Gifts For Chicks

Let me tell you what she wants, what she really really wants, for Christmas this year. Instead of spending all day at the mall and coming home with a headache, check out what you will find under my tree this year for all the special women in my life. Mom, stop reading this now so you can be surprised!

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Bubbly Drinks Anytime

The DrinkMate Countertop makes carbonated beverages anytime. It is available in metallic red, black and white to match her kitchen and give her freshly made sparkling water, soda and more. Retailing at under $100 this is one of my favorite gifts to give this year for my soda sippin sistas. Find it at select retailers like Amazon an Bed,Bath and Beyond this holiday season.

Wine Now, Wine Later

A Savino Wine Saving Carafe is a must have for a wine enthusiast. They can pop open a bottle, enjoy a few glasses and store it for upto a week without pumps, gases or corks.The Savino Wine Saving Carafe is available in both a plastic for outdoor use and glass options. Retailing at under $50 for the glass carafe, this is a great gift for wonderful wine loving women in my life. Find it at Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond or on Amazon.

When Coffee is Life

Give her a gift that will keep her going! This Portable Cold Brew Coffee Maker is perfect for any girl who loves a cup of joe. She can make a better than any cafe cold brew anywhere she goes with this awesome option from Grommet. Retailing at under $50 you can get this cold brew system from the company website.

Fry Up Something Good

The Diamotech frying pan is a great gift for any home chef, or Mom. I love that this skillet is durable, resistant to scratches and can go from stove to oven. I also love that it is under $20 and can be found at Walmart, or even CVS for a last minute gift on your way to the party. Hey it happens, and this is one of my go to last minute gifts for women!

Cents-able Style

I love Thirty One Gifts for my house, my accessories and all of giting. Selecting this Perfect Cents Wallet was easy, selecting the print was hard, because they are all so pretty. I went with Stitched Medallion to add a lot of color to her look while giving her ample storage for credit and debit cards, cash and more. This retails for about $28 and is available from Thirty One Consultants. It is a good excuse to shop from a friends small business while crossing an item off your list.

 Switching Things Up

So, you already know I like me some Thirty One. I like gifting it as much as I like getting it. I gifted a great purse from Thirty One earlier in the year (The Studio Thirty One Classic) and I love that you can switch up the flap to keep giving a great shoulder bag a new look. Under my tree this year, and every year in the future, you will find a Studio Thirty One Flap. For $18 you can give the gift of easy to change style. Find a Thirty One rep and order a few of these flaps and a bag for always evolving style.

Always About the Benjamins

Thirty One Gifts, again, always a favorite of mine! My mom, who better not be reading, I already told her to stop, at the beginning, remember, complained to me about her ratty old wallet a few weeks ago. I carry the All About the Benjamins in Charcoal Pebble and LOVE it. I knew she would too, so I got her one too. We can be all like twinsies with matching wallets for the win. Retailing at $48 this is spacious, super stylish and made to last. I have carried mine for like 2 years and it still looks awesome. Get it from a Thirty One consultant for a practical gift any woman will adore.

 Her Darkest Desires

We all know that women and chocolate go together like pb&j. The Truffle Trio from Harry and David is always on my wish list, and I bet it will be on her wish list too. Three trays in truffles in so many divine flavors like coffee, dark chocolate and almond to name a few that she is going to dive into decadence when she opens this thoughtful gift. I love truffles, and try them all. Let me tell you, these are some of the best. Nom Nom .Get them at Harry & David for under $50.

 A Succulent Holiday

Is there anything prettier than a Christmas Tree? Maybe only one thing, a display of succulents in the shape of a tree. This easy to care for collection of plants is perfect for gifting and displaying this holiday season. Available from 1800Flowers, this tasteful gift idea retails for under $90.

