Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts for Moms

Ah, moms. The women who give their all to raise amazing little humans. They’re also notorious for never doing anything for themselves! This Valentine’s Day, how about giving a little gift to the special mom in your life? Whether she’s your sister, wife or friend, I bet she would appreciate a small gift for herself! Here are some ideas for gifts that a mom will love- no matter your budget! Oh and also- TOTALLY perfect to buy them for yourself as well!

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Under $25

Box of Teas - Moms can definitely use something to relax! This box of teas is SO cute and looks fancy. As a bonus, add in some fancy honey and you’ve got the perfect gift.

Blackhead Remover Pore Vacuum - This is perfect for getting a facial without actually leaving the house! Give it as a gift with Tea Tree Essential Oil for a perfectly pampering experience.

Silk pillowcase - These pillowcases are great for your skin and hair! They also feel super luxurious, so there’s that!

Travel Coffee Mug - Since mom’s coffee never stays warm, give her this insulated travel mug so she can take it on the go! For the mom with more than one kid, go for the bigger option. She needs all the coffee she can get!

Headbands - All moms love to throw their hair up in a mom bun! Or maybe not love to.. but it happens. Give them a nice set of headbands to add a little flair to every outfit, and add a headband holder to help them stay organized and nicely displayed!

Makeup Brush Holder - mostly just so that she can store them nicely and feel like a rockstar while she does her makeup!

Dry Erase Calendar - As a bonus, add a set of dry erase markers to go with it!

Reversible Tote Bag - It’s a fact. Moms have a lot of stuff that they need to carry. This way, she can do it in style!

Best Mom Ever Candle - Perfect for the rare moment that mom gets some time alone- like, maybe a bath?! A girl can dream, right?

Sexy-ish PJ’s - I think these are fun to give as a reminder that although she is “mom” most of the day, she can still be her sexy self in the evening.

Under $50

7-Piece Pajama Set - This set is so fun for all the moods! Sexy mom, check. Lazy mom, check. It also means that she’ll be bale to mix and match the pieces while still looking put together!

Wine Glass - Add in a bottle of her fave wine and you’ve got a winner!

Gift Card for Date Night - Every mom needs to get out once in a while! Throw in an offer to babysit, and this is probably the best gift ever.

External Hard Drive - Moms love to take pictures. Get her an external hard drive to hold all those precious photos and keep them safe!

Heart Necklace - Jewelry is fun. As a bonus, this one can be engraved!

Wine Bottle Holder - There’s a reason that pretty much every mom mug and t-shirt mentions wine. Get her this cute bottle holder to store that wine in a pretty way!

Cozy Blanket - This is perfect for time spent on the couch with the kids, or watching a movie in peace after they’ve gone to bed!

Picture Frame -So many pictures end up buried on our phone forever. With a pretty frame like this one, she’ll have a great reason to display them! To be the best friend ever, offer to take a family photo so that she can be in it.

French Press Coffee Maker - Moms need coffee, and this set is SO PRETTY.

Essential Oils Diffuser - Help her to relax and feel like she’s at the spa, even if she’s just watching Frozen for the 700th time. This one is really pretty and fits in with anyone’s decor! As a bonus, add a set of essential oils.

Around $100

Dreamy Baby Photography - Moms take lots of pictures. With this course, she can take amazing photos of her baby no matter the device. By enrolling her in this course, she’s getting a new skill plus all the memories of her child. It’s a win-win.

Robot Vacuum - Kids make messes and we hate to clean the. This vacuum does the work for her.

Handheld Massager - Raising kids is stressful and we don’t get to move and stretch as much as we should. Things get stiff! This massager helps to loosen things up.

Custom Initial Necklace- Perfect for her initials, her husband’s, or her children!

Amazon Echo Show - I have one of these and love it. I can play music, write down a grocery list, set a timer, hear the weather…. all without touching my phone that I can’t find because it’s been hidden by a child or the dog is sitting on it.

Ninja Countertop Blender - Perfect for morning smoothies! I have the Ninja and love it. It’s probably been at least 6 years that we’ve had it!

