Archive for December, 2010

Last Minute Christmas Ideas

1. IPhone (or actually any Apple product)

If you don’t want to actually buy the iphone for someone, or would prefer to surprise them (and we don’t mean by the expensive bill every month), you should consider any of the other apple products available: like the Apple iPod touch 32 GB (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL, list price: $299.00.

Or if you’re really ready to splurge on a loved one, the MacBook Pro is a sure bet. The 13 inch starts at about $1199, which is cheaper than what the regular MacBooks used to be four years ago:

MacBook Pro, starting at $1199, from Apple.com

2. Amazon Kindle Wireless Device

You can’t deny the impact of technology on the literary world: the Kindle is the newest literary sensation, despite all the library/hardcover book lovers out there. Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6″ Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology is the latest available, and you can order it from Amazon for only $139. If you order it today, as in the 23rd, you can get it as quick as the 27th. So wrap a box with a print out picture of the Kindle and say “Here honey, Merry Christmas. It’ll be here in a few days, be patient.”

Kindle Wireless Reading Device, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology

3. Nintendo Wii

Nintendo - Nintendo Wii Console (Red) with Wii Sports and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, $199

The Wii console has undergone a change — and it’s going to paint the town red. From the beginning, Wii has challenged you to new levels of interactivity by delivering intuitive motion controls and expanding your gaming options. Now, it’s back and bolder than ever in a vibrant red color that’s turning heads around the world.

Don’t just play — make a statement with this red Nintendo Wii Console bundle. Bringing brave modern style into your living room, this console includes matching Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuk controllers to put the power of Wii’s famous precision right into your hands, with a hot new twist. Get into the action right out of the box with an included two-game pack that takes you from the sports stadium to a fantasy castle and beyond, with the winning combo of Wii Sports and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Whether you’re swinging a baseball bat to smash a grand slam or battling your way through a classic side-scrolling adventure, one thing’s for sure, you’ll be seeing red — in the best of ways — with this bold new Wii console.

4. Gift Basket

This is a great idea because you normally don’t have to leave the house or even type in your credit card number for this one, and it can be ultra-personalized. Think: wine, nuts, packaged spices, lotions (even little ones), candles, fruit, homemade bread/cakes/pies, picture frame or miniature picture album, a pair of cufflinks, cheese/crackers, a homemade ornament…the possibilities are endless. So get creative, find an old stray basket around the house, lay down some tissue paper, and finish it off with cellophane wrapping and a glamorous ribbon.

Or if you’re too lazy to do all that yourself, you can always buy one:

Harry & David Favorite Gift Basket, $50

5. Cufflinks

Literally every man would be happy with a nice pair of cufflinks– it’s jewelry for men! Every time you turn on the television around the holidays you see a commercial for some kind of jewelery company and normally the product featured is for women. But what about buying your man some bling too?

The latest and greatest? These brand new Butterfly Cufflinks from Peru:

Aymara Blue Dream Butterfly Cufflinks

Because the widths of the black cross bars and blue colors vary, each cufflink is one of a kind and will add a hint of enchanting color to your suit jacket. Peruvian Sterling Silver is 95% pure silver and one of the best alloys of silver in world, which increases the cufflinks’ strength, as well as their resistance to tarnishing.

Aymara Green Tea Leaf Butterfly Cufflinks

Known as the “Giant Glasswings,” our Aymara Green Tea Leaf Butterfly Cufflinks come from The Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Orphanage in Peru, where butterflies live and die naturally in a unique Amazon habitat. Their life span is normally two to three weeks, during which time their exotic green wings flutter throughout the sanctuary, and then pass on naturally. The cufflinks are made from real Thyridia Psidii butterfly wings, which are then enameled over, and set in leaf-shaped Peruvian Sterling Silver. These butterflies are recognized by their translucent, glassy wings, luscious green and yellow colors, and a dark cross bar on the hindwings. The delicate green colors of the wings from these hyaline creatures will add an charming glass-look to your cuffs.

Aymara Zebra Pillow Butterfly Cufflinks

Your purchase will support the only butterfly sanctuary in Peru, The Pilpintuwasi Orphanage, whose aims are the continuation and growth of each species. 10% of all the proceeds from these Butterfly Cufflinks go to the Amazon Animal Orphanage, because we are passionate about their cause for animal protection and preservation. You can also visit their website at: www.amazonanimalorphanage.org for more information.

4. Collection of Old Memories in a scrapbook

This can consist of old pictures, ticket stubs, random notes or stories about memories and/or adventures you’d had with each other. Really the list is endless and what’s great about this kind of gift is it’s personal and you can make it your own. It shouldn’t have to take you weeks to come up with something creative, just jot down some memories you have with someone special and think of objects that are connected with those memories. Make it funny, sincere, sentimental, and humorous. Anything goes with a “scrapbook”!

Check out www.scrapbook.com for free tips and ideas on scrapbooking!

Layout from Scrapbook.com

Happy Holidays!

