Actually Mum

My son went to a Montessori play school, and these are similar to some his favorite toys. I volunteered a lot at the school, and I've included the most popular kinds of toys that created magical moments of exploration and discovery for those kids. You know... those amazing little 'AH-HA!' Moments. I love that these materials are non-toxic, natural and tactile. Many of these are made by hand and fit into a clean and modern home design aesthetic. Calm, quiet and creative. Let the kiddos explore their world with these little gems!!

If you're stuck trying to find a Father's Day gift that doesn't feel generic, I've made this list for you :) I pulled together a bunch of personal & unique ideas that would make any dad feel seen… and he might even laugh a little. These picks are all thoughtful, under $50, and full of heart. Every item here feels special - because dad deserves a little more effort that a last-minute checkout line grab. I few of these I actually designed myself (the embroidered ‘new dad’ hat and the mug), and many of these I've actually purchased for my dad or my husband on Father's Day.

Random Acts of Kindness! I love this trend, and I wanted to record some of the cool ways to send messages of hope and encouragement to strangers. These messages might be exactly what they needed to hear at that exact time. Have fun with this list!

I've found some DIY Christmas ornament ideas and craft kits perfect for the holiday season! Whether you're looking for handmade decorations, fun craft projects for the family, or personalized ornaments, this list has something for everyone. Explore a variety of easy-to-follow kits and creative designs to make your Christmas tree shine with custom, heartfelt touches. I love these for crafters for activities you can do with the kids, these DIY projects add a personal flair to your holiday decor. Go ahead… use my list for inspiration for your own family crafting this holiday season. Or just buy the kits right from the designer :)

Looking for the perfect White Elephant gift ideas under $30 for your office Christmas party? This list is packed with fun, unique and totally safe-for-work gift options that will have your co-workers laughing, swapping, and maybe even stealing! These are clever and creative gift ideas that stand out, and might get you the ‘best present of the party’ award. For the office gift exchange or secret Santa swaps, I've done all the work and hand picked each item for their originality and charm. There are even some personalized items here if you are buying for a specific person. Have fun! I hope my ideas will inspire you to really think about recipient's tastes, interests and hobbies. Would they like a gift that is serious or funny? Heartfelt or sarcastic?

This is a list of fun ideas for gifts (and experiences) you can buy for a romantic couple. Little to large trinkets for both of them to enjoy, even if they already have everything they need. These gifts celebrate their love for each other, and give them another opportunity to cherish their time together. Maybe you can use this list to inspire you think about how you can celebrate your own relationship with your husband, wife, girlfriend or boyfriend. You can use these ideas as Anniversary or Valentine gift ideas. Many of these ideas are very similar to (or exactly) gifts I have purchased before. In face, I have a pair of Korean wedding ducks sitting in a shelf at my front door!

This is a list of products I use every single day! Some of them for 15+ years… These are my hair and skin care favorites that I seriously couldn't do without!! I occasionally use other products, but these are the items that I buy regularly, and I have a backup of each item just in case I run out. FYI I am 47 year old woman with long thin hair and oily skin. Sounds hot right?? Whatever, these items keep me cute and under control :) These are my daily products, they don't cost a lot (except one), and most of them have been around forever.

Interior Design is my profession, and designing kitchens is my specialty (and true love)! I have so many horror stories about mistakes I made when starting out… and projects I was hired to fix after many, many wrong decisions were made by other designers and installers. I've seen it all, and I would love to share some kitchen design tips and insights with you. I am speaking to new kitchen designers looking for some help, and to homeowners who would like some more in-depth information before selecting a designer/company and signing off on a new kitchen reno project.

For people who love board games and card games, and can't get a group together often enough to scratch the itch. These Solitaire board games are all of my favorites right now! (Except for one of them, you can read below) You can give your brain a little workout and forget about this crazy noisy world for an hour. Cozy up with a cup of coffee and the cat at your feet and enjoy some alone time. Without falling asleep on the sofa watching Netflix! If you want to read more about these (and other) games, I go into much more detail on my instagram account @artleygamer

These are the books that literally shaped me as I grew up. They all have a distinct place in my history, and usually changed the way I saw the world in some profound way. They are my most beloved books. They healed me, sometimes changed my direction, and mark specific moments in my past. If you are an avid reader, might I suggest joining your local library so you don't have to spend your money on them. I like downloading audiobooks for free from the library, and eventually buying the few that really stand out. I've linked these books back to Bookshop.org if you are interested in buying a copy. This is an online storefront where a portion of the sale (30% of the cover price) is directed to the participating brick & mortar bookshop chosen by the buyer, or split among all participating stores if no specific store is chosen. They sell physical copies of books, as well as ebooks. I love this website, because I am supporting a local bookshop without leaving my sofa :) *note; The year (in the title) is the first year it was published.

Amazing people I like to listen to on Youtube when I need a little pep-talk, self-esteem booster, learn new self care tips and health information or just to be inspired! Each of these special people have touched my life in some way. Self Motivation and Business Success, Health and Well-Being, Financial Help and Budgeting, Entrepreneurship, Confidence and Positive Mindset.

Everyday home items that you can upscale to a spooky Halloween aesthetic. Boring and normal things can be moody and dark and sultry if you want… you don't have to wait until October to celebrate your favorite holiday! Gothic artwork, moody academia home decor, and weird and creepy home accents. I made this list to give you decorating ideas if you love this look. Maybe inspire some art and craft projects of your own, or to inspire you to find the perfect decorations for your taste!