 Fashion for a Cause

Leggings are the uniform of my mom life. I love 'em so much I think that everyone should have a pair in their wardrobe. This year, you can give the gift of comfy with a cute outfit for a cause. Every purchase of the Tree of Life Leggings and T-shirt set benefits the March of Dimes while giving a friend or relative something super comfy to chill in. Find this fashionable outfit for a cause online at AsherandEmery.com

The Gift of Peace of Mind

Have you ever needed a jump start and found yourself alone, essentially stranded? Talk about a bummer. This handy Jumpsmart device is perfect for a woman on the go as she can come to her own rescue with ease when her car won't start. Recharge the device up to 1000 times, and charge it at home OR in the car. Retailing at under $160, this is a must have item in my opinion because dead batteries happen to all of us. Find it at retailers like Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond and more.


Wrapped In a Warm Hug

The ladies I know are fierce; they work, play and love hard. Muscle aches and pains sometimes happen, so the Moji Heated Neck Wrap is a great gift. It has no cords or batteries and can wrap around her neck to soothe her aches and pains with a warm hug. Find it on the Go Moji site or at Dick's for under $80.


Monitor Her Heart

I am crazy about my fitbit Alta. I know there are newer models with more bells and whistles, but the Alta is just right for me. If a special lady in your life wants to be more active and monitor her heart rate and sleep cycles, among other things, the Fitbit Alta HR makes for a great gift idea. You can find them at Hammacher Schlemmer, which is one of my favorite places to shop because they have over 170 years experience in customer service and finding the coolest products for your life! The Fitbit Alta HR retails for about $150.


Add a Pocket or Two to Her Outfits

What is it with ladies clothes and the serious lack of pocket space? It is so hard to carry my phone in my pocket in 75% of the outfits I own. MyPhonePouch adds a pocket to any outfit for your phone and more. This is a handy product for work. You can add it to the waistband of slacks or skirts and it will securely hold your phone and cash, debit cards and more. This retails for about $35 and can be found online at myphonepouch.com

A Lady Has To Eat

If you are looking for a great gift idea for a busy woman, Instacart is the way to go. Deliveries from her favorite stores in an hour or two will free up time for her to do other things than grocery shop or hit the drug store. Retailing at about $100 a year Instacart makes a gift that will keep on giving all year long, giving more time that is!

Gifts Boys are Gonna LOVE This Holiday Season.

Holiday shopping is in full swing and I want to help you find great gifts this year! I have compiled this list of m favorite options and I can't wait to hear what is on your must buy list! This list of Gifts for Boys has options for every budget and so many fun ideas!

Promotional samples were provided to me in exchange for inclusion in my gift guide. The opinions are my own.

Gourmet Christmas Stocking
Boys like snacks as much as anyone else, so one of my favorite ideas for a boy gift is the Christmas Stocking from Gourmet Gift Baskets. The stocking itself is handsome and classy, but the goodies inside really steal the show. Filled with things that any boy will love to snack on like a huge Hammond's candy cane, chocolate covered pretzels, truffles, hot cocoa and peanuts, this is a tasty gift that boys would love to have to fuel their late night holiday gaming sessions. The Christmas Stocking retails at about $30 and is a good choice for just about any boy you are shopping for this holiday season.

Go Trax ION Hoverboard
This self balancing hoverboard is nothing short of awesome for kids. It is fairly lightweight for a hoverboard and can go up to 4 miles on a single battery. The fact that it self balances is perfect for beginners, and makes for a gift that encourages outdoor activity for the win. I was a little nervous about my son on a Hoverboard truth be told, but this has been a fun choice for him that was easy to learn. Retailing under $200 this is a perfect idea for tweens and teens.

Home Planetarium
My son loves astronomy. He goes to a local club about every month to view the night sky and he loves to go to the observatory with his dad when they get a chance! This 8,000 Star Home Planetarium is a perfect gift to encourage his curiosity while helping him to discover new pleasures in the night sky.
This is a desk top model that accurately displays 61 constellations found in the Northern Hemisphere. The built in bluetooth speaker pairs with iPhone and Android devices to play a stargazing soundtrack of your choice.  Retailing for under $130 at Hammacher Schlemmer this is one of my favorite gifts for anyone with a love of the stars.

Magic Tracks
Boys love toys! This year I think Magic Tracks is the way to go for fun for younger boys. These tracks are unlike any other I have ever seen. They bend, flex and glow. I love how kids can customize the race track, even when the race is in motion. These are an affordable and fun way to foster creativity, retailing at about $20 a set.

