Five Unusual *Yet Useful* Christmas Gifts!

There are a few approaches you can take when buying gifts.

You can purchase things that the recipients would never buy for themselves.  That's probably the most exciting way to shop.

But I really love when I realize a useful item was gifted to me by someone special.  If it's something I use a lot I will be reminded of that person, even if I don't see them often.

Here's my list of 5 useful gifts that I have both given and received (plus a few extra/runner up ideas!)

For the men/husbands:

Wurkin Stiffs Power Stays- $40

Mr. Banker swears by these metal collar stays.  They come with magnets to keep the collar in place when wearing a shirt without a tie.  Over the year a pair or two is always misplaced so these are always on his list.  Pair with a new shirt and you're done!

Runners up:

Sonos Wireless Sound System (for the big spenders) or whiskey stones (for the drinkers)

For the women/wives:

 Warmrails Towel Warmer -$65

First let me say you should not gift this by itself.  For your wife I would pair with a spa gift certificate or for a friend or family member pair with a monogrammed towel or robe (keep reading for those!)  BUT this towel warmer brings a little bit of luxury into an otherwise boring routine. I'll never be without one again!

Runners up:

"Useful" is a loose term when it comes to buying for a wife or girlfriend.  Purses and blue boxes are ALWAYS useful.  Just keep the receipt if she doesn't exactly like your taste.  Or get smart and just check her Pinterest.

For the kids:

iTunes Gift Card- any amount

I'm not sure that I know any kids that do not have access to an iPhone or iPad.  And wow do they love apps AND know how to find them.  Almost daily Nate is showing me a new game that he would like.  We keep a running list that we often gift him as rewards, but that can really add up!  I think this is a great gift because the parents can help choose what would be most useful for the child, be it a game, e-book, movie or music!

Runners up:

Pajamas (my family keeps my boys well pajama-ed) or anything Melissa & Doug-those toys have never failed me. 

For family:

Nice linens, such as Lands End Luxe towels- $59 for 2 sets

We have received these towels as well as a nice set of sheets as gifts.  Honestly at first I though, "Oh goody, linens.  B-o-r-i-n-g." but what I forgot is that our linen closet is full of items we registered for when we got married.  EIGHT years ago.  Well I'm sure y'all know that towels don't stay nice and fluffy for eight years and quickly these towels became the ones that Mr. and I would fight over.  Sheets and towels- everyone uses them.

Runners up:

Keurig coffee maker, Cuisinart ice cream maker, or a panini press
We have gifted all of these with great success and in the case of the ice cream maker they loved it so much they gifted one to us!

For friends:

Restoration Hardware Robe- from $69

I adore these robes.  Mr. has the plush version and I have the hydro-cotton.  Until I got mine I used to steal his all the time.  I gifted my Bestie one with some spa products or you could include some matching slippers.

Runners up:

anything monogrammed, notepads, cocktail napkins....friends are usually the easiest to buy for!


I hope my ideas have helped fill at least one blank spot on your to-buy list.  Do you have any useful gifts to add?

 
**None of the items listed are sponsored and no affiliate links have been used.**  

What to Wear Where- Updates and Other Things You Want to Know

My apologies that there are no pretty outfits this week, only a few notes updating y'all on how W2WW will continue over the coming weeks, months.....

1) If you read my W2WW partner-in-crime Mrs. Pretty's blog (and you should because it is awesome) you know that she is taking a bit of a break from regular blogging.  I am taking over hosting duties so you will find the W2WW link up here and she will be linking up as she can., which I hope is often because girl has some good taste in shoes.

2) Rather than weekly, the link up will be every other week.  I'm having a hard time coming up with consistent topics and rather than use all of my/your ideas at once going to an every other week schedule will help stretch out the fun a little bit.  As always pass along your ideas via Twitter, Facebook, email, snail mail, pretty blue boxes, et cetera.

3) I had my fab blog designer add a little section over here


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where I will keep the updated schedule.  Check there to make sure you are ready for the coming week's topics!

4) A picture from each post that is linked up will be pinned on my What to Wear Where Pinterest board.  This is a great way to share the styling prowess of everyone that links up.  I continue to be impressed and inspired by the great looks you all share and want others to see them too!  I have already added the Thanksgiving pins, so check those out if you missed them!

