Holiday Gift Guide: for the kiddos

We've found something for all your favorite munchkins this holiday season.

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1. Fiat 500 Car | 2. Quilted Knit Jacket | 3. Organic Cotton Leggings | 4. Urbanears Headphones | 5. Mollusk Skateboard | 6. Sequin Hangers | 7. Knit Raccoon Hat | 8. OUCH Bandaids | 9. Kids Ray Ban's Wayfarers | 10. My First Smartphone | 11. Big Top Set | 12. Teepee

Holiday Gift Guide: the host

For the host or hostess this holiday season.

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1. Sphere Ice Molds | 2. Threshold Mirrored Jewelry Box | 3. Champagne Flutes | 4. Jonathan Adler Zebra Dish | 5. Cheese Boards | 6. Cheese Knives | 7. Scoppio Sphere on a Stand | 8. Whiskey Decanter | 9. Diptyque Candle Set

Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Fill those stockings with our picks for everyone on your list!

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1. Zed Ski Goggles | 2. Emi Jay Hair Ties | 3. Light Up the Room candle | 4. Burger Bomb Sauce | 5. Corkcicle Wine Chiller | 6. Pop Fizz Clink iPhone Case | 7. iBeats Headphones | 8. iPhone Backup Battery | 9. Bacon Money Clip | 10. Stanley Thermoses | 11. Moroccanoil Treatment | 12. Golf Balls | 13. Friends Pivot Mug | 14. JO Malone Lip Conditioner | 15. Chevron Coasters | 16. Zoe Studs | 17. Depuffing Eye Mask

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $50

Here are our picks for the perfect present under $50.

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1. Tough Guy Handkerchief Set | 2. Cashmere Penguin Gloves | 3. Made in Brooklyn T-shirt | 4. Naked Basics Palette | 5. Armitage Ring | 6. BKR Bottle | 7. Stag Head Wall Sculpture | 8. The British Scarf | 9. Jonathan Adler Universal Smart Phone Dock | 10. Dog Ceramic Plate | 11. iHome Mini Wireless Speaker | 12. Chanel Collections & Creations | 13. Toms Classic Slip Ons

Holiday Gift Guide: Under $25

Looking for that perfect little something to finish off your gift list.  This week we're featuring budget friendly gift guides at Under $25, Under $50, and stocking stuffers.  You'll find suggestions for all your gifting needs from the office secret Santa or what to gift your husband's nephew.  Happy shopping!

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1. Bare Minerals Gold Cap Collection | 2. Tangle Teezer | 3. Metallic Ikat Cosmetic Bag  | 4. Philosophy Pink Almond Lip Balm | 5. Glitter Belt | 6. The Beer Deck | 7. Anchor The Call Mug | 8. Beer Growler | 9.  Mac & Cheese Cookbook | 10. Happy Socks | 11. Address Embosser | 12. Succulent Kit | 13. Mr & Mrs Holiday Glasses | 14. Golden Monogram Mug | 15. Kate Spade Idiom Pencils 

Holiday Gift Guides: the foodie

We've found the perfect little something for the foodie in your life.  

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1. Glass Infused Dispenser | 2. The Sriracha Cookbook | 3. OXO Food Scale | 4. Take Note Chalkboard Nested Ramekins | 5. Breville One-Touch Tea Maker | 6. Dean & Deluca Spice Rack

Birthday Wish List

Hello December!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend spent with loved ones and full bellies.  December is here and we are officially in the middle of holiday season, which is my favorite time of year.  Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, my Birthday, and New Years, there are so many festive and memorable moments that make these 6 weeks what I look forward to all year long.  With my birthday only 25 days away, but hey who's counting, I put together a few beauties I've had my eye on.  Happy Monday!

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Caruso Salon Pro Curlers | Burberry Check Cashmere Scarf | Folle de Joie Perfume | Glitter Minaudiere | Gold Sparkler Set | Mango Pleated Tulle Skirt | DoirShow Extase Mascara | Madewell Transport Tote | Kate Spade 2014 Agenda | Blowtique Gift Certificate

Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

Check off the gift list of every man in your life. From the hipster to music lover to car enthusiast we've got you covered!

