Valentines Day Gifts for the Yogi You Love

Did you know that Valentines Day is only 10 days away?!? There are plenty of us out there still scrambling for that perfect last minute gift. If that is you and you also have a fitness loving significant other, your are in luck. We will be going through a giant list of all the things your fitness loving friend will go crazy for come Valentines day. Everything is also linked and able to be to you in time for the 14th. I know, so great!

But, where do we start? Why, with the yogi, of course! Oh the peaceful, calm, and kind yogi; one of the newer fitness loving groups. These fitness lovers tend to be oh-so chiseled, especially since they do the equivalent of rolling around on a mat 3+ times per week. Yogis can be some of the easiest people to buy gifts for, and some of the most difficult. Thankfully, your yogi is guaranteed to like one, or all, of the things on this list!

1. Men's Yoga Bracelet. These are great for guys and gals and come in way more colors than you will ever need. It is also a cheap, cute gift for only $12.
2. Have you seen anything cute than this Onzie yoga outfit?! I think not. I also think your yogi will be feeling the same when they open this next Saturday! At $56 for the top and $65 for the bottom, it is also something they may not just buy themselves any old day of the week.
3. Manduka yoga mats are pretty well known for being the best thing to touch the feet of yogis ever. If your yogi does not have one, they will love it and their yogi respect for you will go up by mounds too! I should probably also mention the price- $118!
4. I Bend so I Don't Break is just a pretty, inexpensive top that any yogi would love to wear for their morning Vinyasa. It is simple and only costs $26. Fantastic!
5. Gold and Red Lotus Bracelet. One time the hubs got me a lotus bracelet out of the blue and it was the best day ever. He got it because he knew I loved yoga and because I like pretty things. It was a win-win and possibly the best gift ever. And did I mention is it only $20? Buy it.
6. Yoga Toes. Do your toes slip and slide one the mat? Mine do! These yoga toes will make down dog slippage a thing of the past. You can also where them to Pure Barr if you are in to that sort of thing! Oh, and they are Calvin Klein and less than the ones Pure Barr sells. Just sayin'.
7. Skidless Mat. The best thing ever. Your yogi's mat will not slip and neither will their toes! It is huge, machine washable, and only $68.
8. Hair Ties that will make your hair look trendy when up and kink free when put back down. It is all in the little things and this little thing says "Your hair is so pretty, only the prettiest of hair bands is worthy to be stretched around it." Yes, that is actually what these say.
9. Quartz Calmness Bracelet. Because it is Valentines day and we do like shiny things. Oh, and because it is less that $50.
10. Goddess Ribbed Yoga Pants are so pretty, I just want to wear them right now. They also come in plenty of different colors, all of which keep the two-tone effect. My favorites are these crazy bright yellow ones for $92!

A Few of My Favorite Christmas Things- Plus a Workout!

Merry Christmas Eve! And for some, merry it's so close to Christmas you can almost feel it!! So sorry for a lack of post yesterday, this was meant to be for the day before Christmas, but all well. Christmas day there will not be a post, but we will start back up on Friday! And next week, there will be lots of life hacks to make the New Year happier, healthier, more organized, and an all around kickin year. Of course, there will be plenty of pics on Instagram in the next day or two as well!

For now though, let's savor this Christmas goodness and talk about a few of our favorite things over the holidays. Lately, I have been overcome with feelings about how blessed we are. I can truly say that life is incredible right now, and that is something to be oh-so thankful for! My favorite thing over the holidays is spending time with friends and family and all the kindness we get to spread around. This year, it feels like everyone has gotten nicer for Christmas instead of more rushed, stressed, and just plain mean. The general goodwill towards our fellow inhabitants of this earth is definitely my favorite this time of year.

Of course, kindness is a bit trickier to take pictures of, so let's look at some favorite things around our place instead, shall we! Also, sorry for the lack of super wonderful make you cry at the beauty pictures, these were taken by me with my iPhone. I am not the photographer in the family.

1. Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String

Yes, this is the reason for the post's title. The hubs had a great idea to go super traditional with our wrapping this year and I am OBSESSED. When you put all the packages together it looks like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel did all our wrapping for us. This paper is also the least I have ever spent on wrapping and the bows are hands down the easiest as well. No wonder Pottery Barn and the like use this as the wrapping of choice, it is wonderful!

We have also added white paper to the mix (swoon), but those will be in pictures later.

2. Cats That Love Trees

Our cats love to sleep under the tree, play around it, smell it (side note: Chuu smelt like a Christmas tree the other day, it may have been the happiest day of my life), and just look at it. The do not, however, enjoy climbing it. That is something I will never stop being happy about.

3. Christmas orchids

These orchids bloom every Christmas and every Christmas it makes my heart happy. This year, we have seven whole buds on the orchid and six of them have bloomed! Chances are pretty high that it will stay like this until my birthday. Just another one of my favorite bits, orchids that seem to have found the fountain of youth!

4. This Funny Stick Village

My Grandma got the whole village thing for us from Crate and Barrel and I am loving them. The fox is especially cute and greets everyone who comes into our house. Too bad I did not get a pic of him. Next time.

