Blogger Tip: Eliminating Title When Adding Images To Sidebar

This took me forever to find so thought I would share. If you use blogger, when trying to load an image to the sidebar, you are now likely receiving an error message requiring a title to be added to the image. To avoid the title from appearing on the sidebar, cut and paste this code into the title box: <!-- -->

☺ Happy Blogging!

Colonial Candle Fall Preview

Had enough of the heat and humidity? Colonial Candle's newest scents will have you dreaming of crisp Autumn nights curling up next to the fire and cozy weekend getaways. Their latest destination-inspired collection takes us to beautiful Vail, Colorado just in time for Fall delivery. We received the entire collection including:

Toasted Marshmallow ~

Who doesn't love the scent of marshmallows roasting on the fire? A jar full of cozy!

Ski Lodge ~

Relax after a long day with the calming scent of lavender, cedar wood and eucalyptus. aaaahhh

Amber Port ~ 

This flavorful fruity scent combines Blackberry, Nutmeg, Warm Oak and Amber and will warm your senses like a glass of your favorite wine. 

Lift Ticket ~

The clean, invigorating scents of frosted air, bergamot, sandalwood and geranium will 'lift' your senses.

All of the scents in the Vail Collection are sold exclusively by Colonial Candle. The 8-oz. jar candles are crafted from premium wax, include cotton wicks and have a burn time of up to 50 hours. They retail for $15 each. Free shipping with a $75 purchase at ColonialCandle.com. Get social with Colonial Candle on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

Chic Giveaway! ~ Our friends at Colonial Candle are gifting one Chic Luxuries' reader the four candles we received!

EASY Express Entry: Email chicluxuries@nc.rr.com and include the following:

• "Colonial Candle" in the subject line
• your first and last name
• twitter id 
• facebook name 

Don't miss future giveaways...like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest and please continue to share our tweets, pins and fb posts. 

Contest ends 11:59 PM ET September 17, 2013. Limit one entry per person and email address. Winner will be notified by email and announced on our Winner's page. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize. Open to US Residents 18 years of age and older.

Many thanks to Colonial Candle for gifting us these fabulous candles and sponsoring this giveaway. 

Photos courtesy of Colonial Candle.

Gotta Get It! ... and a Giveaway

Welcome to September's edition of Gotta Get It!...and a Giveaway. We hope you enjoy browsing our newest finds. After visiting the featured websites, be sure to come back here and enter to win the prize of your choice from our gift closet. We're testing out a simplified entry process and hope it will make it easier for everyone to participate.

An infinity scarf with a hidden clutch purse...what will they think of next? The clever Twilight Clutch Wrap Purse by Sholdit is made of a beautiful textured fabric that has just the right amount of shimmer. When you're out and about and don't feel like carrying a purse, the Twilight Clutch Wrap Purse will be your go-to accessory. The neutral tone blends well with so many colors. $79 at sholdit.com.

The Kai Travel Kit includes all the essentials for a relaxing spa experience on the go. Travel-approved 2-oz. bottles of bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion in their signature Gardenia and white exotics fragrance. The Travel Kit also includes a vial of perfume oil and a chic travel bag. $49 at Barney's and Henri Bendel. To find a retailer near you visit kaifragrance.com.

If you're on your feet for hours at a time, you'll definitely want to check out the Renee Walking Shoe from Therafit. Features include leather upper, removable gel insoles, and removable dual-density comfort adapters. Multiple layers of cushioning and support ensure the shock of each step is distributed downward and outward to soften the impact. Runs small, order a half-size larger than normal. $95 with free shipping at TherafitShoe.com.

This eco-friendly saute pan by ManPans is heat safe up to 700 degrees and the handle stays cool to keep the heat where it belongs...in the pan. The wide bottom ensures maximum heat conduction while curved sides makes it easy to flip and turn food. Easy to clean and safe for use with metal spatulas too. These eco-friendly pans are PTFE, PFOA, and toxin-free. The Saute Pan is available in 10" or $79.99 and 12" for $89.99 at manpans.com.

