Gift Ideas for Him and Her

I absolutely love gift giving. Love! Especially when it's a gift that I know the person (or dog!) will be excited about. And even more than that, I am (slightly) obsessed with gift wrapping. I get it from my mom! She has always been crazy about wrapping paper, tags, ribbons, bows - you name it. So this craziness of all things paper has trickled down to me and my sister. Still to this day, my mom wraps and packages gifts so perfectly - always paired with a handwritten card. Everyone says my handwriting is nice, wait till you see my mom's! She has even submitted an application to the gift wrap center at the mall (she works full time as a nurse).

So, with the holidays just around the corner, I wanted to put a list together of some of my favorite gift ideas for him and her. Many of these ideas are from my favorite stores - Anthropologie, J.Crew, and Ruche to name a few. These would even work for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions - not just for Christmas!

Every year, I tell myself that I will start shopping early so that I can relax and enjoy December. Well, that didn't happen this year! I'm about halfway done with shopping, so I'm hoping that I can cross everything off the list this weekend.

Hope you all have a merry last few weeks picking out gifts for all of your loved ones!

My favorite picks for him include the Clarks Bushacre Chukka Boot (Josh swears by these), Chanel Bleu de Chanel Cologne, Vintage Bookshelf Scrabble, and Sphere Ice Molds (perfect for those whiskey lovers). A great stocking stuffer for the working man is the The Laundress Stain Bar - helps to get those stubborn stains off their shirt collars!

Under $100

BBQ Tool Set | Williams-Sonoma - $99.
Carson Duffel Bag | J.Crew Factory - $98. on sale for $58!

Puffer Vest | J.Crew Factory - $98. on sale for $58!
Clarks Bushacre Chukka Boot | DSW - $79.95.
Lambswool Shawl Henley Sweater | J.Crew - $75.
Tommy Hilfiger Holiday Tartan Slim Tie | Macy's - $65. on sale for $38.99!

Herschel Supply Co. Novel Duffle Bag | Nordstrom - $80.

Tech Gloves | Nordstrom - $79.
Wicked Good Moccasin | L.L. Bean - $69.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel Cologne | Macy's - $62

Under $50

Plaid Scarf | Banana Republic - $49.50.
Gentlemen's Hardware iPad case | west elm - $49.
Stainless-steel Flask | J.Crew - $42.
Keurig Stainless Steel Travel Mug | Belk - $39.99. on sale for $24.99!
Areawear Alarm Clock | Madewell - $35.
Aluminum Letters by the Letteroom | Not On The High Street - $34.
Chillsner | Corkcicle - $30.
Personalized Copper Mug | Mark and Graham - $30.
Leather Card Holder | J.Crew - $29.
Whiskey Bottle Tall Decanter | west elm - $29.
Vintage Bookshelf Scrabble | Restoration Hardware - $29.

Under $25

Harry's Winston Shave Set | J.Crew - $25.

Drink Up Bottle Tags | Ruche - $22.99.
Libbey Craft Brew Tasting Glasses | Bed Bath & Beyond - $19.99
King Cube Silicon Ice Cube Trays | Williams-Sonoma - $16.95.
Shoe Shine Kit | Z Gallerie - $12.

Sphere Ice Molds | Crate&Barrel - $11.95.
Flask Funnel | Restoration Hardware - $10.
Classic Blender Bottle | Blender Bottle - $8.99

The Laundress Stain Bar | Crate&Barrel - $6.95.

My favorite picks for her include the Urban Decay Naked2 Palette (perfect shadows for any skin tone), Textured Laptop Case, Chipper & Sprite Serving Set (for the hostess with the mostess), Glass Decanter with Wooden Stopper, and BP. Fringe Scarf.

Under $100

Harper Shoes Ellen Riding Boot | Francesca's - $99.
Luxury Plush Robe | Restoration Hardware - $89. on sale for $69!

