Fall Favorites (Under $40)

1. I just got this tote in the cognac and black and I love it. It's very similar to the Madewell Transport Tote, but a fraction of the cost because it's faux-leather. It's actually $48 but I wanted to slide it in here anyway. ;)

2. The perfect fall-into-winter scarf!

3. I love this denim shirt. Great for layering, or worn year round with pants, shorts, etc.

4. A cute tunic that I would probably pair with a long sweater and comfy leggings or jeans.

5. These are my go-to sunglasses. I love the large frames and tortoise shell print.

6. This fall is all about HATS! And this one is perfect.

7. I usually feel a little silly in knee-high boots (maybe because I'm pretty short), so ankle boots are my favorite thing to wear when the weather cools down a bit. This pair is too cute!

8. I really like this simple, striped tee. It's the perfect layering piece!

9. I've been on the hunt for the perfect red plaid shirt and I think this one might fit the bill. I'm into the slightly worn in feel and the mix of patterns. This one is under $40 with the 25% off promo going on right now.

10. Aren't these boots great?

Favorite Things: Gifts for a New Baby

Baby Henry. SO CUTE! 

I feel like there is a serious baby boom going on in my world right now! Is it the same in yours? And every time a friend or family member welcomes a new little one into the world, there's nothing better than giving a super thoughtful, super awesome gift. I'm all for following along with baby registries (I mean, washcloths and crib sheets are necessary), but I always like to add on something special, or maybe deviate all the way and surprise the new mama with some really neat items.

In the spirit of my new niece Lucy being born, I thought I would share my most favorite baby gifts from around the web!

First of all, have you heard of Little Hip Squeaks? Hands down my most beloved Etsy shop (or any shop really), and I can tell you from experience LHS items are the softest, best quality little baby things in the world. Seriously, get a load of those headbands! Amy, head Hip Squeak, is always coming up with new items and new prints, and this next season is so full of cuteness I can't even take it. I love making sets of leggings, hats or headbands, and a blanket (she sent Henry the cutest blankets ever!), or even just adding on a headband as a fun topper for a baby gift.

Secondly, Freshly Picked Moccasins.  We've tried all sorts of moccasins before tying out Freshly Picked and I can say that these are the best quality and the most comfortable of any of the many we've put on Henry's feet. I love that they're made by a fellow blogger and I also really love how even though they may be a bit pricier, they're such great pieces that can absolutely be passed down kid to kid, and really hold up! Henry has worn his gray and red pairs a million times in all sorts of weather, walked a million steps on all sorts of ground, and they still look great. Plus, have you seen the new spring colors Susan shared on Instagram? So perfect. We love Freshly Picked and appreciate them sending us some moccs to try out.

Another favorite shop is Gingiber, who I discovered when they became a sponsor of mine. I am absolutely in love with everything in their shop, but especially the adorable (and well-priced) pillows. She also has prints, calendars, wall decals, you name it. A total one stop shop for a new little one, and mama. I'm especially in love with this fox pillow.

Another fabulous go-to gift is the Mini Book of Names and Faces from Pinhole Press. We are HUGE fans of Pinhole in our house, and always love their high-quality, unique products. For Christmas they sent us calendars for all of the grandparents, and then we got this book for Abe and Lauren. It's SO cute and really simple to make using their website. You just upload the photos you want to use, and create a mini-board book. It's really the cutest idea!

Some other items I love: this personalized embroidery hoop, these milestone baby cards, and this adorable alphabet onesie from Hello Apparel!

I've also gotten Moms diaper cakes (check out these awesome ones at eDiaperCakes.com), and those have gone over so well! Adorable and functional- perfect for a new parent.

Do you have any go-to items for new babies? I'd love to discover some new, fun shops and items so feel free to share in the comments below!

xoxo

Perfect Albums

The other day I was talking with Shirley and her husband Nate when the topic of the "perfect album" came up. I'm sure we all have some of these in our lives- certain albums that we love from start to finish. No skipping songs, no getting tired of the beginning or end- just a perfect album with an ideal grouping of songs.

I love all kinds of music, but for some reason when Fall hits I always seem to get a little more nostalgic and listen my favorite records more than usual. Maybe it has something to do with that familiar feeling Autumn brings, or remembering going back to school in late August and September, but whatever it is I always seem to gravitate to the music I loved most in high school and college.

And as far as perfect albums, I have a few. Here are the four that came to my mind right away when thinking about it.

1. Jimmy Eat World's Clarity

I can still remember when I first heard this album. I was a freshman in college, dating a guy who was super into J.E.W. He played this album for me one night while we were hanging out and I fell in love with it upon first listen of the song "Table For Glasses." From there it was on my car's CD player and in my Discman (ha!) every single day on the way to class, and every night before I went to bed. I also have a vivid memory of driving home in a blizzard with Shirley, maybe sophomore year up in Flagstaff, listening to "Ten." I can still remember how quiet it was as we drove through all of that white, the music just barely in the background.

2. The Gaslight Anthem's Sink or Swim

This is probably my most favorite album of all time and it's another one of those bands I heard so much about but didn't listen to for one reason or another. One summer before my family and I left for our East Coast trip (I think it was 2007), Erin told me I just had to download some Gaslight Anthem to listen to while traveling.  She had been trying to get me to listen to them for a few months and always told me how much I would love them. From being from New Jersey like me, having meaningful lyrics chock full of literary and Springsteen references, and dreamy vocals, she said this would be my new favorite band. She was right. I downloaded Sink or Swim and turned it on once we got on the plane...and was enthralled for the entire six hours. And I still am today.

3. Jets to Brazil's Orange Rhyming Dictionary

I had been a Jawbreaker fan in high school and really liked them, but they weren't my absolute favorite. I did love Blake's voice though, so when they formed Jets To Brazil it was as if a tiny little musical wish of mine had been answered. When I first heard Orange Rhyming Dictionary I was also in college and hanging out a lot with an old friend of mine who shared similar musical interests. Our main group of choice was Sunny Day Real Estate (The Pink Album is forever a favorite) but when he put on "Sweet Avenue" one afternoon I was sold. That song remains as one of my all-time favorites but the entire album in particular is definitely one of my "perfect album" choices.

4. Modern Life is War's Witness

Oh, Modern Life is War. Such a good band, but this is really the only album from them that I love. It's perfect to me though, and from beginning to end it totally speaks to me. It reminds me of being younger and driving around with Hank- we both just related to this album so much during that time. I still listen to it now and again, and it never fails to make me feel a bit of happy-nostalgia, but at the same time it also makes me incredibly sad. Two years after it was released one of our best friends passed away and this was the album I listened to non-stop during that time. It's a little hard to listen to some days, but it's also therapeutic to me and I'm so appreciative I had it during that time.

Some other albums I love from beginning to end: Dr. Dre's 2001, Broadway Call's self-titled album, and Third Eye Blind's self-titled album.

How about you? I think it's fascinating to see what others call "perfect albums." Feel free to post about it in your blog (be sure to leave me a link so I can check it out), or share a list in the comments! xoxo