Very Merry Gift Ideas

JBL Clip 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker provides crystal clear sound in a compact portable speaker. Completely waterproof with 10 hours of play time and a builtin noise and echo-canceling speakerphone. A built-in carabiner clips onto backpacks, belt clips, handbags or beach totes. Available in 11 colors for the music lovers on your list. $59.95 jbl.com

The home cooks in your life will adore the Frieling by Caso Sous Vide Stick which cooks food to perfection. Simply attach the waterproof Sous Vide Stick to any pot or crockpot to create a precision-controlled water bath to easily and perfectly cook vacuum-packed foods. It has a touch screen with rotary control and a timer which can be set for up to 99 hours. $139.95 frieling.com

Kaspersky Total Security is a must-have for anyone on your gift list who shops, surfs, streams, or socializes online. Isn't that just about everyone on your list? Securely stores passwords and protects files, key documents and photos. Added protection for banking and shopping with Safe Money. As of this writing, it's on sale for 50% off, starting at $49.99 for 5 devices for 1 year. usa.kaspersky.com

Give a gift that gives back and one that's sure to please everyone on your list. Chuck's Famous Brownies are decadent and delicious and help support God's Love We Deliver, NYC's leading provider of nutritious meals for people living with serious illnesses. Available in 4, 8, 12 and 24-packs starting $19. glwd.org

For a welcome host or hostess gift, pick up a bottle of 2018 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. A nearly perfect summer growing season resulted in a fantastic 2018 vintage. This year's Beaujolais Nouveau is a brilliant garnet color with a hint of purple. Light-bodied and bursting with vibrant red and black berries with hints of strawberry and raspberry jam. The label features the work of emerging artist Chloe Meyer whose "Foolish Pleasure" submission was selected from over 680 entries. Available nationwide. SRP: $12.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Once you've slept on The Hollywood Silk Solution Silk Pillowcase, you won't want to sleep without it. Made of the highest fibre Mulberry silk on the topside and the highest quality cotton on the inside, it helps prevent skin creasing and extends the life of your blowout. A hidden zipper ensures it doesn't slip off the pillow. Available in white, pink, or caramel for a queen/standard-size pillow. $45 thehollywoodsilksolution.com

The Amelia Hat by Scala from Tenth Street Hats is ideal for those warm-weather winter getaways. The wide-brim hat is made of hand-crocheted raffia and a linen band tied with bow. It contains a COOLMAX® elasticized sweatband. The one-size fits all hat is crushable to easily fit inside a tote. $62 tenthstreethats.com 

Give those who love camping or spending time in the backyard a gift they'll appreciate every time they use it ~ Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellant. The compact, easy-to-use, scent-free Radius protects a 110 sq. ft. area. It operates with the push of a button on a rechargeable lithium battery rather than fuel. Lasts 6 hours per charge and can operate while recharging. Battery charger and refill also included. $49.95 thermacell.com

Love Coming Home by award-winning designer, Jennifer Adams, provides step-by-step instructions on how to create our dream home. A big believer in The Secret and the Law of Attraction, Jennifer reminds us we have the power to make everyday a beautiful day and inspires us to use Vision Boards to transform our space to a beautiful haven. Jennifer guides the reader in how to declutter, keeping only the accessories we love, and illustrates how even the smallest details such as the color of lightbulbs make a difference in achieving your perfect sanctuary. Available for $19.80 on amazon.com

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

To Enter: email chicgiveaway@gmail.com and include the following:

• "Very Merry" 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 Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest 

We would love it if you would tweet this giveaway, here's a sample tweet for your convenience ~

#Win the prize of your choice from @ChicLuxuries gift closet in the Very Merry #giveaway Details: bit.ly/2FD04E1

Contest ends 11:59 PM ET January 5, 2019 . 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. 

LuLaRoe's Noir and Blanc Collection

LuLaRoe recently introduced their Noir and Blanc Collection, a curated array of 19 styles for women, men, and children in retro-inspired prints with a chic flare. 

Perfect for weekend getaways this Fall, the polished styles can be layered and worn year-round. LuLaRoe fashions are lightweight, wash perfectly, and never need ironing. Made of  buttery soft fabric, you won't believe how comfortable they are. 

The Noir and Blanc Collection provides effortless style and comfort wherever you go ~ school, work, church, or lunch with a friend. 

