Gift Guide for Guys (Guest Blogger)

H thought it would be a good idea to utilize the fact that I'm a guy for a guest post.  She is always telling me that I am difficult to buy for when it comes to gifts so in case some of you struggle as well, H thought I could lend a hand.  Here is a little gift guide full of things:

1. I own and love;
2. Would love to have, and/or
3. Think most guys would enjoy receiving as a gift.

The categories are separated into Home, Gadgets, and Style.  I also tried to make sure the price points were widely ranged.  Enjoy!

1. The Macallan 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky ($50) - We've graduated from college, so that means we should have graduated from vodka and tequila as our spirits of choice.  This was my first bottle of scotch and is one that is perfect to get introduced to the smoky, sweet, wonderful world of single malt scotch whisky.

2.  Shun Classic Chef's Knife ($140) - A great chef's knife makes cooking fun.  Seriously.  Shun makes knives with VG-10 steel, meaning it is super hard, and as a result they can make their edges sharper than their German counterparts.

3. Bodum Travel Press Mug ($20) - French Press.  Portable.  Cheers.

4. Lamy Safari Pen ($37) - Although handwriting is not what it used to be, I think it's cool when a guy has a nice pen that he whips out of his jacket pocket at the drop of a hat.  This one is German designed and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

5. ESPN 30 for 30 Box Set ($45) - If you are not a fan of watching sports with your guy, this is right up your alley.  While based on sports, these documentaries are so well done you don't have to be a huge sports buff to enjoy them.

6. GQ Subscription ($20) - One of my all time favorite magazines.  Covers topics from sports to politics, and of course, style.  

1. Bose SIE2i Sport Headphones ($150) - For some reason, headphones simply don't want to stay in my ear when I go running.  These not only do that, but sound great and look sharp as well.

2. Xbox One ($500) - Turns your TV into an all-in-one entertainment system.  With the Kinect, you can physically interact with the device and even make the most of in-home workout programs.  Oh, it also plays video games.

3. GoPro Hero3 ($200) - For the extreme sports enthusiast.  Get a first person view of your guy's best Shaun White imitation.

4. Roku 1 ($50) - Thinking about getting rid of cable?  This gift will make the transition painless, granting access to over 1000 channels and also allowing you to stream Netflix, Hulu, etc. directly to your TV.

5. Nike+ FuelBand SE ($149) - A sports accessory that keeps track of physical movement you make during the day.  You set a goal for the amount of "Nike Fuel" you want to accrue every 24 hours.  Trust me, once you start a streak you don't want to break it.

6. Flight 001 4-in-1 Adapter ($25) - Never worry about having the right plug when you travel.  Plus, it looks like legos.

7. Titleist Pro V1 Golf Balls  ($47) -  Does your guy golf?  If yes, then he's heard of these balls.  Titleist literally changed the way golf balls were made when they introduced the Pro V1s, and your guy's golf game will thank you.  

1. J. Crew Ludlow Double Vent Sportcoat ($328) - Ultra versatile sportcoat that looks great in the office or at happy hour.  Wear it with jeans in the winter, or with shorts (not cargo, please), a T-shirt, and sneakers in the warmer months.

2. Allen Edmonds Fifth Avenue Cap Toe Oxfords ($365) - A nice pair of dress shoes is an investment, but they will never go out of style and will last you a lifetime with the right care (Can't say that about those Jimmy Choo's you're eyeing now, can you?).  Also, go for brown.  Why?  Brown goes with gray, navy, khaki, etc.  Black goes with black.  

3. The Tie Bar Ad Stripe Tie ($15) and Tie Bar ($15) - A classic with a nice pop of color.  The tie bar adds a nice touch of sophistication.  Remember, a slimmer tie requires a shorter tie bar.

4. Clark's Desert Boot ($120) - Sperry's look great in the summer, but when there's snow on the ground these will keep your guy's feet warm and stylish.

5. Nike Flyknit Lunar2 ($150) - I like my sneakers to feel light, comfy, and make a statement.  These Nike's fit all the criteria.

6. Ray-Ban New Wayfarer ($180) - Everyone and their mother own a pair of Wayfarers.  Still, they are a classic look, especially in the form of eyeglasses.  The lines on these frames are softer than the traditional wayfarers, and the tortoise shell means you'll look good whether you're a prep or a hipster.

7. Superdry Arctic Windcheater ($150) - I like this jacket because it's a change of pace from the peacoat.  As they say, variety is the spice of life.  I am a huge fan of the pop of color and the swag the extra zippers offer.

8. Gap Striped Socks ($8) - Out with the boring blacks and blues.  These will provide a nice little surprise the next time your guy sits down at the office.  

9. J.Crew Broken-In Chino ($75) - These chinos are casual yet provide a more dressed-up look than jeans.  The smoke red color will up your man's style game by a few points.  They also look great with the Desert boot mentioned above.  

I hope this guide has given you a few ideas for the special man in your life.  But remember, he's already scored the jackpot in you, right?  So don't put too much pressure on yourself!  Happy Valentine's Day!

EDITOR'S NOTE: You are a blogging natural. Too bad GQ and Nike don't read my blog, because you'd be hired instantly. Thank you for the ideas, price range, linking, snarky comments, and adorable ending. Girls, you'll have to let us know if F's list inspires any purchases!

Foyer decor

We live in a shoebox - I'm talking 450 sq. ft. 

We love our home and adore our neighborhood.

Though tiny places can be seen as squished and difficult, I have come to love it. 

Here are some of the reasons:

It keeps my addiction to buying furniture and home accessories to a minimum because we literally don't have space for them. It helps us to simplify and stay organized because one paper out of place and the entire house looks messy. I can clean - top to bottom, every crevice, every surface, windows inside and out, mop floors - we are talking sparkling, in 2 hours.

Another perk is that it challenges me to be more creative with organizing and decorating. 

Behold, our "foyer". I use the term foyer loosely because in actuality, its just a wall next to our front door. 

I've been a bit perplexed what to do with it, since I wanted to do something fun, not just another frame arrangement. 

Here it is in all of it's plain and ordinary glory:

Then, last week, I saw Lauren Conrad's office makeover and fell in love with the idea of dots. 

Inexpensive, playful, and fancy. 

I cut out small, scrap pieces of paper, just to get an idea for how it would look. 

I'm still deciding, but leaning towards doing it. 

I've also thought of hanging a faux animal head of sorts, like this sweet paper mache one from the Land of Nod.

My husband teases me that I'll never be finished decorating. I finish one thing and no sooner see another area that could use a splash of newness. I suppose he is right. 

Some changes in life, like moving, jobs, bambinos can flip your whole world - making everything new and unrecognizable. Gold dots and a fun zebra just make the foyer say "welcome home" a little bit happier. 

images: hilaryclair, Land of Nod