Holiday Gift Guide for HIM

Holiday Gift Guide for HIM by deniselopatka featuring a water glasses set

1.  The Gourmet Sea Salt Sampler.  My hubby enjoys cooking and grilling and he absolutely lvoes trying new "rubs" or seasonings.  And salt?  Well let's just say there's a love affair going on.  No matter how much I salt our food, Matt always has to add a little extra.  So I think this sea salt sampler is the perfect gift for a guy like him.  I know he would love trying out the different flavors (as will Georgia and I!).  $19

2.  Speck IPhone Case.  Guys like minimal - at least my guy does.  I can promise you Matt doesn't want an IPhone case in any color other than black (unless it's Wake Forest gold), and he sincerely needs a case.  I'm leaning towards this one because he can throw a card or two along with a bit of cash in the back which makes it so easy.  Love this case for guys.  $27

3.  Man Can.  Truth be told, my hubby likes candles.  He's been known to light one while I'm not home when he's cleaning or getting stuff done.  He's a keeper I know.  But how cute manly are these candles?  I love them!  I think Matt will definitely end up with one or two of these under the tree.  I'm thinking he may even like one for his desk at work!  $10

4.  Jelly Beans.  These are my hubby's favorite for sure.  So whatever the man in your life loves to snack on, make sure some form of it winds up under the tree!  I'm thinking this 4 lb. jar should last Matt about a month ;).  $23

5.  BMW Luggage Expandable Toploader.  If your hubby travels at all for work this is the perfect gift.  I've been trying to find one for Matt because he has been traveling more lately.  I love that this one serves a  briefcase but can easily slide over the handle of your carry on luggage for ease in the airport.  $300

6.  Math Glasses.  These are so fun.  Matt is super smart.  And loves math and science.  And I just think it would be fun for all the men out there to take their bourbon in a glass with pi on it! $38

7.  Weber Smoker Box.  As I mentioned above, Matt loves grilling.  He's always wanted to try to smoke something and I love that this little smoke box let's your try it out on your own grill.  $22

And congrats to the winner of the Mimi's the Look Giveaway!  Results HERE!

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my first experience with Stitch Fix

wearing my favorite shirt from stitch fix.  holding my favorite girl.

Have yall heard of the ever-growing, personal shopping experience called Stitch Fix?  Well you should have!  Because it is ah-mazing.  See nowadays, I don't love shopping (my husband may disagree).  And I just don't have the time.  Try bringing a toddler into JCrew and see what happens.  Enter Stitch Fix.  The initial concept flagged my attention and some of my friends have tried (and loved) it so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  You sign up here, fill out a long and personal style questionnaire and your personal shopper does the rest!  You can even attach a link to your Pinterest Style board and leave personal comments (I requested a flannel shirt with some red in it and low and behold I got the softest, most comfy, absolutely perfect flannel shirt in my shipment!).  Another cool feature?  You attach price points to each categories (pants, tops, dresses, jewelry), so you won't receive a bunch of fabulous items that you can't afford.  The best part?  It's no strings attached.  You pay $20 to receive the shipment and if you don't like anything in the shipment, you mail it all back and all you forfeit is your 20 bucks.  But if you keep anything, your $20 goes towards the purchase of that item.  And even better, if you like everything you get 25% off of it all!  I spent $225 on my last shipment and kept everything.  I got a dress, a flannel shirt, jeans, a long cardigan and a black blouse.  I think I made out pretty great.  I also love the style cards sent with each piece offering various ways to style your items.  I kinda wanted to hug my personal shopper.  I know we would be friends in real life.  

So anyway, I think you should give it a shot!  Sign up HERE (I get a credit if you use my link!) and fill out your questionnaire and just wait.  Wait for Christmas to show up in your mailbox.  It's that good!

