Style Lush

Craigslist steps in for Santa

By Elisabeth

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I had my two boys, 7 and 4, fill out their official Santa letters. The 7 year old wrote down everything Lego and the 4 year old was all over the map from brooms, whistles, 1000 baggies from the grocery store to a roll of tape.

However, he did happen to throw out a new bike amongst his humorous requests. I knew he wasn't getting a new bike. Yes, his current bike is getting on the smaller side, but I had already done most of the shopping and what I had not purchased could be picked up at the grocery store. Hello, 1000 baggies! (Not really. He only got 12 whistles and 1 roll of tape.)

I thought we were pretty much cruising in the driver's seat regarding Christmas morning until both of my boys told a Santa at a neighborhood Christmas party 2 days before the big day they BOTH wanted new bikes.

Now, of course we didn't have to do anything. Yes, that had all they needed and more, but it was our first Christmas morning in our house EVER, and we kept invisioning the boys seeing the BIG GIFT as they came around the corner.

So, my husband began perusing Craigslist just to see if there was anything out there that would work for our 7 year old. And luckily, there was a perfect BLUE (the request was blue!) bike for sale right in our inexpensive price range. And within a few hours, my husband was back home with a blanket covering our secret weapon in the trunk!

Fortunately for us, a girl must have owned this boy bike because this thing had barely a scratch on it. My husband polished that bad boy up, took his old yellow bike, gave it the same treatment and we were all ready for Christmas morning.

The moment had come, the morning had arrived. The squeels, the shreeks, the "THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER's" came pouring out. It was everything we they had ever wanted.

I think my oldest son said it best, "Hunter you got a new bike too and it looks JUST LIKE MINE!!"

 

{photo credit: husband}

My Favorite Christmas Gifts: Faux-Fur Scarf & Cashmere Slippers

By Rebecca

In my husband's family, we draw names for Christmas gifts. My sister-in-law drew my name this year, which is always fun because she manages to find things that I never knew I wanted, but end up among my favorite presents. This year was no different.

I opened up my gift from her and found two awesome things. First, this Luxe Faux Fur Scarf from Restoration Hardware. I had never laid eyes on it before, but immediately fell in love with it. It's super soft and keeps your neck REALLY warm! I tested it out on a trip to Colorado over New Year's, and it was cold weather approved. It looks equally nice with a black dress as it does with jeans and a sweater.

The second winning gift (also from Restoration Hardware, WHO KNEW?) was this pair of cashmere ballet slippers. She got me the red ones and they are light, warm, and a welcome change for someone who customarily clomps around the house with Ugg boots on during the winter.

Now, tell me: what was YOUR favorite gift this year?

(Photo credits: restorationhardware.com)

 

Comfort and Warmth for the Winter

by Lawyerish

I am always cold. In the summer, I'm the one huddled in a cardigan, blowing on my hands to warm them up because of the overzealous people who always seem to be in control of the air conditioning. In winter, I'm basically miserable for six months straight, never quite feeling that I've escaped the chill from outdoors. 

To get me through the endless cold of this season, I got a new throw blanket and a great pair of slippers that are already keeping me toasty:

The blanket, which is now one of my favorite things ever, is the Luxury Plush Throw from Restoration Hardware, and it is truly both luxurious and plush. It has a deep, soft pile on one side and a velvety smooth expanse on the other. The colors are rich and versatile (I have Fog), and -- even better -- it is currently on sale for UNDER $25. OMG. Go get one NOW. 

The slippers are the Nakiska by Sorel, and they, too, are on sale at Zappo's ($55 from a regular $65). These suckers are COMFY and they are way cute. Cute enough, and sturdy enough, to wear as shoes if you need to rush out to get the mail in them. I wear them when I'm cooking and they give enough cushion and support that my back doesn't feel like it's going to give up on me after a long stint chopping vegetables. They're suede, lined with faux fur, and come in three lovely neutral shades (though only the deep brown, shown above, is on sale). 

What are you using to keep you warm this winter?

{Photo credits: restorationhardware.com, zappos.com}

Marc Jacobs Pouch

By Elisabeth

I was completely finished with all my Christmas shopping, except I still needed to find something for my Secret Santa. This year, I get to buy for my sister-in-law. I don't know why I was stumped on what to get her, but it remained difficult in choosing the "perfect" gift. I admire her and think she's all that, so I wanted it to be cool, you know?

My budget was $50, so I took to Twitter yesterday for ideas. One piece of advice was to look through our gift guide, which was, of course, brilliant, but I was hoping to find something with Amazon Prime since I had been procrastinating too long and was running out of time. (Plus, I didn't want to leave my couch.)

