YEA!! It’s that time of year! If you’ve read my blog for long you know that I love sharing my favorite things. When I find something I’m excited about, I get even more excited to share it with all of you! I post random favorite things often throughout the year, but each November/December it’s especially fun to round up my top picks. Some of these things I’ve shared before and some I haven’t. Regardless, hopefully my favorites from 2014 will give you some fun holiday gift ideas! (Links to products are below each picture.)
Ok. First up is this white lattice tray from Target. I bought one last year and loved it so much in my family room that when it went on sale for half price I bought 3 more! They sold out quickly and I just saw them back in Target again so if you want one don’t wait! I’ve used them all over my house.
One in the family room on the coffee table, this one in my master bathroom, one in the girls’ bathroom and one in my closet. Fun, stylish, inexpensive decor!
While we’re talking stylish Target decor you all know how I feel about my black/white/gold pitcher. Truly one of my favorite accessories I bought for the house this year! I just love it.
It “completes me.” And my Fall Console Table. :) Would make such a fun Christmas gift! You could fill it with all sorts of things or it can stand alone.
LOVE this fun set of mixing bowls from Crate and Barrel so much! They are perfect sizes (I use the largest three the most), have rubber on the bottom so they don’t slip, and of course I adore the colors.
Perfect for baking and cute enough to work for decor. Aqua mixing bowls for the win!
K. I know. This was a favorite thing last year. But I love it too much to not include it in this year’s round up! Probably my all time favorite thing. Ever. I use it all the time. If you are an organizer at heart like I am, you need this in your life. Plus it’s on sale! We are getting our homes organized in 2015 together everyone so arm yourself! And be ready. :)
Have you all seen these? This is my Scotch Paper Cutter and it works so well! I always use it to cut wrapping paper. SO much easier than scissors to cut an even, straight line. Here’s a fun gift idea that friends have done for me in the past. Buy some gift wrapping supplies – paper cutter, tape, tags, wrapping paper, ribbon, etc. and wrap them up in a cute basket. Give them to friends/neighbors the first week in December. Such a useful and fun gift! Plus you’re done with your gift giving early. Love that!
I don’t have time to read as much as I’d like, but I did pull off reading a handful of books this past year that I’ve been wanting to read for a long time. My favorite of the bunch was EAT THAT FROG by Brian Tracy. Such a great book about time management (a subject that has always fascinated me!). I would highly recommend it if you want to learn a few tips on getting more done in your day. (Who doesn’t want that!?) I’m going to go over some of the tips I learned from the book and have tried to implement at some point, but until then, a fun stocking stuffer! (If you’re a dork like me who gets excited about time management books.)
This is something else I get excited about. It’s a Clarisonic. A little secret to cleaner skin! You wash your face with it each night with your regular cleanser and it removes so much more dirt/make-up off of your face than without it. My dermatologist recommended it to me and I have loved using it each night. They come in all different sizes and styles and colors (didn’t get a pic of mine – it has flowers on it) so do a little research before you buy one to see which one is right for you. They are a bit pricey, but after using mine for a year I can honestly say they are worth the money. My skin looks and feels better so much better when I use it to wash my face. A great Christmas gift if you are looking for something really nice for your mom/sister/friend. Or maybe a fun idea for you from Santa? :)
Speaking of fun beauty products, this is my ALL TIME favorite new make-up for 2014. You put it under your eyes before your concealer and it really minimizes any dark circles/bags. You know – for if you stay up WAY too late blogging about favorite things and your eyes look terribly scary the next morning because of it. (#everymorningforme) I wear the Light Bisque 2 so if you have fair skin that’s a good shade to try. I love this product so much! Happy I decided to try it this year. (You can see my other favorite make-up products here.)
One of my favorite things from 2014! Last year for Christmas my sister bought my husband a laptop desk. One night I decided to use it to blog. He hasn’t seen it since. :) I’ve always used my laptop more than our desk computer because I work on my blog at night after the kids are in bed. It’s my down time so I like to be comfy. Pajamas on, feet up, popcorn nearby.. you get the picture. SO nice to have a little desk that sits comfortably on my lap to hold my computer. The one we have is a little different than the one pictured above (silver and black) but I couldn’t find it on-line. I looked for one similar and found this adorable lap desk in blue! So cute. Maybe I need to get me the blue one and give my husband his back. :) This is a great Christmas gift for someone who is always on their laptop!
