My Favorite Gift Ideas for Everyone

I really do love gift guides and always feel like people can use a little help in this department when they are shopping for the holidays; but this year, I just haven't had the extra time to put them together.  They can be quite time-consuming.  And honestly, there are so many other good one's out there, you don't really need mine :)  Instead, I thought I would keep it to one simple post and just give you a few of some of my favorite ideas this year (most that have been tried by me)! 

 || Yeti 30oz Rambler Tumbler {$39.99} ||

This cooler goes EVERYWHERE with me.  People stop and ask me about it all the time and I really can't brag about it enough.  I've been pregnant or nursing for this entire year and it's been such a lifesaver to keep me hydrated.  The ice stays in it for-ever! I take it to bed with me at night and there is still ice in it in the morning.  (And if you're local, Pizzaz in Gulf Breeze monograms them for free!!)

|| Emily Ley Simplified Planner {$58.00}||
I've tried different planners for the last two years and am finally going with the Simplified Planner this year.  I love the looks, size, and layout of this planner so much.  Even though I use my phone a ton for scheduling these days, I still love to have an old fashion calendar around. 

 || Velvet Crate ||
This is a new-to-me company that helps take all the stress out of gift giving.  They have figured it all out for you!! They have developed several different "gift packages" and all you have to do is click purchase.  The prices include shipping and no sales tax if you live outside of Kansas! I love this concept so much.  They have some cute birthday gift ideas too which makes for a great surprise to a good friend.

For Him {$68}

Dave's Coffee French Roast "Black Crow" Coffee// Jack Black Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather// Sock 101 The Thompson Blue and Navy Striped Sock // Liddabit Sweets Bourbon Bacon Caramel Corn Popcorn

For Her {$58} 

Illume Balsam & Cedar Candle //  Liddabit Sweets Sea Salt Caramels // Rosanna Star Trinket Tray //

The Social Type "Cheers!" Matches

 || Yeti Beer Holder {29.99} ||

I know I already mentioned the Yeti Tumbler, but I have to mention this beer cooler for the men too.  Hell, I'd even like one of these for myself.  This baby works better than any Koozie out there and who likes warm beer??? Not me!!

|| All Out Celebrations New Years Eve Kit {$50} ||

I've mentioned this company before and can't get enough of all their cuteness.  I love this little party kit for NYE.  How many of us hate making plans for NYE???  It's always such a hassle and usually a BUST.  This little gift could make someone's NYE a party right at home.  It's even great for the kids!

This kit contains:

6 Meri Meri confetti poppers

Time capsule with 6 custom memory sheets

6 Meri Meri gold and white star cups

6 black and white striped paper straws

3 Adorable tassel party hats and 3 New Years Eve Tiaras

6 Party Partners Rainbow horns

Custom 2016 banner

Photo props including neon shutter shades, glasses, mustaches and lips

 || Established Home Vintage Finds {$45}||
Where are my fans of the blue and white ginger jars and vases out there?? If you have a collection displayed in your house, you need to add this pineapple!! I'm pretty obsessed with this little number plus lots of other cute gift ideas from this store.  They have some darling linen cocktail napkins for the bar too! 

|| Shutterfly Photo Ceramic Mug {$21.99) ||
I can't finish a gift list without including Shutterfly.  Photo gifts make the best gift and I will forever believe this is true.  My family asks for these every year and they always want a phonebook made from any trip we've had together too.  I always love to give these gifts.  Check out the calendars as well, because those are easy and fun too.

I hope this helps you with some last minute gift ideas!! What is one of your favorite ideas for gifts this year??  I'm always needing some new ideas!

Join Natalie and I for Thoughts for Thursday and link-up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Pregnancy Gift Basket | DIY

A good friend of mine just found out she was pregnant recently and I wanted to do something special for her.  I had a few things around the house that I knew I could use and also some new items I wanted to put together.  I got the idea from Christina's cute Honeymoon Basket she made awhile back.  

You can of course put anything you want in the basket.  I had some pregnancy books that I knew I wanted to hand-down to her and put in a few of my favorite things that I enjoyed when I was pregnant.  

I loved the Dr. Teal's epsom salt baths.  I usually buy the lavender scent, but they didn't have it at the store when I went.  I also included my favorite Little Unicorn swaddle for new baby and my "alcohol-removed" wine that got me through a few social functions when I was pregnant.  I was looking for a Fit Pregnancy magazine, but couldn't find one, so that's why she got Shape! 

