A Book Lover's Last Minute Gift Guide

I know I'm not the only one who waits until the last possible moment for at least one recipient on my holiday gift list. However proactive I try to be, I always seem to miss one person or another in the end and find myself scrambling for a quick idea. Since I know there are plenty of gift guides available sorted by gender, age, and relationship, I thought I'd take a minute to throw together a gift guide of my own based on my personal favorite pasttime: reading.

Here's a quick breakdown of the perfect gifts for any bookworm in your life:

Canvas Book Print Tote Bag // This tote is one of my personal favorite purchases I've made this year! It's the perfect size for carrying all of our thrift store book finds, library loans, and even snacks and entertainment on a recent road trip. It's fairly sturdy compared to other canvas totes I've had in the past and has an inside pocket for smaller items. This brand has many other unique prints to choose from, as well.

"The Book Was Better" Tee // I think most avid readers will agree--the book is always better. I put this saying on a sweatshirt recently with my mom's Cricut and I wear it super often! If you don't have the time or means to DIY your own design, this tee is a great option and comes in mens, womens, and youth sizes alike.

Book Locket // The perfect accessory for any bookworm in your life! Include a sweet note or quote from a favorite novel inside to make it personal.

Book Light // If you didn't sneak a few more chapters under the covers with a booklight or flashlight as a kid, did you even love books? Maybe adults don't have to sneak to stay up and read the last few pages, but a booklight is still great to have on hand for reading next to a sleeping spouse or in the car on a late night road trip. I'm getting Lucy her first booklight this year and I know she'll be using it every night so this rechargeable option is a must!

Quill Pen // What could be fancier than sending out correspondence with an inky plume? If nothing else, this is a beautiful item to have on display deskside and comes with 6 different nibs and a bottle of ink for those who want to learn a little calligraphy.

Collectible Edition Classic Novels // Barnes & Noble has a beautiful selection of collectible editions of all the literary greats, all at extremely reasonable prices. Some of them are not hardcover (they're considered a "flexibound", kind of a cross between hardcover and paperback), but the quality is still great for the cost and they look stunning on the shelf.

Magnetic Poetry Kit // Make your next trip to the refrigerator a little more interesting by creating your own poetry right there on the stainless steel! This is a fun gift for adults and kids, alike.

Pressed Flower Bookmarks // Another of my favorite purchases this year! Lucy and I both have one of these beautiful bookmarks and I was so impressed (no pun intended) with the quality that I purchased us each another one for Christmas, as well as one for my mom. They design each bookmark after a literary character, including Harry Potter, Little Women, Twilight, and more, but they also just launched several customization options so you can really make it your own. Highly, highly recommend!

Lounging Pillow // What better place to relax with a new novel than on a comfy bed rest pillow? This one looks extra cozy made with Sherpa material.

Bookstore Puzzle // Anyone else get super into puzzles during the pandemic? This bookstore photo is so serene and perfect for any bookworm.

"Bookmarks are for Quitters" Mug // Okay, I live for great bookmarks, but this mug was too cute not to share. I'm sure a steaming serving of tea or coffee would be perfect in this enamelware mug.

Wax Sealing Kit // Finish off your Christmas cards with a beautiful wax seal! My love for historic novels makes me pine for a day when we will embrace snail mail again and I know I can't be the only one. Start up a pen pal club or just display this on your desk and dream of your literary gentleman writing back from the front.

Book Handbag // This handbag is made to look like a popular novel and I love the mix of quirkiness and practicality! Choose from favorites like Sherlock Holmes, The Great Gatsby, Anne of Green Gables, & more.

Lord of the Rings Inspired Cookbook // Because reading goes best with a good snack--this Lord of the Rings inspired cookbook features recipes from the world of Tolkien. Be still, my nerdy heart.

Library Card Socks // These fun printed socks make a great stocking stuffer or small gift for an avid reader. They come in multiple colors and sizes!

Literary Candle // These candles are some of my all-time favorites! I have the Mark Twain fragrance (vanilla + tobacco--equally sweet and musky and SO cozy) but there are several options inspired by other famous authors so you can pick the right scent for your budding writer.

Book Quote Art Print // This is one of my favorite quotes regarding the love of books! Put it in a pretty antique frame before wrapping to really wow your recipient. (I found several other quotes here, you can browse to find the perfect one!)

Leatherbound Journal // Keep track of that TBR list or just use this for your next grocery trip--but feel fancy while you do it. A quality journal is always a good gift, for guys and girls!

Cozy Knit Throw Blanket // Only $20 and comes in several colors, this is the perfect accessory to cozying up with a good book all winter long.

