Thoughtful Gifts for the Hard to Buy For

I'd already written up a gift guide for hard to buy for moms, then realized, my ideas are actually helpful for everyone. I just happen to have a HTBF mother (my dad is the total opposite), so I have a couple of decades of figuring out what to buy for her under my belt. Not that the road hasn't been paved with last minute dvds and random tchotchkes,  but I think I've come a long way as a gifter. So here in time for Black Friday, are my tips for gift giving, for the hard to buy for in your life.

1. Just ask them what they want. Yes, this is glaringly obvious. No, I don't mean it at all in a smart assy way. I realize that sometimes, we so want to surprise loved ones with spectacular gifts, that we overwhelm ourselves trying to find the perfect one. Then, we wind up scrambling last minute and wind up with something that may not be anywhere near what we'd intended. So, instead of trying to be sly, just ask. If you want to surprise them (and who doesn't, really?) discuss it in a way that is less like trying to suss out info, and more like a general conversation. Something like "I've always wanted the Charmkins windmill, but ebay is ridiculous. How about you?" 
2. Set up a family wishlist. This is especially helpful for families with younger kids/teens at home, or families who do a name/gift exchange. Amazon is a great option for general wishlists (you can even organize items by how badly you want them), and if you hate being out and about during the holiday season, you can shop right from home. Elfster is a secret Santa organizer site that is simple to use and can be linked to your Facebook account. You simply invite family/friends to the exchange, they answer anonymously asked questions and/or fill out a wishlist, names are drawn and gifts exchanged. It's Secret Santa without the hassle.
3. Answer these questions- What do they hate to do, what do they love to do, what have they always wanted to try? My mother's lone request all these years has been for a clean house. There are several reasons why that never happens (she refuses to do it herself, chief among them.) So I say, if you want to know what a person truly wants, answer these three questions. Delving further into things, knowing what they value most- services, experiences, or things- is also key. So if your mother hates cleaning, is always complaining about it, pay for a maid service. If she is unwilling to allow strangers into her home, volunteer to do it yourself (and actually DO it, don't say you will then reneg because you're broke. Or cheap.) If someone is interested in developing a skill, experiencing a once in a lifetime event, or just would like a weekend away (if your budget allows), figure that thing out and make it happen. This one also allows for time spent with loved ones- which is important to many, and free.
4. Let gift cards supplement, not supply. I am a fan of gift cards. As someone who has never been good at on command wish listing (and who is prone to whims), they take the headache out of things. But they can be boring, and I have heard a few people complain that it's no fun to buy them. With that in mind, I say let a gift card add to the overall gift, and not be the entire gift. If your sister hangs out at the library, figure out her favorite authors or genres, buy her a book- and tuck in a B&N or Starbucks card. If your brother loves cooking outdoors, get him a cast iron cookware set and a card for Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's or Lowes. If your parents never make time for themselves, buy them an outfit and add a certificate to their favorite restaurant. You can still give gift cards, but putting a little more thought into a gift is always appreciated.
5. Give of yourself. This one kind of ties into #3, but with a more DIY angle. If you are a talented photographer, graphic designer, knitter, baker, put those skills to use! If you are good with editing and design software and know a couple of new parents, design a birth announcement, print it on heavy card stock and have it framed (I've done a couple using Picasa, and I've seen others on Etsy.) If you are handy with a camera, take a family portrait or offer to photograph your nieces, nephews, cats-in-law, etc. Cook a gourmet meal, offer to babysit, wherever you see a need you could fill, offer to do that, and do it.
6. DIY Gift baskets. No matter what you could offer to do for some people, there will always be those that prefer things over all. This is ok! There's a reason gift sets abound during the holidays. They are easy. Many have brand recognition. And some have hefty price tags. If you have many to buy for on a limited budget, try buying mini sets and breaking them up. Stores like Bath and Body Works, and many cosmetics brands offer these kinds of sets every year. If you have several teen girls to buy for (or even older women! as long as they like health and beauty products, this will please), buy several sets or travel sized products, a cosmetics bag (Wal Mart and Target have many affordable and stylish options), and round it out with little things like small candles, chocolates (or other candies) and nail polish. You could even do a more specific set, such as a pampering routine, mani-pedis, skincare, hair styling. I suppose girls can be easy to buy for :) If you have more guys to gift, movies, video games, gadget accessories (who isn't always looking for a charger cord?!), and even grooming kits are good ideas. My assumption is that you probably know the people you're buying for well enough to know what they are into. So if you have a brother, cousin or nephew who is more into cooking than power tools, get him a cookbook and some kitchen tools. And stuff em in a crockpot or a heavy-duty enameled cast iron pot that will last them forever. The options are pretty much endless here. 
7. Big Ticket Ideas. If your dad's dream has always been to restore an old car, but he never looks for one, get yourself online and look for one. Between Freecycle, Craigslist, and local classifieds, you might just luck up and find something that someone wants to get rid of cheap (or maybe free! My brother was once given a 1950 Ford car. You just never know unless you look!) If you have a big or even limitless budget, pay for a vacation for someone. If you know someone who is always doing for others and never takes "me time," pay for them a room for a weekend. (Don't book it before you give it to them, unless you know their schedule backwards, forwards, and upside down. You wouldn't want to spend hundreds on a trip that can't be taken.) If you live near any hotel-casinos, and know your recipient will have no issue with the gambling, you can also provide a meal for them, perhaps a massage, room service, or gift card to an onsite store. If someone's idea of getting away from it all actually involves leaving everything behind, consider renting a cabin, or even a room in a b&b. If it's going to be in an area you're not that familiar with, be sure to research beforehand, and create a list of suggestions. Restaurants, historical sites, shops, theaters, museums, spas...base it on their interests, and schedule them a trip.

