Frugal Friday ~ Gifts for Mom!

 

mother's day is this coming sunday and it you have been procrastinating a bit and are short on funds, luck is on your side, because any of the gifts above are sure to bring a smile to moms face, all while keeping your tab at under $50!

 

kai travel set (my moms fave!)

 

mr. boddington's mistral soap (cute packaging and amazing scents!)

 

tuscan herb candle (what mom doesn't want to go to tuscany?)

 

gucci flora rollerball perfume (i wear this scent and get complimented daily)

 

sea flower print scarf (perfect colors for spring & summer!)

 

eiffel tower ring dish (darling little accent piece - ooh la la!)

 

be sure to give your favorite moms a little love this sunday!

Gift Guide 2012 ~ Nifty Gifty Under Fifty

 

a fifty dollar present is generally reserved for those that you care about.  you are looking to impress and the items above are all guaranteed winners!

 

donner skirt / backup battery / loafers / champagne flute / xo circle necklace

 

nest votive collection / sequin clutch / bralette / bracelet

 

happy shopping!

 

 

 

 

The Smells of Fall

 

i have fought the arrival of fall long enough!  it is now time to embrace the crisp air and warm fall scents! 

 

my mom and dad ever so kindly sent me two incredible candles from bath and body works to welcome in fall.  i lit up the sweet cinnamon pumpkin (apparently no longer available on line - check in stores) for the first time on tuesday night and my roomie came home and said it smelled like thanksgiving in our house - success! 

 

above are some of my fave fall holiday scents (don't worry, there will be a winter holiday set come december).  i also would like to mention that although a candle is the obvious and easiest way to incorporate fall smells into your life, might i also recommend trying out a soap while you are at? 

 

1 ~ voluspa three-wick tin in winesap apple spice

i first received this yummy candle from boeing at work and it makes you crave a hot apple cider (spiked for me please) and the coziest socks you find. 

 

2 ~ anti-bacterial sweet cinnamon pumpkin

i am not a big advocate of anti-bacterial soaps (i believe they weaken your immune system) but after smelling the candle i just couldn't pass on a bottle of it.  i put it in my center console of my car for post workouts, gas pumps and any other yuckies that i may come across.

 

3 ~ williams-sonoma essential oils dish soap spiced chestnut

if you have been following this blog, you may recall this is my fave scent ever.  and while i usually just savor the candle, i was introduced to the dish soap and let me just tell you, doing holiday dishes is a whole lot easier if this delightful fragrance tickles your nose.

 

4 ~ NEST candle pumpkin chai

now this one i have actually never had the pleasure of smelling, but it is high on my list to find since pumpkin and chai are two of my favorite scents.  adding them together can only mean one thing - holy goodness. 

 

5 ~ White Barn 3-Wick Candle Leaves

the second candle my mom and dad treated me to and it is another goodie (my roomie perfers this to the pumpkin scent).  i can't quite describe the scent other than it smells like walking your dog when it is chilly outside at about 5 pm.  does that make sense?

 

6 ~ ILLUME heirloom pumpkin ceramic candle

oh this candle brings sweet memories of christy and this past weekend in san francisco with carebear.  not only did illume master the scent factor but they really stepped it up a notch and provided a beautiful holder that requires no removing of stickers or hiding a label, just pretty gold and fall tones.  winner.

 

so that's it.  my fave scents for fall!  and just a tip, if you can't wait for your scents to arrive at home, your local grocer should carry the pumpkin maple scent in a variety of items for very reasonable prices.  no excuses! 

 

i would love to know your favorite fall scented home good...what's missing from my list?

Bridal Shower Basket

 

bridal showers are always such a fun festivity to attend.  they are full of happiness, laughter and love.  what more could you want?

 

they are also full of presents and if you are anything like me, i like to give a good, memorable present.  which is why i am sharing my latest go-to bridal shower prezzie. 

