Just in time for Valentine’s Day Victoria’s Secret recently launched their ‘Designer Collection’  a more  high-end, sophisticated line of sexy lingerie.  It’s what they do best, turned up a notch and oh so luxurious.

Their designer pieces are romantic, upscale and classy. Lots of lace, & chiffon & ultra sexy and feminine that fits perfectly with my aesthetics and I’m absolutely smitten!

These sultry garments will cost a pretty penny, prices range from $98-$298, but so worth it to me. Check out their Designer Collection:  http://www.victoriassecret.com/whats-new/victorias-secret-designer-collection and let me know if you’ll be picking up any of these sexy pieces.

Sweet peachy kisses,
agentNERDY

With that said, Shoplet.com, one of my go-to sites for office supplies sent me the Swingline Smart Touch Stapler and S.F. 4 Premium staples to review.

The Swingline Smart Touch Stapler is a sleek and stylish stapler that’ll make your desk look sleek and stylish, too. It’s a HUGE improvement from the clunky staplers of yore, and it’s definitely made from sturdy material that’ll last. I’ve had several staplers before. One was remarkably heavy and ugly and another was mostly made of cheap plastic and barely stapled.  The Swingline TouchSmart is none of this. The TouchSmart feels sturdy, looks great, and works like a dream.

Swingline TouchSmart features:

• Takes 50% LESS effort to staple
• Ergonomic design
• 25-sheet capacity
• Quiet & Smooth operation
• Sleek Design

I am uber-impressed with the operation of the TouchSmart. It takes little to no effort to staple 25 sheets. (Shhhh… I’m pretty sure I cheated once or twice and stapled more than 25 sheets.) It only requires you to apply a little pressure which is very very VERY different from my old stapler that required me to apply xx metric tons of pressure, hurting my hand in the process.

Loading the stapler was a lot of fun. You press a button on the back of the stapler, and then a compartment pops out for you to load your staples. With the first few attempts to load the stapler, the mechanism was sticky and got stuck, but a little jiggle and pressure got it free. I’m pretty sure it only got stuck because the stapler is new. Now that I’ve used it for a while and have loaded it a few times, it’s working great, loading seamlessly and effortlessly!

I was also sent Swingine S.F. 4 premium staples which says it’ll cause fewer jams, fewer misfeeds, and fewer failures. They’re engineered to improve the performance of any standard stapler and come with a 100% performance guarantee.  I’m no staple expert, and honestly did not know different staples can affect the performance of your stapler, but I’m all for a product that’ll make my life easier. I haven’t had any stapling failures with them, and other than the jams from the initial feeding, I’ve had no problems, and have absolutely no complaints! My favorite part about these staples is the box they come in, it’s a sturdy plastic box, that opens from the top, Hoooooray, no more crumbled cardboard box of staples at the back of my desk!

All in all, I’m a huge fan of Swingline’s TouchSmart stapler and the S.F. 4 Premium staples. This duo makes stapling so effortless. Anything that simplifies any task in my life is a HUGE PLUS! Even if you don’t do lots and lots of stapling, the Swingline TouchSmart is a great addition to your desk.

Happily stapling away,

agentNERDY

Thank you, Shoplet.com, for sending me the Swingline TouchSmart to review and allowing me to share my experience with my readers. All opinions are 100% mine.

I believe in karma, and in starting a New Year *right*! Actually, they’re things I should be doing year ’round, but I’m a mere mortal and get deterred. So far I’ve told my loved ones that I love them, gave my best friend gifts that I truly know she’d appreciate, and I’ve donated to various charities (all before 1PM.) Go ME! I plan on eating an absolutely delicious meal for dinner and spending the rest of the evening with my loved ones. 

I’m looking forward to discovering new brands, trying new products, exploring new territories, going on many adventures, and more importantly getting to know every one of my readers this year.

A favorite poem:

If it didn’t Bring you Joy,
Just Leave it Behind.

Let’s Ring in the New Year
With Good Things in Mind.

Let Every Bad Memory Go
That Brought Heartache and Pain.

And let’s Turn a New Leaf
With the Smell of New Rain.

Let’s Forget Past Mistakes
Making Amends for This Year.

