Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's Day is upon us and there's no better way to show your love for your mother (in a non-Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg way), than to spend some quality time with her. But hey a gift couldn't hurt either.

Kate Spade Mom Always Said Idiom Bangle

This is something moms can wear and think about their daughters whenever they wear it.

Birchbox

Pamper your mom with a subscription to Birchbox is great since there's lots of different beauty products for her to try.

Crate & Barrel

Just about anything from Crate & Barrel will make a mothers day. Cookbooks, utensils, bowls, or pieces for entertaining guests is perfect.

Here's to all the  Moms out there that do so much for their children and love them more than words can say. We love you too! 

Shannon

Birthday Gifts

As promised I am sharing the gifts given for my 20th birthday here. And since I will be leaving for Ireland in August and will have to pack light, I received a few travel friendly gifts from my friends and family. 

Travel Items

1. Traveler's 3-Piece Hardsided Luggage - Katie got me amazing luggage that came like Russian nesting dolls and has the ability to roll in any direction.

2. Secret of Kells - Gerred got me this movie to watch on the flight to Ireland.

3. Amelie - Gerred also got me this movie and built us a fort to watch it in. Perfect.

4. Vera Bradley Wristlet - My parents got me this wristlet since I use mine everyday and it was beginning to tear at the bottom.

Lilly Pulitzer Gifts from the Grandparents

1. Tumblr - Since I don't really drink coffee this is perfect for iced tea and smoothies during the summer.

2. Picture Frame - The chum bucket print will be great for a best friend photo from the Jersey Shore Party.

3. Koozie - I don't drink beer, but I can always put bottled water or soda in this.

4. Ink Pen - Such a fancy pen.

5. Insulated Cooler - Perfect for picnics or beach trips and comes with a wine/beer opener.

MAC products from the Parents

1-3. Eye shadow in Steamy, Nylon, and Green Smoke

4. Technakohl liner - Black

5. Brush Cleanser - To clean all my brushes.

6. Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation This foundation is perfect since it's practically see through but covers the red in my face.

7. 190 Foundation brush - Easy application

8. 217 Blending brush - I finally have a blending brush.

9. 239 Eye Shader Brush - So useful.

10. Powder Blush - I've been afraid to use blush, but this gives me definition.

11. Paints - Great primer.

Needless to say it was an excellent birthday, thanks to everyone who made this day special!

Shannon

Gerred's Birthday

This weekend was Gerred's 22nd Birthday. I was happy to spend birthday weekend with him and even more grateful that my parents made his birthday special as well with a cake and birthday dinner. He really had a nice day and enjoyed all of his presents.

Here he is opening his birthday card. I kind of went crazy with watercolors and painted him a giraffe saying "woot! woot!" and of course the "g" on the outside of the present.

 Once he got to the little brown package he meticulously opened the package until he found a little tin. The tin actually confused him since it said "Screen Printing" on the front. But he caught on, since he knew it was coming.

A blue fossil watch. He got such a kick out of it. This whole weekend he'd pull it out and say "Ah, I've got the time" and show me all the cool things it can do. It does second and minutes on a timer as well as military time on the third dial. Perfect for him.

When Gerred and I got back to my house, he found a giant fedex box from his mom and a card from my parents. The card was hilarious, the little animals kept talking for a couple minutes. The best part was when they shouted "clap in unison!"

Ah, the package from Gerred's mom! It included no bake cookies, and Gerred's favorite (super odd) combination of peanut butter, syrup, and New Mexican tortillas.

And here he is blowing out the candles like a dinosaur. It was such a delicious cake!

Happy Birthday Gerred!

Shannon

Top 10 Valentines Gifts: Guys Perspective

During last night's Elm layout meeting, we began to discuss good Valentines gift ideas. We got to talking about yesterday's post of Valentines ideas for guys. However, the Sports Editor said that men want a few things in particular. The girls decided to grill him to come up with the top ten gifts men want for Valentines Day. Here is the clean version of what he said:

Meats and Cheeses. 

