Gifting For the One You LOVE

By: Danie

So I have been having a hard time getting inspired lately {I need to stop neglecting my Pinterest account :P}. So there is a little time left to get out there and get something for your hunny. Here are a few ideas for him!

In my search for unique gifts for him I found this awesome website called redenvelope.com, I am not sure why I suddenly started receiving emails from them but I found these keepsake tie and collar stays. The tie comes with a heart that can be personalized with your name and it also has a cute saying, the pocket on the back is for leaving love notes... ooo lala. The collar stays have cute little messages well the PG version is cute there is an xrated version also! Whoa. lol

If you haven't checked out snapfish I suggest that you do it now! This website has helped me create some amazing gifts for family and friends. This year I was thinking of making my fiance a photo book with old photos and of course new ones of our little mini us :)

You all MUST be wondering what in the world is the picture of a half naked lady for? Well, I had heard people talk about boudoir photo shoots and it looks like it would be a ton of fun and it would most definately knock your hunnys socks off. Boudoir photos are tasteful photos of you in elegant yet provocative poses. This isn't on my list of things to do this year, I am going the cute route but I would love to do this at some point just to shock him because he would be soooo shocked! If you would like to find a place near you enter boudoir photo shoots and the name of your city in any search engine and options should pop up.

Just a few ideas to get the gears going!!

Happy Wednesday

:)

25 Days of Christmas - Day #21 Gift Wrapping with Love

by: Ashley

Feliz Navidad! Feliz Navidad! I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas, I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas... ugh this song is stuck in my head!!!!

So this year I decided to try something a little different with my gifts. Instead of just buying wrapping paper, I purchased some plain white craft paper (which is less expensive!), red craft paper, and gold ribbon.  And the result was FANTASTIC.

If you want some other ideas check out my Pinterest Gift Giving board.  I really like these ones below featured on Grey Likes Weddings (photographs taken by Jenny Liu).  

Source: thelifeofawife.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Hopefully you are all done with your Christmas shopping and you can focus on the gift wrapping.  Of course if you make it too pretty then you won't want the recipient to tear it open! :)

25 Days of Christmas - Day #18 Gifting for the NFL Fans

By: Danie

This year I have not really stressed myself about gifts. My stress has been focused mainly on my twin nephews!! They are those kids that pretty much have everything they could want or need. However they are two of the sweetest boys you will ever meet. In my eyes Christmas is for the kids and I wanted to make it extra special to let them know that I know that they love basball cards and I really have been paying attention!!

Tweens are at an odd age where they are just now embracing who they are and what they like. Thankfully my nephews have a one tracked mind .... SPORTS! I think I came up with some good stuff check it out!

NFL Follies {A blooper real for the NFL - 60 yrs}

Blanket  {Hand made by me, made with new england patriots fabric}

Click the link for instructions

http://www.allkindsofbabystuff.com/no_sew_fleece_blankets.html

NFL M&Ms!!

OMG how awesome would this be in their stockings!

Since I have to get two of whatever I get I thought that the blankey would be awesome gifts!! Not only do they watch sports but they also play and on cold late nights out on the field I think this will come in handy. I made one for my son to cover his car seat and it is aweomse and warm!



25 Days of Christmas - Day #17 DIY Wreath

By: Danie

So we have been lovin' these wreaths and whats one more?? Hope you enjoy and this one was really easy and quick!

Initially I was going to go buy a Styrofoam or straw wreath but I saw that beauty {i.e. the ugliest wreath EVER} at goodwill for $1.50.... you really can't beat that! My other materials include burlap garland, felt and pins. It was a really easy process, first you wrap the burlap around and pin as you go.

The hardest part will be making the flowers. You can make any felt flowers that you want but I was playing around with mine to make these flowers I saw online. To make these you cut out six circles, fold them in half and then cut the bottom off about 3/4 of the way down. I put red thread through all the circles and made a tight circle and had to pull the petals out. My close up of the big one doesn't look that great I had to reposition it a little.

Here is my new beautiful front door!

{I have made a bunch of wreaths and finally I've made one for myself!!!}

This was super fun and super easy of you have any questions just leave a comment! P.S. I think this would be an awesome gift even if you dont make it for christmas you can make something that is year round appropriate ;) Just saying...

