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 Guide 2015: For the Pet Lover

Our pets deserve all of the spoiling in the world. Seriously at this point, Indy has more presents under our tree than anyone else. So this is a guide for your own pet or for any animal lover in your life! I'm the type of person who buys a bag of treats or toys to take to my dentist's dogs. Here are some ideas to spoil our best friends rotten, all under $50.

1. Fleece Blanket (via PetSmart) - $4.77 CA
2. Small Animal Cozy Cup (via PetSmart) - $8.99 CA
3. Cat Scratching Post (via PetSmart) - $18.99 CA
4. Personalized Collar (via Etsy) - $42.39+ CA
5. Pet ID Tag (via Etsy) - $18.41 CA
6. Toys (via PetSmart) - $3.49 CA

I hope your furry (and the not-so-furry) little (and the not-so-little) ones enjoy their new treats and goodies this holiday season. I know my pup is going to be excited simply because he loves tearing tissue paper apart, so I am wrapping all of his gifts in it. This place is going to look like a tissue paper factory exploded!

November Favorites 2011 & NARS Bellissima Swatch

Time for monthly favorites! I'm so excited December is here. It's one of my favorite months and it's exactly for the reason you think it is...Christmas! I'm a Christmas nut. I love the cold weather, the lights, the decorations, the TV specials and holiday movies, etc. I still get the same feeling of warmth that I have gotten since childhood. The magic of Christmas has never failed me. I can be in the biggest funk and Christmas brings me right out of it. January? Whole other story. Haha!

Bella Bamba- I rediscovered this and dusted it off. And I love the smell! Swatch is here.
MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash mascara-Truly waterproof. It survived the "cry test".
OPI Lincoln Park After Dark nail polish- A fantastic nail color for fall/winter.
Beautyblender sponge- Still have to do a full review. As great as you've heard? YES.
NARS eyeshadow duo in Bellissima- Just an easy duo to grab for a quick shimmery neutral eye.
MUFE Aqua Eyes eyeliner in 24L- A lovely taupe brown.
I haven't shown the Bellissima duo before, if memory serves me right. I have yet to swatch the eyeliner either, which I bought at IMATS Toronto this year. Below you'll see swatches of both.



^ One of my non-beauty favorites is the iPad case pictured above. I went to the One of a Kind Christmas Show, which is full of handmade goodies and crafts. I picked out a few gifts for people, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I came across this. It's like it was made for me with my never-ending love of polar bears and my addiction to my iPad (who is named Charlie Brown, by the way). :D It's so sturdy and well-made. They do have an Etsy shop with other bags and designs, if you're at all interested.

So those are my favorites from November! Please tell me some of your favorites or link me to your post. I love "favorites" posts!

Etsy sale on one of my favorite shops!

I don't think she'll mind if I share this with you, but one of my favorite shops is having a sale right now on handmade brush rolls, makeup bags, etc. I reviewed one of her brush rolls here. It's the only brush roll I'll use and it holds up so well.

Image belongs to asoftblackstar! Clicking her name takes you to her Etsy shop. I just know you'll love it! :)

Hope all of my American friends and family had a great Thanksgiving. It's always hard to celebrate a holiday abroad, but it really puts the true meaning in perspective. You learn what you're truly thankful for when you may not be near it everyday. :)