Stay tuned for a “Style Icon” update that will definitely surprise you…

Tags: christmas cufflinks, christmas gift ideas, christmas gifts cufflinks
Posted in Cufflinks by Hobby/Interest, Cufflinks By Material, High Fashion, Holiday Cufflinks | Comments Off

Oprah’s 7 Favorite Things

So we didn’t make the cut for “Oprah’s Favorite Things” this year, but we’re hoping to make it next year! Her “favorite things” are not reserved for women, but branch out to men as well. And what she says is good is basically golden. Here are our Top 7 favorites of Oprah’s Favorite Things for 2010 that we think you’ll love:

Sony BRAVIA LX900 HDTV with 3D and Blu-ray player, $3,600

1. Sony BRAVIA LX900 HDTV with 3D and Blu-ray player, $3,600

Every man wants a large, flat screen, HDTV for Christmas. So go ahead and splurge! If it’s not this brand new Sony 3D TV, that is a bit pricier than most out there, you can find a lot on sale during the Christmas season.

And with a sleek TV, you need some sleek designer cufflinks:

Tateossian Square Cushion Purple Cufflinks, $150

2. Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera, $699.95

Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera, $699.95

I have been doing photography for over 10 years and the only equipment I use is Nikon; so I was ecstatic to see that this new SLR made Oprah’s list. Nikon’s cameras are built to last, they are the most durable, and normally affordable. Especially if you’re an amateur photographer or just beginning to switch over to digital, this camera is the way to go.

Accessories to go with your new equipment? We’ve got you covered:

Sterling Camera Cufflinks

“It’s the device Oprah calls ‘the ultimate camera from the ultimate camera-makers.’ The Nikon D3100 has all the bells and whistles a camera pro would want—including hi-def video—but it can also be a simple point-and-shoot. ‘May I say,’ Oprah says, ‘it is one sexy camera.’”

3. Nike “Free Run+” Shoes, $85

Nike "Free Run+" Shoes, $85

And every man needs a nice pair of running shoes. Nike just came out with a new free-running footwear series, designed as a training tool to mimic the foot’s natural motion. It supposedly delivers extra cushioning, traction, and protection from elements, so says Ms. O.

Sterling Silver Running Shoes Cufflinks

From Oprah.com: “More than 35 years of research in the Nike Sport Research Lab, combined with feedback from elite athletes, have helped Nike to develop the Free technology, which strengthens the muscles of your feet—ultimately leading to a more efficient workout. ‘It’s the next best thing to being barefoot,’ Oprah says. ‘It weighs next to nothing.’”

4. Kyocera Ceramic Cutlery Set by Ming Knives, $74.99

Kyocera Ceramic Cutlery Set by Ming Knives, $74.99

Now, now, before you skip out of this page because we are featuring cooking utensils, wait just a minute. This new-wave knife deserves a little attention here, and secretly, we know all men love cooking knifes. You are the ones carving the turkeys, chickens, and cutting your juicy steak into succulent morsels, so maybe you should consider getting a new knife. These are made from ceramic, are ultra-sharp, rust-free, and are great gifts if you don’t want to keep it for yourself.

Ice-Slice Cufflinks by Sonia Spenser

Oprah got one of these knives as a gift from the famous chef Ming Tsai, and now she says it’s become the only knife she uses in the kitchen.

5. Elfa Customizable Closet System from the Container Store

Elfa Customizable Closet System from the Container Store

CLOSET SPACE! This is not a womanly dilemna, everyone needs organizational help! It’s a fact! Listen to us! You spend all this money on suits, ties, shirts, shoes, and accessories (like cufflinks) and where do you store them? Think about it: are they easy to get to? Can you look at your wardrobe and pick everything out without going through piles of stuff? These organizers are a great way to transform your clutter into a simple, organized array.

Mahogany Cufflinks Collectors Case, $149

Shelving always helps to– you should have a distinct shelf for separate items, such as ties, shoes, and accessories. Sort your closet according to “type,” meaning suit jackets in one section, collared shirts in another, casual shirts in another, etc. This will automatically help you pick out your clothes in the morning without the extra hassle. The key is, to be able to see everything and know where it is.

From O.com: “The elfa closet system completely customizable, but the Container Store also has designers ready online, in-store or by phone to help you design the closet of your dreams.”

6. Breville Panini Press, $100

Breville Panini Press, $100

Ahhh food! Paninis!

From the O: “This is a staple at my house,” Oprah says of the Breville Panini Press. Whether she’s using it to grill or making Stedman her original Love Sandwich, it’s clear Oprah loves this classic favorite thing. “I have personally bought 22 of these as gifts for other people,” she says.
Get the recipe for Oprah’s Love Sandwich.

Salt and Pepper Shaker Cufflinks

7. Beecher’s “World’s Best” Mac ‘N’ Cheese

Beecher's "World's Best" Mac 'N' Cheese

So this mac ‘n’ cheese is $29 a pop, which isn’t cheap for a single dish, but possibly worth it. For all your single men (or married!) out there who crave a good meal but rarely get it, the convenience and homemade aged cheese makes this worth the price. It comes shipped to you frozen, so all you have to do is toss it in the oven. And it’s the “World’s Best”! Mmm….we love our comfort food, especially around the holidays.

