Last Minute Gift Ideas - Holiday 2016

Inevitably, every Christmas I forget someone on my holiday gift list. I shop early for nieces and nephews, my kids remind me daily to shop for them, and I pretty much remember anyone related to me. But when it comes to teachers, neighbors, and miscellaneous other friends, I always manage to have a blindspot until a week before Christmas. Then I start entertaining unrealistic ideas of baking or crafting. This year, not only am I checking my list twice, I'm buying back up gifts and have several other ideas I know I can get last minute without it looking like I did.

I thought I'd share a list of last minute gift ideas with my bloggers too, as a gift to you!

A Stitch Fix Gift Card

At first glance gift cards can come across as generic and last minute, but a Stitch Fix gift card is to a woman like Chuck E. Cheese tokens are to kids (there's another last minute gift idea, too!) When I think about gift buying, I consider my favorite things. Many people when talking about Stitch Fix describe it like "Christmas morning". It's Santa, for adults!

When you give the Stitch Fix experience to someone, you're really gifting a personal stylist. For anyone who hasn't already tried it, the concept is fun and exciting, and if they've tried it already then they are likely already obsessed.

Since the gift card is just a code, you can buy it last minute and tuck a printout in a pretty little box, or even an old Stitch Fix box if you have 1 or 7 laying around.

If you buy a gift card or decide to treat yourself, I'd love it if you used my affiliate link: click here

Subscription Boxes for a year

This sounds redundant, and Stitch Fix IS somewhat of a subscription box (you can schedule regular fixes). But this idea is like giving a magazine subscription to someone, only it's a box full of something they are interested in. Here are a few of my favorites:

For the cook: Mary's Secret Ingredients
This is a curated culinary box full of foodie goodness like ready to eat treats, seasonings, kitchen tools and recipe ideas.

For the geek: Loot Crate
This is ideal for those hard to shop for guys, but not exclusively. They have different categories to pick from like Marvel, Gaming, Sanrio and J.K Rowling's Wizard World. If you have a fan in your life, this is perfection.

For the naturalist: Etsy Subscription Boxes
This is for the friend who always smells like candles or the cousin who loves to make things. There's a subscription box for just about anything you can imagine on Etsy, from soap of the month club to sew-alongs. You can even subscribe to pie of the month!

Shop Local

I'm not talking about running to Walgreens at the last minute (been there, done that). Rather, I was thinking about those hard working small business owners in direct sales and makers who, like me, are all stocked up on merchandise and ready to help you put together a personalized gift.

I've got you covered for a pair of earrings or wrap bracelet for your sister-in-law, or a nail polish set for your child's Kindergarten teacher. I'll even wrap them for you. 

If you are in Orange County, California I have several contacts who would be happy to put together a makeup gift set (erinlovesmakeup.com), an ornament filled with nail wraps (https://kristieg.jamberry.com/us/en/) or unique planter filled with succulents (www.facebook.com/succulentsbybeverly).

Even if your direct sales friends are out of stock or live far away, most online businesses have fairly reasonable ship dates for receiving items in time for Christmas. I just visited a friends Scentsy website (https://ssiemers.scentsy.us/) and right there on the front page it says you have until Dec. 19th to order!

Make a Donation to Charity

For the philanthropist, the do-gooder in your life. Chances are if you're friends on Facebook with someone you know what causes matter to them. Perhaps they just ran a marathon for awareness. Maybe they volunteer at a shelter. Donate in their name, this is a truly special gift.

Along these same lines, I'm buying ornaments for several teachers on my list this year, the proceeds benefit a friend who is in the process of adoption.

I know it'll warm their heart to hear this story: https://www.adopttogether.org/andersonadoptionadventure

Give the Gift of Time

I don't want to get all sappy, but the older I get the more I appreciate time spent with the people I care about. Even if you decide to buy a few books for your child's playmate/family (Usborne Books) or fill a stocking with Perfectly Posh (https://www.perfectlyposh.com/Getposhedwithjackie/), when you give a gift to someone tuck a card inside with a coupon for a lunch date or make plans to have coffee over the Christmas break. Invite them to your church and share a pew this Christmas. Invite them over to watch a Christmas movie together.

