Mama Needs a Brand New Bag!

Mother's Day is May 11. Don't worry... that is still a few weeks away but have you always had Mother's Day sneak up on you so you've lost the chance for a customized gift? It has happened to me before too.

This year, I'm giving you a heads up and sharing some of my favorite personalized picks plus some classic stand-bys that will make Mom smile even if you picked it up on Saturday May 10.

First, Mom deserves to indulge herself so bath accessories are always a hit. Treat her to the LUSH Cosmetics Mum Tin which contains five of their bath time luxuries for her to relax with. Plus, the tin is a colorful spot to store her bathroom favorites long after bath time is over! If Mom doesn't have the time to indulge in five baths you can get her just the limited edition Rose bubble bar. This bubble bar has rosehip oil and cocoa butter to make skin feel super soft with rose and lemon providing a bright and floral scent! Or, give mom the Wonder Woohoo bubble bar which is inspired by Wonder Woman. The gold glittery bubble bar will rejuvenate mom and energize her to keep saving the day.

I always love gifts that can be put to daily use. It is so fun to indulge mom but giving her something that she can use daily and be reminded of how much you care for her is never a bad way to go. Mark and Graham has a slew of personalizable gifts that will suit every mom out there. Write her a short note or put her children's initials onto a Vertical Brass Bar Necklace so she can wear them close to her heart every day. Help her keep everything together in a personalized Colorfield Zip Pouch. Or give her a personalized Modern Tote which she can take to the farmer's market, office or pool this summer!

If Mom is almost as connected as you are, there are plenty of Tech-cessories to choose from. A personalized Tiny Prints iPhone Case is a fabulous way to spoil mom. Add in a Ban.do extra battery so she'll never fear the dreaded dead battery again! 

And, it wouldn't be a gift guide on Color Me Styled if I didn't put in a Kate Spade product! I'm really digging the vintage post card iPhone case. There's the "Telephono" one pictured and also a "Macchina Fotografica" one with a vintage camera pictured!

No matter what you get your Mom make sure you are planning far enough ahead to ship it or have it ready to give her on Sunday, May 11! (psst. you need to send your cards on Tuesday, May 6 to make sure they get there on time)

Color Me Styled - Twas the Week Before Christmas

Guess what friends, in a week, Christmas will be over!  I can't believe it either.  I've got a weekend full of wrapping and baking and general Christmas wonderment and I only have one person left on my list to shop for.  I think...

If you have a sinking feeling that you've forgotten someone even though you've checked your list at least twice there is a solution.  Smitten Boutique on Madison Street in the West Loop has perfect gifts for everyone you've neglected to remember!
First scenario: you're packing up for your trip back home and start to think about the friends you'll have time to see because you'll be home for a whole week.  You haven't seen your BFF from high school in ages and as you begin to recall facebook posts of hers over the last few months you realize something... she's got a baby now.  

As you try to come to terms with this you can rest easy and know that with a quick visit to Smitten you'll be all set.  You can choose from an array of adorable outfits like this tank and tutu set ($56) or the suspender onsie ($26) but if you want to discourage pictures on your newsfeed give consideration to the hippo or puppy book ($12.50 ea) and stuffed animals that go along with it ($20-$23).

Alternately, if your friend, cousin, coworker is expecting a Cassie*Lu blanket is the perfect way to give and give back at the same time.  Founded by a Mother and Daughter team, Cassie*Lu has partnered with Kopila Valley School in Surkhet, Nepal.  Every blanket purchase ($62) helps to send a child to school for an entire year including essential supplies like a backpack, uniform, books and supplies, and a hot meal every day and medical and dental care.  It is an amazing way to give a beautiful gift and contribute to the education of a child in need.

Second Scenario: Now that you've gotten a gift for your new Mom friend your mind wanders to the good times you two used to have playing at your grandparent's house after school.  Ugh oh, grandparents... your sister always manages to get a gift for your grandpa that is just perfect and your box of candies and word-a-day calendar can never measure up.

Smitten has a range of gifts that are perfect for Grandpas, Uncles, and Dads.  These Autobiographical books start at $12.95 and are filled with questions to help prompt the author to spark creativity.  They're a delightful gift for the man in your life, especially the ones who love to tell stories.  But, they say, a picture is worth one thousand words.  A silk tie picture frame ($25) will provide a place for him to display his most treasured moments.

