[JessFinds] Holiday Gift Guides

Each autumn, I put together a Crave List for each of my children. It is both a wish-list and a gift guide. Admittedly, we do have family that go off the list for Christmas ideas. But more importantly, the feedback I have received over the years from bloggy parents and grandparents has been great. I am no expert, but I do love curating fun finds. Our Crave Lists (Marie has Lust Lists) are some of the highest repeat traffic areas of our blog.

There are very practical items along with crazy $$$ out-of-this-world ones (check out the pirate bed or cottage bed for this curated round!) I think of it as inspiration boards and ideas.

Note: If you are family and actually interested in the girl's stats... Miss Crab is a girls size 6 but has an itty bitty waist so we look for pants that are adjustable. Shoe size is 11.5 toddler.  Miss Gonzo is a size 4T and wears a size 9.5 toddler shoe. Parker loves all things purple and green. Paige goes nuts for pink.

I am trying something new this year and hosting the gift guide off-site via Kaboodle. You can just click the link to go directly or wait for the slide show below.

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What do you get a six and a half year old tomboy for Christmas?
6 (1/2) YEAR OLD GIRL - Crave List 2010

  

    

    

                      Six Year Old Gift Guide   jessfinds             

    

  

  

                          

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What do you get a 4 year old force of energy for Christmas?

4 YEAR OLD GIRL - Crave List 2010

  

    

    

                      4 Year Old Gift Guide   jessfinds          

    

  

  

                          

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What do you get for a really long cross country road trip with two kids?

ROAD TRIP - Crave List 2010/2011

  

    

    

                      Road Trip Gear                          jessfinds             

    

  

  

                       

(MarieFinds) The Lust List 2010

Jess has a Crave List. I do my Lust List. Lust is a little less practical I think. Fall is in full swing here in the fabulous Pacific Northwest. Today is downright chilly. But beautiful October chilly - cool, clear, blue, gold and green.

Things I want under the tree this year:

A classic / retro apron. (I actually asked for this this year ... though I won't have it in time for Thanksgiving, unfortunately.) For Portlanders, they sell some fab ones at SweetWares (http://www.bakerandspicebakery.com/sweetwares/).

These boots from Ugg. I have a pair of classic Uggs that I never would have bought for myself. I love them. They are perfect fall /winter boots. Perfect slippers. The most comfortable shoes in the world. And I only feel a little weird about the Paris Hilton thing. These are a little dressier, and hopefully just as comfortable.The most beautiful coat in the world ... but I will never buy it for $700. God, I love Kate Spade.

Another item I am actually hoping to acquire this year ... a new crock pot. My good one crapped out, and I need a replacement. I love that this one goes stove top to insert, but I have heard there are some issues with the finish peeling. On the market for a good one, if anyone knows of one off hand.

[JessFinds] Adopt a Zoobie Pet™ - GIVEAWAY!!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED


The winner (#13) has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond! Congratulations!

Remember how I mentioned that I was on Team Zoobie?

As if I could not love them more, the fine folks over at Zoobie headquarters have generously offered to provide a Zoobie Pet™for a JessFinds.com GIVEAWAY! (Insert screams, fainting, clapping, ovations and hurrahs here.) Could those Zoobie-makers be any cooler? I would quit my day job and move to Utah to work for them, but my day job right now is "mom" and quitting that is generally frowned upon. Okay - back to the GIVEAWAY!

GIVEAWAY! Ends on Monday, October 11th at 11:59pm EST. Seven (7) chances to win a Zoobie of your own!

Image courtesy of Zoobie Pets™Online Store

Zoobies are incredibly well-designed toys with multiple uses. A Zoobie is a plush toy, a flat pillow and a cuddly blanket. Zoobies are recommended for ages 3 and up but safety tested for all ages.

As mentioned in the previous post, Miss Crab has Kojo and Gonzo has Raj. When I told them we were doing a Zoobie GIVEAWAY for a lucky family they were very excited. Then Gonzo got quiet ... "But I don't have to give Raj away, right?"

No honey, you don't need to give Raj away.

Okay - so let's get to the good stuff. You really want one. I know.

MANDATORY ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - US ONLY

• EASY! Visit www.zoobies.com and look through their collections. Choose a Zoobie Pet™ and in the comments section of this post, write (1) First Name, Last Initial (2) Your email (3) Your Zoobie Pet of choice and (4) who the recipient of the Zoobie will be.

