Aiding And Abetting

Got a friend who is your partner in crime?  You know--the one who turns an ordinary night out into an epic adventure for the record books?

This is a friend you want to honor with a wink and smile, and something worthy your hijinks!  

Bourbon & Boots celebrates co-conspirators with Thelma & Louise, Butch & Sundance, or Bonnie & Clyde etched cocktail glasses for $39.00 a pair.  

As Bourbon & Boots says, "Celebrate the girl that pushes you to do unbelievable and outrageous things...For the best friends who always have the wind in their hair, and the law hot on their heels and enjoy celebrating their friendship with a toast to each other."

Spice It Up:  Cocktail glasses are great, but if you're truly Thelma & Louise worthy you need an elixir handy.  These clever Trixie & Milo Flasks at $29.00 each are a perfect match to the glasses, and they have numerous styles to suit your friend's personality.  I especially like their packaging with the decorated cardboard gift box.

On your gift card inscribe the wise words of Thelma:  

"Louise, no matter what happens, I'm glad I came with you."

Where to Buy: The cocktail glasses can be purchased directly from Bourbon & Boots online.  The Flasks are from Trixie & Milo which can be purchased from them directly or I have seen them in numerous gift shops.  In Dallas, you can find them at Froggies, Betty Lou, etc.

Beach Blanket Bingo!

Sunglasses & beach
towels from Tuesday Morning

Summer is upon us and that means sitting by the pool, floating the river, or hanging out at the shore!  The natural gift for Teacher Appreciation, Graduation, or summer birthdays is a large monogrammed beach towel to enjoy by the water.

To personalize the beach towel, initials work well.  Or, add a bit of whimsy by embroidering nicknames on the towel. 

My good friend, Meg, is a precision sunbather so we christened her with the nickname of “Sundial” as she coached us through catching the best rays at the beach.  This towel will make her laugh!  If your recipients don’t have a nickname, give them one:  Rock Star, Shop Girl, Smarty Jones, Twinkle Toes, etc.

This gift works well for guys, too, though I recommend keeping the monogram small, and the nickname not too embarrassing.

You can place the monogram in the center of the towel, but I prefer to place the name in the front left corner so that when you have it laid out on the chaise your feet will rest just above the letters on the towel.  That way, the Cabana Boy will know exactly who to bring the Pina Colada to!

Spice It Up:  Add a pair of inexpensive sunglasses, a summer beach novel with a handmade bookmark (place a list of suggested reads on the bookmark), or flip flops!
Check out these imprintable flip flops you can customize with a logo or message.  “Bring Beer” is hilarious, but if you want to tone it down, add a school name like “SMU” or a fun saying.

Where to Buy:

Towels - you can buy monogrammed towels at Swoozie’s, though they tend to be more expensive ranging from $25.00-$50.00.  Tuesday Morning currently has a large stock (in-store not online) of high quality beach towels priced at $9.99-$14.99.  The fabric is thicker and much nicer than the ones you see at Target, etc. 

Monogram - Have them monogrammed at a local store like this one in Dallas at Willow Bend Mall called EmbroidIt!  There are a variety of font styles to choose from, and prices vary depending on the size and number of letters.  The style featured here is called “Hobo.”  $10.00-$20.00

Sunglasses - Walmart, Target, Tuesday Morning for cheap glasses. $6.00-$20.00

Flip Flops – Customized sand imprint flip flops can be ordered online at Flip Sidez at Etsy. $19.95

Ready, Set for College!

High school graduations are just days away, and you need a gift for a graduate.  To start, consider what the grads could use in the fall when they head off to college.

Now, think back to your own college days…hiking across campus to class with your backpack, socializing at keggers, and running out of allowance money a week before the end of the month...

Ah, those were the good 'ol days!

An iPhone wallet is a perfect gift for a new graduate. It is small enough to stuff in a Backpack (who wants to lug a giant purse around), and keeps a student ID and phone safe.

For the girls, you can find many cute styles, though I recommend the wristlet type.  Wristlets are desirable because you can still dance at a party without losing your belongings!

KateSpade, Coach, and Tumi all have very nice iPhone wallets/wristlets and you can certainly spend the $80.00+ for these lovely cases.  But, remember, the reality of a college student's wallet is that it will have beer spills, pizza stains, and crushed edges from sitting under a stack of books.  Basically, it's not worth ruining an expensive one.  

So, stop by Target and buy the stylish ones like these two affordable examples.

 I like this Black & White Polka-Dot wristlet because it fits a phone that may already have a protective case (like an Otterbox), and allows for a few extra items. This is soft faux leather so it is not heavy to carry like real leather, and you can spill all the beer you want without staining the cover! $14.99

 
An alternate style is the hard case found in this light gold wristlet edition.  It is a bit smaller, and fits the phone in the case (sans cover) and serves as a protective case in itself.

