gift guide (techy friends)

I asked my friend Nick for some help to come up with this list for you guys, and I am so glad that I did!  Here's what he came up with and said that all your tech-y friend would LOVE to find underneath the Christmas tree this year!  

1.  Pebble Watch--With the Apple watch releasing in early 2015 at a price tag of $300.00 and higher, the watch market has been very busy.  The Pebble Watch does some of the "key" features the Apple watch does, ie:  notifications, long battery life, water resistant, fitness tracking, and readable in daylight at a fraction of the cost.  The base price starts at $99.00  

2.  Jawbone--Music is everywhere and everywhere is music.  Having the ability to have good quality sounding speakers in your office, in your bedroom, or in your bathroom while you are getting ready in the morning is everything.  Jawbone has good quality products, you pay for the quality, however the new "mini jambox" costs about the same as Beat's Pill.  I choose Jawbone of the overly eq bass of Beat's Pill.  I love Beat's head phones, but low the Jawbone Mini for a portable speaker. 

3.  Hyper Juice Mini--No matter what the IOS updates say, NOTHING helps battery life.  I have to charge my phone throughout the day.  I'm always on it, always connected, always texting, always e-mailing and always browsing through hundreds of Instagram photos.  You can find a battery powered phone charger, but the Hyper Juice Mini has 2 USB ports, so you can simultaneously charger your phone and tablet all at one.   

4.  Monoprice eGift Card--Seems like I can never have enough phone chargers, HDMI cables, USB cables to hook up a printer, etc. etc....STOP paying Best Buy/Wal Mart or any other department store mark-ups!!  Order from Monoprice!  iPhone 5 cables for $12, HDMI cables that run $39.99 at Best Buy, cost $4.41 on Monoprice.  Monoprice allows you to order 9 cables for the price of 1 at a near by department store.  For Christmas, send someone an eGift Card from Monoprice!  

Thank you so much Nick for your contribution!  Now, get to shoppin!  ;)

a few of my favorite BF deals...

I am not a Black Friday shopper, unless I can do it behind a screen! ;)

Here are some of my favorite deals that don't require you to change out of your fleece lined leggings, put on shoes, or even drive any where!  ENJOY!!

I wasn't going to post anything on here today...but when the e mails started rolling in last night from my favorite stores, and some of the places I posted about this week, I knew I had to share with you guys!

You can never go wrong with Tervis Tumblers as gifts, and don't forget they have a lift time guarantee if anything every happens to them!  They  have more designs now than ever!  The 24 oz. cups helps me make sure I get my intake of 100 oz. on a daily basis!  (& Free Shipping on orders over $75!)  Use code GRAVY for 25% off HERE.

Katie Daisy's etsy print shop is offering 20% off with the code WITHGRATITUDE.  I love all her stuff...and often find it hard picking out my favorite print, or saying of hers!  Check her shop out HERE.

  

You're probably sick of me talking about Yeti...but we gotta take care of the guys in our lives too!  They released this gift pack yesterday and I just thought it was too perfect not to share.  "Convenient for you.  Perfect for them."  Find the gift pack HERE.  

And last but not least....She Reads Truth is having their own Black Friday Sale today!!  AND they released new items, including an adorable diner coffee mug that you can find HERE.  It's on-sale for $16, originally $20.  

They introduced a new concept called the "Black Envelope".  You can purchase all the plans for the 2015 year and they will deliver them to you without you even having to remember to order them in time!  Each plan will come in a black envelope with a hand written note from one of the She Reads Truth girls!  I think this is an amazing deal!  Each journal from the different plans would come out to about $10 versus the regular $16.  You can read more details and purchase HERE.  

And these beautiful Alphabet Scripture Cards!  Dying over their beauty!!  They are beautifully created, and filled with such beautiful truth!  They are on-sale for $32, originally $40 so hop on it!  You can find them HERE.  

I know there are a TON of other deals going on out there...but these were a few of them that I cared about and wanted to share with my loyal readers!  

4-6 year old gift guide (boys)

Finally some fun kid stuff!

