my favorite things.

pssssst... christmas is twenty days away!  in typical oprah-style, here is my list of twenty five of my favorite things.  some of them i have and love; others are on my wish list for "someday".  either way, here are a few oh-so-lovely gift ideas.  i apologize this isn't like oprah where i'll be giving you any of this stuff... but i did provide the links for you in case you want to give any of these gifts to loved ones this year... isn't that almost as awesome as giving you all new cars??

i thought so.  and here you go...

from top left to bottom right:

vera bradley folkloric tote bag 

{ebay}

i have been obsessed with this vera print ever since i saw jessica biel carry it on the movie new years eve.

, tea & toast butter dish 

{anthropologie}

i love this butter dish and it's cute little name.

"filled with joy" print 

{the wheatfield on etsy}

one of my fav etsy shops... i love this artist and her eclectic, colorful prints!

ung drill picture frame 

{ikea}

been tempted to make the four hour drive to our closest ikea to get this frame.  what color would i spray paint this baby...

perfect khaki pants 

{gap}

one of my christmas present purchases; love the fit of these pants and the color is just so fun!

, pumpkin pancake & waffle mix 

{trader joes}

a must have for every family.  our saturday morning standard ala nick.

 classic cardy boots 

{ugg}

love these comfy uggs.  need to replace my former pair since it has a giant hole in the toe...

"well with my soul" necklace 

{lisa leonard designs}

i have a couple lisa leonard necklaces and i just love them.  this one is from her faith collection.

 kitchenaid mixer 

{macy's}

my mom surprised my sis and i with kitchenaid mixers this fall.  one day i used it three times.  a must have for any cook or baker!

paperwhites 

{christmastree shop}

planted my first paperwhites a few days ago and my fingers are crossed (i do not have a green thumb and am trying to change that!).  these lovelies are super cheap at the christmastree shop; i think i saw 3.99!

crystal necklace 

{le mode accessories}

love this elegant necklace for a touch of feminine sparkle.

round pintuck pillow 

{urban outfitters}

i bought the turquoise one last year and it is one of my fav things in our home.  love the intricate detail and the luxurious velvet.

kvill picture frame 

{ikea}

another favorite ikea find.  this pretty little sucker is only 4.99!  i have one and am in need of like twenty more.  just kidding.  but shhhh... it's plastic; don't tell!

 homegrown monogram mugs 

{anthropologie}

nick&i have drunk many a saturday morning coffee out of our traditional anthro monogram mugs we got as a wedding gift... but i love these new colorful ones!  and only 8 bucks!

monogram locket ornament 

{potterybarn}

a little pricey, but such a pretty, nostalgic touch for any tree.  a great gift!

grapefruit sugar bowl 

{anthropologie}

how cute is this?!  i want to get it even though we don't really eat much sugar these days it's just that adorable.

 aqua spice jar with chalk label

{world market}

these babies are pricey but they are just so cute.  i'm obsessing over them a little bit.

garlic press 

{pampered chef}

hands down one of my most used and most beloved kitchen tool!

herbal popcorn 

{little lads}

my newest addiction.  i buy it at our local health food store, but it's available online!  and it's super healthy and all natural.  come on... you know you want some...

silver wedge boot 

{old navy}

my most worn boots; they go with almost every outfit and i get tons of compliments on them.  and they're under 40 bucks!

flannel plaid shirt in navy tartan 

{old  navy}

another item i know was purchased from my christmas list; we maine-ahs love our flannel shirts.

christmas cloche 

{target}

saw this pretty little cloche at target recently and it just made me happy.  it's like my love bottles and christmas villages all rolled into one.

reusable snack bags in blue vines 

{planet wise}

one of my favorite things for me and for the girls!  these handy little resuable sandwich and snack bags from planet wise.  eco friendly and super cute!

vera bradley sittin-in-a-tree weekender bag 

{ebay}

my overnight bag and i love it.  the print is so pretty and the bag is a perfect size!  love me some vera.

tea & crumpets apron 

{anthropologie}

love, love, love this stylish apron.  it was a christmas gift from nick last year... he took the hint (or the obvious telling him that was what i really wanted).

 rhinestone stud earrings 

{forever 21}

quickly becoming my most favorite piece of jewlry, these stud earrings are so pretty and super vintage looking; reminiscent of costume jewelry from days of yore.

and there you have it.  my list of favorite things.

happy gift giving!

ten things {my favorite stores}.

so. this is pretty much a meaningless post, just for fun. i love to shop. love it. for myself, for nick, for bella, for our pantry/fridge, for our home. i also love trying to stay within a budget because it's a challenge for me, and i appreciate the things i find so much more!

this "ten things" post is all about my ten fav places to shop. my favorite things at stores, items i've found and love and a few tips along the way ;)

1. target.

i've said it a hundred times but i will say it again: i heart target. cool home decor, stylish clothes, oh-so-cute baby clothing and practical everyday needs like clorox wipes and make up. what's not to love? and i am a huuuuge fan of the dwell studio for target line. our bedding (seen here) is dwell studio and i love it so much. if i was told i could only shop at one store for the rest of my life, it would be target. hands down. *registering for your wedding or upcoming baby? target is wonderful. just make sure to keep all/any receipts because returns can be a hassle, but i never had any difficulty and registered at target for both.

