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Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaner Review



Dryel® is an at-home dry cleaner that uses steam to refresh and deep clean clothing without harsh chemicals and for a fraction of the cost of professional cleaners. I normally shy away from purchasing clothing marked "dry clean only", especially summer clothes, because the cleaning bills can add up to be more than the cost of the garment, not to mention having to make two trips to the cleaners to drop off and pickup.  I am thrilled to have a quick, effective and affordable at-home alternative. I tested it on a silk blouse that needed refreshing.


Included in the starter kit is the following:

- Garment Protection Bag for Steam Cleaning
- Stain Pen which can be used to pre-treat stains or as an on-the-go stain remover
- Odor & Wrinkle Releaser
- 4 Dryer Activated Cleaning Cloths


The reusable patented bag is large enough to hold up to 5 garments (shirt size). Simply fill the bag to the clearly marked fill-line and add one of the cleaning cloths that are provided. 


Set the dryer for 15 minutes to refresh or 30 minutes for deep-cleaning. At the end of the cycle, immediately remove items from bag, garments will be damp, hang to relax any creases. Discard the cleaning cloth. The garment bag will last for approximately 30 dry cleanings. 


Perfect! The top came out freshly scented and as good as new, no shrinking, fading or pulling and it is so easy to use! Dryel® can be used to steam clean any type of fabric including linen, wool, cashmere, rayon, silk, and garments embellished with delicate beading, sequins, etc. For just $9.99, the Dryel® Starter Pack cleans up to 20 items including stuffed animals, throws, pillows, curtains, and outerwear. A refill kit is also available. For a list of retailers and to print a coupon, visit dryel.com



May all your Christmas wishes come true!



Jarlsberg Holiday Giveaway




From mouth-watering appetizers to savory side dishes or entrees, Jarlsberg® Cheese is a must-have holiday ingredient sure to elevate your meals. The Jarlsberg® Holiday Quiz lets fans show off their style - and enter to win fun prizes. Entering is simple and free. Just visit https://jarlsbergholiday.pgtb.me/MxnK8x and choose your favorite scrumptious dishes, including Jarlsberg® Fondue; melon with crab and Jarlsberg® sauce; Jarlsberg® stuffed jalapeno poppers; Jarlsberg® mac n cheese bites; orange marinated Jarlsberg® or deep fried Jarlsberg®. The contest runs now through December 19, 2017.

With a flavor to please every palate, Jarlsberg® Cheese offers their classic, beloved wedge with its mild, nutty flavor, as well as other crowd pleasers including:

·       Jarlsberg® Cheese Snacks, with a mild, mellow and nutty flavor, in a delightful, portable snack. These individually wrapped Cheese Snacks are ¾ oz. in the stick format come in 6 ounce size packages of individual wrapped cheese sticks.

·       Jarlsberg® Cheese Fondue, the go-to holiday and winter comfort food, offered in a ready-to-heat and serve in its own microwave and oven safe terra cotta bowl. The fondue is made with Jarlsberg® Cheese and Kirsch brandy.

·       Jarlsberg® Cheese Lite, offering the same mild, nutty flavor as regular Jarlsberg® Cheese with 50% less fat and 30% fewer calories, than regular Swiss cheese. This low-fat variety of Jarlsberg® Cheese original has the characteristic large round holes, with a lower fat content – perfect for those days when you crave the sweet, nutty delights of Jarlsberg® Cheese but need to watch your diet.

·       Jarlsberg® Hickory Smoked Cheese has a piquant smoky taste, and like most smoked foods has a darker, browner surface.  Jarlsberg® Hickory Smoked Cheese is cold smoked over smoldering, hickory chip embers, this hickory smoked flavor will enhance your cold or hot foods, with its deep, smoky charm.


