Treasury: Easter Basket Ideas for Tweens/Teens

Do you still put together an Easter Basket for your teenagers? I do. I think I'll continue doing this until they get married. Am I crazy? Don't answer that. I've tailored the list below for younger teens and tried to keep it fairly gender-neutral. What would you add?

1. Salty and Sweet Goodies: Don't limit the bunny to just candy. Teens like salty snacks too.

2. Pinch Me Therapy Dough: Comes in lots of great scents.

3. Gift Certificate for a Facial: Take the opportunity to get in front of acne with good info and healthy habits.

4. Beach/Pool Sandals: These always look fun in a basket and they're useful too!

5. Shape Shifting Box: I just heard about this cool new "toy" --it would be terrific for any fidgeters you might have.

6. New or Vintage Vinyl: Too bad Harry Styles' new album doesn't drop until May...  

7. Journal/Notebook/Sketchbook: Encourage the creativity, organization, and day-dreaming!

8. Gift Cards: Chipotle, coffee shop, donuts, favorite fast food... The list is long.

9. Soda/Beverage Treat: In NC, maybe it's Cheerwine or how about a Frappuccino? Make it fun.

10. Anecdote Candles: These are snarky and fun --plus they smell great!

11. "Get Out Of Chores Free" Coupons: For busy days or lazy days!

12. Book or Magazine: Thanks to TikTok, books among teens are having a field day again. If you don't have a big reader, maybe find a specialty magazine that speaks to your kiddo's interests.

13. Event Tickets: Go as big as you want with this (music, sports, movie, live theatre).

14. Ball Cap or Visor: Favorite sports team, clothing brand, luxury brand --it's a great way to encourage your kid to keep those peachy cheeks from too much sun damage.

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Things I Love Gifting - A Collection of Past LOVES for Inspiration

Things I Love Gifting 2020: A round-up of some of my favorite finds that are perfect for this giving season.

I'm pretty sure my Blogger Card gets pulled if I don't come up with some kind of Holiday Gift Guide; however, I think I might be able to slide by if I just round up and organize a one-stop-shop of past "Things I Love Thursday" stuff that totally fits the bill --all here for you to find in one handy spot. {What a GREAT idea!} Granted, there won't be any "kid" ideas here for your own little people, nieces/nephews, or grands. Additionally, you'll likely struggle finding anything for your husband, dad, brother, father-in-law, or brother-in-law. If you are someone who buys presents for your pets --you're shit out of luck looking for inspiration here too. HOWEVER, if you are shopping for other women in your life: mom, sister, teens, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, girlfriends, hostesses, teachers, neighbors, etcetera... THIS might be the post for you. {I suggest you SAVE this post for future birthdays, Mother's Day, and Teacher Appreciation Week --an easy way to do that is to "pin" (to Pinterest) one or more of the graphics below.} This post might also help you come up with a few ideas for you to add to your own letter to Santa --IF you're a person, like me, who can't help but provide VERY specific gift ideas.

Below are 5 categories. I've limited the number of items/ideas/experiences in each category to just eight. Not too overwhelming --but plenty to pull from or get inspired by. Below you will find, in this order, suggestions for gifts organized in a way that my brain thinks makes sense:

~ Approaching the Holidays... think: Hostess/Teacher/Co-Worker/Neighbor recipients

~ Smaller Gifts (in physical size and price): stocking stuffers, Hanukkah trinkets, and thoughtful extras

~ Classic Favorites: Some of my all-time favorite things (moderately priced?) between $25-$180

~ Treasures in Charlotte: These are awesome options that are specific to the region because of delivery/location

~ Virtual Gifts: Unique and thoughtful gifts your recipients can enjoy from home (and some you can order "last minute")

Gift Guide: Approaching Holidays - Hostess, Teacher, Co-Worker

1. Swedish Dish Towels (so many great designs, Danica Studio is my favorite brand); 2. Frasier Fir candles (THE scent of the season, always); 3. This Just Speaks to Me by Hoda Kotb (a great way to start the day); 4. Anything from Good Postage (Let's keep the art of note sending alive!); 5. Wild Interiors: Beautiful Plants in Beautiful Spaces by Hilton Carter (pure candy for any plant-lover's eye); 6. Gift Tags and Holiday Stamps from Substation Paperie (for a chic wrap job); 7. The Intellectual Devotional: Revive Your Mind, Complete Your Education, and Roam Confidently with the Cultured Class (a favorite way to end the day); 8. Spiral Note Book by Morgan Harper Nichols (a perfectly lovely place to take notes, track to-dos, and create all the lists)

