Tag Archives: Barnes and Noble

What I got for my Birthday

Quick disclaimer, I’m not bragging and this isn’t everything I was given either. Only what my husband and son gave me.

My birthday is my absolute favorite day of the year. I wait for it all year long and start thinking about what I’m going to wear and making a wishlist for my husband in August. I’m like a little kid when it comes to my birthday. So I decided I’d show you some of the things I got this year.

First from my son I got a Halloween themed Tumbler cup from Barnes and Noble

and an Alex & Ani Birthstone Bracelet.

I absolutely adore them both, and have already been using the cup non stop. And how lovely is the bracelet? I totally get the hype that youtube has been giving them. Thank you LeighannSays and Anna Saconne-Joly for talking about them because I’m in love.

From my Husband I got Pitch Perfect, which we picked up on my actual Birthday. I liked it, I’ll watch it again, because I adore Brittany Snow and Anna Kendrick, but I didn’t see get the insane amount of hype it got. I wish there had been more of Becca’s style of Acapella done by the Bellas.

A Body Spray from Victoria’s Secret in Pure Seduction. I adore their perfumes and body sprays and always have a least one if not a few in my collection.

He also got me a couple pairs of their Most Loved Yoga Leggings. These are probably the most accurately named thing I’ve ever bought, and I may or may not be planning an outfit post on how to make them work in public (the trick is to wear them like leggings). It’s terrible, but these have quickly become the only pants I want to wear ever.

and one of the Supermodel Essentials Hoodies.

I’ve expressed my love for Victoria’s Secret several times in the past. I just adore their pajamas and hoodies. For me they’re less about sexy underwear and more about cozy lounge wear. I’ll admit I was starting to feel to old for the V.S. Pink line, and thought Gilly Hicks might be a good replacement for them. And I do adore Gilly Hicks, and Aerie too, but I’ll always love the Victoria’s Secret stuff just a bit more. I don’t know why but I do. So I’m super happy that their Supermodels Essentials line is just as good as their Pink line is.

Here’s what the hoodie he picked out looks like on:

And Finally Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham. Which I am insanely excited about. I adore Lauren Graham and have seen nearly everything she’s ever been in. I still watch Gilmore Girls, despite the fact that I have nearly the entire series committed to memory.

I did get some other very lovely gifts from my family that I haven’t gotten a chance to photograph, but I am still very grateful for everything I’ve received.

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My Birthday Is Coming

Or Buy Me Something!

My Birthday is less than 2 months away, and it is seriously my favorite time of the year. Since it’s my favorite, I’m already planning what I want to do. We never really do anything to big for my birthday, it’s always dinner out with just the family and presents. I’m gonna be completely honest, presents are my favorite part. Since I’ve been sick all week, I’ve been laying on the couch making these on Polyvore. Most of them I haven’t published, but I liked these two enough to share.

I’ve already got my outfit picked out, and of course I don’t actually have any of this stuff. It’s inspired by Emma Stone, because she’s my latest style obsession.

It’s the absolute perfect casual easy going outfit. Classic, Chic and Comfortable, and it’s all things I should have in my wardrobe and don’t. Which since it’s all classic pieces it gives me the perfect excuse to buy them. First up is this Gap Boyfriend Oxford Shirt, I have been meaning to buy a white button down forever, but keep putting it off. Then are these jeans from H&M, these look absolutely perfect and comfortable. I think the best part is that they’re midrise and dark wash with no rips or tears in them. Then there’s Tom’s. I’ve never really been a big fan of how the shoes look, but they’ve started to grow on me, bonus they’re one of those buy and do good things. I actually plan on buying myself a pair for my birthday. Then the accessories for the outfit, I’m kinda in love with all of them. There are these Ampersand Earrings from Kate Spade, this Monogram S necklace from Nadri, these amazing Drifter Sunnies from Madewell and my absolute favorite this Twelfth St. By Cynthia Vincent Shopper. I adore this bag. I’m not really one for handbags, but this one is gorgeous.

Continuing with the theme of My Birthday Is Coming Soon(ish), I’ve also put together a wishlist collage.

Birthday wishlist by fashionandhappythings featuring lilly pulitzer

It’s not a very long list this year, but I adore each and everyone of these items on my list. You’ll notice that the accessories that were in my outfit post above are all on this wishlist. I’ll start with the Jewelry, There’s the Say Yes Ampersand Earrings from Kate Spade, the Monogram S necklace from Nadri and also this Monogram bracelet from Alex and Ani. I’d also really like a nice pair of Sunglasses and while I’d love a pair from Warby Parker, I think they’re a bit expensive for this year, so these Drifter Suglasses from Madewell in tortoiseshell are a great alternative. Then I really love this iPhone Case from Lilly Pulitzer, and this brush set from Real Techniques. A Barnes and Noble Gift Card is always welcome. I am of course a shoe addict and since I’ve worn out my Floral H&M shoes, I was thinking it’s time to graduate to Keds. I really love these Kate Spade for Keds, but then again these Paw Print Taylor Swift for Keds have had a special place in my heart ever since we brought Howl home. We have a tie for my most wanted item this year, and that’s between a Keurig and the Twelfth St. Shopper by Cynthia Vincent. I adore both of them and would be absolutely ecstatic with either one.

