Temple of Glam

There are certain songs that choke me up without fail. Tupac's "Dear Mama" and Boyz II Men's "A Song for Mama" are definitely at the top of that list. I also fight tears when I have a real-deal conversation with my mom like the one I had the other day.

I am grateful she raised me to know that however I looked, whatever I wore, or whomever I loved was perfect; I never doubted she'd love me unconditionally. It wasn't until I became a woman that I realized how profound (and rare) that is for many girls.

So of course I was psyched for last week's Accessories Council Mother's Day Top Picks Event. I was simultaneously nervous that I'd keep everything for myself like I did with my Valentine's Day goodies.  Because it was in fact, an Accessories Council event, I knew without fail, I'd be presented with fantastic gift ideas from brands like Michael Kors, Givenchy, and even Sky Mall (for traveling mamacitas).

Since the gifts below are intended for Mother's Day, I vow to give my mom more than what I keep. Though I MIGHT need you to keep me honest.

Front row: Maria Brito Interior Designs can spruce up mom's casa. Susan Beard Customized Soy Candle. She'll love this Judith Jack Necklace.

Second row: Style will be made in the shade (wow, that was so corny!) with this Dorfman Pacific Hat. And speaking of shades...how cute are these Michael Kors sunnies and this MCM leather rabbit keychain? Show her the bling with this Givenchy necklace. I think this red Noon Copenhagen for Skymall watch is money for spring. Nothing says, mother like this BELK bead charm bracelet. I'm serious. One charm says, "Happy Mother's Day". And don't forget her Hair Rules!

Third row: If your mom is like mine, she'll be all over this Nine West animal print tote. Maybe she can rock it to a fancy dinner ar a great restaurant like, Rouge Tomate.

Now I adore my mom. ADORE, but she ain't getting this Good Charma Bracelet or this Colette Malouf Headband (What?! She doesn't even wear headbands!)

And finally, whether she's your mother, aunt, grandma, or sister, here's to the "mama" in your life:

Raise your hand if you had the pleasure of gaining the "Freshman 15". Never the bandwagon-jumper, I gained my 15 lbs. during my senior year. Blimey, I'm a rebel! That year I went through the obligatory emotions: denial, bewilderment, and full-blown obsession about the new-found junk in my very-spacious trunk.

Ready for today's Valentine's Day gift that's appropriate for all girls--committed and single and yet somehow related to the TMI story above? I give you a set of chocolate-covered strawberries. The seemingly traditional V-Day gift isn't at all. It's a set of lip glosses *GONG*!

The Strawberry Sweet Lips Set ($12) is a trio of plump (plastic) strawberries, which hold Vitamin E-enriched lip gloss. So like, I'm imagining pulling one out in front of a Godiva store as they're hand dipping their strawberries. I'd then think, "eat your hearts out, suckers" as I called Papa John's via speed dial. It's the circle of carbs, my friends. The circle of carbs.

Valentine's Day can conjur up a range of feelings in different people. I've already mentioned what happens to me at the very sight of Russell Stover chocolates; for those who don't remember, I take a one-way trip to Puke Town (sorry, grandma).

So let's be real. Whether you're in a relationship or not, Valentine's Day can be a big ol' cliche wrapped in a huge red bow.

As a result, this week I'm on a quest to scope out Valentine's Day gifts that are (dare I say) interesting and hell, maybe even appropriate for singletons! That said, I give you the Tough Love Necklace ($34). I love this sterling silver and pewter number because it's applicable to the "single", "in a relationship", and even the "it's complicated" folks.

For the singles, it's a reminder that you gotta' stay strong in the crazy dating world. For the "in a relationship" peeps, love is a beautifully resilient thing. For the "it's complicated" clan, love can sometimes feel like he's taken a hammer and smashed your heart to smithereens. Poetic, ain't it?

As much as I try to escape to Denial Isle, Valentine's Day is almost here. I know this because my stomach is in knots at the very thought of Russell Stover chocolates. And cherubic Cupid? I have a few choice words for him.

So when I got an invite to attend the Accessories Council Top Valentine's Day Gifts event, I dared them (psychically, of course) to wow me.

Last night I sat with my fashion-blogging compadres sipping MOET & Chandon and promising myself a cupcake after the presentation. I was ready to behold affordable and pretty perfect gifts for Valentine's Day. All right, enough with the talk, check out the goods:

(from left to right...sorta)

A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A MOUTH FACIAL (A $250 VALUE)* & ORAL THERAPY TOOTHPASTE FROM REJUVENATION DENTISTRY

A BOX OF VEGAN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES FROM CORNELIA GUEST

A CUPCAKE DECORATING KIT FROM CUPCAKE CUTIES

NEVER SAY NEVER SHAPING PANTIES FROM COSABELLA (p.s. I never thought a shaper could be SEXY!)

