The snow here is unbelievable. I don't think it's ever snowed like this in December since I've moved to Minneapolis. I usually say that it doesn't snow here until January, but that's not the case this year!! Yay! We haven't left the house for two days. I would like to say that we took advantage of the powder by going sledding, but I'm still really nervous about my hand getting reinjured. We did go dig out the truck and I managed to throw some snowballs at the boy, but it wasn't really the same.
This means I've used the time in the house to make lots of cookies!! Peanut butter, chocolate chip, and old-fashioned molasses cookies, to be exact. All gluten-free and all delicious. Some of them are strange looking (molasses and chocolate chip, I'm talking about you!), but I think that the next time I make them, I can perfect some of this odd shapiness. I may even make some gingerbread men out of the molasses recipe next time. One more shout out to the KitchenAid mixer!! Whee!!
Oh, and incidentally, the boy borrowed the vacuum from the resident manager and our rug has never looked better. I have been trying to convince the boy that he really needs to buy me a vacuum that works well, but there is no vacuum-shaped box under our Christmas tree!! Soon I'm going to break down and order a Hoover myself.
We're leaving tomorrow for a two-week round of the Midwest. I am pretty sure I won't be updating while we're traveling, but I'll be back in the new year with plenty of material, I'm sure. (Remember last year I got to write about the boiled deer head, so there's always hope for that!)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
45 x 365 #51
51/365 - CB
When I was little, you terrified me with your cantankerous old woman nature. Now I see you for who you really are - someone who has lived past the years she dreamed she'd live. And a cantankerous old lady who scares the piss out of me.
When I was little, you terrified me with your cantankerous old woman nature. Now I see you for who you really are - someone who has lived past the years she dreamed she'd live. And a cantankerous old lady who scares the piss out of me.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
45 x 365 #50
50/365 - JS
The embodiment of bachelorhood, JS is messy and often thoughtless. He seems lonely, but talks about women as if they are objects, not people. I can't see how he's going to attract someone that way. He misses his friends, but never picks up the phone.
The embodiment of bachelorhood, JS is messy and often thoughtless. He seems lonely, but talks about women as if they are objects, not people. I can't see how he's going to attract someone that way. He misses his friends, but never picks up the phone.
Friday, December 19, 2008
45 x 365 #49
49/365 - CC
Always in the office before anyone else get there and after everyone else leaves. Brilliant research design. Even more brilliant research questions. Devotion to the Badgers. The biggest muscles I've ever seen. An excellent gym partner and trainer. A heart worth a million of mine.
Always in the office before anyone else get there and after everyone else leaves. Brilliant research design. Even more brilliant research questions. Devotion to the Badgers. The biggest muscles I've ever seen. An excellent gym partner and trainer. A heart worth a million of mine.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
45 x 365 #48
48/365 - EC
You raised six kids, each of them more useless than the previous. Now you're old and when you reach out for help from your large family, you find them unemployed, imprisoned, or not speaking to you, and you ask yourself where you went wrong.
You raised six kids, each of them more useless than the previous. Now you're old and when you reach out for help from your large family, you find them unemployed, imprisoned, or not speaking to you, and you ask yourself where you went wrong.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
45 x 365 #47
47/365 - DD
More money than sense we said. You'd sneak up on us at all hours of the night, both scaring and freaking us out. Fortunately, when we all shared that house, you only stayed once a month and we rarely had to deal with your lurkiness.
More money than sense we said. You'd sneak up on us at all hours of the night, both scaring and freaking us out. Fortunately, when we all shared that house, you only stayed once a month and we rarely had to deal with your lurkiness.
Monday, December 15, 2008
45 x 365 #46
46/365 - TT
You fall asleep at parties, but apologize so charmingly no one can hold it against you. Your smile lights up the room and your husband's eyes. Young adult literature is your passion and rarely our meeting goes by without a mention of Harry Potter translations.