Sending You These Greetings
To Bring you Hope and Cheer

Happy New Year!

pomegranate mimosa kisses,

 agentnerdy (& darlingspud)

A few things I love about imPRESS nails:

• NO Drying Time.
• Adorable packaging.
• Huge selection of colors and patterns.
• Quick & Easy application.

I received the imPRESS nails in trendy ‘working girl’ (silver ‘crackle’ finish over black) via Influenster’s Holiday voxbox  and couldn’t wait to to try them on for all of the Holiday parties. Of course, during this time of year, I’m always hard-pressed for time and money, and Broadway Nail’s imPRESS couldn’t have arrived at my door step at a more convenient time!

I was beyond  impressed with the ease of use. Literally, all you have to do is find the best fit, peel off the sticker,  *press* them on, and voila!  In about 5-10 minutes, you’ve got perfectly-manicured, high-shine nails ready to partaaayy. My nails lasted me for about 4 days, but I’ve been super active with my hands (designing, blogging, dishes, wrapping) and for a mere $5.99-$7.99, that’s awesome in my book. The hardest part is probably picking out your favorite shade! 

Find imPRESS Press-on manicure at your local drugstore (Walgreens, CVS, K-mart) or for more info check them out at: http://impressmanicure.com

Cinnamon sugar kisses,

agentNERDY

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I’m part of an amazing community called influenster and was lucky enough to qualify for their complimentary Holiday Voxbox, which included Broadway Nail’s imPRESS Press-on manicure. All opinions are 100% mine.

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It’s Holiday crunch time.

If you’re like me, you still have a lot of holiday shopping to do, and the tendrils of panic are just starting to settle in. Let’s face it, a handful of days before Christmas is no time to be caught up in traffic, fighting for parking, and elbowing it with strangers at the mall.

Don’t Panic! I’ll let you in on my last-minute shopping secret. I shop at my neighborhood drugstore, like Walgreens. It’s no more than a mile away, parking is abundant, they’ve got gifts for EVERYONE,  and I can pick up household necessities at the same time. BOOM! Brilliant!

You’re probably thinking, what in the world? It’s a drugstore, and I’m not going to buy everyone vitamins and cough drops. But have you truly browsed your local drugstore? Their Beauty section is massive, and hello, uber-affordable.

If you look closely and pick carefully, you’ve got the perfect gift for everyone:

For the super mom who simply rocks the house… She drives the kids to school, works 9-5, makes dinner, and still manages to tidy up after everyone. She needs some much-needed R&R.

• Luxurious bath products, most importantly, bubble bath
• Several scented candles to set the mood.
• Chocolate.
• Super soft bathrobe.
• 2-3 hour time slot with no interruptions.

Light the candles and run a hot bath with lots of bubbles, and when mom gets home, tell her to indulge herself and you’ll take care of the rest. She’ll love the time to unwind which is far too rare during this time of year. 

For the Glamour Queen… You know, the girl who won’t be caught dead without make up. Doesn’t believe a pony tail is a proper hair style. Who’ll spend an hour planning an outfit and loves to sparkle and shine.

• Fake Lashes, my personal favorite are Ardell or Maybellines lashes.
• Red Lipstick, preferably in a glam red.
• ‘L’Oreal False Fiber mascara to do up the false lashes.
• Newest issue of Glamour / Cosmopolitan / Vogue.
• Gift bag & ribbon.

Dramatic lashes and a classic red is in every glamour girl’s must-have arsenal, and one can never have too much. Put your gifts in a bag and tie the ribbon around the handle, roll the magazine and tie the ribbon around that, too. Voila! Instant glam present or stocking stuffer. Maybe add a Sparkly Essie Polish, too! 

For the Casual girl… The one who only ever bothers with tinted moisturizer and lip balm. She doesn’t need to do her hair in the morning and would wear flip-flops year round if possible.

• Burt’s Bee gift set, any one will do.
• EOS Lip Balm (the more the merrier)
• Flip Flops.

Burt’s Bees products are universally loved because their products just work with no frills or gimmicks and is perfect for the casual girl who doesn’t fuss over herself, but still wants to maintain her skin. EOS adds a bit of cheeky-ness to the gift and of course flip flops from anywhere because, if she wears them year round, they’re not going to last long. 

