Today you have the opportunity to win the following items:
The Simply Chic laptop tote.

The Simply Chic padfolio (which I am in love with).

AND the Simply Chic File Folders.

Here’s how to enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post telling us your best organizational tip OR your worst cubicle story.
2) Tweet about this giveaway on twitter and/or post it on your Facebook wall. Then leave a separate comment with your tweet/FB URL.
3) Subscribe to our feed and leave a comment telling us you did or already do.

Random.org will pick a lucky winner on Saturday, December 19th.

Happy Holidays!!

We’re going to start out with something I don’t believe I’ve ever done before – a vlog. I am never dying to get in front of the camera (and for all but the first 3 seconds, I’m behind it), but I thought it was the best way to highlight these products. (When you get to the part about the Dyson where I totally lose my train of thought, just ignore it, mkay? I can’t figure out how to edit it out of there.)

Featured products:
Keurig Platinum Single Serve Brewing System

Dyson DC31

Breville Ikon Hemisphere Blender

Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker

And here are a few great gift ideas for the dad in your life!

Ballparks of America Map Baseball

This handmade map is sure to be a hit (heh) with your favorite baseball fan. The baseball shows a map of the United States and features some of the most famous stadiums in the country, including Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, Wrigley Field, and our personal favorite, Busch Stadium. It comes with its very own piece of astroturf, and makes a great display piece. My husband and my dad both loved this ball, and I was pleasantly surprised by the price – it sells for only $20.

SE115 Sound Isolating Earphones

If you’re looking to splurge a bit on dad, take a look at these headphones from Shure. These high-quality earphones are light-weight, stylish (they come in blue, pink, black and red), and are the perfect accessory to an iPod, smart phone, etc. My husband tried these out and said the sound quality “is phenomenal.” He had been using the ear buds that came with his iPod, and he noticed an incredible difference between those and the Shure earphones. Also, Jenny’s husband Bobby has a set, and told me about his great experience with Shure’s customer service. Customer service is always important when making a purchase like this!

Posterbrain

My husband loves posters (we have about a hundred rolled up in our basement, just waiting for the day that he creates a man cave). Posterbrain is a fun way to make unique posters with your own photos – you can make them small, medium, large, or huge! You just log on, upload your photo, and your poster is sent to you overnight – Dad will find a red-wrapped poster tube complete with a holiday bow the next day on his door step. How fun is that? I love this unique gift idea. The quality is great, the price is right, and Dad will love it!

Craftsman tools

This is Jenny butting into Emily’s post again (something that I take an unhealthy pleasure in, I might add!) You may know from reading this here blog that my hubby is a mechanic. He’s also just a general all-around really-good-at-fixing-stuff-guy (aka I married my Dad, anyhoo.) and he uses a LOT of Craftsman tools. He likes them because, well, they WORK, and they have a Lifetime warranty! On the rare occasion that he’s been tough enough on a tool to break it, he’s been able to get it replaced. Yes, he is a card-carrying “Craftsman Club” member! Craftsman tools make great gifts for the Mr. Fix-Its in your life, or you know, if you want to send him a big hint to fix that broken cabinet or leaky faucet. You can get Craftsman tools at Sears so they’re easy to find and affordable!

So there you go – gifts for the home and the Man! Enjoy!

Without further ado… our gift guide.

Carolina Pad’s Simply Chic collection

I love office supplies (probably more than what’s normal, but no surprise there), and I think these are so cute! I love how everything coordinates – they would bring a fun splash of color to any office or cubicle (and those of us who live work in cubes could definitely use something cheerful!). I particularly like the padfolio. The faux-croc cover makes it fashionable and fun, and I really like the magnetic closure (yes, I am a dork).

Belkin Laptop Hideaway

I love my laptop, but I don’t always love it laying around in plain sight. Add in the power cord, various USB cords and all that, and it can be quite an eyesore. The Belkin Laptop Hideaway is a great solution to that problem! It’s made to sit on the floor, and safely stores your laptop, cords, paperwork and anything else you want to have handy but not necessarily in plain sight. I also like how easy the Hideaway makes transporting everything from room to room. This way I’m never looking for my power cord! It is well-made, durable, and looks great.

Scanpan

I really love the convenience of nonstick cookware, but lately all hearing the word “carcinogen” thrown around in conjunction with such cookware has been making me a little nervous. Scanpan is the best of both worlds – it is the first nonstick cookware that’s certified PFOA-free. The ceramic-titanium interior is safe for metal utensils, and the nonstick factor is so good that cooking requires little to no oil (really!). The skillets are great for browning, searing, and deglazing – or at least that’s what they tell me. I have no idea how to do any of those things, but I will tell you that this pan makes a mean grilled cheese!

Kitchencue

Speaking of things I don’t know how to do in the kitchen… I love the idea behind Kitchencue, a series of instructional videos that teach the cooking-challenged among us how to do things like saute, make soups, and roast meat. In addition to teaching basic skills, the DVDs include recipes and information on the best way to use spices and herbs, wine pairings, and much more. They are a great gift for cooks of all levels who want to improve their skills.

Seattle’s Best Coffee

I’m often looking for a useful-but-not-too-expensive gift for teachers, babysitters or Secret Santa gift exchanges, and Seattle’s Best Coffee has several holiday offerings that fit the bill! Seasonal coffee blends, like the SleighBell blend pictured above and my personal favorite, the Peppermint Mocha Trio, make great gifts for the coffee lover on your list. Seattle’s Best also has pretty gift sets that are wrapped and ready to go!

Nic’s Sticks

Jenny and I have both enjoyed trying out Nic’s Sticks by OPI. Actually, neither one of us had been taking very good care of our nails since, I don’t know, 2004 (when our first children were born, imagine that), and now we are back into the grove of having great-looking nails! These portable, easy-to-use nail polish markers are the perfect way for busy moms to keep their nails looking lovely – they’d make a great stocking stuffer! They come in a ton of colors, and have the same fun names we’ve come to expect from OPI (my favorite is “I’m Really Not a Waitress”). Jenny highlighted Nic’s Sticks on Blissful Style, and you can read her review here.

Boots Original Beauty Formula Gift Set

Another thing that’s gone by the wayside since I’ve had children is the luxury of a long, hot bath. In my opinion, there’s nothing more relaxing! This Boots gift set would make a great gift, as it includes bath foam and body lotion. Bath foam. Doesn’t that just sound fantastic? Both of them smell and feel wonderful. Memo to the husbands out there: If you get this for your wife, make sure you also give her the time to use it (aka keep the kids out of the bathroom!!).

Handbags by Cinda B

I am pretty much in love with EVERY bag Cinda B offers! They have some gorgeous fabric patterns and, functional handbag styles for any season in your life. The above pictured “Takin’ Care of Business” tote is perfect for the busy mom – it could easily be a laptop bag, diaper bag, or simply a purse! The fabric is water-resistant and easy to clean, and it’s just plain CUTE and very eye-catching!

Healthy Back Bag by Ameribag

If you like a bag that’s more hands-free and ergonomically friendly, the Healthy Back Bag is perfect for you! Designed with your body in mind, it’s the most comfortable bag you’ll ever carry – easy on the eyes and easy on the spine! Plus, it has a REALLY awesome silver easy-see lining that helps you actually be able to see – and find – the contents in your bag! Great if you need to keep lots of smaller items organized inside your purse.

Ok, this is Jenny butting in – I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t mention an accessory that is dear to both Emily & myself – we each have a toggle necklace from Hip Fusion designs – here’s mine:

I was sent this to review months and months ago, and when Emily saw it, she loved it so much, her hubby was *persuaded* to buy her one for her 30th birthday! We both wear our kids names close to our hearts all the time now! I love, love, love this necklace. It is THE perfect gift for any mom, grandma, etc. And NOW it also comes in bronze!

I am a SUCKER for personalized jewelry! I am giving this bronze version to a friend who’s child has a very unique family name (who I hope is not reading this post!) No matter how unique your child’s name is, with a necklace like this or one of the many other hand made personalized designs Hip Fusion offers, you can have something special with your kiddo’s name on it!

*Ok,end of Jenny’s gushing rant.*

And there you have it – the perfect gifts for the women in your life!

*****
Need more gift ideas? Check out our Little Kid edition here, and our Big Kid edition here! As a reminder, Jenny or I received a sample of each of the products listed so we could check them out and make sure we are recommending only the best products, but no cash exchanged hands!

Gifts for Big Kids

Heelys

Heelys Skate Shoes are the super-cool roller skates-and-shoes in one. They are an awesome gift for big kids who want to get around a little faster. Joshua saw my niece with a pair of these on a couple of months ago and about died from envy. These are a super-hot and fun gift your big kid can enjoy all year round.

I Spy with My Little Eye

This is truly an ingenious idea! There are dozens of objects hidden in this bag for kids to find. Great to occupy your school-agers in the car, a waiting room, or anywhere you need to entertain them – quietly. And Emily’s daughter Kate LOVES hers. (Oh hi, Emily here. I just had to jump in and say that this is the best invention EVER for church, the doctor’s office, anywhere you need to keep your kids occupied and quiet. It’s challenging and fun, even for adults! And based on our experience sitting next to one of Kate’s friends at church on Sunday – buy one for every kid in your pew!)

Learning Resources Funny Phone

The Funny Phone is another game to keep big kids busy. It has 9 different challenges and over 300 questions to encourage silliness and learning at the same time. The Funny Phone will always be asking something different so it never gets boring. This is a great activity for your kids to do together or with friends! (Or even with YOU!)

R2D2 Play-Doh

For any budding Star Wars nerds fans, this R2D2 Play-Doh set is the perfect mix of creative play combined with a favorite Star Wars character. (How can you not love R2D2? Come on!) Kiddos can make a light sabre, smush Play-Doh through R2′s head, and much more! It comes with several cool tools as well.

Easy Bake Oven and Snack Center

Another classic toy that brings back great memories, but it updated for today, is the Easy Bake Oven and Snack Center. Your kiddos can learn the joy of baking – and – this is what I like – it makes such small, appropriate-sized portions, so the whole family does not have the opportunity to gorge themselves on cake. PLUS it’s really fun to feel like a big kid and bake REAL snacks and learn about safety while baking!

Candy Land Sweet Celebration

We love family game night, and Candy Land is a classic that is always a hit. This new version is no exception. A 3D board, new characters, and new adventures give one of our favorite games an exciting twist.

Spongebob Cranium

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob Squarepants! Everyone’s favorite sponge now has his very own board game – Spongebob Cranium! It’s designed for older kids (8+) and combines the multi-activity fun of Cranium with the hilarity of Spongebob. And it even comes with Crabby Patty clay.

Scatterpillar Scramble

This game is new this year (or at least it’s new to me!) but I think it’s going to be a popular gift this year. The object is to get the marbles in the caterpillar’s (or callapitter, as Kate likes to say) hands, as the bug wiggles and dances. It’s not as easy as it looks! This game is fun for the whole family.

Giraffalaff Limbo

How low can you go?? If you’re me, the answer is “not very.” But my kids, they are seriously flexible! This is another new game from Hasbro. The spinner will tell you if you can do a regular limbo, or if you have to get creative and go under the giraffe doing a crab walk or backwards, or some other crazy way. This one is definitely for the kids, but if the grown-ups insist on playing, make sure you’ve got the video camera handy.

FashionPlaytes

This is one of the most creative gift ideas I have seen in a long time! Give the little fashionista in your life the chance to design – and wear – her very own creation. Start by choosing a garment (they have everything from jean jackets to dresses to headbands) and pick a pattern, adorn it with ruffles, lace or jewels, and your very own creation will be delivered to your doorstep in about three weeks. How fun is that? Fashion Playtes gift certificates make fantastic presents!

i-Dog Soft Speaker

The i-Dog is a toy that delights kids and cracks parents up. This cuddly pooch can be plugged into any music player or headphones and will groove to the beat of the music, while amplifying it through its built-in speakers. He’s got lights, jacks for your devices, and a even a little pocket to hold them. This is a very fun toy for your music lover.

Crayola Camcorder

The Crayola Digital Camcorder is perfect for your budding movie-maker. It’s sturdy design can handle a kid’s touch while he or she learns to take video. It has a 1.5 inch LCD screen and comes with editing software to turn videos into movies. This is a great big kid learning toy!

Hello Kitty MP3 Player

My daughter loves her “iPod,” and it’s a great way for everyone to listen to what they want to in the car! This Hello Kitty MP3 Player has three changeable face plates, so your big kid can show her own personal style, and hold up to 1360 songs or 64 hours of music! It also comes with super-cute heart-shaped ear buds.

That wraps up our BIG KID gift guide. Did you see anything you like? Stay tuned for gift guides for Mom, Dad, and baby as well as some awesome giveaways in the next week!