 

i like to go in with a girlfriend or two when giving a bridal present because it allows you way more options!  our last group gift consisted of a cute apron from anthropologie (with written expectations that she must prepare a meal for her hubby in it...naked), a his and her initial mug, some sort of cute shopping list, a fragrant kitchen appropriate candle (both of these smell incredible and are sure to tickle the hubby's senses), matching or coordinating pot holders, and a unique cookbook specific to cooking with love or just for two.

 

pick and choose from the items above based on your budget and throw them in a cute box with a darling card and you can be sure the bride (and her hubby) will be on cloud nine!



Gift Giving Guide ~ Mother's Day

mother's day is this sunday and you still have time to show that favorite mom in your life (whether it is your actual mom, your best friend, sister, aunt, whomever) how special she is to you.

below are some great gifts to share with that amazing woman in your life.

help mom step into spring with this darling bold geo dot scarf.  not only is it trendy with the polka dots, but the red/lavendar combo is sure to get her noticed!

what better way to say i think you are wonderful than to give a gift that says just that?  the philosophy "i think you are wonderful" set is just too cute and perfect for any mother in your life.

my mom adores candles and often has to put herself on "candle restriction" as she accumulates so many.  however i think she would love to add the capri blue mercury glass jar candle and/or the  glassybaby in big sky to her growing collection. 

my mom is quite the suzy homemaker and is constantly baking cupcakes for various events.  i am pretty sure any mother would love a little help in the frosting department and the williams-sonoma frosting is sure not to disappoint.  pair it with the mothers little book of home-baked treats cookbook and you are sure to be rewarded with a tasty treat!

we all know that growing older doesn't always help with one's vision.  what you can help your mom with is looking good while she helps her vision in these darling kate spade jodie readers.  available in a variety of colors, you'll be sure to find the right one for your favorite visually challenged female.

handwritten notes are a favorite from my mom, and i think just about anyone now a days loves receiving a little piece of mail addresses to them (other than a bill).  the receiver is sure to be flooded with love and affection when they open up one of these many thanks and lots of love foldover cards.

i want to thank my own mama for being such a fabulous role model and raising me with lots of love, support and smiles.  i wish i could be there this sunday to celebrate and spoil the heck out of her, but will have to wait until wednesday to give her a proper squeeze she deserves. 

gifts aside, be sure to thank a mother around you and make her feel a little extra special this week! 

xoxo

V*Day Lovelies

one/two/three/four/five/six/seven/eight

v*day is here and while i love all the hearts, pink and cinnamon treats, i am not really one to celebrate this holiday. 

but if i were to receive a gift from cupid, any of the items above would surely make me quite twitterpated!

B*Day Wishlist Part III

well, i am officially 5 hours and 40 minutes away from turning 32! 

which means my wishlist is getting down to the wire. i present you with my last, greatest desires...

hot dot scarf by marc jacobs.  do i even need to explain why?  just look at it.  a beauty.

i have been hesitant to buy an iPhone 4 cover because i could never find the "perfect one".  stop the presses, found it!  thank you rebecca minkoff!

ever since i smelled it for the first time at bergdorf's in nyc, i still crave creed's virgin island water.  vacation in a bottle.

trust me when i say the dl & co thorn apple signature collection scallop candle  is worth every penny.  not only can you light it around the house for a little piece of heaven.  but you can also dab a little on your wrists for a sexy scent-sation that stays with you all day long.

i have a fetish for mustaches.  no joke.  and i am really excited by this jonathan adler muse bottle opener.  tmi?  sorry, must be my old age...

to help with my resolutions to travel more (and the overnighters at b's) this deux lux felix weekender duffle is perfect amounts of chic and flashy.  yum.

weird.  a piece of jcrew jewelry that i am dying to own.  that's a first!  NOT. 

feel free to come to mama pave chain link bracelet.

last, these aqua boho drops are the perfect accessory for spring.  the colors are so bright and cheery and would look fabulous with just about anything.

and that my friends sums up my b*day wishlists.  it has been fun imagining receiving any of these items, but i must admit, just spending time with friends, family and loved ones is the best gift of all (i know it sounds cheesy but i mean it).  i am off now to enjoy dinner with b at a surprise location (let's just hope it isn't magic castle). 

see you all tomorrow when i am a whole year older and wiser...err something like that.

xoxo

Recent Purchases ~ Apothica.com

The generous people over at Apothica provided me with $100 to spend on anything over at their site.  Talk about exciting stuff!  As many of you know, I am a bit of a beauty product junky and Apothica offers so many products I adore and use on a daily basis at affordable rates and free shipping on orders over $49! 