Keurig Coffee Maker - Because again, momma needs her coffee. This one comes in so many pretty colors!

Towel Warmer - This is a fun gift that really will make her feel pampered. Nothing better than a warm towel!

Fitbit Versa 2 Smartwatch - This connects with Amazon Alexa which is awesome! It also syncs up notifications with your phone and can control your spotify app. All of that in addition to the heath tracking benefits like tracking your heart rate, steps, etc.

Colorful & Glam Holiday Kitchen Upgrades

I took a look at my kitchen the other day and realized it needed a facelift. The counters were filled with all our junk, various appliances, dishes, baby items… you name it, the counter is covered in it! The issue with our kitchen was the same as everywhere else in our home- I didn’t love the items we had displayed in there, and therefore it didn’t matter that everything was covered with junk. What I mean by that is… when you’ve random stuff on your counter, it’s SO easy for the random stuff that should be there to get mixed up with clutter and suddenly you can’t see your countertops. Also, if there’s more stuff than there are places to put things, you end up in the same little pickle!

During the holidays, this problem gets even worse. Between the bake sales and guests coming over, it feels like the counters always get covered in items that don’t ned to be there! To combat this issue that we all face, I’ve rounded up 14 gorgeous, functional kitchen items that will elevate your whole kitchen and have you WANTING to keep it clean. Because when your kitchen accessories are a show stopper, you need to make sure everyone sees them!

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1. Chip Clips- Ah, the item that started this whole post! My original chip clips were an assortment of adorable, cheap plastic ice cream cones, bows, animals… essentially, whatever someone found at a register and gave me because they thought of me! And of course, a few that I bought impulsively as well. But when we ended up losing and breaking most of these clips, my husband asked me to order a new set on Amazon. I was originally planning to get a plastic set again (because that’s what I’m used to!) and then I saw these beauties. They felt too fancy for my stale chips but you know what? My chips deserve to be fancy too.

2. Wire Bread Basket- I think this basket is so cute because it’s gold and gorgeous. However, the wire design ensures that you actually SEE your bread and therefore are more likely to eat it. I’m one of those “out of sight, out of mind” type of people so even something like bread can get forgotten! Right now, our bread is just tossed on the counter but prior to that we somehow acquired a black basket that had our bread in it. Neither was a very pretty solution! Now I’m antsy for a new basket!

3. Utensil Cup- I have a cute utensil holder on my counter that’s actually a large canister (minus the lid) but I love the idea of this cool, simple white and coral one. It feels so glam and upscale for a fraction of the cost! It adds such a subtle pop of color.

4. Keurig Cup Holder- In my kitchen, the Keurig just feels like an eyesore. We have a large black one that isn’t even made anymore. We need an adaptor just to use regular k-cups! We have a drawer-style cup holder which accentuates the dark hole that it creates. While I may dream about replacing my old keurig, I figured getting a nice k-cup holder to go next to it could be fun! I love this one because if you organize your k-cups in color order, you’ll have a glam little rainbow on your counter!

5. Re-usable K-Cups- If you want to reduce your kitchen clutter, save the environment, AND make your kitchen glam in the process, try switching to these pretties! I love the gold color and the fact that you don’t need to fill up a landfill with k-cups. (I should note- I don’t drink coffee and therefore don’t use a Keurig. But my husband does!) You can pop these in a cabinet or drawer since they’re so tiny which would save some much-needed counter space.

6. French Press Coffee Maker- If you prefer to get a little fancier (and more eco friendly) with your coffee, you can grab this french press! I love it’s gorgeous gold finishes and I think it would look amazing on your counter or stove. It also comes with a set of cups that matches which makes it perfect for guests during the holidays!

7. Ceramic Mixer Bowl- give your mixer an upgrade with this gorgeous bowl! Mine has a clear glass bowl and I know a lot of them have metal bows. Since they’re big and always sit on the counter, they could use a nice and spiffy bowl to catch everyone’s attention! 

