The Little Things

April's Picks - Teacher Gifts

Since the end of the school year is drawing near, nearly everyone is needing teacher gifts... so we asked a teacher to walk through the store and tell us what SHE would want to receive (and mind you, apples were NOT on the list).  If you want to WOW your kid's teacher this year, you  might want to use a few ideas off of Teacher April's list!  There's something for every budget (and style). Take it away, April!

AHHHHHHH yes, Vera Bradley. I remember you. A gift that can show the true value of how deeply you are appreciated, appreciation can be expressed in many ways and can be seen from various perspectives. Don’t get me wrong, everyone is different, but if I can help prod you in the right direction here are a few things that I could deeply enjoy as gifts from my students…like a huge chocolate sundae on a smoldering hot day in Lubbock.

Here are a few things, from the Vera Bradley collection, that I could definitely make use of:

1. A lanyard for my school ID 
2. Beach towel
3. Sunglass case
4. Note cube
5. A pen set
6. iPad sleeve or a Kindle sleeve  

Additionally, here are a few more useful ideas that can make a tremendous impact on a teacher (much like they have made a tremendous impact on your child’s life). As we all know our pocket books have been impacted by the economy and the various curve balls life loves to throw at us. So let’s do this! Let's knock this out of the park! Check these items out… more great gift ideas to give to a teacher. Trust me; teachers appreciate the acknowledgment you are giving them when you send them a gift. It lets them now how appreciative you are with all their help when helping their students strive throughout the year.

1. Notepads & pens- A teacher can never have too many notepads or pens!
2. Keep Calm notes or anything with the logo Keep Calm on it.- Need I say more? 
3. Cupcake journal- to write down how the day went, or to write down a time when Little Johnny remembered how to complete a math equation, or to write down a time it took everything out of them not to yell at a student that was instigating a fight! Just saying…
4. A Voluspa Candle (Makassar ebony/Peach is my favorite!!) Hint Hint…
5. A Shemergency kit- The quintessential kit that holds 25 items. From towelettes, static remover, lip balm, pain reliever, blotting tissues, hand lotion, lint remover, to tampons this Shemergency kit has everything and an absolute MUST HAVE for any teacher on any given school day! 

 Here's to giving your favorite teacher a gift that's A+!

Teacher April

Keep that Coffee Cozy!

It might still be 104 degrees outside, but we're doing a little wishful thinking around here (If you wear a sweater, will the cold front come?)!  So we thought we would showcase these chrocheted little beauties today... Each cutesy coffee cozy is adorned with flowers that have rhinestone centers, and they definitely take coffee from being HOT to HAUTE!  It's function for the fashionista.

We also think this is a great gift idea!  Take your favorite co-worker a hot cup of coffee with the cozy on it- what a pleasant surprise!  Or take your kid's teacher a Starbucks gift card inside an empty cup with the cozy on it- that would just be oh-so-thoughtful!  You can even personalize it with her name on the cup, or give out several as party favors to a morning coffee/brunch get-together (can't you just see a tray full of these little guys all lined up and waiting to be taken home by your guests?!).

Are you someone who has a "stash" of gifts to give on a moment's notice(because you just never know)?... Then this idea is perfect for you!  Buy a few cozies to keep on hand, and when you need a super quick gift, just swing by your favorite coffee shop (even on the WAY to the party,perhaps?) get a gift card, an empty cup and lid, and you're good to go! With a cute gift in your hand, nonetheless.

 Check out all four colors available online

Cheers! 

Love your Momma

This weekend brings a holiday that all of us should really celebrate - Mother's Day!  Without these women that brought us into the world(and no doubt threatened to take us out of it in our teenage years), where would we be?  It's time to show Mom a little love, and we've got a few great gift ideas for you (don't worry, it's not too late)!

Gift idea for Mom #1:  Luxurious Bubble Bath and Body Products from Lollia  

Let mom pamper herself with a luxurious bubble bath, candle, hand creme or perfume.  Available in 4 fragrances, these are a great way to show mom you care with a something she's sure to enjoy... and feel beautiful using!

Gift idea for Mom #2:  For the Queen of the Kitchen

If your mom is the queen of whipping up great dishes in the kitchen, she deserves the bragging rights.  What about this fun and colorful "super mom" apron?  Being a mom is a lot like being a super hero!

Let your mom show off how much she rocks with one of these fun and whimsical aprons!  It has clever sayings on it like "Getting it all done and looking great at it!"  "Fighting family chaos in a snap!"  "There isn't a pair of shorts that doesn't look good on her" and "Whiners can win- Scram!".  The perfect gift for Mother's Day at only $22.99!