"If a girlfriend gave me meats and cheeses, it would guarantee 3 months longer of the relationship." From the conversation we had, all you could get men is meats and cheese and they would be in heaven.

 Lingerie

Well, he is a guy...and it is Valentines Day.

Sweats

"You can never have enough athletic pants."

Tickets to a sporting event

Obviously not a show, a real sporting event, c'mon.

Bacon Roses

Yes these exist and you can make them yourself.

Gift Card

To Five Guys of course. Apparently, meats and cheeses don't just end with a gift box. They continue into burgers.

Beer Holiday 5 pack

Just make sure it's Valentines themed.

Sandwich

A sandwich, brought to him while he watches TV.

A Steak Dinner

It's under the meat clause, but there should be some love involved.

Ten minutes of silence

"That's all I ask."

And that's what a "real" man's idea of what Valentine's Day should look like: meats and cheeses.

Shannon

Valentines Day: Gifts

Remember my Christmas Gift Guide for the Boyfriend? Well I'm here to reinstate a Valentines Day one. I think Valentines seems to be a time when the gifts are very obvious for gentlemen to get their ladies (flowers, chocolate, jewelry etc.) That girls need their own guide that breaks down the Valentines gifts for guys. I'd like to preface that sometimes you really don't need to give a Valentines "gift." Quirky little things that make him laugh or smile work just as well as the cologne you want to give him. Here are some crafty and inexpensive options sure to warm his heart.

Kiss Me Coupons

These are perfect. My friend Val actually made some coupons for her boyfriend. She spent so much time cutting out construction paper and customizing them that it really shows that she made them from her heart.

A Popsicle Stick Frame

Last year, I decided to get really artistic and made Gerred a popsicle stick photo frame. I decorated the outside of the frame with a skittle bag that I had cut up and put in a picture of the first day Gerred and I met. The skittles were significant because he'd actually thrown skittles at me that day. You can take the most simplest of things and add a personal memory and it becomes something that he'll really like.

Valentines Day Postcards

A card is always nice especially in this day in age with informal texting and writing on walls. To send someone a card shows you put thought into your gift and shows how important you think someone is. And you honestly don't have to just send your signifigant other a card. You can send a crush as a secret admirer (funny story, I had one in 6th grade) or your friends a card and it'll most likely brighten their day.

Baking

This one is sure to please. You can bake for anyone and they'll think you're the cat's pajamas. Tiny heart pies? They'll think you're a sorcerer.

Mixed CD

Oh yeah, time to pull out the big guns with the mixed CD. Throwing together some love songs is always a crowd pleaser. There's a million love songs out there, but maybe there's just a few that resonate with the two of you that you can jam onto a disk.

Poem

You may not be the Bard of Avon, but I'm sure you can write up a nice acrostic poem or perhaps a few reasons why you love that person. ie. you don't smell bad, you look decent...

Telegram

This one is such a great idea. Though postcard, cards, and letters are wonderful, nothing can beat a telegram. I'm not sure how Gerred did it, but last year he managed to send me a telegram and told me not to open it until the 14th. He got a lot of props for that.

And remember all of Valentines Day's love shouldn't be reserved for just February 14th. Live everyday like it's Valentines Day and treat the people around you with as much love as you can.

Shannon

Christmas Loot

This Christmas was amazing! I was able to sleep in and put aside my need to get up at 2 AM for presents. It was nice, quiet, and I had my whole family with me. Might I say I have the most adorable little cousins, Jesse, and baby Ilyssa. They were just so happy and giggly that it just put me in a good mood all day. But onto the presents...

This, was my favorite gift! I had posted about this bag awhile back when I first started writing this bag blog (guess you know what's on my mind.) It's perfect I don't have to lug around my shifty case anymore. Now I can look stylish when I hit up New Mexico with my camera next week.

Yep, that was my big gift: another trip to New Mexico, but this time in Winter. I'm so psyched to see this state again. Such a beautiful place. 