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1. 50 Cars to Drive | 2. Prospector Co. Beard Oil | 3. Crosley Stereo 3- Speed Turntable | 4. Fair Isle Shawl Cardigan  | 5. E. Homes Laptop Case | 6. UGG Hat & Scarf Box Set | 7. BillyKirk Travel Kit | 8. Mackinaw Wool Throw Blanket | 9. Guitar Pick Punch

Holiday Gift Guide: Give the Gift of Beauty

Give the gift of beauty this holiday season.  Whether it's under the tree or in her stocking these beauty finds are sure to get you on her nice list.

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1. Jo Malone English Pear Collection | 2. Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Eye Palette | 3. La Mer The Hand Treatment | 4.  Dior Lipstick in Diva Ruby Red | 5. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco Masque  | 6. Diorshow Extase Mascara | 7. Marc Jacobs Rollerball Trio Gift Set | 8. Fresh Ultimate Nourishing Honey Mask | 9.  Tom Ford Nail Lacquer

Gifting :: DIY Housewarming Jar

I love all the adorable housewarming jars out there.  So when my cousin moved to the city with her Mister, I couldn't resist making them one.  I went to Home Goods, I should be upfront in saying that I have an addiction to that store, and picked up everything I needed.  I included: kitchen towels, a wood spatula, dirty or clean dishwasher magnet, cupcake liners, paper straws, cheers cocktail napkins, an egg timer, a lovely smelling candle, and Meyer's All Purpose cleaner.  Oh and for all the fun 'new house' things I picked up,  I also included a roll of toilet paper, because everyone needs the essentials.  And to tie it together I found this adorable glass jar with a chalk label.  I love the way it looked put together. 

The wooden spatula didn't quite fit, so I  used double sided tape to secure to the outside.  I liked the way this looked so much better. 

A close up of the jar's contents. 

Gifting :: Welcome to Chicago Foodie Inspired Basket

The Mister's cousin and family are moving to Chicago and we wanted to get them a little something to look forward to.  As foodies, they're excited for all the great eats Chitown has to offer.  So I put together a little preview for them.  The label featured the city of Chicago flag and the phonetical spelling of Chicago (ski-KAW-go).

 I included a six pack of 312, a Vosges Haut-Chocolat sampler pack, Frontera salsa, bread from Little Goat Bread Co, and doughnuts from the Doughnut Vault.

Other things you could include in a Chicago foodie gift basket: Garrett's popcorn, Wrigley gum, Frango mints, or frozen deep dish from UNO Pizzeria.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother's day is around the corner.  And if you're still in need of a gift,  we have the perfect something for the special momma in your life.

1.  Blackboard Garden Labels for the mom with the green thumb
2. Kate Spade Mom Always Said Idiom Bangle for the mom with great advice
3. Botanical Journal for the thoughtful mom
4. Sandalwood candle for the mom that likes to indulge
5. Monogram necklace for the trendy mom
6. Liquid Freud for the mom with a sense of laughter
7. Apron Set for the mom that loves to cook

Gifting :: Survival Kits for the Bachelorette & Bride-to-be

With wedding season quickly approaching, bridal showers and bachelorette party planning is in full swing.  Since I wasn't able to make it to a few bridal shower and bachelorette parties with the arrival of the little Man, I threw together a few survival kits for the brides to be.   If you're looking for any of these cards you can find them over at our Etsy store.

The bride-to-be kit included a Red Bull, Vodka, Advil, Band Aids, Evian Facial Mist, Wisps, deodorant, and of course chocolate, and lots of it.  

Baby Week :: Preggo & New Parent's Gift Basket Ideas

I was on the receiving end of some incredibly sweet and thoughtful 'congrats your eggo is preggo' gifts this year.  So I couldn't wait to return the favor for our friends that happen to get pregnant this year as well.  Here are some of the pregnancy gift baskets I pulled together for the preggos in my life.

