Christmas Gift Ideas for All Ages

We’re in November! Have you started Christmas shopping yet? There are only ? many more days of shopping! I’m not sure how many days, but I know I already have a few people shopped for. My family draws names for Christmas and this year we used a new online service called Drawnames.com. It’s been great! No more drawing out of a hat and getting your own name! You can even set it up to block certain people from getting another family member, like spouses getting spouses. Plus your lists go right on the site with links included. We will definitely be using this again.

After seeing what people are asking for and what seems to be popular, I decided to make a family gift guide.

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Little Girls

We have a couple of little girls, ages 3 and 5, in our family. So fun to shop for!  Here are some of the items on their wish list.

Fingerlings

My niece received this for her birthday. She wasn’t too sure about it, but all of us adult girls loved it! It’s so cute!

Baby monkeys love to grab on to things…. especially fingers!

Finger monkey responds to sound, motion & touch and will let you know when they like what you are doing!

Put them to sleep or make a loud noise and watch them get excited! hang them upside-down by the tail and watch them monkey-around

Swing them around for even more fun. Blow them kisses and they will kiss you back! collect them all!

Hatchables

My niece’s have these by the dozens! They love them! And they come in all different sizes.

Hatchimals Glittering Garden is the newest hatch batch straight out of Hatchtopia! Who’s inside? It’s a surprise! Each sparkling egg contains one of two interactive Hatchimals with twinkling wings and soft, shimmering fur. Love and care for yours inside the egg and its eyes will light up as it makes cute sounds, telling you how it’s feeling! Once you’ve played with the egg enough, you’ll see rainbow eyes – that means it’s time to hatch! Hatchimals can’t hatch on their own. Your touch encourages them to peck their way out of the egg! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Now you get to raise your glittering Hatchimal through 3 stages, from baby to toddler, to kid. Your Hatchimal sings “Hatchy Birthday” each time it enters a new stage! Teach yours to walk, dance, play games and more! It will even repeat what you say in its own voice! Hatchimals Glittering Garden — Who Will You Hatch?

Melissa and Doug

All of Melissa and Doug’s toys are great quality and great to play with! I like to buy this for my preschool class too.

  • Sturdy wooden food set featuring items from the five food groups for healthy pretend play
  • Includes watermelon, corn, milk, cheese, cereal, fish, eggs, and more
  • Stores neatly in four wooden crates
  • Fun and educational whether as a stand-alone or as part of a play kitchen
  • Ages 3 years and up

Peppa Pig

Peppa is big in the preschool, grade school age kids! They love Peppa!

“Peppa Pig” follows the adventures of the titular, anthropomorphic animal along with her family and friends. Each of her friends is a different kind of animal — with a last name matching the type of animal each is. Although they are humanlike in many ways, the characters still display characteristics of their species — such as the Rabbit family being fixated with carrots.

Women

Since we draw names for our family, we have all age groups to buy for. Here are some of the wishes for this year.

Make-up organizer

What woman wouldn’t want this for all her make-up?

  • Use high-grade materials and exquisite gift box,Acrylic is clear as glass, looks exquisite. Unlike ordinary cheap plastic,Cq acrylic® Only production and sales exclusive high end product and is undoubtedly a long term investment to keep your expensive makeup safe.
  • MULTI FUNCTH ORGANIZER:size 9.5″ X 7.5″ X 6.1″-Inch ,Our storage box can be used to organize both jewelry and cosmetics together. This allows you to be more organized at home or while traveling. With four drawers and 16 slots , you have more room than ever to keep all your favorite things close at hand.
  • EASY TO CLEAN: Unlike other cosmetics or jewelry boxes that retain stains or colorization from your makeup, rings, or earrings, organizes all your makeup and cosmetics into a dazzling personalized beauty counter, our acrylic boxes are easy to clean and won’t discolor over time.
  • SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: our team make the best service, the best use of acrylic, if quality and Transport damage problems can choose a replacement or refund, no problem, which is why it come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Or this one? Nice and compact!

  • 360 DEGREE ROTATION: Perfectly organizes and stores your cosmetics and accessories; easy access to all of your makeup products
  • EXTRALARGE CAPACITY: Accommodates at least 30 makeup brushes, 20 skincare products and other accessories including lipsticks, nail polish, eyeliner and more
  • GREAT CARRYING CAPACITY: Steady baserotates smoothly and silently and ensures cosmetics stay in place;thick, durable trays are strong enough to bear heavy products  

Anthropologie Gifts

I bet these smell amazing and the mercury glass is perfect for the holidays!

 

I love this glassware set! The gold is so cool and perfect for your holiday party!

Men’s Gifts

Like the ladies, we have several age groups of men to buy for.

Beanie Hat with Bluetooth

This beanie will keep you warn and plus play your favorite music!

