A Deployment Gift Guide

With Matt on deployment I am back in care-package-building mode. I developed a reputation during his last deployment as one of the best senders of packages, so I am passing my ideas onto my fellow military spouses and significant others!

For a "just because" package, you'll want to send him things that he will have probably used up or will be in want of. Remember that he will likely have limited storage space -- especially if he's on a ship -- so buying anything in bulk isn't practical. Some things that I frequently ship to Matt while he's out are:

- Gum (for chewing while on watch)

-Burt's Bees lip balm (his favorite)

- Beef jerky (no-brainer)

- Socks (he burned through a few pairs last deployment)

- Crystal Light drink powders (for not-so-tasty water)

- Instant coffee

- Magazines (if I have time I read them and leave notes in them)

- Hand-written notes and cards (I'm cheesy, I spray them with perfume!)

Think about things that your guy likes, too. The next package I'm sending him will have a mini sketch pad so he can doodle, he tells me all the time that he wants to get back into drawing. At the end of the day, your guy (or girl!) is just going to be happy to be receiving a package.

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Some tips for shipping:

- Pick up FPO/APO flat rate boxes from the post office, or have them shipped to you for free. You can load them with up to 75 pounds of stuff and you'll only pay $12.65 to ship it, no matter how much stuff is in it!

- Grab a bunch of customs forms the next time you're at the post office so that you can have them filled out and ready before you take your package in for shipping.

- Double, triple and quadruple tape your box, just to keep it safe for what could be a long journey.

- Pack your stuff snugly to keep if from moving around too much during the trip. 
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Oh, and if you're shipping something for a special occasion, like a birthday or holiday, try to get it in the mail about a month ahead of time to ensure it reaches your recipient on time.

 Feel free to share any tips or ideas you have for deployment care packages!

xo, Kellie

Birthday Wish List

Crabtree & Evelyn lotion (buy) / watermelon Jolly Ranchers (buy) 

Doctor Who print (buy)

skull bangle set (buy) / Harley Davidson tank top (buy)

Just a few things I wouldn't mind receiving on my birthday, which is a month from today. But the best gift would be to have Matt home from deployment so that he could take me out to a nice dinner. *sigh*

xo, Kellie

Dear Cupid ...

Well, Cupid, you've done it again. This year makes 26 in a row that I haven't had someone to spend Valentine's Day with. Last year Matt was on deployment, this year he'll be away for job training, next year he'll be on deployment ... But perhaps you'll make it up to me by suggesting one or all of these Valentine's Day gifties to my man:

1. Red roses, while beautiful, are probably the second biggest V-Day cliche after chocolate. Send me some pink roses, or a bouquet of something completely nontraditional, and I'll be really blown away.

2. Fossil really outdid themselves this Valentine's Day. I'm sure it isn't coincidental that they are currently featuring rosy hued accessories on their site, and this watch combines rose and chocolate brown!
 
3. I am a candle fiend, and Sun and Sand is my favorite Yankee Candle scent. I don't know how they did it, but this scent seriously reminds me of sand and sunscreen and immediately transports me to the beach.

4. Matt is sick of anchors, and I don't blame him, since he's around real ones all day long. Nonetheless, I would love to have a dainty anchor necklace with his initial on it to wear in honor of my guy, especially when he's out to sea!

5. Since my beloved Ralph Lauren Cool doesn't seem to be making a comeback anytime soon, I suppose I need to move on. Coach Poppy Flower suits me well, I've already tried it on and everything!

Great gifts make everything better, right?

xo, Kellie

The Goods

 

Unlike the list of People Who Didn't Get What They Want for Christmas, I am not on Twitter lamenting the failure of my parents and significant other to give me an iPhone and a car for Christmas. Instead I am sharing some of the gifts that I received and am so excited about!

Some so-called gift-giving experts say that giving gift cards is just plain lazy. I disagree, I LOVE getting to hit up Target to pick out some goodies for myself. If you saw my wish list for this year, you'll know that the John Frieda Smooth & Sleek flat iron was something I was hoping to receive. I already love it! (Thanks, Matt!)

My parents got me a couple of goodies, among them was a cropped lace tee from Forever 21. I actually ended up wearing it on Christmas day because I loved it so much!

Matt went above and beyond for Christmas this year, which is no surprise because he is such a generous guy. In my stocking I found some Haribo Gold Bears. I am a candy fiend, and these bears are one of my favorites! Matt also got me a set of four hand-painted Japanese bowls that are so nice I almost don't want to use them, and he also got me (well, technically us) a dining room table from West Elm to place the bowls on top of. (Our table is white, black just showed up better in the set.)

