Traci Lipple, Author at Lily&Strum

Practical Gifts Even Ellen DeGeneres Would Love to Give

October 16, 2014 7:00 am Leave a Comment

We all know her. We all love her. Daytime’s most likeable personality. She’s bold, she’s sweet, she’s creative, she’s fun, but most of all she’s got a sense of humor that would make anyone smile. And she sure makes us smile! So much so, that our gift experts had an “ELLEN” day. We searched high and low to seek out the most fun but practical gifts that even Ellen would love to give.

Fun But Practical Gifts (That won’t break the bank.)

1. Customized Chocolate Bar ($4.50 and up) Chocomize

For any Choco-fanatics, this is nothing fancy, it’s just fun. Where else can you customize your own chocolate bar through a creation station and pick as many ingredients as you want for your bar? There are 74 choices to be exact (we counted) and they include things like gummy bears, spices, coffee beans, herbs and potato chips. Ellen, this sounds like a great gift idea for your staff, but get Andy Lassner one with all 74 ingredients. (Because we all want to see his reaction!)

2. Magical Marshmallows ($20) Boomf

These make a lot of our lists, but for Ellen, tweeter of the world’s most memorable selfie, we thought this could be the perfect edible canvas for her future endevors. She can pick the best (or worst) photos and have them printed right on delicious marshmallows as gifts for her friends. We don’t recommend naked photos though because they don’t actually show up as well. (cough..cough..)

3. Cards Against Humanity ($25) Amazon

Okay…so we’ve played this, and it really is a game for horrible people. But it’s for horrible people who love to laugh uncontrollably, so how bad can we really be? We were thinking if Ellen gives this as a gift to her friends, they’ll invite her over to play it! And just maybe she’ll invite us to come along since it was such a great gift idea! Don’t believe this is a good one? Just ask one of the 12,805 reviewers on Amazon that gave it 5/5 stars!

4. Hip-hop Flow Chart ($29) Pop Chart Lab

Ellen loves music. And she loves hip-hop too. So…we think this would be a great gift for Ellen to give to her hip-hop loving friends like her old pal DJ Tony. It’s a poster that ranks trending rappers by the size of their vocabulary! How f-u-n-n-y! And if hip-hop’s not your thing, Pop Chart Lab has a ton of other awesome charts to choose from. (We especially love The Many Shoes of Carrie Bradshaw’s Closet.)

Fun But Practical Gifts (If you feel like splurging!)

5. Ostrich Pillow ($99) The Grommet

Back on our list by popular team vote is the Ostrich Pillow by The Grommet. We can’t seem to get enough of this one and we know Ellen would love it too. Can’t you just imagine Ellen on set, something goes wrong and when she walks back to the production room all of her folks are sleeping in the comfort of their own ostrich pillow? She can’t blame them, as they were a gift from her!

6. Customized Shoes ($129 +) Shoes of Prey

Now you know that you can customize chocolate, but did you know you can also customize shoes? Move over Carrie Bradshaw (see how we tied this all together?) because now you can give the gift of letting someone create his or her own shoe design and easily have them made and shipped to their doorstep. Full disclosure. Someone gave this to me as a gift and now I own amazing shoes. If Ellen invites me to her show, I’ll wear them.

7. Flask bracelet ($225) Aha Life

All of Ellen’s celebrity friends are going to want one. I mean, it’s a necessity! They just pick their poison and have a place to keep it cool on a hot day! It’s the classiest version we’ve ever seen and makes a great gift!

We are Lily&Strum, a small company that knows how to find gifts. To have us help you with your gifting organization and to provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here. Seriously, we are not joking. It’s totally FREE! We just LOVE doing it.

To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

11 Yoga Gifts for the Enthusiast in Your Life

October 14, 2014 7:30 am Leave a Comment

Looking for yoga gift ideas for the enthusiast in your life? Well, look no further. We went right to our source, yoga enthusiast extraordinaire, Hayley Beth Worthman to help us find the perfect yoga gifts that will be appreciated and loved by your yoga-loving friends.

“Ground down, fuel up” is Hayley’s motto. She lives and breaths yoga so we were thrilled to have Haley share her top 11 yoga gift picks that are perfect for any occasion.

Yoga Gifts Under $20.00

1. 27oz Classic ($19.95) Klean Kanteen

Whether drinking H2O before, during or after class, it’s a definite necessity to keep our bodies clean and functional. Klean Kanteen’s are durable, stainless steel and leak-proof. #winwinwin

2. MC Yogi Elephant Power ($15.00) MC Yogi

MC Yogi can turn the hardest of days upside down. By combining his love of hip hop, reggae, electronic, dancehall and dub, his beats are the perfect accompaniment to a session on the mat. C’mon, throw on some tunes and sweat out the day MC Yogi!

3. Dashboard Buddha Monk ($7.95) Big Happy Buddha

We must bend so we don’t break! When buddha travels with us, he reminds of that. Your yogi can stick this on their dashboard to always be reminded to stay in the moment. Take this buddha monk along with you on all of your road trips!

