I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was four, so I know no other way to be in the world than with grief in my heart. It’s “old hat” to me, it’s just a part of me that seems like it’s always been there. I’m in an odd way, comfortable with it, so it somehow brings me peace to be able to comfort others who are struggling with grief and loss.

With that said, I guess it makes a lot of sense that I would end up starting a pet memorials company (peternity.com). It’s just not what I ever imagined that I would end up doing. But I like that about life. The unexpected. The surprises.

In 1970 when I lost my mom, things were different and families didn’t have a lot of options for grief support. We got through it somehow and I think I turned out alright, but it wasn’t easy and I wouldn’t wish the loss of a parent or family member on any child. Lucky for me and my sister, we have remarkable Father.

I’ve always wanted to find a way to reach out to children who have suffered significant losses and to somehow help them. Being that most children’s first experience with death is through the loss of their pets, I decided that this would be a wonderful place to start.

There are many other creative ways that you can help your child to take an active part in honoring the life of their pet, and without spending a lot of money. At Peternity, we’ve created a special product  called Kidoodlyrocks to help grieving children. Kidoodlyrocks are pet grave markers onto which we engrave children’s drawings of their pets.  Engaging children in the creative process really helps to shift their focus from the pain and the sadness to something; something fun, honorable and meaningful.

The best ways for children to work through grief is by expressing their feelings – through writing, drawing, dancing, anything creative that helps them to get in touch with their feelings and get their feelings out and expressed.

Children are empowered when given the opportunity to help create the memorial to their dear pet. When children have something creative to focus on their focus shifts and they stop dwelling on the sadness and the pain so much. This makes space in their heart for some healing to begin.

Creative activities also give you the parent or caregiver an opportunity to talk about what your child has created and the feelings behind the creations. Having a project in motion gives you a forum, to help your child/children address their sadness. You can sit with them and draw them out of their sadness and confusion by asking questions about the animal they loved so much: how they felt about them, their memories, what made them laugh, etc.

You can be the impetus to help your child create any number of types of memorials. Here are some ideas:

• A special box that you decorate together that can hold all of your pet’s treasures like the collar, tags, photos, favorite toys.
• Flowers that you plant together in the yard in your pet’s memory, maybe in your cat’s favorite spot to lie in the sun, or your dog’s favorite spot to lounge in the yard.
• A book that you create together that chronicles all of your favorite stories, memories and photos of your pet.

These precious shared moments, dedicated to encouraging your child to express their joys, laughter and sadness through words and drawings, can work wonders with recovery for both of you. You will also be helping your children to lay a foundation for life, a foundation that will help to support them in dealing with other losses that they will experience later in life.

Colleen Mihelich is the founder & creative director of KidoodlyRocks.com and Peternity.com.  For more information in helping to deal with the loss of a pet, check out Peternity’s blog.

Joe’s Jeans are loved celebrities and the general public.  They’re fashionable and comfortable and can help you look and feel your best. The perfect gift for YOU!

12/1 - YOUR NOVEL

This holiday season, passionate couples everywhere can quicken their pulses with a personalized romance novel from YourNovel.com. The customized capers come in both naughty or nice (”wild” or “mild”) versions. Each book is personalized throughout with more than 25 details about the starring couple crafted from an online questionnaire, such as their names, hometown, places of work, eye and hair color, best friends, favorite perfume, cologne and music, affectionate nicknames for one another, and how long they’ve been a couple.

12/2 - CIRCLE OF SENTIMENTS STAMPED CHARM NECKLACE

Simple and classy, Circle of Sentiments‘ trendy name necklaces can be worn with a pair of jeans or a little black dress! Each copper or sterling silver, personalized necklace is available in 3 popular sizes: petite, classic and grand with that hand stamped embossed look…. this is what makes them such unique necklaces and perfect for the proud mom or grandmother.

12/3 - MY LI’L FARMHOUSE WAGON

From the fine folks at Corner Stork Baby Gifts, for the best-dressed baby in the barn! This unique and delightful eight-piece layette baby gift set is “corny” on purpose - check out that cute corn rattle! A whole farm full of adorable animals comes rolling in on the keepsake, burlap-lined wooden wagon, which becomes charming nursery décor perfect for holding small toys or other baby essentials. What an adorable gift for the little one in your life.

