AMAZON...GET THE GIFTS NOW!

Well I think it’s safe to say that probably 60% of my gift buying is coming from Amazon so for this month’s link up with Tanya, you know it’s going to be get those gifts and get excited when the Amazon truck arrives! I’ve Compiled some great Amazon ideas for you! For her, him, and the Kitchen..as in for making yummy stuff to eat, LOL!  

IN THE KITCHEN

This first one might be the MOST FUN and yummiest!

ICE CREAM MAKER ~The BEST Ice Cream Maker on the Market

 

S'MORES KIT ~How fun to have an indoors S’mores Kit

 

RAPID EGG COOKER ~Oh yeah, easy peezy hard-boiled eggs

ROLLING PIN WOOD EMBOSSING ~The COOLEST Rolling Pin; making your pastries beautiful!

 

POPCORN POPPER ~The easiest to pop popcorn maker next to microwave and so much better for you!

NUT & DRIED FRUIT BOX ~YUMMO!! A Gift Box of friend fruit and nuts! YES

 

NESPRESSO MACHINE ~It's no secret I want a Nespresso Machine..fancy swanky coffee drinks ar home!

 

CHARCUTERIE BOARD ~Charcuterie anyone AND Everyone. This one is soooo cool!

 

BAKING SHEETS ~These are the nest out there and great sizes, as good as any baking stone.

 

FONDUE POT ~Fondue for you!! Yummy and this case iron is so much better than others!

 

AIR FRYER ~Need I say more..I have fallen in love with my air fryer!! This is the #1 best seller on Amazon! 

 

 

FOR HIM

Oh have I ever got some great ideas for the males; many in my fam have gotten these things!

GROOMING KIT ~This grooming kit has it all.

 

TRAVEL KIT ~The perfect canvas Dopp kit by the fabulous Carhartt for all his toiletries.

 

HEARTH MATCHES ~These long heart matches are beautifully presented and perfect for the fireplace, stove or bonfires.

 

FLANNEL SHIRT JACKET ~This flannel with a hood is so stylish and warm too.

 

BELLROY WALLET ~This wallet is beloved by the boys and Mr. Nine for how slim it is.

 

BOURBON INFUSED COFFEE ~Fabulous smell and flavor from this bourbon infused coffee

 

LONG ALL PURPOSE LEATHER GLOVES ~While he’s tending to the fire or grilling or doing heavy duty man stuff; these gloves are great.

 

 TAC PEN ~This is an As Seen on TV and the reviews are incredible. He will love it!

 

BEEF JERKEY ~Any Kind of Jerkey is always a huge hit, the boys are getting this.

 

BEER SOAPS ~I have gotten this soap for my hubs. This bundle is terrific. 

FOR HER

You asked for it; ideas for the gals..here are some of the best!!

 

MUD PIE BAG ~This canvas initial bag is so darn cute and practical! I love everything from mud pie!

SHOWER STEAMERS ~These smell absolutely divine in the steam from your shower! Like a spa at home! I recommend them every year because they are such a luxurious gift at such a low price.

FRUIT INFUSER WATER BOTTLE ~I don’t know about you but I love putting things like mint and fruit in my water sometimes! This bottle is the perfect way to infuse it!

PEARL BRACELET ~Pearls are just so darn classy and this bracelet is really really sweet and looks very expensive in person.

SALT SCRUB ~Another spa experience with this wonderful scrub, Himalayan pink sea salt is the best!

NECKLACE ~I think just about everybody loves necklaces and the layered book is so in! Plus bonus, initials!

BEAUTIFUL PERFUME ~I forgot how much I love Estee Lauder Beautiful perfume! What a great gift!

PERFECT BLANKET ~So soft, affordable, and cozy; need I say more! I will because it is under $30!!

YANKEE CANDLE ~I used to love going into the Yankee Candle store! I used to get them as gifts all the time and I love that you can get them on Amazon now! This scent, HOME SWEET HOME is my favorite!

