If I had a Million Dollars: Birthday Wish List

I'm back. For real this time. I miss blogging, I have lots to blog about, and so I'm going to blog. Shooting for a few posts every week while I get back in the swing of things, starting with a nice little roundup of goodies since my birthday is coming up next week. So here ya go friends, my wish list for the big 3-2!

Lena & Dakota Flash (temporary) tattoos  //  Sleep is my Cardio tank  //  Skin the Bluff Concealer 

Oh How He Loves Us phone case  //  donut cake  //  Kate Spade watch

Bobbi Brown shimmer brick  //  TOMS

If I had a Million Dollars: Spring Dream

I should be packing up the last of my things at my gramma's, going to bed early, or browsing around online for things we need for the house... but instead, I'm blogging. Surprise! I figured it was time to treat myself to a little "window" shopping online since I've done very little besides house stuff lately. And we all know that fitting all these little pictures into a square box calms me, so there's that.

blazer  //  necklace  //  desk lamp  //  end table

soludos  //  ipad mini folio  //  makeup melt

In My Dreams

People. Selling a house, looking for a new one and, you know, still having to go on with day to day life and responsibilities... it's kicking my butt. Poor Dan has had to deal with me through meltdown after meltdown, and unfortunately I'm not sure there's a clear end in sight. To keep myself sane for at least a few minutes, I thought it'd be fun to look at some recent pins of perfect, amazing, beautiful rooms that I will most definitely use as inspiration in our new home (whenever we manage to actually find one!)

Behold -

built-ins, books and window seats = heaven

farmhouse table for the win

a bananas half bath

a bold accent wall for the fireplace

mixed colors, patterns and surfaces done perfectly

tuxedo kitchen + open shelving

breakfast nooks make me think of summers in Wisconsin

oriental rugs and bentwood chairs pretty much always make me swoon

If I had a Million Dollars: Holiday Wish List

Tis the season friends! The season of caramel brûlée lattes in red Starbucks cups, having my space heater running all day under my desk, lots of family time, tons of cuddling under warm blankets with the hubs and Buddy Louie, pine scented candles and of course... insane sales and some of the best shopping of the year. While I tend to get a little stressed about finding the perfect gifts for everyone, and also have to force myself not to do the "one for you... one for me" thing on every purchase, I truly do love hunting for Christmas gifts for our families and friends, and this year is no exception. I've got a spreadsheet with links and gift ideas ready to go, and will be getting up extra early tomorrow to be sure I get through all of the Black Friday ads before Thanksgiving family time. It's the most wonderful time of the year!

And in the spirit of magic and wonder and shopping, I put together my yearly wish list - and surprise!! - most everything I want is gold. Shocking, I know. If I'm being totally honest, there are very few things I actually "need" this winter. I am in need of a few good and warm chunky sweaters and a new pair of slippers, but other than that I'm just oogling some goodies here :). 

copper measuring cups (& spoons!)  //  color block sweater  //  phone case

popsugar must have box  //  eyelash curler  //  cheeseboard  //  infinity scarf

slippers  //  earrings  //  jeni's cookbook

If you could pick two items from the roundup, which would they be? I would 100% go for the phone case and the pop sugar monthly box - it's a bit of a splurge but holy moly... bananas incredible. Some of the goodies from previous boxes are items I've coveted for ages - imagine them just showing up as a monthly surprise on your doorstep! I imagine it would be like having a really awesome friend who knows you better than you know yourself shopping for you monthly and packaging everything up in a pretty little box for you to open and swoon over. I had a Birchbox subscription for a couple of years but found myself not using many of the monthly beauty samples. I have no doubts every last pop sugar item would get PLENTY of use around these parts!

New Home Dreaming

It's incredible to me how much my style has changed over the course of the five years that the hubs and I have been homeowners together. Thankfully, it's changed for the better, with a newfound love for neutrals with pops of pattern, color and texture... instead of where I started with an overwhelming love for color, color and more color.

As we dream about a new house, I'm quickly getting excited about a clean slate for decorating. (Not to mention getting excited about having all kinds of fun things to blog about again!) I find myself more and more drawn to a palette full of gray, navy, white and gold, and cannot wait for the chance to transform our new living spaces into a home we can see ourselves in for decades to come.