The Collection is priced from $24 (starting youth price point) to $70 and sizes from XXS - 3XL. LuLaRoe is sold exclusively through independent retailers who embrace social selling, and each offer a selection of unique styles. To find a Retailer near you, or for more info on starting your own business, visit lularoe.com and connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Cruise for Free* with UR Comped

If you're a casino gaming enthusiast and you're not partnering with URComped, you're missing out on fabulous offers for "free" cruises. First let me say, as any casino player will tell you, the level of comps in any land or sea casino is determined by the amount of one's play, therefore, "free" is not exactly free, but if you're going to gamble for entertainment anyway, don't you want to receive all the perks that are available, including a cruise for you and a guest? URComped helps maximize a player's comps and gives gaming enthusiasts an opportunity to sail on a variety of cruise lines for free* or at deeply-discounted rates. The company was the brainchild of Craig Shacklett, a former Casino Host on a popular cruise line, who noticed there were guests in the casino who had spent full price on their cruise fare and were gambling as much or more than the guests who received a comped stateroom on the same sailing. Craig soon realized these VIP-level guests would likely be willing to try several different cruise lines if there was a way to offer them a comped stateroom on their initial voyage. Similarly, the cruise lines would benefit with an increase in new customers who liked to gamble. Genius!

URComped Founder, Craig Shacklett

Players simply upload their best recent offer from a cruise line or land-based casino to the URComped website, and answer a few questions about their gaming background and loyalty levels. Once the information is verified, offers will start rolling in via email, this could take anywhere from a few moments to a few days. Initial offers could be anything from a deeply discounted stateroom to a fully comped cabin or suite. Nearly every offer uploaded qualifies for, at minimum, 30% off an MSC sailing or a complimentary 2-Day Cruise on Paradise Cruise Line. Of course, the more lucrative the offer that is uploaded is, the higher the value of the offers for the initial cruise will be. I uploaded an offer I received for a complimentary 7-Day Balcony Stateroom and within minutes received offers for a complimentary Interior Cabin for myself and a guest on 4 cruise lines with up to 9-day itinerary options on numerous sailings. 

Courtesy: MSC Cruises

URComped partners with many other cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Holland America. *Port charges and taxes are additional on every line with the exception of MSC which includes all taxes and fees. The company also partners with land-based casinos, however, their focus right now is primarily on cruises. 

Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Craig, along with co-founder Cale Sherry, and the entire UR Comped team are passionate about helping their clients maximize their loyalty benefits and they often share tips on doing so in their weekly Facebook Live videos. Business is booming at URComped thanks, in part, to happy clients spreading the word about the company, and as evident in Craig's videos, he couldn't be more grateful. URComped's service is completely complimentary {the company earns a commission from the cruise line based on a client's play on each sailing booked through them} and you have nothing to lose by uploading an offer to their website. For more info and to view a sampling of the current offerings, visit urcomped.com.

Disclosure: No payment was received for this post, nor were affiliate links used. As always, opinions are my own.

Jarlsberg Sizzling Summer Burger Contest

Jarlsberg® Cheese famous around the world for its nutty, mild and sweet flavor just launched a global recipe contest starring two best friends ~ burgers and cheese.  Cheese fans and all foodies can enter the Jarlsberg Sizzling Summer Burger contest from now until August 27, 2018. Entrants will have the chance to win exclusive Jarlsberg® Grill Kits every week and the grand prize is a Big Green Egg Grill, so that winners can re-create their favorite Jarlsberg® burgers, just in time for Labor Day weekend!

Get inspired with Celebrity Chef George Duran's four distinctly different Jarlsberg® burger recipes, including one vegetarian burger and one burger with grilled pineapple slices in place of burger buns.

Jarlsberg® Fondue Burger

Each of Chef Duran’s four burger recipes offer a summer story and their own film: The Marvelous Meltdown, pictured above, features a Jarlsberg®Fondue Burger ~

Burger Recipe (makes 4):

1 tbsp. panko-style breadcrumbs

1 tbsp. heavy cream

1 1/2 lb minced beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp. salt

1/4 tbsp. black pepper

Butter

4 sesame burger buns

Lettuce

Chopped scallions

Red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Jarlsberg® Fondue Sauce:

2 tbsp. butter

2 tbsp flour

1 C. of whole milk

1 1/2 C. of grated Jarlsberg® cheese

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and heavy cream until absorbed ( about 3 – 4 minutes).