I immediately added the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster to my basket as I had been eyeing it for over a year now.

The Truth Serum Collagen Booster smells absolutely delightful and provides a nice little pick me up to my morning routine.  The energizing tangerine scent instantly wakes up my sleepy face and gives a little perk to my drab skin.  It also creates a nice barrier between my face and LA's toxic air pollution.  My only regret with purchasing the truth serum is that I didn't buy the Three Little Wonders Box Set (as seen above) which I believe would have provided more dramatic results. 

In any case, Ole Henriksen carries a variety of beauty products I am dying to try including this African Red Tea Glow To Go.

My next purchase was the Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner in Carbon Black.

I love the look of liquid eyeliner so much and I have concluded that my favorite type of liquid liner are "pen" style.  They glide on so much easier and create the perfect liquid line.  The Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner is a wonderful beauty product.  It stays on all day as promised and lasts a really long time.  I used it at least 3-4 times a week and purchased it back in February and only just ran out of it this weekend.  For $20 you get a great quality product that lasts a long time.  FANTASTIC!

The third purchase was a little more difficult to select as I wanted so many things.  I however decided to share the wealth and purchase the Voluspa 3 Wick in Decorative Tin French Bourbon Vanille candle for B.

B had just moved into his new place and it needed a little accent that not only smelled "manly" but also matched his dark wood decor.  I am already a devoted fan of Voluspa candles and wanted to introduce B to my fave candle distributor.  While I enjoy almost every single scent they offer, I needed to find one for B that wasn't overly perfumey or in an ultra girly casing.  Check and Check. 

I have to say that I was over the moon for all my purchases from Apothica.  They shipped my items in a timely matter, and threw in some free samples to try.  A nice added touch was that a consulting rep from the site sent me an email to follow up on my purchases and product satisfaction.  Never had any of my other beauty sales rep follow up on an order, love their customer appreciation!

Since I have exhausted my last order officially, I have begun hunting for my next beauty purchases...currently in the lead are:

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Glitter In The Air 

perfectly wispy - reminds me of cotton candy at the fair

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer in Across the Universe

loving the blue and green glitter combo - gets me excited for Seahawk football (fingers crossed)

Eminence Blueberry Soy Night Recovery Cream

I am still on the hunt for a good night cream and I am completely sold by the fact that the words "blueberry" and "recovery" are in the same product title.  I have read all the wonderful benefits of eating blueberries and figure, it must be good to place directly on your face as well, right?  Added bonus, the products is organic. 

I am pretty sure my shopping cart will be full to the brim once I finish looking at the website.  I highly recommend trying Apothica for your next beauty purchases, they have a great return policy as well and guarantee the lowest price. 

Get shopping my beauties and be sure to share what you buy or love!

Flashing Brights

According to the calendar, spring sprung on Sunday...

According to my window, spring has yet to arrive in L.A.

The wind, rain and grey, leaves me craving anything and everything bright and sunny!

(click picture to enlarge)

1st Row: Scarf, Candle, Shimmer Tee, Pack Away Bag

2nd Row: Dress, Clutch, Books, Pumps

3rd Row: Bowls, Wedges, Sweater, Trench Motorcycle Jacket

4th Row: Undies, Lip Gloss, Thongs , Nail Polish

Has spring sprung at your location yet?  What do you have your eye one this spring?

Gift Guide #4 ~ Nifty Gifty under Fifty

I am dying to own this luxurious Belmacz Glow Lip Balm and I am pretty sure any other gal in your life would too.  It has a pretty color with actual flakes of gold that blend in to make the gloss a shimmery goodness. 

For the hostess with the mostess or the party that needs to get started, the 80's Table Topics will make sure there aren't any crickets present at any future parties.