I did find a darling gold, crinkly Kate Spade pouch on Amazon, but it was a little over budget, then even more so with the new tax addition. (BOO.)

Our lovely Rebecca mentioned she saw some Marc Jacob pouches at Target on sale for 50% off. Score! So, that pretty much meant I had to get out this morning with the kids. A girl's got to do what she's got to do for a sale, yes?

These pouches come in Gold, Silver, and Rose. I adored the pink color choice and for $34.99, it was a no brainer. Plus, I found some super cute rose gold hooped earrings to go with the pouch.

Not bad for some last-minute shopping?

Anything you're still shopping for this close to Christmas?

(I don't even want to think about stockings. That will have to be sometime this weekend. I need to finish wrapping!)

{photo credits: target.com}

My Quick Little Wish List

By Jessica

My husband and I don't exchange personal gifts at Christmas. We help our son shop for each other on a small, he-could-conceiveably-afford-the-items-himself budget, so that he'll get into the habit of shopping for others at the holidays but other other than that and maybe stockings? Our holiday dollars are always ear-marked for other people. 

That said, there's nothing wrong with a little holiday (online) window shopping right? Maybe something on my list might help you round out your own list or help you shop for someone you know. Of course the Style Lush Gift Guide probably has most everyone covered.

Crop It Like It's Hot Tee from The Unrefinery $24.95

Louis Armstong Told Us So  print by Bianca Green on Society 6 Large 28x19 $32.00

Obey Make Art Not War Tee from Zumiez $31.95

Minnetonka Kilty Suede Mocs from Zappos $41.95

Rock The Boat Ring from Peacock Plume $12.00

L.A.M.B. Stripped Clutch from Zappos $119

Wish Upon A Star Friendship Necklace from Fossil $48

Key-per Flap in Aqua from Fossil $98

Galaxy Leather Cuff from CJohannensen on Etsy

Don't Forget To Play Pillow Cover by Marc Collins on Society 6 $20.00

Buying Experience Gifts for the Holidays

By Rebecca

I have a few people in my life that are really difficult to buy for. (**cough cough MY HUSBAND**). Do you have people like this on your gift list? People that either have everything they need already, or who are prone to returning absolutely everything, EVEN if it's something they have specifically mentioned they might like? (No, I'm not bitter. OK yes I am.)

Anyway, my fix for this is simple: don't buy them anything. I don't mean buy them nothing, I just mean don't buy them any STUFF. You see, this person likely already has enough stuff. But even stuff-laden people love getting thoughtful gifts, so do some research into things that they might like to do. A museum membership? Tickets to a comedy show or a concert that's coming to town? Even a gift card to a restaurant along with movie tickets is a good idea.

This year, my husband (who never reads this) is getting two tickets to go see the Harlem Globetrotters with our son. It will be a fun night out for them, something that they'll remember for a really long time, and also something that can't clutter up our house or be returned. Hey, I never said I don't have ulterior motives.

We have embraced this gift methodology for family gifts as well, and usually do experience gifts among the couples in our family. We were given a limousine for a wine-tasting tour, which was a huge winner. Last year, we gave my sister-in-law and her husband a kayak tour of La Jolla.

If you're having a hard time coming up with an experience idea of your own, there are some websites that will help. In particular, I've found that Cloud 9 Living has some really good ideas at various price points.

Are you focusing on "experience" gifts this year?

(Photo from: Harlem Globetrotters.com)

My Favorite Children's Christmas Book

by Lawyerish

Last December, when I was looking for Advent gifts for my daughter, I came upon this book:

The Christmas Magic, by Lauren Thompson

It is absolute perfection. Think of the Santa Claus that you have always imagined in your heart of hearts -- the one that, even now, as a fully grown person, you want to believe exists -- and this book captures him perfectly. It's simple and quiet and intimate, depicting Santa Claus in his little house in the North Pole, getting ready for his night journey on Christmas Eve. It portrays the love that Santa has for every child in the world, and the humanity that he represents (he trims his whiskers, mends his socks, and pads around his cozy home in bunny slippers). It's not silly and it doesn't talk down to the reader -- it's not the cartoonish Santa Claus that gets trotted out in so much of popular culture. Instead, it perfectly conjures the magic that I used to feel as Christmas approached, and that I will always try to create for my own child. 

The illustrations, by Jon Muth (a truly gifted artist), are done in watercolor, and they are nothing short of breathtaking. Again, they're understated and natural, just like the writing. 

Last year, I bought this for my daughter, my niece and nephew, and my mom. I bought it for my mom because she always made Christmas magical when I was growing up, and I knew this would speak to her, too. It's an ideal gift for anyone in your life who has given you unconditional love, and who has created wonder out of simplicity, which is so much of what childhood is about. 

