The scents of spring surround us. Only they're not wafting in through an open window. I'm referring to the essence of lavender. Geranium. Citrus and mint. All in the latest batch of home-cleaning products. Brands like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, Caldrea Aromatherapeutic Homekeeping™ and Restoration Hardware are giving the old-fashioned odor of bleach-and-lemon cleaning products some sweet-smelling competition.

Let's start with the countertop sprays: Mrs. Meyer's sells three delicious, powerful scents that will wipe away messes and germs with a single spritz. Find Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Countertop Spray, Window Spray, Stainless Steel Spray and more at ContainerStore.com, where you can earn 3% back from ConsumerClub.com. Get the same products in Geranium and Lemongrass scents at Cooking.com, where you'll also find Grass and Lavender-scented sheet spray, laundry fragrance and vacuum beads by the Good Home Co. — and earn 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Discover Caldrea's Lavender Pine and Citrus Mint countertop sprays, dish soaps, hand soaps and more at SurLaTable.com, where you can earn 4% back from ConsumerClub.com. Or go straight to Caldrea.com for a fragrant selection of home-cleaning products including scents such as White Tea, Green Tea Patchouli, Basil Blue Sage (my new personal favorite) and Rose Tobacco, of all things.

Last but not least, visit RestorationHardware.com for cleaning products — surface cleaners, laundry sheets and more — in scents such as Grapefruit Ginger and Cucumber Mint. And since you might need something to scrub with in all your early spring cleaning efforts, find everything from microfiber cleaning cloths to cleaning brushes at TheHomeMarketPlace.com, where you can earn 8% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Now there's another reason to look forward to Fridays: From now on, I'll be doling out the online shopping advice and money-saving tips just once a week — you guessed it, on Fridays.

I'll still be providing the same broad range of information that can help you plan ahead, look smart and conserve time, energy and money while buying the things you need and want. In fact, there's nothing I enjoy more. So keep Shop Talk on your radar each Friday. I'll make sure it's worth your while.

Posted by Paige Price at 01:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sunday, March 5th will be here before you know it. It's time to start planning your party celebrating the 78th annual Academy Awards. Begin your online shopping for Oscar night at ShinDigz.com, where you'll find plenty of Hollywood-themed party favors and decorations — and earn 5% back from ConsumerClub.com. Also check my old standby, PlumParty.com, where I've recently bought everything from classy invitations, decorative filmstrips and place settings to chocolate trophies and popcorn boxes.

Looking for a sneak preview of the evening ahead? Visit Oscars.com to find lists of nominees, trailers for films nominated, fashions from years past and more. Learn about this year's presenters and play games that could win you a trip to the Oscars.

Speaking of games, while you're on the web site, use the plentiful information there to create a trivia game of your own for the evening of the party. Have everyone take their best guesses at this year's winners — and throw in a few questions about Oscars past.

You'll want to save yourself some effort in the kitchen on a such a glamour-filled evening. Order gourmet treats and flowers from HarryandDavid.com, and earn 4% back from ConsumerClub.com. Or try some of the delectable confections from AKAGourmet.com and get 8% back from ConsumerClub.com. Turn to the FlyingNoodle.com for tasty pasta and more (and 8% back from ConsumerClub.com).

The winners on screen will walk away with golden statues and the admiration of all their peers. As for the winners at your party? Send them home with an Oscar-nominated movie soundtrack from iTunes.com or BarnesandNoble.com, both of which earn you money back from ConsumerClub.com. Or just buy the music for yourself and enjoy the ambiance of the evening long after Oscar night is over.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is day two of that tenacious tickle in the back of my throat — the undeniable indication of a cold closing in fast. Lucky for me, my early winter online shopping stocked my medicine cabinet with cold-fighting products: Airborne, Cold EEZ, Zicam and Emergen-C Super Energy Booster. Fortunately for everyone else, almost all of the above are on sale right now at Drugstore.com, where you can get up to 50% off hundreds of products and 5% cash back from ConsumerClub.com. And here are a few more immunity-boosting tips I've dug up for the next time your cold symptoms strike:

Try Vitamin C and Zinc. Drink your OJ. Eat your grapefruit. Don't forget your daily supplements. And experiment with the products I mentioned above (of course, you should always check with your doctor first). Garlic is said to fight colds as well.

