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I love giving baked goods as a personalized gift! Find a recipe that will really appeal to your recipient and you can't go wrong! Baked goods are great for housewarming gifts and hostess gifts when attending any party or get together. I found a great cookie recipe great for gifting in the fall! This cookie recipe is from Jocelyn Delk Adams from Grandbaby Cakes and it is SO good. She creates a stellar homemade cookie recipe with Butterfinger chocolate bars. What a great treat for Fall, inspired by this Halloween favorite! Jocelyn's Butterfinger Brown Butter Cookie recipe instructions are very clear and I followed them step by step. I also added crushed Butterfingers to the top of the cookies for a little extra crunch! For a great gift, add these mouth watering cookies to a lovely serving tray. This tray is from Target's Hearth & Hand Collection and perfectly fits a nice array of cookies! After selecting the perfect tray, layout your cookies with clean hands or gloves and prepare to wrap them. I like to use ribbon or gift toppers that complement my cookies. For these Fall cookies I'm using a bit of yarn, dried flowers and faux cotton stalks. To wrap up these cookies, I'm choosing clear cellophane. Wrapping baked goods on a tray in this clear wrap allows you to show off your baking prowess and excite the recipient right away! The key to wrapping with cellophane is lining up the tray on the diagonal of a large square. Gather the clear wrap and tie it up with the yarn or ribbon, then cut off any excess. Adding the finishing touches of ribbon and dried flowers makes this gift extra special to give and get! What's your favorite recipe to give? ... VHM

I obviously get really into celebrating the holidays but seasonal changes also offer another way to celebrate. I love the changing of the seasons! When summer starts to turn to fall and the leaves change, I want to make my indoors as beautiful as the outdoors. For my décor items I like to put out items that will last me all the way through Thanksgiving. This way I can enjoy it for longer and get more use out of it. But I try to strike a balance between changing out my entire home and adding seasonal accents. Christmastime is excluded from this statement, Christmas is the one time to go all out, for me anyway! Here’s a few things I do and buy to put me in the fall mood: Fall Scents I like to change my cleaners with the season. When the fall scents come out, I buy a couple bottles to keep in my house so that the scent of fall is everywhere when I do my daily tidying up. I love the Fall Mrs. Meyers Collection of cleaners. I also love to swap out my soaps for the fall. These leaf soaps are great for the fall and make a great fall gift! They are single leaf soaps so you grab one leaf and wash your hands! I love this leaf shape and this one layered together! I buy a few fall candles and I like candles that have a pretty container that can be reused and fit into my normal décor. A few clean candle brands are Brooklyn Candles and PF Candle Co, and both have a seasonal selection of pumpkin and cinnamon scented candles. Fall Visuals I change out my flowers to a fall feeling arrangement. I add browns and fall tones to my arrangements which are usually mostly white. I love dried naturals as well. Pinecones are great (especially scented with cinnamon), as well as cattails and driftwood. Driftwood is beautiful, natural and can be appropriate for so many seasons! Raw wood is lovely in the spring and dusted with a little fake snow, I can see it working for winter as well. Oh, and let’s not forget about pumpkins! I love white pumpkins, real or fake will work but I prefer real pumpkins and then I use them to cook with or carve and save on storage space! Touch Fall has a cozy feeling associated with it so I love to amp up that vibe where I can. I add soft, cozy blankets to the sofa and chairs and keep extra blankets in baskets for anyone who gets cold. I also like to bring out the sheepskin rugs and drape them around so that everything has a soft touch to it! Here are two versions of these sheepskin rugs, a high end version and one at a great price point. My goal with seasonal decorating is to try to put out lovely festive items that are seasonally appropriate and useful! What are your favorite items to decorate with for Fall? … VHM

