Sleek & Discreet

The SPIbelt (Small, Personal Items belt) is not big or bulky like a fanny pack.  In fact, unless you are wearing tight fitting clothes or really low-rise pants, people probably won’t even notice that you are wearing it – it’s profile is that slim.

I don’t want to mislead you though!  Just because you’ll be able to carry your gear and still look hot, doesn’t mean you are going to have to sacrifice space.  For me, the beauty of the SPIbelt isn’t just it’s discreet size; it stretches while compressing the items ...read more]]> Your first thought might be, “That’s a fanny pack!” WAIT! Please read on because this certainly isn’t a fanny pack and I’m going to explain why the SPIbelt ($19.95) is a great gift…

Sleek & Discreet

The SPIbelt (Small, Personal Items belt) is not big or bulky like a fanny pack.  In fact, unless you are wearing tight fitting clothes or really low-rise pants, people probably won’t even notice that you are wearing it – it’s profile is that slim.

I don’t want to mislead you though!  Just because you’ll be able to carry your gear and still look hot, doesn’t mean you are going to have to sacrifice space.  For me, the beauty of the SPIbelt isn’t just it’s discreet size; it stretches while compressing the items so no matter what you stuff in there, you aren’t going to be stuck with a bulky pack!  It’s a bit magical and I’m probably going to have to create a YouTube video to do this little gem justice.

What can you fit into a SPIbelt?

• My boyfriend was easily able to fit an iPod Touch, cell phone, keys and money into his new SPIbelt (a present for our upcoming trip to Santa Fe) and when strapped it on and you couldn’t see it under his shirt at all! (he was wearing jeans and a polo shirt that fit well but wasn’t tight)
• I wear closer fitting clothing – low-rise jeans, yoga pants, etc. – and I packed my cell phone, keys, money and T pass into mine and it so discreet and small that you could barely notice it!  (I love the colors that they offer but, if you really want it to be discreet, the black SPIbelt fits the bill!)

Of course, I knew this would be great for two things in particular – travel and exercise – so I strapped on my SPIbelt (with the items listed above in it) and took my dog for a run.  Guess what?  Not only does it fit all that stuff inside and not make me look like a dork, it also doesn’t bounce.  Truly.  This will be a much used item in my life when the weather is warmer and I’m wearing exercise clothing that doesn’t have pockets!

Bonus for dog owners:  I could slip Isabelle’s leash loop through the belt before buckling it to create a hands free leash!

Alright, so now that I’ve proven how in love I am with this neat little product, I still need to let you know who on your gift list this is a good idea for:

• *  Men or women who want to travel and sightsee unencumbered - throw in your hotel key, money and ID and off you go!
• *  Fitness enthusiasts – a lot of exercise clothing is simple, form fitting and WITHOUT POCKETS, so this is a great gift for the runner, walker, biker, etc. that needs to keep some things close without affecting their workout
• * Your favorite dog walker – again, warmer weather is coming, which means less pockets and this would be a great way to show your dog walker that you appreciate them by giving them something useful.
• *  A guy who has overloaded pockets – some guys have an iPod, cell phone, earphones, keys, etc. and no purse to stow all their gear!  This is a great gift for that guy doesn’t want to carry a backpack or messenger bag but doesn’t want bulging pockets either.
  
• * Anyone who has to have any medication handy at all times – someone who has diabetes or asthma, for instance, may need to keep insulin or an inhaler close at hand – great way to keep help them keep medication close while still being able to be discreet.
  

Get it in their favorite color or accent color (black with colored zipper).

For a dog walker – enclose a mini-card that has a cash bonus in it or filled with small, useful items like great chapstick or refreshing towelettes.

For a child that needs to have medication with them at all times – give them a stylish way to keep it close at hand, pick a color or pattern that they will love or pick black to help them keep it more discreet – really think about what they would like most.    After you pick the perfect belt, put some really fun, age appropriate item in it, a young child may like a small toy while an older child might like their first cell phone!

For the exercise enthusiast, make sure to choose the water and sweat resistant SPIbelt and then proceed to give them great headphones if they like to exercise with tunes, a pedometer, Nike + or something similar that they will love.

Want to give a little luxury? Wrap up an iPod Touch and slip it inside or for your man or woman who works out hard, include a gift certificate to an upscale spa for a massage.

There are so many more possible ways to personalize this!  What are some things you would like to find in a SPIbelt if you were to receive this as a gift or things that you might put in it if you were to give it?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Happy gifting!

Yes – it is a watch and a phone!

This watch is among several of its kind ($99-$359.99) and it really brings a futuristic twist to every day life. Honestly, what gadget lover wouldn’t love to sport a phone watch? Not only is it neat and useful but is also very reminiscent of those ultra-cool gadgets in the spy movies – sure to please many recipients! This is an item that will be most appreciated by the men, not because women won’t love a gadget like this but because none of the current styles are very feminine. Not only is this a unique gift, it is also fun and practical. ...read more]]> My boyfriend found this W Phonewatch, by Kempler & Strauss ($199.99) online and, if his phone was compatible, would buy it ASAP!

Yes – it is a watch and a phone!

This watch is among several of its kind ($99-$359.99) and it really brings a futuristic twist to every day life. Honestly, what gadget lover wouldn’t love to sport a phone watch? Not only is it neat and useful but is also very reminiscent of those ultra-cool gadgets in the spy movies – sure to please many recipients!

This is an item that will be most appreciated by the men, not because women won’t love a gadget like this but because none of the current styles are very feminine.

Not only is this a unique gift, it is also fun and practical. A phone watch is so convenient and portable in instances where your guy doesn’t have pockets (exercise) and all the while he can look so very James Bond whilst dialing out on his watch.

So, although this might put more of a dent in your pocketbook, the next time you think “he has everything” think about this gift and whether it might be the ticket to putting a huge smile on his face!

This is a great gift for boyfriends (he won’t ever have the excuse of not having his phone with him again!), husbands, brothers, fathers…older men might not like this gift however so be sure to carefully consider who you are thinking if buying this for. For instance, an older gentleman with failing eyes might find the small screen (small screen = small print!) frustrating or someone who is hard of hearing might find using a bluetooth headset difficult. Obviously, someone who barely uses their cell phone would not like this gift either. But don’t let that discourage you! Many people would definitely love this gift and it would make a superb Father’s Day, Birthday or Anniversary gift, among others. I can easily imagine giving this to a man with a card that says something along the lines of “Because I love communicating with you!”

Is your man a Bond movie buff or loves spy movies? You could buy him a Bond flick and then present him with the phone watch.

Another great way to gift this would be to just make the present ring. Set up the phone watch, wrap it up and call him. He won’t expect to hear his present ringing and he will be even more surprised when he sees that it is a phone watch!

Make sure that his phone is compatible with the watch! Call customer service first, if you are unsure.  This is a really important part of this gift so taking that extra time will be well worth it.  Find a style will suit him and work well.  Phone watches are not going to be the primary way he will make all his calls because all that small circuitry has limitations, but it will still be a gift that he will be able to use, enjoy and even want to show off!

Happy gifting!