Real Girls Gift Guide! (Part 4)

We are back again with another (and the last!) installment of my super fun "real girls gift guides" today!  I'm so thankful for all my gal pals that took the time to give us the inside track of what they are really giving and (hopefully) getting this year for Christmas!

Jen H. is a fellow blogger, she and I met at Target over the Missoni line a while back!  Since then we are gym buddies, brutalizing ourselves in pilates together! Here's her list... My husband knows that they way to my heart is through stocking stuffers! I love the little 'gifty' items and the surprise that comes with pulling each one out! 

Fresh Sugar in Plum

One of my favorite lip balms, and perfect for winter with just a hint of color, a yummy scent and the ever-important spf 15. 

Deborah Lippmann Dark Side of the Moon  

Admittedly, a splurge! This color is perfect for holiday parties and will wear nicely into the new year! 

Starbucks Giftcard. 

Hello, lover. 

 Lifefactory Glass Bottle 

 My favorite water bottle for the gym. Perfect for anyone on your list who is environmentally conscious. 

Boden Everyday Socks 

 Perfectly coordinated sock gift set. Who knew that getting socks for Christmas could be exciting? 

LL Bean Wicked Good Moccasins (his & hers)

 And, just because it's fun to have a few gifts wrapped under the tree, these are on top of my wish list this year!  At almost half the price of similar styles from other brands and I love the way LL Bean stands behind their products. And, just in case the hubby feels left out they come in Men's styles also! 

~~~~

Jen is a friend of mine that I met at church many years ago and now we are book club buddies!  Here is her fun list! 

 Metal necklace with stamped family members names is always a good gift for any mom!

 New Cross trainers for the gym. I am loving the bold colors they are coming in right now!  (Jen, these are my faves!)

New glasses. Yeah, so practical! But, would really love to get a pair that are more trendy. (this pair would look fab on you!)

Mustard colored skinny jeans. They seem to be everywhere! (sneaky lady, did I see you wearing these this weekend at the book club party?

Apple iPad . I can't believe I have made it this far without one! I would love one the boys and I could share. 

Money in envelopes with outing descriptions (dinner at Trillium Haven, Beer tour & snacks at Vivant.) It seems too often we have so many things we want to do, but as the month goes on and money gets spent, we often don't have as much left over for the "fun" as we would like. But, if it is already set aside, no problem! (SUCH a good idea!)

Real Girls Gift Guide! (Part 3)

I'm back to share more of my gal-pals gift ideas for this Christmas season.  I polled them to get a pulse on what the leading ladies in my life were wishing for and buying for their friends and family this year. I love that they give such practical gift ideas and that they are willing to share them with us!

Jen was my first friend at college... I arrived on campus not knowing a soul and we were quick and long lasting friends. She lives far away in Seattle now, but we are always close in heart.  She got little ones (three of them!) to buy for and an active husband.  Here's what is on her get-and-give list this year!

Melissa & Doug Cook's Corner Wooden Kitchen

Her youngest is a girl with two older brothers... this year she is going to get spoiled a bit with some "girly toys".  This kitchen is so adorable! This is a great gift idea because then grandparents and aunts and uncles can chip in on little food sets to go with it - like this adorable Felt Food Sandwich Set, Ice Cream Scoop Set or even a Wooden Sushi  set!

LeapFrog LeapPad2 Explorer Ultimate Learning Gift Pack

My kids used to have these when they are younger... Leap Pads are great fun for little ones just starting to use gaming programs for the first time.  And there are super fun and educational games for them to play with as well.

Burton Clash Mens Snowboard

Jen's husband is super active and adventurous... she's planning on some new snowboard gear for him! (sounds fun! I personally know nothing about snowboarding gear... but you can't go wrong with anything Burton, right Jen!?!)

Keurig Brewing System

Jen mentioned she got this gift a few years back... she wouldn't have ever bought it for herself but now can't live without it.  A great gift for someone on your list! It's Jen-Approved!

Canon Rebel XS

For the leading lady herself, she has a camera on her wishlist.  We bought this one for our family about 6 years ago and have NEVER regretted it. It's not cheap, but it's an investment in memories for sure!

~~~~

Colleen is a book club pal of mine... she has a super creative spirit that I love and her gift ideas focus on local, creative and boutique finds. I just love her list!

Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paints Set & Oil and Acrylic Brush Set

The ultimate gift for any creative is a blank canvas.  She would love to find some fun painting supplies under the tree this year! (I think this brush set looks so cool!)

Monogram Bracelet

These are so beautiful and dainty and would be a fabulous gift for any mom, one for each child!

Vintage Typewriter Print

Colleen would love this adorable print for her craft room as a reminder would love this in a crafting room - a reminder that everyone's opinions on what she spends my time on is not important.  Craft away Colleen! :)

Custom Book Shelf Print

These are SO amazing and would be a really fun gift for any book lover.   