If Dad/Uncle/Grandpa would rather spend his time on the golf course or at the ball park you can give him a piece of sporting history to help him pass the time in between rounds. Tokens & Icons has a wide variety of sport related items that make unique and thoughtful gifts.  Cuff links made from stadium chairs, bottle openers made from bats ($85) or old clubs ($75), and pens featuring some of history's greatest ball parks.

Scenario Three: Okay, you're glad you stopped in and grabbed gifts for the last two that were on your mind but not on your list.  But were they really the last two?  Rack your brain... there's gotta be someone else.  Then it dawns on you.  Your Mom had mentioned that she'd love a new bulletin board for the desk in the kitchen so she can keep track of all her lists.  Smitten Boutique carries a line of Magnetic Art Boards by Mikey Lin's.  These boards range in size from 12x12 ($45) to 30x40 ($225) and come with customize-able backgrounds.  Everything from chevron, to quotes about family, to the notebook page below.  

Scenario Four: PHEW!  So many great gifts that are unique and thoughtful and all from one store.  Before you go you should take a look around at all the adorable displays.  You're likely to find the perfect reward for yourself and your savvy shopping!

If baubles are your thing you can reach for these Emmy earrings in Raspberry or the Ella Kate bracelet in gold ($36 each) by Towne & Reese.  The sequin string necklace by Michelle Rubin ($70) would make the perfect addition to your everyday accessories.  Or if you want to show your tree a little love the Thomas Glenn ornament ($34) is a glittery and girly bulb that will shine bright next to your childhood soccer figure ornament.

You certainly don't have to reward yourself, these gifts are perfect for a sister, coworker, or cousin too.  But if you're responsible for any dishes at the Christmas feast you'll want to pick up a copy of Stephanie Izard's Girl in the Kitchen cookbook. Smitten is selling them with some of her sauces and marinades as well so this really is a no-brainer.

If you've got fellow Chicago-phile friends these porcelain coasters ($45) are a fantastic gift.  Pair them with a bottle of wine as you make your way over for New Year's Eve and ring in 2014 by learning something new about our fantastic city!


Smitten Boutique | 1047 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60607
http://smittenboutique.com

I'd like to thank Smitten owner, Kirstin Martin and her team, Erin and Chelsea, who helped direct me towards these lovely gifts, restored the displays after I poked around and for their willingness to work with me on this post.  If you're in town tonight, come visit the shop, get your last minute gifts, and see me... I'll be there for a Wine Tasting event and will likely snatch up many of these last minute items just because... so come and get them while you can!

Color Me Styled - All I Want for Christmas

Every year around October I begin to think of what to get others for Christmas.  Our families are big on lists but I always try to find something "off-list" to give.

Since most of my gift list ideas will include some of those surprises I'm hesitant to share what I'd recommend you get for your friends and family.  So, I've decided to share my Christmas wishlist!

Color Me Styled - Buying for Boys

It is always easier for me to buy gifts for the ladies in my life because I can easily pick out something that I wouldn't mind having myself. But it gets a lot more difficult when the men we life with need gifts.

I think it boils down to the fact that most men are too practical. Plus they don't use a lot of things. Girls have make-up, jewelry and handbags. Boys have wallets and they usually are so attached to the ratty old thing that even if you try to upgrade it you're met with resistence.

So... what is it that boys like. Well to borrow a slogan from Bdubs... Boys like Wings, Beer and Sports.

Short of buying your guy a bucket of wings and putting a bow on it (which they would love, but we're above that ladies) get him the gear to make his own! He'll need a baking sheet, tongs and spices.

Sur La Table Non Stick Pan

            

  Portland Pepper Sauces & Scissor Tongs

Then if you want to be very helpful write up a wing recipe and tuck it into the gift too. And maybe send it via email since boys can be bad at keeping small pieces of paper.

Now, for the beer part of our mantra. Crate and Barrel has really upped their ante when it comes to beer glassware. All you need to do is narrow down which type your guy sips most... or just grab the whole set for $80.