Get some rest. A good night's sleep or a solid nap really does enhance your immunity. And a lack of sleep makes you more susceptible to all the germs out there.

Wash those hands. You spend years teaching your kids to do it. Take your own advice. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands too. I for one carry antibacterial wipes from BathandBodyworks.com, on sale this week, four boxes for $10.

Drink up. Stay hydrated and you'll wash away some of the toxins in your body. Aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water or more each day.

Sweat it out. Sit in a sauna or take part in some cardiovascular exercise. Sweating can also help detoxify your body, break up congestion and fight your cold in other ways.

Combine a few of these simple tips and helpful products and your sick time could possibly be cut in half — or eliminated altogether. Fingers crossed anyway.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An evening at home doesn't have to revolve around the TV — or dishes and laundry. In fact, the most fun I've had in quite a while involved just a few friends sitting down at the coffee table playing Catch Phrase the other night. Need a bad-weather backup plan? Here are some affordable games that guarantee an old-fashioned good time:

Cranium
As if the original "Whole Brain Game" wasn't enough, now there's Cranium Turbo, which cranks up the fun even further, Cranium Zigity, which adds unexpected twists and turns, and Cranium Hoopla, which unites team players in a race against the clock. Buy all kinds of Cranium at BarnesandNoble.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Fib or Not?
Take turns telling personal stories based on the funny cards you draw from the stack while other players guess if your tales are true or false. The more you fool other players, the better your chances of winning the game. Purchase it at BoardGames.com, where you'll also get free shipping on orders over $99.

Jenga
Choose the original stacking game or try Jenga Extreme — or even Jenga Truth or Dare for an added edge. Either way, if the pile of blocks tumbles on your turn, you lose. Buy any of the above versions at KBToys.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Electronic Catch Phrase
Quick, rattle off as many clues as you can to get your teammates to guess the word or phrase in your head. Just don't get caught holding the game when the buzzer goes off. Get it at BoardGames.com, where you'll also get free shipping on orders over $99.

Time's Up
The Deck of Fame is full of celebrity names. Your job is to get your teammates to guess who's on your card in 30 seconds or less. If you succeed, you keep the card. Round one might sound easy, but in rounds two and three, your actions are increasingly limited. At the end of the stack, the team with the most cards wins. Buy it at ToysRUs.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's been a fairly warm winter across much of the United States. However, I for one woke up to a foot of snow on the ground this morning. And while the freezing conditions may be diminishing in many areas, the skiing and snowboarding season is still going strong. So is the cozy online shopping season, of course.

Are you hitting the slopes any time soon? Just looking to get a jump on next year's cold-weather wardrobe? I've tracked down some extremely hot outerwear deals and winter closeouts on ski and snowboard gear:

Altrec.com
Get 60% off plenty of outerwear styles and other essential seasonal gear in the Winter Clearance Sale, which ends February 28. You'll also enjoy free shipping on orders of $45 or more, in addition to 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

REI.com
Yet another big Winter Clearance Sale is underway. You'll discover ski and snowboard gear and clothing, as well as snowshoes and many more winter necessities at up to 50% off. That includes kids' hiking boots, socks, slippers and outerwear. And the list goes on.

LandsEnd.com
The Outerwear Headquarters™ truly has you covered. And ConsumerClub.com gives you 3% back when shopping here. Browse jackets and more by warmth rating, water rating and wind rating. Find long underwear, boots, hats, scarves and gloves in sensible styles. And check out the Overstocks section for sale items of the week.

USOutdoor.com
The sale raging right now includes ski jackets, footwear, skis, snowboards, goggles, gloves, camping gear and a whole lot more. You'll find top brands like Burton, North Face, Patagonia, K2 and Gravis, among many others.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Enough with the online shopping for everyone else in your life. How about buying something relaxing just for you? I've gone ahead and tracked down today's best deals on high-quality body-pampering products. So your next special delivery can be a soothing bubble bath, an exfoliating body treatment or an aroma-therapeutic nap.