I'm off to enjoy some of my gifts, I hope you all got gifts that you are excited about too!

xo, Kellie

Gift Guide: The Hard-To-Buy-For Guy

I happened to fall in love with a guy who is incredibly difficult to buy for; luckily, my dad is the same way so I've had 25 years to become an expert at wheedling out that elusive Perfect Gift. How? Through 365 days of sleuthing. By keeping in mind that I'm looking for the perfect present, I always have one ear open for any hints these picky guys may drop (whether they even realize it or not). This year, I knew by May what I was going to be getting James this year (and have at least 4 ulcers from trying to keep the secret!). Every picky guy is different, but here are some foolproof ideas.

1. Electronics: Every guy loves electronics. You may say, “Oh, no, Kevin really is more of a book person.” Balderdash! An Xbox, a new iPod, the 3-D Nintendo, or any variant of some awesome electronic is a sure bet for the picky guy. Just stop at buying games. Just because James tolerates Glee with me, and endures my painful rendition of “Unchained Melody” crooned into my hairbrush, does NOT mean that Karaoke Revolution Glee will be a good gift.

2. Hobby-Specific Items: James likes to cook and read comics, my dad likes music and the outdoors. It's fun to get them little things that apply to their various hobbies that they normally wouldn't spend the money on. This is what I focused on this year, so forgive me for not sharing my present ideas :)

3. Man Gifts: Be it cologne, whiskey, or slippers, indulgent gifts (that don't have to cost a ton). While Old Spice is a classic for men of all ages, Diesel makes some very manly scents. Whether or not your guy is a drinker, a monogrammed decanter and matching glasses is a much-appreciated gift.

4. Coupon Book: My grandma always says the most valuable gift you can give someone is your time. When I'm super stuck on gifts, I give coupons for my time. Whether they are coupons for car washes, laundry, yard chores, back rubs, or not talking during a comic-book movie, your guy will surely appreciate the thought. 

Good Luck!! --Jessica

Gift Guide: For a Sailor

 
Last Christmas was also the last week that I spent with Matt before he left for deployment, so some of the gifts that I bought for him were with his impending departure in mind. I also learned what things I could send to him on the ship that he would enjoy -- so much so that I apparently developed the reputation of being one of the best deployment girlfriends. Score! From left to right: 

1. Harley Davidson t-shirts: Matt really likes getting Harley shirts from different cities that he's been too, but it doesn't necessarily need to be limited to Harley Davidson. While he was on deployment I went to the Florida Music Festival, where we had met the year before, and got him a funny festival t-shirt that I sent to him. 

2. iPod Nano: I actually bought Matt and iPod for his first birthday that we celebrated together, but I was told that it was a huge lifesaver while he was on the ship. Load it up with music that you know your guys likes, make a playlist of some of your favorite songs that you think he'll like, and not only do you have a somewhat pricey gift that he's going to be impressed that you sprung for, but it will also be personalized.

3. Jack Link's beef jerky: Matt loves beef jerky, I'm pretty sure most guys do. The resealable, non-perishable packs of dried meat are perfect because you don't have to worry about them spoiling if they're exposed to any extreme temperatures during shipping.

4. Men's Health Magazine: Men's Health is one of Matt's favorite magazines, so while he was gone I would buy a copy each time a new issue came out, read through it, and leave little Post-It notes with my own commentary on the articles. I may have also drawn a mustache and devil ears on Matthew McConaughey.

5. Photo album: One of my Christmas presents to Matt last year was a photo album full of pictures of us together. I made sure to pick one in nondescript, masculine colors, so that he wouldn't be ashamed to keep it in sight.

6. Resistance bands: Matt actually bought a set of these for himself, but I share this gift ideas in the hopes that another girl out there can impress their guy. If your guy is on a ship (or in barracks) it's likely that he doesn't have a lot of workout space. Resistance bands can be used just about anywhere, and you also get the bonus of having a muscly guy when he returns from deployment!

I wish I could share some of the gifts for Matt that are on their way for Christmas this year! Alas, he looks at this blog, like, once a month, so I wouldn't want to give anything away.

xo, Kellie

More gift guides:

For a Dad

For a Gal Pal

Gift Guide: For a Dad

 

One might say I take the easy route when it comes to buying gifts for my dad because I get him the same thing almost every year. But I'd like to say we have a long-standing gift-giving tradition. And I might also be lazy and prefer taking the easy route. Maybe. From left to right: 

1. Calendar: A few years ago Dad asked me for a Far Side calendar to hang in his office. Every year since then I have bought him a calendar. Over the years he has received Simpsons, Three Stooges and Irish countryside calendars, but I don't know what the theme is going to be this year. Any ideas? 

2. Coffee gift card: My dad loves his coffee much, much more than I love mine. Naturally a perfect gift for him is a gift card to either Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks.

