Christmas Wish List 2017

1. Zak Designs Confetti Plates in Mint

2. Robin Le Riche Smash the Patriarchy T-Shirt

3. Lemons Necklace

4. Cou Cou Suzette Glittery Eye Socks

5. Nemat Fragrances Amber Perfume Oil

6. Rainbow Kitchen Utensil Set

7. Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter Palette

8. ILNP Holographic Nail Polish

9. China Glaze x My Little Pony Nail Polish in Cutie Mark the Spot

10. Witch Doll Sticker Set

11. Laser Kitten 'I'm Right on Top of That, Rose' Pin

12. Happy Pills Earrings

13. Naturalizer Wonda Chelsea Boots 

14. Mermaid Tail Blanket

15. Pentel Art Aquash Watercolor Brushes

16. Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters by John Waters

17. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay

18. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby

19. Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris

20. Boogie Daze Duffel Bag

21. Minimalist Hair Clip Set

What are you excited to give and to gift this season?

Etsy Shop of the Month: Jumbo Jibbles

Carrot Body Pillow

Have you ever felt like hugging a carrot? Snuggling a lemon? Curling up with a good book and a pickle? Okay, maybe not, but surely you’ve wanted a cool, contemporary - perhaps offbeat - interior design. You can fulfill all of these wishes with Jumbo Jibbles, our August Etsy Shop of the Month. Jumbo Jibbles is a place where inanimate objects spring to oversized life to adorn your couch or bed or to simply rest in your arms. Eggplants are six feet long; blueberries are the size of beach balls, and everything - and I mean everything - is as soft to the touch as a dollop of whipped cream.

Strawberry Pillow

I’m especially enamored with the strawberry pillow, which is how I first wandered into the world of Jumbo Jibbles. Its perky red body so delightfully oversized, and its proud green top waiting to be placed just so on your comfiest armchair. I love that this piece, like many others, is both useful and decorative. It’s just good, cute fun!

Lemon Pillow

Asparagus Spear Plush/Pillow

Pickle Body Pillow

Velvet Tangerine Pillow

Kiwi Pillow

Velvet Blueberry Pillow

Pineapple Headband

Tomato Pillow

Green Apple Beanie Hat

Peach Beanie Hat

Six-Foot Eggplant Pretzel Body Pillow

I’m always a sucker for oversized or miniature things. It’s my nature. These pillows are straight out of your wildest childhood daydreams, where you might grow an apple stem right from your head or use an asparagus spear as a defensive sword. Children and fun-loving adults alike will find something to fuss over in this shop. The bright colors and soft textures (so much velvet!) are pleasing to many of the senses and the sweet attitude behind the designs is pleasing to the soul.

Designer and owner Amy Brown says in her etsy shop bio, “A stuffed carrot is the opposite of a stuffed bear. That strangeness makes me happy.” If that idea makes sense to you like it does to me, then you’ll find many reasons to smile at Jumbo Jibbles.

Follow Amy and the shop on Etsy or at @jumbojibbles

All photos via Jumbo Jibbles

Have you ever seen Jumbo Jibbles before? Would you love a stuffed fruit or veggie? What great Etsy shop have you found lately?

ETC: My Christmas Wish List

1. Frida Kahlo Floral Throw Pillow

2. Makeup Geek Eyeshadows in Dirty Martini (matte olive), Blacklight (duochrome purple) & Fortune Teller (foiled gold) 

3. 18K Gold Ravioli Necklace

4. Hot Dog iPhone Case

5. Eye Print Bedding

6. Donut Print Oven Mitt & Pot Holder

7. Kitchen Kitsch Art Print

8. Rose Gold Pineapple Tumbler

9. Benefit Watt's Up! Highlighter

10. Donna Martin Graduates Enamel Pin, Blanche Devereaux Enamel Pin, Peggy Bundy Enamel Pin, Heart Lollipop Enamel Pin & Glitter Troll Enamel Pin

11. Jerri Blank T-Shirt

12. False Lashes Enamel Pin Set

13. Watermelon Cooler Bag

14. Soy Candle Making Kit

15. Full Moon Baseball T-Shirt

16. I Like You Just The Way I Am by Jenny Mollen

17. Shrill: Notes From a Loud Woman by Lindy West

18. Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham

19. You Can't Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson

20. You'll Grow Out Of It by Jessi Klein

What's on your wish list this year? Making any fun DIY things for presents? Did the holidays completely sneak up on you this year too? 

