Small, Inexpensive Hostess Gifts

Dear You + ME*
I have a  couple of upcoming weekend trips to visit friends, and I'm having trouble coming up with host/hostess gifts. I'm thinking homemade and food might be the ways to go, mainly because funds are short (I'm a student) and most of these folks don't really need more 'stuff'.  The gift also needs to be able to make it through airport security and fit in my carry-on. So, what to make? I mean, I visit some of these people a couples times a year; my standard zucchini/pumpkin bread is becoming less and less impressive, no matter how pretty the wrapping.
Thanks,
M.

Dear M.,
As evidenced by how many folks ask about this, and how much we write about this topic (see here and here), this is a question that everyone has. However, a student budget (from what we remember from grad school, the student budget = trying to barter for goods and services using old books) and space restraints can make this a particularly hairy question. Here are a few low-cost ideas that don't skimp on the thoughtfulness.

marthastewart.com
First, your idea about something edible is spot-on. How about some truffles? There are tons of recipes floating around, and they're fairly easy to make. And, they're small and easy to pack. Just remember not to leave your carry-on near any heating vents or in the sun. Cookies are always appreciated; Holly over at 101 Cookbooks made some Limoncello Macaroons to take to visit friends. I would be more than happy to see them show up on my doorstep.

Cue the Strings, blurb.com
Photo books are a low-cost, high-impact gift. As a thank-you present after, you could take pictures throughout your visit, and then create a book using iPhoto or one of the other online book-making services like blurb.com, shown above, and have it sent to their house. If you're a repeat visitor, you could use all of the photos you've taken so far at their house, and present the book to your hosts upon arrival.

Brooklyn, NY Skyline Print, Juggling Feats
I also love the idea of bringing a little souvenir from, or something representing, the place where you live. If I were off to visit friends, I might bring them this pretty little print. If you're into doing things yourself, you could paint, collage, photograph, or draw a that is evocative of your city.

We hope these suggestions help; be sure to let us know how it goes!
xo,
ME*

P.S. The Pretty Mommy recipe exchange is on! Head on over to A Place to Share for Tori's Butternut Squash, Sage, and White Bean Soup recipe!
P.P.S. If you, gentle readers, have a question that you would like You + ME* to tackle, drop us a line at youplusmestyling{at}gmail{dot}com.

Pint-Sized Finds for 40oz-Sized People

Happy Monday, lovely people!  It was a glorious, glorious fall weekend here in New York.  The weather was perfect for farmers' marketing (check), meeting friends for dinner (check), and family walks in the park (check, check, check). Let's dive right into the gathering, shall we?

This here is Mary Kate Steinmiller, pictured on The Sartorialist. Do you love her outfit? I love her outfit. Here's a secret: that sweater? It's a kids' sweater!
This is why that makes me so excited: I'm a big, big fan of buying kids' clothes for myself. Wearing kids' clothes is a great way to save money, and you'll be wearing something you can be pretty sure that no one else in your social circle will be rocking, unless you're a teacher. And, because I'm short, some pieces fit better than adult versions because they're shorter in the torso and sleeves. 

Here are some pieces I'm considering adding to my closet this fall: 

Kids' Fisherman's sweater, L.L. Bean

 Laundered Shirt, Mini Boden

 

Two-Button Schoolboy Blazer, Crewcuts

525 Knit Sweater, Berkeley Girl

Even kids' accessories are cute sometimes, and can add a fun touch to your outfit if you, unlike me, don't want to go rummaging around in the kids' department for your clothes, or if your body fits better in clothes cut for adults.

Kids' Timex Camper Watch, Crewcuts

Just remember, my darlings, one piece at a time. The key is to mix pieces with other stuff to make them unrecognizable as kids' clothes. A boys' blazer with a rumpled button-up shirt, skinny jeans and oxfords = effortlessly cool. A boys' blazer with khakis and a white polo shirt = grade school uniform. Keeping that in mind, your sartorial hunting grounds have just expanded--go forth and explore!

P.S. We're participating in My Pretty Mommy's recipe exchange. Every day for the next few weeks, Michelle will have folks over to her blog to share their favorite recipes with you, and we'll be telling you lovely folks about what's cooking over there. Be sure to check out Michelle's recipe for Taco Soup here! 

The Gift Of An Entertained Toddler

Happy Friday everyone! Today's "giving" post is part 2 of our response to a reader question about traveling by airplane with a toddler (you can read part 1 from Tuesday here). Since we can't in good conscience recommend valium (for you or your toddler), we have plenty of other suggestions for items you can give your little one to make those hours en route pass by painlessly. By necessity all these items are compact, so they also make great stocking stuffers. Oh, and Cool Mom Picks responded to a similar reader question yesterday, so it's your lucky week, if you have upcoming plans to travel with a toddler.

- Crayons and paper. This artist case by OurLittleMesses and scribble kit by Dwell Studio are fantastic ways to keep everything organized, but a baggie of crayons (never markers!) and any random pad of paper will do just fine. I have a few crayons and a pad of paper in just about every bag I own. They never get old.

- Play dough. Some types are stickier than others and I think it's obvious that you'd want a less sticky type. Clementine modeling dough is a great consistency, plus as an extra bonus it smells good too.

- Playing cards. Claire once spent at least two hours taking cards out of their box, dropping them in a clean air sickness bag, and then returning them to their box. I'm not even sure why we had cards with us since she was (and still is) far too young to play any regular card games, but you can bet we bring them everywhere now. Any random set from your junk drawer will work (it doesn't even have to be a full deck), but I think Claire might play with them for an additional 30 minutes if there were 3-D dogs on each card. 

- Books. While an airplane flight seems like the perfect time to surprise your little one with some brand new books, it turns out it's not (did everyone else know that but me?). I made that mistake the hard way once when I showed Claire her little pile of brand new books for the plane and she promptly threw them to the ground one by one. She still won't read them to this day. Airplane rides are actually the perfect time for all your old favorites. I bet you have some of these in your house.

- Snacks! Our house is generally a haven of healthy eating, but I've been known to dramatically lower my standards for long flights. If we're going to be traveling for 7 hours and all Claire wants to consume for that time period is every snack offering available on JetBlue, bunny cookies, and the smoothie I bought at the airport, so be it. One day of off kilter eating is not going to undo a lifetime of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. That said, I love to pack these HappyTot pouches, which are basically smoothies in a bag. You can bring them through security as long as your toddler is with you and you remove them from your carry-on with your other liquids. They're not only tasty (and full of organic goodness), but your child will have to suck the contents out of the pouch, which can help little ears deal with altitude changes.

- Technology. I will absolutely admit that I ply my daughter with Sesame Street on an iphone. It's small enough that she can hold it herself (I put it in a rubber sleeve first); if the volume is pretty low, she can hear it but others can't; and it keeps her enthralled for a frighteningly long time. The apps Peekaboo Barn and Peekaboo Safari are also big hits.

- Other small toys. If you're traveling with a toddler and an infant or your little one just happens to love baby dolls, this mini diaper bag by FeeVertelaine will be a big hit. Just don't forget your child's favorite baby, so he/she has something to take care of. 

- Lovie. I'm sure you never go anywhere without it, but whatever lovie or blankie your child uses for naps and bedtime should definitely come with you on the plane. It's your best chance for a blissful, sleepy flight.

Happy travels, J. Hope these suggestions make your trip a dream.

Have a lovely weekend friends!