Blog - The Lilypad Cottage

December 2, 2020 By Kelly 2 Comments

Red Berry and Cedar Garland Christmas Front Porch

It’s the one time of year I wish for a good snowstorm, and Michigan really let me down this week. I always love a nice sprinkling of snow for my Christmas front porch photos, but alas it wasn’t meant to be this year. I’m sure I’ve just jinxed myself, and the rest of West Michigan, sorry locals! A blizzard will probably be forthcoming now that I put it out there into the blogosphere.

So imagine a dusting of snow in all these photos. Also, imagine my red Merry Christmas welcome mat that I couldn’t locate anywhere. The Mr. is pleading his innocence, but I suspect it got tossed in the “great garage purge of 2020”. I ordered another one but it’s back-ordered.

Also, let’s applaud Charlie’s photobombing efforts as usual. ;)

I kept things pretty simple again this year. I start with a faux garland around our front door and add in cedar clippings from a local nursery. I attach the garland using 5 little white nails that I keep in the trim year-round. Then I use floral wire to attach the garland. I shared some video of this on my Instagram stories and saved it to my highlights if you are looking for tips.

My wreath is from Balsam Hill, and I added in the cedar clippings there too. I wired some faux red berries for a pop of red. These were from a local nursery (Flowerland for you locals) and it’s important to note that they are weatherproof faux berries. You don’t want to use regular ones as the color may run when wet.

My planters have the same little dwarf spruces, I bought 2 years ago now? I keep them watered until it freezes, and they have been doing great. The one on the right got a little dry this summer, but I’m hoping to nurse it back to health. It is perhaps strategically placed with its brown dead spot facing the door there…I always get questions about these planters. I found them in my parent’s barn and “borrowed” them a few years back, so I don’t have a link for you, but thanks, mom!

My window boxes are also feeling festive even though they are missing that magic dusting of snow. Again, I start with a faux garland in my boxes to give them extra fullness. Then I add in clippings and branches from my yard.

Why do I feel like someone is watching me??

I added a pop of red here too. Oh, and how could I forget my fun Christmas pillows? If you’ve been following a while, you will remember these are big body pillows I use as oversized lumbar pillows. I switch out the covers for the seasons. I decided to go with this fun classic red plaid I picked up at JoAnn Fabrics. Sewing is not my strong suit (if you follow me on Instagram you may recall my measuring mishap with this fabric). I cheated and used Stich Witchery this time. Which come to think of it, ironing is not amongst my top talents either but I made it work…just don’t look too close.

There you have it my Red Berry and Cedar Garland Christmas Front Porch – I’ll be sure to snap a photo if and when the snow arrives!

You can check out more of my Holiday decorating in these posts –

Fireplace Mantel Christmas Decor

Bronze and Neutral Metallic Christmas Tree

November 30, 2020 By Kelly 5 Comments

Serena & Lily Sale Faves

I hope you all had a great and relaxing weekend! We pretty much stuffed ourselves with leftovers, hiked the calories off, played board games, and then repeated the whole process over. My kids are back to school today and I’m busy dreaming up the rest of the pool house decor! Which, exciting news – construction is happening over there as I type! Hopefully, I will have progress to share in a blog post next week. In the meantime, I’m being productive by doing what I do best and shopping online today :) I’m picking up a few things at Serena & Lily for the pool house while they have their Cyber Monday Sale going. You can use code TOGETHER for 20% off almost everything in the store plus free shipping.

I LOVE their bedding, so I plan on buying quilts for the bunks over in the pool house. I have several sets of their bedding and I’m always impressed with the quality and how well it washes. If you remember my bunk room mood board, I’m leaning towards their Carlyle Coverlet for all the beds. It’s the perfect classic style that I know we will have forever.

While the sale is going, I thought I would round up a few fave items we have in our house in case you have had your eye on something.

Their Riviera Bar Stools have been a favorite for a few years in our kitchen. They wipe off SO easy making them totally kid-friendly. Their Seaview Rug has been great in here too. It’s indoor/outdoor so it cleans up really well. I actually dropped an entire carton of eggs on it and I was able to hose it off outside.

This cute Teak Step Stool is a kitchen favorite too.

And these Dip-Dyed stools I keep by my bathtub. I guess I really have a thing for their stools I’m realizing?

