Gift Guide for Her

If you are having a hard time giving your special Santa gift ideas you might enjoy to receive this Christmas, we put together a list for you.  Some of the items listed we have received in the past and already enjoy and some are on our current wish list ;)

ONE | BACKPACK As a mama to a little one, I love a stylish backpack. It frees up my arms for when we are out and I need to hold or chase after her. -J

TWO | PAJAMAS If there's ever a time to splurge on pajamas, it's Christmas. These are comfy and look sophisticated without being too hot (for all of you other ladies that don't like sleeping in long pants). -M

THREE | AUDIBLE SUBSCRIPTION As someone who loves to start books and never seem to finish reading them, I have an Audible subscription on my wish list. I'm sure to get through several books from start to finish as I can listen to it while in the car or while doing mundane tasks like cooking or cleaning. -J

FOUR | CAMERA LENS Most people these days have upgraded from the normal point-and-shoot camera to a DSLR camera. The next step is to get yourself a 50mm lens.  I'm a Canon girl so this is the one I use.  It will totally transform your photos!

FIVE | EARRINGS These hammered gold earrings come in a unique shape and could be dressed up or dressed down.

SIX | STACKABLE RINGS Understated yet elegant and could be worn everyday, these stackable rings are a great addition to any jewelry collection.

SEVEN | WORKOUT TOP AND BOTTOMS New workout clothes help to put a little pep in my step when I am trying to get motivated to work out and let's be real what woman doesn't love a comfortable pair of leggings?

EIGHT | LEATHER TOTE Everyone needs a classic leather tote that can be dressed up or down.  And this color is perfect because it goes with everything!

NINE | ROLLERBALL PERFUME 'L'Eau d'Issey' Eau de Toilette by Issey Miyake is my absolute favorite scent. I love that the I can throw the rollerball in my purse or in my carry on when traveling. -J

TEN | DUCK BOOTS A classic that is popular this season. Can be worn in the snow and rain.

ELEVEN | WATERCOLOR BOOK For anyone that loves crafting or creating, this watercolor book would be a great treat.  I've long been a fan of watercolor prints, and I can't wait to start learning how to make some myself with the step-by-step help in this book.  -M

TWELVE | SUNGLASSES  An edgy take on the classic cat eye, she is sure to look chic in these matte black sunnies.

Gift Guide for the Little Ones

If you're like our houses are like ours, your little ones are sure to get more toys than they could ever need!  We've selected some gift options that can be used for years to come, give back in some way or will ignite your child's imagination and hopefully not be old news in two weeks :)  Anyone, feel us? Let's dive in!

ONE | CUDDLE + KIND DOLLS  These precious dolls aren't only adorable (they offer so many different designs), but they are always a great way to give back.  Each doll purchase yields 10 meals in the fight against childhood hunger. 

TWO | GEOMETRIC STACKER My daughter received for Christmas shortly after she turned one.  She's now four, with a two-year-old sister (and three young cousins) and they all love to play with it...three years later.  It's also make of wood so it's held up really well after all of the use! -M

THREE | FAWN ROCKER This rocker by Pottery Barn Kids is equal parts adorable (we can see it in a nursery or kid's room now!), sturdy and definitely something you could pass down.

FOUR | DOLLHOUSE The nostalgic look of this dollhouse from Hearth & Hand had me at first glance.  The exterior is adorable and would look great in any playroom! 

FIVE | PLAY FOOD This play food from Land of Nod not only looks adorable but each piece is made of wood so it will hold up well with little kids!

SIX | SHOPPING CART My oldest daughter received this on her second birthday and has used it every day since.  Its realistic design is such a hit, and it's a great place to toss in all of the play food!  Even her boy cousins get a hit out of it when they come to visit.  Grocery shopping is for everyone! -M

SEVEN | FIRE HOUSE  We can't forget the boys when it comes to imaginative play.  This one has great reviews (from online shoppers and personal friends!)  We're told this KidKraft fire station keeps your little one entertained for hours.

EIGHT | STATIONERY  This is one of our cute AND useful gifts.  My daughter loves to send mail, and I know having customized stationery with her look (you can even select the dress color) and name would be such a big hit!...and one less toy for the toy box ;) -M

NINE | ANDREA BEATY BOOK COLLECTION- IGGY PECK ARCHITECT,  ROSIE REVERE ENGINEER, AND ADA TWIST SCIENTIST These books not only are entertaining with their clever verses but are visually beautiful as well. 

