A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

It's officially the first day of summer, and it seems like the season is stacked with all sorts of celebrations. Fourth of July is just a couple of weeks away, and there are always a zillion weddings, graduation bashes, barbecues, baby showers, pool parties and more. Luckily, Philosophy has just come out with a line of gift sets that will suit your every warm-weather need (as if we didn't love Philosophy enough already).

The sets' themes run the gamut from thank you to congratulations to beach party. Which means you can show up wherever with the perfect gift in hand. My favorites are the Summer Skincare Rescue Pack (take it to make up for crashing at your pal's beach house all summer) and the Lip Gelato Trio (so appropriate for friends embarking on a European vacay—or, um, pretending to go on one). Wow, I love how these take all the guesswork out of summer gifting!

Summer Skincare Rescue Pack starting at $35.00
Lip Gelato Trio starting at $25.00

There's nothing worse than a bad makeup job, especially if it's a bad makeup job on your wedding day. Luckily, Bobbi Brown has come up with this amazing Bridal Kit to avoid any disastrous beauty mishaps.

This all-in-one cosmetic set comes with everything the bride will need to look natural and gorgeous on her big day and beyond. The sleek white case contains makeup suitable for all skin types, with neutral eye shadow, a pink lip gloss and a smudge-free mascara, for those tearful moments. Which means it's not only perfect for a bridal shower, but it also makes a lovely bridesmaids gift.

Bridal Kit starting at $75.00

I'm about as manly as they come: I love sports, gadgets and pranks. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate good grooming, especially if someone else is doing it for me. So to continue with the Four "G's" of Father's Day gifts, I chose the Hot Lather Shave as the go-to grooming gift for Dad - whether he's a Guy's Guy or a Metro Man. The old-school treatment consists of steamed towels, a good foamy lather and a shave using a good ol' straight-blade razor.

Pair that with the all inclusive John Allan's Ultimate Grooming Bundle for Dad to take home, and you've got one bang-up gift. The kit comes with everything he needs to keep up his clean-cut look at home plus a gift certificate for their one-of-a kind spa services. Watch me get the full treatment here.

Hot Lather Shave starting at $70.00
John Allan's Ultimate Grooming Bundle starting at $98.00.

Want to win a cool gift for dear old Dad?  Enter the Father's Day Gift Giveaway for a slick new Sony Digital Photo Frame!

With Memorial Day upon us, it's important not to skimp on summer essentials, and that includes your skin. There's nothing worse then returning to work with a patriotic sunburn.

Look no further than this all inclusive Sun Safety Kit. It features 11 different skin saving products for the face and body all in convenient travel and test sizes so you can bronze, not bake on your getaway. And when you purchase this limited edition pouch, $21.55 of each sale goes to The Skin Cancer Foundation. It's the perfect Bon Voyage gift for any sunbather.  

Sun Safety Kit starting at $25.00

Forget the fancy brunch and expensive perfume. You know what Mom really wants for Mother's Day this year? She wants to relax! She wants a whole day to herself to do absolutely nothing — no shuttling the kids around, no cooking for anyone else, no cleaning up after everyone — just a whole day of lounging around. And what better way to lounge around than in a pair or cozy but chic lounge pants?

The La Perla Studio Simply Wide Leg Pants are the ultimate in comfort with a long inseam, drawstring waist, and stretch cotton/lycra blend. She'll love spending her day relaxing in these! And if you want to go ahead and throw in breakfast in bed and that expensive perfume after all, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

La Perla Studio Simply Wide Leg Pant Sleepwear starting at $86

This week in our Celebrate Your Star Mom giveaway series, we're giving away one Darphin Calming Cocoon Facial Kit. It's a lovely beauty set for Urban Sophisticate moms like Katie Holmes.

The 6-piece kit includes everything you need to give yourself a facial at home–a mask, complexes, creams and vitamin supplements all gentle enough for sensitive skin. What a Mother's Day treat! Now take the kids on an adventure for the afternoon and let her enjoy the kit uninterrupted! 

Want to win? Post a comment below and tell us what you're hoping to give or get this for Mother's Day by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, May 1. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

Darphin Calming Cocoon Facial Kit starting at $120

This week in our Celebrate Your Star Mom giveaway series, we're giving away one Elemis The Spa Retreat Traveler Set. It's an indulgent collection that's perfect for jet-setting moms like Angelina Jolie.

More than ten products come inside the travel case including Skin Nourishing Milk Bath, Papaya Enzyme Peel, Exotic Island Flower Body Balm, Rehydrating Rose-Petal Cleanser and Bright Eyes Recovery Gel–all the things Mom needs to feel gorgeous on the go. Pair it with tickets to somewhere special and it'll be a Mother's Day gift for the record books. 

Want to win? Post a comment below and tell us why you think this is a great gift for moms by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, April 17. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

Elemis The Spa Retreat Traveler Set for Women starting at $125

Welcome to the first in our series of six Celebrate Your Star Mom, Mother's Day gift giveaways! This week we're giving away one Tarte Ready, Set, Glow Beauty Kit. Filled with all the makeup a mom needs to look gorgeous and glamorous for a night out, we selected this set as one of our gifts for moms like Jennifer Lopez. If your mom loves spoiling her kids as much as she loves spoiling herself and tries to look glam 24/7, this one's for her!

The shimmery kit includes a sheer peach cheek stain, a double-ended lip gloss, glistening powder, a brightening wand and a light powder bronzer. Give it to your favorite mom on Mother's Day and take her out for a night on the town so she can show off the look! 

Want to win? Post a comment below and tell us why your mom deserves this beauty set (or for our mom readers, why you deserve this gift) by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, April 10. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded, your comment may not appear immediately. Click here to read the official rules.

Tarte Ready, Set, Glow Kit starting at $45

It seems like every time I turn around, another someone is getting engaged, and now that Valentine's Day has passed, I fully expect another crop of "save the date" cards from more brides and grooms-to-be. While I'm not exactly like Katherine Heigl in 27 Dresses–thank God–I have been in and seen enough weddings to know first-hand the kind of stress a bride is under before the big day. That's why I love to give an engagement gift that will help her relax and remind her to take some time to pamper herself.

The Philosophy product line from Sephora is one of my favorites and their Bridal Party Shower Gel Set is just the thing to jump-start the pampering for the bride-to-be. With three different products, including a Wedding Cake shower gel, the set not only promotes luxurious relaxation–it celebrates the big event. Perfect!

Philosophy The Bridal Party starting at $30

Lingerie can be a tricky Valentine's Day gift. You don't want to make her look like a cheap hooker, but you also don't want to get her something Grandma would wear. Why not go with something that falls perfectly in the middle, like this cute but sexy Juicy Couture Heart Print Feather Chemise?

The adorable nightie has a flirty heart print that screams Valentine's Day—but in a tasteful way. It's just cozy enough for her to cuddle up in at night, but its low cut style and short hem are sure to heat things up on February 14 (just remember to order by noon on February 13!). Mission accomplished.

Juicy Couture Heart Print Feather Chemise Sleepwear starting at $88