What the Wife Got
Some folks kept asking what we got for Christmas. So I thought I would bring you a special Monday morning three part series on all the goodies that we received (from our very loving family and each other). Yeah. I know. Christmas is over. This is totally bragging on how generous our family is…and totally annoying. But maybe you are like me and save those giftcards from holidays and need a shopping break…for yourself…well, here’s some stuff I loved:
- Nine & Co Purse – Admitting the obvious here: I bought this for myself for Christmas. I am that girl. I am so very generous. Thank you me. And thank you Kohl’s for having a purse in a cheerful yelllow that still looks mature.
- Canon 85mm f/1.8 Lens
- I have been pining after this lens like a teenage girl does after Justin Beiber. It was bad. Everything I’ve heard is that it is really crisp and creates lovely portraits….and I wanted another prime lens option for my very mature clients (as in older than 6 days old) for outdoor shoots…I tested it out already with Will and the rumors were right
- North Face TKA 100 Novelty Glacier Fleece - My very generous brother-in-law, Torrey (who you love to look at apparently) gave me this great North Face fleece. Did I get weirdly excited because this is my first piece of North Face-wear? Oh heck my doddles did I! I felt like I was invited into the cool girls clubhouse…so fancy!
- Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet
- This may eliminate my cool girl status immediately but the one thing I really wanted for Christmas was the voice changing Darth Vader helmet…you know…to wear while doing housework. A little heavy breathing helps me find the joy in dusting. Yeah. I’m a nerd.
- Dry Spray Shampoo
- Did you know that I only wash my hair every four days? It’s probably really abnormal. It’s just that with such long hair, it takes me like three hours to get through the whole shower/dry/straighten/curl/fix routine. So I figured that if I was in a pinch, I could use an emergency backup hair plan.
- CHI Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron
- I have tried pretty much every other straightener in the world until I found this one (it works amazing!). I will use the rejects one time and then back to the store it goes…and here’s why: I have lots and lots of very thin hair that always seems to find it’s way into the crooks and crannies of the straightener…thus resulting in me yanking my hair out as it is sandwiched between the hot plates and the plastic frame. Not cool. Literally.
- TurboFire
- I have to admit that I haven’t used this video yet…but when I do, I’m sure I’ll become addicted and hawt.
- Resistance Exercise Band Set
- Jer bought these. Like I need them. Okay. I do.
- bareMinerals Get Started Kit
- My whole life I have just used whatever makeup is cheapest. Yes, I was that girl with a coupon at Walmart to buy Olsen Twins lip gloss. Now that I thirty, I feel like it’s time to have real makeup…adult makeup. So far, I love it.
- The Game of Things
- It’s been on my wishlist for a long time. FINALLY the fun has arrived
- Professional 60″ Tripod
- Hello, I’m a blogger and don’t own a tripod. Cardinal sin? Yup. So this christmas I remedied that.
- Computer LapDesk
- Hello, I’m a blogger and I liked to blog while sitting on the couch while watching movies while photo editing while eating ice cream while talking on the phone. I need a freakin lap desk. Jer delivered
- Vera Wang Crinkled Ballerina Slippers – Whoa. I never knew house slippers could be this comfy and this cute. My mother gets a gold star for giving me these.
- Silicone HOOT iPhone4 Case
- I don’t know exactly why my brother-in-law got me this case but it makes me laugh…and you know me, anything for a good laugh.
That is one heck of a good Christmas if I do say so myself. Not to mention the moolah and the giftcards we got (oh yeah!) And yes, all you folks that know that my love language is gifts knows that I am feeling REALLY loved. Like all over. I’m glowin like a lightbulb. This glow will definitely last till my birthday What did you ladies get? Or what did you get your lady friends? Anything worth sharing? I need a birthday wishlist so spill!
p.s. See what Jeremy got for Christmas here!
*list contains affiliate links
I love dry shampoo! Just so you know you are doing your hair a favor by NOT washing it. I have long, fine hair that gets greasy (especially during warmer months). My hair dresser told me that to improve fullness, I shouldn’t wash my hair every day and to use a dry shampoo on days that I don’t wash. I still shower every day (lie), but it sure saves a lot of time not having to lather, rinse, repeat, dry and style.
*Disclaimer – I am a very clean and nice smelling person.
Ok I think we might be hair twins. I also have tons and tons of really thin strands of hair that get caught in most straighteners. So I love my CHI as well. And while I shower every morning, the hair doesn’t get washed but maybe once in three days. It took some getting used to, but now my hair doesn’t get oily at all until the end of the third day.
Oh and I love Bare Escentuals. I’m allergic to a lot of different cosmetics and that brand is my little miracle worker.
You are not abnormal. Isn’t 4 days usual to wait between washes? No? Oh, I thought it was. My hair dresser told me the same thing. Leave it to the pros, I say.
You’ll love Bare Minerals – all their stuff is ah-mazing. Also, I love THINGS!
Drooling over your new lens. Love it & can’t wait to see the photos!
Lemme know if that Turbo Fire is all it’s cracked up to be. I tried p90x and it’s definitely a boy workout. Gross. Also, I’m terrified of those bands b/c I’ve seen them break. Watch yo-self. Maybe the folks I saw using them (not me) were just intense??
ooh..thanks for the warning…I’ll be sure not to overstretch those bad boys. And I will definitely let you know how my girl workout goes
xo – kb
Oh goodness do I love my Chi too! Same reason – my hair doesn’t get caught! And Bare Escentuals is the only foundation that doesn’t make me break out like a 13 year old.
I got a purty little blue box in my Christmas stocking.
With a heart necklace inside. And a shiny new stainless steel saucepan, too. DH done good. We get a joint gift from each set of parents and this year’s was a new Canon point & shoot and a Food Saver. Other highlights included a a new pillow – yep call me boring but I like a good night’s sleep! – and dish towels from Anthropologie.
Oooooh dry shampoo, I’m intrigued! I’m one that is guilty of washing my hair every day (and sometimes twice in one day if I work out) so I would love to hear how you like it!
BareMinerals (in my opinion) is the best foundation/powder/whatever. It lasts SO long compared to liquid foundation, if it’s warm out it doesn’t feel like you have a melty mask on and most importantly as someone with sensitive skin that’s prone to break-outs, if I forget to wash my face before I go to bed, I have no worries about this being all gross and pore clogging.
Can’t wait to see some pics with the new lens. I’ve had the Nikon version for a couple years now and for portraits, it’s probably my fave.
When this Chi dies you should check into A croc straightener. The. Best. Flat. Iron. Ever.
Oooh thanks for the recommendation!
xo – kb
Looks like you scored pretty well this Christmas! I need a refresh of my BareMinerals; LOVE THAT STUFF!
We traveled over Christmas to visit family and in the days leading up the trip I bought myself so much crap. I kept telling myself “Merry Christmas Trish, you need this crap!” You totally need a new set of dishes for the trip. That way when you get home it’s like, surprise, new dishes.
It still makes sense to me.
I dig this theory Trish. Everyone loves new dishes – including the gift giver
xo – kb
I am IN LOVE with Chalene and TurboFire. Seriously. The most fun work out I’ve ever done, besides dancing when I was younger. But this is basically like dancing anyway. omg is it fun. I hope you love it. Let us know!
Bought my husband a light saber for Christmas. In my book, you gained cool points for the Vader helmet.
Your hair is gorgeous, so do what it takes to keep it up! I agree that washing everyday is definitely overrated, and doubt most ladies with any length do it anyway.
Nice bunch o’loot, there!
I love Bare Minerals
Plus you can feel good about it..it’s cruelty free! Glad you feel like a grown up now haha You always look perfect so you definitely can’t tell you usually use Mary Kate’s chapstick 
Those are some nice gifts! Lucky you!
Um, be glad that I don’t know where you live because that Darth Vader mask would TOTALLY be mine! That is seriously the coolest gift & I’m glad to know(?) someone other than myself that wants it.
Amazeballs.
LOVE The Game of Things! We played that a couple of weeks ago with some friends! Hilarious!
That Darth Vader helmet is incredible! I may need to get one for myself so I can run around the house and scare my daughter.
I got a few graphic novels, gifts cards (Crate & Barrel – WOO!) and several Oxfam “gifts.” All I really wanted was for people to purchase things off my Oxfam Wishlist so I was pretty happy.
BTW, loving the late Christmas posts – anything to extend the holiday!
Yes my husband once had TWO of those darth vader helmets (at once! (as an adult!)). And yes I only wash my hair every 4 days or so too. Sometimes longer. It’s actually not gross. Go us. Saving water and all.
I love Turbo Fire. I did it straight for about 6 months last year, never missing a day following the schedule. It was great. I’m not going to lie its hard especially when you start out as a couch potatoe like I did. I’m doing it again and because I fell of the wagon the last 4-5 months last year its killing me again. I love the music too it really helps you keep going. Hope you enjoy it.
I only wash my hair every four days TOO….it’s not abnormal…I don’t think. It works for me.
The minerals makeup…my bff just bought this before Christmas and she swears by it! best invention, in the cosmetics field- EVER!
I’ve seen that “Game of things” on your right sidebar for a while! YAY to getting it for Christmas!
Those slippers ARE BEYOND GORGEOUS!!! SO CUTE!!
Two most favorite presents: Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler (from my boyfriend) MAJOR points! and a Samsung galaxy tablet….my laptop broke…so this was definitely a HUGE SCORE…from my Loving Parents!>
Seriously? Christmas was a month ago? Move on….
Yup. Sure was…but it was grand enough to celebrate every day
xo – kb
Thanks for mixing up the Christmas posts with non-Christmas posts…. Maybe you could have gotten them done sooner if you ONLY posted about Christmas… but where’s the fun in that?! We all do a heck of a lotta work for ONE day a year… so I say spread it out, sista! Maybe… Christmas in July?! haha
I am with ya Katie! I felt extra off this year because we didn’t even celebrate with everyone in my family till New Year’s…so I feel like I am only two weeks out from the celebration. Technically speaking, that’s not too bad, right?
xo – kb
Rude. If it bothers you, why comment? Move along, yourself.
I agree, Liz! Sheesh! Nice stuff, Katie! Glad you had a great Christmas.
Someone is feeling bahhh-hambug after the Christmas holidays. HO HO HO!!!!!
The Game of Things has become a party staple at my house. It is so much fun and provides lots of laughs! Enjoy!
Way to preserve the environment! Your hair is taking one for the proverbial team!
Nice gifts…Love the bag!
Awesome gifts! The best one is the Darth Vader helmet. Love it. I bet it will make cleaning fun.
I wash my hair every 3-4 days. I can’t even imagine having to wash and dry every. single. day. I actually used to go to a salon where the owner only washed her hair once every two weeks…crazy but her hair always looked great!
Game of things is my all time favorite! also, please give us a product review of the dry shampoo please – I’ve always wanted to try it.
Once I use it, I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes
xo – kb
Oh thank you! I have been wanting to know about this stuff for a while now. I will admit to using baby powder, which is so old-school. Plus, if I’m not careful I end up with grayish looking hair along my temples. I’m old, but not THAT old!
Thanks for some cheery Christmas stuff during what I consider the most dreary time of year!
Erika
oops. i said please twice. i was being extra polite.
Be careful – those Darth Vader Voice Changing Helmets can get stuck on large heads.
Not that I’d know about that firsthand or anything.
I feel super proud of myself if my hair gets washed twice in one week. I use baby powder to keep my bangs and roots looking fresh, but if your hair is any darker than light brown it looks weird. I use bareMinerals too and LOVE it! So quick and easy and low maintenance.
That’s a good stash! I got a pink North Face Morningside hoodie and I love it. I really wear it every day. I am a P90x-er and I love it. Where did the owl case come from? I want!!!
It’s Casemate! I’ll sell you mine because my Bro-in-law gives me new ones all the time
xo – kb
I’m seconding the request for a review of the dry shampoo. I have dark short hair and have always worried that dry shampoo would just end up looking like dandruff flakes
Wow. Katie you are really blessed!! Lets just say that is ALOT more than I received. I hope you enjoy all of it
I thought you were going to cut your hair after Halloween last year?
I was going to but I am sort of afraid of making the appointment…so I asked Jer to do it…and he’s been too busy to call
Yup – totally blaming the boytoy.
xo – kb
If it makes you feel any better (read: more normal) I only wash my hair every 5-6 days! I have super long hair too ( http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/p/baby-bump.html ) and it takes for-eh-ver to wash/dry/straighten. I also use Wen and recommend it to everyone I know….and even random strangers who ask if I wear a weave. It totally saved my hair and I’ll never ever use shampoo again. Seriously a life saver.
Oh and bare minerals ‘well rested’ is the best thing since sliced bread….or Wen
Nice stash! Love the north face fleeces. My MIL gets me one for every holiday and they’re awesome!
My husband and I decided to just do stocking stuffers this year since we just got married and bought a house! He got me an ornament with our names, wedding date, and 1st Christmas hand painted on it. It even had a little veil floating off of the ceramic people. I cried.
We do P90X, and plyo always makes me want to hurl! It’s so awesome!
Oh, and I wash my hair every three days. Isn’t that why they make headbands and cute pony tail holders?
I am that girl too
my husband and I don’t even exchange gifts but in the weeks leading up to christmas when I saw a few things I needed I just would buy it as a gift to myself. oops
Looks like a great Christmas!!
i have bought a lot of the olsen twins make up… but that’s because i’m not great at putting it on, and once i got started applying- i got a herd of kids which made me lose my motivation. (you always look cute, i think it’s worth the investment!)
I am loving these Christmas posts! I am obsessed with Christmas and gift giving so seeing you stretch the Christmas Posts into January makes me happy
I am also a beauty blogger at http://www.beauty101blog.com should ever feel the need to hop on over there and check out what I have to say about makeup. I used to use Bare Minerals and LOVED IT! I think you’re gorgeous without makeup but I know you’ll love the BM and how it can transform your skin.
And, no, I wasn’t paid to say that, lol! I just love their stuff!
Have you played The Game of Things yet??? I absolutely love it! We played it at our Christmas celebration this year. What fun!!!
My husband got me my first Northface this year too! I wore his all the time ever since I got it for him last year. Glad to be in the “cool kids” club now!
MERRY CHRISTMAS! (Who cares it’s late!)
Wait, did you decide not to cut your hair ? Personally, I think you’d look super cute in short hair, although I love it long too!
No – I definitely want it cut. I even bought the groupon to have it done…but I’m ridiculously paranoid about talking to hairdressers I don’t know. I shut down completely. It’s weird but I think it has something to do with feelings of inadequecy in the realm of hair care.
xo – kb
I love dry shampoo! I get the Suave kind for $3. It gives my hair some oomph and awesome texture (it’s poker straight and needs all the help it can get).
The Darth Vader helmet is awesome. I usually put on the Iron Man one at Target and annoy my fiance. Which probably explains why I don’t have one…
This year, I got a North Face jacket and the Pioneer Woman cookbook. Mike knows what I like (I also give him a very detailed list haha)!
Love love loooooove Things! Our family plays it allll the time!
Playing that game gives you a Great excuse to be inappropriate
Also would love a review of the dry shampoo!
I have the Vera slippers. I got them a few months ago when I was out shopping with my mom and they really are cute. With mine I don’t see the “jewels” in the middle. I didn’t actually discover them until I was wondering how the crinkled part was crinkled, lol! I had to call my mom right away and tell her. I love them though and perfer the jewels to be hidden, it’s like it ours little secret that they are there
Looks like you had an amazing Christmas! I love that bag and you’re going to love TurboFire! I started round one last year and lost 25 lbs and 25 inches off my body! Then I fell off the wagon and probably gained it all back but I started round 3 on the 1st and can already see a difference in my body and the way my clothes are fitting! So much fun
I totally bought myself the exact same purse right before Christmas as well! How funny. I love it. The punch of yellow makes me happy and it was a great conversation starter on one of my many plane trips recently. haha. Oh, and I love dry shampoo. It’s amazing. I have naturally curly/wavy hair, and I only wash it 2-3 times a week. When I take the time to straighten it, I let it go almost a week and dry shampoo is how I make it happen.
I saw you stated that your love language is gifts! Did you ever actually read the book The 5 Love Languages? I love that book! Gifts is actually one of my main love languages as well! Who can’t love gifts?? Lol.
P.S. I also love love your purse, that sunny yellow colour is just amazing <3
Super sweet haul! My sister and I bought that same Darth Vadar mask a few years ago (or maybe a similar model, but it’s still pretty awesome). About dry shampoo, if you don’t like the spray, you should also try a powder version. I also don’t wash hair every day, and I really like this powder dry shampoo by Oscar Blandi. Yeah, it’s expensive (I think it’s around $20), but it lasts me more than a year. And if you are nervous about using a powder in your hair, let me reassure you, it brushes right out so you can’t see the white powder. I have dark hair too.
Oh! Since you asked (hehe), here is what I scored for Christmas:
- super cozy new bath robe
- some waterproof gloves (way more useful than I ever thought)
- Arcade Fire cd (pretty good)
- a bunch of nice-smelling candles
- a great zip-up fleece from Old Navy that I would highly recommend but it’s no longer on the site. bummers.
It was a VERY good Christmas.
Great stuff, Katie! I might have to pick up that game for my family – always looking for something fun. I’ve been using Bare Minerals for about a year now and really like it. The first time I used it, I went into work and 2 people mentioned how great my skin looked (without any prompting!). I’ll also have to give the dry shampoo a try – seems like a lot of people like it. I wash my hair every other day but maybe I could go an extra day with the dry shampoo.
Really enjoy your blog!
You are right— you very well may become addicted to Turbofire. I did. I did it last winter to condition me for marathon training, and now I’m starting the rotation of it again, because I am a total whimp about running when it is cold outside.
Katie:
I just had a baby, and I want to take her to the pool this summer, then I realized, I WOULD HAVE TO WEAR A BATHING SUIT…. so in comes turbofire. it’s hard at first (seeing as i wasn’t in dance or pom) and the lady reminds me of a muppet or a fraggle. but it’s GOOD, and makes you sweat. I have just done the 30 minute one… but i plan on doing them all and being HOTT!!! good luck!!!!
KB, you’ve got no excuse for not buying proper make up – I’m super jealous that brands like Maybelline and L’Oreal are just drugstore make up and you guys are charged like $5 for mascara. And is it true you can just return the crap you don’t like?? What!?
In crappy little New Zealand, Maybelline mascara is more like $20 and L’Oreal foundation is a good $40. It sucks. And once you buy it, no givsies backsies. Like ever.
Don’t even get me started on home decorating ($60 for a curtain rod WHAT).
Yeah your blog is awesome. $7 curtain rods are a thing of my dreams
I’ve never heard of returning makeup – but maybe that’s cause I just buy the dollar stuff
xo – kb
Me neither till I watched this video by Michelle Phan – YouTube make up artist.
She was saying in a video about foundation that she hated a lot of the foundations that she tried so she returned them back to the drugstore…
So foreign to me. Must be because she’s famous.
OH would that mean that you could return curtain rods and stuff if you didn’t like them!?? That would be ridiculously awesome…