Style Lush

Thanksgiving Books for Children

By Lisa

Moving right along, aren't we? Yesterday was Halloween and my mind is on Thanksgiving.  

My older son is about 3 1/2. It's the right time, I think, to start discussing the meaning of important holidays and Thanksgiving is probably one of my favorites. All the fun and eating with family, no requirement to give gifts. Love it!  

So with that, I've looked around (ahem, Amazon) for some Thanksgiving books that are age appropriate. Here's what I've come up with:

 

This looks nice right? It has good reviews and the emphasis is on being thankful, which I like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I like this one because it focuses on why we are thankful and to whom. Nice message.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book is probably the most historically accurate. It also appears to be an award winner! Only downside may be that it's more of a chapter book, so better for older kids.  

So, which book(s) would you get? Or do you have another one you'd suggest? Do share!

 

 

 

 

 

{photo credits: amazon.com}

Great Gift: Chevron Scarf

By Lisa

Sometimes you have someone in your life that is difficult to shop for. And by difficult, I mean particular. You know they have specific taste in things and you want to find something they will actually like and use. It's a daunting task! But friends, I've done you a little favor. Introducing ... the chevron pleated scarf from Nordstrom! Ta da!  

It's simple, it's a good price at less than $30, it's high-quality, it has nice style, and it comes in EIGHT colors. Magical!  

I bought this for my sister-in-law for her birthday in the charcoal (which for the record isn't as dark as the photo you see here). She loved it (at least I think she did!). And, honestly, I wouldn't mind one either. It has a nice medium weight and the pleating adds nice texture. This would be a really lovely gift for Mom, sister, wife, girlfriend, friend, Grandma and basically any female friend or relative you can think of.  

Go pick up this scarf for a gift or for yourself. You'll thank yourself. (Don't forget to also check out Tara's favorite scarf, too!)

{photo credit: nordstrom.com}

Adorable and Easy Handprint Art

By Lisa

We bought this kit from Red Envelope a couple years ago after we had our first baby boy (sniff ... he's 3 1/2 now). I love it. So cute and easy and a lovely way to remember a moment in time with your hand prints.

I also think at this price point of $39.95, it could be a great gift for either friends with a newborn baby or friends who have a couple kids under their belt already.  

 

West Elm Favorite Throw

By Lisa

People, do yourselves a favor and go buy this throw blanket. Either for yourself or as an inexpensive gift for the holidays. This is weird, but for months I was on the hunt for a basic, inexpensive throw blanket for our guest room. Not expensive because a) I'm frugal and b) I have two young boys and a small black dog. Not a recipe for expensive items lying around the house.

So, after all that searching, I finally came across it: this soft and affordable throw blanket from West Elm. It's their "Favorite Throw" and it is now my favorite too! It comes in tons of colors, is soft (acrylic, not wool), machine washable, and $29.00. Tell me what's not to love. I have it slung casually (yet precisely) across the end of our guest room bed in the Sky color and I love it.  It's not too thick or chunky and the fringe is manageable (versus that unmanageable fringe you're always hearing about).

Enjoy!

{photo credit: westelm.com}

Poncho for Fall

By Lisa

I do not consider myself a "poncho girl." I'm not even sure what that means, but I recently bought one. And I've worn it. And I like it. Talk about figure flattering. And easy. You can wear a tank under it, or a long-sleeved t-shirt when it gets cooler. Over leggings, or skinny jeans, I think it would work great. 

It's this Caslon sweater from Nordstrom. And it's on sale now, a great time to pick one up. It may become a wardrobe staple for the fall and winter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{photo credit: nordstrom.com}

Garmin To Go

By Lisa

Sometimes my husband is brilliant. He found me something for my iPhone that I will really use. I love functional. He loves electronics. It's a win-win. 

