Posts Tagged ‘shower gifts’


Sues’s Favorite Things #22

Well, hello! Does anyone remember when we got so busy? Seriously, though. I feel like I’m at a point in my life where whenever anyone asks how I am, I say, “Good! Busy!” And people always say the same to me in return. Is this just what always happens when you reach your late twenties? Or is this a new phenomenon? Does every adult just feel busy all the time? I never remember saying, “I’m sooo busy” when I was in college or even my first few years in the city. But now? Everyone I know is beyond busy. I’m at the point where I’m desperately craving a week-long stay-cation. When I think about how much I could get done if I just had a week at home, I get giddy. At what age did I get legitimately giddy about crossing all the random things off my to-do list? I imagine this only gets worse in life, as families grow and obligations become even more serious. Hopefully I get my stay-cation by then.

In what little free time I have, I’ve been stockpiling my favorite things and figured Monday morning was a good time to post about some of the happy things in life. I actually have about a million more to share, which means I’ll be back soon. And I’m calling it a very good thing when I have too many favorite things to share in one post.

Mallow Crunchies:

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When Quinn reached out and asked if we wanted to try Mallow Crunchies, I didn’t hesitate in saying yes. I’m obviously marshmallow obsessed and these tasty-looking rice cereal treat type delicacies were beautiful. Well, the verdict is in and they taste awesome, too. They’re actually served at their very own cafe called The Mallow Bar in Rosedale, Maryland. They also serve chocolate wine at The Mallow Bar and, get this, butterscotch scotch. Where the heck can I find butterscotch scotch because it sounds like precisely the stuff my dreams are made of. Anyway, you can buy Mallow Crunchies packaged at lots of places, including the good old internet. I think they’d make a nice gifting option, so much more fun than the typical cookie platter or Edible Arrangement. They come in all kinds of fun flavors, but my favorite was the Crunch because it’s packed with buttery popcorn and M&Ms. Is there a dreamier combination? Well, the Toffee Nut is pretty fantabulous, too. Also, they sell a party platter online, so that pretty much takes care of all your party needs for the next 5 years. You’re welcome.

Katie’s Wedding Shower:

Sunday was all about celebrating our fabulous friend Katie and her wedding shower. You’ve obviously seen Katie plenty on the blog many times and she and Paul are getting married in October (one of the best couples of all time!). I can’t wait to be in her wedding, but first we had a blast at her bridal shower (and will soon be partying it up at her bachelorette party!). Somehow, the rain stayed away all day and besides some crazy hair due to the heat and humidity (seriously, I guess I didn’t think to look in a mirror all day), everything was just perfect. Love you, Katie!

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It’s always fun to get the Andover girls back together again. Ladies, we need to have a board game night ASAP (yes, we have board game nights and they involve wine and usually Time’s Up- If you haven’t played Time’s Up, gather your friends together and play right now. Or call me. I’m always up for it).

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Garnier B.B. Cream:

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I’ve always been weird with makeup. I wear it and I love buying it, but it’s rare that I find something I’m absolutely in love with and become brand loyal to. The exceptions are Clinique pressed powder (which I’ve been using since grade 7) and Essie nail polish (I do buy other nail polish brands, but will always love Essie best). But lately, I’ve become obsessed with Garnier B.B. Cream This is legitimately God’s answer to all that ails your skin. OK, maybe not God. But still. I don’t have horrible skin, but it never really looks even (unless I have a glorious sun-kissed tan) and can get kind of blotchy. This B.B. Cream completely evens my skin out, has SPF, moisturizes, and makes me feel all glow-y. Basically, it does everything. In fact, the first time I used it, I got about 10 comments from people saying I looked great. Not a coincidence! I’ve always been bad about moisturizing my skin on a daily basis (I know, I know); but now I do it every day with this. I’m generally the biggest skeptic when it comes to makeup and claims cosmetics marketers make, but this stuff is the real deal. Plus, it’s super inexpensive. I hope they never discontinue it.