I hope you found this list helpful! It's not original information, but I think it's relevant and good info, and hopefully it gets your creative gifting juices flowing! Comment below your creative gift ideas!

DIY Brush Cleaner

If you're a makeup junkie, fan of beauty vloggers/bloggers, or anyone in between, you've no doubt heard of the Sigma brush cleaning glove. It looks like an oversized, silicone over mitt, with raised patterns on it, for washing/rinsing/refining your makeup brushes. It's a great idea, it's pretty cute, and the sucker actually works. Thing is, it's nearly $40. For a bumpy oven mitt.

Really?!

I've seen a few resourceful types find cheaper alternatives (some have actually been oven mitts), some making squiggles on plastic clipboards with hot glue. If I've realized two things during brush-clean-a-palooza, it's A) I'm a lemming and B) my brushes can be SO MUCH CLEANER!! And without the hefty price tag!

I loved what SecretLifeofaBioNerd did for hers, with the clipboard and glue gun. I have no glue gun, even less cash, but still managed to pull off a similar project with I think decent results. Instead of glue, I used puffy paint. Yup, good ol', relic of the '90s puffy paint. I know for a fact this stuff will hang on until/unless you practically take a chisel to it. My mom "personalized" some insulated cups for us for Christmas one year, and after many, many dishwasher trips, the big C on my cup is just as gobby-blobby as the day she did it. Plus, glitter. My puffy paint has glitter.

I do not own lots of brushes, and none are really that large, so the different areas for each pattern aren't that big. I just dabbed until it looked right. I did roughly follow, to the best of my abilities (puffy paint bottle and arthritis permitting), the patterns on the actual gloves. It's obviously not exactly like the original, but I'm ok with it. Plus, if there's an area that doesn't work that well, I can try again on the other side, or scrape off and start anew. The best part? This puppy didn't even cost $4 to make! (Including tax!) So, if you're pining for that silly mitt, but can't/don't want to shell out the bucks, try making your own! These clip boards come in several colors, and puffy paint in even more, so you're likely to get a combo you love. And on the super-cheap!

First Impression Review- Jordana Eyeliners

For a couple of months now, I've been hearing/reading about a brand called Jordana, that is apparently sold everywhere, and yet, nowhere. I've heard mostly good things, that their products are affordable and good (and not just "they're good...for affordable makeup.") So I've been on the hunt, and recently discovered that my local Walgreen's does, indeed, sell Jordana (I'd previously thought they don't; the section is just extremely tiny.) During my last trip there, I picked up a Twist and Shine balm stain (review is coming!) and two eyeliners. This is my review of those liners.

