It's easy to please my guys at Christmas. I pick up a classic movie (preferably black-and-white film noir) for Bob; a Guitar Center gift card for our music-journalist son Cole, and anything football for my sports-buff brother David. Then color me done.
What to get the important women in my life can be a little more complicated. But the most time-consuming part of my shopping just became a cinch thanks to these great gotta-have-ums. They're sure to delight any mom, sister, BFF, wife or special someone.
Avon Statement Makers
A glam way to top off a festive look, Avon's Chic Frost Earrings and Statement Necklace deserve attention. Both boast icy white beads dangling from gorgeous jeweled snowflakes in a winter-licious silver-tone that goes with everything. The 16 ½-inch necklace includes stylish ribbon details and an extender that makes it simple to change the length (bonus!). I have my eye on this set for my sister Pam because, besides being gorgeous, the nickel-free duo won't irritate her sensitive skin.
Who doesn't have a weakness for bath-time favorites like these that keep your skin soft, smooth and smelling fine?
Bath & Body WorksMini Bow Box - Perfectly packaged and tied up with a bow, this reusable gift box includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Fragrance Mist in your choice of four Bath & Body Works signature scents:
Twilight Woods - A soothing scent reminiscent of a romantic walk in enchanted woods.
Japanese Cherry Blossom - A seductive floral fragrance, inspired by the exotic gardens of Japan.
Country Chic - A fresh and easy-to-wear classic with hints of sparkling lemon, bright wildflowers and spring woods.
Sweet Pea - A blend of sweet pea petals and watery pear with freesia, fresh raspberry and a soft, delicate musk.
Ideal for travel lovers, the three-ounce products can be stowed easily in carry-on luggage.
Lavanila Pure Vanilla Luxury Set - A beautiful gift set packed with skin-friendly, 100% natural body care essentials that come in Lavanila's best-selling Pure Vanilla scent. It includes:
Michele Scott's Happy Hour focuses on four Napa Valley girlfriends who meet regularly to love, support and encourage each other.
Jamie is a magazine editor, single mother and caretaker to her dead husband's senile mother. Danielle, a vintner, is recently divorced and struggling to guide two practically grown daughters. Kat, a sommelier, co-owns a restaurant with her gorgeous second husband and juggles two children, a step-child, exes and her crazy divorced parents. Alyssa is an artist and gallery owner with a secret. Together, they face cancer, death, divorce, layoffs, caring for aging parents, unexpected pregnancies and other real issues that test both their friendship and their faith. But the hard times are more than offset by laughter, romance and plenty of fine wine.
A warm tribute to the importance of girlfriends, this touching tale (yes, I cried!) is one for your BFFs bookshelf.
$15.99 (March 2011; Zova Books)
Make-Up Must Haves
These gifts are straight from the wish list of make-up fanatics like my mom and me:
Avon's Expert Mega Palette - A surprisingly slim collection with more than 75 wonderful colors. That's 36 eyeshades, 36 lip glosses, 6 blushes, 3 brushes and a compact mirror in an easy-to-tote case that simplifies beauty on the go. Put a bow on its pretty, pink-hued gift box and this one's ready to give. Don't you just love it?
$29.99 at Avon.com and Avon representatives nationwide
Make-Up-Matte - A chic carryall with mega pockets for storing cosmetics. When rolled and secured with the handy elastic, the Make-Up-Matte tucks easily inside a purse, gym bag or suitcase. When unfolded, this clever, machine-washable helper provides a clean workspace for putting on makeup that absorbs excess particles from mineral and powder products. Nice for avoiding mess on home vanities (especially black granite like mine that shows every little spec), at the gym, and in the car or public bathroom -anywhere makeup is applied. Although you can choose from several fab fabrics, the trendy Leopard print (a QVC-exclusive) makes a top girlfriend gift.
Ybf Liplights Lip Glosses - Three gifts in one, this flirty trio of ultra-shiny glosses will help your BFF light up the room with her smile. She'll love the look and feel of these va-va-voomers. Besides providing high gleam, they're light, never drying or sticky, and made to help lips look younger (yes!). The terrific threesome comes in ever-safe neutrals, wines and pinks.
The latest looks call for layering lots of bracelets. That means every woman will appreciate one more, especially if it's this divine MyMela Cuff. The twisted, silver-tone brass bangle is edged with man-made turquoise stones for a Southwestern vibe. So it's a perfect partner to this fall's smokin' hot Navajo trend.
A lovely sanctuary for her jewelry, keys or decorator soaps, this oval burnt horn bowl features a whimsical star design. Besides making an attractive tabletop accent, the Peace Offering Bowl is fun for serving snacks.
7.1 inches long x 4.1" wide x 1.75" high. $29.95 at Mymela.com
Sweet Treats
Proving that good things come in small packages, these cute books make super surprises for anyone who enjoys cooking. My friend Bev (Colleywood's answer to Martha Stewart) would just adore them!
