Home-made Holiday

Feeling a little more crafty than usual this holiday season when it comes to your gift-giving?  Like I said in yesterday's post, it focused on more of the store-bought items.  These below take a little more time, but a great result in the end when you see the person's face when they receive that home-made gift.

Check out this link here to make these yummy hot chocolate truffles.  I think these are great for that person that loves to stay in when it's cold and snuggle up next to the fire.  The truffles can be frozen until you're ready to enjoy them.  Just place in a mug with milk and heat away!  For gifting you can place several truffles in a cute Christmas mug, wrap in clear plastic and tie with a ribbon.  

Gift Basket.  But how is this home-made you say?  With all the thought into compiling a person's favorite things, shared memories or common items that they've been wanting, it's a great way to show someone that you care and love 'em. This website has so many wonderful gift giving ideas along with free printables, see link here.  If you have a friend who loves movies, create a movie night basket: popcorn cups, candy, DVD, theater gift card, popcorn, blanket or whatever else you want to add!  

How sweet is this?  If you like to give custom scrapbooks, why not make one with a twist? 

Dabney Lee makes these super cute and trendy phone cases.  This is an awesome customizable gift, a little on the pricey side but my goodness aren't these gorgeous iPhone cases?  They are also available on some blackberries.

This was a great idea I found at Clover Lane Blog.  A custom cookbook that hold your family's favorite recipes and favorite photos.  Kind of a recipe scrapbook.  This project you might have to give someone next Christmas, in order to compile your favorite recipes and photos, but I thought this was a wonderful idea.  Make one for your family, but I think grandparents would enjoy it as well!  We have a few cookbooks from local churches and organizations, but this cookbook is all about you and what your family loves to eat! I hope to do this one day and can pass this on to my children.

Today is my last work day of the week, hooray!  Tomorrow I'll be preparing the house for the holidays and maybe helping my dad clean out the basement storage that is full of stuff from high school/college/childhood!  I hope everyone has a fabulous Turkey Day!

For the Woman who has Everything

I hope your weekend was a great one!  Our Interior Design Thanksgiving went off without a hitch and we were up until 1:30 laughing and talking! It was wonderful.  Now I'm preparing for Thanksgiving coming up with our families and the official start to the holiday shopping season.  I've talked about some stocking ideas for the men in our lives, now I'm going to switch gears.

We all have one in our lives, the hard to shop for lady.  She has everything, and if she doesn't have it, she'll just go out and get it tomorrow.  Whether it's our mother, sister, best friend or co-worker......it's just plain hard to find the perfect gift for these people sometimes.  We exhaust all thought, energy and time into trying to get something we think they would want/use/need/love! 

My goal is to hopefully help out a clueless shopper to come up with a Christmas dilemma when it comes to shopping for the gal that has everything! 

Birchbox

I have talked about Birchbox in earlier posts and this is a great gift idea for the make-up lover in your life.  A box of 4 to 5 mini samples are delivered right to there door for as many months as you give.  This gift runs about $10/month, purchased in 3 month increments.  So this gift will be at least $30, keep in mind.  But it's a gift that will keep surprising them.  Ask about products that they tried out and fell in love with to put in your back pocket for her next birthday or something.  It's a pretty unique gift idea that no one else has gotten her.  When you present the gift you could include some samples (which you can easily get at make-up counters or Sephora) so that way she has something to open.

Capri Candles from Anthropologie

For the scent-obsessed gal pal in your life, these candles from Anthropologie are wonderful!  These Capri candles are also available for local Lexingtonians at House (located on Delaware Avenue) and Joseph Beth Booksellers (located at Lexington Green).  I find there scents much more mature and beautiful than other candles.  When you walk into a space with these burning, you can't pinpoint what that luxurious scent is, but you know you love it!  These are my favorite candles and are hard to find compared to Yankee or something comparable.  Also, these scents are much more mysterious and spell-binding than Cucumber Melon!

