MyShoppingConnection

possibiliTree

2009-11-10T20:51:43Z

For a unique twist on a holiday tradition, possibiliTree is an architect-designed, eco-conscious wooden Christmas tree available in two and three-foot tabletop styles and a six-foot suspended tree.

These hand-crafted wooden trees are made from a variety of natural wood species, including wild cherry, butternut, walnut, birch and reclaimed deadwood (when available).

Each possibiliTree has slatted branches that fan out from a center rod, which inserts into a matching wood base.

You can still display your favorite ornaments without the hassle of a live tree - you'll never need to pick up dropped needles, clean up leaky sap or water it!

$160 to $290 from possibiliTree

Red Anemone Ring

2009-11-10T20:20:49Z

Polkadile's Red Anemone Ring is hand sculpted from silver clay and accented by a natural coral bead.

The "bowl" of the ring has a unique textured appearance thanks to oxidization and patina. The red coral contrasts beautifully against the rough, organic surface.

Polkadile used recycled silver from old films to create this lovely ring in size 7.

$53.98 from Polkadile

Pet Toys Storage Box

2009-11-08T20:03:29Z

Personal Creations offers an adorable solution for storing your pet's toys.

The bone-shaped plastic storage box can be personalized with up to 20 characters total.

The snug-fitting lid lets it double as a pet food storage container, and the box comes in two sizes.

The smaller size measures 17-1/2" long by 8" wide by 6-1/2" deep.

$24.95 or $29.95 from Personal Creations

Sothys Complexion Perfector

2009-11-06T21:23:32Z

The Complexion Perfector is part of the four-product Pore Refiner System from Sothys, a company that provides quality cosmeceutical facial care products.

Most of us have experienced visible pores at some point, but what causes them? Caroline Rushworth at Sothys says, "There are two types of visible pores - those that are swollen or dilated, and those that are collapsed."

The Pore Refiner System helps combat both types of visible pores to reveal a more even, rejuvenated complexion.

I tried the Complexion Perfector, which is used to mattify the skin and reduce the appearance of pores and imperfections. I have to say, it makes a fantastic makeup base and can be used throughout the day for little touch-ups.

The key active ingredient in the Perfector and the other Pore Refiner products is Rosa Multiflora Thunberg fruit extract, which is rich in tannin polyphenols that help refine the skin.

Sothys also uses the H2CR Cosmeceutic Complex, which rejuvenates the skin with plant antioxidant protection.

Although it's only a minor consideration, I really like the light floral fragrance imparted by the Complexion Perfector.

Not to mention that it doesn't leave behind even a hint of greasiness - just a smooth, matte finish.

Learn more at Sothys

Giving World Dolls

2009-11-04T14:01:11Z

The Giving World Dolls from April Cornell are hand-crafted 7" tall dolls with yarn hair and removable printed dresses.

Each doll is dressed in April Cornell's signature prints and holds a special gift.

Best yet, all of the proceeds from every doll purchased are donated to The Giving World Foundation, an organization providing aid to the impoverished women and children of India.

The Giving World Dolls are available with red hair, as pictured here, as well as with black, blonde or brown hair.

$18 from April Cornell

Silver Leaf Necklace

2009-11-04T13:51:52Z

This simple yet sophisticated Silver Leaf Necklace from Lynwood Jewellery is a great choice for autumn and winter outfits.

The 15" necklace is made from a sterling silver hammered round link chain and accented with four graceful silver leaves that measure 1-1/2" in length.

$175 from Lynwood Jewellery

Needle Felted Penguin

2009-11-10T14:35:55Z

Needle Felted Penguin ~
$18

The Flight of Love Necklace

2009-11-10T14:35:17Z

The Flight of Love Necklace ~
$39

Hill Tribe Silver Hoops with Wire Balls

2009-11-10T14:34:34Z

Hill Tribe Silver Hoops with Wire Balls ~ $22.50

Raven Black Onyx Statement Necklace

2009-11-10T14:33:45Z

Raven Black Onyx Statement Necklace ~ $50

Paint It Yourself Ballerina Tee

2009-11-10T14:31:01Z

Paint It Yourself Ballerina Tee ~
$18

Moon Goddess

2009-11-10T14:30:13Z

Moon Goddess ~
$49

Holiday Music

2009-11-09T17:27:27Z

Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like Christmas carols and other seasonal tunes. We've compiled some of our favorite albums - some new, some tried and true - all of which put a unique spin on holiday standards. There are even some original compositions that are perfect for the season.

You can listen to clips from many of these albums below, or you can visit Amazon and CDBaby to check them out.

