Santa's Snazzy Red Bag- Day 6

Ugh. Two days in a row and I am super late in getting the gift guide up. We've been doing a DIY project the past two days. It'll be completely finished and read for blog exposure tomorrow.

But any way here's todays gift guide.


I'm sure you've seen Canvas People floating around on other peoples blogs, but I think this is worth another look.

Canvas People has cool specials going on. An 8x10 is FREE (all you pay is shipping & handling) and the sizes range from 8x10 to 18x24 and the prices are sooo cheap!

Photo calendars are my favorite photo gifts. My uncle gives these each year filled with (of course) photos from the past year and birthdays.

Snap fish has tons of designs to choose from ($27.99)

How cool are these playing cards (s19.99)?

I think I have a little sister who would get a kick out of seeing herself on the back of these cards for a game of crazy 8.


 Hurry and get this stuff ordered ASAP so they;ll be in for Christmas!

 

Santa's Snazzy Red Bag- Day 5

 Personalized

I received an engraved purse mirror as a bridal party gift one year and really loved it. I've since misplaced it and this etched purse mirror from Red Envelope ($29.95) would be a great replacement. I also love this gift for a tween who's just reaching the age of purse carrying and the whole makeup game.

 

One of my favorite design bloggers High-Heeled Foot in the Door did a giveaway with these plates last week and I love them.  The above design is my favorite because it's called the "Greek Plate" representing (a bit) of my heritage. These plates could be cool for newlyweds (monogrammed) or a new homeowner. Maybe even a hostess gift?? These plates from La Plates come in tons of styles ($22)

 

I like these personalized growth charts for kids from Red Envelope ($34.99) a cute addition to any kids room.

 

Phoenix has suddenly taken a huge, huge, interest in books which thrills me to pieces because I love to read. I think he'd get a huge kick out of a book using his name like these also from Red Envelope ($39.95). They have both a fairy tale book and animal book for the boys.

 

I have nothing with that WOW factor for the guys today. Finding great personalized (but non-cheesy) gifts was very hard today. 

I found these cuff links (again from Red Envelope) that I thought were nice and would be a good gift for Dad or Brother.

I also liked these double personalized cuff links with the pictures inside.My husband said no man would wear them, but I don't see the huge deal. No one would actually know they had pictures in them.

Do you have any WOW ideas for guys that are personalized?

Santa's Snazzy Red Bag- Day 4

Cozy Pj's

Who doesn't want a nice pair of cozy PJ's for Christmas? I do! I love this striped long john set from Victoria Secret ($39.50). They have 10 different patterns to chose from and they are all super cute.

 

So have I shown you enough Gap gifts? Gap should give my a nice little kickback or free shipping or something!

But aren't these little PJ's sets adorable? I'm getting the ladybug for little niece Nelzabug (but will have to order them in a much bigger size because they don't have the little sizes anymore!) and the bumble bee for Phoenix.


These sets run $22 a piece but if you buy 2 or more they are only $19.50


 

Not all men actually wear "sleepwear" or at least "sleepwear sets". Gap has some great Pj bottoms ($29.50) and I love these slippers

I think all guys would enjoy some comfy "lounge wear" just maybe not a Hanna Anderson family set. 

Santas Snazzy Red Bag- Day 3

 Electronics

I was was catching up on my DVR'd Martha Stewart shows earlier this week and thought the Demy Kitchen Safe Touchscreen Recipe Reader (from Amazon $300) would be the perfect gift for someone like me.

I have a beat up yellow folder that houses all of my loose recipes. One's I've copied from the internet or ripped from magazines.

I've had the desire for the last few months to figure out some type of system for them, but have no desire for the patience a project like this would entail (especially because the pages happen to be covered in splattered food. Eww)

Enter The Demy. Seem's really cool, but I'm not a big electronics girl so $300 on an electronic is not my thing this Christmas. I'd rather spend $300 on something from Coach.