5. Live Sprigs

So, this is not the greatest picture ever, but the candle holder is brass, the ornaments are white and silver, and the tree sprigs are green. We also have automatic tea lights mixed in that give the prettiest glow ever to the centerpiece! The color combo, spell of fresh evergreen, the chic but natural look make this a favorite for me. Tree sprigs are also free and can be picked up at any Christmas tree lot. When you cut the stems, it smells like Christmas, winter, and everything happy in the world. Then, put them around your home and spin around in joy just like Maria does on that hill.

6. This Workout

This barre workout has to be on the list because it is just great over Christmas. We are busy and workouts can fall on the back burner list, but this workout can be done anywhere at anytime! It is wonderful and I am loving it this season.

Merry Christmas and I hope your days are sunny and bright and your Christmas is just splendid!

Love,

Jenni

Perfect Party Outfits for The Holidays!

One of my favorite parts of the holidays is getting all dressed up! It is so much fun to pick those few cute outfits and shiny gems and with glamor being so stylish right now, there is no better time! This year I have two outfits, both with the same high waist, pocketed skirt from Express, but both so very different from one another. The first is way more glitz with the crop top and statement necklace, and the second is a bit more dressed down for some serious comfy chic.

Look 1: Top ($23.94) Necklace ($19.99)  Skirt ($79.90) Shoes ($72.01)

Look 2: Skirt ($79.90) Top ($88.00) Crystal Necklace ($20.98) Black Necklace ($19.99) Shoes ($72.01)

Personally, I love how easily this skirt can go with EVERYTHING. It is the perfect holiday option for me since it is just so classic and looks so much more expensive than the price tag really is. I also love the fact that a good skirt can make multiple outfits that run the gambit of formality. Of course, there is always the less formal, more edgy style of all black. My next go-to look for those parties in the winter months and for a less formal event is pleather pants, this black sweater from J. Crew, and a pair of booties. Can you say yes, I can! Oh my goodness am I loving this black on black look. If all the black is a bit much for you, I would totally recommend pairing this with some green gems and maybe even a brown accessory or two.

Look 3: Silver Necklace ($20.98) Gold Necklace ($20.98) Pants ($48.00) Top ($79.99) Shoes ($59.00)

And as a bonus, five tips for a budget savvy, super trendy outfit this season!

1. Add some glam. Sparkles make everything more festive! Add some gem-ed up earrings, gold bracelets, a few pretty rings, or a big necklace for some extra pizazz. Just be sure to limit your look to one statement piece at a time!
2. Red lips add glamor. Any outfit can go from day to night or plain to festive with the addition of a ruby red lip. This is also a great secret weapon when you just don't have enough time to finish your eye make-up. No one notices a dressed down eye when ruby red lips are in the picture!
3. Mix and match brands. I like to buy upscale statement pieces that will be stylish for years and add low-cost accessories that are super trendy right now.  This helps keep things new while staying in budget. For lots of price savvy items, check out Target's jewelry and heels, they are incredible (and comfy!).
4. Mix and match styles. Just like brands, styles can be mixed and matched to give a bit more depth to an outfit. The plaid shirt with black skirt and the black sweater with pleather pants are a perfect example of this. Both have one more comfortable, classic piece and one trendy, slightly more edgy piece. This keeps things interesting without being too off the deep end.
5. Keep the eyebrows tamed. It may seem silly, but well trimmed brows can make any look even better. People may not notice a few rogue hairs, but they will notice eyes that do not pop quite the same. Well trimmed eyebrows make eyes pop. It is almost a scientific law.

With these three looks, the holidays will be as easy as pie and you will always look like the bell of the ball. So, what is your favorite and what style are you going for this holiday season?

The Best Gifts for Anyone Ever

There are a few gifts that I have found in my search that are simply the best gifts for anyone, ever. These gifts run the gambit, from kids, to great-grandparents, there is something for everyone. And, since we missed Wednesday (so sorry about that), I will be adding a few things to this list from that post as well- all about gifts that give back. It may also be it's own post next week, I have not quite decided yet.

Baby Feet ($19.10)

Ok, this sounds weird, but I am legitimately interested. Apparently, you put these booties on for the night and them take off and discard. Five days later your skin starts shedding and what is left underneath is super soft, feet like a baby's. Sounds crazy, right? Crazy enough to be that perfect gift for your best friend who you share everything with!

The Best Sleepover EVER! ($145)

I want to do this. Unfortunately, it is only for kids. For a mere $145 you can give your kids a real night at the museum! That is right, the American Museum of Natural History has become a ten year-old girl and started hosting sleep-overs!!! Every child is given a sleeping bag, flashlight, and an adventure that they will always remember. It will also give you cred as being the best parent ever in existence.

Kids get to go on adventures throughout the museum, see a live animal presentation, watch the new shark movie in their 3D theater, then sleep under the giant blue whale. Sounds incredible, right? Ages 6-13 are able to go on this adventure.

A Necklace that Give Two Gifts ($78)

This necklace was handmade in Cambodia and stands for compassion and wisdom. All of the products from the Brave Collection were made by fair trade artisans and help those in human trafficking. Most of the employees are women with children or disabilities. All of the products are made using a traditional Cambodian style and all materials are from the country. 10% of what you give also goes to end human trafficking in Cambodia.

You can read about their story here.