His & Her Valentine's Day Gift Guide

I feel like people either love it or hate it, I am indifferent personally but don't really buy into the hype.

For those who do embrace Valentine's Day, it is always a tough holiday to shop for since it falls right after Christmas. Matt and I go back and forth on how we celebrate, but usually we keep it pretty low key. But just because we usually keep it pretty low key, I couldn't resist putting together a gift guide to share with you all of some of my favorite things and items I have been lusting over.

1) BKR Water Bottle: I currently have a 50 ml bottle, love it and really want to also get a 100 ml bottle for the gym. Drinking out of glass and reducing my exposure to plastic is a must and it tastes so much better.

2) Tassel Necklace: I have been wanting one forever, and I think this one needs to be mine.

3) For Him- Collar Stays: If your guy is in dress shirts every day and you are constantly finding collar stays around the house then this gift is perfect for your husband. They have amazing reviews.

4) Black Suede Knee Boots: Great classic boots that will help me finish out this winter and can be worn for years to come. Best part they are on major sale right now.

5) Pave XX Studs: A cute spin on the classic studs I wear every day, and perfectly appropriate for valentines day.

6) Starbucks Gift Card: Perfect gift for anyone, you can never have too much coffee in your life.

7) Jo Malone Peony and Blush Suede Perfume: This has been on my list forever and since peonies were our wedding flower it is very fitting.

8) For Him- Bose SoundLink: A great gift for a guy on the go who enjoys spending time outdoors in the spring.

I would love to hear how you plan on celebrating Valentine's Day? Planning on catching 50 Shades of Grey with the girls, a casual evening at home, a romantic dinner out?

{gift guide} valetines day.

let me first say, we are not big valetine's day people at all. we normally keep it very low key, a good meal and drinks and little gifts. but i couldn't help pulling together a few of my favorite valentine related gifts i would be happy to accept (hint hint).

{the couture life} valetine's gift guide. by belforcm featuring knit sweaters

Forever 21 knit sweater
forever21.com

Tory Burch crossbody handbag
toryburch.com

Kate spade bangle
katespade.com

Gorjana jewelry
shopbop.com

Michelle Armas NEW That Bowtie I like Canvas Print
michellearmas.bigcartel.com

Gold Sequined Love Cushion
etsy.com

Tory Burch C
toryburch.com

what are you planning on giving/recieving this year?

{valentines} to and from.

it is crazy to think febraury is just around the corner which means valentine's day! bring on the pink and red, flowers and lots of chocolate. for me valentines day has always been a holiday i like but i have never really found the perfect way to celebrate. if you ask friends how they celebrate vday, i am sure you will get answers ranging from nights in with a home cooked meal, lavish dinners and gifts, traditional flowers and chocolate...

i think i lean somewhere towards a nice home cooked me at home with a bottle of wine and flowers (preferably peonies or david austen roses... hint hint)

so when two of my favorite bloggers (meg & katie) released there winter 2013 issue of to&from for valentine's day i could not have been more excited.

it has a gift for everyone, in every price range, for every interest. i am sure you will find something you love for the people in your life you love! and if nothing else i have found 10 things i NEED in my life! enjoy!

{gift guide} for the men in your life.

i am back with the third edition of my 2012 holiday gift guide. whether it is a brother, father, uncle, boyfriend, fiance, or husband if the men in your life are anything like the ones in mine it can be difficult to shop for them. normally i am left to my own devices to find the perfect gifts for them (unlike me they do not create pin boards and blog dail about the things they "need".)

so i keep it simple and basic buying them things i know they need but don't ever buy themselves. nothing flashy, just quality items that will last for years.

check out my past gift guides here and here.

{gift guide} for the men in your life. by belforcm on Polyvore

Slim Oxford Plaid Shirt In Holiday Red / Altuzarra Shaker / Brown Bi-Fold Wallet | Vachetta Leather | GI New York / Monogrammed Grill Tools Set with Storage Case | Williams-Sonoma / Sperry Top-Sider Men's Sperry Cup

14 days and counting until christmas. i am looking forward to not travleing and spending time with our families.

