Here’s our last installment of our recent gift sleuthing spree (see part one here and part two here) and this time we paid Urban Outfitters a visit. It’s always full of cute, quirky, and downright hilarious gift ideas that are usually pretty affordable. Here’s what we found:
These sparkly pillows were pretty luxe looking (and around $30, as opposed to something similar that we saw at Crate & Barrel for $99).
This $22 book of “Other People’s Love Letters” reminded us of those Post Secret books (we love them, and actually own two volumes of ’em- they’re great for leaving in a guest room so visitors can entertain themselves).
For the techie in your life, these funny $16 iPhone app refrigerator magnets could be perfect (if not a bit expensive- maybe they’re a good DIY gift idea too?).
This pretty canvas print would definitely work for any newly married couples who just got their first house. So cute. And it might also be DIYable with floral fabric, some fabric paint, and some stencils. I somehow forgot to note the price for this one. Boo.
These sweet $8 mugs had so much charm. And they’re great to give full of any number of things (fancy tea bags or coffee grounds, a bag of cookies or biscotti, even pencils or pens for a work friend’s cubicle).
Of course we had to take a picture of the quirky band aids on the left for Burger. And anything with a mustache joke is cool with us, hence the box on the right. These could make pretty funny stocking stuffers. Sidenote: I just googled mustache to be sure I was spelling it right since the box has that funny spelling that made me second guess my first instinct and look at what came up. Those are some intricate mustache designs…
Here’s a $36 faux chandelier that we thought would be a great gift for a fancy fashionista friend. We can totally picture it hanging above an entryway table, a dining area, or even inside of a cool walk in closet (best of all: no wiring necessary).
And we had to snap a picture of this dude from The Hangover…
… because if John had a goatee and some glasses it might have been a pretty good representation of his “heck-yeah-I’m-wearing-a-baby” fashion choice.
Of course Clara was asleep at this point so she missed the hilarity. Anyway, so ends our three store virtual shopping spree. Off to unpack some more.
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Krithiga says
Love ur blog! you guys inspire me to do things, I wish i would just get into them without fear.
anyways..growing up i learnt moustache was spelt the way its written on that box..may be its a old world / british way of spelling ?
I checked m-w.com , and both the spellings gave the same result.
Nik says
Too cute. What is Post Secrets?
YoungHouseLove says
Post Secrets are books full of anonymous postcards with secrets on them. We love that series of books. It’s such a cool project- and very visually interesting too.
xo,
s
Chelsea in Richmond says
So many cute gift ideas!
Where is Urban Outfitters in Richmond? Did you go to Short Pump?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, since Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Urban are all at Short Pump, that’s where we went!
xo,
s
Margaret says
Love the pillows! And that “funny spelling” of moustache? Yeah, that’s we roll up here in Canada. ;)
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says
I know that exact C&B pillow you’re talking about! Thanks for the tip :).
julie funderburk says
I used the Home is Where You Are in my baby’s nursery. It put it right above her changing table pad. I have to say, I used your tutorial on making a bed skirt…our skirt came out lovely! I need to take better picture of the nursery, but here are some that I’d like to share with you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eandj/sets/72157625204937012/show/
Sarah says
What great finds! I love em all – well all except the bobble head. I cant say Im hoping that shows up in my stocking.
Denise says
Love the pillows, mugs and totally want to try my own diy canvas. Thanks for sharing all your great finds. Have fun unpacking. Can’t wait to see your progress.
Beth says
I love those tea and bicycle mugs!
Meredith says
I totally gave some moustache/mustache band-aids to my co-worker as a present last night! (Pretty sure with an “o” is the British spelling). He loved them, though, and they were a funny/economical present. (Outrageous for Band-Aids, but humor is the gift that keeps on giving).
Katie@J&K Homestead says
FYI – I found the “Home Is Where You Are” canvas in the Urban Outfitters catalog for $38.
Lizzie says
Moustache is the English spelling. We have an ou sound we use in the English English language, colour is another example. Oddly enough though it would be plasters, not bandages if it were an English product!
