It's that time of year (again!) when the stores are way too crowded and you have to come up with things to give people who seem to already have everything... or everything they want is WAY out of your price range.


Well, hopefully some of my gift suggestions will be helpful. I plan on doing another post soon with some homemade items that are always a hit! I try to keep most of my gifts under $50
by combining a lot of small stuff that I know people will like.

The best way to find out what your friends and family would love for you to get for them is to listen. Listen to them year-round and when they say something they really want/need - write it down in your planner or journal or where ever. It really makes things easier later on.

I've separated the gifts into two categories. Obviously some of the things you will give your boyfriend/fiancee/husband will not be things you would want to give your dad. But some things will overlap. And it differs from family to family; I know some girls my age who could give their moms lingerie, but not me.

Girlfriend/Sister/Mom Gifts:

• OPI/Essie Nail polish in a shade they desire
• Sexy underwear - Hanky Panky has some great one and they are one size fits all
• Gift certificate for a facial/massage
• Cocktail ring - the J.Crew Starburst ring is really cute!
• Pedicure or manicure gift certificate at their salon of choice
• Yankee candle - my favorite scent is Sweet Pea
• Planner - the Moleskine weekly pocket planner is my absolute favorite
• Coat from Forever 21 - usually priced around $50, a fun wardrobe addition
• Pretty calender - I like to pick ones with cool, big pictures on one side so when you are done with it you can use the pictures to decorate your walls - one like this or this would be ideal
• Luxe hair products - get some of their favorite premium brand shampoo, conditioner, Fekkai glossing cream (makes your hair the silkiest it will ever be!), or Ojon rub-out dry cleanser (to prolong time in between blow-outs)
• Roll-on or travel size bottle of their favorite perfume
• Coach cashmere-lined leather gloves
• Boxed set of her favorite TV shows
• Sephora scent sampler - perfect gift for the girl who still hasn't found her perfume
• Cute top/dress from Forever 21 - when in doubt just buy a medium, their sizing is all pretty much the same
• Gift certificate for mystic tanning sessions
• Stationary - it can be a great gift - some places to look: high end - Mrs. John L Strong, medium - Crane & Co, cheaper (but still nice) Papyrus
• Burberry headband - dresses up any outfit
• Anthropologie earrings
• Great books - either pick something you've read and know know they will love - or get something fun with great advice: Emily Post's Etiquette, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, or Kevyn Aucoin's Making Faces
• Gift certificate to favorite clothing store

In general, I like to receive gifts that are things I want, but are out of my price range. For example, I love premium hair products like the Fekkai Technician line, but at $32.50 a bottle, I would much rather get TRESseme and save the extra bucks for essentials.

This also covers the issue of giving gift cards - some people disagree with gift card giving - why not just give money? They can see how much you're spending on them anyway. Well, whenever I receive cash, I deposit it into my bank account and then I usually spend it on groceries or gas - the whole point of a gift is to give something they will really like. I like gift cards - just make sure they have easy access to the store and it's somewhere they like to shop.


Boyfriend/Brother/Dad Gifts:

• Boxers - they always seem to need more of these, some places to look: high end - Ralph Lauren, medium - Gap, cheaper - Old Navy
• Luggage pieces - I've found a lot of guys don't have a good garment bag - some of these are great
• Dress socks - look at Marshall's or TJ Maxx
• A new game for their chosen game system (or a fancy controller)
• Tickets to a sporting event or concert they would love to go to
• Boxed set of his favorite TV shows
• Nice dress shirts - just look at what they have in the closet and pick more - most of the men I know don't like too much change
• Ties - buy one you like so then he'll have at least one ;)
• Collectors set of their favorite liquor
• Gift certificate to Lowes/Home Depot
• Cologne you like - ah, the power scent can have over a woman...
• Humidor with a few cigars
• Gift certificate to a local brewery - look for one that does beer flights, that's always fun

Everyone Gifts (good to keep on hand in case of unexpected gift givers):

• Baked Goods (cupcakes, cookies, brownies - Betty Crocker Triple Chunk are the best)
• iTunes Gift Card
• Favorite bottle of wine

Happy hunting! Also, presentation is almost as important as the gift. The most interesting you make the set up - the more fun it is. Think Bridget's gifts (she coordinated her gift to the playmate of the year to match her dress) on the Girls Next Door.

