BFF Gift Guide

Hello everyone! Hope we are all having a fabulous Sunday. I am finishing up a fun road trip to Nashville, it was a pretty awesome trip and I can't wait to share the recap with your guys! First things first, Christmas is 11 days away...if you have done all your shopping, I am impressed! If you are like me and have barely even started then we have some work to do. But don't worry we still have plenty of time and today's focus is the BFF's in your life. That means friends, mom, grandmother, cousin, sister, whoever is your bestie I've got you covered!

1. Eat Cake for Breakfast Mug- I love this adorable Kate Spade mug so much that I own it. It's a great gift for the coffee lover or anyone that needs that extra boost to get going in the morning. At only $20, this mug is a great deal and if you feel the need to make it a little extra special, add a packet or box of their favorite coffee, tea, hot chocolate,etc.. You could also put a Starbucks or local coffee shop gift card inside the cup! ($20)

2. Leopard Print Fringe Scarf- This scarf is sure to be on repeat the rest of the season and is light enough for spring and cooler summer days. The print is on trend and you can't beat the price of $20, a piece that has longevity and can be used multiple times during the year is sure to be a hit! ($20)

3. Oversized Pom Keychain- These little "poofs" as I like to call them or "poms" if you will were the surprise hit of the fall for accessories. They add a bit of whimsy and character to your purse, travel bag or keys (you can't miss them in your bag!). I love this soft, baby pink colored pom! ($15)

4. Hi Y'all Bye Y'all Mittens- How cute are these mittens?! Embroidered with an ever popular southern phrase by the super stylish brand of Draper James. They are currently sold out online but should be getting shipments back in soon, they do have them at the store located in Nashville so drop by or give them a call to get this gift! ($75)

5. Free People Mini Mott Crossbody- Free People is always a good idea and this bag in not only budget friendly at $48 it is stylish and can be used no matter the season! It can fit all your essentials and easier than a clutch but not a huge cumbersome bag. I have one of these and love taking it to football games, concerts, traveling, basically whenever it's best not to have a huge purse. Easy and cute! ($48)

6. Horse Shoe Key Fob- Have a friend who needs a little extra luck? This key fob is for them! Great detail and classic, southern design. This would be great for a little extra design on a basic purse or luggage. These Key fobs and key chains like the pom mentioned earlier are great ways to make your purse look more creative and different when you don't want to change out your bag! ($38)

7. Elwood the Rainbow Unicorn Mug- How can someone not want their own unicorn? As you can probably tell I love some coffee mugs and this one is so unique that it is sure to put your bestie in a good mood no matter how early they get up. ($38)

8. Evelyn Henson Prints- I love Evelyn's prints! They are as unique as they are colorful, the print maps might be my favorite. They have so many cities to choose from but the rest of her prints are just as bright and fun! Any bestie would love to have one of these prints in her home. ($26.50)

Hope you enjoyed this gift guide for the best friends in your life! Time is ticking, get out there and get shopping! :)

xoxo,

Holiday Gift Guide for the Guys

Hello on this happy hump day! This week is flying by and I can't believe we are only a couple of weeks away from Christmas. I have been so busy with class, writing and work that this holiday season has kind of snuck up on me and I'm sure many of you are the same way. Don't worry if there's someone who can get ready to shop and have gifts ready, it's me!

Today's gift guide is for the special guys in your life whether it be a boyfriend, dad, husband, brother, friend, or whoever I have some special picks ready for your selection!

1. Fitbit Charge HR Wireless Activity and Heart Tracker- The Fitbit is not only eye-opening to see how much (or in some cases how little) you walk during the day. Great gift for a health nut or if your guy is looking to get in shape. You will be surprised how much you will try to get in all your steps after you have set them. Bonus: wear it to see how many miles you walk at a park, on a hike, nature preserve, or theme park (we walked 13 miles at Universal Orlando in October...in a single day!). ($149.95)

2. Hoverboard- It's like the gadget from Back to the Future became a real thing! It might be described as more of a hands free scooter but Hoverboard just sounds more legit. This is great for your son, nephew, cousin or maybe even your boyfriend (or husband) let's face it, we all want one. ($349.99)

3. College Football Championship Tickets- Tickets to the second annual College Football Championship Final (as well as the two semi-final games) will be a hot commodity for college football fans this year. This is guaranteed to be a good game whether your team is playing or not! Definitely a good pick if you live in or around Glendale, AZ or just want to attend a large sporting event. If you want to see your team play be sure to check out all the Bowl Games to see what tickets you can find for you and your guy! (Prices depend on seating)

4. The North Face PrimaLoft Thermaball Full Zip Jacket- When it gets cold out this jacket is sure to keep someone warm. While it is quilted and puffy it is also very light, so it doesn't feel bulky or heavy on the body. Perfect for any guy in your family plus right now it's 30% off! ($138.90)

5. Netflix Gift Card- Yes, we have heard about "Netflix and Chill" all year but this is for the guy who genuinely loves movies and TV. Winter is the perfect time to binge on TV shows, movies you may have missed this summer and awards season favorites. If you would rather go out to the movies, I highly suggest a gift card to your favorite theater in town! (Gift card based on selected value)

6. City Map Glass- A unique and creative glass showing off your own or a favorite city! Pair with your guy's favorite drink and you have a two-for-one gift that is ready to go. There are tons of cities available and the price is great too. ($12.50)

7. Favorite Team Shirt- If your guy has a favorite team then go find a jersey, sweatshirt or tee that will get him ready to make every day feel like game day! For NBA go here, NFL here, MLB here and NHL here. (Prices vary)

8. Ballpark Blueprints- These are beautiful and cool even if you aren't into baseball. If someone on your gift list then the will love these blue prints of some of the most famous baseball parks in the country including Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium. ($185.00)

9. NFL Game Tickets- Maybe I'm just really excited to be going to my first NFL game in a few weeks but I think this would make an awesome present. If you have a local team make the trip to see them or if you live in an area with no NFL team but have one y'all cheer for then make a weekend trip. There are so many teams that you can most likely find one within driving distance! Nashville to see the Tennessee Titans? Atlanta to watch the Falcons? Denver to watch the Broncos? Charlotte to cheer on the Panthers? Those are just a few exciting road trips you could take. Great idea for couples, families and friends to take on the weekend and game together! (Prices vary)

I hope you enjoyed this guide and that you find the special guys in your life the perfect Christmas presents! Look out for another gift guide coming tomorrow as we movie forward to the jolliest holiday around! (Sorry, I've been watching too many Christmas movies.)