Stone8
My kids love robots; it has been an ongoing fantasy to have one of their own for quite some time. I have looked at so many, but felt that they were more of a glorified remote control toy. When we hear about Stone8,I was instantly intrigued as this is a truly interactive friend, and a cute little friend he is! I love that he expresses emotions and works with or without a device. Retailing at less than $60, this little guy has enough sensors to allow him to explore with our child and the multicolored antenna allows Stone8 to let you know how he is feeling. This is a really fun option for Christmas that gives your child someone to play games and have adventures with in a variety of ways.

Modarri Car
This is fun for any kid who likes cars or building! This kit allows kids to design and build their dream car, then race it! Named to of the year two times for great reason Modarri is a hands on adventure that kids will be revving up their engines for. My kids were entranced by the idea of building their dream cars and had so much fun doing so. I would highly recommend this gift for any boy. It is engaging and tons of fun. The kits range in price from about $30 and are available at Target, Walmart and amazon to name a few.

Itty Bitty Buggy
If you have a boy on your list that loves creating and has an interest in coding, the Itty Bitty Bug kit is going to be a great gift. This allows fun and creativity to come to life with coding four different creatures. Packed with a rich, fun-filled feature set, the Itty Bitty Buggy kit includes Bluetooth, remote control, voice-control, line tracing, musical color recognition, and LEGO®-compatible pieces, providing users with endless design possibilities and playful configurations. As coding skills become more advanced, users can program and modify the behaviors of a specific creature using a variety of coding languages, including Scratch, Python, and Arduino. The itty bitty bug retails for under $60 and can be found at stores like Target that carry Hasbro products or online in the Hasbro Toy Shop.

FANTASTIC GYMNASTICS VAULT CHALLENGE Edition
This is just plain fun. It reminds me of the tech free toys of my childhood and I love that it takes some skill to land the gymnast! I think kids will love this for those times when there has been too much tech and they need a way to unwind with some good old fashioned play! Retailing at under $20 you can find the Fantastic Gymnastics Vault Challenge at most major retailers that carry Hasbro products.

Connect 4 Edition from The Hasbro Road Trip Collection
There seem to be a lot of road trips to visit loved ones around the holidays, so te Connect 4 Edition from the Hasbro Road Trip  Collection makes it on my list of gifts for boys. This is a fun way to keep the kids busy in the car without turning to tablets. This game is portable but packs a ton of fun and is easy on every budget. Get it at Walmart for about $8 for hours of friendly game play on the next long car ride.

T Rex From Wall Charmers
Sometimes it feels like the kids have too many toys! Adding a fun touch to a bedroom is a great idea this holiday season. We love the T Rex Faux Taxidermy from Wall Charmers. This is simply a fun addition to any bedroom of a dino loving little boy! Well, to be fair, my husband was amazed by this too! It is realistic looking and is bound to inspire any boys imagination while adding an uber unique touch to his decor. Retailing at under $70 this works for tween boys as well.

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figure Assortment
When I was a kid, TMNT was super popular. My brother and I loved it and had all of the action figures! I was so excited to see a new line coming out for the new generation, and knew this was something I had to share with my son. The Action Figure Assortment includes:  Raphael "The Leader," Leonardo "The Trickster," Donatello "The Tech Wiz," Michelangelo "The Wild Card," Splinter "The Chill Master," April "Street Smart Best Friend," Origami Ninja "Confetti Commandos," Meat Sweats “The Tenderizer,” Baron Draxum "The Maker of Mutants". The figures retail for about $9 and can be found at most major retailers.

Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber
My son loves Ben 10, so this was a natural choice. I know he is going to love making his own mini fig with the interchangeable parts and launching it into the air. This set comes with 4 figures to mix and match, including Heatblast, Four Arms, Wildvine and Grey Matter. It retails for under $30 and promises to be loads of fun for any Ben 10 Fan! Find it at mass retailers like Target or Walmart.