Monogram Necklace

A monogram necklace is so classic and will be an instant heirloom.  The local boutique Dear Prudence has these... otherwise there are lots of online retailers that carry them as well!

Thanks again ladies for sharing!

Real Girls Gift Guide! (Part 2)

I'm back today with more Real Girls Gift Guides... I polled my gal-pals for what is on their lists this year to give and to get.  They are keeping it super real here on the blog about what they will be buying and wishing for this season!

Tiffany is a friend of mine from high school... this stylish momma lives with her handsome son and guy in Chicago.  This is what is on her list to give and get this year!

For the Mr: cozy sweater & boots for stylish winter dressing

For the littles: adorable cord pants, anchor sweater & A - Z magna practice (so cool!)

For the momma: NARS tinted moisturizer, ulta gift cards, fun 'costume' jewelry, red skirt (perfect for holiday parties!) and a Gaiam Balance Ball Chair (love this!)

~~~~

Linda is a blogging friend turned IRL friend. She is one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met and she LOVES to give gifts.  Here is her list of goodies to give this year!

JCrew Camp Socks:  I splurged on the pink pair and enjoyed them so much I went back for the gray pair! I plan to get some for all the ladies in my life. They're so comfy and cozy! 

Frye Men's Chambers Low Sneaker: My husband Bob has these on his wish list and I think they'll be added to his closet this year. 

Women's Skagen Watch: My mom doesn't have a good watch and I've been eyeing one like this to give her. It's so simple and delicate and timeless. 

Uggs:  I really hate the cold. And when I get cold only one thing helps me. My Uggs. So, I'm asking for this pair. I love the button detail! 

Key Chain: I just found this the other day and fell in love with it! With so many uses for it, it could be a great stocking stuffer for just about anyone.

The REAL girls gift guides! (Part 1)

I am BEYOND excited (and thankful!) to bring to you gals the first installment of a very exciting project I have been working on behind the scenes for the holidays this year!  About a month ago I very nicely asked my girlfriends to share their Christmas lists right here on my blog.  They happily obliged!  I will be sharing these lists for the next couple of Saturday mornings so stay tuned each weekend.

I absolutely LOVE the awesome gift ideas they shared.  It's fun to get a non-blogger perspective in a sea of bloggers and these ladies are definitely keeping it real with the honest-to-goodness inside track on what they are giving this year and what they are non-so-secretly hoping that Santa will bring for them this year.

You are really going to enjoy their ideas and perspective...

Jenni is a brand spanking new mom (congrats Jenni!) and a very stylish lady.  Here is her thoughts on what to give/get this year!

The Body Shop Body Butter

This was on my SIL's list a few years ago, so when I picked some up for her, I also decided to try it out for myself. I'm completely hooked. I give them as gifts and keep a few for myself as well. 

Starbucks Gift Cards

Seems a little silly maybe, but I love Starbucks and hate paying $5/drink. Getting a gift card always makes my drink extra special knowing that it was from a friend or family member. I

Accessories

I actually don't like getting clothes for Christmas because they almost never fit and or aren't my style. What I DO love are getting accessories. Last year I asked for gold bracelets and skinny belts. I was overloaded with them (in a good way!) and now have a great variety of pieces that I probably wouldn't have purchased had it been me buying it all.  

(shown; bracelets: top, middle, bottom. belts: glitter, green.)

 Christmas Dishes

Okay, this one makes me feel a little old, but my family (like many, I'm sure) has a particular set of "Christmas" dishes that everyone uses. They're fairly expensive so I love getting a new piece or two each year to add to the collection. (shown; round or square)

Purses

This one is mostly for my wish list to my husband. Throughout the year, I'll point out a purse in a catalog/magazine/etc. that I like, and then he'll select one so that it's still a "surprise". I actually got mine early this year...it's a diaper bag (this one) that still reminds me of a purse.

GREAT tips Jenni... I love the idea of asking for accessories, so smart!

~~~

Next up...

Melissa is a fellow mom that I met in MOPS years ago and our kids go to school together! Here is her give and get list!

Baking Supplies from Joss & Main

My best girlfriend is a huge baker. This site is amazing. Full of unique idea's from home decor to apron's!  

Wellie Boots

Although I am going to have to settle for a knock off of these, I am hoping for a pair of good rain boots for my many trips through the woods down to school. 

Homemade Coasters

I made these in MOPS last year and they are the one MOPS craft I use! Easy, fun, inexpensive gift. I am thinking of making them for my stylist, Bible study leaders....etc. 

Nikon D600

  I would love a new camera for my little photography business. This is going on my list, although I may not receive this present for a while... 

Wittlebee Kids Clothing Club

   For the boys I would like to have a few month of "Wittlebee". In case you are not familiar you pay a flat rate of $40 per month and get a box of 7 items per month. You fill out a profile of what you are looking for and you can change it whenever you want. I did it for a month and loved the clothing I got. It would be nice for a grandparent to buy a few months as a gift, at least that is what I am hoping for!