Stitch Fix

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Holiday Gift Guide for HER

holiday gift guide for HER by deniselopatka featuring cropped leggings

1.  Gabriella Backpack.  I mentioned in this post about my new love affair with backpacks.  They are chic and practical and I love everything about them.  I carry this backpack EVERYWHERE I go.  I use it on date nights with the hubs as my purse and when I'm running around with G as a diaper bag.  It's the perfect size and goes with everything.  $56

2. BKR Water Bottle.  I think these are the cutest water bottles.  I've heard great things about them and I'm ready to give em a whirl.  So the gloss colored bottle is on my wishlist.  $30

3. The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ.  This stuff smells heavenly and I've been wanting to add it to my regime for quite sometime.  Fingers crossed it's under the tree.  $20

4. The Perfect Lip Collection by Beauty Counter.  After I scrub my lips thanks to Sara Happ, I hope I get to moisterize, color and shine them with this colloection!  I absolutely love the nude lip color in this collection and this would make the perfect gift for you mom, sister, friend or wife!  $60

5. Hurley Crop Legging. I love these leggings!  I think they would be so cute at the gym (duh) but also just running errands if maybe the gym was just a nice thought (more likely).  $48

6. Luminous Skin Collection by Beauty Counter.  OK truthfully, this should be at the top.  I own this collection and let me just tell you that every women in your life NEEDS this scrub, oil and rosewater.  I like to take baths every Sunday and I'll use the scrub before I get out, following it with the oil all over.  A few spritzes of Rosewater Spray on my face and I honestly feel as though I'm leaving the spa.  The Rosewater spray is a constant in my life (I have on by my bed and one in my purse), and I love mixing a few drops of the oil (the rosemary and citrus scent is to die for!) with my lotion after my shower or baths.  And the scrub?  Anyone that has tried it is hooked.  It's that delicious.  $120 

7.  Rip Curl One Piece Rashguard.  I fell in love with the rashguard trend over the summer but never pulled the trigger.  But I'm glad I didn't because this rashguard/one piece is on my must have list please!  It's adorable and would be perfect for chasing a toddler around in the sand come summer.  $69.50

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$50 Giveaway to Mimi's the Look + Promo Code!

jeans  //  blouse (old) similiar  //  belt  //  backpack  //  earrings  //  sunglasses (similar)

Today I am giving away a $50 credit to the adorable boutique, Mimi's the Look.  If y'all haven't heard of Mimi's the Look, you're missing out - stylish clothes, jewelry and accessories at affordable prices.  Another perk?  They have weekly specials offering a $20 clothing special on Monday, $20 purse special on Wednesday and a $10 necklace special on Friday!  I have my eye on this maxi which is part of this week's specials and I'm also slightly in love with this dress.  I feel like you can dress it up or down easily. And I'm thinking a few of these monogram scarves are going to make it under my tree as gifts for some women in my family.  Oh and that bag in the outfit post above?  I'm obsessed.  I am so glad the backpack trend is back because it makes carrying a purse (that can also double as diaper bag!) so much easier, leaving my hands free for sippy cups and a toddler :).  I'm so in love with it I am asking for this backpack for Christmas too.  

So enough chatter and get to entering the giveaway!  Winner will be announced in one week.  And you don't have to wait to start shopping.  Use the code INSPIRED and receive 20% off your purchase while the giveaway runs.  I may pull the trigger on that backpack and some scarves with that code!

Happy Shopping and Good Luck!

Mimi's the Look 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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November Link Party + Life Lately

just hanging in my christmas PJ's and my daddy's hat

sissies

Hey yall!  Happy Monday!  I've been taking some time off from link-ups lately because things have been quite busy around here.  But I'm super excited about this one today with these fabulous ladies.  For today's link-up we are talking about frugal tips for the holidays.  I try really hard every year to be smart when it comes to holiday shopping.  Key word here: try.  I'm sure my hubby would vouch that I am not always successful at this, but I'm a work in progress ok?  This year, I'm really trying to be smart, though.  I absolutely love giving gifts.  I love the process of carefully selecting something that a loved one will adore, wrapping it so neatly and then watching them unwrap it.  It makes my heart sing.  But thoughtful, meaningful gifts don't have to cost a lot of money.  I've learned that over the years and this year here are three ways I'm going to be frugal!