Personal Trainer Food Part 4




I'm just finishing up my 4th week on Personal Trainer Food. Thought I would share a roundup of some of my fave entrees for those who will be trying the plan for the first time. Overall, I have enjoyed the chicken entrees the most. One surprise, was the Maple Sausages. I normally do not like, or eat, sausages so most of the breakfast entrees I ordered contained bacon. I found myself craving the sausages on several mornings once they were gone. A clear favorite in the breakfast category was the Cheddar Omelette with Maple Sausage. I did find a trick for crisping the bacon after heating in the plastic bag which is to wrap the bacon in a paper towel and pop in microwave for an additional 60 seconds. Below are some of my favorite lunch and dinner entrees, as well as veggies, in no particular order ~
  • Monterey Jack Chicken Stix and Buffalo Ranch Chicken Stix ~ these were my go-to lunch entrees.

  • Breaded Chicken Patty
  • Capri Vegetables
  • Delicious Chicken Filet
  • Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs
  • Teriyaki Chicken
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Zesty Chicken Strips 


Lots of holiday parties this week laden with delicious desserts so it was tough to stick to the diet. My friend Connie made a beautiful presentation, this picture is only part of it, but I was happy there were some healthy choices {although I helped myself to some of the desserts as well}. 


I gained .6 lbs. this week. I have to say the gain had nothing to do with the plan and everything to do with my caving to temptation and overindulging. The company asked me to continue blogging for another month and since I don't think I gave the plan my all ~ or a fair shot with all the holiday partying I've been doing ~ I will be starting fresh the first week of January. 


For anyone wanting to try the plan with me, you can still save $200 off any 28-day meal plan with promo code Chic200. To learn more about Personal Trainer Food and view the entire menu, visit personaltrainerfood.com. Be sure to follow them on TwitterFacebook and Instagram for diet tips, recipes, and fun giveaways. 

Chic Luxuries Holiday Gift Guide 2017



Below are some of our best finds for holiday gifting. Check back often as we'll be adding a few more surprises and don't forget to enter to win the prize of your choice from our gift closet. To celebrate the season of giving, we'll have two winners!


We think she'll adore Pevonia's Joy, Peace, and Beauty-Full Skin Duo which includes a full-size YouthRenew® Tinted Cream with SPF30, EyeRenew® Conceal & De-Age Treatment, and Mirrored Compact all packaged in a chic train case to store her beauty essentials. This limited edition gift set will keep her looking refreshed and glowing, both at home and on-the-go, and provides the pick-me-up skin needs during the busy holiday season. A $133 value, it is $99, while supplies last, at pevonia.com.



This Christmas Gift Basket Classic from GourmetGiftBaskets.com is ideal for out-of-town family and friends or to send to business associates and clients. It's overflowing with sweet and savory delights including Belgian chocolates, handcrafted popcorn, artisan crackers and cheese, cashew brittle, cookies and other gourmet goodies. Presented in a reuseable basket and tied with a red bow. $69.99 gourmetgiftbaskets.com

Too Faced outdid themselves with this year's holiday gift set which is the cutest ever. We think she'll adore the Too Faced Pretty Little Planner which includes a palette of 15 neutral eye shadows, agenda with stickers, and their classic Better Than Sex Mascara all tucked inside a zippered journal with heart-shaped mirror and inner slip pocket. $42 exclusively at ULTA.



LuLaRoe Harvey Jacket takes the classic denim jacket to new heights. The soft jacket has a bit of stretch to it, shoulder seams are brought forward just a touch for a more slender look.. Available exclusively through independent LuLaRoe Fashion Retailers in a range of colors featuring varying beautiful embroidered designs for $100. To locate a retailer visit lularoe.com 


The Clarisonic Confidence Boost Holiday Gift Set: Mia 2 and IT Cosmetics features skincare essentials from two of my favorite brands. Clarisonic's Mia 2, with patented sonic oscillation technology, deep cleans and gently exfoliates skin. Also included are IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser, Confidence in a Cream, and Confidence in an Eye Cream. A $207 value, it's $169 exclusively at ULTA



