So I spent most of Sunday Christmas shopping at the Mall o’ America and o man I’m really good at picking stuff out.  Honestly.  I am!  I can’t divulge any of the gifts that we purchased today for obvious reasons, but here is what I got for myself for xmas yay!!!!!

Oh look, somebody wrapped this up for me all nice-like.  I wonder what it is…..

Ohhhhh you shouldn’t have.  Two of my favorite words in the dictionary!! (probably not in the dictionary…)

Oh Marc, how I love you.

*swoooon*

Ok I’ve had my eyes on a Marc Jacobs Zip Clutch for the past year, and miraculously found one on sale at Nordstrom.  I love it when you find things you least expect!  This color is past season, but you can get this in black, orange, and my favorite… red.

Here are some more affordable alternatives.  I know this ok, I’ve been looking for a new wallet for 6 months.

Here are a few more picks for the fashionista on your list:

Pretty Party Dresses - who doesn’t love a nice dress? :P

• Nanette Lepore always wins my heart.  I may or may not have already ordered this dress (also comes in Stacy blue ™)…. This dress is in an amazing plum color and if I didn’t already have something similar, I’d be stalking it like crazy.   And finally, this is on sale!  It didn’t appeal to me at first but after I saw it in person, I kind of love it.
• For some cheaper alternatives, this dress at forever 21 is a knock off of this Nanette Lepore dress, that’s like 99849839% off.  And this is very similar to the beautiful red dress mentioned above.

Tweed Jackets - I’ve been OBSESSED with tweed jackets lately.  It’s because I am crazy allergic to something this winter and my skin is itching like crazy.  The docs put me on some hardcore meds and things are a lot better now, but I’m forced to push all the wool cardigans I have to the back of my closet.  But I live in MN!!! I am COLD all the time!!!  So a jacket is definitely the answer.

• White House Black Market black and white (duhhhh) tweed jacket!  It’s got great shape, color contrast, what’s not to love?  (Apparently I’m also obsessed with this store lately…  SUCK IT JCREW!)
• I love this ruffle tweed jacket from Ann Taylor.  Another store I seem to be obsessed with.
• Even though this is not tweed, this new Nanette Lepore jacket is just so coooool.

Nail Polish – When you bring out the ham on xmas and your nails are chipped, you will be so embarrassed and glad you read this…. not that you were shopping for yourself or anything…. never…..

• Matte Top Coat – this is the best invention since sliced bread.  If you live under a rock, the latest craze with nails is to paint them matte.  But before this came around, you had to buy matte polishes which were expensive and seemed a bit excessive because how long can this fad last?  With this top coat, you can turn any of your existing polishes into a matte finish.  I bought a bottle for myself, and for presents as well!  Essie also makes one and it is a little bit cheaper than the Butter London brand.
• Sephora teams up with OPI to bring you the bestest nail polish ever.  This set, you get 3 polishes for the price of 2, and it includes the oh so elusive color Metro Chic.
• And this just seems so smart, a french manicure pen!

“Ok Seriously, when are you going back to being a food blog?”  WAAAAAAHHHH :(  Ok fine.

APRONS! – They are a bridge between fashion and cooking.  Hmmmmph.  This is totally a great gift for somebody who loves cooking.  They make them SO CUTE now!!  How do you resist?

• I’m pretty sure I would wear this apron out as a dress (not with my butt hanging out tho, I’ll wear some pants or something.)  Did I mention that I am also polka dot obsessed?
• Stacy posted this ruffle apron from Anthropologie and I kind of hate her for it because now I’m looking at aprons all over the place and I DON’T WEAR APRONS!!  gah.
• This apron is for kids, but I kind of wish it came in my size because it’s pink and it has a gingerbread man on it.  LOOOOOVE.  This one too…

For the Guys – if they deserve a gift…

• BBQ Stuff – You can get them this cool barbecue set that arranges their barbecue utensils like it’s some kind of tool box.  Then they can make dinner for once and you can paint your nails.  This set if they’ve been REALLY good.  Sean really wants a smoker as well, and I am definitely behind that 100% because he can smoke bacon for me!  This if they’ve been REALLY good.  This if they’ve been REALLY bad.
• Smelly Stuff – This seems like a great idea to try out new smelly stuff, if the guy is into being smelly.  It is also available for women as well!
• A netbook, because somebody wants one……. but he already has a laptop!!