FIDDLE PLANT ~Do you know I have a green thumb for outside, inside not so much but did you know you can get real plants on Amazon? The boys his girlfriends love indoor plants and this is such a great price!

BATH SET ~You cannot go wrong for the price with everything that comes in this cute little bathtub! Another great gift for her!

Happy Amazon-ing, LOL

HUGS for a GREAT week!

 LINKING-UP with Metamorphosis Monday// Love your Creativity // Hello Monday  // Inspire Me Tuesday 

xoxo

 

 

FRIDAY FAVORITES

It's been a glorious Week in the Hoosier State!!! Sunny with High in the 70's, low 80's, but cool nights. While it's been a great week, 2 notes of sadness related to football. On Friday night we lost our High School QB for the season; he broke his foot in several places. Then on Saturday, we lost or beloved Notre Dame QB for the season to an injury. If anybody wants to be a back up Quarter Back, let us know. LOL
Of course I managed to find some lovely favorites for you this week.

1. GIFTS FOR NO REASON

How blessed am I? Bestowed upon me in the past week are these 3 goodies 

From Hubby

LOVE MICHIGAN SWEATSHIRT

You may already know we are smitten with the Mitten! Michigan and all its splendor is our jam! How cute is this sweatshirt!! So soft too. Gonna wear with some BF jeans and retro Nikes

 From Tami (T)

 

SPICED PUMPKIN GOAT MILK HAND CREAM

Our friend Sandy has been the scent model for Fall. She has been wearing the most heavenly pumpkin scented lotion and my dear friend, T, was so sweet to get some for me. Guess where you get this? Cracker Barrel! So good!!

From Mom

 OWL NECKLACE

My mom is such a giving person. I am convinced I got my giving heart from her and often like to surprise others with treats and gifts. She surprises me and the day after I mentioned this darling owl necklace I saw at Target, she got me one! Sweetest mom on Earth!!

2.  CARAMEL APPLE SANGRIA

Ingredients

1 bottle of  your favorite mild white wine
1 cup caramel flavored vodka
6 cups apple cider
2 medium apples, cored and chopped

Instructions

Stir the wine, vodka, and apple cider together in a large pitcher.

Add the chopped apples to the pitcher, or to individual glasses.
Serve the sangria over ice.

3. INSPO

 I have so been debating on some leather leggings or some faux ones, but after seeing this: sheer LOVE!!

Loving these plum colors

4. WORK OUTFITS 

Comfy and still kind off Summery was the goal for the week

Loft Cardigan, Eddie Bauer Dress

Target Cardigan and Top

Kohl's Top

5. FALL SNACKING

There's Something about Fall Snacking!! While fresh fruit and cool things are a must in the Summer, Fall brings on some mighty yummy treats. Here are my faves!

*Candy Corn and Peanuts. One word: ADDICTIVE 

*HoneyCrisp Apples. Hands down favorite Apple! One a Day Baby!!

*Moms Caramel Corn. Oh my gosh, maybe I can talk her in to sharing the recipe with you all

*Caramel Candy Corn. Just tried this and so good! Brach's knows how to do candy corns!!

This drink is so heavenly! I got mine at Target. Grabbing a book and my cozy sweater And sipping this goodness. With skim or almond milk of course. 

Linking up with Amanda // Friday Favorites // High Five for Friday // Home Matters   // The Closet  // Oh Hey Friday // Fashion Friday
// Five On Friday // Saturday Sharefest
  xoxo

 

THOUGHTFUL BIRTHDAY IDEAS

"It's Your Birthday. We gon' party like it's yo birthday!" 

~50 Cent

Still love that hip hop classic! Anyway, it is my birthday today.

Now, besides that, as I have said before I would much rather give than receive.

I absolutely LOVE celebrating birthdays of friends and family. It is so great to be able to make the day special for them. I am sure we all have some very memorable birthdays and some we would like to forget...

