Holiday Gift Guides 2018: For the Homebody

Raise your hand if you're totally down with a cozy night in instead of a night out on the town most nights. I'm raising my hand so high that even if you're around the world you probably see it! Haha! Better yet, I want everything on this list. Golden Girls Clue game? Sign me the heck up right now. I'm not even that big on game nights, but you throw Golden Girls into the mix? I'm soooo there. I'm a Dorothy, hands down. Which Golden Girl are you? Inquiring minds want to know!

And yes, my love of bears and Mitch Albom is also shown. But this is just a bookmark to give you ideas on the theme. But if you do want any of the below items, you and I are basically best friends now! Sorry, not sorry. ;) Hope this guide does give you a few ideas!

• Something Moisturizing (via Sephora, $22.50 CA) - The heat blasting indoors can be brutal. Why not gift a nice lotion, hand cream, or bath soak to help in the battle?
• Board Game (via Chapters, $49.95 CA) - Staying in and watching Netflix gets old. Sometimes a good game night is needed and it gets your friends to stay in and come to you. So you've won already by not having to go out, am I right?!
• Book (via Chapters, $29.99 CA) - Sports for the sports nut. Music for the musician. Whatever it is the person likes, there's a book for it. I personally read everything and never turn down a book.
• Cozy Blanket (via Chapters, $59.50 CA) - Because you can't have too many and nothing beats wrapping up into a cocoon on the couch. Especially on a rainy or snowy day. That's when it is the absolute best.
• Cute Mug (via DAVIDsTEA, $23 CA) - Hot chocolate, coffee, tea. Whatever you want. I think it should be a scientific fact that everything tastes better in a cute mug.
• Pamper Night (via LUSH, $6.95 CA) - Maybe put together a little care basket or just wrap a nice bath bomb for them to treat themselves. One of my favorite ways to unwind!

Holiday Gift Guides 2018: For the Pet Parent

We all know them. You know someone that obsesses over their pets. Heck, I am one of them. Are you? My dog definitely knows me as "mommy". He knows a lot of other words too, so much that I've been reduced to spelling them so he doesn't catch on. If he learns how to spell, I'm done for!

I might have focused a little more heavily on dogs and cats below, but it's easy enough to substitute in any animal. I mean, I've definitely see turtles, hamsters, birds, etc. on all kinds of things. Why not give a gift that makes the person think of their beloved pet? Or maybe they are like me and obsess over pretty much any animal. Polar bears and dogs being at the top of my ranking, of course. You just can't go wrong with anything like this, because it just incites all of the warm and fuzzy feels.

Another great idea that I did not include below would be a gift card to a pet store. It can be expensive to buy the food, treats, toys, and all of that jazz. A gift card can go a long way in helping the recipient spoil their pet how they want. Below are six other ideas and being totally honest, I want all of them. So darn cute.

• Themed Prints (via Etsy, $32.65+ CA) -  Sweatshirts, tees, wall art. The list goes on. There are so many great options out there with a lot of really fun sayings and graphics!
• Notebook (via Chapters, $10.99 CA) - Because one can never have enough cute notebooks around.
• Leash (via Hudson's Bay, $20 CA) - I've had this leash and the collar on my radar for a while. It's so vibrant. These stripes are really iconic up here in Canada.
• Collar (via Hudson's Bay, $10 CA) - There is always need for new collars and leashes. Always.
• Bedding (via PetSmart, $32.99 CA) - The only thing you truly need to know is the size of the animal. I love these bed sets. Indy has one and both the bed and blanket has held up well after almost two years. He still has the bone pillow, but it lost its ability to squeak and now it just isn't as interesting to him.
• Scratching Pad (via PetSmart, $10.99 CA) - Cat owners know how necessary scratching posts and pads are. The last thing you want is a bored cat and unruly claws ready to cause havoc on anything and everything. They need to scratch. And having a few of these around lessens the chance of furniture and other things getting destroyed.

Holiday Gift Guides 2018: For the One Hosting

And so it begins! I personally love reading gift guide posts. Often I get new ideas or I see something amazing that I didn't even know existed. I have plans to do a few differently themed ones this year as per usual. I don't always do the same themes, though I do usually do this one for the host/hostess. A lot of my ideas are the same, but I've linked to newer options. This year, we are hosting the friends and going to my SIL/BIL's house for the family dinner. So I've got a mix this year!

Of course, the list of what to do and get done has grown to an unrealistic length. As a perfectionist, it's incredibly difficult to not put a lot of pressure on myself to get everything perfect for when our friends come. I know it is not realistic, but I am who I am. Any other perfectionists out there? May we all be a little easier on ourselves and remember that in the long run it doesn't matter nearly as much as our brain tells us it does.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for what to bring to the one hosting! Will you be hosting, traveling, or doing your own thing this year? I've done them all and love them all for very different reasons.