4. Buddha on Lotus Figurine ($19.95) Big Happy Buddha

Sensing a theme on Buddhas here? Meditation is a deep part of the yoga practice. Keep the yoga lover in your life’s mind clear with this mini lotus buddha.

Yoga Gifts Under $50.00

5. Ganesh Elephant Vinyl Wall Decal Sticker ($21.99) Etsy Vinyl Wall Art

Ganesh is the Hindu god of obstacles and he has the power to create and remove hurdles in people’s lives. Transform your yoga lover’s bedroom, yoga space or kitchen with this Ganesh vinyl wall decal and watch success and prosperity prevail.

6. Yoga Tank Top ($29.95) Inner Fire

Who are we kidding, savasana is the most blissful state ever and what we work towards for the entire 90 minutes of practice.

7. The Women’s Health Big Book of Yoga ($21.09) Amazon

This book is the bible of asana (postures). It covers everything your yogi needs to begin or amp up their home practice, including numerous 15 minute sequences to target different parts of the body, specific health-focuses and emotional health.

8. Knee High Leg Warmers ($$27.99) ToeSox.com

Not only does every yogi need a pair of leg warmers (they’re pretty snazzy), but from all of our floating in and out of classes to traveling to the co-op to pick up ghee and kale, our legs get super chilly in those little spandex tights!

Yoga Gifts Over $50.00

9. SCOSHA Give Bracelets ($60.00) Givescent

I love my GIVESCENT bracelet. I never take it off and it always reminds me to be unselfish and big-hearted. Plus 20% of the proceeds go to either Women for Women International or Every Mother Counts. Killing two birds with one stone. Boom.

10. The Mat ($68.00) Lululemon

This mat is a total godsend. It is made of moisture-absorbing natural rubber that soaks up the generous amount of sweat your yogi generates so they don’t slip and slide and can pay attention to more important things during their practice, like breathing and going upside down.

11. Full Moon Mala ($216.00) Love Tiny Devotions

New beginnings is what we’re all about in yoga. This Full Moon Mala is a Limited Edition piece created by Tiny Devotions and denotes trust in the new cycle of your yogi’s life.

To learn more about Hayley Beth Worthman and her passion for yoga, visit her website.

To have Lily&Strum help you with your gifting organization and provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here. To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

4 Startup Lessons Driving our Success

October 6, 2014 7:04 am Leave a Comment

One thing is for sure, starting a company from scratch is quite the roller coaster ride. But if you continue to think big, trust your instincts and never give up on chasing your vision, eventually you’ll get it right.

At Lily&Strum, we are a passionate group of entrepreneurs with a simple goal – to make great gifting easy for you. And we know that being a “great” gifter takes organization, inspiration and even validation.

Our idea has always been a good one, and we’ve spent the last 16 months figuring out exactly what it takes by testing, thinking, listening, learning, improving, implementing, re-designing, growing, building, talking, sharing, laughing, and yes, even crying.

So what startup lessons have we learned?

You can’t build a skyscraper without a foundation. If you don’t start with something simple, it is no good.
You can have the most polished interface in the world, but if it is not intuitive, it’s no good
You may have a big network, a lot of friends or even a big family, but if you can’t figure out how to extend your reach, it’s no good
Your business model may work on paper, but if you don’t test, re-test and then adapt, it is no good

So we adapted and we changed. We are proud of our work and we are proud of what is ahead. Most importantly, we know we’ve got something good. Here is our promise to you.

We won’t ever let you forget important moments and we’ll always find you the most awesome and coolest gifts without any hassle.

Best of all, it’s now FREE. That’s right. No credit card needed, no annual subscription, just a simple sign in and you’ll have access to unlimited profiles, occasions and stellar recommendations all at your fingertips.

We are finally ready. Ready for YOU to give us a try. Now is your chance to make a difference in our start up and get the benefits of someone (a whole team!) looking out for you.

But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself. Give Lily&Strum a try. We bet you’ll wonder how you lived without us!

Happy Gifting,

Traci Lipple – Founder
Stephan Mueller – CEO
Rick Romero – CTO
Lauren Urbschat – Director Of Curation

8 Instagram Gifts for Insta-addicts

September 25, 2014 6:39 am Leave a Comment

Admit it. Chances are you know at least one of the 200,000 million monthly active users who are addicted to Instagram. Maybe it’s even you? Either way, it’s cool and it’s well, a way of life. At Lily&Strum our way of life is finding great gift ideas. And since the world seems to have all become Insta-addicts, we’ve sought out some awesome Instagram gifts perfect for any special occasion. So whether you want to turn your own photos into a thoughtful gift or support the healthy habit of someone else, we’ve got the gift for you.

Instagram Gifts: Under $25

1. Teeny Tile ($4 each) ImageSnap

ImageSnap’s Teeny Tile is made of ceramic and just 2-by-2-inches of fun. Each tile includes a self-adhesive magnet you can stick anywhere (locker? fridge?) Perfect size for Instagram photos and fun, fun, fun.

