Christmas Countdown: Day Three Gift Guide for Him!

Welcome to day three of the Christmas Countdown! As yesterday was the gift guide for the ladies and today it is for the men! Everyone says men are easier to shop for but honestly I think shopping for either can be rather difficult! So, I think the men in your life could be just as tricky to shop for! Here is a list of gift ideas I think make shopping for him a little easier.

Gifts for Him....

• Wallet - many men won't spring for a nice wallet but wouldn't mind having one. It doesn't have to be the most expensive one to be a nice one either. Also, keep in mind the style of the man you are shopping for don't go for a flashy wallet if you're shopping for a low key guy. 
• Face/skin care - some men just don't know what to buy for their face and skin care so why not help them out and pick up easy products for them. Maybe just some face wash and a lotion to start, then maybe work them into a few nicer things in the future.
• Tickets to a Sporting Event - this can be anything from a local sports team to a Pro Sports game. Any sports guy would love this! 
• Headphones - this is tech-y but most people like having nice headphones. Getting headphones can be tricky because some guys prefer earbuds and some like the massive everyone knows you have your headphones on set. But for the most part they are a sure fire pleaser! 
• Shaving Kit - most guys have to shave at some point or at least clean up their beards so why not give them a nice shaving kit to maybe even promote shaving more. 
• Watch - again this is an item most guys want but don't really want to shell out the cash for it. You can also get a pretty nice watch for a decent price too. I even saw some really nice brand name ones at Winners for a freakin' steal earlier in the fall. Sadly, none of the men in my life need a watch right now.
• Phone case - both men and women love a good/fun phone case.
• Fragrance - Yes, boys need to smell nice too. If your guy doesn't really have a scent go and find him one. There are some really nice ones right now. I was at Sephora last weekend and I smelled one from Versace and holy moses all guys need to smell like it. 

Well, my loves there you have it! My gift guide for him! Hope to see you back here tomorrow for Day Four of my Christmas Countdown!

xo

Christmas Countdown Day Two!

Welcome to Christmas Countdown Day 2! I hope you enjoyed my Christmas Must Haves yesterday. Today, I thought I would have a bit of a Gift Guide for Her! Tomorrow, I will be having a Gift Guide for him too. Don't worry boys I haven't left you out! 

Everyone loves getting presents and many of us like buying pretty things for our friends and family. But sometimes you just don't know what to buy! I have compiled a little list of Gifts of her for you to maybe get idea or two! Enjoy!

Gifts for Her...

• A Fragrance - most girls love smelling good so getting a nice new perfume/body spray for Christmas is never a bad gift. This is going to sound a bit weird but try and get a smell of said gal you're buying for and try to go for something along the scent as you smelled. If she is smelling musky (odd word for this) don't get her a super fruity scent and vice versa! You could also make it even easier on yourself and just ask her what perfumes she likes!
• Handbag - Again most woman love a good handbag. They don't have to be expensive either! Now maybe you're thinking the woman I'm buying for has enough handbags! Well my friend that just isn't true but maybe go for a clutch or wristlet! Maybe your lady isn't even a handbag kind of girl so maybe a gym bag is more up her alley! Maybe you have a trip planned for the new year and her luggage needs an upgrade. There is many types of bags so go and find her the perfect one!
• Bath Products - Like I said before us gals like smelling good so nice smelling bath products are always a nice surprise as a gift/stocking stuffer. You have bubble bath, bath bombs, oils, melts etc to choose from. My favorite places to get bath products are Lush, Body Shop and Bath and Body Works. If your girl isn't a lay down in the tub and have a nice soak kind of girl you can still pick her up some shower gel, soap or face masks from Lush or Body Shop!
• Gift Cards to places like MAC or Sephora - If you have make up addict in your family or circle of friends it is never a bad idea to pick up a gift card to place like MAC or Sephora. Sometimes MAC can be a scary place for those not fluent in make up! So in and out with the perfect gift of a gift card is always a good plan.
• Candles - There might be a theme of good smelling things here! But again who doesn't love good smelling stuff? Exactly no one! Also, you can get candles just about anywhere! I won't lie my favorite candles are from Bath and Body Works. I love all the scents and I love that they really fill the room. My non Christmas favorite scent is London Calling which smells like tea and honey. Love!
• Phone Case - Everyone loves having a nice/fun phone case!
• Jewelry - we ladies love our jewelry! A nice necklace, a beautiful bangle, a radiant ring, elegant earrings! We love it all! Just make sure it doesn't turn our skin green!

Also, a cute shirt is never a no no, now you won't get this one before Christmas but I know most of ladies would love getting a little gem from Whitney as a late Christmas gift too! (Click below for her blog).

There you have it some nice ideas for gifts for her, even just some stocking stuffers :) I hope you enjoyed day two of the Christmas Countdown and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for day threeeeeeee!!

xoxo

Christmas Countdown Day One!

This year I was trying to think of something I could do leading up to Christmas for the blog. There is Vlogmas for the YouTubers and some blogger blog everyday until Christmas but I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on myself because I knew I wasn't going to be able to do that because it is the season for being super busy. So, here we are with the Countdown to Christmas! I will be blogging Monday to Friday until Christmas! I might even try and throw in a couple of weekend posts but I'm not promising anything. I hope everyone likes this, maybe gets some ideas from it! But, on with the show folks! Enjoy Day One of the Christmas Countdown!