• Flavored Dipping Oil (via Williams-Sonoma, $24.95 CA) - Is your host a bread lover or foodie? These are a perfect fit and might can even be put to use at dinner that night, because what holiday feast is complete without bread?!
• Edible Treats (via Williams-Sonoma, call store for pricing) - Again, perfect for the foodies. Maybe bring a basket of treats, something they can use in baking, and just a little something they can enjoy when everyone leaves.
• Wine (via Two Oceans (via Two Oceans, $10.95-18.95 CA) - For the party or after for the host to unwind. Find one of those cute wine gift bags and you have a gift that anyone can enjoy. Because if they don't drink it, they can cook with it...which is where most of my wine goes.
• Cookbook or Coffee Table Book (via Chapters, $36.99 CA) - I just think that you can't go wrong with a pretty cookbook, coffee table book, or hobby book.
• Home Scents (via Chapters, $25 CA) - Candles, diffusers, you name it. An item that makes your house smell good never goes out of style and is never not an useful gift.
• Cheese or Cutting Board (via Chapters, $34.50 CA) - I am a firm believer of having multiple boards around. So many uses!

Old Navy Friends and Family Sale 2018

Ah, one of my favorite times of year. I mean, yes to fall and Christmas, but that's a given with me. We all know that. I'm talking about Old Navy's F&F sale. 50% off speaks to me. It was extremely hard not to get carried away. Between what I am showing you here and the items I got for my husband for Christmas, everything came to under $150.

I went into this knowing I wanted a few new pieces for this season and winter, as well as a few new pieces to lounge in. I've recently lost some weight and I'm having to rework my closet a bit. And hello excuse for a few new items, #amiright?! ;) Did you pick up anything from the sale or do you have your eye on anything at Old Navy right now? I know I do. And with this order, I got some Super Cash, so I might just have to put that to use. I say might, but we all know that's code for "extremely likely". Haha! Here's what I got this time!

Keep reading!

InstaMonth for October 2018

I can't believe it's already November. I know, I know. I always say that. But when I sit back and think, it feels like I just bought my 2018 wall calendar. It's insane how fast this year has gone by. I am looking forward to a new year, but I need time to slow down if only so I can enjoy the last moments of my favorite time of the year. Give me fall, the very beginning of winter, and all the holidays. It's just THE BEST.

I've got Poppy's new album playing as I type this. I'm not sure I'm quite on the Poppy train, but she does have some catchy tunes. Have you listened to her or watched some of her strange videos on YouTube? It's kind of funny, because her song Fashion After All is playing currently just as I was about to tackle that subject. I used to share more OOTDs before my knee injury and then...well, I just kind of stopped or at least did not do them as frequently. In the early days, it's because it was hard to stand and pose.

I realized that I have rather missed sharing outfits and fashion more frequently. I mean, that's where my blog name comes from! So now on my Instagram, I'm making one day a week (at least!) be an OOTD or something related to fashion or style. Right now, it's Thursdays unless I have a different #TBT to share whatever week. The Instagram algorithm has been failing me recently, so I have actually found it easier to take the pressure off of myself of having an extremely cohesive feed. It's just so limiting.

Here are a few pictures from my Instagram during October!

1. Did you know they'll blend any coffee to give you a frap texture? New fave. // 2. A few new lip goodies by Joe Fresh Beauty. // 3. Gah, this palette!

4. Bite Beauty Glace and Chai. // 5. An event at the horse track. // 6. September faves.

7. DAVIDsTEA put out a Halloween countdown calendar. So fun! // 8. Joe Fresh Highlight Sticks. // 9. Craft show OOTD for Warm and Fuzzy Knits.

Blog of the Month: November 2018

In October, Silvia from EsviCode was my featured blogger. You can read that post and see other past featured blogs under the "blog of the month" label! Being my blog of the month gets you a designated blog post, a sidebar button, and a mention on my Twitter account. The sidebar button stays up all month long. I don't believe in necessarily making bloggers pay for advertising and I'd much rather show you blogs that I really enjoy reading. And I hope you end up enjoying them too!

This month, I've chosen Tiffany from Boho & Blush. Her site has some beautiful photography and editing. She covers a lot of different topics in the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categoies. Tiffany recently reviewed some hair care, mascara, and shared some fashion posts recently. I think you'll enjoy the topics she covers and getting to know her. If you stop by her blog, feel free to let her know I sent you!