Gift Giving 101: The Rhyme/Something to Read

Around this time of year it's hard not to think about gift giving. That's a huge part of Christmas right? As I've gotten older I've thought a lot about what makes a good gift giver. I can think of a couple people in my life who I think have it down. My oldest sister (well all of my sisters actually) is one of those people. My other sister just posted on this same thing on her family blog today and I also saw this very rhyme the other day on Bloom. I hate to repeat things but I kinda wanted to add my two cents. Anyway I've come up with some rules for myself that I think help make gift giving a little easier. I like to start with my sister's rhyme

Something they Want

Something they Need

Something to Wear

Something to Read

I love this. It covers everything! I especially love the Something to read. Now that Miss. S is a little older she can sit through longer books and she really enjoys them. I've been thinking a lot about books that every little girl should have in their collection. Here are my top three.

Madeline

Ladybug Girl

Eloise

What do you think? What are some essential books to have in your little girl's collection? Or in any child's collection?

Over the next couple weeks I'm going to be sharing some of my favorite gift giving tips in a series I'm calling Gift Giving 101. I hope it helps some of you who stress about Christmas Shopping every year.

The Great Debate: Real or Fake

I think this year is the first year I've ever looked at a fake tree and wished I had one. I've always been a firm believer of going to pick out the perfect REAL Christmas Tree. I would even love to go out to one of the Christmas Tree Farms not too far from where we live to get one (Here and Here). I would do it every year just for the fresh scent it brings to my home. This year though I didn't exactly get to pick out my own tree. My wonderful husband picked one up on his way home from work. And although it is a beautiful tree, even a grand tree, it has it's flaws. Mainly it's dryness. Our house is riddled with needles right now. I'm kind of envying the cleanliness and symmetry of a fake tree. So what do you do in your family? Real? Fake? Every other year you switch it up? And why do you do what you do? Above is my favorite Christmas Tree we have ever had. It felt a little Charlie Brownish to me. Little and scrawny, but perfect.

Gift Wrap

I am not the best gift wrapper. I do like my presents to stand out though. I'm kinda obsessed with my choice of gift wrap this year. I'm not going to lie. This is a horrible picture (I just couldn't get a good one at all), but here are the first few presents headed for under the tree.

I decided to go with a solid silver paper then tie it up with torn fabric in lieu of ribbon. I love the rustic feeling it gives the look. It's super easy too. Sometimes a more simple approach to things is what makes them stand out. The only complaint I have is the paper I bought is rather flimsy and doesn't lay very flat. Hence you can see every wrinkle. Oh well! At least they look cute under the tree!

Baby Boys.

When I was pregnant with Miss. S I could have sworn that I was having a boy. I had a name picked out, bedding, artwork, everything. All for this little babe who I was sure to be a boy. It came as somewhat of a shock when the ultra sound came back saying I was having a sweet little girl. This time around I could have sworn I was having a girl. My instincts are way off.

Well now that I'm finally having the boy I thought I was having before all the things I had picked out are no longer available (Except the name). I really wanted this fantastic white ceramic owl lamp from Urban Outfitters. Gone. Great Japanese import fabric from Repro Depot. Gone. So I'm trying to figure out all that I want for this little guy's soon to be nursery. I have found one thing that I have to have.

The Long Bellied Russian Red

My Husband has a real thing for Red Dragons. Always has. I think it will be a good jumping off point. I'm not big on theme rooms. In fact I can't stand them. So the whole room will not be a dragon theme but this little guy will have to be incorporated some how.

It's been A Looooooong Time...

But here I am again. I do that don't I? Disappear for a while then show up again out of the blue. I've been thinking about this blog a lot lately actually. I pull it up and look at it a while and think... Boy there is no hope for this little blog endeavor. I dropped the ball. Truth is I love this blog. I need to pretty it up a bit. Make a nice banner, but I really love having a place to vent creatively. Life got away from me though. Excuses piled up and before I knew it neglect had set in. Not just with this blog but with my family blog too. My most important excuse is I'm expecting my second baby, which I'm over the moon about. However I was sicker than sick, and truly not motivated to do anything but lay in bed. Then when I got my energy back a couple weeks ago I kept looking at this page thinking that the damage was done. I failed my little blog. Then I read this. About six photos down one says Keep Trying Anyway. You fell down once, maybe even twice. It hurt. It has taken such a long time to get it all going again... but you are amazing... so you KEEP TRYING ANYWAY. I was inspired to get going again. For me. Because I need to do something I love creatively and consistently. I'm going to try again. It's my blog anyway right? I guess technically I can come and go as I please. So there you have it. I'm back.

Oh and as for this little Mister. He will be joining our family around April Fool's Day. I couldn't be more excited.

Eating Well

We have been making a conscious effort around this house to eat better lately. More veggies & fruits. More whole foods. Less of the processed junk that litters our grocery stores shelves. Today's lunch was fantastic. We got the recipe from this months Everyday Food (great & inexpensive). It's basically Egg in the Hole but the hole is a red bell pepper. The only thing we added to the recipe was sliced avocado. Very fresh and yummy. Served with spinich and strawberry salad. I have to give credit where credit is due. Denny cooked everything (and took the picture). All I did was wash and ready the salad. He is a great cook and he really enjoys it. I'm a lucky lady.

Shakalaka Lip Blaka

This is a super random post I know. I'm trying to get back into posting after a long time off due to random health problems, and spending time outside in the sun. So I'm starting small. One thing that has always been important to me (and should be to you too) is protecting my skin from the sun. I always use sunscreen when I spend time out side. Lately I've been using this one, but it changes from time to time. One thing that never changes however is my love for a certain chapstick. Shakalaka Lip Blaka. Seriously people this is the best chapstick in the world. The name is a little silly I know, but it is soooo good it doesn't matter. I can't seem to find it anywhere in San Antonio, but they sell it at Macy's (the grocery store) in Utah. So I pick it up everytime I go visit my family. I'm telling you if you see it get it. You will not regret it.