Headed to a White Elephant gift exchange? What is white elephant? A gift exchange with silly inexpensive gifts. Every once in a while you get something you like, but usually you end up with something that makes you laugh. Some ideas for white elephant below.
Share any hilarious white elephant gifts you see this year!
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
This is my favorite holiday candle. It smells just like a Xmas tree. A must have if you get an artificial tree. Makes a great hostess gift, co-worker gift, in-law gift, anyone gift!
I get mine out every year the day after Thanksgiving when I start playing the Christmas carols.
Looking for a gift for a friend or colleague? Need a gift under $25 for a gift exchange? Need some "in case of emergency" gifts? (when someone comes to the door to drop off your gift, and you did not get them one). Some ideas below.
Get ready for the holiday parties! Need a hostess gift that isn't wine? Ideas below $25 below. Order online in advance and have a stash ready in a basket in a closet or drawer.
Are your friends/family/husband asking what they should get you for Xmas? How updated is your bag? Maybe a new tote for winter would be exciting! Some ideas below.
How else can you incorporate marsala into your life? How about a gift? Something for your home? Know anyone getting married with a marsala wedding? She would probably appreciate a marsala gift!
My sweet husband bought me 2 new things as an early anniversary gift! We were in Healdsburg for the weekend, and of course I came across a few items I liked (see photo above of me in the dressing room). I decided I didn't "need" them, but he said let's do it & call it an anniversary gift. So, I am now the proud owner of a new hat & sunglasses. Both of which I wear all the time, evidenced by the photo below. What do you think? Sweet husband + great gifts=good combo!
These were purchased at Looking Glass in Healdsburg, or other options to buy online below.
Time for a new fall hat? Keep your glowy skin out of the sun with the hats below.
My hostess with the mostess friend, Sarah, recently introduced me to this hilarious game, Telestrations. It's one of those games where after one round, you are actually tired from laughing so much.
Remember that old game from our childhood, Telephone? The one where you whisper a sentence in the ear of the person next to you, then they whisper what they heard, and in the end the message is all mixed up. Well now combine that with Pictionary. You draw a word that you see. Pass to your left and that person turns the page and writes what they think the picture is. Pass to their left and the next person draws that word. And it goes on...... The best part is the "reveal" in the end where you go through the entire sequence. Get ready to laugh!
The game comes in several categories depending on your tolerance for wilder content. Families will prefer the other edition. A great gift or activity to bring out during the holidays.
Rummaging through your bag looking for a quarter? Random coins jingling in your purse as you walk? Not ideal! Get organized & throw your coins in a cute coin purse!
Pitchers make a great gift! They don't necessarily have to perfectly match someone's dishes. Choose a bright festive one for outdoor summer fiestas. Or a calm serene one as a vase for flowers. Look for an interesting shape or texture to stand out.
Planning a cozy day inside with a some Netflix binge watching? Looking for a gift for a girlfriend who needs some chill time? Feeling under the weather? Look stylish with this soft pastel loungewear. The serene neutral colors give a calming effect.
Beach towels have come a long way! Much thinner & more stylish than they used to be. If you are lucky enough to live on/near a beach, buy a bunch! If you are lucky enough to be a guest in someone's beach house, these are a great hostess gift. If you live far from the beach, these also work perfectly at a park!
You have seen these gorgeous aerial beach photographs. Possibly if you were shopping at Colette in Paris. Maybe when you were checking in at the Parker in Palm Springs.
Gray Malin is an American fine art photographer who documents stunning beaches all over the world from a bird's eye view.
Gray Malin book. $40. Click to buy. Great gift!
How to use Gray Malin art in your home:
Like the art but can't quite commit to hanging it your living room? Start small with an iphone cover or small print:
Are you lucky enough to be invited to a pool party? Are you lucky enough to be hosting a pool party? Have you rented a house for a weekend with a pool? Make the entire thing more festive with a trendy silly pool float!
These are popping up in summer photos all over. Kids, adults, everyone seems to love them. Photo above at one of my friends 40th birthday pool party in Palm Springs. The duck was his birthday present. Makes a great gift!
I love reading. I also love books as decor (more on that later). Now that I have finished binge watching Grace & Frankie, I am looking for new books. What have you read this summer that you'd recommend? What is your favorite book of all time? Books also make a great gift!
coupe definition: shallow, saucer shaped stemmed glass for sparkling wine. Rumor has it the coupe is modeled after a certain part of Marie Antoinette's figure. These glasses were fashionable in France from the 1700's-1970's and in the US from the 1930's to the 1980's. What do you think-do you prefer a coupe or a flute? Would make a festive wedding gift!
I walked into this store on Saturday in St. Helena, and I walked out with 4 large shopping bags full of goodies. If you're headed to a wedding in Napa, head to Napa Valley Vintage Home to buy the wedding gift. You will find something gorgeous in this store for a wedding gift, hostess gift, mom's or best friend's birthday. Spencer Peterman olive wood bowls, serving dishes, candles, necklaces, unique children's books, and cutting boards too pretty to put away in a cabinet. Located in charming downtown St. Helena, Napa Valley Vintage Home is a must!
Has anyone tried the blueberry pancake cupcakes at SusieCakes? They are only out in July. Maple icing-it really tastes like a blueberry pancake-so good!
How adorable are these round beach towels? I love it that they decided to shake it up & totally change the shape. The Beach People was founded in 2013 in Australia by 2 sisters. Not surprising that these bohemian towels sold out their first summer.
Look stylish at the beach, in a park, at a festival, or just hanging in your backyard.
Where to buy these beauties? List below after the inspirational images of how these will fit into your life. Would make a great gift!
Photo credit: the gorgeous pic on the bottom right is from my sister-in-law's blog, Goldfish Kiss (my sister's husband's sister--is that my sister-in-law??).