GardenBotanika.com
You won't find lotions (and such) with scents quite like this anywhere else. Take, for example, the rich Pumpkin and Ginger. Or the tart Pomegranate and Wine. Save 30-50% on clearance items. Become a Garden Club member and get 15% off every order. And get 6% back on your purchases if you're a ConsumerClub.com member.

BathandBodyWorks.com
You're probably more than familiar with all this ever-improving store has to offer. But this week there are plenty of extra-hot deals. Have you tried the new Wexler line of facial skincare products? Indulged in $5 lip care? Stocked up on antibacterial products, three for only $10? Or considered skipping dessert and just smelling like a cupcake all day long? Buy three Tutti Dolci products and get a fourth free.

H20Plus.com
From the spa gift baskets to the lavish bathrobes — and even the vibrant, modern shower radio — you'll find fresh scents, rich creams, sweet scrubs, softening souffles and other bath-side conveniences from H20+. For a limited time only, spend $29.50 and get the "For the Love of Skin" gift set, a $40 value, for only $29.50.

Beauty.com
DuWop, L'Occitane and Bliss, all in one place? Apparently some of the most luxurious bath and body products on earth can be found on Beauty.com. Not to mention free gifts with purchase, a full $10 off purchases of $100 or more today, as well as free shipping on orders of $49 or more and 6% back for ConsumerClub.com members.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's Valentine's Day, in case you've forgotten. And if you haven't taken advantage of all the online shopping tips I've offered over the past few weeks, you're not completely out of luck — especially if there's a day spa near you. I'm talking about giving your Valentine a spa gift certificate. In my book, that's about best gift anyone can give. In fact, I'd be perfectly happy to receive nothing but day spa gift certificates as gifts for the rest of my life. So what should you keep in mind when shopping for spa gift certificates?

First Things First
Visit the spa in person. Make sure it's a true day spa and not a hair salon, nail salon or gym with a tiny room off to the side for massage therapy. You want to give your love a truly immersive spa experience, where she or he is pampered from the moment the door opens. It also helps to check out the menu of services to make sure a spa offers a few luxurious-sounding massage and body treatment options. Of course, speak to a knowledgeable employee about what each service entails.

Massages
Relaxing spa music. Dimmed lights. An experienced massage therapist. Let the relaxation and detoxification begin. Massage has been improving lives for thousands of years. So do you choose Swedish? Deep tissue? Hot stone? Thai?

Swedish massage involves is what you might call "the basics." It's a simple, relaxing massage and the perfect gift for a first-time spa visitor. Deep tissue or sports massage involve much harder pressure and work best for people who have particular muscle issues and know that's what they're looking for. Hot stone massage uses, surprise, heated stones to knead the knots out of your muscles. And aromatherapy massage is any massage incorporating essential oils to benefit a person's health and state of mind.

Tip: You might want to avoid shiatsu, ayurveda, acupuncture, craniosacral massage and other unfamiliar treatments for first-time spa visitors. However, the good news is that no matter what service is written on the gift certificate, there's a 99.9% chance your Valentine can use the it for whatever spa service she or he would like at a given spa.

Body Treatments
Body treatments are like facials for your entire body. They can range from exfoliations incorporating fruit, salt and dry-brushing to hydrating wraps using mud and seaweed to aromatherapy wraps using hot, essential oil-soaked sheets. The goals of most body treatments include relaxation, hydration and skin smoothing.

Facials
Facials can be a touchy subject for some people because we all have some line of daily facial products we swear by, and venturing beyond that routine can result in unwelcome side effects and skin reactions. Therefore it's important to make sure a spa uses either the same skin products your Valentine already uses (only spa-strength) or uses some other extremely high-quality, all-natural facial product line.

