Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Sunday (May 13) is Mother’s Day. If it slipped your mind, you still have time to dash out and grab a gift. But don’t just pick up any old thing; give Mom something she’ll love. This is the time to remind Mom how beautiful she is inside and out. Wrap one of these beauties up, kiss your mama, and say thank you…cause after all, she’s the reason you’re here. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

1. Tory Burch “Brigitte” Small Cosmetic Case ($55)
2. SpaFinder gift card, for a day of pampering at her favorite local spa (check website for spas that accept this giftcard; $your choice!).
3. Clarisonic Mia 2 skin cleansing system ($149)
4. Kate Spade “Mom’s The Word” Daisy Earrings ($58)
5. Coralia Lee Double Chain Mother-Daughter Pendant ($325)
6. Lilly Pulitzer Melamine Serving Tray ($36)
7. A personalized bouquet. Assemble one similar to this by picking up a mug with her first initial on it (2 inexpensive versions at Anthropologie here & here). Trim some fresh-cut flowers (I love peonies), and you’ve got a gorgeous arrangement ready for Mom. (Image via Simply Bloom photography)
8. J.Crew Factory Perfect Printed Scarf in Paris Pink ($29.50)

Easter Goodies

Who needs a basket filled with chocolate bunnies and eggs when you can have pastels for your body? Even if you don’t celebrate Easter (or aren’t into bunnies), you can still be a hot chick if you rock these pretty pastel hues. Tuck these into a basket for someone special, or treat yourself to these delightful, cheerful products.

1. Essie polishes in Turquoise & Caicos, Lovey Dovey & Tart Deco ($8 each): Because nails this colorful will rival the dyed eggs at the egg hunt. (Images via Essie)

2. Tarte Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss in Amused, Dollface, & Tipsy ($21 each): I dare you to find a prettier pink for your pout! (Image via Musings of a Muse)

3. Lush Immaculate Eggception ($12.95): Inside this fizzy bath bomb shaped like an Easter egg lies a surprise: a bunny or chick that you can also toss into your tub for a sumptuous bubble bath. You’ll have to crack the egg to get it, but that’s half the fun! (Image via Lush)

4. L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Pink Satin ($8): A gorgeous pink that cushions lips in buttery balm. (Image via drugstore.com)

5. Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24Hour Cream Gel Shadow in Edgy Emerald ($): (Image via drugstore.com)

6. NYX Stick Blush in Magnolia or Orchid ($6 each): Because pink or peach cheeks never go out of style. (Image via NYX)

Happy Spring!

Birds chirping. Tulips. Easter. Dyed eggs. Bunnies. Chicks. Dogwood blossoms. Longer days. Warmer temperatures. Birds’ nests. Spending more time outdoors. Dining al fresco. Speckled robin’s eggs. Fresh asparagus. Daffodils. Chocolate candy and Cadbury Creme Eggs. Pastels. Leaves on trees. Egg hunts. Green grass finally growing again. Flowers in bloom.

HAPPY SPRING!

Top image via, bottom image via.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Lots of love and hugs from me to you! When looking for a Victorian/vintage-style Valentine image for this post, I came across so many adorable ones, I couldn’t pick just one…so I’m sharing all of my favorites with you! xoxo
Images via Pinterest

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very glamorous new year. May great things come your way in 2012!

Ways to Sparkle on New Year’s Eve

If there ever was an occasion that called for glitter, it’s New Year’s Eve! Shake up your makeup this weekend with a healthy dose of sparkle. Here, some inspiration via Pinterest (my obsession).

Classic silver, done elegantly with muted makeup. Love this!Even just applied from the crease down, silver can still pack a punch.Gold on the lid turns up the volume on a smoky eye.Blue is a bold departure from basic black.

And don’t forget to place a tissue on your cheek before you apply. It will catch the glitter that falls and make your life a whole lot easier come clean-up time. (If you forget, take a strip of scotch tape and gently press the sticky side against your skin and peel it up to lift the glitter off. Repeat until you’re glitter-free, but do so carefully!)

Images via Pinterest

Merry Christmas!

Image via Carolyn Cochrane/Getty

Before the last-minute crush, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very merry Christmas. If you celebrate the holiday, I hope you enjoy time relaxing and laughing with family, friends, and loved ones.

I’ll be on a light schedule next week, but pop in before the week is over to see some fun new ideas to glam up for New Year’s Eve!

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $100

There are some seriously cool gifts out there for less than $100. The best part? A lot of them are customized, so you can give a gift from the heart.

1. For the Trendsetter: Aqua’s Laurel Cowlneck Poncho with Pockets ($98) lets her indulge in the cape trend. (Image via Bloomingdales)

2. For the Jewelry-Obsessed: The Long Acorn Necklace ($68) from Ann Taylor infuses a nature-inspired acorn with a hint of glam. It’s a bit of understated bling for her neck. (Image via Ann Taylor)

3. For the Gardener: Make her a homemade holiday terrarium to keep indoors. Terrain has everything you need to craft one that she’ll love. (Image via Terrain)

4. For the Foodie: Get her a giftcard to her favorite local restaurant from restaurant.com. This site slashes prices and offers deep discounts on tons of restaurants in cities and towns across the country. (Image via restaurant.com)

5. For the Athlete: What to get the runner, yogi, dancer, or fitness enthusiast? Lululemon’s Run: Inspire Crops ($86) are like a second skin, so she can move easily in them. Plus, they’ve got a clever hidden zippered pocket at the back of the waistband so she can tuck credit cards, cash, or an extra hair tie in there. (Image via Lululemon)

6. For the Beauty Blogger (or your BFF): Sephora Favorites ($75) wraps up all of Sephora’s bestsellers into 1 neat little package. The kit includes small(er) sizes of customer faves, including: Urban Decay eyeshadow in Sin; Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer in Potion; Smashbox Photo Finish Primer; Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF20 in Nude; NARS Illuminator in Orgasm; Philosophy Hope In A Jar; Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in black; Buxom Lash mascara in Blackest Black; Sephora Collection lipstick in The Red 04; and Marc Jacobs Daisy rollerball fragrance. (Image via Sephora)

7. For the Career Woman: J.Crew Factory’s Exhibitor Canvas Tote ($98) is the ideal carryall for everything from files to gadgets. A zipper around the bottom expands to let her stash an extra pair of flats. (Image via J.Crew Factory)

8. For the Old-Fashioned Gal: Paper Source’s customized return address embosser ($31.50-$60) will be something she’ll use over and over, on all her written correspondence.