Birthday wishlist by fashionandhappythings featuring handcrafted earrings

Birthday Outfit by fashionandhappythings featuring twelfth street by cynthia vincent

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Sometimes things sneak up on you, Valentines Day is one week away, have you gotten a present for your sweetie yet? If not its cool, I have plenty of ideas for you.

First of all if you can’t get to the store then your best friend is speedy shipping. If you’ve got Amazon Prime which is free two day shipping, or Zappos VIP which is free one day shipping then you’ve got it made. You can just order your sweeties gift and call it a day. However, if you don’t have either of those services then you need to come up with something else.

If you completely blanked on the day and didn’t make a reservation for anywhere then I recommend your own version of a fancy dinner. Set up a picnic in your living room. Whether you make the simplest of finger foods or you’re talented in the kitchen doesn’t matter. What does matter is the effort you put into the ambiance. Lay a nice fresh from the dryer throw blanket out toss on some throw pillows and light the room with frameless candles. I’d add in one scented actual candle in your loves favorite scent. If you’re stopping here then for the present you could add in either a gift basket of their favorite treats, or a gift certificate out to dinner together.

You could easily do the above date as is, or if you share a love of music, then play your favorite music and for the gift, a gift certificate for your favorite music shop or iTunes would be sweet. But if you go the gift card route then you need to go one step up, and also add a note saying you’ll make a day of it together.

If you’re huge movie fans then picking up a new movie you’ve wanted to see or an old favorite the two of you know line by line is perfect. It doesn’t have to be romantic, the TV universe’s coolest couple, Marshall and Lily from How I Met Your Mother, watch Predator every Valentines Day. If you choose a new movie then wrap it up and give it to them as the gift at the beginning of the night. If its an old favorite, then they probably own it, so that won’t work unless its a special edition. In that case a movie shopping date or Theater gift certificate that covers both of you is especially sweet.

If you’ve made reservations then skip all of the above and go straight to the gift certificate bit. A gift certificate will work for whatever your love is into. A Sephora card for the makeup obsessed, Michael’s if they’re an artiste. If they’re into fixing up their car then a gift card to Advance Auto, if they’re the sort of person whose house is covered in books the Barnes and Noble or even better their favorite indie shop or if you know they’re saving for something specific then you can give then a gift card to save for that. The most important thing to making the gift card work is a promise of your time to go with. That way it’s less “Hey I forgot” and more ” I want to spend more time with you”.

Valentines Day is for showing your love you care, and taking the time to show them that. Whether your plans are low key, or crazy extravagant doesn’t matter, all that matters is finding a way to be together.

Since we’re planning on all out celebrating Valentines at a later date so we dont have to deal with prix fixe menus and crowds, I’m hoping to spend my night curled up on the couch with candy watching Perks Of Being A Wallflower with my husband. ( Hint, hint: it comes out on the 12th, honey).

Valentines Day Gift Guide For Him

I promised a gift guide for him for the upcoming Valentines Day. I had a bit of input from my husband on this one.

First up if you’ve got a bit of cash you can spend and he didn’t get one for Christmas an iPad is a pretty sweet gift. They can be a bit pricey though so on the less expensive end of the spectrum I recommend a Nook HD or a Kindle Fire.

If he’s already got one or he’s one of those rare technophobes then you could go with the always classic guy gift a book. Which book you buy depends on what he’s into though. A big seller right now would be The Hobbit, because it’s out in Theaters and since it’s in 3 parts he might be a bit impatient to see how it ends. If he’s a big reader though he’s probably already read it though, so you could go with something off the best seller list, or a humorous book such as the Ask a Ninja book or the Monster Hunter’s Handbook. Those last two are iffy and not very romantic.

A more romantic gift would be a cologne, and I’m definitely recommending Spicebomb by Viktor and Rolf. It’s the companion fragrance to Flowerbomb, and like Flowerbomb it smells absolutely amazing. If he’s not into Spicebomb, then I recommend Burberry Brit for Men, it’s another personal favorite of mine and if you haven’t then I recommend you go smell it, immediately.

