Holiday pajamas for babies (and other rambles)

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I made the mistake not putting Lizzy in her Halloween pajamas until Halloween actually rolled around. To be fair, I was afraid she might ruin her "costume" before the main event. She's adorable, but messy.

She's going to start wearing holiday pajamas now to avoid that problem :) These are a few favorites I've got my eye on at the moment, but in reality, I'll probably hit up TJMaxx and Once Upon a Child for some cute options...in size 12-18 months because she is still a giantess.

It's way too early, I know, but I am so excited for the holiday season this year. Part of this is because I feel like I've really hit my stride in the last few weeks with working, playing with Lizzy, sleeping (knock on wood over and over and over), and just generally enjoying life together. 

I don't want to make it to sound like things were going badly before by any means. Peter and I have seriously been on cloud nine since Lizzy arrived six months ago. But going back to work was so hard for me (even though Lizzy thrived at daycare from the beginning), and I feel like it's taken this long to wrap my head around it. 

I still have waves of missing her during the week, but she's becoming so much more of a person these days - someone who is such a delight to be around - that I feel like our mornings and evenings and weekends are full of quality, fun time. She totally knows who Peter and I are now, and lights up when she sees us. She plays with toys, eats dinner, loves dancing and being tickling, and plays peek-a-boo. (I'm getting dangerously close to one of those monthly update letters that are only interesting to grandparents. Sorry!)

All this is just to say that I can't wait to decorate the house and show her all the lights and the tree and the songs and, in the evenings, when she's all cleaned up after lounging around in the bath and smells so heavenly, I'm going to zip her up into some holiday themed pajamas. 

And I'm really looking forward to it.

Loving Lately

I recently devoured this sweet little book in one day (it's a middle grade reader, so don't be too alarmed by my speed reading!). I now want to not only rescue a stray a dog, but also acquire a spunky old librarian friend, and host a candy and pickles party (let's not blame pregnancy for that one - those two foods sound good to me always).

I've never been a one-piece bath suit person (I have a long torso, and I always feel like they look a bit strange?) but this summer will fall just after I have the baby, so it might be time to take the plunge! This one from Garnet Hill is pretty and seems flattering. But how do you guys buy bathing suits online?! You have to reject so many before finding one that fits right - it's seems really hard! Related, I also need a cute cover up :)

When we were in California, we played Cards Against Humanity one night. We were all laughing so, so hard and kept putting off making dinner until later and later into the night (even though Sarah, Joel, and Peter had to explain the meaning of some of the cards to me and my parents - ha!). Super fun, but not for the easily offended.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Tomorrow we are taking a day long child birth class at the hospital (eeks!) and on Sunday I'm so thrilled that my mom is coming over to help with big some house projects. Cheers to a false sense of preparedness and projects!

Yankee Swap $5-10 Gifts

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'Tis the season of awkward office holiday parties where you're forced to purchase an impressive gift that may end up going to your boss's boss for under $10. The pressure!

I'm going to pick up two bars of sea salt soap, tie them together with a red ribbon, and call it day. I love this soap, and it's a nice gender-neutral option. But while I was poking around, I thought I'd round up a few other things that could work just as well.

Do you have a fool-proof, crowd pleasing gift you always use for these sorts of things?! I'd love to hear!

3rd Anniversary Gifts: Leather

Peter Lugar steak sauce; black leather soy candle; cowhide rug; rustic leather boxed coasters; metallic leather iPhone case; leather card holder

I get a kick out of putting these little anniversary gift round-ups together. Our third anniversary is now less than six months away, so I feel like I've finally reached the point where I can post this without seeming insanely over-zealous (I didn't say it wasn't still over-zealous...).

This is obviously a liberal interpretation of "leather," including some cow- and beef-related paraphernalia. I know leather luggage tags, or nice leather luggage itself, are popular suggestions, and for good reason! Those are lovely gifts. I also think his and hers watches are a fun way to go.

I better give this some thought. Now I only have five months and three weeks to consider! Any other brilliant leather gifts to throw into the mix?

Loving Lately

I finished this gem last night, and couldn't wait to share it with you all. Put it on your to-read list if you loved Rules of Civility and The Paris Wife. And if you're looking for a book club pick, I think this one would give you a lot of chat about.

This artist will create an original watercolor painting based on a favorite recipe. Wouldn't that be an incredible gift? I'm imagining my great-grandmother's brownies, my grandmother's vegetable barley soup, and maybe even pumpkin crunch! Her whole shop is gorgeous.

LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT! We are off to North Carolina tonight to celebrate our dear friends' wedding. Isn't she the cutest?! I get to see some other favorites while we're there, too! And have a Cook Out milkshake (I won't be able get on the plane back home unless that happens). So much to love about this weekend of celebrating.

What are you loving lately?

Loving Lately

An amazing mash-up of 100 years of whistling in pop songs! Truly amazing, no? I brag a lot about my whistling skills (What? I'm good.) -- but this guy is unreal.

I always wish I knew more about art, and visiting all those museums in Paris really reignited that desire. We started watching The Impressionists with Tim Marlow this week. Are your eyes skimming over this?! It's really good, I swear! I love being able to say things like, "Look at the progression of his brush strokes throughout his career!" (In my head only.)

(Sunnyslope Dress)

A girlfriend pinned a bunch of cute stuff the other day, and I assumed it was Anthro. I clicked anyway because sometimes you just want to lust after some Anthro, you know? But it wasn't! It was Spool72. Have you heard of it? Super cute and reasonable to boot. To boot! Let's use that more.

Weekend things:

• The perfect margarita.
• Placing bets! I think I'm going with Dullaham. You?
• Museums on Us weekend if you're with BofA. We might hit up the MFA!

Lastly, thank you for your very kind comments and emails about my last post. I was nervous about hitting publish (as excited as I am, I am also sort of embarrassed?). Anyways, you are lovely readers, and I am very lucky indeed.

Valentine's Day Crossword Puzzle

Last year, I made Peter a set of itty bitty love notes for Valentine's Day. These were so fun to put together (and they went over really well!). But I didn't want to do the same thing this year. After scouring the internet for another sweet and inexpensive idea, I found this puzzle maker program on Discover Education. Jackpot!

There are a bunch of different puzzles to choose from, including a few I'd never heard of, like crypographs (?!).  I went old school with a crossword puzzle (they call it a criss cross puzzle). In the blank field, you write the answer, then add a space and write the clue on one line. I also put this information in a Word doc so that I have a key, just in case I forget my own crafty answers between now and then. Though I will never forget the answer to number 3 across! (My self-esteem is thriving!).

We'll see how easy or hard it is. I tried to mix in obvious things with some inside jokes that I thought he'd really have to think about to guess right. I hope it will be fun!

Do you all have plans for Valentine's Day yet? I know it's sort of a silly holiday, but I (obviously) love it. We're doing a fun dinner at home with lobsters!

Stocking Gifts for Men

We have a long-standing family joke about the time my sister and I got cough syrup in our stockings. We were pretty little, and this gift was so offensive to us! Way too practical. 

Well, now that I am in charge of a stocking for Peter, I have come over to the practical side. Practicality and I are best buds! Here's how you can fill your husband's stocking with one trip to the grocery store. (Peter, dear, stop reading if you like surprises!)

Do you do a stocking for your significant other? Please tell me what you put in it! Last year, I totally dropped the ball on this, and Peter got dollar store hand warmers and a bottle of whiskey (could have been worse, actually...).

Wedding gift (one year late!)

I have a habit of giving Peter gifts that benefit me as well. One of the best in this category was his wedding present. I purchased this one year ago today, and kept meaning to tell you about it, but then I'd have to chat about sewing or pizza or some other nonsense. So today is the day!

Over the years, I had given Peter a watch and monogrammed cuff links and such -- traditional, easy wedding presents for men. I put my thinking cap on, knowing that I had to avoid flasks and embroidered handkerchiefs (What was I going to do with those?!).

During planning, I heard a fun idea for an engagement gift: a bottle of wine for the couple to celebrate with now, one for the wedding, and one for the first anniversary. Brilliant, no? I basically just expanded on this idea and got Peter a case of wine -- one to have around our wedding, and then for anniversaries 1-10 and 15.

If you want to see a very happy and excited wine store employee, tell him that you need a case of wine with a mix of things to drink at varying times in the next 15 years. This is like an awesome puzzle for them to put together!

Make sure you tell that happy wine store employee the price you want to stick with for the total cost. When we buy cases of wine, we typically stay in the $10 to $15 range per bottle. But the wines you want to age will be quite a bit more expensive than the ones you'll drink during the first five years. Go cheaper for the early wines, and expect to spend a fair amount more for the wines you'll age.

I'm so excited that we'll get to drink our first bottle this weekend! We're going to pay the corkage fee and take it to a fancy dinner at Eleven Madison Park. Anniversaries are so fun!