Here are some thoughtful birthday ideas for those you love that won't break the bank but will make the recipient feel special knowing the meaning and love you put behind it.

1. LIST of Why we LOVE Them 

This is my actual list I gave to my father last year on his 70th Birthday. I got the idea from one of my sweet sons, who, a few years ago, gave me a jar filled with 40 pieces of paper on why he loved me. It is one of my most cherished gifts. I sent this to my dad and he said it touched his heart. If you are having a party for your loved one, perhaps you could read it out loud. Many people love going down memory lane and this is a special way to capture the way you look at your loved one.

2. BALLOONS, BALLOONS, BALLOONS

Why your child is sleeping, carefully fill their room with helium balloons, so this is what they wake up to!

or I Love this one...

On a wall close to where they will see it when they awake, put cash or coins into several balloons and blow them up. Tape to a wall or pin to a large, long piece of cork board. Imagine the delight of popping all of those!!

3. BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST

Many people plan a special dinner or go out to a Birthday lunch. I think it is neat to have a special breakfast ready. What kid or adult, for that matter wouldn't LOVE any of these creative and cute breakfasts? Start their day off in a fun way and it sets the tone for the whole Birthday Day!!

4. SMALL TOKENS 

I love the idea of just something small for kids, spouses, teachers, friends, neighbors or co-workers. I especially like gathering a few things to make a "Container" Gift. The little tin buckets you see at Target in the $1 bins or at Dollar and craft stores are perfect for this and Don't cha just love the tag saying "Hope Your Birthday is Buckets of Fun!" I also like to re-purpose mason jars or washed jelly jars. Remove the label with goo gone, clean well and Wha-La, you have a container for your little gifts. For the Party in a Jar for a boy, put candy, a Hostess Cupcake, balloons, blow horns, coins, markers, small toys and cars. For girls, how about nail polish, stickers, socks, jewelry...the possibilities are endless. How about the last one. Hair ties in a jar entitled "I'm HAIR for you anytime" This could work for more occasions than Birthdays!

 Pics from a "few" years ago. A surprise Birthday party my mom threw for me. Loved the red shoe on top of that cake. The cake was cute but my mom will tell you too, it sucked! Worst tasting cake ever!! 

Sorry, cake lady. 

Now I am hungry, time to dig into some "Good" cake, my mom's key-lime Birthday pie, and down an egg roll and friend rice!

May your next Birthday be as special as YOU are!!

xoxo

"The way I see it, you should live everyday like it's your birthday."

~Paris Hilton

CARDS AS GIFTS (and I don't mean "Gift Cards")

I LOVE sending mail and getting mail in the actual physical mailbox.
I believe writing a hand written greeting is becoming extinct. I refuse to let that happen. One of the first things I taught my boys was the art of writing the "Thank you" card. Not a text, not an email, not a pre-written "Thank You", but actually writing the words with meaning!

I think I get my love of card writing from my grandmother. She would send a card as a sentiment for all sorts of things. I knew purchasing these cards, not to mention the stamps, could be expensive, so I got the idea to box up an assortment of cards to send. When stores would have going out of business sales, I would purchase a pile of various cards, often at 90% off. Dollar Stores have nice cards, 2 for $1, as well. I would put them in a box, along with a book of stamps and some cute, colorful stickers and attach this note:

" A box of cards to send,
I thought would be the perfect gift
Because you're the kind of person
Who likes to give others a lift!"

It was a hit! I started doing this for many people I know and I love the smile it brings them and all the people who receive the cards.
For the past couple years I have been obsessing over a site called Zazzle. www.zazzle.com
I have created the most wonderful products on this site but my favorite are the cards. Often they have 50% off cards or $10 gifts to spend if you sign up. Around the Christmas holiday, cards are 75% off!
Try it, you'll be amazed at what you can create.

Sending a postcard from St. Peter's Basilica

Cherry Republic PO in Glen Arbor, MI

xoxo

"And none will hear the postman's knock without a quickening of the heart.

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten." 
W. H. Auden