12/4 - JUST BE TEES

Just Be is a state of mind…a way of life…a philosophy.  It’s a new line of tees not meant to inspire…but to Just Be.  These tees allow how you feel. Each shirt has it’s own saying - be fabulous, be crazy, be flirty, be sweet, be cool, be muddy, be punk, be beautiful, be yourself, be whatever…just BE.

12/5 - SPEED RACER VIDEO GAME

Speed Racer: The Videogame for PlayStation®2 was released on September 16, 2008 along with the DVD version of the fast action film, Speed Racer.  Set in a hyper-realistic world where car culture is the culture, players compete in the World Racing League against up to 25 different racers across rollercoaster-like race tracks.  Players will enjoy a combative racing experience like no other when they take control of each T180 race car, achieving amazing speeds and mastering four independently turning wheels that allow drivers to engage in “Car-Fu” to jump, flip, and outmaneuver their opponents.  Speed Racer: The Videogame captures the action, look and feel of the high adrenaline arena racing developed for the film in an accessible, fun-filled game that allows players to actually get behind the wheel on incredible tracks straight out of the world of Speed Racer.

12/6 - THE LITTLE STAMP CO. PRINT/SIGNATURE STAMP

The ‘Signature’ stamps from The Little Stamp Company allow children to stamp, trace and learn to print in an engaging and interactive way.  Little ones will enjoy learning to print their own names with the large connect the dot letters and funky ink colors.  Children easily trace their names on coloring pages, thank you, birthday and holiday cards, artwork and more - no more boring worksheets!  The customized all-in-one stamps provide mess free fun while parents are assured with the eco-friendly and child safe ink. These stamps are fun, useful and educational - makes a great holiday gift!

Like most sites, we’ve covered the basics for Black Friday previously. This time we thought we’d point out some alternatives to the crazy early mornings and hectic, dazed shoppers.

TodaysMama conducted a Holiday Economic Survey earlier this year and found that over 80% of those surveyed plan to curb their holidays spending this year.  Brad Wilson, editor-in-chief of bradsdeals.com says that  “These are difficult times for holiday shoppers and day-after-Thanksgiving deals aren’t just for the frugal. With increases in unemployment, foreclosures, gas prices and food prices, as well as decreases in consumer credit, discretionary spending and overall confidence, consumers will spend more on Friday, November 28th, but spend less overall during the 2008 holidays. ” Brad’s suggestions, stay disciplined, don’t give in to those impulise buys and stick to your plan!

For Those of You That Will be Braving the Crowds

Jennifer Melnick Carota, author, speaker and expert “giveologist” known as The Gift Therapist suggests that shoppers play it safe and  “keep a detailed list of the credit/debit cards that you keep in your shopping wallet in a safe place at your home.  Be sure to include the card name, account number and customer service phone number.  Should you loose your wallet or have it stolen, having quick access to this information will save you valuable time and stress should this unfortunate experience happen to you.

Judy Colbert, the publisher of Smart Shopping Montreal advises, “be careful when buying gift cards as some have expiration dates and some have monthly charges if the card isn’t used. Buy a mall gift card instead of an individual store gift card, particularly if the store is going out of business or in bankruptcy.”

Seasoned Black Friday shopper and event specialist, Marissa Sweazy suggests “Once you have your list complete, look at which store you would like to purchase the most items at and see if you have any coupons. Always, go to the store with the biggest coupon first. For example, Macy’s will probably offer a “First 100 people in the door get a $25-$50 gift card…” Go there first..but if the doors open at 6am you had better be there at 5am!”

If you’re in the malls already, don’t ignore stores that don’t advertise – they will be running promotions as well.

For Those Looking for Alternatives to Shopping the Stores

Did you know that Etsy will also be having Black Friday sales?  According to Etsy artisian, Phyllis Mufson, the promotion runs from Black Friday through Cyber Moday (11/27 – 12/1) there will be over 200 artists, crafters and artisans participating in Etsy Fest.  To find which stores and artisans are participating in the event, just do key word search using “EtsyFest”. You’ll be able to shop for one of-a-kind, creative and unusual presents for everyone on your list; jewelry, clothing and accessories, children and baby gifts, cards and scrap book supplies, fine arts, ceramics, gifts for the home, and much, much more.