This Bedford Tray is hands down one of my favorites as well. The detail on it is so pretty, and it’s really well made.

This South Seas Bar Cart has a way of making the mail that gets dumped here even look pretty.

Oh and let’s not forget their wallpaper!! I have the Cayman Cork Wallpaper in our pantry.

And their Feather Wallpaper in our powder room.

As you can see I’m a huge fan of their brand. I’ll round up a few more faves below too! Stay tuned for my Christmas porch coming later this week!

November 26, 2020 By Kelly 6 Comments

Gift Guide for Her

I thought I was done with gift guides here on the blog, but several of you pointed out to me that you were anxiously awaiting my own personal list for Santa! Whoops forgot about that one. It took me a minute to figure out what I actually wanted this year. Bonus, my fabulous mom got in on the action. She gave me some great gift ideas if you are on the hunt for your mom too.

So here we go first up my gift guide for me. A few of these are definitely on my wish list, along with some favorite purchases of the year.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

Rifle Paper Co. Canteen – My New Year’s resolution is always to drink more water. This adorable water bottle may make it an easier goal to reach.
Instant Vortex Air Fryer – We bought this on a whim last Super Bowl because we wanted to make wings. I don’t honestly know how we ever lived without it! I use it at least 3 times a week. Don’t let the word fryer fool you, I use this to quickly roast veggies, herbed potatoes, and all kinds of recipes. It’s especially great in the summer when you don’t want to turn the oven on.
Crepe Maker – My mother-in-law bought this for me a few years ago, and the whole family loves it. Making the perfect crepe is so easy. It’s a fun change from our usual Saturday morning pancakes.
Caraway Nonstick Cookware – These were the top of my list this year. All my wedding gift pots and pans are 17 years old now, so we are due for an upgrade. I’ll keep you posted once I receive mine, but these are non-stick, non-toxic, and I have a friend who swears by them! Added bonus – they come in such fun colors.
Remi Measuring Cups – These are the prettiest measuring cups for Christmas cookie baking with my kids.
Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten – I have every single Barefoot Contessa cookbook because she is just my absolute fave. A little birdie told me this one will be in my stocking this year.
Avery Striped Mixing Bowls – I love a set of nesting bowls. I have a few from Crate & Barrel, and I think I need to add this striped set to my collection.
Half Baked Harvest Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard – I have both of Tieghan’s cookbooks and I use them weekly. She is one of my favorite food bloggers, and her flavor combos are always interesting and delicious.
USB Candle Lighter – Have you seen these USB lighters? They are SO cool and perfect for candle season.
Monogram Mug – A new monogram mug is sort of a Christmas stocking tradition around here, and I love the handmade vibe these have.

Oversized Chenille Sweater – Ok, this looks kind of blah on my style board here, but click over and check it out on the model. It’s oversized and cozy-looking and comes in a bunch of pretty colors. I love this blue one, perfect to wear with leggings all winter.
Single Pass T3 Curling Iron – I splurged on this curling iron this summer when my trusty old one broke down. I wanted to know if this T3 Iron is really worth the hype, and it is! I curl my hair on day 1 with this, and on day 2 I still have pretty waves. It’s on the pricey side, but it saves me so much time each week.
Derma Roller Microneedling Tool – I’ve had this trusty torture device for over a year now and I love it. I lovingly call it torture, but it’s only mildly uncomfortable. I use this a few times a week before I put my skincare products on at night. I can always tell a difference the next day in my skin.
Tarte Eyeshadow Palette – I talked about this a few weeks back when I ordered it, and I love it. I use the Bloom and the Toasted Eyeshadow every day. This is also a great gift to split up among your girlfriends or daughters for stocking stuffers.
McGee & Co Candle – I have this Forest and Fir Candle in my kitchen. It smells so fresh and Christmasy without being overpowering.
Majestic Gold Uncommon James Necklace – This is one of my fave jewelry brands. I have several of their pieces, this is the latest one I have my eye on.
Atocha Small Coin Necklace – This is from the same line. I have had it for two years now and it’s still a fave. It’s a nice dainty size that is perfect for everyday wear. I get compliments on it all the time.
Eloise Chain Bracelet – I like to mix and match a stack of gold bracelets. This one is so pretty at a great price point.
Fuzzy Slide Slippers – These are just pure fun. It’s 2020 and I’ll wear bright blue fuzzy slides if I want to!
Moccasin Slippers – If the blue fuzzy slippers are fun, these are my practical carpool run slippers. I buy a new pair of this style every year. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked down in the grocery store to find them on my feet. ;)
Drew Combat Boots – A TON of you ordered these boots when I shared them last and they are still my favorite. I wear them almost every day (when I remember to take my slippers off…). They are now restocked in every size and under $50!
ZipTop Crossbody Bag – Madewell bags are always top of my list. I love the two-tone look of this one, it will go with everything. They are having a great sale right now so it’s a great time to invest in one.
Striped V-neck Sweater – The texture on this sweater is so fun. I can tell it’s one of those easy to throw on pieces that still looks put together.
Pom Pom Blouse – I have this blouse and absolutely love it! You can wear it with jeans and boots for a casual look, or it’s great dressed up too.
Vuori Joggers – I raved about their men’s shorts in my gift guide for the Mr. but I also have a pair of Vuori leggings. They are the best. I’m hoping Santa brings me these joggers to add to my stay at home wardrobe.