ULTRA CONDITIONER FROM HAIR RULES

MR. POSTMAN SATCHEL FROM KATHY VAN ZEELAND

A CHAIN-LINK SHOULDER BAG FROM B. MAKOWSKY

A BRACELET SET FROM JOAN BOYCE FOR HSN & RING FROM AVON

SOLID PERFUME FROM BOYFRIEND

3-D SUNGLASSES FROM CALVIN KLEIN & A $40 GIFT CARD FROM AMC THEATERS

A PAIR OF SLIPPERS FROM DEARFOAMS

A HEART-SHAPED BOX OF CHOCOLATES FROM GODIVA

A SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL WATCH FROM ARMITRON

For the record, after this event, I almost felt excited about Valentine's Day.

*I'll fill you in on the details (including teeth cleaning and facial massage) as soon as I go!

I had almost forgotten that it's the holiday season.  Until I went to the mall....and I walked through the legs of a Christmas elf on stilts. I was instantly reminded (in the most bizarre way I can remember) that it was, in fact, the holidays.

I love to give scented candles as gifts. I chose these because they capture the essence of the holidays in fragrant and beautifully packaged ways:

Diptyque's Oliban candle fits many holidays celebrated at this time of year.  It contains a fantastic combination of myrrh, incense, and lemon. The gold-stamped blue glass also makes a striking presentation when taken out of the box.

Even if you have  a non-traditional (or no) tree, you can recreate the smell of a freshly cut tree with The Thymes Frasier Fir Candle.  The limited edition version comes in a red glass with a bronze cover, all neatly tied in a ribbon.

Nest Fragrances' Holiday Candle captures the tree, plus the aroma of a hot toddy and the ingredients of a spice cake.  It's truly complex and lovely, and perfectly captures the entire season on a beautiful red velvet box.  Plus, the candle glass has gold stripes which goes with any decor.

For th e more mischievous, there's the Cire Trudon Stink Bomb.  It takes me back to my high school chemistry days when inevitably, a budding chemist tried to get out of class early by deploying a bomb with a rotten egg stench that made eyes water.  Fortunately, Cire Trudon's Nazareth smells like orange, cloves and incense. Whew.

All of these fragrance gifts can be ordered online so you can avoid freakish displays of holiday cheer...unlike my aforementioned mall experience.

Posted by Shanna Sabio

1. What a Croc!

All aboard...the Lorac Box Office Sensation ($56) is a croc train case that features 49 colors (36 eye shadows, 3 blushes, 1 bronzer, and 9 lip colors). I gotta' tell ya. I found an orange-y brown eye shadow that I have a major crush on.

2. All This And A  Necklace, Too?

When I saw Tarte The Jewelry Box ($52) I shrieked with utter happiness. I muttered, "I should give this to one of my friends" and then yelled, "NOPE! Keeping it for myself.". It includes 32 full-size eye shadows (shimmering and matte), 8 lip glosses, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter, and 5 eyeliners. It even includes a necklace...sooo cute!

3. She's Gotta Have It

You can never be too rich or too thin. I believe in half of that adage specifically when I'm talking about moisturizers. Korres Never Enough, a $90 value ($35) has 5 best-selling body butters and coordinating shower gels, including Japanese Rose. Did you know the rose scent is supposed to help balance hormones? One can never have enough of that.

4. Hook Him Up

Make him feel like a million bucks this year. Did I just type that? *re-reading sentence* Yup. Paco Rabanne 1 Million Gift Set, a $83 value ($53) has notes including frosted grapefruit (yum), musk, blond leather, and patchouli. And in the tradition of the "Wild West", the cologne bottle resembles a bar of gold.

5. What about a Pink Christmas?

As I found myself trolling ulta.com, I saw this Pink Sugar Holiday Gift Set, a $68 value ($48). This sweet-smelling set is equipped with Eau de Toilette, Hair Perfume, and a body lotion. Summon your inner Nicki Minaj and go for it!

I get it. Christmas is three weeks away. And when it comes to Christmas shopping, I flip flop between an awakened Buddhist state and full-on Western denial. Speaking of denial, I still can't believe I ventured out on Black Friday this year. Yup, I was one of THEM.

Assuming you aren't walking around singing "8 Days of Christmas", maybe Philosophy The Gingerbread House ($20) will take you to a don-a-sexy-Santa-costume and sing in the street kinda' place. The shower gel set includes The Gingerbread Man (relaxing & moisturizing, a Philosophy classic) and The Gingerbread Girl (shimmering & sparkling, a gel with golden flecks). If you want more of a light ginger scent, go for the girl. A more hardcore ginger root situation? Go for the guy.