8. Gold Serving Utensils-My bamboo serving utensils are literally falling apart (they’re breaking apart into pieces!) so I’ve been debating getting a new set. These gold ones are gorgeous! I can only imagine how pretty they’d make my countertop look as they glimmer in the light. I don’t like to cook, but these might change my mind!

9. Canister- I love using canisters in my kitchen for hiding the less-than-pretty stuff that needs to be accessible. Whether you fill it with rice, coffee, tea bags or sweeteners, this canister will perk up your kitchen while hiding your eyesores! I also love to place these in cabinets so that those look nice too.

10. Phone Stand- between recipes, kitchen timers, and text updates from family, we need to keep our phones handy all holiday season! This holder will keep your phone in place and safe while you do everything you need in the kitchen. No more crying over spilled milk- your phone is up and off the counter so it’s safe!

11. Garlic Keeper- before we got a garlic container, it always sat in the fruit bowl looking funny. This container fits your garlic perfectly and still looks adorable. If you keep a lot of garlic at home (like we do!) try this larger size.

12. Pet Canisters- Few things are as hideous as pet items. Between cardboard boxes of treats and giant bags for food, these items are totally necessary, yet very ugly. Since they need to be accessible, they often end up on the counter taking up space and being their ugly selves. So, I recently switched to canisters for our excess pet food and everything looks prettier now! You definitely don’t want to go for anything clear, except maybe for cute dog bone treats. I love how colorful but glam this canister is. I think I need one for Lexie’s treats now!

13. Electric Tea Kettle- ok while we are on the topic of morning drinks, let’s talk about tea! I love tea and have several cups a day. I have a stovetop kettle which looked cute in the store and became ruined within a month of regular use. I guess they can’t withstand the heat and turn black! I love the idea of a countertop version, and this one automatically turns off when it’s done instead of whistling! Paired with a tea bag storage box you’ll be serving your guests tea easily with less mess! 

14. Utensils- if you’re anything like me, all your kitchen tools are random items you acquired over the years. Upgrade to a gorgeous matching set that will make everyone jealous! This set comes in a variety of handle colors, like navy, mint and pink. It’s sure to match any kitchen! It’s also very reasonably priced so you don’t even need tot talk yourself into it!

With a few small updates, your kitchen and countertops will look amazing once again. I find that with less on the counter and having things there with a purpose, I’m able to keep it clean much more easily. And also, I WANT to keep it clean! I love to show off the gorgeous items I find, rather than my extensive collection of junk I tend to keep.

What do you think of these items? Will you be ordering some? Any tips for keeping a counter clean or items you love? Let me know in the comments below! 

Gift Guide: Balloon Animals

Not sure if it's just me, but I have a slight obsession with balloon animals. As I had mentioned, I am looking to reduce my waste when it comes to parties so I'm going to abstain from using real balloons. However, these cute balloon animal items are meant to be re-used, reworn, and displayed for years to come! If you're got a soft spot for balloon animals, check out my gift guide on all the best items to get! We've got jewelry, clothing, statues, piggy banks and more!

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1. Rose Gold Necklace 2. Happy Girls Sweatshirt 3. Purple Unicorn Piggy Bank 4. White T-Shirt 5. Pink Dog Earrings 6. Blue Elephant Piggy Bank 6. Teal Dog Statue 7. Balloon Animal PJ’s 8. Let’s Get Twisting T-Shirt 9. Blush Dog Phone Holder 10. Pink Dog Pin

Am I alone in this obsession with balloon animals? I just love them! What do you think about balloon animals? Love em? Hate em? Let me know in the comments below!

Gift Guide for the Barbie Girl

Are you a Barbie girl, in the normal world? It's a pretty dull place to be, when your head is full of dreams for pink homes, great fashion, and trendy accessories. Alas, there is a way to bring your Barbie World love back into the normal world. And that's by grabbing as many pink items as you can!

