mini holiday gift guide: $10 and under

The holidays are upon us! No matter what you celebrate this time of year, we can all agree 'tis the season for many mini gifts. I've tried to put my greatest talent, online shopping, to use and searched the internets high and low for budget friendly gift ideas. I don't know if you all heard, but apparently the economy is not so great right now? Buzz kill? Fear not! Check out these great gifts for ladies and gentlemen alike, all $10 and under. Enjoy, xoxo!

1. Metallic Nail Polish, $6; 2. Baggu Reusable Bags, $6 -$8; 3. Rosebud Minted Lip Balm, $7; 4. Believe It Or Knot Earrings, $10; 5. Knit Pompom Beanie, $10.

1. Monthly/Weekly Scheduler, $10; 2. Instant Camera iPhone Decal, $6; 3. Jetfire Glider, $2; 4. Striped Sock Set, $7; 5. Monsieur Mustache Pint, $8.

(*special thanks to Miles for helping me get these photos put together)

current obsession:kurt vonnegut+random house book covers

I am definitely getting on the Kurt Vonnegut fan bus a little late in my life. I just started reading his books this year and found that I couldn't stop going back to Elliot Bay Books for more. I can't get enough. But I have a confession to make... I am totally judging his books by their covers. Yes yes, he is a brilliant writer and his books offer up so much to think about and reflect upon, so it goes and all that. The truth is I am in love with the new Vonnegut book covers Random House is redesigning. They had the brilliant idea to use his artwork on all of the new covers and they are so fun!

Is it bad that I want all of them, half because I want to read them and half because I want a pretty colorful bookshelf in my apartment? Here are some of my favorites, but you can see them all at randomhouse.com or better yet, pick some up at your favorite local bookstore!

(images via: barnesandnoble.com)

*ps. This mini post is for my good friend Marian. The ultimate (and best dressed) Vonnegut scholar.

getting away: smith rock

Since I am playing a little bit of catch up here, I thought I would share some photos from an amazing trip I took with Miles and some friends in October. Miles and I have taken up rock climbing in the last year (he is much better at it than I am) and some of our climber-type friends invited us to Smith Rock, a beautiful state park in Oregon's high desert. This was my first time climbing outside of the gym and on some real rocks, so I was a little nervous, but luckily I have amazing and patient friends that were along for the adventure with me.

Aside from Smith Rock being a rock climbing and hiking hot spot, it was incredibly beautiful. We lucked out with amazing weather and got to take in breathtaking views of the park and the surrounding rural towns. Maybe it's the holiday spirit creeping up on me, but looking through these photos reminded me of how thankful I am to live in the Northwest. So many beautiful places to visit that are just a short road trip away. Not to mention how thankful I am to have great people to share those trips with. Doesn't get much better than that, folks. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

add to cart: fall and winter favorites

Flash forward! Amazing how time flies when you are neglecting your 8 only most important blog followers. Here comes the part where I sincerely apologize to you, my loyal readers, for not posting anything on mmt for nearly a year. I'm so sorry!

To make up for it, I hope you will accept this small gift. My fall and winter faves! As always, I have filled my virtual cart to the brim with my favorite items for my favorite time of year. I love the cold weather and the layers of cute clothes and accessories that come along with it. Of course, that might be because the layers of cute clothes conveniently cover up other layers that tend to accumulate around this time of year. But that's neither here nor there. I hope you enjoy the fashion feast I have cooked up for you below. Eat your heart out!

Jill Coat $78. (via needsupply.com)

*The perfect vintage inspired coat. This one may need to get out of my cart and into my closet. Real soon.

Tristan Necklace $82. (via needsupply.com)

*This can be worn with just about anything. And just about everyone will compliment you on it :)

Llama Love Sweater $88. (via madewell.com)

*I should mention I am REALLY into sweaters with animals on them right now.

 PJ By Peter Jensen Animal Face Sweater $88. (via urbanoutfitters.com)

*I also should mention I really love bears. 

Alexander Wang Luca Boot $625. (via barneys.com)

*I feel like. I mean, I just really feel like I need these Alexander Wang boots.

Unisex Circle Scarf $28. (via americanapparel.com)

*I have wanted one of these scarfs for a while now because they are so versatile. I think this is the winter I finally make the purchase. So many colors to choose from! Maybe I should make the purchase a few times?

The Row Fessing Coat $2,900. (via barneys.com)

*I know what you're thinking. $2,900 for a coat?! Um, I love everything The Row does. So, totally worth it. On a totally unrelated note, does anybody have a spare $3,000 laying around?

 

The Row Burnt Orange and Black Leather Sunglasses $442. (via therow.com)

*Another favorite from The Row. Perfect for those crisp fall sunny days.

Butter London Rosie Lee Nail Lacquer $14. (via butterlondon.com)

*OK OK back to reality with something a little more affordable. My very sweet and lovely friend Amanda got this nail polish for me! No longer a part of my cart and a now a permanent favorite! You know I keep these nails nice.

weekend snapshots: christmas explosion!

I hope everyone (all 9 of you) had a great holiday! I spent my first Christmas in Seattle, away from my family this year. It was sad to be away from home, but I still had an awesome Christmas! Miles and I spent the day on Whidbey Island with his family, which was so much fun! And so relaxing. I'd forgotten what it was like to have a Christmas where I wasn't making arrangements to get a ride to the airport or making sure I can fit everything into one carry on. Here are some of my favorite mini snapshots from my yuletide weekend. I made a great Christmas memory in the northwest this year, and gained about five pounds in the process.

Still, I can't wait for the next time I land home...on the manure soaked turf of the central valley. Oh well, there's always next year.

oh and by the way...

done and done. 

photo credit: Mark Humphrey / AP Photo

current obsession: donna wilson's new winter catalog

(photos via donnawilson.com. )

I read about Donna Wilson last year and immediately added her to all my favorites lists, signed up to follow her blog Leaves and Twigs, bookmarked her online store and added her name to my Google Alerts. Her colorful, creative creatures are irresistibly cute. Everything from foxes, cats and peanuts. And I mean come on, Puddle Man? It's a man, with a puddle for a head... and I LOVE IT. She could invent a little poop creature and make it look adorable. The New York Times' T Magazine just did a great write up on Donna and she was just named Elle Decoration's 2010 British Designer of the Year!

Here are some new looks and two new creatures from her winter 2010/2011 catalog. I also picked out a few of my favorites, I love the Mog plate and Robin coushion! So cute! Oh my, I think I need to cut myself off now.