Christmas Gifts for the Workaholic

Since Christmas shopping is fully under way and if you’re like me you haven’t started yet, I thought I’d suggest a few gift ideas for that one person we all have in our lives- the workaholic. She’s a type A and wants to get ahead in life but never seems to stop and smell the roses. I know this girl because I am this girl! After working in offices on and off throughout college, I know exactly what I like to have on my desk at work and I’m sharing it with you!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Desk lamp- I’m not the only one who hates fluorescent lights! When I’m sitting at my desk, I like to turn the overhead lights off and just work with a desk lamp; it’s easier on the eyes.

Cute paper clips- Maybe I’m the only one that notices, but how boring are silver paper clips? These adorable bow shaped ones from Kate Spade are quite an upgrade!

Laptop cover- My Macbook and I have been going to work together since I bought it. A great cover not only protects it but also makes it look nice.

Quality pens and pencils- Most offices provide the basics, but sometimes you want something a little fancier. A pack of pens or pencils with a chic pattern on them are always appreciated!

Passport holder- If the workaholic travels a lot, a passport holder is a stylish way to carry your necessary documents. This leather one from Fossil is a great gift choice for the world-traveler.

Letter holder- I have so many papers that pile up on my desk that I need a way to organize them. This hedgehog does that and looks cute at the same time.

Ballet flats- Every girl has them and needs more. When you live in a city, you put a lot of wear and tear on these beloved shoes. We can always use more!

Travel mug- Easy to use at your desk and walking around the office. The simplest gifts are sometimes the best!

Heating and massage pad- Every office building I’ve ever worked in has always been freezing cold. I got smart one day and brought in a heating pad to lay across my lap to stay warm. A friend of mine was even smarter and found one that goes behind your back and will massage it. This is probably my favorite gift on this list!

Letter/iPad pouch- I’ve seen these all over Instagram and they’re really handy for keeping iPads in! Added bonus- it’s pink.

If you have Christmas gift ideas for the workaholic, leave a comment! Also, check out my article published on XOJane.com about my Disney College Program experience!

 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Season is Here!

It’s the beginning of September and that means the beginning of Pumpkin Spice Latte season! In traditional white girl fashion, I’m counting down the days until my barista calls out “tall Pumpkin Spice for Liz!” Those words are just music to my ears.

In anticipation for this event, I’ve put together a little inspiration. My boyfriend thinks I’ve gone pumpkin crazy but my fellow latte-lovers will understand the hype. I just love this time of year! Ever since I was a kid, my mom decorated our house so beautifully for this season. It’s one of my favorite memories. Coincidentally, my color palette is of the Autumn variety, meaning I look best in colors with rich, deep tones like burnt orange, emerald green, or brick red.

I took it upon myself to find a couple cute pumpkin spice things to buy for the season. Better yet, they match everything in my fall wardrobe! You’re going to see how ridiculous I am when you scroll down to see what I’m talking about.

These two mugs are absolutely adorable! I found them on Etsy and their shops are linked in the photos. If you’ve found more adorable mugs like these or anything pumpkin spice related, let me know in a comment below!

7 Things to Find Cheap at TJ Maxx

In my never ending conquest to find good deals on things I love, places like TJ Maxx have caught my attention and of course, my wallet. I’ve found a ridiculous amount of good stuff at these stores that I would have otherwise bought at Target for twice the price. While I am a Target snob, there are some things I just refuse to pay so much money for. I guess you could say I’m a Target snob on a Walmart budget. Believe me, I hate it too. So here’s 7 things that you can find at TJ Maxx for a portion of the regular price.

