Beautiful watercolor or minimalist line-art prints of your current (or past) duty station. A chic way to honor everywhere you’ve lived, loved, and survived.
Duty Station Art
Again, tacky but helps you keep track of days in a way that feels encouraging, not overwhelming. Its silly and fun
Deployment Countdown
I cringe but it’s basically a staple in every military house soooo
Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends Us
unique, classy piece for the desk. Perfect for opening love notes, holiday cards, or those inevitable PCS papers.
NCO Sword Letter Opener
Blogs
Ok ok this is SUB-marines butttt still fun and they have some great overall tips
The Submerged Life
literally saved me so much heartache when I was first a wifey
PCS LIKE A PRO
Another one of those awesome Instagram blogs that really gets you through it when you’re just crying your eyes out
WOMAN + WARRIOR
Jewelry
A delicate gold or silver necklace engraved with the coordinates of “home”, whether that’s Pendleton, Lejeune, Quantico, or wherever the military sends you next. Sentimental without being cheesy
Coordinate Necklace
tons of cute options for stacks that you can personalize in Marine Corps colors
Bracelets
The most delicate stackable, fine high-end jewelry and run by a military spouse? yes please
Dainty Forces
I love lou lou’s because they’re pretty much everywhere, and often times they have great local accessories and dresses for that spouses group meeting that you’d really don’t want to
Lou Lou Boutiques
Clothing
if you’re a lesbian dod wag get your wife this bodysuit, she’ll thank you later
TORCH Warriorwear
again, this is my Lululemon, but they do offer a sweet military discount
lululemon
Places to know
these people will help you with money advice group place to donate as well
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Thrift Shop
this is my Goodwill, but any Goodwill will do. Literally a godsend for clothing, furniture, one is in every duty station, and if you know where to look, you can get really good items
Goodwill Retail Store and Donation Center
OK, I’m a sucker because my husband came from here and they do have so many Navy and Marine Corps things that you can just shop if you have a spouse ID
Midshipmen Store
again, this is my particular next, but this is your friend in every duty station and on every base. You can eat here or you can work here, you can buy furniture clothing at nine times out of 10 they’re attached to the commissary as well.
Navy Exchange Main
this is your best friend, so you know exactly how much your hubby is making and why lol