5) Not W2WW related, but I also added a nifty Instagram button- which is even more useful now that the application is web-based.  I hope y'all will follow me there as I tend to share more outfits there than I can manage to blog about here!  And more of my boys and their hijinks too.

Questions, suggestions, praise, complaints?  Leave 'em all in the comments!

 

Maintaining My Wardrobe with $100 a Month- November 2012

I know what you are thinking.  There's no way I bought all of this with $100.  And you'd be right.

I got the thrifting bug this month and had already decided I would dip into (or spend all of...) December's budget since I will be trying to avoid the shopping crowds next month.  Speaking of, did you brave any Black Friday (or Thursday) shopping?  Mr. and I went out and spent some cash gifts we received early.  I'll recap that trip in December.

Here are the details of my November purchases-

1,2,3- I purchased the Brooks Brothers seersucker suit, Lilly Pulitzer dress and Ann Taylor brocade pants for $5 total during my Junior League's attic sale.  The last hour you paid $5 for everything you could fit in a bag.  I couldn't believe these deals!
4- NY & Co jeans, thrifted- $5
5- RL Oxford, consignment- $16
6- Gap oxford, thrifted- $5
7- Old Navy Sheep Sweater (no longer online)- $25
8- Vintage blouse, thrifted- $5
9- Zara chunky cardigan (size up)- $50
10- J. Crew City Mini skirts- $17.50 ea/$35
11- Forever 21 necklace- $8
12- Merona animal print blouse- $23
13- Boden dot tee, thrifted- $5
14- Stein Mart belts, 4- $25

Total: $207

The skirts and belts are the purchases that really put me over, but since I didn't find a dress for the holidays I think these will get me through.  I am in LOVE with the Zara cardigan and hope to find some ways to wear the vintage blouse.  A little out of my comfort zone with that one.

I'm linking up with Franish and her Budgeting Bloggers again this month.  Now to delete any other sale emails I see this month!

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What to Wear Where is on a break again tomorrow.  I'll be posting with some updates about our schedule and logistics related to the link up and would really love to hear any requests y'all have!  

What to Wear Where: Thanksgiving

Welcome back, What to Wear Where friends!

While Thanksgiving usually revolves a little more around food and family than wardrobes, it's still fun to find something festive to wear for the occasion.

We have had many Thanksgivings just the two of us or with local friends, but this year family is coming to us (and bringing food, yay!)  Our family thanksgivings are laid back and I probably won't be accessorized or even wearing shoes.

But really one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is the pot luck lunch that our church family shares on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

    Some of the crowd prefers the dessert table

This is what I wore for this year's lunch where I enjoyed two of my favorite Thanksgiving foods- mashed potatoes and dressing.  Give me carbs or give me death.

Grace Elements sweater via TJ Maxx (Similar)/Gap silk swing skirt circa 2004 (holla for fitting back into this one!) (cute Anthro option)/Isaac Mizrahi for Target heels

Now grab the button, link up your post below with pictures or Polyvore board of your Thanksgiving outfit and share a bit about one of your Thanksgiving traditions!

Today I am thankful for all of the fashion loving friends I've found here and that y'all have linked up week after week!




 

Neither Here Nor There

Lately it seems that life is going fast and slow all at the same time.  Anyone else have that happen? 

I've been generally unmotivated as far as writing goes, so I started scrolling through some of my old posts.  I came across this post on frustration that I very well could have written this week.  You know, when I realized that I probably need to pack away the Halloween decorations before my in-laws arrive next Wednesday and then we'll be packing away the rest of the pumpkins and Christmas will be in full swing. 

My mental to do list is so long that I'm a little scared to write it down.  I'm working on learning that it's not the end of the world if something doesn't happen on my timeline...including blog posts.  And lately sleep and other things have been winning out over that.

So for now I'm taking things one day at a time. 

I AM looking forward to What to Wear Where- Thanksgiving edition next Tuesday!  I hope y'all will come link up and maybe share a little bit about how you celebrate Thanksgiving!

Flashback Friday: Lilly's 80th Birthday

A year ago I was jetting off to Florida to attend a brunch to celebrate Lilly Pulitzer's 80th birthday!

My trip was definitely one of those carpe diem moments and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet Lilly!

