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Let's Look

Let’s Look: Gift Guides for Guys

Hi everyone! 

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week. These next few weeks will be busy as we get ready for Thanksgiving and then eventually, Christmas, but I am ready for it. Bring on the challenge and the fun too! It’s still fairly decent weather for November, so I have been doing my best to enjoy the outdoors as much as I can, even enjoying my drinks outside when I can.

It’s the second Wednesday of the month which means it’s time for another Let’s Look as I link up with Shay and Erika.

Here’s a recap of the things we have talked about so far this year:

In January, we talked about How We Clean Our Closets.

In February, the topic was Things We Do Every Day

In March, it was all about what’s in our Grocery Carts

In April, we chatted about our Quiet and Prayer Time.

In May, we talked about Summer Staples.

In June, we shared our Summer Schedules.

In July, we chatted about our favorite TV Shows and Podcasts.

In August, we learned about our Pantry Staples

In September, we shared Easy Weeknight Meals

In October, it was all about how we Prep for the Holidays.

I can’t believe we only have a few more to go this year. Today’s topic is Gift Ideas for Men, now guys are hard to buy for, no matter the age, so hopefully, this gives you some ideas or suggestions. I asked my boyfriend for some help on this and I came up with my own ideas too. I created five categories or groups to get ideas from. 

First, when it comes to men, always think practically. It may not be as fun, but most guys prefer a practical gift that they will use time and time again over something that is nice, but not as functional. Let’s dive right in!

  • Experience– Rather than getting a guy something they may not use or like, think about getting them an experience. This can be anything from tickets to seeing their favorite sporting team, going to a concert, maybe doing an activity, like beer tasting or trying a new hobby, and taking lessons or a course in it. You can still wrap up the tickets and make it something fun to open with the information inside.
  • Game Day Gear– Whether they are into sports or music or another hobby, you can never go wrong with getting them some gear. This can be more traditional items like jerseys or t-shirts, or you can go the more unique route and find something vintage online. Etsy always has such unique gifts and I love supporting local businesses too!
  • A Nice Watch– Guys might not be into jewelry as much as girls, but, you can never go wrong with a nice watch. You can take the more route with a traditional watch that they can dress up or down, or if they are more sporty, you can go the fitness watch route. I personally love my Apple Watch and use it every day. This is definitely a practical and useful gift for the guy.
  • Favorites Gift- For the guy who has everything, get him all his favorites. This can be his favorite foods, drinks, snacks, and gift cards to his favorite restaurants. You can even use this gift as a way to restock on his go to items, maybe he has a favorite type of pen that he only uses or a brand of shirts that he always wears, buy all his must have items and wrap them all up together or separate.
  • Upgrade Essentials– Purchase some higher quality versions of his favorite items. This can be anything from buying some nicer dress shirts or socks if he works in an office, to getting him a new pair of running shoes. Guys don’t always want to spend money on themselves, so this is a great way to get them things they need and splurge a bit. 

I know these aren’t specific gifts for guys, but hopefully these suggestions lead to more ideas for the special guy in your life. Tell me: what are some things you plan on buying for the men in your lives? I’m always open to ideas! Happy Christmas Shopping!

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #91

Hello All! Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great week. I can’t believe we are at the end of April. It has been a busy month full of work projects, spring fun, family time and dates with friends. This week’s Friday Favorites is a fun roundup of new things I have purchased or been given over the past week or so and I can’t wait to share them with you today as I link up with  Erika and Andrea for another roundup of Friday Favorites.

Library Books in Calendar– This was a recent life hack that I wanted to share. I’m a library book girl through and through. I typically make a weekly stop to the library to either pick up or drop off a book. In the past, I would write in my planner or phone when a library book was due, but I was getting confused when I had multiple books checked out and it was hard to keep their due dates in order. Now, when I add a library book due date to my planner, I write the book title, so I know when each book is due. It may seem like a silly life hack, but it’s been super helpful especially with multiple books out and to make sure I avoid late fees.

Net Positive Podcast- I mentioned a few weeks ago that my brother and I went to see one of our favorite comedians, John Crist perform. We really loved the show and I have started to listen to his podcast now too. Net Positive can be found on most platforms and episodes last between an hour to an hour and a half. He mostly talks about life; current events and he adds his own humor to the show. Episodes drop once a week and although I haven’t been listening every week, whenever I am on a long drive or am looking for something funny or light-hearted to listen to, this is my go-to. Definitely worth the listen.

