Hello Monday!: What a difference a day makes!

What a great gift to remind us to be grateful for everyday! I fell on this item and thought it was the perfect gift for any special occasion; a wedding, a birth, a house warming or just because.

It's a "What a difference a day makes" print from CoCoStineDesigns on Etsy.com.  Tell a story about life, love and special occasions with dates and names.

"What a difference a day makes" artwork via Etsy

CocoStineDesigns is closed for the holidays but check back soon to order your personalized version for that special couple or family!

Happy New Year's to all! Wishing you all the best for 2013! XO

Hello Monday!: Last minute hostess gift

Last week, I hosted a movie night. My sister-in-law instead of bringing just a bottle of wine, she put together in a nice box a bunch of movie themed items.  

So if you are going to a house party for New Year's Eve, think of the theme of the party or ask what the theme is, and put together a nice box or basket to help the hostess out.  Here are a few ideas:

Via CBS Chicago

Paella Kit - Via Martha Stewart

Wine Label Album Kit - Via Martha Stewart

And if you don't have time to do any of these, just go to a Bowring near you and they have great gift ideas and help you make it look pretty! 

Via Bowring

 

Have fun tonight and drive safe!!

Gifts that stood out

There are a few gifts that stood out in my family.

My son received so many gifts this year and we haven't opened them all for him, but from the ones we have opened, he absolutely loves the Mega Bloks 3-in-1 Fire-Truck.

Via Walmart

Via Walmart

Via Walmart

It is perfect for his age - he is turning 1 year in three weeks.  He is really starting to imitate sounds and words and absolutely loves vehicles.  So he really enjoys the siren, which is really easy to turn on for him and the size of the truck.  Great gift for 11 months +.

As for me, I am not usually excited about kitchen tools, especially as a special occasion gift from my hubby, but these sponges he got me as a stocking stuffer made me laugh and were very thoughtful of him to get.  We saw the Scrub Daddy sponges on the show Shark Tank and I thought they were very cool and said I would love to try them.  

Via QVC

Via QVC

Via QVC

It was great that he actually paid attention and went out of his way to order these on QVC.  I love using them!  Perfect gift for anyone who enjoys doing the dishes or who doesn't because these sponges certainly make it easier and more fun.  Could be good as part of a house warming basket now that Christmas is over.

Friday Fabulous Finds: Plush kid's chairs

My son had received this Sesame Street plush chair for his first birthday and really liked it however for Christmas he also received this Thomas plush pull out couch.

Sesame Street Plush Chair via Walmart 

This "couch" is great especially for older and bigger toddlers/kids. It's fun to sit on, pull out to sleep on, jump on or even make forts with!

Thomas Plush Pull-Out Couch via Walmart

Thomas Plush Pull-Out Couch via Walmart

Thomas Plush Pull-Out Couch via Walmart

I definitely recommend this item if you have a 18 month- 4 year old to buy for.

A quick last minute whipped shortbread cookie recipe

I follow Nancy at Marcus Design on an almost daily basis and was super grateful to her when she posted a last minute Christmas cookie recipe on her site. I whipped them up in no time (only 8 minutes to bake!) and gave them to friends and family. You can check out her blog and the recipe here.

via Marcus Design

I found similar Christmas Cookie boxes to the ones below at Walmart for $1 each. How cute are these? They were perfect for last minute hostess gifts or as add-ons to the gifts I was already giving.

Happy Baking!

Merry Christmas

From our families to yours, we wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas.  We hope that you received all the gifts you wanted and that your gifts were received well and with a smile!

Mrs. P and Yolanda S.

Hello Monday!: Bugs...really?

I found out this weekend that a cool gift to give my 8 year old nephew is a Hexbug...yes, a bug.  I hadn't heard of these little creatures before.  Basically they are battery powered or remote control powered bugs, ants, etc.  These bugs will crawl around and some can be put in a track.  You can purchase special tracks for them too so that they can crawl around and you can watch them go (the track is like a car track).  Sounds creepy...but apparently boys love them.  

Here is a little guy giving a demonstration of his Hexbugs track: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNiH1ufo2yk.

We bought my nephew a few of these.  If you have a young boy to purchase for, this seems like a cool gift!

Inchworm - Via Toys R Us

Hexbug Nano Habitat - Via Indigo

Hexbug Ant - Via Mastermind Toys

Hexbug Larva - Via Mastermind Toys

Friday Fabulous Finds: Indigo Monogram Mug

I received this gift from a friend at work this week and thought I would share. It's a mug from Indigo with my initial on it in cursive. I love that this is a small yet personalized gift and really perfect for a coworker as most of us NEED coffee to get going in the morning!

Cursive Monogram Mug via Indigo 

Loved the card too - adorable!

Cursive Monogram Mug via Indigo

This is such a simple yet versatile gift! You could fill it with chocolates on Valentine's, with a small stuffed animal for a new mom, with golf balls for the golf lover, with a packet of coffee/tea or even some cookies for your neighbour...there are so many possibilities! 

A special gift for a 2012 baby

We had a baby boy earlier this year.  We received many many gifts for him but we recently we received one that I found so thoughtful and that I am sure he will cherish forever. A lady that is dear to us sent us a "Welcome to the World Fine Silver Coin" from the Royal Canadian Mint.

