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holiday gift guide / gifts under $25
in case you’re playing secret santa this year, you’re looking for stocking stuffers, or you’re trying to stay frugal this holiday — here are some pretty great gifts that don’t cost a fortune.
01. i only live with one boy, but i know he likes facial masks just like i do. so this is more gender neutral than you think based on one boy ($18)
02. some cute recipe cards are the perfect gift for any cook because not only is it inexpensive and thoughtful, but they’ll use them too ($12)
03. but if they don’t cook, they just drink — get them a cocktail recipe book because everyone loves a cocktail recipe book ($14.95)
04. metallic playing cards work for a boy who plays cards or a girl who likes to display pretty items on her coffee table. win win ($18)
05. and when you literally have no idea what they like, just get them a pretty leather key ring ($8)
06. i’ve included pf candles before, but that’s because they’re incredible. every scent is perfect ($16)
07. and because scents are easy and useful gifts, here is my favorite incense ($10)
08. a beautiful ring dish is a lot easier to pick out for someone than actual jewelry ($25)
09. for the craftier recipient, give them a diy kit to make their own candles ($22)
10. you can never have too many tea towels. seriously ($22)
11. rad earbuds seem like the perfect gift because i would never think to buy for myself. plus i can’t use earbuds because my ears are too small ($22)
12. a pretty journal or sketchbook is another gift that works for almost anyone ($24)
13. i rarely buy myself zipper pouches, even though i want 10 at any given time. it’s over $25 with monogramming, so i’m sorry. but maybe you don’t want it monogrammed! right?! ($24) -
mini chicken + waffles
now that you’re hopefully in eat everything mode for the holidays — i wanted to share an appetizer recipe that is SO easy and quick, and perfect for any holiday party you might be throwing or attending, especially because you don’t need any fresh ingredients.
we had a very similar hors d’oeuvre served at our wedding and people went CRAZY for it. so i wanted to make my own much simpler version. this is also my second attempt since the wedding, and i learned from some mistakes so this is my best version for you guys.
mini chicken and waffles
frozen chicken
mini toaster waffles
maple syrup
sea salt
herbs de provence
toothpicks
01. cook the chicken according the packages directions. we used orange chicken without the sauce, because one of the lessons i learned from my first attempt was the frozen popcorn chicken i bought was shit. it wasn’t browned all the way around and it didn’t have a nice crunchy batter like the orange chicken does. so i recommend orange chicken!
02. toast the waffles once the chicken has just a couple minutes left.
03. assemble. that means put the chicken on top of the waffle, and stick a toothpick through. you knew that.
04. liberally sprinkle salt, and MUCH more liberally sprinkle the herbs de provence. because this was my second lesson : the first batch was a little bland. i am a huge advocate of herbs de provence. i put it on almost everything. and i swear it made such a difference with these.
05. drizzle the syrup on top and you’re ready to serve! told you that was easy.
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last minute thanksgiving inspo + happy thanksgiving
it’s another year, and another time i’ll apologize to all of you that don’t celebrate thanksgiving having to deal with all the blogs posting about thanksgiving. but at least there’s a lot of pretty tables for you to get inspired to host some autumnal dinner parties!
i’m signing off for the week, but wanted to share some inspiration to help you set your table or pretty up your guests leftovers.
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printable thanksgiving menus
as i said last week — i’m in charge of thanksgiving this year. so of course i’m trying to design some MENUS. i decided that in case you’re in need of menus, i could share! because i mean, that’s what thanksgiving is all about.
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holiday gift guide / for the kids
01. every kid needs a constant reminder to not be gross. might help to hang one of these in their bathroom.
02. and because every kid needs a cute yarn tassel. ok, well maybe they don’t need…
03. for the little one that’s saving all their money for college, encourage them with a cute piggy bank.
04. the cutest little moccasins ever. my future kids will be wearing these for sure.
05. a really beautiful alternative to jenga. if you’re feeling active, you could also DIY it.
06. the cutest leggings that i wish came in grown up sizes.
07. adorable socks that will make you and said kid smile.
08. toys don’t always have to be ugly! the pretty ones are just way more $$ and kids might hate them.
09. for the artistic little guy or girl — inspire them to keep it up with an andy warhol coloring book.
10. because i mean, what kid would not look cool in this panther sweatshirt?