Ok and now for some picks from my mom!

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – My mom swears by this stuff and it’s a must-have for her bedtime routine.
Deep Sleep Body Cocoon Lotion – My mom is super sensitive to scents and lotions, but this one passes the test. She puts it on before bed and it helps relax her to sleep. She actually talked my ear off about this one, because the scent is so amazing. She is stockpiling it!
Facebook Portal Smart Calling System – This one is a great idea especially for 2020. If your mom is missing her grandkids (like my mom) this is a fun way to keep in touch. It’s a photo display when not in use, and it’s also a fun FaceTime system. This especially great for my younger nieces and nephew. It allows them to read interactive books with her that allows them to be part of the story. It has all sorts of special effects and filters that keep them giggling. They absolutely love it! It keeps their attention versus the flyby face timing you normally get from a 3-year-old.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey – My mom is an avid reader and a book is always a good gift for her. This one was on her list this year (mine too, but I bought the audible version so I could hear Matthew read it to me. Alright, alright, alright!!)
Laura Geller Eyeshadow – This is a really beautiful neutral eyeshadow palette that my mom uses daily.
52 Lists for Happiness – My mom has been writing in this journal for a few months now and is really enjoying it. It’s great for focusing on the positive aspects of life.
A Time for Mercy by John Grisham – My mom just finished this one and really enjoyed it! It’s a classic Grisham, with compelling plotline and interesting characters.
Library Card Tote – My mom volunteers at a library 2 days a week (it is not open yet, but she can’t wait to go back) so this is the perfect bag for her!
Double Coin Layered Necklace – This delicate layered necklace is so pretty. It is a staple in my mom’s wardrobe, I’ve been tempted to borrow it!
Angela Readers – Anthropologie has SO many cute and fun readers. My mom has them stashed everywhere so a nice pair is always a good idea.
Farley Reading Glasses – The pop of color on this pair is so fun! Perfect for my mom down in Florida.

Happy Shopping! You can check out my other gift guides below –

Gift Guide for Men

Gift Guide for Tween Girls

Gift Guide for Boys 8-10

November 24, 2020 By Kelly 30 Comments

Bronze and Neutral Metallic Christmas Tree

Happy Thanksgiving week! I finished decorating my Bronze and Neutral Metallic Christmas tree just in time to spend a cozy slow week here with the kids. We have big plans to play board games, read books, and eat lots of pie. I’ve successfully paired down our Thanksgiving menu plan for the four of us with the exception of dessert. We all can’t seem to come to an agreement on what pie is the best (although clearly it’s pecan). So I guess I’m making apple, pumpkin, and pecan. We will just have to eat pie for breakfast, lunch and dinner the rest of the week. Not complaining – I happen to think pecan pie is the ultimate breakfast food!

I love changing my Christmas tree up every year. This time I went with bronze tones, metallics, natural wood, and wicker elements.

After almost 9 years of blogging, I have accumulated quite the Christmas ornament collection. So it’s really easy for me to switch up themes with what I already have, just by adding in a few new ornaments.

Mercury glass ornaments are always a mainstay on my tree. I also used some of the same gold tones from last year.