I was digging real hard and asking my helper for a few more ideas to to add to this list...but this is all my helper's got!  If this is all somebody is asking Santa for for Christmas, then Santa will deliver!  ;)  He then said, "Santa always gets me stuff that I don't even ask for so..." alright then kid! :P

1.  Bruder Trash Truck--I think he saw these one day at TJ Maxx and has been talking about it ever since then!  I wish I would have known and Santa would have snuck it in the cart that day!  Trash trucks are pretty cool though I guess...I think this might also have something to do with Rocky's Recycling Truck form Paw Patrol!  I've heard all the Bruder Trucks are big hits though...so can't go wrong there with little boys!  

2. Boy's Camo Rain Boots--We always have a pair of rain boots around here that fit.  When they get too small, I know we need to get another pair before we WISH we still had a pair that fit!  They aren't just great for rainy days, but also when little boys want to play out in the mud or snow!  Or just running the trash out to the curb for your Mama! ;)  These are from Target and I think are super cute and trendy!  [Don't forget this week boots are BOGO 50% off!  

3.  Anything Paw Patrol--that is if you can find them any where!!  Just kidding...sorda!  I don't think the makers of these toys anticipated how popular they would be!  Ryder got the big Look Out Center for his birthday...and we have since picked up a few of the dogs when we can find them!  Then they started coming out with all the cars for each dog...so that's what he is asking for for Christmas and let's just say that's been a harder task for Santa than you would think!  When Toys R Us, Wal Mart & Target online are ALL sold out...then you've got a problem, AND you finally understand why the prices are so jacked up on Amazon--and you send your sweet cousin who lives in a big city and doesn't even have any kids to look for them when she goes shopping! ;)  So...boys or girls, Paw Patrol is in high demand!  They will love you forever!  =)  Can't go wrong there!   

twenty-something gift guide (guys)

1.  Men's UGG Ascot Leather Moccasin--Don't be fooled that UGGs are just for the ladies, because their not!  Men's feet need to stay warm too!  We got these for my dad last year (even though he isn't in his twenty somethings ;)) and he hates to admit it, but he really likes them! 

2. George W. Bush's book "41"--This is a book George W. wrote about his father which I think is so special!  I've actually bought three of these to give as gifts this season, and not just men in their twenties either!  Any good'ole American boy will enjoy this piece of History.  I'm hoping one of them will let me have my hands on it after they finish reading it!  [I found it to be the cheapest on Amazon FYI! ;)]

3.  Men's Better Sweater 1/4 Fleece Patagonia--I asked my brother if he wanted a new fleece Patagonia this year and this is what he told me he wanted instead.  I think it looks a bit "nicer" than the regular fleece jackets that they have.  I like the two different tones of grey in this one.  They have 10 different colors to chose from...I am especially digging the chocolate brown and light brown one.  What color would the men in your life look good in!?!

4.YETI Ramblers in 20 oz. or 30 oz.--This is a great gift for the men in your life who "already have everything".  These little boogers have been out of stock on their website for a while, but I just got a notification saying they were back in stock! [RUN FAST--before they are gone again!]  I racked up on them at my local ACE Hardware store to give as gifts to a few different guys and I really think they will enjoy them.  I have a few friends (guys and girls) that already have them and LOVE them!  You can even add a cute monogram to them to make them a tad girl-ier! ;)  They would be great for keeping your drink cold at a tailgate, your coffee warm on your way to work or even out in the deer/duck woods!  

All opinions are my own.  

twenty-something gift guide (girls)

If you haven't thought about gift giving yet...now would be the time to start thinking about it!  I'm about done with my shopping and I'm happy to say it's been all online!  So nice!  I've been putting mom's Amazon Prime subscription to work! ;)

This week I thought it would be fun to share a few different gift guides and ideas with you guys!  I'll be doing "20 somethings" for both guys and girls because that's the category me and my brother both fall into, a techy gift guide (with the help from a techy friend! ;)) and a 4-6 year old boy gift guide--because let's be honest, that my expertise! ;)  I'm not much help on little girls!  =)  Maybe one day...but I'd be okay if Ninja Turtles and guns and swords were all I ever knew!  

1)  Patterned Fleece Patagonia-You can never have too many of these!  I have some solid fuzzy ones, but I am totally loving this new print to change things up a bit!  They have a tons of different prints online...including some online exclusives!  