Here's a roundup of some things I'd love to incorporate if the spaces are right -

I've honestly never put a whole lot of time, effort or money into lighting, but I am totally in love with these capiz orbs for over a dining room table or in an entryway, and the industrial pendants are perfect for over a kitchen breakfast bar!   //  We've never needed a media cabinet in our current house, but I'm hoping for a new house where I don't have to mount the TV over the fireplace.  //  These Ikea shelving units have been hacked a million times with gold spray paint, so I'm sure it's no surprise I want one.  //  I've also never put much thought into seating, because our teeny living room houses one small couch and the hubby's recliner, and that's all we have space for. How neat would it be to have a pair of chairs in a family room or one in a bedroom somewhere?? And how about with a funky gold ottoman to kick your feet up on?  //  And oh, that bed. We all know how much I love that bed. 

Daydreams

Every year, I try to talk the hubs into a real Christmas tree just like the ones that mesmerized me in my childhood. My dad and my uncle used to take us kids way up north to a Christmas tree farm where we would bundle up, truck through the snow, pick out our own tree, cut it down and then drag it back to the car on a hayride with hot apple cider. Let me tell you, cutting down my own Christmas tree is one of very few times in the winter that I find it totally worth it to be outside in the freezing cold. And I miss it.

The boy has some serious allergies. And then there's Buddy Louie, who's a curious little thing and also suffers from some pretty bad seasonal allergies himself. So bringing a live TREE into the house might not be our smartest move. That being said, we have no idea if either of them is actually allergic to pine, and we'll never know unless we try, right? :)

This year, I'm thinking the holidays might be a little crazy considering we're busy trying to get our house ready to sell, trying to save extra and looking at things like storage units and moving companies... so I might push my yearly petition for a real tree to next year, when we will hopefully be in a beautiful new home with lots more space and the perfect little fireplace to put a real live tree next to. If I could have majored in daydreaming in college, I would have been the star of the class.

Oh and speaking of moving, we made the amateur mistake of going to look at a couple of houses last night, despite the fact that our current house isn't listed yet, and just as I expected, we fell head over heels in love with one. I didn't think I would like it as much as I did because it's *just* short of a bunch of the things I want - technically 4 bedrooms... but one is on the first floor, the potential for a finished basement... but not finished yet, a garage that's attached to the house... but you still have to go outside through a little alcove to get to it, the perfect side yard for a dog run for the Buddy... but not fenced in yet. But I fell in love. Hard. I realized how exciting that "almost but not quite" actually is to me. This house COULD be everything that Dan and I have ever wanted. We would raise our family there - no question, and it would be a beautiful thing to watch how we grow with a house like this over the years. I thought I wanted a house that I could just move into, paint a few rooms and call it a day. Who was I kidding? I want a house that is beautiful and amazing and perfect for us, with boatloads of charm and tons of potential for projects and lots of love down the line. 

And did I mention that we met the owner, who was nothing short of absolutely amazing? She alone makes me want to buy the house just so we can have her over for dinner in the years to come. She spent nearly a half hour talking to Dan and I, asking about our jobs, telling stories about her grandchildren and showing us around her lovely home talking about how she raised five kids there. To say we were both smitten with her AND her house would be the understatement of the century.

So while I watch my email like a hawk just waiting for the dreaded day that this dream house sells and it's not to us, I'll picture Dan and I, with Louie and our freshly chopped down Christmas tree, walking into our new home excited to decorate it for the holidays.  

Here's to Wednesday and lots of daydreaming!

Tufted and Navy and Beautiful, oh my

Emily Henderson's ridiculous, amazing, incredible sense of design just slays me. Every. Single. Time. I adore her. And she recently posted a master bedroom makeover that literally had me drooling when I laid eyes on it. Major MAJOR inspiration for my next bedroom here folks. And by "inspiration" I obviously mean "totally knocking this off as closely as possible the second I have a new bedroom".

I have to have that bed. I mean, I HAVE to. I have daydreams about a curling up in a beautiful tufted kingsize bed on a regular basis, and the fact that this one is a stunning navy AND HAILS FROM TARGET is seriously just absolute perfection. And can't you just picture my awesome new faux fur throw at the foot of the bed? I can't get over it. And the campaign nightstands with those gold geometric lamps?? I'm obsessed. 

In other news, as long as I can work out the timing, I will soon be the proud owner of this adorable little settee for a whopping $20 -

Tell me that wouldn't look stunning reupholstered in a funky pattern or a gray linen for a sweet little sitting area in that dream master bedroom?!? It's meant to be.

