November Gift Guide

I should be starting on Christmas gifts but I have 6 friends with birthdays during the month of November so instead I am hunting high and low for birthday gifts.  

The problem is once you start to give good gifts you raise the bar then you ABSOLUTELY have to give good gifts.  At this point a Starbucks gift card, though very much appreciate by most, is completely unacceptable.

I want my gifts to be like those Russian dolls, you think that's it; but then one more inside...



1.

Kate Spade Umbrella

with a little pair of studs tucked inside for my prim and proper friend.








2.
For my hippie chick friend, a funky clutch

with some statement earrings inside

3.
For my friend who is obsessed with lotions, perfumes, sprays, and anything beauty

a little amazing grace shower gel

and then body oil

and a little perfume roller






4.
For my sister Jules who travels 2 weeks out of every month, a very cute carry on

and inside the bag a gift certificate for a cooking class that we will take together.  This year she wants to do a Christmas appetizer class.

5.
This gift is an easy one, every time I wear my lululemon scarf my friend keeps saying how cute it is and how much she loves it, so bam she is getting a scarf...

and I am going to wrap one of these blessing bracelets around it.

Our sons go to the same school and I am buying it from the school bookstore.  The Benedictine Monks that run the school have personally blessed each bracelet they sell for all the moms.

6.

The bestie

My BFF has a birthday in November and she is by far the hardest.  She has been some through major life changes lately so I want something special.  She is going to be the recipient of my latest obsession....

Mantra Bands

I love that you can pick a bracelet that means something, and I think mixing the metals is so on point.  I picked my favorite 3 for her

I love birthday gifts, but this is why I have no money!!

Big Weekend

This is a big weekend here, the hubs and I have our anniversary on Sunday,  his birthday is Monday, and then we have father's day in about a week.  I have got to step up my game in terms of gift giving. I have a few ideas....

a pair of knocking around shoes

a pair of knocking around pants

a knocking around watch

2 of my children need laptops for school next year, of course the hubs has decided that he needs one too.  I wonder if Apple will give me a discount if I go in and buy 3 airbooks  at once??  Doubt it, and I don't even want to think what that bill will be!!

Don't get me wrong, I would love a new pair a shoes or a handbag for an anniversary gift but we are at the point where we either buy something for our house or plan a trip just the 2 of us.  For as long as I have know my hubs,  he has always wanted to go to Half Moon Bay right outside San Fran.  I would love a new runner on my stairs but I think California might be calling my name

Have a beautiful weekend!!

Who's Your Mama

I just got back from a week in Costa Rica so I am not expecting the moon this mother's day, but I do have a few things on my list...

You know it is summer when the Bobbi Brown counter is overflowing with Beach.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the body oil, it hydrates, smells so good, and has staying power.

Yes, this was taken from the Kate Spade idea book, but I am loving this oversized conversation clutch from Banana Republic.

I know this is the lingering aftermath of being in Costa Rica where these bracelets were everywhere, but I feel that more is definitely more with these babies, and that is a good thing.

I have these Kate Spade stud earrings in bright yellow and they are the perfect everyday earring.  Small, lightweight and a burst of color.  Now I just need a different color (good thing I have 13 colors to choose from)

It wouldn't be mother's day without a bloody mary brunch, right??!!

And finally, I would love one of these in my back yard.

technically a gift for the kids, but if they are happy then I am happy!!

 

Be Mine

Any of the following gifts from the hubs would be just fine this Valentine's Day

and I was very thoughtful, everything can be found at Nordstrom....
right down the street from my home

Love is in the Air

I cannot believe that Valentine's Day is this weekend.  All my Christmas decorations are down but not all have been put away, yes I need to get my act together.

Valentines is not a big gift giving holiday here but I always give something to the hubs and the kids.

My girls were easy (girls are always easy) I got them matching swimsuit coverups

and one for myself (and they are so much cuter in real life.)

My son was a little harder, but all the boys are wearing this

now he does not consider clothing a gift but that is all I could come up with.

Now the hubs was even harder.

Obsessed with this watch, but it might be a better anniversary or birthday gift

I have a mandle for his bathroom

I will be matching my girls so why not have the boys match

We have a masquerade ball on Valentine's day this bow tie for his tux would match my dress

plus I love that it is reversable.

and even though they don't like to admit it, every man loves a little pampering so I did get him a gift card for a little man pampering.

hmmm

Now what do I want??

This and That

I cannot believe the school year is over in less than 2 weeks!!  I for one am ready for the end of the morning rat race, the homework, and the after school activities.  I am ready to spend my days lounging poolside and my nights sipping cocktails on my deck!!

The end of the school year also means that us moms are really busy.  There is always so much to do with our kids before the school year ends, I have hardly anytime for anything else.

Monday night I did have a chance to make this healthy banana chocolate chip bread and it was amazing

my family gobbled the entire loaf for breakfast on Tuesday morning.

My oldest child is graduating 8th grade (yikes) so I have been busy planning a party for a bunch of 14 year old boys.  We have decided to do a burger bar

as a surprise for all the boys we also have a game truck coming

Today I am letting my daughter skip school so we can have a special day.  On her to do list..

and

I have my book club (wine club) tonight and we are discussing one of the many great books I have read recently

and finally my daughter was so busy on Mother's Day making me bath products.

Hand made gifts are the BEST, plus girl knows the way to my heart!!