Five Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Her

Christmas is around the corner and we all know that sometimes us wives, mothers and adult women are not the easiest to shop for. I have had a bad habit of putting things on my Christmas list that aren’t really for just me, like baby carriers, cooking supplies or memberships to local kid museums.

This year that stops! I am asking for only things that pamper me, make me feel pretty or just something I plain want for myself. That’s my inspiration for this gift guide.

Five Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Her

1. Beauty Counter Makeup. 

Beauty Counter cosmetics
If your girl is the crunchy sort like me, it’s likely she’s cleaned all the chemicals from her lifestyle. One area I’ve found this to be really hard to do is with my makeup. That’s why I love Beauty Counter! All their products are rated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for their safety and have only safe, natural ingredients.

From left to right in the picture above, I have my eye on the Rose Neroli Body Oil, Skin Tint Foundation, Matte Bronzer and Color Pinch Cream Blush. 

2. T3 SinglePass Straightening & Styling Iron (only at Costco)
T3 SinglePass at costcoI have long coarse hair, yet somehow over the years I got out of my habit of using a straightening iron. Maybe before kids I had time to do a blow out with each wash, but now it’s air dry baby! That’s why I was excited when T3 and Costco asked if I wanted to try out the SinglePass iron. This baby heats up quickly and made my hair soft, straight and manageable in five minutes flat. You can buy this iron in Costco stores or on their website starting Dec. 18.

Before (coarse)
T3 singlepass

After (sleek!)
T3 Singlepass iron

3. Egyptian Magic Skin Cream (at Costco)
Egyptian Magic Cream

This is another Costco beauty product I recently fell in love with. Apparently this cream is a favorite among celebrities and I understand why. It includes only the following natural ingredients – olive oil, beeswax, honey, propolis, bee pollen and royal jelly – and has been used to nourish and protect the skin allegedly since Cleopatra’s day.

This lotion is rich, creamy and makes my dry winter skin sing. As an added bonus, it’s also great for sensitive baby and kid skin (but remember, this list is NOT about the kids!! lol).

4. RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner
Revitabrow Eyebrow Conditioner
So you know how thick eyebrows are all the craze with supermodels and celebrities? This product lets normal Janes like us grow amazing eyebrows quickly. I noticed this summer my brows were getting seriously over-plucked, so I bought Revitabrow, put away my tweezers and let those babies grow out. Within a month and a half I had a lot of brow to get shaped and was left with nice thick, Cara Delevigne-esque brows. Only downside it that once you stop using Revitabrow, that new growth will fall out. :(

Before Revitabrow
Before Revitabrow
After Revitabrow
After Revitabrow

5. Stitchfix
Stichfix personal stylist

By now, I’m sure most of you have heard of Stitchfix. If not, here’s the skinny: you pay $20 and a personal stylist sends you five items (clothes, purses, accessories) based on your personal taste. The $20 counts towards whatever you decide to purchase. The rest gets sent back.

I love Stitchfix for so many reasons. You get unique clothes sent right to your door, which is great if you don’t have time to go shop. Your stylist gets to know your personal fashion sense based on a questionnaire, pinterest boards and over time learns what you keep and don’t keep in each fix. The clothes fit my budget perfectly. You can set your budget limit, like “I don’t want to spend more than $50 per item.”

Stitchfix can style women of all ages and even has recently added maternity clothes. I have asked for a Stitchfix gift certificate from my in-laws this year so I can add to my wardrobe.

Stitch fix top and pants I recently kept
Stitchfix gift cards

That wraps it up for what’s on my “only for me!” Christmas list. I hope whatever you get this year makes you feel special, loved and beautiful. Let me know if you have any pampering gifts on your list I should check out.

Happy holidays!

XO – Liz

Disclosure: I was provided the T3 SinglePass iron and Egyptian Magic Skin Cream for free to try. This post contains referral links to Stitchfix and Amazon products. I only recommend products I personally love!

Costco Gift Bag Giveaway – $190 Value!

Update: Congrats to MacKenzie who was the lucky random winner of the giveaway!

Since the weather has gotten warmer, I feel like we’re finally able to experience our neighborhood. Our neighbors are outside, the farmer’s market up the street has started for the summer and we’re venturing out to experience more of the local businesses.

One of the things I love about living in Perrysburg, OH is that it is a thriving, family-oriented community that seems to be growing and developing like crazy. A new development that we are especially excited about is the new Costco going in.

We personally have not been Costco members before, but after hearing about all the natural and organic options they offer, we are planning to become members. I was really happy when Costco reached out to me to help get the word out about their grand opening.

Costco Perrysburg Grand Opening

June 11 at 8:00 am

25400 N. Dixie Hwy, Perrysburg, OH

Become a member ahead of time at their temporary location: 4130 Levis Commons Blvd. Perrysburg, OH 43551

They graciously sent me some natural products to try like a big bottle of avocado oil, some natural Jenna Hipp nail polish and Kirkland all-natural body wash. Costco also offered up a giveaway for you guys that include a gift bag with some of their best organic, natural products, valued at $190!

Here’s whats included:

Costco Giveaway

  • Organic Maple Syrup
  • Variety Snack Nuts
  • Surface Wipes
  • Dried Blueberries
  • Almond Butter
  • Coconut Oil (2pk)
  • Himalayan Pink Salt
  • Albacore Tuna (8pk)
  • Jelly Belly
  • Macadamia Nut Clusters
  • Paper Towels (12pk)
  • Steak Strips
  • Unsalted Fancy Mixed Nuts
  • Organic Salsa (2pk)
  • Peanut Butter Pretzels
  • Body Lotion
  • Chocolate Covered Almonds
  • Apple Sauce (24pk)
  • Microwave Popcorn (44pk)

Pretty great products if you ask me! To enter to win the Costco gift bag*, just leave a comment on this blog post with your favorite Costco product. The giveaway will end on June 5 when a winner will be chosen at random.