Of course, I used my cute candle lights…except I couldn’t find the remote that actually turns them on this year. My kids love changing them from color lights to white lights and back again, so I’m guessing one of them is hiding it somewhere!

The snowflakes are ornaments from a few years back as well.

The addition of the jute swags, wicker bells, and wood bead garland gave the whole theme a simple earthy vibe that I like.

My whole theme kicked off from these cozy fall pillows that I wasn’t ready to move on from yet this winter.

I’m also in love with the new tree basket I snagged on sale this year. It took a little finagling on the Mr.’s part to get it wedged down in there. My 9 ft tree has a wider base than most trees so it was a tight squeeze. We didn’t get it all the way down to the bottom, but we added weight to stabilize the whole thing.

I took these photos at a few different times of the day so you could see the tree all glowy in the evening. Below is with the lights off so you can see the ornaments better. Although I turn it right on every morning at 7 am because I’m a firm believer that no one can be crabby with Christmas lights on…my 12-year-old, non-morning person daughter may disagree ;)

Here is a close-up of the wrapping paper combo I went with this year. I was on the hunt for bronzey ribbon and this was the closest I found. It’s a little orangey, but still pretty.

Also, little-known fact – I’m horrible at wrapping gifts. You can see that one of my flaps came undone already on that gift haha oh well!

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving week filled with blessings, however that looks for you this year…and pie. Lots of pie!

You can find more details on my Christmas mantel here.

SOURCES:
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

Snowflakes – Balsam Hill

Mercury Glass – Balsam Hill

Tree – 9 ft Sanibel Spruce Balsam Hill

Falala Wrapping Paper

Jute and Wood Beaded Swag

Carved Tree Topper

Faux Jasmine Garland

Whitewashed Beaded Garland

Rattan Basket Bowl Tree

Espresso Glass Ornaments

Antique Duotone Ornaments

Gold Stipple Ornaments

Rattan Woven Bells

Winter Stripe Gift Wrap

Rug

Sectional – Maiden Home Sullivan Sectional in Oyster

November 19, 2020 By Kelly 25 Comments

Neutral Thanksgiving Tablescape

Thanksgiving may look a little different for most of us this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still set a pretty table! Just because it’s only the 4 of us, and my son wants PB&J instead of turkey, doesn’t mean we can’t go all out. I want to make the table feel special, and take time to be thankful for all the blessings in our lives amidst a crazy year. I picked up a few new accessories to make our table festive, and I’m excited to be partnering with The Home Depot for today’s post. They have quickly become one of my favorite places for online shopping for basically everything you need for your home. Their shipping is fast and their prices are great.

Charlie has chosen his seat for Thanksgiving this year, I don’t blame him that blanket is so cozy!

Obviously he should be the guest of honor, and he is definitely on board with turkey on the menu.

I’m normally a white dishes only type of gal, but I’ve been wanting to add another neutral color to my dining collection. These earthy gray dishes were a perfect choice. They are so pretty on my table. I also love the contrast they have added to my glass cabinets when not in use.

They have a really earthy handmade feel for an extremely reasonable price tag.

I’ve been trying to keep my decor simple this year, and this table is no exception. Warm neutral textures, a touch of brass, and some flowers I picked up from the grocery store. I have a little collection of brass candlesticks already, but I found a few at The Home Depot to add to my stash. I always favor a collected mix and match vibe, so I bought a few different kinds.

These candlesticks have a really pretty vintage patina. They pair really well with the hammered metal napkin rings.

I went with a deep charcoal linen napkin to keep the table monochromatic. I always find dark cloth napkins to be a more practical option with kiddos in the house.

You can catch a sneak peek of my unfinished tree back there, because yes, I totally think Christmas and Thanksgiving decor can coexist peacefully in your home.

I love the tulip shape of this pretty stoneware vase. It looks like an antique stone urn. It comes in a few different sizes as well. This is the smallest one, and it’s a really nice size for a dining table. The larger size would be great on a sideboard or entry table. It makes arranging flowers a breeze because they naturally fan out.

These rattan placemats are a favorite of mine, and instantly add texture and interest to every table.

My kids are the resident dishwashers at our house, which means we lose a dish or glass here and there. I seem to be down to 7 wine glasses, not one of which actually has a matching partner, let alone a matching set. It felt like a good time to be a real grown-up and buy a new nice set of wine glasses. These glasses are a beautiful shape. They didn’t break the bank, so I won’t cry if my kids drop one.

