A Mother's Day Gift Guide

1. Lotions & Potions. 

 Keep your Mom feeling and looking great with a luxurious skincare set. Brands to Try: La Mer, Clarins, Shiseido. 

 2. A Beautiful Book.

Coffee table books are some of my favorite presents to receive but get something she'll appreciate. Even a novel or memoir makes a thoughtful gift. 

 3. Flowers. 

You can never go wrong with a gorgeous floral arrangement. If you'd rather not spring for something that will quickly wilt away, why not plant something or take her to a botanical garden.

 4. Chocolates.

 Because what woman doesn't love sweets?

 5. Something Artistic.

A painting, special photograph or perhaps a camera if she's good behind the lens. Even better? Arrange to have family pictures taken by a friend or someone starting out and looking for experience. A cost effective way to capture a beautiful afternoon. 

6. Jewels. 

Diamonds are a girl's best friend but I always say that crystals make a great acquaintance. 

 7. A New Bathrobe. 

Maybe add some of her favorite bath products or book a day at the spa. A massage is always a nice treat.

 8. Wallet/Handbag.

 If she's anything like me, there's always room in the closet for a new piece of arm candy. 

 9. Slippers.

 Snuggle time! 

 Now Playing: "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Valentine's Day Megamix!

The best gift I can give- a mixtape featuring some of my favorite songs. From Me to You. Happy Love Day! XOXO

1. "This Magic Moment" by The Drifters

2. "We Don't Need No Love Songs" by Fitz & The Tantrums

3. "The Great Fire" by Future Islands

4. "Video Games" by Lana Del Rey

5. "Lotus Flower" by Radiohead

6. "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star

7. "No Other Plans" by Sunny Levine

8. "Steve McQueen" by M83

9. "Kaputt" by Destroyer

10. "Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space" by Spiritualized

11. "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver

12. "Maps" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

13. "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G.

14. "Sway" by The Kooks

15. "Rewind" by Paolo Nutini

16. "Lovefool" by The Cardigans

17. "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders

18. "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy

19. "What Ever Happened?" by The Strokes

20. "Stay" by Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko

21. "Something" by The Beatles

22. "Hometown Glory" by Adele

23. "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine

24. "With Every Heart Beat" by Robyn

25. "Paradise" by Wild Nothing

26. "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure

27. "Wonderwall" by Oasis

28. "A Rush of Blood to the Head" by Coldplay

29. "Mind Games" by Leagues

30. "Blood" by The Middle East

31. "Happy Together" by The Turtles

32. "Wicked Game" by Chris Isaak

33. "You Got Me" by The Roots ft. Erykah Badu

34. "Sexual Healing" by Marvin Gaye

35. "What Goes Around... Comes Around" by Justin Timberlake

36. "Do You..." by Miguel

37. "Love Lost" by The Temper Trap

38. "Your Song" by Elton John

39. "Honey and The Moon" by Joseph Arthur

40. "Someday We'll Be Together" by Diana Ross & The Supremes

41. "Best I Ever Had" by Drake

42. "Crazy" by Patsy Cline

43. "Everlasting Light" by The Black Keys

44. "Museum of Flight" by Damien Jurado

45. "Rocket Man" by My Morning Jacket

46. "If I Had a Boat" by James Vincent McMorrow

47. "Beauty" by The Shivers

48. "Jolene" by Ray LaMontagne

49. "You" by TV On The Radio

50. "29 Years" by The National

Flashback Friday: Christmas Presents!

My Very First Christmas, 1986.

Over the years, here are some of the gifts I was more than happy to find under my Christmas tree:

The Midge Wedding Party!
When I was little, I lived for Barbie dolls. Of course, as a fellow redhead, I was partial to Midge. When that plastic ginger tied the knot with her sexy groom and Mattel sold the wedding party as a set, I was beyond sold. Having the miniature flower girl and ring bearer dolls gave me endless hours of fun (I later made them the couple's children). FYI: Midge and her man drove away from the wedding in their brand new '91-ish Ferrari... I LOVED that Barbie car!

When I got bored with cruising my dolls around the living room, I took this little beauty around the block for a spin... My red Corvette Power Wheels!

