Enough about the kids. We’ve bought, wrapped, bought some more and wrapped some more. I’m OVER the kid stuff, it’s time to think about MOI. Yeah, right, but a Smarty girl can dream, can’t she?!
Each year, I drool over a few things that I think are over the top “Smarty” and if there was an elf dedicated to me, this would be my loot. Because I know I’ve been good all year long.
I summoned the help of super Smarty stylish Kaylee & Cheryl, who have the best taste ever! So together we present these fab things that we’re totally crushing on:
A Moon & Lola Acrylic Monogrammed necklace, oh how I love thee!
Moon and Lola’s fabulous line of personalized accessories, such as its signature acrylic monogram necklace, is a personal fave of all of us at CSP. This Moon and Lola original has graced the pages of fashion and lifestyle magazines including InStyle, Lucky and O Magazine, since it’s debut a little over a year ago. Now the line can be found in more than 700 boutiques across the country and overseas. CSP {hearts} our hometown Raleigh gal who is the fashionista behind Moon & Lola, Kelly Shatat!
You can find Moon & Lola locally at:
Ashley Carol Home & Garden, Bevello in Birkdale Village/Blakeney/Phillips Place, Cottage Chic, Cubby Hole, It’s a Girl Thing, Monkee’s of Morrocroft, Petal, Poppie’s in Birkdale Village, Tally Ho, The Cheeky Bean, The Jewel Box, and always at
http://www.moonandlola.com
http://www.facebook.com/MoonAndLola
http://www.facebook.com/MoonAndLolaRaleigh
Pinterest & twitter
A Carrie Dunham Clutch – you so need this in your life!
Carrie Dunham clutches are a mom must-have for when we take off our mom hat, switch out of our GYNORMOUS purses and step into our night heels for a much-needed night out sans kids. These clutches kind of remind me of a modern throw-back to the beloved Papagalo bags we grew up with. The best part – you can custom build your naked bag with as many covers as you like, to go with every outfit in your closet. Her entire line is like this, wait until you see the Satchel Collection and the Handbag Collection – LOVE?!
CSP is 100% crushing on Carrie Dunhams bags!
You can find Carrie Dunham locally at:
Cottage Chic and the Carrie Dunham website
.
A Janine Medlin Nest Painting
Janine Medlin is one of my favorite local artists of all times. I fell in love with her Nest painting the first time I laid eyes on it. My favorite part is her use of recycled wood and of course, the nest eggs symbolizing the children in your family. Janine also has beautiful etchings on walnut, botanical pieces and so much more. Janine truly has a gift, we are so lucky to have her in Charlotte!
Here are some notes from Janine: I paint oil on wood, linen, or canvas, with emphasis on texture and value (lights vs. darks). I don’t set out to incorporate a theme, but what consistently emerges is how I am captivated by how God speaks to us and His wild creativity in nature. People tell me they get a sense of being drawn in and welcomed to a place of rest and quiet.
You can find Janine Medlin Art locally at:
Janine Medlin Art, Slate Interiors, Post & Gray, Cotswold Marketplace, The Sanctuary of Davidson, JWV Artists, Providence Gallery & Red Sky Gallery.
A silver Nest necklace by Sercie.com
After I fell in love with Janine’s Nest painting that I HAD to have, I stumbled across this adorable Nest necklace at Cotswold Marketplace by one of our favorite Smarties, Julie Tassy, of Ella B candles and Sercie.com! I LOVE the turquoise eggs and you cannot beat the price at $40. Santa, please drop this sercie in my stocking and I’ll be good all year for 2013:-)
Leila Lou Fragrance
Leila Lou is one of my personal faves as it’s clean, simple, feminine, and lovely. Founded by celebrity makeup artist, Rosie Jane Johnston a native Australian now living in Los Angeles, Rosie started By Rosie Jane with a goal of creating products that remind women that when it comes to true beauty less is always more. I love the roll-on since it’s made with essential oils and it lasts all day long. It’s 100% addicting, by me and my hubby:-) This makes for the most perfect stocking stuffer ever.
You can find Leila Lou locally at:
Cottage Chic
by Rosie Jane website
twitter & facebook
Paperdoll Family Portrait on Etsy
This is the coolest take on a family portrait I’ve seen in a LONG time – a custom paper doll family! Equally cute, quirky, fun, and funky! I’d add our dog, too, and frame it in a shadow box.
The Boden Rainy Day Mac
Cheryl is obsessed with the Rainy Day Mac from Boden because who wouldn’t want something so cheerful to put on when it’s a cold, dreary day? Bright, bold colors only, please! (And Nordstrom, can you please start carrying Boden for ladies like you do for kids?!)
