Thoughtful Gifts for Your Mother-in-Law this Chrsitmas

Step up your gift giving game for your mother-in-law this year! These picks are things she probably wouldn't buy for herself, but will appreciate and love. Who's the favorite daughter-in-law now? 

For the Wine Loving Mother-in-Law

A Self Chilling Stemless Wine Glasses ($69.95) set is a great gift for the wine enthusiast who enjoys chilled wine while maintaining flavor. The self chilling technology keeps beverages cold without diluting the drink with melting ice.

For the Hostess Mother-in-Law

This Monogram 5-Piece Cheese Board and Utensil Set ($58) is prefect for the mother-in-law who is always opening her home for holiday gatherings, book clubs, and game nights! The featured Cathy's Concepts cheese board is crafted from acacia wood and natural slate and features a built-in storage space for the accompanying cheese knife, shaver, fork and spreader.

Treat Yo Mother-in-Law

Forgo the spa gift card this year in case of another shut down. Bring the spa experience to home to your mother-in-law! The Farm Fresh Spa Experience Tin ($32) comes with handcrafted products for a soothing spa experience. Goat's milk, lavender, and shea butter are combine in an aromatic milk bath tea, moisturizing bath truffle, and whipped body cream. A "hint of mint" lip balm completes the set.

If products aren't your mother-in-law's cup of tea, spoil her and inspire relaxation with a Kimono Sleeve Short Robe ($60). The Cool Nights robe from Soma Intimates super soft fabric keeps the wearer cool and comfortable, and features flowy sleeves and ties at the waist. 

For the Wanderlusting Mother-in-Law

This Cozy Global Gift Basket ($60) is a thoughtful substitute for the adventure and travel loving mother-in-law whose trips were halted this year. This gift set includes a palm leaf basket handwoven in Mexico, a handwoven fair trade scarf from Thailand, Ghanaian hot cocoa, and a mug that was hand-throw and hand-painted in Morocco.

For the Introverted Mother-in-Law

A Paint by Number Kit ($35) is a great gift for a mother-in-law who enjoys her alone and quiet time. Bring on the calm while creating something beautiful with a vintage-style paint-by-number kit! The featured Rachel Austen Springtime Kit features just eight colors which allows you to make frame-worth art in 3-5 hours. This kit is great for a novice and mother-in-law who wants to try a new hobby. Let the brush strokes melt away her stress!

For the Gardener Mother-in-Law

Grab your mother-in-law a Gardener's Harvest Basket ($60) for her prized fruits and vegetables. The featured Gardener's Harvest Basket is made a sturdy pine and wire mesh so she can hose off her harvest before taking it inside. Use it at the farmer's market for picking out fresh produce, fruits, and flowers. It may also be used it for collecting kindling, storing garden tools, or as part as home décor in the Winter!

For the Foodie Mother-in-Law

  

Microwave Black Truffle Popcorn ($18) is perfect for the mother-in-law who likes to indulge in new eats and treats. This popcorn is certified non-GMO and is flavored with real black truffle seasoning mix. The popcorn is sourced from Iowa and the truffles are from Italy. Movie night becomes a gastronomic delight by pressing 'start'! 

What I'm Loving Right Now

I'm obsessed with all things Aerie right now. I always thought it was a store for the younger set (say like 21 and under), but they have some really great stuff for women of all ages. My gateway drug was their undies. Most comfortable undergarments ever. In the last several months I've purchased the Aerie OFFLINE Thumbs Up T-Shirt, Aerie Real Free Padded Scoop Bralette, Aerie OFFLINE OTT Fleece Hoodie and Aerie Softest Sleep Plush Foldover Jogger. I have two Thumbs Up T-Shirts that I wear to bed. They are buttery soft and can be worn for workouts, lounging, or sleeping, and I have three pairs of the Foldover Jogger that I rotate through (also worn as pajamas). I love the Padded Scoop Bralette for hanging out around the house. It's super comfortable and breathable and I like that it has padded. I don't do bras without padding (just a personal choice). The OTT fleece is so soft and so warm. It's going to be perfect for the cold days that are coming. 

TELETIES Hair Ties are my new favorite! They don't tangle in my hair or pull when I take them out. My hair is long (down my back long) and I can secure a bun with one large Teletie. I use the small size for ponytails or half up styles. Check out the website! There are so many cute colors and designs available!

Speaking of hair, I'm loving Monat Volumizing Revive Shampoo followed by Monat Advanced Hydrating Conditioner. It makes my hair so freakin' soft and (most importantly) super manageable. My hair tangles and knots like crazy and these products have really helped. The Unkot Detangler is on it's way to me and I can't wait to add it in for even more manageability! Monat has a product for every concern and every hair type. They also offer skin care and have wellness line. There's a lot to sift through on their website; if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me!

Thrive Causemetics' Bright Balance 3-in-1 Cleanser is my go to face wash right now. It also removes waterproof makeup which saves me time! It leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and it has a really pleasant, very light citrus scent. This is another company that I buy multiple products from. Love it's mission and love it's makeup!

What are you loving right now?

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

Another simple and delicious soup recipe! Be sure to check out my favorite Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup recipe!

What You'll Need:

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cups of carrots, sliced
4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 1/4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast

9 cups of chicken broth

9 ounces of cheese tortellini pasta

1/4 to 1/3 cup of heavy cream

1/2 cup of fresh baby spinach leaves

2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons of dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper

1 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon of pepper

What You'll Need to Do:

Place a large stockpot over medium heat.

Add the olive oil and chopped onions to the pan.

Sauté for 3 minutes to soften.

Then add chopped bell pepper, carrots, and garlic.

Sauté another 3 minutes.

Add whole, raw chicken breasts, chicken broth, dried thyme, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper to the pot.

Lower the heat and simmer 15 minutes or until the chicken in cooked through.

Remove the chicken and set aside.

Turn heat back to medium.

With broth still simmering, stir in the tortellini.

Chop or shred chicken and place back in the soup.

Turn off the heat once tortellini is cooked through (10-15 minutes).

Stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream, spinach, and parsley.

Add more cream if desired.

Taste. Add additional salt and pepper.

Serve and ENJOY!