Libra Dates: September 23 and October 22 Libra Traits: Libras belong to the Air element of the zodiac. Air signs are cool, calculating, cerebral and charming. They possess a natural surface cleverness and a swift humor that make them all fantastic company. Libra is the most charming of the group. Libras are best known for their love of balance and keeping everything in their realm on a fair, harmonious and even keel. They cannot stand chaos or mess. They are idealistic perfectionists, and they invest most of their energy in keeping their environment and lives lovely, tidy and orderly. However, Libra is also ruled by Venus, a planet which influences beauty, the arts, love and pleasure. This makes them wonderful lovers, extremely aesthetic and into beautiful things, and certainly born with a taste for ALL of the finer things in life. For Libras that Love Luxe: Since Libras are extremely aesthetic and adore beautiful things, getting them a little luxury is perfect! They have impeccable taste and like elegant, good quality, coveted pieces which they can showcase or showoff to others so this Cuyana Blanket Scarf makes a great gift. I love this super luxe Cuyana Blanket Scarf for any Libra so that they can live in (and live in luxury in) day, night and for travel. Libras that Believe in Balance: Libras are best known for their love of balance and keeping everything in their realm on a fair, harmonious and even keel. They cannot stand chaos or mess. Help the Libra in your life get their heart and mind balanced with the Five Minute Journal. This journal gives them the tools to positively impact their outlook on everyday. With daily guided gratitude exercises it's designed to help anyone focus on the positive and the good in their life and help them be happier, and have an optimistic state of mind. Libras that Live in their Lairs: Libras' love of aesthetic gives them an affinity for elegant, good quality, coveted pieces for both themselves and their home. And since they love for people to see their good taste in action a sophisticated coffee table book is the perfect gift! HOME DECOR - Coffee table books This beautiful book looks stunning on any coffee table with its linen cover and large size but it's contents are even more stunning! Incredible images of inspirational interiors are on every page. Your Libra will love this book whether they love interiors or just their own interior! Hopefully these ideas have you covered for the Libra in your life! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

Virgo Dates: August 23 - September 22 | Virgo Traits: Virgos are an Earth sign which means they tend to be reliable and practical. Virgos are blessed with a powerful intelligence AND equally cursed with a leaning towards self-criticism and judgment. They can turn that ‘laser beam’ of perceptiveness on anyone, anytime, but mostly it’s (sadly) focused on themselves. They are not their own BFF by default, and it can take gentle Virgo a long time to curb this savage inner judge. That said, this perfectionism can drive them to heights of achievement, fame and success which other, more laid-back, star signs can only dream of. Intelligent Virgos: A really intelligent Virgo, such as your gift recipient, will really enjoy this unique gift! This very personal book complies the front pages of the New York Times newspaper, one front page for each of their birth dates of their lives. So if they are turning 50, this will have fifty front pages to read through and marvel at the biggest events of their lives. You can commemorate a newsworthy birthday with a collection of the New York Times front pages from each year since their birth, personalized with name and birth date. Available in linen binding here and in leatherette here. If your recipient also hails from the Windy City, a Chicago Tribune version is available here. Whether it's a milestone decade or a personally significant number of years, the collection forms a fascinating snapshot of history seen through the lens of their special day. Practical Virgos: Keeping things clean is the utmost in practicality! And if your Virgo gift recipient embraces their practical zodiac traits then this gift is for them. This rechargeable wand can be waved over several surfaces to disinfect anything from your sofa to your keyboard without chemicals. It disinfects and eliminates up to 99.9% of germs, viruses and bacteria using an LED light. Detail Oriented Virgos If your gift recipient has an eye for the details then this gift is a great way for them to use their eagle eye and perfectionist tendencies. This beautiful puzzle is from Jiggy Puzzles is the modern puzzle source, all of the fun of a puzzle with updated modern packaging and images. A gift like this will activate a Virgo's discerning, detail-oriented eye! Hopefully these ideas have you covered for the Virgo in your life! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