1. Ebates.  Ok this is the best thing ever.  A friend told me about it and I had yet to give it a whirl until last week. You sign up with Ebates and when you shop online (basically ANYWHERE you can think of: Amazon, Sephora, JCrew, Target, Walmart, Gap, Piperlime, Belk, I mean the list is in the thousands), you go through Ebates to get to the site.  You shop as normal, check out and boom.  You get CASH BACK!  It's amazing.  You literally get a percent cash back for every purchase you make.  They can mail you a check or transfer it through your PayPal account.  To sign up go here.  It's amazing yall, and there's really no reason not to!

2. Planning.  I know this is a no brainer, but Matt and I really try to plan out our Christmas shopping so we don't end up buying everything in the same month/week.  That helps with budget as well.  If you haven't started planning yet, start today.  Make a list of all the people you will be buying for.  Then write some ideas down next to each name (and even a budget amount if you want!).  It helps, trust me.

3.  Remember that your loved ones love you more than the gift.  Ultimately Christmas is about Jesus, being with family and spending time with one another.  Don't let the hustle and bustle of the holidays drive you to forget that.  While your loved one may absolutely adore that gift you got them, I can bet you they love having you with them even more.  And if you can't physically "be" with all those you love most this year, schedule a special Skype session or face time with them.  That's what matters.  Not the present under the tree.

Have any frugal tips you want to share?  Link-up below!  And don't forget to check out all the other amazing posts.  **I'll be sharing my Holiday Gift Guides for everyone in the family starting next week so make sure to come back!

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up with Elizabeth, Tara, Britt, Sarah, Denise, Katie, Keri, and Becky for our Monthly Link Party

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i kindaaaaaa want bangs. and this pineapple lamp

a few weeks ago i got a little crazy at the hair salon and did a drastic ombre if-you-will.  darker on top and lighter on the bottom.  picture above (excuses the car selfie).  that was big time for me considering i rarely change ANYTHING about my hair.  see, here's the thing.  my hair routine was low-maintenance before having a baby.  i rarely used a blow drier (or any styling tool for that matter) and it was generally in a ponytail.  well now, after baby?  it's just sad y'all.  i did the mom chop last fall and went to shoulder-length and i'm considering that again.  but something about getting bangs is calling my name.  there is one thing holding me back though... the fact that i had bangs until the 8th grade.  yep.  i wish that was an exaggeration but it's not.  i basically came out of my mom's womb with bangs.  oh and middle school bangs?  let's just say there was a round brush and lots of hairspray involved.  so that's why i'm hesitant about bangs.  i see all these cool people rocking them and i love the look.  and frankly maybe bangs would make my everyday ponytail look a little more chic.  but i can't get 7th grade denise out of my mind ha.  but if i do decide to take the plunge, these are my inspirations below.  i mean rose byrne, i love you.  and your bangs.  (all photos found on my pinterest page)

and this pineapple lamp?  it's on my christmas/birthday wishlist that's for sure.  

found at zara

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halloween wrap-up 2014

As previously mentioned, my tiny baby lady dressed up as the cutest mouse there ever was.  Well her sissy, Sevilla, decided she wanted to be a giraffe.  And mom and dad had zebra and monkey ears respectively, although we haven't managed to get a family picture yet!  Shame I know.  By the time Matt got home Friday night it was off to "trick-or-treat", or in our case, walk the streets and wave "hi" to everyone.  And this weekend was spent recovering from a nasty cold that said tiny mouse passed on to mom and dad  We are all feeling much better, but man!  Cold and flu season is for the birds!  Oh and throw in daylight savings time?!!?  What was once my favorite Saturday night of fall (hello more sleep!) has quickly changed as I've realized tiny mice don't get the memo.  So it's been 6:15 wake ups for us over here (but I'm not complaining.  Judging by my Facebook feed, I may have it good compared to some of you mamas!  babies go back to sleep!)  I digress... well here are some pictures of the mouse and the giraffe.  Best of friends I swear.  And a family photo to come soon.

PS - the sweet Elizabeth of All Kinds of Things was kind enough to feature me on her blog last week.  Check it out here!

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