2) Katie Daisy Wall Calendar- I've fallen in love with ALL of her work over the years and immediately fell in love with this little gem when I was it on Amazon!  I always have a wall calendar in my office just to be able to refer to and this would make the perfect one for me or anyone else!  It would even look great hanging on the fridge or in your office at work!  

3) Target Dup Rainboots-I just love the look of these boots!  They are a much cheaper version of what we are so accustomed to seeing around the Internet! ;)  They have 8 different color choices that are just beautiful!  [BONUS:  ALL boots at Target are BOGO 50% off this week only--and they have FREE SHIPPING as well!]

4) Katie Daisy Journal-Once again...her work is just too fab!  I actually have this and it is a great reminder to me in the mornings as to who and what I want to be every day when I step out of my house!

5) Ugg Ansley Shiny Leopard Mocs-I got these last year (sadly not in leopard) and won't go back to anything else!  My mom and dad even got some for Christmas and they both love them as well!  I think the leopard ones are a great addition to their Moccasin line this year!  This is a great gift for grown ups, no matter the age!  

Be sure and come back tomorrow for gift ideas for the 20 something guys in your life!

All opinions are my own.  Some items I own and have given my true opinion.  Other I do not own and simply think they would make great gifts.  

gifts that give back.

I love giving, and buying things that I know the people I love, will love.  We are blessed to live in a world where most of us truly don't "need" anything...but again, it is just so fun to GIVE to be the people we care so much about.  So why not gift them with something that also gives back to people who truly are in need.

Noonday Collection has been all the talk the last few months.  I know a few girls from college that sell it and I admire them for sharing this wonderful pieces of jewelry with us, that we will not only love and have fun wearing, but also help woman in foreign countries earn money to live, and feed their children.  Providing them with sustainable jobs and a livelihood.  Something we all take for granted every day.  

[$58.00]

These are my two favorite necklaces...I could seriously see myself wanting to wear the second one EVERY day!  I just love those colors, and especially them together!  I love how it is styled below.  It brings the whole outfit together!  [$84.00]

I wear gold earrings almost every days...but these little dudes caught my eye because they could go with any outfit and they are about the size I like to wear!  They are actually made from cow horn!  How beautiful!  [$28.00] 

My gold obsession also lead me to these.  I'm usually not a studs girl, but I like that these are square!  Perfect when a hoop is just a bit too much...would look great paired with a flash necklace from above.   [$42.00]

I hope you will visit NoonDay Collection's site and see what you can find for the people on your gift lists this year...and maybe a little something for yourself!  ;)

Other gifts that including giving back:

A donation to Heifer International.  Last year Ryder and I were gifted with a donation by someone.  The donation bought a certain number of chickens for a family in a foreign country.  They were able to hatch some of the eggs to give chickens to other neighboring families, as well as have eggs every day to eat and gain proper nutrition.  

TOMS is always a good way to give back.  I'm not a fan of their flat shoes, but I do have a few pairs of their wedges.  And yesterday...Target came out with TOMS for Target which includes everything from clothes, to candles and journals!  That's what I'm talking about!  =)

Happy Shopping Friends!

3 year old boy Valentine's Day gift idea

What are you supposed to get a 3 year old little boy for Valentine's Day when he doesn't need anything, and especially not any more toys!  Well, I wasn't quite sure myself, considering he was asking for "an airplane that flies around" and a "basketball goal."  I set out to Target and knew I'd find something, and actually left completely happy, knowing he was going to love it all!  I thought I'd share what I found for you Mama's out there who might feel stuck like I did prior to my shopping trip!  ;)

1.  All kids love Yo Gabba Gabba...and if they don't, they should!  ;)  I was that mom who said my child would never wear cartoon t shirts...funny how you let them do simple things that make them happy!  

2.  Can't really go wrong here!  All kids love this stuff, especially that it glows in the dark!  HELLO!

3.  Not quite a basketball goal...but how fun will this be for little boys before going to bed at night?!

4.  All little boys need to the chance to get outside on a windy day and fly a kite right?

5.  Bath time is never boring around here...but this might incorporate some letter learning and writing!  

6.  Can't go wrong with these either!  They are safe on everything besides paper which causes no worries for Mama!  ;)

I hope I have helped out a few of you Mama's out there think of new and fun things for your kiddos!  It's always such a joy to see how excited they get when you get them something new!