what do you get a two-year-old for her birthday?

Apparently, this (the first four items were specific requests):

an Elmo backpack ("Eh-mo ba-pa") [similar but not identical to L's]
a purple car ("purpo caca") [harder to find than you might think - we went with Hot Wheels]
a Thomas train
a train cake, made by yours truly (thanks for the yellow cake recipe, Smitten Kitchen - I went with a buttercream frosting that I dyed blue)
two of her favorite books from the library
a dinosaur shirt

A few other gifts from relatives (like her cool new trike and a great farm set), but otherwise that was it. If you didn't already know, Lorelei is a girl, but we don't always dress her up like a little fairy princess. And, really, trains and cars and dinosaurs are pretty cool.

Lorelei's dress is from Tea Collection and her snazzy button is from Target. And that's all the unpaid advertising I have for today! :)

2012 mother's day gift guide.

12 more shopping days until my new favorite holiday. I always give my mom a subscription to Country Living (we love to read it and share craft and decor ideas together, especially ever since they featured her in their magazine for her amazing book purses!). Stumped on what to get yours? Check out these affordable finds for the maternal figure in your life (click on the pictures for sources or to purchase):

 tell her she's a looker even before she finishes her first cup of the day -- $16

for a new mom living the green life -- $12

blingy bracelets that give back to disenfranchised moms across the globe -- $22 for three

 a sweet treat from a Nashville chocolatier (I want to try that Salt and Pepper bar!) -- $6

 because you've always idolized her fashion sense -- $14

to remind her of her grandmother's tablecloth before it got that cranberry sauce stain -- $32

add some spice to her life/keep her in chai spirits (couldn't decide on just one pun!) -- $17