8 Gifts for Readers

This post was originally published as a guest post on Ever Emma in December 2014.

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I thought I would republish this holiday gift guide to inspire anyone dating a reader. Enjoy!



For the friend who can't stop Instagramming #currentlyreading photos: Seriously. This library card phone case comes in all iPhone sizes and even some Samsung Galaxy sizes. How perfect is it?

$15 from Etsy

For the bibliophile whose bookshelves are a work of art: There are a ton of adorable bookend sets out there, but I'm currently swooning over these gorgeous metal bookends. And if you're looking for something a little more affordable, you can't go wrong shopping at World Market. ;)

$64.99 from Etsy

For the friend who drinks way too much tea: I don't even like Will Ferrell, but this quote from Anchorman always makes me laugh. I also particularly liked this mug and this one; there are so many great bookish mug options!

$16.99 from Etsy

For the ebook-lover who doesn't want to admit it: I would love one of these gorgeous Kindle covers so I could pretend I was still flipping real pages. As much as I love my Kindle, I have to admit paperbacks will always have my heart.

$40.20 from Etsy

For the friend who cohabitates with a non-reader: Looking for more of a stocking stuffer? A simple book light is the perfect solution for that friend (ahem, me!) who likes to stay up reading long after her partner has switched out the light.

$9.67 from Amazon

For the tech-averse friend who still writes everything down: If you know that one holdout who refuses to sign up for Goodreads, this book journal is the ideal way to track her favorite reads (and not-so-favorite, sometimes).

$19.95 from Moleskin

For the tech-savvy friend who prefers ebooks: I have to admit I've never used Oyster, but this unlimited ebook subscription looks perfect for anyone who's attached to their Kindle (or Nook).

$9.95/month from Oyster

For the bookworm who lives in a studio: (Or anywhere else small enough to prevent having a book nook, really.) This bookish curtain panel would liven up any reading corner.

$17.95 from H&M

The Perfect Bridal Shower Gift: A Creative Wine Basket!

Is it just me, or is everyone getting married?? If anyone else is experiencing this same phenomenon and needs an awesome gift to take to the next bridal shower, I have the perfect solution for you! A bride-to-be wine basket.

Stocking Stuffers Under $20: The Book Lover

1. You all know I'm a huge advocate of Goodreads, but if you have a friend who stills prefer pen and paper, this library-card-inspired journal would be the perfect place for her to jot down books to add to her ever-growing TBR pile.

$10.95

Stocking Stuffers Under $20: The Travel Bug

1. A cute journal to record what she did, ate and saw each day. Unfortunately, since the time I made this collage, this specific journal from Francesca's has gone out of stock, but you can find adorable journals at Target, Barnes & Noble, Papyrus, local boutiques, etc. :)

$12 (no longer available)

Stocking Stuffers Under $20: The Caffeine Addict

For the second installment of my holiday stocking-stuffer guides, I had to pick some treats for the caffeine addict in your life. Whether her poison of choice is coffee or tea (or a combination of both, like me), these gifts will be sure to bring her some holiday cheer. :)

1. "Is coffee, indeed, the substance that drives history?" According to Barnes & Noble, you should read this book to find out! 

$10.78 (online price), $14.95 (in store) 

Stocking Stuffers Under $20: The Organized One

I love giving gifts, but I don't love the pressure the holidays put on me to find the perfect gifts for everyone special in my life. I would much rather buy gifts throughout the year as I find things I think my family members would like than buy them something for Christmas just because I need something to put under the tree. One thing I DO love about holiday gift-giving traditions, though? The stockings!! I absolutely love finding stocking stuffers, and most of the items on my personal wishlist each year are honestly more in the stocking-stuffer category.

For the next few weeks leading up to the holidays, I thought it would be fun to create little stocking-stuffer gift guides as my own version of "Wishlist Wednesday." For the first installment, I've rounded up some smaller, inexpensive items that would be most appreciated by the organizers in your life: the planners, the type-A personalities, the paper-product junkies ... you know who I mean. :) I tried to pick items from stores that are pretty easy to find (think Target and Staples), but don't forget to check out Ross, T.J. Maxx or Marshalls for similar gifts in a low price range!

