquor - is working to make gift giving easier. This year they offer an online catalog and online purchasing - hummm, that got your attention didn't it.

We've through a picked out a couple of the cooler ideas.

#1) The Mazzetti Ferrari F2003 Grappa, for $99.95: This year’s bottle contains a model of the 2003 GA world-champion race car, immersed in exquisite Grappa di Grignolino.
#2) The Denoix Cognac Colt Gift Bottle for $129.95: Filled with Denoix Napoleon Grand Champagne Cognac.
#3) The Grolsch Lager package with art glass, for 12.99: A Dutch tradition since 1615, refreshing Grolsch Premium Lager comes in a specially designed six-pack, along with a fun, colourful art glass.

Now, gifts for the ladies. We've also done some research, girls, feel free to leave little hints to those who wish to pamper you silly with gifts.

#1) Bare Necessities offers bras, panties, men's underwear, hosiery and sleepwear from 100+ name brands. They offer a selection of over 2000 styles spans luxury designer fashions to everyday traditional styles and includes top brands like La Perla, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Dolce & Gabbana, Wacoal and Bali. Yes, they ship to Canada. (remember, no duty on goods manufactured in the US, however, they may be subject to Provincial sale tax and GST)

Gifts for Every Body: Find the perfect gift for everyone this holiday season at BareNecessities.com.

#2) La Vie enRose now offers online shopping as well. A recognized brand in Canada. The site offers weekly specials, contests and promotions.

#3) How could we leave 'Come as You are' off our gift giving list. Shop online or in person at one of their stores. For those of you who missed our postings in the past. The philosophy at Come As You Are is one in where they believe that sexuality is an intrinsic part of the human experience and is inseparable from other aspects of a person's life. Their online store is both informative and fun.

We'll continue working on a Christmas ideas list for you. In the meantime, feel free to share your suggestions with us. We can't be everywhere, all the time.

On other fronts.... Now pay attention - you know who you are..... my dear friend with the absolute expertise in putting together an outfit. It's been bothering me all week..... if you can't wear black stockings with red shoes, what can you wear? I personally look hideous in 'nude' or 'beige', does that mean that I can't wear my red shoes? Help! Seriously.... I need to know.

Have a Happy Cherry Day!

Who would have thought

Did you know, George Clooney has been chosen the 'sexiest man alive' for the second year running? What do you think, is he worthy of the title? Ahhh well, I guess really not many would kick him out of bed for eating crackers.

What about the 'sexiest woman alive'? I went to find out, just so we would all know. According to 'Esquire magazine' the winner is Scarlet Johannson. Who? Exactly what I said. It is Esquire btw.... need I say more?

On other fronts.... did you know that many businesses are playing Christmas music already? Yep, I was stuck on hold yesterday listening to "let it snow" - that is just sick.

Sooner or later thoughts will move towards what to get the hard to buy for male on your list. I took some time and here are some of the 'cool tech gifts for him':

We thought this was cool and blue: The Faucet Light turns an ordinary faucet into a streaming crystal blue light source. Simply turn on your water and the internal pressure switch activates the light source. Turn off the water and the light goes off. Fun and functional for a kid's bathroom, but even better to add excitement to your wet bar or kitchen sink when you throw a cocktail party!

You know how your guy (kids, girlfriend, mother, co worker) can never remember where they put things down - well, here is the perfect gift:

"Now You Can Find It!"® locater puts a pager on all elusive things! Upgraded version includes eight RF receiver discs that beep and flash to help you quickly and easily locate a missing object.

Now for something completly different and a bit 'out there': Radio-controlled airplane that takes up to 26 fantastic aerial digital photos per flight with a simple push of a button on transmitter. Giant-size jet with twin engines can reach 1000?, climb, dive and by changing respective engine speed; easy-to-control 5-function, 2-stick transmitter. Flight battery charger, 2 flight batteries and EZ Launch takeoff system included.

The one that we really liked, the one to have: Multiple Unit Recharging Station. This station keeps up to three portable electronics recharged in a central location. Including; cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs and games.

We are going to be giving you heaps of gift ideas over the course of the next month. We'd like to hear and see yours. Don't be shy! Submit a comment, email us, add your links.

Now I need to get back to some pre-Christmas, Christmas shopping. Have a wonderful, Cherry filled day!

What a guy needs

Okay guys….. this one is for you.

We’ve devoted a huge amount of time to the wants, needs and must haves of all the ‘hip chicks’ and yes, we’ve neglected the ‘other gender’ almost completely. Just the way it happens sometimes.