And then there’s always online shopping.  Some sales have started as early as Thanksgiving Day. The folks over at CNET.com recommend the following sites to to make your Black Friday shopping easier : BlackFriday.info and FreeShipping.org for free shipping information.  Then there’s also the online coupon sites like UltimateCoupons.com to check for additional coupon codes and comparison shopping sites like PriceGrabber.com.

The gang over at ShopGadgetGirl.com suggest to “preplan your online strategy. Make getting the deals easy on you by doing a little advance work. One of my favorite tricks is to put the product in my online shopping cart and log out before purchasing. This way my credit card information is already in place, the product is already selected so no need to waste time finding it and all I have to do is hit “submit” when the deal starts.

Once all the dust has setttled and you’re ready to catch your breath and grab a bite, know that T.G.I. Friday’s has and offer to give members of its loyalty program a free dessert with the purchase of an entree during Black Friday weekend.  Talk about the cherry on top to all your bargain hunting.

If all of this is just too much and the mere thought of shopping drives you crazy, just know that you can always abstain and instead participate in Buy Nothing Day.

Are you looking for a lifeline this Thanksgiving?  Let The Party Goddess help you out.  And if you need advice for a vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving or for some last minute Thanksgiving preparations be sure to check out our past blog posts.

• Thanksgiving 1-2-3 - As usual, Martha Stewart rocks the house with her fabulous T-Day 1-2-3 plan. This year she’s featuring Herb Rubbed Turkey, White-Wine Gravy and Apple Crumb Pie, to name just a few!
• Complete Menu Ideas - For more than just great television, check out The Food Network. They have a terrific website that features 3 exciting menus plus planning ideas and tons of recipes.
• Thanksgiving On A Budget - In case times are tough in your house (according to my husband, times are always tough), you’ll want to check out these great menu ideas. Feed 8 for under $80. Hugh? I couldn’t even get one shoe for that price, but writer Regina Schrambling (on Epicurious) swears it’s so!
• The Ultimate Hotline - Totally freaked out? Don’t panic! My cell phone will be off but Martha’s got a hotline going from Monday, November 24 to Wednesday 26 on Martha Stewart Living Radio (Sirius 112 and XM 103) They will be taking your Thanksgiving questions on air! How cool is that?! Put in a good word to Martha for me!
• Food, Decor, Etc. - Rachael Ray to the rescue! Check out her blogs on decorating the table, what to serve, how to serve it, the works.
• Liquid Turkey - Well not really but that just sounded like a great name. My favorite part of any holiday is the booze. Check out Cheryl Charming’s fabulous website for all things cocktail related and knock one back for me!

These lifelines are brought to you by The Party Goddess! Hip, cool events from concept to completion. They’re L.A. based but always happy to travel.  Check out their blog for ideas that you can do at  home.

I love how My So-Called Freelance Life took the freelance idea and actually goes deeper and teaches you the important things you need to know about, like how to get the jobs, how to charge for the jobs, how to handle your clients, where to find the space to call your office, etc. What made you decide to write about freelancing and alternative careers?

People have been asking me how I set my rates, deal with health insurance, and make sure I have enough money to pay my bills since I started working for myself as a freelance writer and editor 16 years ago. Those questions have only increased since The Anti 9-to-5Guide — which covers flex, temp, contract, overseas, outdoor, and self-employed work — came out last year.

People always want to know, How do you handle hell clients with grace? Negotiate copyrights without sounding like a greedy pig? Work at home without going insane? So I decided to write a “sequel” of sorts, in which I answer as many questions about freelancing as I could cram into 240 pages or so. Hence My So-Called Freelance Life.

Up until somewhat recently, I always thought of a freelancer as someone who was just plain and simply a writer.  In your book, you address that many different jobs can be freelancing gigs.  So what or who is a freelancer?

There are freelance designers, illustrators, photographers, publicists, translators, editors, indexers, bookkeepers, attorneys, accountants, web programmers, virtual assistants, marketing gurus, business coaches, dog walkers, actors, musicians, masseuses, and on and on and on.

