The MyGift Lifestyle Blog
Holiday Gift Guide for Every Person On Your List
The sparkling Holiday season can be exhausting when you have to find a gift for everyone on your list... And for the office Christmas present exchange, White Elephant and Secret Santa... After all, you want to see happy faces and sparkling eyes under the Christmas tree! But don't worry, selecting creative Christmas gifts is easy with our gift ideas. And maybe you find a gift for your wish list, too?
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Start a New Tradition: Host the Perfect Friendsgiving
Sometimes it’s hard to make it home for Thanksgiving with expensive flights, severe weather or long car rides, but that doesn’t mean you need to miss out. Gather your friends together and have a fun filled Friendsgiving. One of the great things about Friendsgiving is you get to invite whomever you like, no family drama or 20 questions from Aunt Hilda. We’ve got you covered with a heap of great ideas to host the perfect Friendsgiving. Posh Silverware | Ivory Flared Plates | Autumn Print Napkins Table Settings: Don’t worry about breaking out the fine china or linens (unless you want to), the easiest route to go is disposable. Luckily nowadays recyclable plates, cups, napkins and silverware come in stylish options, so your tableware looks sophisticated, fun and fresh. Copper-Tone Wine Glasses | Gather Wine Glasses | Happy Gobbling Wine Glasses Glassware: Go for something fun and fancy for your drinks since they might become the most consumed item of the night. Stemless wine glasses are perfect for both red and white wine, and also make the perfect vessel for cocktails. The Food: The most important part of any get together is the food. One of the great things about Friendsgiving is you can assign each friend a specific dish to bring so the host isn’t stuck with feeding everyone. Typically, the host will prepare the main dish and let the guests fill the table with all the delicious trimmings. This is the easiest way for the vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free or paleo guest to bring a dish they will enjoy, and everyone wins. Wine Corks | Mini Chalkboards | Clothes Pins Labeling: With a buffet or potluck style, labels are the perfect way to inform everyone of the amazing dishes available. If you are having a more formal setting create a seating chart, so Barry isn’t next to Chris who both like Stacey who just broke up Dan…You catch the idea, and can make dinner a breeze and comfortable. Small chalkboards, reusing old wine corks or etching clothes pins are adorable ways for creating names places and labels. Codenames Board game | Get Outdoors | Adults Charades Activities: After you’ve hit your food coma, find a fun way to relax with friends or enjoy the great outdoors. Play a game of flag football, make fun crafts, bust out the board and card games, veg in front of Netflix or Hulu. Whichever activity you decide to engage in, be sure to remember what your thankful for. Best of Both Worlds: Even if you are planning on having Thanksgiving at home or with family don’t rule out a Friendsgiving. Instead of the tradition Thursday dinner, make it a Friendsgiving Brunch to let friend’s carb up for Black Friday deals. Let’s face it after a day of eating the best thing to do is keep eating.
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Harvest to Table: What to do with Fall Apples
Nothing says fall more than cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything and going apple picking on a crisp October day. For many once the apple picking is done there is an abundance of apples left over with little known what to do with them all. There are the basics, apple cider, apple pie, and applesauce, but there are so many fun ways to use your cultivated treasures. Apples can be used in any dish of your fall spread, from breakfast, to the main course to the dessert. We’ve come up with a few ideas to utilize your apple in new ways. Apple Quinoa Bowl A delicious alternative to apple pie, with the same great taste, this breakfast quinoa bowl will keep you full and satisfied. You can even trade the ricotta for Greek yogurt for a sweeter taste. Caramel Apple Sangria Apples are great, wine is great, so together they are even greater. Adding a variety of fall favorites can really step up your sangria game too. Tangy pomegranates, spicy star anise, sweet caramel or fresh cinnamon sticks not only add dashes of color, they bring bold flavors to a traditional drink. Fennel, Pickled Onion & Apple Salad A twist on a classic salad with sweet, sour and crispy components ideal for any dinner party or fall gathering side dish. Apple Crisp Shortbread Bars For a less healthy option, but probably more delicious, these apple crisp shortbread bars will hit the spot. A perfect fall treat packed full of apples, cinnamon and brown sugar. Pumpkin Ravioli in Apple Sage Butter Sauce Savory, crunchy and sweet are the perfect combination for a delicious fall dish. To save time, cook up the sauce and top it off on any pre-made pasta dish for Apple Chips These apple chips are great for on-the-go healthy snacks or after dinner treat. Easily baked in a low heat over, these tasty treats can be popped into the dehydrator as well. Looking for something less sweet? Add a dash of cayenne to your chips for that sweet and spicy combo. Bourbon Apple Butter You could basically put this deliciousness on anything, what we recommend it with some French toast, ice cream, roasted chicken, sandwiches, with a spoon, the list goes on and on. Apple Pizza One of the simpler dishes, and a Friday night favorite, is pizza. Go gourmet and add try adding apples, bacon and caramelized onions to your pizza pie. Other great combination to try out: goat cheese, apple and arugula; blue cheese, apple and bacon; apple, butternut squash and sage; apple and prosciutto. The possibilities are endless.
