Gift Guide: Under $50.

After creating the Under $20 holiday gift guide last night, I decided to toss another one together, for under $50. Why? A few years ago, my brother + set a $50 limit for gifts, so I wanted to get him one big present, plus one or two small things to unwrap. I figured some of you might be doing the same, so I figured I'd add some more. Again, some of these items have coupon codes [which I have added for you] + some offer free shipping as well.

1. Everyday IPA Beer Making Kit $39.95 If you know a beer snob, but feel like giving them bottles of beer is kinda tacky, give them a kit to make their own brews! It'll be fun to create, plus, they can proudly serve their own beer to friends. Who knows, they might even start home brewing on the regular, thanks to you!

2. Minnetoka Kilty Suede Moccasin $39.95 Instead of getting the ladies in your life slippers that won't ever see the light of day, get them a quality pair of moccasins. Not only can they wear them around the house to keep their feet warm, they can wear them out + about year round! Instead of tan or brown, try a pair in teal, wine, or mustard.

3. Leah Reena Goren Black Cat iPhone Case $35 This cute case comes in three sizes: 3G/3GS, 4/4S + 5, which is a plus - its so hard to find cute cases in all three sizes. If you're not a cat person, check out the other cases Goren has designed - you're bound to find one you like.

4. Star Wars Severed Wampa Arm Ice Scraper $24.99 If you know a Star Wars fan that has to deal with snow, this is a must have. Not only does it look awesome, but it'll keep your arm + hand warm while you do it. If you've ever had to use an ice scraper when you've forgotten to grab gloves, this will be a lifesaver. 

5. Hello (Adult) Red Champ Pullover $50 on sale for $35, plus save an extra 20% with the coupon code HAPPY This unisex sweatshirt is super soft + comfy. If you're snagging this for a gal pal, order a size down, as the sizes are listed in mens. If you want it super oversized, order a size up. I usually take a small in these, but ordered a large. Its like a mini sweater dress on me + I love it. I can't wait til they launch new designs - I'll have an order placed in a heartbeat!

6. Gold Buttercup Silk Fabric Belt $42 $31.50 with coupon code HOLIDAY Dress up a black dress or your favorite pair of jeans with this belt. This statement piece can be paired with neutral shades or bold tones, whatever you're in the mood for.

7. The Corkboard Map, $45 33.75 with rep code ShortGirlLongIsland This corkboard is great for offices, classrooms + bedrooms. The board is self adhesive + comes with sixteen map pins.

8. bkr Reusable Water Bottle $28 Fact: drinking water out of fancy bottles makes it more fun to drink. Plus, you're saving the earth + some cash by shunning plastic bottles that can leach chemicals [yum]. If you're not a fan of the color of the silicone screen on the bottle pictured, Spirit Beauty Lounge carries bkr bottles in fourteen different colors.

9. Cards Against Humanity $25 WARNING: this game is not for children. With that said, this is probably one of the funniest games I have ever come across. Its similar to Apples to Apples, but Cards Against Humanity blows A2A out of the water. You might want to pick up some Depends, cause there is a good chance you'll pee your pants laughing.

10. Building Block Tie Tack $44.99 Jazz up ties with this sterling silver LEGO-looking tie tack. If you spend more than $45 at Perpetual Kid, use the coupon code PKFUN to save $5.

11. The Dark Knight Trilogy $52.99 on sale for $27.96 Snag this Blu-Ray set for the Batman fan in your life, you can't go wrong for this price! If you are sans Blu-Ray, don't fret - you can snag the trilogy on DVD for $17.96.

Gift Guide: Under $20.

Tis the season for giving! In order to stay within budget [especially for Secret Santa, holiday blog swaps + stocking stuffers], I rounded up a few of my favorite items that are under $20 + created a fancy little gift guide. Many of these items include free shipping + some have coupon codes, which means even more moolah saved!

1. Pixelated 8-Bit Sunglasses $2.20 - $2.38 These shades will amuse gamers of all ages, especially those who remember the days of old school Nintendo.  

2. LEGO Lord of the Rings - Gandalf Arrives $12.99 With The Hobbit release this month, this is a great gift for those who love the "precious."

3. I'm So Broke T-Shirt $20 [20% off with coupon code HAPPY] This super comfy shirt is wallet-friendly + unisex [order one size smaller for the ladies]. Great for anyone who is paying off those pesky student loans, a struggling artist, or that cute Barista at Starbucks who is constantly complaining that "the man" is keeping them down.

4. Literary Notecard Set $12.50 These notecards are fantastic for bookworms + appreciators of snail mail. Also make excellent gifts for teachers!

5. Filigree Victorian Earrings $22 $16.50 [use code HOLIDAY to snag these for $16.50] Every gal should own a pair of nice chandelier earrings + this pair fits the bill. Plus, they gift wrap all items for free. One less thing you have to do = the best gift you can give yourself.

6. Essie Nail Polish Cube - Winter Collection $17 You can give these all as one gift, or split them up for your gal pals presents + keep one for yourself. Includes the colors Leading Lady, Where's My Chauffeur?, Snap Happy + Beyond Cozy.

