for my GALentines.

Hey darlings,

most weeks I can say that not much is going on (besides work) in the delta, but last week was WILD with birthday celebrations and social events. it was pretty fun to have a full dance card...and see so many people who aren't teachers and don't need/want/have to have my advice but just want to chat about life, books, the news, and upcoming events.

we did take time out of our busy schedules to watch 30 rock and parks and rec thursday night, and they were totally worth the time. PLUS, leslie knope inspired me to re-think valentine's day as GAL-entines day. ;) great, right?

i'm THE world's WORST at mailing things on time, plus we live an 1.8 hours away from any decent shopping spot, but if i could overcome these obstacles, these are the things i'd want to give my best gals.
gifties found here:pillow so they know how much they mean,  cool umbrella pushpins, a pretty notebook to help us remember (we're getting old)   elise mahan "together in the sky" print , or maybe some fun stripey straws

gift guide: the woman who who taught me about champagne tastes (and how to manage them on a beer budget)

 I know it may seem a little early for gift guides, but honestly, my life is so crazy I've GOT to plan these important things really far in advance. if you're with me, say amen. :) anyway, here are my thoughts for what i'd like to get my beautiful, special, so important mama this year...

the perfect wallet in the perfect color... because she's warm, firey, and crazy organized. 

and a lifetime supply of her favorite lipstick color to match (even though I've been anti-orange flip a LONG time) :)

a heavenly feeling (and looking) cotton nightgown and cotton robe since they are SO hard to find. I mean, who wants fleece in a warm Mississippi winter? no one.

and maybe a snuggly and chic pair of slipper socks from jcrew to go with that nightgown

and a cotton license plate so she can show her Mississippi pride... (plus she keeps saying she wants one)

a subscription to a super useful, super delicious recipe magazine, because she and my dad love to cook together, but she's the comfort-food kind of mom.

or maybe some quirky but functional things to jazz up her workspace (since now she's a famous calligrapher)

or a surprise trip to her favorite restaurant (Galatoire's in New Orleans) for lunch...or dinner...or both. it makes her remember her dad, and is the penultimate spot for a celebration with sizzle.

gift guide: my four lovely nieces who love drawing mermaids, wearing pretty shoes, and live on the other side of the world.

not many more gift guides to go, friends, but here's one more for you in case you're looking for something for little, adorable, precious gals in your life..

here we go...a fun girlie-fied fort. because boys shouldn't have all the fun hiding out.

an easy-peasy introduction to sewing...even i couldn't mess that up.

or maybe a giant doughnut pillow...it's snuggly AND delicious!

a way to make even the white-est, plainest sneakers look awesome.

a way to jumpstart their imaginations and get their writing career started by publishing their own stories.. 

a make their own puppet set!

something pretty to decorate their shared room...

or a set of the most adorable girlie picture books on the market to indulge and encourage dressing up and playing pretend...

 

or, the mermaid shadow puppet...seriously, what little girl wouldn't LOVE this at bedtime?

 

and a new pair of sparkly shoes...because dressing up is the MOST FUN kind of play that their is (for little girls and big ones)

gift guide: the tiny lady who loves soups of all sorts, adores her family, and worries about everything

gift guide 2 (i'm on this one since we're heading to NC today!): what do you get the adorable, soup-loving, bread-baking, tradition-holding, college student advising, super duper adorable worrywart of a mother-in-law? here are some ideas.

1. a stylish apron from birdkage so she can keep her cute clothes clean when she bakes and bakes and bakes..

 

2. a few bowls from peter's pottery in mississippi...so she can enjoy her soup and hold tight to her ties to the deep south.

 

3. a collection of caldecott winning children's books since she started out as a pre-school teacher and has four grandaughters to read to!

 

4. a new pair of shoes for work and shoes for play (both gold!) because she loves to look cute.

5. boone's mom and dad have been wanting to learn how to cook stir fry, so maybe we'll get them a wok and some sesame oil to point them in the right direction

 

6. what about tickets to see the alvin ailey dance troup? the group is touring NC this year and i think boone's parents would really love the dancing, the history, and the costumes (so would i)

7. or, (and?) we can make a donation to a cause she feels really strongly about after her trip to ethiopia to adopt her newst granddaughters...

man o man...i LOVE gift guide time since it gives me a chance to think about how special each of my family members are and remember their passions and wishes. ;) hope you're having as much fun gift-giving as i am!

gift guide: the love of my life who loves red meat, quirky comedians, and has a penchant for comfortable style

1. a new pair of kicks that say "i'm awesome"

2. a few new oxford shirts and a new vneck sweater...because it gets COLD in the delta and it's a little more cashz than a blazer.

3. the new mike burbiglia or david sedaris book...because he's a huge fan of all things awkward and hilarious.

 4. boone's beard can get pretty unruly...and he says shaving is a pain...so maybe some rough-and-tumble shaving products would make fun stocking stuffers...

4.  maybe a candy apple red smoker...because the man of the house has been doing a lot of the cooking lately, and he deserves a manly way to do it.

5.a new, flatscreen tv... because we're probably the last  people in America who still don't have one.

 

6. a pair of suspenders so he can look dapper whenever he feels like it!

7. or maybe boone would like a getaway to the ozarks when it warms up a little. it's supposed to be beautiful there, and a perfect change of pace from the delta.

8. or...maybe a manly, delicious dinner at the delta's best steakhouse.

9. and lastly, since my honey is a volunteer fireman, is working on a love of whisky, and cares about other folks..maybe a bottle of jim beam that supports the 9/11 firefighters or operation homefront

dear santa...

so yesterday we went on a christmas shopping excursion...it was super fun because my folks met us and so we got to spend the afternoon together. however, christmas shopping with 4 people (two of whom are the kind of fellas who H-A-T-E shopping) is pretty difficult, especially if you're trying to shop for some of the people who're with you.

the good news is that i was able to check most people off of our list. the bad news is that boone saw me buying a few of his gifts...which means my holiday gift guide will need to be extra tricky this year so he can't figure out what is. also, he kept asking me what i wanted for christmas, which really and truly, is nothing. but, while we were out and about i did run across a few little items i wouldn't mind having... ;) and here they are!

1. the most lovely pair of flats in the world.

       2. an ina garten cookbook that i don't have but i've seen everywhere

3. in the move to the 'sip i accidentally threw away my two peter's pottery fat bunnies. replacing them would make me SO happy.

4. a great pair of (cheap!) black or tan wedges for dressing up and going out.

5. lovely grey ruffled pretty pillowcases to replace the ones that flew into oblivion on our move from oxford.

6. a book of WPA posters (or better yet, this actual poster or this one) since they are my absolute fave kind of design and would look fab in my office.

7. and who doesn't want a polka dot cardigan?

8. i'm incredibly particular (and really traditional) when it comes to my stationary. unless i'm writing a fun note or sending a birthday card, i like to have plain white embossed (and classically monogrammed) correspondence cards. unfortunately i used up two sets writing wedding notes and haven't had any for over a year. i think this necessity is the perfect way to round out my wish list! ;)

9. last year i asked for a tshirt where the proceeds went to an incredible organization that supported education on the African continent. this year i want to support education reform a little closer to home.

10. but honestly...what i really and truly want for christmas is some time to go on an adventure with my honey. who can give me some time?

what do YOU want santa to bring you for Christmas? I've got gift guides coming this week and next, so if you're not sure check back for some ideas!