Sample "Bonus Entry" Comment

BONUS ENTRIES BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU! We use a random number generator to pick a winner and you can get up to 7 total entries. That means, you can leave SEVEN separate comments on this post. Just label them as Bonus Entries! Follow the instructions for each bonus entry to be valid. Have fun! If you alrady fan or follow us, just mention it in your comment. You don't have to be a new fan to win.

• BONUS ENTRY 1: Follow JessFinds.com via Google Friend Connect (GFC) or Networked Blogs (links on right hand column). Include your details as above and add "I follow you on _____" Then let us know via comments.

• BONUS ENTRY 2: Become a Fan of JessFinds.com on Facebook and comment on our Facebook Page that you are now a fan. Then let us know via comments.

• BONUS ENTRY 3: Become a Fan of Zoobies on Facebook. Leave a message on their wall saying: " I am a fan thanks to @Jess Finds." Then let us know via comments. 

• BONUS ENTRY 4: Follow Zoobie Pets via Twitter - www.twitter.com/zoobiepets. Let us know via comments and include your Twitter handle. 

• BONUS ENTRY 5: Follow JessFinds.com via Twitter -www.twitter.com/jessfinds. Then let us know via comments and include your Twitter handle. 

• BONUS ENTRY 6: Copy and paste:  I entered to win a Zoobie Pet™ from www.JessFinds.com! @zoobiepets @jessfinds #giveaway  on your own Twitter. Or Blog about it and link to this giveaway. Then let us know via comments! 

A total of 7 possible ways to win the Zoobie Pet™ of your choice! Good luck!

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PROBLEMS OPENING UP COMMENT BOX ON BLOGGER? Some people have reported that Internet Explorer will block the pop-up comment box or mess with the verification. No problems with other browsers have been reported. 


THE IMPORTANT DETAILS IN SMALL PRINT:

This GIVEAWAY is for one (1) Zoobie Pet™. Does not include the Jumbo Zoobie Pets™. Winner will be picked via Random.org and has 48 hours to respond before I re-draw a name. I will include a screen capture of the winning random number. This givaway is for the US ONLY.  International entries will be discarded (sorry). Giveaway is valid for those 18 and over. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on Monday, October 11th. Zoobie Pets™ will be responsible for shipping the product to the winner. I will provide Zoobie Pets™ with the address, winner's selection and additional contact information if needed. Prize selection subject to availability (you may need a second choice, be nice about it).

I did not receive any compensation for this review or giveaway. I am just a great-big fan of the product and Zoobies LLC offered to provide one to a lucky reader.
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[JessFinds] Fall / Winter Crave List - 2010

ANNUAL JESSFINDS FALL & WINTER CRAVE LIST

It is that time again! I only do this because (a) it is fun to have a curated list of things that make me swoony and (b) you, fair readers, keep asking me to (thanks!).

I hear that a job is the latest in luxury accessories, so I am thinking that I would like to get my name on a waiting list for one of these employmentish joby thingies.

I am really craving blazers - nice lined wool blazers. I think gray is my go-to but I like this in the Antique Rose and Mink colors as well. Via Eddie Bauer.

I think that the Dooney & Burke Allweather bags from the 80's are endlessly preppy-chic for fall - especially when done in cream and tan leather, like saddlebags. I scored a $20 bag from a vintage shop and I plan to use it for the rest of my life. But I still have a soft spot for Harris Tweed and Fall always makes me think of the tweeds! PeskyCatDesigns has nailed it on Etsy.

Pine Cone Chic! Last year I lusted after the infinity scarf (which I still adore) but this year, I want to snuggle with a pine cone: Etsy.com via Circular Accessories.

Last year, I got my Frye boots for Christmas. Unfortunately, they were too tight - apparently I wear an 11 in Frye styles. I am 5ft 10in so back off about the big feet. They did not have the boots I wanted in stock, and so everything was canceled out and returned. A little part of me died. This year, I have my eyes on you Frye Engineer in Burnt Red. Yeah, I am lookin' at you.

 It is hard not to love Oregon in all of it's soggy green goodness.  I tree Oregon. I really do. This little number and it's adorable friend (I Pine For Oregon) are both at CafePress.

 In an effort to dress up some of the things I already own, I am awfully fond of these ruffled flower fabric brooches that can go from t-shirt to button-down to belt loop. I want a pile of them in various colors. As usual, these are an Esty find.  I think I need to learn how to make them...

My hubby got an iPad. Me? I got JEALOUS. It is so fantastic. I don't need one, but I really, really (really) want one. I call it "precious" and steal his frequently.