The Sidewalk Skimmer in Suede | Madewell - $88.

Structured Handbag | Charles & Keith - $79.

Brushes Basic Face Kit | Sigma - $76.
Michael Kors Electronic Tech Wristlet | Macys - $78.00. on sale for $57.99!
Wicked Good Moccasin | L.L. Bean - $69

Textured Laptop Case | Charles & Keith - $56.

Urban Decay Naked2 Palette | Sephora - $52.

Tory Burch Small Domed Logo Studs | Tory Burch - $58.

Under $50

Minnetonka Kilty Moccasin | DSW - $39.95

Ruffled Touch Gloves | Talbots - $39.50

Asiana Buckle Boot | Francesca's - $38
Winter Potpourri Bib | BaubleBar - $38. on sale for $18!
Kennebunk Home Plush Throw | Nordstrom - $38.

Too Faced Neutral Eye Shadow Collection | Sephora - $36.

Chipper & Sprite Serving Set | Anthropologie - $36.

Verloop Rothko Texting Glove | Urban Outfitters - $35.

Fiona Apron | Anthropologie - $34.

Kiev Crystal Statement Necklace | Francesca's - $28.

Lotus Pitcher | Anthropologie - $28.

Under $25

Smythe Oversized Thick Sunglasses | Sole Society - $24.99

Glass Decanter with Wooden Stopper | World Market - $24.99

Rifle Paper Co. Illustrations 2014 Calendar | Anthropologie - $24.
Gingiber Owl Desk Calendar | Ruche - $22.99.
Opaque 1937 Tights | Madewell - $19.50.

BP. Fringe Scarf | Nordstrom - $18.

Proper Send Off Geometric Scarf | Ruche - $14.99

Slate Cheese Board | World Market - $14.99

Happy Socks Trouser Socks | Madewell - $12.

Monogram Mug | Anthropologie - $8.

What's at the top of my wishlist this year? The Harper Shoes Ellen Riding Boot, Drybar Blowout In A Box, Sigma Brushes Basic Face Kit, and White Lacquer Regina Bib.

Celebrating One Year

I still can't get over that I am married and that Josh is my husband. Or just saying "husband." And even though nothing day-to-day has really changed in our relationship, there's just something about being married that makes my heart a little happy. It's definitely the best. Being married to Josh is the best. And with this year being pretty hectic for the both of us - a nice weekend getaway was exactly what we needed. Our anniversary would also be the first weekend we've gone out of town alone since our honeymoon!

We had talked awhile back about taking off a few days of work and maybe going somewhere like Nashville (I've been dying to go!)...aaand then our anniversary kind of snuck up on us out of nowhere. So instead, we decided to do something that was within a few hours from where we lived. Josh ended up finding a cute country hotel in Williamsburg called Wedmore Place - that also happened to be right next door to a winery!

We had an amazing time celebrating! I loved visiting the little shops in downtown Williamsburg and eating at the local restaurants. Williamsburg is very dog-friendly, too - I was slightly regretting we didn't bring our furry family member with us!

Josh and I at the Williamsburg Winery.

The best part of our weekend though was our anniversary dinner back home at Trummer's on Main. Josh and I love, love, love trying new restaurants - and this by far, was the one of the best meals we've ever had. Not to mention the best service we've ever had. They took the time to make our evening so special - everyone (hostess, waiter, bus boy, and wine server) greeting us a happy anniversary, our secluded and intimate dinner seating, and a complimentary dessert at the end of the night.

Arugula salad and fried risotto. Pan-seared grouper in a port and ginger sauce. Braised short ribs over red pepper polenta.

Celebrating one year!

And the rest of our night was perfect. We spent it going through our wedding album, exchanging gifts, and snuggling with our pup. My parents even picked up Georgetown cupcakes for us while we were out of town - including some of the same flavors we had from our wedding day!