The gold is a bit more glam for nights out on the town!

In addition to graduates, this is a neat gift for a 21st birthday or 30th birthday as she heads out clubbing with her besties!  $12.99

For the boys, the iphone wallet combo is simple and sleek.  This is available at Target, as well.  $39.99

 

Note:  Another option is to go to the website for the bookstore at the college of their choice.  Oftentimes, there will be cases with the school colors.

Spice It Up:  Add gift cards to the wallet! 

Whether studying for exams, or just needing late night munchies after the cafeteria is closed, a little junk food is a real treat for the college student! 

Tuck a few gift cards from various fast food restaurants in the wallet.  These will be their “emergency” kit when they truly need it!

Note 1:  Pizza tends to be expensive.  If you choose to do this, select one like Gatti’s or CiCi’s that have pizza buffets.  This way they can make the card last longer than just one pizza at $20.00.  Otherwise, $5 or $10 increments are sufficient at most fastfood places.

Note 2:  Possible cards include: Pinkberry, 7-11, Starbucks, Einstein’s, McDonalds, Whole Foods (if you are trying to avoid the junk food), Pizza Hut, Taco Cabana, Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Whataburger, etc.  Be careful about convenience store or grocery store cards--a friend of mine spent his first semester using his gas card to buy copious amounts of beer until his father figured out he wasn’t filling up his car!

Note 3: Be sure to tell the recipient that the gift cards in the wallet are real and are not just display cards!

Where to Buy:

Wristlets are available at most department, and gift stores.  I found these at Target (wristlets).  $12.99-$14.99

Mens' phone/wallets are available at student bookstores, department stores or try Target (Agent 18 men's phone/wallet). $39.99
 

These are great gifts for Graduation, For Him or For Her, For 21st Birthday, For 30th Birthday (headed out clubbing)!

Viva España! ...Swag for your Señor!

Let’s be honest, it is most challenging to buy gifts for men. 

From college boys to grandfathers, men like gadgets which are usually way out of my price range.  While I would love to give him that IPad mini, it’s just not happening!

So, what reasonably priced gift can you find for a guy that isn’t a boring tie?

Front of Bota Bag

Check out this personalized Bota Bag.   It’s funky, hip, and functional!  Approximately $27.00 (see where to purchase below)

A Bota Bag is a traditional Spanish leather bag to carry wine/sangria/spirits much like a flask.   If you have never seen one before, I can guarantee that plenty of hipsters carry them at the Coachella music festival and probably any hippie hanging out on the drag in Austin.

 

Spice it up:  Add in some Gipsy King tickets, a download of their greatest hits album, and a bottle of Spanish wine!

 While studying abroad in Spain during college, I became a fan of the Gipsy Kings.  Typically, they play outdoor venues which lends a certain festival atmosphere to their concerts.  Bring a picnic of tapas, and fill up his Bota Bag with Sangre De Toro. 

 

This makes for a great Birthday present or just a celebratory Date Night!

Where to purchase… 

Back of Bota Bag

Bota Bag:  I purchased mine online from Kegworks.  Although it took them 3 weeks to ship it to me, I am pleased with the quality.  The initials are branded nicely, the leather is very soft, and it is stamped with the “Made in Spain” tag on the back verifying authenticity.  Approximately $27.00 

 

Top of Sangre de Toro Bottle

Wine: You can find many fine Spanish wines in your local liquor stores, but I have always been amused by the little Bull on each bottle of Sangre De Toro. This wine is served at one of my favorite tapas restaurants, Café Madrid. Although it is very inexpensive, it is tasty!  Approximately $7.00 per bottle 

 

Gipsy Kings - Music: The greatest hits album can be downloaded from

iTunes, or if you are old school, you can order a CD from Amazon.   Approximately $15.00-$20.00   

 

 Gipsy Kings Concert Tickets: Currently, they are touring to various venues around the U.S. The Gipsy Kings play outdoors in Dallas on April 30th. If you have the chance one of the best places to see them is in Atlanta at Chastain Park – a beautiful venue for music and a picnic.   Approximately $58.00 for lawn seats.

 

Option 1: If he’s not a fan of the Gipsy Kings, pair the Bota Bag with a t-shirt from one of his favorite festival/jam bands. Depending on his era: Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Phish, Radiohead, etc. You can buy on most band websites, or t-shirt sites. Try this website called: Slingshot Shirts.   Approximately $20.00 (varies by shirt/band)

Option 2: Find a great Sangria pitcher like the Las Ramblas pitcher at Crate & Barrel. Add a wooden spoon to stir, and he’s ready to fill his Bota Bag with Sangria!   Approximately $29.95