V-Day Gifts for Your Man According to My Man

Hi Trendies! Mary asked me to guest on her blog once again, and write a companion piece to go along with last week's Trending report. I am happy to oblige, as always. With no further ado, here's 5 ideas for Valentine's Day gifts for your beau.

1. Slippers / Pajamas / Bathrobe

Being in the dead of winter, Valentine's Day presents a great opportunity to stay cozy. And what better way to stay cozy, especially on a lazy Saturday/Sunday, than in new slippers, pjs, and a bathrobe. Extra credit if you get them monogrammed -- I know I love the classic terry cloth Land's End bathrobe Mary got me with my initials on it.

Also, my old slippers didn't survive our recent move. It was for the best. Let's be honest, slippers can get pretty gross. However, I've seen advertised on Facebook a new slipper company (I get the weirdest targeted ads) that has a little shoe that comes with it in order to allow you to wear the slippers outside! The site is mahabis.com -- $100 seems pretty steep, but the idea just might be worth it, hint hint.

2. Ever since opening our wedding gifts, I've discovered the joys of drinking from fancy barware. There are few more enjoyable comforts than pouring a delicious cocktail into a couple of glasses, and savoring the flavor with a loved one or guest... when you're of age, of course. To go along with the fancy glass, get some fancy ice cube trays. I have giant cubes as well as spheres. The spheres are supposed to have some science behind them to stay frozen longer, but I must admit they are a bit difficult to create. Either way, the giant cubes and spheres just look plain old cool.

3. Back to the cold weather gear, one of my favorite gifts ever from Mary was my scarf! I was the in the Notre Dame Marching Band back in the day, and our uniforms featured a unique plaid. Imagine my surprise when Mary presented me with a scarf in the exact same plaid pattern! It looks like that particular scarf is no longer for sale, but any classic plaid pattern will remain classy looking for years to come.

To go along with the scarf, why not some nice gloves as well? Maybe I just have dirty hands and feet, but I find that gloves don't last too long before kicking the bucket, so there will always be a need for another pair.

4. It's tough to classify this next category of gifts. Basically, it's great to receive a gift that is totally unexpected, something I didn't even realize I needed, but that I'll use all the time. Two gifts that Mary has gotten me that fit this model are a recipe/cookbook stand for the kitchen, and a monogrammed dop kit (that she got for me not long after we traveled to visit her mom for the first time... apparently mine was looking rather ragged!). But suffice to say, they are often put to use! The cookbook stand is especially nice since it has a little Plexiglas shield to hold the recipe open (if you're actually using a cookbook) and to keep your recipe free from splashes (especially handy if your recipe is on your phone or tablet!)

5. Finally, this last category is also hard to classify. I play drums, and as I was telling Mary, it's been an uphill battle all my life to convince family that random drum accessories I don't necessarily ask for make a great gift! Seriously, give me some drumsticks, or a music book, or a little gizmo I can hit with a stick and I'm a happy camper. I'm sure whatever your significant other's hobby is, he'll feel the same if you got him something related to it, whether he's into fishing, or woodworking, or whatever!

Have a happy Valentine's Day, readers!

Trending 1.23.17: Valentine's Day Gifts for your Sweetie

I know it's a little early, but now is the time to start brainstorming for the perfect something for your sweetie.  If you're ordering a gift online, it's best to get moving on it earlier rather than have to pay for expedited shipping. Besides, I am coo-coo, and I love having my Christmas gifts bought and wrapped prior to December, so you know each holiday is similarly ridiculous. bahaha! Guilty as charged.

I can tell you all what I got Mike for Valentine's Day because I surprised him with it early. So the previous owners only gave us one garage door opener when we closed. I guess it's becoming more common because people just program their cars to have openers. Well, my 2009 Corolla doesn't really have that capability LOL (but I love it, thanks, Dad!), and Mike's 2006 Matrix, with nary a hubcap, lacks that option. Therefore, we were in major need of a second opener. Mike is a saint, as always, and let me have the one. He took to backing out, closing the garage, sprinting and jumping over the sensor to get to his car each AM. Not fair to him.

I surprised him by getting our garage door reprogrammed and two new openers!! He was SO excited! Let me know if you need a garage door company in the suburbs-- the guys I went with were awesome. :)

Now, onto the top ten gifts for your Valentine!

[1.0] A Lat & Lo bracelet or necklace with an important location for the two of you.
This could be where you met, where you had your first date or where you got married! It could be your first home or your new house's latitude and longitude. This company, Lat & Lo, is so friendly and helpful. Mike bought me the rose gold cuff (below) for Valentine's Day last year. You also get to have something engraved on the inside of the bracelet or back of the necklace.