You fall asleep at parties, but apologize so charmingly no one can hold it against you. Your smile lights up the room and your husband's eyes. Young adult literature is your passion and rarely our meeting goes by without a mention of Harry Potter translations.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
45 x 365 #45
45/365 - SK
When you read this, you'll be mad, but you're the most egomaniacal person I've ever had the displeasure of knowing. Your comments about my weight and writing ability were merely salves to your own ego. I wish you luck, but hope we never meet again.
When you read this, you'll be mad, but you're the most egomaniacal person I've ever had the displeasure of knowing. Your comments about my weight and writing ability were merely salves to your own ego. I wish you luck, but hope we never meet again.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
45 x 365 #44
44/365 - LM
You can juggle eight oranges at a time. You roughhouse with your kids. I always think you're going to drop them. You're spiritual and happy with the knowledge that you and God are tight. Your wife is unhappy and you don't seem to see it.
You can juggle eight oranges at a time. You roughhouse with your kids. I always think you're going to drop them. You're spiritual and happy with the knowledge that you and God are tight. Your wife is unhappy and you don't seem to see it.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Reminder to Myself
Dear NGS,
I know you feel like the waking dead. Exhaustion hits in waves and I know you need a break. For the first time in months, you are craving the fake alertness of caffeine and have succumbed to the lure of the bed for the extra half-hour of sleep in the morning, forgoing your shower and feeling grimy all day. It's your own fault - you've over committed yourself (AGAIN), but now it can't be undone. You have to get through it. The days fly by, but you've got to avoid dwelling on the wrapping left to do, the cookies left to bake, the cards left to send, the parties to plan, the trip to plan, the budgeting to figure out, the apartment to clean, and the sleeping that needs to happen.
You have to promise me that you will stay upbeat during the holiday season. The tree is up and there was no protracted process like when your parents did it. A glass of apple cider, Los Straightjackets on repeat on the stereo, and a half hour of pure joy. Now whenever you feel like crying because there's so much to do, you can just look at those twinkling lights and feel the weight come off your shoulders as you think about that tree. There are only a couple of dozen ornaments on that tree, but each one has a story and each one is a treasure. The boy is a treasure in himself, his patience becoming more apparent with each passing day.
You need to remember all the good things going on in your life right now. You had dinner last night with a dear friend you need to see more often. You have out of town friends coming in for one last grad school celebration. There will be pregnant belly patting and baby cooing over. You have two weeks of time with your husband coming after this next hellish week is over.
You can't keep thinking about the bound to be uncomfortable trip back to Michigan in a couple of weeks. You will only be there a few days and then it will be all over. Your husband will be there with you and if all else fails, you guys can hit the road early and stay at a Holiday Inn in the middle of the Midwest.
You can't think about the pain from those people shaking your hand last night (OMG! what were they trying to prove?) or the twinge you feel when you twist off the milk cap in the morning. You have to remember that there is no cast anymore, only rarely a splint, and the vague memory of discomfort and not being able to shower.
You can't think about the disappointments at work. You can't think about the chicken pox outbreak (again OMG! It's 2008! There's a VACCINE!). You have to think about the successes, the joys, the laughs, the smiles.
You can't think about how sad it is that your engagement ring has to be changed. You love that sapphire and that setting, but it has to change. You can't wear it like it is and you will still love that stone in a new setting. You will love it because you know that it represents so much to both of you. You will be so happy to be able to wear it all the time. Don't forget to remember how lucky you are that you even have the option to change it. Some people aren't so lucky!!
You have a wonderful life. In the rush of these days, you may feel overwhelmed. Don't forget to enjoy what you do have.
Love,
I know you feel like the waking dead. Exhaustion hits in waves and I know you need a break. For the first time in months, you are craving the fake alertness of caffeine and have succumbed to the lure of the bed for the extra half-hour of sleep in the morning, forgoing your shower and feeling grimy all day. It's your own fault - you've over committed yourself (AGAIN), but now it can't be undone. You have to get through it. The days fly by, but you've got to avoid dwelling on the wrapping left to do, the cookies left to bake, the cards left to send, the parties to plan, the trip to plan, the budgeting to figure out, the apartment to clean, and the sleeping that needs to happen.