For the Man in your life… The one that takes out the trash, does the heavy lifting and occasionally plays chauffeur.  The man who you can’t live with and can’t live without. Or your dad, little brother, best friend, etc… They don’t like to admit it, but men are a bit vain, and they’re really bad at keeping their own stash of ‘beauty’ products, so they always dip into ours. Why not buy him a skin care set catered to his needs, a new sonic care toothbrush, or hair products especially gel/wax that they go through like crazy. They’ll be happy, I assure you! 

A very important and crucial part of gift giving is the wrapping!  It needs to be fabulous! I’m all about lavish-packaging and ribbons galore. If you’re not big on wrapping, go the gift bag route, just add tissue paper and lots of pretty ribbon. Don’t worry, they can reuse it. I know I always save all of my gift bags and ribbon and pass on the festive love.

So, if you’re like me and limited on Holiday shopping time, definitely consider your local drugstore. They’ve got presents galore for everyone on your list. You’re also giving yourself the gift of much-needed time and less stress and you can pick up a few treats for yourself like a facial mask, foot soak, and your favorite nail polish color for you to treat yourself.

.

Gingerbread kisses,

agentNERDY 

Parker is not only about pens and pencils. Parker is about innovation and new experiences to be had with their fine writing instruments. Parker has combined these two passions in the new Parker Ingenuity.

Collection that features Parker 5th Technology refills. The 5th Technology refill combines the best of all the current writing modes- the beauty of the fountain pen, the smooth writing experience of the rollerball, and the ease of a ballpoint.

For the modern and trendy, men and women alike, the Parker Ingenuity collection will compliment your lifestyle as a must-have accessory that will grab the attention of all.

http://www.facebook.com/v/10150507089617065

I really look forward to experiencing the Parker Ingenuity Collection. Like many, I cherish my pens. However, for most, a pen is just another accessory. I, on the other hand, only use a few accessories – a pen and a watch. Yes, I leave the glitz and glam to my dear agentnerdy. Yes, yes, she loves a good pen or watch almost as much as I do, but for me, these are the only two accessories I deem important. (Don’t tell agentnerdy I said that.) A pen, much like a watch should speak for itself. I don’t flash them around, but am surely flattered when someone notices. For me, an accessory must satisfy both form AND function. The Parker Ingenuity Collection does just that, and I would love to own a fine writing instrument from this collection.

Please visit the Parker on Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/parkerpens to learn more about the Parker Ingenuity Collection. While you are there, you can connect with other pen aficionados. And if you are on Twitter, keep your eyes peeled for two upcoming Parker Pen Twitter parties. These parties will offer participants a chance to win prizes such as pens valued up to $200.

Let us know why you think you would love to win or own a pen from the Parker Ingenuity Collection. Do you collect pens? Do you love cutting edge inventions? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

Enjoy.

darlingspud.

A few of my black friday finds:

My adventures at Target had me walking out with Season DVDs ranging from $7.99-12.99 and a $9 dirt devil. At the mall I picked up: Free People dresses: their dresses are so fun and flirty, but never too revealing.  GUESS for some gorgeous tops and sweaters. At American Eagle I picked denim jacket, lace back dolman & lovely Aerie underthings, everything was 40% off ! At Calvin Klein I picked up a pair of comfy cords for  50% off!

 I also picked up some Essie polish for the winter (2 bottles for $7.50), and a few presents for my loved ones (none of which are pictured, just in case my friends are visiting). I’m still in the market for a few more items… most importantly an e-reader, but all in all, I’d say Mission Accomplished and without a single bruise, just major dark circles.

What did you buy this weekend?

Peppermint Sprinkle Kisses,

agentNERDY

This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.

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Tis the season to be jolly; The season to give, to get together, to reflect, to be grateful for everything we have and most of all… tis the season to spend quality time with loved ones and indulge in little comforts that truly make the season special.

I really love this time of year. It never fails to warm my heart. Though I love all the dressing up, getting glam, going out to Holiday parties, the shopping and sales… what truly make this time of year so wonderful for me are the… Simple Little Comforts.

Little things like…

Hot Chocolate with giant marshmallows and a peppermint stick to stir ‘em with. I love seasonal products: gingerbread lattes, peppermint bark, and especially hot chocolate. Every year it’s tradition for my best friends and I to catch up over hot chocolate with all the frills. It never ceases to surprise me when we’re able to just chat it up and pick up like we see each other every day. Catching up with good friends over hot chocolate warms my heart and my tummy.