Anyone want to buy a charming little 3 bedroom house in a fantastic location?? I'm ready for a blank slate.

If I had a Million Dollars: Fall Wish List

My mom reminded me the other day that she checks in on my blog regularly, and *ahem*, it's been a little sporadic lately. I can tell you about how I was sick for the last 2 weeks, about how the hubs and I are kicking around the idea of selling our house sometime soon-ish (I KNOW, crazy!!!), about how I'm designing a handful of last minute projects for 2 upcoming weddings, about how I'm working on a super secret project with the bestie that I can't share just yet, and about a million other things that I'm sure you don't really want to hear about... but all of that factors in to why this blog has unfortunately moved to the bottom of my priority list lately. Instead, I figured I'd try to make up for the lack of content with some pretty pictures, because regardless of how old I am, I (usually) still listen to my mother. So in an effort to get a little somethin' somethin' up on the blog... behold, a sampling of my fall wish list!

purse  |  watch  |  pillow cover

phone case  |  toms  |  carafe

candelabra  |  hamper 

I need another purse like I need a hole in my head, and the price on this makes me want to cry a little... but it's a wish list, and this purse is perfection, so deal with it. I made up for it with a super affordable must-have watch and a sort of matching phone case for my brand spanking new iPhone 5S (thanks to a gift card - let's not go thinking I suddenly have money or something). The hamper is so amazing I think I might require that it fit in the bathroom of my next home, and the candelabra is my favorite item in the latest round of Nate Berkus for Target goodies. So. Darned. Pretty. 

Happy Monday!

If I Had a Million Dollars: Fall Wardrobe

Like it or not, fall weather is right around the corner here in Chicago, and given the mediocre weather we've had for the majority of August, I wouldn't be surprised if cooler temps sneaks up on us sooner than later. Given that I am far too lazy and cheap to go get another pedicure so sandals look cute and I have a closet full of long sleeves and sweaters but sorely lacking in tanks and tees... I suppose I shouldn't be too bummed that it will probably be time for light layers before I know it.

August is the one time a year where I feel like I sort of almost care about fashion, and that is simply because of the GIGANTIC September issues of magazines like Vogue and Elle that are full of hundreds and hundreds of pretty pictures that even Gap and Old Navy lovers like me can find themselves drooling over. Usually, I refrain from buying these issues because I know I will purchase very little of what's in them (if anything), but this year I've decided I'm going to treat myself to a couple and see what all is out there in the forecasts for fall clothing.

Ever the wannabe fashionista, outside of magazines I continue to rely on things like Pinterest for outfit inspiration. I have high hopes for a comfy yet casually sophisticated wardrobe for the coming season, and plan to do my best to track down at least some of the items in this little roundup -

Top row: a touch of camo  //  distressed denim  //  an oversized and insanely cozy gray sweater

Middle row: floral pants  //  the perfect white tee  //  graphic tees for under cardigans and blazers

Bottom row:  elbow patches  //  a comfy white sweater  //  a little bit of leopard

all images sourced from my Pinterest

The Prettiest Chair You Ever Did See

I've written before about my case of baby brain, but last night I took that to a whole new level. You see, thanks to all of the time I spend reading blogs and looking at Pinterest and oohing and aahing over fabulously designed nurseries, I have fallen in love with certain baby things to a point that is dramatic and unexplainable.

Like a very very very expensive rocking chair.

But oh, it's a pretty rocking chair.

And it was randomly on Gilt (and already sold out) a couple of weeks ago so I decided to just waitlist myself to see what would happen. And then last night I got an email that it was available and this happened -

Me: So honey... we need to talk.
Dan: No
Me: No for real
Dan: No. You're giving me your "we need to talk because I want to spend lots of money face."
Me: ...

Darn him for knowing me so well.