You have to promise me that you will stay upbeat during the holiday season. The tree is up and there was no protracted process like when your parents did it. A glass of apple cider, Los Straightjackets on repeat on the stereo, and a half hour of pure joy. Now whenever you feel like crying because there's so much to do, you can just look at those twinkling lights and feel the weight come off your shoulders as you think about that tree. There are only a couple of dozen ornaments on that tree, but each one has a story and each one is a treasure. The boy is a treasure in himself, his patience becoming more apparent with each passing day.
You need to remember all the good things going on in your life right now. You had dinner last night with a dear friend you need to see more often. You have out of town friends coming in for one last grad school celebration. There will be pregnant belly patting and baby cooing over. You have two weeks of time with your husband coming after this next hellish week is over.
You can't keep thinking about the bound to be uncomfortable trip back to Michigan in a couple of weeks. You will only be there a few days and then it will be all over. Your husband will be there with you and if all else fails, you guys can hit the road early and stay at a Holiday Inn in the middle of the Midwest.
You can't think about the pain from those people shaking your hand last night (OMG! what were they trying to prove?) or the twinge you feel when you twist off the milk cap in the morning. You have to remember that there is no cast anymore, only rarely a splint, and the vague memory of discomfort and not being able to shower.
You can't think about the disappointments at work. You can't think about the chicken pox outbreak (again OMG! It's 2008! There's a VACCINE!). You have to think about the successes, the joys, the laughs, the smiles.
You can't think about how sad it is that your engagement ring has to be changed. You love that sapphire and that setting, but it has to change. You can't wear it like it is and you will still love that stone in a new setting. You will love it because you know that it represents so much to both of you. You will be so happy to be able to wear it all the time. Don't forget to remember how lucky you are that you even have the option to change it. Some people aren't so lucky!!
You have a wonderful life. In the rush of these days, you may feel overwhelmed. Don't forget to enjoy what you do have.
Love,
45 x 365 #43
43/365 - UD
You tell stories of your younger, wilder days, but you've morphed into a traditional middle-aged woman who dreams of job security and a house in the burbs. You're brilliant, but lack the self-confidence to believe in yourself enough professionally to meet your unbelievable potential.
You tell stories of your younger, wilder days, but you've morphed into a traditional middle-aged woman who dreams of job security and a house in the burbs. You're brilliant, but lack the self-confidence to believe in yourself enough professionally to meet your unbelievable potential.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
45 x 365 #42
42/365 - SV
The kind of teenager who was always in trouble and even more trouble as a young woman. Your family was always bemoaning your wild ways, but you always had a big smile and a hug for me. I envy your open heart and welcoming spirit.
The kind of teenager who was always in trouble and even more trouble as a young woman. Your family was always bemoaning your wild ways, but you always had a big smile and a hug for me. I envy your open heart and welcoming spirit.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
45 x 365 #41
41/365 - RP
You're such a guy - hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, tinkering, and whining. When your six year old daughter asked for another serving and you told her no because she was fat, I stared at you, unsure if you were kidding. Your indulgent wife merely smiled at you.
You're such a guy - hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, tinkering, and whining. When your six year old daughter asked for another serving and you told her no because she was fat, I stared at you, unsure if you were kidding. Your indulgent wife merely smiled at you.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
45 x 365 #40
40/365 - MV
We were both poring over math textbooks trying to figure out that linear algebra problem when it suddenly occurred to me that you were brilliant. What were doing hanging around with me? After the military hired you to design weapons, you never called again.
We were both poring over math textbooks trying to figure out that linear algebra problem when it suddenly occurred to me that you were brilliant. What were doing hanging around with me? After the military hired you to design weapons, you never called again.
Monday, December 08, 2008
45 x 365 #39
39/365 - GB
As oldest child, your job was to make them proud. You tried and tried, but you just couldn't get those straight As, couldn't make the varsity team, and couldn't move up the corporate ladder quick enough. But your first child, their first grandchild, changed everything.