Chrissy says
So, John- after carrying around Clara for some time, do you feel like you have more empathy with 7+ months pregnant women? ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes! Although I have to admit that the carrier is actually really comfy, but I can see how having to carry around a baby 24/7 could be tiring to say the least.
-John
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
Those pillows have been on my wish list forever =)
Erin says
Love the shopping, you found great deals!!! I work in retail so I know a little bit of the uPs AnD dOwNs of sale time. I LOVE those ap magnets and almost bought some for the boy’s dad, I found some great ones at perpetualkid.com (you could also find many a mustache gift there as well), and also at etsy that are less expensive! Just a tip :) Happy hunting!!!!!
naomi says
I tried to find the bike mug online and no luck, you saw it at urban outfitters correct?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, it’s probably just in-store only.
xo,
s
Kate says
Did you try to snap the pictures secretly? I remember one time in high school I was there with some other teens and our youth director (we happened to be on a church youth group retreat at the time) and our youth director took a picture of us all while we were in Urban Outfitters. They yelled at us and threw us out of the store because they said we could be stealing their ideas. Years later when I was back in that store, I noticed they had a huge sign by the door that said anyone taking photos would be removed. I wondered if all Urban Outfitters were that fanatical or just the one by me!
YoungHouseLove says
No! We’re really obvious about picture taking and no one seems to mind at all! So odd about your experience at yours!
xo,
s
laura says
I’ve loved seeing the pictures of John wearing baby Clara in several of your photos over the last months. I was just wondering if you could elaborate on your baby-wearing? Is it just easier for you guys than a stroller? Or more of an attachment parenting thing? Sherry – is Clara too heavy for you to do it (I have a similar frame to you, so I’ve always wondered if I’ll be able to baby-wear some day). Either way, I give John huge props for his baby wearing! Hope unpacking is going well!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Laura,
We both wear Clara (John prefers using an Ergo and I love using my Babyhawk Mei Tai). We don’t have a snap and go stroller, so either way Clara is taken out of her car seat (unless we’re ducking into Target or Kroger and she’s sleeping, in which case we plop her carseat into the bottom part of a shopping cart- we’re too nervous to balance her on top). Anyway, so either way she’s coming out of her car seat, so sometimes we put her in her stroller (for long walks on a paved street for example) and sometimes we wear her (which is easier in tighter spaces like shops or when walking on gravel trails that the stroller couldn’t handle). We love wearing her! And she loves being all cozy and warm. So far she’s not too heavy for me at al (she’s only 15lbs though- I bet when she’s a toddler it might be a daddy-only thing).
xo,
s
Patricialynn says
Love postsecret. Did you know there is a website as well? It’s updated every Sunday with new secrets. Every Sunday morning after breakfast, my husband and I sit down together to read them – it’s been a tradition since the first week we moved in together.
Here’s the website: http://www.postsecret.com/
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah! Love that site too!
xo,
s
Jennifer B. says
Those app magnets can be found at thinkgeek.com for only $12.99.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/d24e/
Just a heads up!
Jennifer B.
YoungHouseLove says
Love it! Great detective work.
xo,
s
Lonely Wife Project says
Great picks! I love browsing the apartment section of UO. Always find the cutest artwork and home accessories.
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Thanks for sharing all these pictures. Some really great ideas. :D
Josh G. says
HAHAHAHAH, I love you guys :)
The mention comparison of John to ALAN was too funny :)
Caitlin says
It wouldn’t be a proper google mustache search if Tom Selleck didn’t pop up!
Erin says
I’m so impressed that you guys have had time to do all of this blogging and shopping while packing and moving.
We moved in October and are still nowhere near unpacked (and let’s not even talk about the Holidays). How do you have all of this energy? What’s the secret to staying energized and motivated?