ETC: My Christmas Wish List

1. Eau De Perfume Bag

2. 'Michelle' Name Plate Necklace

3. Smashbox 'For 25 Years Our Lips Have Been Sealed: Be Legendary Lipstick Palette'

4. Winking Eye Set of Embroidered Patches

5. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

6. Ronnie Spector Scoop Neck Tee

7. Kat Von D Saint Perfume (Limited Re-Release!)

8. Set of Silicone Baking Mats

9. Mint Green & White Geometric Earrings

10. Seinfeld Puffy Shirt Enamel Pin

11. Adidas Monochrome Yellow Superstar Sneakers

12. Murder She Wrote T-Shirt

13. Library Card Socks

14. Morphe 35S Eyeshadow Palette

15. 90210 Peach Pit After Dark Keychain

16. ColourPop Ultra Matte Lips in Succulent, Ultra Matte Lips in Dr. M, Blush in Never Been Kissed, Highlighter in Spoon & Pressed Pigment in Fantasy

What's on your wish list this year? Are you feeling the week-before-Christmas rush yet? What cool DIY gifts are you giving this year?

BEAUTY: Ulta Birthday Gift 2015

In case you missed it, I recently shared my joy over the 2015 Sephora birthday gift (NARS lip pencils!) and I thought you might also like to see my free birthday gift from Ulta. Much like Sephora, once you're signed up with Ulta Rewards (a free service which gets you points for dollars spent and fun coupons) you will receive a coupon for a free birthday gift during your birthday month. The gift for those with birthdays in January, February and March 2015 is the Ulta Complete Eye Palette in Indie:

Oh, why thank you, Ulta!

Last year, Ulta gave out a free full size CK One mascara for every birthday, so this year is a bit of a departure in that they seem to be changing the gift up quarterly. Not sure what the idea behind this thinking is, or if they'll actually follow through with it, but every source I've seen has specifically listed this gift as intended for those with birthdays in January-March.

The good news is that if you like this eye palette and happen to have a birthday outside of those months, you can purchase it outright for $12.00 here. {Side note: last year's mascara gift was valued at $18.00 for those counting at home.}

This palette has a mix of 4 shimmer and 1 matte shades (only the medium brown is matte). The texture is smooth and blend-able, and pigmentation is very nice. None of these shades is patchy or sheer, and there are enough colors to create a nice brown smoky eye situation. Overall, this was a nice, albeit kinda boring, gift. But, hey - free eyeshadow is free eyeshadow, right?

This palette reminds me of one of my drugstore favorites, Wet n Wild's Silent Treatment, which I swatched here a million years ago.

SWATCHES: Ulta Complete Eye Palette in Indie

ON MY EYES: Ulta Complete Eye Palette in Indie

To get this gift from Ulta you WILL need a coupon they send via email (unlike Sephora, where you can just walk in and ask). I got mine on my birthday, so expect it on or around the big day. For those of you with birthdays later in the year, make sure to sign up for Ulta Rewards now and wait to see what your gift will be...I hope I'm not jealous of it!

Do you get free birthday gifts from Ulta? What other awesome free birthday finds have you scored?

ETC: My Christmas Wish List

1. Pistachio Pudding Pie Scented Candle

2. W7 Lightly Toasted Palette

3. Katze #2 Tote by Petra Wolff

4. Tri-Stone Amethyst Ring

5. Twin Peaks Art Print

6. Lavanila Vanilla Coconut Perfume

7. Sonia Kashuk All That Jazz Brush Set

8. Not That Kind of Girl by Lena Dunham

9. Yes Please by Amy Poehler

10. Conair 2 Attachment Curling Wand

11. Floss Gloss Nail Polish in Wet

12. Floss Gloss Nail Polish in Dimepiece

13. Acrylic Cosmetics Organizer

14. Bright & Bezeled Necklace

What kind of stuff are you wishing for this year? What's the best gift you're giving? Are you doing any gifting to yourself?

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ETC: My Christmas Wish List

I like to fantasy shop more than I like to actually shop. Well, maybe "more" is too strong of a word. I do enjoy a real life stroll through my neighborhood mall quite a bit, but the feeling of online window shopping also has a special place in my heart (right next to inventive condiments and paying for things in exact change). It's much more freeing to fantasize about what I could buy instead of actually buying it because once I do the thrill is gone, and so is my money. In a perfect Christmas movie world, here are the delightful wonders I'd love to unwrap this year, or anytime really, in case you're reading this in the future and just simply have to shower me with gifts or something.

My Christmas Wish List

1. Scrunchy Knee Socks: I refuse to have cold knees! Plus, scrunchy top looks perfect with boots.

2. Books {We Killed: The Rise of Women in American Comedy by Yael Kohen, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer}: I'm trying not to buy books since I have so many to read, but these ones keep catching my eye. I can't believe I haven't read the latest Sedaris book yet! Ridiculous.

