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!

Beauty and the Bucket List...

The final few days of our CA trip were spent in beautiful Carmel watching my husband and father beat their chest and jump for joy. They didn't actually beat their chest but I did see a sparkle in Dave's eye that I'm not even sure I saw on our wedding day. All kidding aside, we took a drive down Highway 1, went through the cute little shops in Carmel, drank wine by the fire pits while listening to the bag piper at Spanish Bay, and the guys put a big check mark on their bucket list when they played golf at Pebble Beach and Spanish Bay.

If I'm going to talk Dave into a vacation I have to speak his 18-hole love language.

I'm not above compromise, the language was spoken, and the 44 photos below (yes, that could be considered over share, but it's my blog) tell the tale. The courses were beautiful, the wind coming off the Pacific was COLD, and the people who live on Pebble Beach...bless their hearts. It's a shame they have no view.

 The trees were enormous! And gorgeous!

 Zsa Zsa, doing her best to stay warm. I think this is when I caught her tweeting. :)

Sadly, all good things must come to an end!

 The view at sunset from my parent's hotel room...bless their heart too...

 Golf Day 2- Spanish Bay, with my brother. :) Kristen, I took this pic for you! Dad- putting his father's day present to good use. Haha!

 Mom and I finished Dave, Dad and Taylor's perfect day in our perfect way...with the S'more-something-or-another. It was so many levels beyond amazing. And that, my friends, is the 44 photo end of our CA days! If you actually scrolled to the end you are such a trooper! XOXO ~ Tiffany