I have to admit, finding gifts for little kids is probably one of the most fun tasks I could ever be set upon to do. It's like literally being a kid in a candy shop! This guide is for the kids, the tots, the babes! Now that my nephews are getting older too, it's making finding gifts that much more special. They now have their own interests + things that they really, truly love, which then makes it really easy to go shopping when December rolls around. That innocence and excitement that they possess during this time of year is something to behold. I miss those days. I may have gone a little overboard with this guide, but it's mostly because there are so many ages to go through for the youngsters. My favorite has to be; the Worry Eating Plush Pals from Uncommon Goods that encourages kids to write down their worries and then "feed" them to the helpful monster (SO CUTE), and the app-enabled BB-8 from Best Buy! Remember, shop all the links below! Which item is your favorite?

// THE GALS // THE GUYS //

Welcome to the second day of the #mostlylisagiftguide series! Today is all about those guys, the dudes, for him. This one is always the hardest for me, mostly because whenever I ask a guy I know in my life what he wants for the holidays, he never gives me a clear answer. For example, my dad always tells me he already has everything he wants and that I shouldn't bother getting him something for Christmas. Why must he be so difficult?! It doesn't always have to be bad though, especially if you can hone in on something that they really enjoy. My brother-in-law really enjoys nerdy things like I do, so I have multiple unique items to pick from. If I had a boyfriend, I could choose from a variety of flannels or a cologne that he enjoyed..I might have a type. -wink,wink- See, there's always a silver lining! Some of my favorites from this guide have to be; Julien Solomita's x Free Radical's Popsicle Pin (might be sold out right now, but he said he's restocking), and the fancy wool beanie from Paul Smith! Make sure to keep an eye out on my Instagram for daily sneek peaks of the giveaway that is going up on Friday! I'll be sharing previews throughout the week leading up to the big day.
Long-sleeve henley | Wool Dexy Beanie | Popsicle Pin | Animal Patterned Cufflinks | Shearling Glove | Beard Butter | The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave | Club C 85 Indoor | Fitbit Surge Smart Watch | S'well Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle | Rover Large Coin Pocket Bifold

// THE GALS // 

It's that time of year again! The fourth annual Mostly Lisa Holiday Gift Guide series is now LIVE and ready for you to enjoy. There are still a few days left of November but before you know it, we'll be fast approaching the biggest holiday of the year! So this time around, I am aptly prepared to help YOU find exactly what you need for anyone in your life. Get ready for five days worth of fun gifts that will be budget-friendly + splurge-friendly! This will all end with one fantastic giveaway that are going to have a few surprises you will not want to miss! So let's get #mostlylisaholiday started with something that will never change - beginning it with the gals, the women, for her. Pretty fitting, right?


As you can see, there are so many options to choose from this year. From a beautiful velvet caftan from MANGO, a Girl Gang denim jacket that is sure to make you feel like a bad ass, to even a strawberry pin from Tuesday Bassen - I can't decide which one is my favorite! Shop all the links below and let me know what you'd choose for the gal in your life.

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is actually Thanksgiving! This time of year always seems to rush together in one crazy whirlwind of celebration, delicious food and decorations everywhere. I am ready for all of it, surprisingly, and this how-to will get you ready in no time as well.
 Who doesn't enjoy a good table setting? Especially when there are so many great things to make it special for the person who will be sitting at it. This year, my mom has gone all out with the Thanksgiving decorations for our dining table. We're talking a festive tablecloth, candle-holders adorned with acorns + leaves, plus some adorable turkey salt & pepper shakers! Then when I was doing some research for a DIY option for our Thanksgiving feast, I came across this adorable idea from blogger oh my deer! DIY Thanksgiving place mats that you can write on with what you're thankful for this year. So adorable! So while we're pretty much set for our feast + celebration, I wanted to give you some tips on how to set your own table for the holiday! Shop all the links below, and let me know how you're celebrating this year.

Table Linens: Velvet Table Runner | Sour Cream Placemat | Thanksgiving Napkins by MudPie
Dinnerware: Metallic Lace Dessert Plate + Dinner Plate | Metallic Lace Bowl | Concave Turkey Cutting Board | Marchesa by Lenox Imperial Caviar Rose Gold Collection | Pumpkin Salt & Pepper Shakers
Glassware: Gold Dot Cocktail Shaker | Gold Wine Glasses | Stemless Glasses
Finishing Touches: Faux Burgundy Hydrangea | Mini Ceramic Turkey

It has been one interesting + exciting week for Mostly Lisa! So many new ideas and collaborations are in the works this month and the next. I'm beyond excited to finish off this year with a bang! I am also just completely game to collaborate, connect and be inspired. One of the bigger sources all of this came from was the partnership that I have now started with Caribou Coffee! You may have seen the post/giveaway I did with them last month for #CaribouTribute! Well, they asked me to participate again with their holiday campaign this year. Ho-ho-ho, indeed!

