spin on pins

1. necklace from etsy:  etsy is the world’s handmade marketplace!  it’s also trouble!  haha, only joking, but seriously, it’s a wonderful site to purchase things people just like you actually make and sell for a profit.  a lot of their jewelry is very cute and what bestie wouldn’t love something so thoughtful?
2. “red” by taylor swift:  or any other rocking, fun, sweet, catchy CD that came out this year.  this CD just happens to be one of my recent faves.  you could even plan to go to a concert in the new year, by whatever artist you picked, therefore even further extending the value of your gift!  
3. gift certificate to a hair salon:  or your local BLOW DRY BAR.  check out ROCKS BLOW DRY BAR, coming soon to Newport News, VA in the new year! what BFF wouldn’t adore having her tresses washed, scalp massaged, and hair turned into a silky, wavy, bouncy masterpiece?!?! 
4. “someone knows my name” by lawrence hill: or any other memorable book you read (or at least read a brilliant review about) in the last year.  this was a killer book, in my opinion, one of the best i have ever read, hands down.  if your best friend is cool and loves to read, she will cherish this pick from you.
5. i-Phone hard case:  or a similarly presh case for whatever type of phone your bestie actually has (you should know!).  most people use their phone on a daily basis, and now every time she looks at it, she’ll think of you!  what a gift!!!!  hah.
6. essie nail polish:  or a gift certificate for a mani-pedi!  need i say more?
7. animal print scarf:  pick something soft, pretty, and in your BFF’s style.  simple yet useful.  i just love animal prints!!!!
8. kiva.org:  dedicate or make a donation in your best friend’s name.  i absolutely love this site and stand by it 100%.  check it out today, it’s amazing.  you can change your friend’s life and the lives of so many other people around the world…what are you waiting for?

i hope you enjoyed today’s picks:  THINGS I LOVE, THE BFF (best friend forever) GIFT GIVING EDITION!  i am assuming that most of my 5 readers are females, and therefore will probably have a female BFF, hence the gift ideas.  my apologies if your BFF is male.  he may actually enjoy several of my suggestions.  :-)  

i’ll wrap up this weekend with one final post, with gift ideas for who else, but the amazing, gorgeous, intelligent, witty wife/girlfriend/baby momma in your life!!!!!

1. old navy parka:  i spied this adorable coat in old navy the other day.  it was 60% off the original price.  i walked away from it, but that may have been a HUGE mistake.  any little baby girl would look spectacular in this classic number; you can’t beat trendy, warm, and ON SALE!  i’m pretty sure they make an equally adorable baby boy parka, as well.
2. target chevron baby blanket:  these are at your local target store RIGHT NOW. don’t pass it by.  either color combo would be perfect for the little baby boy or girl in your life.  so cute i could cry!
3. bebe bottle sling:  i didn’t know of this product when my littles were babies, but i will definitely be buying it in the future for friends who bottle-feed their little ones.  i spent many a time, frustrated to no end - either staying home and being late because i had to give a bottle before leaving, or unsuccessfully trying to find a way to prop up a bottle while on the go.  this is the perfect solution, yahoo!!!!
4. melissa & doug slice and bake cookie set:  check for sale prices on amazon or even local stores (it was 50% off at michael’s craft store a few weeks back).  this brand is really well made and can stand the test of time.  plus a lot of their toys are made from wood, so it won’t break like plastic and it just looks nicer, simple as that.
5. aden & anais muslin swaddle blankets:  they come in boy and girl prints/colors and are so amazing.  they’re large enough to get a good swaddle, they’re soft (and only get softer with each wash), and they’re lightweight enough to use in the summer as a blanket or to cover an infant carrier.  the possibilities are nearly endless!
6. comfort bb soft-sole shoes:  these come in many different color/animal combinations, great for baby boys and baby girls.  personally, i like the pink ones with the yellow ducks…! :-)
7. usborne’s touchy feely books:  the “that’s not my…” series is so cute!  they’re interactive with bright illustrations and a silly little story.  the perfect book for your wee reader. 
8. a heartfelt cuddle and kiss:  the easiest, sweetest (cheapest), and BEST gift of all for any little in your life!!!!!!!

today’s edition of “THINGS I LOVE:  gift ideas” was clearly geared toward the sweet babies/toddlers in your life.  i hope you enjoyed my selections!  tune in later in the week for some gift ideas for the BFF in your life…!

just like oprah, but even better, y’all!!!!!!!!

these gifts are based on my tastes, opinions, etc.  feel free to agree or disagree, but just know, i am always usually always right.  haha :-)

today’s blog will cover some ideas for the guy (husband/boyfriend/friend) in your life:

1. XBox Live Gold membership:  if your husband likes to play video games, chances are you can’t go wrong with this gift card (or the XBox Live Points card).  you could also apply this idea to the Wii or Playstation.
2. money:  dollar, dollar bills y’all!  the universally accepted gift.  this option ensures that he can get whatever his heart desires.  in my case, it would probably be for a new tattoo!
3. i-Tunes gift card:  again, this is a smart choice because it’s good for music, tv shows, games, apps, etc. at the i-Tunes store. 
4. concert tickets:  sticking with the music theme, if your guy’s favorite band is in town (or going to be in the near future), a pair of tickets to their upcoming show would be a pretty sweet, thoughtful (and fun!) gift idea, if i do say so myself.  which i just did, so….
5. movie theater gift card:  our local theater is the huge AMC-24 movie complex.  a gift card here is smart because there are a lot of good GUY movies already out or are coming out that you’re sure to enjoy, as well.  ”argo,” “lincoln,” “the hobbit,” etc.  so really, win-win gifts are the best!
6. local brewery tour:  plan a trip to a local brewery, or two or three!  your guy probably enjoys beer and brewery tours are always so much fun, plus you get free tastings!  i really want to take a day trip to the mountains with the mr. and go to the legend brewery, it’s the oldest microbrewery in Central VA!

so those are just a few ideas of mine, i hope something inspired your own gift ideas for this christmas!

tune in later in the week to see some of my gift ideas for the special lady, little baby, and besties in your life!

1. operation christmas child:  i have loved doing this shoe box gift over the last few years.  it’s so much fun to purchase random items knowing the recipient will find so much joy in things normally taken for granted here in the USA.  i really want to take my littles this year and have them help pick out items for the shoe box so it will mean even more packing it this year…!
2. frizz ease 3-day straight:  this spray from john frieda is ah-mazing!  i LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  it’s pretty cheap (about $8-$9 at target) and it works wonders.  let’s just say, if it can make MY hair straight, my already thick as horse hair plus a year old perm that won’t go away…then it must be magic.  this stuff is magic, trust me!
3. wicked:  the broadway musical - i saw it in NYC with some of my best buds and i saw it with the mr. when it came to norfolk a couple years back.  i loved it both times.  the first time, even after hours of sitting in a dark theatre, i immediately wanted to see it again.  like right after the show ended!  i also have the soundtrack, which i equally love.  i like to pretend i sound just like idina or kristen.  yup!
4. a british accent:  i swear, british accents are just the best.  i probably first fell in love with this awesome accent when my family lived in england back in the early nineties.  ya know, take that and all.  who doesn’t love a british accent?  you automatically sound smarter and wittier the instant you speak with a british accent.  
5. toms:  these are the ballet flats i have.  they rule.  super cute, super comfy, and super good for the world.  with each purchase, the company donates a free pair of shoes to someone in need.  don’t get mo dope than that!
6. mother-son quote:  i love mushy mother son quotes.  today was grayson’s 4th birthday party.  where does the time go?  he drives me batty, but i love him more than anything.  

oops, i did it again.  i didn’t post all week.  i like this method better.  hope you enjoy this week’s round-up of THINGS I LOVE.  til next week…!  have a happy turkey day with family and friends!  

i lied.

i said i would do a post last week.  it just didn’t happen, sigh.  i’m sure you are all super bummed.

here’s how i will make it up to you, though:  a whole week’s worth of posts about things i love, in this one post, today!  your lucky day!!!!

1. the four gift rule.  we are implementing this idea for birthday and christmas with our littles, starting this year!  i’m super excited at the possibility of thoughtful, useful gifts, without going overboard.
2. poppies.  i am drooling over the idea of a super pretty, vibrant upper arm tattoo, consisting of poppies just like these.  when i win the lottery, this will be the first tattoo i get!
3. embrace messy hair.  this is a no-brainer.  i do it literally, ALL THE TIME, and get compliments left and right (hah!)…throw out your hair brush!  just trust me on this one, m’kay?
4. the walking dead on amc.  this is also a no-brainer.  get it?  hah hah.  because the show is about zombies.  yeah, well, i promise that if you can get past the gore and violence, it really is an excellent show.  i only listened to the first season (i was too afraid to watch it, so i sat nearby while tim and another friend had it on and just used my ears, not my eyes).  for season two, i got brave and haven’t stopped watching since!  RICK!  LORI!  CARL! 
5. rachel mcadams.  i love her.  she is my favorite actress.  if i could magically wake up one morning and look like any other human being on the face of the earth, it would be her.  she is gorgeous.  LOVE HER!!!!  mean girls!  the notebook!  sherlock holmes!  etc.
6. chin up, butter cup.  i like this saying.  i say it often.  to whom?  whomever needs it.  i’ll say it to you if you need me to!

ahhh, things i love.  more to come next week.  i promise!  for reals this time!!!!

help me choose which card layout for this year’s ilardi christmas greetings!

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