Canoodling in a comfy bed in the wee hours of the morning with the significant other because it’s too early and too cold to get out of bed just yet. The significant other and I are both morning people and are usually up and about early in the AM, but in the winter more often than not we wake up too early and it’s much too cold to even stick a foot out of bed. I cherish this feeling when there are no disruptions, and it feels like we’ve got the world to ourselves, of course we spend it giggling and snuggling in the sanctuary that is our bed.

Oversized Sweaters & Fuzzy Socks. Dropping temperatures mean the Holidays are approaching aaannndddd that it’s FINALLY time to pull out my ultimate comfort outfit: oversized sweaters and fuzzy socks. There’s no such thing as ‘too big’, ‘too fuzzy’, or ‘too ugly’ when it comes to being comfortable. Turtle necks, cowl necks, and crewcuts… I’ll take them all.

Holiday Themed Movies & TV Shows. I absolutely love when my favorite sitcoms/dramas do Holiday-themed episodes and revel in Christmas-centric movies. It’s tradition to grab my favorite blanket, pull on my fuzzy socks, settle on the couch and have a marathon of watching them every year. It’s not quite the Holidays til you’ve seen, ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’, How I Met Your Mother’s ‘Slapsgiving‘ , ELF, & Home Alone.

Christmas Lights and decorations. Seeing all the beautiful store fronts and Holiday decoration every year, again and again, without fail since I can remember brings cheer to me every single time. Something about twinkling lights and seeing the lighting of a great big 100′ tree makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Comfort is the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday gift list, so be sure to take advantage of Tempur-Pedic’s Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

The adorable feline is back and one step closer to taking over the world, this time with  a collaboration with massive chain store, Forever 21. It’s ultra-affordable, uber-fashionable, and definitely on *my* must-have list this Holiday. I’m obsessed.

This is not your typical middle school adorable kitten of yore, girls. This is Hello Kitty, all grown, on-trend, and stylish.

A few of my favorite items:

Lately, I’ve been all about skinny jeans and loose tops. Blush is one of my favorite colors to wear, and a sequined Hello Kitty just tops it off.  The best part? It’s only $19.80. Come to nerdy, please.

Part work attire, part casual, but all cuteness. It’s just a wee hint of Hello Kitty, but good enough for me. Hello Kitty Ponte Blazer $27.80.

For the more casual chic girlies in the crowd, an adorable oversized Leopard Hello Kitty T, perfect for a low-key Saturday! $19.80 for the tee, but you can’t put a price on how adorable it is.

Hello Kitty Flannel PJ. I love oversized sleepwear, and I love this PJ set. Can’t pass it up when the set is only $19.80

Are you obsessed yet? I know I am!

Pardon me, while I get dressed to head out to my nearest Forever 21 and elbow my way through the troves of Hello Kitty lovers to get my hands on these wears. I’ve lots of experience. I did it was Hello Kitty for MAC, Hello Kitty for Tokidoki, and you betcha I’m at it again for this.

Tis the season to… shop. See you there?

Maple syrup & french toast kisses,

agentNERDY

P.S. Speaking of Hello Kitty, I found this yesterday in my college’s catalog and have been gushing about it all day and night. Too cute. Hello Kitty Bruins Tee. $25.

I’m positive by now everyone knows how enamored I am with Rebecca Minkoff accessories, especially her gorgeous hand bags. They’re fabulously-designed and well-made, and I can’t help but want a closet full of her bags in different textures and shades. They’re a bit pricey to start collecting, but still affordable, if you shop around.

To all my girls who loves to deck out their tech toys, click over and check out Rebecca Minkoff’s tech accessories for eBay’s Fashion Vault! I know I constantly have my iPhone in hand when I’m out, and it’s constantly in full view for all to see. Figured since it’s always out I might as well make it an extension of my outfit and mink it out.

Personally I love the Rebecca Minkoff’s eBay stud iPhone case ($28). I am not a big fan of hard cases for my phone; I prefer gel or rubber cases for various reasons, but I’ll sacrifice my preference for this edgy case. The stud iPad case (pictured above) looks gorgeous too, but at $220 (practically half the price of my iPad) it’s a bit more than I’m willing to pay.

For the sake of your tech toys, treat yo-self!  Shop soon…  (sale ends 12.09.11) or forever hold yourself to a life of monotonous tech accessories.

Apple crisp kisses,

agentNERDY