TEN | PLASMA CAR Apparently these little guys are all the rage.  We've been told they are quite fun (even for the adults who take a spin on them!)

ELEVEN | BAPRON One of my least favorite parts of motherhood is all of the laundry, specifically the constant stain removing.  Baprons to the rescue!  These baby apron (which fit 6m-3+) are total life savers to my kids' clothes.  And did I mention they are made of ezClean fabric, an eco-friendly polyester that is treated for total waterproof protection and maximum stain resistance??  Sold!  I just made my second order with this sweet company. -M

TWELVE | MAGNA TILES These geometric magnetic shapes promote imagination and creativity. Children can make 2-D patterns or 3-D structures while developing fine motor and visualization skills.

THIRTEEN | ELECTRO DOUGH KIT For the kid who loves playing with play dough, this kit brings their creations to life and introduces them to how electricity works.

FOURTEEN | DUMP TRUCK Hess Toy Trucks comes out with a new truck every year.  This year is the dump truck!  Get one for your little and start your own collection to build year after year.

Gift Guide for the Hostess

Are you attending a Christmas party or visiting family or friends for the holidays and want to bring your hostess a gift?  We have you covered!  Here are our a few of our top gifts for the hostess-- and not a single one is a bottle of wine or candle!  Push past the expected and give a warm "thank you" with some of our favorites. 

ONE | WREATH  In lieu of the typical flowers, honor your hostess with a fresh wreath for the holiday season.  Chances are if you she's hosting you, she'll be welcoming others to her home as well, and this wreath will be another lovely touch to making her home holiday ready.  And don't fret if she already has one on her front door--she could place this one on a cabinet, window, mirror, etc.!

TWO | MERCURY GLASS TREE  If a wreath seems too grand, opt for a smaller, holiday decor item like this mercury glass Christmas tree.  We love the marble base and timeless look that could be used for years to come.

THREE | COCKTAIL NAPKINS  What better way to help a hostess out than with some cocktail napkins adorned with their initials?  A beautiful and practical gift!

FOUR | STATIONERY  For another thoughtful, monogrammed gift (we are in the South), we love these black and white stationery sets.  This classic design would look lovely as a thank you note for all of her hostess gifts too, right?

FIVE | HAND SOAP  Winter and the holidays bring lots of hand washing, so you might as well make it with some delicious smelling soap like this festive one from Williams Sonoma.

SIX | CHAMBRAY HAND TOWEL  A twist on the typical blue chambray, we love this black chambray hand towel.  Pair it with the soap above to make a cute gift set!

SEVEN | THROW BLANKET  Your hostess can cozy up with this adorable pom blanket all winter long and think of you every time she does.

EIGHT | HOT CHOCOLATE SET
This hot chocolate set is a useful and delicious treat!  Your hostess can serve it to guests or enjoy it with family.  And the vanilla marshmallows are the holiday version of "the cherry on top."

NINE | COFFEE TABLE BOOK  Vogue Living's Country, City, Coast is a beautiful book, perfect for the design lover and is sure to look great on any coffee table.

TEN | BRACELET Give your hostess a little holiday sparkle that she can wear to all this season's events.  A piece of jewelry like this bracelet from J. Crew Factory is a simple and inexpensive gift that is sure to be unexpected.

ELEVEN | CHEESE BOARD AND KNIFE SET A cheese board and knife set is one of my go-to gifts because who doesn't love cheese? Also, great for those who like to entertain. This set from Crate and Barrel has a unique shape and pretty copper accents.

Gift Guide for Him

'Tis the season to be jolly!  Unless of course, you're stressing over what to buy everyone this year for Christmas.  But no worries, we're here to help!  We're bringing a series of gift guides your way, and we're starting off with the fellas! 

ONE | WATCH Watches tend to be a common gift. However, this watch made of wood, would make a unique addition to your guys collection.

TWO | COLOGNE SUBSCRIPTION Great gift for the guy who wears cologne. This subscription service sends your guy different designer sents based on the frequency of your choice. The 8ml bottles are also great for travel.