{this is a repost from several years ago - I think it's still pretty relevant though and hopefully helpful! I plan on doing a few more Christmas posts in the next few weeks!}

I looove my Crockpot. So. Much.


There really is nothing better than throwing a bunch of random stuff in there in the morning, and coming home to an amazing smelling house, and a warm, delicious (and healthy!) meal waiting for you.

And as a bonus, this recipe takes less than 10 minutes to put together - and most of that time is just opening cans! You really can't beat it!

Ingredients:

2 cans black beans (or you can sub dry beans to save $$)
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes
2 small cans of green chilis
1 bag of frozen mixed peppers + some onion (I really like the pre-chopped frozen stuff)
2 packs of tempeh
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
2 veggie broth cubes + water to fill the crock pot (or veggie stock)
1 Tbsp olive oil

Directions:

Drain and rinse the beans. Combine everything into a large crockpot. Crumble the tempeh in and mix everything up. Turn the crockpot on. If you need it fairly fast (like 8 hours) put it on high, if you can wait longer (and believe me, it will be better) put it on low for like 12-18 hours.

I will say that all this stuff filled my crockpot to the brim, so you may want to reduce the amount of beans (although I really like the even ratio of the 3 types). The amazing thing about vegan recipes in the crockpot is that they are never really uncooked, but the longer you go, the more the flavors meld and the thicker the texture. Mmmmm.

This is one of the best vegetarian chilis I have ever had, although I will say it's pretty spicy. If you don't like spicy, reduce the chili powder.

I also recommend freezing the leftovers in individual portions - waaaay better than those Lean Cuisines everyone brings to work.

Hurray for the first day on the job! I went shopping Sunday, cause I kinda felt like it was the first day of school and I needed that perrrrrfect outfit.


Cardigan: LOFT, Skirt: LOFT, Top & Tights: Target, Belt: Banana, Flats: Naturalizer, Necklace: Gifted

I hit up Ann Taylor LOFT looking for an awesome skirt and found this one. And because they were offering 30% off everything if you bought a sweater, I had to get that too - so another cardigan it was (I mean really, twist my arm)!

I felt great in this outfit and I loved the way it matched my Linkin Park After Dark nails.

And a tip for the first day on the job: always flats. You never know how many tours you are going to have to go on, how far you will have to walk to lunch, or if you may have to practice a fire drill. You just never know.

{Sorry for the weird hand and eyes, my camera remote was disagreeable. Also, as a little side note on picture quality and why I do these: I feel like for one thing, the longer I do them, the better I will get at it, and two, this really does help my self-esteem in a weird way - just putting it out there and letting that be that. I wrote more about it in my first outfit post along with a terrible picture - but really cute outfit - so I am improving!}

This baked brie recipe may be famous in my group of friends - it's definitely requested at every single girl's wine night, I know that for sure!



This recipe is super simple and yet still decadent and sophisticated - and majorly delicious - so it is perfect for any gathering where you will have access to an oven.

Also, the most difficult part of this is the technique so I took a few extra pics to demonstrate.

Ingredients:

• Small wheel of brie - the 7 oz size is great
• Pilsbury Crescent seamless dough sheet (you can also use the regular Crescent rolls, but you will need to seal the seams by pinching the perforations together)
• Butter or spray to grease foil

Optional Fillings:

• Honey (I used some amazing truffle honey)
• Jam/jelly
• Brown sugar
• Chutney

Tools:

• Foil
• Baking sheet

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375.

Roll out Crescent dough. Place fillings in the middle and layer the brie on top.



Fold the sides up over the brie. This time I folded each side up and sealed them together and then folded the others up together.



Take off any extra dough. Flip over onto greased foil, so the flat side is up. I usually fold the sides of the foil up, so that it is does leak, it is contained in the foil "boat."

Bake for about 20-30 minutes until the dough is browned.

Serve on a plate surrounded with crackers.



So good!

I've made baked brie with pyhllo dough before - much more difficult and it's really easy for the cheese and fillings to start leak out.

This is my review of my October food budgeting and goals for November! For more information on this project, please take a look at Emily's Custom Made Blog!