I’ll link all my new favorite items from The Home Depot below. How about you, will you be serving PB&J at your Thanksgiving this year? It’s 2020 so I guess anything goes! :)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

SOURCES:

Modern Matte Grey Dishes

Charcoal Napkins

Napkin Rings

Wine Glasses

White Stoneware vase

Rattan Place Mats

Short Brass Candlestick

Larger Brass Candlestick

Triangular Brass Candlestick

Chunky Knit Blanket

November 17, 2020 By Kelly 22 Comments

Flannel for the Family

Winter is on the way, which means the temps are dropping here in Michigan. I’m preparing by stocking up on all the cozy things to keep us warm this season. I’m so excited to partner with Garnet Hill today to share one of my favorite fabrics for winter – flannel. From sheets to pajamas, I basically want a layer of flannel on my body at all times! Garnet Hill has been specializing in flannel since 1976. It is gently brushed multiple times to make it the softest flannel ever.

I’m sharing a few tips to incorporate flannel into your home for the season.

Tip 1 – Switch to Flannel Sheets!

This is always the first place I start. The Mr. likes to keep the house at 62 at night, so I need all the added warmth I can get. I’ve always been a fan of a classic ticking stripe. So the Cozy Ticking Flannel sheets were the perfect addition to our bedroom. Our kids each have a set of flannel sheets for their beds too.

I leave the room for one minute and someone made himself right at home…you can tell Charlie is a fan!

I couldn’t keep Charlie out of the bed while shooting this, so he can really vouch for the softness. There was a lot of napping on the job…

Even while sitting up :)

Tip 2 – Why stop at sheets? Add a flannel duvet cover too.

I have had scratchy decorative duvet covers in the past, but I’m craving cozy simplicity this season. This white flannel duvet cover is the perfect winter bedding staple to add to your collection. Our whole bed feels like one big cloud to sink into at the end of the day.

I also added their Dream Quilt for an extra layer of warmth.

Tip 3 – Treat yourself to Classic Flannel Pajamas.

Coffee in bed on a lazy Saturday morning is so much better with a cozy flannel robe and pants. The red stripes are perfect for opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Tip 4 – Don’t forget the rest of the family! Bonus points for matching kiddos.

Flannel pajamas are not just for sleeping in 2020! The Mr. has been known to wear these flannel pajama bottoms with a button-down shirt for zoom meetings… They are so soft and cozy I don’t blame him.

You know I had to get matching Christmas pj’s for the kids. I will continue this tradition until they have their own babies! Garnett Hill has the cutest prints, and I love the classic feel of the red plaid. It’s perfect for our annual Christmas tree photo.

You can shop all of Garnett Hill’s cozy flannel collection here and I’ll link everything below as usual!

SOURCES:

Flannel Ticking Sheets

White Flannel Duvet Cover

Dream Quilt

Rosewood Stripe Flannel Robe and Matching Pajamas

Bluestone Plaid Pajamas and Heather Gray Robe

Kid’s Red Flannel Pajamas

Eucalyptus and Juniper Wreath

November 12, 2020 By Kelly 41 Comments

Fireplace Mantel Christmas Garland

I’ve started decorating for the holidays, and I promise I’m not skipping Thanksgiving! I actually have a Thanksgiving tablescape planned for next week. I just need my little guy to finish up his 500 piece puzzle that is happening on the dining table first! Though the 3D shark puzzle pieces are adding a certain ambiance sprinkled in amongst my linen napkins. :)

I decided to share the one area of my house that is done – our fireplace mantel Christmas garland.

Fireplace Mantel Christmas Garland

Arranging the Christmas mantel garland is always one of my fave parts of decorating our living room. If you’ve been following along for a few years, you know I like to mix and match several different faux garlands to get a nice full look. I think I used 6 strands here?

I kept it pretty simple this year using my same garland technique in an asymmetrical swag. I’m sharing how-to videos of it on Instagram today and will be saving it in my highlights if you want to check it out.

I also hung the stockings on one side this year. I know who am I? Queen of symmetrical-ness getting all crazy over here! My stockings are the same ones I’ve used the past few years, they were a happy HomeGoods find. I found super similar ones and linked them at the bottom of the post for you.