Music & Mistletoe by Wayne Bergeron With The After Hours Brass ~ $8.99 from Amazon

Music & Mistletoe has 18 tracks of richly arranged, jazzy Christmas standards.

The brass and rhythm ensemble provides a non-traditional but fantastic sound for a wide variety of styles, including big band swing, bossa nova, Latin, funk and classical.

Wayne Bergeron is a Grammy nominated L.A. musician who plays trumpet and flugelhorn. Grammy nominee Tierney Sutton provides vocals on several tracks.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

Beyond the Star by Michael Londra ~ $9.99 from CDBaby

You may know him from Riverdance on Broadway, but Irish tenor Michael Londra truly shines in his Celtic-influenced Christmas album, Beyond the Star.

The title track, Beyond the Star, is one of Londra's own songs. The Wexford Carol is an homage to his home town in Ireland, while Little Donkey is a recording from Londra's youth - he recorded it at age 10 with the Wexford Male Voice Choir.

Beyond the Star is a serene and ethereally beautiful album that captures the spirit of the holiday season with a seamless mixture of contemporary and traditional songs.

Listen to tracks at CDBaby and {shop now}

Believe by Ball In The House ~ $9.99 from CDBaby

Ball In The House really shakes things up with Believe, an urban-style, 100% vocal album for the holidays.

The album starts out with Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel which is revisited three more times. Jon Ryan provides vocal percussion and beatbox, Ryan Chappelle provides bass vocals, and Dan Szymczak, Dave Guisti and Aaron Loveland provide the upper voices.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is an excellent track that showcases the group's talents and distinctive R&B and gospel flair.

Listen to tracks at CDBaby and {shop now}

Bossa Nova Christmas by Jack Jezzro and Friends ~ $9.49 from Amazon

Bossa Nova Christmas by Jack Jezzro and Friends features bossa nova jazz arrangements by guitarist Jack Jezzro and his talented ensemble.

Beegie Adair is a stand-out on piano in Christmas Time Is Here, and the sultry vocals of Jamiee Paul on Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas are a delight.

If you enjoy jazz, Bossa Nova Christmas would make a great addition to your collection.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

My Christmas by Andrea Bocelli ~ $8.99 from Amazon

In his newly released and first-ever holiday album, Andrea Bocelli gives us 15 tracks featuring his world-renowned vocals. My Christmas offers several charming duets with guest artists, such as Mary J. Blige on What Child Is This.

Other performers include Reba McEntire, The Muppets, Natalie Cole and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

My Christmas provides a lovely assortment of secular and religious Christmas classics with soaring vocals and lush musical arrangements.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

Unwrapped by The Swingle Singers ~ $8.99 from Amazon

If you're a fan of Fox's Glee, you'll easily recognize the unmistakable a cappella sound of The Swingle Singers, a group of vocal virtuosos who've taken the world of music by storm for more than 40 years.

Unwrapped is a fabulously unique holiday album featuring several Christmas favorite, as well as some lesser-known but equally wonderful tracks.

Some personal favorites include The Swingle Singers' unique renditions of Joni Mitchell's River and Walking in the Air from the animated short film, The Snowman.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

Hot Jazz for a Cool Yule by The Jim Cullum Jazz Band ~ $17.99 from Amazon

The Jim Cullum Jazz Band has long been revered in the world of jazz. Hot Jazz for a Cool Yule is a live recording featured on Riverwalk Jazz.

The album features an all-star cast of jazz legends and even the amazing talents of tap dancer Savion Glover.

The band is nothing short of amazing - and the Nutcracker Rag is a thrilling rendition that would get even Tchaikovsky's foot tapping. In our opinion, the Nutcracker Rag alone makes the entire album a worthwhile investment.

Listen to tracks at Amazon and {shop now}

Let It Snow by Chanticleer ~ $9.99 from Amazon

Unlike The Swingle Singers, Chanticleer ("An Orchestra of Voices") is a vocal ensemble blending 12 male voices ranging from countertenor to bass.

Though they normally perform unaccompanied, Chanticleer does incorporate instrumentation in Let It Snow; the harp and strings in Ave Maria simply yet elegantly enhance their vocals.

Chanticleer provides hauntingly beautiful and rich performances of 12 holiday songs, including a medley called Holiday Cheer, A Suite of Seasonal Songs.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

Christmas - Plain & Simple by Michele Mclaughlin ~ $8.99 from Amazon

The title of the album, Christmas - Plain & Simple, truly captures Michele Mclaughlin's style.

If you enjoy solo piano music, you'll love the simple yet sophisticated style Michele brings to holiday classics.

