Gobble Gobble

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Peter stunned in his turkey bib. I missed my chance to say what I was thankful for at the dinner table because P was a little teary and not too happy missing out on all the food - kind of ironic since what I am most thankful for is him and his little happy-tongue-ever-present smile. Here he is again, smiling away at ladybug.

Holiday Glee

If you are an overachiever and queuing up your iPod with holiday music already - the cast of Glee has an awesome rendition of Last Christmas available on iTunes.

Gifts: For Moms, Sisters, Best Friends

1. A tiny sterling silver personalized initial ring is a sweet little token every girl would love. And they are stackable - so you can build on the look each holiday! $17.00 per ring.

2. A minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. Except when that Grapefruit Cupcake is a non edible bath bomb designed to make you smell good enough to eat. Orange Creamsicle looks amazing too! $6.25.

3. Winter can be killer on the kisser - this set of a half dozen lip balms will do the trick. You can choose your favorites from over 45 yummy flavors including margarita, dulce de leche and champagne! $11.25.

4. Go ahead and schedule all your lunch dates and girl's weekends in this fabulous letterpress calendar. Each month is a different color and design - no doubt this gift is as useful as it is beautiful. $24.00.

5. For the woman who has everything but a fabulous mustard yellow neck cozy. Think of how fabulous this would be poking out of her warm winter coat. Her neck and ears will thank you when the temps drop! $22.00.

6. It's always happy hour somewhere. How about a pretty pink wine stopper for the gal that loves a good glass of Pinot but wants to saver the bottle. A lovely feminine touch for only $28.00

7. For the eco buff or the foodie in your life - there is no better bag than one that boasts a french shopping list hand screened on the front. She'll be the envy of everyone at the Farmer's Market. $15.00

Fake It

I often wish I had an accent. Weird fact about me - whenever I talk to someone with an accent - I automatically talk back to them in their accent! I have to stop myself and make a conscious effort to speak normally. I have no idea why. Maybe I was a Brit or Aussie in a former life. This is the perfect poster for a poseur like me!

Gifts: For Dads, Husbands, Boyfriends, Brothers

1. Made with vanilla, Cedarwood essential oil and Dos Equis Special Lager,  a bar of Mexican Hops beer soap will give the guy in your life a day long buzz well within legal limits and might just turn him into the World's Most Interesting Man. Only $5.00 a bar.

2. Forget Tiffany's. There isn't a more bad ass set of cuff links out there than these limited edition Indiana Jones Head Lego cufflinks. It takes a man with a sense of humor to match his sense of style to pull these little dudes off. But man, what a conversation piece at his next client meeting. $18.99 a pair.

3. Turn the guy in your life from grizzly to a smooth operator with a Shave Kit from Flying Bird Botanicals. The organic kit includes a fresh mountain scent shaving soap and sweet and spicy rum aftershave. Totally luxe for only $21.75.

4. For the cookie monster in your life, a Chocolate Lover's Cookie Package is the way to go. A mix of all different chocolate cookie recipes will please the sweetie with a sweet tooth. And bonus - he might just share! $20.00 for 18 cookies.

5. Is he always fumbling for change? Worse yet - does his wallet still velcro? Time for an upgrade! Surprise him with one of these necktie wallets. Awesomely fun patterns, tons of storage and each one is as unique as the next. Only $17.00.

6. Is he the life of the party? Not happy until everyone has a beverage in hand? For the host with the most - a manly man steel spiral bottle opener. Cracking open a cold one never looked so cool. $16.00.

7. Ah-choo! H1N1 be damned with this set of nautical vintage inspired handkerchiefs. For the gentleman  who still has a nostalgic flair for the hankies his grandfather carried. Two for $10.00.

Wake Up. Time To Shop.

Remember that line in Pretty Woman? Richard Gere wakes Julia Roberts up with those five awesome little words. Of course, she doesn't want to go because people were mean to her the day before because of hookerness and all. Hope that never happens to you. Anyway, the gift guides are well under way. I have taken my finds from one stop shop - Etsy - and everything on my lists come in under $30. No crowds, no parking lot jams, no mountain of credit card debt awaiting you in 2010. So stay tuned for the first guide later today. Missing it would a big mistake. Big. Huge.

Earthy Glitz

These druzy agate rings are something special.

Itty Bitty Gift Guide

In years past, I *Heart* You has done a little gift guide for the holidays. This year I am going to put together a little list of awesome finds for gals, guys and tiny ones. All my picks will be wallet friendly - because after all - breaking the bank isn't chic. Stay tuned next week. (I'm busy today - it's my 5 year wedding anniversary.)

Bossy

This faux fur coat is super boss.

Baby Trends

Nirav, a former Houstonian who now calls California's Huntington Beach home, contacted me about shopbabytrends.com, an awesome children's shop where he serves as creative director. I only had to click through the site for 2.5 seconds to be in love with all the adorable gear for baby boys and girls. And with all the fab brands, it is like Shopbop - for kids!!! Things that caught my eye:

Little shoes from See Kai Run

Little dresses from Spendid

and last but certainly not least - a baby Bon Jovi hoodie.

 If you are in the market for cute kid stuff for your small one or a fun shower gift for a friend - check out shopbabytrends.com. You will surely find something you love just like I did!

Must Read

Just about every girl I know is a Sex and the City addict. I recall getting the season one DVDs in college and packing my girlfriends in a room while we watched the whole season in one sitting (while consuming a few jugs - yes jugs). Carrie and the girls have come a long way since then - it is hard to believe we are waiting for the second movie to come out. And now an even more awesome addition to the SATC collection. Candace Bushnell is finally giving the fans what we have wanted all along - a look back as to how Carrie Bradshaw became Carrie Bradshaw. The Carrie Diaries will be out in April and will be a teen prequel to the series and chronicle some of Carrie's high school years, some insight to her mother, some of her early relationships and how she came to be a writer. I can't wait. As someone who already holds her tickets to see New Moon this weekend - you know I love a good teeny bopper book!

Written & Illustrated

I am *loving* Caitlin McGauley's illutration style - her blog is adorable too!

Forgiveness & Something New

Can I even apologize again for the lack of posts - again? Would you accept - again? Please say yes - because I have been working on something. Given my new found role as a mama, I decided to start a baby blog. Introducing Starbucks & Sippy Cups - a blog about cute kid stuff and my adventures with P. Please add it to your blog roll and readers so you can keep up with us!!

P at 2 months