Gone Girl:

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OMG have you read this yet?? OMG. I often read whatever’s popular because I don’t like being left out of things and I like to know what everyone’s talking about in popular culture. With everyone absolutely raving about Gone Girl by Gilliam Flynn, I knew I had to pick it up. So, so happy I did! I still have a few chapters left to go, but this is one of the best page-turners I’ve read in a long time (you have no idea how difficult it is for me to be writing this post instead of reading this book!). It truly is NBC’s Dateline in book form. Are you a Dateline fan? Because you know I am! And all I can think of as I read Gone Girl is how it’s the absolute best Dateline episode ever. The only thing that would make it better? If Keith Morrison read it aloud to me.

The Perfect Gifts:

We legitimately love each and every gift we got for our wedding/shower/engagement/etc. It’s been so nice to finally be settling into our new place and to have the opportunity to actually start utilizing everything. And while all our gifts are the best, I just had to post about my bridesmaid Kyle and her husband Jeff’s (another of the top 5 best couples of all time) present. It’s so PERFECTLY me and Chris and while we’re still trying to find the perfect place to hang it in our new home, we’ve had it sitting out where I walk by it a million times a day. I actually think this print meant something extra special coming from Kyle and Jeff who are not social media fiends like Chris and I are. Because it’s clear they did their social media research to create something absolutely perfect for us. I love my friends!!

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Phew, I am completely drained. And am off to bed to finish Gone Girl (!!!) and watch some Newsroom. You know, with all that free time I have! I’ll publish this in the morning, so I’m wishing you a very happy Monday and start to your week!

What makeup products are you brand loyal to? What books are you reading now that I should read, too?

[Sues]

2011 Wedding and Bridal Shower Gift Ideas

Since wedding season is officially in full swing, I decided now would be a perfect time to do a post on gift ideas for the bride and groom. These days, most couples have a wedding registry, which makes things easy for guests and easier for the couple so they don’t have to worry about returning duplicate gifts. But I know some guests struggle with the whole registry thing. You might want to give the couple something more personal, something that comes from the heart, something meaningful.

I have a few weddings to attend this year and I’m already scouring the internet for unique ideas. I absolutely love buying people gifts (far more than I love receiving them!). I’ve lost count of how many times people have come to me for gift-giving ideas, so these days, I dub myself an expert ;) I feel if you know the couple and their tastes well enough, by all means buy them something special.

When it comes to buying gifts, whether for a wedding, birthday, or just because, I like to think of the classics. Things that won’t get lost on the top shelf or in the back of the closet, items the recipient will be proud to show off to guests and something they’ll be excited to use again and again. Something that never gets old.

Here, find some affordable wedding and bridal shower gift options I’ve come across. Remember, if you’re not using the registry, you have to find a gift that is unique enough so you won’t duplicate it ;)

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Chalkboard Dessert Pedestal ($32), Etsy.com. This pedestal just has so much character and I love how you can change the message depending on what you’re serving. Personality!

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Initialed Serving Platters ($75), Etsy.com. A custom gift, especially with someone’s initials, is generally a win/win! This set of stunning ceramic platters (large: 11.5″ square, medium rectangle: 6″x11.5″, and small: 6″x8″) are perfectly simple and match almost anyone’s decor.

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Forever Carved in Wood 10″ Platter ($40.00), Etsy.com. This is definitely an “ooooh. ahhhh” kind of gift. A precious gift like this will make any couple smile and have their guests talking. Instead of using for snacks and appetizers, the couple could also hang it on a wall, too.

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Set of 2 Recipe Platters ($95), Etsy.com. I can’t get enough of these platters! You can send the artist two recipes and they’ll replicate them in sepia tones onto the 10″ plates. If the couple has a cherished or coveted recipe that’s been passed down in the family, this is a terrific idea that will definitely be a tear-jerker!