This album is an ideal choice for background music at intimate seasonal gatherings or mellow holiday parties.

It's especially well suited to set a relaxed, peaceful tone for the holidays.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

Rejoice! A String Quartet Christmas, Vol. 1 by Arturo Delmoni & Friends ~ $8.99 from Amazon

If you're looking for a break from vocal renditions of holiday favorites, Arturo Delmoni's string ensemble does a marvelous job with Rejoice! A String Quartet Christmas, Vol. 1.

This is only the first volume of several, and it has 24 beautifully orchestrated pieces, including less common songs like Gaudeamus and Es Is Ein Ros' Entsprungen.

Rejoice! is a personal favorite for background music at holiday meals - refined and sophisticated without being overdone.

Listen to tracks below or {shop now}

DIY on a Budget: Making the Most of Grocery Store Flowers

2009-11-08T19:23:42Z

Guest contributor Lynn Jawitz shows how to stretch your money by creating lovely and unique floral arrangements from grocery store flowers and inexpensive containers.

Lynn Jawitz of Florisan LLC is a talented floral architect who uses the best of English and Dutch traditional designs to create gorgeous bouquets, arrangements and floral fantasies.

Lynn is one of Manhattan's most sought-after floral designers, and below, she's sharing her best tips for creating chic and stylish arrangements with more budget-friendly grocery store flowers. With Lynn's advice, you can spruce up your home decor with fantastic, fresh floral designs.

Flea Markets

One person's trash really is another person's treasure. Often for just a few dollars, the "old fashioned," the kitschy and the unique are laid out for your approval.

Collectible depression glass and pressed glass make wonderful containers for your plants and flower arrangements. "Toby" mugs and souvenir beer mugs also provide interesting vases for your arrangements.

Clear beer steins ($2) are great containers for carnations ($10) because their weight gives them stability.

Tips:
1. More stability can be had for top-heavy flowers if polished river stones are placed in the bottom of the mug.

2. Color can be added with a wrap of acetate ribbon inside the glass.

3. Remove foliage from flower stems under the water line (keep greenery above the water line).

4. Mixed color carnations make a bright treat!

Antique Stores

Usually, an antique store is a slightly more expensive option, but it's still a resource for old vases that can be recycled and reused.

Ceramic teapots are great to use as vases. They work well with roses because of the versatility and diversity of rose colors. Taking a cue from the colors on your ceramic teapot, coordinate a rose bouquet for a festive, party look.

When roses ($10) are placed with antiques, it brings back feelings of "mom," "home" or "grandma's house" - of a more innocent time.

Tips:
1. Remove foliage below the water line.

2. For better control of your roses, you can place floral foam in the "belly" of the teapot.

3. Keep the arrangement away from heat and out of direct sunlight.

4. If you have any floral preservative, you can use it in the water.

Mason, canning and pickling jars ($3) are country-spirited containers that are very handy for a more informal look. Mason jars with daisies ($10) and/or gerberas ($15) and carnations ($25) are great for a "home country feel."

Tips:
1. These jars, with their medium height and shape, complement many varieties of flowers, which make them very functional vases.

2. Looks great in most kitchen environments with its country look.

3. The clear glass can be accented with colorful acrylic rocks.

4. Make sure that the height of the flowers is no more than 1-1/2 times the height of the jar.

Ceramic Pots and Pitchers

Ceramic pots (test to ensure that they are water tight) and pitchers are great with snapdragons ($10) and/or delphiniums ($15) and/or gladiolas ($10) because the height of the pitcher supports the length of the taller flower.

Tips:
1. Snap off the extreme pointed end of the gladiolas to encourage the stem flowers to open.

2. Dendrobium orchids ($15 - $20) also look great.

3. Make sure that the height of the flowers is in proportion to the vase as well as not too tall to tip the pitcher over.

4. River stones can add weight to the bottom of the pitcher, which helps stabilize extra tall arrangements.

Gourd Vegetables

Hollowed-out squashes, pumpkins and gourds make seasonal, watertight containers ($5). Gourd vegetables are great with autumn dahlias ($15) in rich fall colors and chrysanthemums ($10).

Tips:
1. Do not place directly on a surface in the home and be sure to use a plate underneath.

2. Keep away from heat, which will cause the gourd to decay faster.

3. For a slightly shiny and preservative effect, spray the exterior of the gourd with clear hair spray before you cut it.

4. Never eat the gourd after!

5. You can place a hidden glass vase inside the gourd as the base of your arrangement or use floral foam. If the gourd is not stable on the plate, you can shear off the bottom to flatten it, but the container will not last as long.