3. Charley Harper Glass Set: Love Charley Harper's art, need to drink things. No brainer.

4. Phrenology Head Container: I've always wanted a vintage phrenology head, but this one holds candy!

5. Ouija Board T-Shirt: Ever since Erin rocked one of these, I've been obsessed!

6. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: Only hear great things about this brush so now I'm curious.

7. Mint Green Purse with Gold Studs: Beautiful and I can stuff all my junk inside it. (pervert)

8. Cath Kidston Button Set: I love the aesthetic of this brand!

9. Striped Bow Headband: Always need headbands and headscarves. Stripes + bows make it better.

10. DVDs {30 Rock, Breaking Bad and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia}: I have an obsessive need for completion when it comes to owning TV shows on DVD. For the record I still need seasons 3 and above of 30 Rock and Breaking Bad, and Always Sunny season 8.

11. Zebra Print Scarf: There are tiny zebras all over this scarf. No further explanation needed.

12. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl: I REALLY want to try these pencils and Alle on xoVain raves about this shade constantly.

13. Salted Caramel Yankee Candle: I need better quality candles and this scent sounds wonderful.

14. Twin Peaks 'Diane' Broach: Genius. I love the look and cleverness of this pin.

15. Kitschy Deer Hair Comb: Adorable and pretty weird, which is my mantra.

16. OCC Lip Tar in Stalker: Kind of obsessed with red lips, but whatevahhh.

17. Grilled Cheese Fabric: Just think of the magical things that could be sewn from this fabric. Grilled cheese pantsuit coming through!

18. Benefit They're Real! Mascara: Amazing. Ruined me for all other mascaras, but so spendy.

19. Charlie Kelly Spaghetti Watercolor Portrait: It's hard to read, but the caption says "What is your spaghetti policy here?" and he's eating spaghetti out of a Ziplock bag. Art is important.

And now that I feel sufficiently like a spoiled brat/consummate consumer, I must ask: what's on your wish list? What awesome stuff are you gifting to other people?

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DIY: Homemade Gift Ideas

Don't say it. I don't even want to hear it. Please don't utter that tired old phrase "but I'm not crafty enough for that!" because I don't believe you! Okay, some of you just straight up DO NOT CARE about DIY and homemade stuff any time of the year, let alone to give as gifts, which - while I cannot relate or even understand - I will let fly because it's not everyone's bag. For those of you (and you know who you are) who like the idea of making gifts, but have either never given it a try or abandoned your halfway-done projects a week before Christmas in favor of some anonymous gift basket because you're tired/frustrated/intimidated by the idea of DIY, then this guide is for you.

There are ideas here intended for all levels of craft skills, ranging from "Wait, they make hot glue?" to "Hmmm, maybe I'll whip up a batch of crocheted stuffies while my resin charms are setting," so you can certainly find something that would make a great gift for someone on your list AND seems manageable with your skills. I mean, there is more than one idea here that requires only tape and paint. You can do this!

DIY GIFT IDEAS

DIY Animal Bookends from Natalme

DIY Painted Geometric Bowl Set from Doe a Deery

DIY Heart Shaped Pot Holders from MADE

DIY Pet Photo Pillows from Yellow Brick Home

DIY Pantone Chip Magnets from How About Orange

DIY Terrarium from Making It Lovely

DIY Two-Tone Sunglasses from P.S. I Made This

DIY Scrabble Tile Pillows from My Sew-Called Life

DIY Watercolor Stencil Portrait from Craftster

DIY Infused Vodka from A Beautiful Mess

DIY Branch Hooks from You Want Me To Buy That?

DIY Rainbow Tinted Mason Jars from Momtastic

DIY Chrysanthemum Mirror from Addicted to Decorating

DIY Coffee Syrup from A Beautiful Mess

DIY Etched Glass from You Seriously Made That?!

DIY Glitter Candle Holders from Bird's Party

DIY Googly Eye Push Pins from Little White Whale

DIY Infused Cooking Oils from Inhabitat

DIY Detachable Peplum from Rookie

DIY Vintage Watch Photo Frame from WTTWC

There are also a bunch of DIY posts on Neon Rattail that would make great gifts (some of them were!). Here are a few that are user-friendly to make and very fun to own, which I can attest to personally, duh.

DIY Ring Holder

DIY Studded Vinyl Collar Necklace

DIY Nail Polish Jewelry

DIY Painted Wood Bead Necklace

DIY Teardrop Bead Statement Necklace

DIY Galaxy Ring

So there it is - a crazy amount of DIY gift ideas. Now you have NO excuse to not make some amazing homemade gifts this year, unless perhaps you've recently gone through a scissors-related trauma that you're trying to forget. For the rest of you, try a little hand-crafted goodness this year, okay?

Do you like making your own gifts? Or do you roll your eyes when someone gives you a gift they didn't buy at a store? Or maybe you just push gift planning so close to the last minute that you have no time for any of this?

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