Of course, it's also ideal to make sure your chosen spa will allow your love to redeem a facial gift certificate for a massage of she or he sees fit. So what is a facial? In a facial, a well-trained professional analyzes, pampers, treats, purifies, moisturizes and exfoliates the facial skin. Facials should also include a bit of massage.

Manicures and Pedicures
Of course, what you get depends on the establishment, but generally manicures and pedicures involve some massage, skin softening, nail treating and painting.

For help finding a spa near you, try CitySearch.com or SpaFinder.com — or the yellow pages. Happy spa hunting. And happy Valentine's Day.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is it the 11th hour already? Fret not, my friend. Thanks to the wonders of modern online shopping, you're just an e-card and an online gift certificate away from a thrilling Valentine's Day delivery. If a printout or a fully virtual gift isn't enough for you, complement one of the following gift certificate ideas with flowers and chocolates from a local store. (Check out my January 27th posting for thoughts on finding fun e-cards.)

GiftCertificates.com
Buy a gift certificate for a specific online retailer and have it delivered to your Valentine via email. Or buy a Super Certificate, which can be redeemed online for a gift certificate to the store of his or her choice.

BarnesandNoble.com
Books are just the beginning. Think of all the magazines. The colorful office supplies. The music. The DVDs. The wall calendars. The flavorful coffees. The rich pastries . . .

eLuxury.com
Let your Valentine choose from high-fashion clothing, accessories right off the runway, fine fragrances and many more luxurious buys.

USOlympicShop.com
Now that the Games are officially underway, your favorite team player might want to express his or her support with some authentic Olympic gear.

FigLeaves.com
Sometimes underthings are best selected by the people who'll be wearing them.

iTunes.com
As if millions of songs didn't do it for us, iTunes now offers audio books and plenty of video selections as well.

BestBuy.com
Laptops. Portable DVD players. Cameras. DVDs. CDs. You choose the dollar amount. Your Valentine can choose the techno-gift that fits best.

HomeDepot.com
It's heaven for fixer-uppers. And much-needed help for domicile dummies.

Cooking.com
Your Valentine will be so excited about the new tableware/pots and pans/cutlery/gourmet foods he or she bought with your gift certificate, you'll be almost guaranteed a home-cooked meal or two out of the deal.

CharityGiftCertificates.org
Give a gift that truly keeps on giving: A charity gift certificate.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's no wonder the U.S. population buys $2 billion in candles each year. The simple combination of choice wax and a clean-burning cotton wick can add flattering light, romantic ambiance, luxurious warmth and a pleasing aroma to any environment.

And then there's the fact that candles have been improving for thousands of years. These days, they come in an overwhelming selection of sizes, shapes, colors and fragrances. Candles are easy to find, whether you're shopping online or browsing a local specialty shop. And you can buy a great candle for under $10. What a perfect gift.

Buying the Best
The highest quality candles are made of food-grade paraffin, vegetable-based soy or a blend of the two — and have lead-free paper or cotton core wicks. My very favorite gift-worthy candle scents come from PacificaCandles.com, IllumeCandles.com, ErgoCandles.com and the Henri Bendel Home line at BathandBodyWorks.com. You can also find fragrant options at ColonialCandle.com, where you'll get 5% back from ConsumerClub.com. Here are some quick, useful tips on candle use and care:

• Always trim candlewicks between 1/4" and 3/8" before lighting — and again after every three to four hours of burning.
  
• Keep candles in well-ventilated areas (away from drafts) and set them only on stable, heat-resistant surfaces.
  
• If a candle is smoking, extinguish it, let it cool, trim the wick, remove any debris near the wick and then relight it.
  
• Learn from my mistakes. Don't move a candle when it's lit or its wax is still liquid from burning. And avoid long-term exposure to direct sunlight.
  
• Keep lit candles far out of the reach of children and pets, no matter how good the candles may look on your lovely end table.
  
• Need to remove the remains of a candle from a glass container? Freeze it for an hour. The wax should shrink and come right out afterward.
  

