Extra Special Secret Santa Gifts

Last week I shared some ideas for things you could purchase for your coworkers when participating in Secret Santa.  However, we all know there are certain coworkers that we are closer to than others.  If we draw one of their names, we want to go a little above and beyond while still staying within the proper price range.

Here are 5 ideas that are a little more special, but stick to the $2-$3 price range and don't go over $10-$15 for the final giving day.

1. Purchase an inexpensive frame (less than $3) and put one of his/her Facebook pictures in it.  You can bet that one of her profile pictures would be a fantastic choice since they are probably the most special like this one you would find on my page.

2. Find out their favorite food and put together a little kit so they can cook it up with their loved ones.  If they love breakfast, buy pancake batter, syrup, and chocolate chips.  If they love Italian, put pasta, sauce, and some grated cheese in a bag for them.  If you really like the person, make a little menu for them to share with the kids.

3.  Make something!  With Pinterest these days, you don't need to have the idea, you just need to follow instructions.  And a lot of them are super easy!  In fact, that's how I started sewing and got the nerve to buy my first sewing machine two years ago. With projects like these you can't go wrong...

Via

Via

4.  Have their favorite hot breakfast waiting for them on their desk one morning.  A croissant and peppermint mocha from Starbucks or sausage gravy and OJ from McDonalds.

5.  If they have children, get them something they can do with their child.  It could be a little craft kit or a ginger bread house kit.  It will give them something fun to do one weekend and new holiday memories with their loved ones.

Natures Beauty Box | Review && Giveaway

If you've been around for a while you know that I am a huge advocate of shopping small and local.

I try very hard to get the majority of my gifts handmade or made in the USA.  After all, I have my own small business and truly appreciate all of the support it receives each year from you as well as local friends and family.  (If you want to check out my new inventory for Christmas gifts, click here).

Now that I'm pregnant, I'm really trying to go green with my cleaning supplies, body products, etc.  I want baby boy to have as natural environment as possible.  If he is anything like me his skin will be super sensitive!

So, when my girlfriend blessed me with amazing gifts at my baby shower a few weeks ago, I knew I had to share them with you, but also share a little more about her company, Nature's Beauty Box Boutique!

Vittoria makes 100% natural beauty and body products for the whole family.  She blessed me with a beautiful gift basket with many of the items new moms and babes need: diaper rash cream, body butter, nipple cream, headache ointment, lip balm, and so much more.  I have already used several of the products and I can tell you they work wonders and smell fantastic.

Not only did she bless me with amazing gifts, but she has offered to give away a fantastic gift package to one of my readers by entering the Rafflecopter below!  And, if you are interested in buying gifts for family or friends, she is even offering all readers a 10% discount with the code: LULUSMIMI 

The gift package includes:

1 pink cotton candy chapstick, 1 pain and headache roll on relief, and

1 coconut body butter sample

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Secret Santa Gift Ideas

I don't know about you, but I luuurrrrve Secret Santa.  You know, drawing someone's name, buying them cutesy little things for each day of the week at work and then one big reveal gift the last day.  I honestly feel like it totally gets everyone in the holiday spirit.

How can you not?!  Every day of the week begins with a little, wrapped surprise in your mailbox!

Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to buy for your Secret Santa because you generally stay within a certain budget.  At my school, we purchase $2-$3 each day for 4 days and then do a $10-$15 gift the last day.  It keeps it budget friendly, but you aren't stuck with a bunch of Dollar Store stuff.

Here are some Secret Santa Gift Guides in case you're participating this year...

For the male coworker:

guys secret santa ideas by coachgaines on Polyvore

For the female coworker:

coworker secret santa by coachgaines featuring body moisturizers

Check back Wednesday for some really creative ideas for those coworkers you are close to. You know...some gifts that say, "I like you more than a coworker."  That type of thing.

Happy shopping!

Black Friday Prices all Year Long

zulilly by coachgaines on Polyvore

I love Black Friday - everything about it: the deals, the caffeine highs (and lows), the Christmas music, everylittlething.  Usually I have a plan all mapped out with the different stops and which one I'm hitting first and all that jazz.  I have a feeling this year is going to be a little different.

I'm not saying I won't go out shopping on Black Friday, but I definitely won't be marathon shopping like I have in years past.  I mean, 9 months pregnant?  No go.

So, I was really excited when I joined Zulilly and realized you can get great deals on fantastic products all year long - not just that one day.  

Above I shared some of the recent things I've found on Zulilly that would be great gifts for me, you, or anyone!  I think it's awesome that you can find things like Under Armour Cold Gear and Columbia fleece jackets for a fraction of the price.  In fact, I bought my last pair of running shoes from Zulilly!  They're fantastic and I'm still running in them now.

