gift guide: go-to gifts for the lady who has everything (guest post)

Thanks so much to Joni for having me today! I'm excited to share about a few go-to gifts for the ladies in your life - mom, wife, sister, girlfriend ... specifically those ladies who seem to have everything. Come on ... we all have at least one of those on our shopping list this year, right? You can usually find me on my lifestyle and parenting blog, That Mama Gretchen. Most days I'm writing about my sweet kiddos - Jemma & Max - and the adventures we have! I hope you'll stop by! Maybe when you need a quick break from Christmas baking or gift wrapping.

For this little virtual shopping tour I've broken my ideas into two categories - what you can buy and what you can make. First up ... what you can buy.

 Ohmygoodness - how sweet it this ring?
 You can order any word up to 15 letters. Pick a child's name or word of inspiration and you're sure to make someone very happy!

 Shake it like a Polaroid picture ... come on, shake it! 

This awesome little camera would make any photo or Instagram lover thrilled.

 Dutch oven heaven over here! And don't you just love this apple green?

Gift a few of your favorites recipes along with it and you're set!

 I have one of these gorgeous cowls and love it, absolutely LOVE it!

It comes in a plethora of colors and is the coziest accessory for winter.

You may battle me on this one, but I'm pretty convinced that the NOOK Simple Touch with GlowLight is the best e-reader. It's lightweight and it doesn't have internet (and therefore you won't get distracted from your reading). Etsy has a ton of lovely case options too!

Last, but not least, well for this category anyway, I highly recommend perusing Groupon and Living Social for experience type gifts. For someone who has a lot, they often don't need more stuff. Am I right? Or, am I right? Making memories can be a super fun gift. Recently I've seen great adventures like a bread making class, pepper spray self-defense class, pedicures, and city tours by segway. Browse around and see if you find something that fits your special someone.

Now, a handful of ideas for your crafty folks out there. I've personally tried each of these DIYs/recipes, so you can rest assured that they won't be too hard. I mean, I managed to complete them with two babies squabbling for my attention :)

• Sour Cream Banana Bread - This bread is divine!
• Instagram Coasters - A sweet, personal touch to any living room, wouldn't you agree?
• Crochet Cowl Pattern - I consider myself a super beginner and I was able to YouTube the few stitches I didn't know and whip this cowl up in a few hours.
• What a Difference a Day Makes Print - Order one or attempt to make your own on PicMonkey
• Soap Dispenser - Mason jars are all the rage! To got the extra mile with this project fill it up with my favorite soap - Ginger Pomelo from Caldrea.
• Custom Dinnerware - Just think of all the thing you could write ... a Bible verse, song lyrics, or a special memory.

For more homemade ideas, I adore this list of 25 Handmade Gifts Under $5 - talk about cheap chic!


Alright, the ball is in your court now! Get your shop and/or craft on and you'll be set for Christmas before you know it! I'd love to hear your gift and craft ideas too - so please share your favorites in the comments. 

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thanks so much to gretchen from that mama gretchen for sharing this wonderful gift guide today. be sure to stop by and say "hi" over at her place as well. 

 joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram

check out giftbirdy this holiday season

i was recently introduced to giftbirdy, a new site for kids where they can make wish lists of the things they want. i was pretty excited about this site because we all know, kids don't have a filter and there's nothing like your kid opening a bad gift on christmas morning and hearing them cry out "this is not what i wanted" or even worse, "i don't like this"! been there, done that!

giftbirdy was developed with kids in mind, giving them an easy to navigate site that allows them to make wish lists of the things they want, share them with friends and family, and never get a bad gift again. with christmas right around the corner, it takes a lot of the work off of me when i already know exactly what my kids want. but, kid's can use giftbirdy for more than just christmas. they can make a wish list for just about anything, like a birthday. plus, not only can kids make wish lists, they can play games and collect virtual pets too.

don't think your child is old enough to use giftbirdy on their own? parents can certainly help their child with giftbirdy to create a wish list for grandparents, distant relatives, or whoever you want. 

IT'S FUN, EASY, & FREE!

i helped tyler create a christmas wish list and i was pleased at how easy it was for even tyler at 6 years old. she was able to choose what type of items she wanted and a big list of ideas were available for her to choose from. check out some of the items tyler added to her list below.

1. unicorn head wall hanging 2. hello kitty mug for hot chocolate 3. movies: disney's secret of the wings and brave 4. good luck charlie poster 5. pinkalicious "i can read" book 6. hello kitty glasses 7. ipod touch 8. cd: selena gomez

if you, family or friends, are looking for an easier way to come up with gift ideas for your kids this holiday season, be sure to check out giftbirdy! you can even check out the welcome video that will introduce you to giftbirdy and highlight all of it's wonderful features.

give your kids exactly what they want this year by letting them create their wish list with giftbirdy!