Via Royal Canadian Mint

I was hoping to post this as a gift idea but realized that this coin is sold out.  Only 10,000 coins were made - even more special for my little man!

But if you are interested in something similar, the Royal Canadian Mint has a Baby Gift Set for babies born in 2012.  Each coin set includes Canada's 2012 traditional uncirculated coins with a unique engraved design on the 25 cent piece.  

Via Royal Canadian Mint

Via Talisman Coins

If you have a baby around you that is to be born in 2013, keep the "Welcome to the World Fine Silver Coin" in mind and make sure you get your hands on the one for 2013 before they are sold out.

There is a similar gift set to the one above in the United States of America.  Apparently this is the first Baby Set issued by the United States Mint.

Via US Mint

I swear by this product!: Michael Kors zip around wallet

This wallet was gifted to me last Christmas by my sister-in-law and I must say I love it!

Michael Kors Zip around Wristlet Iphone Wallet via Michael Kors

Inside view of Michael Kors Zip Around Wallet via Michael Kors

The zip around means that everything stays safe in my wallet even when it's thrown around in my "bottomless pit of a handbag". You can just grab it and go when you don't want to lug your whole life with you and there's a great center section that fits your Iphone when you need everything in one place.

The cons? No zip pocket for change (but who carries change these days anyways?) and you need to take your Iphone case off in order to fit the Iphone in the Iphone pocket. Otherwise I think it's a great versatile piece and the perfect gift for the woman in your life. Check out the site here as it comes in many different colors and fabrics/prints.

via Michael Kors

via Michael Kors

via Michael Kors

Happy Shopping!

I swear by this product: Nespresso

My husband and I are not big coffee drinkers.  We only drink once in a while but we can certainly enjoy and appreciate a very good coffee.  When we first tasted the Nespresso coffee, we had to have a machine to make it at home.  It was slightly silly because as I mentioned we rarely drink coffee but my husband, believe it or not, felt it would be a great hosting tool (I think he just likes gadgets and like any man, felt like he needed this one!).  So we purchased the Nespresso Cube and I am so very glad we did.  The coffee variety is amazing and every single guest we have offered a cup to, has loved it and some have gone as far as going out and buying a machine of their own.

Le Cube - Via Amazon.com

I don't believe Le Cube is available anymore.  Nespresso seems to have come up with new designs.

The great thing is that a Nespresso machine comes in a range of prices starting at $129.99.

Nespresso Essenza - Via Sears.ca

This one looks similar to the Cube:

Nespresso Lattissima - Via Crate and Barrel

Plus it has some accessories so even if you know someone with the machine, you can still purchase an accessory for them.  We have the Nespresso Milk Frother (for cold or hot milk) and I use it to make lattes and cappuccinos  I even use it to make tea lattes.  You don't have to have the Nespresso machine to benefit from this frother as the frothed milk can be used with any coffee and drink (hot chocolate, just plain milk, etc.).  I can go on forever about how much I love the frother but I will let you try it for yourself.  We recently purchased this for my mom who helped us when our son was first born.  It makes for a great gift for just about anyone and is only $100.

Via CA Paradis

Another accessories idea is a capsule holder:

Via CA Paradis

Or buy them a nice clear bowl to just through the capsules in.  They are colourful and make for nice counter decor.

My Tip of the Week: What to gift to the "Techie" in your life

tech·ie

 noun \ˈte-kē\

Definition of "Techie" as per the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: a person who is very knowledgeable or enthusiastic about technology

So what do you get the Techie in your life? Here are five fun finds:

via Jellystone Designs

1) Jellystone Designs Teether:

100% BPA free sillicone Smart Phone teethers "that babies really want to sink their teeth into". 

via Bloomingdales

2) Echo Cashmere Touch Gloves:

Allows you to use your touch screen devices while keeping those fingers toasty warm!

via Bloomingdales

3) Echo Tech Hat with Earmuffs:

Built in speakers for easy listening. Just plug in and go!

via Ebay

4)Coffee Mug USB Warmer

Plug her into one of your USB ports and get ready to burn the midnight oil...this coffee is staying HOT!

via Apple

via Apple

5) Charging Station for IPAD, IPHONE or IPOD:

This bad boy let's you charge any combination of 2 devices simultaneously. Good bye counter clutter.

My tip of the week: Shop Amazon.ca for books and video games

This week I realized that many of my Canadian friends don't know about Amazon.ca.  So I am here to tell you that you really should consider buying your books and video games on Amazon.ca and this is why:

- Prices are generally, if not always, cheaper
- Delivery right to your doorstep
- You can pre-order books and video games which will be delivered at the release date (my husband does this all the time with video games and feels like he is receiving a gift every time as he tends to forget he ordered the item..!)
- Delivery is free for most items on orders of $25 or more

Via Amazon.ca

Even if you are not an online shopper, shopping online for books or video games is easy.  You don't have to try on the item or inspect it.

So if you still have any one left on your list, you can shop on Amazon.ca and probably still get your order by Christmas, but it will depend on the item.  Good luck!

Via Amazon.ca