Gifts For Her | 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

November 19, 2018

Hello friends. It’s Thanksgiving week so the official start of the Christmas season is just a few days away. Since many of you will get started gift shopping this weekend, I’m dedicating several of my blog posts this week to gifting! I’ll be sharing holiday gift guides (some traditional and some unexpected), along with fun gift giving & gift wrap ideas.

I’m kicking things off today with my first gift guide, Gift For Her. This is one of my favorite gift guides to pull together because everything I’m sharing is something I already own or would love to. If you’ve made your list and checked it twice, I hope this gift guide helps you find the perfect holiday gift. Happy shopping!

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GIFTS FOR HER

No. 1: Tropical Travel Bag Set ($63.00)–When I was a clothing buyer, I traveled a lot and had plastic pouches to keep my luggage organized. Back then, function was more important than looks. Today, I want my travel pieces to function and look pretty so I was thrilled when came across these travel bags. The bold colors and whimsical prints have me thinking about a tropical getaway.

No. 2: UGG Cozy Knit Slippers ($120.00)–It took me a long time to jump on the UGG bandwagon but once I did, I was hooked. Just like UGG boots, these fleece lined slippers will keep feet warm and cozy during the winter months.

No. 3: McKenna Leather Travel Jewelry Box ($24.00 + free monogram)–I’ve owned several travel jewelry cases over the years but have yet to find the perfect one. This leather box just might be it. The compact size makes it great to slip into a carry-on and the interior will keep things neat and tidy. The hardest part of buying this as a gift will be deciding which color to get.

No.4: Painted Blooms Post Earrings ($38.00–available in 5 colors)–Statement earrings that would look just as great with jeans and a sweater as well as a little black dress.

No. 5: Colorblock Cuff (Sale $39.99)–These chic cuff bracelets from have made my holiday gift list a few years running. I love all the preppy color combo but the black and tortoise is my favorite. If you have a fashionista on your gift list, you’ll want to grab one of these bracelets while they’re on sale.

No. 6: Double Sided Wool Scarf ($69.99–available in 3 color combos)– I have a thing for pink and red and even decorated using these colors last Christmas. What a fun pop of color to add to any outfit.

No.7: The Southern Living Party Cookbook ($22.48–release date Nov. 20th)–A pretty cover + fun recipes + party inspiration make this a great book for anyone who loves to entertain.

No. 8: Monogram Herringbone Initial Throw ($50.00)–This classic grey and white herringbone throw is the perfect way to cozy up during the winter. A great gift for a girlfriend or as a family gift.

No. 9: Cheetah Hair On Hide Card Case ($30.00)–A fun little accessory for anyone that loves animal prints. There’s also this clutch and these cute animal print earrings.

No. 10: Calpak Kaya Backpack ($89.00)–A great backpack for the woman on the go. Black is a classic color but I love the natural and cadet blue colorways in as well.

No. 11: Kate Spade Tortoise Clipboard ($36.00)–I own a lot of tortoise decor so this pretty clipboard just speaks to me. What a chic office accessory!

No. 12: Great Quotes for Great Women ($15.95)–I love this collection of inspirational quotes from inspiring women. This would make a great read to kick off the new year.

No. 13: Buffalo Check Monogram Notepad ($25.00)–Every woman should have their own pretty stationery. This pretty check design is just one of the many designs you can choose from.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

April 24, 2018

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and will be here before we know it. Whether your Mom is super stylish, likes to entertain, or is that hard to buy for woman, I’ve got Mother’s Day gift ideas that will make mom feel extra special on her special day.

No. 1–There’s just something about a little bling that makes a woman feel special. Mom will feel like a million bucks with these beautiful Stella Hoop Earrings from Bauble Bar.

No. 2–I definitely got my love for handbags from my mom. This Rigid Handle Tote Bag from Zara is one of my favorites spring and summer bags and is perfect for the mom that loves fashion.