Anyone who works for themselves as an independent professional is a freelancer. In the United States, 20.9 million people work independently. And whether we choose to call ourselves a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor, or small business owner, the work-related issues we face are generally the same. Regardless of whether we hire employees or incorporate, we’re all running our own business — meaning we all have to hunt for clients, ensure our checks arrive on time, and crack our own whip each week to get our work done.

Being a solopreneur and working from home can feel isolating and lonely, where can the average freelancer go to get support or mingle with other freelancers?

There are loads of digital and face-to-face social networks that can help:

• Blogs are a great place to start.
• Biznik.com is a wonderful online community for independent professionals. But it’s not just a Facebook knock-off. The site is loaded with tips, and many members host and attend free meetups on a regular basis.
• The Freelancers Union hosts meetups around the country for freelancers of all fields.
• Your friendly neighborhood coworking office space is sure to be frequented by other independent professionals. Maybe you can’t afford to rent a desk there. But surely you can drag yourself out to a free networking event they’re offering.
• If you’re a writer or media professional, see mediabistro.com’s regional events and online forum.
• You can even meet like-minded freelancers in freelance-specific groups on LinkedIn and Facebook (do a search and see what you find).
• Finally, if you’ve never joined an industry-specific professional association, now might be a good time to do so. At the very least, check out their events or join their email discussion list.

Do you have any must haves for the work-from-home freelancer?  What helps to keep you sane and organized?

My top must-haves:

• A separate office space, even if it’s just a corner of the living room “walled off” with a curtain or screen. That way, you have a bit more separation between you work space and your living space.
• A daily routine and schedule so that you, your roommates, and your clients have no question about when you’re at work each day — and when you’re not. This can help you stay on target with projects, even when you’d rather be watching TV.
• Caller ID, so you never have to hear from a telemarketer or a friend who’s bored at work while you’re on a deadline.
• A backup computer and technically inclined friend (or freelancer you hire) in case your laptop craps out. Not having a computer for an entire business day is not an option.
• Project to-do lists, deadline and invoice spreadsheets, and online and offline folders galore. When you’re juggling multiple clients and projects each week, you can never be too anal. If you can’t locate a detail you need in 30 seconds or less, it’s time to take a Saturday off and create a better filing system for yourself.

Are freelancers still able to earn a livable income in this crazy job market?

Yes, most definitely. Freelancers are far cheaper to keep around than staffers, and the dozens of seasoned freelancers I know are doing just fine. We may have had a client or two drop off our radar, but that happens during any given year, not just during a recession. And if we lose work, it’s often because a company is folding, merging, or laying off 10+ percent of staff. A company doesn’t does slash its freelance workforce without slashing the projects those freelancers were working on.

The key is to be endlessly flexible and ultra-informed so you can quickly adapt to changes in the job market — and your industry. Pay attention to industry news so you’re not taken by surprise if a star client tanks or lowers their freelancing budget. Talk to other freelancers to see what they know about the companies you’re working for. Don’t let any one client dominate more than 30 percent of your schedule (if they go belly up, you still have 70 percent of your workload left).

If you predominantly work for the media, you absolutely should be reading GalleyCat so that you’re not the last to know if a beloved paper, magazine, or website slashes its budget. I suggest diversifying into other business sectors too so you’re not standing on such shaky ground (print media is suffering greatly these days). And if you’re only offering clients one skill — for example, writing, editing, designing, coding, bookkeeping, or business consulting — it’s time to broaden your horizons. Writers who also edit, design, consult, teach, or project manage are infinitely more employable than writers who only write.

With “only one in two Americans happy with their jobs” what tips or suggestions do you have for the person that is ready to break free of their current, corporate job?