Mag Rack

I think a magazine subscription is a great gift, for the right person.  Last Christmas I got the hubby a subscription to Bourbon Review and he loves getting that magazine every quarter.  If you have a fashionista friend, perhaps Vogue or Vanity Fair.  The workout-aholic might enjoy Women's Health (which I love!) or Fitness.  The curious traveler would like National Geographic, while the dining connoisseur would love Food & Wine Magazine.  Interior Designers like myself enjoy Hotel Design magazine and Interior Design magazine.  Entertainment hogs can catch up on gossip through People and InTouch, while reading movie reviews in Entertainment Weekly.  Subscriptions are actually moderately inexpensive depending on the magazine and the number of issues.  To show them the subscription, wrap the latest issue in a gift wrapped box and place the subscription order in a card.

The cutest porcelain dish from Anthropologie

Does this person have tons of great entertaining dishes/napkins/glasses?  Or do they love fresh produce and visiting local markets?  I found this at Anthropologie and thought how stinking cute is this dish!  It resembles berry crates from the farmer's market, except this will last forever!  It is dishwasher safe, awesome, and comes in white or blue.  Too cute.

from J. Crew

Infinity Scarves are very trendy right now and if you find a great basic pattern or color, they can integrate into anyone's wardrobe.  I just really really want one and I think my mindset is, "if I blog about it, it will come."  Haha!  But seriously, these are great for the trendy girl in your life.

Drink up! via Pinterest.

Coffee-Lovers Unite!  This is a cute way to give someone a Starbucks gift card.  Ask the barista for an empty cup, top and straw.  Stuff with brown and white tissue paper to resemble a frappucino and place gift card inside.  Place gift tag to the top and you're set!  Gotta love the creativity! Thank you Pinterest!

I hope this sparked some imagination when it comes to the hard to shop for lady.  This post is talking about store-bought/ordered items, I hope to do another gift post to talk about custom/handmade/diy gifts too, stay tuned! 

Stocking Stuffers for the Dudes

So when it comes to filling up those Christmas socks of joyful surprises for the husband I always challenge myself to top the year before.  Trying to remember any little thing he has said in the past about items he enjoys using or would like to try.  That way when he sticks his hand in the stocking, he will be pulling out thoughtful and useful gifts!  And I'm sure he puts the same amount of thoughtfulness and time as I do (yeah right).  

Man + Stocking = Mocking

I thought I would share some ideas to help spark some stocking stuffer inspiration when it comes to shopping for the man in your life.

Whiskey Stones

For the whiskey bourbon drinker in your life.  These handy stones are made in Vermont and allow the bourbon to be enjoyed minus the watered down effect from melting ice cubes.  These are for true consumer's that do not want their whiskey tainted with water.  Just place these bad boys in the freezer for 4 hours before using and place in glass, pouring whiskey over.   Follow up with cigar and discussion of manly ideals and politics.  Us little ladies must stay in the kitchen. 

Mini Bottle of Woodford Reserve

To go along with his new stones, a mini-bar bottle of his favorite booze perhaps.  My hubby loves Woodford and Knob Creek.

Burt's Bees Men's Kit

My husband loves Burt's Bees Natural Aftershave.  Problem is, we cannot find it ANYWHERE!  So I'm going to order online to put in his stocking (from Amazon or Macy's).  While looking for the aftershave I came across this great kit that includes body wash, soap, shave cream, cologne and aftershave.  Great for traveling or everyday use.  These natural products are great for sensitive skin too.

BR's Black Walnut Cologne

Small versions of their favorite colognes are great for stockings.  When my husband travels he reaches for the small cologne bottles to put in his shave kit bag.  He also likes to keep one in our "catch-all" by the door so he can dab on some smell good on his way out the door.  I also like to add some samples of new scents for him to try throughout the year.  That way if there are any you both particularly like this gives new ideas for birthday presents and future Christmas gifts.

The building blocks of life.

My husband is a lot like a kid still, we don't have any of our yet so I'll buy the fun toys for him for now.  I like to put little toys that take him back to his childhood.  Like a Ninja Turtle action figure, hot wheels car or our favorite Lego's! Lego's makes small kits to build cars, airplanes, etc. that come in small bags or boxes and these are great for stockings.

iPhone Case from J. Crew

Or how about a super new and cool AND manly iPhone case.  

