We CAN’T do it all. Even the best intentioned among us. That’s the cruel reality. So, instead of having all this unfinished business haunt us, let’s deal with it ok?

I can say that now because I just found a practical and cost-effective way to “get it done”. It’s called TaskRabbit and it’s a web and mobile marketplace that safely connects neighbors to get everyday and skilled tasks done. Like all the stuff mentioned above to other tasks like assembling IKEA furniture (cringe), cooking, running errands, helping with events, pet care and anything else (legal!) you can think of. The best part is that you name the price you’re willing to pay and the community bids to do the task. You then select the TaskRabbit (that’s the person doing the task!) of your choice based on profiles and ratings. Good to know that all TaskRabbits have gone through an interview process that includes a background check for added safety and reliability.

Here’s a short video clip that will further explain how TaskRabbit works:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Get things off your To Do list AND get connected to people in your community that will help you to “get it done”. It’s a win-win. TaskRabbits earn a few dollars helping people who in turn get some time back in the day to do what they love.

Now,  let me go find someone who will teach my dog some manners…

As I am celebrating my 50th birthday this year, I am looking at Valentine’s Day a little differently. This year it is all about me and self-love. Being my own soul mate. I am really looking at myself for who I am and I am embracing both my strengths and weaknesses, with all my imperfections in all their glory. So, here are a few things that I just LOVE and that make ME happy (and perhaps you too?):

	Heart Pendant Necklace – Nothing says love more than a heart symbol, but this necklace states it in a big way. Talk about putting your heart out there! Available in either recycled aluminum or recycled copper from AriaHandmade. $45.00
	Valentine Hankies – When I think of hankies I think of the pile of vintage hankies my mother lovingly kept from her parents and grandparents. There is something quite nostalgic and romantic about handkerchiefs and it appears they are making a comeback. They are better for our environment but also, they are quite beautiful and add a touch of personal style. LuRay Hankies design a lovely bouquet of vintage inspired handkerchiefs. Great to wrap a gift in for a lovely touch. See all her designs at LuRayHankies. $6.50
	A Ring of Roses Buttercream – Nothing says self-love than a luxurious bath. Ahhhh. And why not buy roses for yourself – Rose soap that is! The soap pairs rosewater and cocoa butter to help soften and pamper your skin while you bathe. Now that is what I am talking about! Buy directly from LUSH. $9.95
	Spun Silk Sheets - There is nothing more luxurious than sleeping in soft-like-butter sheets. These silk sheets are not so silky that you’ll slip off, but rather more cotton-like in their feel. However, because they are silk, they are extremely breathable (hot flash friendly) and are anti-bacterial. And they may even help with my insomnia. Oh, and I am sure my husband will love them also! Buy from VivaTerra. $175.00
	His and Her L.O.V.E. T-Shirts – And not to leave my husband out, because I truly would not be who I am without him, here is a pair of adorably romantic T-shirts. Beautifully stated because my love would not be complete without him. Buy from this Etsy Artist here. $34.95

You know when you come across something that gives you such a sweet feeling? Well, Hook-Links did this to me. It brought me back to when I was younger (much younger), when my best friend Keri and I were inseparable. We lived within a short walking distance from each other and when we were not together, we were on the phone talking for hours! (I wish I could go back in time and listen to those phone calls.) We slept and ate at each others homes, we did sports together and even joined each others family vacations. What I remember the most fondly about our time together is that we laughed – a lot!

Today, I see young girls, like Keri and I used to do, hold hands while walking as they laugh, talk and use the entire width of the sidewalk as they move back and forth pressing into each other. Ahhh…Memories…. Keri and I would have worn Hook-Links magnetic friendship bracelets if they had been around when we were younger. These silicon magnetic bracelets come in five different colors and stick together when holding each others hand.  As you know, opposites attract and this goes for magnets also. Each bracelet has an engraved and embossed logo on each side that contains opposite magnetic charges, so you can always connect together.

The bracelets are the very symbol of friendship and togetherness. Which make them perfect, of course, for young loves also and a great gift idea for Valentine’s Day.

Hook-Links bracelets can be purchased in small, medium and large size, on the Hook-Links website or on Amazon for $14.99. A great gift for kids, tweens, teens and adults alike to join in on a community that sticks together and a perfect symbol for Valentine’s Day.

Keri and I are still best of friends. We no longer live down the street from each other but, when we do see each other, we still laugh and hold hands as we sway back and forth taking up the entire sidewalk.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Well, here’s a company that is making genealogy look fresh and sexy! Just like the people on the family tree branches were at one time – or the tree wouldn’t exist. the company is called My Tree & Me and it designs and modernizes genealogy charts.

It’s easy to order: Choose a design (keep in mind that various designs accommodate various branches of the tree and different levels of generation), fill out the genealogy form, approve the proof and you’ll receive the beautiful genealogy chart within 3 to 4 weeks.

What a great gift idea for a wedding, a baby gift or a milestone birthday. It’s a truly one-of-kind graphic interpretation of someone’s history, a personal piece of art that, as My Tree & Me states,  “inspires curiosity, reminiscing, and storytelling”.

Prices range from $55 to $120. The choice includes photo trees and a DIY version too. Shop at MyTreeandMe.com.

Love it.

You may be familiar with the Eden Fantasys adult shop – or maybe not. If you are, you are probably familiar with their titillating props. What you may not know is their large selection of romantic products for couples. Products like massage kits such as the Knead Me Massage Set or the Don’t Stop Massage Candle. Both create a romantic ambiance and warm massage oil for a memorable evening and an unbelievable back rub (speaking from personal experience, ahem!).