Pride & Prejudice Scarf // My sister-in-law has a scarf similar to this and I've always loved it! Maybe it's time I grabbed one for myself...

What do you think? Did I miss any great literary gifts? If you're a reader, what would you like to receive this year??

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A Cozy Autumn Wishlist

For some of us, August signals the end of summer. If you're like me, August is more like the beginning of autumn. Something in the air just changes and I can feel the arrival of golden leaves and crisp air on the horizon. Since we're still in construction mode on the house these days (you can follow along on my Instagram page), the urge to nest and decorate is still strong. I'm trying hard to find contentment this year and not focus so much on the things I want, but I still had to have a little fun window shopping for some pretty autumnal items that are slowly starting to show up on store shelves.

In an effort to achieve that contentment, I opted to call this collection an autumn "wishlist" instead of fall "must haves" or whatever other influencer-sounding phrase might breed that insatiable need for "more". I even included a few items here that I already own because I love them but also because it's a great reminder that sometimes we only need to dig around our own closets to feel like we have a whole new look.

To shop my Cozy Autumn Wishlist, click on any item in the image below or scroll down for a brief review:

5 Qt. Enamel Dutch Oven | I've slowly been replacing all of my cookware with more non-toxic items like cast iron and ceramic coated skillets. One piece that hasn't been replaced yet is my large pot and I really want to swap it with a pretty dutch oven like this one! Of course there are fancier options out there, but this one is only $50 and seems like the perfect beginner piece for someone who is just starting out and may want to upgrade in the future.

2-pk Green Throw Pillow Covers | I own this set and can't say enough great things about it! They live in my bedroom but someday when I get a new sofa I just might have to order another pair for downstairs. This color is the prettiest rich olive green but there are other hues available in lots of different sizes to suit your needs.

Copper Tea Kettle | How pretty would this copper kettle be on a kitchen stovetop? I love pieces that are both beautiful and practical. Pops of copper on display is just timeless in my opinion.

Tartan Table Runner | Available in two sizes, this autumnal table runner could easily take you through the holiday season as well! I have another from this brand and find it to be great quality for the price! I'm so tempted to snag this one, but I'm not sure if I like it with my patterned dining room curtains.

Stoneware Pie Plate | A pie plate is a piece of classic bakeware you can easily upgrade without breaking your budget. Fall is the perfect time to practice your pie making skills!

Faux Leather Oval Mirror | If you have a mirror in need of an upgrade or just a little empty wall space, this faux leather wrapped oval mirror is the perfect statement piece to give a little texture to your room!

Wooden Rectangle Tray | This wooden tray makes the perfect centerpiece foundation or serving piece! It comes in a few different sizes but I think this long rectangular shape would be so pretty filled with candles and pumpkins and greenery on a dining table!

Stoneware Coffee Mug | Another item I own and love: this simple stoneware mug. For only $5, it's a perfect cozy addition to your morning routine.

Floral Hanging Wall Art | I'm a huge fan of the wooden hanging frames with art prints and this set is no exception. This would really look great all year, but I love the brown and wood tones for fall.

Fall Harvest Loaf Pan | I see these beautiful seasonal pans every year from Nordicware and every year I wish I had one but never buy one. I just might have to change that this year!

Taupe Wide Brim Hat | I own this hat in two different colors and have been so happy with it! I wear it through both summer and fall--they're perfect for lazy hair days! Parker loves to step on them and smash them (we're working on that...) but they always pop right back into their original shape!

Antique Bronze Frame | The 4x6 size of this frame sits in my kitchen next to my coffee maker and I'm seriously considering picking up the 8x10 for over my stove. It looks so much more expensive than it is and looks great with oil painting prints! Swap out the artwork with each season to keep it fresh.

Floral Embossed Pitcher | I need another pitcher like I need a hole in the head, but this charcoal beauty might make me change my mind. I love adding faux stems to pitchers to create small vignettes in every room!

Wood Accordion Hook Rack | Accordion hook racks are such a timeless staple and I love to see them trending again! Hang this in your entry way or mud room to catch jackets and totes during the cooler seasons and hang wicker baskets and straw hats as decor during the warmer months to make this piece stand out.

| This is the most expensive item in my wishlist but boy is it worth it! I love the timeless Shaker-style and simple lines of this accent piece. It would make the perfect addition to a mud room or entry way--in fact, I need to measure and see if it would fit in my entry hall....

Colorblock Striped Throw | This cozy knit throw gives me Pendleton vibes but on a much smaller budget! It comes in a few colors but this olive green hue is my favorite, of course. Throw it over your bed, sofa, or porch swing for comfy autumn decor that's also practical!