Love these muffin pans! I mentioned them on the blog before and they have definitely become a favorite of mine. They are flexible and bend easily so you have to hold them carefully when they’re full, but the are so easy to clean! Just rinse them off. Done. I was thinking it would be fun to give them to friends or neighbors with a favorite recipe attached. Perhaps my banana bread muffin recipe? You didn’t see that one coming now did you. ;)
So those are my favorite things from the year! I feel like I’m forgetting something so I may have to add to this list. I have too many favorites! So fun. More favorites will be coming! Gift ideas for the kids and of course all of my friend’s favorite things from the annual Favorite Things party we look forward to all year. I hope these gave you a few ideas for gifts! Below are past Favorite Things if you are new to my blog.
Happy gift giving everyone!
*affiliate links used
xoxo, Erin
I love the You Are My Sunshine wood sign! Can you please tell me where you found that?
Wonderful ideas, as always! Thank you! I’ve already put several of the items in my shopping cart-some for gifts and some for myself! ;) One of my old favorites is the OXO dish scrubber you featured several years ago. Thanks for always trying to make readers’ lives easier and a little bit brighter!
Lots of great favorites :)
Hi Erin! Thanks for all the great ideas. Just wanted to let you know that I was just in Target and saw that same white tray – only in turquoise!! Would be great in your kitchen!! ;)
Thanks Melissa! I found that at Tai Pan in Utah. They have a website (Tai Pan Trading) but I’m not sure if they still have the sign!
Thanks Jennie! What a sweet thing to say. LOVE that OXO dish scrubber! I still use mine too. :)
Thanks Helen!
Kim I’ll have to look for that! Too fun. Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you so much! I always have a hard time thinking of fun gifts and your lists have helped me out!! Xoxo
{high five} erin! i am jumping up and down and twirling in circles. i just ordered the labeler for under $20!!!! i ordered via my amazon prime and just today i received a $10 rebate from amazon on an item i ordered yesterday! and the labeler had a $5 coupon attached. all i had to do was press the $5 coupon button! i have always wanted a labeler and you being the labeling queen i knew this was a great purchase! i’ll have it FRIDAY!
Melissa look on Etsy for signs like that. I bought one a couple of years ago, but that shop no longer exists, I know you can find them on there though.
Your favorite things posts are my absolute favorite! I’m looking forward to your friend’s favorites and kid’s favorites. I have a daughter a little younger than yours and like getting your ideas for useful gifts!
I love those bowls! –Hanna Lei
I have the Clarisonic and love it. Your favorite things list are always so good. I also purchased the OXO dish scrubber. I love it! I have been wrapping presents with scissors for the last week. Tomorrow I am going out and buying that Scotch Paper Cutter. I am sure it will make that job so much easier.
Thanks again for the great ides Erin!!
You’re welcome Christen! So glad my lists were helpful! :)
Jamie! YEA!! Jumping up and down for you too! That’s just awesome. :) You will LOVE it!!
Thanks Taryn! Toys will be coming soon!
Thank you Hanna and Cheryl!
Cathy – you’ll love that paper cutter. YEA for early gift wrapping!
Love this list! Is it bad that I want all of those items for myself?? :) Can’t wait to go shopping!
Lots of fun goodies in this list! I love this link up party!
Great ideas! And yes please to to a post on time management! I need help in that area :)
I have those muffin pans and love them too! –Hanna Lei
Hi Erin,
I’m reading Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy and was happy to see on your list. It’s a great book and would LOVE to hear how you found the book useful! I thought it would be good to mention just incase you were wondering what to blog about next! :-) I love your writing style and can’t wait to read about tips you learned from this little but powerful read. Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much Cherie! I’ll be posting about that book soon! Just for you. ;) Such a great read! xo
Thank you! I’ll keep checking back! :-)