2. In a large bowl, mix the beef with the garlic and breadcrumb mixture until combined. Season with salt and pepper and form 4 large burgers. Make a large indentation in the middle of each burger and preheat your grill.

3. In the meantime, make the Jarlsberg® cheese fondue sauce by melting the butter in a small saucepan and whisking in the flour. Whisk over a medium heat until browned. Slowly whisk in the milk and allow to thicken (about 3 – 4 minutes). Add the grated Jarlsberg® and whisk until smooth. Set some cheese aside.

4. Grill each burger as desired, spread butter inside the buns and toast lightly. Arrange lettuce on the bottom half of the bun, followed by the burger. Then pour fondue sauce on top of the burger. Add the other half of the bun and pour more fondue sauce over the top.

5. Garnish with scallions and red pepper flakes.

Jarlsberg® Melted Maui Madness

To enter the contest and checkout all of the Summer Global Jarlsberg® Burger recipes, visit jarlsberg.com

Summer Must-Haves

Enjoy your favorite music at the beach or pool with JBL Everest™ Elite 750NC Wireless Over-Ear Headphones. They are super comfortable, lightweight and have incredible sound quality. A single charge lasts up to 20 hours, or up to 15 hours in Adaptive Noise Cancelling Mode. The sleek and stylish design folds flat to fit in the included protective case. Available in Silver, Blue or Gun Metal. $299.95 jbl.com

Lavanila The Healthy Fragrance in Pure Vanilla is the perfect fragrance for summer, but you'll love it so much you'll wear it all year. The signature fragrance is hand crafted and sourced from Pure Madagascar vanilla, creamy tonka bean, sugar cane alcohol and pure essential oils to create a soft, sultry and memorable scent. A 1.7-oz. bottle retails for $48 at lavanila.com

I shared Absolutely Gluten Free's new TahiniBARs with friends and the pool and it was unanimous -- they are delicious. The energy bar has the consistency of a freshly-baked cookie and is dairy and gluten free and certified OU Kosher. Made from all-natural roasted sesame seeds, the 100-calorie bar is a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. Perfect to pack in a lunchbox, backpack, or beach bag for an afternoon snack. Available in Pistachio, Vanilla and Cocoa Nib, they retail for $2.49-2.99 per bar. absolutelygf.com

Tap into your child's creative side and keep her/him entertained both at home and on vacation with Goliath's Paint-Sation. Paint will not spill out from these paint pods even if turned upside down. This fun set includes 3 paint pods, easel, paper, and 2 brushes. Available on amazon for $29.99, additional retailers listed on  goliathgames.us

Soothe dry, parched skin caused by summer  sun and swimming with Eminence Facial Recovery Oil. Formulated with herbs and nourishing oils, just a drop instantly smooths and hydrates skin. Suitable for all skin types. A .5-oz bottle with dropper retails for $76 at buynaturalskincare.com

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Foundation allows skin to breathe while it subtly yet completely covers imperfections and provides protection from damaging sun rays. Formulated with patented Ceravitea™ Complex, Vitamin E, and Aloe Vera, Oxygenetix can be applied immediately after laser treatments, chemical peels or injectables or used to cover rosacea, rashes or scarring. $66 oxygenetix.com

What woman doesn't love long, lush lashes? LashFood Ultra Rich Volumizing Mascara delivers nutrients for fuller, thicker lashes. Rice Bran expands lashes and extended release technology works to repair, strengthen, and protect lashes even after mascara is removed. $20 lashfood.com

If you're headed outdoors, don't leave home without Paula's Choice RESIST Skin Restoring Moisturizer with SPF50. Formulated with Shea Butter, Licorice, and Niacinamide, this anti-aging moisturizer provides essential protection from the sun's damaging rays and keeps skin hydrated throughout the day. A 2-oz. tube retails for $33 at paulaschoice.com.

Chic Giveaway! ~ One reader will win the prize of their choice from our gift closet!

To Enter: email chicgiveaway@gmail.com and include the following:

• "Summer Must-Haves" 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 the social media sites in which you belong. Links to our pages can be found here: Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest 

We would love it if you would tweet this giveaway, here's a sample tweet for your convenience ~

#Win the prize of your choice from @ChicLuxuries' gift closet in their *Summer Must-Haves* #Giveaway Details: bit.ly/2NjpdDB

Contest ends 11:59 PM ET August 15, 2018.  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.