Enjoy the Limited Edition Island Collection from Vera Bradley.  This limited collection is the very thing you need this summer to make it a stylish one.  It offers many great gifts for those who love the summer, who are going on vacation, or just love anything tropical and beachy.  The following products are inspired by Bali and are available for Summer ‘09, until quantities sell out, so grab them quickly!

Island Collection Beach Towel

This generously oversized beach towel is the one essential item you need for the beach or pool side.  Inspired by Bail and the tropics, the Island Collection Beach Towel is make of 100% cotton and available in 5 other designs. 35″ x 65″

Price $34

Island Collection Tiki Tote

The Tiki Tote makes a great present for those who like to make a statement. This adorable tote is great for any summer party and is available in the Bali Blue and Bali Gold pattern.  This structure tote has  two front pockets, a deep interior with two slit pockets and zipper compartment, and a padded strap. 12 1/2″ x 14″ x 4 3/4″ – 10″ strap drop.

Price $98

Tiki Clutch also available for $58

Island Collection Straw Hat

The Island Collection Straw Hat is a wide brim hat and is classic in design, which is sure to make a great gift for just about anyone.  Flexible and lightweight, it can be tuck away in any bag.  Available in Bali Blue and Bali Gold pattern. One size fits most.

Price $38

Island Collection Straw Sandals

The Island Collection Straw Sandals are made of an eco-friendly and flexible sole.  The footbed is constructed of natural straw and trimed in either Bali Blue or Bali Gold pattern.  Flower and beads are made of natural materials as well. Available in size Small (5-6), Medium (7-8), and Large (9-10).

Price $28

A retro concert t-shirt makes the perfect Father’s Day present for the rocker dad in your life.  The concert t-shirts from Wolfgang’s Vault are reproduction of the most popular and memorable rock concerts.  Concert dates are from the 60’s-90’s, which makes you sure to find the right one for your dad this Father’s Day.  Retro tees range from performers such as The Doors, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead, to more modern performers like The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana.

Grateful Dead Men’s Retro T-Shirt

For the Dead Head dad! This Grateful Dead Retro tee is from the May 5-6th, 1967 concert at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.  The artist Wes Wilson, created this artwork as his final poster in a series of 56 for the Fillmore Auditorium.

Price $36

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Cream Men’s Retro T-Shirt

This retro Cream T-Shirt is from the March 7-10th, 1968 concert at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.  Artwork created by artist Stanley Mouse.  What’s more fitting than a cream color tee for the band name Cream.

Price $32

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Led Zeppelin Men’s Retro T-Shirt

For the Led Zeppelin Fanatic! This Led Zeppelin tee is from the Day(s) on the Green Event at the Oakland Coliseum on July 23-24th, 1977.  T-Shirt is also available in navy blue.

Price $36

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The Pretenders Men’s Retro T-Shirt

The Pretenders Retro tee makes a great Father’s Day gift for the British Rock fan dads.  Artist Arlene Owseichik created this artwork for the Febuary 27-28th, 1987 concert in Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA.

Price $36

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To see more Rock Concert Retro T-Shirts, check out Wolfgang’s Vault for a variety of other concert tees.

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Seeing you on your big day is gift enough for most of your guests. But giving them a special treasure to remember your wedding by is a nice way to send them home. Need help selecting unique, affordable wedding favors? Check out these ideas.

Good Things Come in Little Packages. photo courtesy of coreyann

Personalized Mint Tins

Send your guests home feeling fresh with personalized mint tins. Once they eat up all the mints you’ve supplied them with, they can restock their tin and use it over and over. Beau-Coup.com has cute designs under $2.50 a piece. Another resource is FavorAffair.com.

Candy Table

Hit a local bulk candy shop and buy treats in your wedding colors. Fill glass jars and containers with the treats and let guests make their own treat bags to take home. Make sure to stock the table with candy scoops and bags with twisty ties so they can transport their tasty gift easily. If you prefer to buy the candy online, try JellyBelly.com.

Personalized Sunscreen

It’s the perfect favor for a summer wedding– especially one on the beach. Send your guests home with a personalized bottle of sunscreen. It’s truly a gift they can use and appreciate. Select from several colorful designs at FavorIdeas.com.

Small Plants

For a garden or outdoor wedding give guests a small pot like these with some flower seeds or herbs growing inside. Include a personalized label or flag with a clever message like, “Hope you had a great thyme.” You can pick the pots up for around $.50 each and the seeds are available at local garden stores or online.

Donation

Rather than give guests traditional gifts, why not make a donation in their honor. Choose one of your favorite charities and send guests home feeling good about helping out a worthy cause.