THREE | PANTS Men love a comfy wardrobe, but sweatpants are necessarily the best look. These Lululemon discipline pants are just the right solution.  I think my husband would live in these every day if he could. -M

FOUR | GOOGLE HOME New technology is a go-to gift for most guys, and this Google Home does a little bit of everything.  The design isn't too large and unbecoming, and it's offered in a variety of different colors to fit your home.  A win for all.

FIVE | WHAT DO YOU MEME? GAME Are we crazy or do most guys prefer to communicate with memes instead of traditional text messages?  This fun game gives a whole new way to do game night and is sure to bring lots of laughs.

SIX | HEADPHONES These special edition Beats come in a variety of colors. Great for the music lover or for those that travel often and need to cancel out noise.

SEVEN | BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE Blackstones are all the rage these days and for good reason.  You can cook anything from pancakes to stir-fry to burgers, making your man feel like a professional chef in the process.

EIGHT | BREWING KIT The IPA is one of the most popular beer styles around. Give your hop lover a beginner set to brew their own at home.

NINE | SHAVING KIT This elegant shaving kit makes the mundane task of shaving a little more special.

TEN | BBQ TOOLS As cliche as it may sound, what man doesn't like to grill out?  A new bbq tool kit is functional and fun!

ELEVEN | SNEAKERS These Adidas are a classic and can be dressed up or dressed down.

A Fall Table, Part 2

Can you believe Thanksgiving is in two weeks?! I feel like each year goes by faster than the previous. Today I'm following up with my fall tablescape. If you missed Mallory's you can read about hers here.

This year I opted for a more muted look of light greens and whites. I had scored all of the velvet green pumpkins, the mini ceramic pumpkins, and the vases at Target's dollar section. The vases were $5 each! The white pumpkins I found at Joann's. I incorporated a couple air plants that I have. One of them is fake. Can you tell which one? And the big mama in the center I picked up at our local farmer's market.

Setting a formal table for the holidays isn't really feasible for us. We host our large extended family, which requires us to squeeze in as many people around the table. To be real, each year I just do a centerpiece down the table and keep the rest casual. However, if setting a formal table was an option for us than I would set the table with these pretty items below. Click on the images to be taken to the product's page.

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

A Fall Table, Two Ways

The fall season is all about gathering, entertaining and eating great food over great conversation, right?  So what better place to do that than over your beautifully decorated dining table? 

We know that for many, the holidays bring an added stress of making everything "perfect," and we're here to help!  A beautiful tablescape doesn't have to be time or budget consuming.  We're big proponents of using what you have and making it count.  So we've both designed some easy table setups to share with you guys.  I'll feature mine today, and Jessica will follow with hers.  Let's get started!

I started by laying down a piece of plaid houndstooth I found in the fabric bin at the thrift store for $3.  Fabric isn't a necessity for a tablescape, but if you do want to use some, don't feel like you have to splurge on a table runner or tablecloth--sometimes a piece of fabric is just as good, if not better!  I bunched mine to create some movement and texture in the middle of the table.

Next I added my vintage brass candlesticks that I've collected over the years (largely at thrift and antique stores).  Are you sensing a pattern?  I love the hunt and thrill of a good deal!  I swapped out my normal white tapers for some marigold ones for warmth and a nod to the traditional fall colors.

Once I had my candlesticks spaced out how I wanted them, I started to add in the magnolia branches I clipped from the tree in my yard.  Greenery is one of the easiest and cheapest (free if you can use trimmings from your own yard or a sweet neighbors!) to build a table centerpiece.  I stuck to just magnolia on mine, but you could certainly use a variety of clippings for a more layered look. 

Next I added some mini white pumpkins I picked up on a trip to the grocery store for $1.50 each. Nurseries and farmer's markets are another great place to look for more selection.  And remember, you don't have to stick to pumpkins.  My grocery store had some beautiful green squash that would have been a fun choice too--and they were 99 cents!

The next layer to the table was my dishes, which themselves got layered.  Layer, layer, layer friends!  I also added some green napkins and glassware that used to belong to my mom.  Who said you can't use green for fall decorating?

The finished product cost me $13.50 ($3 in fabric and $10.50 for pumpkins!).  The best part is that it didn't take long at all to put together. 

When you're shopping for entertaining decor remember to look for pieces that you will be able to use in a variety of different ways for different events.  That way the next time you have a function, you won't have to run to the store, just to your storage closet!

GET THE LOOK

Happy fall, y'all!