Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is quite possibly my favorite day of the year; it's in the top 10 at least.  I love Thanksgiving!  Instead of the cliche "I'm thankful for my family, friends, and freedom," I thought I'd share some of the little things I'm thankful for in addition to those three.  Really, it's the little things, the simple things, that make me the happiest.

I'm thankful for...
The Macy's Day Parade, roasting marshmallows beside a crackling fire, sunny days, jellied cranberry sauce, driving aimlessly, a job that's fulfilling, Friends, the day-after-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich I always have with my grandparents, the smell of freshly cut grass, cupcakes, the snap of a tag on a recently purchased item, the way childrens' faces light up, pea coats, making memories and looking to the future, dreams, heated seats, The Giving Tree, Charlie Brown's Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas shows, Christmas lights, fireworks, smiling, good books, movies that make you feel like you're there, bleu cheese chips, whimsical things, wonderment, storypeople, snow cream if it ever snows, bundling up in the cold, hot chocolate, beach days, and so many more things.  I feel so blessed to live the life I live!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide: Day 4

Today's post was intended to be awesome books - it still is - but it's also turned into a hodgepodge of other whimsical things.

This Is For You

Rules for My Unborn Son

How to be an Explorer of the World

I Know How to Cook

domino: The Book of Decorating

Widsom: The Greatest Gift One Generation Can Give Another

The Style Strategy

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Tea and Toast Butter Dish

Farmer's Egg Crate

(to store pretty things like rings and earrings)

Lulea Pot Holder

Capri Blue Jar Candle

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide: Day 3

It's time to talk stocking stuffers.  Stockings may single-handedly be my favorite part of Christmas.  I have always loved them and the challenge of finding really unique things with which to fill them.  You can make a stocking into anything you want it to be - it can hold simple, meaningful things or it can be elaborate.  The choice is yours.  I won't be giving away any of my stocking filling secrets because you never know if you'll get a stocking filled by me, but I will share some interesting things (to me) and stocking must haves.

Who doesn't love Mad Libs?

Mad Libs

If you live somewhere that's cold, a nice hat:

Aran Isle Hat

Enough Said:

Banana Grams

I don't think this technically would ordinarily fall under the "stocking" category, but J. Crew's Jackie Cardigan is a wardrobe staple:

Jackie Cardigan

Flip Book

Perfect Fit Ruffle Front Tank

Explorer Kit

The ultimate as in no-stocking-is-complete-without:

Lifesaves Candy Books!

Pick Up Sticks

Burt's Bees

Other great things to include:

DVDs

Small books

Shower gel, bubble bath, and lotion

Movie tickets

Restaurant giftcards

Pens (Sharpies are amazing)

Perfume or cologne

candy, candy, and more candy

CDs

the list could go on and on

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide: Day 2

If you don't enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, shopping online is the perfect place for you.  I for one love shopping around the holidays.  There's just something about carrying bags full of gifts and picking up a Gingerbread Latte that screams "Christmas!" to me, but I can't remember a time when I haven't turned to the Internet to order some gifts.

Below you'll find some of my favorite sites.

Amazon always has great things - and a little of everything. Check these out:

Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer

This Book Will Change Your Life

Crazy Love

Then, there's always Pottery Barn. 

Emmett Jewelry Dresser

Table Topics Conversation Cards

(this would make a great hostess gift)

One of my personal favorite sites - Quotable Cards

 

Fanny Crosby

Peace

My favorite radmacher

(enough with this site.  i'll get carried away.)

Finally, a few other nice sites:

LA PLATES
Beijo Bags
Ticketmaster

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide: Day 1

So, I've decided to do a Christmas gift guide this week at my friend's request, but dear friends and family that read this blog, this is not my Christmas list.  Sure, there are a few things on here I wouldn't turn down, but it's not my list.  I've decided not to make a list.  It's more fun to have surprises.

For the Julia Wannabe:

Mastering the Art of French Cooking

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

For the One Who Likes Unique Things:

It's the Little Things Necklace

Three Wishes Necklace

Anything from Story People or Mary Anne Radmacher.

For the One Who Reads (or is learning or learned a long time ago):

The Giving Tree

For the One Who Likes Happy Art:

"Summer Meadow"

"Sidewalks of Charleston"

 

"On the Harbor"

For the One Who Shops:

Angela

Terra Paisley Shift Dress

Check back tomorrow for a list of great websites!

Lilly, Lilly

I got an e-mail from Lilly this morning about the Jubilee Sale.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for my wallet), the dresses I love are all gone, but here they are:

Elias

Kassidy

Sheldon

And for a new piece that I just may have to pick up, I give you:

Worth Shift Colorblocked

It's almost that time of year.

This post is brought on by the Christmas station playing on Pandora. 

I have always, always loved Christmas.  When I was little, it was my absolute favorite holiday.  It's taken a backseat to Thanksgiving now, but I still love it just as much. 

I love -

• The anticipation of the holiday season.
• Shopping for that perfect gift for someone without asking what they want.
• Being surprised.  I'll try to fool you, but I just really love being totally surprised.
• The warm glow of a fireplace.
• Filling up stockings.
• Reading the Christmas Story on Christmas Eve.
• Hot chocolate.
• Watching The Holiday over and over.
• Candy canes, espcially the fruity kind.
• Listening to Celine Dion's Christmas cd, particularly the song Christmas Eve. 
• Actually, singing along with any Christmas songs starting probably today.
• Watching Friends over and over.  And over.
• Waking up early on Christmas morning.
• Breakfast casserole and ham delights for Christmas breakfast.
• Celebrating with my friends.
• Watching Rudolph and Santa Clause is Coming to Town - the originals.
• Home Alone.
• Decorations.
• Visiting with family admist the chaos.
• Watching people's faces light up.
• Gingerbread lattes.
• The wonder of it all.