FINDING AZ HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2019

Last year’s gift guide was a success so we brought it back! Surprise! Everyone is doing GG this year. But here is what makes our different: 1) Local brands- but don’t worry you can still buy online if your not local to AZ and support them 2) Budget friendly- sorry no $50 candles or Designer Shoes 3) It is for everyone- seriously you can find something for everyone on this list! Enjoy and Happy Holidays and of course Merry Christmas!

Skincare-

#Selfcare is not just a LADY thing! In fact every time I do a mask at home, Jose joins too! Get your man a nice skincare routine this year for him. He doesn’t want to smell like roses, but he like the way it makes his face feel.

Or if this is breaking your budget we have suggested a Burt’s Bees Essential Travel Set to ease into a skincare routine. Nails and lips count as skin too, don’t forget it!

Finally this Aztec Clay is a miracle. Use it for DIY masks, add to your bath, sport treatments, and many more. Use it once and you’ll be hooked.

K-Duo Coffee Maker- K cups for weeks days and full pots for weekends- get the best of both worlds with a duo coffee pot. I have had my Keurig for almost 10 years and even though it’s going strong I find myself making 2-3 cups some mornings. This was on our Wedding Registry and has now made it to our Gift Guide.

KitchenAid Stand Mixer- I can’t’ believe I have gone this long without a mixer. Do you know how hard it is to cream butter and sugar by hand? Save your pennies and invest in this beautiful mixer. It is a timeless piece that will get more use than you can even think of right now- especially looking chic with the designer bowls. This was another gift that made its way from our Wedding Registry to the Gift Guide.

Weighted Blanket- This is the adult’s equivalent of the Tickle Me Elmo gift craze. You see these everywhere- grocery stores, furniture stores, mall kiosks. I can’t personally speak from experience but others have raved over it and highly recommended for restless leg syndrome. I wouldn’t mind Santa getting me one.

Smart home

Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip- because why have Alexa turn 1 light on when she can do the whole strip! What we love about this is programing for holidays. For example the Christmas tree and lights are all connected so at night I can say “Alexa, Santa is coming!” and all the lights come on.

FixD- Scan and reader for your car! Turn your car into a smart car- know why your check engine light is on and get maintenance reminders. Everyone can use this! I definitely would have had this for my trips back and forth to college!

Sleep Tracking Pad- Technology tracks everything why not your sleep? I have tried my watch and my phone but nothing is accurate. This pad actually goes on your bed so it monitors how and when you sleep.

Nintendo Entertainment System- Yeah you can get an Play Station or an X box but you won’t keep up with the teenagers and their skills at video games now. So instead, make gaming fun again with an old school Nintendo. We love this deal on Amazon because it also comes with the original games! It is the only gaming system I will allow in the house. Lol.

Robot Vacuum- This was the Cyber Monday I came for. I tested a iRobot model a while back and didn’t love it but after finding a different model and testing it out, I am a true believer. When you have pets and concrete floors you need to sweep everyday it seems in AZ and this saves me so much time and is a little entertainment for the animals too! This model has the mopping mechanism- wow game changer!

Umbrella- We have gotten more rain this year in Phoenix than I can remember and my rain boots are getting a ton of use but it is now time to upgrade the umbrella. We recently went to Mexico City and you can read about our trip and packing list here, but on it was an umbrella. Not a cute one like this, but still necessary. I love this one because it also serves as a great prop for photo shoots plus great price for a Kate Spade product!

5 Minute Journal- Great gift for yourself even to remember to take time in the new year for a fresh start. This is 5 minutes journal prompts and does great to promote mental health. Our mind is a muscle and we must exercise it.

 Flexible Tripod- We have had ours for a year and use it for everything and every device. You don’t have to be a famous YouTuber or Instagram model to need a tripod. This one even has been allowed at amusement parks and sporting events – take that Selfie Stick!

 Power tools- As you become an adult kitchen appliances and power tools become part of the Christmas Present norm. This power hand saw is a NEED for any homeowner and at a great price too!

Mevo- How did we go live on our Facebook for the Finding Arizona Wedding with such a stunning camera? Meet Mevo- stream full HD or Record in 4k!

Book- You can always gift a favorite book. Last year we were gifted Judd Apatow’s book Sick in the Head from our Book Club and recommend it for comedy and or book lovers everywhere.

Music- Vinyl is back! Everyone is getting record machines so make sure you add a classic to their collection! We always look to score at thrift shops but this classic deserves to be in everyone record crate: Al Green Greatest Hits.

LOCAL LOVE

#Sage Squad! You see the Sage Aubrey handbags everywhere. Who wouldn’t want a fantastic high quality bag made from a passionate and inspiring woman? I LOVE MY SAGE BAG! Now she’s adding more to her amazing collection- wallets and scarves and of course gorgeous colors like this red that’s to die for! Yes please Santa! You can order online or if your local you get a special in person delivery.

Manor- This contemporary shoe store in the heart of central phoenix is not only a great place for the latest sneakerheads but a great community supporter for events and run clubs. This place makes great holiday gifts online or instore ranging from shoes to accessories. If you don’t know what to get him- head to Manor.

