Counting Down the Days

via

I am anxiously awaiting Christmas this year and have found myself counting down the days like I did when I was eight. I have candy canes, hot chocolate and gift giving on my mind and cannot wait for the next week to fly by so I can start my long-awaited holiday at home. I have not been home for Christmas since 2010 and am so excited to see my family over this snowy holiday this year. 

I actually just began my Christmas shopping this past weekend and am still trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I have two down and the rest to go-- but shopping for others is always so much fun that I tend to drag out the process longer than necessary. Hopefully I can have everything purchased/ ordered before I head home early next week.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Black Friday

While Black Friday is still a week away, I have to admit, I am already planning out my day. Black Friday is my favorite holiday of the year. Sorry, Thanksgiving. I mean, a "holiday" dedicated to shopping and scoring great deals? What could be better? 

This year my Black Friday may be different than years past and I plan to do most of my shopping online. Helloooo Cyber Monday. Not to mention my birthday falls on Cyber Monday this year. Man, the shopping gods are really on my side lately.

Here is a look at a few gift ideas I am hoping to score this holiday season:

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

For the picky men in your life, you can never go wrong with a nice new wallet or a hat representing their favorite sports team. Last year, I bought my dad this Coach wallet and it was a big hit. I highly recommend nice leather goods for dads.

For your best friend, mom, aunt or other fab lady in your life, I picked out some of my very favorite things: Ashley Brooke Designs mugs are always on my must-buy list as well as my favorite Zara scarf, nail polish and sparkly ILY Couture earrings. Also, for those more into apparel, those Ugg slippers are so hard to take off. I bought a pair years ago and still have them to this day.

And for your tech friends, why not give a gift you know they will love-- an iPhone charger or a new camera lens. Something you surely can't go wrong with. Oh, and if all else fails, the social media flats above are bound to be a hit with all.