Gift Guide 2013 - $100 or Less

My roommate, Morgan, asked me to do an "under $100" gift guide post so I thought I'd help her out. Now that I'm in the real world I feel like I have way more presents to give - co-workers, family, friends (you guys probably aren't getting anything this year...), doormen, boyfriend, etc. etc. With so many gifts, it is crucial to stay on budget. All of the below are under $100 and are appropriate enough for the office Secret Santa. If you have any more ideas, please send my way - just trying to help a roommate out!

1 // Diptyque candle in Pine Bark is beautiful to look at and has a slightly Christmasy smell

2 // A Warby Parker Gift Certificate is awesome for a co-worker and so much fun to get. They go on the website and choose 5 pairs to try on and then the pair they choose is only $95!

3 // Coasters are pretty boring but these ones are pretty and will spruce up even the most boring office desk

4 // Portable ping pong set is fun for anyone via

5 // Cashmere socks are unisex and so so cozy - J.Crew has some cute ones

6 // This Clare Vivier tassel is a little luxury and can be personalized with a monogram and different colors

7 // This J.Crew wallet/phone case is great when you don't want to carry too many things

8 //  Penguin Classics has created beautiful new hard covers for some of your favorite books. I'm dying for a Fitzgerald set that comes in black and gold

9 // There is no dessert I love more that Caroline's Cake in Seven Layer caramel. It is out of this world and the perfect treat to enjoy on Christmas night (or on a random Wednesday) . They have other flavors too - my sisters love the chocolate and my mom loves the coconut cake via

10 // Dead see bath salts are luxurious and come in cute containers via 

11 // Bobbi Brown Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette - this one is only good for the girls but it is an awesome gift or stocking stuffer

12 // Festive moleskine notebooks are gender neutral and inexpensive via

13 // If you use your iPhone a lot for work, this is a fun charging station and head set  via

14 // Might have to get this desk skee ball set for my brother, Robby, via

15 // Three in one game set that can be monogrammed is fun as a hostess gift, too via

16 // C. Wonder has adorable gifts - these gloves allow you to use your iPhone and they come in a bunch of other patterns and colors

17 // I love cute mugs - this one is festive (from C. Wonder

18 // I am constantly heating up my coffee at work and this Brookstone heated coaster is the perfect way to get around that. I actually really want this... via

19 // Under $100 and so easy to use. I had this Keurig in college and saved so much money making my own coffee. Has already lasted me 6 years

Mother's Day Gift Guide 2013

Mother's Day is right around the corner and I, for one, want to get my momma something awesome. I particularly love the cute pink striped pjs and the blue tods. Moms will love a membership to Birchbox, where they send you new beauty products each month (I've also done wine of the month and cheese of the month memberships, which have been a total hit!) Happy shopping! P.S. HOW cute are those Etsy cards??

ONE // TWO // THREE // FOUR // FIVE // SIX // SEVEN // EIGHT // NINE // TEN // ELEVEN // TWELVE // THIRTEEN // FOURTEEN

CARDS: ONE // TWO // THREE //FOUR

My Life Lately 1.16.13

I can't believe I haven't done an update since December 27th but it's been crazy busy and I have lots to share! I had a fantastic New Year's Eve in Boca Grande and was happy to have a somewhat low key evening with my family. Of course, the night wouldn't be complete without Tory getting up and performing with the Boca Grande Band. It's becoming somewhat of a tradition...

 

Billy and I flew back from Florida on New Year's day and I got right back to work on the 2nd. The vacation was much needed and I felt recharged enough to tackle the beginning of the year. My parents and Robby stayed through the week and got to go to the Notre Dame/Alabama game. Needless to say they left, sulking, at half time...

I did a lengthy post of my 2013 resolutions and so far I've been keeping up with a couple of them. My diet has gotten a bit better. Instead of my usual penne a la vodka and chicken tikka masala that I order in on Thursday nights (and Tuesday...), I've been opting for healthier option like Blue Print Cleanse's green drink (which you can now order on Fresh Direct and they sell them at some Whole Foods as individual bottles- amazing right?), wraps or salads from Fuel Grill & Juice Bar, or cooking at home.My working out hasn't been as often as I want but work has been great and busy so I'll cut myself some slack for a week or so. I have been doing more weight training and less cardio so we'll see how that goes.

I've also finally seen Juliet's apartment. One step closer to being a better friend and visiting all of my friends!

I spent a couple nights at home in Greenwich and it was great to spend time catching up with the dogs.

I've had a couple great weekends in the city filled with birthday parties and fun nights out. I got to celebrate Abigail and Caroline's 23rd birthday on two separate nights and we had an awesome dinner at Jo's, which was a sort of Italian/Asian mix with fantastic vegetable dumplings and fun cocktails.

I even (finally) organized my closet and scrubbed clean my whole apartment. I even got 2x2 photos to put in the frames by my bed.