And lastly, we LOVE these “cheesy” cufflinks that can go with two of Oprah’s favorite items:

Say Cheese Cufflinks

We all know that Oprah is the most powerful woman in the world; and on top of that she seems to be a pretty stellar lady. Men adore her, even when they don’t want to admit it, and she shows them love too. Hope you like our favorite Oprah’s favorites, mingled with some of our own favorites. Stay tuned…

Tags: Beecher's word's best mac n cheese, bone china cufflinks, breville panini press, camera cufflinks, christmas gifts cufflinks, container store, Cufflink Storage, ice slice cufflinks, kyocera ceramic cutlery set by ming knives, mahogany cufflinks collectors case, nike's new running shoes, nikon d3100, Oprah's 7 favorite things, Oprah's favorite things, photography cufflinks, salt and pepper shaker cufflinks, Say cheese cufflinks, sonia spenser cufflinks, sony bravia lx900 hdtv, sterling silver camera cufflinks, sterling silver cufflinks, sterling silver running shoes cufflinks, tateossian swuare cushion purple cufflinks
Posted in Career Related Cufflinks, Celebrity Cufflinks, Christmas Cufflinks, Cufflink Storage, Cufflinks by Hobby/Interest, Food Cufflinks, Holiday Cufflinks, Party Cufflinks | Comments Off

Trend Report: Winter Coats

After thoroughly researching the latest and greatest (and affordable) men’s coats for winter 2010, we have selected a few that we find to be the most well-rounded, fashionable coats available for this season (without weighing down the price tag to hundreds or thousands of dollars).

Tommy Hilfiger Wool Toggle Coat (Sale $139.99 at Macys.com)

It’s okay for men to add a pattern to their winter coat, especially when men normally opt for a grey, black , or blue coat. This English-inspired fabric from Tommy Hilfiger is great– not too overbearing and flashy, but still sleek and sophisticated. And most importantly, warm. The toggles used aren’t your average lightweight plastic pieces , they are sturdy toggles reminiscent of (or made of perhaps) actual bone. We especially love the entire Hilfiger line this season anyways, so you can’t go wrong with one of their coats.

To go with the new trend of the “rugged man,” these Tateossian Leather Cufflinks will add that masculine touch you’ve been looking for and even compliment the toggled coat:

Tateossian RT Scoubidou Brown+Black Cufflinks

Next up, we have a more traditional pea-coat by Kenneth Cole, which we adore. Not only does it have a sleeker and slimmer construction than most pea-coats, it also won’t put a severe dent in your wallet, at only $159:

Kenneth Cole Overcoat, Wesley Peacoat, ($159 at macys.com)

This classic overcoat would go well over these designer Tateossian Gun Metal Cufflinks, which actually rotate and move freely. The add an urban, technical touch to any undecorated coat/suit:

Tateossian Gear Gun Metal Cufflinks

And for some reason, we can’t get enough of the “country-chic” look, therefore it is imperative that we feature another plaid, wool coat. This time the coat is shorter, and a bit more rugged looking, but still keeps with a “city” look:

Tommy Hilfiger Jacket, Wool Melton Zip Front ($119.99 at macys.com)

Combined with this country-chic coat, these Hand-Painted Duck Cufflinks, designed by the renowned Pierce and Hobbs, are a perfect accessory for any country sporting gentleman:

Hand Painted Duck Cufflinks, by Pierce and Hobbs

And the classic trench coat: this time we’d like to feature a khaki color because it is definitely “in” for this season. This one you can find in Lord and Taylor, marked down from $450 to $270, aka a steal.

Quentin Belted Double-Breasted Trench Coat $450.00 | SALE $270.00 (at LordandTaylor.com)

And this Quentine Belted Double-Breasted Trench Coat would look impeccable over these Sterling Silver Boat Wheel Cufflinks, because like trench coats, silver will also never go out of style:

Sterling Boat Wheel Cufflinks

So there you have our favorites coats for winter 2010-2011, mingled together with a few designer cufflinks to amp up each look. Most of the prices and sales are only for a short time, so get them while you still can. Check back to our blog for more style updates and winter trends!

Tags: CLM Sterling Silver Boat Wheel Cufflinks, Hand Painted Duck cufflinks, leather cufflinks, Lord and Taylor, Macys, men's coats, Men's winter wear, peacoats for men, Pierce and Hobbs cufflinks, Pierce and Hobbs designer cufflinks, Plaid cufflinks, Plaid styles, Rugged Cufflinks, sterling silver cufflinks, Tateossian Cufflinks, Tateossian Gear Gun Metal Cufflinks, Tateossian RT Scoubidou Brown+Black Cufflinks, toggle coats, Tommy Hilfiger, trench coats, winter 2010, winter sale coats for men
Posted in Christmas Cufflinks, High Fashion, Holiday Cufflinks, Professional Cufflinks | Comments Off