Links I Love - 10.09.2015

1. It's Friday.  Take a break and watch a few of these.  This guy will crack you up.  He works at BuzzFeed, and films these video where he drinks wine at work (and may or may not become inebriated) and comments on life.  HIL-AR-I-OUS!  (whineaboutit.tumblr.com)
2. Pictures can say certain things better than any words can sometimes.  Here are some beautiful/inspiring/heartbreaking images to make you thankful/happy.humbled. (weblasters.com)
3. Anything that can simplify life is a good thing in my book. Some of these beauty hacks are so simple I wonder why I didn't think of them on my own.  (cosmopolitan.com)
4. Who doesn't love mac'n'cheese? Isn't it like the unofficial king of comfort food?  Not that it takes super long on the stove top, but here's a quicker microwave version from scratch. (theviewfromgreatisland.com)
5. It really is fascinating to me how differently men and women see the same thing.  Sometimes I am so confused about what my husband thinks is attractive clothing on me.  Apparently I'm not alone. (cosmopolitan.com)
6. Holiday time is fast approaching (can you believe it?!!)  Time to start thinking about holiday gifts.  I think these DIYs are super pretty and also look like they take more skill than they actually do.  These make impressive, attractive and useful gifts.
7. Netflix is really killing it with quality original programming lately.  But in case you forgot, they also have movies from the big screen.  When you're done with your latest binge series, here's a list of the best films on Netflix. (agoodmovietowatch.com)
8. Isn't the color of this glass soap dish so gorgeous? It reminds me of my wedding invitations, actually.  Maybe that's why I'm partial....  (houzz.com)  
9. There have been studies that show that coloring is actually a good thing for adults to do, to books mental energy and creativity.  I'd forgotten that its actually fun until I started it at home with my toddler.  Here's some free printable sheets that are better than Mickey Mouse and Goofy.  (thecountrychiccottage.net)

Almost Last Minute Mother's Day Gift Ideas

If you are better than me (and you should be, I don't recommend my MO) and don't wait until the last minute, then you have your mom's Mother's Day gift already.  If you're like me, you have 6 days of shopping, and less if you're ordering something that requires shipping.  Amazon Prime is always my savior in these situations.

This will be my second year as a mom myself, and every day I see new ways in which I appreciate my own mom more and more.  My husband did a good job with the mother's day gifts last year: he had a custom night shirt made for me with a silly picture of our then 4 month old son printed on the front.  And his daycare made a card with his tiny hand prints, and snuck a picture of my two boys. Of course I will keep them all forever.

As a now recipient of Mother's Day gifts, I've complied a small list of the kinds of things that I would enjoy receiving (I always try to give stuff that I'd be equally happy receiving), to help with gift ideas.

1.  You really can never go wrong with chocolate covered strawberries, as far as I'm concerned.  And while this company offers their berries year round, it's strawberry season, so they're bound to be especially good right now.
2. For the mom that loves to cook, Flavor God seasonings are chemical and filler free, and low on sodium up very high on flavor.  One of my favorites is Chipotle, but this combo starter pack is a good deal with good flavors.
3. We all need places to store our jewelry, and this one is pretty to look at and multi-functional.  With a dish for chains and bangles, and little holes around the perimeter for earrings, it is an efficient use of counterspace.  Plus, it's in one of my favorite colors.
4. I love this idea (not just because it means more jewelry ;) ).  Add to mom's wedding set with a band laid with children's birthstones (if you have more than 2 kids, you'd need pretty long fingers for this one, so maybe best for a mom with a small brood.)
5. For the DIY-er, and the mom that loves DIY gifts (and uses mugs), you can put any custom message on a mug.  Its not very hard, but this gal offers her trial and error to save you from such.
6. Another adorable DIY, and succulents are such a good idea because they are cute, easy to care for, and living (versus a cut bouquet that will die in a week.)
7. I'm a big fan of pretty robes, especially the light ones that you wear for cover and comfort, not specifically warmth (I live in SoCal. It doesn't get very cold.) And I'm all for up-cycled products, and this beauty is made from reclaimed saris.
8. We all love a cute, versatile bag.  And this one, from Toms (you know the one-for-one shoe company?) gives back: with every purchase of one of these bags, TOMs will help provide a safe birth for a mother and baby in need.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there.