Gift Guide #3: For Your Ambitious Older Sister, Who Plays Her Music Way Too Loudly and Always Bakes Brownies When She Comes Home from College

 A set of beautifully pigmented eyeshadows, in three colors that she
would love, $15.

Classy, a witty book of advice for the (very) modern lady, $9.03.

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A hot yoga lesson to calm her bustling mind.

Delicious fig jam, $7.95, for late night PB&Js or to top off her

brownies.

Cute key caps, $5, that are shaped like cows.

A pair of matchstick cords in a vibrant hue, $79.50.

Heartbeats headphones, $130, so her music can be for her ears only.

A pair of amethyst quartz stud earrings, which are handmade, right

when you order, $19.

A book of dreams, $10.95, to remind her to always keep her dreams

within arm's reach.

P.S. Also, Secret Santa gift ideas!

Gift Guide #2: For Your Know-It-All Dad, Who Wears Converse Sneakers, Is Obsessed with Guacamole, and Still Tells Your Mom How Pretty She Is

A leather pen case, $71, with a neat fountain pen hidden inside, $28.

A molcajete, $29.95, so he can make fresh guacamole at home!

A bar of mint spruce soap, $5.50, that will leave him smelling like

a minty pine forest.

A classic Slinky that will adorn his desk and remind him of his

childhood, $5.50.

A wooden piggy bank, made in Bolivia, where he'll store his spare

change for a rainy day, $28.

A fancy dress shirt, $129, for date nights with mom.

A live jazz vinyl of one of the greatest concerts ever, $21.15.

A wooden cutting board, $40, in the shape of his homeland.

A bookbindery case for his Kindle, $50. It'll look and feel like he's

holding a real book!

Gift Guide #1: For Your Strikingly Beautiful Mom, Whose Great Sense of Style and Warm Heart Make Up for Her Technological Illiteracy

Ultra-luxurious leather gloves, finished with adorable bows, $78

A lovely, subtly-hued lipstick that's incredibly versatile and designed

to leave her lips with a tinge of gorgeous color, $20.

A giant wine glass, $10.95. Glug!

A beautifully understated gold leaf bowl that she'll set on her

dresser, $20.

A gorgeous candle sculpted in the shape of an elegant vase, $88.

The much-loved Kikkerland Head Massager, $4, for a mid-day

pick-me-up.

A stunning crochet scarf that she can wear a million different

ways, $78.

A wall clock, $40, featuring the city that she longs to visit.

The Chef's Salt Collection, which features six different salts from six

different nations, will inspire tasty dishes and wanderlust, $39.95.

A handmade silk evening bag for date nights with Dad, $60.

An Air of Surprise 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

  I really love giving gifts, and I'm known amongst my family members and good friends for coming up with really good presents that people love, but would likely not think of getting for themselves. 

Over the past couple of years, I've seen tons of little holiday gift guides all over the web, so, way back in July, I decided to create a gift guide of my own for everyone on your list! This guide will be based on the people in my life, so I'll include a little description of each person, then provide some gift ideas!

Each list features a few gifts for every budget, so big spenders and penny pinchers can get in on the fun! I'll do 1 to 2 posts per day.

Enjoy!
~Up first...gifts for Mom~

(Images via We Heart It)

And the winner is...

Samantha!!

Hooray! We'll be in touch.

Leslie, you've been so sweet...thanks a bunch! And to everyone else, thank you for playing!

Have a rad weekend!

Hello, all! I hope you had a lovely week, and, once again, to all who celebrated, I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Did anyone go out shopping for Black Friday? Or do all of the people and crazy lines make you uneasy? Also, for those of you who haven't done so already, be sure to click here and enter the latest giveaway (you could win this adorable arrow necklace)! 

But anyways, what are you doing this weekend? Working on a wall relief sculpture? Refurbishing an antique chest? Writing someone a sweet note? Do tell! 

(Design Scouting and We Heart It and LBC Paper)

A gift for nature lovers

 My friend Bindi would love these antler rings. They're made from slices of deer antler, which were shed naturally, of course.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers! My parents, my sister and I will be heading over to my grandmother's house later this afternoon, where I'll be eating delicious turkey with gravy and loads of mac n' cheese. If I could cook worth a lick, I would love to try this roast turkey recipe, but alas...I cannot. 

Anyways, just for kicks, tell me what you're thankful for!

Which dress would you wear to a holiday party?

♪♫ 'Tis the season for holiday parties! ♪♫ Yippee! It's holiday party season and your friend has just invited you to a party, where there's sure to be tons of egg nog and people in festive spirits! What do you wear?

A perfectly girly A-line dress with a tulle skirt, like the one above.

A gold number with a cutout neckline.

A slinky, black, column dress (This...).

A full-skirted party dress in a brocade print.

A drapey silk frock in a gorgeous teal green (...or this would be my pick!).

Which one catches your eye?

Giveaway!

Today's giveaway comes from Lemon Sweet by Leslie, where you'll find rope bracelets, dainty heart necklaces and loads of other charming pieces of jewelry! Shop owner Leslie has given one of you lovely readers the opportunity to win this turquoise arrow necklace, which you could wear with a checkered sweater this fall or with a striped tank next summer!

To enter, just follow An Air of Surprise via Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin'. For an extra entry, "like" Lemon Sweet by Leslie on Facebook. Just be sure to let me know that you've done so in a separate comment. This giveaway will end next Sunday, November 27th at 12 PM EST, and a winner will be chosen at random later that day. If the winner does not respond within 3 days, a new winner will be chosen. Please ensure that there is a way for me to contact you.

Leslie, thank you dearly! Best wishes, everyone!

UPDATE: I made a bit of a typo...the giveaway is due to end on Sunday the 27th, not Monday the 28th. Please accept my apologies, the error has been corrected.

{Giveaway Closed}