• Start freelancing on the side. It can take several months to a year or more to work up to having a full-time freelance workload. And unless you have six to 12 months’ living expenses saved, you need a paycheck of some sort while you get your freelance business off the ground.
• Network you buns off. The idea is to meet as many people in your field as you can, preferably before you leave your day job. Learn from them. Trade ideas with them. Charm them. These may be future clients — or people who will refer you to future clients.
• Create a killer online portfolio. Whether you’re an aspiring journalist, web designer, or project manager, start accumulating samples for your portfolio while you still have a day job — that is, while you have easy access to assignments and customers. A web portfolio not only shows you mean business as an independent professional, it saves you loads of time in that “So tell me about your experience” dance. WordPress makes creating a digital portfolio site simple.
• Learn to run a business. Half of working for yourself is wooing clients, understanding contracts, managing projects, paying taxes, and making tricky judgment calls. So if you don’t know the first thing about running your own shop, now’s the time to learn. My So-Called Freelance Life can help with that.

Any closing advice for the current freelancer or freelancer-to-be?

I’m a big fan of surrounding yourself with other freelancers, both inside and outside your industry and vocation, both online and off. Not only will they be your biggest source of support and suggestions (say, for where you can get the best price on a new printer, or find an affordable contracts lawyer), they’re likely to be your best source of referrals for new work. I know a lot of people think that self-employed folks have no business “talking to the competition,” but I find that many freelancers are more than happy to share tips, and when a project isn’t right for them, connections.

If you’ve liked what you’ve read here, be sure to enter for your chance to win a copy of Michelle’s book, My So-Called Freelance Life.

Tired of clocking in and losing out? Want to pursue creative, fulfilling work on your own time and also make a living in the process? My So-Called Freelance Life is a how-to guidebook for women who want to avoid the daily grind and turn their freelance dreams into reality. Michelle Goodman, author of The Anti 9-to-5 Guide and self-proclaimed former “wage slave,” offers tips, advice, how-to’s, and everything else a woman needs to pursue a freelance career.  Goodman answers all of the unusual questions that may arise for women exploring the freelance world. Far more than your normal business guidebook, My So-Called Freelance Life blends candid, humorous anecdotes from a wide variety of freelancers with Goodman’s own personal experiences as a creative worker for hire.  Perfect gift for that friend or family member that’s ready to break away from the cubicle.

11/24 – M.B. CAREY & CO INGREDIENTS ULTRA MOISTURIZING SCRUB

I don’t know about you, but as soon as fall seems to strike, my skin gets so dry and itchy.  M.B. Carey & Co. Ltd. has the ideal solution: INGREDIENTS scrub in patchouli/pine scent that is perfect for the holiday season.  INGREDIENTS products are formulated to blend natural components including essential oils, moisturizers and exfoliants into a scrub that is both luxurious and effective. Company founder Melissa Carey created the products to soothe and improve the appearance of her own skin after a natural, 100-lb. weight loss. A single use of INGREDIENTS Ultra-Moisturizing Scrub removes dead skin and moisturizes the new layers that are revealed. With continued use, skin continues to show improvement.  A great gift for anyone that needs added moisture and an aromatic exfoliant.

11/25 – ASSORTED URBAN COOKIES PACKAGE

Are you looking for tasty cookies to give for a special occasion?  Let Urban Cookies provide those cookies for you.  They use only the freshest and highest quality, organic ingredients from select purveyors.  They believe in social responsibility and working towards creating less waste in their production - they use recyclable packaging, and support their local community with financial pledges, volunteer time and sharing the goodness of cookies with local charities.  When thinking about what to send to your clients, think Urban Cookies.

11/26 – FATHER KNOWS BEST BOOK SET

Armin Brott - or Mr. Dad as he’s more commonly known - knows what it’s like to be a father.  He has written on fatherhood for the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, Washington Post, American Baby, and Parenting. He is the host of a weekly radio show on parenting.  Abbeville Press offers Mr. Dad’s best-selling series on parenting handbooks for expectant and new dads: The Expectant Father, The New Father, and A Dad’s Guide to the Toddler Years.  A great gift for the expectant or new dad.

11/27 – ORGANICALLY HATCHED - BIBBITY BIB & FOOGO STAINLESS STEEL STRAW BOTTLE

Organically Hatched prides themselves on bringing you the best organic baby products. They find high quality organic baby gifts including organic baby skin care, organic baby clothes, and other organic gifts. They have many organic gifts for parents, infants and children.