There are a few things I think are must haves for the Christmas season. Of course, some are obvious ones like family, friends etc but I'm talking more like actually things. Last year, I did a post similar to this as a guest blog. Since I have more followers now and I don't know who read that guest blog (I hope you did) I thought I would give you my list again of my Christmas must haves!

Fresh Balsam Candle from Bath and Body Works! Hands down the best Christmas candle you're going to find because it actually smells like a Christmas tree! I often find when trying to find the perfect smelling Christmas candle that they often smell like pine sol or just have more of a cleaner smell then a Christmas tree. When I found this one I think I thanked the candle gods because this has been a staple in my Christmas candle collection for a few years now. If you're looking for that perfect candle and you haven't checked this one out yet you should because you're missing out! Also, the pine one from Target isn't too bad either.

Starbucks' Red Cups are just so darn Christmasy! I don't have a Starbucks in my town so I can't get it whenever I want! I still make many trip to Starbucks though because I'm in Halifax on a semi regular basis but at Christmas I love going and grabbing a nice red cupped vanilla latte after shopping and just relaxing with it. I did exactly that last weekend, had my latte and put up feet up at the hotel. Love it!

What are better than Christmas treats? Exactly you cannot think of anything either! Everything is just better when you add Christmas to it. Cookies, peanut butter balls, gingerbread etc are all better at Christmas time. One of my favorites are my mom's sugar cookies which I'm happy to say have become one of the cookies I can do really well. Yum in the tum! What are some of your favorite treats at Christmas? The ones that only get made around this maybe?

Christmas music is something I would listen to all year round if people wouldn't think I was crazy! I have been known to put my iPod on shuttle and not skip over the Christmas ones when they come around. I have to say I do start listening to Christmas in September when I start making my Christmas crafts, it is just easier to get in the mood when you have some carols playing in the background. Once November hits I let the cat of the bag that I'm all over the Christmas tunes. Christmas music instantly puts me in a better mood. What is your favorite Christmas album?

CHRISTMAS MOVIES! Yes, who doesn't love a good Christmas movie? Curling up with some Christmas snacks, a cozy blanket and watching a Christmas movie has to be one of the best things about Christmas and bonus if it is snowing! I'm actually hoping it snows at some point this week so I can have a nice evening like that. I love most Christmas movies, I love the classics like Frosty the Snowman up to the more current Christmas with the Kranks. I have watched Christmas with the Kranks probably too many times already this season but I love it so whatever! What your top picks for Christmas movies?

Well, that is it for day one of the countdown to Christmas! I hope to see you back here tomorrow for day two! A Gift Guide for Her! Thanks dropping by!

FRIDAY!

It is Friday! Is everyone excited? I am! This is kind of late so I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday. It is rainy and dark here today so it is kind of a lazy day feeling but still a good day.

I want to thank Ashley from Let's Get Bananas for taking over the blog yesterday. I love her post as soon as she sent it to me and I knew you all would have to love it too! Huge thank you to Ashley for doing that!

I also just wanted to remind you that on Monday I will be starting my Christmas countdown! From Monday to Friday each day until Christmas I will posting something Christmas related! I will have some must haves, gifts ideas, memories and so much more. I hope to see you back here on Monday for Day One!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

xo

Guest Blogging with Ashley!

Hey y'all, I'm Ashley from Let's Get Bananas!  I'm so excited Brittany is letting me take over her blog for a day!  She is just the sweetest, isn't she?!  Today I'm here to talk all about the holidays.  Who doesn't love the holidays?!  As much as I love Christmas time, I feel like we just celebrated last Christmas a couple months ago.  2013 has FLOWN by!  Before I knew it, it was already time to drag out the Christmas tree and decorate the house.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is playing White Elephant.  Have y'all ever played?  White Elephant is a Christmas game where everyone brings either a gag gift or a nice gift and then you go around the room and everyone either opens a gift or steals one that has already been open.  Obviously the nice gifts normally get stolen, but the gag gifts are always my favorite.  I laugh so hard over some of the gag gifts people bring.  People can get really creative!  Here are some of my favorite...

Shake Weight

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Toilet Coffee Mug

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My Pillow

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Toy Not Included

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What do y'all normally give for White Elephant gifts?  Thanks Brittany for letting me guest post!  I hope everyone stops by and says hi!  I love making new blog friends.  :)

A Taste of Tuesday with Jessica and Ashley

It is Tuesday again! I was going to have a nice baking post for you today but I didn't take photos so you will have to wait for another Taste of Tuesday for that. I still want to do a day a Taste of Tuesday today though.

Meal Planning! It is something I have been trying to do more lately just because it is busy and it is nice to know what you're having! The menu this week is nothing special but it is great knowing and they are all easy meals. I have my meals planned out but if anyone would like to come and make it for tonight I won't have any problem with that.

This Week's Menu:

Monday ~ Pasta
Tuesday ~ Roast Beef and Veggies
Wednesday ~ Soup and Sandwiches
Thursday ~ Meatloaf
Friday ~ Seafood Chowder

What are your favorite quick and easy meals for the week? Do you meal plan? 

This past weekend I was suppose to go and see Catching Fire again but we didn't get the catch so we are going tonight. I'm most excited! I know I have seen it before but it is really good! Have you seen it?

Hope you're all having a great Tuesday! This was such a random post, sorry! LOL I will do better tomorrow!

Ashley and Jessica