As oldest child, your job was to make them proud. You tried and tried, but you just couldn't get those straight As, couldn't make the varsity team, and couldn't move up the corporate ladder quick enough. But your first child, their first grandchild, changed everything.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
45 x 365 #38
38/365 - KZ
Friends once. Inseparable, some said. Small town girls with messed up families stick together. Then a fight. Bitter words creating fissures in the close bonds. Truth better left unsaid said. A truce. Another fight. Tears this time. Unforgivable denunciations. Denials made. A letter. No reply.
Friends once. Inseparable, some said. Small town girls with messed up families stick together. Then a fight. Bitter words creating fissures in the close bonds. Truth better left unsaid said. A truce. Another fight. Tears this time. Unforgivable denunciations. Denials made. A letter. No reply.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
45 x 365 #37
37/365 - WF
You moved in with her, telling her you would get engaged within six months. Four years later, she's still waiting. You tell her how much you love her, but the language you use to describe her to your friends is appalling. Please let her go.
You moved in with her, telling her you would get engaged within six months. Four years later, she's still waiting. You tell her how much you love her, but the language you use to describe her to your friends is appalling. Please let her go.
Friday, December 05, 2008
45 x 365 #36
36/365 - MH
Your toupee was always a little off; your mood even more so. I'm not sure teaching seventh grade was your ambition, but the day you brought out the fetal pigs for dissection, your eyes lit up. That was the reason you woke up every morning.
Your toupee was always a little off; your mood even more so. I'm not sure teaching seventh grade was your ambition, but the day you brought out the fetal pigs for dissection, your eyes lit up. That was the reason you woke up every morning.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Gift Guide
Did you know I love to give gifts? Finding the perfect gift for that hard to shop for person is one of my life's missions. I'm somewhat crazy and obsessive about finding THE PERFECT GIFT. I thought I would put together this little gift guide to help those of you who have difficult to buy for folks in your life. The only category I don't seem to have covered is teenage boys - go buy them a Best Buy gift card and move on with you life. They're impossible to please!! I also don't have kids. Toys. Moving on.
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The Crafty Set
I don't know about you, but there are lots of crafty folk in my sphere. I myself am not crazy crafty (but remember that time I made the pillow for Bestest Friend?), but I like to think I can talk the talk.
The Small Object is one of my favorite places to go to buy unique, fun things for the people in my life who all too often just head to Hobby Lobby and accept whatever is on the shelves there as the entire catalog of available materials. And here's why!!
This collection of little woodland stamps is $18. Look how cute that little acorn is!!
You don't believe me? Look at her dirt stamps!! Dirt stamps!! Ingenious. One of them is lint. Can you guess which one?
********
Oh, my God, the man who has no hobbies and buys everything he could possibly want himself (also known as my father)
This one is tough, I'll grant you. Last year I ended up getting him a monkey Christmas ornament. He laughed, but I don't think he understood that I did it because there was nothing else I could buy him, short of a 1960s-era Mustang, which I could ill-afford!!
Oddly, my father is interested in family history. So, this book (available at amazon for about $26 - Super Saver Shipping!!) is perfect for him. It's part of the Our Name in History collection and the awesome part of the whole thing is it is personalized to your last name. Pretty cool.
********
Game Lovers
My mom and I are game lovers. I love Out of the Box Games because they create games that are unusual and interesting. I am considering buying this game, Backseat Drawing, for Christmas, and hoping I can convince two people other than my mother and myself to play with us!! Basically, it's trying to get someone else to draw something they can't see and guess what they're drawing. I bet it's hilarious and a good way to improve communication. It's $25 at their web site.
Next up we have a Balancing Tower. This is available from Hable Construction. This looks like Jenga, but way cooler. It's available now for $8. They also have a fabulous wooden domino set for $38. Go look! I'll wait. It's totally awesome and perfect for the gamer on your list.
********
Animal Lovers
Have you ever wondered if your dog had some artistic talent? Well, wonder no more!! Here is the perfect way to find out. Art-Casso has Pup-Casso and Kitty-Casso for you to see your pet in action!! $20 of non-toxic adventures to let your true crazy animal loving self out!! (And that dog on the box looks suspiciously like a white boxer I know personally... hmmm... Dexter, you may have some puppy modeling heading your way!)