Liner one is the 12 HR Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner pencil in 04 Purple Fix. Initially, I thought it would be a close match to Urban Decay's Rockstar liner. It swatched pretty close, UD's has a bit of brown in it, whereas Jordana's is deep purple with sort of maroon-fuchsia shimmer. When I first swiped some on my wrist, I thought, "jackpot! Urban Decay competition for a whole $2.49!" When I applied it to my eye lids.... it was a bit of a letdown. It applied chunkily, some of it flaked off into my eye, and it just was not what I was hoping for. When I tried smudging it, it wouldn't budge. I think I waited too long to try to do that. It definitely is smudge-proof after it's set, so surely the 12 hour claim is not for the sake of marketing. It really is a gorgeous color, and I'm not giving up on it just yet, because I think it can be worked with. I think it would work really well with the shadows in the last Fun Palette.

The second liner is the retractable Easyliner in Sterling blue (which was a whole $1.39, thanks to a 60 cent savings from balance rewards.) It applied a bit smoother than the 12HR pencil, is a thinner line, and a beautiful peacock-y blue. It was a bit easier to smudge, but wore off in places when I tried to keep smudging it. It's not labeled as a long-wear type liner, so I didn't find that unusual. I think it would work great with purples, deep bronzes, and other shades you'd find on a peacock feather. Or even as a pop of color on a more neutral eye.

Pardon my crappy pic. Non-phone camera's charger cord is still m.i.a.

Current verdict, they seem to be pencils that have a slight learning curve. The colors are gorgeous, I just need to figure out how to get the best out of them. And for the price of either, I am definitely willing to find out how to best use them. Would I recommend them to a friend? Yes, but I would warn her/him that the 12HR may be a bit temperamental, work with it quickly, and one eye at a time.

**These products were purchased by me for personal use/review purposes.**

More Pacifica Love- Samples

I forget how long ago it was when Pacifica began offering samples of their most popular scents (not terribly long ago), but my goodness, I am so glad they do. You can buy one .1oz tin of the solid fragrance for $2. Which is not a lot of product, but it's more than enough to try out, get good and hooked on, and you get a tiny little tin with groovy little designs that you can use for other things once it's empty (pill tin, anyone?)

Best of all perhaps, you receive one free sample of your choice with any $25 order, and two with any $50 order. Or you can snag 5 for $12.95 (which includes shipping, U.S. only.) Honestly, I wouldn't even feel too sad about getting all 17 of them for $34 (which is not promoted on their site, I just sometimes like to prove I can do simple addition ;) ) and give these out as little thinking of you type gifts. It'd be kind of like being a Pacifica dealer, except it's not illegal or harmful, but completely addictive and great smelling! I'm already obsessed with Island Vanilla, and next on my list are Wakiki Pikake and Indian Coconut Nectar. And I want their candles and diffusers in every room of the house.

I'm not sure it's obvious, but I <3 nbsp="" p="" pacifica.="">
You can purchase the samples online at their website, but their regular line of products are also carried by Whole Foods, Ulta.com, Sephora.com (although their selection is lacking) and now, at Target and Target.com.

If you are similarly obsessed, comment below! :)

I am not affiliated with Pacifica, I just really love their stuff. 

Shop Happy

There are two good things about staying with my sister- one, I get to bond with my niece, Kaitlyn, whom I consider 1/3rd my child (as I have spent a lot of time with her. Nothing better than a grin from my little Reeves Mcadams!) Two is the shopping, as there are plenty more options to do so in her neck of the woods than mine. Mainly Ulta and TJ Maxx.

Last weekend, as a sort of late birthday celebration, but somehow still not really (I haven't figured it out yet, either), our mom and I were watching Kaitlyn as last minute sitters, and then going to eat and shop. If you're ever in Shreveport and don't mind casino buffets, I recommend the El Dorado buffet. So good. Plus, there;s a Swarovski Elements counter right outside the buffet, so come with enough money to buy a crystal-encrusted octopus or Hello Kitty. The Sunday brunch buffet is great, and this comes from someone who is not a big fan of breakfast foods. The fried fish is excellent, and they have enchiladas, which I didn't try but heard only good things about. I think I am going to insist Brian plan a trip for us there soon. I have dreams about that fish.