2. Magical Marshmallow ($20) Boomf

We’d be remiss not to share one of our favorites! Boomf takes your memories from Instagram and makes them into marshmallow delicacies. They are UK based so expect about 2-3 weeks delivery time to the United States, but they’re well worth the wait. For $20 you’ll get a box of 9 with a 6-month shelf life. So creatively delicious!

3. Greeting Cards (set of 24 for $25) Printstagram

For the crafty “do-it-yourselfers”, custom greeting cards are a great gift idea. Their photos are printed on beautiful cardstock with Kraft envelopes. Now they will get to share their own inspiration with friends and family in a clever way.

Instagram Gifts: Under $50

4. Tiny Instagram Projector ($34.98) Projecteo

Cute, right? This little enticer fits right in your pocket but can make your images as big as your living room wall. It works like any ordinary projector but it’s so so small! The process is simple, Projecteo will develop 9 of your favorite images on to a single frame of 35mm slide film which is inserted onto a small black wheel. Just pop the wheel in and it beams your images. Gift certificates available (if you don’t have access to their Instagram) and you can even buy additional wheels.

5. Instamatic Wooden Toy Camera ($45) Twig Creative

Twig specializes in handcrafted modern wooden toys and strives to create beautiful products that encourage imagination and creativity. Maybe you can create an Instagram addict early on?

Instagram Gifts: Under $100

6. 4 in 1 Photo Lens for iPhone ($63) Amazon

The OlloClip 4-IN-1 is a quick-connect lens solution for the iPhone that includes Fisheye, Wide-Angle and 2 Macro lenses in a tiny package that fits in your pocket. Perfect for those that like to add fancy to their photos. Check out OlloClip’s other photo products too!

7. Instagram Custom Photo Album ($73.77+) Etsy

We always find awesome gifts on Etsy, even great Instagram gifts! Check out this custom album just for instagram photos and held together by nickel screw posts. Albums can expand and be refilled. You can have an image, logo or any design engraved too. Such a thoughtful gift idea!

8. Wristlet ($82) Stichtagram

Stichtagram. Get it? Like Instagram but with stitches! That’s because they design pillows and bags with photos from Instagram.The wristlet clutch was our favorite and will make you look like a gifting super-hero to any of your tween fans.

8 Socially Conscious Gifts that Give Back: 2014

September 23, 2014 6:35 am Leave a Comment

Being socially conscious is not just a trend, it’s a new way of life. More and more companies are finding ways to give back to local communities, national charities and even to global causes through their own consumers’ involvement.

As gift seekers, we know finding a gift for someone that has that “feel good” touch makes it all the better. So we’ve searched high and low to come up with some great ideas for gifts that give back. We all want to do our part. Now you can do yours just by being thoughtful in giving gifts!

Gifts that Give Back: For Her

1. Gift Set ($69) Proper Bath & Body Products

Proper has a range of bath and body products that are both high quality and socially responsible. Every sale contributes a donation towards preventing or eradicating disease due to poor hygiene or unclean water. We think that’s beautiful. Use code 30FREESHIP to get free shipping!

2. Black Armadillo Song Necklace ($48) TOMS Marketplace

Simply put, for every purchase you make from TOMS, they help someone in need. They call it One for One. Starting with shoes, TOMS has given more then 10 million pairs of new shoes to children in need. And that is not all. Their marketplace is now much larger including apparel, eyeglasses and accessories. Stylish products that make a statement. Just check out this necklace we found and look around for more goods and make a difference in someone’s life.

Gifts that Give Back: For Him

3. Beech Wood Troubadours ($149.99) LSTN

LSTN is all about details, music and all things classic. And they’ve come up with the most sophisticated headphones we’ve ever seen. Made from real wood, no two pairs are exactly the same. Best part about it? For every pair sold, LSTN helps restore hearing to a person in need. They’ve given the gift of sound to over 15,000 people from their consumers’ support. And they are just getting started.

4. Lap blanket to King blanket (starting at $59) Project Repat

Recycle T-shirts? I bet you’ve never even thought about it, but now here’s a way to do it in a clever, usable and socially conscious way. Project Repat takes your old T-shirts and creates blankets. Yep, blankets. You can feel good about your memories being preserved because they pride themselves on bringing jobs back to the USA while being environmentally friendly.

Gifts that Give Back: For Them

5. Coffee Lovers Delight ($100) Laughing Man

What do you get when you mix Hugh Jackman with entrepreneurship? An organization that helps entrepreneurs help humanity by creating and developing new business where 100% of the revenue goes back into education and community development. We found this well-designed gift set that any coffee addict would love. To learn more or check out the other products, visit Laughing Man.

Gifts that Give Back: For Kids

6. Canvas Storybook Kit ($26.95) Design with Benefits

This creative kit from Design With Benefits allows you to explore and build your own story with fabric art. Great for kids who love hands-on activities, all products are made with social and environmental benefits in mind. And a percentage of their profits goes toward projects using design to solve social problems.