By the way...that scarf is just $9.99.  Those earrings: $34.99 and the diaper bag is $74.99 (usually $125).  Practically unbeatable prices!  

If you're interested in signing up for Zulilly, just click here, register your email and you'll start receiving daily emails almost immediately.  Happy shopping!

I was not compensated in any way for this post.  It just happens to be a company I love

and I wanted to share with you.

Gift Guide

Here are a few gift guides I've come up with for the holiday season.  I've categorized them for the ladies, gentlemen, and children in your life!

ladies christmas gift guide by coachgaines featuring a fake fur vest

guys gift guide by coachgaines on Polyvore

kids gift guide by coachgaines on Polyvore

Who's on your list this season?

Online Window Shopping

Call me cheap.  Call me thrifty.  Whatever, but when I want something, I shop around.  Sometimes I shop around too much and it ends up meaning the item is no longer available.  Sometimes I'm extremely disappointed and continue searching and sometimes I realize it wasn't that big of a deal in the first place.  Often, however, shopping around saves me a buck or 30.

In recent cases, it's saved me much more.

I'd had my eye out for cardigans and booties to wear for my maternity pictures for quite a while.  I had pretty much decided that I was willing to spend some money on them since I haven't purchased a whole lot for myself wardrobe wise the past few months, I wanted something special for maternity pictures, and they were staple pieces that I could wear during and after pregnancy.

Some online window shopping saved the day!

I adore the boots on the left.  Seriously, adore.  They're from ModCloth.  And if you're doing one of those No Spend November challenges don't click on the site.  Seriously.  I want all the things.  I honestly don't think $68 was a bad price either.  When I saw the pair with cut-outs for $32, I couldn't help but save the $34 and get the adorable new trend.  I mean, that just means I have $34 more dollars to spend on myself later right?! *wink to the hubby*

bootie steal by coachgaines featuring a black ankle bootie

And...I had decided on a cardigan - actually decided that I was willing to spend the $80 price tag for the one from PacSun.  I went online to look at it one more time and take the plunge only to find it was marked down to $24.99!  Talk about a total score.  It is the softest, best cardigan ever and it will be perfect for pictures or snuggling up with baby.  And unfortunately, it's no longer available - glad I jumped on it when it hit the discount.

Pretty much I got my entire outfit figured out for the price of the original booties I wanted.  Which I still love, but how about those cut-outs on the ones I got?!

Christmas Wish List

My husband has already started asking me what I want for Christmas and all I can think is I'm going to be a huge, pregnant, lump at that point and can't even fathom what I would possibly want.  However, we've decided that since this is our last Christmas just "us" we are going to make it special.

So, I'm trying really hard to come up with some items that I would love to have and that I will be able to use 9 months pregnant and after!  Here is what I've come up with so far...

Christmas wish list by coachgaines featuring shirt hoodies

What are you wishing for this holiday season?

Sign up for this giveaway and get an early Christmas present!

Maternity Shoot Suggestions from YOU

So, I've already started thinking about what I would like to wear for our maternity shoot next month and I keep going back to skinny jeans, boots, and a cardigan for the less formal pictures.

It's fall - it's one of my favorite outfits preggo or not and I just like the whole look of it.

However, I really want to have a special cardigan to wear for the shoot to make it feel extra special so I've started searching around online for what I have in mind.  I've found 5 options that I really like, but now I'm struggling to narrow it down.  This is where you come in!

cardigan maternity shoot by coachgaines featuring Rip Curl

My favorites are #1 and #2.

#1 has a more feminine and dressy feel and #2 is more comfy, cozy and warm.  I'm planning to wear jeans and brown boots and the shirt will depend on which cardigan I purchase.

I'm sure I'll be inquiring in the near future about what I should wear for the formal part, too.  I guess I should also share that our maternity shoot will *hopefully* be in a vintage, handmade toy store since you know...that's me.

Which one is your favorite?

Rockin' Everywhere!

I found you miss new bootie...

Sorry.  Every time I talk about booties that song jumps into my head and I just want to go back to when it was new and jam out again.

Anyway, I am coveting (in the worst way) a pair of black ankle booties.  I want them to be moto-esque, but not so tough looking.  My real desire is to be able to wear them with maxi dresses/skirts through winter months.  Therefore, I'm looking for something with little to no heel.

You wouldn't believe the time I'm having!  Finding a pair I like and in my budget has been tough.

Here are my options...

black ankle booties by coachgaines featuring black cowgirl boots

I'm really feeling #3 with the cut outs and slight heel.  Which is your favorite?