Ceramic Mini Lamp | If you have an entry table that needs a little something extra, why not this small ceramic lamp? I almost couldn't decide which color to include in this collage; it comes in white, terracotta, and olive green and I want them all! At only $10, I might just have to make space for a few!

Wood and Copper Pear | This little accent piece makes a great addition to a decorated bookshelf, hutch, or fireplace mantel for the fall and winter season. I love the added touch of copper, too.

Stoneware Vases | No surprise, a little more stoneware to warm up your shelves for autumn. These vases come in various sizes and look great solo or clustered together.

Linen Pot Holders | These simple pot holders would look great on the Thanksgiving table or in the kitchen year-round. 

Vintage Stenciled Doormat | I shared this recently on my Instagram stories and am still loving it in front of my side door! The pattern has such sweet vintage charm which is perfect in front of my old doors!

Side Cutout Ankle Booties | I snagged these on clearance at my local Target recently but they are clearanced and almost fully stocked online as well! I needed a new pair of every day ankle boots for fall so these were an easy choice. I would say they run a half size too small so size up unless you have narrow feet.

Cream Cardigan with Wood Buttons | I bought this sweater back in June when it was full price and would absolutely do it again--but you don't have to! It's currently on clearance but still fairly well stocked if you're in the market for a cozy but not too heavy sweater with the prettiest wooden buttons!

Orange Resin Pumpkin & Green Resin Pumpkin | These two pumpkins would make the perfect seasonal decor in any room of the house. Personally, I'm picturing them on my fireplace hearth with a cozy throw blanket and hot mug of cocoa ready to watch some favorite Halloween movies.

What do you think of this list? Anything calling your name? I'm hoping to snag a couple fall decor items if the timing is right but mostly I'm excited for Christmas decor shopping! I can't wait to get the kids their own trees this year and decorate our front porch! I know it's early, but I just can't wait! Goodbye, summer!

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Holiday Home Tour 2020

 Merry Christmas, friends!

I know I'm a little late to the holiday party, but I've been pretty busy snuggling a little newborn and we all know babies don't keep. Our home is far from finished (hence why I still haven't gotten around to sharing any real "before and after" room reveals here), but I hope you'll enjoy these small touches of festive decor as much as I do!

I love our giant tree in the living room! The fireplace mantle decor is all the same from last year, but I did switch things up a bit by going with the asymmetrical trend that's been going around. It actually works great by keeping my stockings out of the way of the heat from the electric fireplace. Eventually, we plan to cut into the chimney and create a "real" fireplace with a gas insert and nice mantle, but until then, this little electric one has served us well and makes me feel so cozy in here!

Our dining room won't be finished until we break into one of the walls and insert a staircase (!!), but for now I've decked it out with a few items I already had on hand: a table runner, an old lantern that used to live in my entry way, and a few battery operated candles that used to live on my mantle! I'm so glad I keep a tote full of decor items like this because it saves me a lot of money to decorate using what I have and forces me to be creative! All I added to this was a few decorative pinecones + some ribbon I tied into a bow! Total: under $10.

And finally, we have the kitchen! Possibly, my favorite room in the house (it's a hard tie between the kitchen and living room), and also the most finished! We still need to do a few small things like add crown molding to the cabinets and paint the window trim...but all in all, it's another cozy space I find joy spending time in and I love that I had a chance to decorate it for Christmas!

The wreath was just a cheap Hobby Lobby find, accompanied by the same ribbon you saw above (thankful for Walmart!). I found the nutcracker soap dispenser on post-Christmas clearance at Target last year and saved for the day when I'd finally have a finished kitchen to decorate!

I have so many memories of past holidays thinking things like, "one year, when I can do X"  and we are slowly making most of those dreams a reality. I am so grateful for every space in our home and the ability to welcome others into it. I never want to take for granted these sweet blessings and can't wait to spend another Christmas with my little family here.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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What Do You Get a Baby for Christmas? 30+ Gift Ideas for Newborns, Babies, & Toddlers

Do Newborns Really Need Christmas Presents?

Honestly, if it was just me, I wouldn't buy our newborn a single Christmas gift. Well, maybe just one or two. But when you have a 4 and 5 year old who are in their Santa-believing prime, you kind of have to go through the whole wrapped presents and stocking thing even with the newborn. Santa wouldn't leave out the baby, would he?!

What Do You Get a Newborn for Christmas?

Newborns really only need like 3 things: milk, diapers, and naps. All the prep-work that comes with having a baby pretty much covers everything else. Our little guy will be about 1 month old at Christmas this year, so he's not going to have much of a wishlist. Since we're already fairly equipped to take care of his immediate needs, I'm using this opportunity to give him some items he'll be needing in the near future!

