Gift Guide 2013: The Men

Gifts for the guys is by far the hardest part of the gifting season. They never want to give you an idea past the new xBox game they want or possibly a new iPhone. Here are a few ideas that your man, your Dad, or your brother would like nestled under the tree. 

1. These clever college town t-shirts are perfection. (PS: They come in ladies sizes too)

2. A GPS golf yardage reader that is also a sweet sport watch. ($250)

3. For the man who travels, these custom dob kits are awesome. 

4. Manly products for your greasy guy after a long day ($48)

5. My friends from HS craft these wood wallets by hand in CO.  They come in many stains and have a cult following #trackyourstack You can even add on a beer bottle opener. ($20)

6. A guy in the kitchen is something sweet and you get to reap the benefits of this Mac & Cheese cookbook ($16)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Always thankful for so many things each year, especially all of those that support me, so Thank You! 

More guides to come next week. I hope you are finding some ideas on here. 

xo

Erin 

Check out my other gift ideas for everyone on your list here.   

Gift Guide 2013: Let's Party

Everyone loves to go to a party, but there are only some people in your life that actually throw them. These gifts are for her. Let her know how much you appreciate her willingness to entertain and feed you with a fun addition to her home. Plus, she will always invite you back. 

1. I love a stemless and these are girly and festive BHLDN ($68 for set)

2. A Polaroid camera would be so fun at a party ($199) 

3. These gold playing cards are perfect for game night and a great stocking stuffer. Anthropologie ($18)

4. Love me a Moscow Mule in one of these from Anthropologie ($18)

5. An elegant and rustic cheese board from Anthropologie ($48)

6. Love these elephant votives from Nate Berkus for Target ($9 each)

7. These trays would be great for appetizers or as a display on a table. Serena & Lily ($98)

8. A black and white stripe tablecloth would make anyone happy. Anthropologie ($228)

This makes me want to throw a party! That is a bit on the back burner right now in babyland, but at least I can send a couple of these to other hostesses on my list. 

Happy Shopping! 

xo

Erin  

Check out my other gift ideas for everyone on your list here.   

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Something Sparkly

I was not sure I was going to do gift guides this year, but I looked back on last season and it was a busy time here on the blog. So I put a few together that I hope you all enjoy. Plus, it helped me put my wish list together which I will share with you later. 

Up first are some sparkly and sensible (at least price wise) pieces that every girl you know would love. From Mom to your sister to your friend. I added a couple of them to my list, but truly I want every single one of them! 

Oh and for the boys out there, any of these would be a hit with your lady. 

1. The perfect addition to an arm party by Giles & Brother ($95)

2. This Lucite cuff with studs and crystals is part bad ass, part pretty from J. Crew $126

3. This bow bracelet is so genius by Kate Spade ($78)

4. This bracelet has such a great vintage vibe from J. Crew ($86)

5. I gifted this lovely last year and have one myself. Jennifer Zeuner ($132)

6. These are INSANE and would make a fantastic statement by Dannijo ($470)

7. I love the mix of vintage and neon on these earrings from J. Crew ($79)

8. A new take on the classic studs by Auden ($138)

9. Major statement piece without being gaudy. LOVE it  J. Crew ($96)

10. Something pretty to protect from all the badness out there Bauble Bar ($36)

11. A long gilded horn is classic and fun to mix with other necklaces Kenneth Jay Lane ($88)

12. A fresh take on the signet ring from Bauble Bar ($32)

13.  A delicate ring I am obsessed with from Jacquie Aiche $125

Side note: How great are these jewelry cases from West Elm? Kind of the perfect way to display your fave pieces on your nightstand or dresser. 

Did you find something for a person on your list? Or maybe just forwarding this link to your man? ha

Happy Shopping! 

xo

Erin 

Happy Weekend

The week has gone by with no posts, but this view is distracting. It is so nice to be in the warmth and the change of scenery is much needed while in baby land. Vacations are much different with kids, especially one still waking up in the night. But we are finding time to relax and having extra help around all day is amazing. Today is going to be spent at the spa and pool solo. I couldn't be more pysched. I hope you get to indulge this weekend as well. 

xo

Erin

Summer On Sale

We leave for a much needed vacation tomorrow (2 weeks!) and I am just getting around to shopping  for it. Best part of going away in the winter is that everything is on sale. I am eyeing these choices (all under $100) and might just get a couple delivered to Florida. I forgot that my summer stuff is all bump friendly. It would be nice to wear something normal. 

1. Preppy Striped Dress from J. Crew in Navy $59

2. Tie Dye dress for nights out by Young Fabulous & Broke $95

3. Breezy smocked dress by Madewell $82

4. Great Strapless beach dress from Splendid Maxi $39

5. One of my fave dresses from Parker $92

Have a great weekend and I will try and write while I am away. 

xo

Erin 

Second Time Around

It has been eleven weeks since becoming a parent of two. Two is such a big number to me now. Everything in life should be referred to by double (or triple if you have three, etc.) when talking about taking care of more than one child. Because it is not just about two, it is about doubling the amount of everything. In my house that means diapers and bottles, colds and night wakings, smiles and cuteness. 

It is not necessarily that much harder as it is that much more intense. Every day is a juggle of who will wake up first, who gets fed first, who takes a nap next, all until the end of the day. Which by the way is around seven and I follow shortly to sleep at eight. Time goes slowly, yet so fast, it is the strangest thing. I heard the best description for this time in life, "The days are long, but the years are short." 

You know you have heard a million times from parents before you that time goes so quickly, but when you are sleep deprived and crazed you think that those people are straight liars. But now you know it is true and they were probably the parents of multiple children. 