Have the house to yourselves? Playing board games together is such a fun thing to do when you really just want to enjoy each other's company. Use a quick game to settle a dispute… like who gets to pick the movie. You get to work out your mind (to some degree) without getting tired running around town. Order take-out and play a game or two. Save the physical energy for whatever comes next…

Many of these games we started playing together when he was about 8 years old. Most of these are lighter ‘gateway’ games that have brought us closer, given endless moments of joy, and taught him about critical thinking. Instead of playing video games and watching T.V. we will reach for a board game so we can immerse ourselves in another world together and truly enjoy each other's company. This is one of our favorite hobbies to do together!

If you are totally into paying board games, this list should have some nerdy little nuggets for you. Wear funny shirts to board game night with friends and make them laugh. Or wear them to a board game convention to act as a conversation starter and ice breaker. You might get invited to more tables! I think that conventions can feel intimidating, and wearing a totally geeky shirt can make it easier to talk to people.

These are some really cool sets of Christmas wrapping paper sets from Zazzle. The designers on this site are real artists from all over the world, and these are some of the most unique styles and combos of paper I've seen! They would make a a really special gifting moment for your friends and family over the holidays.

Valentine's Day cards that celebrate passionate and romantic love. Please skip the dollar store this year! It feels so nice to receive a beautiful and meaningful card from your partner on Valentine's Day! I found some awesome designer cards that express romantic love in a cool way, so you don't have to go looking yourself! :)

This is a list of luxury camping gear you can use on your next trip. You have the cash to spend on some of life's finer things, and you don't need to TOTALLY rough it anymore! You can be the fanciest camper on the riverbank! Cool gadgets and gift ideas to make outdoor life a little easier. And maybe a name brand here and there… Glamping all the way baby! We work hard and deserve the tools available to us to make camping more comfortable and less effort. Right? You could treat these ideas as a list of gift ideas for your outdoors-addicted loved one.

These wild and colorful gifts are meant to get a laugh from your gay friends and allies. They are fun and quirky and meant to be noticed. Some of these items are hand crafted by real humans living in the States. All of these lovingly curated by me. And I will add more to the list as I see new and cool things in the wild :) i hope you have a laugh and find some neat gift ideas.

Gifts for your friends and loved ones who are out, proud and gay, but don't really want everyone else in the world to be hit in the face with their rainbow. Little trinkets to add a touch of fabulous personality to their daily life. I'm a straight ally, but I find myself often looking for gifts for my gay and lesbian friends for birthdays and other occasions. This is a small list of thoughtful things they have really liked…. and stuff I will probably buy in the near future! I will add more to this list as I see new and cool things out there in the wild :)

You know that oddly satisfying moment when you buy something on a whim, and it actually improves your life? Yes, this list is all about that feeling. Maybe it was a weird gift you got… that gave you that feeling of ‘why didn’t I think of that??' Here are some cool things from Amazon that can solve problems that you didn't even know existed! You could also treat this as a list of original and unique gift ideas for the person who already has everything. Like small gifts and stocking stuffers at Christmas. Let's get into it!

I've discovered some real showstopper art on Etsy over time. I love buying real artwork from the artist when I can, and Etsy is a place you can find experiences like this! This group of suggestions are all larger scale unique and interesting pieces you can use as a focal point in a room. Your guests will all wonder if they are in a fancy museum the next time they visit you ;)

These guys (who we love so dearly) are getting older and more discerning with the gifts they love to receive. They don't actually want a joke tie or a funny mug anymore. And you simply can't get away with giving them macaroni necklaces like the kids can. Spend a few bucks on something they will appreciate, and get a lot of use and pleasure from. Gift suggestions for Father's Day or their birthday… I bet this list will at least get your creative juices flowing. The best gifts are ones that speak to their specific hobbies and interests. They help to make living life easier and more pleasurable! And this is the spirit of these suggestions and gift ideas. For your older son, your husband or boyfriend on your anniversary, for your bestest guy friend… gifts for any occasion!

I had so much fun putting this list together, I want to get married now! Let one of these designer wedding invitations inspire your creativity! I love looking at wedding theme ideas, and I am definitely drawn to the more luxurious deeper color palettes. The themes that feel cozy, but rich, and sometimes colorful and eclectic! I imagine these weddings would be romantic, at night, maybe in the fall or winter, and definitely romantic! My personal favorite is the first one, with the rustic poppies and parchment paper. I imagine a evening fall wedding with lots of fairy lights and mulled wine. All of these themes are represented by an invitation. These invites are all found on Zazzle.com, a wonderful website for personalized stationary, cards and invitations. If you are looking to save a few bucks on wedding stationary and decor, you can order from collections and personalize everything yourself. Awesome!

This day is all about her! I'm a mother, and I feel most loved when I receive a gift that shows that they KNOW me. (NOT crappy stuff with ‘Happy Mother’s Day' written on it.) Think about mom… her personality, her struggles, her hobbies and passions. And get a gift for her that reflects how much you understand her and care about her as a person. Please don't get mom a vacuum or a blender. Save that gift for another time. :) I've listed some ideas here that would make MY heart swell.