Things I Love: Pretty Little Things Edition

Welcome to the newest section of Will Write For Boots! Things I Love is place where you will find curated lists of things I am currently obsessed with, but don’t necessarily fit neatly into a another category (though some will be cross-posted). And what better day to launch a section all about the things I love than the week of Valentine’s Day?

So to kick off the new Things I Love section, here are seven pretty little things I love right now and are guaranteed to brighten your Valentine’s Day no matter your relationship status.

Riverdale He Loves Me, She Loves Me Not

This book is an awesome addition to any Riverdale fan’s bookshelf. Packed with fun dating tips and insights from your favorite characters, you find a fun compilation of character horoscopes, Veronica’s dating column, Dark Betty’s take on love, and so much more. Hey, you know what they say about the town with pep: Come for the murder. Stay for the romance.

 ($10.99 from Barnes and Noble)

Sephora Collection Lip Treatments

I’ve always been a big fan of the Sephora’s in-house brand, but their $7.00 lip balms and scrubs are my hands down favorite find. I own about six of them that live permanently in my purse. They smell great and leave your lips feeling smooth and soft for a long time after use.

 ($7.00 from Sephora)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Lara Jean Funko Pop

Has a cuter Funko Pop ever existed? This sweet one is the perfect embodiment of everyone’s favorite Netflix rom-com heroine.

 ($12.50 from Hot Topic)

Library Card Socks

I’m a sucker for a cute pair of socks, and these pastel library card socks are no exception. They just make me happy plain and simple.

 ($14.00 from Out of Print Clothing)

Fringe Large Paperback Journals

I own a lot of journals, but none of them hold a candle to my large paperback ones from Fringe. (I currently own two and plan on getting more.) They combine the page size and space that I love about a marble composition notebook from the dollar store with the look and style of something I would buy at Barnes and Noble. Plus, with tons of cute designs a a reasonable price point, there is a journal for every mood and taste.

 ($18.00 from Fringe Studio)

Book Lover Pen Set

What’s a pretty journal without a set of pretty pens? Whether you are penning a novel or jotting down a grocery list, these pens add a whimsical touch to any book lover’s day.

 ($14.99 from Barnes and Noble)

A Little Something Different

I’ve read a lot of romance over the years, but A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall has to the sweetest and most unique. From their campus meet cute to their shy glances in a their creative writing class, it’s clear to everyone around college students Lea and Gabe that they are endgame even if they don’t realize it themselves. As you watch their love story unfold through the eyes of friends, professors, and even a squirrel and a bench, you will be shipping these two hard from start to finish. Seriously, it’s a feels fest.

 ($9.99 from Barnes and Noble)

40 of the Best Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season and Beyond

My mom loves to tell everyone that my superpower is gift giving. She always says I have a knack for studying people and finding just the right gift that suits their personality and interests. I think my ability is just a mix of a love of shopping and a love of making people happy. Whether it’s a birthday, Christmas, or for souvenir shopping on vacation, I genuinely enjoy finding the perfect gift for someone I care about. I see it as a fun challenge of sorts, my own little Olympic sport if you will. (Which I would totally get a gold metal in.)

As we enter the homestretch of the holiday shopping season, I wanted to share a little bit of my super power with all of you with this curated list of some of my favorite gift ideas. Perfect for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as Christmas, there is something for every budget, and they are all relatively easy to put together.

Here are 40 great gift ideas guaranteed to wow all your loved ones.

