Showing posts with label Gift Guide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gift Guide. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

10 Milwaukee Holiday Gifts



{My Christmas shopping is just about done, but this is truly a first. I was often the lady running in the background of the 5 o'clock news piece on last minute shoppers at the mall. Luckily, I figured out that shopping locally affords you an extra week of procrastination. Hurrah! And it supports Milwaukee, which I'm down for. So here is my 2012 list for great Milwaukee purchases (including where to buy them). For more ideas check out the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Guides.}

- Janelle Gramling Pillow, from the Milwaukee based designer is $58 (see her Facebook page for a 20% off discount code).

- Hugh Bob and the Hustle's latest album is on my top 10 list this year- pick it up at the Exclusive Company or on iTunes, $10.

- Milwaukee Beer Soap, $5. Purchase at Groom, Outpost, The Brass Rooster, or Glorioso's.

- Plushzilla are just too cute. Find them on Etsy, Sparrow Collective, or ReThreads for $15-$25

- City Tins, $25, (aka my favorite gift to give) are sold out online but are still available at Outpost and the Public Market. Madison City Tins now available, too!

- Bolzano Meats has salami and other meats available at these these places. Or give the gift of a charcuterie class.

- An annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum ranges from $25 to &75 will never disappoint.

- Amerique 1912 Absinthe Rogue from Great Lakes Distillery is $35 and great for a hostess gift or for the cocktail buff.

- Koss Headphones, $79, look sharp but don't cost a fortune. Shop their outlet on Port Washington Rd.

- Milwaukee Lakefront bandana from HANmade is so lovely, $18. Purchase online or at Broadway Paper.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

5 Gifts for Nurses Week

photo: sho.com

This week is National Nurses Week. If you didn't know, that's OK. I'm a nurse and almost forgot. We're good at selfless acts of kindess, not self-recognition. So let's talk about what nurses do. If you watch Nurse Jackie, that's totally our lives - minus the drug addiction. We see people on their worst day, at the worst time of their life. I've used the pair of backup scrubs in my locker way too many times, but I've also left work knowing that no one left as sick and anxious as when they came in. It's a tough job but so rewarding. And that feeling is pretty good, but it's nice to be thanked, too. So here are some ideas on how to thank the nurses in your life.



1. Gourmet chocolate: The way to our hearts (and the top of our priority list) is not hard. You just have to bribe us with chocolate. Shown: Divine Dark Chocolate Bar

2. Fun watch: I own this exact watch and love it. It also distracts the kids just long enough so I can give them a shot. Multi-functional. Shown: La Mer Carpe Diem watch

3. Something pretty: Life in unisex scrubs is pretty unexciting. So something small and pretty like earrings, a handmade bracelet, or a necklace from the gift shop can add some much needed life to our look. Shown: A Merry Mishap pale blue geode earrings

4. Strong coffee: There is no such thing as a nurse who doesn't like coffee. I guarantee we all have coffee makers in the break room, but always run out of the secret stash of good coffee hidden beneath the no-name bulk ordered coffee. Good, strong coffee is a godsend. Shown: Stumptown Guatemalan coffee blend

5. Hand cream: I wash my hands at least 20 times a day; not because of the OCD, because of the job. Unfortunately, it wreaks havoc on my already dry skin. Hand Cream, moisturizing soaps, and lotions are perfect solutions for this problem. Shown: L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Go-to Baby Shower Gift Guide



I've been to quite a few baby showers this year. Last year it was 9 weddings. As a non-mom, I honestly didn't know where a baby store was or even what half of the stuff inside was. But after doing the rounds, I think baby shower gifts fit into three simple categories.....

The Long-Lasters
These are the sentimental gifts, things that will be around for years to come and not easily outgrown. I know newborn outfits are cute, but babies grow an inch a month for the six months. So maybe they'll fit into that $20 outfit for a day if you're quick. Choosing items like these are subject to the mom's taste and often knowledge of the gender, but fun fabrics and good quality can grow with a kid over the years.
Petit Collage Alphabet Animal Poster, $30-$50.
Organic Baby Quilt, $58.
Leah Duncan pillow, $38.