• Makeup remover– I don’t put a lot of soaps and cleansers on my face because it breaks me out. Instead, I use makeup remover towelettes. I used to buy them at Target for around $5 for 40 of them. I recently found that I can buy a supply of 90 for between $4 and $5.
• Nail polish– I love nail polish a little too much. Every time my mom turns around I have a new color on and I’m trying to convince her to let me do her nails. I was waiting in the checkout line one day and noticed a bunch of Essie and OPI polishes sitting on a little rack. It just so happened that instead of paying retail prices of $8.99 these were $3.99!
• Snack foods– Last week I found a bag of Boom Chicka Pop for $2.99. At Target they retail for around $5. You can also find things like organic potato chips, granola, dried fruit, coffee, biscotti, and even spices for low prices.
• Coffee mugs– Anyone who knows me realizes that I have a slight obsession with cute coffee mugs. I live for them. Most of my coffee mugs have come from TJ Maxx and were under $4. I’ve also found great travel mugs and these amazing food containers called Sistema for half the retail price.
• Kitchen gadgets– Have you ever found an avocado container? I did and it was really cool! I browse the kitchen aisle like there’s no tomorrow. I never buy anything because this girl can’t cook. However, if you’re looking to stock your new kitchen you’ll more than likely find everything you could want here.
• Gift bags– I refuse to pay $3.99 for a stupid gift bag. That could have been a Starbucks coffee for me. TJ Maxx usually has a lot of gift bags to choose from for almost every occasion at a much lower price. There are some days that I’m tempted to buy a bag just because it’s cute to look at.
• Notecards– Stationary has always been something I liked to stockpile. Not only does it make for adorable letters to send, it also looks great for Instagram photos. Don’t I just think ahead?

Tell me what your best TJ Maxx find was in a comment! I’m excited to hear!

Summer’s Over Celebration

Happy Friday loves! It’s been such a long week for me full of ups and downs but I wanted to share with you something pretty and creative to make you smile. Since summer is coming to a close, now is the perfect time to throw a little backyard party celebrating the end of the season. The best part is, all the summer stuff is on clearance!

For a summer gathering, you need splashes of color and little vintage touches. I love hydrangeas during this season. Especially white ones because they go with everything. I go to my local grocery store and can find a fairly large bouquet for about $15. They make the best centerpieces for a table! To add a vintage touch, use a wire basket to put them in during the party. Obviously, they can’t live without water for very long so keep them in a vase before guests arrive.

A really nice vintage touch to your tableware is drinks served in mason jars. I know, how Pinterest of me, right? Normally, I hate mason jars for events (especially weddings) but for little BBQs or outdoor things, I think it works. Serve up a fruity drink in these classic containers!

I also love vibrant colors during the summer and I think that they should be a part of our table settings! At Kohl’s, all of their summer table linens are starting to hit the clearance racks. Now is the time to stock up for next year and get at least one use out of them sometime soon.

One of the things that I keep going back to in all of my posts is the great stuff I can find at TJ Maxx. It’s a place I will shop at no matter how wealthy I am. I find so many neat things at great prices there. Just like many other stores, a lot of their summer stuff is on clearance now too so go take advantage of it! Host a little party this weekend and create a beautiful table setting from the fun, quirky things you can find on clearance.

Tell me what your end-of-the-season traditions are!

Trending: Marble Accessories

Happy Tuesday loves. Yesterday was hectic, which is why you didn’t hear much from me. I’m going away for a few weeks so I’m trying to get everything done and be on top of my game for when I’m out of town. Who knew it would be so difficult? You don’t realize how complicated your life is until you try to take some time away from it. Come to think of it, can you really ever take time away from life? I’m busy holding down a full time job while I search for another one because my contract ends in November. Job hunting is a full time job in and of itself! Enough about my little life, let’s talk about my latest love: marble.

 Not only are our homes being decked out in marble accents, so is the jewelry we wear. I’m seeing it more and more than I expected. I knew marble counter tops were trending, but I never guessed jewelry would try to get in on the trend. Not sure if I’ll be getting in on this trend or not. I’m certainly on board when it comes to counter tops though. Call me crazy, but there’s nothing I dislike more than the granite counter top trend that’s been going on for the last 8 years or so. What started out as a luxury has become generic. Marble is timeless and something we should embrace more of in the design of our homes.

Since we all don’t have the money to go out and replace our counters on a whim, there are a few things that we can add to our kitchens that are much cheaper and still achieve the marble look. The first thing on my shopping list is a marble cutting board. I’ve seen these at TJ Maxx many times for about $30 and they look really nice! Cake stands are another pretty thing to have sitting in your kitchen. I’m dying to get my hands on a marble vase to put peonies in too!

Another really beautiful thing that goes well with marble is accents of gold! Even if it’s just a faux gold finish, the look of it is so elegant. There’s honestly nothing I love more when it comes to kitchen design. It’s also a classic and can’t be dated to one specific time period. Anyone who’s ever walked into a kitchen that hasn’t been redesigned since the 1970s knows how tacky it looks now. Classics are classics for a reason. Embrace marble and gold!