No. 3 –We all know moms love to keep their handbags neat and tidy. The Leather Triangle Pouch from Mark & Graham is a unique and stylish option to hold loose change, cosmetics or keys. The hard part will be picking a color or design.

No. 4–A great gift idea for the mom that loves to entertain. Charlotte Moss Entertains is filled with beautiful images, inspiring tablescapes and loads of party planning ideas. This book has quickly become one of my favorite entertaining and coffee table books.

No. 5–If entertaining is really mom’s passion, she’ll love the Ardsley Platter from the Aerin Collection for Williams Sonoma Home. When not in use at a party, the tray also make a pretty decorative statement.

No. 6–Pamper mom with Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Body Cream. I’ve been using DK Cashmere Mist products for years and always get compliments when I wear the body cream. The scent is heavenly.

No.7–Mom will be pretty in pink with this Sole Society Talisades Tasseled Clutch. I love the texture and abstract design, and the tassel is an added bonus. This cute clutch is also available in a natural color.

No.8–Treat mom to a picnic on Mother’s Day and gift her this adorable Woven Picnic Basket from the OpalHouse collection at Target. Fill it with all of her favorite treats to make the gift extra special.

No. 9–I recently discovered a new online floral delivery company called Bloom That and was smitten with their beautiful arrangements. Their arrangements are more artistic and stylized than what you typically find with online floral companies. I also like the fact that they guarantee no flower substitutions so what you see online is what you get.

No. 10–One of my personal indulgences is monogrammed stationery and I think it makes a perfect Mother’s Day gift. The Delavan Monogram Tablet Set from Paper Style is affordable and the monogram style and color can be customized to fit your moms style

No. 11–Help mom decorate and relax with this pretty Voluspa Maison Candle. Mom will love using this as she soaks in the tub or lounges in her mom cave.

Mom…She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders & made it look like a pair of wings!

2017 FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE {inspired by my dad}

June 5, 2017

Happy Monday friends. Did you have a great weekend? We had a whirlwind weekend that started with a trip to Alabama for a wedding. About 30 minutes from our destination we realized we had left the garment bag that contained my husbands suit and my dress for the wedding at home. After a moment of panic we forged ahead and made a quick pit stop at Dillard’s to do a little shopping. Thirty minutes later, a new dress and new digs for the hubby and all was good with the world again.

After a night of celebrating and hanging with family, we headed back home yesterday to more rain. But today’s another day and I’m hoping for a bit of sunshine. 🙂

I have lots of fun stuff to share with you this week on the blog starting with my Father’s Day Gift Guide. I lost my dad in 1983 and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of and miss him. So in honor of Father’s Day, all of the gifts I’ve included in this years gift guide are inspired by the memory of my dad. He loved to have fun, had impeccable style and always had the newest and latest gadgets. I hope there’s a gift on my list that perfect for the special man in your life!

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ONE. Wooden Fractal Puzzle. Such a cool gift to keep dad busy and challenged for hours. p.s. I love the design style of this puzzle–kinda looks like a fun greek key design.

TWO. Men’s Emergency Kit. A great travel companion for the work or leisure travel. This is also a great gift of a recent college grad!

THREE. 50 Life and Business Lessons from Steve Jobs. I’ve read this book and it contains loads of wisdom to inspire dad (or anyone) in work and in life. A great read.

FOUR. Father’s Day Shave Kit. My hubby recently tried the Harry’s shave kit and gave the products and razor rave reviews. He loved it so much that I’m sharing more about Harry’s in another post later this week.

FIVE. Amazon Echo. We received one of these as a gift a couple of years ago and use it everyday. The Echo is an amazing piece of technology.

SIX. Nylon Travel Bags. These bags help keep everything in your suitcase organized and they also cut down on the wrinkles. And the monogram is such a classy detail. p.s. I want a set for me too!

SEVEN. Monogrammed Handkerchiefs! One of the essential accessories I think every man needs to carry.

EIGHT. Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch. Help dad stay fit and healthy in style.

NINE. The Leather Accessories Traveler. This case keep ties, collar stays and jewelry organized and safe. And it’s comeback if dad travels with only a carry on.