For the first time mom who has had her share of morning sickness:

~ Saltines & Sprite to help keep the nausea at bay

~ Preggo Magazine for some light reading

~ Tums because heartburn is every pregnant woman's friend

~ Palmer's Cocoa Butter for those dreaded stretch marks

 For the second time mom:
~ Something sweet & salty for those cravings
~ Flip flops for her swollen feet
~ Nail polish, at least her toes will look cute even if she can't see them
~ Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Momma Body Wash & loofah, great for nausea and a boost of energy
~ Earth Mama Angel Baby Tea Sampler from nausea to heartburn and third trimester wellness

 For the mom that just gave birth:
~ Something cute for their new bundle of joy
~ Grooming: Face wipes & Hair ties because taking care of herself takes a backseat to the new arrival
~ For her lady parts: Witch Hazel medicated pads & Tucks cooling pads, for the party in the front and the back.
~ Keep Calm and Mother On sign now available on our Etsy store: rivernorthLove

For your neighbor & new parent:
~ Baby Shampoo & Lotion
~ Diaper Rash Cream
~ Baby Wipes
~ Saline Drops & Nasal Aspirator
~ Pacifier (not pictured)

Something cute for the mom and dad-to-be:

Other great ideas you could include:

~ Pregnancy Journal

~ Stretch Mark Oils: Bio-Oil, Noodle & Boo Elasticity Oil, Earth Mama Angel Baby Stretch Oil

~ Lotions: Mama Bee Belly Butter

~ Maternity clothing such as tanks (try Old Navy, Target, H&M, & Asos)

~ Pampering gifts: A prenatal massage, a mani & pedi, LUSH bath bombs, the Snoogle Body Pillow

~ Funny pregnancy books: Belly Laughs, Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay.  We annotated a copy of Belly Laughs for our newest mommy-to-be, it'll be something we can pass around and write notes to one another as the rest of us become mommies.  And it's nice to know someone else out there went through the same thing.

~ Pregnancy workout dvds: Tracy Anderson's The Pregnancy Project

~ And of course anything the momma-to-be is craving

Baby Week: Registry Guide

Anyone who's ever been to a baby store can tell you how overwhelming it is to figure out what to register for.  I remember going to a Babies R' Us during my first trimester and making it all of 10 feet in the store before beelining it for the exit.  It's true that there's a lot of stuff that your baby will need, but it's also true that you can get away with just the basics.  I searched high and low for a complete list of someones registry with no luck, for some reason I was desperate to know what other parents had registered for.  Thus, today I'm sharing with you the complete list of items we registered for (with the exception of clothing, you'll have your own preferences, but I listed the basics).  Also we registered at Amazon & Galt Baby, if I were to consider registering elsewhere I would have also registered at Target or a baby specialty store (Babies R' Us or Buy Buy Baby).  And I would have used MyRegistry.com, it's perfect for multiple registries located on one site, and you could registre for items such as custom bedding from Etsy.   

I found this checklist by Giggle to be hugely helpful as a guide that I later customized to our specific needs.  Also if you're looking for a good review of basic baby products look no further than Luci's List.  And as always your friends and family are great resources, for product recommendations and gently used items.  My last bit of advice, would be to check out major purchases (like your stroller, car seat, crib).  The sales staff at most baby specialty stores are incredibly knowledgeable and being able to actually test out the products will make you more confident when registering.  As a bonus, some stores have certified staff members to show you how to properly install your car seat, so you don't have to make an appointment to do so at your local fire department. 

BATHING: California Baby Everyday Lotion | Boon Naked Collapsible Tub | Organic Cotton Washcloths | Whale Bath Spout Cover | Aden & Anais Terry Hooded Towel | Noodle & Boo Care Kit

BEDDING: Hudson Baby Organic Receiving Blanket | Dwellstudio Stroller Blanket | Sweet Jojo Designs Fitted Crib Sheet | Aden & Anais Bamboo Swaddle Blanket | Cotton SwaddleMe Blanket | Miracle Blanket