Are you interested in learning a whole lot more about candles? Visit the National Candle Association's web site at Candles.org to find information ranging from expert candle care tips and smart safety measures to decorative ideas and fragrance trends.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beans. Cups. Canisters. Grinders. Gift baskets. A good old French press. There's no better gift for java fans than fine coffee and its complements. Spend your online shopping time with the following sites to save money on all things coffee-related.

CoffeeAM.com
Find plenty of gourmet beans, sweet syrups and more. Bigger budget this year? Check out the first-rate grinders, coffee makers and espresso makers. Or just get a gift certificate and let your Valentine select what's best. You'll get a free half-pound of coffee with every purchase, along with 5% back from ConsumerClub.com.

StarbucksStore.com
Buy your love a bag of the famous Cafe Verona. Pick up a gift box featuring a variety of flavors. And learn about the four fundamentals essential to a great cup of coffee while earning 6% back from ConsumerClub.com. Get free shipping for a limited time.

Gevalia.com
Try the famous coffee and get the elegant little coffee maker for free. Browse food and drink recipes, buy boxes of chocolates and peruse coffee grinders, espresso makers and more. Use Gevalia's gift finder to quickly track down something special for your Valentine and get 5% back from ConsumerClub.com.

CoffeeForLess.com
Find affordable beans, ground coffee and sweeteners, as well as grinders, espresso makers, water coolers and much more on CoffeeforLess.com. You'll get 6% back from ConsumerClub.com, in addition to free shipping on orders over $100.

UncommonGoods.com
Choose from a fun selection of mugs for coffee, tea and cocoa at UncommonGoods.com and earn 5% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Another Good Idea
Would your Valentine love nothing more than gourmet coffee delivered to his or her door each month? Sign that lucky dear up for a coffee of the month club. There are endless options out there. A few of the best sites for such a thing include DelightfulDeliveries.com, AmazingClubs.com and GreatClubs.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Drinking wine from a plastic cup? You can get so much more out of that bottle you bought. Refined palates know what a difference the right glass makes. Its shape, size and thickness can dramatically enhance a wine's flavor — and your entire sensory experience. Here's what you need to know when shopping online for stemware:

• It should be clear and unadorned with patterns or etchings so you don't conceal the color or clarity of your wine.
  
• It should have a thin rim so the wine doesn't get held up rather than pouring smoothly into your mouth.
  
• It should have a stem that prevents your hand from warming the wine inside. (Though stem-less versions have recently been developed in thicker glass that makes warming less of an issue.)
  
• It should have a solid base that prevents your glass from tipping or the stem from snapping.
  
• The bowl of the glass should taper inward so that the aromas of the wine are maintained and directed toward the nose when you swirl and drink your wine.
  
• It should be large enough to hold a serving of wine without crossing the halfway mark, but small enough that you don't feel awkward holding it.
  
• White wine glasses should have a narrower bowl (to contain more delicate aromas) and hold between 8 and 14 ounces below the halfway mark.
  
• Red wine glasses should have a larger, broader bowl (to contain a larger bouquet) and hold between 10 and 16 ounces below the halfway mark.
  
• Champagne and sparking wine should be served in tall, tapered flutes, which are designed to retain bubbles.
  

Cleaning and Storage
Dish soap can leave a thin film that will affect the taste of wine. Therefore you should clean your wine glasses with warm or hot water and no soap on the inside. Place them on a linen to dry — or hand dry them immediately after washing to avoid spots. Just before serving wine in a glass again, hold it up to the light to make sure it's clean. Never store glasses upside down, as it can trap stale odors. Store glasses upright in a ventilated cupboard or hang them from a rack made for specifically for stemware.