And speaking of spinning, I'll never forget the day I was nearly kidnapped while I was playing with... my Skip-It!

And last but not least, what flashback Christmas gift list would be complete without an old school board game?!

Ladies and gentlemen... NIGHTMARE!!!

When I had sleepover parties with my girlfriends, we'd always break this game out around midnight. I'd pop the VHS tape into the VCR and we'd all play along. All I remember was the man on the tape was creepy, scary and a total jagoff. If I could find this disturbing board game, I would totally play it again but with a few adult beverages!
















Now Playing: "Under the Stars" by Morning Parade

Someone Can't Wait Until Christmas...

My 3-year-old shih-tzu, Ireland, is totally and completely spoiled. My Mom stuck a few dog treats inside her Christmas stocking when she wasn't even in the room but Ireland knows they're in there. She wouldn't stop barking for the goodies, so I caved and let her have some early. If this is any indication of what I might be like as a parent with actual children, it looks like I'll be a softy.











Now Playing: "Ride" by Lana Del Rey
*I guess that makes me a fan.

Eye Candy!

One of the girls I work with, Nicole, was so sweet to get me a Hello Kitty chocolate marshmallow over the weekend. She knows I love Hello Kitty but I didn't even have to tell her that I loved this type of candy! Delicious! This was the perfect Monday pick-me-up! Since Nicole is a graphic designer, I made this little art collage (a la Andy Warhol) of the Hello Kitty candy she gave me! Thanks, Nicole! :)

25th Birthday Haul!

My yummy cake! I blew all the candles out in one puff (well, with the exception of the 1 for good luck). You know you're getting old when you need 2 boxes of candles!
Yesterday, I had a very nice 25th Birthday! Since it fell on a rainy, Tuesday, I spent the day opening presents and hanging out with my family. At night, my sister and I went to the Cheesecake Factory and to see Black Swan at the movies. Today, my parents are taking me to dinner and this weekend, I'm going out with my friends to celebrate at the bars. Sunday is the Super Bowl, so hopefully my birthday week will cap off with a victory! I was really surprised at how many people wished me a happy birthday! It was so nice to hear from everyone :)

I got a few really nice gifts from my parents and my sister! But since I haven't officially launched my YouTube channel, I thought I'd do a haul blog instead.

My Dad got me the Canon Vixia HF M31 video camera! It's so lightweight and compact! I haven't had a chance to play around with it yet but it has great reviews and I think I'm going to love it! I'm going to use this camera to film my YouTube videos- so, no more excuses! As soon as I get down to my normal weight, I'll start filming! My Dad also got me a laptop case- much needed!


One of the things my Mom got me is something I really wanted. Since I turned 25, I wanted a keepsake that would remind me of this time in my life. My birthstone is amethyst but I didn't want a traditional purple stone. I saw green amethyst online and fell in love. It's also called praseolite. It's a very light green stone. My mom got me a gorgeous pair of earrings from one of the jewelers in downtown Pittsburgh! They are so sophisticated yet simple. I can wear them with just about anything! I LOVE them and will hopefully have them forever!


My sister knows how much I love make-up, so she got me some products and brushes from MAC! I'm really excited to finally have Satin Taupe (eyeshadow). It's the perfect neutral shade! She also got me some of the new, Revlon Colorburst lipsticks and lipglosses! They are one of my favorite products right now! Such a great value! I also got the Urban Decay Naked palette! I thought for sure it would be sold-out (as usual) but my Mom said she scored the last one at Ulta. It's the older set that includes the duo eyeliner not the brush! This made me so happy since I know they changed the packaging!



I also ordered a pair of KORS Michael Kors rain boots that arrived on my birthday! I got them from ShopBop.com on sale! I thought they were super cute and since it was raining on my birthday, I wore them out to dinner. They kind of remind me of Daria Morgendorffer's combat boots but they are still adorable. I think they will be perfect for all of the mud at Bonnaroo in June!

Stow Lace-up Rubber Boots

I'm so grateful for all my gifts and I'm excited to see what this year has in store for me! :)

Love,
Krista


Now Playing: "Fancy" by Drake