From soufflebombay.blogspot.com

Candy is a big hit at our house when it comes to stockings!  My husband's absolute favorite is chocolate and peanut butter (Reese cups are his passion) in any combination.  I'm thinking about making home-made chocolate and peanut butter bars to put in his stocking as a little personal touch.  I truly believe the way to a man's heart is through is stomach, although don't let that stomach get too big.  haha!  But I think if you make their favorite candy, they'll love it so much more than if it were store bought.  The trick is to make it without you eating every morsel or having him find it!

There are also great "go-to's" that I keep in my back pocket every year, such as: iTunes gift cards, chewing gum, trouser socks and chapstick.  But it's those presents that show you listen and know what he likes and what he loves that make the stocking.  Happy Holiday Shopping!  I'll post more on gift giving ideas soon!

A Thanksgiving for Interior Designers Only

West Elm.

An entire Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, but to attend you must be a graduate of UK's Interior Design School Class of 2007!  This tradition has been going on for about 7 years now and we sometimes can't believe it.  Back in design school (second year) a few of the girls decided to have their own Thanksgiving and invite all the designers over to feast!  I actually did not attend the first dinner, for whatever reason I can't remember now, I think I was out of town.  But I made up for it with my participation third year of school, and the "Interior Design Thanksgiving" Tradition stuck.  We actually cook a turkey and by "we" I mean not me!  HA!  And each person brings a side or dessert. And we dig in! 

This Saturday evening will be our 7th year doing this.  The only difference now is that most of us are married (only one of us has a kid), we have paying jobs, we own property, get more sleep, improved our cooking talents and a lot of people have to travel now to our dinner.  Our class is now spread across the country: Lexington, KY to Yuma, AZ to New York, NY to Cincinnati, OH to St. Louis, MO!  Now not everyone travels THAT far to come and I can't blame them, although it is quite an event in our circle!  Even our favorite professor joins us, who is finally retiring this year after 40 years at the school. 

I hope this tradition can continue as long as possible, I know as time goes on schedules will get busier, people will have children and phone calls will be less frequent.  But for now we are staying strong and it's pretty impressive.  Traditions can weigh on people sometimes (I can think of some crazy family traditions that sometimes I'm just not in the mood for), but when it comes down to it they're something that you can depend and brings comfort to the soul.  I was going to include some pictures of our dinners, but there are NONE! I can't believe this.  We better start a new tradition this year of taking pictures, we are usually way to busy catching up, talking and laughing! Ah, good times.

Mis-Mantled

I love fireplaces and mantles in homes.  They create wonderful areas of warmth and focus for the home.  It's fun to decorate for many seasons and occasions. I am lucky enough to have a mantle in my own home, but I am not satisfied with how I have decorated it.  Our ceilings are 14', so I feel everything looks teeny on my mantle with all that height up above.  What is a poor little interior designer to do???

My goal is to find something large in scale that would work, but there in lies another struggle: mirror vs. store bought art vs. I paint vs. photography, etc.  Another problem, I would like the mantle display to be adaptable for seasons and holidays, like a place to hang a wreath/garland.  I also do not want to spend a lot of money in my attempts at decorating this important focal point of my living room (and also kitchen).  So, I looked to Pinterest for help.  Here are some of my pins that sparked some ideas!

Lots of photos.

Good mix of tradition and rustic.

Piece of art to center inspiration.

Large mirror resembles window pane.

Mixes of texture and media.

I like everything about this.

Like the round mirror w/ letter.

Large framed photo w/ greenery.

I like both the idea of having a large mirror with smaller photos, plants and candles surrounding.  But I also love the idea of using the mantle to make an artistic statement, but I just can't find a piece that the husband and I both can agree on.  I'll need to definitely think further on this.  And also this past weekend the husband and I thought of placing the television above the mantle to give us some more breathing room where we sit.  Decisions, decisions.  I'm keeping my eyes open though for any piece or beautiful mirror that just seems like "the one".  It sure is fun to look at decorating ideas on Pinterest, helps any cases of the Mondays!