7. Lake Champlain Organic Chocolate Truffles $11.50 Five assorted truffles for your loved ones with a sweet tooth. They're also organic, which takes the guilt out of stuffing your face with confections.

8. Haribo Christmas Mix Gummi Candies $11.99 You may have had Haribo gummy products before, but unless you've had the real German ones, you have never truly experienced Haribo [trust me on this one, I grew up as a child eating the real thing - my mom's friend used to bring them home to us + they were the best things on the planet]. German Deli has the Haribo hookup.

9. Starbucks x Rodarte Double Wall Ceramic Traveler $12.95 Fashion house Rodarte teamed up with Starbucks to create this pixellated madness. They also made cute totes + sleeves for your cups, which are also under $20. Check to see if your local Starbucks has this in stock before your order, you'll save a few bucks on shipping. I have this cup + love it - keeps drinks hot + doesn't leak. Pick one up for yourself while you're there.

10. Beatles All You Need is Love Lunchbox $13.99 Perfect gift for Beatlemaniacs. If they don't use it to tote their lunch back + forth to work or class, its sure to sit on their shelf + be a conversation piece.

11. The American Lighthouse Cookbook $19.77 This is really two gifts for the price of one - it has tons of information about lighthouses across the country, plus recipes from the regions. Its great for folks who love lighthouses + iron chefs - its even better if they love lighthouses + cooking!

Come Together.

The other day, my friend Rachel had posted a picture on Instagram, about a fire in Maine. Apparently, her good friend Kate is reaching out to help her brother, sister-in-law, niece + two nephews. Early in the morning on Sunday, September 16, Patrick MacDonald's sister-in-law woke up to the smell of smoke, and alerted her brother-in-law. At first, he thought it was the neighbors house, and ran outside to get a hose to help. At some point, he realized that it was his home on fire, and made sure he ushered out his family. According to Bangor Daily News, MacDonald tried to put out the fire, but was unable to do so.

For the last six years, this family has poured their hearts + income into making this a wonderful home to raise their three children in. Unfortunately, the MacDonald family has to start from scratch. I asked Kate a bunch of questions, because I knew I had to blog about this. I know that my readers are giving, compassionate people that would jump at the chance to help this family out.

Kate started an indiegogo fundraiser page, to help raise monetary funds for the family. I asked about the children, to make sure that they are taken care of. This has to be devastating for the children, so here is the breakdown. For privacy of children, they will not be named.

Girl, 6 years: Wears size 6X in clothing. She is very upset that she lost all of her Webkinz + loves Barbies + Disney Princesses.

Boy, 3 years: Wears size 3T in clothing. He loves tools, Captain America and Iron Man.

Boy, 5 months: 5+ months in clothing + his mother, Christina, was using cloth diapers for him. 

If you have toys lying around that your kids aren't using anymore, perhaps make a care package with your child + have them create a card for the MacDonald children. Kate tells me they are literally the best little kids in the entire world, so lets help make this easier on them. When I inquired about what grocery stores are in the area, Kate told me that there is a Hannaford and Food City, along with various chain stores in the town of Windham. They also have a Target + Wal-Mart nearby.

Here is the address where gifts + clothing can be sent to:

The MacDonald Family

53 Sweden Rd.

Waterford, ME 04088

If you can't help out monetarily, it is totally understandable. Please do not feel pressured if you cannot afford to do so. The only thing I ask is if you could please post this onto Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram - basically any social media source that you utilize. The more people that see this, the more people that we can round up to help this family. I have never posted about anything like this before, but when I saw it on Instagram, I couldn't turn a blind eye. 

Thank you for taking time to read this, and thank you for passing this along to others. Hopefully, we can all come together + help the MacDonald family out in their time of need.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas.

This Sunday is Mother's Day. Usually, I purchase these gifts weeks in advance, but occasionally, it slips my mind until a few days before. If you happen to be in that situation, have no fear! Here are a few gift ideas I put together.

French Farmhouse Crate and Bottles ($16), Kintage.

Vintage Style Glass Heart Bracelet ($45), MerCurios.

Z340 Instant Digital Camera ($300), Polaroid.

Grill Salt and Pepper Set ($16), Target.

iPad, ($399), Apple.

EcoBeauty Essentials Green Makeover Box ($250), Spirit Beauty Lounge.

Pour-Over Brewing System ($13), Starbucks.

Don't have enough time to pick something up, and these aren't striking your fancy? Have no fear! Go the DIY route. Make a card, create a few awesome IOU's (examples: dinner and a movie, clean the house, plant a garden together, breakfast in bed, etc.), and you're good to go! When making the IOU's, make sure you keep her likes and interests in mind. If you know she can barely keep her bamboo plant alive, an IOU for gardening probably isn't the best idea. If your don't know how to cook, make sure the IOU is for a night out to dinner. 

Good luck, and don't forget to wish all of the mommas you see a happy Mother's Day!