7. Esperos Backpack ($75) The Grommet

If you haven’t checked out The Grommet, you must! They have many unique gifts and innovative products including a whole line of products under their “citizen commerce” where they help undiscovered products with a purpose get launched. We found this Esperos backpack, which means “to hope”. Each backpack sold sends a child in a developing country to school for a year. Sound surprising? You can read more about how here.

Gifts that Give Back: For Babies

8. Take Me Home Gift Sets ($115) – Tea Collection

Let’s start our little citizens of the world off on the right foot! When you buy from TEA, a globally inspired children’s online clothing store, you help advance the dignity of children and youth around the world. Take these cute pajama sets for instance. Each year, TEA designs 2 sets and donates all proceeds directly to The Global Fund for Children. Learn more and shop here!

Gift Packaging Matters: 3 Ways to Make an Impressionable Gift

September 11, 2014 6:08 am Leave a Comment

Packaging Matters. (We’re talking about gift packaging here people…) It is a known sociological fact that we as humans are attracted to interesting looking things. We are even more attracted to interesting things when it isn’t obvious what they are and we have to uncover them. Let’s say oh…like opening a gift. When given a choice between two gift boxes, you will always pick the one that has an element of wonderment. It’s a proven fact.

So why not use that theory to your advantage every time you give a gift? Simply put, a good delivery means taking the time to wrap the gift. Boom. Now, check out these 3 ways to make an impression with gift packaging:

1.) Get Creative

Need inspiration? Well, check out one of our favorite gift packaging blogs (yes, this blog is all about gift wrapping!) and let the inspiration find you! You’ll find it all at “Older and Wiser”. Nothing but creativity here.

2.) Add a Personal Touch

Who said gift packaging has to be fancy? Adding that personal touch might just supersede that fanciness. Also, you’ll better understand that 3 letter word, DIY, that sounds so cool but you don’t know what they are talking about. (Do-It-Yourself). Check out these easy DIY steps from Artifact Uprising and make it your own!

3.) Go Classic

Maybe it’s that you just don’t know HOW to gift wrap or you need a refresher? For a great tutorial we turn to a true classic for advice, Martha Stewart. Once you master the basics, it becomes quite simple.

It suddenly isn’t about the sweater and that you remembered (although good for you!) but that you were thoughtful. Whatever happens, don’t hand it over in the bag with the receipt still in it or we might come and find you.

To check out some of our favorite wrap jobs, check out our Pinterest Board. To discover more great sites and products, follow along on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

Startup Certified Pittsburgh Gifts from the Man who knows Best

September 9, 2014 5:54 am Leave a Comment

Meet Kit Mueller. If you don’t already know him, you should. He’s not only one of Pittsburgh’s biggest advocates on innovation, but as an investor, organizer and advisor, he lives it. He knows the ins and outs of the Burgh’s growing company scene and lends a helping hand to the great startups. He’s the chief evangelist at Rustbuilt and co-founder of Fygment, a purpose driven textile shop that supports makers with equipment, supplies and time. Business aside, he’s a huge Pittsburgh fan and you can easily find him out and about (Sometimes three places at once).

So what does that have to do with gifting? Well, as a gifting company, Lily&Strum’s primary service is to provide our users with tailored gift recommendations (and also a ’Burgh Rustbuilt certified startup), we sat down with Kit to learn more about all the great Pittsburgh companies and get his take on those who offer great products that well…would make great gifts.

Moving beyond manufacturing, healthcare & technology, Pittsburgh is clearly becoming a growing hub for consumer and services companies. Do you see that as a trend and why are they building here?

One of the reasons is that the cost of launching a business and building an audience is so much lower than it used to be and there really aren’t many geographic barriers. So some folks are using this opportunity to get back to Pittsburgh with its’ low costs and high quality of life or to leave their corporate job. Building a consumer brand or a services business still isn’t easy, but it is now in the realm of possibility.

What are some of the Pittsburgh consumer focused companies with “giftable” products that stand out to you?

Some of the most recent companies I’d note include Moop, Thread, Lifeshel and Fiks Reflective.

Messenger # 1 by Moop +Thread – $169

Moop designs and manufactures awesome bags. They recently teamed up with Thread, a responsible fabric company (and another burgh startup!) to create products using fabrics from recycled plastic bottles from the streets of Haiti.

Cool bags, cool concept. I own and love this one.

Whistl by LifeShel (Pre-Order) $60

Talk about innovation. LifeShel designs and manufactures solutions designed to help in distress situations. It’s a great concept and they are currently revving up and taking pre-orders for the Whistl, an alert system smartphone. Get on the list and get this for your loved ones and be a part of this innovation that will soon sweep the nation!

Wheel Stripe by Fiks Reflective – $15.00

Bikers are everywhere and bike riding is not just a means of pleasure anymore but truly a way for transport. And when you bike, you want to bike in style while being safe. Fiks Reflective makes reflective wheel stripes for your bikes that well…are cool! If you know any bikers, you’ve got to add this to their gift list.

