2012 GIFT GUIDE: INDIE

Today's gift guide is by my friend, Brit, who I've featured on the blog a few times now. Being a small business owner and artist herself, she has a great eye for indie shops and handmade gifts. If you like to support small businesses, check out her choices for the best indie holiday finds.

1. Rosewood Earbud Holder ($27) | 2. Evergreen Hollow Ring ($770) | 3. Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Small Batch Tonic ($32) | 4. Jeni's Ice Cream, Salted Caramel ($12) | 5. Burlap Market Tote ($28) | 6. Japanese Mugs ($30) | 7. Hand-stitched Leather Camera Strap ($65) | 8. Two Barn Owls Print ($20) | 9. Hanging Terrarium ($60) | 10. Espresso Yourself Letterpress Cards ($20) | 11. Scandinavian Print Kitchen Towel ($10) | 12. Brown Leather Wallet ($75) | 13. You are the Gin to my Tonic Screenprint ($12) | 14. Black Feather Print ($15) | 15. Modern Coffee Table ($995)

FREE PRINTABLE HOLIDAY TREAT BAGS

I always like to include a little add-on with my Christmas presents. Last year, I did the classic mason jar cookie mix add-on, but this year I think I want to make something that you can eat now. So, I decided to make cookies and put them in little bags. First, I made this design on my computer. You can download your own using the link at the bottom of the post.

I purchased my kraft bags here, and you can download the design to make your own treat bags here.

Then, just print the design right onto the bag, fill the bags with treats, and decorate! 

Note: Make sure to slide your printer bar over to the 5 x 7 spot (see second picture above) and choose 5 x 7 in the print settings box before you print. You may have to print one at a time to avoid a paper jam.

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE ATHLETE

Today's gift guide is by one of my college roommates, Logan, who ran track and cross country in school and is still an avid runner now. Her metabolism was always so cranked up from all the exercise that she could eat anything she wanted and never gain a pound. I would have hated her for it, but she's impossible to hate (don't you hate that?). Anyway, here are her choices for gifting the athlete or fitness fanatic in your life:

1. 6-Pack of No-Show Athletic Socks ($18) | 2. Women's Seamless Racer Bra ($16.99) | 3. Lulu Lemon Make a Break Jacket ($148) | 4. Nike Running Reversible Headband ($16) | 5. Nalgene On the Fly Water Bottle ($12.99) | 6. Pro Combat Core Long Sleeve Shirt ($25) | 7. Chapstick Variety Pack ($6.98) | 8. Ouchless Hair Elastics ($4.79) | 9. PUMA Duffle Bag ($70) | 10. Under Armour 3-Pack Braided Mini Headbands ($19.99) | 11. iTunes Gift Card (price varies) | 12. Colorblock Leggings ($40) | 13. Asics Run Mittens ($21.95) | 14. Timex Ironman 30-Lap Watch ($60) | 15. Women's Gel Blur 33 Running Shoes ($90)

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE GENTLEMAN

Today's post is by my friend, John Stack. In college, while most "bros" were playing video games and drinking Bud Lights, John was playing vintage records and drinking a dry martini. He's the ultimate dapper dude, and that's why I chose him to give me his top picks for today's gentlemen's gift guide.

1. Aqua Terra Mid Size Chronometer ($ varies) | 2. Greenwood Wool Jacket ($445) | 3. Johnnie Walker Black Label ($62) | 4. Bleu De Chanel ($62) | 5. Bluetooth AM/FM Radio ($259.99) | 6. Spa Miami Beach Trip (contact for pricing) | 7. The Great Gatspy ($13.05) |  8. Sandalwood Shaving Kit ($115) | 9. Walkover Derby Shoes ($255) | 10. Estate Framed Duffle ($298) | 11. Classic Grey Wool Tie ($59.50) | 12. Leek, Serrated Knife ($74.95) | 13. V7 Stone Motorcycle (price varies)

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE 9-5 GIRL

Today's gift guide is by my friend from college, Kimberly. She works in a financial management office as an executive assistant. In school she always nailed the "stylish, but professional" look, and here are her picks for the people in your life who do the same.