Happy Shopping!

xoxo,

Instagift and Buying Local for the Holidays

Happy Tuesday! I am shock it is December 1st, I mean where did this year even go? By now we have already started our Christmas shopping and one thing I would love to make a point of doing this year is buying local. Coming from Birmingham, AL we have so many new restaurants, breweries, boutiques, everything you can think of that is unique to this city. I love it!

Ok, I shop at department stores like Nordstrom, Belk, Macy's, etc. and some chain restaurants are my favorites, let's face it who doesn't love P.F. Changs? But as more and more local options become available, I prefer those so much more than the clothing, food, drinks, whatever you can get anywhere. Local businesses are thriving but still take a ton of effort (believe me I know) and it's really crucial that people choose local so they can keep growing!

That's why for the holidays, I love the idea of Instagift. They are electronic gift cards that are all local options. Check out the Birmingham gift cards here! Some of my favorites include The Heavenly Donut Co (y'all know how I am about donuts), La Paz (please eat the cheese queso for me), The Track Shack (my favorite local running store), The J. Clyde (my friends and I love this local restaurant/bar) and if you want a really special treat definitely go to the award-winning Hot and Hot Fish Club (the chef is amazing and the food is some of the best in town). Hey, this is partly a fashion blog so I can't forget about my favorite local boutiques in Crestline Village and Elle! Oh and there are a few Cyber Monday sales that are still going on today right here for these cards :)

Even if you don't live in Bham check out the local options near you and Instagift that might be near! Seriously BUY LOCAL this season, I love visiting unique and special restaurants, shops, and everything when I travel as well as choosing my favorites here in my own hometown. Get out there and see what's happening in your town!

Happy December 1st (go ahead and get those decorations up)!

xoxo,

Ultimate Holiday Party Box

Hello everyone! Hope we are all having a lovely Tuesday! The weather seems to finally be clearing up here in the Ham and with the sun out and fall weather in the air, I can finally start taking some pics of all the new looks I've been wanting to share with y'all. I especially love piecing together holiday looks, which can you guys believe it's almost Thanksgiving? Then it goes straight into Christmas mode! If you are already in the "jolly holiday" spirit, I have the perfect way to kick holiday season into high gear.

 

Ok stop drooling over the delicious macaroons for one second. Something I love about being a blogger is collaborations however I only choose items and products I genuinely use or like. When I found out about the Ultimate Party Holiday Box created by the super whimsical Over the Moon with help from the delectable Magic City Macarons and talented Allison R. Banks Designs, I knew I had to share with my readers!

This box is perfect gift for someone (great for secret Santa and holiday parties) and I really like the fact that all the products are created locally here in Birmingham, AL. It's really important to me to buy local and support smaller, local businesses. I find it so much more special and unique! I have loved Magic City Macarons since I tried them last holiday season at a friend's Christmas party. I even got the info and ordered some for my family's Christmas Eve gathering (they were a huge hit!). Seeing the business grow in the last year has been incredible, Nancy does a fantastic job with promoting her product and I love that Macarons can be found at some of the biggest events in town. I absolutely loved the popcorn flavored macaroon as well as the Coke-a-Cola flavored choices she had on hand at the local Sidewalk Film Festival back in August!

Over the Moon is a fairly new business and I can already tell it will be a success! I have been looking over their website and they sell something for every occasion. Birthdays, wedding showers, sorority recruitment, baby showers, you name the occasion and they have it or can custom make it for you! The products are full of whimsy and just bring a smile to my face. Allison R. Banks, who is the calligrapher for this collaborative box has beautiful designs to make any occasion special. I am amazed at anyone who can do calligraphy, the writing and designs are always so intricate and beautiful and Allison's work is no exception. Add all three of these special, talented collaborators and there you have the Ultimate Party Box!

To purchase the Ultimate Party Box, just click here! The box is PRE-ORDER ONLY and they are taking orders the rest of this week ending on 11/13/15 with delivery being the first week of December. So, what all do you get for $48? It comes with the "Jingle Bells" die cut letter with foil polka dots, a 10 foot long metallic neutral tassel garland (this is super long and really fluffy and can be used over and over, it's my favorite), a 12 foot long silver and white dot garland, 4 macaroons in holiday flavors from Magic City Macarons, 8 coasters and 10 gift tags from calligrapher Allison R. Banks. It is an awesome deal!

If you happen to miss out ordering this particular box, the Over the Moon does offer several other holiday boxes (but the do NOT contain the macaroons or calligraphy) that are sure to make your holidays shiny and bright! However, I am obsessed with this box and have already made plans to order mine. They also have some really cute custom cards, if you are looking for something a little more unique to send out this year! I highly recommend checking out all the product from this talented trio and order the Ultimate Holiday Party Box while you still can!
 

One last shot of the sweet stuff (you guys know I love my sweets). If you have any questions feel free to ask me or email Laura Ann from Over the Moon at LA@iloveoverthemoon.com.

Happy Pre-Holidays!

xoxo,