Does Mom have too many aprons?  How about one of our inspiring recipe books or dishtowels?

Gift idea for Mom #3:  Vera Bradley goodness

With so many styles and patterns to choose from, your mom is s ure to like a Vera Bradley tote bag,  beach towel, luggage tag, duffel, or even umbrella.  We also have fun paper products she can use at work- note cubes, highlighters, pens, spiral notebooks and the like.  The best part?  If it's not exactly what she wants, Mom can exchange it for something she does (who doesn't love a low committment gift)? 

Gift idea for Mom #4:  A Book with sentiments you don't have time to think of

The thoughts in the Mom Because of You (by Dan Zadra & Kobi Yamada) are inspiring reminders of all the ways our mothers make a lasting difference in the world. Who gave you life? Who made your house a home? Who held your hand and touched your heart? Beautiful and cheerful, the Mom Because of You book is the perfect way to say, Thank you, Mom, for a lifetime or warmth, laughter, wisdom and strength. 

For those who prefer a little more sentiment (and have a little more time) we suggest the book For My Mother.  Many mothers make baby books for their children, filling these tokens of love with photographs, reminiscences, and memorabilia. But how often do children return the favor? Now, adult children can look back and share their own memories of growing up with that most important person-Mom. Like a baby book in reverse, this keepsake album inspires adults to express all the reasons their mother is appreciated, and all the ways she has positively influenced their lives. Ready to be personalized with favorite stories, pictures, mementos, and more, the book includes 50 ideas to prompt the giver's thoughts, organized into three sections: Memories and Reflections, Favorite Things, and Gratitude and Lessons Learned. The artfully designed album also features special pages for personal messages and photographs and a ribbon page marker. When given by one or more children as a gift to their mother, this book is the ultimate expression of love and gratitude.

Gift idea for Mom #5: For moms who would appreciate an actual SCENT-iment

Candles.  Everyone loves to receive them, especially Mom.  In-store, choose from over a dozen scents of Voluspa or Aspen Bay Candles - both a fantastic  choice for home or office and some of the best on the market.  If you get Mom a candle, it's a given that her gratitude will "linger" in the air for long, long time. 

 

No matter what you give Mom, make sure you tell her you love her this weekend.  Moms like that kind of thing, and to some that's the best gift of all! Happy Mother's Day to all of our Moms out there!

LunchSkins

With school back in session, moms the world over are making sandwiches and packing lunches for their little ones...and every day, more than 20 million plastic baggies (from these ever-so-lovingly packed lunches) end up in a landfill.  That's a LOT of baggies!

What's an eco-friendly, stylish, and cost effective solution?  LunchSkins!  We are loving these reusable sandwich and snack bags from 3 green moms! They're food-safe, dishwasher-friendly, attractive too! 

The design is based on that of common zippered baggies, so a traditional sandwich fits perfectly within the 6 x 6 inch pouch and cookies, crackers and fruit fit nicely within the snack size.  Are they just for lunch?  Heck no!  LunchSkins have so many practical and creative uses. Here are a few ideas:  lipsticks, dog treats, wallet and keys, ice for boo-boos, pacifiers, baby toiletries, travel cosmetic case, and any other treats or loose messy items you want to fashionably stash away.

Whether you care about our environment, saving money, eating healthy, or looking stylish, LunchSkins are the answer to your plastic baggie blues -- they offer an environmental benefit (reduce landfill waste), a practical benefit (they can be used hundreds of times and save you money over the long run), and a healthy choice (food tastes better in a pastry bag).

Want to get some for your family?  We've got 'em in our online store!

Rushing to Go Greek

It's that time of year again... The excitement of school is in the air, and so is the time honored tradition of Rush Week!  For those seeking Academic Excellence, Involvement and Leadership, Community Service and Philanthropy, and Sisterhood and Friendship, these are no little things... They're great big things (but we can celebrate those too)!

If you're RUSHING to go GREEK, then you'll definitely need all the gear to show off your letters proudly on campus!  

We're really LOVING these products from Inviting Company- The travel mugs, frost flex cups, folded notes (which can be personalized), and luggage tags!  You love them too?  You can get them HERE.

  

 

We're also excited about these perforated sorority notepads from Noteworthy Collections.  For Just $10 more, you can even add a name to customize it even more!

Once your bid card is signed, sealed, and delivered, you  might also want to show off your new sorority on paper with one of these Personalized Sorority Stamps from PSA.

Whether you need a gift for a Big Sis, Lil' Sis, or for Yourself... these are great ideas!