Tickets to a future show it a pretty sweet gift, or if you’re the sort of couple that prefers nights in, then I suggest a “Movie Night In” kit complete with a snuggly blanket, popcorn, and a movie, my husband recommends Kill Bill, but my favorite Tarantino movie is Pulp Fiction.

A skincare set is always nice and you can go for the Core Collection from Jack Black or a classic brush shaving kit from The Art Of Shaving. You may think he wouldn’t use it or he’s already settled into a routine, but you’d be surprised how many men are willing to try something new, and better shaving cream really does make a difference. I bought my husband the Surpreme Clean Shaving Cream in the Jet Set Traveler Kit from Jack Black a while a go and a tube lasts him nearly a year and he says he prefers it to drugstore shaving creams “by far, it’s a whole other level”.

If you’re looking for something simpler, or you haven’t been dating long a nice sweater, or quirky tee from his favorite brand is a good idea because he’ll think of you every time he pulls it on, and whenever someone asks him where he got it. ThinkGeek has some great quirky tees and if you’re looking for a good sweater I’d hit up Macy’s or Nordstrom.

Or you can follow the old proverb “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” and give him an IOU to take him out to his favorite place on you, or if you’re handy in the kitchen you could whip up his favorite meal or dessert for him.

Finally if you’re short on cash or none of these ideas are hitting the spot an Itunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble or ThinkGeek gift card is a great option. It lets him know that you’re thinking of him, but wanted to make sure he could get exactly what he wanted, or if you know for certain he really wanted the new “so and so” album then you can mention that in a note on the Itunes or Amazon card to let him know this wasn’t just a last ditch effort gift. Awhile ago I bought my husband a Barnes and Noble Gift Card so he could pick out his own nook case because I just couldn’t decide.

Bonus Note this is my 100th blog post and I’m quite proud of myself for keeping up with it. For awhile I was really bad about posting consistently but I think Blogmas cured me of that. Now if I go more than 4 days without posting I feel like I’m being neglectful.

Valentines Day Gift Guide for Her

I don’t know about you, Readers, but I am very excited for Valentines Day. Now I’m not one of those girls that didn’t used to be but then I got a boyfriend, girlfriend, beard or what have you, I’ve always loved Valentines Day and it’s pink and red and glitter, heart shaped, wrapped in parcel paper tied with string and lace doilies -ness.

As I’ve said in my last few posts I love, love. Now if you haven’t been clicking that link in each of my posts it leads to Inches and Falling by the Format which is one of my all time favorite songs, so go give that a listen.

A big part of Valentines day is wondering what to get your loved one, I did a post on that last year, so of course I’m going to do one for this year.

Consider this a cross between a gift guide and a wishlist post. I have a variety of things I’m interested in this year so it’ll be spanning that.

I like cozy things so I think either one of these Wildfox Baggy Beach Jumpers would be perfect. First is their now iconic Sparkle Heart, or there’s the You’ve Met Your Match, which I think is just adorable and just perfect if you’re a more established couple. The Sparkle Heart Jumper does tend to loose it’s sparkles, which is another reason I love the You’ve Met Your Match one, no glitter means no shedding.

Also on the cozy front is this Arctic Pop Windcheater from Superdry. It’s still winter where I live, so a snuggly coat, accompanied by a romantic walk through the park, or maybe a hike if your sportier than I am sounds like an adorable gift to me. I love that this one is pink and black, but if pink’s not her color don’t worry, Superdry has their windcheaters in multiple colors.

Also on the warm, dry and cozy front a pair of Hunter Rainboots with wellie socks are always a lovely gift, because as you know I’m completely obsessed with them. Hunter’s come in a multitude of colors and styles but the ones I’m currently in love with are the Original Short Gloss Rain Boot in Pillar Box Red.

If you’re looking for a more classic gift than I think Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf is a lovely luxurious gift. It smells amazing and I haven’t met many people that don’t love it. It’s even mentioned in If My Heart Was A House by Owl City.

Or if your looking for an equally lovely perfume that isn’t as costly Taylor Swift’s Wonderstruck (which I have and adore) or her newest Enchanted Wonderstruck, both are lovely and more reasonable priced.

For your more fashion loving bookworm there’s My Favorite Dress by Gity Monsef, Samantha Erin Safer, Robert De Niet, which is a pretty coffee table book about the emotional attachement to dresses women have.

If she’s a big tea or coffee drinker then a tin of her favorite blend and a nice mug from Anthropologie are a great personal but inexpensive gift.

If you haven’t been dating long, or are looking for something to go with the classic chocolate and flowers then gift cards are great. If you don’t know where she normally shops, some good general ones are Itunes, Amazon, Zappos or Barnes and Noble.

Well that’s all the ideas I have for now, but I‘ll be back tomorrow with a for him guide after talking to my husband for some more ideas.