For your Kitchen! – What, this is a food blog?  Why didn’t anybody tell me…

• Lobster Crackers are essential, especially if they are shaped like lobsters.  This is on my gift registry muahaha!
• Snow pup mugs – they are really cute.  I generally hate seasonal stuff, but I kind of love these snow pups.
• Herb Keeper – I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s bought a big stalk of sage or rosemary and couldn’t use it up in time.
• Spice Grinder – most people probably don’t have one, and they are definitely nice to have around, you can also grind coffee with it too.  Under $20 too!
• Rice Cooker – again, most people probably don’t have one, and it’s definitely nice to have around.
• Salad Dressing Bottle – make your own salad dressing, mix it, store it.  Genius I’m pretty sure.
• CAKE STAND!!!!111!1111`~~~~!

And if all else fails, get them chocolates! - If they don’t like chocolates, you shouldn’t be friends with them anyway because they probably aren’t even human and I’m pretty sure they eat babies.  Truffles are the best, I wish somebody would get me some truffles for xmas.  Or if you’re like my friend Adam, get him the nut-free truffles because he’s allergic to nuts (and numerous other items which would involve 50 pages and a flow chart to explain).

And if that faills…. and you insist on still being their friends, I guess they might like some caramels… or enroll them in a fruit of the month club.

There you have it, my 2009 gift guide yaaaaaay.

So apparently I’ve been informed that I’m hard to shop for because I just buy what I want, I was like “no wai” but I’ve been trying to compile a list and it seems way too small.  Please don’t look at my pile of 10 boxes in my living room.    I mean I’ve only ordered like 2 things…

So just to try to prove to myself that I CAN actually make a good list of things… in no particular order at all.

Kindle – Sean says I should get a Kindle (or nook) because I’ve been reading a lot on my iPhone.  I have this awesome app that loads up a pdf file, and I scroll through the pages.  But apparently it strains your eyes blah blah blah, and apparently I need a kindle.  I’m still not sold on it tho, what if I want to read in the dark?  (which I do, lots, because I don’t have a reading light because we’re still in the process of picking out table side lamps).  Plus Apple will come out with something and it will be infinitely better, right?

Crumpler Photography Bag – We just got a super awesome Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera, and I’ve already acquired 2 lenses, we need a nice bag to store it in.  Although I told Ronnie that the bag looks like an over-sized lunch box when I first saw it, after doing much searching, I’ve come to the conclusion that all camera bags are fugly and this one is actually somewhat decent.  (Sorry that I didn’t listen to you Ronnie!) I think first color choice would be the gray/red – stylish and sophisticated!  Plus Sean can carry it as well (all the time, so this would be a gift for him, ok?).

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Brush on the go or something or other.  I use this stuff, I go outside, what’s not to love?

Infiniti by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Rollers, I think I do need some hot rollers yes?

Such a pretty clutch from Ann Taylor, the black leather one is MUCH better than the red satin, and much more useful as well.   (No I swear I’m not 30, I know I shouldn’t be shopping there yet).

This awesome tank top from Ann Taylor in black, small, it’s so awesome and super cute on, but extremely sold out online.  I saw it at MoA and downtown… I do have a 25% off coupon and sorry I might just go and track this down and buy it.  DAMMIT I SUCK AT THIS!

Ok ok, this ruffle jacket is from the Ann Taylor LOFT ok, it’s for younger people, I swear.  It’s also sold out, because it’s so damn cute.  Curses.  But this necklace isn’t sold out so yay.

These cute little pins in the shape of dudes.  For this tackboard, from cb2.  Love cb2!!!!  This little dude would match too right?  Maybe I need 2 tackboards :O

UH HELLO DO YOU KNOW ME? *squeeeeeee*

WARNING, if you get me any kitchen stuff, my wedding planner Jamie will track you down and slap you upside the head because we need to have this stuff on our wedding registry blah blah blah!

This awesome bundt pan because Ronnie’s bundt cakes are sexy.  Maybe this bundt pan too…

Popover pan, because popovers are delicious and you just can’t make them in a muffin pan, not the same!

I’m going to stop here with the kitchen stuff in fear of retribution from Jamie…….