A Cozy Gift for Him

I think I have said it before, I find it so difficult to buy gifts for the men in my life.  For a woman there is always something she could use or that she would like. Well, maybe not all women, maybe it is just me!  I would always welcome perfume, a nice clothing item, a scarf, gloves, accessories, jewellery, flowers, and the list could go on. I'm not picky as long as the gift was thoughtful and suitable to my style.  There is really so much out there for women.

For men, I often end up getting a clothing item.  And for this year's Valentine's Day, in addition to the date night I am planning, I think I will buy my husband this Scotch & Soda hooded sweater.

Via Zappos.com

Via Scotch & Soda

I know it is simple, but that's why I like it so much. It is simple, yet it has a different collar and its a slim fit. Plus, it looks and sounds so soft and perfect for cuddling.  A perfect Valentine's day gift to cuddle with your man!

Another year, another Christmas gift for our child's caregiver

Another year has gone by and I had to find a Christmas gift to say thank you to my eldest son's weekday caregiver. I'm so pleased with how her gift turned out. I ordered this calendar from Pinhole Press. I've raved about Pinhole Press in the past here. They really have unique and great quality products.

Acrylic framed photo calendar via Pinhole Press

I love that it took me just minutes to make this calendar (just upload 12 photos and slot one in for every month), that it was so affordable ($24.99 - the 25% discount they were offering), that it's a colourful simple design and that it is so child friendly in the acrylic case/frame (which comes ready to hang! Perfect!).

Our gift to our son's caregiver

We used photos of our son playing with all the kids at his daycare which my husband took throughout the year and so it will be a nice keepsake for her and fun for the children to see a new photo of themselves every month throughout the year.  It will be wrapped up with our holiday card and a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant and there you have it!

I can't say enough about Pinhole Press's quality and assortment. If you still have someone on your list to buy for, head on over and check out their gift guides!

You can check out what we gave my son's caregiver last year here and here.

West Elm is in town!

I had to share a little secret I discovered late last summer...West Elm is now in Montreal! I call it my secret because it does not seem that many people are aware that they opened their first store in the province this year.

Montreal store via West Elm

I went by a while back and I am crazy for their collection...Some of their larger furniture pieces are a little too traditional for me but I love their mix of modern, clean & sleek accessories with their twist of ethnic & organic pieces. There is so much to fall in love with!

I thought I would post my top 5 West Elm gifts for the holidays as well as my top 5 favourite West Elm pieces for the home on my wish list this year!


TOP 5 GIFTS

GIFT FOR HER: Mosaic triangles jewelry box via West Elm

GIFT FOR HIM: Moscow mule copper mug via West Elm

HOSTESS GIFT: Diffuser via West Elm

GIFT FOR THE JET SETTER: Travel Kit via West Elm

HOUSE WARMING GIFT: Modernist bowls via West Elm

MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE PIECES:

Chevron tile wall mirror via West Elm

Onyx flatware via West Elm

Various gallery frames via West Elm

Carved wood coffee table via West Elm

Souk wool rug via West Elm

You should definitely drop by and have a look! The staff is super friendly and the vybe is so laid back!

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker: Best.Gift.Ever.

My husband is the ultimate music lover. He lives, breathes and works with music. I wanted to find a portable speaker he could play music on from his Iphone/Ipad/Laptop/Computer using bluetooth technology (no wires!) for his birthday. I did my research and chose the Bose Mini Speaker and have to say it is AMAZING. The sound is fantastic quality, it's very compact to travel with, it comes with a sleek charging base and it can connect via bluetooth to all your gadgets!

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker via Best Buy

Aside from using it in his office while working, we also use it in our main living space, we also carry it onto the back deck with us or even up to the bathroom to play music while giving our son a bath. The other day I was watching a movie on my laptop and the max volume was too low...with one click I connected to the speaker and had loud clear volume...It really is fantastic and quite affordable. This would make a great Christmas gift for any music lover, young or old!

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker via Best Buy

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker via Best Buy

Father's Day - A Gift of Quality Time

My husband has been saying for months how excited he is for summer to start doing activities with our son who is now old enough for father-son activities. He has also been wanting to take up biking again and finally use the Chariot carriage our generous friend gave us.  So last week, I asked my brother who has a friend with a bike shop, to take my husband and get a bike for Father's Day as well as a helmet for our son.  My brother took him to Cyco's in Ottawa.

via Cyco's

The service was apparently amazing and my husband and my eldest son have been going biking almost daily.  I even got my husband to go for a ride early Sunday morning - for those who know him know that skipping sleeping in on Sunday is unheard of. In other words, he loves his Father's Day gift and especially loves the time he gets to spend with our son.

One of my recommendations for a Father's Day gift is to get the Father of your young children a gift that would allow him to spend more time with his kid(s), especially if he gets to see them very little given that he is at work all day.  Think of an activity he loves and get him the tools he needs to incorporate the little one.

