While I received a variety of products this month, I decided to concentrate on some gift ideas for this column. We are all adjusting our shopping these days and online is a good way to go. Just remember that the post office is also having a rough year so be sure to allow enough time for your presents to arrive. I always appreciate it if you purchase through my affiliate links below. Also, if you are looking for handmade gifts, my Etsy shop is filled with crocheted creations. Give Himalayan Salt a try… I have tried a salt cave and found it relaxing and felt my breathing to be a little better. I have been thinking about getting a Himalayan Salt Lamp at home so I was excited when I received this one to try out . This is rather impressive for the $19.99 price. Not only does it contain the salt, but it has a wireless remote to control a dimmer night light and white noise. I can’t tell you all my health problems have been cured, but that tickle in my throat that often wakes me u...

It’s time to celebrate moms and get ready for bikini season. Yes, that’s an odd combination, but it seems to be the best way to describe some of the things I tried this month. Everything you can do with My Photo… My first thought when I was asked to try My Photo was that there are already a dozen great places online that do this: upload a photo and turn it into a gift, or something to hang on your wall. I promised I’d give it a try and it definitely has its unique points. My Photo is definitely the easiest service of it’s kind I have seen. All you need to do is email any picture to 123@MyPhoto.com . Within minutes, you’ll receive an email back showing your photo in different products! I did order Wall Clings. The good news is that the photo quality is the best I’ve seen on any of these services. The bad news is that I got the Wall Clings because their canvases and products are higher priced than most of the others. Bottom line: If you are looking for a really high ...

It’s time for holiday shopping and entertaining. Here’s a few things which have come across my door that I think you’ll enjoy. The perfect food basket… Last year, Murray’s Cheese NYC sent me their Most Valuable Player basket to check out. This year, I got La Dolce Vita and it was fantastic.  What a great selection of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments it is. There’s enough to serve at least eight, making it well worth the $120. I also love that the cheeses are each different, from spreadable to aged. Included in Murray’s Cheese NYC La Dolce Vita is: • Fontina Fontal Cheese (a favorite of everyone) • La Tur Creamy Cheese • Pecorino Calabrese Sheep Cheese • Gorgonzola • Murray's Sopressata Salami • Murray's Speck (similar to prosciutto) • Castelvetrano Olives • Sandimiri Crostini Bread On a personal note, it was the first time I’ve had a true (and delicious) Italian salami since leaving New York! Check these chips for a cause...

I hope your holiday season is going as well as mine. I have been spending lots of time with family and friends. Get out the basket… We’ve all seen those standard fruit, cheese, and meat baskets passed around during the holidays and other occasions throughout the year. The cheese is simply “cheddar,” or something just as generic. I was happy to hear from Murray’s Cheese about their selections, which are anything but ordinary. They sent me  The MVP: Most Valuable Player . It includes: tasty Murray’s Gruyere, tangy Humboldt Fog, mild and delicious Grazier’s Edge, and hearty Point Reye’s Bay Blue cheeses, as well as an excellent Prosciutto San Daniele and a lean Creminelli Wild Boar Salami. The Pistachio Cranberry and Olive Oil Crackers were a perfect accompaniment, and the buttery Marcona Almonds are addicting.   One of the other things I love about Murray’s Cheese is that they let you  build your own basket  from all these interesting ingredients. Defin...