{"id":45648,"date":"2020-08-21T18:31:18","date_gmt":"2020-08-21T18:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=45648"},"modified":"2020-10-09T10:50:08","modified_gmt":"2020-10-09T10:50:08","slug":"gift-guide-summer-gift-guide-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/gift-guide-summer-gift-guide-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"GIFT GUIDE: SUMMER GIFT GUIDE 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

SUMMER GIFT GUIDE 2020<\/h1>\n
\"A<\/a>

A different look at some of the gifts. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big pic at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the middle of these dreary past few months, one of the few bright spots has been the discovery of some fabulous products to tell you about.<\/p>\n

Summers for me are usually filled with reviewing parties, play openings, and restaurants, so I rarely get the chance to give you gift suggestions in this season. But as I\u2019ve been discovering and enjoying some worthwhile new items recently, I realized that you guys\u00a0might like to use some of your superfluous time this month to reward someone (or even just yourself<\/em>) with one or more of these very fun and useful recommendations.<\/p>\n

One of the things I love about this group is that they\u2019re all so different from each other, and are uber-interesting. I\u2019ve even shared some of them with Mr. X and my Reviewing Panel, all with positive feedback. So let\u2019s get right to my suggestions already.<\/p>\n

\"71MBRnZS15L\"<\/a>Four Seasons at Angelino\u2019s<\/strong><\/em>\u2014Just when we\u2019re all craving a new diversion from the sad situations we\u2019ve been experiencing for most of 2020 comes this entertaining\u00a0new book from first-time author, Caroline McBride. (Her name is so perfect that I kept thinking it was one of her characters\u2019<\/em> monikers!) Four Seasons at Angelino\u2019s<\/em> is such an effortless read. The\u00a0story is for everyone<\/em>, especially world travelers and restaurant lovers. And romantics, as well.<\/p>\n

I can totally see this tale becoming a movie. (Thank goodness Kate Hudson has aged out of rom-coms.) The main character, Charlotte McPherson, lives a life that is even more glamorous than my friends think mine<\/em> is! She appears heavily influenced by the author\u2019s adventures, so I just may have to track down bi-coastal Caroline and make her My New Best Friend!<\/p>\n

As an outlying ginger, (my hair is auburn, so both redheads and brunettes can claim me,) I was thrilled to discover this book has a red-headed heroine. And there are so many other aspects to this novel that I appreciate, as well.<\/p>\n

First of all, just about all of the story is linear, which makes following and digesting it pretty effortless. And it all<\/em> makes sense, too\u2014as extravagant as the locations and adventures are, you just know that people do<\/em> live lives like this. (Just not the majority of us, which is why we have books like this one!) And best of all, it\u2019s easy to read; even though it\u2019s almost three hundred pages, you can whip through it in either a day or a few nights. It\u2019s a perfect beach read. Or a cuddle-up-in-bed one.<\/p>\n

Another bonus is that the characters are well-defined; I\u2019m sure the readers will have no trouble casting them in their imaginations as they go along. I<\/em> had the easiest time with the sexy male bartender, but I\u2019m keeping him to myself!<\/p>\n

The best part is that you cannot predict the ending. Just like real-life, it could go so many different ways. Caroline wrote it in a style to keep you guessing while still being in the loop. And it\u2019s fun\u00a0that the entire scenario takes place over one year, hence the \u201cFour Seasons\u201d of the title! (The \u201cAngelino\u2019s\u201d is the Italian restaurant group for which Charlotte is the PR person.)<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My fellow bi-coastal ginger, author Caroline McBride, in the Big Apple.<\/p><\/div>\n

What makes the read even more special is that the author, Caroline McBride, is a restaurant publicist herself, so she knows of what she writes! And she\u2019s been to all the international cities she takes her readers to, so a lot of the action is based on personal experience. I just wonder if all the romance is! (I\u2019ll try to get the real-life scoops for you when she and I become besties.)<\/p>\n

As someone who\u2019s spent exactly three months of my life since I was fifteen without a boyfriend, I got to live the single life vicariously through the lead character in this novel. [Sidebar note: If she was a real<\/em> girl, I would tell her what I\u2019ve always told all my single pals\u2014please enjoy the journey because once you\u2019ve found the love of your life, all those crazy experiences are over. Other<\/em> adventures come up, of course, but they\u2019re of an entirely different ilk. So please cheer up with that in mind, my single peeps out there!]<\/p>\n

And as a decades-long restaurant critic, with tons of access to the behind-the-scenes machinations of eateries, I can ascertain\u00a0that this is a very accurate depiction of the restaurant scene.<\/p>\n