A while ago, I entered a contest for free greeting cards from funnyernie's shop at Etsy. I won some pretty fantastic cards and then went back and made a purchase of a bunch of other cards, including the one below. $2 for a beautiful card with such a sweet print. I am going to be going back there again soon!! I am resisting from proselytizing too much about the wonders of Etsy on this gift guide, but if you haven't poked around that site, please go. You can get anything and everything there.
********
Writers and Dreamers
I have a friend who is so smart and creative that I always puzzle over what to give her. It's always books and this year there are THREE that I am having a tough time choosing among.
The first book is Once Again to Zelda, an in depth look at 50 dedications of popular and/or well-regarded works of literature. I'd say great works of literature, but Charlotte Bronte is on the list and gargh! No more! It's available on amazon for $11.53.
The second potential gift is Fortune-Telling Book of Dreams available at Chronicle Books ($9.95). For those of us who devour all the Nostradamus specials on the History Channel, this is highly important information. Can your dreams tell the future? Let's let this book tell us all about what our dreams are predicting! I think, if nothing more, this book would be a great way to spark story ideas and creative imaginations.
The last book is The Tales of Beedle the Bard. We are both Harry Potter fans and I think I'm going to get her this book no matter what. And I hope she gets it for me!! (Available everywhere. For less than $10. Go get if for your Harry Potter loving friends.
********
Moms (or me, really, if I'm being honest)
Moms are really just women and women are easy to buy for. Seriously, guys.
These Sweetest Things Earrings are spectacular. They are $10-15 here. You never knew stud earrings could be so cute, did you? (I want these.)
Every one's talking about the Doodlebook Frame. It's a picture frame, but it's made up of 80 pages that you can doodle on. Or your kids can color on. Make it personal, you know? It's pretty smart, if you ask me. Originally sold here for $16, but sold out. It's available on amazon for $14 if you really want it. I think moms of toddlers and little ones would really like as a stocking stuffer.
Not everyone is as crazy about the stationary and greeting cards as I am, but if you know anyone who still thinks that sending cards through the U. S. Postal Service is a patriotic duty, they will LOVE this paper suitcase set from one of my absolute favorite internet shops, Pink Loves Brown. For the bargain basement price of $38 you get a set of stationary (10 sheets), 6 blank cards, the suitcase that you can get personalized, and a bow. I am sold. I am actually not sold, but this was on my Christmas list last year and never materialized under my tree. I'm putting it on my Christmas list AGAIN this year. Oh, wait. I'm not a mom. I realize that I am putting all of my wants and desires on the mom list. Okay, whatever. Moms or twenty-somethings dreaming of puppies and garages.
I feel like if I were on The Price is Right, I'd say, "and how would you like A BRAND NEW BAG?" and the audience would ooh and aah over this bag. Goodmorning, morning! is another one of my faves online. This is labelled as a book bag on her site ($64), but I think it would be a perfect little diaper bag, too. With brown and orange. Yes, indeed. Perfect diaper bag.
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Babies
Okay, whatever. You already know my obsession with Baby Gap. I won't talk too much about what to buy for babies because babies don't understand gifts or the holidays. They don't need much more than an empty box as far as I'm concerned.
But it never hurts to give cute clothes! The junk food onesies at Baby Gap appear to be on clearance now for $10, so run out and buy all those cute smiley faces!
Oh, yeah, and this book from Pipsqueak Boutique ($34 + $5 for a middle name) is a pretty good idea for a baby shower, a baptism, a birthday, or a holiday. You personalize it to spell out the child's name and you can even do your own dedication. It's pretty cool. I will say that I've ordered this book for several children in my life and it's beautiful, but the customer service at Pipsqueak Boutique leaves a lot to be desired. They don't respond to emails and there's not even an invoice in the package when it arrives. The quality of their goods is fantastic, but if you're a stickler for the service, this might not be the place for you.