P.S. It's sort of turned into a mini anniversary week around here -- sorry about that! I'll back to normal next week :)

1st Anniversary Gift: Paper

(Pink and Blue abstract, via Etsy)

Instead of giving each other a book or concert tickets, I convinced Peter that we should pick out a new painting for our first wedding anniversary (less than a week away!).

This post by Emily Henderson led me to Linda Donohue's pretty shop. Oh, how I love her work!

(Abstract with Pink, via Etsy)

These two abstract paintings were among my favorites, but the few pieces of "real" art we own have this kind of look and feel. And I kind of wanted the painting we chose to feel a bit more wedding-ish, since it's to celebrate our anniversary.

(Via Linda Donohue's Etsy shop)

This lovely floral painting was the winner! I love that it has lots of pink and blue -- our wedding colors. I'm so excited to have it in our home for years to come!

My birthday wish list

This is a completely self-indulgent post, but that's the kind of awesome power you get when you take life by the reins and have a blog of your very own!

I would like to present my birthday wish list:

1. ASOS watch with horse print. This will help me win every $2 bet I place at Saratoga.
2. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer with sunscreen. Perfect stuff, and I'm nearly out.
3. Kate Spade Aeryn. These! I just really need.
4. Kodak Easy Share. Peter's iPhone would like resign from its duty as primary picture taking device in our lives.
5. Arpella tablecloth. This will look so pretty in my new dining room (that has a built in hutch, just wanted to share).

Let's pretend your birthday is July 13! What do you want? I promise to fully support your wishes, if you can support my desire for a magical horse watch that I believe will make my life more lucky.

Gift guide: the graduate

My sister and Peter's sister are both graduating from college this month. So grown up!

When I left home and went to college, my sister was in eighth grade. Sometimes I still feel like she should be this little! Of course, this isn't a negative reflection of her in any way. She is brilliant and creative -- just an all around lovely lady and friend. I think that's just an unfortunate side effect of being the oldest - you always see your siblings as younger than they are.

This little round-up of grown-up graduation gifts ranges from the practical to the frivolous. That's really what being an adult is all about, right? Finding a way for your cast iron skillet and Kate Spade bracelets to peacefully co-exist.

1. Bodum Eileen French Press, $39.99
2. Well-being print, $20
3. Lodge logic 12 inch pre-seasoned skillet, $18.59
4. Earn your stripes idiom bracelet, $33
5. Feather in your cap idiom bracelet, $58
6. Let's do lunch, $28

Baby bibs (not an announcement!)

While I had my sewing machine out and buzzing away last week for my skirt, I decided to do a quick trial version of those cute bibs from Purl Soho. You know, for all those babies my friends are having (not me, seriously, not me!).

This next omission is going to do nothing to dissuade Peter or my family that I am not deep in the throws of baby fever, but seriously. So cute, right? Imagine a fat little neck in that bib!

Here's my pile of fabric for non-trial/very girly pink bibs. Yay!

I need some terry cloth for the backs - on this one I just used a piece of felt since I wasn't sure how it would come out. It could also be fun to try out some little embroidery on them, like baby's initials or something floral? I'll be sure to share when I have a few more completed!

That Magical $5 Gift

With office holiday parties, get together's with friends and stockings to stuff, we all need a few random gifts in that magical $5 range. These are always a little tricky because, of course, you want it to look like you spent more than just $5.  Here are a few I'm thinking about picking up!

1. Feathered owl ornaments, $2.95
2. Salong vase, $4.99
3. Dwell in possibilities notebook, $5.95
4. Doll ornaments, $2.95 each
5. Godiva Dark Chocolate Holiday Bar, $3.99

6. Steep Up to the Plate tray, $5.95
7. Two Piece Wine Pourer and Stopper, $4.94
8. Trivial Pursuit Steal, $5.24
9. Smart Money subscription, $5
10. Green Chandelier Earrings, $1.98

Books for All: Ladies Edition

For your sister-in-law with a giant heart and a thing for strong-plot fiction: THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER.

For your crafty sister who is about to graduate from her cozy college cocoon: HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD.

For your mother, who most definitely taught you to live with substance and style: a subscription to ANTHOLOGY magazine.

And a little something to get the shopper in the Christmas spirit: A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND OTHER CHRISTMAS WRITINGS (I read this through Daily Lit last year -- it was such a nice mid-morning break throughout the holiday season!).

