Fabulous Finds- Hostess Gift Edition...

I was created for relationships. I am not one of those "alone time" people. Don't get me wrong, every once in a while I hit a wall and crave "down time"/ "alone time". It's always wonderful, relaxing, refreshing...and after that Friends Episode is over I'm ready to be with my peeps! I just love being with people.

I am so blessed to live in the same town as some of my very best friends so we rarely skip a chance to grill burgers together or meet for a glass of vino so they can escape their knee-high obligations. We come into each others homes without knocking, we know where the cups and plates are, and certainly where the wine glasses are kept. With the frequency and casualty of our visits I don't always arrive with a legitimate gift in hand. Most of the time I do arrive with chips and salsa, creamy jalapeno dip, brownies, wine...some sort of treasure. However, I do not underestimate the value of a great hostess gift when it's called for.

While a bottle of wine or chips and salsa are always appreciated sometimes an unexpected or out of the box gift is the perfect treasure for those opening their home. Here are a few of my current favorites:

May Books! Y'all, I am SO excited to tell you about these books if you haven't seen them, oh, on GOOD MORNING AMERICA! I went to college with Mica and we ran around in the woods chasing teenagers while working at summer camp together. She has created these darling books that you can use as a journal, a planner, meal planner, grocery lists...you name it, there is a function for it. They are completely customizable, completely darling and completely affordable! And get this...they are in People's Style Watch this month! Are you kidding me?? Most of the books you create will fall in the $17-$25 range.

I played a little bit last night and created a few books I would be so thrilled to have. You can get a blank notebook, lined pages, or you can get a calendar...the world is your oyster. :)

How about a set of aqua coasters? At $9.99, yes, please! The moustache pics...I know! $4.95, also at Z Gallerie. I have many a friend who would get a kick out of these.

I absolutely love Anthropologie for gifts. I can run in and run out in 10 minutes and have something wonderful to gift someone. Birthday, hostess, thank you, just because...Mom, sister, friend, mother in law, perfect stranger...It never fails to produce. That being said...

Run, don't walk to Anthropologie right this minute and get 1 (or 5) sets of these cheese knives. They're on sale for $14.95 and would make the perfect hostess gift!

 Another anthro find- they have these adorable herb pots in various shapes and sizes. They range in price but the pot on the left is $16 and the pot on the right is $8!! Grab a pot, run in Lowe's and get a $2.00 succulent/pansy/daisy and you've got yourself a darn cute gift.

Candles. You can never, ever go wrong with a candle in my opinion. I burn them all the time, I think they are so romantic, and sometimes it is hard to splurge on a candle for yourself. So when you receive one as a gift it's a double bonus! I know I have featured these before but the Capri Blue candles in mercury glass are my absolute favorite. They are $28 at Anthro. However, there are a ton of delicious candles and there is not a trip to Anthro where I don't skim through the sale room! Candles, lotions, hand soap, little trinkets...ranging in price from $5-$20. I stock up whenever I can so I always have small gifts on hand.

Last but not least, a great set of dishtowels. I just adore the bright and cheerful napkins and dishtowels below. Give someone a gift they can use over and over again. After a wonderful evening, stay and have a chat while helping them do the dishes. :)

Happy giving!

Fabulous Find Friday!

Spring is in the air! We've been sunny and 75 degrees this week and I have resisted temptation to play hookie and spend my days outside. Afterall, the bluebonnets are in early bloom and the lovies are ready for their closeup!

The temptation I haven't resisted is spring shopping. I'm in the mood for the shifting of the season and the shifting of the wardrobe and my lust list is ever growing! I took a peek at KateSpade.com and I'm in love with way to many things! Let's start with this tote that my husband won't let me get:

And I am literally obsessed with this City Lights bangle. The inside of the cuff says "Bright Lights Big City", do you see that? Swoon.

How about these adorable Sailor's Knot earrings? I would wear these every single day.

Everyone needs to refresh their favorite nighty. How cute, casual and comfy is this?

We're having a random cool front today so a lightweight wrap sweater is the perfect addition. This comes in several colors and is on sale for $28!

These Capri Blue candles are my all-time favorite. I love the way they smell and I triple love the way they burn. Such a romantic light! Go grab one at Anthro and pick up one of the Voluspa Candles in the cut glass jar (I love Bella Sucre) because they are a steal at $19!!

Happy Friday, happy Spring!! What are you loving right now?

Current favorites/weaknesses/loves...

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on Kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string...

These are a few of my (current) favorite things!
A cup of hot apple cider or homemade hot chocolate almost every night...

I feel kinda bad having a wish list so soon after Christmas, but I think this watch is adorable.

I'm loving TOMs ballet flats arriving this spring!