********
Teenage Girls (or, if I'm still being honest, me)
A monkey keychain. Man, when I think about all the keychains I had on my keys when I first got my license, it's a wonder I didn't mess up the ignition in my truck. This is from One Good Bumblebee and I've always had wonderful luck there. At $5, this is the cutest little stocking stuffer ever!! That banana looks delicious.
Hee. An ice cream truck with lip balm in it. If your kid's not quite old enough to enjoy the wonders of Sephora, but is starting to get curious about makeup, this is an ideal in between. $16 here.
This is my favorite, I think. It's a charm bracelet, but perfectly lovely on its own, I think!! It can be purchased at Stella & Dot for $49, which is kind of a lot, but think of how classic this is. It will last forever. The charms are sold separately at that site, but I think you could get charms just about everywhere. Totally rockin' and classic, all at once.
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Music Lovers
This Standing in the Shadow of Motown DVD is less than $5 at amazon. I happened to get the music teacher in the Secret Santa draw at work and I'm totally giving him this. It's all about the background musicians during the era of Motown and when we got it through Netflix, even I, the avowed movie hater, was riveted. Great DVD. Really cheap. Go buy it now!
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The Dapper Gentleman
This pocket square is my friend. I want one in ten different colors for my husband. I'm not going to tell you how much it is because I want you to think of these as mostly "affordable" gifts.
For the dapperiest of men in your life, this wool and cable driving cap would be perfectly appropriate. Particularly if said man is not quite 30 years old, but aspires to wear head garments that a 70 year old man would wear. J Crew for $58, but some colors are on sale!! (Damn it, I just looked and it appears as if these have sold out since I started this about a week ago. Sorry, driving cap seeking folk. I'm sure you can find some other examples of find headwear elsewhere.)
Argyle socks!! You can get these and similar ones for relatively cheap ($14.50) at J Crew.
Or, if you're me, you'll buy that man in your life these cashmere socks from Brooks Brothers that cost $45 A PAIR. Oh, yes, my friends. I have spent that on socks before and I will again. For my husband. His toes deserve comfort.
And that's it for now. As I stumble upon awesome (or do I mean bawesome?) gift ideas, I'll try and post them for your retailing pleasure!
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The Crafty Set
I don't know about you, but there are lots of crafty folk in my sphere. I myself am not crazy crafty (but remember that time I made the pillow for Bestest Friend?), but I like to think I can talk the talk.
The Small Object is one of my favorite places to go to buy unique, fun things for the people in my life who all too often just head to Hobby Lobby and accept whatever is on the shelves there as the entire catalog of available materials. And here's why!!
This collection of little woodland stamps is $18. Look how cute that little acorn is!!
You don't believe me? Look at her dirt stamps!! Dirt stamps!! Ingenious. One of them is lint. Can you guess which one?
********
Oh, my God, the man who has no hobbies and buys everything he could possibly want himself (also known as my father)
This one is tough, I'll grant you. Last year I ended up getting him a monkey Christmas ornament. He laughed, but I don't think he understood that I did it because there was nothing else I could buy him, short of a 1960s-era Mustang, which I could ill-afford!!
Oddly, my father is interested in family history. So, this book (available at amazon for about $26 - Super Saver Shipping!!) is perfect for him. It's part of the Our Name in History collection and the awesome part of the whole thing is it is personalized to your last name. Pretty cool.
********
Game Lovers
My mom and I are game lovers. I love Out of the Box Games because they create games that are unusual and interesting. I am considering buying this game, Backseat Drawing, for Christmas, and hoping I can convince two people other than my mother and myself to play with us!! Basically, it's trying to get someone else to draw something they can't see and guess what they're drawing. I bet it's hilarious and a good way to improve communication. It's $25 at their web site.
Next up we have a Balancing Tower. This is available from Hable Construction. This looks like Jenga, but way cooler. It's available now for $8. They also have a fabulous wooden domino set for $38. Go look! I'll wait. It's totally awesome and perfect for the gamer on your list.