Gifted

Thus far, I haven't been super into the new online magazine trend. I applaud people for taking on this creative endeavor, and they can be fun to glance through, but for the most part, I feel like they are difficult to read and not very satisfying. I find myself constantly scrolling left to right, zooming in and out to read (usually silly and unnecessary) accompanying text.

The creators try too hard to translate strict magazine form onto the computer screen, when really it seems something in between a blog and printed form would work better.

Gifted is the closest to this ideal I've seen yet. Very readable text, full of inspiring, fun images, and it includes an absolutely amazing gift guide at the end (you know my weakness for those!). There are also lots of inspiration shots for pretty, simply wrapped gifts. One of my goals this holiday season is to make my packages more beautiful and festive.

I'll be returning to this often!

What do you guys think of online magazines? Am I being too critical? Are they a successful middle ground in the growing absence of printed magazines?

All images from Gifted.

Valentine's Day gift guide for her

These are slightly more expensive than the male gift guide items.  Funny how that happens!

(Clockwise from top left.)

1. Longchamp nylon handbag
2. Pinecone Hill chunky knit pink throw
3. The Vintage Pearl dainty initials heart necklace
4. Anthropologie convertable bra
5. Sublime Stitching Bon Voyage embroidery pattern
6. Little Red Riding Hood mug

Valentine's Day Gift Guide for Him

A little inspiration for Valentine's Day shopping.  Mostly under $25!

(Clockwise from top left.)

1. The Yiddish Policeman's Union by Michael Chabon.

2. Pig butchering classes!  Brooklyn Kitchen is supposed to offer great ones.

3. The Bright Mississippi by Allen Toussaint. 

4. Wobble cognac glasses.

5. Zabar's Coffee Taster Vintage Box. 

6. Bingo Card Games.  Someone please get these and tell me how fun they are...

7. Art of Shaving Starter Kit.

Gift Guide: The Fresh Basil Wish List

(Clockwise from top left. Mostly under $50!)

1. Primrose slippers: somewhat embarrassing to admit, but I actually wear hand-me down slippers from my mom.  These are darling. 
2. Brooklyn umbrella: I've been using a very bright, very loud Vera Bradley umbrella for years, and let's just say it's seen better days.
3. Streamline Editor Series luggage: Peter, would you be excited to wheel that awesome pink leather-lined bag?  Yes?  Awesome.  Me too!
3. Italian floral wine glasses: These can added to the long list of things I don't need but really want.  But aren't they adorable? 
4. 2010 Calendar -- Paris: A Love Story: We're planning on going to Paris for at least part of our honeymoon, and this would be such a fun way to get excited. 
5. Flower ear warmer: I have a serious NorthFace hat for skiing, but I hate wearing it because it always falls off when I wear my fury hood. I think this would help solve the laying problem, and besides, it's much, much cuter. 
6. Lunch tote: I'm super into bringing my lunch to work everyday, and one of my New Years resolutions is seriously committing to using fewer plastic bags. 
7. Gourd bird ornaments: Maybe I have a little bird thing going on? Regardless, love these cute ornaments. 
8. The Flavor Bible, by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg: I tend to find recipes very constricting; this book lists all sorts of ingredients and the things that go well with them.
9. Wii Resort: Peter keeps trying to get me to play more Wii Tiger Woods golf, but settling in for 18 holes of virtual golf is sort of intimidating.  Shuffle board sounds way more my speed.

Gift Guide: For Your Dad Who Can Give You Perfect Directions No Matter Where You Are

(Clockwise from the top left. Mostly under $50!)

1. A to Z Pinot Noir: fantastic light red wine, just a touch more expensive than the bottles he buys himself.

2. Snow shoes: to keep him active during the cold months.

3. Meyer lemon tree: so he can always have a slice for his water glass.

4. Wicked good moccassins: the perfect slipper. Seriously, wicked good.

5. Art of Shaving creme: to make the daily chore a little nicer.

6. Executive memo set: because his chicken scratch hand-writing needs all the help it can get.

7. Red bird feeder: to further confirm your suspition that he is, in fact, getting old -- he loves watching the birds eat every morning.

8. With a Song in My Heart, by John Pizzarelli: for when he gets tired of listening to your Mom's Michael Buble CD.

9. How Soccer Changed the World, by Franklin Foer: a really interesting look at sports and their connection to globalization. Has "Dad book" written all over it.

10. Golf club pull cart: because you know how much it pains him to spend $20 renting the golf cart every time.