For the Movers and Shakers

For my sister and I's last birthday (we're three years and three days apart in age), my parents took us, our boyfriends, grandmother, and great aunt out to dinner at one of the most fabulous Italian restaurants in town- Maggianos. Unfortunately they're tres expensive, but they serve family style and the plates are never-ending. That's right, you eat it and they keep fillin' it! We even took full platters home! It was an excellent birthday gift for the two of us that we could all share.

Goat took me to the Baltimore Inner Harbor and then to see the hilarious comedian Jim Gaffigan after a fun little romantic water side stroll. It was incredibly romantic at one point, ridiculously funny at another, and memorable the whole time. Every time I hear one of his jokes (or look at the photo of Gaffigan with Goat and I seen above) I can't help thinking about that amazing one-year anniversary gift.

I could keep going, but to save you all from a further walk down memory lane with me, the point I'm getting at is that sometimes the best gifts come in the shape of amazing experiences. If you're looking for a unique and memorable gifts head to ticket master.

Check out upcoming:

• Talk Shows/Late Night Shows- Every single one loves to have a live audience there to watch. Why not count yourself or your loved one among them?


• Concerts- These can be tres expensive to ridiculously cheap, depending on what you're going for. Here's a hint though: The latest star on MTV is going to lean towards the more expensive side... try to find the stars before they blow up on the charts.


• Comedians- Who doesn't like a good night of laughs?


• Broadway- On or off, catching a good show can be a very memorable experience. May I recommend "Hairspray" my personal favorite musical ;)

Then of course there's always a night out at a very special restaurant. However, I must warn, that if you decide to go towards the more unconventional restaurant for a holiday gift, be sure that it's amazing (which often equal expensive, unfortunately) and that you definitely have reservations. The embarrassment otherwise could be a big let down for both you and your companion.

As always, please let me know if you have any other additions you'd like for me to make fellow movers and shakers. :)

Cheap Gift Idea For Just About Anyone

Here's an easy and cheap holiday gift idea that's especially great for co-workers, friends, and others who you don't think going all out for would be appropriate.

First, take a visit to your local dollar store (yep, you heard me right- the main item is a $1 or less!). Pick out a holiday themed mug of your choice from their selection, which is normally not all that bad to be honest.

Next, grab a box of hot chocolate packages (Land O'Lakes makes a slightly more expensive individually packaged hot chocolate that is flavored and, in my opinion, to die for). Also pick up a package of mini candies of your choice (think Hershey kisses, or mini-chocolate bar).

I think you know where I'm going with this, but place a packet of hot chocolate into your holiday mug and then add in some chocolate for good measure (YUM! haha). If you want to get super creative with your wrapping, most craft stores well holiday decorated plastic wrap that you can tie around it with a pretty bow so that the mug's contents don't spill out.

I hope this cheap little holiday gift trick finds its way into your hands in time for the "secret Santa" season :).

Excellent Authors and Good Reads for Under the Christmas Tree

In my last post I gave you a few pointers on how to best buy books, cds and dvds. Now here are a few authors and books that I highly recommend for the holidays.

Excellent Authors

Jennifer Weiner:
All of Weiner’s main characters are strong, witty, smart, and sometimes sarcastic females. The topics of her books range from babies to careers. Regardless of whether you’ve had a child, have a job, or are even a female, there are plenty of life observances I think that we can all relate too in her books, though I would classify this as primarily chick-lit.

Nicholas Sparks:
Sparks writes for the romantics in all of us. Two of his books, “The Notebook” and “A Walk to Remember” have become major motion pictures as well. I recommend those books that focus on younger characters, such as the two which have become movies. Also, if you’ve read and liked “The Notebook” then you must read his follow-up “The Wedding.”

Jodi Picoult:
I credit Picoult as being one of the smartest and most-investigative writers out there. Each of her books tackles a controversial subject from all sides and is sure to leave the reader thinking. My personal favorite is “My Sister’s Keeper,” which focuses on the topic of having a child in order to save another.

Tom Clancy:
I must admit that this is the one author who’s made it onto the list, which I’ve never actually read. However, my dad swears by his novels. They tend to be very masculine (i.e. gory, investigative, war-themed), but hard to put down from what I can tell. Not to mention, endless as he’s written so many.