In case I forget to write again before the year's end (boy is life busy these days) I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

As a small token of my appreciation please enjoy this coupon code for 25% off my entire Chloe + Isabel boutique good through the 8th! Coupon Code: FFHOL16

Tina Produce Giveaway and Review

I've been admiring Tina Produce for some time now
and was so excited when I heard back from Kristina about sponsoring a giveaway and review!

Tina Produce represents California to a T.

Fresh produce, forward thinking, and modern design.

I feel like I'm at the farmer's market every time I visit Tina's shop.
Come to find out, Tina worked at one while taking an immersive screenprinting class!

She sent me this vibrant, smile-inducing handmade towel just the other day and my kitchen was instantly brighter. It's easy to see why it's her best seller.

Tina's towels are 100% cotton, which means not only are they soft, but also absorbent.

We are definitely fans of blueberries, probably the kids' favorite.

I'd love to get ahold of this design, or the strawberry, raspberry and blackberry assortment,
in a set of napkins.

These designs are also available on adorable little onesies and kids t shirts (below).

Let's meet the talented maker of these fine handmade goods.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself
A: Originally from Minnesota, I've lived in Oakland, California for over 6 years and in the Bay Area almost 14 years. I've had my business, Tina Produce, for four years now. I love the flexibility of having my own schedule, but it can get isolating and it's been a challenge to constantly be self-motivated and propelling yourself in so many directions. I'm now looking for new collaborative opportunities so that I can keep the business fun and light.

Q: Sounds like you left a career to pursue selling your wares. When did you know it was time
A: I left my office job before I really knew what I was going to do. I wouldn't recommend this, but that's how it worked for me. I had worked at the same office with the same eight people for six years and I knew that I needed to work using my creative skills. So, I lived incredibly frugally while taking a slew of visual arts courses at the local community college and slowly received some freelance design work and started my Etsy shop.

Q: Any advice for upcoming Etsy sellers?
A: Take great photos! I can't emphasize this enough. Keep all the backgrounds consistent so your shop has a cohesive aesthetic. Usually white or gray backgrounds get chosen for treasuries and features (so they look pleasing and cohesive with other vendors' items). The more you do this, the better your chance of getting picked for a treasury or blog feature, and in turn, a cover spot.

Q: Any new prints in the works?
A: I have an artichoke and asparagus design in the works, but who knows how long it will take to execute!

I can't wait to see the new design, Tina! And I agree, photos are key, and yours are phenomenal!

See for yourself here: www.etsy.com/shop/tinaproduce

If you'd like to win a blueberry towel of your own,

#1 Head on over to Tina's Produce & show some love.

Leave a comment below about your favorite(s) for a chance to win!

#2 Follow Tina Produce on Instagram &

Leave a separate comment below.

#3 Follow Tina Produce on Facebook &

Leave a separate comment below.

*Bonus entry if you share this giveaway on 

Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

and leave a link in a comment below

Don't forget to leave your email or a way to contact you!

Thanks for reading, and good luck!

Be sure to follow me by email for future giveaways & product reviews.

Visit the giveaway tab at the top of the page for more chances to win.

Giveaway winner will be chosen on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at noon PST.

Must be 18 years of age and a US/Canada resident to win.

Winner will be chosen with random.org and have 3 days to respond to this post or email.

Christmas Gift List #2 Toys for Tots

I was playing with my kids tonight and remembered I still needed to put together a toy list.
Every single items listed in this post is in our home. No one sent us the items, no bias here.
These are the items my children truly love to play with. 

All are the perfect price for gift and can all be found online. No lines!
Happy Shopping :)

#1 Motor Works

from Discovery Toys

The greatest thing about this toy is that every single member of my family enjoys it.
The baby and the boy love the "electric" drill and playing with the assembled toys.
My daughter loves figuring out how to build it.
My husband and I love that it's easy enough to figure out.

I got a ton of stuff from this company a few years back by hosting a party.
Turns out they make a ton of durable, age appropriate toys.
I love that they sell replacement parts, too.

Other great toys from them include the Measure Up Cups, Go Go Caterpillar and Playful Patterns.
I actually own quite a bit more, so let me know if you have a question.

