Mother's Day Gift Ideas

A few or twelve ideas for you today to purchase for someone or maybe put on your list for someone to purchase for you:

This is a sweet little bangle

Kate Spade Bangle

This simple little bangle has inscribed on the interior "Heart of Gold".  I bet you know a lady that describes perfectly.

If you know someone who gardens, waters flowers, etc. These rubber Birkenstocks are a winner.  There are two styles the flip flop

Birk Flip Flop

or the

Birk Slide

Both of these are very reasonably priced at $39.95 and come in 7-8 different color options.

This is one of our favorite scents in candles

Capri Mercury Box Candle

I love to find this candle anytime but finding it in this little mercury box is extra special.  You cannot go wrong with this little beauty.

No matter where a person is in her mom journey it is always appropriate to start capturing the memories

Mom Journal

This one provides a quick little prompt for each day.  Imagine after 5 years the fun moments that will be captured.

Here's cute little PJ's

Women's PJ's

There are 10 color options and sizes XS-XXL.

I posted these mason jar mugs on instagram on Saturday.....but in case you missed them

I found these mason jar mugs in the house ware section of Kroger.  I'm telling you - browsing the grocery store is a must.  Only $5.99

And maybe you know someone who fits these two cute totes

The Mom tote or the Daughter tote

Apparently the round straw bag is this season's must have.  I found this one

Minka Straw Tote

It is one of the more reasonably priced ones I could find.  It is a good medium size and also has a shoulder strap.

This peplum tee is on a great sale

Peplum Tee

There are six color options and a large range of sizes.  If you don't need this for a gift......grab a couple for yourself.....you're welcome!

If you haven't tried huggable hangers......trust me they make a super duper gift.  They really do make a difference in your closet.  

Huggable Hangers

The Container Store currently has a case of 40 in this ivory on sale for under $23......that, my friends, is a good buy. I did a whole post on why I love these hangers.  If you care to read it click here.

This last item is pricey but sometimes you need a good splurge item, right?

Boll and Branch Sheets

They are very well made, very comfortable and come in beautiful color choices.  I have one set of these and I am always happy when it is their turn in the rotation.  They come packaged so pretty - so that always adds to the great giftability.

 I hope you found something that interested you.  Make it a great week - one quick reminder before you go

 It is not too late to reconnect with an old friend - Great Things in '18 Challenge

Come back on Wednesday and let's talk abut graduation gifts.

Charity Day Finds - Belk

It is once again time for the Charity Sale at Belk.  Here is a quick refresher - buy yourself a $5 ticket and you get access to special sale prices on May 5th, 6am-10am. However,  you can go in and pick out your items any time between now and then.  The associate will reserve the items for you and then ring them through the register later.  You go back anytime after the 5th to pick up your goodies.

Now here are a few things you might like......I did

The Shoe Department was rocking it out.  First up Korks.  If you have never worn the Korks brand, they are super comfortable.  They really do a great job in giving you a little lift, a little style but great wearability.

Korks Deltona

This one comes in this brown, a black and a white.

Then check out these espadrilles by Eileen Fisher.  This is definitely a little pricier but if you want it, now is the best time to pick it up.

Lee in Black

Lee in Latte

If you need a little slide, this one is by Lucky and is fun and affordable. It is black and white and is on a comfy little cork footbed.

Floritan

Admittedly, I have a thing for black and white and I have a thing for checks.  This Ralph Lauren sneaker has it all.

Jeorgia

I took an extra picture of the inside because there is some serious padding and cushion in the shoe.  It has double working zippers and would be a fun addition to your summer wardrobe.

Now if you are on the internet at all.......you know everyone is wearing these wedges.  Well this Vince Camuto is a more reasonably priced option, a good heel height for normal people who can't walk on the tip toes all day and yet still very stylish.  You get two color options and you might just want to pick up both of them.  This is definitely a go to summer shoe.

Leera Wedge in Black

Leera Wedge in Light Brown

This wedge by Steve Madden is actually a stretch woven that almost looks like crochet.

Loca in Black

And lastly, this little Toms wedge is another great option.

Monica Rope Wedge

Now here are a couple of handbags that I also thought were cute.  I am a sucker for a tote bag and this one drew me in 

Beach Tote

The colors are bright and lively.....my photo came out a little darker.  This is a fun summer tote.

And you all know I also love a fun little clutch.

Bzada Clutch

And the large clutch in the back is the Breza clutch. The bright one on the left  and the one with tassels on the right are also by Steve Madden.  I could not find them to link to so check your local store for thosse.