Josh is the best thing that's ever happened to me (besides Vega, of course). I don't think I can pick just one thing that I love most about Josh - but if I had to, I'd probably say his charm. He's so easy to get along with and talk to, and anyone that meets him for the first time instantly love him. Or maybe it's just those blue eyes?

Looking back, I would've never imagined that a guy that I met at a party in college would one day be the man I marry. We loved every crazy little thing about our first year and can't wait for all of the adventures that year two has in store for us!

Photos / Wedding

This past weekend, Josh and I celebrated our one year anniversary! We can't believe how quickly this past year has gone by. It feels just like yesterday we were engaged! 2013 so far has been crazy for the both of us - but we've enjoyed every single minute of it and can't wait for what year two has in store for us! We spent the evening of our anniversary going through all of our favorite photos, sampling a few bites of our year-old wedding cake (yum?), and reflecting back on the awesomeness that was our wedding day.

DIY Felt Name Bunting

I always make paper buntings for everything and rave about how easy they are - and felt buntings are just as easy! Also, you can readjust the steps below based on how "perfect" you want this to be - I normally would cut the flags using a stencil, but I was somewhat on a time crunch (when am I not?), so they ended up being a little uneven.

Supplies
Stiffened or regular felt, accent trim (optional), string or twine, rotary cutter or scissors, mat, glue gun (or regular glue would work)

Steps

1. Determine what you want to spell out and how many pieces you will need for the bunting (one piece for each letter). I only needed four pieces, so I ended up using one sheet of felt.
2. Cut your felt into the desired number of pieces for the bunting. It's up to you what size and shape you want this to be.
3. Cut the letters out from the felt. I used a piece of stiffened felt so that it would be easier to free-hand cut the letters (or you can use your die cut machine or stencils). I wasn't too concerned on how perfect the letters were, because after all, this bunting was for a dog!
4. Hot glue the trim onto the felt pieces.
5. Hot glue the letters onto the felt pieces.
6. Hot glue the felt pieces onto the twine.

I usually won’t cut the twine until my bunting is done, just so that the length of the twine is equal on both ends.

Here's Vega on her 2nd birthday in her matching birthday hat - she loved it!

Maine Trip Highlights

I am so, so, so excited to share details from my latest trip up north to visit family in Maine. My husband, Josh, is from Maine, and he moved to Virginia after college to be near me (what a guy!). We visit now about two-three times a year - sometimes more if we are lucky! This recent trip was even more exciting because six of our closest friends from Virginia decided to join us! 

We scheduled our summer trip around Josh's mom's birthday and threw a surprise lobster bake for her on the first day we arrived - complete with lobsters (and lobster bibs!), steamers, and grilled corn on the cob. The rest of the trip was mainly spent boating and boozing on Sebago Lake. During our non-lake days, we perused the cute little shops at the Old Port and tried a handful of delicious food joints - including Portland Lobster Company and the East Ender. Every time we are back in Maine, I always have a laundry list of places that I want to go to. Awhile back, I had heard about a restaurant in Portland called Duckfat that was well known for their fries. Well, let me tell you being the fry connoisseur that I am: these were the best fries I've ever had in my entire life! Their fries are fried in duckfat and you can select from a variety of dipping sauces to pair with your fries (I got the truffle ketchup and garlic mayo). And don't forget to try the original Duckfat vanilla bean milkshake, too. It was life changing.

And what about that cute pup? Well, Vega also had an amazing time learning to swim in the lake and was swimming like a pro by the end of our trip! She doesn't swim in Virginia too much - usually she plays in her baby pool on our back patio. So other than that, she's never really swam before - which is crazy, considering she is a Labrador! She definitely got used to Maine life quickly - waking up each morning (she got to sleep in the bed for a whole week because it was "vacation"), running around on the beach unleashed, swimming in the lake, sleeping next to the fire. Oh the life of a happy, loved dog.

We can't wait to be back again this Christmas to spend the holidays with our family...and eat more lobster, too!