Gift Guide: "Money Can't Buy You Class"

Round here, we try to keep it classy. But we also like to have fun. Here's a gift guide for some of your fun friends. I think The Countess would approve of these. Even though she's <i>real classy</i>, she also like to drink a little too much and run around the house with a pirate, so she can't be all that boring. *<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">* If you don't watch Real Housewives of New York, than you have no idea what I'm talking about.  In fact, you probably never know what I'm talking about and just think I'm totally weird.  Don't worry, I'm not weird, just Bravo-obsessed. </span><br /><br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;"><div style="position: relative;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/money_cant_buy_you_class/set?.embedder=8728156&.svc=blogger&id=105032125" target="_blank"><img alt="Money Can't Buy You Class" border="0" force="1" height="538" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/jBA3J1EBkdZ0IDIomiw/cid/105032125/id/VquJXeFV4xGyVWusO-wIHA/size/c600x538.jpg" title="Money Can't Buy You Class" width="600" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/merry-christmas-yall-pillow/#.UpNkoY2mw2b">Merry Christmas Y'all Pillow</a></span> - For my friends who say y'all (or want to say y'all).  And it's needlepoint so it's supercute.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://printstagr.am/books">Prinstagram Photo Book</a></span> - Y'all know I take a ton of Instagram photos.  I think I actually take better pictures with my iPhone than my big girl camera.  Periodically I order things from Prinstagram when I want to frame them or have them out on a table.  I love the little photo books to put out in a dish and let people look through.  They are great for grandparents, too. Especially ones like The Suze who takes a screen shot of every Instagram you post and then prints it out old-fashioned style at CVS.   <a href="http://printstagr.am/app">Download the App</a> to print directly from your phone! <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Most-Talkative-Stories-Front-Culture/dp/B00CY464TQ/ref=sr_1_1_title_2_aud?ie=UTF8&qid=1385391435&sr=8-1&keywords=most+talkative">Most Talkative by Andy Cohen (but the Audio Book version!)</a></span> - Chances are anyone who watches Bravo has read Andy Cohen's autobiography, but, y'all the audiobook version is worth a revisit.  Not only do you feel like you're gabbing on the phone with Andy while he tells you all his funny stories, but you get to hear him imitate the housewives!  The Suze and I listened to it while driving home to Dallas from Kansas City and were crying we laughed so hard.  My Dad loved it, too!  (credit: my sister Elizabeth who loves books on tape) <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">4. <a href="http://www.tedsbutcherblock.com/products/gifts/">Bacon of The Month Club from Ted's Butcherblock</a> </span>- 100% credit to <a href="http://belleonheels.blogspot.com/">Sarah at Belle on Heels</a> for this one (come back to blogging girl!).  We gave this to Kip's boss for Christmas last year and my Dad for his birthday.  Obviously, bacon has become the "it" dude-gift of the century, but honestly, this is a good one.  I love food-of-the-month clubs because it's not something you would buy yourself.  I also love bacon.  It's not just for dudes! (Hey, Ad Council for Bacon, there's your new tag-line)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">5. <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/jingle-this-handtowel/#.UpNllo2mw2Z">Jingle This Handtowel</a></span> - It just makes me laugh.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">6. <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-new-kitchen/29995933.jsp?color=004&cm_mmc=CJ-_-Affiliates-_-Polyvore-_-11292623&utm_medium=Polyvore&utm_source=AFFILIATES&utm_content=Polyvore">Greyhound Pedigreed Cookie Jar</a> </span>- I love greyhounds, especially miniature ones.  I used to know someone who had one named, Nick, which is so silly.   This is cute enough to sit on the counter in your kitchen and look interesting.  Bonus: fill it with homemade cookies from the <a href="http://www.neimanmarcuscareers.com/story/recipe.shtml">Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">7. <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/golden-animal-magnets/#.UpNwXo2mw2Y">Golden Animal Magnets</a></span> - These are the sort of things you need, but you don't know you need.  Cute magnets.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">8. <a href="http://www.jonathanadler.com/uppers-canister/?cat=1079&initial=10287">Uppers Canister</a></span> - This also makes me laugh.  Bonus: Fill it with <a href="http://www.mymms.com/">personalized M&Ms</a>.  <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">9. <a href="http://www.biscuit-home.com/store/wizard-of-oz-water-globe/dp/2476">Wizard of Oz Water Globe</a></span> - Nostalgia.  Not something someone would buy for herself (or himself).  Bright and colorful and fun!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">10. <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/merry-christmas-cocktail-napkins/#.UpNmCo2mw2Z">Merry Christmas Cocktail Napkins</a> </span>- These are just cute! They would make a great hostess gift. 

Gift Guide: "Money Can't Buy You Class"

Round here, we try to keep it classy. But we also like to have fun. Here's a gift guide for some of your fun friends. I think The Cou...