AROUND TOWN: Baby Jogger City Mini GT Stroller | Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat | Car Seat Adapter | Diono Ultra Car Seat Mat | UV Shade |  Car Mirror | Cart Cover | Baby Bjorn Miracle Baby Carrier | Baby K'tan Baby Carrier

GEAR: Land of Nod Crib (gifted) |  Tiny Love 3 in 1 Rocker Napper | Graco Pack 'N Play Playard |Tiny Love Gymini Move and Play Activity Gym | Sophie the Giraffe

FEEDING:  Medela Freestyle Breast Pump |  Madella Quick Clean Wipes | My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow | Disposable Breast Pads | Organic Nursing Pads | Motherlove Nipple Cream | Pashmama Nursing Cover |  Playtex Fridge-to-Go Bottle Holder | Microwave Sterilizer | Sterilizer Bags | Milk Storage Organizer | Dishwasher Basket | Boon Grass Drying Rack | Bottle Brush & Nipple Cleaner | Born Free Bottles | Born Free Nipples | Breast Milk Alcohol Test Kit

APPAREL: Aden & Anais Burpy Bib | Kimono Shirts | Footed Pants | Socks | Long sleeved Onesies | Hats | Onesies

DIAPERING: Seventh Generation Baby Wipes | Boudreaux Butt Paste | Changing Pad | Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag | Changing Pad & Cover | Diaper Genie

BABY CARE: Nasal Aspirator | Nail Clippers | Humidifier | Thermometer | Gripe Water | Pacifier

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Budget Friendly

We love these fabulous cheap thrills, under $50 for yourself, your girlfriends, or sisters this Valentine's Day.  Even better, some of these gifts give a little something back.

Philosophy Why Hunger To Believe Shampoo & Shower Gel | Chloe Small Stud Earrings |  Ban.do Mini Hearts | Personalized Pencils | Clarin's FEED 10Kit | Laura Mercier Rose Hope Lip Glace |  Mini Baking Cups | XOXO Print | Stripped Canister

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Romance her (or yourself) with blush and gold this Valentine's Day.  From gold trinkets, to luxurious pieces, to that little something extra, we've got you covered this Valentine's Day.



{Kiss Slowly Poster | Equipment Silk Robe | Love Poems by Pablo Neruda | JCrew Heart Bracelet | MAC Making Pretty Iridescent Powder | Floral Milk Bath Salts | Furbish Love Paperweight | Marc by Marc Jacobs Love Edge Stud Earrings | Anthropologie Crystalline Bubbles Perfume Bottle | Elie Saab 'Le Parfum'}



Push Present

I love the idea of a push present.  Not because you need something extravagant for having a baby, although some would say that putting your body through 10 months of pregnancy and labor are reason enough.  It would be nice to have something that reminds you this very special day.  Here are some great options because not everyone has a couple grand to dish out on diamonds  and with a baby on the way it might not be the best use of your disposable income.  

Initial necklace | Lulu Frost code rings for the baby's due date | Cartier Love bracelet |

Charm bracelet | Birthstone jewelry | Diamond band

And although dad's don't actually do any of the pregnancy or labor part, they are still partly responsible for that beautiful crying and pooping bundle of joy in your arms.  Some ideas for dad's gifts include: a vacation, an iPad, a watch with your baby's birthday engraved on it, or just some old fashioned alone time (no baby, no wife).

Gifting :: Nautical Hostess Gifts

As a follow up to the lovely nautical themed baby shower our friends and family threw us, today I'm sharing the hostess gifts I gifted them.  I wanted to get the ladies something useful and cute that wouldn't break the bank.  I decided to do a play on words and go with a "hope your shower is as fabulous as mine" theme.  Each lady received a bottle of champagne (because what bath/shower wouldn't be complete without it), and some of my favorite LUSH products: their bath bombs, and a tub of their limited edition Charity Pot.  On a side note, I love that LUSH uses all natural ingredients and that their products smell amazing, but what I love even more is when all of the proceeds go towards a charity.  To tie it all together, I used rope to make figure 8 sailing knots and attached them to the front of the cards.  And to keep with the nautical theme I used pretty red and white stripped packaging and blue tissue.