I hope you find some great things if you get by the sale.  Don't forget if you received the special 2 day coupon like the one below

make sure you use it in combination with the charity sale prices for extra super duper deals!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Legacy Journal

When we get together as a family almost all conversations begin with "remember when" and it is one of my absolute favorite things.  My uncles and aunts have some stories that had to have happened because even the most active imagination could not have made them up.  I always tell them someone should really write a book.....Because you know what happens? Over time we forget the details.  We sometimes even forget the generalities.  So my goodness, someone needs to write these things down.  As we approach Mother's Day I wanted to share with you not a gift that I gave to my mom but a gift that she gave to me....... A Legacy Journal

Memory Book

It has guided questions starting with things about 

my mom's mom- her favorite things, favorite recipes, her gifts

then things about my mom - her dreams, school days and how she me my dad

then things about me - when I was little, our friendship, my wedding

It is truly a treasure.  Plus my mom added lots of pictures, newspaper clippings and mementos.

I have two of these to start working on as gifts for my girls

Memories from Mom

I think this is a great idea to gift your mom with this year and ask her to make note of special things for you and your kids to always remember.  These are just two examples.  Amazon has several different ones to offer.  You can see the selection by clicking here.  There are special journals from grandparents, dads and even ones for you to write your own story.  We all have a story to tell.

So spark some creative juices in your mom and gift her with something that will become a treasure for generations to come.

Talk to you on Friday!

Craft Class - Working with Wool

You all know how much I love a good craft class.  I would totally get a doctorate in crafting if that were a thing.  Well I have taken classes at Patches and Stitches before.  Primarily quilting classes.....which by the way I still have a quilt I am working on.  I saw this class and thought it was super cute plus it was working with wool which would be totally new to me.  The class was to cover a little tape measure like this one

We selected 3 colors of wool and 3 colors of DMC threads.  These are the colors I chose

We built these little flowers

 and then added them to a larger piece of wool to be the front and back of the tape measure cover

Not only did we learn to work with wool we also learned some basic embroidery stitches like the french knot, the feather stitch and the blanket stitch

The pattern called for about 16 french knots on both the front and back.  The French knot was fighting me.....I just couldn't get the swing of it.  Plus when things start going wrong in crafting I get frustrated and extremely tempted to quit.  So I told the instructor this whole French knot thing is just not going to work for me.  She suggested I sew on a little bead in place of the knots.....and that is what I did. These are the beads I used

Once I completed the rest of my embroidery stitching I assembled and covered the tape measure.  And this is how it turned out.  I have to say I think it is quite cute.

I usually  have a tape measure in my car because you never know.  And I have one near my computer where I online shop because I need to physically see what a 10 inch x 15 inch handbag will really be like before I add it to my cart.  So I think having a cute tape measure will be even more fun.

I may make a few of these for gifts.  Let me just say if you receive one of these pieces of my handiwork you should know that I spent about 5 hours making it for you and you should cherish it for years to come........I'm just saying........this little guy is no joke.

Another craft towards my Craft Phd.......yay!

If you are crafting anything good, let me know.

Have a wonderful week.  I will talk to you on Wednesday!

Fun Finds in perhaps an unlikely place

You can say a lot of things about me but you cannot say that I am a shopping snob.....nope I will pretty much shop almost anywhere.  I can enjoy any retail establishment.....what can I say....I am just adaptable.  So today I want to share with you some new finds from the grocery store.

I know.  Most people are in and out, get what they need and head to the checkout as soon as possible.  Not me.  I enjoy a good browse session through the grocery store.  There's a lot of product in there.  Sometimes you just have to slow down and check it out.

Here a few things I have recently enjoyed finding in the Kroger grocery aisles.......

Sweet and salty is a favorite in my house.  We were already Cheez-it fans but now they have thrown in some caramel popcorn.  Why, yes, thank you very much I will indeed have a little more.

Who among us has not needed an individual cake to snack on while watching our favorite TV show?  These little mug treats are too cute.  Chocolate cakes, vanilla cakes, brownies, muffins....so many flavors.  They come four packs in each box.  You fix them in a mug in the microwave and all you have to add is water.  I think this is perfect because you don't have a whole cake sitting there that you feel like you have to eat......just the single serving......Winner!

You know how they serve the unlimited basket of fries at Red Robin and you ask for more and they literally bring out 6 fries in a basket.......well now you can go home and make a whole package and enjoy them a your leisure.

