whimsical wednesdays {gift wrap}

One year, my aunt had all of her Christmas gifts purchased and wrapped by September.

Needless to say, when it comes to the holidays, preparedness is in my blood.

This week my siblings and I began discussing our Christmas gift exchange.  All this talk of gifts has left me itching to get to work.

If I were the type of girl that invested in expensive gift wrap, I'd love to indulge...

1. For all my prepster friends, I'd opt for these tags from Three Potato Four.  I think they'd look lovely with their cashmere cardis and herringbone tights.

2. For my hipsters and Maniacs, I'd pick these gift tags, also from Three Potato Four.  I have a feeling that the card stock is recycled...

3. For those who are preppy (polka dots!) and like to keep it eco-friendly (gift wrap can be wasteful) I'd box up their gifts in this Chartreuse set from Paper Source.  Anytime my gifts can look beautiful, with minimal effort, I am a happy girl.

 

4. For Lily, I'd put her gift in this Merry Dot Santa Sack from ellaWrap. I feel like the new "purse" would probably be more exciting to her than the gift itself.

5. Oh, and if I'm lucky enough to get my cousin, Joe, in the draw, I'd wrap his up in this Eminem Rapping Paper.  Who needs Lyrics.com when you have Rapping Paper, right? (I personally think the guy holding it is a little scary. Is the mask really necessary, sir?)

i like you

Gah! I'm so behind on writing thank you cards.  I feel like I'm finally catching up on things (email inbox = officially empty!), but for some reason I cannot seem to get these thank yous finished.

Would the sentiment be lost if I were to send these mad libs-esque cards?

To those that I owe thank yous: I mean it, you really are the best!

the power of the rain

What's worse than being caught in the rain unexpectedly [i.e. no boots or umbrella]?

Being caught in the rain with no boots, umbrella, or cell.

Or, for that matter, being caught anywhere without your cell.

Presenting Orange's Power Wellies.

The boots have a power generating sole that converts heat generated from your feet into an electrical current. After 12 hours of walking, the boots will provide enough power to charge a mobile phone for one hour.

And if one hour isn't quite enough, just add a little pep to your step - the more heat generated, the more power provided.

I might still opt for Hunter's when it comes down to it, but I can't deny the practicality of these wellies...

Photo via mashable

cookie monster

One day, when Jim and I first started dating, he was complaining for hours about being hungry.  We were not in a position to get food, and he was really hurting from starvation.  When we reached a point where we were finally able to get food, it occurred to me that the entire time I'd had cookies with me that Courtney had made.

Yesterday, we were joking about this time (because he was hungry again) and ever since then, I have not been able to shake my craving for cookies.

Normally, they don't really appeal to me, because my sweet tooth is satisfied (almost exclusively) by ice cream.  However, there's just something about cookies that I can't resist today.

I can't help but wonder if it's fate that today's recipe from Real Simple was for peanut butter cookies. Am I supposed to put on my apron and get to work?

Or maybe, I should just get busy on one of these amazing sites.  Next time you're in need of a cookie (or two or three), try indulging here...

1. In need of an after school work snack? Try the SweetChip custom cookie shop on Etsy. Pick your style (chewy. always chewy.), your add-ins from a list - or request your own - then sit back and relax for 24 hours.  Then, grab some milk and enjoy your cookies.  Who needs an apron now, right?

2.  Or, in case you're feeling sleepy later this afternoon, check out A Snack in the Face.  These cookies are caffeinated.  Why opt for coffee when you can have a cookie? Or, better yet, why not both?

3. Or, for when old chocolate chip just can't satisfy you, try The Cravory.  The site boasts 950 cookie options, from Savory Rosemary Balsamic to Pancakes and Bacon to Red Velvet to good old Chocolate Chip.  That way, you're prepared even when you're at at your most adventurous.

4. And, in case you've exhausted the 950 possibilities from The Cravory, try out Momofuku. I'm especially intrigued by the Compost Cookie, made of pretzels, potato chips, coffee, oats, butterscotch and chocolate chips.  I'm a sucker for the salty/sweet combo, and let's be honest, composting is the eco-friendly thing to do.

I bet you're thinking about cookies now to, eh?