The Best Show Period

I haven't yet talked about my Zooey Deschanel obsession, but basically I look up to her.  I look to her for fashion, hair, music and so much more.  I model my bangs after her! She always has great looking hairstyles!  Unfortunately the recent news of her divorce with Death Cab husband can't be easy to deal with.  Fortunately however, she is the star of the greatest show on television (I hope this helps with the pain, if there is any pain).

Everyone must watch this show!

It's called New Girl and airs on Fox at 9 p.m. (EST) right after Glee for all those gleeks out there.  I think it is absolutely hilarious! I laugh out loud, literally!  It takes a lot for me to laugh like that.  I have one of those loud hearty laughs so when I think something is outright funny, everybody within a  5 mile radius knows about it.  It is about Jess, a school teacher, who after finding her boyfriend cheating needs a new place to live and finds three men needing a roomie on Craigslist.  Jess discloses that her best friend is a model and the douchiest of the men (Schmidt) excitedly accepts her as a new roommate even though the other guys are weary to live with a woman.  Then the hilarity ensues!  The guys help Jess with men and vice versa.  Schmidt also has a Douche Bag Jar that he must put money in when he does something....well...douchey.  There is some obvious tension between Chicagoan Nick and Jess.  And Winston and Schmidt have competitions with each other constantly.  Jess is hilarious and the quirky girl that is true to herself.  

Helping a girl out.

For example, in last Tuesday's episode she went to pick up her model bestie at da club and showed up in pj pants and a hoodie, and I'm like, "I have totally done that!"  And she sings and makes up songs about random things and my husband is like, "You totally do that!"  It is a really enjoyable show and is just fun to watch.

Falling in heels, ever so graceful.

Crying and watching Dirty Dancing, we've all been there right?

I feel like the comedy this show has, reminds me of how me and my friends interact with each other.  That is refreshing and I feel like I'm watching friends act goofy on TV rather than too cool people that I would never know living in their loft sipping espresso.  So I recommend to take the plunge and give the show a whirl.  My Friday so far isn't turning out as I'd hoped, but I know I've got all my New Girl episodes to keep me company and make me smile when I get home!

Happy Weekend Everybody!

Samplicity

Whenever I come across something like this I'm like, "Why didn't I think of this!?!"  Birchbox is a Monthly Sample of designer beauty products that come directly to you!  I am thinking of joining and also getting my mother a membership as a Christmas gift.  Let's face it, my mother goes crazy for samples at Sak's or Nordstroms!  So here's the deal: 4 to 5 handpicked products from Nars, Redken, Carol's Daughter, Keihl's and more will come to you in a Birchbox each month for $10/month.  The more months you commit to, the price will go down and shipping is free.  If you love to try new products and love free beauty products, you should definitely give it a whirl.  Or maybe give it a whirl to someone else as a creative and unique gift this holiday season!

Also, if you fell in love with one of your samples and need more.....Birchbox sells their samples in full size and you get free shipping for $50 or more of full size products.

S.A.D.

The time change does this to me every year.  Bring on the Seasonal Affective Disorder (or S.A.D.).  Now it is sunny on my way to work, but practically dark when I get off.  Boo!

Yesterday my husband, Hudson and I took a walk, made dinner, ate dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, folded some laundry.  Landing us on the sofa for some "tube time" about 6ish and it was PITCH BLACK OUTSIDE!  I began to feel drowsy all of a sudden and had the urge to get ready for bed, but it was only 6:30!  Every year, it never fails.  I become perpetually depressed, lets hope my weight isn't affected by the upcoming hibernation.  Bring it on winter, do your worst.  This year is going to be different.  I'm going to accomplish everything and more! Mwah-ha-ha! 

Xmas Sounds

I know it is WAY TOO early to be even talking about Christmas.  However, every store and advertiser doesn't seem to think so.  As soon as Halloween is over, the holiday commercialism train is turned up to 10 and we haven't even carved a turkey yet.  Oh well. I suppose complaining about it isn't going to help.  Let's either embrace it or ignore it and move on. Haha! 