1. Sneakers 2. Makeup Brushes 3. Barbie Necklace 4. Barbie Backpack 5. Pink Sunglasses 6. Barbie Purse 7. Pink VW Beatle 8. Lip Stickers 9. Dog Bone Bowls 10. Pink Glitter 11. Dog House 12. Fling Tumbler 13. Bow Heels 14. Pink Planner 15. Heart Hangers

Sneakers- We all know Barbie loved her shoes. Unfortunately, she usually did it Cinderella-style, because we somehow managed to lose one them. With these sneakers, it's almost as if you found those missing doll shoes. Plus, this counts as wearing heels, right?

Makeup Brushes- Barbie wore a lot of makeup over the years. With these brushes, you can have that flawless look too! They’re perfecting for trying out the newest trends. I don't know how well they work, but they sure are pretty! 

Barbie Necklace- Since nameplates and Barbie were all the rage when I was younger, this seems like the best of both worlds. Wear it when you need a pop of color, to show your affiliation with the Barbie brand, or to convince creepy bar guys that your name really is Barbie.

Barbie Backpack- A teeny pink Barbie backpack to hold all your cool essentials. I remember the days when tiny backpacks were the “in” thing. They need to make a comeback! We don't need half the things we carry in our oversized purses. Who do I talk to about this?!

Pink Sunglasses- These sunglasses are so ridiculous to me because they really remind me of the cheap plastic sunglasses that came with Barbies in the 2000’s, and I love it. I had several pairs of sunglasses with funky colored lenses, and I wore them until they weren’t cool anymore. Ah, the good old days.

Barbie Purse- for those of you that aren't willing to embrace the tiny backpack trend, try this purse! It’ll hold all your essentials, and then some. It’s got a girly shape and sporty stripes, so it’ll match with any outfit, plus it adds a pop of color!

VW Beatle- I think Barbie cemented our tweenage desire to own a VW beetle. This car was THE car to own back in the days. Now you can commemorate it and enjoy the beetle without, you know, having to drive it everywhere. 

Lip Stickers- Barbie is known for her iconic pink lips, and now you can be, too! Just place these stickers on everything and everyone you interact with and they'll be sure to remember you. 

Dog Bone Bowls- What else would your purse pooch eat from? This has one bowl for food, one for water, and one very cute bone-shaped tray to keep your floors clean. Because although Princess is adorable, she’s pretty sloppy sometimes.

Pink Glitter- Everything is better when it's covered in pink glitter. That is a fact! Use this pink glitter to add a little sparkle to note cards, tea light holders, and just about anything, really.

Dog House- Barbie has had lots of pets in her lifetime, but I imagine her favorite must have been some sort of small puppy. With this, your pampered pooch can have her own Barbie Dream House. Dream car not included.

Fling Tumbler- since Barbie is getting married to Ken every few years, I bet she would love this tumbler. She puts the Kardashians to shame with the sheer quantity of weddings she’s had. Oh Barbie… never a bridesmaid, always a bride.

Bow Heels- Barbie loves her heels, and so do we! They’re pink and have a bow, which is all you need in my book. Plus they’re Kate Spade! I mean, if Barbie could walk in heels with her disproportionate body, you can too, right?

Pink Planner- This planner is perfect for jotting down all your hopes and dreams, like Barbie and her very many career paths. I feel like if Barbie taught us anything it’s that you can have any job you set your mind to, and look damn good doing it!

Heart Hangers- These hangers are amazing because they remind me of some doll ones that I had way back in the day. Barbie would clearly hang her clothes on these! It might be a little much to get a whole closet full of these (or not) but I think hanging your party clothes on it would be a perfect use for them.

So which one of these items do you like the best? Do you have any items you own that stem from your Barbie collection? Let me know in the comments below!

Colorful Home Accessories

I'm a little bit afraid of color. I know that seems surprising, considering my blog and crafts are pretty darn colorful, but it's true. My closet is pretty monotone, my artwork is dull, and even when I wanted the bright blue iPod, I went for the gray one. I tend to play it safe when it comes to color, because what if I get tired of the bright one? I always picked the neutral option. The safe one. It's for this exact reason that my house is now gray. My dad jokingly nicknamed my house 50 shades of grey. Everyone warned me, but I didn't listen. "Don't you guys get it? It's neutral! This means I can add in any color I want and switch up the decor, without having to repaint!" Um... no, it means your house is gray, Cathy, and it looks like a black and white movie. 