********
Animal Lovers
Have you ever wondered if your dog had some artistic talent? Well, wonder no more!! Here is the perfect way to find out. Art-Casso has Pup-Casso and Kitty-Casso for you to see your pet in action!! $20 of non-toxic adventures to let your true crazy animal loving self out!! (And that dog on the box looks suspiciously like a white boxer I know personally... hmmm... Dexter, you may have some puppy modeling heading your way!)
A while ago, I entered a contest for free greeting cards from funnyernie's shop at Etsy. I won some pretty fantastic cards and then went back and made a purchase of a bunch of other cards, including the one below. $2 for a beautiful card with such a sweet print. I am going to be going back there again soon!! I am resisting from proselytizing too much about the wonders of Etsy on this gift guide, but if you haven't poked around that site, please go. You can get anything and everything there.
********
Writers and Dreamers
I have a friend who is so smart and creative that I always puzzle over what to give her. It's always books and this year there are THREE that I am having a tough time choosing among.
The first book is Once Again to Zelda, an in depth look at 50 dedications of popular and/or well-regarded works of literature. I'd say great works of literature, but Charlotte Bronte is on the list and gargh! No more! It's available on amazon for $11.53.
The second potential gift is Fortune-Telling Book of Dreams available at Chronicle Books ($9.95). For those of us who devour all the Nostradamus specials on the History Channel, this is highly important information. Can your dreams tell the future? Let's let this book tell us all about what our dreams are predicting! I think, if nothing more, this book would be a great way to spark story ideas and creative imaginations.
The last book is The Tales of Beedle the Bard. We are both Harry Potter fans and I think I'm going to get her this book no matter what. And I hope she gets it for me!! (Available everywhere. For less than $10. Go get if for your Harry Potter loving friends.
********
Moms (or me, really, if I'm being honest)
Moms are really just women and women are easy to buy for. Seriously, guys.
These Sweetest Things Earrings are spectacular. They are $10-15 here. You never knew stud earrings could be so cute, did you? (I want these.)
Every one's talking about the Doodlebook Frame. It's a picture frame, but it's made up of 80 pages that you can doodle on. Or your kids can color on. Make it personal, you know? It's pretty smart, if you ask me. Originally sold here for $16, but sold out. It's available on amazon for $14 if you really want it. I think moms of toddlers and little ones would really like as a stocking stuffer.
Not everyone is as crazy about the stationary and greeting cards as I am, but if you know anyone who still thinks that sending cards through the U. S. Postal Service is a patriotic duty, they will LOVE this paper suitcase set from one of my absolute favorite internet shops, Pink Loves Brown. For the bargain basement price of $38 you get a set of stationary (10 sheets), 6 blank cards, the suitcase that you can get personalized, and a bow. I am sold. I am actually not sold, but this was on my Christmas list last year and never materialized under my tree. I'm putting it on my Christmas list AGAIN this year. Oh, wait. I'm not a mom. I realize that I am putting all of my wants and desires on the mom list. Okay, whatever. Moms or twenty-somethings dreaming of puppies and garages.
I feel like if I were on The Price is Right, I'd say, "and how would you like A BRAND NEW BAG?" and the audience would ooh and aah over this bag. Goodmorning, morning! is another one of my faves online. This is labelled as a book bag on her site ($64), but I think it would be a perfect little diaper bag, too. With brown and orange. Yes, indeed. Perfect diaper bag.
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Babies
Okay, whatever. You already know my obsession with Baby Gap. I won't talk too much about what to buy for babies because babies don't understand gifts or the holidays. They don't need much more than an empty box as far as I'm concerned.
But it never hurts to give cute clothes! The junk food onesies at Baby Gap appear to be on clearance now for $10, so run out and buy all those cute smiley faces!
Oh, yeah, and this book from Pipsqueak Boutique ($34 + $5 for a middle name) is a pretty good idea for a baby shower, a baptism, a birthday, or a holiday. You personalize it to spell out the child's name and you can even do your own dedication. It's pretty cool. I will say that I've ordered this book for several children in my life and it's beautiful, but the customer service at Pipsqueak Boutique leaves a lot to be desired. They don't respond to emails and there's not even an invoice in the package when it arrives. The quality of their goods is fantastic, but if you're a stickler for the service, this might not be the place for you.