I love the knife I gave Dave for our 5th anniversary. We try to stick to the traditions for fun and 5 years is wood. He gave me a lovely wooden frame and some gorgeous earrings (not wood :)

As my mom always says, "leopard is a neutral", and I'm loving my new leopard flats I got on super sale at the J.Crew outlet! I have my sister to thank for the tip!

My new wine glasses I pretty much stole from Anthropologie! Before Christmas their sale stuff was take an additional 50% off and I got these for $5 each!! I'm in love. Too bad they only had 5 left...I would have bought 12 if they had them.

Don't even get me started. This ice cream rocks my world and unfortunately, it's rocking my waste line! We bought this before Christmas and I just finished it last week. I'm literally willing myself not to go get more before it disappears! It's a seasonal flavor. I won't even tell you how it's a slice of Heaven when you put a scoop on top of a brownie...I'm so naughty.

In keeping with the food theme...I've only experienced this greatness once in my life, but I had these delicious pumpkin-spice waffles with apple cinnamon butter, roasted pecans and dried cranberries at Penelope in NYC during "Sister Trip 2011" and it was beyond...It's the things better dreams are made of. :)

When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad....I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad! ~ Frauline Maria

Santa Baby...

Have you made your list for Santa yet? Some of the elves on my list are super easy to shop for and some take a little more searching! Here are a few of my favorites for this gift giving season

Give the gift that keeps giving all year long! Birchbox comes monthly with 4-5 premium beauty supply samples ranging from perfume to face cream, makeup and hair care. She'll look forward to it every month. They have 3, 6 and 12 month subscriptions for $10/month!

Gorgeous, one of a kind, handmade pottery from Buck pottery. Made in Gruene, TX, this pottery is beautiful, durable, dishwasher safe and unique. From mixing bowls to coffee cups, they have something to fit everyone on your list!

A magazine subscription is the perfect stocking stuffer! Cooking light for the resident Betty Crocker, ESPN Magazine for the sports fan, Southern Living for the southern belle or House Beautiful for the decorator. The list goes on and on!

How about this darling ipad case? It's gold...don't mind if I do! (OH, except that I don't have an ipad...details, details!)

Bobbi made my list this year! I've been good, so I asked Santa for this palette.

How about this fabulous weekend bag? It's durable and it's a great size for short travel.

Need a secret santa gift? Gifts for office friends? This is one of my favorite gifts to give. These stemless, chalk board wine glasses are wonderful! They are $3/each from Pier 1 so you can give a set of 4 without breaking the bank.

Last but not least...comfortable and cute slippers your mom, sister, daughter, BFF are going to love! Hurry...they're on sale!

Happy Shopping!!

Wishing my Husband Cared about my Wish List...

I took Thursday and Friday off last week and it was glorious! I ran errands, went on walks with the dog, actually made my bed in the morning, took a pair of jeans I've had for at least a year to get hemmed...it was amazing that I could actually get things done during the week. I was kicking butt and taking names with all of the time I had on my hands so when the errands were done there was nothing left to do but shop! I come by it honestly.

Have you met my mother and Nana? Sophie Kinsella based a series of books on them. I digress...

Sometimes when I go shopping I find nothing. My husband likes those times. This was not one of them. Lately it seems that EVERYTHING is cute. From the clothes to the shoes to the watches to the purses, back to the shoes...It's all very tempting. Dave's favorite 2 words are NO and BUDGET so I am left to wish and hope and dream. I'll share a few of those dreams with you...

I can't get enough of maxi dresses in the summer. I think they are so cute, flattering, and they're literally the most comfortable things I put on. This dress is from the BP section at Nordstrom so it won't break the bank at $48.

These had me at hello. Trouble is, I like them in every.single.color. Oh, and Dave would never let me pay this much for "flip flops". Ever.

This Michael Kors satchel is at least 3 X cuter in person than it looks on your computer screen. Guaranteed. My mom and I were both in love. The good news for me is that she usually gets what she wants so I'm holding out hope that this is no different and I can carry it when it's old news to her. :)

I am in LOVE with these stackable rings from Tiffany's. My sweet sister and dear friends each got me one of these for my 30th birthday and I adore them. They are so perfect and meaningful and I would love to add this "I love you" band from a special someone to the stack. (Was that hint as subtle as a bus or what?)

These would go with everything. No more justification needed. The link sends you to J. Crew but Dillard's and Macy's sell them too and they are slightly cheaper. Especially if you can get them with a coupon at Macy's.

This is the one thing on the wish list I can actually get, because at $15, it's a no fuss purchase. In fact, I might go get it today just to make me feel better about all of this wish list business. These Camelback water bottles are my absolute favorite. I have several colors, but I have my eye on this one because of the shape. Finally one that will fit in the cup holders in my car! You need this for all that water you'll be drinking this summer!

Happy shopping!