To remedy the fact that my house is now the first ten minutes of The Wizard of Oz, I've decided to inject color into it any way I can. I suspect this will lead my house to be a mish mosh of color soon, but trial and error is my friend, right? I've rounded up some colorful but whimsical home finds that are sure to brighten up even the most monochromatic home. 

1. Yellow Brick Road Doormat- Let's start with a doormat that will remind us to keep it colorful. This doormat is bright, but subtle. It'll always remind you there's no place like home, to follow your dreams, and that everything you need to succeed can be found within you. Plus I guess it's a reminder to travel more? Haha.

2. Cat Candle- I love cats. I have 3 of them, which I used to think was weird, but now I get why people do it. What's the perfect way to show off your love of cats? How about this candle?! It's pretty darn amazing, but what's even better is what happens when you light it! Click the link to check it out.

3. Vases- this little vase collection would make such a cute table accent. I can see it with some small blooms, making everyday feel like spring. Plus, the mixed pinks and corals make it perfect for both the spring and fall!

4. Pink Vase- this vase is pretty, inexpensive, and a gorgeous color. Imagine it with some yellow flowers in the middle of a gray room?! So fresh and pretty. 

5. Utensils- I have these utensils and they're fabulous! My fiancé actually purchased them for me. We needed new ones and he said "I figured you'd like these". Why yes, yes I do. He's a man of few words, but I'm so lucky to have him. He gets me.

6. Balloon Animal- I guess we've established that I have an obsession with balloon animals, so clearly this is an obvious choice. It's whimsical, colorful, and adds a little party to the everyday. Win-win-win. 

7. Dog Bookends- Don't worry dog lovers- I have something for you too! These bookends will add a little extra color to a bland bookshelf. They'll take something serious like books and make it playful. Fun fact: I used to have 2 imaginary weiner dogs. I named them Princess and Pretzel.

8. Aromatherapy Diffuser- This little guy is perfect for adding a little bit of color to your home, but still keeping it simple. The wood is very neutral, and you can add essential oils to make your room calming! I think I need this in my life.

9. Rainbow Bowls- If you set your table and keep it that way as part of your decor, these would make it so cute and colorful! But if you've got 3 cats that love to lay across the table like mine do, these would look great on a shelf or in a glass cabinet. You can also spread them around the room with some candy inside. Since they're made of bamboo, they'll be less fragile than glass. 

10. Rainbow Jenga- Perfect for cheering up game night, this rainbow Jenga is so colorful, it can practically be decor! Plus, having it on display means you're WAY more likely to play it.

11. Umbrella Hooks- These are super silly, but for some reason I love umbrellas. Something about their shape I guess. Lucky for us, you don't have to worry about these umbrellas flipping upside down in a wind storm and getting yourself soaked. Not sure why opening umbrellas indoors is bad luck, but having them flip and fold outside in a rainstorm is not!

12. Orange Speaker- Both cute and practical, this speaker adds some charm without being too trendy. It reminds me of a tropical island, which is always a plus in my book. Turn it on, play some ocean sounds or tropical music, and drift away.

13. Bread Box- Having a bread box is pretty 1950's, HOWEVER, this one is aqua blue and perfect in every way. And, since bread doesn't really come in nice packaging and it'll stay fresher in the box than the bag, I think this is quite necessary for any kitchen. 

14. Yellow Cake Stand- I loveee cake stands. I have so many, but they're a great way to add a little something special to any room. Place this on your kitchen counter with cookies, on your dresser with some jewelry, or in your bathroom with some pretty soaps for a pop of color while staying classy.

15. Pantone Notebook- I know what you're thinking... a notebook isn't decor. And you're right. But it would look really cute on a coffee table, and if you ever need a reminder to keep it colorful, this notebook should do the trick! Embrace color, unleash your inner kid, and above all, have some fun! Use this notebook to jot down some decor ideas and get your colorful juices flowing.

Ok guys, now I need your help! What's your favorite way to add some color to a boring room?! Let me know in the comments below.