Well, not any longer, today we are going to give our favorite ‘eye candy cool guys’ some cherry time. I came to the realization some time ago, that it can be pretty tough being a guy and dressing cool. Face it, men just don’t have the fashion attention spotlight on them. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like to dress to impress by wearing cool clothes and this year’s must have shoes, it does mean they simply do not have the kind of access women have.

It doesn’t stop at being an access issue either. Men don’t do ‘trendy’ the way women can and do and that’s where we come in. Not only for the cool guys, but for all of the ‘hip chicks’ that shop for the men in their lives.

When I want to weigh in on issues pertinent to men, I go to the one source that is all knowledgeable – AskMen.com. The site reads like most other ‘men’s’ sites – a bit provocative and a bit long on sexuality. Mixed in are articles on health and fitness, travel, relationship, gaming, cars and yes, some fashion.

I was able to find one article talking about the latest trends in men’s clothing. Some of their insight I could agree with, but this one trend they reported on, still has me wondering who? I don’t think I know a male that would dress like this, let alone citing it as a fashion trend. You make your mind up.

I do agree with the consensus that men’s fashion is a bit of a yawner. You have your black, grey, blue or brown business casual/business/dress pants. You have your brown, grey, blue, black casual cords, you have your black and blue jeans. There is good news though. This year, companies such as ‘the Gap’ have come out with textured pants for guys. Paired with a nice t-shirt, under long sleeved shirt, they work really well. Top it all off with a nice thigh length leather jacket and a great pair of shoes (no not sneakers) and the look is together and ‘different’.

A friend of mine likes the new look and I can’t blame him. The textured cords and jeans work well on most men while allowing for a bit of individuality. He's pictured to the left - these pants really work well - light grey with the darker grey accent. (yes he knows I'm using his picture!)

Another friend of mine is a shoe horse. In particular he seems to really like sneakers. He pairs them with the jeans, shirt over shirt look, loosely fitting on his 6’3” frame. I’d love to see him change it up now and again for a trendy pair of casual loafers and a bit dressier in the shirt department.

Which brings me to another issue with men’s clothing. The shirts. It never ceases to amaze me how many of the almost same shirt a man can have. (their defense of course is, ‘they are all slightly different in cut, texture and colour of white’ – where’d they get that from?) A business associate of mine loves to wear French cuffs. With his suit or as a stand alone shirt. A nice little extra that allows a shirt to stand out and say, ‘I am different’. Try to find one though, my husband took an entire day of shopping to find one that wasn’t white or pale blue.

In closing I just want to touch on one other little issue guys. Your underwear. You know how you notice how bad panty lines look – well, you have them too. If you are wearing pants that tuck a bit in the bum, pay attention to this detail. Boxers are nice under dress pants but for goodness sakes, make sure they don’t all bunch up. Good fitting underwear are important not only for your comfort but for the overall look as well. (if they fit well too, you won’t be adjusting near as much either!)

Do you have a men’s clothing story for us? We are all ears and pictures are very good too.

So, I leave you with this, also from that ‘magazine of authority for men’ advice from an article on ‘how to be a man again’- doing these things apparently will make all the difference. ‘Rent a muscle car, catcall chicks on the street, go to a monster truck rally, eat a heart-attack meal, wear your 2001 Baltimore Ravens Super bowl t-shirt, break a bone, get in a bar fight, grow a beard, cut down a tree, take apart your care engine, sit down in front of the TV for a 48-hour SPEEDtv marathon wearing track pants’.

Cool gifts for picky men

Men! How hard is it to find really great gifts for men?

I have a very good friend whose birthday is just around the corner. Every year he gets the same old gifts - tools, add-ons for his boat or snowmobile, something that says 'Jaguar', aged Whiskey. You all know what I'm talking about. It is tough being original when buying for the men in your life.

In my searches I have found a few really cool ideas- how about these? 'Bachelor Mop Slippers' They are machine washable and cost only $9.95.

How about 'The Lazy Spoon'? This great little gadget was featured on 'Oprah'. The spoon is crafted from cherry wood and get this, comes for the right or left handed cook. Cost of this neat little spoon is only $27.00

Keeping with the kitchen theme, we found these 'Hothead Pot Holders'. Hey I could use a set of these. They sell for $12.50, are constructed of silicone so they can take the heat.

Where'd we find all these great little gifts? I was directed to the website of 'The Spoon Sisters'. An online site that delivers to you, great gifts. Check them out by clicking on their name. Make sure to tell them that you saw their wares on Hot Cherry Review!