Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't really blogged in a while... been busy with cold season and snow and all kinds of other mundane stuff. Anyway, I wanted to let you all know that we're pretty soon we're going to be adding a whole bunch of new items to Lataz.com. The only thing is, we need to clear out some old stock to make room for the new items. Soo..... this is great news for YOU! Because we've discovered the best way to do this kind of "spring cleaning" is to throw a big clearance sale. Now your favorite items are even cheaper than ever (I know you're thinking is that even possible?)... So check it out HEREand happy shopping!

This is CRAZY!!! How the heck did time fly so fast? Only 17 days till Christmas and only a week and a half till the last "official" day to ship! (shhh don't tell anyone but for those masochist procrastinators out there, FedEx actually lets you ship overnight on the 23rd and they guarantee it there by the 24th). Anyway, the heat is on and it's time to really get those last gifts...

I have a couple of gift box/basket ideas for you tonight that I hope will help...

Coffee Lovers Basket:

Supplies: Small Basket (from the dollar store), Shredded colorful paper, Clear Cellophane, Ribbon

Products:

• ($7.45) 1lb gourmet coffee
• ($18.50) Calf & Half Creamer Pitcher
• ($9.99) Ceramic Coffee Cup

Place shredded paper in bottom of basket. Place items in basket. Wrap basket in clear cellophane and tie the top with ribbon.

Favorite Niece, Nephew, or Grandchild:

Supplies: Clear Cellophane, Ribbon

Products:

• ($18.00) Yellow Pages Booster Seat
• ($10.99 Funny Bib
• ($8.50) Airfork One

Place Bib and Airfork One on the Booster Seat. Wrap Booster Seat in Cellophane and tie on top with ribbon.

Sorry I haven't blogged the past week, just been crazy busy with Thanksgiving and family and Black Friday and Cyber Monday and you know............ It's 23 days till Christmas!!! How is your holiday shopping going? Are you finished? Have you even started yet? Well now that we're "officially" in a recession (yeah it took those idiots a year to realize it), we'll just have to scrimp a bit harder and save a bit better.... So over the next couple of weeks I'm going to some ideas your way on how to buy just a couple of inexpensive items and create an entire gift bag out of them... for under $20! That's right, gift ideas for under $20!!!!

Today we'll start with a great gift box for any tweenage girl (10-13). You will need some basic supplies and also my short shopping list and you'll be good to go.

Supplies: 1 medium sized shoe box pink tissue paper glue white ribbon

Shopping list:

• ($4) Fashion Citation Notepad
• ($6.50) Nail Care Set
• ($5) Lip Gloss Set
• ($1.99) Earrings

Instructions: Glue tissue paper all over the outside of the shoe box to cover it, and you can make little tissue paper pom poms or flowers to stick all over... Put more tissue paper inside the bottom of the box, place items inside and cover. Tie box shut with ribbon. Give gift and watch as she smiles!

If you kinda like this idea but want to get a bit more sophisticated, maybe for a girl a bit older (13-17), you may have to spend just a bit more money, but you can still create an excellent gift they'll really enjoy.

Supplies: Pretty gift bag (you can get them at the dollar store) tissue paper

Shopping List:

• ($1.50) Safari Boards
• ($10.00) Bath & Body Set
• ($4) Fashion Citation Notepad
• ($10.99) Stripe Scarf

Put tissue paper in bottom of gift bag, place items inside. Give to your teenage niece or cousin and you'll be her favorite relative of all time!

Stay tuned for more cheap gift ideas...

OMG can you believe it??? Less than a month till Christmas! I know you're all muttering that I need to just shut my trap cuz I'm making you all nervous... But I can't help it! It's craaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzziness out there in the malls people! And it isn't even December yet! It isn't even Thanksgiving yet! I guess people are just trying to get out there early this year and get what they need before the money is all gone...

And so, this brings me to my next fabulous gift idea that will not break your bank, NY's very own "We Are Happy To Serve You" cups - only these aren't disposable, they're ceramic!!! These coffee cups make a perfect gift for any coffee (or tea) drinker, anyone who loves NY, or just about anyone who appreciates watching people do a double take after lifting this cup only to realize it's a REAL cup. (whew that was a long sentence)

Now you guys can countdown with me by putting this widget on your blog or profile page.

Is it just me or are the days flying by? Only 35 days till Christmas! It's crazy!!! As turkey day approaches I'm sure you're all starting to feel the pressure... I know I am. Then Black Friday will be spent working off all that turkey by standing and shifting and pushing and grumbling in line for 5 hours... Only to discover that the person ahead of you in line bought the last Wii they had in stock... And then you get trampled on your way out the mall... Ok ok I digress...