I topped that off with these bells I used last year on my kitchen hood wreath.

I challenged myself to use mostly things I already had for my mantel decor this year. So you may recognize these candlesticks from years past too. They have been painted red, white, blue, and I think gray at one point?! They got another coat of spray paint today to change them up yet again. I was trying to get a pretty bronzey color to go with the earthy tones I’m using on the tree – sneak peek of the tree below.

I sprayed them with a coat of black spray paint. While they were still wet, I immediately hit it with a light coat of gold spray paint. In person they have a really pretty bronze look. They are photographing a bit dark in these photos.

I managed to untangle a few sets of battery operated twinkle lights to add to the mix. I like to use battery-operated candles on the mantel since it’s so tall to light. Oh, and I cut a few branches from the yard for my vase on the coffee table. Tip – I keep my branches in a vase of water and they will last me all winter that way. I actually insert a smaller glass vase inside the large stoneware one.

That’s it – simple, cozy, and done!

Well not quite, would any post be complete without Charlie photobombing somewhere? Check out that Angelina Jolie leg kickout action…

Thanks for checking out my fireplace mantel Christmas garland. You can check out all of the items I plan on using in my Christmas Decor this year here. Can’t wait to share the rest!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

SOURCES:

Several of the garlands I’ve had for years and they are no longer available, but I did use these two newer ones –

Jasmine garland

Cedar garland

Candlesticks – I’ve had for 10 years and I think I originally “borrowed” them from my mom.

Stockings – HomeGoods here are similar ones

Bells

Chair – Maiden Home Leroy Chair

Rug

Coffee Table

Stoneware Vase

Red and Blue Pillow

Tan and Blue Pillow

Mirror

Stone – J&N Stone, Style Price, Color Quartz

November 5, 2020 By Kelly 13 Comments

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

Ok, let’s get to the hardest person to buy for in the house – The Mr. He is the worst. Typically if there is something he wants, he will just buy it for himself, which makes gift buying tricky! I’m pretty darn proud of myself with this list because I put it together without his initial input. When I showed him, he immediately tried to add several of the items to his cart – ha! There are a few things he already has and loves, and like I mentioned a few he is hoping Santa drops off at our house. :)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

Shinola Leather Apple Watch Strap – The Mr. is obsessed with his Apple watch, but since he bought it last year, he has been meaning to get a nicer band for it. This one is gorgeous and a bit of a splurge, but something he would never buy himself.
Swees Leather Band – Here is a less expensive dupe that has great reviews too.
Vuori Banks Shorts – The Mr. has been wearing the same running shorts since college and they were starting to fall apart. I love Vouri brand leggings for myself, so I upgraded his workout wardrobe with these shorts. He loves them and immediately had me buy another pair.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus – These are his absolute fave workout/running shoes of all time. They pull double duty out and about on the weekends with jeans and a hoodie as well.
Air Pod Case – With The Mr. and I sharing an “office” aka the dining room, we both have AirPods in all day to drown each other out. The only problem is we routinely mix them up. He made a client call the other day and it started ringing in my ears – oops! This personalized case will keep him from grabbing mine…or a girl can dream anyway!
Vuori Jeffreys Pullover – Working from home, his casual wardrobe has been in the mix more and his suits are mostly collecting dust in the closet. This pullover is nice enough for zoom meetings, but great for weekends too.
Whiskey Wedge and Glass – If you follow me on Instagram, then you know The Mr. makes a mean cocktail. It has become his hobby while we are missing grabbing a drink out at night. These glasses are so cool! You pop them in the freezer to get a perfect ice wedge.
Leather Phone Sticker Card Case – The Mr. currently has an old stick-on neoprene cardholder on his phone’s case that has seen better days. This would be a definite upgrade! He hasn’t used a wallet in a few years and finds this is so much more convenient.
Cocktail Bitters Set – Again with the cocktails! His drink of choice is typically an Old-Fashioned and this collection of bitters would be fun to experiment with. Flavors include Citrus, Chili, Aromatic, Orange, and Ginger.
Beer and Bourbon Nuts – A little something to soak up the bourbon. If you combine the whiskey glass, bitters, nuts, and a bottle of bourbon, it would make such a great gift basket for your husband, brother, or dad.
AcuRite Weather Forecaster – We have had this weather station for a few years now and it’s great. The Mr. monitors it religiously to make sure the humidity levels are perfect in our house. I know, total nerd alert.
Moleskine Notebook – He is constantly jotting down notes and has a few of these Moleskine notebooks floating around our house. I bought the bright red so he can find them easier. This theory has not helped him find the ketchup in the fridge, unfortunately. ;)
Switch – How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath – I always share my book recommendations, but it occurred to me I should share some of his too! He is an avid reader as well, although he prefers more personal development and business-minded books. Books are always a good stocking stuffer, and this is one of his favorites. He actually has a whole PowerPoint on this book that he teaches at work, but I assured him my readers should be spared…
No Rules Netlflix and the Culture of Reinvention by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer – He just finished this last week and really enjoyed it. It explores the distinct culture at Netflix and how it was designed to fuel innovation through talent density and leading with context vs. control…Can you tell the Mr. wrote that part? He had about 300 words written and I told him to condense it to a sentence. I tell you he is trying to take over around here!
Ice Cube Tray – We have these molds that make giant ice cubes and we both love them. They melt slower so your drink doesn’t dilute as much, plus they just look really cool.