11/28 – 18” AKOYA PEARL NECKLACE

PearlParadise.com offers the most stunning, classic pieces features incredibly lustrous white akoya sea pearls with an intensely high luster and unparalleled shine! Each brilliant, flawlessly round, pearl captures the light and delivers it back in warm, brilliant hues. Their exquisite pearls have a mirror-like reflection due to their thick nacre, and each is individually knotted on silk thread. Simply beautiful for the classically beautiful woman in your life.

11/29 – GORILLA POD GO-GO!

The Gorillapod Go-Go! is a one-of-a-kind mobile entertainment kit that allows you to position or attach your handheld devices almost anywhere. From cell phones, to MP3/MP4 players, to PDAs, to digital cameras, the Go-Go! can handle practically any device in virtually every situation.  We’ve used the standard, original Gorilla Pod for my digital camera while on vacation and love it.  A perfect gift for the traveler or tech-geek on your list.

• a plastic bag takes 450 years to biodegrade.
• the production of paper bags causes 70% more pollution than plastic.
• when plastic “photo degrades” it ends up in our oceans. Incidentally, it appears much like a plankton, and is then consumed by fish. Fish eat it, and it winds up on your dinner table.
• the recipe for making paper bags starts with 1 part pulp, 400 parts WATER.
• the recycling of plastic emits heavy metals into the air causing extreme air pollution.
• an average person will use over 350 bags in a single year!
• in New York City, one less grocery bag per person would reduce waste by 5 million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.
• in 1999 more than 14 million trees were cut down to produce 10 billion paper bags that were used by Americans that year.
• reusable bags save 700+ bags over the span of their lifetime!
• if we spread the word about the importance of reusing our grocery bags, work together, and somehow this movement catches on, the end up benefit to the Earth is going to be huge! We are talking millions of gallons of fresh water saved, millions of gallons of fuel saved, and hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land saved every year!

And the final reason, there are some darn cute bags that hold so much more than your average shopping bag, out there.  No more one item per bag at the grocery store.  Check out the selection at Delight.com.  Or just recycle those old canvas bags you get from all those promotions or business conferences.  What else are you going to do with them?

I keep a Mini-RuMe in my purse at all times.  It takes up no space, weighs next to nothing, and it holds quite a bit (just look at all it holds over there on the right).  It let’s me cut down on bags from all those planned and unplanned shopping trips since I have my own bag on me, not forgotten back in the car.  You know it’s always the unplanned trip or the forgotten bag that gets you nearly every time. And did I mention it’s so cute that I get tons of compliments on it?

Are you ready to make the leap to potty training?  Then check out The Potty Tots Potty Training Program. It’s a unique system that is child-centered and focuses on the need for a fun, stress-free potty training experience.  This unique kit consists of a storybook, animated DVD with bonus music videos, step-by-step illustrated potty chart and the “Toilet Bowl” game (fashioned after the Super Bowl) for keeping track of progress and success.  This highly interactive program addresses multiple learning styles, encouraging kids to participate and ultimately fosters confidence, self-esteem and independence. This unique product consists of a storybook, animated DVD with bonus music videos, step-by-step illustrated potty chart and progress and rewards game.  In addition to the potty training kit, the company also has launched an interactive web site.  What a fun way to help your son or daughter master potty training.

11/17 - ZEN BABY DVD

The Zen Baby DVD, is an award-winning, nature-based DVD for infants and toddlers that helps to create a relaxing atmosphere in the home.  Zen Baby celebrates the simple beauty of the world and encourages our children’s natural sense of wonder with its artful and whimsical images set to a backdrop of delightful original musical compositions of Brazilian body percussion, piano, and acoustic guitar.  Zen Baby has gained mom-to-mom word-of-mouth popularity across the country with parents who enjoy watching it together with their little ones as part of their end of the day routine. Celeb moms Brooke Shields, Reese Witherspoon, and Leah Rimini are also fans! A great gift for new moms.

11/18 - IT’S IN THE BAG BOOK SET

Is Your Wardrobe Sabotaging Your Career?  Could it make a better impression on clients and colleagues? Do the colors flatter you? Are you ready for any social event or location?  Wouldn’t you like to travel “footloose and fancy free,” able to follow your own inclinations at every turn, without the burdens and constraints of heavy luggage? Many people of all ages have found they can travel successfully, and well dressed too, with just one carry-on bag. Now you can learn their tricks to gain control of your wardrobe and to become an expert traveler with the It’s In The Bag series.