Hoodie – by Fygment $75.00

And I’d be remiss not to mention that you can support the burgeoning maker scene by purchasing a host of goods on Fygment.com (coming soon!)

What is the best Pittsburgh gift you ever received and why?

Classes to the Pittsburgh Tech Shop gave me access to all their machines and tools. It’s such a fun community and a great gift idea for inventors, tinkerers, students and even entrepreneurs who want to make things happen.

Pittsburgh is known for its’ great food and food always makes a great gift. What are some of Pittsburgh’s best that you’ve gifted before?

Pittsburgh has a ton of notorious foods that are so popular they are now available online! You’ve got to check out Prantls Burnt Almond Torte and Mineos Pizza (yes, they actually fed ex) for 2 of the best!

Thanks again to Kit Mueller for pointing out some of Pittsburgh’s finest companies and gifts. We’re proud to already count many of these Pittsburgh products as our own gift recommendations.

To have Lily&Strum help you with your gifting organization and provide you with your very own customized recommendations sign up for your free account here.

To discover more great sites and products, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

Small-Town Dad’s Gifts for Dads that Survived the Summer

September 3, 2014 5:34 am Leave a Comment

He’s back! Our favorite daddy blogger Small-Town Dad is back but this time he’s got advice on gifts for dads (especially stay-at-home dads) who survived the summer with the kids at home. Dads, you deserve it!

Congratulations! You Survived the Summer.
by Valentine J. Brkich

According to the calendar, we still have a few weeks to go. But let’s face it: once school starts, summer is pretty much kaput. And for a lot of fathers out there –especially all you other stay-at-home-dads out there –the end couldn’t have come soon enough.

Don’t get me wrong, after that long, brutal winter, I was looking forward to summer just as much as the next guy. But the sunny season has it’s challenges, too, particularly if you’re stuck at home with the little ones all day. It’s hard to get anything done when you’re constantly applying sunscreen, reapplying sunscreen, making snacks, making lunches, cleaning up lunches, taking them to the park, taking them to the pool, putting on bandaids, pulling out splinters, putting them in timeout, taking them out of timeout, and so on, and so on…

So when school finally starts again and someone else has to deal with the little monsters…I mean, little munchkins, all day long, it’s definitely a time to celebrate! And of course, no celebration would be complete without gifts.

That said, I’ve come up with a list of gift ideas, perfect for all those fathers out there who somehow managed to survive the summer. Way to go, dads! You deserve it!

A Hotel Room

His own bathroom. His own TV and remote. His own bed. And a locked door to keep out any kids. What more could a man ask for? A two- or three-day stay should be sufficient.

Nice Val! If it’s truly just the hotel room he needs, check out Hotels.com (it’s the obvious choice). If you’re looking for a little nicer of a get-away, we always find great finds at Jetsetter .

An Air Compressor

By the end of the summer, after blowing up all those rafts and water wings and beach balls, many dad’s are looking like Satchmo after a night on the trumpet. And after refilling the little tykes’bike tires, basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc., that old hand pump has seen better days. Besides, nothing says “Thanks, Dad!”better than an industrial-strength tool.

And…industrial strength air compressor we found. Check out this air compressor from Amazon. With 98 reviews (I bet most are dads) and 5 1/2 stars, you can’t go wrong.

A Still

Let’s face it, by the time August rolls around, most dad’s are too pooped to go anywhere. So when they’re looking to wind down a bit, why not bring the bar to them? After a hard day’s work in the O.R., did Hawkeye and Trapper go to the Officer’s Club? Nope. They came home for a nightcap in the comfort of their own tent. (And if the kids ask, just tell them it’s for making paint thinner; that way you’re not really lying to them.)

As it turns out, we actually like the idea “a still” (good job Valentine!), so we did some research and found this 1 Gallon Moonshine Kit for $149.

Noise-Canceling Headphones

Because the kids have to come home from school at some point.

Consumer reports are in. The best noise cancelling headphones are the Bose Quiet Comfort, but if you can’t afford the hefty $250 + price tag, check out the Monoprice 110010 at $110.

Of course, these are just a few ideas that came to mind. For even more, let my good friends at Lily&Strum hook you up. After all, they’re the gift experts. I’m just a dad who survived the summer.

But we agree with Val, if you would like us to find you tailored recommendations just sign up for our free service and see for yourself what we can do!

Valentine J. Brkich is a father and freelance writer from Beaver, Pa. His blog, smalltowndad.com, chronicles his many adventures raising two young kids in small-town America.

For more great gift ideas or to discover new sites and products, follow Lily&Strum on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Happy gifting!

Great Gifts for New Moms

July 8, 2014 3:29 pm Leave a Comment

I’m a working mom. Balancing my family of four and growing a company keeps me on my toes. And it’s about to get even busier with the addition of our baby girl coming in the fall. Help! So…having been through it before and getting ready to go through it again, here are some great gifts for new moms I know they’d love and seriously appreciate.