That’s all for my holiday gift guide for men, and concludes gift guide week here on the blog! I hope I didn’t burn you all out with holiday shopping. I actually set up my Christmas tree earlier this week. I plan on decking the halls this weekend, so stay tuned for Christmas content coming next week!

Find my other gift guides below –

Tween Girl Gift Guide

Boys Gift Guide

November 4, 2020 By Kelly 6 Comments

Holiday Boys Gift Guide 8-10

If you knew how seriously my son took this holiday gift guide assignment you would feel very confident about your kiddo loving these ideas. He has scoured the internet for the coolest stuff he could find. Read every online review, and watched countless youtube videos. He is quite the market researcher! So without further ado, here is this year’s Holiday Boys Gift Guide for 8-10 year olds. Side note: there is obviously some wiggle room in this age group, but he is 9.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

HOLIDAY BOYS GIFT GUIDE 8-10

Sled Legs Wearable Sled Snow Sleds – It already snowed here in Michigan last week and my son loves to go sledding. These look like pure torture for my old lady knees, but they look awesome for 9-year-old boys. Basically you strap them to your knees, take a running leap, and slide! No carrying a heavy sled back up the hill.
RC Stunt Car with Gesture Sensor – My son broke his wrist this summer which was a major bummer for summer activities. My dad really saved the day by buying him this car! It has a regular controller, but also a gesture sensor control that straps to your hand to control the car. Perfect for when you only have one working hand. This car was such a hit that my parents are buying my 6-year-old nephew one too! We have had a few RC cars, but this one is by far the best and has lasted the longest.
The Science Book, Everything you Need to Know About the World and How it Works – I think that title says it all – ha! My son LOVES facts/info and wants to know everything about everything. He has a lot of these National Geographic books and is excited to add this one to his collection.
Magic Penny Magnet Kit – My son’s love of magnets started with Magna-Tiles when he was younger, and they continue to fascinate him. This kit looks so cool. It comes with two extremely strong magnets and 32 pennies. You can make all sorts of sculptures and patterns with them, and it includes a booklet of ideas.
Harry Potter Bathrobe – My son is obsessed with Harry Potter (you could probably tell by all the Harry Potter items on this guide) and this bathrobe is so fun. A cozy bathrobe is his uniform on winter weekends, and he can’t wait to wear this one while building Legos.
Hogwarts Whomping Willow Lego Set – Continuing on with the Harry Potter theme…my son has a few of the Harry Potter sets, and they all reside on his bookshelves. He wants to set this one up right next to his Hogwarts Castle.
Dyad Twist – This is a perfect stocking stuffer. It’s sort of like a Rubik’s cube/brain game. It comes with a booklet with over 30 puzzles to solve. I’m planning on keeping this in the car for long car rides.
Electric Paper Airplane Conversion Kit – I think the Mr. may have been more excited about this one than my son. Basically you attach this little battery charged propeller to any paper airplane you make and watch it fly!
Marbleocity Skate Park – My son loves to build things. Bonus points if it moves, and is something you can play with afterward. This kit enables you to build a really cool marble run with gears and moving parts.
RC Robot – Again this looks super fun to build, and you end up with a functioning robot when you are done. My son can’t wait to be old enough to join the robotics team, so I figure this is a good entry point. Bonus he can take it apart when he is done, and try to build his own creations.
Harry Potter Clue – Clue has always been a family favorite game for us, but our Clue board has seen better days. This is a fun upgrade!
Kicking Training Device – My son loves to play soccer, and he is bummed the fall season is over (this freezing soccer mom is not, ha). This training device is a great way for him to keep practicing his kicks, without having to chase his ball down. This is a bit on the pricier side, but anything that will get him outside for a bit after school is worth the extra money in my mind.