The Practical Pieces
Seasoned moms know all the new gadgets and tricks. I do not. However, these gifts have been big hits at the showers I have been to. These are the gifts you didn't even know existed but a new mom will love you for getting her. Like washable, waterproof zip bags for storing dirty duds while out or pee-pee teepees. Getting peed on is no laughing matter, people.
Pee-Tee Teepees $10.
Aden + Anais Burpy Bibs, $10 each.
Baggu Zip bags, $8-$12.

The Fun Stuff
Lastly, the toys. Personally, shopping for the toys is my favorite. Just remember that moms will appreciate the educational ones and cautiously approve the fuzzy, plush, painted ones. Safety and quality first. Imagine your dog with the toy. If you can imagine them tearing it up and eating the eyeballs in 5 minutes, it's not uber safe. That's my safety test, but reading the labels will help you too. Also, babies are tacticle and use basic motor skills so look for different textures and movement.
Vulli Sophie the Giraffe, $18.
Jelly Cat Puppy Tails Plush Book, $14.
Nesting Birds, $35.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wedding Update: The Wedding Wishlist

Everyone has asking if we're registered somewhere for the wedding. Honestly, we don't really need "extra stuff". We bought our house a couple years ago and have already purchased all the necessities. Our Italy honeymoon this summer will be a big trip so contributions or gifts toward the trip would be gratefully accepted, but if you feel the need to get us something tangible here are a few things we've picked out. I've always pictured wedding gifts as things that are kept and cherished for years, so I picked items that are practical and classic. I also threw in the items that we will probably purchase with monetary wedding gifts.


1. Silver Bowls: We entertain a lot and could use bowls or serving pieces for flowers, gifts, or Doritos when the dudes are over. I usally find these in antique stores or at flea markets. High Street Market may have them in stock for $30-$50.

2. Throws or blankets: This linen Brahms Mount throw is on sale at Anthropologie. I really like it! It's $100, but it will last a lifetime. Haptic Lab makes handmade quilts with embroidered city maps. Guest blankets or quilts would be nice, too.

3. Glasses or plates: These colorful tumblers or glasses are from Anthropologie at $8-$10 each. Pretty dessert plates would come in useful, too. Probably service for 10 or 12.

4. Coffe or Tea Time: We love our coffee and tea. We already have a french press and plenty of cups. This carafe is from Crate & Barrel for $35.

5. Anything Monogrammed: Stationery always comes in usefull. My new initials will be SJB or you could do mBs for Matt and Sara Beringer. Broadway paper or Cambria Cove have great stuff.

6. Napkins and Linens: For all that entertaining, I go through a lot of napkins. Our dining room is black and beige with golden yellow accents. Service for 10-12. Our table is 36x74 (extends to 98).

7. A New Dishwasher: Our dishwasher is very old, so if you give us cash, we will be putting it towards a new GE Cafe Series dishwasher to match the stove.

8. Beer glasses: We always have plenty of microbrews and belgian beers on hand. A set of nice beer glasses would be nice for entertaining or hanging out on the patio. Set of 6-8.

9. Home Improvement: These will come in handy for our house projects. Our house is very old and there are always projects to do. We need a new ceiling in my workout room and a new patio for the backyard.

10. Green Ford Fiesta: Matt is obsessed with this car. I find the color repulsive, but at least it gets good gas mileage.

11. Plants: I really, really want a Meyer lemon tree. I don't take care of the plants at our house, but I promise Matt will water and tend to whatever tree or plant you give us.

12. Home Depot gift cards: When in doubt, gift card it. We can use these for all of our home and garden projects this summer. Those Visa gift cards are a good gift, too. They're great for travel because you can register them so they're protected if stolen. They would be really nice while traveling through Italy!

13. Italy Honeymoon: We will be traveling through Italy on a Vespa in July for our honeymoon. We've picked a route and a few must-see places like the Vatican, a cooking class, and Palermo, but the rest of the 2 weeks will be figured out as we go. That's why I didn't register on honeymoon.com or anything, because we don't know where we'll end up. We travel best when we pick a road and take what comes.

Monday, March 1, 2010

I like: Hangers by LilaFrances


Wouldn't these be great gifts: for a baby shower, a wedding shower (hint!), a graduation gift?

You can personalize them with a name, nickname, a date, class of '10, or a short saying.
Order them at LilaFrances on Etsy


On a sidenote: was anyone else annoyed/disappointed with the Bachelor finale tonight? Thought so.

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