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HOME Letter Pillows ($98), Etsy.com. I always think the best thing about buying thoughtful gifts for people is the person would almost never buy them on their own. A good gift is a treat. And these pillows are definitely that. If the couple you’re buying for are word-geeks they will fall madly in love with these.

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Cold Beverage Jar with Stand ($49.95), Crate and Barrel. I’m so nosy when it comes to looking at people’s wedding registries and one thing I’ve noticed that always seems to go unnoticed? Nice pitchers and big jars for serving beverages. These are almost necessary, especially if the couple loves to entertain. Because one hot Summer day, at the last minute, someone will have the bright idea to whip up a batch of ice-cold lemonade and won’t have anything to serve it in!

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Shake, Stir, Chill, Sip Cocktail Plates ($12.95). Crate and Barrel. This set of plates is so graphic and typographically driven that it’s hard not to love them. Especially if the couple is artsy! Purchase some barware off of their registry, simple drink mixes, add these plates in and you’ll have the perfect gift.

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Tilt Bowls ($14.95/large $12.95/small), Crate and Barrel. If the couple likes clean and simple design with a touch of modern, these handmade glass tilt bowls will be a nice addition to their home’s decor! The best part is they can be used for snacks or candles so they’re quite versatile and will get lots of use.

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Cozy Cable-Knit Throw ($119.00), Pottery Barn. Every living room needs a couple of very comfortable throws especially for those freezing cold nights. These machine washable cable-knit throws reverse to a faux-sheepskin microfiber for added warmth and are just plain pretty. Did I mention they’re machine washable? They’ll be used every single day.

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Monogrammed Oval Paperwhite Soap Set ($39.00), Pottery Barn. One of my favorite ways to present gifts for bridal showers is in a beautifully arranged basket. I’ll often pick a “theme” or a room in a house and center the items in the basket around that. I try to find “like” objects on a registry and group them together as one gift. If the couple registers for, say, a shower curtain, bath mat, and toothbrush holder, you can add something custom in like these soaps (which are perfect for a guest bathroom) to create a “bathroom basket”. The little extra touch acts as a nice surprise since the couple already picked everything out on their own.

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Lightweight Organic Robe ($79), Pottery Barn. Who doesn’t love a matching monogrammed robe set? What couple doesn’t want to look like they just walked out of a Pottery Barn catalog. I know I’m not the only one who has made this a life goal ;) These wrinkle-resistant, 100% organic cotton, machine-washable robes are perfect for warm weather and make sipping the morning coffee on the deck look that much more adorable.

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Bhotah Beach Towel ($25), Pottery Barn. For the couple who lives on the beach in the Summer, these monogrammed towels measure 32″x64″ and are perfect as set. Not overly feminine or masculine. You could also toss in a gift card to the couple’s favorite beach-side getaway spot or a restaurant where they’ll be honeymooning.

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Personalized Apron ($29), Williams-Sonoma. Because the couple who cooks together, stays together! Personalize these aprons with the bride and groom’s individual names or the couple’s last name. These aprons are a classic.

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12″ Honeycomb Platter ($125), Tiffany & Co. People automatically gasp when they see a bag or box from Tiffany’s because they think you spent an insane amount of money. But Tiffany’s is one of my absolute favorite places to find those special bridal shower gifts. Not only are they stunning but if you look closely, you’ll find some are actually quite affordable. These are the gifts that get passed down from generation to generation. True classics. I always remember growing up looking in the curio at my parent’s house or helping my mom clean all of our nice glassware and China and her telling me who bought them what for their wedding. These are the gifts that are so simply designed but create the most conversation. You always remember the person who bought you Tiffanys.

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11.75″ Tiffany Sierra Square Platter ($145), Tiffany & Co. This crystal platter literally knocks my socks off. The perfect gift for entertaining. Or just displaying.

What other wedding gift ideas do you have to add to the list? Or, if you’re married, what was your favorite wedding gift that you received?