{Holiday Gift Guide} For your sister, best friend, or mom

I have so much fun shopping for my sisters, my mom and my friends because I just pick out whatever I would want, and then get one from them, too!  You can’t go wrong with anything beautiful or personalized, in my opinion.

I am obsessed with bags  - handbags, tote bags, make up bags.  Any color, any size, any shape…it never fails that I find some great bags and have to remind myself that not everyone loves them as much as I do.  However, don’t you think every girl needs one of these fun cosmetic bags?

JuJu Baju

For a girl that barely manages to get make-up on every day (even on work days!) I do love new products.  One make-up item that I look forward to every year is M.A.C.’s holiday sets, especially the lip glosses.   A collection of mini lip glosses in fabulous colors?  Yes, please!

M.A.C.

What gal doesn’t love a glam necklace to dress up any outfit?  While I usually love a simple necklace, I think this chunky beaded necklace is to die for and would look great with, well, just about everything!

Anthropologie

A fun and inexpensive accessory that fits anyone?  A scarf!  I have a huge collection of scarves, and many winters it doesn’t get too cold in NC, but I’ll still throw on a scarf instead of a coat because they’re just so fun.  This one from Gap is traditional, but the fun factor is kicked up a notch with the sparkly thread throughout the chunky knit!  And I love the gray color!

GAP

Aren’t all these items lovely?  Go forth and shop!  Don’t forget to pick up one of each for yourself!

{Holiday Gift Guide} Toys for Tots

There are so many neat toys for babies and children out there!  I love to find original toys for my own daughter and to give as gifts.  {And I prefer things that don’t light up or make too much noise!}  I’ve had a lot of fun shopping for Molly, my niece and nephews, and some of our family friends this holiday season.

I think my *favorite* toys this year are the plush play sets.  You can find a huge selection of plush items for girls and boys right now – tea sets, food pieces, doctor’s bags, tool kits…you name it, you can probably find someone who’s made it out of fabric and stuffing!  Two of my favorite finds:

Little Picklepotamus

Nifty Kid Stuff

I think my nephew would love these Paper Jamz guitars…I’m still trying to figure out exactly how they work, but I checked them out at a local toy store and they seem so cool!

Paper Jamz

I can’t wait until Molly is a little older so we can have family game night.  Beverly and her kids already love to play this game:  Zingo.  It’s a great multi-age, unisex game that is simple, yet encourages communication and enhances logical thinking skills.  {I can’t help it – I’m a teacher, so I’m always looking for educational toys!}

Amazon

Have a budding artist on your hands?  Need an answer to rainy day boredom?  This Art Jar is perfect!  I love that it’s full of different items – papers, pom poms, zig zag scissors…everything a child needs to stay occupied for oh, about ten minutes.  Or at least make a good mess!

Pottery Barn Kids

 

What are you getting your favorite kids this year?  Do share your best ideas – I’m not finished shopping yet!

{Holiday Gift Guide} For the Men in Your Life

I always have a hard time finding the *perfect* gift for Jim – I want to get him something that he’ll love, but that I love and can live with, too.  And the other men in my life aren’t so easy to shop for either; I’m lucky in the sense that my dad and brothers-in-law all have favorite sports, teams, or hobbies, so I can usually find a gift for them but I often end up repeating gifts!  I don’t know if it’s because I had sisters and never had to buy guy gifts except for my Dad’s, but I sometimes have a hard time finding things that aren’t technology related or that don’t cost an arm and a leg!  I do think that men enjoy “experience” gifts:  golf lessons, tickets to a game, ballroom dancing…no?  No dancing?

Without further ado, these are some of my favorite – non-dancing – gift ideas for the guys in my life this year:

Who wouldn’t love to add some of this personalized barware to their cabinets?  Pottery Barn has mugs and pitchers you can personalize.  You can also customize some barware with your guy’s favorite NFL or MLB teams.  Don’t forget the leather coasters while you’re shopping!

Pottery Barn

How gorgeous is this Santa Barbara Harbor oil painting?  If you love a sailing buff, this would be the perfect gift!

Sharon Schock

What man hasn’t dreamed about playing in the NFL?  Thanks to Wii, now every guy can train like NFL players, even if they didn’t make the team.  I can think of a few guys that might enjoy this game.  And the best part?  They think they’re playing football, but they’re really getting a workout!

Amazon

While we don’t get to wear gloves often in North Carolina, they are definitely called for this week!  And what better gift than a quality pair of leather gloves?  While the brown is beautiful, you can never go wrong with black.

Johnston & Murphy

Does your favorite guy need some masculine correspondence cards?  Our navy and green collection would be perfect – simple and manly, and much more sophisticated than a folded piece of copy paper.  Don’t love the navy and green?  Let us know what color combination your man would prefer!