1More Spearhead VR Gaming Headphones with 7.1 channel surround sound and super bass VR shock wave provide a realistic three-dimensional gaming experience with crystal clear  communication. Dual microphone technology eliminates background noise. Customizable LED display for a personalized gaming experience. Lightweight stainless steel construction with cushioned suspension band ensures comfort and durability. $149.99 1more.com





Give loved ones the gift of tranquility and improved health with a Himalayan Salt Lamp from Soft Surroundings. This beautiful lamp is crafted of 100% pure Himalayan salt which when lit, emits a relaxing amber glow and warms to release negative ions that naturally purify the air. Himalayan salt helps improve sleep, circulation and digestion; and helps regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and mental alertness. $68 with free shipping on all beauty items at softsurroundings.com.




The RevitaLash® Lash Perfecting Gift Collection includes everything she'll need for thick, long, beautiful lashes. The limited edition set features all of the brand's best-sellers including RevitaLash® Advanced Eyelash Conditioner, Volumizing Primer, Volumizing Mascara, and Defining Liner in Raven. A $197 value, it's $150 at revitalash.com



Fashion lovers on your gift list will adore Chloe + Isabel's Charcoal Suede Slouchy Tote. This chic expandable tote is roomy enough to stash all your necessities and includes a matching pouchette to easily locate keys, lipstick, and cell phone. Ultra soft suede with long handles and accented with a tassel. $125 {qualifies for a pair of free birthstone earrings}! To find a merchandiser, visit chloeandisabel.com.


Giving is receiving and this year when you purchase a Nerium International value bundle, you'll receive a free limited-edition gift set which includes a shimmering cosmetic case and three Eye-V™ Moisture Boost Hydrogel Patches, a $40 value. Two of our fave bundles are the Wash & Glow Bundle, pictured above, including IllumaBoost™ Brightening & Shield and Double-Cleansing Botanical Face Wash, $90; and the Daily Vitality Bundle which includes Youth Factor™ Complete Vitality Complex and Youth Factor™ Superfood & Antioxidant Boost Powder $90. nerium.com



Brentwood Home Natural Aromatherapy Candles are handcrafted in California using a soy wax base, cotton wick, and aromatherapy grade essential oils. I tried the Sunday Morning scent which is a soft, sultry musk fragrance that is reminiscent of relaxing fireside in a warm, cozy cabin. Available in 6 additional scents. $40 brentwoodhome.com



Enjoy the Ride Unisex Pullover from Recover is made from 100% recycled materials. Inspired by the outdoors and a love for biking, this incredibly soft hooded sweatshirt, made from 8 plastic bottles, is super comfortable and has a drawstring collar and roomy front pockets. Available in sizes S-XXL. $49 recoverbrands.com


Give them peace of mind or keep an eye on your own home, children, elderly parents, or office remotely with the D-Link Mini HD Indoor Day & Night Wi-Fi Camera. A wide-angle lens captures a 120° view in 720p HD and sends push notifications to your phone if movement or sound is detected that can be recorded with the push of a button. Infra red night vision allows you to see clearly up to 16' even in complete darkness. The camera measures less than 4" and can be discreetly tucked on a shelf. $59.99 at us.dlink.com


L'Homme Prada Gift Set is a sensual blend of patchouli, geranium, iris, amber and neroli. You'll love it as much as he will. The luxurious set includes a 3.4 oz. Eau de Toilette, a 3.4 oz. Shower Gel, and a .34 oz. travel-size Spray. A $140 value, it retails for $103 at macys.com.


Customize Chamilia's Braided Black Leather Bracelet with a charm that represents her style, hobby, profession, or a special occasion or memory. We love the Lil' Bit Country Cow Girl Boots charm which is made of .925 sterling silver and features topaz swarovski crystals. She'll adore it! The bracelet is $40 and the charm $50 at chamilia.com


Feltman Brothers' Girls Pique Collar Diamond Knit 2-piece with Hat is perfect for the little princess in your life. The darling outfit with sweet embellishments is super soft and will keep her snuggly warm and looking extra adorable this holiday season and all winter long. Available in newborn to 24M. $59.95 feltmanbrothers.com