The Capri Blue Mercury Glass Jar not only looks gorgeous when lit but also fills the home with a delectable scent. 

For your accident prone friend, why not help her cover her boo-boos with these cute Cynthia Rowley Band Aids Dress Ups?  My fave is the sequin one, I may have to fake an injury just to use one.

I have been dying to try the EOS lip balm and what better way to introduce yourself or someone you love than this EOS Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Holiday Bag. 

Story of my life.  I need this f*cking bag to use at the grocery store.  Also perfect for the eco-friendly cute boy you have been stumped on what to buy.

Smelling good is never a bad thing, and options are even better.  The Juicy Couture Spray Pen Set is perfect for the gal on the go or to split up and pass along to your coworkers. 

I love the message associated with this Pearls of Love Dogeared Necklace.  Whoever you give it to is sure to feel incredibly loved.

Another eco-friendly and incredibly stylish gift for the go getter is this Red Jonathon Adler To Go Holiday Mug .  Throw in a little Sbux gift card and you are sure to be a favorite.

Last year my gf Christy gifted me this awesome Lash Stash set from Sephora.  They are all travel size mascaras that you can try before you buy.  And let me just say that the danger is finding numerous mascaras that you not only like but LOVE!  The Hourglass and Laura Mercier were my faves in last years batch.  Perfect for the girl who is always up for trying something new. 

Gift Giving ~ Mother's Day

This Sunday, May 9th is a special day to celebrate Mother's all around you.  Whether it's your own mother, grandmother, best friend or next door neighbor, here are some gifts that any mother is sure to enjoy and are definitely well deserved.

This savory Alain Milliat Jam Gift Set is perfect for the Mother who likes a little jam with her morning toast or scone.  These jams are a little fancier and more a treat from her everyday Smuckers.  The Fig Violette sounds delish!

Perfect for Cinco de Mayo margaritas a few days late, these Calypso Citron Summer Drink Glasses, will help any Mother transition into summer entertaining.  I actually own these in blue and cannot wait to put them to use...perhaps this weekend!

I sure didn't inherit the love or passion for gardening like my Mom does.  But this Landlubber Gardening Set is soo cute, and totally perfect for that trendy mom who wants to look cute while she tends to her garden. 

If your Mom is anything like my Mom, then she LOVES candles.  I always think of my Mom and our home whenever I smell this scent, but the other scent I attribute to my mom is her love for flowers.  Specifically Fresh Cut Gardenia.  The LAFCO Home Candle Collection are available in a variety of scents, which I am sure you can find the perfect match for the mother of your choosing.

If your Mom is a wine drinker, why not help her get the best glass of in the fastest time possible.  The Vinturi White Wine Aerator will help make that happen.  I have heard great things about the Vinturi Wine Aerator before and love the idea of not having to wait around to let the wine "breathe", and Mom's usually are racing against the clock as is, so why not give her a little extra time?

If you and a sibling are looking to split a nice gift, this Cooler-Outfitted Picnic Tote is the perfect gift.  Perfect for concerts in the park or any other outdoor activities mom will inevitably be participating in this summer.

Entertaining and Mom's go together like, ram-lama-lama-ka-ding-a-ding-a-ding-a-dong (or something like that), and this Entertaining With The Seasons Cookbook will help any mother do just that with a little ease and some pizazz. 

Maybe your mom enjoys beauty products or is always on the go.  These Stephanie Johnson Lime Coral Makeup Pouches are absolutely darling and perfect to store any Mom's many goodies and items they carry with them "just in case".  Seeing as I am technically a "Dog Mom" to sweet little Waldo, I am hoping he may read this post and purchase me one to store my makeup in.  Love!

I still haven't seen "It's Complicated" but my Mom LOVED it and I am sure some Mother in your life loved, it or will love it too.  I mean it stars Meryl Streep, a woman who I have always said I would love to have as my M.I.L.  Throw in Alec B and Steve M, a gorgeous kitchen and Nancy Meyer and I am pretty sure no out there will be disappointed with this gift.