2017 Father’s Day Gift Guide

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE–ONLY THE BEST FOR MOM!

April 28, 2017

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and making sure mom feels loved and appreciated on her special day (and everyday) is top of my list. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really come to understand the courage, dedication and selflessness that it takes to be a mother. My mom is one special lady and along with teaching me about life she instilled in me the power to dream big and reach for my goals. Priceless gifts.

To help you celebrate your mom on Mother’s Day I’ve curated a gift guide filled with special pieces from a few of my favorite stores and online shops.

♦ Amara.com is a new online shop I recently discovered and to say I love everything on their site is an understatement. They sell a wide range of products from over 300 of the leading home decor, gift and fashion brands around. p.s. I’ll be sharing more about Amara in a couple of weeks along with a fun collaboration I’m doing with them!

♦ BaubleBar continues to be one of my favorite sources for fashion jewelry. Not only are their prices good but their tassel earring collection is hard to beat. I want one of everything.

♦ When we lived in Seattle, Nordstrom was a favorite shopping spot for clothing, handbags and shoes. And now I love shopping their gift and home departments for unique items. Mark you calendar for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale which will take place July 21-August 6th.

♦ Mark & Graham is my go-to source for high-quality leather goods, entertaining items and accessories for both men and women. And I love that so many of their items can be personalized with a monogram.

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DIY Easter Candy Jars {Easter Gift Idea}

March 28, 2017

Welcome to part 2 of the Spring Thyme Recipes & Style Blog Hop hosted by my friend Tamyra at Positively Southern. If you’re coming over from Swirls of Flavor, welcome! I know you enjoyed Gwynn’s post as much as I did. Along with the other participating bloggers, we’re bringing you more spring and Easter inspiration today. I’ve listed all of the bloggers at the end of the post so make sure to stop by each blog and see what everyone is sharing.

Today I’ve got a fun and simple Easter gift idea for you.

One of the things you might not know about me is that I like to take the road less traveled. And when it comes to creative projects, I like to put my own twist on things. Take for instant Easter baskets. This year when it came time to make Easter baskets I wanted them to be unique. An ordinary woven Easter basket wasn’t going to cut it. This year I decided to create Easter Candy Jars instead of a traditional basket!

Medium Jar with Rope Handle {also available in small and large size} // Pink Stripe Ribbon // Green Dot Ribbon

Aren’t these the cutest candy jars ever? And boy are the easy to make.

Once the idea of Easter jars struck me, I headed to Hobby Lobby for glass jars. There were a lot of styles to choose from but these jars with a rope handle caught my eye. The jars come in three sizes and with my 40% off coupon the largest jar was less than $7.

sale alert: next week all the jars will be 50% off.

I filled each jar with Easter grass, a chocolate bunny and candy. And once that was done I tied a pretty ribbon on the handle.

Just think of all the ways you can customize an Easter Candy Jar by using different candies, ribbons and grass. And once the holiday is over the gift recipient can use the jar to hold a candle, pencils or whatever they want. #twogiftsinone

Part of the fun in creating unique gifts is giving them out. I can’t wait to deliver my Easter jars to friends and family so they can enjoy their special treat.

DIY EASTER CANDY JARS

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing in my ‘Spring Thyme’ fun. Next on the blog hop train is Tamyra at Positively Southern so head over and see how she’s bring spring style into her home.

Clutter Cafe (read part 1 here)
Viva La Vintage For Your Home (read part 1 here)
Swirls of Flavor (read part 1 here)
Confetti Style (read part 1 here)
Positively Southern (read part 1 here)
Totally Tailgates (read part 1 here)
M. Jones Style (read part 1 here)
Life at Lydia’s House (read part 1 here)
LindaG Loving Home (read part 1 here)

Favorite Posts, Pins and Products (of the week)!

November 19, 2016

Enjoy your weekend and my favorites from the week.

