For My Valentine: Gift Guide

For My Valentine: Gift Guide by oykristen // 1. Anthropologie Painted Poppies iPhone 5C Case // 2. John Mark Comer's Loveology // 3. Anthropologie Origami Swan Necklace // 4. Kate Spade New York Secret Garden Stud // 5. Paper Source Awesome Gold Foil Card // 6. Terrain Made With Love Spoon // 7. Anthropologie Peony Pop Bathrobe // 8. Aerie Silky Chiffon Tank // 9. Aeri Silky Chiffon Boxer // 10. Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker With Automatic Milk Frother //

Happy Valentines, Valentine.

Oh Valentines Day. Some years I think that this is such a silly holiday. But this year, I am thankful for a frivolous reason to celebrate, especially with the weather being so dreary. (I haven't complained enough about the weather, have I??) There's just something nice about all that fluffyness and flowers and the relentless red and pink. And I think it's especially fun to love on people around you - your grandmother, your nieces and nephews, your in-laws. It's a grand affection fest! So dip your toes in this ocean of loving potion and have some fun with it.

These are some fun gift ideas for that special someone. PS, that can be YOU! You're worth celebrating, my friend.

1. Anthropologie Painted Poppies iPhone 5C Case

Adorable, who wouldn't want their phone decked out in such whimsy?

2. John Mark Comer's Loveology

Great read. This is one Seattle pastor's take on the theology of love, sex, and marriage. Woo hoo, getting crazy!

3. Anthropologie Origami Swan Necklace

A bit pricey, but oh so unique. A worthy splurge, if I could :-)

4. Kate Spade New York Secret Garden Stud

Does Kate Spade ever get it wrong? These are the peppiest way to perk up the ears. A little sparkle thrown in for good measure.

5. Paper Source Awesome Gold Foil Card

All cards should be this awesome. And bright. And foiled.

6. Terrain Made With Love Spoon

This one makes me giggle. I would really like to whip this out on an unexpected day for a heaping of baking bliss.

7. Anthropologie Peony Pop Bathrobe

Oh, I'm lusting. I want this with a fiery passion. The photo doesn't do it justice. I took at peek at it in-store and it is just sooooo decadent and soft. Such a pretty way to lounge, yes?

8. & 9. Aerie Silky Chiffon Tank & Boxer

How adorable is this set? Again, I'm not one for a fancy night out on Valentines. Just a good movie and comfy, semi-frilly home clothes.

10. Nespresso Citiz Espresso Maker With Automatic Milk Frother

This is the big kahuna. If you've ever had a Nespresso espresso beverage, you've officially died and gone to Heaven. When we were in Paris this summer, the couple we stayed with (via airbnb) had one of these delicious contraptions. I made like, 2 espressos every day. And I've been craving it every since. If this were a Valentine gift, ooh baby... I don't know what I would do. Other than stay hopped up on lattes 24/7.

Ladies, just send your guy this link and (hopefully!) he will snag something good for your Valentine celebration this year.

Happy Gifting!

February Delights List

February Delights List by oykristen // 1. Anthropologie Celestial Coaster Kit // 2. Essie Resort Fling // 3. Anthropologie Capri Blue in Hibiscus Teakwood // 4. Mrs. Meyers Basil Room Freshener // 5. Anthropologie Eloise Chiara Hand Towel // 6. Pottery Barn Essential Egyptian Cotton 300-Thread Count Sheets // 7. Shop Terrain Hanging Glass Terrarium // 8. West Elm Gallery Frames // 9. Kate Spade New York Gardens of Paris Earrings // 10. Anthropologie Palmer Towels // 11. Shop Terrain White Robe Hydrangea // 12. Barnes and Noble The Message Remix New Testament // 13. Urban Outfitters Plum & Bow Chenille Diamond Pillow //   

February Delights.

February is all about refreshing. It's ever so cold outside, you're spending most of your time indoors, and as you look around... you notice things. The dingy cotton towels. The pilling bed sheets. The musky scent coming from your closet. In combination with a good spring clean, your home could also use a mini facelift. Nothing too drastic, but all those essential items that you use everyday... when was the last time you updated them? Linens, towels, candles; just a few refreshing upgrades can make you feel great about the space you live in. Because winter isn't over yet, but your home doesn't have to remind your of the winter blues.

I shopped around and found some awesome, affordable items to upgrade my apartment. Sheets and towels are a big one (these look great in my bathroom), since I think our building's community laundry machines tend to wear really hard on our linens. All of you who have your own washer & dryer, please look up and say a quick thanks to the God above. YOU ARE LUCKY. For the rest of us slummin' it in city paradise, we have to find other ways to dampen the odd odors that reek in from the neighbors "recreational hobbies".

This room freshener is a great, inexpensive find, and this candle (my sis gifted it to me for Christmas) makes a world of difference. I've even updated my bible reading with this modern-text version of the New Testament. Don't forget to refresh your soul, people. This is an inside/outside spring cleaning! A clean coat on the nails and a few well-placed plants (try to hang this terrarium indoors!) will certainly round out this "I'm ready for you, Spring!" attitude.

Here's to a minty-clean February!