Well anyway, I've got some really cool (pun intended) products to show you guys today. First we've got the Gin & Titonic Ice Trays. In case you didn't figure it out, these trays make ice in the shapes of - wait for it - the Titanic, and icebergs. Yes they're cruel and funny and incredibly facinating! These ice trays make a great gift for just about anyone... but especially for Titanic obsessed people... think teenage neice or historian cousin...



Next we've got one of our most popular items: Cool Shooters. These shot glass ice molds are seriously the best gift ever... You can't go wrong with these (unless the person you're giving them to is in AA or something)... Just pour in water (or add some lemon juice for some zing) and freeze. Then pop these babies right out and pour in some of your favorite drink. Or, you can use these as jello molds for the ultimate jello shot... The possibilities are ENDLESS!



Last but not least, are my favorite coasters of all time, introducing: Clumsy Coasters. Personally, I am a fairly messy and unorganized person. I am not the kind of person who will give you a look and pick up your drink and put it on a coaster. Or at least, I wasn't. But then I saw these adorable coasters and I was hooked. They totally fit with my personality (I should add that I'm pretty clumsy to boot so spilled drinks are the norm around here) and make my guests do a double take and then bust out a big smile... So bring some cheer into your holiday disorder with these fabulous coasters.

Oooookay people, how have we been doing? Please tell me you have least crossed off 3 people from your list as DONE. Otherwise, you are probably going to be in big trouble... Now let's get serious and talk about something (or rather I should say someone) who is very important but tends to get overlooked when we're busy running around like crazies looking for that perfect cashmere sweater for aunt Tillie...

Man's best friend. The most loyal companion. Old Yeller. Ring a bell? Ding Ding Ding! I'm talking about your dog(s)! They are there for us when we need someone to lean on/hug... They don't judge us, and they don't talk back. They don't give us a look when they see us sneaking that fifth piece of chocolate... So why is it that we sometimes tend to forget our best buds when life with the humans gets to be hectic?

Well this year that's gotta change. I've got the perfect item to show your doggie just how much you love him/her... Oh and this will totally help with those New Year's resolutions to get more exercise.... It's the Wooferang™! This great fetch toy is tons of great fun for you and your favorite pet... Playing fetch has never been this exciting!

OMG! It's here! With 41 days to spare, it's finally here! The greatest invention since slice bread and fake Christmas trees...

Introducing: TINSEL TAPE!!! This awsome packing tape looks like tinsel! It's a must have for anyone who's wrapping or packing any presents this year - that means YOU! Decorate your wrapped presents or turn plain-jane shipping boxes into masterpieces with this versatile tape.

Oh my goodness! I haven't posted in a while... shame on me! Well the only excuse I can come up with is that I've been busy slashing all our prices for our big Hoilday Sale! We know how bad the economy is doing right now.... We know you have a lot of people you really have to get gifts for.... We know you don't want to break the bank this year.... So we've lowered the prices on most of our items to help you breathe a bit easier this year. ***Ok ok I'll shut up now***

Anyway today's great gift idea is actually a couple of stocking stuffers ideas.

Can't afford to get her diamonds this year? Well how about these really Cool Jewels? These jewel ice cubes make Elizabeth Taylor's diamonds look cheap in comparison! (ok maybe not, but they are pretty big)... If you wanna go all out, the best way to do it is to attach a cheesy note to the package that reads "Babe, I wanted to get you diamonds but I couldn't find any big enough to truly express how much I love and appreciate you. So I got you these instead. Love you always, _________". Great way to say "I love you" without spending a fortune!



Ladies, what about that husband or boyfriend who's always forgetting things? "Oops! Lamaze class was today?" or "Oh man I forgot to buy eggs again!"... Does this sound familiar at all? Well we've got the perfect stocking stuffer for these guys... It's the ToDo Tattoo! This great gift comes with 12 graphic "To Do" forms that you can apply to your body wherever it's most convenient (or creative) and a skin-safe, washable-ink gel pen. Say so long to the days of numerous reminds and alarms!

Have a coworker who's not quite a friend but more than just a coworker? Someone who will be expecting some kind of a gift? OR, do you have a "Secret Santa" gift exchange that you do at work? Well here are some great folders to bring a smile to anyone's face who's had to sit through endless boring meetings and file endless crap. These fun folders from Knock Knock will make a great gift - for coworkers, or even for yourself!