Where to Buy Online
Get money back from ConsumerClub.com when you shop for stemware and more at HSN.com, Wine.com, Lenox.com, Boscovs.com and Target.com. Learn all you'll ever need to know about stemware — and particularly, industry leader Riedel — in the "Wine and Glass Guide" at Riedel.com. You can also find beautiful, affordable stemware at Macys.com, PotteryBarn.com, CrateandBarrel.com and BedbathandBeyond.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 08:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How can a little bottle of fermented grape juice be so darn intimidating? Sit down at a nice restaurant and you're handed a fancy book of wine selections — sometimes in a language you don't understand. You may be a connoisseur. But what if you're not? Do you close your eyes and point? Make a decision based solely on price? Pretend you know what you're talking about and potentially get something you don't like? Or ask the waiter or waitress for assistance and risk sounding ignorant?

Remember, wait staff are required to be familiar with the options and how those pair with the food they sell. Some restaurants even have a well-trained wine expert, or sommelier, on staff. My best advice is to avoid stressing yourself out and just go with a professional recommendation. This is a great way to try new wines — and eventually become an expert yourself. But always keep the following suggestions in mind too:

Pairing and Preference
Most of us have heard that white wines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc pair better with lighter fare, such as fish and chicken, while reds like Syrah (Shiraz when from Australia) or Merlot are better matches for heavier red meat-and-potatoes type meals. It's a smart guideline. But in the end, you can and should order whatever you enjoy drinking with whatever you feel like eating. I for one have a serious sweet tooth, therefore Gewurztraminer is my old standby with just about any meal.

Price
You can buy a wonderful bottle of wine on sale for less than $10 when shopping online or browsing your local liquor store. And while restaurant markup will probably prevent you from finding such a deal while dining out, don't worry about looking cheap if you order the least expensive option on the menu — especially if it's a wine you already know and love. The bottom line is that your budget is a very important factor. And after all, you're paying for something that's likely to disappear within the hour.

Where to Order and Learn More
Visit Wine.com to learn much more about wine — and order by the bottle, in a collection or as part of a Valentine's Day gift basket such as "Cupid's Backpack." You'll also earn 4% back from ConsumerClub.com on all your purchases at Wine.com. You can find more incredible wine gifts, such as the "Luxury Wine Tote and Wine," and earn 4% back from ConsumerClub.com at AllWineBaskets.com.

Expand your wine smarts further at About.com. Refer to the Wine Encyclopedia at WineVegas.com for specific terminology. Make a game of your wine education with the "Wine Smarts" flash cards at PlumParty.com. You can also sign up for a free three-day pass to WineSpectator.com, where you can read articles, find wine recommendations and access ratings and tasting notes for thousands of fine wines.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You can certainly select roses and other floral gifts based on price, appearance or the advice of a florist. But wouldn't it be nice to start out knowing what some of these colorful products of nature really mean? Consider the following information as you're shopping online for Valentine's Day flowers.

The word rose, stemming from the Latin word rosa (meaning red), stands for love, passion and perfection. Roses have been symbols of love for many generations. Today, it can be hard to follow all the different colors and meanings of roses. Here's my best attempt at figuring things out for you:

Burgundy Roses suggest inner or unconscious beauty.
Coral/Peach Roses communicate desire, passion, gratitude and admiration.
Dark Crimson Roses express mourning.
Lavender Roses convey enchantment.
Orange Roses show fascination, enthusiasm and pride.
Dark Pink Roses communicate a feeling of gratitude.
Light Pink Roses say happiness, admiration, friendship, joy, grace and sympathy.
Pink & White Roses together mean I love you still and always will.
Red Roses express love, passion, respect, courage, beauty, loveliness and prosperity.
Red & Pink Roses together communicate strong romance.
Red & White Roses together stand for unity.
Red & Yellow Roses together mean happiness and congratulations.
Yellow Roses once stood for jealousy, but today they mean joy, friendship, caring and new beginnings.
Yellow Roses with Red Tips indicate friendship and falling in love.
Yellow & Orange Roses together express passionate thoughts.
White Roses mean a lot, including innocence, purity, secrecy, truth, virtue, humility, spiritual love, reverence, charm, sincerity, silence and youthfulness.

A Single Red Rose usually communicates love at first sight.
Two Red Roses joined together show commitment or engagement.
A Dozen Red Roses say "Be mine."
Twenty-Four Red Roses tell someone you think about him or her 24 hours a day.

