Men and Women Holiday Gift Guide 2013

Here's my practical yet thoughtful gift guide.  Some of the items are a bit pricey so I also included alternatives.  I included my top 3 favorite perfumes, Creed, Balenciaga Florabotanica and Bond No 9.  One of my favorite items is the mink faux fur travel blanket, so soft and pretty.  I love watches so I had to include at least two and I'm really into ear cuffs which I think make a funky, unexpected gift.  The Swarovski earrings are perfect for any loved one, friend or a co-worker, I think they are very versatile and not expensive for a nice set of earrings.  I have two pairs.  I think Uggs went from being a trendy Hollywood item, remember when Britney Spears and every celebrity was wearing them in the summer, to a wardrobe staple.  I own three pairs and all super comfy and warm.  Perfect for running errands or a day out. 

Holiday gift guide by almie917 featuring canvas wall art

Click on the thumbnail for purchasing info. 

I always have a hard time with the men's gift guide so I actually thought a lot about it.  Let's ignore my favorite, the obvious Givenchy leather backpack, and lets focus on the practicality of it all.  Simple, yet tasteful gifts.  In my opinion at least.  The Prada driving shoe is perfect for spring/summer.  The TOMS are a funky alternative to your day to day shoe and the velvet bow tie elevates the look of any outfit.  My hubby loves karaoke so I had to include that in there.  He also loves his backpack. 

 

I need to get my shop on because I have yet to purchase any gifts.  Usually I'm done by this time but with work and preparing for the baby and making my own baby shower invitations I have had no time!

Happy Holidays!

Armed and dangerous

This weekend V and I did our baby registry! It was so much fun.  I did a lot of research before hand so I had a list of things I wanted to register for before I went into the store.  A friend recommended the book, Baby Bargains, and it was super helpful.  They update it often so it's important to always get the latest edition.  You can also check out their website.  They have useful info like recalls and you can also follow their blog. 

It was a great experience! We registered at Pottery Barn Kids and Babies R Us.  I was a bit disappointed with PBK because most of their merchandise is made in China.  Sad face.  Either way it was fun.  We only spent a total of 3 hours registering.  I was super proud of myself.  I did not find it overwhelming at all but probably because I was prepared.  I recommend everyone research and pick out the things you want before hand before going into the store.  With so many selections the process can be pretty overwhelming.  We finally set the baby shower date and the invites are going out this week!



                  

Those are some of the things we registered for.  I had my heart set on a Bugaboo.  The reviews are great and as the sales woman at Neiman's put it, it is the BMW of strollers.  My parents wanted to gift it to us but after speaking to so many moms and my brother I realized I don't know how much use I'll get out of it.  So we opted for the Britax.  I love it! We tried it out and it is so easy to maneuver.  The 3 wheel design makes it easier to turn.  It is pretty light weight and we like the travel system and it also comes with the base for the car seat.  We are very happy we registered for the Britax B Agile travel system.  The other reason we opted not to get the Bugaboo is because we are considering baby wearing in which case we wouldn't need a stroller at all.  I am also super excited about the g diapers.  Yes, I have decided to use cloth diapers.  After all the research I think that's what I want to do, if we don't like it we can always switch.  We even ran into a woman at Babie's R Us who has being doing it for her 2.5 year old and she is also doing it for her next baby, she's pregnant now.  She gave me a ton of useful tips! 

I also caved in and finally bought a pair of maternity jeans.  I didn't want to spend so much money initially but the reviews on the J Brand maternity jeans are great and they're supposed to grow with you.  I only wear jeans on the weekends and only for a few hours,I have a busy work week, so hopefully one pair will suffice.  I scored the Alice and Olivia pullover a few months back at Marshalls for $60! I love the pullover because it still fits and also because I can dress it up or down. 

OOTD: J Brand Maternity Jeans, Alice and Olivia sequined sweater similar here and here, Christian Louboutin booties no longer available similar here and affordable version here, Chanel handbag.

 

JT concert: The 20/20 experience

JT was AHHHHMAZING last Thursday.  It was my 4th time watching him perform.  Twice before with NSYNC and once with Christina Aguilera.  We missed his last concert because when I asked for tickets V thought it was more of a suggestion than a requirement.  I have always loved his performances but this was by far my favorite.  It's nice to watch the evolution of an artist.  His crowd a lot more mature now as well as his style and music.  I feel like I've evolved with him all these years.  He's 13.5 months older than I so we basically grew up together though far apart.  It was an amazing show not only did he perform current songs but also songs from his previous 2 solo albums.  Since he was in Texas he had to makes us feel special which he did by singing Deep in the heart of Texas and sampling Beyonce's Bow down.  He also performed Michael Jackson's Human Nature, Elvis' Heartbreak Hotel and Bell Biv DeVoe's Poison.  If you have not seen JT perform yet I suggest you buy tickets to his next concert and run, walk, take the train, take a plane, drive, hitchhike or do whatever you have to do to get there because it you missed his 20/20 experience you're basically missing out on life.  #forreals.

Baby K had a great time too kicking and moving around throughout the entire concert, dancing along.  We had floor seats but the only problem is that I'm so short that even with heels I had a hard time looking over people's heads.  He had a retractable stage which moved so everyone got a good look at him.  It was amaze!

Don't forget to check out his latest movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, which opened over the weekend and should be pretty good given that it's a Coen brother's movie.   I can't wait to watch it.  I'm more of a rom com type girl because they're the ones that give me the least amount of anxiety but I've seen every Coen movie with the exception of No country for old men because I could not get past Javier Bardem's crazy looking hair.  Oh and Adam Driver is also in the movie so Girls fans will probably run to the theater just to get a glimpse of Adam before Girls starts next month.  AHHHH!!!!

OOTD: D&G striped dress, Zara jacket, Report Signature thigh high boots.  Similar here.
on V: Hugo Boss Velvet blazer (2010), similar here.  Z Zegna slim oxford shirt, Diesel Zatiny jeans, Ferragamo belt, Hugo Boss sneakers