all i want for christmas.

it's coming.

it's almost my birthday (don't ask me about my 25 things list ...). i tend to keep a rolling list of things i want. if i don't get it for christmas it goes on the birthday list, and so on. i mainly do this to take advantage of the bi-annual occurrence of people buying me things for no reason. it's a pretty good deal really! that and i like saying "visit my website for further information" to people when they ask what i want for my birthday. ha!

here's what made the list for the big event:

^^^ nail polish! - a girl can never have too many shades; and for me, too many shades of red.^^^

^^^ a new set of legs ... no really some exercise pants - i'm really liking albion fit for sport gear.^^^

^^^ a bike rack - i desperately need this, what with my bike fetish phase i'm going through. the other day i thought i would just fit my bike standing up in my back seat. i do drive a box car! it'll work! ... no, it didn't work. i'm thinking this thule passage will do.^^^

^^^ a bike helmet - this should have been number one on the list because it's what i want most and ... i think ... yeah, i probably need this most too. BERN has what i want. well, what i really want is pictured above, but i'm not totally sure how to get my hands on one ... so the lenox in red, white, and blue will do.^^^

^^^ the house of the lord & the continuous atonement - jesus the christ is maybe my favorite thing that has ever been written. i teach the temple prep class in my ward and am interested in reading talmage's thoughts on the sacred subject. also i found it for $3 on amazon! have you heard this talk about grace from brad wilcox? life-changing in just 30 minutes. i'm sure i could learn a thing or two from his book.^^^

a phone case - preferably from my fave stationary supplier, rifle paper co. these are so cute i just can't handle it.

of course, i'm always in the mood for anthropologie and sephora (a seperate post entirely) gift cards and fancy soap. but mostly i just wanna eat cake and bask in the summer sun as i joyfully, blissfully, calmly skate into 26.

dear santa,

i could use this too.

"i won't have to apologize because it says it on my shirt."

love,

courtney

dear santa,

please add STAR MAP to my christmas list.

love,

courtney

*image via jorey hurley.

all i want for christmas.

fancy soap can be found a many place. if you know me you know i love l'occitane, but crabtree and evelyn make the most lovely scents! try summerhill for this gloomy winter, $23 for a three soap set. benefit magic ink jet-black liquid eyeliner and buxom mascara (it's really the best, better than benefit they're real!) are both available at sephora for $20 and $19. the lawn dish drying rack is available at boon for $29.99. this pretty print, titled primrose, by emily winfield martin, is available at theblackapple etsy shop for $16 or if you are rich you could buy the original for $400. the colorful exercise shirt is available at gap, on sale for $20; hey and why not throw in some pants to make it a set! washi tape is available ... lots of places, but at amelia presents for just $5. the lovely holiday sweater is available at jcrew (i'm dying over how cute their current sweater collection is, DYING!) for $98. polka dot tights are available lots of places too, but i'm partial to anthropologie's collection, those pictured above for $18. mia head(s) are available at sephora too! that store is good for everything!! for $25. the washington dc necklace is available at aminimal studio for $50. and finally, jcrew has the most festive pjs around (according to me of course), so many options but this is my favorite for $68.

a merry christmas to you my friends!

father's day gift guide.

for the fathers in your life:

if i could get my dad to wear this tie i would consider father's day to be most successful. the tie bar has a great selection of ties, and for cheap!

like 15 years ago, avon started selling soap on a rope; i've never seen my dad so excited about an avon product. thomas sires fish soap would create the same reaction, i'm sure of it.

my dad always has a dopp kit. isn't this jack spade just perfect! and since his birthday last week, he'll need something to carry around all the l'occitane products i got him.

every dad's a grill master right? how bout making your dad a nice burger for his day, or getting him a burger press.

the gardener comic book. genius.

for a chocolate stash all of his own, mast brother's chocolate bars are pretty manly.

history buffs run in my family. why not feed the obsession and get your dad a book on his favorite subject.

the classic father's day coupons. did this all the time in elementary school, until i moved on to dollar store presents for my dad. i think he still uses the little glasses screw driver kit i gave him years ago. you better believe this makes me very proud; and for only $1! kate spade has cute prints charming printables.

and as per usual, i have store suggestions:

the art of shaving 

{at fashion place mall and coming soon to city creek}

the gym

{at city creek, maybe a one-day guest pass?}

randy's records

{for the music aficionado}

global indoor golf

{the ultimate man cave}

mother's day gift guide.

i have always kind of prided myself on being a good gift giver. i attribute this talent to my aunt julie, who has impeccable taste and a knack for picking the best gifts, the ones that help the person she's giving it to feel so loved. because she taught me her ways, because i always love gift guides, and because i'm pretty sure gift giving is my language of love, i decided i should do a gift guide. and what better time than with mother's day just around the corner.

1anthropologie amazon dreams pitcher $58. 2coatt morse code bracelet $40. 3if you want to go the cheaper, homemade-with-love route, try a diy body scrub. 4beekman after garden soap, would pair well with ... 5celia birtwell garden tools, for the pretty gardener $39. 6the kate spade blog had a cute post earlier this month about special outings for mother's day. 7if your mom is anything like my mom, the best thing you could get her is a good book, and pair it with a cute little beach reading tote $25. 8i've always wanted to get someone a personalized stamp $40. 9i always just end up getting my mom a unique piece of jewelry. try a second hand/vintage shop in your area, banana republic or anthropologie always have unique pieces as well.

if you're in salt lake, and none of these gift ideas are meeting your fancy, try one of the following, they're my favorites for mother's day shopping.

tabula rasa 

l'occitane

hip and humble

koo de ker

cabin fever