YoungHouseLove says
You guys are the secret! Knowing you’re “here” waiting to see what we’re up to keeps us going! And we’re also just plain bad at sitting around. Seriously, it’s a sickness. We just have to be busy!
xo,
s
Caroline says
Super cute! Man do I feel like a spoiled YHL reader getting three awesome posts in one day :)
And yes, anything with a moustache (or mustache) is amazing. I was actually gifted several fake moustaches and a monocle a couple years ago because I have the same silly love of them. :P
MaryGene says
omygosh did y’all see the mustache in the google link with the windmill and the tumbleweed?!? holy cow that’s commitment.
J says
I just have that Alan bobblehead to my boyfriend today for his birthday! That was his Halloween costume this year :)
erica says
I just noticed the header has changed! Awesome. That is the new house I think right? It has the same appeal as your old house. The floor plan is definitely awesome. I have a random question. . .
I have two windows in the corner of my bedroom I have no idea how to hang a window treatment. If I put up two poles they will look funny when they meet in the corner. My house is a 50’s ranch house like yours. I was wondering if you’ve seen this problem before?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erica,
Check out how we dealt with corners in our sunroom (which is the same way we’d recommend for your room): https://www.younghouselove.com/our-sunroom-mini-makeover-phase-two/
Good luck!
xo,
s
Tarnya Cook says
Love the faux chandelier, you guys have all the good stuff in the US, it doesn’t come flat packed does it, maybe you could send to me…lol!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tarnya,
We only saw the assembled one so we didn’t see how they packed it. Maybe try ebay and see if they’ll ship to where you live?
xo,
s
Samantha says
SO I see you guys were at Short Pump Town Center :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yup. We hit up all three stores in one stop.
xo,
s
Sweet Virginia Breeze says
You’ve given me some ideas for last minute gifts. I just love the sparkly pillows.
Ashley says
Thanks for the great ideas. The “Other peoples love letters” book is perfect for my mom. I just ordered it on amazon and am so excited because I know she’ll love it!
hi-d says
Those pillows are incredible!!!!
Cate says
How great to see you wearing Clara around the shops. You’ll really save your back if you tighten up those straps, though. Seeing Clara hanging around your waist makes my spine wince! If you shift her up higher, you will take a lot of strain off your back and her hips, and as a bonus, you’ll be able to kiss the top of her head just by looking down.
Sorry for the unsolicited advice!
Erica says
Thanks for getting back to me! I know you’re busy.
Off to home depot tomorrow. Can’t believe I hadn’t seen this on your blog before. Thought I’d read every post! More to discover.
Kiran says
Love love love those sparkly pillows and faux chandelier!
Taco Loco says
Wikipedia –
The word “moustache” derives from 16th century French moustache, which in turn is derived from the Italian mostaccio (14th century), dialectal mustaccio (16th century), from Medieval Latin mustacium (8th century), Medieval Greek moustakion (attested in the 9th century), which ultimately originates as a diminutive of Hellenistic Greek mustax (mustak-) “moustache”, probably derived from Hellenistic Greek mullon “lip”.
Lynn says
Those are really great gift ideas for nearly everyone. Umm…how did you manage to take pics in the store without getting kicked out? I did that once in a Claire’s and they acted like it was the Oval Office and shut that photo shoot down almost immediately. What’s your secret? The baby? ;o)
My best, Lynn
* I just found this blog and I’m LOOOOOVING IIIIIT!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lynn,
That’s so funny! We snap away very obviously and no one ever seems to mind! We’ve never been asked to stop or leave or anything! Maybe it’s the baby, except we did it last year in the same three stores (and have always shot things at Target, even BC – before Clara). But oddly enough, no one ever seems to have an issue with it!
xo,
s
Leslie C. says
Love the holiday gift posts! I’ve actually been eyeing the love letters book for awhile now! I have all of the post secret books and I love them!!
Completely off subject, I’m curious to know how you go about choosing companies or people to do certain projects on the house ie. Refinishing the floors, roofing, tub reglazing, crown moulding?
We want to have our floors refinished but don’t know how or where to
start looking, it can seem a bit overwhelming.
Thanks guys! Hope all of the unpacking is going smoothly!
