16 February 2018
Friends, thank you so much for sharing in our excitement earlier this week!! It was an extra sweet Valentine’s Day due to your love. Two kiddos — it’s a whole new world here at Em for Marvelous! :)
Our Valentine’s Day was otherwise low-key. I started celebrating a bit early with a Galentine’s Day edition of Articles Club on Tuesday night. We kept the pink and red table decor for our family dinner on Wednesday, where the menu was beef ragu (our go-to celebratory meal!), cheesy garlic bread, sparkling cider, and surprise Girl Scout cookies John brought home from work! Samoas for me and Thin Mints for him :)
Inspired by Lara, I wrapped up a Walk in Love tee at each place setting to remind us that the greatest love comes not from each other but from the one who first loved us. So happy they’re offering kids tees again!!
In preparation, June and I had a little crafting party last weekend: she did some free-form painting for cousins and grandparents while I worked on her class valentines. I originally was going to help her make thumbprint hearts and add a punny “thumb-body loves you” line, but her thumbs were a bit too small to make recognizable hearts! So, swirls and circles it was. Next year I want to try Valerie’s celery heart idea!
This was our first year making class valentines, and we only had to make 10 (whew!). I was planning to use Lay Baby Lay’s printable but couldn’t get it to save to my computer, and so ended up designing my own inspired by hers. Here’s the file if you’d like to try it yourself! We ordered the plastic cats from Amazon – considering how in love June is with the animal figurines she got for Christmas, I’m hoping these were a big hit with her classmates. They turned out pretty cute, if I do say so myself! And easy easy easy.
We ended the night cuddled on the sofa watching our 45-minute wedding video, a tradition that started the first Valentine’s Day after we were married when our full-length film was delivered to us just a few days before the holiday. June was definitely into it this year, calling out the names of each family member along the way. Nothing like listening to your wedding vows to bring back the warm fuzzies :)
Next year I think we might add more of a festive breakfast or something like pink milk – betting she would get a kick out of that. Did y’all do anything fun to celebrate?
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25 December 2017
Merriest Christmas, friends! Since I can’t hug all of you in person, I’m sharing our Christmas card here today…
He brings joy in all circumstances, and it is our joy to celebrate that in this card!
There were just too many cute snaps of our little JBug this year, so we squeezed a few more on the back :)
One change this year? In the craziness of the last two months, I decided to let go of printing and sending our annual newsletter. It was a tough decision, because I already had it designed, but in the end I’m glad we chose simplicity. There’s always next year! And as a consolation prize, y’all can enjoy it here! :)
Iām writing this post a few days early, and by the time you read it, I’ll be celebrating the holidays with our beloved family! I am sending you all lots of love and wishes for a cozy Christmas filled with delicious food, comfy pajamas, and laughing until your cheeks hurt with the ones you love. I will see you back here on Friday for my year in review ā one of my favorite posts of the year!
27 November 2017
Want to know something I love about buying kid gifts? You can give them something that’s $5 and look like you hung the moon :) (Case in point: this ribbon twirler we gave my niece last Christmas.) And of course, I also love giving heirloom-quality gifts that they might one day pass down to their own kids! Today’s gift guide has picks from each column, including some things that are on June’s wish list this year. My friend Sam helped me with some of the boy picks, since she has firsthand experience!
Buckle up – it was hard to narrow down my picks, so today we have not one but TWO boards of ideas!
Pajamas | Bonus points if you can match amongst multiple kiddos or cousins! I also love these ones and these ones.
Squirrel popper | Just make sure they don’t shoot their eye out :) A certain nephew of mine will be getting one of these this Christmas!
Pennants | Choose from “capable & courageous” or “strong & smart” – either way, you can’t go wrong!
Wooden cutting fruit set | I clearly remember being gifted something similar from my grandma one Christmas and loving it. On June’s wish list this year!
Cozy sweatshirt | Sam and I both love everything from Winter Water Factory, and this print is a favorite we share!
Mini scooter | If our neighborhood is any indication, scooters are very big right now. This mini one is on June’s wish list, and though I think it will take her a few months to grow into it, I expect she’ll be scooting around like a pro this summer!
Quilt | The sweetest print from a cool Indian company.
Floor puzzle | The colors and illustrations take this classic puzzle up a notch.
Bruder toys | From Sam: “The model-sized toys are great for little guys! We have a cement mixer, fire truck, and crane, and I feel that they will still be fun for Perry to play with even as he gets older.”
Tegu blocks | Wooden blocks upgraded with magnets, in beautiful colors! Blocks are on J’s wish list this year, but I think we might go with this set.
Star Wars visual dictionary | Have a Luke fan in your house? I feel like this would go over super well. Plus, it seems like little kids are surprisingly VERY into very detailed books, like this one or this one.
Play tent | The dreamiest pattern combinations from the one and only Minted! On June’s list.
The softest dress | Marget got June the sweetest dress from this shop last Christmas, and we stretched that puppy as long as possible, transitioning it from a dress to a shirt! :) It doesn’t look like her star pattern is in stock anymore, but any of their prints would make a great gift!