Here's my christmas loot:

Lilly Pulitzer clutch from Ryan and Jenn

Epiphanie camera bag from Gerred

plaid scarf from Aileen

3 pots of MAC eyeshadow from Katie

2 fashion books

2 writing books

cable sweater

Army v Navy shirt from Gerred

Farmgirl Hot Cocoa (Dad got it from Vermont)

Navy Crew & Boxer Set from Grandma

I'll even share Gerred's gifts:

video camera (with bag, battery, and memory card) from me

monogrammed flask from Ryan and Jenn

Jameson

coasters

beard hat from me

bacon air freshener

pilot book

plane DVD

naval aviation license plate cover

vienna sausages (don't ask)

movie trivia quiz from me

2 maple syrups (Dad got them from Vermont)

Wonderful Christmas!

Shannon

Christmas Eve

I hope everybody has had a wonderful holiday season with your families. I am so lucky to spend the holidays with Gerred this year and it couldn't be better. He got to see how my family does Christmas starting with my Dad's side of the family for Christmas Eve.

Here are the girl cousins

Me, Tara, Kara, and Kelly all ready for Christmas cheer!

Fun fact, Danny can hold an ornament with his ear.

The over 21ers participate in the White Elephant Christmas which involves stealing gifts of hard core alcohol.

 Kacie and I play it safe by staying out of both the over 21 and the under 18 with our own swap. Make-up and brushes for her and skinny belts and a Forever 21 gift card for me.

 I love my Kacie!

Then we went back to the house to exchange Christmas presents with Ryan and Jenn. And goodness gracious do I love Jenn for getting me this Lilly clutch. Serious excitement there.

Ryan got Gerred a fancy flask with his initials GMO.

Coincidentally December 25th happens to also be Ryan's 28th birthday so I got my brother a birthday hat beard and as a Christmas present this fisherman's sweater. I have such a cool brother.

Lots of holiday wishes out there for everyone!

Shannon

DIY Singing Wallet

Still not sure what to get your man for the holidays? Look no further, than the singing card wallet. I did this for Gerred's 21st birthday and he got such a kick out of it. Get a pair of scissors and these materials:

a musical card

and a wallet

It's all really simple, 

1. Cut the musical chip (I used Star Wars) inside the card out, while still leaving the folding part attached so the chip can be activated.
2. Stick the chip inside the wallet
3. Have him open the wallet and here the music!

For an added bonus you can write a note inside, leave a few gift cards, or even tickets to an event or game.

Gift Guide for the Girlfriend

Hello, after making the boyfriend gift guide I got a request to make a gift guide for girlfriends. So here you go guys, this should steer you in the right direction.

 Dogeared has a great create your own charm bracelet that you can customize to fit her personality: including initials, religion, birthstone, and hobbies!

Simple jewelry is the way to go, and this One in a Million necklace is sure to make her smile.

Be like this guy and paint your girl some pottery at Clay Bakers or another pottery painting place in your area. Don't worry about your art skills, she'll love the thought you put behind it!

You can also give her a journal and write her a note in the front so she can look at that whenever she writes in it. For bonus points, you could even press some flowers in there.

Gifts for the Boyfriend

If you've ever had a hard time finding gifts for your boyfriend. Here are some simple routes to go that he'll love. Also, remember, that just about anything you give your man, he'll love since it's from you.

I got Stuff Every Man Should Know for Gerred last Christmas. He really liked it. It has just about all the useful things a guy might need to know: How to tie a bow tie, how to iron, what to say to a lady, and how to golf. 

A Bow Tie (or tie) is always nice and you can help him tie it when he wears it to a formal.

Twist Leather Watch - Brown and Champagne

If you'd like to give a long lasting gift, try a watch. And here is another watch from American Eagle that's a good price too.

Here's an easy one, Skyrim. He's probably foaming at the mouth for this game. Give him this game.

And lastly, if you'd like to give a hilarious gift, give him the Old Spice Bear Deodorant Protector.