The Luxe Box by Erin McDermott
You may remember local artist, Erin McDermott, and her gems from our Smarty Fall Fashion Giveaway. We love her and this Luxe Bux is the ultimate gift. Would you like a a box of happiness filled with a special piece of jewelry to arrive at your doorstep each month? The Luxe-Box ships to you at the first of the month and inside you will find a piece of jewelry valued at $50-$150. Erin will use the same stones and materials that she uses for her entire collection, but you will be spending only $25 per piece and this will add up to $300 a year! Quite the deal…especially if you are looking for a new piece to wear each month.
With the holidays here, the first box will be shipped no later than December 15th for all orders placed by that date — just in time for holiday gift-giving. The second box will be shipped February 1st.
Erin encourages that you fill out a form to tell her the type of jewelry that you like: http://erinmcdermottjewelry.wufoo.com/forms/the-luxe-box/.
Guess what? Erin’s fab earrings were featured in Real Simple Magazine this month! Congrats to Erin!
Your pet’s portrait by local artist, Rita Miller!
Local Smarty Mama, friend and artist, Rita Miller loves to capture your animals on canvas. We just got a new puppy (why let Santa get all the glory?!), so this is high on my Santa list for my two fat Maine Coons and new Cavapoo puppy. How cute is this?!
You can reach the artist at millerrita@bellsouth.net.
Nourish meals delivered to your door!
Since we can’t get a live-in chef, we’ll settle for a gift card to Nourish, Charlotte’s only local, healthy, organic, vegan/vegetarian delivery service. I’m not a full-time vegan or vegetarian (not even close) but getting these DELICIOUS meals delivered to my doorstep makes eating whole, healthy foods so much more do-able. I can’t even fathom how the wonderful chefs at Nourish put together vegetarian meals that are so filling and flavorful, but I sure would like to keep tasting what they come up with! Yes, a few weeks of Nourish meals is just what this Mama needs after a holiday season of eating and drinking.
Anything from the Lissa Mar Collection!
How fab is this Gin & Tunic Dress?
Top of Kaylee’s Smarty Santa list is anything from Lissa Mar. Her line is fun, flirty, classic and inspired by Southern roots.
Missy McGuirk is the diva behind the Lissa Mar line. Missy hails from Atlanta and has been making her own clothes for years. Graduate of UVA and inspired by her vacations at Sea Island, Missy dove head first into fashion with the Lissa Mar collection. We love it and can’t wait to see more of her designs in the spring. CSP {hearts} Lissa Mar!
You can find Lissa Mar locally at
Cottage Chic & Monkee’s of Morrocroft
A few of our favorite things could be in YOUR stocking – yup, it’s another Smarty giveaway!
1) A Janine Medlin Nest Painting – valued at $200
2) A Nest necklace, compliments of Sercie.com, valued at $40
3) A pet portrait by local artist, Rita Miller, valued at $110
How do you enter? 1) Like this on facebook and share. 2) Leave a comment below with your thoughts on why we all signed on for this Elf on the Shelf gig – are you in our out? I’m out. I can’t tell you how many 3am panic runs we’ve had trying to figure out if we moved the elf and why we ever thought it was a good idea to communicate with the elf. With holiday parties in full swing, the pressure is ON!
We’ll pick our winners one week from today, Thursday, December 20th. Merry, merry!
45 comments
I still love Elf Ramone, even though he has the power to wake me from a deep sleep to move him and even though my children whisper their Christmas wishes to him and forget to tell me what they want… Their pure belief fills the house with joy and excitement! I know the time will come when this part of Christmas Magic will be gone and I will wish for Ramone to wake me up again. Merry Christmas, Mamas!
Our elf named “HoHo” doesn’t get into trouble, but I still have to remember to move him every night. It’s a lot of work, but it had helped curb some of the whining from my 3 year old because I tell her he’s reporting back to Santa.
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! We choose to discuss the meaning of advent versus the Elf. We have the book and the elf, just not sure I want to put too much emphasis on it for now. Having a Christmas birthday myself, there is a lot to celebrate and be thankful for!
I am over the Elf on the Shelf! My oldest knows what’s what now. I have 2 more left to stick it through! Wish me luck to remember before bedtime! I am with you Jen, about the 3 AM wake up calls to move that darn thing! Ha ha!
Cotswold Marketplace LOVES Janine Medlin’s Nest Paintings & Sercie’s Nest Necklace too! Thankful to have them as vendors. How wonderful to see both of these wonderful women & their talents on your blog today, Charlotte Smarty Pants! Excited to see this – love the feature!!!
And we love your marketplace too, obviously. Merry merry to everyone there at Cotswold Marketplace!