1. Pair a restaurant gift card with your loved one’s favorite bottle of wine for s fun date night. (Bonus points if the restaurant is a BYOB.)
2. Create the ultimate binge watcher basket with a Netflix gift card, bags of microwaveable popcorn, name brand boxed candy from the dollar store, and a cozy blanket perfect for snuggling. You can even include a list of move and tv show recommendations you think they may like.
3. Order a magazine subscription for her favorite publication and wrap up the confirmation with the most recent issue.
4. Any writer will love a beautiful journal, collection of pens, and book of writing prompts.
5. DIY a spa basket with bath bombs, face masks, and a pretty candle.
6. Gift a Barnes and Noble gift card with a list of book recommendations based on your loved ones previous favorites to help them find their next read.
7. Pick up the first book in a series you think they would love or next book a current series they are reading and pair it with a Barnes and Noble gift card they can put towards the next book.
8. Music lovers will adore an iTunes gift card, set of ear buds, and a book about their favorite band/artist or band tee.
9. Find a retailer that sells Alex and Ani bracelets and pick a bangle you feel perfectly captures her.
10. Slip a Sephora gift card and a couple of things from the budget friendly Sephora Collection (I recommend their lip balms/scrubs) into an inexpensive makeup bag.
11. Pair a pretty mug with fancy single-serve hot chocolate packs and some fancy marshmallows.
12. Wrap up a bunch of boxes of K-Cup pods or fancy bags of coffee with a mug for your favorite coffee lover.
13. Any tea fan will love some fancy tins of tea and pretty mug.
14. Write up a favorite recipe like for cookies or lasagna and include all the non-perishable ingredients and an inexpensive cooking utensil or from the dollar store.
15. Sign a loved one for a subscription box service where they can receive goodies monthly or quarterly. It will be be like Christmas morning all year long.
16. When you get a Starbucks gift card or a gift card to a local coffee shop or smoothie bar, purchase  a reusable cup or ask for an extra disposable one. Stick the card inside the cup and wrap. (Pinterest has a ton of cute ideas.)
17. Pair a cookbook with a fun oven mitt and spatula.
18. Wrap up passes/tickets to a museum with the free brochures about upcoming events and maps you can find at the museum counter.
19. Add a sentimental touch to a gift card with an ornament you pick out just for them.
20. Funko Pops. Almost everyone loves Funko Pops.
21. Get some inexpensive frames and frame a picture of a special memory for a truly special gift.
22. Give the gift of cozy with a super soft blanket shawl, comfy slipper socks, and a candle in their favorite scent.
23. Hit up Five Below for some board games to create a family game night all the kids and kids at heart will love.
24. Give tickets to a concert, comedy performance, or play/musical. They are always a home run. (Shout out to my amazing aunts who got me Rent tickets for my 30th birthday this year.)
25. Got a superhero or Riverdale fan in your list? Expose them to the source material with some graphic novels or old-school comic books.
26. Design your very own Taste of the Town by putting together a collection of your town’s best dining establishments. You can even include coffee shops and bakeries in addition to restaurants and bars. (We did this last year for my grandparents with all their favorite places and it was a huge hit.)
27. Know someone obsessed with burgers, crazy for coffee, or insane for ice cream? Get them gift cards a few local burger places, coffee houses, or ice cream parlors, so they can indulge their cravings at a bunch of different places.
28. Budding artists will love high quality coloring books and coloring supplies.
29. Does somebody have a big trip coming up to a place you’ve been? Pair a guide book with a list of recommendations and can’t miss attractions or mark up the book with notes and tabs.
30. For the person always on the hunt for something truly unique, you can’t go wrong with an Etsy gift card.
31. Help them stay warm this winter with a new winter hat, scarf, and gloves.
32. A new yoga mat or some weights and a nice water bottle are great for that person who loves fitness or plans to get in rocking shape in 2020.
33. Wrap up a bunch of those pretty vintage style $5.00 hand creams in a makeup bag or decorative box/tin for a gorgeously luxe yet affordable DIY gift set.
34. Write up a list of the top ten things you love about them or a list of things about why you are best friends or love them. Print it up on some pretty paper and put it in an inexpensive frame for a low cost but priceless gift.
35. If where you purchase alcohol offers it, create a mix-and-match six pack that your favorite beer drinker will love.
36. Pair a pretty wineglass with a bottle of their favorite wine.
37. Give beach lovers a taste of summer with a new beach bag, beach towel, flip flops, and a candle that smells like the shore.
38. Wrap up sporting tickets with a team t-shirt or jersey to wear on game day.
39. Wrap up homemade cookies in pretty tins from the dollar store for a sweet treat. You can even include the recipe.
40. Books. You can never go wrong with books.

8 Tips For Surviving Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Without Losing Your Mind

Getting ready to head out to the mall this weekend? Whether you shopping for a few people or shopping for everyone, here are my top eight tips to help you survive your last-minute Christmas shopping without losing your sanity.

Know your list and your budget.

It can be so easy to forget someone you need get a gift for or to overspend. Before you head out to the mall, write up a list of everyone you need to buy for and roughly how much you plan to spend on each person. I also like to organize my list by store. Don’t forget to bring a pen with you when you shop to check off each person as you make a purchase to help you track your progress.

Browse online before you hit the physical store.

Between sales, the desire to find the perfect gift, and the sheer amount of choices, it can be overwhelming to tackle any shopping list big or small during the holiday season. A little research can go a long way. Hit the web and get some ideas of what to buy and where is the best place to buy it. For example, does Hot Topic or Barnes and Noble have a better selection for your Harry Potter obsessed cousin? Also, look to see if you can tell if the items you are considering are available in store.  This way, you won’t be wasting time trying to find something that’s not there.

Map out the mall.

No one likes having to double-back when they are shopping, especially during this time of the year. Even if you’ve been to your mall a thousand times, I still recommend looking up the floor plan and mapping out where all the stores you plan on stopping at are to create the most efficient path. Factoring stops at Target and Walmart? You can apply the same tactics to your driving roots as well.

Take advantage of in-store pick up.

In this age of technology, convenience shopping, and Amazon, many retailers are allowing you to order from what they have in stock in store online and pick it up. If you know exactly what you want and it’s in stock, I highly recommend this option. You’ll be able to get in and get out without wasting time or making impulse purchases you don’t really need (aka me in Barnes and Noble).

Go early (or late).

I know. I know. Stores at the holidays are like summertime at Disney World- long lines, too many people, and aggravation run amok. However, you can minimize dealing with the crowds by planning your shopping trip around off peak hours. Aim to go out right when the stores open or a couple hours before closing. Sure, there will still be a ton of people, but the volume will be much more manageable.

Bring a tote bag.

Plastic bag handles can be murder on your wrists and it can be cumbersome to lug around multiple individual bags from store to store. I highly recommend bringing a large tote bag with you to the mall to stash all your purchases as you shop. Trust me. Once you start doing this, it will be a shopping spree staple all year long.

Stay nourished and hydrated.

No one enjoys shopping while hangry or dehydrated. All it leads to is crankiness, an inability to focus, and a gorging on junk from the food court. Throw some granola or protein bars and a bottle of water in your bag to stave off hunger pangs and ward off the temptation for less than healthy treats.

Treat yourself.

In the craziness of the holiday season, sometimes we need pamper ourselves a little bit. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive. It can be as simple as your favorite drink from Starbucks, a new book or magazine from Barnes and Noble, a fun lip balm from Sephora, or a pretty hand cream from Bath and Body Works. A little treat for yourself can be a nice reward for a job well done or a much needed pick-me-up.