#2 Playmobil (Knights & Ballista Set)

http://amzn.to/2oPw51A

Playmobil makes the greatest imagination building playsets.
My kids love the movable parts and interchangeable pieces.
I know these toys will be around for generations to come.

Other sets they love include Pony Farm with Carry Case and the 1.2.3 Playground (for younger kids).

#3 Edushape Sensory Balls

This was a random find from a friend, said they got them at Costco one year.
They are soft enough for indoors, strong enough to last outside, and no one gets hurt.
If baby George was making this list, this item would be number one.

#4 Nerf Guns

These last forever, and all of the kids love them.
They have a "laser beam", pull back and extra dart storage.
My kids love to set up targets, or shoot at each other from behind forts.

We also love the N-Strike Reflex Dart Blasters.

#5 Encyclopedia Britannica Interactive Science Library

I could have put this in the book gift list, but I see it as more of a toy.

Hope you find these ideas useful!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, because I love Amazon Prime. I never recommend anything unless I love it!

Christmas Gift List #1: Children's Books & Etsy Finds

Henry & I may fight all day, but we always end up snuggled up like best friends at the end of the day reading our favorite books. I thought I'd put together a list for those of you out there looking for something wonder-full to give away this holiday season.

I also thought I'd show you some fun Etsy finds with our favorite characters or similar things you could buy to go along with them :) These favorite's aren't in any particular order, except that I may have the books I last read on my mind.

#1 Where does Maisy Live?

This is a hard cover, lift-the-flap book, perfect for those rough little guys.

This reminds me, if you are looking for gender neutral books, Maisy is perfect. Henry and I had a good arguement awhile back about whether or not Maisy is a girl or a boy, despite the fact that Maisy was wearing a dress in the picture (another Maisy book). 

When I read it to Henry when he was 2 I would ask "Does Maisy live in the pigpen?" to which 

Henry would reply "Nooooooo". Super cute. These days we are reading the actual words.

I found this super cute smock on Etsy that would pair perfectly with a Maisy book:

Buy it here from pinkiepetunia

#2 Toes, Ears, & Nose

"Peek-a-boo" books are perfect for toddlers.

This book is great for babies when they are learning new words and more mature toddlers

who can repeat a few lines on their own. 

It cracks me up every time Henry says "keeps my belly button out of the breeze".

Inside joke? No, it really says that in the book.

For some reason the toy that came to mind for this one is an I Spy bean bag.

My sister-in-law made these for the kids one Christmas.

Buy it here from kidbiz2010

This book and this toy are great for kids who like to point, find, and talk about anything
and everything, which is pretty much all of mine.

#3 Is Your Mama a Llama?

Of course not, silly.

This is one of those rhymey books that kids love to listen to.

I like the use of unusual animals such as bats and seals.

And it's one of those - kids finish the sentence - type of books.

I couldn't resist this Etsy find.

It's a pattern, yet another reason to learn how to sew.
Who knew Llamas were so popular on Etsy.

Buy it from bitofwhimsyprims

#4 Disney Classics Story Readers, Me Reader

What can I say, my kids love electronics.

We have both of these sets of Disney books, each with 8 of our favorite Disney Tales.

Henry and I take turns either pushing the buttons or turning the pages.

I am seriuosly amazed at how well they can condense these stories into 10 pages.

Not impressed? Consider this:

The pages and buttons are color and shape coordinated. When we got the first set

at the beginning of the year he didn't know what pink or a triangle were. 

Now HE tells me what colors and shapes to push.

And if I've got to hear a story over and over, it had better be a good one, which the Disney tales are.

I think it'd be cute to get one of these bags to go along with it:

Buy it from imperfectprincess

#5 Press Here

This is a very interactive and silly book.

As you read along with your child, they are asked to press the "buttons" and shake the book. 

As they follow the instructions the circles change.

Henry received this one for Christmas last year and I didn't think it looked all that interesting.

I should've known, since it came from the famous Aunt Debbie, that it would be great.

Love this art print to gift along with it:

Buy it from papermoth

I look forward to bringing you more great gift ideas and Etsy finds.

I'd love to hear yours, too!