The bar necklace (c/o Lat & Lo) has our apartment latitude and longitude and then on the back it reads, "Our First Home". 

The packaging is ADORABLE! 

This cuff bracelet is the rose gold. It's the address where I met Mike-- the Geneva Ale House.

Inside, it is inscribed with "love from first kiss". 

[2.0] A perfect dress for work or your Valentine's Day date!

This bright pink is adorable for Valentine's Day, but you can also continue to wear it all year to work! Paired with black tights and knee-high boots for winter, you're professional and stylish. Paired with an open-toed wedge for spring, you are ready to tackle the warm temps.

[3.0] This bell-sleeved top-- a new release from J. Crew.

That color is such a beautiful shade of pink! The bell(e) sleeve is completely on trend right now. Your sweetie can rock this on your date and then to work with black pants. This is a nice transitional piece, too. She can wear it now with pants and booties, and then she can wear it in the spring and summer with skirts and shorts. It's pre-order only right now, but the ship date will be January 30, which leaves plenty of time for arrival before the 14th.

[4.0] This heart idiom bangle from Kate Spade.

I've never met a Kate Spade bangle I didn't adore. They can stack with her watch and other bangles. This cute gesture will constantly remind her of you with every wear. 

[5.0] A signature scent, like this Marc Jacobs perfume.
Mike bought me this perfume two years in a row, and I absolutely adore it. I hadn't smelled it before, but he went to Von Maur and did a search for a wonderful-smelling scent, and landed upon this one himself. I LOVE it! I get a ton of compliments on it, too! It lasts all day, and it is not overbearing. Any scent you give your significant other will remind her or him of you! It's a proven fact! Dr. Megan Turk told me that, and she's a professional :):):) Also, the packaging of this bottle is beautiful! So fun to have out on display on my dresser.

[6.0] Anything by Bow & Drape! Particularly these emoji tees.
Bow & Drape caught my eye with their sequined graphic sweatshirts last year, and now they are adding more pieces to their collection, including adorable makeup bags and tees. Check these out! Your Valentine would get a HOOT out of the emoji pocket-tees!

[7.0] Comfy/fun jammies.
Let's be honest: women like to sleep in comfortable pajamas! It's the truth! Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. LOL. I love all my old SMC/ND tees and a sensible flannel pajama pant! Comfort trumps all else when you're sleeping in the winter months. That being said, check out these adorable avocado and taco jammies! I lol'd when I saw them. Amazing. It just so happens that Valentine's Day falls on a Tuesday... taco Tuesday? Or these adorable Vday themed ones? Also loving the buffalo plaid navy ones!

[8.0] High-waisted moto-leggings.
These Alo Yoga leggings FLY off the shelves. Alo fits so well, too! Your Valentine will be the hit of her Pure Barre classes in her new moto leggings. Opt for the high-waisted; they're so flattering! I am loving the classic black and navy. It's harder to treat ourselves to more expensive pieces for working out, but they are SO WORTH IT! The beauty of the moto legging is that she can wear them outside the studio, too! They're perfect for running around, and they are the most flattering yoga pants EVER.

[9.0] A beanie with a pom-pom on top.
The pom-pom winter hat made a huge comeback this season! I love the cableknit version from The North Face. Just be sure the color you choose matches her winter coat :) A cozy winter hat will carry her all the way through the season. 

[10.0] This question-a-day journal for couples!
My friend Caitlin started me with this question-a-day 5 year journal as a bridesmaid's gift for her wedding in May of 2013. It was THE COOLEST gift! I loved seeing my answers change with each year, and seeing myself grow in my career and personality was very eye-opening. This year for my birthday, she surprised me with the couple's version of this journal. Each day, Mike and I write our answers in the book.  Some example entries are pictured below. Also, my friend, Fran, found me this Jane Austen line-a-day journal! LOVE it! These are so fun to do while I eat my breakfast each morning. (We mark the pages with our wedding save the date bookmark, made by our incredibly talented SIL, Molly!)

What are your Valentine's Day plans? Who is lucky enough to be celebrating with you?
Mike made us reservations at one of our favorite Geneva restaurants, Villa Verone, for the weekend before V-day! IT IS THE BEST Italian food ever! And the owner is AWESOME!
xxoo
Mary

Valentine's Day Gifts (under $100!) for the Men and Women in Your Life!