Adding a bit of dazzle for the holidays, CHI for Ulta Beauty Glamosphere 1" Flat Iron comes in a beautiful shimmering holographic print. CHI ceramic plates straighten hair effortlessly locking in moisture to leave hair silky soft, frizz-free, and ultra shiny. Features include a 30 second heat up, custom heat seatings up to 410°, and a 9' swivel cord. Regularly $99.95, it's on sale as of this writing for $89.95 and comes with a free tote bag. ulta.com



For peace of mind, Kaspersky Total Security 2018 is a must-have for anyone online. Protect all their devices including computers, mac, android, iPhone and iPad from attackers, hackers and malware. I recently had to contact Kaspersky because I was receiving a warning of malware when attempting to access a website to register guests in my community. Our security manager stated it was a safe site, but having had my identity stolen, I wasn't taking any chances. I was impressed with their quick response and the time they took to check the site for me. Various plans are available beginning at $59.99. usa.kaspersky.com

The SureCall® Flare® boosts the cell phone signal in homes and offices up to 2,500 square feet. No more dropped calls or hearing every other word due to your carrier's towers being too far away. Flare® is the first to have a combined signal booster and indoor antenna boosting voice, text and 4G LTE data speeds for all US carriers. The omni-directional outdoor antenna captures signals from every direction and the chic, futuristic design of the base looks great sitting on a table or shelf. SRP: $399. A where-to-buy can be found at surecall.com



For the chef in your life or hard-to-buy-for gourmet, the Labell Butcher Block Carving Board makes an ideal gift. The artisanal end grain butcher block board is skillfully handcrafted from 100% pure Canadian maple hardwood. It features a gorgeous design, grooved rim for catching juices and carved sides for easy lifting. The eco-friendly, naturally antibacterial, non-toxic board can also be used to serve hors d'oeuvres or for a fruit and cheese display. $91.49 plancheslabell.com 


Tocca's new Voyage Collection of Candles fills the home with the scent of five of the world'ss most popular vacation destinations including Capri, Montauk, Bora Bora, Valencia and Marakesh. Perfect for hostesses, business associates or anyone for whom these destinations hold a special memory. Handpoured in a reusable frosted glass, with cotton wick. Approximate burn time for the 10-oz. candle is 60 hours. Gift boxed. $42 tocca.com

Give them the gift of gorgeous hair with Philip Kingsley's Holiday Hair Wishes gift set. Included is a 8.45 oz. Body Building Shampoo, 8.45 oz. Moisture Balancing Conditioner, 3.38 oz. Plumping Cream, 5.07 oz. Elasticizer, 4.22 oz. Maximizer, inside a star-studded roomy zippered bag with pom pom. It's a $179 value for $100. philipkingsley.com


B-hyve™ Smart Wi-Fi Sprinkler Timer from Orbit uses Weathersense™ technology to receive local weather data which adjusts to deliver the right amount of water needed based on the conditions. Connect the timer to your home's Wi-Fi, download the app, program the timer, and start saving money while conserving water! B-hyve can be controlled from anywhere in the world using an iOS or Android device and is compatible with Alexa. This eco-friendly timer comes with an indoor/outdoor locking cabinet. SRP for the 6-station size is $99 and $120 for the 12-station size. A store locator is available at orbitonline.com. 



A delightful gift for wine lovers, hosts or hostesses, or to have on hand for holiday entertaining is Le Roi Des Pierres Sancerre 2016. A vibrant crisp, and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with flavors of juicy grapefruit, passion fruit, mango, and blood orange. This tantalizing wine goes well with seafood, chicken and fish entrees as well as hors d'oeuvres. SRP: $29.99 capeclassics.com 



Just about every adult on your gift list would love finding a Slip™ Silk Sleep Mask in their stocking. Made of 100% pure mulberry silk, it's ultra soft and cooling to the eyes. The attached silk-covered elastic band is incredibly comfortable. It's essential for travel and for tuning out electronic and street lights at home. Helps eliminate sleep lines caused by pillowcases and provides a restful night's sleep. Available in 10 colors. Be sure to treat yourself to one too! $45 slipsilkpillowcase.com