This collection of stores to shop in advance offer the best return policies that allow you to shop and buy gifts for your family and friends in advance. REI REI offers a wide variety of outdoor gear and accessories perfect for so many people of your gift list! These gifts are great for the guys in your life, great friends and any outdoor lover know. With their great return policy you can shop in advance for the outdoors devotee in your life. REI's Return Policy: We stand behind everything we sell. If you're not satisfied with your REI purchase, you can return it for a replacement or refund within one year of purchase -- except for outdoor electronics, which must be returned within 90 days of purchase. Outdoor electronics include activity monitors, GPS-enabled devices, bike trainers, emergency-communication devices, and cameras. For full policy see the retailer’s return policy. 1. O U T D O O R A T T I R E G I F T S: REI sells some of the top names in outdoor attire so this is a great place to score some jackets and sweaters that will be great gifts when the weather gets cold. Get the latest and greatest gear to keep them comfortable on their outdoor excursions. I love these pieces from the top names in recreational clothing. Left to right: Patagonia Jacket | Marmot Fleece | Patagonia Fleece Jacket | North Face Jacket So how do you make a jacket or sweatshirt a great gift? You fill the pockets! put in a gift card for an activity where they will use the jacket (national parks pass, bike rentals, paddle board rental, ski lift tickets etc.). A quick google search of an activity in your local area will yield a bunch of ideas. The more goodies you can put in those pockets, the better! Left to right: Bass Pro Shops | REI | Cabela's Another way to add some surprises to the pockets of I love putting in a gift card to their favorite outdoor store so they can get some more accessories to add to your gift! 2. C H I L L G I F T I D E A S : REI also sells great coolers for packing food into outdoor activities. Giving a very trendy and premium Yeti Cooler is a great gift for any guy that loves a backyard event, picnics or tailgating. Left to right: YETI Tundra 45 Cooler | YETI Tundra Haul Wheeled Cooler | YETI Roadie 24 Cooler Pairing these cool coolers with a few beverages would be a great added bonus to the gift. And what do most guys keep in their cooler? Beer, of course! Left to Right: Give Them Beer | Craft Beer Club Add some of their favorite beers to their cooler to make the perfect gift. If you know their brand of choice, that's great! Otherwise you can give them some new brands to explore with beer from Give Them Beer or the Craft Beer Club. 3. M A R S H M A L L O W R O A S T I N G F O R K S : I love this gift for anyone who loves s'mores, ok so that is everyone! This is a great gift for kids that are old enough to make s'mores on their own or with the supervision of an adult. For anyone who lives in a warmer climate year round this gift is even great to use around a fire pit at home. Above: Marshmallow Roasting Forks And what does well with roasting forks? The marshmallows you roast them with and everything you need to make the world's greatest s'mores, which make these kits the perfect pairing. Left to right: Artisan S'mores Kit | Speculoos S'mores Kit S'mores over an open fire can be a great way to cozy up in the colder months as well as making a great evening on a summer night. Any of these gifts would be great for any outdoors enthusiast, REI has something for any activity! With their great return policy you can shop in advance and not feel hesitant about the purchase. Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

What do you think? Who is the harder sex to shop for? Are women tougher to shop for? Are guys the difficult ones on your gift list? I definitely have my opinion based on the hours of thought that I put into giving the best gifts for both sexes! Comparing Daily Routines: One gifting category is giving gifts that are additions to someone's routine, for example giving someone their favorite item that they always use, every day. For guys, a lot of times their potential gifts in this category get reduced down to very few items because most guys (not all) are more minimal in their routines that women. Shocker, I know! But when you think about all of the things that a woman does on a daily basis you get a lot more material items than for most males. For example, let's look at the morning routine: Women - Hair: hair mask, shampoo, conditioner, detangler, leave-in conditioner, heat protectant, de-frizzing serum, blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, hair spray Men - Hair: all-in-one shampoo and conditioner, hair gel Now that's only the hair, and of course not every woman has this many steps and not every man has this simple of a routine, but you get my point. Based on just the start of the day, there are differences that result in a much different shopping list and the person who uses more things in their day is generally easier to shop for. When you extrapolate this small example to the rest of the daily routine you can see that there are more opportunities to grab a few items within a woman's routine to get her favorite item or even upgrade her favorite item. For example, if she does her hair every morning with the same blow dryer she's had since high school, a great upgrade is a new must-have trendy blow dryer. The Shopping Experience: Now, let's think about how the retail market positions itself for buyers. If you walk into any store, mall or log onto any online site that sells to both men and women, you will notice a few things. The women's department is the majority of the store. I'm thinking about my local Nordstrom store right now. The store has two levels and about 30% of just one level is dedicated to menswear and men's accessories. Just think about that, two people--a man and a woman, walk into a store to buy a gift for the other person. The man has 70% of one level and 100% of another level to shop for the woman. The woman has 30% of one level do her gift shopping for the man. The retail market definitely favors the female buyer, and usually that is great because women do the majority of shopping year-round, but when it comes to gift shopping, that makes it a little harder to find that perfect something for the man or men in your life. Keep it Simple: So what am I getting at here? That women are easier to shop for, yes but you know that already. How do we overcome this roadblock? Whenever I'm shopping for a guy, I know that I need to be specific in order to get it right! What does that mean? It means that if they are really into something--music, fishing, working out etc., then to get them something that they really love it has to be the exact brand and the exact type of something that they like. There are plenty of women that also love their specificity, but because there are less options that cater to men, they get to be even more specific. The Caveat: I say that men are harder to shop for, and I say that as a woman. Now, if you're a man reading this you might be thinking that women are the hardest to shop for and that's fair, we might not be the easiest to shop for and maybe the women in your life are tougher than most, but hopefully with the points listed above, you realize how many options you have. This leads me to my last point, we are more familiar with our own gender or the gender we most identify with. If you're a woman you most likely find it easier to shop for other woman and if you're a man you might find it easier to shop for men. Either way familiarity is key! Get to know your gift recipient and your life will be so much easier, well, at least when it comes to gift giving! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