So I used a few bargaining points that I had carefully prepared for our conversation:
1. When we DO decide it's time to get pregnant and have to start shopping for baby things, it's gonna get expensive QUICK. Why not get what I imagine is one of the largest purchases out of the way now when we aren't super broke and stressing about re-budgeting for a bundle of joy?
2. Dan really wants me to breastfeed. And while I may feel different once I'm actually knocked up and have that whole miracle of life thing going on, I have quite a few (strong) reasons for not wanting to. But, I promised him a long time ago I would at least give it a fair shot because it means so much to him - and it's waaay cheaper than formula obviously. SO, if I'm going to be spending that kind of time feeding... well then I want an extra comfy and stylish chair to do it in. And really, bottle or boob, from what I've heard, you spend a heck of a lot of time in a rocker feeding the nugget and rocking them to sleep - better make it cozy.
3. I have googled this chair until I cannot google it anymore. I have read every available review online. I have seen it come back in stock on baby websites only to see it be out of stock again almost immediately because smart mamas are snatching it up. It's a coveted piece, and seeing as it's been on my radar for nearly 2 years, I figured this whole flash sale was a sign it's meant to be.
4. Um. It's gorgeous. And post-kids it would look just as gorgeous in any other room of the house.
5. The hubs has a recliner in the living room that I despise (and that's putting it nicely). Don't get me wrong, it is real good and comfy, but I didn't pick it out and it is also over-stuffed, beige, way too big for the room and dirty and old. Consider this my version of a slightly unnecessary but have-to-have-it chair.
5. It was on sale!!! We saved an average of about $300 off the retail price with the Gilt sale. Holler!

And it happened. My awesome hubs went for it and said I could order the chair. Whether he agreed with my reasoning or just wanted me to shut up is up for a vote, but I don't care because I am giddy with excitement over this purchase.

Friends, I present to you, the Nursery Works Empire Rocker. It's tufted. It's slate gray. And it's mine allllll mine!

Tell me that's not stunning.

Let's just go ahead and swoon together for a few images shall we?

I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it.

Happy Friday all! I'm headed to my cousin's wedding tonight and I cannot wait to hang out with the fam. They're a good time, and I'm certain there will be lots of fun stories to come from tonight.

Oh, and for the 4 people reading this that are wondering. I am not pregnant. Promise.

If I Had a Million Dollars: Touches of Gold

I've noted my newfound love for gold in other posts, and if anything the infatuation is only getting stronger. I constantly find myself looking at things around the house wondering if I can paint them gold - like lamps and curtain rods and bathroom fixtures - and I assure you it doesn't stop there. I suppose I only used to think of gold equaling gaudy jewelry, but it really is a gorgeous and classy neutral, and I'm anxious to bring a few more touches of it into our home. I know I've posted a couple of these exact items in the past, so apologies for that, but I'm still swooning over them so that says something, right?!

lamp  //  bookends  //  cake  //  s&p grinders

gumball machine  // tray  // end table

A few notes about my favorite items above:

I'm not one for expensive furniture, but I genuinely look at this end table every single day lately. Our current end table cost $7 at Ikea, which makes this one at $134 a tough sell for the hubs, but I WILL purchase it the next time I have an extra hundred bucks laying around (Do you like how I say that as if that happens all the time? It does not.)

That gumball machine is next up on my DIY list - that is, as soon as I get my hands on a regular old school red one and a can of glittery spray paint. I'm embarrassingly obsessed with this project. 

And finally, I know a big giant cake covered in metallic frosting is hardly something for the home, but a certain someone has a birthday coming up (yay me!) and I've decided that along with spending times with friends and dinner at a restaurant off of my "must-try" list, a gold cake is a necessity (hint hint, hubs). :)

Stacked

With short sleeves becoming a regular occurrence (finally!) it's time to get some new arm candy. I've been more and more into gold jewelry lately, and love how a few bracelets look stacked together. Here's a little roundup of some bracelets I've got my eye on for the warmer weather!

1  /  2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8

Which ones do you like best?

If I had a Million Dollars: Spring Wish List

It's Spring!!! I mean, it's technically been spring for quite some time now, but thanks to the ever-elusive weather of Chicago, it's only just started to feel like it. It's been nearly 80 degrees for the past few days, and although it looks like that's not going to last into the weekend, it's warm enough that I feel like I can put away my sweaters, which is cause for celebration in my book since it makes the closet so much less cluttered for a few months. It's the little things.

And speaking of little things, here's a roundup of some goodies I've got my eye on lately.

striped tee  |  primer  |  necklace  |  pitcher  |  pencils  |  pillow cover  |  matches

I have $30 in credit for Bauble Bar, so I'm thinking this necklace (that will cost me just $9 after my credit and looks like it will go with ANYTHING) is in my future. The extra-long matches are becoming more and more necessary every time I try to light a candle with a normal match at home and burn my fingers (just me?), and the pillow covers are ridiculously perfect for the spring and summer, but currently out of stock. Perhaps an actual "necessity," the primer is supposed to be great for acne-prone skin, includes a clinically proven treatment for breakouts and works as a base for makeup. I have to get my makeup done for Bridget's wedding and considering I wear nothing but a BB cream each day, I know wearing foundation even just for one day will be a disaster for my skin. Thankfully, my super fashionable and makeup savvy sister-in-law filled me in on the wonders of a primer, and it sounds like this might just do the trick. 