So trust me when I suggest\u00a0you read Four Seasons at Angelino\u2019s<\/em> this summer. It\u2019s exactly the kind of entertainment we all need right now. www.amazon.com\/Four-Seasons-Angelinos-Caroline-McBride\/dp\/1642935638<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>Nexsey Neck Tape<\/strong>\u2014This is a show business secret that I\u2019m sharing just this once, so pay attention! Some of us LA actresses had been hearing about this \u201cneck tape\u201d for a while, and were dying to see how it works. Then, because I rail against bad necks all the time to anyone who will listen, someone sent me a roll, suggesting I give it to my \u201colder friends, who may really need it,\u201d (or something to that effect,) which I really appreciated! So a few of us on my Reviewing Panel tried it out. And guess what? We all loved<\/em> Nexsey! (Now I wish I had not shared it with them\u2014I totally need more, asap!)<\/p>\n

Before we received it, I was thinking that it might be something complicated, like the contraption that the character Mrs. Chancellor used on The Young and The Restless<\/em> back in the day. I was just an impressionable young girl when I saw her do that, and it scared the heck out of me!<\/p>\n

But Nexsey is great! It\u2019s nothing like that one, (although some of those<\/em> are still on the market. How creepy. I guess those companies don\u2019t realize what century this is!)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The demonstration of how to use the tape, straight from the Nexsey website!<\/p><\/div>\n

To use Nexsey when you\u2019re out and about, your hair just needs to be long enough to cover your neck in the back. But in these days of Zoom calls, where people see you from only the front, everyone<\/em> can use it, even bald guys!!!<\/p>\n

You just pull your neck sort-of tightly in the back and then tape it with Nexsey. And that is it! (Okay, it is<\/em> a tad more involved than that, but that\u2019s the gist.) It should be a godsend to many now, since elective surgery is a no-no until the pandemic restrictions are lessened greatly. And really, people\u2014would you rather have plastic surgery<\/em> or just use Nexsey every now and then when you need<\/em> it?!<\/p>\n

But shhh\u2014you guys and my team are the only people with whom I\u2019m sharing this secret! (And, by the way, this technique does not work with any other tape\u2014trust me, we tried!)\u00a0www.nexsey.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"newthumb_22a4c69c-4cad-4828-ad1a-5803c62baae8_700x\"<\/a>Bye! Bye! Germs<\/strong>\u2014These are two Double Dare Spa products that every person on earth needs right now! The Bye! Bye! Germs line is made-up of All-Purpose Sanitizing Spray and All-Purpose Sanitizing Wipes.<\/p>\n

My entire team has been using them recently, and we love both products. Every single one of us noticed that the spray has a light, lovely fragrance which is not overpowering or obnoxious, as we\u2019ve found with several other antibacterial products. Mr. X and I even spray the inside of our masks with it because it makes us feel better. That could possibly be due to aloe being one of the ingredients.<\/p>\n

These convenient travel-size items come in handy for all kinds of disinfecting in these troubled times. (Or anytime<\/em> in life\u2014I\u2019ve always<\/em> toted products like these even before<\/em> the pandemic because I\u2019m a germaphobe. And all the moms I know can\u2019t live without them!)<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My own Bye! Bye! Germs! duo. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

In addition to using Bye! Bye! Germs on hands, both iterations are perfect to use on packages, phones, door handles, counters, and even clothing! And do not forget those grocery carts! And we should all use the spray version in the air around us, especially on planes.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s one extra, nutty reason I\u2019m such a fan of this product. In addition to how great it smells and how convenient it is and its affordability, (which is not always the case with hand sanitizers nowadays,) I love it because of\u2026the exclamation marks in the title!!! OMG! That\u2019s just what I<\/em> always do, (in case you haven\u2019t noticed.)<\/p>\n

So Bye! Bye! Germs wipes and spray are winners, on every<\/em> level. www.doubledarespa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>Twinings Teas<\/strong>\u2014I have a feeling that many of you already know about my obsession with all things tea. It\u2019s just the most relaxing substance on earth, (especially when I have time to savor an entire afternoon tea service<\/em>.) So I was thrilled when someone recently sent me a \u201cquarantine care package\u201d of a whole bunch of Twinings Tea bags!<\/p>\n

I was pleasantly surprised to see that this iconic tea company has a couple of new, hip lines to go along with their time-honored ones. Their \u201cCold Infuse\u201d products are perfect for this summer of heatwaves. They\u2019re actually not even tea, per se. They\u2019re herbal water enhancers that feature various blends of fruits and herbs. You just add the contents of the package to water and in just five\u00a0minutes you’ll be deliciously refreshed!<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