If you’re looking to give a touching gift from the heart, that elicits a very emotional response may I suggest stationery. Beautiful stationary gifts are not only rare now-a-days but they can also be really meaningful. In a digital world, the gift of paper can be really special. Paper is also the first anniversary gift for those following the traditional anniversary gift calendar. When I give a stationery gift I like to give really beautiful yet simple paper. I like to “borrow” the first sheet of paper from the stationery set and write a note to the gift recipient that really shows my appreciation for them in my life. The best way to make sure that this note is clear, spelled correctly, and says exactly what you intend to say is to practice on a regular note pad or on a computer. After you have thought of exactly what you want to say, practice actually writing it. For some, it might be since grade school that you’ve written in cursive or longhand, so you might need some practice. No shame! Just write out your letter once or a few times with the pen you intend to use, before you grab a sheet out of the new gift you’re about to give. Now I love to add a paperweight to this gift. To me, that is the perfect cherry on top that will make the recipient keep your stationery and paperweight set on their desk for years to come. When shopping for the perfect stationery and paperweight pairing, you’ll want to take into consideration your recipient’s style. Here are a few options: 1. D E C O R A T I V E F L O U R I S H E S : For those friends that care about the extra decorative touches, these stationery and paperweight pairings are lovely! Grey Cloud Stationery Set | Silver Wishbone Paperweight : Marbled Mint Stationery Set | Gold Wishbone Paperweight : 2. M O D E R N S P L U R G E S : These stationery sets are sleek and modern for those who love an updated design. These kiss paperweights are a striking desk piece if you're willing to splurge a little. "Hello" Stationary Set | Black Marble Mini Kiss Paperweight Gold Trimmed Stationary Set | Brass Mini Kiss Paperweight 3. A R T I S T I C T O U C H E S : Bright spring touches make these stationery and paperweights perfect matches for anyone looking to spruce up their desk! Floral Stationery Set | Floral Resin Paperweight Watercolor Stationery Set | Bubblegum Paperweight These gifts make a great gift for an anniversary, write a note about how much you love that special someone. As a thank you gift, write a not about how much appreciate what was done. As a gift to your boss, write a note that says happy holidays and thank you for a great year come Christmastime, that they can keep on their desk. Can you think of anyone that would love to receive this gift from you? Very Happy Gifting! … VHM