Save Money on Maternity

It's no secret, I think maternity clothes are expensive.  I mean, they aren't expensive if you could wear them for longer than 4 months, but the chances of that happening are slim....making them expensive.

I don't think $30 for a dress or $24 for a blouse is expensive until I realize that I will wear it from Sept-January and then pack it away until next time.  Throughout my pregnancy I have saved money on maternity in lots of ways while still feeling like I have a decent, stylish wardrobe and I thought I would share them with you so that you can do the same!

Beg, borrow, and...okay don't steal.  But really, ask your friends that have already had children if you can borrow things from them.  I was so blessed by my friend, Leslie.  She offered to let me borrow everything she had from her pregnancy.  What is really important though is making sure you borrow the things that you may only wear once or twice throughout your pregnancy.

I'm talking about a dress for a wedding you are going to or a pair of dress pants for a church event.  If there are things you don't consistently wear in your normal day-to-day, but find you need them once or twice throughout your pregnancy, ask someone before you go buy something.

Yard Sales (including online): I don't know about your area, but online yard sales (on Facebook or otherwise) have taken our area by storm.  My mom and I have purchased so many of my maternity staples off sites like these.  Most people are willing to let you come look through what they have before committing and you can pretty much purchase items in the same size once you know what your size is.

Most of my jeans and tops have been purchased for $5-$10 off these sites.  I've gotten many items from Motherhood Maternity, Liz Lange Maternity for Target, and a Pea in the Pod for fractions of the original price; prices I wouldn't have been able to afford in store.

Consignment Shops/Sales & Thrift Stores: Ask other mothers you know about consignment shops and sales around your area.  Our area has 3-4 decent consignment sales (where you can sell you own items, too) each season throughout the year.  Many of them have stuff for your babe, but some even carry maternity.

I have purchased several maternity items at thrift stores as well.  In fact, I had pretty much figured I wouldn't find anything decent at the thrift store I frequent most often and, boy was I wrong.  Each item in this thrift store is $2!  I've purchased Old Navy corduroys, a Motherhood pencil skirt, and several sweaters for $2 - you can't beat that with a stick.

Sales and Clearance Racks: I have walked into some stores one time and not returned due to prices, but several of my girlfriends tell me that they run amazing sales.  I know that often Old Navy, GAP, and Destination Maternity give customers an additional 25-30% off even sale prices.  Target has been a great resource for me.  Unfortunately, they mix their maternity clearance in with their regular clearance, but if you have the time and you're willing to dig, you can find great deals in there.  I recently purchased a t-shirt for $4 and I got a black maxi skirt for $13.

Don't judge a store by its cover.  Here in NC we have a store called Burke's Outlet, very similar to TJ Maxx or Marshall's.  I had been told it was a "dump."  I walked in there one day after yoga class just to see what they had for maternity or if they had any at all - it is not a dump!  Maybe to someone who hates the hunt, but to someone who doesn't mind it, it is a treasure trove.  I've purchased several tops from there that are not maternity that I am still wearing and they had an entire rack of maternity clothes. Even Walmart has maternity clothes online now!

Don't be afraid to look outside the maternity section.  Just last weekend we went to the farmer's market and everything I had on was non-maternity that I already had in my closet before getting pregnant.  I've worn outfits to work that did not have a single maternity piece.  The style today for many blouses is loose and flowy which makes them work even with a bump.  My jeggings all have enough stretch in them to still be worn normally and my skinny jeans work just fine with my belly band still.  It's hard not to get excited about having a bump and wearing maternity, but keep in mind you might still have many items in your closet that work for you.  I've been wanting a pair of skinny jeans, but I keep putting it off knowing I can still wear the ones I already own.

Coupons.  I use coupons in my everyday life.  I find them online when I'm shopping and I use them in the grocery store every. single. time.  Just last week I saved $26 on our groceries using them.  Personally, the time it takes to cut them out is worth the money saved to me.  I have been able to use coupons on several items of maternity (as well as items for babe, but that's another post).  If you don't already have the Target app downloaded on your phone, do it NOW!  I save anywhere from $5-$10 per trip using that app.  It constantly has deals like save $5 on a $20 maternity purchase - including clearance items.  I've walked out before with almost $50 worth of maternity clothes for $15.

Zulilly is quite possibly the best site I've found.  It runs great deals on maternity items, things for kids, excursions, etc.  Motherhood and Destination maternity often have sales on there as well as PinkBlush Maternity.  Definitely click on that link and sign up!  You won't regret it.

To see other tips I've shared about extending the life of your maternity wardrobe click below:
accessories, the in-between period, and items you already own

What have you done to save money on your wardrobe?