Noel: Gift Guide For the Homebody

Christmas Gift Guide: For the Homebody by knhale // 1. Anthropologie Mr. Boddington's Pride and Prejudice // 2. Capri Blue Volcano Candle in a Jar // 3. Origins Lavender and Vanilla Body Souffle // 4. Scoutmob Coexistence Flower Art Print // 5. Anthropologie Amethyst Crystal Lamp Base // 6. Fortnum and Mason Royal Tea // 6. Scoutmob Pink Himalayan Bath Salts // 7. Free People Border Print Robe // 8. Kate Spade New York Larabee Road Coffee Pot // 10. Williams Sonoma Agate Gold-Rimmed Coasters // 11. Horchow Sferra Emma Pointelle Throw // 12. Piperlime Sabine Emerald Green Pave Stud // 13. UGG Ansley Women's Mahogany Slippers //

For the Homebody.

This gift guide is for that lady who chooses to (or needs to!) hibernate when the weather gets chilly. If you're ridiculously busy with all the reasons in the world that you have to stay busy, it's time for your reality check (and bubble bath!) Put down the iPhone and the to-do list and aaaaaaaaaallll the other excuses you have to NOT relax. And just take a moment for you.

If you know someone who needs a good vacation from the mind, this guide should steer you in the right direction. Your secret santa could use a relaxing soak in the tub with a classic read, a decadent candle and absolutely nothing on the calendar.

Happy gifting!

October Delights List

October List by knhale // 1. Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Good Cookbook // 2. Trader Joes Autumn Mums // 3. Urban Outfitters Staring at the Stars Cardigan // 4. Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle // 5. Urban Outfitters Midi Chain Ring // 6. Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Maise Handbag // 7. Origins Plantscription Serum // 8. Anthropologie Petite silk pants // 9. Paper-Source Gold Confetti Thank You Notes // 10. Christian Dior Miss Dior Fragrance // 11. Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick //

Oh October. 

I really love this month because Autumn begins to set in and I get to celebrate the birth of some of my absolutely favorite people. First my mother in law (she's pure joy, people, seriously) and then both of my gorgeous, talented sisters. It's an absolute thrill gift-shopping for all of them, because it's so much fun to shower the ones you love with treasured surprises. And when you're doing it on a budget, you have to be selective and really think about what they want... which leads to discovering things you kinda want, too. This list is a compilation of a few things I've pick up here here and there and a few things I'm dreaming about. 

With all the wonders of fall comes one not-so-wonderous occurrence: dry skin. I've been using (7) Origins Plantscription Serum and it's really doing the trick. I am no stranger to Origins products, but this one is an especially magical elixir. In excitement for fall, I decorated my outdoor space with a bevy of these (2) fun fall mums in several colors and I ordered a sample of this (10) Christian Dior Miss Dior Fragrance from Sephora (we shall see how it goes, I'm pretty selective about my perfume choices.) I'm getting motivated to start cooking healthy again, so this (1) Gwyneth Paltrow's It's All Good Cookbook is on my list to buy. My adorable god-daughter got me my first Kate Spade bag for my birthday (does that little gal have excellent taste or WHAT?) so it's caused me to stumble over to their site and start drooling over maaaaaany of their gorgeous creations for fall, like (6) Kate Spade New York Cedar Street Maise Handbag. My sweetheart-of-a-sister-in-law got me this truly deliciously-scented (4) Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle for my birthday, and it's been making my house smell like a masterpiece. Well, actually, it smells like Anthropologie, and that's pretty much my idea of what Heaven smells like. Score. And I might have treated myself to a few little things, like these (5) Urban Outfitters Midi Chain Ring and an old favorite, (11) Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick, but those were just for funsies. And since I've been writing a fair share of thank-you notes this week, these (9) Paper-Source Gold Confetti Thank You Notes have definitely gotten the best of me. They're so delicately pretty it's dangerous. The rest are dream items. Although I'm not totally sure how well I could rock those slouchy silk (8) Anthropologie Petite silk pants (but they are just so darn cute.)

Keep dreaming of lovely Autumn things, dear Oy-sters. The weather is just right for dreaming.

September Delights List

September Delights List by knhale // 1. Kate Spade Seaport Grand Two Tone Watch // 2. BCBGMAXAZRIA leather handbag // 3. 'Design Sponge' Home Décor Book // 4. Someday, Maybe, Someday by Lauren Graham // 5. Dogeared Elephant Stud Earrings // 6. Report Slip Ons // 7. Attingham Tea Set // 8. Capri Blue Candle // 9. Sparrow Fiemme Cardigan // 10. Gorjana Honey Comb Lariat Necklace // 11. Happ & Stahns Perfume

September and Such.

Mmm September. I truly can't get enough. This magical month is just my Achilles Heel, in a way. And there are just so many pretty, craveable items out this month, thanks to the wonderful school year kicking off. I don't boast to be a fashionista, but any fashion instincts in me definitely surface during the Autumn months. I dress mostly like a slob for 9 months a year, but when September hits... well, I just have too much respect for this grand season. You can see the full amount of fun on My September Pinterest Board. These are all items that get me excited for fall. Especially that Design*Sponge book, since I've been in apartment-decor mode for weeks. Ooh la la.

Currently...

Listening // The peaceful tuneage of John Mayer's "Paradise Valley" & Bethel Music's "Tides"

Snacking  // Trader Joes Animal Crackers

Watching // White Collar Season 1 on Netflix

(Since Burn Notice Season 7 has yet to come to Netflix... Or finish its current season on TV :)

Reading // I know it's sort of trashy, but I'm relishing, "Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O and the Love Triangle that Brought Down the Kennedys" It's a guilty pleasure.

Craving // Mom-Sister time. I miss that goofy girly trio.

What's on your September desires list?