Holiday Shopping

I love this time of year! However, I know how overwhelming shopping this time of year can be so I came up with a list of helpful tips and great present ideas to help y'all out. Ready? Here we go!

1. Shop Locally
I know people are quick to go to places like Target, Nordstrom, H&M, etc. because it seems more convenient. But shopping locally does a lot of good over all. Not only are supporting small business but you will find the more unique and ideal gifts.

2. No Gift Cards!
I think getting someone a gift card is such a cop out. I know it might sound trashy but you might as well just give that person cash. For real though. Come on - think harder!

3. Gift Receipts & Return
When you do end up purchasing a gift for that special somebody there's no harm in getting a gift receipt and making sure you know what the exchange policy is so there's no issue.

4. When Thrifting...
Wash an item before you gift it, comb over it well for stains, holes, missing sequins, dents, scratches, or any mistakes.

5. DIY
There is nothing sweeter or more from the heart than something you made yourself. (Ask any mom) It's cheaper, gets you in the holiday spirit, and like locally shopping you'll end up with a one-of-a-kind present.

6. F. B. S.
Now, when you are in doubt and don't know what to get someone think "F. B. S." which stands for Food, Books, Socks.
Food, which also falls into DIY - if you cook it yourself, is my personal favorite. I mean who doesn't like eating! Books (or notebooks) because you can always find one that fits to a friend's personality to a T. Socks because I freaking love socks. And if you haven't noticed socks are becoming a huge trend. Like books, you can literally find any pair of socks with everything and anything on them.

So there you have it. A #guttersnipe's holiday shopping to-do list. Good luck & hope this helps!  

 

yeah, but it's so nice outside

It's hard to leave my house sometimes. But it's such a beautiful day in my city. I have to go out and celebrate it somehow. Also I got some disheartening news, so I have to do something to bright my day. Sun makes everything better.

 

Photos of a lovely Brunch I had on Sunday with my girl j.mena. It was the ideal Sunday. Good food, great company, music, art, and Jurassic Park in 3D.

Shoes (Payless)

TopShop Jeans $40.00

White T-shirt x Shirt (Goodwill) $2.80

5 things I am in love with.... right now

5. Powderberries
I could and have eaten a whole bag of these in a day. Best part is not feeling guilty about it afterwards. Once you start; You Can Not Stop!

4. Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2013 Collection
As seen in her latest music video, bad ass female rapper iggy azalea is sporting some Jeremy Scott for Adidas but it's the fabulous D&G Spring/Summer collection that floors me. The collection to me reads like a great summer romance. Like if Miami in the 60's had a baby with a futurist renaissance painter.

3. Temporary tattoos
I posted about it yesterday, but I am loving temporary tattoos. Seeing as I don't have any real tattoos, I like just being a bad ass with a goofy cupcakes or a hello kitty. I think it's because all of the nannying I've been doing lately. Kids LOVE temporary tattoos. (and parents love that they wash off...)

2. Spring Breakers/The Bling Ring
Growing up the movies there every talked about that were hated by our parents was KIDS and Thirteen. Now I feel like there is a more new recent wave of questionable raw, outlandish films on the rise. And I ain't mad at it!

1. Chance the Rapper
I learned about Chance back in 2012 when he did a song with Legit called "Such a Thing." Since then he has yet to disappoint. With his mix tape 10 Day (which is free to download) it's a light hearted honesty depiction look at some serious problems that I feel like a lot of kids can relate too. Not to mention his newest single "Juice" has become a favorite of my mother. Yeah. My mother approves.

 

NPS: Here & There

A couple Charlotte pics. Here & there, then over there, and then here again.

I started this thing while at NPS called The T-Shirt Olympics. I was in the hunt for THE best t-shirt. However I wasn't able to take too many photos because I was so distracted by the moment. But here are two of my favorite tho:

5 Things I am in love with.... Right now.

1. dark red nail polish. (I don't have the right shade yet but I am going.)

photo via LLYMLRS

2. Coconut water. (It's my secret weapon.)

3. 6Teen (It's on netflix can't stop watching it!)

4. Chicken Satay (It's the best!)

5. CHRISTMAS TIME!! (I know. I know. I forgot about Thanksgiving sometimes but Christmas is my favorite FAVORITE time of year.)

march madness, oysters, and little red shoes

But truly, what more could a girl need?

Today is another sunny gloomy day in the armpit of the Northwest. I was woken by my March Madness team (Kansas) losing. I was OK with it only because the team that beat them (VCU) is an underdog and I love those kind of upsets. Reminds me why I love basketball.

Then for lunch I went with my mother for happy hour to get fresh oysters at Lecosho.

All of this being done wearing my favorite pair of shoes: my little red (hand-me down) flats.

I use to HATE hand me downs.

But I soon got over that and learned to embrace it.

Les Chaussures Petit Rouge Break down:

shoes - (hand-me-downs from my sister*)

leather leggings - (American Apparel) $16.00

sweater - (St. Vincent De Paul) $0.99

necklace - (Target) $1.99

turquoise ring - (found it)