If you are planning a getaway and want to make it more sensual, you may want to look at the classic Karma Sutra Getaway Kit or the let’s-get-it-on Leau A Deux Kit. Both are beautifully packaged with all the right paraphernalia to make your weekend escape more amorous, intimate and relaxing.

And of course, if you want to look the part and play the part there are also some sexy choices of Lingerie.

Check out Eden Fantasys and receive 20% off your entire order when using coupon code TSW20. Also you can follow them to get news of new playful product on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

The Snapi is a clamshell-like spring-loaded claw that makes picking up, well, practically anything easy, with a single hand, a whole serving with just one scoop.

I first tried it on all the items below (and then some) and am now using it as my favorite server. Sure, it’s not very chic (though it’s quite cute), but my beautifully designed salad servers just can’t pick up the salad and all its chopped lil’ bits like the Snappi can. It is great to pick the still hot French fries, to maneuver the rotini pasta into the plate… If you have younger children, they will love to use it to pile veggies on their plate (now getting to eat them is another matter…). It would also be great to use on picnics, tailgates and buffets.

The Snapi is made in the U.S.A. from food-safe polymers with a grippy rubber surface; it’s dishwasher safe and shuts close for drawer storage.

Buy directly from the company, KitchenHappy.com or from Amazon for about $6.95.

Do you want to add a bit of amore in your relationship? Just think that every month you both could receive a sexy pair of intimates, model them for each other and  enjoy the rest of the evening together, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Here are some Intimates of the Month Club to surely inspire romance in your relationship…

FOR HER
	Panty by Post – Although this is a Canadian company, it actually started in Paris, which explains the French flair in their lingerie offering. Their goal is bring back nostalgia of receiving something pretty, sexy and completely feminine in the mail every month. Each panty comes beautifully packaged with a personal message from the sender. Choose from hipster, thong, bikini and vintage or a mix of all. Now this is a way to say Je t’aime!  Check out the Panty by Post website. Do you know anyone one soon to be married? They also have a special club for the bride and groom. What a way to start off a marriage!
	Panty Fairy – Another panty-of-the-month club for those who love surprises. The recipient never knows what will be in those monthly packages until they arrive. One month they could be lacy French knickers and the next, a blue satin thong. Choose between a 6 month and 12 month subscription on the Panty Fairy website.
	Chocolates Fantasies - A panty of the month club that will surely spice things up. Each monthly gift (if it is a holiday month the package will have a holiday theme to it) will include a pair of panties, chocolates, edible undies, chocolate body sauce or rose and a personalized note.  You’re thus guaranteed at least one amorous night a month. Ooh la la. They also offer a sexy bra & panty set monthly club. Check out their website here.
	In the Mood Intimates - This is a panty of the month club “on a budget”. Your loved one can still show they love you with this three month panty club, with brand names like Chantelle, Hanky Panky, and Panache, to name a few. Choose from bikini/boyshort or thong/g-string and the company will look after the rest, including doing a holiday theme on the appropriate months. Check out their reduced priced clubs here.
FOR HIM
	Panty by Post for Men – Men do not need to feel left out. We ladies can also send the man in our life a thoughtful, beautifully packaged gift, complete with a romantic note. Every month, he will get a pair of boxer briefs that are comfortable, soft, sexy and good for the planet (made of natural fibers). Just think, each month you can have a private fashion show for each other. Comme c’est romantique! Shop at Panty by Post, the Men section.
	ChocolateFantasies – This spicy site also has a Guy’s Club with treats. Every month he can expect a sexy pair of underwear, chocolates, edible undies, chocolate sauce or rose and more, all in a beautifully wrapped package with a personalized note. Talk about getting him in the mood! Shop here.

Yes, we know. You’re quite welcome.

Is there better, thoroughly classic way of showing your undying love than with a dozen roses? Unfortunately, they last such a short time that they quickly start looking like your ‘dying’ love. Well, here’s a set of dozen roses that will not only live forever but that can also be worn as a LOVEly fashion statement! (OK, we’ll stop with the lovies now).

This String of Roses Silk Scarf is made with 100% natural silk that is weaved on antique looms to weave the richest quality fabric possible. All scarves are handmade and hand-dyed in Vietnam by skilled artisans who use ancient methods to produce the natural silk fibers. Each rose is individually crafted, so no two are exactly alike. The scarves are a work of art that are rich in color and soft to the touch.

Forget the long stem roses that will die in a week. Imagine that each time the scarf embraces her, she will think of the person who gave it to her (OK, we’re really done now).

This gorgeous scarf can be purchased here for $34.99. Contact Lua for a list of retailers near you.

Today, Gina still gets inspired by found vintage and antique silver. Her canvass for this particular medium is jewelry. She re-purposes vintage silver into one-of-a- kind pieces. Take her silver tray pieces. Each silver tray has its own special characteristics that ‘speak’ and help determine whether the final piece will be a pendant, earrings or beautiful cuff. Her favorite trays include those that were once inscribed as a trophy or award. Imagine wearing ‘Best Horsemanship’ or ‘Thoroughbred’ on your wrist!

Gina also designs custom jewelry pieces out of your heirloom treasures. Imagine your great grandfather’s dog tags from WWI and your grandmother’s and mother’s bracelets redesigned into one-of-a-kind keepsake necklaces…

Whatever the occasion (bridal, anniversary, Valentine’s day, milestone birthday…), meaningful heirloom-worthy pieces of jewelry would certainly speak volumes about that sentiment the gift-giver is so thoughtfully looking to express.

Contact Gina at Lizzy B to buy or to discuss custom orders. Follow her on Facebook to see her latest designs.