I'm not going to be putting up my tree until the weekend before Thanksgiving (which my husband still thinks is too early). But I think this way I can really enjoy my tree longer.  And as soon as I return home with a belly full of Thanksgiving goodness I can gaze on my tree and think of the upcoming holiday season! So, I thought I would talk about my favorite tunes (which is one of my favorite parts of the season!) so everybody has plenty of time to track them down in order to be prepared.  Now these are albums that I love to listen from start to finish.  There are other songs that I love, but they either do not come from an entire Christmas album or I don't like the rest of the songs, hehe.  So here are just some of my holiday album staples...

Amy Grant - Home for Christmas

I grew up listening to Amy Grant in the 90s.  This album was constantly playing (mixed with my mother's Mainheim Steamroller, Celtic Christmas Tunes, etc.) throughout the house and especially Christmas Day.  This CD actually holds a place in my husband's holiday heart, his family listened to this as well.  So it floods our minds with memories and comforts us when opening gifts in front of the tree.  

Maybe This Christmas Tree - Various Artists

This album consists of Death Cab for Cutie, The Ravonettes, Jars of Clay and more.  It was released when I was in college and I loved it.  It sounded so different than the music playing throughout the house.  It was modern and fun.  I enjoy it a lot at holiday parties.

NSYNC - Home for Christmas

This CD I have been listening to since I was 15!  This was one of the first holiday albums I ever bought.  So there is a mix of nostalgia and childhood that comes back when I listen to it.  It is a great pop album and if you have a sweet tooth you might get a toothache due to the sweetness! 

Jack Johnson & The Brushfire Family - This Warm December

This compiles some of my favorite artists all on one album.  And 25% of the album's proceeds went to charity, talk about Christmas Spirit!  It has Jack Johnson, Mason Jennings and Matt Costa just to name a few.  It is a great album all the way through and is a nice modern twist to some old classics.

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas

You can't talk about Christmas music and not mention the great diva Mariah!  This is a great album and I can listen to "All I Want For Christmas Is You" over and over and over!

A Winter's Night - Various Artists

Another great compilation album with Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies and Sixpence None the Richer (just to name a few). 

She & Him - A Very She & Him Christmas

I have talked about some oldies and some newbies for holiday tunes.  This album is very new! Just released at the end of October.  My favorite group She & Him (which consists of M.Ward and Zooey Deschanel) have come out with a Christmas Album!  My husband bought it for me on iTunes this morning and I am so excited!

And farther along into the season I'm going to talk about my favorite songs/versions! yay holiday music! Start downloading people and get your playlists ready! Have a great weekend!

Super Saver

I'm sure you've heard of this fantastic show, but I had not as of a couple of weeks ago - Extreme Couponing!  I am obsessed and determined to give it a whirl (and hopefully to change the way I shop).  When we were on our anniversary and staying at a hotel I had the television on in the background while we were getting ready to go out and this show was on.  Hubby and I couldn't stop watching.  We watched four episodes back-to-back!  We wanted more! We wanted to learn more! We wanted to try it!

on TLC.

As a newlywed couple we are starting our new life together and in the early years of our professional careers.  Needless to say, we are not making six figures.  These crafty folks featured on the show are able to either feed their families for very little or donate their couponing talents to churches, people they know struggling, etc.  We were like, this could be awesome for us.  Grocery bills are one of the highest expenses for us these days besides car payments and insurance.  We even have cut our cable package down to save some dough.  So with the help of the Krazy Coupon Lady (great blog you should check out). I am on the right path.

This blog has templates and a 10 day plan to start you on the couponing path.  My goal is to buy about 4-6 newspapers this Sunday and to organize those suckers.  I already get supermarket weekly ads in the mail so I have been holding on to those to compare them against my coupons.  I'm not quite ready to recycle dumpster dive yet.

Working my way up to this.

However stockpiling items it important with couponing, which would ultimately have to be our garage if we turn this into part of our profession.

omigosh.

Some of my savvy idols have even been able to work part time in order to spend more time with their families.  That to me would be awesome, especially when we decide to expand our family train.  And saving money is always good, especially in this unknown economy we are in right now.  I'm finishing up my coupon notebook tonight thanks to the Krazy Coupon Lady's template so I'll be already to go on Sunday while going through the paper.  Here's to the 'ol college try!