Beyond the Rose
Most tulips, carnations, violets, zinnias and lilies express love. Lavender stands for devotion. Irises show faithfulness. Of course, an olive branch makes peace. Orange blossoms mean eternal love. And orchids stands for beauty, love and long life.

Avoid These Flowers
A yellow chrysanthemum communicates disappointment. A begonia says beware. A single daffodil stands for misfortune. Oleander and rhododendron convey a need for caution. A snapdragon stands for deception. A hydrangea means heartlessness. A larkspur shows fickleness. And a marigold has perhaps the harshest meaning of all, standing for cruelty, grief and jealousy. Needless to say, as pretty as they may be, these last few flowers probably aren't a fit for February 14th.

Start Shopping
Some of the best online sources for flowers include 1800Florals.com, FlowersUSA.com, FlowerStore.com, FlowersFast.com, DutchGardens.com, Kabloom.com and many more that earn you money back from ConsumerClub.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you haven't already finished your online shopping with the help of my plentiful jewelry-shopping tips, there are still plenty of creative options out there to choose from. Here are some of things I wish someone would buy me this Valentine's Day:

Garden Rain Umbrella, $48.00
Spring showers are just around the corner. Make sure she's as stylish and prepared as ever with a feminine, floral-print umbrella from Tray6.com. Comes in four colors.

Spectrum Photo Album Set, $36.00
So she's gone digital. She still needs a place to store her plentiful photo prints from years gone by. WishingFish.com offfers a set of six rainbow-colored mini photo albums for 4" x 6" pictures, standing in a sleek black case.

Best of Bliss Set, $45.00
Give her the greatest hits from New York's hottest spa. This gift box features Bliss™ spa's most popular soaps, scrubs and such. Get it at BlissWorld.com.

Tilla Silver Flowers, $50.00
Roses are red. Violets are blue. But silver-plated flowers always look brand-new. I love the delicate bouquet of silver-plated flowers from Unica Home so much, I'll be buying it for myself.

Henri Bendel Home Pomegranate Candle, $26.00
The tart freshness of pomegranate blended with tropical pineapple and guava. The warmth of amber and musk. A beautiful glass container with a stylish metal top. Up to 60 hours of burn time. BathandBodyWorks.com delivers the consummate candle.

Shuga Buds Earphones, $48.00
Add more music to her ears. Your little iPod® addict could use these Swarovski®-crystal accented Shuga Buds ear buds from PlumParty.com.

Ethno Basket, $36.00
From RetroModern.com, this color-finished stainless steel basket with decorative cutouts can be used for fruit in the dining room or washcloths in the bathroom.

Pour Moi? Cotton Modal Lace Strappy Camisole, $42.00
This camisole with floral lace trimming and slender straps comes in chocolate with pink accents or white with pink accents. (It's just one of the many lovely things on FigLeaves.com.) Do make sure you read the fine print and get the sizing right! And click through ConsumerClub.com if you want to get 4% back on your purchase.

Large Pink Tool Set, $26.00
If your girl is anything like me, her tool kit is a jumble of hand-me-downs in disarray. All the more reason to set her up with this affordable, deluxe tool kit with 87 indispensable items ranging from a tape measure to a tiny pink drill. From Abernook.com.

Cloth Jewelry Boxes, $38.00 and up
Leave it to Anthropologie to offer tons of charming, classy little cloth jewelry boxes. How to choose? Find out her favorite color or perhaps try to match her interior style.

Posted by Paige Price at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The card may say "I love you" but the gift should say, "I know you," "I've been paying close attention to you" and "Am I incredible or what?" I've compiled the following list of perfect gifts (each one $50 or less) to make all of the above more than evident to your man. You get to look savvy. Save money. And enjoy the online shopping part of preparing for Valentine's Day — with plenty of time to spare.