Good luck and see you at Costco this summer!

* You don’t have to live in Perrysburg to win the gift bag – we’ll ship it to you where you live. 

Disclaimer: Costco provided me with product to try and the gift basket to giveaway. I only write about companies and products I enjoy and believe it. 

Minted Holiday Card Review – Plus a $50 Giveaway!

I will admit, I am not be the mom who bakes a lot, or does crafty projects each week, or all those other above and beyond things I always mean to do. Who has the time?!

BUT sending out Christmas cards is one item on my do-to list I am committed to. It’s just a nice feeling to send out a beautiful card with photos of our family and well-wishes for the season to all our nearest and dearest. I know, I know … Christmas cards already?!

I’m writing about this now, because recently I was contacted by Minted to check out their new holiday line of cards. As an already established Minted user and fan, I was happy to oblige. Even better, I get to offer one of you a $50 Minted gift card! More details at the bottom of this post. 

For me personally, I am all about showcasing photos in my Christmas cards, so I tend to pick a design that leaves a lot of room for pictures. Here are some of my favorites:

Minted Holiday Card Christmas card Giveaway MInted.com Giveaway Minted Holiday Photo Cards Minted Christmas Cards

 

I am seriously in love with the whimsical holiday designs Minted is offering this year. If you haven’t used Minted before for photo cards. It’s really easy to navigate. You basically choose your preferred design from hundreds, upload your photos, tweak your copy and order. Voila, soon you’ll have beautifully printed Christmas cards at your door. You can even have Minted pre-label your envelopes with all your addresses for an extra fee.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

To enter to win the $50 Minted gift card, just leave a comment on this blog with a link to what Minted Holiday Card design you like best. I’ll pick a winner at random on October 17. In addition, Minted is currently giving everyone 15% off your holiday card + free recipient addressing if you order by Monday using code: EARLYBIRD14.

Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time and provided the $50 giveaway by Minted, but I only write about products I personally love and believe in. 

Etsy Mother’s Day Gifts + Earring Giveaway!

Mother’s Day is coming up! I love this holiday. A whole day dedicated to the love, commitment and compassion we mother’s put into our families. Now that’s something to celebrate!

Since it’s just a few weeks away and you need some lead time when you’re buying something handmade and totally fabulous off Etsy, I decided to but together my list of Mother’s Day gift ideas a bit early. The theme this year? Anything wanted but not needed. IE shiny, pretty, thoughtful gifts that say “I thought you’d enjoy this, mom.”

Mother's Day Gifts

PLUS – you have a chance to win a pair of earrings for yourself or your mom below.

1. Pretty handmade jewelry (Giveaway!)

Jenn, a mom friend of mine, recently shared with me her Etsy shop link and I fell in love! She has the coolest style and it definitely comes through in her creations. Nothing says “you’re special” like some pretty jewelry.

GIVEAWAY!! Jenn has agreed to give away a pair of her super-cute fabric covered stud earrings to one of my readers. To enter to win these earrings, just leave a comment on this post telling us why you love your mom. Entries close Friday, May 2 at 10:00 am PST. 

fabric covered earrings

Here’s a lot at more of the super-cute jewelry Jenn has available in her shop. I’m pretty sure your mom would love any of this.

handmade jewelry for mother's day

2. Handmade ceramic jewelry holder

This is my go-to gift for my recently engaged friends – a pretty place to put their new bling. However, I also love the idea of a ring holder or jewelry dish for mom. This Etsy shop makes a ton of beautiful ceramic dishes and ring holders in a variety of colors.

jewelry dish for mom Ring holder

3. Epsom Bath Salts

I am a big bath person. There’s just nothing more relaxing than a hot soak with a glass of wine after a long day of toddler-wrangling. Epsom bath salts are my favorite because they also pack a lot of health benefits like promoting stress relief, easing sore muscles and joints and removing toxins from the body. Click on either photo below to buy the epsom salt shown in the photo.

Epsom Bath Salts

mothers day bath salt gift

4. A Mom-Approved Wedding Band

When you’re chasing after sticky toddlers with food smeared on your hands and twenty things in your arms, the last thing you want is your diamond getting snagged on your clothes or worse, on little skin. Luke got me a simple gold band like this last year to wear on my “mommy days” and I love it. I actually probably wear this ring more than I wear my diamond. It’s so dainty, simple and elegant. Plus – buying gold is a good investment!

simple gold wedding band

simple gold ring

5. Waxed Canvas Tote Bag

This is another present Luke has gotten me (he has great taste) and I adore it. Waxed canvas it super durable, so no worries if little hands touch it. The leather straps, metal finishing and simple interior make me so happy when I carry this bag and NOT my diaper bag. Here’s the listing on Etsy. waxed canvas tote

mothers day purse

6. Something Pretty for the Home

We women like to surround ourselves with pretty things, but we can’t always internally justify spending money on them. Hello! Perfect gift category. Here is a collection of pretty home things I think your mother would like looking at. Click on the image to go to the Etsy listing.

feminine vases

yellow wreath-

vintage mail holder

crocheted basket

Go with one of these “you don’t need it, but you might want it” Mother’s Day gift ideas and I’m pretty sure your mom will call you her favorite. Or if you’re a mom yourself, maybe leave this post open on your husband’s computer. :)

Don’t forget to leave a comment telling me why you love your mom for a chance to win a pair of Jenn’s pretty fabric covered earrings! Entries close Friday, May 2 at 10:00 am PST.