But Mr. X and I are in love with their hot<\/em> teas, especially the ones from their new \u201cWellness\u201d line. These don\u2019t come in just flavors<\/em>\u2014they each have a purpose<\/em>! My fave is Glow, which is said to promote \u201chealthy, glowing skin.\u201d And its flavor is strawberry and cucumber, which I cannot tell you how perfect for every afternoon that is. I just add a bit of honey, and I promise you\u2014I can actually taste both flavors in there! Ahhh.<\/p>\n

Mr. X, who has been having trouble sleeping during the pandemic, was thrilled to discover Unwind, which is caffeine-free, and touted to support \u201ca good night\u2019s sleep.\u201d And its flavor is spiced apple and vanilla! Yum. I\u2019d force myself to stay awake just to drink more of it!<\/p>\n

And to make it all even more special, there\u2019s a \u201cu\u201d in \u201cflavoured,\u201d so just looking at the packages made me feel like I was in England. And who knows more about tea than the Brits? \u2018Nuff said. www.twiningsusa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"il_794xN.196445908\"<\/a>Lynne Reichhart\u2019s Note Cards<\/strong>\u2014As the proud owner of several of this wonderful\u00a0artist\u2019s paintings, I was absolutely thrilled when a box of her note cards arrived! Each one features a miniature version of one of her now-famous renderings of a variety of subjects. There are still lifes, landscapes, flowers, and a bunch of other topics.<\/p>\n

My absolute favorite is one depicting afternoon tea, of course! My mouth literally waters just looking at it.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My fave!<\/p><\/div>\n

My only problem with all this stunning-ness is–I don\u2019t want to send them to anyone! The only one who would have deserved one of Lynne Reichhart\u2019s gorgeous note cards from me was my little mother. She would have gone berserk over each and every one of them!<\/p>\n

Oh wait\u2014there is<\/em> one more person I\u2019d like to reward with this beauty! And that is…yours truly! I\u2019m bestowing the entire collection upon\u2026myself. I\u2019m going to frame each one and make an installation on a wall, to cheer me up in this dreary year. What an affordable way to bring some happiness into someone\u2019s life. www.artbylmr.com<\/a><\/p>\n

FabFitFun Fall Box<\/strong>\u2014As with all four seasons, I was thrilled to receive my Fall Box from FabFitFun\u2019s subscription series. In the midst of all the recent turmoil, (the virus, the heatwave, way too many fires, the mailboxes being taken away, and concerns over the upcoming election, along with all the other basic problems in America right now,) I had not given a thought to when it would arrive. So it was a major surprise. And a lovely bright spot in this trying time.<\/p>\n

\"My<\/a>

My FabFitFun box with just a few of the gifts inside it. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Subscribers always have several options among the fabulous items, and get to customize their own boxes. But since I receive the Editor\u2019s Edition, the FFF powers-that-be do the choosing for me. That\u2019s always a relief to me because I\u2019ve never been able to make decisions. I know that might come as surprise to many of you, who see me as being so in charge of every situation, but I often can\u2019t even decide between two outfits! I\u2019m always second-guessing myself. So having other beauty-and-fashion fans surprise me with the products is a pleasure!<\/p>\n

Some of the highlights of my own FabFitFun Fall Box are: a mist spray to help you sleep, (which I\u2019m going to try as soon as I finish writing this!); a good-quality mascara (which is the only make-up product of which I\u2019m constantly in need!); a spray that removes wrinkles from my always-abused wardrobe; a pricey multi-metal designer bracelet; a pretty liquid highlighter; and a hair oil that doubles as a stress-reliever!<\/p>\n

\"Screen<\/a>On top of all that, being an art lover, my favorite aspect of the whole shebang is…the colorful and artistic boxes themselves!!! I have never ever gotten rid of any of them. (Just ask the increasingly-annoyed-at-my-way-too-many-possesions Mr. X!) I stack them, (filled with hidden treasures, of course,) in my living room, as an art installation! FFF features a different artist each time, and not one has disappointed me. The existence of the FFF boxes makes me wish there were more than four seasons in a year! (Well, in 2020, it seems that there have<\/em> been!) www.fabfitfun.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Well, that\u2019s it for this Gift Guide. I hope it\u2019s given you a happy distraction from all the negativity we\u2019ve been experiencing lately. Now go put some happiness in someone\u2019s life, if even your own, with one or more of these suggestions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Happy Gift Giving!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SUMMER GIFT GUIDE 2020 In the middle of these dreary past few months, one of the few bright spots has been the discovery of some fabulous products to tell you about. Summers for me are usually filled with reviewing parties, play openings, and restaurants, so I rarely get the chance to give you gift suggestions<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[78,79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-45648","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-books-2","category-gift-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45648","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45648"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45648\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46075,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45648\/revisions\/46075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45648"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45648"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45648"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}