If you approached me on any day of any year, I could start a conversation about Christmas and gift shopping. I’d ask how far along you are in your Christmas shopping and if you need any help with ideas etc., and you’d say to me… “It’s August!” Normally I would mention the benefits of shopping early and move on, but this year, I would like to impress upon you the importance of shopping early. Help the Economy This year has been a crazy year (cue the understatement!) and many businesses are in the recovery phases of COVID-19. If you have the ability to support your local business this is the best time. Even big businesses are paying their employees in your area. So anything you can do support you neighborhood would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you haven’t noticed, everything is on sale right now! Businesses can use your money now and they are showing that buy incentivizing you to spend your dollars with them. If you can afford to do so, now is a great time to take advantage of great prices and cross a few people off your Christmas List. Reduced Inventory Because of COVID-19, inventory around the world has been affected. Manufacturers all around the world have had to shut down, remain closed, or open with limited staff and that means product inventory will be affected. Will all of your favorite items be in stock and available around the holidays? It’s hard to say. If you’re looking at retail right now you might notice longer wait times for items to come back in stock once they are sold out. The reduction in manufacturing paired with the closures in stores could make it financially difficult for stores to reorder the products they need. Starting your Christmas shopping now takes the pressure off waiting to the last minute and possibly not finding what you need. Dollars and Sense Covid-19 put a lot of people’s financial future in jeopardy. If you were one of those people then your budget might be limited for spending right now, and it might still be limited for Christmas shopping. But you’re probably also someone that still wants to make the most of the holidays. I suggest using this extra time to find the best gifts in your price range. Think about how much you want to spend overall and for each person. Put a real budget together and start doing your research on the best things you can find for each person on your list. Finding great budget gifts is very doable but it does take more time. Start now! Starting this early takes the lump sum of money, usually spent in December, and disperses it over a few months, making it easier to bear. Long story short, these are all great reasons to shop early so get your list out and start now! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

For cardholders, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is live and you're shopping to your heart's content! For others, the sale will go live to the public on August 19th! That means that it's time to start shopping for (or think about shopping for) the guys in your life. Now, if you're wondering what to get your handsome recipient, I'm here to help, check out these ideas! For the Guy That's all About Fun: I love this pairing for the guy that loves to have a good time, whether it's at a summer barbecue or at a club, he loves to bring the fun. This bright and colorful shirt and cutting board would only be complete with a bottle of his favorite alcohol and some festive fruit garnish if you can manage it! To wrap this gift: If you're giving this gift in the warmer months, put the shirt, cutting board, bottle of alcohol in a basket, for even more fun add a pineapple and a few limes! Add note that says, "The perfect bartender's uniform for the life of every party!" If you're giving this gift for Christmas, you can swap out the real fruit for some fruit ornaments! For the Guy that Wants (or Secretly Wants) his Home to look Great: This set of candles has guy-inspired scents of leather, dark rum and cannabis. With these scents his place will smell like a GQ gentleman resides there! These candles pair perfectly with a plaid Pendleton Blanket. Just because he's a guy, doesn't mean he can't also love to be cozy. For the Guy that Likes to Look Good, Even When it's Cold: These items are little bit more of a splurge than the others, but definitely worth it. This Patagonia Jacket will keep him warm, and stylish) for years to come. It gives the warmth of a winter jacket without the bulk. Paired with the of-the-moment Veja sneakers, the fella in your life will thank you! I hope this helps inspire great gift ideas for the guy or guys in your life! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

For cardholders, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is live and you're shopping to your heart's content! For others, the sale will go live to the public on August 19th! Either way, there are some great gifts to be found in the sale. Now, if you're stumped, I'm here to help. If you're looking at the sale and thinking, there is definitely great things in the sale, but how do I make great gifts out of those items? Well, check out these ideas! A Gift for Now or Later: I love this pairing of sunscreen and a sunhat! This serves as a great gift for summer birthdays and for those that are starting to travel again. I also love this for a bride that has had to delay her nuptials and honeymoon until a later date. This pairing with a cute note that says, "Someday soon you WILL be on your honeymoon, so here's a little something to make sure you're looking your best!" To wrap this gift: I would nestle the hat upside-down in a box and fill the dome of the hat with a little shredded paper and the sunscreen set. That way the hat becomes a little gift basket! A Relaxing Gift: Being at home this year has us all upgrading the cozy clothes that used to consist of a stretched out college t-shit and hole-ridden sweats. If your recipient is anything like this, give them a luxurious addition to their at home attire! This super soft robe and slippers pairing will make any morning or night the highlight of the day. Stay-At-Home Luxury: This gift pairing speaks to the luxurious lounge-cat in your life! The one that loves to sleep in and get brunch around 2pm. These silk pillow cases and plush slippers will help make mornings something to look forward to (coffee not included!). Pretty in Pink: This gift set is perfect for any girly girl in your life as well as any mother, mother-in-law or aunt that is on your gift list. The pairing of a cardigan they can easily throw on when they are on their way out the house, paired with a lip color that goes with everything is the perfect way to give a useful and flattering gift all at once! I love putting two great deals together for one great gift! Have you found another great pairing in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale? Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