I'll be cracking open the new Lilly biography tomorrow in honor of her 81st birthday.  I should probably also finally order a print of this photo for my pink office.  And maybe pick up a pink cupcake too.

Y'all have a great weekend!

 

What to Wear Where- On a break

We are taking a little respite from What to Wear Where.  I hope what ever you are wearing today you make it to vote if you haven't already.

Your favorite dress up  link up will be back on November 20th to show off our finest Thanksgiving outfits.

If you have any suggestions for future topics please leave a comment or drop me a line forever29blog at gmail dot com.

 

The Day I Desperately Needed

I know I have been a little quiet around here. For the moment I have found a great balance of real life vs. online life. I had a rough week followed by a really, really good week, both of which kept me away from the computer.

Last Monday was amazing.  One of those days I want to bottle up and hang on to.  And since that is part of why I started this blog I want to share it with you.  Not to be all braggy, because I realize that I had very little to do with it, just because I want to share the good and the bad with y'all.

We didn't solve any problems of the world.  We wore pajamas all day and I doubt I did any housework.  But we were happy and enjoyed the day together.  And it was wonderful.

Cole was a little sick, so we spend the entire day at home.  Normally this does not go well.  Actually in the bad, bad week a day at home is what sent me over the edge.  I really questioned why it seemed impossible for us to spend a day at home together.

This day the boys woke up happy and in matching jammies. I know these days are fleeting for sure.

 They played nicely together. Hallelujah!

We laid together on the floor and watched Sesame Street (with Paul Rudd...win for mommy!)

 And they were still happy little boys before bed.

Maybe it took me reaching that low point and let go a little to be able to have this great day.  Who knows, but I am thankful for it.

I know I have more hard days ahead.

As Cole approaches 2 I recall all of the struggles of that age.  Nate has already thrown me a few curveballs and I think, oh no I have to figure out how to handle this!

But I'm trying to relish the small steps forward.  Nate is smart and sweet and doing great at school.  Potty training is going better. On most days the boys both nap at the same time!  Cole surprises us with funny statements when we don't expect them.  They are healthy. And I love them with everything I am.


 

Maintaining My Wardrobe with $100 a Month- October 2012

It's November and I survived my first month on my $100 a month clothing budget.

I learned a lot this month.  Really, I did.

I set off thinking I needed to spend my cash as soon as possible.  But I spent 4 hours shopping and only bought one thing.  

See, this budgeting thing has made me extremely picky.  Each piece needs to be something I need, fit well and at a good price!  I think my plan may work.

I tried on countless things.  I ordered and returned a ton of things.  Here are the items that made the cut-

 

Forever 21 Navy Down Vest-$15 (White available)

This was on my wishlist.  I had looked at the Lands End vests, but they don't have navy this year, which is the color I really wanted.  I didn't really need a vest to serve as a true warming layer, I just like the look.  At $15 I was sold.

Ditsy Daisy Boutique Monogram Leather Clutch- $32

Featured in my What to Wear Where: Date Night outfit, I have wanted one of these clutches for a while.  When my friend, Hether, started carrying them in her shop I had to get one.

J. Crew Perfect Shirt in Fuschia Gingham- $35 (Current colors)

A gingham shirt was also on my wishlist.  I tried on this version at JCP, but the M was too tight and the L was too loose.  I finally had a chance to try on this shirt in store (I was hesitant to order online because it was final sale) and decided to go for it.

Kenneth Cole Charcoal Sweater- $18

This was an impulse purchase at Costco.  Learning more about fit, I realized that anything with raglan sleeves or angled embelishments at the shoulders help minimize them (the opposite can be said for drop shoulders and puffy sleeves) which I desperately need.  A good staple that will layer well,  I wore it to jury duty with cords and a scarf this week.

$100.  That went fast!  

(Confession- I did buy a few things with Mr. when we were back in NC.  I figure he picks up the tab on anything purchased on a date.  Right?)

For November I'm looking for a chunky cream cardigan and a holiday dress.  I have already ordered contenders for both, but we will see.  I also want a new pair of jeans, but I think I am going to ask for those for Christmas.

I am linking up a few days late with Franishh, an adorable style blogger that I just came across.  She hosts a budget bloggers link up each month.  I am excited to scroll through the other participants' posts!