Sterling Silver Money Clip, $40
Every man could stand to keep a better handle on his cash. Unless, of course, he's spending it on you. The sophisticated sterling silver money clip from BlueNile.com will do the trick. It will also get you 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Stargazers Identifying Scope, $39.95
Give him a first-class ticket to outer space. With the Stargazers Identifying Scope, he can now identify up to 35 major stars and 60 constellations in the night sky, thanks to HammacherShclemmer.com. And you'll get 6% back on your purchase price, thanks to ConsumerClub.com.

"The Complete Cartoons of The New Yorker," $48.00
Hook him up with the largest-ever collection of The New Yorker's wry, witty cartoons, featuring the best of each decade in book form, plus two easy-to-browse CDs. Buy it at BarnesandNoble.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

iTunes Gift Card, $15., $25, $50
Millions of songs. Loads of audio books. Hours of Saturday Night Live skits. And money back on your purchase to boot. Give him his choice of audio entertainment from iTunes.com. You'll get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Cigar of the Month Club, 2 months/$40.00
Surprise your favorite cigar aficionado with two special deliveries of four premium cigars from the world's best tobacco farms. Buy it from DelightfulDeliveries.com.

Mini Travel Bar, $40.00
This sleek canvas traveling case found on UncommonGoods.com contains a flask with a connected lid, a funnel, a corkscrew, a stir stick, ice tongs and telescoping shot glass. And here's the really intoxicating part: You'll get 5% of your purchase price back from ConsumerClub.com.

Wayfinder™ V700 Hike and Drive Compass, $50
This handsome digital compass from Brookstone.com can be mounted in your car or carried along on the trail. The holographic screen is easy to read during the day and backlit for easy night viewing. Proof that it's already pointing you in the right direction? You'll get 2% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Toothpick Man, $48.00
If he must use toothpicks, at least give him a classy place to store them out of sight. This brushed aluminum and black plastic holder from Chiasso.com lifts a toothpick with every push.

Belden Leather Catchall, $45
No more losing track of what he's been carrying in his pockets all day. Now he has one convenient place to unload keys, coins, cards and more. The Belden Leather Catchall from RedEnvelope.com comes in a variety of colors and can be personalized.

"The Works: Anatomy of a City," $28.00
I don't know any man who couldn't spend hours of sheer fascination staring at an oversized, illustrated book about the hidden infrastructures behind city life. (And should I know. I just gave three of these as Christmas gifts.) Buy it at BarnesandNoble.com and get 3% back from ConsumerClub.com.

Frog Prince Keepsake, $48.00
I guess this list goes to 11 after all. For the prince charming who already has everything he needs (including you), this one-inch sterling frog prince found on PlumParty.com tells it like it is.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beads. Shells. Coral. Brilliant precious metals. Jewels. Stones. Beautiful fashion jewelry is all over the place. But the best of it can be found right here on the web. As always, I'm here to help you simplify your online shopping and track down the most attractive, reasonably priced fashion jewelry selections.

Where to begin? How about with one of your smartest bets for Valentine's Day: The charming jewelry gifts under $50 at RedEnvelope.com. Pick up some dainty garnet heart earrings for just $40 and a Murano Heart bracelet at a great sale price. Of course, for the ultimate in flirty, feminine styles, turn to jewelry from every woman's favorite fashionable boutique: Anthropologie. Shopping for a real girly girl? A sparkler of sorts? See the uncommonly vibrant selection from Tarina Tarantino.

You can also find dazzling handcrafted styles at incredible prices (especially during today's sale) at Ornamental Things. Discover the striking selection at Signorino Designs — from the minimalist Sterling Silver Circle necklace to the gorgeous Sea Blue Tassle. You simply must see Magpie Rings by Megan Green, featuring stacks of sparkling colored glass, crystals, pearls and much more. Then peruse the sale on tiny treasures featuring tourmaline, quartz and more at unreal prices from Peggy Li.

For jewelry that fits those with modern artistic style, the MOMA Store is your source. For the little girl in your life — or just a woman who's young at heart, turn to the child-like designs on Fred Flare. Finally, if you want virtual aisles of options from a store we all know and love, save 3% and shop a wide range of jewelry at Nordstrom.com.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)