The Kindle (wireless reading device) ($259 at Amazon) is another cool electronic this season. Another gift on both my wish list and my husbands. We are both avid readers. Just this past Saturday we hit downtown Frederick (which is beautiful) to grab books from the library and came home and read all night long (we were probably dying of swine flu so Phoenix was with my parents). 

The Kindle seems uber cool and the ultimate must have gift this season. But then again, something magical about a book in hand. 


I know that this toy specifies 3 and up, but Phoenix is 16 months going on 7! So we are very limited to our toy selection. The typical  12-18 month old toys are skills he has mastered and a toy he would probably stand on top of or use as a drum. So this leaves at 2 and 3 year old toys.

Which is fine, because I really think he would enjoy a race car. This is when I stumble upon the Playskool Tonka Bounce Back race car. I like this one because it only has two simple buttons and like the name suggest he can bang it into the wall all he wants and it'll come flipping right back.

If you have any other race car suggestions I'd love to know which ones.

Santas Snazzy Red Bag- Day 2

Jackets

I'm still completely addicted to the boyfriend look. It's comfy, easy, and sexy. Can be dressed up or down.

On my Christmas list is a blazer and this Gap pinstriped menswear blazer ($80) is fantastic.

I love my husband in blazers and tennis shoes.I love this Moleskin blazer from Gap {$98} (and one at Oldnavy for $50)  

Phoenix's new motorcycle boots *from Gap as well. But I think I literally bought the last pair on Friday* arrived in then mail yesterday.

I completely missed this Motorcycle jacket from Gap ($30) Thinking of going back and ordering it because it would be a perfect addition to his rocker toddler look. 
  

Can you tell I have a shopping affair going on with the Gap, Inc?

Tried & Trues Zucchini Cookies (Edit)

EDIT: I forgot to add you could probably swap the zucchini for carrots. Actually I think I might try that this week. I'll get back to you.

I tried this fantastic cookie recipe from Tried & Trues a few weeks ago.

Zucchini Cookies

1 c butter, at room temp
1 1/2 c sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. grated zucchini
2 3/4 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 c walnuts, chopped
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c raisins
1 c sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350. In a large a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to zucchini mix. Stir in nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, and coconut. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto buttered cookie sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 mins. Transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

I didn't add walnuts or raisins because I'm not a big fan of either, but I'm thinking next time I may add the raisins (but certainly not walnuts. I despise nuts!)

My husband LOVED these and he doesn't eat vegtables at all (fruit either. The whole "fruit is plant ovaries" thing really boggles his mind) but he inhaled these.

Baking and I don't mix so my cookies we're a tad bit "sun tanned" on the bottom. But still good.

Phoenix also seemed to love them as well and its getting increasingly harder for me to get him to eat veggies, scratch that. It's getting hard getting him to eat PERIOD!

I'm thinking of buying ones of those "sneaky chef" books and learn how to hide turnips in Mac & Cheese and stuff. Anyone have any good recs? 

Recipes has been copied from Tried & Trues. 

And no it's not. Zucchini season, but as long as they still have those green suckers in the store I'll be buying them.

Santa's Snazzy Red Bag- Day 1

Who doesn't love shoes? And who wouldn't want 'em for Christmas?!

New boots are always top on my list every year since I was 12! 

These are on the top of my list this year and at only $50 a pop I want both and I'm not even sure I can wait until Christmas!

Bakers-Montgomery Boots

 

I love this Stella McCartney hi-tops ($50) from Baby Gap.I love the little Michael Jackson style jacket the kid is modeling on the front page, but rats! They don't seem to be selling it.

Amazon has some great Diesel Toddler (and big kids) Lace-Up Sneaker for a pretty reasonable price *Range from $28 to $35*

 

Both of these are certainly on Phoenix's list.

(and if you buy from Amazon I get a nice little cut)

Nothing can beat a well dressed man in good shoes. My husband recently realized that he should bow to my fashion sense instead of fighting me on it and is letting me dress him.


I see this tennis shoes from Piperlime ($80) in his future.