If I had a Million Dollars: Front Porch Dreaming

We have a really great enclosed front porch at our house that's flooded with natural light thanks to walls full of windows. I literally have dreams about having friends over to play a board game with snacks and drinks out on the porch, but I've never managed to get the space set up properly for that. This is largely due to the fact that since it's not an all-season space and we really haven't used it much in the years we've been there, we haven't wanted to put any real money into furnishing it. It's been a hodge-podge of garage sale and craigslist finds for years, and currently even houses a tufted leather couch that I dragged home from the alley down the block (I assure you Dan was super thrilled with that adventure). Well, the couch really does belong in the alley, there's too many random end tables and ottomans out there, and our pile of board games doesn't have a real home. I'm determined to get the room in a better place this spring... likely again without spending much money at all. BUT! If money were no object, I'd snatch up this whole little getup in a split second and make the space all homey and amazing. Behold, my cozy dream front porch, all from my heaven on earth happy place - Target.

lamp  |  mirror  |  settee  |  pillow  |  curtains  |  vase  |  gold elephant  |  end table

With nearly every single one of these pieces on sale, this whole makeover really wouldn't be all that bad. That being said, while I may pick up a couple of the small decorative accents, I likely won't splurge on any of the bigger items (truth be told, there's not even electricity on the porch for a lamp anyways, but I can dream). I'll be sure to post photos as I transform the space over the coming months!

If I had a Million Dollars: Jonathan Adler for JCP

People. I don't know how I missed this. The one and only Jonathan Adler has launched a line of things I can afford at JCPenney. And I, of course, want everything.

After stumbling on this earth shattering news via Pinterest, I obviously did some crazed virtual window shopping and settled on a ridiculous number of items from the collection that I've decided I just have to have. I'm sure it comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that I am enamored with nearly every single thing that involves an owl or a bright color, as evidenced by my little roundup below. I cannot wait to go and check all of this out in person (full disclosure: I might go tonight) and get my hands on a couple of pieces.

My favorites are below and are majority decorative accents as we really don't need any furniture. Let me tell you this though - if I were rich I would snatch up 6 of those tufted chairs for the dining room in a heartbeat. I'm in love. I'm also smitten with the lamps (and their price tags) and think both would be welcome pops of color in our updated bedroom. We've talked about hiring an electrician to put in an outlet on the bed side of our room so we can actually have lamps on the nightstands, and these are making me want to do that sooner than later! Based on a couple of in-store photos I've seen it looks like the lamps are teeny-tiny, which could explain the low prices, but that could be perfect for our cramped bedsides. The kitchen goodies would also be perfect little accessories to amp up the space - the canisters would be gorgeous on the counter or kitchen cart, but air-tight is a must have for me so we'll see what they're like in person. And the owl bookends and candle holder? Have to have.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14

Is there anything in the full collection that you're as excited about as I am? 

If I had a Million Dollars: Wish List

I'm ready for February to be over for a lot of reasons. Here's one - my shopping budget resets at the beginning of the month! ;) Hehe. Let's just say I'm in need of a little retail therapy... and here's a gathering of some pretty things I wouldn't mind getting my hands on.

As usual, my latest wants include lots of gold tones. I'm finding that I love brushed gold in small doses around our house more and more lately. So things like the hooks (I'm hoping to grab 3 of them to hang in our entryway), and the decorative letter 'L' (which would be perfect above our bed) are little pieces that would make a huge impact! And that bracelet? I'm swooning. I'm also thrilled that I found one for a whopping $38 seeing as the identical (and sold out) Bauble Bar version of this pretty piece goes for $78. The floral paper straws are screaming springtime girly drinks on the front porch, and let's just go ahead and agree that the "I'm so tired" tee was basically made for me.

I'm So Tired Tee  //  Gold Feather Hooks  //  Tarte Double-Ended Eye Brightener  //  Kate Spade - Things We Love Book   //  Gold Craft Scissors  //  'L' Decorative Letter  //  Serena & Lily Pandan Bins  //  Kate Spade Bow Shoppe Studs  //  Floral Paper Straws  //  Pave Links Bracelet

All pulled from my Wish List Pinterest board!