Give the expectant parents a gift they'll treasure forever ~ the My Baby's Heartbeat Bear Vintage Bunny. This precious bunny with big floppy pink-lined ears includes a heart-shaped recorder to record the sound of the baby's heartbeat. The recorder can be safely tucked away in an opening in the bunny's back and secured with a velcro closure. $39.99 mybabysheartbeatbear.com




For the entrepreneur who prefers the finer things the Cross Century II Pearlescent White Lacquer Ballpoint Pen is balanced and weighted resulting in a luxurious writing instrument. Wider than the Classic Century II, the elegant and stylish pen is accented with rose-gold appointments. Exquisitely gift boxed. $95 cross.com



For the newlyweds or new home owner, give them the softest sheets they'll ever own. Thomas Lee PerfectCale Cotton Sheets are made from 100% US-grown Pima cotton. These finely crafted, luxurious sheets are crisp and cool to the touch and actually get softer after each laundering. Made of the strongest fibers available, they will not shrink or fray and will last for years without tearing. The fitted sheets are over-sized to accommodate today's mattresses. A set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet and 2 pillowcases. Available in Full, Queen, King and California King beginning at $215 with free shipping. Save 15% with code TL15. thomasleesheets.com



For the men in your life who love the outdoors Molton Brown Russian Leather Bath & Candle Gift Set is a smoky, woody  fragrance which combines the scent of black leather with notes of Siberian pine and vetiver. He'll enjoy this unique and distinctly masculine scent of rich leather mingled with unforgettable reminders of a lush forest. The set includes a 10-oz. shower gel and a single-wick candle. $79 moltonbrown.com



Send your holiday wishes to special friends and family with the cutest cards ever created. The Handmade Festive Felt Icons Boxed Holiday Cards from Papyrus feature a felt snowman with sparkling top hat, a polka-dot stocking with glitter accents, a festive tree adorned with beaded ornaments, and a 3-D snowflake ornament. A box of 8 handcrafted cards with green envelopes lined in red snowflakes retail for $24.95 at papyrusonline.com 



I don't know about you, but I'd be lost without my planning calendar. This year's fave is the Posh: Happy Living 2017-2018 Monthly/Weekly Calender from Andrews McMeel which is filled with positive quotes for starting each day with a smile. The August 2017 - December 2018 calendar includes weekly and monthly planning pages, sticker pages, two pockets, and elastic strap. $24.99 andrewsmcmeel.com




For anyone who needs a little pampering Fizz & Bubble Holiday Truffles are a delicious and guilt-free treat. They not only fizz, these foaming truffles will melt away the stresses of the day. Formulated with shea butter and a blend of eight oils, they moisturize skin leaving it silky soft. Delightful! $20 ulta.com


Those who love to cook can never have too many roasting pans. This heavy duty non-stick Roasting Pan from Chicago Metallic has a removable non-stick rack with fold-down handles. The 13x9" size is just the right size for most family dinners. Durable and dishwasher safe, it's a great price at just $19.99. amazon.com



Chic Giveaway! ~ TWO readers will win the prize of their choice from our gift closet.

To Enter: email chicgiveaway@gmail.com and include the following:
  • "Holiday Gift Guide" in the subject line
  • your first and last name
  • complete mailing address
  • twitter id 
  • facebook name 
    If you're entering our giveaways, we ask that you follow us on FacebookTwitter and Pinterest 

    We would love it if you would tweet this giveaway, here's a sample tweet for your convenience ~
    #Win the prize of ur choice from @ChicLuxuries gift closet in their Holiday Gift Guide #Giveaway. 2 Winners! ow.ly/BRkj30gct2A

    Contest ends 11:59 PM ET December  21, 2017. Limit one entry per household. 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.  We received no compensation from any brand featured in this post, nor were affiliate links used. 


     

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