{Holidays} Minted's Holiday Inspiration Board Challenge

Through The Woods board by Jessica. See more Minted

It's that time of year again!  I had so much fun putting together my inspiration board last year for Minted's Inspiration Board Challenge, I just had to do one again this year.  I've been really inspired lately by Scandinavian design and also an overall "woodsy" feel especially for the holidays.  If you want to see where my photos came from here are the links (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

{Last Minute Gift Guide} The Techie

Today is the final day of my Last Minute Gift Guide, and I've made sure that they are the easiest items to pick up so close to Christmas.  Everything from today's guide can be purchased at Target.

1) The Nikon COOLPIX S01 10.1MP Digital Camera is super tiny, which makes it great for not only the novice photography, but also for the more experienced photographer who wants a camera they can throw in their bag to make sure they never miss a photo op.  

2) Apple In-Ear Headphones.  These came with the new iPhone, and they are SO much better then the old ones that used to make my ears hurt after an hour or so.  They would make a great gift for anyone with an older model iPod or iPhone.

3) Mobilexpressions Polka Dot Case.  This is the case that I have on my phone as I type this.  It is super cute, and it's super slim so it doesn't add extra bulk to your phone.  

4) I absolutely love this Crosley iDeco Universal iPod Doc.  It's not an eyesore like some of the other iPod speakers out there.  

5) Isotoner SmartTouch Glove.  It's so nice not having to take off your gloves to use your phone, and with emerald green being 2013's "it" color, they are stylish too!

6) The Mobilexpressions Chevron iPad Folio is super cute!  I actually have this too (someone bought themself too many Christmas presents this year), and I really like it.  It's not as fab as my Dodo case, but its like a third of the price so I can't complain.

Well that is it for my Last Minute Gift Guide.  I wish you all happy last minute shopping trips!

{Last Minute Gift Guide} The Fashionista

Madewell is the perfect place to pick up some fabulous items for The Fashionista in you life, and it has to be one of my all time favorite stores (I may have mentioned that before).

So let's get to the fabulous gift ideas...

1) Drifter Shades.  Every girl needs a great pair of sunglasses, and I just love the vintage vibe of these!

2) The Lovelock Clutch is a great classic bag that your Fashionista will be able to use for years to come.  

3) Bluestone Statement Necklace.  I saw this necklace in the store the other day, and it is crazy pretty! 

4) I love this Dotted Tux Shirt because it would look great with a pair of jeans, but it would also look great with a cute skirt or under a dress.  

5) The Frankie Pump.  The no white after Labor Day rule no longer applies.  This shoes would look awesome with a great pair of skinny jeans.  

6) Skinny Skinny Ankle Jean.  Speaking of skinny jeans, these are great.  Dark jeans like this are so versatile because you can dress them up or dress them down.

Only one more day of Last Minute Gift Ideas!  Are you all ready for Christmas yet?

{Last Minute Gift Guide} The Man

I don't know about the men in your life, but the men in mine are really hard to shop for.  Alas, you must try because they deserve fun gifts too, and so today's Last Minute Gift Guide is for The Man in your life.  Everything can be found at Urban Outfitters.

1) Maptote Boston Tee because most guys would prefer to just be lounging around in a comfy t-shirt.  

2) Fluid Big Ben Wood Watch.  A good watch is my husbands go to accessory, and this wood watch is  awesomely different!

3) Ray-Ban Folding Wayfarer.  I love that these sunglasses are both super stylish and convenient.  They can just fold them up and throw them in their pocket.   

4) Guitar Pick Punch.  Obviously this gift isn't for every guy, but any guy who's a guitar player is sure to like this awesome gift.  I couldn't even begin to count the amount of times I've watch my husband play with a quarter or a cut up credit card.

5) The North Face E-Tip Glove.  Practical and fun, now they can keep their fingers warm and still chuck those Angry Birds.  

6) Fred Perry Classic Overnight Bag.  Every guy should have a stylish overnight bag, and this one is stellar.  It reminds me of an awesome vintage bowling bag...in a good way of course!

Tomorrow I'll be back with a Last Minute Gift Guide for The Fashionista in your life.  I hope you all are having a great week so far!  

{Last Minute Gift Guide} Beauty Obsessed

Today's Last Minute Gift Guide is for the Beauty Obsessed, and you can find everything at Sephora.

Now on to the list...

1) Tocca Profumo Veloce Florence.  Oh my goodness do I love Tocca perfume, and this set is perfect to throw in your purse or to take when you're traveling.

2) butter LONDON Nail Lacquer in Macbeth.  Every beauty obsessed girl loves pretty nail polish, so it was a must to add to this list.  I love this peach coral color!

3) Clarisonic Mia2.  My Clarisonic is one of my top 5 must have beauty products.  I've been using it for about 10 months now and my skin has improved dramatically. 