  • V3.0+EDR Bluetooth version,available for most of devices with Bluetooth function.
  • Protects you from cold winter and will also allow you to listen to music and talk while doing variety of other activities.
  • Set-in MIC, available for cell phone to transmit the speaking phone to your audio devices directly so that the user can hand free.
  • Knitted material,fashion and keep warm with answer the phone in winter. You will look great and keep warm while litsening to your favorite music.Keep the sound track to your life playing all the time.
  • You will look great and keep warm while listening to your favorite music.Keep the sound track to your life playing all the time.

Good Day, Bad Day Glasses

These glasses are great after a long day or a great day! Funny! Add a bottle of something special and your have the perfect gift!

MADE IN AMERICA from durable, quality glass featuring a heavy base
~ Holds 11 oz of your favorite whiskey, scotch or bourbon
~ Engraving is on one side of the glass
~ Etching is permanent and DISHWASHER SAFE! (because there are better things to do than the dishes)
~ It’s the perfect, funny yet unique gift for Dad, Grandpa, a boss, co-worker, friend, relative or anyone else that like to enjoy a drink to unwind.

Parents

We have to give something special to our parents! They have been our biggest champions!

Greatest Parents on Earth Plaque

  • Measures approximately 8.5 x 12.5 inches
  • Features inspirational sentiment
  • Neutral colors to match any décor style
  • Easel backed for easy tabletop display and packaged in box for easy gifting
  • Proudly made in the USA

Personalized Bamboo Cutting Board

I love this Family Tree cutting board! What a great addition to any house or kitchen!

  • Personalization is Free: Please provide your personalized details in the Yellow Custom Now Tab
  • Bamboo Cutting board will read Our Family Like Branches on a tree we all grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one last name wedding anniversary date
  • Safe cutting board prevents knife skipping Laser engraved Personalized cheese fruit cutting board for wedding or anniversary gift
  • Made to last a lifetime Material: size 11″ w x 18″ h x 1/2″ inches VARIATIONS: -Our boards are made from natural bamboo. Due to natural origin of the wood there will be color variations that might be different from what is shown in our listings.

Pets

Did I miss anyone? Oh yes! Our favorite pets!

Cozy Windproof and Waterproof  Reversible Plaid Jacket

Keep your pet warm this winter. I know they would look adorable in these plaid jackets!

  • To better fit your dog,please do measure the size of your dog and compare to the size chart or consult with us before placing order
  • Material:Filler: Polyester fiber. Material: Polyester+TC (terylene/cotton), Water Resistant Outer layer/ Soft and Warm Inner Layer
  • Design Creative: Exquisite stitching,Easy Velcro Closure, Easily put on and take off.Comfortable belly part, Warm fleece lining,
  • Features: durable, fashion, vintage, water repellent, fine in detail, lightweight, wind-proof

Dog Toy Gift Basket Bundle

I know my dogs always like new toys to play with. Here is a whole basket full for them to choose from.

  • Made of cotton fibers that are non-toxic and can clean your dog’s teeth when chewing
  • Durable long lasting and bite resistant for hours of strong play and tug-a-war
  • Colorful bright colors get’s your dog interested and promotes interactive play
  • Bundle of 9 includes knot ropes, figure-8 toy, throwing stick, fetch toys, frisbee, and chewing ropes

 

12 Piece Pounce Toy Gift Set

Don’t forget the kitties! They get their choice too!

  • Fun Toys for Cats – Both kittens and cats will love these toys, some of which make noise and will roll across the floor
  • Easy-to-Wrap Gift Box – This box of kitten toys is packaged perfectly to be wrapped for gift-giving
  • 12 Different Toys – Your cats won’t become bored with this set, as there are 12 different toys included in the box
  • Rolling Balls – Kittens will love chasing the set’s sparkle balls and plastic jingle balls across the floor
  • Catnip Toys – A few of the toys in the gift box, including a Cat Is Good icon soft toy, contains catnip, which your cats and kittens will love.

Wow! That’s a lot to look over! I hope you found a couple of gift ideas here! Happy shopping!

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My Recent Photography Ventures

Hello!  How was everyone’s week?  I hope you all had a great week and you are all ready for the weekend!

Unfortunately I have to work this weekend…oh well.

But, last week and this week I was able to go on some photography adventures.  So I wanted to share my favorite photos with you.

Last week my friend Rachel and I went to the beach.  We went to Morro Bay and had the best time ever.  It was very relaxing to get away and sit by the ocean.  So enjoy my beach photos.

The RockPhotobombing BirdSitting on WoodPic in Black and WhitePIgeonHaunted SwingsTantorOttersMore OttersCute Otter

By the way, the otters were so close to shore!  They are so cute!

Now 2 days ago I went to visit the local zoo (again).  And because my friend Elise (shocking that I have more than 1 friend) has a season pass and also likes photography, we made a trip out of it.  So here are my photos!

Pink BirdPretty BirdPumpkinRed Ruffed LemurCoatiElise's CameraMeerkatWildebeastOstrichTigerBirdDuckMacaw

I love taking photos of animals and I hope you enjoy looking at them.