One of the easiest gifts to give is a candle. Not only are they really easy to find, but you can find them at all price points and scents making them a great option for a lot of people on your gift list. However, the down side to candles being such an easy gift, is that they can come off like an easy gift! Meaning, candles can look like a present without a lot of thought. You never want someone to feel like you forgot them and you just grabbed a candle on the way out the door! Pairing any candle with these accessories will make your gift look fully thought out and more personal, not to mention more useful! Candle Snuffer: Candle snuffers "snuff" out the flame after the candle has been lit for a while so you don't have to huff and puff and blow out the candle! Candle Snuffer in Black (left) | Candle Snuffer in Brass (middle) | Candle Snuffer in Silver Wick Trimmer: Wick trimmers help keep a candle's wick clean. After you burn the candle and there is burnt wick, this little tool will help you trim off the excess wick. Rose Gold Wick Trimmer (left) | Brass Wick Trimmer (middle) | Black Wick Trimmer (right) Matches: Well, we all know what matches do, they light the candle! Now you can assume that your gift recipient has random matches leftover around the house, but add a little oomph to your candle gift with some lovely looking candles. FOOD 52 Wooden Matchbox (left) | Frankie &Claude Shoppe Fancy Matches (middle) | Fredricks & Mae Black Matches (right) Candles Right now, some great candles and candle sets are on sale at Nordstrom! Candles sets make great gifts to give all together or to break out of their set and add an accessory or two from the list above. Top: Voluspa Candles (left) | Nest Candle Trio (middle) | Malin + Goetz Candles (right) Bottom: Le Labo Santal Candles (left) | Diptyque Candles (middle) | Nest Grapefruit Candles (right) Hopefully you've found some candle gifts that will light anyone's fire! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM

It's that time of year again, time for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale! Of course that means it's time to stock up on goodies for yourself for the fall but also on great gift items so you can cross a few people off your Christmas list early! The Sale goes live to the public on August 19th, 2020. Nordstrom credit card holders can shop as early as August 4th all the way through the official sale date on August 19th when it opens for all, depending on their status. For the Whiskey Connoisseur: First up, these whiskey glasses and whiskey stones are a great gift for your boss, brother-in-law or father-in-law. Add their favorite whiskey or better yet, a whiskey subscription so broaden their pallet to new flavors, to create the gift for the perfect pairing. SALE PRICE: $19.90 AFTER SALE: $25.00 For your Favorite Wine Lover: Another great choice is either of these Corkcicle Stemless Wine Glasses in grey or copper. These are a great gift for anyone who is ever looking forward to happy hour or wine-o-clock! These keep wine cold, or any cold beverage cold, or warm beverages warm. At this price you can buy two and pair it with their favorite bottle of wine. SALE PRICE: $17.90 AFTER SALE: $27.95 A Cozy Pairing Making ourselves and our homes cozy is something we are all getting used to these days. This gift pairing of a scented candle and a comfy throw is perfect for anyone when the colder Christmas weather hits. VOLUSPA Vermeil Set of 5 Mini Tin Candles These candles are sold as a set, but separated they can be given with a color coordinating throw for a super cozy gift! SALE PRICE: $33.50 ($50 VALUE) UGG Whistler Throw Blanket These super soft Ugg throws will not only be a great gift with a matching candle but will look great on any accent chair or sofa. SALE PRICE: $64.90 AFTER SALE: $98.00 Stocking Stuffers: Gift sets are an easy way to get your stocking stuffers in bulk! These sets make great gifts to give as individuals or multiples! Diptyque Candles: SALE PRICE: $55.00 ($75.00 value) Jo Malone London Cologne Collection: SALE PRICE: $79.00 AFTER SALE: $92.00 Wellbe Set of 7 Washable Cosmetic Cloths: SALE PRICE: $19.90 AFTER SALE: $30.00 There are so many great gift ideas that you can find in the sale. Get your list ready and be ready to cross gifts off the list! Very Happy Gifting! ... VHM