In this case, it's Garmin StreetPilot Onboard. As in Garmin, the people who make the portable GPS systems for your car? Yeah, but this is an app for your iPhone. Genius! You see, I drive an old school Jeep Grand Cherokee. No navigation system. So I'm always printing out directions for mom's club activities or vacation destinations or whatever. Now I can save some paper and some effort. The Garmin app is just like a regular navigation system. I can type in an address and it'll give me step-by-step directions (with helpful voice prompts!) or I can search for a nearby attraction or park. Whatever I need, it's in there. The extra brilliant part is that now when we rent a car on vacation, we already have a GPS. No need to rent one with the car. Easy peasy.

Go check out all the details in the App Store and download it. It's $40, so not exactly a cheap app. But when you consider how much an actual GPS system is, you'll quickly see how worth it this is. Enjoy! 

Halloween Cuteness for the Cuties

By Lisa

Looking for adorable, yet original Halloween outfits for your kids? Look no further. As usual, Etsy comes through. Behold: reasonably priced, hand stitched shirts and onesies featuring Halloween themed creature appliques. So cute! So unique. Love these. 

Hello Bride of Frankenstein.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Frankenstein onesie, you are adorable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And even though you have nothing to do with Halloween, Mr. Stormtrooper, I think I must have you (for my 3-year-old son that is).

 

 

 

 

 

If Halloween and stormtroopers aren't your thing, they have some super cute owls and robots that may tickle your fancy. Happy shopping!

{photo credits: etsy.com Hoot 'n Giggle}

White Ceramic Watches

By Lisa

What are we thinking about white ceramic watches? Yes/no? Tacky, impractical, adorable, fun? 

Personally, I love their slightly sporty yet sophisticated look. Ever since I saw The Blind Side, I've been coveting a white ceramic watch. As you may know, the lead character, Leigh Anne Tuohy played by Sandra Bullock, wears one in several scenes. She wears it in sort of a casual, yet put together way. Before we go further, let me be clear. I do not live in Tennessee. We are not crazy wealthy. I don't look like Leigh Anne (or Sandra for that matter), I'm not in my 40s, and well ... I basically have nothing in common with her. But I love the look!

So with that ... on my Christmas list this year is the Fossil Riley Ceramic Watch. Isn't it lovely? And kind of sporty? This isn't a scrub-the-toilet watch, but it could certainly be a running errands with the kids watch, or grabbing coffee with a girlfriend (if I ever did that) watch. 

What do you think? Do you like this look? If so, what would you wear your white ceramic watch with? Please share!

In Search of Navy Cocktail Dresses

By Lisa

We've been invited to a wedding celebration this October in the "big city." (We live in the 'burbs). It's cocktail attire and being held at a restaurant. I'm so excited! I told my husband yesterday, "I need to get a new dress for Amanda's wedding" and he just smiled. He knows what this means.

Out of nowhere, I have a vision of a navy cocktail dress with nude pumps. Yes? Maybe a little plain, but it sounds elegant and maybe, just maybe, I can wear the dress again and not get sucked into boring black. Here are some ideas.

Here's one from Modcloth. Pretty, right? I love the draping. I think it may be a bit short, but it's staying on my short list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A pretty strapless one from Ann Taylor.  Is this too boring? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apparently I have a thing for one-shoulder dresses. I love this, but I'm not sure how it would work on my figure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ooh, this might be it. Simple, classic, and I could most likely wear this again...

What do you think? What would you choose? Or should I abandon navy and go with another color?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{photo credits: modcloth.com, anntaylor.com, bluefly.com, nordstrom.com}

American Made: NameTrain Letter Cars

By Lisa

Our three-year-old son has finally started getting into playing with his train table set (the one my husband spent hours constructing on Christmas Eve). It is so fun to watch him push and pull the cars along and figure out how to assemble the tracks. I'm not sure how it could be cuter ... except if the cars spelled his name? Yes, that's it.

Introducing: NameTrain Letter Cars from our friends in Vermont. So fun, right? I think these would be an outstanding gift for your own child or for a friend or family member. The price is good and the quality is excellent. Also, they are compatible with Thomas and Brio train sets! So convenient. They think of everything. Chooo choooo!

{photo credit: fatbraintoys.com}