11/19 - TOM PETTY, ELTON JOHN, ROLLING STONES DVDs

Need an idea for that guy in your life.  Check out these classic rock DVDs.  Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down a Dream - a 2 DVD, director’s cut, behind-the-scenes film by Peter Bogdanovich (who knew the life and career of TP and the Heartbreakers was so fascinating), a CD of the 30th anniversary concert from Gainsville, Florida and a bonus CD featuring rare and unreleased tracks. Elton John: Dream Ticket Four Destinations Four DVDs - over 70 songs and 7 hours of Elton’s greatest performances including rare footage.  Rolling Stones: Four Flicks -  the ultimate Rollings Stone Live collection with two behind-the-scenes documentaries and over 50 songs and a behind-the-scenes documentary.

11/20 - BETTY B. DESIGNS NECKLACE & EARRINGS

Betty B. Designs by surfer Donna von Hoesslin are eco-friendly, yet elegant in their own unique way, offering sustainable style not just in the materials being used, but also in terms of timelessness.  This very versatile Sula lariat can be worn as a necklace or a belt. Wrap, tie, twist or braid the strands any way you like and expect a lot of compliments. Matching earrings are made from recycled handmade glass with .925 sterling silver.  What a fun and beautiful gift idea for your friends or niece.

11/21 - LISA HOFFMAN NIGHT & DAY DAY LOTION SPF 15

Years of following around her actor husband (that would be Dustin Hoffman), Lisa Hoffman was always looking for the perfect skincare products.  This lightweight moisturizer supplies beneficial compounds to improve dry skin conditions. It incorporates SPF 15 and other critical sunscreen ingredients to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation that leads to skin drying, and premature aging such as lines and wrinkles.  For your travel-loving friends, be sure to also check out her line of single-dose travel ampules.

11/22 - PARENTING TWINS BOOK SET

Susan M. Heim knows parenting.  More importantly, she knows what it’s like to parent twins.  She is the married mother of four sons—two teenagers and twin preschoolers.  Susan is the founder of TwinsTalk, a website where parents share tips and advice about raising twins and multiples and is also an author and editor, specializing in parenting, multiples, and women’s issues. She is a former Senior Editor for the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Consider this double-set of autographed books by Susan M. Heim for families with twins: It’s Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence and Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families with Twins, Multiples and Singletons for your friends with twins or mulitples.

I know from experience. I was with a company for almost nine years and didn’t interview enough. I was loyal to the company, and let’s just say, in the end, they were not loyal to me. ‘Nuff said.

I’ve been at my current job now for over three years and I love it! So why then, would I interview for a new job? I interview pretty regularly. I even send my resume out. However, I’m very selective about sending my resume. I’m very concerned with working with a company whose values and integrity align closely with mine. I don’t want to work with a company that is participating in practices or offering products and services that don’t “mesh” with me. Needless to say, I don’t send my resume out all willy-nilly all over the place. I’m no resume whore, no ma’am.

The first question that a headhunter or prospective interviewer asks when they contact me is, “Why are you leaving ________?” You see, I’m very fortunate to work for a company that LOTS of people want to work for and has a very good reputation.

My response is always the same, and it’s completely truthful:

“I’m not looking for a job. I love my job. I have a professional obligation to myself to know what’s going on in the market. While I love my current position, I like to keep abreast of other opportunities for growth that may be a great fit for me. Any position would have to be near perfect and meet all my criteria for me to begin discussions with you.”

Surprisingly, that doesn’t scare people away. It allows me to have the salary discussion much sooner than in a normal situation, as that can be a deal breaker for me. It also allows me to set forth my alignment issues about wanting to work for a sustainable company, a socially responsible and morally ethical company with commitments to doing the “right” thing. I ask about future plans for sustainability, how they plan to address the change in the economy and where this company will be in 10 years. It works. There are been positions that I’ve turned down in that first conversation based on one of the above and there have been positions that we can mutually agree that aren’t a good fit.

