Lisa's Gift Guide: 2017

We are one month away from the big day. We make investments of our money and our time into the Christmas season. For me time is always in short supply so I post a gift guide annually to share what I am buying for the loved ones on my list. I love to share the businesses that I support and purchase from. None of my posts are ever sponsored and are places I actually shop from.

1) Seanese I love this fun T-shirt business! I am a sucker for a clever graphic tee during the holidays and beyond. I am also a fan of wearing said t-shirts in non "traditional" ways. They are not just for jeans or lounge wear. You may have read my last post on the company (if not see it HERE). For the holidays they have a new collection of shirts for EVERYONE. It is an inclusive collection, with something to fit everyone and a wide variety of colors and classic "Sean-isms". He also gives back to a different charity every month! Use CODE: GIFTTEN and save 10%

My FAVS:

"Be Naughty, Save Santa The Trip" - $24.50 

This is a special shirt for me as the eyes of the elf were taken from a photograph of my son Blake and resemble the beautiful eyes he, Sean and most people in the Down Syndrome community share!

"Dear Santa, Don't Talk To My Teacher"

"Don't Get Your Bells In A Jingle" 

"Naughty or Nice: Decisions, Decisions"

Betsy Johnson Velvet Booties

Kacey Bootie with Glitter Heel (On Sale HERE for $60)

They also come in BLACK

My personal bootie of choice for this holiday season!

John's Crazy Socks

This entrepreneur's mission is to spread JOY though fun socks! John's also happens to have Down Syndrome, he employs people with disabilities AND gives a % back from every sale to various charities through the year! WIN-WIN-WIN!! 

There is over 1300 different designs and the prices are amazing. Stuff your stocking with SOCKS! 

 "On The Nice List" - $5

 "Banned Books" - $10

 "Bernie Sanders" - $12

"Frida Kahlo Knee Socks" (2 colors) - $10

BOOKS

Time to awaken your deepest desires and realize your ultimate dreams! Let Dr. Tererai Trent guide you home to yourself and the life you deserve. A great gift for any 'Sacred Sister". I as left realizing that the world needs me to realize my dreams and reminded that "It is Achievable" AKA "Tinogona" (Read more about the amazing Tererai HERE)

Buy it HERE

The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Bernstein

 The Universe Has Your Back Cards! A unique gift that can be used for daily inspiration!

BUY

"The Currency Of Love" - Jill Dodd

The real life tale of a former model turned member of a Saudi billionaire's harem.

ART

Artist: Luanne McGee-Turner

Pet Portraits

I will be comissioning a fun portrait of our puppy Leo this year. Buy one for the pet lover on your list or treat yourself and commemorate your fur baby! Portrait start at $200 CAD plus shipping EMAIL her for more info. PS - She just happens to be my talented and beautiful cousin! 

Tara Deetscreek

Tara is a talent portrait artist and fashion illustrator who works with mixed media (paints and pencils). I have purchased the most amazing Mother's Day gift from Tara (A custom birds nest with an egg representing each of my mothers grandchildren) which could also double for a cute Christmas Gift. 

She has also been a gracious donor to the National Down Syndrome Society Gala Auction for 2 years in a row! I also have a gorgeous custom portrait hanging in my living room as I type. I adore her Winter wreaths she is painting this year. For only $25 you can gran a chic monogramed wreath for your wall or mantle. This also makes an amazing hostess gift to take to any holiday gathering. You could also purchase sevral to make your last name, or the monogram for each of your children. The possibilities are endless!

SHOP IT

VINTAGE

4 Birds Vintage

I acquired the most amazing winter coat from this sweet Vintage Shop. A vintage Hudson Bay Company Blanket Coat just in time for my holiday trip home to Canada! Christy has a wide variety of vintage clothing, shoes and more! 

SHOP

SHOP

Evolution Vintage

I have personally curated a collection of Vintage clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories in my eBoutique. There is literally something for every woman, every taste and every budget. 

Shop my new fit finder and immediately see what is available that fits you! (or the lady on your list)

SAVE 30% on EVERYTHING through tomorrow with code: CYBERSALE

Red Cocktail Dress $55

YSL Skirt $250

You also have the uniqe opportunity to shop pieces from the Paul Brockmann 55,000 Dress Collection!

Red Dress - $65

HAPPY SHOPPING!

New Moon

Paper Moon Pin-up

A new moon in tropical Libra which to me is a sign of a new beginning, a new adventure and a re-boot of sorts. Take the time this weekend to rest and absorb all that you left on the field of life this week. Sometimes our lives are just so full that a day (or two) is in order to process everything.

MysticMamma shares this, "Whatever it is, this New Moon plants the seeds for increased stability and cooperation in some aspect of your life. Mercury’s retrograde cycle is now over. Perhaps you’ve encountered some setbacks in the past few weeks. But it’s also possible that those setbacks served to gift you with a different perspective.'

Reading this coupled with the wisdom of  Dr. Trent (read her blog feature HERE)

 "Don’t let the current challenges despair you — sometimes it is the ugliness of our environment that propels us towards our greatness." TT

 It looks like we are all in for a fabulous week ahead celestial creatures, because regardless of our current environments it is all a matter of perspective!

Happy Friday & New Moon

L

xo

Actress Hedy Lamarr

TINOGONA: Dr. Tererai Trent

Making a commitment to myself and deciding to push through personal boundaries can yield the most profound and unexpected gifts. This weekend I spent in Ojai, California at The Empowered Authors Academy hosted by the dynamic, authentic, publishing powerhouse of Enliven Books Zhena Muzyka. I will chronicle my thoughts and feelings about this weekend in an upcoming post.

I wanted to share one of the MANY amazing humans I had the pleasure of sharing a room with over the last 2 days, the beautiful Dr. Tererai Trent.

Dr. Trent's story is nothing short of incredible! She evolved from living as an abused child bride (age 11)  in a small village in Zimbabwe, under poverty conditions that we spoiled westerners could not even fathom, to dreaming what seemed to everyone else an impossible dream of hope and education. She wanted a life with access to education, plenty to eat and peace. Her mother and grandmother supported the belief that she held the power to change her life and realize all of her dreams.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

She wrote a brilliantly illustrated children's book called "The Girl Who buried her dreams in a can" that tells her story to the girls she is now empowered to uplift. I acquired the book yesterday for my 8 year old daughter and I am so excited to be able to share it with her.

Not only did Dr. Trent realize her dream of acquiring an education (a bachelors degree, two master's degrees, a PhD and 4 honorary degrees) she has inspired thousands of women and girls to reach for their dreams, never letting the bleakest of situation, towering odds or geographical restrtictions stop them from dreaming and living the lives they want.

Dr. Trent is Oprah's ALL TIME favorite guest and received a gratitude gift from lady O herself to the tune of 1.5 million dollars to build schools in Zimbabwe, thousands are now being given access to education because of Dr. Trent's sacrifices, vision, dedication and hard work!

She is currently writing her memoir soon to be published by Enliven Books! I cannot WAIT to get my hands on what I know will be a national and global BEST SELLER.

WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE to you Dr. Trent for inspiring me to not only make all the dreams I have held silent into a reality by sharing my unique voice but showing me through both your word and deed TINOGONA - It is achievable! When we unite our voices as women, empower and inspire one another there is truly nothing that we cannot accomplish.

Make a donation to Dr. Trent's Foundation