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching (insert "eeek" emoji here-- where did January run off to?), and you want to be sure you're ready for the day with your significant other. Your SO could be a new beau in your life (fresh relationship) or it could be the man or woman you've vowed to spend the rest of your life with (Hi, MTF!). No matter if your relationship is days or decades old, Valentine's Day is a romantic day to go above and beyond the normal "showing you care" duties.


For her:

1. 5-Year Question a day journal
My ND bestie, Caitlin, gave all her bridesmaids this amazing gift in 2013 when she got married to her ND love, Tom.  At first, I hesitated to begin using it. I thought I had to wait until the beginning of the month or maybe even the first of the year. I finally went for it-- do not feel like you have to wait, that's the beauty of it-- you can begin your entries on literally any day of the year!  It has been something I look forward to writing in each day.

"What's your favorite accessory?"

"If you could acquire a talent (without any extra effort), what would it be?"

You answer the same question on that particular day for 5 years. It's so fun to see how it changes with each year! I often write down little tidbits, too, like "it snowed today!" because that's so bizarre for April 14! 

2. A Lilly Pulitzer printed bangle 

I am totally in love with these (under $50!) print bangles from Lilly Pulitzer. They'd be adorable for stacking with your lady's watch! It's a little bit of sunshine on her wrist in these long winter months. The doldrums of February can get you down, but with Lilly P's help, you can bottle some of that sunshine and wear it (near) your sleeve. 

3. A fun Kate Spade phone case

Add some pizzazz to your love's iPhone. These new Kate Spade phone cases are perfect for Valentine's Day! She will think of you with every text she sends and every filter she puts on that selfie of you two!  This option and this option are so adorable and romantic!   

Both links listed have a little bling on the phone case-- so fab!

4. A witty graphic tank for her workout of choice

I just discovered Everfitte thanks to my friend Rachel! These tanks are comfortable, hilarious and perfect for hitting up Pure Barre classes or brunch and mimosas with friends. Here is a great one: somewhere between kale and cronuts (amen!). LOVE!  Your gal will love your sense of humor! I just purchased this one: Barre Belle (totes appropes, right?). 

Amy and me at Pure Barre Geneva with our matching Beyond Yoga leggings (on sale for $79!) and 100 Club Pure Barre socks

5. A bouquet of fresh flowers

Check out The Bouqs online! It's a company founded by Notre Dame graduates, and we have had such great luck with their flowers. Every woman loves to receive flowers (any day of the year) but particularly on February 14. It's a fact of life! Bonus points to you, men, if you have them delivered to her place of work! For my birthday, Mike had a vase of my fave flowers (Gerbera Daisies) delivered to Villa Verone so they were awaiting our arrival! It was the kindest and most thoughtful gesture, ever!  Men, good luck! (Bonus: 15% off your first Bouq and free shipping!). 

For the men in your lives...

1. A personalized book about why you love him

What I love About You book (you fill it in!). This is similar to the mom and dad books I mentioned in my Christmas gift ideas blog post (my mom just completed hers for me, and it is hilarious! I am savoring the entries, so I only read a few a day, but her "voice" comes through loud and clear! LOL!). This is personalized and a keepsake that your man will cherish for years to come.

2. Creative books for light reading

Mike has gotten into Randal Munroe's website, and he loves his books. Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words and What If: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions are two of Mike's favorites. 

3. Unique cuff links

These glasses cuff links are adorable for a man (like mine) who is always bespectacled.  Pretty obsessed with these Millennium Falcon blueprint cuff links! And how darling are these Bow Tie cuff links? Any time your other half dresses up for an occasion, he will think of you buying him these fun cuff links! 

4. A brewery tour! 

From any town you are reading this blog, there will likely be a brewery within 30 miles of you! You can sign up through the website (I highly recommend Penrose's brewery tour! You get a pint of beer for the tour and a growler to fill at a discounted rate). When we went on the brewery tour at Penrose, the brew-masters were incredibly knowledgeable. This event is interesting and memorable. Sometimes events are even more precious than tangible objects. (Hint: try Groupon for excellent deals!). 

5. Personalized beer glass/wine glass

Uncommon Goods has amazing glassware for the man in your life. I love these personalized tree trunk etched glasses. This is something your boyfriend/fiance/husband will treasure for years to come. Each time he sips his favorite Malbec or drinks his desired craft beer, he will think of the two of you. You can add initials and a date (first date, the day you met, the day you got married? The choices are endless) to the "trunk" on the glasses. 

What are you getting for your SO this Valentine's Day? 

xxoo

Mary