If I had a Million Dollars... or $275

In a stroke of pure luck that generally skips me right over, I won $275 in my office Super Bowl squares on Sunday! With 11 seconds left in the game Dan looked at the sheet and said "Um, honey, if they get a safety you'll win $200!" To which I replied, "What's a safety?" He explained the play enough for me to understand that there was an actual possibility that I could win, and those last 11 seconds of the game were just about the most nerve-racking moments I've ever had watching a sporting event. And, believe it or not, a safety was exactly what happened, and after checking the sheet a good 5 times just to be TOTALLY sure, I was jumping around the living room squealing about winning the "final score" $200 pot.

Then I checked my other square just for kicks and realized I had the exact same numbers (4 & 1) in reverse... which meant I also won the $75 "reverse of the final score" pot. Leave it to the chick with NO clue about football to win big. It was awesome.

So, I obviously immediately started to think about all of the fun things I could buy with $275 (well, $265 since the squares cost me $5 a piece). And considering there's a few specific items that are a bit expensive (at least for me) that I've been swooning over for quite some time, I have big plans to splurge and spend that money good and quick. While the hubs probably thinks this is a bit pitiful, a work friend pointed out that winnings like this are the perfect excuse to treat myself to some personal indulgences. So shop I will!

Left to right:

Longchamp Le Pliage Large Tote ($145)

Clarisonic Mia ($119)

Ugg Classic Tall Boots ($194)

I guess I shouldn't call this "Pick Two" since I already know one item I am buying for sure. I am 100% getting a Clarisonic with my winnings! I've been wanting one for years and everyone I know that has one swears by it. I'm hoping that this will make a noticeable difference in my problem skin, and can't wait to try it out.

That leaves the Longchamp Le Pliage tote versus some classic Uggs. Honestly, I think both are insanely overpriced, but that doesn't make me want them any less. The Uggs would be perfect for freezing Chicago winters, but the tote is such a versatile bag that I'm definitely considering it. But again, the price on both just bugs me. Which would you choose?

If I had a Million Dollars: Work It Out

As mentioned in my little 2013 goals list, I joined a gym! So naturally, I have spent a ridiculous amount of time online in the last few days browsing around for the perfect gym bag and all kinds of other workout accessories that I may "need". I already have lots of fun and cute workout clothing, thanks to my generally casual style and times in the past where I've sworn I was going to get in shape and bought a bunch of gear to get ready for exercise that inevitably never happened, so I'm pretty much all set in the clothing category. But my very first workout yesterday quickly taught me that I need to get organized and have one place that I can keep all my stuff so I don't look like a bag lady running to and from the gym, and so I don't leave my glasses in my locker when I leave and have to go back for them like I did right away last night... oops.

So, here's a few things I'm hoping to snag over the next several months as I turn working out into a part of my routine -

Victoria's Secret Sport Headbands ($12.50) - I kind of sort of sweat like a man (no "glistening" here folks), and these have that snazzy body-wicking technology that's supposed to make sweating a little more bearable.

Jawbone UP Band ($129.99) - This is obviously way in the future and not a "need" at all, but my boss got one for Christmas so I looked it up and I'm intrigued. It tracks your sleep and your movement, works with your iPhone to add in things like meals and your mood, and then takes all of that information to help you maintain a better you. It even has an alarm that can track your sleep cycles and wake you up during the ideal timeframe so you feel refreshed. Very cool.

Contigo Addison Water Bottle ($16.24) - I got this water bottle for Dan for Christmas, and I'm a little jealous I didn't get myself one too. It has a pop-up straw spout which is perfect for someone like me who manages to spill almost every time a drink doesn't involve a straw. A 3-pack of these water bottles is currently on sale at Costco for $15, so I'm hoping to grab them this weekend.

Baggu Small Zipper Bags ($8 for 3-pack) - The different sizes here would be perfect for all the little things I need to corral in my bag. One for face wash, deodorant and moisturizer, one for my glasses, and the smallest for my jewelry that I don't want to wear while working out. And, they're nylon, so any toiletry spills would be contained and easily cleaned up.