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Teenage Girls (or, if I'm still being honest, me)
A monkey keychain. Man, when I think about all the keychains I had on my keys when I first got my license, it's a wonder I didn't mess up the ignition in my truck. This is from One Good Bumblebee and I've always had wonderful luck there. At $5, this is the cutest little stocking stuffer ever!! That banana looks delicious.
Hee. An ice cream truck with lip balm in it. If your kid's not quite old enough to enjoy the wonders of Sephora, but is starting to get curious about makeup, this is an ideal in between. $16 here.
This is my favorite, I think. It's a charm bracelet, but perfectly lovely on its own, I think!! It can be purchased at Stella & Dot for $49, which is kind of a lot, but think of how classic this is. It will last forever. The charms are sold separately at that site, but I think you could get charms just about everywhere. Totally rockin' and classic, all at once.
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Music Lovers
This Standing in the Shadow of Motown DVD is less than $5 at amazon. I happened to get the music teacher in the Secret Santa draw at work and I'm totally giving him this. It's all about the background musicians during the era of Motown and when we got it through Netflix, even I, the avowed movie hater, was riveted. Great DVD. Really cheap. Go buy it now!
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The Dapper Gentleman
This pocket square is my friend. I want one in ten different colors for my husband. I'm not going to tell you how much it is because I want you to think of these as mostly "affordable" gifts.
For the dapperiest of men in your life, this wool and cable driving cap would be perfectly appropriate. Particularly if said man is not quite 30 years old, but aspires to wear head garments that a 70 year old man would wear. J Crew for $58, but some colors are on sale!! (Damn it, I just looked and it appears as if these have sold out since I started this about a week ago. Sorry, driving cap seeking folk. I'm sure you can find some other examples of find headwear elsewhere.)
Argyle socks!! You can get these and similar ones for relatively cheap ($14.50) at J Crew.
Or, if you're me, you'll buy that man in your life these cashmere socks from Brooks Brothers that cost $45 A PAIR. Oh, yes, my friends. I have spent that on socks before and I will again. For my husband. His toes deserve comfort.
And that's it for now. As I stumble upon awesome (or do I mean bawesome?) gift ideas, I'll try and post them for your retailing pleasure!
45 x 354 #35
35/365 - AE
You drove an old powder blue VW Bug around town. We saw you, smoke pouring out from under its hood, your khakis and hands greasy. You waved away our feeble offers of help and the next day in class you were back to dangling modifiers.
You drove an old powder blue VW Bug around town. We saw you, smoke pouring out from under its hood, your khakis and hands greasy. You waved away our feeble offers of help and the next day in class you were back to dangling modifiers.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
45 x 365 #34
34/365 - HS
Banana-flavored condoms. One of those early SUVs that always seemed about to tip. Tickets for doing 70 in a 45. Skipping out of sixth period ten minutes early. Acts of bravado and derring-do. Without you, I would have none of those memories from high school.
Banana-flavored condoms. One of those early SUVs that always seemed about to tip. Tickets for doing 70 in a 45. Skipping out of sixth period ten minutes early. Acts of bravado and derring-do. Without you, I would have none of those memories from high school.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
45 x 365 #33
33/365 - GJ
One big contradiction. You seem ambitious and directionless all at once. You proudly marched in the Pride parade, but never told your parents. You cooked us delicious biscuits, but didn't eat any. I never figured you out, but I hope you finally figured you out.
One big contradiction. You seem ambitious and directionless all at once. You proudly marched in the Pride parade, but never told your parents. You cooked us delicious biscuits, but didn't eat any. I never figured you out, but I hope you finally figured you out.
Monday, December 01, 2008
45 x 365 #32
32/365 - RA
The kids love you and you get them. They always ask for you when they're upset. But you are so bad at your job. We get together to discuss how to best document your egregious lack of knowledge of the basic duties of your job.
The kids love you and you get them. They always ask for you when they're upset. But you are so bad at your job. We get together to discuss how to best document your egregious lack of knowledge of the basic duties of your job.
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