These are a few of my favorite things...

It's time for your last-minute holiday gift guide, also known as Alison's Favorite Things.  The only differences between Alison's Favorite Things and Oprah's Favorite Things are that 1) you aren't going to get any of these things unless you go out and buy them yourselves, and 2) you probably won't scream when I announce each one, unless you really like nail polish and Scottish Highlanders. 


In no particular order of favoritism, here are some suggestions for last-minute gifts for yourselves or others:




1)  OPI "You Don't Know Jacques" Nail Polish.  It's kind of a plummy brown color, and perfect for your trendy girls (or boys) to wear in winter.  Also, my friend Samantha had on OPI's "Burlesque" last night, which is a gold glitter and perfect for Christmas parties.  http://www.opi.com/




2)  Nick & Nora pajamas from Target.  I received the "Kimono" print before my surgery, and I absolutely love them.  They are the cutest and most comfortable pajamas that I've ever owned.  I call them my "company pajamas" because I would put them on when I was expecting company, and I always got compliments.  


3)  A blanket made by Maxilea McCasland.  I don't know if you can actually buy these right now, but if you can get your hands on one, you'll never regret it.  Maxilea made one of her special throws for me, and I lived under that thing for two weeks.  Then when I would go to bed, other people would take over and use it.  Now, we all kind of fight over it.  It's hands-down the most comfortable blanket that I have ever owned, and every single person that has seen it and felt it can't stop singing its praises.  Not only is it soft and warm, it's very, very cute.  One side is leopard print, and the other is a bright, fuzzy red.  Here's a picture of Zac enjoying this amazing blanket:

4)  Original artwork.  I'm blessed to have friends who are artists, and they all create fun, uplifting work.  (I'm sure they can also create sad, serious work, but for now, let's concentrate on the fun and uplifting.)  For fun children's art and some AMAZING photorealism, check out my friend Katie at http://www.thepaisleypartridge.blogspot.com/.  She can take a photo from one of your vacations or even a family photo, and turn it into a beautiful painting.  I have one on my wall, and can't believe that my friend actually painted it.  It's fantastic.  
For all of my Texas people, my friend Erin Bingham (Rhonda B.) is also a very talented artist, who specializes in more abstract work.  She just moved to South Texas and has opened a store.  I also have one of hers hanging on my wall, and it makes me smile every time.  You can tell her your colors and she will create an abstract piece that will pull every color in your room together.  
For my more Southern friends, check out Lane Berg, who is around Vicksburg.  He's a very talented young man who my family has been fortunate to get to know.  I don't have one of Lane's hanging on my wall, hint hint to all of my family.


Look them up on facebook, and feel free to message them if you would like to buy something!


5)  Books.  I. Love. Books.  I read all of the time, and the Fayetteville Public Library is one of my very favorite places in town.  I read all kinds of books, and can be a little snobby about what I read.  (Although, lately I've been reading more "trash" novels and thoroughly enjoying them.)  This last year, however, I've become obsessed with a certain series of books about a time-traveling nurse and her love affair with an 18th-century Scottish Highlander.  The first one is titled "Outlander," and I don't care how completely dorky it is, I absolutely love these books.  They are thick, very historically detailed, silly, racy, and completely enjoyable.  I've read every book in the series and even read the three novellas about a side character.  I would get so engrossed in these books that I was reading them at lunch and staying up way too late at night because I couldn't put them down.  If you like fiction, get this book.  You have to make yourself get through the first part of the first book because it's a little slow, but you will not regret it.  Or you may regret it when you can't get anything done and you aren't sleeping because you can't stop reading!  And if you're anything like me, you'll want to immediately book a trip to the Scottish Highlands and find your own Jamie Fraser!

I'm going to dedicate another post to book reviews, because I've had lots of time to read lately and I always have opinions on books!

6)  Colin Firth.  Okay, so you can't actually get someone Colin Firth for Christmas.  Although if any of you can actually gift Colin Firth, I would like to remind you that I've just gone through a very traumatic time in my life and Mr. Darcy would definitely make me feel better.  (The only time I would ever play the cancer card would be for my very own Colin Firth.)  Anyway, even though you can't actually give Colin, you can give Colin Firth movies!  "Love Actually" is one of the best Christmas movies around, and a must-see every holiday season.  A perfect stocking stuffer!  As a 30-year-old single, I personally love "Bridget Jones' Diary" during the holidays, or anytime really.  And, unashamedly revealing even MORE dorkiness in this post, my very favorite Colin Firth movie is the A&E miniseries version of "Pride & Prejudice," where Colin plays another, and my favorite, Mr. Darcy.  

And as a Christmas present to you, I will leave you with this:

Merry Christmas!