Gift Guide: Stocking-Stuffers, Hanukkah Treats, and Thoughtful Extras

1. Stainiac (a little goes a long way); 2. Garlic Press (don't know how I went so long without this in my kitchen); 3. Lip Gloss (so many shades --such a great product); 4. Ugg Socks (the ultimate in cozy); 5.  Onion Goggles (perhaps the best stocking stuffer I have ever received); 6. Sunglasses (flattering, affordable, fun); 7. Huggie Earrings (the snakes are my favorite--but so many to choose from); 8. Insta-Dri Nail Polish (this easy winner should be in everyone's stocking)

Gift Guide: Classic Favorites on a Moderate Budget 

1. Paper Source Wall Art Calendar (a favorite year-after-year gift); 2. St. Anne Tote (custom design the bag of your choice); 3. Kindle e-Reader (mine is 8 years old and I love it so); 4. Half-Baked Harvest Super Simple Cookbook (I've heard great things about her second book too!); 5. Haflinger Wool Slippers (cozy, durable, and classic); 6. A 12-month Magazine Subscription (Milk Street for the cook or Vanity Fair are my favorites. Remember to put a hard-copy in a gift bag for day-of giving); 7. Gorjana Jewelry (you can't go wrong with any of their pieces); 8. The Body Shop Japanese Camellia Cream (velvet soft, super-smelling, BEST body cream) NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. Devastated. However, all of the Body Butters are very indulgent and I love this business.

Gift Guide: Treasures in Charlotte, NC

1. M&K Macaron Delivery (the sweetest treats from some super-sweet girls, contact and order form through Instagram); 2. City Stems Creation (always impressive, you must contact Laura through Instagram); 3. Craft Cocktail Accessories and Necessities from Tamu Curtis (everything you need to create the perfect sips); 4. 1-Day/2-Day/Annual Passes to the USNWC (ice-skating, whitewater, flatwater, zip lines, ropes courses, outdoor music, yoga, food and drink, bike trails... such a jewel right here in our city); 5. Oil Painting Class (socially-distanced) with Heidi Kirschner (come away with a piece of art you won't have to hide in your basement); 6. Queen Brie CLT Custom Cheese & Charcuterie Board (stunning and delicious, contact through Instagram for pricing and delivery); 7. Plant House Gift Certificate (select the vessel, select the plant(s) and they'll help with the rest); 8. "Your Farms Your Table" Dinner Delivery (make it a date night, make it a small get-together on the patio: 3 course chef-prepared dinner, delivered warm, to your door)

Gift Guide: Virtual Ideas that Will Delight

1. Page 1. Book Subscription (a hand-chosen and curated monthly surprise based on your reader's specified tastes); 2. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Delivery (so many flavors, so much happiness, how could you decide?); 3. SkillPop Virtual Class (everything from watercolor painting to navigating LinkedIn for around $20); 4. Harvest & Moon Virtual Tarot Reading (Mariah could not be more gifted or lovely, schedule your reading through her Instagram page); 5. Daily Harvest Custom Gift Box (the gift of good health: smoothies, harvest bowls, scoops, lattes, so much goodness, delivered to the door); 6. A Virtual Group Cocktail Class from The Cocktailery (classes for 2 - 100+ of your closest friends and relatives, make 1, 2, or 3 fresh and fabulous cocktails "together"); 7. Apple TV+ Subscription (for the sole purpose of gifting your loved ones TED LASSO, the best show on television); 8. Audible Subscription (one of my ALL-TIME best "loves" is listening to a great book in the car, on a walk, or just relaxing; chose a gift subscription for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months)

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Treasury | Thoughtful Things For Mom

What I love most on Mother's Day is to sleep in. I love to be woken up with kisses and coffee. Nothing beats a hand-made card from my kids. (Now that they're a bit older, I love it when they include a letter.) I like to have a part of the day set aside for a family walk or bike ride. I like to have a casual lunch out. I like for my husband to make dinner. AND I also like a thoughtful token or gift. :)

If your wife or mother has not been dropping any hints and you'd like to surprise her with something more personal than a gift card or grocery store bouquet (Nothing wrong with grocery store flowers--y'all know how I love my "growers bunches."), then here's a simple list to get you started and possibly spark some of your own creative ideas. 