Mini Pies - Morgan Greenseth's and Christy Beaver's stocking-size pie primer shows how to make what could be my FAVORITE dessert (Sweetheart Cherry Pie, yum!) in pretty party-right portions. Loaded with color photos, this cool cookbook includes more than 40 recipes for making single-serving masterpieces with homemade crusts (it's simpler than you think!). The only problem is choosing between fruit pies like Verry Berry, creamy custard creations (Aunt Jimma's Chocolate Cream), and nut and savory classics like Bourbon Pecan and Dilled Spinach-Cup Quiche.
$14.95 paperback (September 2011, Ulysses Press)
Crazy for Cake Pops - A crafty cookbook for making cool, one-bite cakes with the power to WOW everyone. Holiday Bauble Balls, Birthday Party Clowns, Baby Shower Rattles ... this book's more than 50 cake-on-a-stick designs cover every occasion.
You don't have to be a brilliant baker or experienced cake decorator to achieve success here. More than 70 helpful color photos and author Molly Bakes step-by-step instructions make it easy to bake, crumble, shape, frost and decorate professional-looking mini desserts that taste delicious.
$14.95 paperback (October 2011, Ulysses Press)
Sultry Scents
A gift of one of these simply irresistible fragrances will make any women feel treasured:
Bombshell Seduction - Victoria's Secret's sexy, new limited-edition fragrance will speak to her sense of adventure. Inspired by VS's popular Bombshell Collection, this stimulating new scent is warmer than its namesake. A true magic-moment-maker, it combines alluring fruits and florals like velvet magnolia, warm musk and sparkling grapefruit.
Eau de Parfum $52; Body Mist $25; Shimmer Lotion $20 at Victoria's Secret and Victoriassecret.com
Lady MILLION - Paco Rabanne's sweet scene stealer is pure confidence in a bottle. Seductive with a romantic soul, the fresh, floral and woody scent combines notes of bitter orange, Arabian jasmine and deep patchouli. Designed to make a dazzling impression, this little gem comes in a diamond-shaped bottle that'll also bring some bling to her vanity.
$48 (1.0 fl oz.) - $88 (2.7 fl oz) at Sephora and Sephora.com
White Diamonds - Always a hit (especially with my sister-in-law Cyndi), Elizabeth Taylor's classic White Diamonds is a rich, sensual blend of Sandalwood, Rose, Jasmine and Amazon Lily. The glamorous holiday set includes four White Diamonds favorites (Eau de Toilette, Eau de Parfum, Body Cream and Moisturizing Body Wash) all packaged in an elegant gold gift box. Even better, this natural choice is only $60 (for a $120 value) and the White Diamonds holiday watch comes free with the purchase. Fun to flaunt, this eye-catcher features a gold-tone watchband covered with sparkling faux diamonds and gold-tone flowers.
Available at department stores nationwide.
White Truffles in Winter
N. M. Kelby's White Truffles in Winter imagines the life of the remarkable French chef Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935), who changed how we eat through his legendary restaurants at the Savoy and the Ritz. A man of many contradictions -- kind yet domineering, food-obsessed yet rarely hungry -- Escoffier was torn between two women: the famous, beautiful and reckless actress Sarah Bernhardt and his wife, independent poet Delphine Daffis, who refused to ever leave Monte Carlo.
In the last year of his life, Escoffier has retired and returned to his wife. When she requests he create a dish in her name as he has done for Bernhardt, Queen Victoria and so many others, even the great chef struggles. How can he define their complicated relationship on a single plate?
A captivating fireside escape,this lush novel brings out the sensuality of food, love and longing in a world on the verge of war. It's a great gift for anyone with an appetite for romance.
By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.
Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.
Avon Statement Makers
Perfectly packaged and tied up with a bow, this reusable gift box includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion and Fragrance Mist in your choice of four Bath & Body Works signature scents: 
Lavanila Pure Vanilla Luxury Set - A beautiful gift set packed with skin-friendly, 100% natural body care essentials that come in Lavanila's best-selling Pure Vanilla scent. It includes:
Make-Up Must Haves
Make-Up-Matte - A chic carryall with mega pockets for storing cosmetics. When rolled and secured with the handy elastic, the Make-Up-Matte tucks easily inside a purse, gym bag or suitcase. When unfolded, this clever, machine-washable helper provides a clean workspace for putting on makeup that absorbs excess particles from mineral and powder products. Nice for avoiding mess on home vanities (especially black granite like mine that shows every little spec), at the gym, and in the car or public bathroom -anywhere makeup is applied. Although you can choose from several fab fabrics, the trendy Leopard print (a QVC-exclusive) makes a top girlfriend gift. 