1. iPad with Retina Display ($499) | 2. Ultra Moisturizing Hand Therapy ($19) | 3. Longchamp 'Le Pliage Tote ($145) | 4. Seize the Day Mug ($20) | 5. Topless & Barefoot Nailpolish ($8.00) | 6. Leopard Pumps ($69.99) | 7. Sleepy Hollow Pencil Cup ($16) | 8. Cutaway Collar Jacket ($128) | 9. Olivia Bib Necklace ($118) | 10. Thank You Cards ($20) | 11. Rose Gold Watch ($295) | 12. Sheath Dress ($58.80) | 13. Leopard iPhone Case ($40) | 14. Dotted Tights ($25)

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE FOODIE

Today's gift guide is by my sister-in-law, Ashley, who is passionate about food and dang good at making it. Her expertise made bringing food to family get-togethers a little intimidating at first, but now it's fun to have someone to laugh with about my epic fails in the kitchen (over a plate of something amazing that she made!). Here are her choices for the foodie in your life:

1. Kitchen Cabinet Mount ($49.99) | 2. Home Beer-Tap System ($250) | 3. Even Dough Bands ($8.95) | 4. Bench Scrape by Rachel Ray ($13.43) | 5. Warm or Cool Face Mugs ($35/set of 2) | 6. Soup and Sandwich Ceramic Tray Duo ($30) | 7. Molecular Gastronomy Kit - Cuisine ($60) | 8. 56-blade Meat Tenderizer ($29.99) | 9. Fresh Valley Canisters ($89.95/set of 3) | 10. Grease Separator ($15.95) | 11. Batman Apron ($19.99) | 12. Electric Coffee Grinder ($120) | 13. Pie Drip Catcher ($14.95)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GIFT GUIDES

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE TECHIE

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're half way into a food coma right now and that you're enjoying time with your family and friends! Tomorrow is Black Friday, which means lots of shopping, especially for highly sought after technology and electronics, which makes today the perfect day to post a gift guide!

Today's guide is for the technology obsessed people in your life, and it is brought to you by my friend Drew, who is the most tech-savvy dude I know. I have included his helpful commentary along with his choices below in case you (like me) don't know what a lot of this stuff is. Thanks, Drew!

1. Canon EOS Rebel T3i ($599) Great camera for anyone interested in seriously getting into photography, plus it shoots full 1080p HD video | 2. iGrill Grilling/Cooking BBQ Thermometer ($79) Connects to your phone via bluetooth. Pretty much the coolest cooking accessory ever | 3. Wii U ($300-$350) | Nintendo's new console. Will probably be impossible to find for a few months. | 4. Lytro Light Field Camera ($399) A digital camera with no focusing, you just snap pictures and dynamically change the focus afterwards. Incredibly cool. | 5. iPad fourth generation ($499) Probably the best tablet all around, with the biggest app selection. | 6. Call of Duty Black Ops 2 ($60) There were three huge gaming releases in November, and you can't really go wrong with any of them. | 7. Assassin's Creed 3 ($60) | 8. Halo 4 ($60) | 9. Turtle Beach X42 Gaming Headset ($160) Fantastic sound quality, extremely reasonable price. | 10. Kindle Fire HD 8.9" ($299-$269) Great, affordable Android tablet | 11. Star Wars: The Complete Saga blu ray ($69.99) It's Star Wars. In HD. | 12. Makerbot Replicator ($1,749-$1,999) The "I really love my significant other" option. 3d printers are amazing.

2012 GIFT GUIDE: THE FASHIONISTA

For the next five weeks, I'll be featuring 2 gift guides per week to help you with your Christmas shopping. The first gift guide is for "the fashionista" and the picks are by my college friend (whose closet I borrowed from frequently), Thakshila (AKA Tucky), who went to Parsons in New York City after undergrad and is passionate about all things vogue. Check out her choices below! 

1. Tres Chic Wallpaper ($9/square ft) | 2. Mimosa Mini Candle ($28) | 3. Stripe Sweater ($390) | 4. Alice McCall Amelie Dress ($677.22) | 5. Brown Leopard Print Glove ($9) | 6. A Fragile Mind Art ($20) | 7. Sequined Clutch ($59.90) | 8. Antler Button Stud Earrings ($70) | 9. Sweet Lips Lip Scrub ($9.95) | 10. Etta Gold Captoe Pumps ($248) | 11. Never Sleep Sweatshirt ($40) | 12. Space Foil Print Leggings | 13. Nars Blush ($28) | 14. Viktor & Rolf Perfume ($105) | 15. Grace Coddington Memoir ($19.02)

CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKAGING IDEAS

Can you believe it's November already? That means it's time to start getting your Christmas gifts ready! I think it's so much fun figuring out what to get everyone and to me it's even more fun wrapping up all the presents! Here are some of my favorite Christmas packaging ideas from around the web and Pinterest - Do you have any creative packaging ideas for the holidays?

Sources (from top-bottom, left-right)

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