It’s a nice position to be in, looking for a job when you don’t need one.

Here’s my recommendation to you — Get out there. Put yourself out there. But first, make your wish list of all of the things that you want from a job or a career. Then be selective about who you talk to and stick to your guns.

It will all come together.

To learn more about Geggie, check out her blog, So…What Else, What Else, What Else?.

If you’re wishing to receive a pair of Manolo Blahniks for Chanukah this year, this fabulous shoe menorah is the next best thing. Just imagine - a shoe for every night! Add a little sole to your menorah lighting with this 16 1/2″ long resin shoe menorah.  Be sure to check out PopJudaica.com for all your Chanukah gift needs.

11/10 - LAUNDRY TREE SOAPNUT STARTER PACKAGES

Did you know that there’s a FRUIT that will get your laundry clean?  It’s TRUE! Soapnuts are the fruit of a tree (Sapindus Mukorossi), found primarily in India, Indonesia, and Nepal, and they are an EXCELLENT alternative to traditional detergents. And they WORK — they really, really work! They are 100%, totally natural. They are organically grown and are chemical-free, and they are incredibly gentle on clothes AND skin. They are especially great for those with sensitive skin — including babies and those that suffer from allergies, eczema, and psoriasis! They’re totally biodegradeable, so they’re better for the environment than regular detergent, and they’re antimicrobial, so they’re even good for septic and greywater systems!  Laundry Tree Soapnuts have been used to clean all kinds of fabric for centuries, and are only now gaining popularity in the Americas and Europe as a powerful, yet natural alternative to modern chemical detergents.  What a great gift for your eco-chic friend or family member.

11/11 - SCANDLE LOTION CANDLE

The Scandle is a candle that burns at 2 degrees above body temperature to produce a soothing oil for massage, manicure/pedicure, or daily moisturizer.  Made from 100% natural vegan ingredients including soy butter, shea butter, jojoba, & vitamin E; The Scandle is quickly becoming a coveted treatment and retail product at spas and boutiques both in the US and abroad.  Scandle will be offering limited edition holiday scents and spa treatment gift packs, perfect for your spa-loving friends or your honey.

11/12 - HALLMARK CARD STUDIO 2009 DELUXE

Hallmark Card Studio 2009 Deluxe, affordably priced at $49.99, provides a fast, fun and easy way to create custom cards with over 9,000 Hallmark cards and projects, 16,000 art images and an Event Planner to remind you of important dates. With Hallmark Card Studio, the whole family can get involved and make personalized cards and one-of-a-kind projects that include 3-D cards, photo cubes, frames and mini-albums, calendars, gift tags, invitations, scrapbook pages and more. The software also includes a built-in photo editor and picture placer to include the family’s latest photos directly into the card.
11/13 - ANNE TAINTOR STOCKING STUFFERS

Anne Taintor has been making smart people (and you know who you are…) smile since 1985!  She has a great selection of products with that quirky, contemporary humor and retro graphics that you love.  Just the sort of fun gift for your office swap or your sassy girlfriend or sister.

11/14 - CZELA BELLIES

Everyone deserves to look sexy.  Say “C-Ya!” to Ugly Post Maternity Undies, and “Hello!” to Czela Bellies CesareanWear! Czela Bellies are fun & comfy underwear made specifically for today’s recovering C-section moms.  They’re made from ultra comfy stretch fabrics which can be worn with the waistband either higher, or pushed down lower, as your scar area subsides on the belly. These are the comfy and cool little undies you’ve been searching for!  A perfect gift for your new mom friends.

11/15 - COCO-ZEN TRUFFLES-TO-GIVE

Who doesn’t love chocolate.  Who doesn’t love chocolate truffles handmade from Fair Trade and organic chocolate?  And to think it all started about with new mom, Joyce Kushner taking her son’s nap breaks to experiment with several “harmonious” flavor combinations.  Her truffles were a hit with her friends and family, so she said goodbye to corporate America and went into business for herself.  Thus, Coco-Zen was born - spreading the joy of chocolate “enlightenment” one truffle at a time.  What chocolate lover wouldn’t appreciate a tin of Coco-Zen’s Truffles-to-Go?