Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is only 2 weeks away!  Do you know what you're getting yet? Please share your ideas in the comments. :)

You may recall my Stella & Dot jewelry gift ideas (and a chance to win an extra piece of jewelry) here.  All that still applies - so make sure to check out Stella & Dot, and shop via Chasing Davies Trunk Show to be entered to win.  To see all the giveaway info - click here.

 I'm loving gold this season - surely to make a great gift for any mama:

Gold Leaf Earrings, Jasmine Filigree Earrings

Or something with a little pop of turquoise:

 Threaded Turquoise Necklace,  Layla Stretch Turquoise Bracelet

My gift to my mom last year was a  locket  necklace. I filled it with a photo of me and my sister.

Aimee Locket Necklace

Perhaps your mom isn't a jewelry feign?  Photo gifts are always a good idea:

Printed and Framed photos by Pinhole Press make it super easy to get your gift ready for mom.

One of my favorite things to make others, as well as for myself - Photo Books:

Kodakgallery.com has a great selection of styles and sizes and really easy to use.

Happy Shopping!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas & Jewelry Giveaways

Hi all! I'm still hosting a Stella & Dot virtual shopping event with THREE giveaways.  Now is the perfect time to take a/another look as Mother's day (May 8th) is coming up!  

Easy shopping directions: From any of the links in this post, look to the top right corner for "Can't make it to the trunk show? Find your Hostess" link to click, and then enter "Chasing" into the First name field & "Davies" into the Last name field. Click on Chasing Davies link and shop till ya drop to make sure you are entered to win 1 of 3 Stella & Dot jewelry giveaways.

Now is a great time to shop, as you can WIN extra pieces! Here are some gift ideas (or items for yourself) at various price levels to help meet any budgets.

 Saveena Flower Ring, Delicate Drop Earrings, Essential Ball Studs

  Soriee Pearl Pave Bracelets, Glint Flower CZ Earrings, Delicate Ball Station Chain Necklace

 Set of 3 Stackable Deco Rings, Bardot Spiral Bangles, Threaded Turquoise Necklace

And I personally LOVE all their bold necklaces.  They are super unique and fun.  One of my favorites is this Casablanca Bib Necklace.  One of my friends got this and has been rocking it!

Any questions, just ask me via email or comments.  Happy Shopping!

Photo Gift for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. Love it or hate it?  I'm not a big fan.  Hubs and I don't go all out for it.  We make a meal together, or splurge on dessert, see a movie or stay in and cuddle. But sometimes all the hype and hearing about other's grand plans makes me feel like we're doing something wrong?

This year I'm spicing it up a bit and going to give him a little gift.  I've told him not to peek at my blog from here until V-day, so let's hope he listens to me so doesn't spoil his little gift.  This gift cost under $25 and took a little time to create - so nothing exuberant by any means.  I wanted to give something a little personal, that we could utilize in our home.  Still doing lots of home projects & decorating, we need wall art and I love photos, so I knew the path I wanted to take...

My friend, Lulu took a picture of us holding hands for one of her Valentine's-themed post (lots of fun photo ideas at her blog - A Candid Life), so with her permission, I used her photo in Photoshop to create something a little more artsy.

The Original Photo:

Post-Photoshop Fun:

Edited, Cropped, Sized to 8x10 and Personalized:

Next I'll frame it, wrap it and it's good to go!  What little gift things do you do?

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 4 {Keeping Warm}

I forgot to finish up my Gift Galore Special.  Last one, as Christmas & the Holidays are SO over.  When it's over, it's over, ya know?  You can see the first parts here:

Part 1 - For My Kitchen
Part 2 - Glitz & Bling
Part 3 - Bust a Move

I got some very warm and cuddly things for Xmas, that is certainly coming in hand now that we have SEVEN inches of snow on the ground...and they are so cute, I have to share!!!

Two lovely scarves - One from my sister and one from my mama:

Sparkle lavender scarf from Express {similar with some sparkle here} and
Teal Ruffle Scarf {similar here in other colors}

Ear/head warmer, an embellished with a flower and adorably chic from Anthro (check your local store) - from my sister:

Another floral wool option via Anthro here.

And one super comfy, and warm, yet not bulky sweater top by LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's that'd I'd been wanting so bad from my mom!

Worn just earlier this week wit my orange skirt!

{similar top here}

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 3: Bust of Move

Christmas time is always a good time to get anything that will help you get up and move.  I got two fun(ny) things that get me sweating!