The company's campaign for Holiday 2016 is all about the toppings - whether you put whip, chocolate chips or even Snickers on your drink, you are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. So you have your classic drink combos, right? Well this holiday season, you can now choose from 500+ drink combinations.  Caribou Coffee has officially gone over the top! So they set out on asking influencers (yes, ME BEING ONE OF THEM!) how do we #TopBou? There was really only one way they could get us to answer, and that was by hosting an amazingly cool pop-up coffee lab in Mall of America on 11/15 + 11/16. They invited me, a few other local bloggers and guests visiting the Rotunda in the Mall to stop by and create our own unique holiday drink on Caribou!

Once we chose our drink of choice, whip cream flavor + toppings galore, we could then capture our creation on the special Coffee Cam they had up on the big screen! It was a really unique + interactive experience for everyone that attended. Being able to share the drink you made with people at the event and passing by felt like a really fun way to express yourself. You will see mine above + below, to which I decided to call the Mostly Lisa. Smart, right? The Mostly Lisa is pretty straightforward - a milk chocolate mocha, vanilla whip cream, vanilla chocolate chips, candy cane, toffee caramel crunch and brownie bites! It was pretty dang tasty, if I do say so myself. That being said, I would absolutely LOVE if any of you went to your local Caribou Coffee and ordered this drink. Make sure to do so on Tuesday because you can get $1 off a large holiday drink! Oh, and you better share a photo of that drink with me! #drinkgoals

Thank you so much to Caribou Coffee for inviting me to the #TopBou event this week! It was an absolute blast and I loved being able to get a jump start on the holiday season with a delicious drink.

FANGIRLING: Is anyone else freaking out over the new photos of the 2017 live-action version of "Beauty & the Beast"? EW Magazine has several new photos being released in their November issue this week and they all look absolutely beautiful. The minute I had heard that one of my favorite Disney animated movies was being remade with Emma Watson, I pretty much knew I would love it. Then we got that preview trailer a few months ago, and I was instantly gratified again. The production value for this movie looks absolutely spectacular, and they nailed the casting for all of the beloved characters. I am very intrigued to see how they handle the Beast and the characters who are objects. Are they going to sing? Are they going to do a lot of special effects? So many questions! I just can't wait to see all of them answered.

WATCHING: Whew boy! What am I not watching right now? There are actually some really amazing new shows this year for the fall season, and I am not complaining. 'This Is Us' has been a solid family drama that has made me cry pretty much every week since it started. The relationship between the father and the only daughter is super important and hits home a lot. 'Pitch' has just recently become one of my favorite shows, with a female lead who literally knocks it out of the park. I never thought I would like a show about baseball, but again the acting is so solid. Then finally, 'The Crown' was released on Netflix last week and it's beyond beautiful. The costumes, the acting and a more in depth look at Queen Elizabeth and her early life as sovereign. It all adds up to beautiful cinematography and fantastic storytelling. Please watch all of these!

LISTENING: I am a little late to the First Aid Kit train, but I am so glad that I finally jumped aboard! This Swedish folk duo is just what I needed after being on the hunt for a new band to enjoy. Their melodic voices + addition of instrumentals are so lovely and easily takes me away to a relaxing place while listening. I really hope they come out with another album.

COVETING: With the holidays approaching pretty quickly, my mind is turning with gift ideas for others and some that I would like to spoil myself with. I'm always coveting something, so this month is no different. If you saw my velvet post last week, you'll definitely not be surprised that this Velvet dress from Target is my NUMBER ONE choice from everything I've been eyeing lately. I have been obsessed with the Who What Wear collection, and it's been amazing to see them incorporate extended sizes into each style they've produced. It makes me feel included, and that I can actually be comfortable in something that I have fallen in love with. These Rifle Paper Co. Mermaid Wrapping Sheets might just be my go-to this year for any gifts I wrap for family and friends. How adorable are those mermaid illustrations? Finally, my beauty guru kicked in once I saw Sigma Beauty release their SigMagic Brushampoo! I have accumulated a LOT of brushes over the past year, and this is supposed to help clean them in a matter of minutes. It will be a must for beauty lovers this year, so I'm making sure to add it to my wishlist.

LOVING: Ruth Negga + Joel Edgerton in the November issue of Vogue has left me breathless! The stars of the new movie Loving by Jeff Nichols's appear together in this spread of gorgeous scenery, luxurious fashion and romantic expressions. It's hands down one of my favorite editorials this year.

What are some of your love for this month?!