Holiday Gift Guide 2018

My 2018 holiday gift guide is halfway here (women and kids). Thanksgiving came early this year and I tried my best to keep up. I also want you guys to be able to take advantage of all the crazy sales happening this weekend.

Women’s Gift Guide

1. Leather Tote - $158 (use the code “dealwithit” for a 25% discount)

2. Kate Spade Amazonite Stud Earrings - currently on sale for $26

3. Slipper Socks - $32 (30% off sale going on now)

4. Sweater Dress - $148 (30% off sale going on now)

5. Ugg Slippers - $120 (own these, obsessed)

6. Tory Burch Tote - currently on sale for $132

7. Faux Suede Moto Jacket - currently on sale for $35 (!!!)

8. Nordic Boots - $188 (use code “TGIF” for 50% off)

Kids’ Gift Guide

1. Dinosaur Sleeping Bag - On sale for $80. There are a bunch of different themes (i.e. mermaid, etc.)

2. R2D2 Bop It - On sale for $10. This is a game that kind of reminds me of the Simon game if you’re a child of the 80s. There’s also a Minions version.

3. Polar Express - $16 for hardcover version

4. Pom Pom Rainbow Hat - $25 (additional 50% off with code)

5. Bunny sweatshirt - $17 (additional 40% off with code)

6. Airplane Zip Pajamas - On sale for $26 (additional 30% off and free shipping with code “cyber30”)

7. Ride on Bumblebee - $60 (comes in different animals - pig, tiger, ladybug, etc.). My oldest was gifted the ladybug version on her 1st birthday and she LOVED it for years. Then my younger daughter loved it for years. Five years later it still looks brand new, seriously.

8. Water Bottle - $13. Great stocking stuffer.

We are have officially one month until Christmas…go for it!

- Leah

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Wednesday Five - 20

After taking a break for a couple weeks to fill you in on our 2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge participation, we are back to sharing our potpourri of weekly happenings.

1. After sharing my odd interest in weighted blankets, I came across an article on Hunker.com about all different “types of blankets”. For example, the infinity blanket which “increases blood flow”…hmmm…and the footed blanket (think mermaid blanket for adults) and the ever popular wearable poncho blanket, to name a few. If you need a new blanket, before you hit up HomeGoods for your regular old knit throw, you may want to consider one of these guys.

2. Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guides are in the works, but in the meantime I have to share this sweet find from Etsy. It’s a serving dish, which everyone needs more of because they’re constantly being broken by small children and left at neighbors’ houses. Your favorite, sentimental recipe is printed onto the plate, making it not only a serving dish but also great for hanging on the wall in your kitchen.

3. Do you know what a Putz House is? Well, you probably do but you’ve never heard it referred to as a Putz House. They’re the little glimmery, shimmery, intricate Christmas houses or villages that people (maybe your grandma) uses as a holiday decoration. The white ceramic houses you see at Target (and everywhere) are a modern take on a Putz House. But, trend alert, the originals are coming back. Everyone from Neiman Marcus to Pier 1 has them in stock for you. So, get glam with your mini house this season.

from top left, counterclockwise - 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

4. The confluence of two of my favorite things happened this past week. Dax Shepard interviewed Jerry Buting on his podcast (Armchair Expert). You already know I love Armchair Expert from a previous Wednesday Five. Well, I’m also a Making a Murderer addict. I’m currently binging Season 2. Jerry Buting was one of the defense lawyers in Season 1. If you’re into crime dramas…like me…this is a fascinating interview.

5. Moving on to Sonia’s obsessions. So, she has a slightly unhealthy love for all things Hamilton. You know Hamilton - the amazing Broadway production that catapulted Lin-Manuel Miranda into mega stardom. You may have caught Sonia’s incredible behind the scenes tour of the NYC stage on our Instagram stories last weekend. Well, for Sonia and her fellow Hamilton groupies out there, Leslie Odom Jr. (who was in the original Hamilton cast as Aaron Burr) has a new Christmas CD. Stocking stuffer anyone?

Have a great rest of your week! It’s almost Turkey Day!

- Leah

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2 Days 200 Dollars Challenge - Reveal

First we made a plan. Then we got down to it. Today, we’re showing you the finished transformation from our 2 Days 200 Dollar Challenge.

Did you just freak out a little? I freak out every time I look at this picture. Then I peak into my “new” bathroom, maybe even walk in and gently open a drawer in my blue vanity, and freak out a lot more.

Let’s review how it all happened. After Day 1 of the 2 day challenge, nearly all the heavy lifting had been done - I updated the vertical blinds with a woven shade, primed and painted the vanity, and my husband installed a new vanity light. Day 2 was delayed by a few days while I waited for the vanity hardware to arrive, which was good because it gave the paint time to cure. Finally the pulls arrived…with the wrong screw size. They were too short, which is pretty common and easily remedied. So, I measured twice and then brought them with me to Lowes to buy longer screws.

With my new screws ready to go, I drilled a second hole in the cabinet because there was only one hole from the prior knob. Then a few minutes later all seven pulls were installed. Love them. And the price point is fantastic (I have a cost breakdown below).

Then came the finishing touches. But before I get into those details, we need a side-by-side to remember what this looked like before we got started.

Isn’t it just awesome?

Okay, the decor details. I spent my whole budget (and a bit extra…more on that later) on the woven shade and new vanity light. Our plan was to focus on updating the window treatment and the vanity light because those were the elements of the room that made it feel especially outdated…and yucky. As we discussed in our post on the plan for this transformation, window treatments, light fixtures and rugs are truly the makers and breakers of any room.

Speaking of room maker, quick pause for a close up of the vanity light.

So, I had less than zero for my decor budget. The good news is that bathrooms don’t need much decor.

The most glaring issue I needed to address was the art above the toilet. It was way too high because a second frame under it had broken a while back and I never replaced it. First, I found a frame - I have a huge stockpile (doesn’t everyone???). Then it was a matter of finding the right art. I went to my tried and true place for free, awesome art - Pinterest. A quick search resulted in a set of two beautiful watercolors of succulents (here is the source).

Here’s a closeup of the blue. It’s simple and beautiful.

Below is another side-by-side before and after to see just how important it was to add another piece of art in that awkward space. I often put smaller frames above larger frames when I’m hanging a set, but the reverse is totally fine too. In this case, no need to hammer extra holes in the wall by moving things around. So the big guy went on the bottom.

The other decor came from shopping my house. A plant in a white pot is ideal decor for any room in any house. I have them all over. This guy just got relocated. My favorite acrylic tissue box got nabbed from my kids’ bathroom. The existing tray became the resting station for hand soap and a candle. And a big, white rug from my linen closet keeps it light and clean and, most importantly, covers that ugly floor tile!

And, there you have it. Here is the cost breakdown. And, yes, I’m a rule bender.

Total Spent on the Project - $243

Woven Shade - $87

Vanity Light - $138

Vanity Hardware - $18

Vanity Paint - Mysterious by Benjamin Moore

Wall Color Paint - Silver Cloud by Benjamin Moore

Mirror - from IKEA, no longer available

Tissue Box Holder

Next week, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled program with a Wednesday Five.

- Leah

*This post contains affiliate links*