Just Dance 2

My hub's parents got me this for Xmas.  And it is so fun! The first time I popped it into the Wii to just try it out, I was thinking I'd do a couple of songs, because it was way past my bedtime.  However, 45 minutes later, I was still dancing.  It's a great workout and pretty funny.  And you can do dance battles... my hubs and I battling:

He won...so I've been practicing ever since!  It was pretty funny.

And speaking of funny!  I picked this little thing up during a family white elephant gift exchange:

Shake Weight

I've always been curious about this thing.  The info commercials look funny, as the motion can be taken a little vulgar.  The shake weight dumbbell came with a DVD and a 6 minute workout.  I did it and the next day I was a little sore!  So if 6 minutes/day get my arms a little more into shape, I consider this a success!

Did any of you get anything to get you moving that you love/recommend?

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 2: Glitz and Bling

Jewelry!  The best thing to give and get - never  can have too much, doesn't take up much room and always fun to open up something sparkly or shinny.

I got TWO watches this year!  Both very different, and much needed.  It's been years since I've worn a watch and I felt it was time.  So I got a fun, glamorous one from my hubby...

This has been on my wish list since finding it November and posting about it here. That hubs is a smart one...always consult the blog. :) It's from Nine West and I love it even more in person.

Then my parents also gave me a watch!  Something else I've been wanting.  A more casual, fun, white watch that is a bit more "mens-inspired".  I love it.  It is similar to this one by Adidas:

And then I got some ear bling - you might have seen these from my "Dear Santa..." post.  These pretty things, from the hubs' parents, can be dressed up or down! I have already been wearing them non-stop. :)

I got my sister a simple, yet glitzy bracelet (one I owned myself and loved - why not give others what you love yourself?).  It is similar to this one, yet ours is navy with silver metal.  I love wearing mine layered with other bracelets or with one of my new watches!

Banana Republic and currently for a steal! Love the hanging delicate chains at the clasp.  It's fun. :)

Did you get any fun bling and glitz this season??

Christmas Gifts Galore, Part 1: For My Kitchen

I was lucky to have such a great holiday full of giving and getting!  It's always so fun to exchange gifts with loved ones.  I love giving just as much as I love getting (both are pretty sweet)!  So I will share some of the gifts I received and gave through out the next few days!

New, already beloved kitchen appliance...Keurig Mini Brewer and Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower with a 60-pack variety coffee, tea, & hot coco pack of K-Cups!  I've already tested out several and love it!

My little coffee station. :)

I got these 4 sweet bowls from Anthropologie.  They are so cute and will be perfect for table settings and apple sauce (among lots of other things):

I got two blue and two chartreuse.  Not avail online...

I also got two really cool cookbooks.  I'm a sucker for cookbooks.  Not only are they pretty, but these particular ones contain some pretty great recipes I cannot wait to try!

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian

The Cook's Book of Intense Flavors
This particular one is written by local restaurant owners and contains unique combination of foods to mix. You can read about their story, and if you are ever in Lawrence, KS - check out their restaurant, here.

Then on top of all these great gifts that will help me through the kitchen - the hubs got us a gift certificate to the Culinary Institute of Kansas City to take a cooking (and eat what you make) class.  I'm really excited about that, and to do it with him!

2011 just may make me a better cook! :)  We'll see.  Did you get any fun kitchen gadgets, tools or such from Santa?

Someone won a new pair of PJ pants...(& Gift Ideas)

Sorry this post came late - got a bit crazy today.  But neither here, nor there - we have a winner of my 2nd holiday giveaway!  The winner of these fun PJ pants...

...picked by Random.org...

#8! Congrats to Miss K from Love, Lipstick, and Pearls:

And if you remember, the mandatory entry was to tell me one thing YOU are hoping for this holiday season.  Here were some of your answers (in case you still need gift ideas):

New Balance Women's Toning Shoe & workout clothes - Getting new work out gear is a great way to kick off the new year with a fitness plan.  I get excited to use my new gear and in turn makes me excited to work out.  Looking for a manageable new year's resolution or good fitness challenge for the month of January?? Go here.

Michael Kors Women's Gold Watch - Watches are always good gifts, I want a gold watch too.

Women's Hunter Original Tall Welly Gloss Rubber Boot - These are some popular rain boots!

Name necklace, or initial necklace - always something personal and cute to wear (a la the Carrie necklace Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City wore).

Spa gift certificates!  Definitely a good gift.

Books, like Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

Wine accessories, like a Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator

Good ideas!! Thanks for the inspiration all!