Pucker up, buttercup!

People often joke that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday. By and large…it is but why not enjoy it for what it is? I've never met a gal who didn't swoon over pink and red accessories or, for that matter, a guy who didn't enjoy the excuse to eat a fancy dinner out. Like I said, what's not to love?

Well, pucker up buttercup because I took my clan to Woodfield Mall last weekend to round up a quick and easy gifting guide for the ladies and the gents. My oh-so-helpful assistants were on a mission to make everyone happy at just about every price point. <Starbucks' cake pops sweetened the deal>

We kicked off our trip with a game plan. Our retail agenda included visits to: Altar’d State, Columbia Sportswear, lululemon, Lush Fresh Homemade Cosmetics, Michael Kors, Microsoft, Pandora, Sephora, Tommy Bahama and Vera Bradley. 

My darling husband assisted with the gents. You're welcome. He is also the proud owner of these boots from Columbia. Rave reviews, my friends. He walks three miles in the loop everyday so waterproof, durable footwear is of top priority.

Next up: me, I mean the ladies! I'd be lying if I said we didn't spend much time in Sephora. Like me, the girls were struck by the "Sephora bug." Hard not to…pretty packaging, shiny objects, bright lights, pretty scents, a rainbow of colors…we love it all!

Liv and I selected this nude lip set for $28. It has six different mini lip products without having to make the big commitment. I highly recommend this one! I throw it in my work bag everyday.

Let's just stop for a moment and appreciate the Vera Bradley windows. Vibrant color and top notch styling. They have a great handbag selection right now so be sure to add them to your list!

…and our final stop was at Michael Kors. If you are feeling blush this season like me…then happiness awaits. Shades of pink and crimson line the shelves with pretty gold accents. Valentine's literally exploded in this retail front. 

How's that for piquing your interest? Woodfield Mall has it all and we finished with a fun, family dinner @ Kinfork. 

Head on over this weekend to get your shop on and be sure to check out the free Be Mine Photo Booth taking place February 11 and February 12 from noon to 6 p.m.

Muah! Happy Friday! xo

Check out today's link ups: Style Elixir, Jo Lynn Shane,  Mix & Match Fashion

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Pucker up, buttercup!
Pucker up, buttercup!

People often joke that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark holiday. By and large…it is but why not enjoy it for what it is? I've never met a gal who didn't swoon over pink and red accessories or, for that matter, a guy who didn't enjoy the excuse to eat a fancy dinner out. Like I said, what's not to love?

Well, pucker up buttercup because I took my clan to Woodfield Mall last weekend to round up a quick and easy gifting guide for the ladies and the gents. My oh-so-helpful assistants were on a mission to make everyone happy at just about every price point. <Starbucks' cake pops sweetened the deal>

Fa la la la La Croix!
Fa la la la La Croix!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am rarely without a can of LaCroix in hand save for the hours of 5-9am when I am chugging back coffee and slapping myself awake. What you don't know is that I literally grew up on LaCroix. My parents didn't allow any pop in our house so the only way we could scratch that itch was by gulping down cans of flavored sparkling water. 

In hindsight, it was a fabulous habit to enforce and now one of my daughters walks around with her own LaCroix. Yes, she's four years old and it could appear a bit ridiculous but hey...I know how to get her to consume more water!

The Big Gifting Guide: For HER
The Big Gifting Guide: For HER

I never really made it around to creating big Black Friday and Cyber Monday posts. Life was just too busy and we hosted Thanksgiving which means practically no laptop time. I'm okay with that. Instead, I've converted my "Tuesday Loves" to "The Big Gifting Guide" leading up to Christmas. 

3 Practical Gifts for Gifting Season
3 Practical Gifts for Gifting Season

Gift giving has arrived my friends! When I think of the items I use daily, the absolute necessities in life, they are often brilliant inventions that have a practical function in my life. Believe it or not, they aren't shoes or dresses, they're items that help me function as a parent, a host, an entertainer...you know, an overall renaissance woman of sorts. Totally kidding!

Pineapple Express.
Pineapple Express.

This post is coming at you late for a number of reasons - two of which happen to be: 1. I drank a bottle of wine last night (oops! - summer, it's your fault) and 2. this week is off to a nutty start. I feel like everyone just returned from Memorial Day and needs everything...NOW!

Shop Woodfield Mall for Mother's Day!
Shop Woodfield Mall for Mother's Day!

One of my favorite things about Mother's Day is shopping for it! It's a rare moment that I am sans children and can take my time perusing different stores without the pressure of finding a bathroom, a snack or having someone complain about walking too far. Yes folks, the struggle is real. Toddler life is HARD!

This week was a different story. I had the opportunity to spend three glorious hours all to myself and it was AMAZING. I grew up shopping at Woodfield Mall which has more stores than you could humanly visit in three hours but that's beside the point. It was uninterrupted shopping which is a gift in and of itself! I visited stores that I had never even heard og which was slightly distracting as the task at hand was: find mom a gift for Sunday. Oops!

Stuff Your Stocking - Sephora Style.
Stuff Your Stocking - Sephora Style.

When it comes to my stocking, I thoroughly appreciate a good beauty haul. I don't get to Sephora often but when I do, it feels like birds are circling my head and an angel choir cues up. It's my personal heaven complete with scents, colors, smart packaging, handy tools and more. In a sentence: I get lost. Hand me a cup of coffee and we're really talking!

7 Gifts for Your Man.
7 Gifts for Your Man.

Let's hear it for the boys! Last week I armed with you special prezzies for your pooch. This week we're thinking of your BAE. Seven masculine gifts that are fashionable and functional. Just how he likes it. Think affordable, too ranging from One Kings Lane to J.Crew. Sorry gals, my "one for me, one for you" does not apply this round. Don't fret though, I'll be covering your BFF next Tuesday!

21 Gift Ideas for the Pooch
21 Gift Ideas for the Pooch

Hey guys. Today's post has a more serious tone but I wanted to end it on a positive note. Meet my pup Lucy. She's actually turning 11 pretty soon. These pics were from her first week with me when I lived in the city. She's pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen as far as puppies go. Sorry...#notsorry. 

5 Really Great Stocking Stuffers for Her.
5 Really Great Stocking Stuffers for Her.

Like it or not, it's time to get shopping. Black Friday creeps up more and more every year. They really should just make it Black Week. I hear that Ulta is opening up on Thanksgiving now. Do these people not have families? So bazaar to me! 

Gifting + HolidayJohanna Grangechicago, shopping, gifting, gifting guide, weekend, sponsored post, holiday4 Comments