Gifts for New Moms: Comfort

Super Soft Tees and Sweats ($15 – $45) Thread Society

I kid you not. Everyday fashion has lost it’s aura but comfort? Never. Plus, we need an easy on, easy off solution that offers the ability to bend, run and roll but is still okay to take a neighborhood stroll in. Right? Enter Thread Society and their claim to have “the softest shirts in the world”. Soft = comfort! And the fact that have a modern style and fit, are inexpensive and have a mission to “give-back” to the community is a win, win, win for me! Hoodie anyone?

Gifts for New Moms: Stylish Simplicity

Sunset Rocks Large Earrings ($70) Boticca

Back to basics people. Gone are the days of dangling earrings that we took the time to so appropriately match against our thought out outfit which was always laid out the night before. Now, it’s all about simplicity. A pair of simple yet stylish studded earrings that work great with the pantsuit, comfy sun dress or yes, even her new Thread Society hoodie.

Gifts for New Moms: Sassiness

Stevie Baby Bag ($418) kate spade

Yes, a traditional diaper bag will do the trick. And they may already have a basic one. But a sassy diaper bag will not only be practical, it will make us feel so much more stylish. And trust me, style is the first thing we lose when we have babies so anything…I mean anything to bring that back, helps. If you are looking to splurge, we’ve found the sassiest of sassy with this Kate Spade Baby Bag.

Caprice Silver Drop Diaper Bag, $70 (and clutch $20) Layla Grayce

For a less pricey, but just as sassy line, check out JJ Cole Collections. We found this Caprice Silver Drop bag at Layla Grayce who has a whole selection of fun design necessities and accessories. Don’t forget the changing clutch too!

Gifts for New Moms: Efficiency

Amazon Mom ($99)

It’s amazing how fast we fly through diapers. And don’t get me started on the cost, which can really rack up. (given that you even remember to replenish in the first place). Amazon Mom is a hero. They offer discounts on diapers, wipes and other essentials. PLUS you get all the benefits of Amazon Prime membership including free shipping, and access to Prime videos and books. Sign up, and click. That’s it. Your essentials show up at your door.

Gifts for New Moms: Diversion Tactics

Chew Beads ($26.30) AldeaBaby

As a new mom, dangling jewelry has lost it’s flair and is generally a bad idea. Unless…it’s dangling jewelry that is actually meant for babies! Bring on the strong grip as these 100% silicone necklaces are great for teething babies. This brilliant and classy diversion looks fabulous and can really dress up an outfit.

Gifts for New Moms: Dinner

Ready To Make Dinner ($9.99 per person/per meal) Blue Apron

I appreciate a good home-cooked dinner but I barely have time to plan and shop for a meal now, let alone when we have a new baby in the house. So I speak for all new moms in saying that home-cooked meals are welcome! But if becoming a personal chef is not an option, Blue Apron is a great choice. They do all the leg work of planning, shopping, measuring and delivering everything right to our door so all we have to do is cook. No thinking required. I’m in.

While I’d love to have any of these gifts, of course one of the best gifts you can give a new busy mom is a tiny break from all the insanity – whether babysitting, cooking, cleaning or just plain old adult conversation.

To stay on top of all our latest finds for new moms and everyone else on your list, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Small-Town Dad’s Top 5 Lackluster Gifts for Father’s Day

June 12, 2014 12:56 pm Leave a Comment

The team at Lily&Strum are serious experts when it comes to gift giving. For what not to give this Father’s Day, we invited our friend and daddy blogger Small-Town Dad to give us his top 5 picks for lackluster gifts.

Top 5 Lackluster Gifts for Father’s Day
by Valentine J. Brkich

This Sunday is Father’s Day—that annual holiday where we honor the man who taught us some of the most important things in life, like how to burp, the proper way to hold a remote control, and that “money doesn’t grow on trees.”I’m talking, of course, about Dad.

Most dads are tough to buy for, however, and, as a result, we usually end up getting them something that’s rather ho-hum.

As the father of two young kids myself, I want to help you avoid getting Dad (and me) something that will just end up in the annual yard sale next spring.

So without further ado, here we go…

#5 Tools–Everyone thinks that just because you’re a guy you must love tools. At least that’s how they make it seem on TV. Personally, I couldn’t care less about tools. Besides, when you get Dad a tool, all you’re really saying is, “I love you! Now please go fix the sink.”

#4 Gadgets–Let’s be honest: “gadget” is just a fancy way of saying “needs batteries”. And batteries ain’t cheap. So although it seems like you’re getting Dad a cool new big-boy toy to play with, all you’re really doing is slowly bleeding him dry. Gee, thanks.

#3 New Shirt–Seriously? A shirt?