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Gift Guide: "I May Be Small, OOOHHH"

Sometimes, little things can make us happy. It's ok.  It's completely acceptable to find joy in pretty things around your house or sweet gifts from friends. I'm giving you permission. The key is obviously not to make it your everything. But taking a moment to stop and look at something you have and think, "that makes me smile," is a good thing, isn't it?<br /><br />So many of you are thinking about Christmas presents and hostess gifts already. Here's a round-up of some of the little things around my house that I enjoy that I think would make great gifts.  Most of them were things given to me as gifts so they have some sentimental value attached.  Some of them are just things that make me smile.  <br /><br /><br /><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 600px;"><div style="position: relative;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/belclaire_house_gift_guide_pretty/set?.embedder=8728156&.svc=blogger&id=103559752" target="_blank"><img alt="Belclaire House Gift Guide: Pretty, Fancy Things" border="0" force="1" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/CAxSPnSyY7fCjkhy2BbA/cid/103559752/id/8sNEh_5K4xGI3mkGPPwIHA/size/c600x538.jpg" title="Belclaire House Gift Guide: Pretty, Fancy Things" /></a></div></div></div><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">1. <a href="http://www.biscuit-home.com/store/blue-and-white-bowl/dp/2397">Blue & White Bowl</a> <span style="font-size: small;">Duh! Can't go wrong with one of these.  I have something similar to this that I received as a wedding gift that I use to hold apples or oranges in my kitchen.   </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reed-Barton-Silver-plated-Collection-Cooler/dp/B000BDHB94/ref=pd_sxp_f_i?tag=polyvore006-20">Reed & Barton Queen Anne Collection Silver Wine Cooler</a>  <span style="font-size: small;">This is The Suze's go-to wedding gift because it was one of her favorite wedding gifts.  She gave us a monogrammed one that I am currently using to hold an orchid.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/blue-coral-sculpture-on-glass-base">Blue Coral</a> <span style="font-size: small;">The Suze also gave me a piece of blue coral that she bought at an antique shop.  The one picture is a porcelain scultpure from Williams-Sonoma, but you can also find some <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/faux-wave-coral-white-objects/?pkey=e|coral|14|best|0|1|24||4&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-">faux coral in white from Pottery Barn</a> for a lot less. </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/28610/1820809/1344343?f=shareasale&utm_campaign=floral&SSAID=256758&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_source=Shareasale&utm_term=524448402&utm_content=256758">Flowers</a> <span style="font-size: small;">White or Pink Roses.  It's simple, but they always makes me happy.  I'm in the market for some pretty silk roses so that I can have them year round.  I'm not usually a fan of fake flowers, but something like the one's pictured above (which are no longer available) would be lovely. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Chinese-Lidded-Jar-Social-Circle/productinfo/W7905/">Blue & White Chinese Lidded Jar</a> <span style="font-size: small;">This year for my birthday Kip gave me two small ones for my birthday from Edward and Christopher.  </span></span> Once again stating the obvious with the blue and white jar.  But it's always, always good.  </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/product/26882/1841796/1357691?f=shareasale&utm_campaign=boxes&SSAID=256758&utm_medium=Affiliates&utm_source=Shareasale&utm_term=524617182&utm_content=256758">Shell Boxes</a> <span style="font-size: small;">I stole something like this from The Suze's house.  I use them to store pennies and screws and thing I find on the floor that I dont want my children to eat, but I'm scared to throw away </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. <a href="http://www.furbishstudio.com/triangles-bowl/#.UoEJCCSmw2Z">Little Blue & White Bowl</a> <span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I know another blue and white bowl, but y'all you can do so much with tiny blue and white bowls.  I keep one by my sink to hold clean pacifiers.  I also have one on my vanity for my rings and one in my entry to hold some pink shells I found on the beach in Costa Rica.  They'd also be great for holding candy.  The Suze loves to keep a bowl of lemon drops out for guests (herself).  It's like an adorable, tiny bowl of lemons.  C'mon, tell me that's not cute.  </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">8. <a href="http://www.amara.com/products/3-wick-elephant-candle-pink-champagne">L'Object Elephant Candle</a> <span style="font-size: small;">My sister's best friend gave this to me as a wedding gift and all these years later, I still love it.  It looks pretty anywhere you put it.  </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">9. <a href="http://toriandersonartist.com/miniatures.html">Tori Anderson Miniature Painting</a> <span style="font-size: small;">I bought mine in Sea Island and I love that it reminds me of my favorite place in the world.  They're tiny, but soo pretty! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">10. <a href="http://www.bernardmaisner.com/collection/item/?cat=251&scid=338&productid=16644">Bernard Maisner Paper Weight</a> <span style="font-size: small;">I actually love paper weights.  Is that weird? My friend gave monogrammed paper weights like these to all of her bridesmaids on her wedding day.  </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">* I'm going to try to bring you some gift-ideas here and there as the holidays approach.  I haven't been compensated in any way for the things I'm sharing.  If I ever am it will be in a separate "Sponsored Post" unless I'm like obsessed with it, but even then I'll make it really clear it's sponsored.   Oh and if you're hoping I can incorporate a Real Housewives tagline into every post title, well,  <i>challenge accepted</i>.   </span></span> </span></span></span></span><br /><br />

Gift Guide: "I May Be Small, OOOHHH"

Sometimes, little things can make us happy. It's ok.  It's completely acceptable to find joy in pretty things around your house or...

Read more »