Stephen King:
King’s books have become horror classics of our time. I’m not much for sci-fi or horror, but I must admit, even I’ve found a book here or there of his that has heartfelt elements I truly appreciate. For example, the movie “Stand By Me” was based on one of King’s novellas. He also wrote an excellent memoir “On Writing” which is explained very well by its title. As a writer I found it incredible inspiring, smart, honest, and helpful.

J.K. Rowling:
Who hasn’t heard of the fabulous J.K. Rowling by now? I think she’s done an absolutely fantastic job of bringing back a true love of reading and adventure to children. Even adults love reading her book (guilty as charged). I honestly can't wait to see what comes next. So, if you have someone in the family who just can’t be bothered to sit down and read unless forced by homework assignments and the threat of the TV being taken away … then this is definitely the author for them.


All Around Good Reads

The Secret History ~ By: Donna Tartt
The Time Traveler’s Wife ~ By: Audrey Niffenegger
Son of a Witch ~ By: Gregory Maguire
After the War~ By: Carol Matas
I Know This Much is True~ Wally Lamb
The Bell Jar ~ By: Sylvia Plath

I hope this list helps :). Definitely let me know if you have some recommendations of your own that you'd like for me to include, so that others may enjoy them as well!

Books, Cds, and DVDs Tips

Every Christmas my family can count on at least three new books, DVDs, and CDs finding their way into the house. I'd have to guess that we're not the only ones. In fact Goat, my boyfriend, let me in on his little secret of buying four different versions of one specific form of entertainment for each member of his family. Sounds easy, right? In other words, his sister gets Ratatouille, his brother gets Spider-Man 3, his mom gets License to Wed and his dad gets 300.

What gets tricky about giving movies, CDs and DVDs for the holidays is finding out whether they already own it and whether the movie is appropriate for it (Hint: Knocked Up--- not appropriate for Mom or Great Aunt Sue).

So here are some tips to help you on your way:

1. Do a little spy work ;) --- That's right, its time to get your hands dirty. Make your call to dad about Mom, Grandma about Grandpa, and even lil sis about lil bro. Find out whether your house already contains one copy of the book,cd, and dvd. Who wants to go through the post-Christmas sales rush to return a CD someone bought you as a gift?


2. Find out the rating--- In the case of movies and CDs, you're going to want to look up whether the movie is rated G, PG, PG-13, or R and up. Sure you don't mind if your little cousin sneaks a few peaks at something rated a little too high for younger eyes, but your aunt and uncle probably will. For CDs check if there's a parental advisory sticker stuck on that CD. Unless you're the parent, who wants the drama?


3. Take into consideration their tastes--- I know this one sounds really obvious, but I can personally say that I've been found guilty of selecting a movie, CD, or book that I too would enjoy. Now that's not to say, find something for them that you'll absolutely hate just so you're not tempted to also enjoy it... just be careful to make sure their tastes are taken into consideration as well as your own. I'm all about sharing Christmas gifts when applicable. A little borrowing is good for the soul :)


4. Get shopping--- Now here's the fun part! Go on-line and surf the web if you're not a fan of the holiday shopping crowds. Head to your favorite Borders, or local book store and grab a cup of coffee while you peruse the isles, picking up each book to examine the cover as you go (this is the type of shopping I enjoy the most) if you prefer to do the legwork yourself. Put your skills for observation to their test. What book, movie, or DVD was last mentioned by that special someone? Surprise them by proving you pay attention and get a little something special for yourself while you're at it.

So what DVDs, books, and music are on your Christmas List?

Tis the Season to Shop

Hi, I'm Daszzle from Something to Smile About! And now for the awkward "new blog" introduction:

It's been a goal of mine for quite a while to turn my random ramblings into something more concentrated, even something that could help others. While I definitely wouldn't call this blog "saving the world," I do hope it makes your gift shopping just a little bit easier.

In the future you can look forward to:

• Gift Ideas for your sister, mother, brother, father, great aunt Lucy, and that weird neighbor next door
• Holiday gift ideas (think Christmas, Valentines Day, and even Easter)
• Unique gift ideas (Green gifts, support your local artist gifts, personalized gifts, etc.)
• Hard to think of gift ideas (gifts for those you haven't met, wedding gifts, baby shower gifts, etc.)

While I can't promise not to make this a little bit of a ramble every now and then (it is what I do best). I can offer my services as a condolence prize:

Hit me with it folks. Send me your gifting problems and I'll send my solutions your way, most likely in a post or as a comment on your own blog.

The holidays are upon us, and I'm ready to shop!