Car Cup Holders– I got these car cup holders for Easter and they have been the cutest pick-me-up. They fit right into the cup holders in your car in the front seat. They help protect your cup holders and keep things clean. I love cute monograms and these are the cutest accessories for the car. I got them off Etsy and they have been making me smile whenever I get in my car. 

New Hand Lotion– Speaking of new things, I was due for a new hand lotion and have been loving this new scent from Bath and Body Works. Chasing Fireflies is a vanilla scented lotion that’s not too strong. I also like how it’s not too thick when you apply it. I like the mini lotions to test out the scents before I commit to the full body lotion. Definitely a scent worth choosing for spring.

Dear Edward– I finished this book at the start of the month and couldn’t stop thinking about it. It’s all about a young boy who is the only survivor of a plane crash. He loses his entire family and is forced to start over with his aunt and uncle. The book goes back and forth between the plane crash and the present day as Edward grows up. Once I finished the book, I watched the series on Apple TV. Although there were some differences between the two, I really enjoyed seeing how the show was adapted from the book. It was so cool to see the characters I thought about come to life.

That’s a glimpse into life as we say goodbye to April and Hello to May! Tell me, what are you looking forward to next month?

Categories
Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites #71

Hello All and Happy Friday!

I hope you had a great first, full of December. I am savoring every day of this Christmas season or at least trying to. I am slowly crossing things off of my Christmas Bucket List and am doing my best to slow down and really be present this season.

Christmas movies and cozy nights in

Today’s Friday Favorites are all Christmas themed-buckle up, you are in for a festive Friday Favorites as I link up with Erika and Andrea .

Etsy Gifts– I have been having so much luck on Etsy when it comes to unique Christmas gifts. I love to support small businesses when I can, and I love it even more when I get a unique and meaningful gift out of it too! I checked several people off my Christmas list thanks to Etsy. One of my favorite things about using Etsy is you can just search a name, theme or idea with the word “gifts” and you get so many options. For example, if you are looking for a gift for a teacher, simply search “Teacher Gifts” and you will have so many items to browse from. The only downside to Etsy is that I find things that I want to buy and have to reign myself in. If you are looking for some different gifts, check out Etsy!

My go-to for Christmas gifts this season.

New Flannel– I’ve been doing my best to wear something festive whenever I can and that includes running errands. I picked up this red, festive flannel from Old Navy when I was doing a bit of a shopping spree a few weeks ago. It’s a thicker material so it’s great for layering. I love how it is Christmas-y, but it can be worn in the fall and winter too. You can pair it with jeans or leggings to dress up in a lounging around the house outfit or add it to a pair of jeans for a day of shopping. I know I will be getting a lot of use out of it this year.

Feeling festive this time of year.

Dashing Through the Snow- If you are looking for a new, cute, Christmas family movie this is it! Dashing Through the Snow is on Disney Plus and it’s all about a dad who doesn’t like Christmas until he meets a new friend, Nick, who needs some help on Christmas Eve. Ludacris stars in this family movie that has so many great one-liners and heartfelt moments. This was also a step-up from your classic Hallmark movie as there was more drama and had a heavier storyline. My mom and I watched it on a Friday night and agreed it would make for a perfect family movie night.

Holiday Get-Togethers– Something else I have been loving this time of year is holiday get together with friends. The season can get so busy and it’s so nice to catch up with friends and family around the holidays. Some of my close friends are in grad school so it’s been fun to catch up before they begin their Christmas breaks. I prefer a one-on-one meet up as opposed to a big party since you get to really catch up with the person you are visiting with. The holiday season goes by so fast, so I have found it’s best to set up a time in advance with friends whether it be for a gift exchange, activity or dinner and get it on the calendar, this way you aren’t stressing out about finding time between your Christmas to-do, daily to-do and other things that pop up to make time for friends.

Christmas Candle– I love a good candle to light when I am getting ready for the day or relaxing. With the Christmas season in full swing it was time to pull out a new candle. This was the perfect combination of fresh Christmas trees and fresh pine. I love lighting a candle to set a mood and between my tree in my room and the candle, I am in the cozy Christmas spirit.

That wraps up this festive, Friday Favorites! Tell me: how are you planning on spending the weekend? Doing something fun and Christmasy?!

Have a great weekend!

Categories
Fabulous living

Christmas Gift Ideas

Hello Hello! 

