favorite things swap

The worst part about Oprah being off the air is that we have to live without Oprah's Favorite Things.  ("You get a baby humpback whale!  And YOU get a baby humpback whale!")  So, in order to deal with this, we created the Favorite Things swap.  It's part Oprah and part White Elephant, so grab your Gayles and have fun!

Here's how it goes:

• Everyone buys and wraps one of their favorite things.  It should cost around $15-$25 (You can choose the price range).  
• Bring that gift to the exchange, and proceed with the White Elephant.
• Choose numbers, or pick names out of a bowl to determine the order.
• The first person unwraps a gift.  The second person can steal the first gift, or open a new gift.  The third person can steal one of the first two gifts, or open a new gift, etc.
• Items can be "stolen" twice during the game.  There are no take-backs, and once it's been stolen twice, it's locked and cannot be stolen again.
• At the end of the game, everyone can go around and say what they brought, and why it's one of their favorite things.

This year I brought a Kate Spade cosmetics case which was on super sale, and left with these adorable bowls from Anthropologie.  Or, as Oprah would say, "CUTE BOOOOOOWWWWWLSSS!"

tied with a bow

Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things.  This year I had a little wrapping station with paper, ribbons, scissors, tape, tissue, gift tags, and a pen.  I would light my balsam candles, turn on the Christmas tree lights, light a fire, and go to town on some gifts.  Oh man, it was the best.

Here are a few gift wrapping tips:

Use real ribbon.  The holidays are not a time for curling ribbon or peel-and-stick bows!  I use grosgrain or satin ribbon and make sure each gift has a bow.  I tie my bows like this.

Use gift wrap tape.  This tape has a satin finish and disappears on most gift wrap.  I always use this when I wrap gifts in brown paper because regular tape makes it look too industrial.

Tuck a little gift into the bow.  I love when there are little trinkets attached to bows.  What's better than a gift?  More gifts!  I like attaching little ornaments, chocolates wrapped in cello, or mini bottles of booze.

kate spade idiom bangles

These bracelets are my new favorite gift to give.  They're cute, affordable, and come in a rainbow of colors.  Each color has a different idiom inscribed on the inside.  For example, the mint green one says "mint condition."  

I picked one up for a friend at the Kate Spade store and it was beautifully gift wrapped, saving me a trip to another store for wrapping paper and a card.  If Kate Spade sold wine and Lean Cuisines, it would be a one-stop shop.

Idiom bracelet, $32, KateSpade.com

make headlines mugs

After a few days of scouring the internet for the perfect vessel for my morning cup of coffee, I stumbled across this mug from Kate Spade's Make Headlines series.  There are four mugs in the series:  Be Jeweled, Travel Bright, Rain or Shine, and Make Mischief (the one I have).  Each one is made from Lenox porcelain and is microwave and dishwasher safe.  Quel fab for you or a gift for your work bestie.

Make Headlines mugs, $20, Bloomingdales

wine for a wedding

I've talked about my hesitation to shop off-registry, but some gifts just need to be given.  Take this Wine for a Wedding box, for instance.  You can purchase the boxes with wines, or you can just buy the boxes and fill them with your own wines.  The boxes start at $55 and the wine trios start at $55, too (so $110 for the whole thing).  If you don't think the couple can wait until their one year anniversary to open up one of your gifted bottles, they also have boxes that start with "open on your honeymoon."

off-registry bridal shower gifts

When it comes to bridal showers, I always play it safe buy something off the bridal registry...but sometimes I just want to be bad and shop *gasp* off registry.  If I ever dare to shop off registry, here are some things I like to buy.  These are also great for non-naughty (nice?) bachelorette party gifts.

A customized hanger for the special day.  Cute and practical. $18, etsy

Miss Now Mrs is an easy way to change your name after saying "I do.", $30, missnowmrs.com

Luggage tag.  I've always wanted this, so I'm hoping when my day comes, someone will buy this (and the matching passport holder) for me. $75, Tiffany & Co.

A ring holder.  If you're going to buy crystal, you can never go wrong with Waterford, but this Kate Spade one is especially lovely.  $40, Macys.

reusable grocery bags

I received this during a Favorite Things Swap (more about this later) and it's my favorite way to be green.  It's a reusable grocery bag that turns into a tiny strawberry!  I always forget to bring my bags when I go grocery shopping, but now I can just toss this little thing into my purse and pull it out on my impromptu trips to Trader Joe's.

Available at Cost Plus World Market, $9 for 3.

Happy Earth Day!

a little gold ring

A few of my friends have been sporting this cute love notes bow ring from Kate Spade.  I rarely go out and buy something just because a friend has it, but right now, monkey see and monkey want.

Available at KateSpade.com, $45.

sophie the giraffe

Meet Sophie.  She's cute, she's squeaky, and according to my friends at a sprouting acorn, she's like crack for babies.

Sophie stimulates each of your baby's senses and makes a great teething toy.  She's made of natural rubber and food paint so she's completely safe.  All of this matters when you're having a baby, evidently.

I like Sophie because she is my go-to baby gift.  Having a baby?  You're probably getting a Sophie from me.  Even if Sophie isn't on your registry, I'll give you one.  Why?  Because I love you and your baby needs a fancy French giraffe.