And remember my favorite popsicles the Outshine bars.....well now they are making a non-dairy ice cream.  They have two kinds.  One is made with yogurt and one is made with a banana base.  I am not a huge yogurt fan so I went with the banana base in the Sunrise Blend flavor.  Tasty and satisfies that little sweet craving with fewer calories.  I will be going back for more.  

This is not a food item but a good find all the same.  Secret is making this little purse size deodorant.  If you are familiar with the round eos lip balms, they are about the size of those.  You know how on mammogram day you can't put on deodorant until after the appointment.....well here you go -  a little deodorant for your purse.  Also good for gym bags, backpacks, etc.

Road Trip Bingo!!!!  You know what is better than a road trip.....a road trip with bingo!  Now this one is at Target in the Dollar Spot Section. But how fun would this be especially if there happened to be a little tote bag of prizes to hand out.

One last thing before I go - 

Kroger is currently running 4 times the fuel points on Gift Cards.  Make sure you download the digital coupon to your Kroger card and stock up.  Remember we are working on our Christmas lists plus Mother's Day and Graduations are next month.

Wishing you a great weekend.....with some browsing time in one of your favorite stores.

Talk to you on Monday!!!

A Flower Truck!

Honestly, is this not the cutest thing?

Photo by: Bookout Studios

1818 Farms has started a Flower Truck

If you want to read the whole story check out the 1818 Farms Blog here.

But here is the summary - the above cute little flower truck will be making weekly appearances at various places around the area.

Here is the schedule:

Athens, Alabama – UG White – 101 North Jefferson Street

• Thursday – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Decatur, Alabama – The Cupboard and Tammy Eddy Antiques – 504 Bank Street

• Thursday from 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Huntsville, Alabama – Terrame’ Salon and Dry Bar – 3613 S. Memorial Parkway

• Friday – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Huntsville, Alabama – Sweet Pineapple – 964 Airport Road, Suite 1

• Friday- 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Huntsville, Alabama – UG White – 115 Clinton Ave East

• Saturday – 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

It will be fun to pop by the flower truck and pick up a little something.......maybe a little something for your friend you are reuniting with this month.  As a reminder, don't forget the Great Things in '18 challenge and your opportunity to reunite with an old friend.

Talk to you on Friday......maybe I will see you at the flower truck!

Tax Day in a Different Way

I know a lot of people are not looking forward to tax day, but hey it is what it is and we may as well make the best of it.  So I wanted to think of things that started with T and A and X to share with you today but X is hard and I just couldn't, so I thought I would share with you things that start with I and R and S instead because it would be nice to have some pleasant thoughts when we think of IRS, right?

Ok, so first up things that start with I -

First something in the Intimate Apparel area

Natori Bliss Cotton Briefs

I feel like these are made for grown ups - enough said.  They are comfortable, wash great and go smoothly under skirts and such.  I used to shop at a popular store we all know and love - but the last time I went in there the clerk treated me like I was out of my element, so I kind of broke up with them.  So now I order these and I am very happy with them. #middleageladiesrule

Initial Mugs

Anthropolgie Initial Mug

I love a good mug and no one does them like Anthropologie, but I order them from Nordstrom because of the free shipping - plus they are the same price both places.

Lastly, Ice cream

Magnum Ice Cream Pints

What is better than a pint of ice cream......ice cream with an extra layer of chocolate that you have to squeeze to break the chocolate to get to the ice cream!!!!

Ok, so now onto R

First up something I have in my stack to Read

The Masterpiece

You know how you love an author so much you put off reading their new book because you already don't want it to be over......so this is in my stack to read and I am looking forward to it, but I need the anticipation to last a little longer.

Now here is a 2 pointer Reversible Rain Poncho

Rain Poncho

There are about 24 color options on this one so you are sure to find one that appeals to you.

And our last R - Ruffle Hem Dress

Lands End Ruffle Hem Dress

This little tee shirt dress comes in regular and petite sizes, this stripe, solids and other prints.

And now for some fun S products -

First a Swimsuit Cover-up

Becca Breezy Cover-up

I was going to show you a swimsuit but you know I like to keep it real and this is how I beach.....always in the cover-up.  And I think this one is cute.  Three color options here.

Next up some cute Sleepwear

Target 2-piece Set

Four color options in sizes XS - XXL and only $19.99.

Our last S has to be a great pair of sandals

Franco Sarto Patrice

I couldn't resist this little black and white sandal.  It is slightly heavy so I won't be wearing these on a marathon shopping trip, but they will definitely be good for work.

So there you are, ladies, a different spin on the IRS......and if you are getting a refund maybe some of these things will be a fun little treat.

Have a wonderful week!