{gift guide} home edition.

i am back with the second edition to my 2012 holiday gift guide. the first edition can be found here.

this time i am focusing on gifts for the home, aka the perfect gift for a host/hostess, newlyweds, housewarming gift or just someone who loves beautiful things!

personally, if someone gave me any of these items i would be over the moon.

{gift guide} for the home. by belforcm on Polyvore

{no. 1} tory burch desk calendar: not only is this calendar super functional it would put a smile on my face to look it at daily.
{no. 2} anthropoligie oversized letters: perfect way to personalize any home.

{no. 3} mark and graham linen cocktail napkins: fun and functional these cocktail napkins are sure to impress guests. not to mention the monogram and color options are amazing.

{no. 4} nest peony candle: the fresh smell of peonies and lillies will fill the room for up to 50 hours!

{no. 5} anthropologie let them eat cake vase: perfect for a cake lover, and a whimsical spin on a classic vase.

{no. 6} serena & lily coro glassware: a great addition to any hostesses bar, gilded bottoms add just the right about of glam to any gathering.

{no. 7} high street market agate coasters: these are not your grandmothers coasters. a welcome addition to any coffee table.

{no. 8} c. wonder monogram jewlery box: amazing laquered jewelry box, topped off which a sleek monogram.

don't forget to "like" the couture life on facebook!

{gift guide} for her.

now that thanksgiving is behind us, it is time to start thinking about christmas shopping! yippeee!!! over the next few weeks i will be sharing weekly gift guides that are sure to please anyone on your list.

first up, my christmas list. this year i actually created a pinterest board to keep track of all the gems i found over the past few months that i NEED in my life. below is a sneak peak at just some of the items i am hoping santa will bring me this year.



2012 Christmas List by belforcm

{1} Pottery Barn: Park Mirrored Bedside Table
{2} CB2: Gold Pig Bookends
{3} Tory Burch: Classic Reva Ballet Flat
{4} Lulu Lemon: Brisk Run Headband
{5} 7 of all Mankind: Slim Illusion Skinny Jean
{6} Pottery Barn: Faux Fur Blanket
{7} J.Crew: Excursion Quilted Vest
{8} Amazon: Big Book of Chic
{9} Kate Spade: Diagonal Strip Iphone Case
{10} Sephora: Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System

i took my own advice yesterday and picked up some great deals during cyber monday for the hubby, ordered our christmas cards from minted and started working on my parents and in-laws gifts.

its beginning to feel alot like christmas!

{holidays} my christmas gift guide.

happy tuesday! though every year i swear i am going to start christmas shopping in october, to spread the spending out over a few months, every year december rolls around and i haven't bought a thing. i spend lots of hours browsing online for the perfect gift and truly enjoy buying others the perfect gift. so i thought i would share my list with you all (and hopefully give matt some very obvious hints...or just spell it out in detail).

normally my christmas list is pretty hefty, filled to the brim with things i would just die to have. this year with our wedding just over 6 months away, matt and i decided to keep gifts to things that were ground, practical and within reason (aka... i am not supposed to go gift giving crazy). so when penning my list this year i only had a few things that came to mind i needed, one thing i just wanted but could live without.

1. j.crew pajamas...i got a pair last year and they are to comfortable. you can't go wrong buying these for anyone!
2. reflective running gear: early a practical item, and now that it is dark at 4:30 in the afternoon, i need to get some.
3. tory burch robinson satchel, clearly my item i could live without but have been eying for months.
4. nike element shield running jacket, another practical item, for those winter runs, or any outdoor activity.
5. tocca "stella" perfume, i am on about my last bit, so it is the perfect timing for a holiday gift.
6. sugar house day spa & salon gift card, for some prewedding pampering
7. insanity workout dvds; i have been meaning to jump on this bandwagon for awhile, but can't bring myself to buy them for myself, so it is an obvious addition to my list.

what is on your christmas list this year? have you started shopping yet? finished already?