Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has a fun new years eve! Here are some Jan 2012 desktop calendars to start your year off!

Ice melting January Calendar

Blue January Calendar (above)

Great quote on this one: "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

Plain and Simple Black January Calendar

Say No UNiTE January Calendar

Gift Giving Guide: For Him

Guys can be hard to shop for. They either don't really care at all so it seems worthless to buy them any thing or they are so picky that its hard to please. I try really hard to find gifts that people will be excited about - so I thought I'd do a gift guide for the guys.

I'll start with the whiskey rocks idea. There are a few different types of these things out there. The whiskey rocks at petite alma are made of stone and small (3/4" each) and run $20 for a set of 9 and were my favorite of the ones I saw. This gift isn't for every guy -- I know my dad for instance makes his drinks stronger and counts on the ice to dilute the drink over time. But for some this could be perfect and fun. Maybe pair it with a nice bottle.

Keeping with a whiskey theme - check out Woodenville Whiskey Co - and their "Age Your Own" program. If you have a guy on your list that likes to brew beer - and might want to take it to the next step this is it. It's basically $150 for a kit and the barrel can be reused up to 5 times. I might have gone this route for my husband - but he still hasn't used the brew kit I bought him for Valentines Day.

Wallets and bill folds are another popular guy gift and The Fold from Leffot is my favorite. They have two sizes and seem so compact and well made. They are a bit on the pricey side ($95 for small and $120 for large) -- but worth it.

These Tank Cig Packs of some classic books - are the perfect size for a guys back pocket. They have a tin that has 6 packs of literature in the size of a pack of cigarettes. Or a few of them are available separately. I'd really be interested in what these look like in person - but the pictures online have definitely caught my eye.

So there is a start for the guy gifts. Hope that helped with some ideas!

Gift Giving Guide: 12 Days of Christmas on Etsy!

I love the treasuries over at etsy. They are fun to browse through and they are fun to put together. I thought I'd put one together based on the 12 Days of Christmas.

One item for each part of the song. It was fun looking for things... The Lords and Pipers were the hardest. And my two favorite items on this list are the adorable turtle dove earrings, the Keep Calm and Dance On poster and the Drum T-Shirt.

The Keep Calm Shop has a buy 3 get 1 free deal too. Worth checking out!

Gift Giving Guide: For the kiddos

Here's some items that would be great for the kiddos in your life. Big and small. First, this Star Wars Alarm Clock from Fred Flare.  I know some little kids and some grown-ups that would appreciate this one. By the way, I found these on Fred Flare - but they are more affordable on Amazon - so check there too. That's actually a good gift shopping rule - anytime you find something kind of pricey - check Amazon.com.

I'm sure a lot of you have heard of the Elf on the Shelf - but I just love this tradition. It's a book with a cute plush elf doll that is watching for good little girls and boys and supposedly comes to life every night and moves around the house. I just love it. The official website has some neat things too.

I can't help but share the Baby Buff Rattle. Something about a little one playing with this just makes me laugh. Maybe the picture has something to do with that -- but I had to enclude it here.

If you're looking to encourage your little girl to get active in sports (or dance / gymnastics) check out these Go Go Sports Girl Dolls. They seem to all be under $20 on Amazon... and its a great role model doll - especially if you have a little girl just starting to play some kid team sport or starting a dance or gymnastics class.

Another item I just love is this wooden smart phone teether. I love browsing thru etsy - as most of you know - so when I saw this I had to share it. Any iphone addict friends with kiddos will find this funny. And you can personalize it. It's only $17 - not bad for a personalized wood toy.Check out 3 Princesses Engraving for other wooden toys for the kids!

Gift Giving Guide: for her

If your looking for something for your friend or sister or cousin... or for my male readers maybe girlfriend or wife... here's some help. I love these state pride necklaces from Kris Nation.  They would be great for any friends that have moved away from a home state or place they grew up or went to school.

Another cute jewelry option? This spade ring from Kate Spade. It's cute and maybe it would bring good luck in the casinos!

For any animal lovers the dog bone studs from Emily Elizabeth Jewelry might be the way to go. They are $35 and 50% of the proceeds go to ASPCA - so they give back. I always love finding gifts that do some good as  well as make some one happy.

Not feeling the jewelry angle? Maybe try the beauty side of gifts.

Feet spa treatments are a favorite of mine so this kit looks like a good treat. It's only $20 - which seems like a good deal. I actually really love the gift choices at Uncommon Goods.

I'm a big fan of lavender - and thought these drawer liners from petite alma were gorgeous. Lavender is said to help with migraines (which I suffer from) and also help calm and sooth. It would be great to place one of these in your linen drawer - especially with pillowcases.