Sometimes when I'm reading it to my daughter, I can't get through it without crying a little. But that's ok. The magic just gets to you sometimes.

{photo credit: bn.com}

Favorite Things Gift Exchange

by Jenny

 

{photo courtesy of: http://angbrimwil.blogspot.com/}

Last year, the "blogosphere" seemed to be all abuzz with "Favorite Things" parties. The idea is that a bunch of people get together and share some of their favorite things with one another. Think Oprah’s Favorite Things but on a much more-attainable level for the average person. I loved the idea because, essentially, I'm a recommendation gal. If you tell me that you like something or have had good luck with a product, you can bet your boots that I'll be trying it out myself. In fact, if it's recommended here on Style Lush, I make it mine. I believe strongly in the power of endorsement, obviously.  

 
Last year, my friends and I wanted to get together to do brunch for the Holidays and contemplated a small gift exchange. That's when I proposed the "Favorite Things" idea and everyone jumped on board. We established a $10 per item limit, and we each bought 4 (there are 5 of us total) of a particular item that we love. Last year, I bought everyone a pair of my favorite underwear. Most of them grumbled at me (because, ahem, it wasn't necessarily the type of undies that they usually wear) but a year later at our "Favorite Things" exchange last week, a friend confided that she'd gone on to purchase several more pairs of the undies that I gave her last year. Success!

There's something special about giving people something that you really love--it's so much more fun than trying to guess what someone else might like and it feels nice to share a part of yourself with others. It also makes giving someone something practical (because you truly love it) less verboten.

Last year’s exchange was tons of fun--we all loved the idea and couldn't wait to do it again this year. We imposed the same $10 per gift limit and met for brunch (sans husbands and kids) to visit, eat and do our exchange. Here's what I gave as my "Favorite Thing(s)" this year:

 
I love little bowls for rings, change, keys, etc.--bonus points if it has an animal on it. I gave 2 of these giraffe bowls, 1 elephant bowl, and 1 bird bowl--$7.99 each. {Purchased at Home Goods, but can't find a link to them online.} And Motif hand soap,--$2.99 purchased at Target--because I'm a near-compulsive hand washer and love nice hand soap that looks like it came from a high-end boutique. 



Here we are enjoying brunch

 (L-R Katie, Sarah, Elizabeth, Me and Stacie)

 

And here’s what I came home with:

Sharpie Ultra Fine Point Markers; (from Katie) Burt's Bees Tinted Balm Duo; (from Stacie) No Whining...print (similar); (from Sarah) and Charley Harper print--from a calendar, then matted and framed (from Elizabeth)

We’ve discussed even doing a summertime “Favorite Things” party but instead of buying four $10 things, we’d each buy one $40 item and then draw names. Coming up with a $10 item that I love is always a little tricky, but I can come up with tons of more expensive items, so we might give that a try to break up the doldrums of summer. 

Do you have any fun gift exchange ideas? Please share!

{Photo credits: me}

DIY Christmas Coasters

By Elisabeth

A couple of years ago, I wrote about how to make your own ceramic coasters. Well, this year, I made myself a couple of sets, but decided on a holiday theme for one and used an initial stamp for the other.

We are still in a "not very friendly to coasters" home, so having tiles on display 365 days a year is unrealistic, but pulling out these special occasion numbers is more up our alley. Only a few weeks of making sure they're not played with like frisbees!

 

The coasters that use just a stamp, you will want to make sure the stamp is completely dry before spraying on the final coat. Don't be like me and spray too early. My "L" bled a bit, but luckily I kinda like the look. If you want a pristine impression. BE PATIENT!

Also, these would be perfect for teacher's gifts this time of year!

 

{photo credit: me}

A Great Photography Gift for the Parents/Grandparents

By Sara

This past summer my siblings and I decided to get together to have some professional photos taken to gift to our parents for their anniversary. My sister, being the clever Pinterest-obsessed girl that she is, came across a great idea: each person holds up a letter to spell out a word. We chose the word 'family' and the result was really pretty great,.

We had the second version blown up and printed on a canvas (at Costco of all places! Great prices and super fast shipping.) My mother, the stoic woman that she is, had a little tear in her eye when she opened it. The bonus is that we can gift this same print to our grandparents for Christmas as well. 

Or you could try it this way too (all in a row, of course):

The first way worked better for us but the second could be really cute in a frame with multiple openings. I think family photos are always the perfect gift and a sure winner with the grandparents.

(My apologies to my husband and siblings for posting their (pretty and handsome) faces all over the internet! All images are mine.)