We now have THREE elves… when the 3 kids are grown with families of their own, I think it would be special for the children to have visits from their parent’s childhood elf. The elves do forget on occasion, luckily they have a secret stash of treats for emergency quick setups. I am loving all of the fun Pinterest ideas!
Liked and shared on Facebook!
To elf or not to elf was the question in my home. My eight year old is way too serious to give into the shannigans of the elf . I do think my 5 yr. old grandson would have enjoyed it but seeing how none of the action figures that live here,no longer have their heads…well lets just say the elf would not have had a very long life anyway!! I chose to opt out of Elfville!
Our elf is from Southern Living (about 12 years ago?). He came with no specifications about not touching and my youngest became really attached and basically took him everywhere for a few years. Sadly she’s outgrowing him this year!
We got an elf last year when my daughter came home from school asking why “everyone”else had an elf but us. Literally every other girl in her class had one so I gave in. My friend writes notes from our elf about what Christmas is really about.
I don’t mind moving the elf but refuse to make a mess I later have to clean up so I guess I’m in but not all the way. We don’t even have the book or any rules about not touching the elf – it’s just a cute elf my mom gave the girls last year
I am in on the Elf on The Shelf thing. I too have the panic of running downstairs in the morning before the kids make it down to move the thing. I also mistakenly bought into the whole funny, make your elf do pranks thing. No I regret that as well because I keep having to come up with new and better ideas. Can’t stop now though – the kids love it!
Our elf, Ackey, is a fun and funny little guy. The kids love him, though I’ve been known to hear my daughter coming down the steps in the morning as I race to her and ask her to go give Daddy a hug so I can move the darn elf. Whoops! I haven’t been caught….yet 🙂
Our elf, Cutie, is new to our house this yr and daddy and I have enjoyed finding new places and naughty tricks for cutie each night. We’ve had the 3am weaklings as well, but it is so worth it to us to see our 3 yr old hunt for cutie each morning and scold cutie for getting into mischief. We’ve sort of twisted the elf idea around and made it something of a teaching tool for our little one too- about belief without seeing for yourself and teaching lessons about Dowding what is right and good. Anyway- we are “In”.
We are all for the Elf…gives me some Christmas magic and with my children so young, they are just as excited when Red is found in less than creative ways. It helps keep my 4 year old in check when the concept of disappointing Jesus doesn’t do any good.
We jumped on the wagon with Dash, our elf, this year. He’s a good elf – today getting into the marshmallows – wanting to share his treat!
We have an elf, named Hermie, that my Mom gave me the Christmas I was pregnant–before the Elf on the Shelf craze. My parents had an elf that moved each night when we were kids–if only Mom had thought to write a book about that idea 30 years ago! I did buy the Elf on the Shelf when it came out, to have the book and that elf stays in the box. I have explained to our daughter that Hermie is a well-behaved elf since this Mommy put in a request with Santa for one of his best behaved elves. I just didn’t think a naughty elf would have much credibility with reporting on my daughter’s behavior to Santa if he is naughty himself. I wanted some back-up from teh North Pole since the excitement of the holidays makes it easy for the kids to act up. Not to mention, it’s hard enough to move Hermie as it is without staging anything cute–the Christmas to do list is long enough! Some nights he stays in the same place since it was either a good spot to keep an eye on the next day’s activity or we weren’t home long enough. I’d love a mini elf hanging from my rearview mirror though–that seatbelt might get buckled as soon as she gets in the car!
This year has been the best yet for our elf, Sally. I think that’s largely due to the fact that my girls are at the perfect ages (6 and 3 1/2) to anticipate and appreciate holiday fun. I will admit that I’m an inconsistent elf keeper. When Sally first came out in late November, I was totally on it — she lived up to her Pinterest potential and did all kinds of zany and creative things. Then, I started forgetting…until the kids were already awake in the morning and getting ready for school. I started scrambling — just moving her is enough in a pinch, right? Only once this year have I forgotten to move her at all. We concluded that she had been distraught over our missing cat (who was subsequently found) and just laid off her elfing duties for that night. I guess my elf has a bit of a split personality — fun and crazy one day, subdued the next. So far, my kids accept that. None of us are perfect, right?
I have had fun with the Elf and so has my husband. Soooo far this year, we have remembered to move him but there has been a panic some mornings if the other one moved him. I will say that this morning my DD came downstairs and was so very very excited that Finley was FINALLY in her playroom and she had been waiting for him to go in there. She has made pictures for him to take back to Santa. I am trying not to do too much b/c I can’t keep it up. He will be making the trip north with us next week. He will have to show up in the Car for the drive up!
Im in, but not always happy about it. Definitely awakened paniced in the middle of the night. It is fun when I remember to handle up before hitting the sack.
We’re not on the elf band wagon. One too many thing for the Christmas season.
