Oprah's Favorite Things, Actually Michelle's Favorite Things 2010-2011

Well it's getting to be that time of the year again. Time to think about the upcoming holiday season and the gifts you need to get for those that you love. What better time to come out with my list of favorite things for 2010-2011? My favorite list this year is chock full of good things that are affordable and adorable. No matter who you have to shop for you are sure to find some very good ideas for much appreciated gifts on my list. Take a look and leave me a note to tell me what you think.

My teenage son introduced me to James Avery jewelry when he purchased a necklace for his girlfriend and I have to say, I love this place!! The company was founded by James Avery, a decorated World War II pilot, and is headquartered in Texas. You can find JA jewelry stores in malls throughout the United States or on the web at http://www.jamesavery.com. If there is a store near you I encourage you to visit it-the catalog pictures don't do the jewelry justice.

JA jewelry designs are beautiful in their simplicity, classically timeless, and make perfect gifts for men, women, and teens. The store sells silver silver rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendents, charm bracelets and charms. Some of the designs are available in gold or with gemstones. My husband purchased a silver cigar band ring for me for my birthday this year and I never take it off I love it so much. I have already given him my list for Christmas.

Who doesn't love a personalized gift?  The creators of shutterfly.com make it easy for anyone to create a customized gift that is perfect for the holiday season.  The extremely high quality products will have delighted recipients thinking you spent ooodles of money when in fact you haven't spent any more than you would have for an ordinary gift at your local store. 

Shutterfly offers a myriad of gifts personalized with your own photos.  The most popular by far are the photobooks that start at only $12.99.  You simply pic out the design you want, drag and drop your favorite photos into the templates, personalize the book, and 2 weeks later you have a cherished gift to give to someone special. Along with photobooks shutterfly offers other personalized gifts like: stationary, photomugs, calendars, playing cards, photoboxes, shirts, puzzles, and much much more.

This year I plan to make photomugs to send to members of my family and friends.  My sister and I live in different states and took a cruise vacation together last spring.  I have the greatest picture of the two of us in the Cayman Islands that I plan to put on a mug for her so  she can remember all of the fun we had when we were on our vacation together.     

Right now shutterfly is offering free shipping on orders over $30.  This is an awesome deal and could save you loads of money.  Check this site out, I guarantee you will love it as much as I do.

 I'll be the first to tell you that I am no fan of wine (or beer for that matter).  I don't know much about it so please don't ask me the difference between a Merlot or Cabernet.  Lord knows I've tried to go to the store and find something I like, but I just waste my money, I haven't found anything sweet enough for me that doesn't have that "wine wang" taste I hate. 

My friend Jenny opened my eyes to a truly sweet wine that I can enjoy when she gave me a bottle of Moscato by Castello de Poggio. It's name means "castle on a hill" and the wine is definitely sweet enough for me.  It's made with muscat grapes that originate in the Piedmont region of Italy and has undertones of apricots and honey.  The wine is very moderately priced, you can pick up a bottle for about $10.  If you need a quick gift, drop in your local store and pick up a bottle-you won't be disappointed.

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This is a fabulous product that I have used and absolutely love. Dr. Scholl's Fast Flats are little black plastic ballerina slipper looking shoes that you carry with you and slip on when the high heels you are wearing begin to hurt your feet. The shoes come tucked inside a little gold wrist-let that you can easily carry with you or put in your purse. The shoes are flexible, comfortable, and convenient. I wore mine the other night when it began raining and I did not want to get my good shoes wet.

The flats can be purchased at most major chain stores like Walgreen's and Walmart. I bought mine from Walmart and paid a mere $6 for them. They come in a box that is the perfect size to stuff in someones stocking. Trust me, if you get these for someone they may look at you funny when they open the box, but will call you and thank you profusely when they use them.