After juggling receipts for about a week, I decided that the easiest thing for me to do was to sign up for a Mint.com account and track my spending that way. I would check in every few days and see where I was at - and it's also helpful for tracking other spending!

For the month of October I budgeted $400 - but it was a really odd month for me. I spent almost 2 weeks in Tennessee, partially staying with a friend (++ food costs) and partially staying with my parents (no food costs). I also wasn't going to start the project until after my first post went up, but on Mint.com it was simply easier to do the whole month so it included a pricey grocery trip and a wine re-stock I hadn't counted on.

So how did I do? I ended up coming in over budget at $506.97, but I wasn't trying super hard, and with my hectic schedule, I am pretty pleased.



As shown below, I spent more on booze and restaurants than on groceries which is not the way I want things to be.



With my recent good news, and my November goal of getting into a routine, I am sure things will even out a bit more and I will be able to settle down - and maybe actually cook something other than macaroni and cheese!!

Wanna see how everyone else in the project did this week?

Other Bloggers Participating in the Project:

• Emily Levenson
• Dairy-Free Cooking
• Test Kitchen Tuesday
• Red Pen Mama
• Fit Flexitarian
• Warm As Pie 
• Katy Rank Lev
• My Inner Healthy
• Little Blue Hen
• xox, b
• What da Health?
• Project Food Budget 2.0
• Ignition Nutrition
• A Nice Heart and a White Suit
• Because Hobbies Happen
• Primary Focus Health Coaching
• Chicken Tender
• Fresh...A New Chapter
• Whole Living Gal
• Chandeleah

Last night I went out with one of my girlfriends and we celebrated my new job!


Cardigan: Yag Couture, Tank: Target, Skirt: Isy & Peeps, Tights: Walmart, Flats: Naturalizer, Necklace: Francesca's

I may look tired in this pic, it's cause I am. I had a super fun night with friends celebrating my employment! We went to two of my favorite restaurants and then visited with a friend I hadn't seen in months. All in all, a very good night.

  

I bought this skirt on a whim when I was leaving my old job because of my discount, and I haven't worn it ever, until tonight. Well, I kinda love it. It's a nice length and it's comfy and high-waisted just like I like.

I think this is an awesome work-appropriate skirt and I am excited to wear it for my new job! Now I just need to overhaul the rest of my closet...

Well, it seems November is already starting out very well as I am soon to join the ranks of the employed!


Original Source: Cape Cod Cyclist

Before this delightful news, I was contemplating how I was going to make my goals for November. I came up with scenarios such as making categories for if I get a job and if I don't... but looks like that is no longer an issue!

Some intentions for the month of November:

Activity:

Work up a sweat daily - this includes me prepping to start running again (and skiing!) by doing lots of lunges, squats, warrior poses, chair poses, and walking! I did awesome with my yoga challenge in September and felt amazing - but then I kinda let it all slip in October with traveling, colder weather, and shorter days. I feel so much better when I am active but I really let things go and then my momentum went kaput. I would really like to bring this back and maybe even start saving up for a treadmill.

Time Usage & Media Consumption:

In October I seemed to fritter away a lot of my time watching tv and playing on the internet. This month I want to be much more mindful of the media I consume and how I am using my time. I found this great article from Zen Habits about simplifying your life and being particular with how you spend your time is one of the key components.

Spreading My Roots:

I have been having this feeling very recently that I have been living my life with one foot out the door, not 100% committed to anything. It's a really weird feeling and I want to work on this. I would like to fix up some things in the house that have always bothered me but seemed like too much effort. I would like to branch out and try and make some friends of my own here in Pittsburgh. I want to explore some new hobbies and maybe take some classes locally. I want to improve upon my existing relationships and try and work out the kinks they may have. I would really like to throw a few dinner parties and maybe even a Thanksgiving get-together!

Get Into A Routine:

One of the things I have missed the most about having a job is the routine-ness that comes with it - I am looking forward to creating some solid morning and evening routines that help me get things done, like working out, meal prepping, walking, journaling, and all the things that seem to get lost in the shuffle.

What about you? Anything you would like to work on in November?

{And also, thank you to Caiti for the post that inspired me to write this today!}