#2 Home Improvement Store Gift Card –It sounds like a good idea at first: “Here you go, Dad—get whatever you want! A new flashlight, a bunch of 2x4s, a fancy new screen door…it’s up to you!” The thing is, first we have to fight traffic to get there, then we have to wander around that ginormous warehouse of a store searching for what we need. And when we finally get home the next day with our new “presents”, it just means we have more work to do. Thanks, but no thanks.

#1 Tie –I know it’s a cliché, but a tie is still the most lackluster gift you can give Dad on Father’s Day. You might as well give him a noose. A tie’s basically the same thing; it just takes a little more time to do its job.

Do you really want to know what dads want for Father’s Day? How about just giving us a few hours of peace and quiet? That would be a welcome change.

Better yet, why not let the good folks at Lily&Strum pick out something perfect. After all, when it comes to gifts, they’re the experts.

Either that or some booze. Both would be fine.~

As it turns out, our list of Father’s Day Gift Ideas is about half booze (specifically beer and whiskey). The other half is gifts of meat and fire.

Valentine J. Brkich, aka, Small-Town Dad, is a freelance writer and the author of the e-books “Achieving Mediocrity: Surefire Strategies for a Lackluster Life” and “Get Yourself an Inflatable Baby Sitter: And other survival tips for first-time dads”. You can read more of his writing at valentinebrkich.com.

For more great gift ideas, follow Lily&Strum on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

10 Off the Registry Wedding Gift Ideas

May 22, 2014 11:52 am 1 Comment

We know that for certain couples you want to skip the wedding registry and give them something they wouldn’t possibly think of themselves. For those special occasions, consider one of these off the registry wedding gift ideas that are sure to make the “aha moment” you’re looking for. These creative wedding gift ideas are smart and inventive yet romantic and useful, but oh so chic.

Off the Registry Wedding Gift Ideas for the Kitchen or Entertaining

1. Cook’s Book Set ($295) Juniper Books

Here’s a unique off the registry wedding gift for any new couple who loves to cook. Cleverly designed, the titles and authors are integrated right into the letters that spell out “Cook’s Books.” The collection includes well known classics like the Joy of Cooking 75^th Anniversary Edition. Plus, it makes a great presentation on any kitchen shelf. Practical and stylish!

2. 8 Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cellar ($176.23) All Modern

For couples who enjoy entertaining, this sleek and stylish wine cellar from Cusinart makes a great off the registry wedding gift. The cellar holds up to eight bottles on reserve at the right temperature. Plus you’ll give them the pleasure of saying, “hang on, let me just run down to the wine cellar” when they have unexpected visitors.

3. Rok Manual Espresso Maker ($199.99) Amazon

Coffee freaks or not, this machine goes above and beyond making simple espresso without using any electricity. Packaged in a modern reusable storage tin with all the accessories, it makes a chic off the registry wedding gift that will delight the new couple for years to come.

4. Onda Nested Platters Set ($310) The Dreslyn

The new couple is sure to have plenty of opportunities to entertain in their new life together and this off the registry wedding gift will help them do it elegantly every time. With stylish but sensible platters of all sizes, their presentation will always be perfect.

Off the Registry Wedding Gift Ideas that Support Date nights

5. Pairings Box Gift Subscription (3 months $75) Turntable Kitchen

For the couple who loves music as much as they love food, here is a really fun off the registry wedding gift! The Paring Box by Turntable Kitchen delivers a curated food and music discovery experience right to their door every month. The surprise packages include recipes, vinyl singles, digital mix tapes, and premium ingredients. What a romantic way to discover rising artists and experiment with new ingredients together. Available in 3 or 6-month subscriptions.

6. Romance Gift Box ($150) Film Movement

How about an off the registry wedding gift that will encourage snuggling up at home? This gift set from Film Movement includes 12 romantic award-winning indie films presented in an elegant box with a personalized gift card. 12 romantic movies equals 12 romantic nights. Now that’s a lot of romance and a great and unexpected wedding gift for the newlyweds!

Off the Registry Wedding Gifts Ideas for Rest & Relaxation

7. Two Person Fabric Hammock with Stand ($129.97) Wayfair

Isn’t just the idea of a 2-person hammock romantic enough? With it’s easy set up, the happy couple will be relaxing in minutes, day dreaming about their life together. Complete with it’s own carrying case, it can also be packed up for a weekend camping trip or day at the beach. This creative and fun off the registry wedding gift has been tried and tested by our staff and it went over with great success.

8. Ultimate Board Game Box ($299) Frontgate

Just like the new couple to be, this off the registry gift will only improve over the years to come. Beautifully constructed, its solid design ensures they’ll be playing classic games like chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes and cribbage on this same board with their grandchildren.

9. Monogrammed Neoprene Picnic Set ($150) Bespoke Custom Gifts

Here’s an off the registry wedding gift that is both practical and romantic. This modern take on the classic picnic basket includes four sets of reusable plastic plates, wine glasses, flatware, cloth napkins, a corkscrew and key ring bottle opener. It’s sturdy, lightweight, waterproof and easy to carry. Perfect for picnics, concerts, hikes, beaches or even the backyard (with the hammock). And for your special newlywed couple, they’ll even monogram it.

