The holidays are upon us and one thing that always seems to stress everyone out is gift giving. It's not because we don't like to shop, it's because we never quite know what to get the ones we love. Today I wanted to focus on a gift guide for newly weds. I myself am a newly wed and this will be my first Christmas as a Mrs.

After the wedding is all said and done, we look around our homes and realize we will need some things Whether we didn't get everything we put on our wedding registry, or we simply didn't think about all of the practical things we would actually need.

The list is meant to be fun and useful. If you're shopping for a newly wed, or you're a newly wed yourself, I hope this list finds you well.


This list at first may look confusing, but let me explain why I chose all of these items.

• Measuring cups: For starters these are really festive and have really cute writing on them. We both enjoy cooking, so having measuring cups are really important and often forgotten as a gift idea.

• Mr. and Mrs. stemless wine glasses: These are just for fun. No one really NEEDS these but they are fun to break out on special occasions. 

• Fluffy bath robes: Have a romantic night at home and slip into a comfy plush bath robe. They are perfect for cold nights or when you just want to hang out on the couch all day together.

•  Canisters: I am actually really sad I didn't put these on my registry. We have so many different things we could use these for, both in the kitchen and out. Maybe Santa will get the hint. ;)

• Eye mask and ear plugs: Ladies (and gentlemen).. I don't know about you, but my hubby snores and loves to stay up reading his kindle. The honeymoon is over real fast when you aren't getting enough sleep. Black out those lights and noises early on. Your body will thank you.

• Cooking utensils: This bamboo set is beautiful. Having spatulas and slatted spoons are real essentials in the kitchen. You miss them when they are missing. 

• Kitchen scale: I cannot tell you how many recipes I have made that asked me to measure out something by weight. This is especially helpful when you are watching your portions. Get one. It's a game changer. 

• Point and shoot Camera: Yes I know, we all have cellphones with camera's, but it's fun to go on little adventures with your significant other and snap photos along the way. They are pretty compact and can fit easily into pockets. Capture all your moments together.

• Gift Cards: Sometimes people just enjoy purchasing their own gifts. Many people find this option a cop out gift, but really, sometimes this is really what someone wants. Besides you can use gift cards for so many things. I show you in this post. Check it out. 

• Weekend bag:  It's nice to have a bag to be wisked away for a weekend with. It's purpose is to hold clothes for each of you for 2 days. It really comes in handy if it's hard to get away often but you take many weekend trips through the year. 

What would you add to this list? Anything you really needed but didn't get and hoped for as a Christmas gift from loved ones? Share below!

Just a few thoughts today...

I had a nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed 4 days off filled with family, cat snuggles, and yoga. I am very grateful for all of it. Family is always comforting, Hugging my kitties makes me happy, and yoga was a great way for me to get my head cleared.

Today is Cyber Monday. There are a lot of great deals out there if you are one for shopping online. I personally love to look for travel deals. A little tip I like to share is, follow people on twitter. So many great deals go live on there!

The Holiday Tea Swap sign ups close today at 11:59pm EST. If you are interested in joining in, please get signed up as soon as possible. I will have all swap buddies e-mailed by Wednesday. I really hope you will join us.

I have a few announcements coming up in the next few days. Stay tuned.

May your transition back into a work week be smooth and your week be full of love. 

I just wanted to pop on here real quick to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. Even if it is a holiday you do not celebrate, take today to reflect on those things you are thankful for. We can never do that enough.

I wanted to challenge myself to write down as many things as humanly possible that I am thankful for, as to remind myself to not only dwell on the bad. Here goes nothing..  (In no particular order of importance)

I am thankful for my husband. Even though we don't always see eye to eye, we keep each other in check.

I am thankful for my mom and dad. They have been my rock this year when other outlets didn't seem to deliver.

I am thankful for the friends who have become family. The ones who will let you cry on their shoulder or scream until you feel better with no judgement.

I am thankful for Rick and Grace (my cats). They have offered so many laughs and snuggles in the short time we have had them in our home. They make this house a home.

I am thankful for my job. I work in a very rewarding position and even today, when many people are off with their families, there are amazing people tending to the animals. There is no holiday when you have live animals to care for.

I am thankful for this blog. As much as I have neglected it this year, it is still here when I need a place to release my thoughts. It has brought me some new friends and has taught me so much. I get to be my own boss here and have opportunities because of it.

I am thankful for my readers of this blog. Some of you have become friends. Some of you have become my cheerleaders. Some of you are strangers who comment just to put a smile on my face. I love that and I love all of you.

I am thankful for the medications that are making it possible for me to eat on a daily basis. My stomach has not been the happiest this month, and even though it's been rough, these pills have made it bearable.

I am thankful for all of our women and men in uniform helping to protect me on a daily basis. I am forever grateful for them and their sacrifices to their own families to protect us.

I am thankful for the home I live in and the shelter it provides me. I have more than many people in this world and I never want to forget how grateful I am for that.

I am thankful for the greater power, whomever that may be, who does show me from time to time that there is a bigger purpose to all of this. There is someone watching over us, even when we struggle.

I am thankful because I am alive. I woke up today, and I am breathing.

Happy Thanksgiving all. <3