Discovery Plasma Globe
Experience a fun light display with the touch of your fingers or sound! The Discovery Plasma Globe responds to touch, music and sound, providing hours of excitement. Perfect for any young scientist! My son has always been intrigued by these globes and adding one to his room would be so much fun for my science kid! Find it at Walmart for under $25.

Top Gifts for Girls

This year there are so many awesome gift options that the hardest part of making Christmas wishes come true is deciding on what to buy! I have been busy as one of Santa's elves testing out some of the hottest toys and I have found some super fun ones! I am so excited to present these fun toys to you in my top picks for girls gift guide!

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1) LeapFrog Epic Academy Edition Kids Tablet
This was my top pick for Harper this year because she really wants to use my ipad all of the time, but I worry about some of the things she wants to watch and play. The ads that pop up on so many of the games. This tablet is completely perfect for her, right out of the box. It has 20 learning games installed for family friendly entertainment, it also has a free trial of Leapfrog academy included. This offers kids a great chance to learn a variety of subjects anywhere they may go. The search feature is super safe, which I love. I no longer have to worry about my 4 year old landing on inappropriate youtube videos!

Retailing for under $120, this is a tablet that will grow with Harper. Ideal for ages 3 to 9, this is a colorful and durable tablet for kids that helps them learn and play all in one. A great feature is that as your child is ready to explore new android apps, you can add them to this tablet. That was a deciding factor for me as it will allow her to use the tablet with some of the other toys she will receive on Christmas morning!

2) Dance Code Belle
This is such a fun way to introduce your daughters to coding! They can create dances for Belle, and she will show them her moves! Control her from the app, press her necklace, or hold her hand for different ways to play with Dance Code Belle.

Coding seems like it would be hard, but girls as young as 5 can get in on the action by drawing the steps out, or a simple dot to dot style of coding. This is a great way to introduce a concept that may play a big role in her later life through an irresistible option!

Retailing for under $100 you can find this gorgeous Belle doll exclusively on Amazon this holiday season.

3) Baby Alive Sweet Tears Baby Doll
If your little girl loves babies this is the ultimate doll for her! Not only is it really adorable, but it also gives kids hands on tasks to make baby happy and smiling again! Your little one can play caregiver to a very interactive doll that smiles, giggles and even cries real tears!

The Sweet Tears Baby Alive comes with so much more than just a doll! She comes with everything you need to nurse her back to health when she is ill, feed her a snack, or brush her hair. One of my favorite features is that this doll isn't just for little girls. With a simple flip of a switch you can take your interactive doll from mommy to daddy mode for fun for little boys. Sweet Tears Baby Alive can make 35 phrases and sounds as an added bonus!

Retailing for under $50 this is a super fun gift option for little ones that love dolls!

4)  Play Doh Letters and Language Set
This is such a fun way to combine play and learning! The set has 26 letter stamps, 6 cans of play doh, a stylus, a roller, a mat  and a guide book for a complete letter learning experience.

One of the reasons we love play doh is it is such a wonderful tool for fine motor skill development. Harp has been playing with the classic dough since she was about a year old, and has developed so many crucial skills for life with the squishy dough in her hands, including using scissors. As we are learning all about the alphabet and making a lot effort on letter recognition in her preschool years this is a set that will bring her so much more than fun on Christmas day. It will help her build on a solid foundation of early learning with a favorite play time staple.

Retailing for under $20 this is a gift I recommend to anyone shopping for an early learner!

5) Go Go Smart Friends Shimmering Seashell Castle
This fun playset is perfect for little ones that like mermaids! The sandcastle features 3 points that when Pearl the mermaid is placed will produce fun sounds and phrases. The set includes friends for Pearl the mermaid to make playtime an epic underwater adventure.

Retailing at under $40 this is a great V tech toy for dramatic play and discovery. I love dramatic play tools for Harp so this was a natural choice. She will play with this in so many ways and I know she will introduce Pearl and the underwater friends to a lot of other toys.

This set features so much more than just a cute house. There is a vanity, a slide, a carrousel and so many more fun features to make this an exciting choice for little ones!

6) Hape Toys City Cafe Play Kitchen
This is a seriously adorable little kitchen. I love that it is wooden, because it looks so much more realistic than the heavy plastic varieties. It is compact enough for small space play, but in that tiny space it packs a lot of fun!

