Holiday Gift Guide 2011 - 35 Well Designed Gifts for Under $100

It's that time of year again... the days are getting chilly, we're gorging our faces on delicious food and thinking of all the folks we need to buy gifts for this holiday season.

Considering the economy, most people are trying to find the best gifts for smaller budgets. Holiday shopping doesn't have to be hectic or cause a headache (or in some people's cases, a mini-breakedown). It should be fun - you're giving gifts to your loved ones.

That being said, I give you my holiday gift guide which is chock full of frugal, yet really cool gifts, all for $100 or less, to impress the design lovers in your life.

Enjoy!

#1. World Map in Aqua (also available in other colors) - $99 from These are Things

#2. Freedom Ring - $78 from Fred Flare

#3. Luxe Faux Fur Throw in Mink - $79 from Restoration Hardware

#4. Storyteller Scarf - $55 from Madewell

#5. Thomas Paul Seafarer Hand Towel - Set of 3 - $50 from Design Public

#6. Linen Scarf by Apolis + Matteo - $58 from Apolis

#7. Wallter Hanging Planter - $72 from Design Public

#8. DwellStudio Baby Foxes Graphic Knit Blanket - $50 from Design Public

#9. Forget Me Knot Ring - $58 from Fred Flare

#10. Vintage Board Games - $69 from Restoration Hardware

#11. The Bowmans Bay Cowl (available in other colors) - $65 from Black Haired Broad

#12. iPad Case (available in other colors) - $59.95 from DODOcase

#13. Market Bag - $58 from Apolis

#14. Scribble Hanging Planter - $70 from Pigeon Toe Ceramics

#15. Timex Weekender Watch - $40 from Need Supply

#16. IMM_Living Aphrodite USB Hub - $46 from Fred Flare

#17. Sound Isolation Earphones - $49.99 from Vers

#18. Bird Spoon Rest (also available in other colors) - $38 from Jonathan Adler

#19. Jonas Damon Alarm Clock - $40 from Design Public

#20. I Love Atlanta (other cities available) Woodblock Print - $39 from Lucius Art

#21. Factory Long Button Women's Gloves - $26.50 from J. Crew

#22. Thorn Oxidized Sterling Silver Ring - $35.00 from MIRTAjewelry

#23. Well Appointed Desk Set - $30 from Poppin

#24. Small Disc Chimes - $44 from Pigeon Toe Ceramics

#25. Stanley Classic Thermos - $39.95 from REI

#26. Squiggle Ring in Gold (also available in silver) by Boe - $44 from Need Supply

#27. Vintage Cocktails by Brian Van Flandern - $50 from Assouline

#28. Red Zebra Crossing Scarf - $25 from Fred Flare

#29. Blomus Utilo Bottle Opener - $12.22 from All Modern

#30. Whiskey Stones - $19.95 from CB2

#31. Small Doily Clock (available in other colors and sizes) - $25.00 from andfurthermore

#32. Blomus Gentlemen's Business Card Case - $13.92 from All Modern

#33. 3 Piece Lotus Candleholder - $14.95 from CB2

#34. Natural White Birch Wood Coaster Set of 4 - $24 from urbanplusforest

#35. Sea Measuring Cups - $19 from West Elm

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well the holiday season is officially upon us. I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving day.

I'm so thankful for my family and friends. Each year, I realize more and more how important and irreplaceable all of those incredible people and my relationships with them are. I reflect on how important having traditions are with those special people - even the smallest traditions mean so much to me.

One of my favorite traditions is that each year, on Thanksgiving, my family makes the time to rest and enjoy just being together. It's something difficult for all of us to accomplish, being as we're all such GO-GO-GO people. My favorite part of the day is the few hours we take to decorate the Christmas tree. It's so much fun to reminisce about Christmases gone by and also sweet remembering those who are no longer with us.

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I'm excited for the holiday season. It's truly my favorite time of year.

Here are a few snapshots of our Thanksgiving day. I hope you all had as wonderful of a day as I was lucky to have.

Alright, Alright, Alriiiiight!

Pardon, I had to channel Mr. Matthew McConaughey for a moment there.

Whew. Time has truly slipped by. Things have been good and very very busy.

Apologies, dear readers, I know this seems to happen every few months - it's a pattern of mine I suppose... a flurry of writing for a month or so, then radio silence. That's just life for ya.

Anyhow, lots has been going on - sweet hubs and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary by taking a weekend trip to the mountains, been working like a mad woman and starting to prep for the holidays.

We're so excited about the holidays this year - it'll be the first time we're hosting Christmas in our own home! That being said, there will be (hopefully) lots of design related posts coming your way for prepping for the holidays... and also hopefully we'll finish the second half of the house tour! YAY!

Alrighty folks, I must hit the hay, but I'll leave you with a little Matthew McConaughey as Wooderson, one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite movies, since I did bring him up earlier and now he's in my mind.



Enjoy and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

3 Years of Awesome

Yesterday was mine and sweet hubs' 3 year anniversary. We spent the evening dining with friends at a favorite restaurant of ours, Atlanta's Woodfire Grill. The evening was filled with copious amounts of laughter, cocktails and delicious food. We partook in the chef's 5 course tasting menu, which was phenomenal as always.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate - and it was an evening filled with several celebrations - 2 wedding anniversaries, a work related celebration and a peresonal landmark celebration. All in all, an incredibly memory-filled night.

To my sweet Jesse,

Here's to you, my love, for being the most amazing husband I could ever dream of spending my life with. Thank you for 10 wonderful years together so far, 3 of which have been in marriage. I look forward to the day when we're old and gray and still as much in love as we are today.

Time truly does fly. It seems like only yesterday that we were up in Tennessee saying our vows on a mountain top overlooking the breathtaking Great Smokies surrounded by our closest friends and family. It's still the most amazing day I've ever had. There was so much love surrounding us - when I think back on it, it still leaves me absolutely stunned that I am so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.

Happy Anniversary. My love for you grows more and more each day.