Sweet Birdie’s Nest

And finally, a luxurious stocking stuffer.  While many men may just use any ol’ soap they can find to lather up before they shave, special occasions call for something more.  And I bet if you can get him to use this Beard Lube once, he’ll never go back to boring soap.  Bonus:  You’ll love the eucalyptus scent.

Jack Black

Did you miss yesterday’s fabulous hostess gifts?  Go check them out and be everyone’s favorite guest!

{Holiday Gift Guide} For the Hostess with the Mostest

With the exception of a few things I’ve ordered online, I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping yet!  However, I’m starting to organize my list and am so excited to find beautiful, unique items for everyone I love this year.  My favorite kinds of gifts to buy are hostess gifts; I love to go to a party and always hate to show up empty-handed.  If you have a party to attend this holiday season, check out these gifts to help you stand out from the normal bottle-of-wine crowd.  {Not that I’d ever turn down a bottle of wine, mind you!}

Personalized linen cocktail napkins are a luxury and so thoughtful!

Embroidery by Linda

This melamine tray is perfect for families and would be such a wonderful hostess gift, especially if you load it with fresh baked goodies for your hosts!

Rosie Posie Designs

These handpainted wine glasses are festive and functional!  Each glass is handpainted and can be customized for you.  Polka dots, a monogram, a Christmas tree or wreath…whatever your heart desires.

Kugi’s, a design for wine

If your host loves to entertain, a local or a beautiful (or both!) cookbook is sure to please.  I happen to love Williams-Sonoma’s cookbooks.

Williams-Sonoma

And how fun is this flirty apron?  It’s definitely cute enough to throw on over my party clothes to finish last minute preparations.  I can think of a few sassy hostesses I know who would love this!

The Football Wife’s Open Sky shop

And last but not least, a fabulous smelling candle is always a great option.  These are my favorites and are the perfect go-to gift to stock up on:

Anthropologie

And remember, it’s totally okay to buy one for the hostess and one for you!  Now, what’s your favorite hostess gift to give or get?

{Holidays} It’s a SALE!

Now through Sunday, November 28, we’re offering a 15% discount on all holiday cards and party invitations!  The discount applies to card designs already in the shop, custom designs, and printing services.

Also, don’t forget that our notecards are on special through the end of the month:  25 notecards for only $25!  Just like our invitations and photo cards, our customized notecards are press printed on linen cardstock and they make the perfect gift for your favorite friend, a loved one, or even yourself!

{Great Gifts} Gift tags

{Don’t forget about our notecard SALE!  We’re offering 25 notecards for $25 through the end of the month.}

I don’t know about you, but getting everything done with a toddler is a wee bit challenging…that’s why I love these gift tags that I can just stick on gifts for Molly’s friends.  We’re heading to a first birthday party this weekend and I feel so on top of things because the gifts are wrapped and ready to go!

I chose to personalize Molly’s stickers with a peach, since that’s what we call her, but we can change the graphic so the tags suit you!  While I’m the first to admit that I could single-handedly keep the card companies in business, sometimes I just don’t have time to get to the card shop.  Just think about how much easier your life would be to have a few sheets of these tags that you can add to gifts at the last minute, and priced at just $5/20 stickers, you’ll save time and money!

Wouldn’t they be great for all of your holiday gifts, too?  A fun holiday design and your family’s name would make the perfect addition to gifts for teachers, neighbors, and well, everyone!

Find these tags (and the notecards on sale!) in our Etsy shop today!

{Great Gifts} Personalized Notecards

Are you looking for the perfect gift?   Or maybe you want to get yourself a little gift to enjoy after the holidays.  Either way, our personalized notecards are just what you need!

We’ve created so many fun cards and can customize any of these just for you!

Have another idea in mind?  Let us know and we’ll create a custom design.  And now through December 1, a set of 25 folded or flat notecards is ON SALE for $25 (regularly $35 for 25, $14 for ten).  Custom designs are just $5 more.  This is a great bargain for birthday or holiday gifts so take advantage of our great sale!

Check out all the different designs in the Etsy shop or email us today!

{Great Gifts} Custom Bow Holders

Beverly made Molly the cutest bow holder for Christmas; we use it everyday to pick out a sweet little clip that matches her outfit.  And sometimes she picks out one that doesn’t, but that’s ok.  So when we were invited to Casey’s first birthday party, I decided to make her a bow holder as part of her gift.  And, because I had to practice, I made one for our friend Rae, too.

If there’s a little girl in your life that is in need of a custom bow holder, send us an email and we’ll be happy to create one for you!  Also, check our Etsy shop soon for more images of bow holders.