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50

Next up in my holiday gift guide series: the $50 and under category. Proof that you can get really fab gifts for not a lot of cash! Most of these items fall well under the $50 mark; most are just over $25. In this rough economy, you don’t have to empty your wallet to show someone you really care. A little thought goes a long way…but if you’re truly stumped as to what to get them, here are some suggestions.

1. For the Working Girl: Kate Spade 2012 Spiral Desk Calendar ($38) lets her “live colorfully” while staying organized and punctual. It’ll bring a bright spot to the days she spends at her desk. (Image via Kate Spade)

2. For the Jewelry Lover: Anthropologie’s Gilded Plank Earrings ($29.95) add just enough glitz to her earlobes with shiny gold and sparkling CZ stones. (Image via Anthropologie)

3. For the Newlywed: Crate & Barrel’s Happy Tumblers ($3.95 each, $47.40 for a set of 12) are so infectiously merry, she’ll want to use them long after her holiday entertaining is over. (Image via Crate & Barrel)

4. For Your BFF: Give her an original piece of art from Kristina Hultkrantz’s Etsy shop, where she sells prints of her illustrations (starting at $11.82) of the personal items of iconic ladies. She features the signature items of Jackie Kennedy (pictured above), Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, and Kate Middleton, to name a few. Also available: glamorous vignettes of fashionable items, such as Hermes trays stacked high with Vogue tomes. Perfect for your BFF’s bathroom or expanding art collection. (Image via emmakisstina/Etsy)

5.  For Your Crafty Gal Pal: I love Toronto artist Gaby Burger’s Etsy shop The Vault Jewels. Her jewelry is chic yet statement-making, a little organic-feeling, and above all, handmade — which anyone with a penchant for DIY will appreciate. Especially pretty is the Becky in stone bar bracelet ($35), which combines fuschia and turquoise stones with matte gold for a pop of glam color on her wrist. (Image via The Vault Jewels/Etsy)

6. For the Tween: For the girl who’s just dying to feel older, bundle Lauren Conrad Style ($12), Whitney Port’s True Whit ($14), Rachel Zoe’s Style A to Zoe ($11), and Lo Bosworth’s The Lo-Down ($10) to give her fashionable advice from the chicest reality stars. (Images via Amazon)

7. For the Makeup-Obsessed: Smashbox’s Click! You’re It Eye Palette ($40, LE) crams in everything she needs to get glam eyes for holiday parties and nights on the town: 15 eyeshadows, 5 cream liners, a mini tube of Photo Finish Lid Primer, and “Get the Look” cards, with step-by-step instructions on how to create gorgeous looks. (Image via Sephora)

8. For the Hostess: Linnea’s Lights Fir Candle ($30) makes for a beautiful package, and will make his/her home smell like a Christmas tree. (Image via Terrain)

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $25

Image via Getty/ImageZoo

It’s that time of year, ladies! My holiday gift guides are super popular every year, and of course, I decided to do them again this year. You’ll find something for all the ladies on your list in this series. Since today (Black Friday) marks the start of the shopping frenzy, I decided to publish this post to help you avoid the mall madness and get some shopping done online (if you prefer).

First up: all the great gifts under $25 you can cram into 1 post!

1. For the Fashionista: Forever 21 Cowlneck Leopard Print Dress ($22.80): This fierce, fashionable, slinky dress is perfect for prowling the town. (Image via Forever21)
2. For the Jewelry Nut: Bird & Branch Jewels. A little self-promotion here! All my pieces are under $25, handcrafted with love, and come in beautiful packaging…no wrapping required!
3. For the Next Martha Stewart: Design*Sponge At Home (on sale for $23): This hefty hardcover features house tours, DIY projects, and a slew of great ideas for the home. A book she’ll turn to again and again. (Image via Amazon)
4. For the Fragrance Fiend: Clean Miniature Trio ($15): Let her sample 3 of Clean’s lovely, fresh fragrances (Fresh Laundry, Cotton T-Shirt, Warm Cotton) for way less than the price of a full-size bottle. (Image via Sephora)
5. For the Homebody: Rococo Tall Bell Candle ($20): This candle, with an etched glass bell-shaped cover, has a Frosted Birch Bark scent, and makes for a pretty decoration and a lovely room fragrance. (Image via Anthropologie)
6. For the Beauty Junkie: e.l.f. 24k Makeup Clutch ($18): This tiny gold “clutch” packs in 47 essentials: eyeshadow, blush, lipcolor, highlighter, bronzer, and eyeliner, all zipped up in 1 convenient, portable case. (Image via e.l.f.)
7. For Your Co-Worker: Lilly Pulitzer 2012 Small Agenda ($15.95): She’ll never miss a meeting again with this on her desk. (Image via Lilly Pulitzer)
8. As Just a Small Token: Forever21 Feminine Roses Stud Set ($3.80): Hey, for less than $5, you can’t go wrong. Perfect when you just want to give someone a little something. (Image via Forever21)