Not much of my pregnancy, delivery and postpartum was different from the last. Easy pregnancy, quick delivery, and hormone craziness with the baby blues for a month or so. Now that amnesia that Moms suffer is starting to happen. The memories of how hard it was nine months pregnant to chase after a toddler seem hazy, and the uncomfortable tightness of those crazy contractions seems like something that never happened, and the weird anxiety that I suffer in those first weeks fades from my conscious. It is strange how it is so hard to remember so quickly. But I guess that is what makes us do it again. 

The best part is you start feeling like yourself around three months. Albeit a squishier, slightly crazed, not always out of your pajamas each day self. But more like a human that can function with the outside world. And each month it gets better. For everyone. 

So we are having a good time in our house. Baby girl has discovered her brother and loves watching him. It is crazy cute. Baby boy has some really interesting dance moves that are the highlight of my day (think modern dance meets raver). And date night is happening again. Even if it is wine after the kids go to bed. 

So the second time around has been great so far. I highly recommend it and good luck to those that are also in it. 

xo

Erin 

Early Custom Christmas

I feel like there are such cute monogram gifts to give, but that I am always shopping past the date to when they can be ready for the holidays. If you want something done custom, now is the time. 

I have this bracelet with my son's initials and would like this one with my daughter's name from.  

Bauble Bar

This is a fun way to update the traditional monogram ring. 

Bauble Bar

These totes look identical to the Celine one I have. But this one comes in more color choices and a much lower price tag. Bonus is you can monogram it. 

Mark & Graham

Also comes in this shape, kind of perfect for Mom. 

A super soft throw with a cute icon and monogram is great. In stripes, even better. 

West Elm (on sale) 

More colors available

I received the sweetest hat with Mary's initials on it from this small shop. I will be ordering more from them as the kids get bigger and stealing the idea for new babes. 

1 2 3 Exclusively

Not a monogram, but easily one of those perfect gifts that you always wish you had when you you are writing notes and sending cards. A gorgeous return address stamp in fun calligraphy. 

 Etsy Shop AngeliqueInk

Tons of gorgeous styles available

This pillow is a nod to Hermes, you can pick the initials and from over a dozen colors. 

Butterscotch Blankees 

What are some custom gifts you love giving? Would love some more ideas! Trying to get my Christmas shopping done early. 

xo

Erin 

Dining In

I have been kind of obsessed with getting a new kitchen table and chairs for the last month. It is something we really do not need, but since I feel like I live in our kitchen/family room I want a change. 

 This is our current set up....

The table is really nice and so are the chairs, it is just annoying how the floors and the furniture are the same exact color. 

I have LOVED the Riveria chairs from Serena & Lily for awhile, so I know I want those as replacements. Has anyone ordered them before? 

For the table I want something affordable that can will  get destroyed by my children over the next few years. But that has some style and goes with the style of our home. West Elm delivers with this Parson's style table but in a rustic patina hued wood. 

Table: West Elm, Chairs: Serena & Lily

What do you think? Do you like the combination of modern lines with rustic and bistro style? I am loving it, Matt thinks the chairs are weird (rattan? really?), but I have always wanted them. 

Would love to get by Christmas maybe.....

xo

Erin 

Let's Catch Up...

Wow, it has been a long time. My free time has seriously diminished and if I have any time that does not involve kids, work, or chores I am using it for quiet time reading mags, catching up on my DVR, or squeezing in a workout. I miss writing and hope that I can get back into a more regular schedule.

Baby girl is doing so great. She has slowly becoming more of a baby and less of a newborn, which is fun and a little sad. Smiles, cooing, and longer sleep are making everyone happy. The little man is totally mom obsessed right now. Flattering, but makes life a little difficult with two. Every day we are settling in more and more and it feels great.

I have made some updates around the house, starting with this gem I got on auction on Ebay.

 I totally recommend this vendor for anything kilim. Delivery was quick and the rug was clean and brand new.

We also sold our place in the city (grew out of it with our family of four) and moved all of our furniture out to the house. Still trying to find a place for some things, but we were able to fill up our living room (really, play room) with some pieces.

Decided to just give you the real version of what my house looks like right now instead of the staged one. Yikes. I got that black and white striped rug from Crate & Barrel on sale and love it. Thinking about just painting this room white and maybe the trim on the windows and above the fireplace black lacquer. I still need to hang art, accessorize, etc. but so far it has been fun to have another room to hang in. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you already saw my stair runner that was installed. I am OBSESSED with it.

Karastan runner in Leighland pattern

The pile is perfect for a runner and I made sure it was good for traffic heavy areas and stains. I can already see muddy little footprints in my future. 

I was able to do a little shopping over the last two months, but have still held off while I try to get back in shape. (all the pumpkin bread I made and have eaten has helped A LOT. ha) Mostly every day staples that have been fantastic.

1. How have I not gotten the Spanx leggings before? The waistband comes high and pulls you in and it makes your thighs instantly smaller. That is a bonus I can use right now. 

2. This feels like a fancy sweatshirt. It is lightweight, but cozy and has a longer length to wear with leggings. Plus, it has a zipper detail in the back. (J. Crew Tunic $118)

3. I usually do not wear peplums but this one is super flattering. The classic cable knit is updated with some waist cinching stitches and a zipper. It will be perfect with my coral skinny jeans and brown boots. (Anthro $118)

4. I LIVE in these dresses from Asos. Basically it is a super soft t-shirt dress. The top is super snug, so go up a size. Lots of colors and it can be dressed up or down. Love. (Asos $39)

I wish I was buying fancy dresses and sky high heels, but that really is not my reality right now and I have decided that those things can wait until actually needed before I dive in. 

I hope everything is fantastic with you. Trying to get some posts together for next week, so come back and visit. I missed you. xo Erin