By guest contributor Chris O’Brien

Looking for a bit of Madison Avenue in a bottle? The Bond No. 9 New York Beaches collection of men's cologne uses the Big Apple’s beach getaways as basis for their perfume’s identity. With fragrances ranging in names from Fire Island, to Hamptons, the company conjures romantic images of N.Y.’s posh beachfront.

Labels: Big Apple cologne, Bond No. 9, Father's day gifts, FitFlops, Gifts for men, indulge, men's cologne, polished, Treatments

Flip-flop-flip-flop-flip-flop … sounds like something you would hear at the beach, but not exactly a sound you hear when someone is exercising. That could change though as a new generation of flip-flops are here and they could get you shaped and toned with every step you take. FitFlops, a “flip-flop with the gym built in,” are shoes made with a multi-density mid-sole designed to challenge your muscles to give you greater exercise while you walk. Made for men or women, if you’re too busy for the gym, or just hate working out, this could be a solution for you.

FitFlops, released in May 2007, were created by a group that included Bliss spa-entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore, Senior Lecturing Biomechanist Dr. David Cook and several footwear engineer­ing technologists. The shoe had a waiting list of over 10,000 names making it the quickest selling new health and wellness shoe yet.

While FitFlops were designed to tone and shape your muscles, the company says they have also been reported to lessen chronic back pain, result in inch loss, speed healing of injured joints and relieve pain from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and arthritis.

They have plenty of testimonials on their site, but soon I will tell you what I really think of them. See my photo below of me in my FitFlops ... I am to spend the next few months testing them out and you can look for my review to find out the following:

-How I think they feel
-How I think they look
-Have I noticed physical changes as far as toning and trimming of muscles (yes, I will take photos)
-How I think they feel to walk in for a long time
-How I think they feel to stand in for a long time

Have you tried these? Let me know what you think. Or, if you want to experiment with them as I am doing, send me email! We can track your progress too on Indulge.

FitFlops come in tons of trendy colors and styles (note the very cool sequins and fringe) and retail for $49.99. They even have a limited edition Auerlia style, which I think looks exactly like the gladiator sandals that are so hot this summer. For details on where they can be purchased, visit The FitFlops website.







Jacqui in her FitFlops.

And stay tuned for my review! I will keep you posted throughout the summer.


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Labels: exercise, Father's day gifts, FitFlops, fitness, grooming, indulge, Indulgence, Relax, Skin, spa, Treatments

Father’s day is June 15 and rather than get dad another set of golf balls or a coffee mug, let’s buy him something indulgent. It doesn’t matter what your dad is like… there is something for every dad.

The traveling dad: The “Grab + Go Portables” kit, by Anthony Logistics For Men, is essentially everything dad needs for a trip. A bonus is they are small enough and in a zip lock case so he can buzz right through airport security. The kit includes facial cleanser, facial scrub, cleansing gel, shampoo, astringent after shave, shave cream, and a zip top bag. $35, Sephora.

The dad who loves to chill: Neiman Marcus has a decadent cashmere robe in charcoal or navy for $950. If that is a little pricey for you, Brookstone has a spa robe for men made of their exclusive “NapSoft” material for $89.99. It comes in camel or white. Also -if the gift you bought mom for Mother's Day was bad- you can get her one too because they have women’s as well.

The stylish dad: Looking good is always indulgent so why not update dad for the next 12 months with the necktie of the month club. These ties are handpicked by fashion professionals on a monthly basis. $21.95 per month at Amazing clubs.


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Labels: Father's day gifts, grooming, indulge, Indulgence, polished, Relax, Skin, Treatments