They also featured a handy dandy beer poster in their catalog that would make a great addition to any manly office.

Now we move onto to the Sports piece. Luckily this can take many different forms. You can get tickets to a game for the two of you or for him and a buddy. If he is more of a gamer you can grab him one of the top rated sport games of 2012... NBA 2K13. Just make sure you get him the game that is compatible with his machine (PlayStation vs Xbox vs Wii). Or if he's more likely to just veg on a Football Sunday than anything else offer to pay for the addition of a sports package from your cable / satellite provider.

Notice that I am not suggesting the purchase of more apparel with sporting logos on them. When a man is old enough to deserve a beer glass designed to make his beer taste its best he should be able to demonstrate his support of his favorite team without covering his body in cartoon animals.

Color Me Styled - Hostess with the Mostess

Thursday's Cookie Exchange is fast approaching and I am busy crossing off to-do list items right and left. Tomorrow I'll post recipes because I'm doing almost all of my cooking tonight but today I was delighted to see Anthropologie send out gift suggestions for the hostess.

Even if you are just heading over the river and through the woods to family this Christmas, giving a bottle of wine wrapped in a new apron or pretty kitchen towel is a gesture that goes a long way. (For example: that last pour of wine in the bottle is headed your way... or the extra cressent roll.)

Here are some of my favorites for the hostess with the mostess this holiday season!

Does your Hostess enjoy a cocktail... or three? Here's a subtle, yet darling, reminder on the Slow Slips Cocktail Napkin.

Tuck these napkins into a set of Platinum Rim Stemless Glasses from West Elm.

Round out her collection with this beautiful Ice Bucket from Anthropologie.

Is your hostess more of a baker than a cocktail shaker? Fret not, there are endless options of adorable baking molds like this one from Sur La Table.

Add on a pair of pot holders and you've completed the set.

If you know your hostess spent more time in the powder room than in the kitchen for your party treat her to a new eyeshadow set from Urban Decay.

And if she is always re-applying her lip stick between sips give her the Bite Beauty Bite Size Discovery Set. This is some of the longest lasting lip color I've ever used and the set provides a great range of colors.

And finish off the gift with the hello sunshine compact mirror from Kate Spade.

Color Me Styled - Christmas Gift Guide for the Lady Friend

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

I know that there have been a few posts about Christmas cookies already (Christmas Confetti Cookies and Peppermint Nutella Crinkle Cookies) but now we've got the Christmas banner (thanks Liz!!) and today is our first gift guide post.

Buying for that lady friend in your life could go in a million different directions. When I am buying for a friend I try to combine the things she "needs" with what she "wants". So, if she needs a new iPhone case... I get her one or two from Kate Spade.

Chit Chat | Polka Dots | Hello | Live Colorfully
Exclamation! | #TalkIsCheap | #PopFizzClink | OMG That's Hilarious 


Or... if she isn't an iPhone junkie and still uses a BlackBerry or is a Google fanatic and operating on Android devices she would appreciate one of the Kate Spade sleeves. I mean, you can never go wrong with Glitter.

If your friend is more of a pen and paper gal... you can't go wrong with a Russel + Hazel SmartDate system calendar. 

I also adore their People+Places business card system.

Or if she is more likely to enjoy something pretty hanging on her wall, the Inslee By Design 2013 calendar is a lovely addition to any perfectly appointed wall.

Is your gal pal a coffee addict? Perpetuate the habit with these delightful mugs. Pick up a bag of gourmet beans too and you've got a great gift set going! Add in a 2-4 cup French Press and you've hooked her up for life!

Charity Mugs from West Elm

If she's more of a monogram gal... the Homegrown Monogram Mug from Anthropologie is a sure hit!

I think the most important part about giving gifts is that you remember why you are doing it! Be thoughtful and go the extra mile to complete the thought. (Like buying the coffee to go in the mugs, or the hot chocolate. Or if you're buying for a baker, buy the cake stand and the cake pans that fit it.)

I'm a great gift consultant... I really work towards giving the perfect gifts each year! If you are stuck on what to give a special someone let me know. I respond quickly to email, twitter and facebook messages! Or... better yet... leave comments below and I'll comment too and then everyone can be inspired!