As a young cook, cookbooks have been essential in my learning my way around the kitchen. My most helpful cookbook has been one that my mom compiled for me of favorite family recipes. If you don’t have my mom’s recipes to share these are great for those on your list.
I have either used all of these books or enjoyed these authors recipes online with great success. So they are kitchen tested and approved.
Posted in gifts, Her Home, Her Kitchen, Holidays
Tagged best cookbooks, best gifts, best kitchen gifts, cookbook gifts
This is the gift giving season, but it is also the whisking, mixing, baking and mess making season. If you’re all about the cute, and you probably are, these are the perfect helpers for your kitchen clean up and kitsch decor.
I have posted about Studiopatro before (for Fall 2011) but I had to share the new items for winter 2012.
These make a lovely and generous gift for a friend, a holiday hostess or for yourself.
Posted in gifts, Her Home, Her Kitchen, Holidays
Tagged hostess gift ideas, hostess gifts, kitchen gift ideas, studio patro gifts, studiopatro
I love Dr. Seuss as much as the next gal, but on the day she graduates she really doesn’t need another book, never mind a rhyming one. Here are some great ideas, both big and small, for the girl who you think deserves it all. (Rhyme intended)
In the life of a woman I think there are a few must have ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and if you’re luck you’ve had a few really great Valentines.
First is a little girl’s dad, my dad is a great card giver.
Then come a series of puppy-loves, and their Whitman Samplers.
Then come the girlfriends, the rose wine, the shared meals at The Cheesecake Factory, and teary movies.
Then comes true love. My forever Valentine is always filled with surprises and his thoughtfulness comes through in small gestures and grand ones.
Mark and I have had so many great Valentine’s Days and dates. But, the truth is, we try to make each day special, and make every day Valentine’s Day if you will. This year (next week!) Valentine’s Day is a Tuesday – smack in the middle of the week and so it calls for a cozy night at home.
Cozy and Sweet for Valentine's Day 2012
This sweet little inspiration board is just perfect, something sexy, something soft, something cozy and a lot of somethings that are sweet.
What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory? What makes your day – are you a homemade cards and cookies gal, or champagne and a little box kind of a gal? Or maybe somewhere in between?
Tell in the comments!
This year, I really want to make some of my gifts, and since I was never one for shop class our friends and family can expect gifts made from chocolate and flours, not wood and glue.
I know, of course, that during the holiday season you’re able to find a variety of goods and gummies, but nothing says love, and hopefully “yum”, like something handmade and homemade.
Make: Spice Cookies, Pistachio Trees, Spiced Nuts, Savory Cookies, Caramel Sauce, Ginger Sesame Brittle, Meringues, Almond Bark, Gummy DropsThese edible gifts are my inspiration as I head into the kitchen. There are a variety of flavors, textures and treats. I love the idea of surprising bites, and taking classic and traditional treats and adding some sophisticated flavors to them.
What is your favorite edible gift to give? Tell me in the comments!
In all of my gift guide hunting I have stumbled across some really terrific things that would make a great gift for yourself. They are gifts for the home that are as admirable for their form as they are for their function.
First up, my most favorite Internet find in some time… When I discovered this I was so excited that I have shown it to just about anyone who will give me two minutes of their time. Is it kind of crazy expensive? Yes.
Is it beyond cool? Double Yes.
This ceramic megaphone, made in Italy, is the old school speaker for your iPhone. Drop the i-phone in the “mouth piece” and sound comes booming out in a mega way.
en & is: Megaphone
The design is sleek and cool, it’s reminiscent of the chicest Shofar you never did see. I love the idea that this would be resting incognito on a mantle or shelf and all of a sudden become the life of the party.
Check out the video.
Megaphone from RACOON_STUDIO on Vimeo.
What do you think? Do you want to dance all night with this?
Posted in Decor, gifts, Her Home
Tagged art for home, en&is, iphone megaphone, iphone speakers, italian megaphone
When you’re planning your gift giving this season, there are no little people, but there might be a need for little gifts. Small tidings of joy that share your sentiment without breaking the bank. These gifts are great for stocking stuffers, colleagues, friends, cousins’ cousins, and people who make the rest of your year easier… They are also all under $25.
2011: Gifts Under $25
There are gifts here that are great for guys, great for gals, great for foodies, great for funnies. It is hard to go wrong when giving a gift that you’re thoughtful about!