I am in the Elf brigade and this has been the best one for my kids thanks to pinterest and all these websites. I am not ashamed to say i have stolen all these great ideas for our elf Josie and one day my kids will look back and think i was a genius! Of course all ideas must be able to be done in 5 minutes or less!
We have an elf and her name is Scarlett. My children race to get up each morning to find her. I love that! She doesn’t always move and we are ok with that. We spend our mornings talking about her latest move and it really is fun. They will outgrow it soon, so I am treasuring these times!
Our elf resides in the attic. This year has been bananas, and Scout just didn’t make the cut!
Our elf’s name is Tommy and he forgets to move sometimes… silly Tommy! He gets lazy sometimes. Oh well! One day he “found” my son’s missing toy and that was cute to see the wonder in his eyes.
I am over the Elf on the Shelf. It would be easy if he stayed on the same shelf for 25 days….. Next year we may have to change the rules.
No ELF on the Shelf – Kids have outgrown and we even have two grandchildren. I do love the Pinterest Ideas for the Elf and wish I had a little one to share this tradition with!
We do the elf thing but don’t make a big deal out of it. He just moves every night and the kids run around looking for him in the morning. I think we will have more fun with it as they get older!
We do not have an Elf–I know I would definitely forget to move him!
We’re all about Elf McBean over here. Off to move him!
Yup, we did it. We already had a “12 Days of Christmas House” last year when she was two – an (imaginary) “Elf” would leave her candy in the house “doors” each morning. So, at 3.5, it kinda made sense to have an actual Elf to move around this year’s Elf House Candy. We have grudgingly merged the two traditions, but I have to say that she loves it!
We have an elf my 4 yo named Richard which I just think is hilarious. He (my son) remind me every day about the joy of Christmas and Richard has only added to that joy in the midst of all the craziness. Enjoying it for sure although running out of ideasof high places so he isn’t tempted to touch him.
No elf on the shelf for us!
How did this elf thing get to be so popular? UGG! We got “Joseph” from Nana last year.
I was hoping my son would never hear of it and I would not have to get stuck doing this hide & go seek elf game.
Anyway, YES! I always forget about him, but I have learned to pull myself out from some of the disasters.
Like…… Why did the elf not move to a new place? That is because he did NOT want to report the bad day you had and is giving you a second chance.
OR…. Mom…what is wrong with the elf he is still in the same place AGAIN! (S*IT!) Well that is because Santa had heard about to many naughty people today and Joseph did not want to upset Santa.
Especially since we saw him yesterday in the mall, and you asked for that Kindle Fire.
Oh Brother! It is bad enough to remember everything that is going on in this crazy time of year already!
Ironically I just hung him from the top of the kitchen light. I even secretly hope my son does not find him so I don’t have to remember to move the guy. Hopefully he will be leaving again soon!
I will not miss him if I can’t find the Christmas box he is in for next year.
Bah Hum bug! LOL!
P.S. Thanks for thinking of us for gifts. It seems the kids get all the good stuff.
We love “Dobby” the elf in our house! This year he has been getting in more trouble than last year, and I have to say it has been really fun. I don’t mind doing it and the kids go crazy in the morning when they find him!
Shared on FB.
We don’t do the elf because I’m a horrible Mother! I would have that panic every night trying to remember if I moved him or not!!!!
We aren’t doing the elf yet…not to say we won’t in the future. I am not sure my memory can handle an additional task every day…we have trouble remembering to open our advent calendar every day!
No Elf for us! Not opposed, just not something we haven’t invested in ($ or time)
We’re year 4 with Elfy. It took me a while to warm up to it & I can’t believe how big it is now. We’ve had a lot of sickness in our house & coincidentally Elfy didn’t move. My response… ‘Elfy must be sick’. They totally buy it!!
We have an elf but he doesn’t do anything over the top, it’s hard enough to remember to move him every night.
I love our Elf (aka Elvis). My son who is 4 does not and completely ignores him. I have tried the M&M head dive, had Elvis riding on the train set, Elvis delivered Santa’s letter and even did a zipline, which fell down in the night and ended up being a hanging Elvis- all do no avail. My husband and I love him though and we will keep trying – Elvis is not dead (at least not in this house).
We’ve managed to avoid the whole elf thing. It seems complicated to me.
Yes we are in with the Elf! Every night the hunt is on for the best new spot. One night hanging from ceiling fan cords like a trapeze artist lol.
No elf in our house! But, our son keeps asking when the elf is going to arrive. My excuse is that we have a dog with hunting instincts and they just wouldn’t get along…
The elf in our home is just as messy as my one year old! Every morning we look for the elf and play peek a boo, I’m not sure what we will do in the morning once Christmas has come and gone.