I know it’s really late for gift guides and all that, but maybe not. I mean, I’m pretty sure my husband hasn’t bought me anything yet.
So I thought I’d share some of my absolute favorite things with you all, in case you’re looking for some last minute gift ideas for yourself or someone else.
Also, if you stick around until the end, I’m giving away one of my favorite things!
Because I’m a Priss
Smashbox Brow Tech – I can have trucker hair, furry legs, and spit up on my shirt, but if I have a clean, moisturized face and groomed eyebrows, I feel somewhat put together. I’ve worn this stuff every day for the last 4 years. It is my absolute favorite thing in my makeup bag.
Murad Skin Perfecting Primer – I got this at Blogher this year, and I love it as a light foundation. I put this on and top with some pressed powder (and my Brow Tech, of course), and I’m ready for school drop off.
Mama Mio– I’ve had the opportunity to do some local brand rep work for Mama Mio and I am in love with their stuff. Their products are free of all “nasties” and smell amazing. Their “Lucky Legs” lotion feels great, especially after a long day chasing children. I used their OMega Super Rich Body Cream as a moisturizer for my face, and this bottle lasts FOREVER.
Mac Lipglass- I’m not much of a lipstick gal, but I love me a good gloss. Mac Lipglass has been my absolute fave since college. I love it in Nymphette.
Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable hairspray – A product of Texas, I’m a believer in the can of hairspray, but I can do without the sticky stiffness of the old school stuff. Soy Touchable, which I got at Blogher, is different. It holds back my fly-aways and helps me give some extra fullness to my hair, but it just doesn’t… feel like hairspray.
Vigoss Jeans from Nordstrom Rack – I thought I was destined to a life of ho-hum jeans since I really can’t bring myself to shell out $200 on a pair. Then my friend told me about the “cheap” jeans at Nordstrom Rack, which is basically Nordstrom’s outlet store. Every pair of Vigoss jeans I tried on looked awesome on my butt, was long enough for my lanky legs, and I’d say they run big since I fit in a size I haven’t worn since high school (vanity sizing, FTW!). The best part? TWENTY EIGHT DOLLARS.
Yummie Tummie Tank & Leggings- Last year at Blogher I was introduced to Yummie Tummie and I’ve been a believer ever since. This year, I’ve loved rocking my leggings, my nursing tank, and I just added a lace tank top to my collection, which looks great under a long cardigan, paired with my skinny Vigoss jeans. These are definitely a splurge, but keep an eye on sales and sites like Zulily for great deals.
Because I Like To Drink Things
Wine Soiree – Another awesome gift from a Blogher party (thanks Romy!). This thing makes the cheapest bottle of wine taste amazing. And since I’m all for stocking up on the cheap stuff, I can really appreciate it’s powers.
Mr. Coffee Keurig – I’ve been wanting a Keurig for so, so long. I just couldn’t ever justify the cost since we have a perfectly fine coffee maker- a very nice one, in fact. Well, this was on sale at our grocery store, of all places, for only $60 last week. Merry Christmas to me! I’ve only had it a week and I could French kiss it. If anything, I can use it to make myself some coffee so I’m awake enough to use the fancy coffee machine to make more coffee. It’s very basic, but does exactly what I need it to do- make me one cup of coffee with minimal effort on my part.
Because My New Obsession Is Photography
Pixelmator– I got this photo editing software for Mac last Christmas on Cyber Monday for super cheap. I had planned on getting Photoshop Elements, but for only $12, I figured I’d give this editing software a try first. It’s very similar to Photoshop in that it uses layers and brushes. I’m able to do basic things like smoothing out skin blemishes and cloning backgrounds. You can get the old version (the version I have) for $15 on Amazon. Since I have Lightroom 3 now, I have no plans of getting Photoshop or PSE anytime soon, especially since Pixelmator seems to do all the basic functions I need outside of Lightroom.
Image straight out of camera
Edited with Pixelmator and Clickin Moms Film Art Preset Platinum in Lightroom 3
Clickin Moms Film Art presets for Lightroom- These were an early Christmas gift to myself. They’re my first set of presets, and I love what they do to my pictures. They won’t make a terrible picture look perfect. I still need to work on my own clean edits in Lightroom first, but they are lovely, subtle changes to already good pictures.
Clickin Moms membership– Over the last couple years I’ve developed an aversion to online forums. (A few internet friends and I like to attribute this to “Post Traumatic Nest Syndrome”… many of you will totally relate and understand that.) So I was hesitant to sign up for another “mom” message board. Clickin Moms, however, has been nothing but incredibly insightful, educational, and supportive. It’s 95% photography talk, but in a language I understand and am not intimidated by. There are tutorials for weeks. I’ve been teaching myself Lightroom simply by reading through all the Lightroom tutorials. Half the time, I’m reading threads from my phone in bed with the help of their super simple to use iPhone app (.99 in the app store). It’s where I got the ideas and inspiration for our Christmas Twinkle Light pictures.
To finish off this post, I’m excited to say Clickin Moms is offering up a $120 gift pack for one reader that kicks a lot of ass. It includes:
1 year membership to Clickin Moms
One copy of their newest photo book Laughter
The ebook Blast Into The Blogosphere
& a Mom’s Gonna Snap t-shirt
To enter, leave a comment telling me where you’re at with photography. Are you a beginner? Hoping to get a new camera for the holidays? Have you been taking pictures for years?
You can get an extra entry if you do any or all of the following:
Like BabyRabies on Facebook
Like Clickin Moms on Facebook
Please leave a separate comment for each thing you do. I’ll use Random.org to draw a winner next Thursday, December 22nd.
Disclosure- Some of these things were given to me at no cost at Blogher and other blogging events, but I was never asked to write about them. They truly are my favorite things now. Some links may be affiliate links.
**Contest Is Closed. Congrats to Leah, commenter #118, as chosen by Random.org!