YoungHouseLove says
We always ask around for recommendations (our good friends referred our floor refinishing guy to us and we LOVE him). We also get a ton of estimates straight from the yellow pages (especially if we don’t have any recommendations from friends or family members) and then go with the person/company that gives us a good price and seems experienced and trustworthy. Always make sure they’re licensed and insured of course! Good luck!
xo,
s
Toni says
john and sherry-
love, love, love this blog! i know you are not professional “advice givers,” but i have a question about whether or not my hubby and i should go ahead and renovate our home or just do some small updates if we think there is a chance we may one day move.
we are on the fence about whether to stay in our almost 2000 square-feet house or move. we bought it in 2007 with two children and now have four. we loved our neighbors when we moved in, but now some not so desirable people have moved in, and unless we gut some areas of our house (like our kitchen), i’m not completely thrilled with the space/storage/layout of this home.
on the other side of this, i HATE to move. i moved ALL the time as a kid and never got to make any “forever” memories in a home. my husband never moved one time his entire life, yet he has no problem moving again because he wants a bigger/better house. sometimes i want to totally renovate this house and stay, but i know for sure if we did we could never move because we would never get even close to what we put in.
advice?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Toni,
Hmm, this sounds like something I would do some serious soul searching and make a list about. Maybe try listing pros to staying and renovating on one side of a piece of paper and cons on the other side? And the do the same thing on another piece of paper by listing pros and cons to moving. That way if the only con is “it’s annoying to physically pack and move” and there are tons of pros about it you might realize that’s a lot easier to swallow than all the cons on the list about staying and renovating. Or vice versa- staying might come out on top. Good luck!
xo,
s
michelle says
That cheesy grin on Clara makes me almost want a little one…almost. :)
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} says
I love Urban Outfitters! Great gift ideas.
Elizabeth says
Love all those cute gifts! The floral canvas print could also make a good silk screening project. It’s giving me some ideas already. :)
Alison says
Sherry- I don’t know if you have Burlington Coat Factorys down there, but I was there last night for some last minute Christmas shopping and what did I spy…. A beautiful white ceramic owl ( amongst many other white ceramic goodies…grogs, fruit, you name it). Just thought I would let you know to check them out if you have them down there!!!! Happy unpacking and happy holidays!!!
Alison says
Frogs…. white ceramic frogs…… Sorry!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sounds like fun! Thanks for the heads up.
xo,
s
Jane @ The Borrowed Abode says
They’re definitely a fun stop for quirky gifts, but I’m all about using them for DIY inspiration. I’ve been looking into the labor conditions of some of what were my favorite companies. . . and Anthropologie was hugely disappointing.
http://theborrowedabode.com/2010/10/anthropologie-fair-trade-labor-guess-again/
But definitely, I’m all about getting DIY inspiration from them!
Alison says
Just went to Urban Outfitters and got some perfect grab presents for the annual family grab, including some of those fun mugs. I was stumped- thanks for the ideas!
Paige says
Lovin’ the Urban finds!
I’m in love with the “Home is where you are” print and would love to try DIYing it…I totally get the fabric/stencil/fabric paint thing…but I was curious as to how you could get the Blue square to be transparent? Maybe that’s a dumb question…and sorry if it’s already been addressed in a previous post. But, do you guys have an idea as to how to accomplish that?
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe you could water down the paint like a “white wash” so it’s transparent? You could test it on a scrap piece of fabric to be sure it’s thin enough to see through it. Good luck!
xo,
s
Alison says
Hey John & Sherry,
First, I am so happy for you and the new house!!! I’m excited to see all the changes you make! I’m one of those people who follows for the house AND the baby. Clara is too cute.
Can you offer any more information on the type of baby carriers you have, please? Thanks :)
Hope all is well!!
Alison
YoungHouseLove says
John wears Clara in a black Ergo (he loves it) and I wore her in a HotSling until she was around 4 months old (at which point she outgrew it) and I started wearing her in a BabyHawk Mei Tai (which I adore). They have each been worth their weight in gold and Clara’s so happy to be so close to us while we clean/shop/blog/pack/unpack/hike/etc.
xo,
s