Featuring everything your little one needs to cook up a great time, the City Cafe Play Kitchen is one of my favorite gift ideas this year. As I mentioned above, I love to encourage dramatic play in my preschooler. With something as simple as a cute little kitchen, she can learn in so many ways!

This was a great option to pair with our Hape toys play food that we have been collecting over the years. Retailing for under $100, this is a gift that will bring years of learning through play.

7) Hape Toys Mighty Echo Microphone
This was another great choice for dramatic play. My kids have always wanted to get their hands on a microphone and with this choice it is possible without damaging eardrums or sanity levels.

This microphone has amazingly good sound quality for a battery free toy! I think it is a fun way to encourage kids to sing and again, engage in dramatic play. This makes a great gift for kids 12 months and up.

This would make a great stocking stuffer or gift exchange option as well.

8) Voice Activated BB8 
If your little girl looks up to Rey, then the natural choice is the Voice Activated BB8 from Hammacher Schlemmer. This is such a fun toy! Standing at about 19" tall this cute little robot is ready for adventure! The Star Wars character can be controlled using an included 40' range remote or set to an interactive mode that responds to voice commands such as “Come here”, “Where’s Rey?”, and “Stand guard!” Complete with lights and sounds from the BB8 we all know and love, this is a one of a kind toy that will make Christmas dreams come true as she sets out on an adventure with her new interactive friend. Retailing at under $230 this is the perfect gift for Star Wars fan girls of all ages. Not only is the BB8 droid adorable but he is so interactive! his moods are funtastic and the sounds are completely realistic. Also, check out kids advent calendars on Kidsco for more inspiration for various toys.

I would love to hear what your favorite gift options for girls are this year!

15+ Unicorn Gifts for Teens

If you need a great gift for a teen girl who LOVES unicorns, this is the gift guide for you!

Almost all girls love unicorns, they are funtastic! Picking a unicorn gift for a teen girl is a sure way to give her a big smile as she unwraps her gift this holiday season! This list has things to wear, things to make and functional gifts that mix in a lot of fun! 

In addition, unicorn lapel pins are also a good gift for girls, they are widely used and can be kept secure on a canvas bag, a hat and a sweater. If the stock unicorn pins aren't unique enough for you, you can also opt to get a unicorn-theme custom lapel pin you want on GS-JJ. They offer a free design page with a variety of templates and symbols to choose from. Customized gifts can fully express your heart and their finished products that make you feel that the wait is worth it. Your lovely girl will love this special gift.

I am a participant in the amazon affiliate program. If you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Unicorn Makeup Brushes
Unicorn Leggings
Unicorn Tablet Stand
Unicorn Print Hoodie
Snuggly Unicorn Hooded Blanket
Unicorn Robe
Unicorn Slippers
Unicorn Bedding Set
Unicorn Journal
Unicorn Donut Socks
Unicorn Light Up Marquee Sign
Unicorn Adult Coloring Book
Unicorn Car Decal
Crossbody Unicorn Purse
Unicorn Zippered Clutch
Yarn Unicorn Kit

Which of these unicorn gifts seem like the best idea for a teen girl you know and love this Christmas? I would love to hear which one you would buy first!

Top Picks for Baby Gifts

When my kids were babies, I never knew what to buy them for Christmas. I would stare at toys in stores, and groan over onesies. Babies can't do a lot, but they are always learning. Picking a great gift is a lot more complicated than picking up something colorful and calling it a day.

Now that my kids are officially not babies anymore, I have finally figured out what makes the perfect gift for a little one! It is something useful, stimulating, and or fun!

I have compiled a list of must have baby gift ideas to share with you. From fun to functional, this list contains something for all of the tiny ones on your shopping list! Samples were received to inspire this gift guide.

1) Meadow Days Dynamic Gymini  by Tiny Love
I love this activity center for babies 0-18 months in age. It is colorful, cute and has so many ways to engage your little one. It is perfect for a tummy time mat, and will adapt to meet the needs of a growing baby or toddler. With 7 developmental features from language to cognition, this fun way to play and learn will engage the senses and entice tiny ones to play. This is a great gift idea that can grow with a newborn!