10. Kindred Spirits Flasks, Set of 2 ($48) Sundance

Here’s a perfect off the registry wedding gift for the fun-loving couple that’s always up for a good time. I can tell you that they definitely form a heart when you place them next to each other, as my husband and I just might already own a pair. These flasks are just so damn cute, they’re sure to elicit awwwws from anyone who sees them.

So there you have it, 10 wedding gifts that will be remembered for years to come. Want more great gift ideas? Stay tuned for our upcoming blog 8 Bespoke Wedding Gift ideas to see our top picks for personalized wedding gifts.

Side note: Writing these blogs makes me want to get married all over again!

We’d love to know what you think and give you more great gift ideas. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.

Off The Beaten Path: 9 Mother’s Day Gifts

April 15, 2014 10:30 am Leave a Comment

Once those April showers end and the sun peeks out for good, time starts to move at warp speed. All of the sudden Mother’s day is next week and you still haven’t gotten something for mom. This year, we’ve got you covered. We’ve pulled together 9 unique Mother’s Day gifts that will make her think you’ve been searching for months. Whether you ship long-distance or hand deliver, these twists on the traditional will put you at the top of her favorites list.

Mother’s Day Gifts Under $50

Cooks Herb Wreath – $49.95

This culinary herb wreath from Williams-Sonoma will delight any cook who likes to experiment. Handmade on a family owned farm, the wreath includes bay leaf, sage, rosemary and oregano and remains useable as it dries. It’s totally safe for cooking and looks and smells amazing. This is a great mother’s day gift alternative to flowers!

Mignon Goodies Box – $40.00

We just love the work of Rachel Ball and Mignon Kitchen Co. (pronounced “min-yawn” meaning cute in French) and her love for making food. This mother’s day gift box is a great surprise and contains both kitchen tools and edible treats.

EPOCA P Flowering Tea Gift Set – $31.58

You don’t have to be a tea lover to love this gift. The set from Amazon includes a borosilicate teapot and a gift canister with 12 different green tea flowers flavored with jasmine. The tealeaves are hand sewn into small clusters that unfurl into an exquisite flower before your eyes! Sit down and have a cup of tea with mom this mother’s day.

Haute Breakfast Collection – $42.00

Southern Culture knows breakfast and their Haute Breakfast Collection is a timeless collection. Just ask the folks at ABC’s Shark Tank. Wonderfully packaged, it includes bourbon salted pecan pancake and waffle mix, a whisk, a sugar shaker and 100% pure Maple Syrup. Just make sure mom invites you over that day.

Mother’s Day Gifts Under $100

The Olive Crate – $99.95

Another great Williams-Sonoma find “the Olive Crate” offers a twist on the traditional gift basket that’s not only practical but oh so beautifully packaged. This gift set includes an organic olive tree, olive oil, avocado hand cream and exfoliating goat’s milk soap. Her face will say it all when she opens this mother’s day gift!

Honey Spa Treatment – $79.99

Who doesn’t like to be pampered? I bet Mom does. And with this upscale honey themed spa basket from Gifttree, she’ll feel like she is at a luxury spa on the Mediterranean Coast at least for a little while.

Love Nuts Gift Tower – $70.00

Is mom a nut about nuts? Would she love to get a gift from one of the most famous chocolatiers to the stars, Jonathan Grahm? You can’t go wrong with Compartes Chocolatier’s “Love Nuts”. As if the striking and colorful package wasn’t enough, you get almonds, cashews, macadamias, hazelnuts and pecans hand caramelized with Tahitian vanilla beans and then coated in chocolate, sea salt and coco powder. And, it’s one of “Oprah’s favorite things” so you know it’s good!

Mother’s Day Gifts Under $125

TONX Coffee Subscriptions –$114 (6 shipments)

Just. Good. Coffee. No bells and whistles and no fancy labels, TONX is truly a delight to the coffee lover. They search the globe for the best beans available, roast them to perfection, and ship. This subscription is a special mother’s day gift for any coffee lover especially if you can’t hand deliver it yourself. Just hope the delivery driver isn’t too tempted by the aroma.

Sweet Tooth Gift Basket – $100

“Purveyors of Yumm”, it says so right on Sugar & Plumm’s website. We came across the ultimate sweet tooth gift box which includes (stay with me…) gummy bears, mint chocolate chip balls, marshmallows, chocolate sea shells, dark sea salt caramels, milk chocolate carmens, limoncello candy, a nostalgic candy button tub, a box of pearl sixlet candy, 8 rock candy sticks, 1/2 lb bag of European caramels AND a bag of candy striped fun paper straws. Phew! Do you think she’d share?

If you’re looking for a mother’s day gift that’s a little more sentimental, check out our favorite photo gifts, you’re bound to find a winner. Want to let us know what you think or get more great gift ideas? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. To be sure you never miss a moment and always get it right, sign up here!

Author Archives: Traci Lipple