Gift Ideas

Easiest & Fastest Way To Preserve A Puzzle For Framing Without Using Messy Glue

March 9, 2026 by Susan 6 Comments

Welcome to the 893rd Metamorphosis Monday! Many years ago, when I first started doing puzzles, there were a few puzzles that I really wanted to save for possibly framing later. All the methods I came across online for saving a puzzle for framing involved smearing glue over the surface of the puzzle. In the videos I watched sharing this method, it was always mentioned that the glue would alter the look of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Before & After, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Puzzles Tagged With: Framing Puzzles, Gift Ideas, Metamorphosis Monday, Preserving Puzzles, Puzzles

My December Favorites: 1 Fail, But Many Wins—Plus, A New Love That’s On Sale

January 10, 2026 by Susan 9 Comments

We had lots of sunshine yesterday, but rainy and drizzly here today. Thankfully, it's been a bit warmer, which is weird for January in Ohio. I hope you are seeing some sunshine today! Before we get into my December favorites, I want to share something with you that I just bought and LOVE, and is currently on sale! I've never had an Rtic tumbler or one of their "road trip" tumblers, but when I saw their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Montly Favorites

Preparing For Christmas, Gift Ideas & A Present I Bought For Myself

November 15, 2025 by Susan 14 Comments

I have resisted buying the adorable Lego Tuxedo Cat for a long time. Recently, I took the kitties to the vet, and I saw this cute guy tucked into a corner of their front office area. After seeing how cute he is, I had to order him! He was much larger than I had expected, pretty close to the size of a real cat! He's also much more detailed than I had expected! His head rotates, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspire Tagged With: Christmas Dinnerware, Gift Ideas, LEGO Cat

11 Favorite Gift Ideas For The Guys, These Would Be Great For Father’s Day!

June 8, 2025 by Susan 3 Comments

With Father's Day just a week away, today I'm sharing some of my and my son's favorites, in case you're looking for that perfect Father's Day gift or a great gift for any of the guys in your family. The Yeti Tundra cooler is always at the top of my list when looking for a gift the guys (or the gals) will enjoy. It's awesome for camping and fishing trips or just hanging out in the backyard. My son and his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Father's Day Gift Ideas, Favorite Gift Ideas For Guys, Gift Ideas

Obsessed! Ordered One, Then Had To Order All The Others!

February 18, 2025 by Susan 19 Comments

If you're not the biggest fan of winter (like me) take heart because we are on the downhill slide now. There is one thing I love about wintertime: the cold temps give me a guilt-free excuse to stay inside and spend more time doing puzzles. Recently I was thinking about how much I love working a beautiful puzzle and I wondered why I enjoy them so much. It must be because I find the process so peaceful and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Puzzles Tagged With: Art, Favorite Puzzles, Gift Ideas, Puzzles, Puzzles for Dog Lovers

My January Favorites & Preparing For An Upcoming Ski Trip

February 7, 2025 by Susan 15 Comments

I can't believe January is over and we are already a full week into February! I was thinking back today on all the things I enjoyed and was thankful for this past month and my warm mist humidifier was at the top of the list. The nights I forget to fill it up and turn it on, I really notice it the next day because I don't sleep as well and I wake up more during the night. Thankfully, I rarely forget to run … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites, Travel Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Montly Favorites, Travel, Travel Must-Haves

18 Unique & Unexpected Gift Ideas For Friends & Loved Ones

December 10, 2024 by Susan 18 Comments

Yesterday I placed two birdfeeders in my backyard. This morning I awoke to a light dusting of snow and a beautiful chorus of birdsong. I hung the feeders from the limb of a tree that's located at the very edge of my driveway in the back, and the birds were having a blast! I went out briefly to make sure the snow hadn't completely covered the seed on the feeder where the seed is somewhat exposed. I sprinkled … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gardening & Birding, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Bird Lover Gift Ideas, Christmas, Christmas Gifts, Gift Ideas

My Faves For Holiday Entertaining & An Advent Calendar I’ve Stalked For Years Is On Sale