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Simple Ways to Change Up Your Fall Décor
As the leaves begin to fall and the air starts to become brisk, you can feel the change of season in the air. A great way to invite the transformation is by changing up your home décor to suit the mood and feel of autumn. Not only does this create a warming, cozy home, but a change of decor can make your guests feel right at home as soon as they step in the door. Here are some ways to redecorate your home for the autumn season Throw Pillows & Blankets Swap out your bright blues and sunshine yellows for more neutral earth tones. Adding a variety of colors, textures and patterns to your couches, armchairs or bedding can be the perfect fall touch your space needs. Chunky knitted blankets add warmth and comfortability to chilly spots in the house. Red Corduroy | Faux White Alpaca Fur | Woven Wool Blend Checkered Pillow Dublin Knit Throw Blanket Bring the Outside In Gathering leaves, branches and other foliage from your yard can create the perfect arrangement for your tabletop. Place them in vases, planters, bowls or carefully scattered around other fall décor. Diamond Textured Planters | Dark Gray Glass Vase Gold Flower Vase | Green Glass Vase Decorating Chalkboards Create the perfect fall scene or quote on your erasable chalkboard. Adding a chalkboard to your mantle, or shelves can increase texture and depth while adding a fun element. A natural wood or whitewash finish also adds rustic décor to your space. The best part is you can make something new every week as the weather changes or as your mood strikes. Ash Gray Framed Chalkboard Assemble Your Gourds Not only to gourds make delicious fall meals, they make great centerpieces as well. Place them in a simple vase, baskets or directly on the table for a touch of nature. If you aren’t into putting real squashes on your table, opt for decorative artificial ones like Wool Harvest Pumpkins or these Pumpkin Mix Gourds. Seagrass Storage Basket | Pure White Ceramic Vase
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How to purify your air with common houseplants
When it comes to the common houseplant, there's a lot more to them than just looking pretty. As the popular trend of houseplants for decorative use grows, so do the added benefits of keeping these green wonder-makers a part of your home. You might already know that plants already do a lot for us, such as producing more oxygen in the air and making your home feel fresher and more energetic, but did you know that plants can also help clean the air of toxins and pollutants? It's true, and for those with longtime allergies like asthma, eczema, hay fever, etc...having more plants can provide a natural way to purify the air and reduce your allergic symptoms. A NASA study shows the benefits of having even a few houseplants in your home can remove toxic chemicals, even ones like carcinogens which can cause cancer: So where to start? Start by researching which plants can produce the best natural filters for your home, keeping in mind that the larger plants in general can provide a better volume of cleaner air than smaller ones. Need to find a planter first? Check out our planter pots section or our hanging wall planters for some attractive planter styles made in house by our design team. If you can find what you're looking for, contact us and we can find it for you.
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A Guest Bathroom Makeover from XOLivi.com
We had the great privilege of partnering with one of our friends here in the Seattle area to renovate a home guest bathroom. Livi, from the XOLivi.com blog, decided to renovate and upgrade her bathroom, and the results were eye-popping. Tastefully using some of MyGift's in-house, directly produced local home products, she adorned her guest bathroom with some of our favorites, introducing a warmer, rustic farmhouse style look that looks inviting and comfy, just as a guest bathroom should be. Check out her entire bathroom makeover If you love the look, find the products directly on our page by hitting the link. Leaning Towel Bar Rack in Rustic Gray Wood Industrial-style toilet paper holder Apothecary Bottles Triangle Towel Rack What do you think of Livi's bathroom makeover? Let us know, or browse our shop to find more cute and charming bathroom decor!
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How to stay organized in college
Starting college can be daunting, not only are you away from home but finding your classes, making new friends and maybe all your own meals for the first time, can get overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of the most important tips to help you stay organized and on track this fall, making your first semester a breeze, while allowing you time for the fun college experience Keep a planning calendar Keeping track of all your classes, homework assignments, and activities in a planner can help you stay on track and not let those minor items slip through the cracks. Writing things down also helps you remember them, so study dates with friends in the library won’t overlap your lab session. At the beginning of each week it is important to plan out what assignments will be due, your class schedule, study time and any other vital tasks that will need to be completed so you are sure not to forget. Here are some planners we recommend Panda Planner, Blue Sky, and Passion Planner. Use color codes to your advantage Color coordinating notebooks, folders, and ink to specific classes can keep items more organized and easier to differentiate each class. When writing items in a planner or a whiteboard, be sure to keep the same colors as your notebooks for specific classes. Don't lose your syllabus Professors hand these out to students for a reason, all the important things are usually in there. Important dates, assignments, Professor’s office hours and contact information are usually kept in here. Highlighting or adding tabs to important items allows you to quickly review important items, and having each one handy, either electronically or a hardcopy, will make the semester a breeze. Use the 8+8+8 rule This rule refers to the 24 hours in the day, 8 hours for sleep, 8 hours for work/school, and 8 hours for friends, family, hobbies or relaxation. This rule can help you balance your time and life without getting too stressed out or spending too much time on one thing. Put up a whiteboard/chalkboard