a lovely living

Another gift guide to share with you all today, this one being one of the most difficult that I find to pull together! I could put endless options together for women, but guys always stump me. Maybe this is because my husband is somewhat of a minimalist. As long as he has the tech-y tools he needs to work and a few things in terms of health and fitness, he’s good to go. I was able to pull a few things out of him and gathered some other ideas on my own and I’m happy with the array that resulted.

Guys can be tricky when it comes to clothing, so I included a cute (can we say cute when referencing a guy’s gift?) hoodie, a cozy flannel lined sweater and a fleece lined henley. Between these three, I’d have my husband, brothers, and fathers taken care of! These sneakers may not be for every guy, but I really like the style and when I showed Jack he responded, ‘Oh I like those! Don’t buy them for me, but they’re nice!’ Ha! I’ve been seeing this Bose portable speaker pop up everywhere this season and while it does make sense for many guys, I have to say our kids probably get more use out of ours than we do! Along the minimalist line, Jack has a very similar wallet to this one (if you can really call it a wallet) and he loves how it doesn’t have any bulk to it. This wireless charger would be really great for any of your guys that head to an office for work or just need something portable at home.

In terms of health and fitness, Jack highly recommends these vitamins which aid in memory and focus, these (anything but ordinary) kettlebells and this crazy contraption of a massager. For guys (or gals) that do a lot of strength training, it’s very beneficial. When I asked him for a good book recommendation he didn’t hesitate when responding with David Goggin’s, Can’t Hurt Me. He told me he’d listened to it three times and was ready to listen to it again. A very inspirational read!

I hope this guide is helpful for you! All images below are clickable and will take you to the shopping link.

Happy Friday, all! Today’s gift guide is one that most all of us can get use out of this season. Whether you will be staying with friends/family over the holidays, attending a party or simply getting together with a group of friends, we all know that hosting takes some effort. As a token of appreciation (which is typically never expected but I’m guessing always appreciated) I’ve gathered a bunch of gift ideas with practical uses to take along with you.

Food and drinks are always involved, so consider taking along some baked goods on a plate or platter that can be left behind. If you bring along a bottle of wine, why not dress it up in a reusable wine bag or attach a cute monogrammed wine stopper to it? There are also these festive shot glasses or set of oven mitts, depending on how crazy of a party you’re expecting ;) If you’re staying for the long haul, maybe pack a cute, reusable tote filled with some groceries for all to enjoy. Thoughtful touches, no matter how big or small, always go a long way.

Another gift guide coming at you today! This time I’m sharing gifts within the beauty arena. Whether she’s a natural beauty or loves getting dolled up, there’s a little something for every lady on your list!

A few of these things are in my own home, and others are on my list as well. This robe is a dream and what I wear every single day as I do my hair and make-up, post shower. It’s worth every penny and only gets better with wear. This hand cream is a go-to of mine. I tuck the travel bottles in my car and bags so that I always have one on hand. They make great additions to gifts…think about tossing one in a pouch with some nail polish, a cute beauty blender or lip gloss.

I included two cosmetic bags, both excellent choices. Personally, I’d use this one for my makeup to keep it organized (even at home) and this stand up bag for traveling which I’d fill with my haircare products, brushes etc. Another great gift would be this vanity organizer. I love how it can be tucked under your sink or in a linen closet and brought out for easy use.

I don’t own this hair dryer (not exactly a necessity for short hair), but I hear it’s magical for those with longer locks. I may consider it for my girls at some point. Another product that always gets rave reviews is this brush cleaning mat. A gift most anyone would get use out of. Then there are collagen peptides which help with skin, nail, hair and joint support. This is the only flavor I’ve tried, and I really enjoy it!

Everything here falls under $100 with the majority falling under $50, allowing you to keep within those budgets while checking off your list at the same time ;) Click on images below for more details.