The Blackwing Luxury Notebook and Folio by Palomino is a must-have accessory for executives, business owners and anyone climbing the corporate ladder. The stunning folio has a hidden magnetic closure, pencil holder, and inner card pockets, holds a replaceable deluxe 160-page notebook of lined, unlined or squared acid-free pages. Would make a perfect business associate or client gift. Available in medium for $89 and large for $99 at pencils.com.

The Nantucket tote bag by Overland Equipment can be used as a weekend tote or to to carry your laptop. It has a pass through flap that slips over a wheeled luggage handle. An interior padded sleeve accommodates a 15.5" laptop. Other features include exterior pocket, organizational pockets, zippered interior mesh pocket, zippered closure and wide non-slip handles. Available in Poppy/Dove as shown or Black for $75 at OverlandEquipment.com

Snug Camisoles' Bra Friendly Tank is a year-round fashion must have! We love the cozy soft feel, fit that adjusts to most body sizes, and length...no more peek-a-boo moments. It's perfect under Fall sweaters and there's a color to match every outfit. The wider straps ensure bra straps are covered. $36 at snugcamisoles.com.

Put a ring on it! We love the Daisy Ring by Towne & Reese so much, it's making its second appearance on Chic Luxuries. The high-gloss coral with gold band is the perfect shade for autumnal outfits. Strikingly eye-catching, it adjusts to fit almost any finger. Also available in Turquoise. On sale and a total steal at $9 TowneAndReese.com.

These eco-friendly artisan candles from Volcanica burn at the core to create luminaries and preserve the sculpted exterior from melting. Made in Bali from natural ingredients, there are over 200 styles from which to choose. Each is a work of art, even the presentation gift box is exquisite. We sampled the Dendritic Quad which has an intricate carved design surrounding a flower on each of the four sides. Its golden brown hues are beautiful for Fall decorating. The 4x4" candle burns for over 90 hours and retails for $31 at volcanicacandles.com. 

For those late nights when you're too tired to follow your usual skincare regimen, try AVEENO's Ultra Calming Makeup Remover Wipes. They remove every last trace of dirt makeup in seconds and leave skin clean and moisturized. I take them along on overnight train rides and hotel stays. They're also ideal for dorms, camping, and to keep in your desk at work to freshen up before last-minute dinner dates. Available at mass retailers, grocery and drug stores, they retail for $6.99 for a package of 25. AVEENO is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson. 

SinfulShine's high gloss, chip resistant nail polish in bright and beautiful shades is just $2.99 a bottle! SinfulColors is formaldehyde-free and made with Gel Tech technology which provides 5x more shine than patent leather! Sold at Walgreens and other mass drug and retail stores. Shine on! 

Babies and toddlers ♥ difrax pacifiers. The butterfly design and holes allows for better circulation to prevent skin irritation and leaves the nose free. The nipple is made of soft, transparent silicone material and is odorless and flavorless. The pacifiers are available for different stages of baby's development from newborn to 18+ months and in colors for boys or girls. Packed two to a box. $5.99 at babiesrus.com.

Any esthetician will tell you how important it is to exfoliate skin at least once a week. Usana's Rice Bran Polisher made with rice bran beadlets and papaya enzymes is gentle enough to use everyday. I love the feel of the rice bran beadlets working to remove dead skin cells. Leaves skin smooth and radiant. Perfect size for travel too. A 2.5 oz. tube retails for $15.54 at usana.com.

Especially for our male readers, we found a t-shirt that needs no ironing! Fruit of the Loom's Easy Care V-Neck T-Shirt is ultra soft and ideal for traveling. Girls, you'll love it too, we think it makes a cute nightshirt. Available in sizes Small to 3XL in Walmart stores nationwide. 

I have a thing for handcrafted anything, particularly artisan soaps and Osmia Organics Milky Rose Soap is certainly a mini work of art. Not only is the soap beautiful, it lathers luxuriously and leaves skin feeling wonderful. Lovely for gifting and perfect for self-indulgence. A 5.5 oz. gift-wrapped bar retails for $12 at osmiaorganics.com. 

Chic Giveaway! ~ One lucky reader will win the prize of their choice from our gift closet. To Enter: email chicluxuries@nc.rr.com and include the following:

• "Gotta Get It" in the subject line
• your first and last name
• complete mailing address
• twitter id 
• facebook name 

Don't miss future giveaways...like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest and please continue to share our tweets, pins and fb posts. More followers = more giveaways. We appreciate your support!