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are finding time to rest in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I know I have been putting EVERYTHING on my calendar to make sure I don’t leave anything out between family, friends, dates or holiday fun! It can be such a busy time so I’m doing my best to soak it all up and be present as much as I can. 

I love checking out gift guides on other blogs. I am not an expert in gift guides, but I love getting ideas and suggestions from other blogs. Today, I’m sharing a few gift ideas. This is by no means a comprehensive guide, rather just some ideas if you need inspiration or are stuck on what to get someone.

Here’s some ideas that work for family members, friends, co-workers or significant others.

Gift card to a subscription service

This is such a practical and fun gift. There’s so many subscriptions services nowadays. From streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime), to physical subscription like Hello Fresh or Fab Fit Fun, or music services like Spotify and Sirus XM, it can be overwhelming to have them all and pay for them all.

If you get someone a gift card to any of these subscriptions, it gives them a taste of the service and see if they want to invest in it long term. I got a Hulu gift card and if let me try out the streaming service without a full time commitment.  This is also practical since all these services add up.

Give the gift of Netflix this holiday season.

Tickets to an Experience or Event 

If you know the person really well, consider getting them tickets to a local event or activity. It doesn’t have to be a major concert or a sporting event but, maybe it’s tickets to a museum they have been wanting to go to or a gift certificate to  a local theater and a gift card or a local restaurant. You are giving them an experience that they may not spend on themselves. It can also be a practical experience like a coupon to a free car wash or detailing (this is super helpful in winter months).

It can also be a gift for the whole family, like a family membership to the zoo, or a local theme park. This is a great gift the whole family can enjoy after the holidays have passed.

A Zoo membership would make a great gift for the whole family.

Local Items and Foods

If you want to give someone a taste of home who’s moved away, a gift of local items is the perfect idea. Get a basket together of some one your favorite things from home. It can be a favorite food from a local bakery, a bottle of wine or a six pack from a local brewery, a gift card to a favorite restaurant, pack it all up and give it to a loved one who may have moved away. This will remind them of home and you!

Sending some hometown favorite foods are almost just as good as being able to share in person.

Personalize it!

I love all things personalized and this gift really shows you put in the extra effort. For girls or guys, you can use MarleyLilly for clothing, purses, or household items and get them monogrammed. It’s a subtle way to get something fun with that personal touch. If you want to incorporate photos into a gift, Shutterfly or Snapfish are great places to get prints, calendars,  canvas, mugs, stationary and more gifts. Besides Christmas cards.  I have made calendar, collages, books, and mugs for loved ones. This is another gift that has that personal touch. 

These are just a few ideas for gifts this holiday season. Some are experiences and others are items. These are all things that I have been given and have found to be really useful and practical. Tell me, as we gear up for the holidays, do you prefer practical gifts or experiences?

Categories
Fashion

Look of the Day #35

Happy Thursday!

Today, I’m sharing another one of my favorite monogrammed looks. I always try to dress with a purpose, there have been times when I am planning on running out to the store to get something and I’m wearing sweats and I end up running into someone I know. There is nothing worse than seeing someone you know and feeling undressed. When I am out and about I always try to dress as if I am planning on seeing someone. So even if I am running to Target for a quick run, I have my hair and makeup done along with a cute outfit.

Keeping warm while running errands

I love the simplicity and the added detail a monogram gives to an outfit. I get a lot of monogramming done through a local boutique, but I also have gotten gifts from MarleyLilly and Etsy with monogramming accessories. I wore this while I was running errands and heading back to school. I opted for my favorite pair of black leggings from GAP. I also stayed warm with my favorite cabin socks. This year with freezing temperatures and lots of snow, I always wear my heavy duty boot socks, both warmth and fashion. I do love high boot socks but when I wear a shorter boot, I tend to wear cabin socks. When I wear a higher boot, I wear high boot socks.

I am loving this tunic top from Etsy, Take It Personally. It’s long enough to wear leggings or jeans and I adore the monogrammed in the bottom corner. It’s simple but sophisticated and the detail is perfect. The sunglasses are great when I am driving, and the snow and sun cause a lot of brightness. I got them on sale from American Eagle. Since I was running errands, I put my hair in a half up/half down top knot and it worked great especially having shorter hair.

Fun sunnies have me wishing of warmer times!

Well, that’s a recap of what I’ve been wearing. I cut my hair short for the new year and I need suggestions of what I should do with it. If you have short hair, let me know your favorite styles and products in the comments below.

Happy Weekend Friends!