November 13, 2024 by Susan 11 Comments

Are you busy decorating and planning for the upcoming holidays? It was definitely a wake-up call for me when I stopped by HomeGoods a few days ago and found it packed with happy shoppers. It made me realize how close the holiday are upon us! You could really feel the excitement in the air; everyone seemed to be in such a great mood! One of the first things I always look for each year as the holidays … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Byers' Advent Calendar, Christmas Entertaining, Christmas Tree Advent Calendar, Gift Ideas, Spode Woodland, Thanksgiving Holiday Home, Villeroy & Boch Toy's Delight

My October Favorites, Including Some Possible Gift Ideas

November 8, 2024 by Susan 4 Comments

Happy Almost Weekend! It is so beautiful here in Georgia right now. The weather is stunning and the temps are going to reach 83° today! I need to get outside in this glorious sunshine for a bit. I hope it's beautiful where you are today! I have some awesome favorites to share from the month of October. Hope you will find these helpful! One of my favorite shampoos and the one I've used the last few times … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Favorite Finds, Gift Ideas

Just A Few Of My Favorites and Most-Loved Essentials For Summer

April 20, 2024 by Susan 6 Comments

With spring in full swing and the increasingly warmer temps, I've been thinking about my favorite summer essentials, those pieces I love using and wearing throughout the summer months. One of my favorites to pull out every summer are my incredibly comfortable Ecco sandals. I love how adjustable these are, which means they work for the pickiest of feet. I have Ecco sandals in several colors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Spring Fashions, Summer Fashions, Summer Favorites, Summer Sale

Beautiful, Cozy Books: The Books I Crave When Autumn Arrives

October 25, 2023 by Susan 5 Comments

When autumn arrives and the cooler weather starts moving in, my heart tells me it's time to bring out all the woolly throws, make a nice, steaming mug of hot cocoa, and pull a book from my shelves that I know will be filled with cozy imagery and charming stories. In today's post, I'm sharing some of my favorite cozy "house" books--homes filled with beautiful warm, rich interiors. These are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: BNOTP Library, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Seasonal Decor Tagged With: Books, Cozy Books, Gift Ideas, In the BNOTP Library

Whimsy In The Kitchen, My Favorite Lemon Pepper Seasoning & Incredible Cookware

October 17, 2023 by Susan 15 Comments

So, you all know that I'm a bit of a lazy cook. I do enjoy cooking/baking when friends or family are here, but the rest of the time, I go for the fastest, easiest meal I can make. My favorite food that I enjoy at least once a week, sometimes more, is Lemon Pepper Chicken. Over the years I've tried various Lemon Pepper seasonings and I've found them all to be about the same--until recently! Oh my gosh, have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Recipes Tagged With: Gift Ideas, HexClad Cookware, Lemon Pepper Chicken

My July Favorites, Including Some That Would Make Great Birthday or Holiday Gifts

August 15, 2023 by Susan 12 Comments

I have some really great things to share with you that were my favorites for the month of July, starting with a new addition to my Penhaligon's perfume collection. If you've been reading BNOTP for a while, you know I seriously love me some perfume and have become a wee bit obsessed with the house of Penhaligon's over the past couple of years. I have a lot of their fragrances and love them all! When I heard … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Between Naps on the Porch, Favorite Finds, Gift Ideas, Monthly Favorites

A Wee Bit Of Luxury, These Make A Beautiful Gift For Mother’s Day

April 26, 2023 by Susan 11 Comments

I purchased a new lipstick refill for a case I bought recently and it arrived today. As I admired the color, I thought about how a beautiful lipstick case would make a great Mother's Day gift, especially with a special engraving inside. Quite a few years back, I fell in love with the bow-shaped lipstick cases from House of Sillage and ended up purchasing quite a few as I caught them on sale over the next … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Beauty Products, Dior, Gift Ideas, Guerlain, House of Sillage, Lipstick, Lipstick Cases, Luxury Beauty, Luxury Lipsticks

My March Favorites + A New Purchase That’s Arriving Today

April 22, 2023 by Susan 10 Comments

Happy Weekend! Hope you are having a great one! I didn't want to let April get totally gone without sharing my favorites from last month. Sooo, ya know how Legos can be a bit pricey...when I was shopping for something fun for my grandsons for spring/Easter, I came across this adorable Lego bunny set and was surprised by how reasonably it was priced. This set actually makes into three different animals. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Monthly Favorites Tagged With: Favorite Finds, Gift Ideas, Monthly Favorites

