Gift Guide for Him

It always turns out that the most difficult people to shop for on my Christmas list are my parents. We're a very simple family, and now that they've been empty nesters for a while now they live by the motto "If we have each other during the holidays, thats all we need" Shopping for their gifts this time of year is never an easy task. First, we'll cover dad. Since my dad is a kid at heart, loves his beer and also happens to be a great cook, I'm going to assume that most of these gifts can double as the perfect gift for a boyfriend, husband, uncle or even brother. I would share more specifics on what I actually got him this year, but he's probably going to read this.. hi dad! So we'll save that for later.

For the beer lover:
beer making kit // personalized beer flight // personalized bottle opener
For the cook:
canvas tool apron // tortilla maker
Miscellaneous:
barware + tray set // watch box // copper mugs // whisky stones

Shop my picks for him:

Wish List Wednesday: Ikea Finds

I'm sure you all know by now my weird love for ikea products. I'm a true believer that there is something there for everyone and you can always find something that you could use in your home.  The best shopping trips to ikea are when you find the hidden gem in an ikea hack...and it works.

If you are brave enough to venture into the never ending maze they call ikea, but you might not be super confident on your handy skills, then here is a great selection of items that speak for themselves.  These Bold Ikea finds are great just the way they are:

Shop these Items:

Look for Less: His & Hers

House Tweaking

The past few months have been a whirlwind for me. I know I keep saying this {and I know, excuses excuses} but between working, traveling for work, and moving into a new house, I seemed to have forgotten my manners in treating my parents for their "appreciation" days. So for all of you working young professionals like me who want to show their parents how much you appreciate them with a kind and creative gesture - This one's for you!

I know it's father's day this weekend but why not treat mom too? Here's a little way to spruce up their master bedroom and give them styled "His & Hers" nightstands:

These beautiful his & hers nightstands are from a blog called House Tweaking. You can read the entire post here, and find out how Dana styled them and even where she shopped to create these. If you have a minute, check out her other posts.. her house is a walking Pinterest board. It's actually perfect. 

On a side note, I took these perfect Pinterest images and re-created the concept of his and hers nightstands in a way that I would style them and with pieces that I would most likely choose if I were to do this for my parents. As for now, they're thinking of selling so maybe at your next house mom & dad! Here are the links to shop for each look:

Get Her Look:

Get His Look:

Making It Your Own

Who doesn't love a good shopping trip to IKEA? Well, if you just shouted at your cubicle reading this - then you're going to love this. Today I'm featuring 10 Ikea products that are great for spray painting! Did you see my bar cart hack the other day?? Go check it out and see for yourself what a can {or two} of gold spray paint and some matte finish can do!

But really - that desk lamp doesn't come in the bright fuchsia color you really want? Grab the desk lamp and a can of good ole' spray paint and make a weekend project out of it! Now, next question.... Why Ikea products? Well, because in most cases they come unassembled and in a million parts {i know sounds treacherous..} but that's actually the good part. In most of those cases, you can spray them down with a few coats and THEN put the furniture together and BAM, it looks like a professional did it!

A few of these are on my list...Which of these are on yours??

Shop these Ikea Products:

Navy & Neutrals

Hello Hello! Let's take a step back from all the overwhelming, up and coming trends I've been throwing at you lately and talk about something simple. Something that everyone goes through at some point, usually more than once in their lives. The taunting decision to pick out paint. Let's face it. It's hard to stand there in the paint section of your local hardware store and be expected to just pick out a color and commit to it. [So. Many. Decisions.] I know.

If there's anything my dad has taught me about paint, there's two words I'll never forget. Benjamin Moore.  Sure, all the other brands are great and work like their supposed to but Benjamin Moore paint in my parents house is like liquid gold.

On that note, I'm helping a friend decorate and get ready for her nursery and we're in the process of picking out paint. Today's topic is right up their alley in helping them make the big decision. [The baby's name is already chosen, so of course the next big decision is the paint color of the nursery right?] It's a boy so who wouldn't love a little Navy and Neutral for a baby boy?

Here are my top choices for this Navy & Neutral Bedroom:

Personally, I'm imagining an all grey nursery with a thick horizontal cabana stripe that sits just above the top of the crib and flows through the room.. Soft and bold all in one! Note: We will be bringing in some other bright colors like mint greens, yellows and orange tones to this nursery with the decorations and other items as well! This baby is already the most stylish kid in Ohio!

Other colors and inspiration of navy & neutral painted rooms:

BM Van Deusen Blue | Apartment Therapy

BM Kendall Charcoal | Painters Place

BM Dark Harbor | The Marion House Book

BM Stormy Monday | Hey Gorgeous Events

BM Hale Navy | The Nesting Game

Alright now it's your turn! What are you're thoughts on this color scheme to start off the nursery? Which two colors would you pick - could you decide between all the possible Navy & Neutral options?

Target: Spring 2014

Alright, Alright. I know I've said this multiple times before but I just love Target. And I'm not lying one bit when I say it again today. Target has come out with their new spring collections for fashion and home. Have you seen the target commercials for the new fashion line by Peter Pilotto? Personally, I'm not a fan but then again I love my blacks, grays and blue jeans kinda wardrobe. Guilty. [If only you guys saw what I looked like behind the laptop right now most days]

With that said, I've been trying to avoid the inevitable. The home section. Online and in stores, doesn't matter which form of shopping but I'm bound to buy something and lets face it my bank account would be less than pleased with me. But I did it. For the well being of my blog. [yeah right]

I think I died and went to heaven.

Target really pulled out all the tricks for this one. Nate Berkus has come out with a bathroom collection for Spring 2014. Hallelujah. Gentlemen, take notes - this collection is right up your alley and you don't have to risk your manhood at a store you'd never be caught dead in to shop for them! And besides my man Nate Berkus, Target has everything from furniture & lighting to frames & candles in their new spring collections.

Now that I'm done babbling - Here's what I'm loving from Target these days:

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