*giftbirdy is safe and secure: using giftbirdy is safe. we know that the safety and well-being of your child is paramount to you, and it is to us as well. we pledge to you that we have made every effort to make giftbirdy.com as safe and enjoyable as possible for you and your children. while we fully encourage you to stay active and involved in your child's online activities, we also hope that the safeguards we've enacted will provide a level of trust and assurance that allows you and your child to relax and truly enjoy your experience on giftbirdy.

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and Gift Birdy. All opinions stated are my own.

   

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: sixcherries

my kitchen is screaming for a makeover!

ever since we got our new refrigerator, i have been thinking that our kitchen needs a major overhaul. pretty much everything is outdated, and definitely not my taste, and those walls i painted lime green a few years ago have got to go. what was i thinking?

i recently found a lot of great items at world market that match my sense of style that i like to describe as industrial meets vintage meets eclectic. i really don't know how to describe it, but i do know that i love the use of metal, wood, and glass as main elements with pops of color. i also love adding vintage with pieces like canning jars, wire hanging fruit baskets, and wooden bowls...all things i remember my mom having in her kitchen when i was very young.

1. glass yorkshire dispenser
2. 6 bud vases with wire caddy
3. three-tier hanging wire basket
4. jackson kitchen cart
5. yellow pig serving bowls, set of 2
6. plum fleur de lys highball glass, set of 4
7. red schoolhouse counter stool

i loved "window shopping" for everything i put together and enjoyed making this world market pinspiration board of all my favorite items. i have the best spot for that kitchen cart, with those bud vases on top filled with all the best flowers, and at least two of those red stools. that wire basket would hang right next to it filled with all of the yummiest fruits. my favorite is always adding pops of color, so that red stool fits in nicely. let's be honest, red is one of those colors that works with everything. don't believe me? ask me to explain that one to you! {grin}

even with the simplicity of a kitchen redo (which is exactly what i like), i can see myself whipping up some wonderful things in a kitchen like this during the upcoming fall and winter holidays, and all year round. i found an assortment of items that fit within my budget but i think i might just add a few of these to my holiday wish list. what would you add to your wish list?


oh hey, be sure to check this out...

world market is having a fabulous gourmet getaway sweepstakes on their facebook page that you should definitely check out!

the grand prize package includes: 

• a trip for two to santa fe, new mexico (this is a 5 day trip for two to santa fe which includes airfare and hotel)
• hands on southwestern cooking class with master chef
• personally signed glossy cookbook
• multi-course dinner at the acclaimed geronimo
• southwestern foodie tour with a cultural kick
• a $1000 world market gift card

there will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 world market gift card!

*the gourmet getaway sweepstakes runs from august 18, 2012 until september 21, 2012

**if you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via facebook or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. this is part of the registration process when entering. users can also enter daily for more chances to win. 

be sure to stay connected with world market for more decorating ideas, deals, and giveaways:

website l twitter l facebook l google+ l pinterest

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own.

joni - sixcherriesontop (at) gmail (dot) com | twitter | facebook | pinterest | instagram: sixcherries

my countdown to christmas | my christmas wish list

all i want for christmas is...

1. drop it modern back drop

i have been drooling over drop it modern backdrops for awhile now. for the most part, the pictures i take are outside because i don't have a studio and i don't have a good background for indoors.

the drop it modern blog teases me with all of their wonderful ideas and settings for using these backdrops and the frigid weather we have been having lately reminds me just why i need one ASAP.

check out the drop it modern blog to see some of the great ways they have used these backdrops to create beautiful photos.

2. toms

i have heard nothing but rave reviews about toms. they remind me of shoes i wore in middle school. i loved those shoes and i am so glad something similar has surfaced.  there are so many to choose from that i don't know which pair i would want first.



the best part about toms..."with every pair you purchase, toms will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. one for one."

3. bogs

don't all women love shoes?  i don't know of a single person who actually own bogs weather proof boots, but when i stumbled across then, i fell in love with all of the great pattern choices.  they look like regular rain boots but all bogs are 100% waterproof and warm down to sub-zero temperatures.

4. dansko penelope boots

yes, another pair of footwear.  i need a good pair of boots and dansko boots are a pair that i can dress up or down. not way down though.

i love the simple details on the dansko boots and the unique tie front. they come in three different colors. i'll take all three!

5. epiphanie camera bag

i considered purchasing an epiphanie camera bag earlier this year and then decided against it because i am just cheap like that. spending large amounts of money on one item frightens me. however, it is about time i stopped carrying a purse, a camera bag, a diaper bag and a gymnastics bag around with me when i venture out with my little maraschinos.

6.  inception

inception was the absolute best movie i saw this year and i have not stopped thinking about when i would be able to see it again.  i could run to target and buy it right now, but then that would be selfish of me to do right here at christmas.

i shared it with you once before, but watch this trailer again to see what you will be missing if you don't totally want this movie too.

so there you have it.

my christmas wish list.

a girl can dream right?

** i was not compensated in any way to mention these products. they are simply items i have discovered on my own and love. six cherries on top disclaimer/terms of use