11. i always love that gifts that you can do an activity together, and most adults i know want to build robots.
12. for the musical kid, get them a ukelele which is at least 1000x less annoying than some alternative instruments. -
printable thankful bingo
did anyone else just realize thanksgiving is next week?! maybe it’s just me. i’m super bad at calendars. if you’re looking to spice up your thanksgiving this year, i’m sharing this free printable for a very snarky and fun bingo game to play.
all you have to do is download from the link below, print to the size you’d like (works best on cardstock), and in the print settings > add crop marks for the easiest trimming. then hand one out to everyone (or just limit it to the young people if the oldies don’t have a sense of humor)!
my mom had surgery last week, so gideon and i are in charge of hosting thanksgiving this year. something i’ve never done despite being very close to 30. so we’re feeling very intimidated about cooking for 15 people, but excited that i get to be in charge of table design! so i got a chance to practice for this post, and i’m going to practice AGAIN for ANOTHER THANKSGIVING printable as well! OOOOO!
TABLE SOURCES
PLATES : WEST ELM / FLATWARE : WEST ELM / RAW LINEN NAPKINS : WEDDING DIY
WOVEN PLACEMATS : IKEA / GEO CANDLES : WIT & DELIGHT FOR TARGET -
brit + co x almost makes perfect
exciting news! if you were a fan of my DIY stamped scarf or DIY stamped napkins, i’ve teamed up with brit+co (!!) to create holiday craft kits for you to make your own! brit+co chose some of their favorite craft projects from different bloggers, and they decided to create not one, but two separate kits for you to recreate that project!
buy the kit for a loved one, buy the kit for yourself, or if you realllllly want to be a sweetie, buy the kit and make it for them! three perfectly legit options. i made my mom a stamped scarf for mother’s day and i won major brownie points.
you can also read a little interview about me on the brit+co website here!
so do you wanna get one for yourself? here you go.
STAMPED NAPKIN DIY KIT ($25)
STAMPED SCARF DIY KIT ($25)
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holiday giveaway / giftry
based on yesterdays gift guide, i’m now in full on holiday gift mode. remember a few months ago when i posted about this new site, giftry? it’s a place that makes it super easy to collaborate on gift lists, and takes the guess work out of getting someone something that they actually want. every year my parents require christmas lists from every family member. this was after the christmas when my mom received four different copies of moulin rouge on DVD. no joke. she was OBSESSED with that movie and we weren’t so good at communicating with each other.
giftry makes that way simpler, because my mom can now sign up and make a list for herself, and us kids can actually discuss what we’re getting her based on what she’s picked out. and lucky for you, giftry is giving away up to $1000 worth of gifts for the holidays! details and some of my personal gift ideas after the jump!
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holiday gift guide / for the boys
i can’t believe it’s already time to start buying presents. well it’s at least time to start thinking about it anyway. the first holiday gift guide this year is for the boyfriends, husbands and brothers in your life. i attempted to avoid the typical cliche boy gifts as much as possible, but if we don’t buy them their fancy grooming products annually — who will?
01. this super rad minimal mp3 speaker would definitely make him happy
02. seems like a new clean pair of sneakers is something a boy needs every 3 months
03. when a gift can be fun for both of you, it wins. sriracha margarita mix wins.
04. boys love sunglasses. fact.
05. instead of actually going camping, you can just give him a dope camping knife and call it a day.
06. another gift guide, another handsome dopp kit. have you given him a dopp kit yet?!
07. this black oxide money clip is the most masculine money clip i ever did see.
08. literally the coziest sweatshirt ever. and i try not to use the word literally. i swear he won’t take it off.
09. cooking and swearing, two of my boys favorite things together in one cookbook.
10. harry’s razors make your shower look good, and gideon says it works well too!
11. the unavoidable grooming product purchase for him. after shave or beard oil always goes well.
12. a fish eye lens for his iphone is an easy and fun little last minute gift, if you didn’t spend enough.
13. a pretty skateboard that isn’t an eyesore for your house. always a good idea to motivate him to go outside. -
almost makes mixtape ⋅ vol 12
it’s finally friday. and hopefully it’s a little chilly where you are, but not too chilly. just like, cozy chilly to get you into the holiday spirit. listen to this while you snuggle up.