Whomever you celebrate with this Sunday, be sure to give them a big hug and thank them for being such a great Mom :) 

Thank you Mama Debs for being the best Mom, I am thankful for all you have done and continue to do for me!  I love you!

Holiday Gift Ideas #4 ~ Votivo For All

What smells good, looks pretty and can light up an entire room (no, it's not me - j/k) .....well the Votivo Holdiay Collection Candles of course! I recently had the pleasure of smelling this collection, and let me just say, they do NOT disappoint. Not only are the scents divine and holiday-icious, but the candles themselves are very pretty and will blend in with any decor.

Christmas Sage

Freshly harvested juniper berries, tangy hemlock cones, and fragrant emerald hued spruce boughs transform the rustic cabin into a light filled workshop where dreams are crafted with pride and hope fills the heart eternal with gifts that truly linger...and inspire memories for generations to come. (Translation - Smells like a Christmas tree.... but better)

Clementine & Clove

An ode to a bygone era- coarsely chopped clove with fresh cinnamon sticks and dashes of black peppered nutmeg gently coat the dried Clementine oranges and fresh thyme sprigs, all wrapped to the tune of an old Christmas carol—a perfect symphony of the senses. (Translation - Smells like a caramel apple cider from Starbucks....but better)

Red Current

A savory blend of tart red currants and golden fruit glaze ladled over coarsely ground vanilla bean ice cream and served along side of raspberry filled sugar cookies… the original Red Currant. (Translation - Your home will smell like fresh baked good out of the oven....but better)

Winter Soltice

Early morning, 6:00am on the longest day of the year- the rich spurt of pine spice and cold, cold wet winter are scorched by the brazen blaze of the crystal, powerful, white light. Unabashedly, three elements collide - the water, the earth, and the sun – tantalizing the senses into perfect, harmonious solstice. (Translation - Smells like the first breath of air when you walk your dog in a forest....but better)

Joie De Noel

In a centuries old tradition, darkened hearty cut spices, woody strands of aged rosemary, fragrant spruce and delicate hemlock boughs are mulled with caravan herbs and thickened honey combs in a blackened copper kettle over an open cherry wood flame: an unspoken welcome home anytime throughout the year. (Translation - It smells like marshmallows, hot chocolate, cookies, and eggnog & rum....but better)

Any of these candles are sure to be a hit for a secret Santa gift, co-worker, friend, or just yourself! Picking the scent is what will be difficult but with descriptions like these, it should be a breeze!

It's Back.....

Upon arriving at Mr. & Mrs. R's house late Thursday evening, I was greeted with a delightful and familiar scent in the guest room. And then I saw it (and minorly freaked out might I add) ....the Spiced Chestnut Essential Oils Room Spray. The scent that Williams Sonoma had discontinued last season. The scent that prompted me to write this.

And wouldn't you just know, that I had to capture with my camera the goodness for you all. Believe me when I say, I am a huge nerd when it comes to scents and my reaction was similar to that of someone who just won the lottery. I quickly slathered on the lotion, sniffed the display candle and enjoyed the yummy scent that is Spiced Chestnut.

Thank you Williams Sonoma for bringing Chestnut back!

Summer Essential Series ~ P.S.

Today's picks are from the lovely Michelle over at P.S.. Michelle is another fun friend that I met at WSU who always can make me laugh and keep me in high spirits with her positive attitude and mad recapping skills (seriously incredible). I love checking out her blog for amazing sunsets from her cute new apartment and giggles here and there. Below are her summer must haves!

*What one item can you not be without in the summer?

Capri Blue-Volcano: I love the way my apartment smells like I am on a tropical island!

*What are you craving for summer 2009?

I am still rocking the Maxi dress this summer, they are so cute and comfy! I am definitely craving and would love to own this cute yellow one from JCrew.

*What is your essential summer song for 2009?

My summer song is definitely Right Round by Flo Rida!!!!

I am loving all of your choices Michelle! I have seen that candle every time I am in Anthro and have never actually purchased it, but you may have just sold me on it! And that JCrew dress is incredible and would look lovely on you! Check back tomorrow for Sweet Nothings selections.