Indestructible Shoes- I have been in the market for some hiking boots for years now but haven’t found any I love- These shoes are cute and practical PLUS the price point is great. You can get a pair for just about any industry or play! Best part is we have a discount code! You receive 20% OFF using the Code: BRITA67

Simple Jane- We met Simple Jane a few years back on the podcast and fell in love with all their products right off the bat. Not only do these women do great things to support the community but their product is to swear by. Their latest is the CinnaBomb CBD Lip Balm and I cannot get enough of it! Stock your stuffers and everyone you know with it!

Wow! That makes up our 2019 Gift Guide! What were honestly gifting is a new kitchen sink line but that’s another blog post to come and a girl can wish cant she? I hope Santa brings you everything you want this year and more! Merry Christmas from the Finding Arizona Podcast!

XoXo

Britt

CHRISTMAS FAMILY VACATION

We spent Christmas in San Diego with the Griswolds. First, we made snow angels for two hours, then we went ice skating and then we ate a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie dough as fast as we we could, and then we snuggled. No, that was the movie Elf, which we did watch for Christmas Eve. And Clark, my dad, Griswold did give us an amazing tour of his light displays. But this post is all about traditions. Something about making traditions new and old that makes this time of year so special. Here are a few traditions we’re upholding.  

 Christmas Eve is when our family gets together. Homemade lasagna from a sauce that cooked the entire day before and all the deserts you can think of fills our belly as we toast to each other. No turkey, no stuffing. Instead- Italian goodness. 

My favorite are the games. Of course the  white elephant game is played. See photos below for some of the treasures. But this year we added a Saran Wrap present challenge to our oven mit crazy wrapped present games. It’s 3 minutes of pure laughter and fun even if you’re just spectating. 

Traditions for a Christmas in San Diego mean spending mornings on the beach. Whether it’s a good sweat or a casual stroll the salty air in the morning is the best way to start the day in California. In the evening we hit Christmas Tree Circle in Chula Vista. Anxious to see what new displays are added this year we had family visiting from North Dakota who has never been before so it was great to see their reaction. 

I was honored this year to receive many amazing, and thoughtful presents, but one that stands out is a tradition I now carry. I was gifted from a like a mother to me a set of her grandmother and great grandmothers wedding rings. Through the tears, I promised to uphold these family traditions with honor. 

Another family tradition we have kept for I want to say 4 years now are making tamales. Mind you the only hispanic we have In The kitchen with us is my best friend Evelina, but between my mom and my 88 year old grandpa, this year we made 175 tamales. Laughing over the craft, and sharing stories from life passed and present it’s moments and traditions like this I will remember forever. 

When we returned to Phoenix we celebrated with the Acevedo Family and welcomed in a new friend, post to come, but being with family and sharing a warm meal and exchanging love and laughs are the best times of the holiday no matter where you spend it or what day you celebrate it as long as you are honoring traditions the spirit of the holidays with always be there.  

Can’t forget to mention the tradition of the matching pajamas. I know its #trending this year, but we’ve been doing it a while! Gotta love the photos from it!

XoXo

Britt

FINDING AZ ONLINE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

There is no other way to say it: I love the holidays! My love language is gifts so I like to shop for them, give them and receive them. I love the houses that light up the neighborhoods and visions of a “White Christmas” in the Southwest. It can create a stressful time for hearts and wallets, so we wanted to create a Finding Arizona Online Gift Guide and if you order today, like we did you have plenty of time to wrap it and address it from “Santa.”

Although this isn’t a local gift buying guide (blog post to follow) we linked our Amazon Page where you can not only shop our current favorite products, but also our gift guide. Not just for the other Jose and Britts in your lives; but the moms, dads and kids too!

SHOP HERE

1. Know before you go

Sometimes we just go in to a store or on a site expecting things to find us, but the key to a perfect gift is planning it out. This year I made a bullet journal mapping out who were are seeing for the holidays and who we cant forget to celebrate with. Throughout the year I have saved and bought ahead presents or wrote down ideas to gift so when it is game time, I am ready.

2. Set a budget

Our gift guide this year doesn’t feature a product over $100! It is important not only to be conscious of your wallet, but also understand the best presents don’t always have to cost the most. Shop smart, use coupons, don’t put anything on a credit card and bulk your gifts. For example, we’re getting families and couples presents instead of each individual person.

Jose and I share hats all the time (hint hint).

3. Want vs Need

During the month of November I participated in “No Spend November.” It was a personal challenge where I only purchased things I needed i.e. groceries, gas, bills. We are using this same mindset when making christmas gift purchases and creating our holiday gift guide. Do you need a rose quartz face roller? Yes! Do you need 20 cardboard scenes for a backdrop for you insta famous pet? Of Course! When considering your recipients, do they need it?

Do you need a waterproof speaker? (duh)!

Not sure where to start this holday? Check out our Gift Guide on Amazon and gain some inspiration through our Pinterest page.

Happy Holidays

XoXo

Britt