Love Day Gift Guide {For Her}

Happy Monday! It was a crazy weekend filled with lots of catching up with friends. I was in and out of my apartment a lot and when I set the pre-vday flowers I received on the coffee table it completely blew past me that the magazine and books were similarly themed. I guess the universe is just trying to shove Valentine's Day in my face. Normally a neutral girl, the extra pop of pink does add a little fun to my apartment.

I really love how Valentine's day has morphed into this giant love fest. I don't really think it's dreaded that much anymore. To be honest, the past few years I've been sad I had BF plans and couldn't spend it drinking champagne, eating chocolate and watching RHWOXYZ with my girlfriends.  Whether your celebrating with your galentines or valentines, here are some of my picks for little love day luxuries.

Champagne Glass Pajama Set

Diptyque Rosaviola Scented Candle

Le Pilage St Valentine Cosmetics Case

David Yurman Venetian Quatrefoil Ruby Ring

Charbonnel et Walker Champagne Celebration Hamper

Saint Laurent Small Monogram Wallet on a Chain

Fleur Du Mal Rose Lace Demi-Bra

Friday Five {Momma-to-Be Edition}

April and May must have been pretty 'busy' months for people because everyone {well almost everyone} I know is preggers!  I'm so happy for these new little ones to spoil, but for now my friends are the ones that need some extra attention. Since the shower's aren't for a bit and, mostly, about baby gifts I love these ideas for Congratulation's gifts!

How fun is this Card? I love JulieAnnArt!

A jar a pickles is a very cute {and low cost} way to say congrats.

You CANNOT go wrong with a good Spa Treatment!

A coffee club subscription is great for prepping your soon-to-be daddies for night duty!

This luxurious cashmere robe for those 'sweatpants are all the fits me right now' moments

Love Day

Valentine's Day is coming up! I like Valentine's Day in the sense of its a fun day to celebrate the love you have for all the people in your life. However, I don't think its the greatest for relationships. If you're both Valentine's Day people, GREAT but if you're not it usually ends up with a lot of this:

To avoid the pressure of Valentine's, I think it's better to take most of it away and promise eachother to just be a little more loving and appreciative when it's needed. It means a little more with less of a "Here's some flowers. It's Valentine's Day." and more "Here are some flowers. Thank's for doing that favor for/thinking of/being there for me /just being you."

I think it should be recognized, but cute and cheesy, yet relevant. Stick with the basics. Flowers, chocolate, candy, jewels if you're feeling generous. Something that represents your relationship is even better. Dinner at your first date restaurant, picture of you together in a nice frame. More of a "Yay we love eachother, it's Valentine's Day" and less of a "Here is a tree of roses on top of a champagne mountain crusted in diamonds!" situation.

Here are some of my favorite gift ideas:

1) Printstagram
I did this for Sweetest Day, which unbeknown to me no one celebrates on the West Coast. I wanted something that was representative of things we've done together and he loved it.

2) Kate Spade Valentine's Day Bracelet

Guys, Kate Spade really did all the work for you here. Encompasses sparkles and meaning in one little gift for your lady. You can't really go wrong with any jewelry.

3) Good Chocolates

No, not Russell Stover or Godiva, something nice. I love Chocolatier Blue, their boxes are so elegant and chocolates so unique (and beautiful)!

4) Fancy Under Things

I love lingerie. Silk and lace and bows and extra padding! Even though it usually doesn't stay on very long, there is something about being out to dinner, all glammed up and having a little secret underneath your clothes that the world (and, even better, your Lovely) doesn't know about. 

Shopping for this is a sensitive subject for some people in terms of size, coverage and body image so maybe offer to take her shopping for some and pick out something you like for her to try on. Let her pick without telling you and it's still a surprise for you ;)  Just a heads up Victoria Secret doesn't let gentlemen in the dressing rooms so you'll have to hit a department store or boutique shop.

I've been swooning over this color blocked set from Fleur Du Mal!

New ABD Coffee Mugs!

If you haven't seen already Ashley Brook Designs just released a new set of her darling coffee mugs {including a holiday one} here they are! I am absolutely obsessed!!

I'm so happy to see the 'Miss Fancy Pants' for the fabulous single ladies and absolutely cannot stop laughing over 'You Can't Sit with Us'!  I think it's going to come down to these 3 for me:

Or I could just go for broke on 4. Not quite sure what the BF would think of this, but if it matches mine it's cute right??

P.S. She may or may not already have her Holiday Shop up at running and I may or may not have already been browsing!!! {t-2 months}

Countdown to Christmas: Personalized Gifts

We've all been there, invited to a party hosted by an aquaintance, struggling to find a gift for the person who has everything or the person who has extremely specific tastes. In these situations I find it best to stick to the simplest gifts. Those things that everyone needs. Napkins, candle sticks, clutch, hors d'eorve tray, stationery...Maybe you use it everyday, maybe you use them once a year, but you cannot go wrong with a classic, functional gift. The problem with gifts like this is that they're usually pretty plain and come off as a little impersonal and that is the exact opposite of what a gift should be.

How do you spruce it up??? Well, with personalization of course!!  Here are some of my favorite personalized gift ideas!

The Everyday Leather Zip Pouch {mark&graham}
You can use it as a clutch, put your iPad in it, carry travel documents etc. Really it's an all purpose and unisex gift that anyone will appreciate! I love it in Porcelain Blue with a center monogram!

2013 Diary {Smythson}

For the more traditional calendar keepers you can't go wrong with a datebook. Smythson offers a variety of sizes, fun colors and personalization options! And the leather bound covers make sure they'll never wear out. Graphic Image offers some equally stylish, but less expensive options.

Letter or Zodiac Pillow {Jonathan Adler}

I have been pining for one of these letter pillows in black and white!!! Jonathan Adler also offers some  more whimsical personalization options with his Zodiac collection as well.

Silver Plated Julep Cup {Pottery Barn}
A GREAT hostess gift idea! It's a classic shape will fit in almost any room and she can use it as a candle holder, a vase or even a Julep!

Lilly Pulitzer Personalized Serving Tray {Lifeguard Press}

You can find these everywhere on etsy right now, but I like the fun designs that Lilly Pulitzer offers!

She has her classic 'ropes' print or you can go crazy with one of her more signature bright, palm beach designs. If you're looking for something a little simpler Design Darling has a adorable standard monogrammed tray too!

Lilly Pulitzer's 'Rope' Pattern

Cleaner look from Design Darling

Happy Shopping!!