Spruce up your bump (2)

Pregnancy is no excuse to fall victim to the yoga pants blues.  You know, that point where you decide there isn't anything that is ever going to fit over that big bulge in your front or the newly defined hump on your backside?  Tell me, I'm not the only one.

But really though, maternity clothes are expensive, limited, and very basic, I get it.  Last week I shared some accessories that can be used to spruce up your bump and this week I'm sharing regular pieces of clothing you can use to spruce it up. The luxury of these pieces is that you may already own them or if you add them to your closet, you will be able to wear them after baby as well.

spruce up your bump2 by coachgaines featuring a v neck vest

I am a lover of layers and luckily, the majority of my pregnancy, or at least the big months, are going to take place in September through January which means I can use layers to stretch my pregnancy wardrobe.  I think putting effort into my outfits will help to make me feel like "me" and more beautiful as I continue to blossom.

Loose sweaters are a great way to keep the bump cozy and warm and also hide a post-bump belly once baby comes.  They will also look great paired with boots and skinny jeans once body by baby is gone and mommas got her groove back.

Button up shirts and vests are perfect to wear in lieu of cardigans to spruce up an outfit.  I especially love the army green fad going on right now.  I'm on the hunt for a vest to add to my own wardrobe.

I'm also a huge fan of the open cardigan all the time, but I especially like ones without buttons right now because they make it appear like the cardigan was never meant to be buttoned in the first place.  Let's be honest, it ain't buttoning right now!

Last, but not least, I have vowed I will not purchase a winter maternity coat.  Mainly because I know they will be expensive and I know I won't wear it for long because winter's in NC are so mild.  I live in down vests in the fall/winter here because that's really all we need.  So, I'm planning on layering a down vest over my belly with scarves and mittens and hoping to stay warm enough with those layers.

What pieces do you incorporate to your maternity wardrobe?

21 weeks

I just had to share this picture even though its on Instagram

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 21 weeks

Size of Baby: Large banana, 10.5 oz.

Weight Gain: 13 lbs

Stretch Marks: Nope!

Maternity Clothes:  Stretchy skirts and dresses are so comfy for work and much cuter than what I wore through the summer.  I'm excited to share some of my outfits with you soon!  The first 2 weeks of school were busy and then there was that whole curveball so I'm looking forward to getting back on track with blogging.

Gender:  Sweet baby boy!

Movement:  Yes.  Lots more than last week even.  He still just feels like butterflies, but I'm feeling them often.  I love it.  

Sleep: The first week of school I wasn't exercising because I was so tired and busy in the evenings, but life is starting to aclimate and I've been back to running and walking every day.  The exercise makes my sleep so much better!  In fact, 2 nights this week I slept through the whole night without even waking up until 5:30, which is before my alarm, but I'll take it!

Missing:  Running further than 3 miles.  Physically I can do it, but I have to use the bathroom before I can make it home so I'm not going that far; that would be awkward!

Loving:  Carter's.  I went to their Labor Day sale last weekend and walked out with almost $200 worth of clothes for babe for less than $50.  We also registered Monday and that was a blast!  Everything is just awesome.  

Craving:  Peanut butter.  I'm eating it with apples for lunch and on whole wheat english muffins for breakfast.  

Feeling: On top of things.  I feel like I've gotten so much done this week between buying Baby G some cute outfits, registering at Babies R U, Target, and Amazon, getting ahead in my grad school readings/assignments, and consistently working out.

Looking Forward: I'm excited to wear my dress from PinkBlush Maternity to a wedding this weekend.  Can't wait to share pictures with you all and host a giveaway for a $25 credit to their shop!  

Best Moment(s):   As exhausting as it was, registering was so much fun!  We picked out everything from strollers to bottles to diapers.  Loved every minute of it.  The most overwhelming part was definitely the bottles.

My sweet friend bought me these adorable outfits on clearance at Old Navy and brought them to me at school yesterday. Love them (and her)!  My favorite is the Say Aloha to my little friend!

Completed a large order for Lulu's Mimi last weekend and delivered them to a proud grandma-to-be on Wednesday.  Making things for other babies is getting my brain in gear about what I'm going to be making for the nursery and what fabrics to use.

Got 3 inches chopped off my hair.  Walked into the salon saying CHOP IT.  Luckily my hairdresser talked me out of it knowing I'm preggo and hormonal and all.  3 inches was much better than the 7 I asked for.

Finally got out there and ran again this week and started walking the dogs again.  The first week of school really kicked my butt, but I've finally balanced my schedule so I can work out consistently again.  Lucky for me because Manda is doing 30 in 30 again.

So far for the month of September I've got 6 miles.

How was your week?!

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