Candles

Give your guests some mood lighting. Send them off with a simple candle wrapped in corrugated paper and tied up with a twine bow. It’s a low cost and simple gift that fits a variety of wedding styles.

If you love the perfume Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker, you’ll love her new trio of scents meant to complement the original fragrance.  The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker is a personal collection of three fragrances inspired by lovely moments.  For instance, Dawn is inspired by morning, sunrise and first sunrays, while Twilight is inspired by the evening, by the indefinable moments and indescribable feelings. 

The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker makes a great gift to those who are fans of her fragrances, or even to those who want a little more romance in their lives.  Learn more about each of the three new perfumes below to find just the right one to make it the perfect gift:

Dawn by Sarah Jessica Parker

Dawn is a fresh and clean fragrance, inspired by the morning sunrise and first sunrays. Makes a great gift for those who like clean and fresh fragrances.  Dawn is a very inviting scent and a fragrance for making first impressions. Top notes: citrus cocktail, violet leaves, angelica. Middle notes: masdevalia glandulosa, cattleya leopoldiim, cattleya luteola. Bottom notes: Tahitian vanilla, orris, oakmoss, vetiver, translucent musks.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

Endless by Sarah Jessica Parker

Endless by Sarah Jessica Parker is a fun floral-fruity fragrance to wear in the daytime.  This fragrance starts off with the combination of pineapple and jasmin, and ends with the subtle notes of sandlewood and musk.  Top notes: pineapple, apple, ivy leaves. Middle notes: clove bud oil, jasmin absolute sambac, Roman chamomile. Bottom notes: oakmoss, patchouli oil Indonesia, sandalwood oil Australia, suede musks.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

Twilight by Sarah Jessica Parker

Twilight by Sarah Jessica Parker is a sexy, musky fragrance to wear in the evening. Twilight was designed to be reminiscent of the sweet moments of intimacy and closeness.  This makes a great gift for that special someone in your life. Top notes: bergamot, galbanum, mandarin, pink pepper. Middle notes: peony, jasmine. Bottom notes: amber, sandalwood, incense, musk.

Eau de Parfume Spray 2.5 oz

Price $58

You can find The Lovely Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker at Beauty.com.

Spice Up Your Summer Parties. Photo courtesy of Mess of Pottage

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer. It’s when we pack up our sweaters, pull out our swimsuits and get ready for three months of sun, sand and surf. If you’re heading to a Memorial Day barbeque, make sure you don’t go empty handed. Take a little gift to spice up your holiday and get summer started right.

Beach Towels

Doesn’t it seem like these disappear every summer? Start the season out with a fresh set of brightly colored beach towels. Target has some great basic beach towels on sale. These colorful dot towels are available in sets of two for $11.99.

Sun Hat

Make sure your loved ones are properly protected from the sun’s rays with a cute beach hat. Banana Republic has a great floppy straw hat that comes in gray or brown for just $59.

Portable Speakers

Music can set the mood for the perfect summer bash. Make sure your parties always have the ideal soundtrack with portable speakers. These portable Logitech speakers are just over an inch thick and have flexible power options. Pick them up from Fad Fusion for $48.99.

Outdoor Wine Glasses

The patio is no place for fancy glass goblets. Pick up some colorful acrylic wine glasses instead like these from grill master Bobby Flay at Kohl’s. They’re on sale for just $4.89 right now and they come in blue, yellow or clear.

Ice Cream Maker

This isn’t your ordinary ice cream maker. The Play and Freeze needs no electricity which makes it perfect for whipping up a quick snack on a campsite or at the beach. Just put in the ingredients, and then play with the ball. After about ten or fifteen minutes, your treat will be ready.

As a way to celebrate the holidays, we often give gifts to our family and friends. This act of gift giving is a way to show appreciation for the focus of the celebration. There are many options to consider when choosing a gift, and this mainly depends on the holiday and who is receiving it.

The summer is approaching fast and many schools are hosting their graduation. Personalized gifts are perfect for this event because they often remind the graduate of the time spent at the institution. For example, you may want to consider a picture frame that has their name and graduation date engraved below the picture.

I received a personalized picture frame many years ago when I graduated from high school. It was an excellent gift that I recommend for this type of event. I received a silver colored picture frame that had my name at the bottom along with the date of my graduation. I still have this picture frame today and it reminds me of my graduation every time I see it.

Personalized gifts are also great for holidays such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. This type of monogrammed gift can really show your parents how much you care. I recommend choosing a personalized gift for those special days and the person receiving the gift is sure to be pleased.

This post was submitted by our Contributor, Steve.