It’s so great to give a gift that pampers like a new or favorite lip color, nail polish, or very luxe beauty cream. Everyone loves a gift that feeds a passion, like cooking, entertaining, a sport, or a new career. And of course, no one turns down a gift that feeds the soul and the stomach – homemade foodie gifts are lovely, and the Peppermint Bark (at World Market for a steal!) cannot be beat.
What is your favorite stocking stuffer? Tell me in the comments!
Posted in Decor, gifts, Her Home, Holidays
Tagged 2011 gift guide, christmas gift ideas, christmas gifts for guys, christmas gifts for men, gifts for $25 and under, gifts for a college grad, holiday gift guide, holiday gift ideas, holiday gifts, mens gifts, stocking stuffer gifts, stocking stuffer ideas
To be totally honest, this “her” edition, is really “my” edition, and if we’re really putting all of our cards on the table, this whole blog is everything I love, want, and adore. But, I am hopeful that somewhere along the way my favorites might inspire your favorites, too.
Now, to be clear, I don’t “need” anything. But, everything on this list of “wants” are classic, timeless, and all fairly special.
For this edition of the gift guide I went a little more luxe. I think the women in our lives are always being thoughtful and taking care, these little (and big) treats are a very, very nice way to treat her at this gift giving season.
2011: Her Gifts
So, some of these items are all about sparkle: a sequin sweater, a token of love for a little finger.
Some are meant for starting the year off on the right foot: a sky high espadrille (*serious swoon for this Florida girl!), a sophisticated pump for evening.
Some are meant to spoil: a lovely new fragrance and silky new robe for luxuriating about.
Some are meant to satiate: a favorite candy, cookie or treat (*Bouchon’s macarons are second to none).
Some are meant store-all: a chic new wallet, an equally chic yoga mat.
Some are meant to create starry eyes and memories: a mystery flight somewhere fabulous, or monthly delivery of flowers, love notes, dinners out, days off.
What is your favorite gift to give the girl in your life, or maybe gift to yourself? Tell me in the comments!
Listen, I know, sometimes it can be nearly impossible to shop for guys. I get it. They don’t make wish lists, or drop hints, and generally if they want something they get it. Oh man, men!
So my rule for shopping for Mark, the man in my life, is to just have fun with it. I listen carefully to the things he mentions, the articles/songs/books he gets excited about, and otherwise I am left with my own creativity.
For this “his edition” of the gift guide I was extra playful, a little old school and hopefully a lot of fun.
2011: Gifts for Him
When I found a lot of these gifts it was with Mark in mind. What I really like about them is that they straddle the gap between grown up and kid – and if there is ever a time to act or feel like a kid, it is definitely at the holidays.
A lot of these gifts are food/drink related – and I think that’s great for a guy – they’re consumable and don’t require much thought. Check out microbreweries, coffee roasters, beef jerky makers, etc, for cool monthly or weekly gifts. I also really loved the old school favorites from yesteryear that are now updated like the modern movie posters, RC racers, and Pac-Man. If your guy needs some grown up gear nothing beats a perfect fitting shirt, crisp tie, timely reading, and a kitschy tray to catch all.
What is your favorite gift to give guys? Tell me in the comments!
The people that are most excited about holiday presents are obviously the kids. If you have ever spent a Christmas morning with someone who is looking for the tag marked with their name and a “love, Santa” then you already know this.
I know a lot of pretty cool kids, but our niece and nephews were definitely the inspiration for today’s gift guide. On the cool-meter they are a 10, and they know it. They have been working on their wish lists for a little while now, and it is so interesting to see what they ask for and admire; generally it is a mix of clothes, toys and things don’t actually exist.
Shop: Gummy Bears, Finger Paints, Tee, Spin Art, Yumbrella, Baking Set, Bike, Army Men, Chewbaca, TightsFor this inspiration board I thought of some of the things our niece and nephews really like – bikes, Star Wars, baking, crafts and went old school. Some of these toys were my favorite as a kid, especially the spin art and the baking set. Other items just made me laugh and smile – how funny is the Chewbaca hat and how fun is the color it yourself “Yumbrella”?
What I liked most of all about these gifts is that they require lots of creativity and imagination and very few batteries – they are already much better than I am at video games!
What is your favorite gift to give to kids – or maybe your favorite gift you received as a kid? Tell me in the comments!