I wanted to also include a cute water tumbler in the bag, but I ran out of time.  I'm constantly thirsty when I'm pregnant.

What were some of your pregnancy must-haves that would have been cute to add to her gift??

Badger Moses Basket
Free Printed Banner

Here was my list of pregnancy must-haves from my first pregnancy. 

 

Brody's 2nd Birthday Wishlist

Brody turns TWO this weekend!! I can hardly believe it.  We are keeping things very simple and small this year for his birthday celebration.  I didn't have it in me to throw the enormous blow-out party like we did last year.  I'm happy to just celebrate with family this year and I know Brody won't know any different :)  Here's a round-up of some wish list items I had put together for our family to give ideas for gifts this year.  

Brody's 2nd Birthday Wishlist by homeofmalones on Polyvore

Hape BBQ Pit and Shish Kabob Set (I love this hotdog and hamburger set too) - We plan on keeping this BBQ pit on our outdoor covered patio.  I'm praying that it will last well in the outdoor weather.  

Fisher-Price Doodle Pro- Brody is loving to draw and color right now and I love the idea of these doodle boards since they have zero chance for catastrophe unlike a child with a marker does!

Land of Nod Extracurricular Table - This table is awesome and we will use it in our new "playroom" as a coffee table space as well as a craft table.  It has lots of options to add on with it or buy later down the road when needed.

Leap Frog Reader Milestone Books - I'm excited to see how Brody enjoys the Leap Reader Junior (below).  These books are great for discussing potty training, big brother status, and sleeping in a big boy bed!

Leap Reader Junior- This little "pal" helps kids get ready to read and is compatible with lots of books including the ones described above.

Fisher-Price Classic Record Player - I love this classic record player that comes with 5 discs which includes a total of 10 classic nursery songs.  Brody is loving music right now and I think he will have a ball with this record player.

Hape Refrigerator (I love this salad set to go with it)- We gave Brody the matching Hape Kitchen last year for his first birthday and he loves playing with it still.  I wanted to add onto the collection plus give us even more storage space :)

I also keep going back and forth about this train table set.  The only place we really have to put it is over in the man cave and I can't decide if we would use it enough over there or not.  Tell me your thoughts on train tables for anyone that has experience.  Are they worth the setup and space they take up??  Do the kids use them for a long time??  Help a Mama out :)

I hope this helps any other Mama's out there looking for gift ideas for their kids.  I know I always steal ideas from other Mom's out there and love reading their thoughts and reviews.  Let me know if you have any questions or if I'm missing any great toy ideas for a two year old!!!

 

Can't Live Without It {Toddler Edition} | Hero Me

Hi, friends!  I'm excited to be a part of Stephanie's new link up today called "Can't Live Without It."  It really can be about anything, anyone or anywhere that you want to share with your readers.  Today I'm really excited to finally introduce to all of you an amazing super hero that is Brody's can't live without item.   

Do any of you remember my sweet friend (and currently retired blogger) named Annie from Ann Elliott?? Annie and I went to college together and she and her husband live in their hometown of Jacksonville, FL.   The two of them had a vision years ago and they have busted their little butts to make it a reality.  Their company is called Hero Me!!

Hero Me is a unique way to promote creativity and encourage kids to "do good."  When the site was first launched it was geared towards young boys to design, name, and choose super hero powers for their very own Super Hero!  Now, they not only appeal to little boys; but they have developed an entire girls line too!!!  

Once your HeroMe is purchased, they will walk you or your child through steps to customize your hero.   You choose a face, arm and leg that all have various abilities. 

Once you have selected exactly what you want, your new personalized super hero is sent right to your doorstep!!! You will receive your HeroMe figure, an ID card, and a 46 page handbook with adventures and stories for you new super hero! 

And here is Brody's final product!!!  He loves to pick him up and spin his helicopter arm and move his little legs around.  He still has some time before he really grows into understand his full capabilities, but it's so much fun to watch him explore.

You can find more information about the brand on their Facebook page and you can also purchase gift certificates for friends or family members.  I've become pretty obsessed with Shark Tank lately and I could totally see them killing it with this company on Shark Tank.  Not that they need it, but it would be so much fun to see them selling it on TV!!!

*Brody did receive his Hero Me figure as a gift, but all reviews and opinions are my own. 

Linking up with Stephanie, Cait and Laura for Can't Live Without