What's In Your Suitcase? photo courtesy of kthread

The world seems to be shrinking. These days you can easily get the special chocolate, wine and accessories in America that once required a trip abroad to purchase. While it’s great for convenience sake, it makes coming home with unique, special and hard-to-find gifts very difficult. No one wants to lug home a special treat, only to find it at their local World Market or specialty grocery store. To find a truly unique gift, try these suggestions:

Go Off the Beaten Path

To find the most unique gifts, ask the locals. Where do they shop for one-of-a-kind items? What can’t they live without? Likely they’ll send you off the beaten path– way off it. Shop in locally owned antique stores or boutiques. Your loved one will appreciate the uniqueness of their gift from your travels.

Buy Art

Art is one of those things that can’t be simply recreated, or shipped to every chain store. Pick up prints, pottery or handmade items crafted by local artisans. When you bring these items home you are truly bringing a piece of your experience back with you.

Stay Out of Souvenir Shops

Instead of picking up souvenirs at souvenir shops, visit local garden centers, grocery stores or markets. Things that locals may not see as very special, actually are because they use them so much. You might find some great tea, candy or local flower seeds to grow in your own garden.

Give Photos

If you’re passionate about photgraphy, why not give some of your snap shots as gifts? Turn them into mugs, mousepads or notecards and give them as gifts. That way you can definitely count on the fact that they are one-of-a-kind and unique because you are the one that created them.

Many difficult choices are made while planning a wedding. These choices include choosing a theme for the wedding along with stationery and decorations that match this theme. Another difficult aspect of the planning process is finding gifts for the bridal party.

photo courtesy of David's Bridal

The bridal party plays an important role during the wedding ceremony and because of this; the bride and groom often give them a unique gift that shows their appreciation. While searching for bridal party gifts, you should consider the location and theme of the wedding. I was recently a groomsman at a wedding and I was impressed with the gift that the bride and groom gave me. It was a mug personalized with my initials. This was a thoughtful gift and it still reminds me of the wedding every time I see it. This is the main goal of giving a thoughtful gift to the bridal party because they help with many important aspects of the wedding.

An excellent gift for the bridesmaids is a personalized picture frame because it can help them remember the event. You can take this a step further and include a picture of the bride with each bridesmaid inside the frame. If this is not what you are looking for, another option is a tote bag that includes the initials of each bridesmaid.

If you are looking for a unique gift, there are many options available at David’s Bridal. You can find a wide variety of gifts that are perfect for the bridal party. I recommend choosing gifts that connect personally to each member of the bridal party.

This post was submitted by one of our Contributors, Steve.

Flowers have always been one of the most loved and offered gifts. Sending flowers is a breeze these days. You can find hundreds of stores online that will deliver the same day. However, it’s not always a good idea to leave everything for the last moment.

Here are our top 10 favorites for this Mother’s Day (tomorrow!!)

Don’t know what to give this Mother’s Day?  Then give mom some things for the home that she is sure to love.  Here are some quick and easy ideas for this Mother’s Day:

Primal Elements Icon Black Glass Candle

Icon Candle

The Fleur De Lis ICON candle is hand jeweled crystal on ebony glass and is sure to please the mom who has more extravagant taste.  The candle base is a vegetable wax blend and has a rich and creamy scent of Tahitian Vanilla bean.  This ICON candle is thirteen ounces and has an approximate burn time of 65 hours. Price $20

Mother of Pearl Frame

Mother of Pearl Frame

A Mother of Pearl Picture Frame is sure to stand out in a room with all its shimmer and reflection.  This 4″ X 6″ Mother of Pearl Frame from Squares can stand vertically or horizontally.  All you have to do is put in a picture that will please mom and soon enough, you have a gift! Price $23.20

Faberge Style Egg Trinket Box

Trinket Box

A jeweled trinket box makes a great Mother’s Day present.  This Faberge Style Egg Trinket Box is accented with sparkling crystals and finished with blue enamel.  Not only is it pretty for the bathroom or dresser, it has a pretty price that makes this an affordable gift for anyone to give.  Price $19

Flagstone Tabletop Indoor Fountain

Flagstone Fountain

This 19” Flagstaff Table Fountain by Hunter, will create soothing and relaxing sounds throughout the home, providing calm and tranquility with the sound of falling water.  Make of genuine copper frame and natural slate panels, this fountain is out of the box and operating in less than 15 minutes.  There is no permanent installation, since it is a tabletop fountain.  Best of all, this fountain has up-lights to dramatizes the effects of the fountain and can act as a night light. Price $59.99

Chocolate and Blue Swirl Vase

Florentine Glass Vase

A beautifully swirled Florentine glass vase in chocolate and blue is sure to catch the eye of anyone who passes it.  This glass vase measures 12″ high and has a 3″ opening.  It makes the prefect Mother’s Day present when you give them with a bouquet of flowers. Price $25.95