25 Days of Christmas - Day #13 Gifting for Infants

By: Danie

Gifting for an infant can be a little tricky, you want to help out the family but you also can't help but get the cute little outfits and fun toys. When Michael was a newborn we got four of the same outfits all in the same size..... what were the odds! Honestly we had clothes for days... too bad they were only for the 0-3 month days :) Who could blame them?? All those small clothes are so much cuter than the big stuff. Definitely had to do some returning and exchanging. So here are some things that I think are great infant gifts!!

Savings Bonds

Why bonds? Well because it is low risk, you can get them in fairly reasonable denominations starting at twenty dollars up to five thousand. So you really don't need a ton of money to make an investment for the little guy or gal. The only downside is that after December, 2011 they won't be issuing paper bonds any longer (i.e. you cant just go to the bank and purchase a bond you will have to purchase them on the internet and print out a "certificate").

       Carseats

Well this is on my christmas list and to be quite honest I really should have asked for this from the get go, a convertible carseat (5lbs-65lbs), front strap adjusters (comes in soo handy) and cup holders. We had gotten a graco travel system as a gift but unfortunately my son is already too tall for it and getting him in and out without easy access to adjusting the straps is really a pain. These big ticket items can be a little pricey and unexpected (I didn't even think about him outgrowing his car seat! I thought that was a one time deal). Christmas for the baby doesn't really need to be "for the baby"... as long as there is something wrapped in paper you are doing good.

If you rather buy toys think about age approproiateness. Usually the 1yr toys don't work for 4 month olds. If you need a little help check out http://www.ebeanstalk.com/ its a great site that has ratings and awesome toy ideas! My son is 6 months and is obsessed with his baby einstein bouncer and any sort of rattle/teether.

My best advice is to ask mom and dad what they need. Mike and I are trying to focus on saving for baby Mike's college education so family members have been sending cash or bonds. Buying for baby can be pretty easy but you want to get something that baby, mom or dad will find useful and you don't know the family situation so just ask!

25 Days of Christmas - Day #11 Christmas KooKies

By: Danie

Christmas cookies are one of the best parts of the holidays! You can also put them in decorative tins and baskets and gift them to family members, neighbors and friends. SO I thought I would get you all in the mood for something sweet. {I had dreams last night about snickerdoodles, so sad when I got up this morning and there were none in the kitchen- this will make up for it though!}

Peppermint Crunch Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies

Snickerdoodles

Save the best for last...

S'mores Chocolate Chip Cookies

O.M.Gee these look so good!

So now that I have tantalized your taste buds...two days in a row :) Sorry about that! I just thought that this would be a great, easy and affordable gift. It would also be fun for the family to do together.



On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.......

By: Danie

One ring a sparklin'

I am so excited to kick off 25 days of Christmas! Also to share with the world that I am engaged to my best friend and I am officially the future Mrs. Shutka. I couldn't be happier about spending the rest of my life with the man of my dreams :)

Soo.... Ashley and I thought it would be a fantastic idea to get ready for Christmas by giving everyone Christmas ideas for him, her, grandmas, grandpas and a few DIYs in there to spice it up!

Obviously I am in the mood to talk about gifts for your lovely lady;) You really cant top the engagement ring but try these items to make Christmas extra special for her {whoever she may be}

You could give your lovely the key to your heart in that little blue box {every girl's dream}. Tiffanys has so many key pendants in a variety of prices. Trust me the look on her face will be priceless!

Watches are always a great gift for your lady, she will wear it everyday and every time she looks at it she will think about you. There were a lot of rose gold watches and mixed metallics, if you have a trendy gal head over to Nordstroms because they have a great selection. I LOVE gold..... it is my favorite so of course I chose a gold Juicy Couture, I like the leatheresque straps and the bulky face.

What better a way to say I love you than a puzzle! It isn't the most traditional gift but how thoughtful and fun?!? You can find it at personalization mall.

The jewelry trunk isn't expensive or romantic but I couldn't get over how awesome and vintage it looked and your lovely has to put all that jewelry somewhere :) It's not the most common gift but its thoughtful and any gal would love it!


You will be getting a double dose of us every week until the 25th! So check back for some more awesome gift ideas.