4) Too Faced Better Than False Lashes.  You may remember me obsessing over this mascara a few months ago, and at $35 it's the perfect gift that she may not be buying herself.  

5) T3 Source Showerhead Filter.  We replaced our shower head this summer with one of these, and I love it.  Definitely helps with the frizz!

6) Lancome Artliner Eyeliner.  Perfect for the ladies out there that want to try all those fun new eyeliner techniques popping up on Pinterest.

Well that's it for the Beauty Obsessed.  I'll be back tomorrow with another fabulous Last Minute Gift Guide!  Happy shopping!

{Last Minute Gift Guide} The Hostess

My first Last Minute Gift Guide was carefully picked for The Hostess in your life.  This was a fun one for me to put together because oh my do I like to host.  I would be super excited to receive anything shown!  

There are obviously lots of places to buy gifts for the hostess on your list, but Anthropologie is such a great one stop shop for gifts that are a little more unique.  Here is the scoop on all the items.

1) The Stripes Abound Apron because every hostess needs a cute apron.
2) The Chipper & Sprite Serving Set, vintage meets modern with this cute serving set.
3) The Illume Mercury Dot Candle comes in 5 different scents/shades.  The spiced Amber is my fave.
4) How cute is this Peony Portrait Platter!  I love the hand drawn look of the pattern.  So pretty!
5) Color Pop Coffee Pot.  I have one of these, and I love it.  I wish that mine was this colorful!
6) The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook because a hostess can't host without good food!

Hopefully that will help you check the hostess of your list.  I'll be back tomorrow with another Last Minute Gift Guide!  

{Holidays} Last Minute Gift Guide

I don't know about you guys, but this holiday season has really gotten away from me!  I usually plan ahead and I'm generally done Christmas shopping weeks in advance.  This year is a whole different story.  I basically just started last Friday....yikes!  Luckily, I've found out that procrastination seems to pay off.  There are way more deals out there the closer it gets to Christmas!

I thought this week I would try to help out all you last minute shoppers with some great gift ideas.  I will have a particular recipient in mind each day and all items will come from one store because if you a running short on time the fewer stops the better.

Check back tomorrow for my first batch of ideas!

{Lovely Pins} Unconventional Christmas Trees

Image Sources (clockwise from top left): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Nothing excites me more than picking out our Christmas tree every year.  That being said,

I've loved seeing all the unconventional Christmas trees that have been popping up on Pinterest!  It's so fun to see all the creative ideas people come up with.  I love getting a fresh tree, but I might have to do another "fun" tree down stairs.   

{Causes} Help the Victims of Hurricane Sandy

This is that wonderful time of year when we all get excited for the holidays.  We decorate our houses with pretty things and start to think about presents for our loved ones.  Unfortunately, a lot of the victims of Hurricane Sandy don't have that luxury.  Many of them won't have a home to decorate, or the funds or time to even think about buying their loved ones gifts.

It's the perfect time of the year to give back to those who are less fortunate, and that is why I'm teaming up with some great bloggers to raise money to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  All of the funds raised will go to the American Red Cross which has been very instrumental in the recovery process.  You can help us raise money by going to one of two places.  You can either click the "Donate Now" button on the right side of the page, or you can click here to go directly to our fundraising page.  Every little bit counts and is much appreciated!

Once you have donated, I have designed a pretty little button for you to post on your blog/website to help spread the word to others.  Please make sure you copy and paste the code just as is, so that we can assure that people end up on the fundraising page.

Thank you all so much for your support!    

{Holidays} Minted's Inspiration Board Challenge

A Very Vintage Holiday board by Jessica. See more Minted.com

I always look forward to getting emails from Minted (remember my ridiculously lengthy post when they started selling art prints?), so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw that they were doing an Inspiration Board Challenge!

The process was all pretty simple (you can find all the instructions here).  I chose one from my many favorite holiday cards, and then created a virtual mood board right on their website using other pictures I found around the web (mostly on Pinterest).  I think it all came together really well.  It also helped me zero in on how I want to decorate this year.  I can't wait to start decorating!  Is November 1st too soon?

If you love my board (pictured above), it would be awesome if you would "like" it for me.  You can do so by going to my board here, and then clicking on the heart.  They are selecting three winners weekly that will be given $200 to spend on Minted!  Be sure and let me know if you make one too!  I'd love to check it out!

I hope you all have had a fabulous weekend!  

{Holiday Giveaway} Wrapping Paper Kit

Happy Monday everybody!  The first week of the Holiday Giveaway Series is an awesome Wrapping Paper Kit!  The kit includes two rolls of wrapping paper from Caroline Gardner and three rolls of coordinating ribbons.

To enter to win please comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing about the holidays is, and be sure to include your first AND last name.  I will announce the winner on Sunday, and they will have up to 5 days to contact me with their shipping information.  If I don't hear back from the winner, a new winner will be chosen.  

Good luck to you all!  I hope you all have a fabulous week!