It took a near act of Congress to convince everyone to even drive to TJ Maxx, but it was worth it, as I found a purse, a laptop bag and a wallet (all by Betsey Johnson) for $80. If the "compare at _____" tags are correct, I saved $134 on everything. And there's an even larger BJ bag there I still want, and am debating snatching it up next time I go.

This trip did not involve Ulta, but I did find another Lampe Berger for my growing collection at a resale shop. It's a blue tassel-looking affair, in lovely shape, and didn't even cost $7. Next time I go to Beehive, I will be getting the oil to go in it. I love anything that makes the house smell....not like it currently does. I'm a big fan of Scentsy warmers and BBW Wallflowers, but seriously, catalytic fragrance lamps will fragrance your space quickly and effectively. If I keep finding them the way I have been, I'm on my way to needing a curio cabinet.

I hope next time I go to TJ Maxx, they have some BJ jewelry. I may have the taste of a high schooler, but hey, I know what I like!

Girly-stash, October 2012

I've found myself somewhat flush with cash this fall, so like any responsible human, I decided to save that shit like it was the last money on Earth give back to the economy by buying myself a few little things. Never feel guilty for treating yourself, people. Two bottles of Chanel's Peridot varnish? It's called stocking up! Buying five NYX jumbo eye crayons each trip to Ulta? What, they can be hard to find! Sometimes, going a little overboard isn't a bad thing. Just make sure you have money for gas, food, and houseplants (or glitter polish. Or whatever may be on your constant list of wants. I'm not bossy, swear ;) ) The following were found at Walgreen's:

 Sally Hansen's Complete  Salon Manicure line is being discontinued/reformulated, so those polishes are on sale pretty much all over. If you can find any, that is. The regular price of these was about $8. I paid $1.89 each for the two I got, shades "Angel Wings" and "Shall We Dance?" They are not my usual crazy glitters, far from it. SWD? is a pinky nude, and angel is opalescent white in the bottle, but shows up more iridescent pink on my nails. I really like them both. If you are a fan of nudes, you may be in luck, as those shades may be the only ones left in your area. Best part? On those two polishes alone, I saved $11.20. Not too shabby.

Still in the  Ms. Hansen section, I decided to give a new nail treatment a try. Hard as Wraps promises acrylic strength in 60 seconds. I am not so sure about this, as it seems acrylics would not fall prey to a steel wool scrub pad in a sink full of dishes, but I also fully admit, I am murder on my nails. I had been using Nail Life (sans formaldehyde) and it used to work well for me, but it tends to thicken about halfway through the bottle, and leaves a bubbled finish on. Never mind the fact that it peels like mad. So if HAW can outlast my obsessive hand washing, and not turn into a bottle of goo in a month, it may be my new go-to. Oh, and that's assuming it makes my nails longer and stronger.

In the travel section, I found a bottle of Clear scalp and hair therapy shampoo. I had never used it before, it smells ok, and was $1.99 for a 3oz bottle. I know these are about $5.99 full sized (about 120z),and when I did the math, the full sized is, per ounce, a better bargain, ringing in at roughly 50 cents/ounce. The travel size is 66 cents/ounce. Don't be like me and always assume a travel size is a bargain! I hate math, but I love saving my cash, so I promise to work on this :) As far as the shampoo itself goes, I like it so far. The smell is a weird, plastic-y, grape-y scent, but it doesn't linger.

Next is a Studio 35 Beauty brand travel touch-up brush set for $2.99. I've been looking for a set of eyeshadow brushes for a wee bit now, and as I could not shell out for the Eco tools set, I decided to get this one. The blush brush is too small for any sort of blushing, but I kinda like it for an all-over eye color brush. The smaller brushes aren't bad, and it also includes a lash/brow groomer, which I have been in desperate need of for some time now. So, while these are not super-awesome-professional quality brushes, they are at least as good as my travel size mark brushes I've been using for several years now. I do think the blush brush could have been better, though.

Lastly, Invigorating Apricot Scrub (store brand) was 99 cents, and seems ok, perhaps a little rougher than its brand-name counterpart of Swiss origin. I can't use it every day, but I do like it. I am an oily, sensitive gal, and if there is no exfoliation on my face, things go awry.

All in all, I'd say this was a good trip. I'm only sorry that I hadn't signed up for the rewards card before  today.