Sorry for this being such a random blog post, but it’s that weird time between Halloween and Thanksgiving where I don’t know how to feel about stuff.  You know, do I wear a sweater and boots or flip flops and a sweatshirt?  Who knows (stupid weather).

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Clifford the Big Red Dog and Pals Halloween

Happy Halloween!!! October has seemed like a really loooonnggg month! I’m not sure why, but I am glad to be in November.

I decided to have a little fun with dressing up the dogs this year. They are just so funny and it makes me smile. I started out with a felt doghouse. I just tacked it onto a board and set it up. Nothing too fancy!

halloween 2017 doghouse

Next came the challenge! Getting the dogs dressed and posed. Rozy does pretty good, but as you can see here, she has a couple of extra legs and an extra tail. I chose Clifford because Rozy always wants to sit on our lap like she is just a little puppy. Actually, we can’t see a thing in front of us when she sits there!

halloween 2017 outake 1

We actually did pretty good getting this picture of Maggie, aka Cleo. She just hasn’t gotten the hang of sit and stay yet.

halloween 2017 cleo (maggie)

Why is this taking so long and why do I have to wear these ridiculous things?

halloween 2017 clifford tired out

I love the beanie pulled down low! She looks like a hoodlum!

halloween 2017 rosie as clifford

Hopefully we get a good one soon!

halloween 2017 Clifford the Big Dog

No hands this time!

halloween 2017 cleo (maggie grace)

Aww, Munchy’s (T-Bone) turn!

halloween 2017 tbone (munch)

Oh my! I don’t think Munch is liking this! She even stuck out her tongue in protest!

halloween 2017 outtake 2 sticking out the tongue

Better…but still missing Cleo.

halloween 2017 clifford and tbone

This is as good as it gets! At least they are all in the picture. Of course, the neighbor dog started barking and everything went haywire!

halloween 2017 clifford, tbone and cleo

Ezzy acts like she doesn’t want to dress up in a Halloween costume, but she kept hanging around and getting in the way, so I finally put this ladybug costume on her and she seemed satisfied with that.

halloween 2017 ezzy the ladybug

I hope this gave you a little smile today and enjoy your Halloween!

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It More Pumpkins!

Hey everyone!  I hope everyone is excited for Halloween!  Any awesome costumes?

Well this week the blog is really short, but I wanted to show off the pumpkins I created for the pumpkin decorating contest at work.  It was really simple, but I love it so much!

They are chocolate covered strawberries!

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Aren’t they cute?

So that’s it!  Super short and sweet but still lots of fun!

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Halloween With a Few of My Favorite Bloggers!

Good morning! Halloween is only a week away! What!?!? How is that possible? I don’t really decorate for Halloween anymore, now that my girls are older, so I thought I would share some ideas from my favorite bloggers. Just click on the pictures to be taken to each ladies blog.

Of course, my first and most favorite blogger, is Karianne from Thistlewood Farms. She shared some big news this past week. She’s moving! She’s moving back to the home she grew up in. I can’t wait to see what she does with it! Here are Karianne’s Four Ideas for Inexpensive Halloween Door Decorations.

halloween-front-door

Lauren over at Bless’er House has a cool idea for marbled vases. Not too scary…just the right touch!

marbled-vases-halloween-entryway-4-of-13-683x1024

Kelly, over at My Soulful Home, has this cute mummy candle. Great project for the kids too!

mummy-candle-tutorial-1-717x1024

Here is an idea that’s a little more on the creepy side! But doesn’t this look awesome? Angie, over at Knick of Time, has some great recycling ideas. I’m sure you have some spare bottles around!

DIY-inexpensive-Halloween-party-props-decorations-at-Knick-of-Time

Do you have any extra mason jars around the house? Linda at Mason Jar Craft Loves has loads of ideas for those jars! Just pick your favorite and start painting!

Halloween-Crafts-Mason-Jars-Kids-Crafts-1

Well, it’s Halloween, so we need some treats, right? Amy at the Happy Scraps has some cute printables to add to your treats. She has lots of great ideas and I had a hard time just picking one!

halloween-treats-with-printable-tags

This would be a great way to welcome your trick-or-treaters! The pumpkin even lights up! Laura at The Turquoise Home shares all the directions on her blog.

diy-lighted-pumpkin-candy-holder-edits-9

How about some free printables to hang on your walls for Halloween? I love how Katrin displays them in a canvas hung backwards. Perfect touch for Halloween! She even gives you the links for the printables.

simple-halloween-entrance-wall-kreativk.net-1

Well, I am leaving you with Karianne again! These adorable little felt pumpkins were made by her sister and Karianne gives all the instructions on her blog.

diy-wool-felt-pumpkins-label

What do you think? Are you ready to try any of these ideas? I hope it gives you some inspiration! Have a great week!

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