Designer Duds—At Dazzling Discounts

Have you ever noticed how challenging the process of finding a gift for someone can be? Whether it’s the friend you’ve known for 40 years, your fourth-grader’s principal, or the object of your budding affection, it’s difficult to determine what will give the recipient a rush of delight. First, you have to establish your priorities: Funny? Sentimental? Guaranteed to be liked? Risky? I can’t count the number of times I’ve considered the quintessential bottle of wine, shower-gel-and-shampoo combo, custom-engraved picture frame, or box of assorted chocolates. These gifts have broad appeal; it’s likely that most celebrated individuals will enjoy a relaxing drink at home, be interested in maintaining proper hygiene, want to accent their home with sentimental details, or indulge their

Finding a Haven from the Heat

As I draft this blog, I’m surrounded by palm trees, visible shadows of heat waves, and a plethora of (faux-)adobe buildings. I’m entertaining the idea that I’m on vacation, navigating through some exotic locale as I strive to mask my glaringly pallid skin with some semblance of color. Of course, in reality, I’m just visiting my parents. In any case, I’m about 80 miles inland of where I live, and I can feel the 20-degree temperature difference (as you can imagine, it’s an increase). Since I’ve grown accustomed to the temperate coastal climate that characterizes what I now call home, I invariably have to undergo some adjustment. There is, however, one saving grace: their pool. This kidney-bean-shaped, toothpaste-colored oasis is my key to refreshment—and the willingness to stay

Getting Organized? Keep Your Space Current

A couple of weeks ago, I moved into a new place. Rummaging through my apartment to find any semblance of a cardboard box, I knew I was a little behind on my organizational goals. I eschewed the concept of categorization, finding it worlds easier to simply throw my clothes, books, and toiletries into the same container. After hours of transporting a series of boxes, plastic bins, and paper bags, I found myself in an empty room, surrounded by a sea of blank geometric shapes. I wondered where my favorite necklace was and how carefully I’d stored it. I searched for my v-neck green sweater for at least 20 minutes, puzzled as to why it wasn’t combined with my other cold-weather outerwear. Simply put, I was utterly unorganized. By the time everything had been unpacked, I realized

Making Memories with Minimal Money

My mother’s birthday is quickly approaching. As much as I’d love to hand her the silver bracelet she’s been eyeing, replace her tile kitchen counter tops with sleek granite, or buy her an elegant new piece of luggage for her upcoming trip to Europe, I know that I can’t afford a present of such lavish proportions.  I’ve been attempting to meticulously craft an inexpensive alternative, but then cringe when I realize that I run the risk of presenting her with a nearly indelible olive-green discoloration around her finger. It’s a common dilemma I face: I want to give my recipient a gift that represents her taste and interests impeccably, makes her life a little easier, and, ideally, helps her learn something about herself, but I often lack the means to get it.

As I’ve

Live in the Lap of Luxury…For Less

In the midst of the obligations of work, school, and family, it often seems there’s an increasing need for escape—or at least relaxation. It’s easy to become bogged down by anxiety as hectic schedules start to dominate your everyday routine. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to find respite in a week-long vacation, relying on the serenity of a beach resort to reduce ever-building stress. Of course, not every toiling student or employee can afford the time—or the cost—of such a grandiosely-scaled outing. To some, it’s just as satisfying to enjoy the release of a convivial night out, complete with skinny ties and sequined tops, or the warmth and comfort of being enveloped in the heavenly evocations of a fluffy, white bubble bath.

To catch an affordable break from the doldrums of