There's no point buying more of what you already have and there's still no need for larger items like tricycles or toddler beds, so don't worry if your baby isn't receiving any "big" gifts this year. Next year will be SO much more fun! Grabbing a few things you know you'll be purchasing within the next few months is a great way to kill two birds with one stone and not add unnecessary spending to your already stretched holiday budget.

More Gift Ideas for Older Babies

Honestly, even if your baby is past the newborn stage, they probably don't need much! Take advantage of the savings you have while they're too young to know the difference and get them some things they'll need later or just scale back on what you probably want to buy--I know I always go over my budget with my kids because I just want them to have everything! Use these early years as a chance to save up and invest in their future, whether that be saving for a bigger yard or just saving for the next size car seat. I promise it will pay off in the end!

Have you ever had a newborn over the holidays? How did you handle the gift-giving? Feel free to comment with any suggestions you have or items you loved!

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60+ Holiday Decor Finds Under $40

 

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Anyone else tend to forget all about Walmart when it comes to seasonal and home decor? I mean, I know that they have it, but I just forget to browse through it when I begin to shop for my holiday decor. This year, I made an effort to see just what they had to offer and boy was I impressed!

There were so many great pieces of home decor that work all winter long (or all year long, for some!) and most felt like pretty decent quality for the price range! I don't think I found a single piece above $35 (aside from trees)! I decided to make it easier to shop, I'd break my finds down into a few cohesive themes and create shoppable images for you to click and go! Happy holiday shopping!

This might be my favorite collection! I love the pops of seasonal color but how it's all still pretty neutral and timeless. I'm always a fan of vintage vibes and these pieces all inspire me with their semi-primitive style.

Of course, you can't go wrong with neutrals! These items look great all winter long, so if you're not a fan of tearing down all the decor on December 26th, you can definitely get away with these styles for a few weeks--or months--more.

When in doubt, a classic red & green combo works in every home! I love a traditional color palette, but these pieces lean a bit farmhouse which lends a bit of character to the decor. You could easily stick to strictly plaids and solids to keep the look as timeless as possible, but I find a few whimsical items add a lot more joy.

Lastly, this black & white collection is the perfect mix of modern and farmhouse alike! The gingham trend is still going strong as far as I'm concerned and works great if you have a man in your life that decries any kind of glitzy or "feminine" holiday decor. Some of these items could really hang around all year!

Can you believe that none of these items costs more than $40? Even the trees are less than $100 and great quality! I'm thinking I need a little flocked tree in my bedroom this year. Can't wait to deck ALL the halls! Which collection is your favorite?

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Slow Cooker Chili Soup

Chilly season is chili season! Right?!

We LOVE soup around here (okay, maybe just me and my Crockpot, do) and one of my favorite fall traditions I've carried over from my own childhood is a big, steamy bowl of chili and a gooey grilled cheese right after trick-or-treating on Halloween. Nothing beats coming out of the cold to a warm soup bowl and sitting down to a night of festive movies! It's so easy to have simmering all day long and ready to go when you get home with that heavy bag of treats--just slap a few grilled cheese sandwiches on the griddle while the kids sort through their goodies and you'll be digging into your new favorite cold weather dish in no time!

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In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband and I disagree when it comes to this dish. Growing up, this is what we had as our "chili", so that is what I call it. He deems it unworthy of a true chili (something about it lacking enough meat/beans/etc.) and has dubbed it "spicy tomato soup".  I mean, I do omit the beans in my version of this recipe, even though my mom never did, but I never liked a chunky chili--chili is a soup, not a casserole! I do like to add in a bit of cheese when I'm feeling indulgent. Do you think this recipe qualifies as a chili? I titled my recipe "chili soup" as a sort of compromise, but, whatever you call it, I promise you'll be adding it to your regular rotation because it's delicious!

Can You Freeze It?

Since we're only a few weeks out from having baby #3 over here, I decided to go ahead and whip up a batch for my freezer. I simply cooked and crumbled the ground beef and added it to a gallon freezer baggie along with the other ingredients listed, sealed and double bagged it, and tossed it in the freezer. In a month, I'll thaw it (just enough to get it to slide out of the bag) and dump it in my slow cooker for an easy dinner I don't have to think about while trying to juggle THREE KIDS. Still wrapping my head around that one.

Do you have any Halloween traditions? What about other holidays? What meals are a standard for you during the festivities? I would love to hear about them in the comments! And let me know if you think this recipe counts as "real chili" or not! I can't be totally alone!

 

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