With New Year's around the corner, here a couple of style pieces and outfits for inspiration! 

 

         

                                              Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas

If your like most people and procrastinated on your holiday shopping this year, don't panic. We've got some simple and smart gift ideas that would be sure to make anyone happy. No one will know you almost forgot about them this year (haha).


                                                             1. Netflix, Hulu or Spotify subscription 

Everyone needs at least one of these! Just kidding, but seriously, if your family member or friend does not yet have at least a Netflix or Hulu account, please get them one and save their lives. They will greatly appreciate it.

Netflix: $47.94 for 6 months
Hulu Plus: $47.94 for 6 months
Spotify Premium: $59.94 for 6 months


                                                                         2. Charity Gift Card

Instead of giving someone a physical gift this year, it can be a great idea to donate to a cause in their name. If you're unsure about what cause they would want to donate in particular or are the most passionate about, you can now give charity gift cards. You can send them electronically and they can choose from a list of participating organizations. One great site I found was Charity Choice. They have gift cards available starting at $2.


                                          3. Candy, Popcorn, Cookie - or other Desert, Food Baskets

Not really sure what to get someone? Candy, popcorn, cookie or any other type of desert like food really, is one of those all-purpose gifts that can be given to adults or kids. You can never go wrong with sweets!

4. Coffee 

Coffee is always a pretty safe bet when shopping for that last-minute gift for someone (especially if you don't know them that well). There's varieties to choose from too which is great. You can give them coffee in whole bean or ground from, or even just a gift card to a great coffee place.

5 & 6. For Her: Bath & Body Works Lotions and Soaps & Clinique Chubby Sticks 

You really can't mess up getting a woman lotion. All women use it and would not mind it as a gift. I love Bath and Body Works becasue you can basically find a store anywhere, and they literally have any type of lotion and soap you can think of. They have candles too! Simple and good gift, trust me. 

Unless she absolutely hates make-up, any woman would be more than happy to get Clinique's chubby stick lip sticks. Purse worthy and safe for travel, their cute new little set comes with four pretty new colors. Clinique also makes eye shadow, lip stick and blush chubby sticks, among many other things.

                             Top 10 Books You Should Be Reading Now

In this list are 10 great works of fiction by great people speaking their minds. It had not occurred to me before to do a post about current books that are out or that i've recently read, considering I am a book nerd and have my nose in a book any chance I get. I promise I'll do more of these posts.

Since I did not want to copy the descriptions of these books from other critics, I did not write short blurbs about them; and plus I am also still reading a few. However, I do most of my book shopping online at Barnes & Noble or Amazon - they are the most relable and cheapest sites I have found for books. You can also read more about the books there. Here are the links:

Barnesandnoble.com 

Amazon.com


                                                                       1. Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? 

  By: Roz Chast 

2. The Unspeakable 

(currently reading now - definitely reccomend it) 

By: Meghan Daum 

3. Not That Kind of Girl 

(Also currently reading - so good, every girl needs to read it)

By: Lena Dunham

4. Redeployment 

By: Phil Klay 

5. Love, Nina

By: Nina Stibble 

6. All the Light We Cannot See

By: Anthony Doerr

7. The Paying Guests

By: Sarah Waters

8. What If? 

(Read a while back, very interesting. Will keep you wondering)

By: Randall Munroe

9. Nora Webster

By: Colm Toibin 

10. Big Little Lies

By: Liane Moriarty 

               

                                                     Under $100 Holiday Gift Guide 


                                                                             1. Big Ideas Notebook 

For the dreamer and the visionary - BIG IDEAS notebook is a beautiful place for genius thoughts and dreams. Available in a rich mauve colour with gold embossed design. $61

Link: http://www.sloanestationery.com/collections/wise-man-collection/products/big-ideas-notebook

2. Mini Camera Polaroid Cube

Perfect for the world traveler or the tech nerd. $99

Link: http://www.polaroidfotobar.com/products/Polaroid-Accessories-Gifts/Cameras-Film/3574/37717/Polaroid-Cube

4. Faux - Fur Coat

 

For the fashionista - perfect black and white shaggy faux fur coat for the winter. $100

Link: http://www.missguidedus.com/catalog/product/view/id/142185/s/katy-shaggy-faux-fur-coat-monochrome/category/1549/

5. Funky Gloves

In love with these leopard print gloves! $88

Link: http://guessbymarciano.guess.com/en/catalog/view/gmf200

6. Limited - Edition Makeup 

This creme color base is a new product from MAC. They range from a light veil to highly dramatic. $70

Link: http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/13745/33782/New-Collections/Prabal-Gurung/Face/Prabal-Gurung-Crme-Colour-Base/index.tmpl

7. Embellished Block Heels 

These cute & sparkly "Sugar Rush Heels" are perfect for any holiday party. $75.80

Link: http://us.asos.com/asos/asos-sugar-rush-heels/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4218877&SearchQuery=sugar+rush&pgesize=2&pge=1&totalstyles=2&gridsize=4&gridrow=1&gridcolumn=1&xr=1&mk=VOID&utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=LinkShare&utm_content=USNetwork.1&utm_campaign=QFGLnEolOWg&cvosrc=Affiliate.LinkShare.QFGLnEolOWg&link=15&promo=307314&source=linkshare&MID=35719&affid=2135&WT.tsrc=Affiliate&siteID=QFGLnEolOWg-D9JfdV6pCEAq.tgaoxHxUQ&r=3

8. Chunky Raglan Sweater 

The coziest sweater you'll own this winter. $98

Link: https://www.everlane.com/collections/womens-sweaters/products/womens-chunky-raglan-grey

                                                Creative Christmas Cookie Ideas 

Frosty's Melting Cookies 

With pretzel arms, candy buttons and fruit strip scarf all a-top a sugar cookie, what's not to love about this marshmellow head snowman cookie?! 

 Donut Snowmen 

Super easy and simple to create and gauranteed to wow your kids. All they take is three ingredients: powdered donuts, candy corn and melted chocolate. Thats it! 

Christmas Tree Cheesecake Pops

Another easy idea. You can either make your own cheese cake or buy your favorite one at the store. Cut the cheese cake up in slices, freeze them, dip them in chocolate or white chocolate, then decorate them as you wish. 

 Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies 

Just stick some mini chocolate covered pretzels and m&m's in warm, just-made peanut butter cookies and your all set to go! Easy and delicious. 

Santa Hat Brownie Bites  

Super cute and easy to make. Just top your mini brownie bites - home made or store bought - with vanilla or butter cream frosting. Use melted white chocolate to help the strawberry stick.