Inspire for Women Yurbuds ($29.99) - I've always had an issue with headphones not staying in my apparently small ears, and while I did find a pair about a year ago that I love and stay in better than the standard shape, that unfortunately was not the case once I was moving at a more rapid pace last night. These are supposedly perfect for women and working out, and the nylon cord helps them to not tangle.

Gaiam Everything Fits Gym Bag ($48) - The one actual necessity on this list - the perfect gym bag! This bag gets rave reviews across the board, and my favorite feature is the separate mesh pocket for your smelly gym shoes. I haven't gone ahead and purchased this yet because I'm not totally sold that I need something quite this size considering I am obviously very new to this whole working out thing, but the same brand also offers a smaller and simpler designed Metro gym bag for $20 that I'll go for if I decide against the larger one. Either way, I'm excited to get my hands on one of these bags soon!

If I had a Million Dollars: Christmas Wish List... #2

Dear Sneaky Jesus,
Here's some more ideas. Yay!

(Otherwise known as me online window shopping. Again.)

Fab Ikat Pillow $30  |  Hedgehog Measuring Cups $36  |  San Francisco Matches $5

Flying Pig Jewelry Bowl $9.95  |  Essie Beyond Cozy $8  |  Hello Pullover $35

Nick & Nora Jungle Jim Footie Pajamas (this is not a joke) $24.99

Mini Hot Air Popper $19.98  |  Minnetonka Kilty Suede Moc $41.95

Jonathan Adler My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living $34.95  |  Sweets Pedestal $24.95

If I had a Million Dollars: Christmas Wish List

We decided this year to try out a Secret Santa with the hubby's siblings and significant others, seeing as there's nine of us now and nobody is exactly rolling in money enough to buy gifts for everyone. Dan cleverly renamed our Secret Santa to "Sneaky Jesus", which I found absolutely hysterical for one reason or another. I like to think whoever ends up having to shop for me is kind of lucky in the sense that I pretty much want every single thing I ever see. Walk into a store, close your eyes and point, and chances are there's something I would like. It's a little ridiculous really. Either way, my Sneaky Jesus has it easy if you ask me. And to help whoever that might be (and the hubs, hint hint), I decided to put together a little wish list of sorts. Unfortunately there's not actually a whole lot of things on here under the $30 Sneaky Jesus price cap, but there's a few and I figure it's still a good indication that I'd be happy with most anything. Behold - my 2012 Christmas Wish List!

Oh My Chic Sweatshirt ($55) - This is adorable. And would look perfect with these.

Printed Backup Phone Battery ($39.50) - I cannot tell you the number of times my phone battery percentage creeps down to single digits throughout the day. I blame my addiction to Instagram. Imagine all the extra time I can spend liking photos with this extra battery!

Gold Athena Tray ($45) - This bad boy is all over the blogosphere, and I'm in love. I'm pretty sure it's the one thing missing from my living room.

Kate Spade Jewelbar Stud Earrings ($38) - I have a gorgeous gold Kate Spade necklace that the bestie got me for my bridal shower, and it bugs me that I don't have gold earrings to wear it with. These are also gorgeous in just about every color under the sun.

Lacquer Jewelry Box ($49) - I don't have a whole lot of jewelry, but what I do have is all over the place. Let's wrangle it all in to one pretty box, shall we?

Gold Chevron & Confetti Paper Placemats ($25) - I could see myself encountering great anxiety trying to choose between these two patterns. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to anyone that knows me well.

Kate Spade 2013 Desktop Spiral Calendar ($38) - I've decided that 2013 is the year I will finally meticulously organize my entire life. Twenty bucks says Dan is going to roll his eyes at this news (hi honey, love you!)

Gold Sequin Sherpa Lined Slippers ($16 at Old Navy) - I can't find these online anymore, but I am really hoping they're still in store.

Limited Edition Birchbox Home ($58) - Getting my Birchbox every month usually makes me squeal, and I adore opening up the little box and unwrapping my samples to see what I got. This limited edition home box looks nothing short of amazing, and I'm already imagining all the fun parties and crafts I could use everything in the box for.

Kate Spade Card Case ($58) - What? I love Kate Spade, ok? I also love the idea of a fancy pants little case to carry my business cards around in. You know, for when I need one to drop in the fishbowl at Chipotle to try and win a free lunch. (PS - I've seen these cases in all kinds of colors at the outlet for half this price, and have no idea why I haven't just bought one yet).

DKNY Be Delicious ($45) - My current bottle is almost gone. Probably because it smells so delicious. Hehe.