GIFT GUIDES: FOR HIM

north hat, scarf, nike fuel band, sunglasses, shoes, monogrammed lowballs,  

 faux bois notecard set, tumbler with woven sleeve

This week is all about gift guides! Black Friday is upon us - and if you're like me, you're just starting to make you list. I'm kicking things off with a list for the all important men in our lives and recruited my husband to give this list the final stamp of approval, so hopefully the men in your life will enjoy these gifts, too!

A WEEKEND HERE, PLEASE!

One of my favorite escapes is the north shore of Minnesota [along the shoreline of Lake Superior]. A couple of days amongst the norwegian pines, watching the waves roll in, and strolling in the sweet town of Grand Marais is the best kind of unplugged there is. If my birthday weren't the day before thanksgiving, followed by every single weekend with holiday plans, my birthday wish would be a short weekend on the north shore in a cabin like this one...

via

TO & FROM HOLIDAYS 2013

Katie and Meg over at To & From Magazine continue to give us all the gift of effortless shopping this holiday season with yet another perfect installment of their gift guide. There is so much to love. What I like most is how many small businesses they post things from, and how unique so many of the products are - there is seriously something for everyone on your list, including you dog ;)

BARCART: THANKSGIVING STYLE

Be the hostess with the mostess this Thanksgiving with a stylish and stocked barcart.

I love that you can circle round the table with this glammy gold barcart from my faves over at Society Social. Stir your Mayflower cocktails with customized wooden stir sticks [available in gold too!] - and don't forget to let your guests know what you're serving with this native american inspired frame.

INSPIRING AMERICANA

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Over the weekend I stumbled across the perfect inspiration for making our basement the cozy hangout we have been wanting. We enjoy spending more time in the den during the winter, and hosting movie nights- and this winter I would like to add those last few finishing touches that will make it really feel welcoming. The rest of our house is really open and light, but I love the idea of Ralph Lauren meets Americana in this space, sort of a marriage of these rooms...

 

Building off the things we have collected along the way, and adding a thing or two here and there, I think these statement accessories would be perfect...

 

flag, frames, blankets, tribal pillow, cheetah/plaid pillows, rugs

MERRY MAGNOLIA

It's the first week in November, and I can't believe we're waking up to a fresh blanket of snow this morning. Truth be told. Its pretty - and it makes me want to do some holiday decorating. A house I drove by last night already had all their blow up Christmas lawn ornaments out - so I should probably follow suit. TOTALLY kidding. 

But, I think there is a way to move from Thanksgiving to Christmas with ease. And that involves Magnolia [leaves, garlands.. whichever you fancy]. For those of you living in areas sans Magnolia Trees, Home Depot sells bundles for a great price! I'm in love with these pretty placements...

 trendhunter, miss mustard seed, family circle

When Thanksgiving has passed, add some pine sprigs to your Magnolia groupings and you're all set for Christmas...

DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF GIVING?

A few months ago, I picked up the phone to catch-up with my friend Vanessa who we moved away from when we moved north. Catching up with her is time I'm always appreciative of, and this day was no different. Simply enough, I asked her what she was up to, and she told me that she had been running around all afternoon looking for the perfect pieces to fill up a few backpacks to donate for needy children who were about to begin school.

She told me that when she was young, Hurricane Andrew came through Miami and completely displaced them from their home. All they had at the hurricane shelter were a few items that she had received in a backpack that had been donated. She told me how school was about the start, and she was so grateful for the t-shirt and school supplies in that backpack- she felt like they were the best gifts ever. 

When I got home that day, and email from my sweet friend Ashley over at Lemon and Lavender was sitting in my inbox. We've worked together in the past on my wedding invitation suite, and become blogging friends, and I remain completely in awe of her kind and generous heart. She told me all about why she believes in Project Angel Tree- she had me captivated by about sentence two.  I knew that between my conversation with Vanessa, and Ashley's email, this cause was calling me.

This holiday season, I'm so excited to partner with Ashley and sell this beautiful stationery set and magical stamp she has designed to help bring the magic of Christmas to families across the country. 

Believe Notecard Set and Stamp

6 FAB FALL COATS

 Cooler temperatures are definitely here to stay and I find myself reaching for those "in-between" coats. I love that these are a little bit longer and some even have hoods! Perfect for keeping warm on afternoon walks to take in the fall foliage and looking stylish while running errands, too!