Winter Water Factory dress | The best prints in organic cotton.
Memory game | Customized with family photos! I’ve done these for June, Tegan, and Wes so far and they are always a hit!
Home of the brave pennant | A rallying cry for everyone in the family.
United States blocks | An absolutely gorgeous set of wooden blocks that helps kids learn state shapes, capitals, mottos, birds, flowers, and trees!
Dollhouse | Bless Pottery Barn for making simple, chic, neutral toys that kids AND mamas can love.
Bow tie | From Sam: “Perry loves his bow tie, especially because he is able to match his dad!”
Tree swing | If you have the right tree in your yard, this looks SO fun. I am always in favor of something that gets kids outside! This one is MUCH more expensive, but if you don’t have the tree, could be an option!
Plasma car | Another neighborhood favorite! These things can really zoom.
Boxer briefs | The softest underwear with the cutest prints.
Baby doll | I have looked for weeks to find a sweet first doll for June, and I think this is the one!
Giant coloring poster | And I mean GIANT. So many fun designs!
Puzzle to go | From Sam: “We love these travel puzzles! They are easy to transport and we love bringing them along when we are traveling or when we are waiting for our meal at a restaurant.”
Kwix Stix | Quick drying tempura paint markers, going in June’s stocking! Thanks, Jo!
Three great books: City Atlas, Trucks Go, and A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars (written by my BROTHER-IN-LAW!!!).
Little aprons | The best patterns, and they can be personalized! Would be a perfect gift for nieces and nephews!
Whew!! I hope that was more helpful than overwhelming! :) How are y’all doing with Christmas shopping? I’m about halfway done, I think, and hoping to check a few more names off today!
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24 November 2017
What to get the people who have everything they want and likely more money than you do? :) First, I have to say that many of the gift ideas in the gals gift guide and the upcoming guys gift guide work for this group — after all, parents and grandparents are people, too, and my Mom likes pretty much everything I do!
For this gift guide, though, most picks fall into two categories: either something sentimental, or an upgrade/replacement for something they already have. Again, if your parents are like mine, they have not replaced their oven mitts/Christmas decorations/baking sheets in 30 years. And we love them for it. But sometimes things need to be replaced :)
P.S. I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgivings!!
Boat and tote | Not a New Englander? Then maybe you will get the honor of introducing your loved one to L.L. Bean’s iconic bag! They can be monogrammed for an extra touch.
Striped pot holders | There are a lot of gems in the Hearth & Hand collection, but I love these simple pot holders! Swap out her stained ones for a new pair.
Echo Dot | Know your audience with tech gifts, but they can make great gift ideas because a) they may not be something the recipient would buy for himself, and b) you will hopefully be there in person to show him how to set it up or use it!
Keepsake Kitchen Diary | This is actually on my wish list! It has space to write in 150 recipes and the stories that accompany them. Not-so-secret-side-benefit: maybe one day your Mom will pass it down to you!
Ceramic spoon rest | A kitchen essential that’s classic and clean. Maybe pair this with the pot holders?
Potted paperwhites | If you’re new to the in-law rodeo, a growing gift is usually a good option. For a much smaller version at a lower price point, I’ve seen pretty options at Trader Joe’s!
Scalloped pot | In the same vein, a pretty pot filled with either a potted plant or a gift certificate to an online nursery (we like White Flower Farm) is a go-to. (The pot shown from Jenny is sold out right now, but this hanging basket is another good option!)
Faux magnolia wreath | A timeless option for their front door or mantel. I’ve purchased faux plants from Magnolia before and have been impressed with the quality!
365 Calendar | This is like those tear-off calendars that used to be all the rage (cute kittens, inspiring quotes, etc.) BUT way better because every day is customized with your photos! I don’t know about y’all, but my parents would LOVE a new photo of their grandkids (and kids!) every day.
A coffee table book | On a subject they are or might soon be interested in. Two good options: Portraits of Courage, whose proceeds support veteran causes and that brought me to tears, and The National Parks, for soaring images and stories from Ken Burns.
A Lindsay Letters holiday canvas | If your parents aren’t of the social media persuasion, introduce them to LL and look like a genius! Any of her holiday canvases would help spruce up a Christmas decor collection. (I also like this metal wreath!)
A fun food item | If you’re truly stumped or your parents insist they “don’t want any more things,” food it is. Bonus points for getting them something yummy but special, or with a story behind it. My father-in-law loves pates, and I’m pretty sure he will be getting this award-winning one this Christmas. Toss in a beautiful platter, tray, or spreaders if you’re feeling daring :)
Other solid ideas: tickets to a show or a gift certificate for a favorite restaurant, a cooking school lesson, or a fly fishing lesson. (These are not cop-out ideas! Experiences make awesome gifts!)
I’d love to hear: What gifts for grands and parents have you been proud of in the past? I have to say, I’m pretty excited about a semi-DIY gift for my in-laws I’m working on this year, but I can’t share it yet! :)
More gift guides:
Sisters, Moms, and Best Friends
Kind-Hearted Picks
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