for reminders Not only are they a cute way to keep fun photos of friends and family it’s a great way to jot down important dates or assignments where they are always visual; you can even add a fun quote or affirmation. Here are a few wall organizers we like My Week Calendar, 2-in-1 Combination Board, and Dry Erase Calendar Organize your backpack to keep your books in order It sounds fairly simple but having the writing vessel for carrying all your most important papers, textbooks and laptop can make traveling across campus either a stroll or a hike. Keep your backpack organized, and well stocked, by packing it the night before with the proper classes you will need the following day. Have snacks and a reusable water bottle handy as well, it will keep your stomach from grumbling or your mind wandering to thirst and food during long lectures. Here are our favorite comfortable and multi-pocket backpacks LuluLemon City Adventure Backpack, Herschel Retreat Backpack, MGgear multipurpose backpack, and Swissgear Laptop Backpack
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5 Space-Saving Ways to Hang Dry Your Towels
Are you still leaving your wet bath towels in a clump on the floor or in a hamper? Looking for bathroom towel ideas or how to hang towels? Well this post may be for you. Wet, crumpled up bath towels are a quick way to ruin perfectly good towels, and set your bank account back a few bucks. No matter how many times you wash them, you are shortening your towel's shelf life if you're not letting them air out to dry. The good news is, hang drying your towels is easy, cheap, and can even make your bathroom look better by adding some texture. Most homes nowadays have built in towel racks, or at least a hook to dry your towels, but if you're a frequent bather like us, you might need a bit more space to hang dry all the towels you or your family frequently use. Here are 5 ways to make more towel space, and make sure you know where to hang wet towels after a shower. 1. A Towel Ladder Rack A towel ladder rack not only looks nice, but adds a lot of storage space to hang multiple towels all at once. The rungs allow for multiple towel storage, and can also keep towels folded neatly flat. We like this option as you don't have to do any drilling or additional installation to get it ready for us. 2. Over the Toilet Towel Rack Similar to a ladder rack, these over the toilet options maximize space in your bathroom by placing it over your toilet. This option is particularly helpful especially in smaller spaces where more room is needed. 3. Over the Door Towel Rack If you're looking for a space saving option with minimal visibility, an over the door towel rack works wonders. Easy to install and no hardware required, some racks simply slip over the door to create an easy space to hang wet towels. 4. Freestanding Towel Rack Another fine option without needing any installation, assembly, or tools, this towel rack simply stands freely in the bathroom, laundry room, or any place you need to add extra towel storage. These are typically designed with a sturdy base to prevent tipping/falling. 5. Wall Mounted Towel Rack This option is one of the most popular (and could be considered the best way to dry towels after a shower), due to its flexible ability to be placed anywhere in the house, and save space (it's one of the best ways to reduce clutter) while dressing up empty walls at the same time. Typically these racks require mounting to the wall, which can cause holes, but if you get one fairly light, you can hang it without excess damage. Where to hang wet towels in small bathroom / How to hang towels in small bathroom Even in the smallest bathroom, you still have options to keep your towels dry! Given the limited floorspace, it may be best to utilize the wall space, so a over the door towel rack or wall mounted towel rack can be a great option. Hopefully this helps you find out how to dry towels after a shower! What about you? Where do you hang your towels to dry?
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5 Ideas to Create Your Rustic Dream Wedding
How to Turn Your Wedding into a Rustic Dream You’ve found the guy (or lady), you know what you're wearing, all your food picked out, now for all the little details that go into creating the wedding of your dreams. For those who are looking for a more rustic and natural wedding theme, we’ve put together a list of the must-haves for your boho-chic wedding and to help your special day remain (somewhat) stress-free. Farmhouse Style Mason Jars – These easy to come by item can become a staple for almost any décor item in your wedding. Tie them together and string them with lights to create ambiance for the dance floor. Have drinkware at the ready with fun paper straws or colorful lids. Make centerpieces for tabletops with candles, flowers or greenery, you can even paint them the colors of your wedding. The possibilities are endless. Rustic Charm Wood Riser Stands – Keep desserts displayed and looking delicious with wooden risers. They add to the rustic theme and can be arranged in a variety of ways. Risers can be used for desserts, framed photos of the couple, or even displaying name cards for table placements for guests. How to Decorate with Local Foliage & Flowers Think of what is in your own backyard, sometimes the easiest and best flowers can be picked from your own garden. Roses, wildflowers, ferns, even succulents can become centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres or filler greens for vases. Food for Wedding Décor Some unique, and inexpensive ways to showcase table numbers, name cards, dessert labels or photos can be as simple and placing them in an artichoke. Adding lemons or other citrus to vases can be another way to create simple, but elegant centerpieces for summer weddings. Rustic Wood Crates As if organizing your house wasn’t a good enough reason to buy cute wooden crates, they can easily turn into cake stands, seats, boxes for gifts and cards, planters or a whole backdrop for beautiful photos. These boxes can even be reused in your home or organization and storage once the wedding festivities have wrapped up. Bonus: Chalkboard Signs! Don't forget about those cute little chalkboard signs that not only add charm, but help organize and get your guests where you want them to go. We wrote about the best wedding chalkboard signs in a previous post.
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