I think that’s it for my Holiday Boys Gift Guide 8-10 this year. You can check out my gift guides from last year for more ideas! Oh and if you missed my Tween Girl Gift Guide you can find that here too. Happy shopping!

November 3, 2020 By Kelly 15 Comments

Holiday Tween Girl Gift Guide

Well, it turns out I’m behind the times with the Holiday shopping over here! A few of you have messaged asking about gift guides because you are shopping early. So I took a poll on Instagram and turns out over 60 percent of you have been shopping for weeks! Some of you have even gift wrapped them already – overachievers. :) Eek! Cue a panicked interrogation of my children this weekend for Christmas lists. First up is my 12 1/2 (don’t forget that 1/2) year old daughter’s picks. Cozy and fun seem to be the Tween Girl Gift Guide theme this year!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. Just click on the BOLD links.

Tween Girl Gift Guide

1, Boyfriend Joggers – We are all spending more time at home these days, so you can never have enough joggers. The neutral camo coloring is so cute on this pair.

2. Cozy Good Vibes Joggers – My daughter is all about the cute matching sets. This one looks so cozy.

3. Cozy Good Vibes Oversized Sweatshirt – The side slits are a fun detail on the matching top.

4. Fleece Cinched Hoodie – I was pretty convinced my daughter owned every comfy hoodie on the planet, but apparently she needs this one too. It comes in a few pretty muted tones.

5. Fuzzy Cross Over Slides – Fuzzy slides are everywhere this season. I think they are SO fun! I personally would choose the leopard print ones, but my daughter is partial to the blue pair.

6. Hi-Rise Jeggings – I bought my daughter these jeans this fall and they are a fave of hers. They are comfy and stretchy like leggings but are durable like jeans. The fact that the rips are all reinforced and patched, makes them mom-approved.

7. LED Color Changing Lights – My daughter loves her new room but she wants to add this last detail of glowing lights under her bed. She has plans to stick these to the bottom of her bed frame and have her very own disco party at night. It even comes with a remote that changes colors.

8. Sloth Slippers – My girlie LOVES to sleep. Even when she was a baby she would sleep till 9 am every morning…it’s quite a bit later than that now. She has always felt a certain kindred spirit with sloths. We saw these and immediately started laughing and knew she needed them!

9. Liberex Facial Cleansing Brush – I bought this for my daughter this summer and she uses it to exfoliate a few times a week. It’s at a great price point, and gentle enough for teen skin. It’s also waterproof so she uses it right in the shower.

10. Chromebook Silicone Keyboard Cover – All the 7th and 8th grade students at our school use Chromebooks. These keyboard covers are a fun way to personalize them.

11. 2021 Daily Planner – These planners are fun. Plus they have lots of helpful extras inside, like goal setting and to-do list pages. I’m all for anything that will keep her organized!

12. Le Vite Hair Straightening Brush – My daughter is a leftie and she struggles to use a curling iron or straightener – until we found this brush! It’s so easy to use. It’s just like a regular brush but with a heat plate on the back. She has naturally wavy hair, and this is easy and quick for her to use on busy mornings when she wants to tame the waves.

13. Heat Shield – She sprays this heat protectant on beforehand and it smells amazing.

14. Disco Bath Bomb – Bath bombs are always a great stocking stuffer, and Ulta has so many fun ones.

That’s it for this year’s Tween Girl Gift Guide. I’ll be back tomorrow with what my little guy has his eye on this year! Someone out there please confess you are like me and haven’t bought a thing yet???

Fireplace Mantel Christmas Garland

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

HOLIDAY BOYS GIFT GUIDE 8-10

Tween Girl Gift Guide

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