Here are some ideas

For a cyclist

A bike, a Chariot (or other carrier) and helmet for your child.

via Toys R Us

For a swimmer or just someone that enjoys the water

Sign them up for swimming lesson at your local pool and maybe get them each a new bathing suit and personalized towels.  Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn has a great selection of beautiful beach towels that can be personalized.

Via Pottery Barn Kids

Via Pottery Barn Kids

Via Pottery Barn Kids

Via Pottery Barn Kids

Via Pottery Barn

Via Pottery Barn

For a sports fan

Matching jerseys for watching the game together or equipment for your child to play with dad, like a kids' baseball mitt.

Via NFL.com

Via NFL.com

For a chef

Personalized aprons.  There is a very large selection of aprons on Williams-Sonoma's website, some of which can be personalized, including a selection of MLB aprons for Baseball fans. They also come in a variety of colours.  Click here to see more.

Via Williams-Sonoma

Via Williams-Sonoma

For the movie goer

Gift certificate for an upcoming movie they would both like and gift certificate to their favourite restaurant. Perhaps the upcoming Despicable Me 2 movie!  I can't wait for that one.

Via Despicable Me

Good luck!!  Would love to hear about what you got the Father in your life.

Father's Day - Spa at Home

I have been watching way too many home renovation shows these days and now it has gotten worse given that I am home with my newborn. Watching these shows is sometimes dangerous because you start dreaming of things you want to do in your home or things you want for your dream home (like a mini sauna and meditation room just like in some places in Europe where it seems every home has a mini sauna!).

One specific renovation item I have seen over and over again and I have definitely added to my list as a must is a rainfall shower head.  I would love to have one and think my husband would as well.  This would be especially nice these days given that we are both sleep deprived and just plain tired.

I am looking for something similar to these, the effect of the rain fall but with enough water pressure.  I will let you know what I think when I find one.

Via Faucet Direct

Via Faucet Direct

 With the shower head I will also get him a shower gel with relaxing scents like:

Polynesia lime and coconut

Via The Body Shop

And a nice body brush

Via The Body Shop

I could have treated him to a massage, but the shower head is nice because it is permanent and can help him relax daily.

I know he already got his bike for Father's Day, but with this gift I would also be treating myself - haha!

Father's Day - A Gift for the Classy Dad

I was searching online for ideas for Father's Day and fell in love with this deluxe cuff link display case.  I am a sucker for a man in a suit and tie and even more for cuff links.  I find them very attractive on a man!  This cuff links case is just perfect for a father that wears cuff links or would like to start wearing them.

Via Red Envelope

You can even personalize the case.

To make it an even more personal gift, just add these cuff links:

Via Red Envelope

Of keep it simple with these "dad" cuff links (these would be a perfect gift for my dad):

Via Red Envelope

Visit the Red Envelope website for more cuff links ideas - click here.

Never thought about this - the bathtub tray

I would love to receive this tray - and I can think of many people I know who would love to receive it.  The idea of taking the time to relax with a good glass of wine, in an already relaxing environment is certainly appealing.  

Via Etsy

Via Etsy

Via Amazon.com

Via Umbra

Via Umbra

Don't all these images make you want to play some spa music, grab a glass of wine, a good book and just relax!!

A gift for him and something nice for you...

A friend of mine "liked" Melanie Rebane photography's site on her Facebook page.  Because I love photography I always like to see a photographer's work, so I went on her site.  I really liked her work but what stood out for me were her Boudoir Photography Sessions, which she calls couture portraits.  Three to four times a year, Melanie Rebane hosts clients in a luxurious hotel suite to shoot the luxury boudoir sessions. She says on her site that her customers are spoiled with hair, make-up, champagne and treats, and a very private photo session (doesn't that sound so appealing!!).  And the results are classy, beautiful boudoir photos that are organized in a wonderful album perfect to give that very special man.

Via Melanie Rebane Photography - Boutique Boudoir

Via Melanie Rebane Photography - Boutique Boudoir

Via Melanie Rebane Photography - Boutique  Boudoir

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Via Melanie Rebane Photography - Boutique Boudoir

The great part for you is the amount of spoiling that appears to come with the session.  One reviewer on her site said the following: "I have no idea who that woman is...but I am over the moon knowing she lives inside me..." 

Definitely too late to do this for valentines, but I am saving her page in my favourites and keeping an eye on upcoming sessions (click here) for occasions to come.

Friday Fabulous Finds!: Get a FREE gift...Give a FREE Gift :)

I was perusing La La Lovely and fell on a post where Trina was sharing this free illustrated printable calendar:

via Musla.fi

via Musla.fi

I thought the illustrations were rather sweet. They are done by a Kirsikka Simberg of Musla.fi. You can download it here and check out her blog here...I just discovered her and really enjoy her recent posts.

Find some quality paper, print, clip for hanging and ta-da! A beautiful (and did I mention free?) gift.

Enjoy!