2. joann's.

i could walk up and down the aisles of joann's a hundred times (if i have enough crackers on hand to keep bella occupied). and i never have to buy anything without using a 40% off coupon because they always have them. always. so that makes it even more awesome. *hey all you crafters: make sure to sign up in the store or online to get your coupons!!

3. trader joe's.

like whole foods but not the prices? then go to trader joes. uh-mazing. i'm obsessed. try the homemade pizza dough for 99 cents or the various kinds of ravioli for under $5 bucks. so far we've tried carbonara ravioli, arugula&parmesan and have a package of lobster ravioli just waiting for us in the freezer. all delish. the cheese selection is extensive and inexpensive... as is just about everything else. oh--and the multigrain baking mix? yum. *don't live near a trader joes, but can drive to one? we're in the same boat. you can buy a freezer-bag from trader joes and stock it with your favs for the car trip home until the next time you're in town.

4. forever 21.

a must-go-place-for-any-girl. and you don't even have to be twenty one to shop there. how do i know? because i'm thirty. and i still love it. comfy maxi dresses for under $25 bucks, sweaters and tops for around $10 and accessories... accessories as far as the eye can see. *hey christmas/birthday/bridal party-present-shoppers: this is a great place to find fun gifts for any girl friend... i've gotten many a christmas/birthday present here, and also bought all my bridesmaids bangle bracelets and pashminas as gifts for being my girls :)

5. anthropologie.

i don't live near one anymore (tear). but i can still browse online and get inspiration for my wardrobe and my home (even better when i find things i can try to make myself!). one of my favorite wedding shower gifts were "n" and "m" initial mugs from anthro. we drink our weekend coffee out of them often. another one of my fav anthro finds is the initial stand i bought when nick&i got engaged (see here in another "ten things" post). i also love finding their super-cute aprons when they are on sale, and don't even get me started on their sundresses. sigh*

6. j crew.

ohhhh how i love j crew. i was spoiled in my early twenties when my roommate worked there and was told she could give a healthy discount on items purchased for someone she lived with. i went to town purchasing things for myself until we realized the actual clause said "same sex domestic partner." ooops. needless to say, i got a little spoiled getting things at such a discount. shopping at j crew just isn't the same when you have to pay full price. but i still love wandering through a store every.chance.i.get. *hey future brides, check out j crew's bridal line! i purchased my bridesmaid dresses from there, and the customer service was awesome. which made me even more of a j crew fan :)

7. ikea.

oh.my.goodness i love this place. and we now (sadly) live a good 3+ hours from one. but me and some of my girlfriends are making a trip next month, and you better believe i am making a list of all the things i need to purchase! our bedroom set came from ikea, tv stand, shelves, lighting pendants... the list goes on and on. shopping in a store that feels like a really fun museum and smells like warm cinnamon rolls? ummm yes, please.

8. old navy.

hands down one of my go-to-places to buy clothes. for me, nick and bella. my closet is full of boots, shoes, scarves, cardigans, dresses and tops courtesy of o.n. and the prices? even better. i love that the look of the clothing is similar to gap and banana (republic, that is... did you know they were all the same company?) but much more affordable. and i've experienced amazing customer service when i've shopped online. even better. *hey pregnant mamas; this was my go-to-place for maternity clothes, too!

9. gap.

what can i say? the gap and i have had a love affair for as long as i can remember. yes, it's true. i have the clearance sale prices down to a science... if something is 29.99, it's only a matter of days before it is reduced to 24.99 and then to 18.99... and eventually 14.99. yes, i know, it's a bit ridiculous but i can't help it. i've been a gap girl since the 9th grade. their curvy jeans that come in longs, and the high-waisted skinnies (especially for mamas) are like denim miracles sent from heaven. thank you, gap. *do you love the gap, too? sign up to get a gap card. i never use mine; we try not to use credit cards, but they send special sales/promotions to gap card holders.

10. tj maxx/homegoods.

our tj's here where we live now is waaaaaay better than the one down the street from our apartment in dallas. way better. and i am becoming a maxx-anista (don't you love those commercials?) i find the cutest little baby clothes for bel that are very inexpensive, work/dress clothes for nick, and i could go on and on and on about homegoods... the best to find accent pieces to decorate your home... i recently bought a birdcage for $6 and a beautiful white porcelain vase for $5 (don't tell target, but i like homegoods even better for home decor... and that's saying a whole lot!)

what are you favorite places to shop?