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FAVORITE POSTS

If I do life all over again, I’d live in New York for a few years and my apartment would look something like Emmy Rossum’s Manhattan home.

Here’s a fun and inspiring interview with designer Christiane Lemieux.

Loved this easy idea to glam up holiday garland.

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FAVORITE PINS

With Thanksgiving just a few days away and Christmas right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about holiday table settings.

Here’s a really fresh take on a holiday tablescape. You’ll definitely want to click here to see the other elements that were used on the table.

I’m loving this black and white table setting and those turquoise candles are a perfect unexpected pop of color.

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FAVORITE PRODUCTS

These initial stickers are such an easy way to UpStyle a tote, handbag or just about anything else you can think of.

This is just one of the great holiday prints available from this Etsy shop. And they are all between $2.00 and $5.00!

I spotted the adorable Pineapple Tumblers in Bed Bath and Beyond the other day and immediately added them to my wish list. Set of 2 for $19.99!

Enjoy your weekend friends. I’ll be back tomorrow with a fun and easy DIY hostess gift idea.

Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers to WOW!

December 13, 2015

One of my favorite parts of holiday gift giving is finding unique and fun stocking stuffers to fill Christmas stocking for my family. With only 12 days left before Christmas, I’ve been surfing the web and shopping the aisles to find items that I know will bring a smile on Christmas morning.

Just for you, here’s my round-up of practical, personal, fun and useful stocking stuffers ranging from $4.99 to $49.00!

FOR HER

Honey Jar $7.95 ♦ Travel Jewelry Case $19.95 ♦ Monogram Stickers 20/$5.25

Imprinted Pencils 6/$10.50 ♦ Watercolor Garden Agenda Notebook $23.00 ♦ Scented Candle $12.99

Faux Suede Gloves $12.90 ♦ Handbag Organizer $19.99

FOR HIM

Leather Panel Gloves $14.90 ♦ Roll Up Travel Charger $29.00 ♦ Thermos Insulated Water Bottle (the best ever) $24.99

Buffalo Check Dopp Kit $14.99 ♦ Brass Money Clip $20.00 ♦ Men’s Valet Tray $9.99

iPhone Zoom Lens & TriPod $22.00 ♦ Men’s Grooming Kit $12.99

FOR ANYONE

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix $14.99 ♦ Sonic Toothbrush (a great travel piece) $11.99

Power Bank Charger $23.99 ♦ Mini Tape Gun $4.99

Self Inking Address Stamp $39.00 ♦ Leather iPhone Case $49.00

Happy Shopping!

Girlfriend Gifts

August 28, 2015

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I had already begun doing some Christmas shopping. I hate to wait until the last minute when the items have been picked over and store shelves are bare. One category of gifts that I tend to buy early is girlfriend gifts.

Finding that special gift for a girlfriend can sometimes be challenging so my method for selecting the perfect gift is to tap into that persons style. Think about the colors the person wears, the items they decorate their home with and their passions in life. When you look for gifts that connect to a person’s lifestyle and soul, you’ll always find the perfect piece.

Here’s a round-up of gifts that I love and that I think my girlfriends would love too.

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These Jardin Des Vases are ideal for that friend that has a crush on blue and white and loves to decorate.

I have a long list of friends that would love this Brass Pineapple Dish so I’m planning to add a few to my gift closet.

If you have friends who run their own businesses , the Morocco Madness Stationery will make them feel special and is a perfect way for them to personalize correspondence to their customers.

A cute little Trinket Dish like this one is great for all the stylish friends on your list.

These chic Stone Stud Earrings are for the fashionistas in your life.

My go-to gift for girlfriends or anyone for that matter is Candles and I just love this little collection from Voluspa.

Do you have a friend that needs to take a little more time for themselves? Gift them this adorable Bird Teapot and encourage them to take a few minutes each day to do just that.

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Now that you have some great gifts to consider, you’ll need a fun way to wrap them. On Monday I’ll be sharing a chic and simple gift wrap idea with you so until then, enjoy your weekend and happy shopping.