Contest ends 11:59 PM ET October 25, 2013. Limit one entry per person and email address. Winner will be notified by email and announced on our Winner's page. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize. Open to US Residents 18 years of age and older.

Many thanks to each of the brands featured for providing products and/or photos for this editorial. 

The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay

I wanted to share with ya'll a hidden gem I discovered ~ the Peninsula on the Indian River Bay ~ in Millsboro, Delaware. For our Northern friends tired of paying outrageous real estate taxes, or for those looking for a vacation home or spectacular place to retire or relocate, the Peninsula is a must-see.

Located minutes from Rehoboth Beach and Lewes, the Peninsula is a gated community on nearly 800 pristine acres featuring a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Magnificent Homes, Villas, Townhomes and Custom Homes are available, most with golf course or water views. Condos are sold out, but I'm sure there are a few available as resales. Unsurpassed amenities include a beautiful Clubhouse with fitness center, spa, and indoor pool, adult outdoor pool, wave pool, Terrace Grill, Nature Center and Exploration Center and private beach dock. 

I fell in love with the property and adored one of the homes by Schell Brothers so much, I knew instantly, this was "it" for me. I had looked at many homes, builders and neighborhoods and nothing compared to the peaceful feeling I had at the Peninsula. After many months of discussions with the wonderful and oh-so-patient team including Gary Desch, Community Manager for Schell Brothers, and Jim Lattanzi, Director of Sales for the Peninsula, I'm happy to say we finally wrote a contract last month for a "Mulberry" home to be built.

If you think The Peninsula might be for you, they offer a Discovery Package which I highly recommend. The packages start at $249 which includes a 2-night stay in one of the beautiful condos, a round of golf for two, access to amenities at Lakeside Village, and a $50 gift card to the poolside Terrace Grill. If married, both husband and wife must tour property during the stay. I've taken the tour and if you're worried about it being a "high-pressure, lock you in a room until you sign" experience, I assure you it's the exact opposite. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming, and there was absolutely no pressure to purchase before, during or after my stay.

If you're looking for your own little piece of paradise, visit the Peninsula online at Peninsula-Delaware.com and be sure to checkout Schell Brothers' stunning homes and floorplans at SchellBrothers.com. 

Photo credits Schell Brothers and the Peninsula

Diet-To-Go Review

Last week, I had a fun assignment to review a Diet-To-Go meal plan. I was sent the Low Carb Menu which was complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner for five days. The meals arrived overnight, well packed and frozen. The breakfasts were delicious. Here is a Cheese-filled Omelette with a side of Bacon ~

I can't say enough about the convenience of this program. Even frozen meals were ready in 3-4 minutes after heating in the microwave. The biggest surprise for me was how full I was after eating the meals, some I couldn't even finish which is totally unlike me, I'm usually starving while on diet delivery programs. 

Almost every meal, even some breakfast entrees, included veggies which I welcomed. I even got to try brussel sprouts which were quite tasty. There were also several chicken entrees included which I also enjoyed. There was a varied selection of entrees and almost all of the meals tasted as though a chef just prepared them for us.

Salmon with fresh asparagus was a special treat; very moist and seasoned to perfection. The great part about this program is you can customize menus based on your individual preferences and eliminate anything you don't care for in your next delivery. You can also skip a day, or a week, if you please.

There are several meal plans available: A Traditional, Vegetarian and a Low Carb. Within the Traditional and Vegetarian plans there is a 1200 calorie menu and a 1600 calorie menu from which to choose. Each plan also offers a 5-day or 7-day option and you can choose to order Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner or just Lunch and Dinner. The 5-day Low Carb 1200 calorie plan that I received retails for $132.99. Through August 18th, Diet-To-Go is offering a 25% Back-To-School special off the price of each plan. Diet-To-Go offers some of the best flash sales I've seen so be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook. To checkout all the different plans, sample menus and to order, visit DietToGo.com. 

Many thanks to Diet-To-Go for sending me their healthy Low Carb Meals. My compliments to the Chef. ☺