2) Vida Snow Boots
Vida has so many great options in footwear for babies, toddlers and older kids. I love the snow boot collection which includes the stylish  Jamboo Nydia & Azami styles for girls and the  Baltoro & Venom styles for boys. These are stylish, durable and perfect for keeping tiny feet toasty even on the snowiest of days!

3) Maxi Cosi Pria Car Seat
A great car seat makes traveling safer and more comfortable for everyone. The Maxi Cosi line of car seats is one that I would highly recommend to other families as I use this brand for both of my growing children and have for years. I love that with the Pria seat this is the only car seat you will need for many years! The Pria 85 Max convertible car seat fits children rear-facing starting at 5 pounds with removable insert cushions to give smaller babies a snug fit. It then keeps them cozy up to 40 pounds. When they're ready to ride forward-facing, turn this car seat around to safely fit children up to 85 pounds; the highest weight range offered by a convertible car seat. Both stages benefit from the safer side impact protection provided by Air Protect® technology which protects your child where it’s needed most, around the head.

4)Malarkey Kids Munch Mitt 
This is a great stocking stuffer for a baby that is teething! It is undroppable and gives the tiny teether something awesome to chew on. It fits over the hand and gives little ones a chance to teeth and soothe without the fuss of a traditional teething toy.

5) Snack & Shop Cart Tray
This is a great tool for kids that are old enough to sit in the cart while parents shop. The tray attaches to the cart and offers an easy way to serve a snack on the go. This would have made a huge difference to me while my kids were small as snack time at the store can save your sanity and keep the kids happy!

If you have a great idea for gifts for babies, please leave me a comment to inspire other readers that are shopping!

Holiday Git Guide 2013 Gifts for Her

Gifts for Her

The Thickening Collection by label.m hair care makes a great gift idea for a special lady in your life.

Every woman should have a Coach handbag. Rakuten makes giving the gift of style affordable with the Julia Legacy Striped Swingpack.

Who doesn't love new sheets? Any lady on your shopping list would love to get the gift of the Easy Sheet.

The gift of art is one that keeps on giving. Gallery Direct has the perfect gift awaiting any special lady on your list.

A pair of Ecco Hobart Buckle Boots will make any woman swoon this holiday season.

This post will be updated so check back often to find more great gift ideas!

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Star Wars Fans- All Budgets

This post does contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase I get a peanut in exchange.

For your Star Wars fans, I have rounded up some of the best gift ideas to bring the force into the holiday season!

Under $10

2 Pack Silicone Mold Ice Cube Tray Ball For Star Wars Lovers or Party Theme

Gum Toothbrush Star Wars Flash Light,color may vary

Rubies Star Wars Darth Vader Cape and Mask Set

Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition: Star Wars Yoda Figure

Crayola Limited Edition Crayon, Star Wars Darth Vader Toy (64 Count)

Fascinations 251 Star Wars Millennium Falcon Metal Earth 3D Metal Model Kit


Under $20

Vandor 99561 Star Wars Darth Vader 18 oz Oval Ceramic Mug, Black

Star Wars Mens Casual Crew Socks 2 Pair Pack Darth Vader Storm Trooper Black/Red

Star Wars Darth Vader Apron

Thermos 12 Ounce Funtainer Bottle, R2D2

CoverGirl Star Wars Limited Edition Colorlicious Lipstick, Red No. 30, 0.12 Ounce

Playskool Mr. Potato Head Star Wars: Darth Tater Toy

Rubies Star Wars Luke Skywalker Lightsaber


Under $50

Monopoly Game Star Wars

Jedi Dressing Gowns - Star Wars Bath Robes

Star Wars The Force Awakens 3.75-Inch Figure Troop Builder 6-Pack [Amazon Exclusive]

1 X Exclusive Star Wars R2-D2 Measuring Cup Set - Limited Edition

Star Wars Science - Death Star Planetarium

Lucas Film Star Wars Sheet Set, Full

Engraved Wooden Music Box Star Wars Theme





Over $100

Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid