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Holiday Gift Guide – Gifts Under $25

This year, I have four different occasions calling for Secret Santa gifts. Even though I should be accustomed to this aspect of the holiday season, each year I feel clueless. After searching the internet for ideas, I’ve pulled together my top picks of under $25 gifts.  You won’t find any gift cards included in this post as I do my best to avoid gift cards. Even though they can make the perfect gift, I find them a bit too impersonal. I’ve done my best to include at least a few items that can be given to males, majority of items which are workplace appropriate and of course the four items I’ve picked for this year’s Secret Santa gifts.

Secret Santa Gifts Under $25

  • We buy both the traditional peppermint back and the cup version in bulk on Black Friday as it’s the perfect gift for neighbors, co-workers and family alike. If you’ve never tried it, they give out samples during the hoilday season in all the William-Sonoma stores. Trust me, one sample will turn into five if you’re like me. $12-$25
  • This Ole Henriksen On-The-Go set is perfect for that friend who is always dashing from her workout to the next social commitment or spends a lot of time jet-setting. $15
  • Over 8,200 consumers have made the KMASHI External Battery Bank the best selling iPhone batter pack on Amazon! The compact power bank can charge to iPhone, iPad, and Android at rapid speed and contains 6.5 hours of charging when full! $11.89
  • This Sephora Perfume Travel Sampler is perfect for any female as she is sure to like one of the seven scents featured in this mini set. Even better, she can exchange the included voucher for a FREE rollerball or travel spray of her favorite fragrance! $25
  • This Contigo 20 oz snap seal travel mug makes the perfect gift for anyone on your list! A spill-proof way to carry a smoothie, coffee or other favorite beverage to the office, this will quickly become their favorite to-go mug! $12.99
  • This candle brand has a cult following and now that they’ve made a mini size in six different scents, it will make anyone’s home smell delightful during the holidays and beyond. $12.00
  • This tiny Bluetooth speaker will allow everyone on your list to enjoy great sound quality wherever they go. Perfect for beach weekends, home office, cooking in the kitchen or at the park, this delivers up to 12 hours of sound! $15.85
  • This Jack Black Lip Balm set is perfect for anyone on your list! The hydrating and SPF protecting lip balm comes in four delicious flavors ranging from mint to mango. The brand makes it masculine enough for a guy but the benefits make it perfect for everyone! $25
  • This scarf will keep both men and women alike warm and cozy regardless of whether that’s in their freezing office or on the commute. $16.50
  • An ornament that is personalized to their hobbies, interests or their city is a great gift for anyone on your list who decorates a Christmas tree each year.  I typically find great ornaments at Anthropologie, Macy’s and Paper Source!

Your turn: What’s the best Secret Santa gift you’ve received or given? 

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Holiday Gift Guide – JCrew 40% Off Sale

I had no intentions of publishing my first Holiday Gift Guide today. In fact, I planned to kick off the holiday season tomorrow night, with my first gift guide going live at midnight on Black Friday.

However, it’s not every day that you get an email from your favorite retailer announcing their FIRST EVER 40% off sale! 

JCrew 40% off

After sharing the news with a few friends, this sale inspired me to do a little shopping for myself and create a favorite things gift guide for you guys. There are so many great things on their site right now at all price points. The collection below includes items as inexpensive as $16 to investment pieces that are around $300. Keep in mind that the below prices do not include the 40% discount that is applied when you use the code HOLIDAY in-store or online. While this sale lasts through November 27th, I would recommend shopping early as a few of my wish list items are already sold out in my size. I ordered the tassel earrings, cashmere sweater and silk blouse for myself this morning before shopping for friends and family.

I guess I’ll just have to stop in the Flatiron store after my workout this afternoon! Shop the sale now online or get more inspiration from their online gift guide.

Your turn – Are you shopping the 40% off JCrew sale? What did you buy for yourself or others? 

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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ashleyd /

Gift Guide for Runners: Starting at $10

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.

The cold, weather running season has arrived. It’s easy to make excuses this time of year whether due to holiday parties or bad weather. This gift guide features 14 perfect gifts for any runner on your list or even yourself. These are items that I love and use on an almost daily basis!

When I put this list together, I did my best to include items across all price points whether you need a secret Santa item for someone in your running club or you’re looking to spend more on your favorite person. Hint, hint family & friends, I would love 2, 4, 6 and 10!

Runners Gift Guide

1. GRID Mini Foam Roller – This little guy is the perfect foam roller for everyone. It’s cheaper than others, is small enough to bring on trips but still gets all the knots. Everyone, regardless their fitness or running level, can benefit from foam rolling!

2. C9 by Champion Women’s Leggings – My yoga instructor was wearing these bright, gorgeous turquoise leggings last week and I almost fell over when she told me they were a Target purchase during her last trip stateside.

3. Lululemon Run with Me Earwarmer (Final Sale) – I’ve used this earwarmer for 4 winter running seasons. While they’ve updated the style a bit it is a winter running essential. It holds hair back like a headband while keeping ears toasty!

4. SheaMoisture Lavender & Wild Orchid Dead Sea Salt – Oh how I miss warm, soaking baths with wonderful lavender sea salt. Back when I had a tub this was a regular in our household. For under $10 this is perfect for anyone who needs to rest and relax their tired muscles.

5. YurBuds Inspire Sport Earphones – These days I can’t run with anything except YurBuds. I never have to adjust my headphones or worry about them falling out.

6. Run Now Wine Later Tank Top – As soon as I saw this tank, I ordered it for three women on my Christmas list. It’s fun, light weight and the burnout style is super cute.

7. Enso Travel Roller – More intense than the grid foam roller, this little guy is crazy effective and is able to adjust based on your desired intensity level. The travel version is small enough to throw in your gym bag or suitcase and under $50!

8. Petzl Headlamp – Want your favorite runner to stay safe when they’re running before and after work? This lightweight headlamp will help ensure that cars and other runners see them. I’ve had a Petzl headlamp for years and typically wear it on a baseball hat for my early morning or late night runs. The hat helps keep it in place as well as keep my head warm!

9. GU Energy Gels – GU has stepped up the game these days with terrific new flavors such as salted caramel and macchiato. If the runner in your life swears by GU as their fuel of choice, surprise them with either their favorite flavor or a new one. These are especially great if they are training for a half marathon or marathon.

10. LED Wearable Lights – These are a cheaper and more flexible alternative to the Petzl headlamp. These can be attached to pants, tops, or even a Camelbak. They use regular batteries so replacing them is no stress. The bright colors make them a fun addition to any runner’s outfit while also keeping them safe!

11. Wunder Under Crop – I’ve sworn by these crops for 5 years. However, until last month, I’d only worn black. Now that I’ve moved into the colored crop territory I can’t remember what took me so long. The bright cranberry color is perfect for the holidays and brightens my mood as soon as I pull them out of my gym bag!

12. ProCompression Leggings – I wore these leggings for Saturday’s 10k race and fell in love with them.  The pockets held my phone and keys, the moisture wicking fabric kept me dry, while the wide waistband never budged. Made by ProCompression, these are awesome and have more benefits than your average crop!

13. Mizuno Breath Thermo Windshell Glove – If there is one item that every runner needs in order to survive the winter, it’s a great pair of gloves. These gloves feature a special windshell material that blocks out the wind and keeps your body heat inside!

14. Under Armour Fly-By Turtleneck  – My first winter running top was an Under Amrour turtleneck back in the days when I was braving Philadelphia winters. My six year old turtleneck was just replaced by this one and I LOVE the new style. The fun colors, thumb holes, soft inside and an extra high neck can protect your favorite runner from the elements in style!

Which of these do you want this holiday season?

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