Mother's Day is exactly one month away. It is definitely time to start thinking about how you'll celebrate the moms in your life.

• From Eagle Rowe, a Hand Forged Chevron Necklace ($23 + $5) ~ This can be inscribed on the back. And the seller is offering a 10% discount. Allow 5-10 business days for delivery. 

• From Copperpot Traditions, a Breakfast Gift Assortment ($35) ~ Present her with this beautifully packaged box of goodies and then offer to bake the scones while she sips her morning coffee. 

• From Jesse McCann, this Hand Stamped Latitude and Longitude Necklace in sterling silver ($33) ~ I have this necklace and I love it. I chose the coordinates of the city where I met and married my husband and where we started our family. Be sure to ask about delivery time in order to get it by Mother's Day. 
  
• These fun necklaces from Shiloh Valley Designs come in lots of colors and styles ($23) ~ Don't be tied down to a traditional monogram style, consider using your children's initials with Mom's. For example, mine might read: GTP. Allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. 
  
• Monogrammed Suede Boho Bag from Mark and Graham ($129) ~ Standard delivery in 6-8 business days. And free shipping (for the time being using code: TOTES). 
  
  
  
• A Bird Ceramic Vase full of flowers would be lovely. Here's a beautifully crafted one from Whitney Smith ($40-$44) ~ Allow 3-14 business days for custom piece delivery. 
• You could have that vase filled for $40/month (free shipping) if you signed her up for The Bouqs, a subscription flower delivery program. You choose the style and size bouquets you'd like to gift. The more months (or deliveries) you gift, the higher your savings. For example, once a month for 6-12 months is 20% off, making each delivery $32.

  

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• Personalized stationery is nice too! ~ Allow 3-10 days for shipping on custom creations. 

 ~Thoughtful and Personalized Gifts to Help Your Kids Make for Mom ~

• picture frame
• plate or platter (or use a coffee mug) 
• "A Book About My Mom" 
• garden stone 
• Jar of "I Love Yous" (simple, more elaborate)
• Coupons for fun activities, help around the house, kisses, etcetera
• herb garden or terrarium

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TREASURY | Foxes

Thanks in part to Ylvis, foxes have become increasingly popular of late which is great news for me because I love foxes. To honor the fox, I've put together this treasury list of favorite foxy things. Enjoy.

Our fabulous "Muffie and James" ice bucket (a lovely gift from lovely friends)
You can get your own personalized at Iomoi.

Silk Jinja pillow - Anthropologie
It's hard to tell in this picture, but this pillow is HUGE and vibrant and I've been eyeing it for quite some time now...

My new Golden Fox stationery set on Etsy
Aren't they sweet?

The Fantastic Foxes line from (one of my all-time favorite stores) Paper Source
The filing folders are especially charming.

This great hat (anther gift from the SAME lovely friends)
I'm not sure if you can find them outside of Portland... but if you know a Portlander, you might have a shot at getting your hands on one. If foxes are not your thing, they also feature Beaver, Cock, and Cougar, to name a few.

Foxy mug warmer by KnotworkShop on Etsy
Really? How could you NOT start your morning with a smile?

These sweet fox earrings I recently found at one of my favorite Charlotte spots: The Frock Shop
Score!

Dandy Fox by Katie Crawford
I think he's so elegant.

Franklin The Fox doorstop from West Elm
I wonder what Richard Parker would think of Franklin.

The Fox Walkers iPhone case by Beyond Case on Etsy
Isn't he great? He's off to work. Love this.

The OCTOBER page of my Paper Source Wall Art Calendar! 

(A special shout-out to my SIL, Jessica, who I can count on to update me for the new year every Christmas!) I look forward to these foxes cheering up my month!

Any favorite foxy items missing from my list? Let me know what I need to check out!

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