1. My original thought for this item was a cute kitchen timer, but this hourglass timer from World Market was just too pretty and classic to pass up. This would be perfect for any friends who believe in the Pomodoro method and need a cute, unique way to keep track of time.

$12.99

Friday's Fancies: Week 11

Hi there! I know it's been a while, but I've decided to participate in {av}'s Friday's Fancies link-up again this week. The theme is Date Night, but I'm going to put a little spin on that.

I've already designed some (hopefully) date-worthy outfits for Friday's Fancies (like this and this), so I decided to step away from clothes today and try something different. I'm in a long-distance relationship, so I don't get to go on a lot of dates. Instead, my boyfriend and I exchange a lot of care packages. In fact, I sent him a pretty rad one two weeks ago (at least, I thought it was pretty cool!). Today, I wanted to share the contents of my perfect care package, in lieu of a date outfit, because that's what I get more often:

1. Starburst jelly beans. I love these little morsels of happiness.

2. A cute card. It can be handmade or store bought, I don't have a preference, but I have to admit: I get a little sad when I open a package and there isn't a handwritten note inside. It's the writer in me, I guess.

3. I found these little puzzle books in a local bookstore a while ago and fell in love. I flip through them every time I go in. They would be a perfect addition to my carry-on for long plane trips! I like the logic games the best; I was that girl who thought the practice LSAT was fun. (Then again, I never took the real one, so I'm probably biased.)

4. Amazon gift card to stock up my Kindle! Obviously.

5. Mmm, Lacey cookies! My dad always gets these for Christmas from his administrative staff, and I can't get enough.

6. Stamps, so I can send you a thank you card, of course! :)

Also, I will never turn down a bag of Lifesaver Mints. I love them. I thought about this after I finished the graphic, and I was too lazy to add it, so here you go:

Photo via Drugstore.com

Other items that would make me happy: movie tickets (because that's something fun I can do on my own, but I ain't paying $10.50 to do it!), pistachios (yum! but so expensive...), Starbucks gift cards, iTunes gift cards ... any gift card, really! And, of course, if someone is taking the time out of their day to send me a package or snail mail, I'll appreciate it no matter what's inside ... as long as it's not Anthrax or something equally as cruel and unfunny.

What are your ideal care package items? Do you send packages often? Happy Friday!

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day for Anyone

Source: m.weheartit.com via Kaleigh on Pinterest

Valentine's Day is about love, right? But who says it has to be romantic love? Here are a few gift ideas for the other special people in your life. Bonus: They're all under $30!

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day for Him

Source: bellethemagazine.com via Brooke on Pinterest

Hello again! I promised when I made my gift guide for girls that I would make one for boys, too, so here it is! As I stated in my original gift guide, I'm more of an "experience" person and not a "gift" person, especially when it comes to Valentine's Day. But, I know many people like to give gifts, and often you can't spend Valentine's Day with the one you love (boo). So here are some ideas that you can send via the mail.

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day for Her

It’s February, and you know what that means! (Besides the Super Bowl, that is.) 

Source: bakerella.com via Veronica on Pinterest

Valentine's Day is coming!

Well, ideally we would start to plan for Valentine’s Day on February 1. Unfortunately, my local grocery stores have been brimming with Valentine’s Day candy for a good month now. Regardless, I thought I’d take this opportunity to share a few gift ideas with you. Now, I’m not the biggest Valentine’s Day person. Personally, I think Valentine’s Day should be an opportunity to spend some quality time with my significant other, not to buy each other gifts. In fact, that was generally our rule in high school: No gifts; let’s go do something romantic instead. However, considering this will be our fourth Valentine’s Day in a long-distance relationship, we’ve had some practice discovering small tokens of affection that can be sent via USPS.