Year: 2009

hanukkah craft

If I were celebrating Hanukkah, I’d be all over this idea for the kids. A DIY kid friendly menorah.

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

fun ideas for stocking stuffers

Oh how I love to stuff those stockings; I look forward to it every year. In fact, I’m itching to do it right now…but Santa may not be too pleased with me.  I love it so much that I hang gigantic stockings. Some of my most memorable Christmas gifts were those found in my own stocking on Christmas morning. In my most humble opinion, a properly stuffed stocking should contain the following elements: practical, frivolous, sweet, traditional.  And most everything is budget friendly and available in the usual places, with exceptions for special surprises, like the watch he’s been admiring for years. (Did you get a Swatch in your stocking back in the day?) We’ll begin with a roundup of sock-approved surprises for the man in your life.

image here. aren’t they gorgeous? and pricey?
  • his favorite personal care items: shaving cream, deodorant, razors, toothbrush, etc. Maybe splurge on the really good stuff he never buys for himself. My man loves this, which is a real luxury.
  • his favorite candy bar, king size
  • a candy cane
  • flashlight, batteries
  • gift cards: itunes, the bakery next to his office, the car wash
  • a book by his favorite author, or
  • >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

holiday gift guide for little boys.

1. Finn Shoes by Eleven $50

Eleven shoes continue to delight in my house as even the outdoorsy, non-stop battling, scuffing Charming can’t seem to wear them out. They’re stylish and worth every extra penny for the endurance. If Charming can’t wear them out, no one can.

2. Kideko Monster Pajamas $34.95

Kideko, an Australian children’s company came onto my radar last year and I haven’t been able to get these pajamas out of my head since. Could these monster pajamas be any more suitable for a little boy on Christmas Eve? I think not.

3. Polarn O. Pyret Jeans $46

This Swedish company continues to delight me with their children’s clothing for both boys and girls. Reminiscent of Hannah Anderson but more diverse, I am drawn to everything in their product line. These jeans on a little boy? Oh my heavens.

4. Lands’ End Hoodie $34.50

I think this hoodie would round out a winter outfit nicely wouldn’t it? The plaid is stylish while the zip and hood are practical. And because it’s Lands’ End it will definitely be warm and sturdy, the perfect one-two punch for beating the snow.
Some of these products have already been tried-and-true >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

holiday gift guide for women.

I have a myriad of holiday gift ideas for everyone on your list. Bazillions of them floating all around my brain, so it’s time to share. I’m doing the guides one at a time, designated by him/her/kids and you can do the discerning as to which lucky person on your list gets the loot. All I can do is point you in the right direction. So off we go.

The first gift guide is for her, whether that her be yourself, your mom, your sister-in-law, or best friend is up to you. Everything I’ve recommended is product tested and adored by none other than yours truly.



1. NIA 24 Skincare Line $45

I’m very partial to the Sun Damage Repair Sunscreen. It’s been in my travel case of makeup for about the last 6 months and is running on empty; I’m not really sure what I’ll do without it. The cream is fragrance and color free but manages to smell and feel delicious and protect me from the sun all at the same time. I adore it.

2. Too Faced Lipstick $18

It’s a cheeky name, and a fun lipstick. Favorite color pick? Cougar. Not that I’d tear after … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

bribery?

Our three year old is something of strong-willed child: opinionated. determined. assertive. impossible. A pistol to be sure, now don’t get me wrong, I’m happy he’s not a bump-on-a-log, but sometimes the defiance willfulness is out of control. We are not the kind of parents that don’t believe in limits or discipline, but I find myself scolding more than I like, telling him “NO!” more than I like, feeling frustrated more than I like. All of this definitely more than my child likes; he gets frustrated, too. Obedience is a tricky principle to instill in the [always moving at warp speed] mind of a toddler, and time-outs just weren’t getting the job done on their own.

In an effort to improve the situation, we’ve instituted an incentive system to positively reinforce his good behavior (he really is quite sweet) but also teach consequences for the occasional naughty behavior, too. And so far, it’s really working well.

On our kitchen counter stands a small glass jar and a tin of marbles. For every good thing he does, no matter how small, he gets to put a marble in the jar. It might be going potty without being asked, putting his clothes … >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

shade outfit giveaway!


People, I have good news. I’m doing a giveaway of a whole, entire outfit {you’re on your own for shoes and accessories} courtesy of Shade Clothing. You want this outfit, you really do.

1. Ruffle Top {$24.50}
Adorable. Everyone needs more ruffles in their life.
2. Solid scarf {$12.50}
You know how I feel about accessories right? They make or break an outfit.
3. D-Ring Lounge Vest {$36.50}
I have yet to master the art of vest wearing, probably because of my *ahem* decent endowment. But this one’s cute.
4. Denim Skirt {$34.99}
Everyone needs a denim skirt in their closet. Especially one that gives you the option of snapping at the slit. Seriously.

Grand total: $108.49

That’s a whole lot of holiday love.

So ready, get set, comment. And for the love of all that’s holy, go become a fan on my Facebook page it’s lonely over there.


Giveaway Details:

  1. To enter the Shade Clothing Outfit Giveaway leave a comment on this post.
  2. Leave ONE comment on this post between today and Monday December 14th Midnight, MST.
  3. Link to this post on your own blog (include the url in your comment) and receive an extra

>> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

giveaway winners!




The winners from the Freshly Squeezed and Cinnamon Sticks giveaways are, as chosen by the gods of Random.Org:

Freshly Squeezed Cards: Karly
$50 to Cinnamon Sticks: Kristin


If you didn’t win the Freshly Squeezed Holiday cards, no need to fret. Head over to the site for 20% off all holiday orders. Yay!

Thanks to Cinnamon Sticks and Freshly Squeezed for the stylish and lovely giveaways.

>> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

feeling under the weather.

Charming says to me yesterday morning:

Charming: Mama, I don’t feel good. I think I should stay home from preschool. I don’t want to get *my kids* sick.

Me: You’re going to lie here next to me quietly and let me sleep if you stay home from preschool?

C: I will be as quiet as a mouse. I am sick. It wouldn’t be fair to go to preschool and get *my kids* sick mama, that would be mean. I will lie next to you and play quietly with my toys, or watch SpongeBob on your computer with headphones and you can sleep. Mama you need sleep, I will be so quiet.

What actually happened after I called in sick to preschool was that Charming practiced his new W.W.F. moves on me and my ribs. For 2 1/2 hours. He took turns jumping on me, tickling me, shouting in my ear, hitting me with pillows. Any time I would start to drift off to sleep he would start pinching me.

Me: Why are you torturing me?!

C: Mama, I can’t be alone. You have to take care of me.

{cue the violins}

Me: You promised! You promised me you would … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

I’m sick.

Friends, I’m in bed. I feel like I’m dying, but that’s just me being dramatic. I literally have a fever of 102.2 and am having coughing contests with Charming, and there will be a lot of SpongeBob watching today.

I’ll be back later with holiday gift guides and giveaways galore. Hooray for alliteration!

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.