3. Music: For as long as I can remember my dad and I have bonded over a shared love of music. As a kid we listened to Creedence Clearwater, Tom Petty, Jimmy Buffet and Ten Thousand Maniacs together. I don't see him as much anymore since I live five hours away, but if I find a record that I think he'll enjoy, I burn a copy and bring it home with me. I think the album he has enjoyed the most so far was The 59 Sound by the Gaslight Anthem. Probably because they sound a lot like The Boss ...

4. Books: Dad and I love to discuss books just about as much as we love to listen to music. It's a shame he didn't go to college because he is sharp as a tack, I used to bounce ideas off of him all of the time when I was in high school. Over the years we have had discussions about Stephen King's On Writing, Jack Kerouac's On the Road (my FAVORITE book!), Roald Dahl's Omnibus and J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye.

5. Jumbo remote: My dad can't be the only one who flies into a RAGE when the remote control for the television goes missing. I probably learned most of the profanity that I know today from those episodes. Ahh, memories ...

6. The Simpsons Movie: Dad loves the Simpsons and he didn't own the Simpsons movie. Seemed like a no-brainer.

What gift-giving traditions do you have with members of your family or significant others? Speaking of significant others, my next gift guide will be gifts for a sailor!

xo, Kellie

More 2011 Gift Guides:

For a Gal Pal
For a Sailor 

Gift Guide: For a Gal Pal

 
This time of year, gift guides are as easy to find as a Starbucks in a big city. (The St. John's Town Center in Jacksonville alone has four of them!) I decided to give my gift guides a fresh spin by creating a series of them based on gifts that I have given or received. Naturally I decided to start with myself. From left to right: 

1. OPI nail polish: My former roomies turned me into an OPI snob, it's pretty much the only brand I will wear, but I love getting these little bottles as gifts. This time of year, glitter is good, so go for something that is over-the-top sparkly! 

2. Real Simple Magazine: Jessica got me a subscription to this magazine for my most recent birthday, and I love it! It's a well-rounded blend of fashion, food and life lessons, and an easy enough read that I can get through it cover-to-cover in a few sittings. With my hectic schedule, anything that has the word "simple" in its name is probably right up my alley.

3. Owl mug from Urban Outfitters: I love owls, and I love coffee and tea. This one was a (cute) no-brainer!

4. Magnetic to-do list: My non-best-friend Scotti, a fellow Virgo and organizational freak, sent me one of these magnetic to-do lists for my birthday. I have it stuck to the file cabinet next to my desk at work, and use it every week to keep track of the tasks I need to get done. I need to find another one of these once this one is all used up!

5. Betsey Johnson earrings: Another one from Scotti, Betsey Johnson accessories are good for just about any gal pal in your life. You can find her stuff on sale all the time at stores like Dillards, Marshalls and TJ Maxx, and her jewelry is so much fun that receiving it in itself is exciting!

6. Bath and Body Works body wash: I think every girl has received Bath and Body or Victoria's Secret beauty products as a gift at least once, and I doubt many of them were upset when they received them. We use lotions and body washes every day, and a lot of the time we don't want to splurge on the fancier stuff, so these products are almost always a hit. Right now I'm using Bath and Body Works Into the Wild and it's a daily treat to lather up!

Watch for more gift guides leading up to Christmas, I'm thinking the number one man in my life (my dad!) might be next up ...

xo, Kellie

More 2011 Gift Guides:
For a Dad
For a Sailor

Christmas 2011 Wish List

1. Rose gold tone Fossil watch - I've already got a similar one in silver and I wear it all the time and get complimented on it all the time!

2. Victoria's Secret Essential V-Neck Tee - I already own these tees in red, green and blue, and I LOVE them. I sleep in them, play in them, shop in them ... I would go to work in them, if I could!

3. John Frieda Sleek Finish flat iron - I've had the same flat iron since my junior year of college (which was 2006-2007, you do the math) and have been wanting a new one for some time now. I spotted this one in Real Simple magazine. It heats up in 15 seconds, and it's less than $50!

4. Style by Lauren Conrad - I'm not a big fan of reality TV drama, but I greatly admire Lauren and think she has fantastic style!

5. Cool by Ralph Lauren - This is MY SCENT! Friends of mine smell it on me and tell me how well I wear it, and I've been told by old friends that they think of me whenever they smell this scent. The problem? It was discontinued a few years ago and is now super hard to find. Mr. Lauren, could you find it in your heart to bring back my signature scent?

6. Cropped black blazer - I've got a blush colored blazer, but there is still a hole in my closet where a black one should be!

That's what I'm hoping to find under the tree. How about you?

xo, Kellie