Pull-out Appliance Tray/Stand, Protects Kitchen Cabinets & Undercabinet Lighting

April 12, 2023 by Susan 18 Comments

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments left on Monday's post where I shared a dramatic, long-awaited kitchen renovation my son and daughter-in-law just completed in their home. Just as their renovation was coming to a close, I came across an awesome coffee maker that I was pretty sure they would love, especially my son who has been literally searching for years for the perfect coffee maker. I am … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Appliance Stand, Appliance Tray, Coffee Lovers, DeLonghi Coffee Maker, Gift Ideas, Kitchen Gadgets, Pull-out Appliance Stand, Pull-out Appliance Tray, True Brew Coffee Maker

3 Fun, Unique Gift Ideas, Including One for the Person Who Already Has Everything

December 14, 2022 by Susan 14 Comments

I'm always trying to think of fun gifts for my friends and family. I usually try to give them something from their wish list, but I also like to sneak in something they weren't expecting--a little surprise, or maybe even a BIG one. Ha! Explosion Gift Boxes: If you have someone on your gift list who is impossible to buy for, one idea is an Explosion Gift Box. I purchased two of their Halloween Explosion … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Gift Ideas, Gift Ideas, Gift Suggestions

I Fell Down the Most Beautifully Scented Rabbit Hole–Love this Perfume House!

May 23, 2022 by Susan 26 Comments

Welcome to the 695th Metamorphosis Monday! Over the past couple of months, without even thinking about it, I've gradually switched over to wearing some of my favorite fragrances for summer. The sunny days and warmer weather just naturally make me crave lighter, brighter scents. If you wear perfume, do you find that you move toward wearing lighter fragrances this time of year? For this week's Before … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: British Perfumery, Favorite Perfumes, Gift Ideas, Penhaligon's, Penhaligon's Perfumes

“Growing” Flowers That Never Need Watering: A Stylized Floral Bouquet

April 25, 2022 by Susan 19 Comments

Welcome to the 691st Metamorphosis Monday! How was your weekend? Nothing too exciting going on here this weekend, just a lot of spring cleaning. I cleaned at least 2 inches of pollen (slight exaggeration) from the benches on the front porch and, standing on a ladder, managed to wipe down all the screens on the screen porch without crashing through the screens to the ground below. lol I also cleaned the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gardening & Birding Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Gifts for Gardeners, Lego Floral Bouquet, Lego-Style Building Blocks, Metamorphosis Monday

Thinking Way Outside the Box for Mother’s Day Gifts This Year

April 23, 2022 by Susan 12 Comments

With Mother's Day just a couple of weeks away, I've pulled together a few gift ideas that I think most Moms would love to receive. There's a little something for every Mom and a couple of these would work as Father's Day gifts for the Dads, as well. Could your Mom use a beautiful tote for grocery shopping or just everyday use? This tote started out at $129, was marked down to $109.99 and now is 40% off … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Mother's Day Gifts

My (and my son’s) Winter Favorites

January 12, 2019 by Susan 62 Comments

This is how fall/winter always starts for me: It's the end of September and I'm dreading the end of summer. I wish I could keep fall/winter from coming or at least somehow fast forward through it to spring. I almost feel depressed thinking that summer is over and the long months of winter are upon us. Then Halloween happens, I love Halloween and all the decorating and silliness that accompanies it. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Cozy Winter, Gift Ideas, Winter Clothes, Winter Fashion, Winter Products, Winter Survival

The Star Was Too Big, But at Least the Presents are Wrapped

December 14, 2018 by Susan 56 Comments

Christmas is just 11 days away! Wow, this month is flying by! I have the presents all wrapped, but I'm doing something a little different this year. I don't think I'm going to add bows to the presents, well at least not right now. If I do, they will all get crushed when I pack them into my SUV to head north for Christmas. Maybe once I arrive, I'll add some bows then. That sounds like a good … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Holiday Home Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Presents, Christmas Tree, Gift Ideas, Wrapping Paper

Create a Little Snack Center, A Small Thank-you to Our Delivery Men & Women

November 30, 2018 by Susan 48 Comments

My day had a not-so-great start. I awoke, turned on my computer and it began making an odd whirring sound. I think the fan in the CPU tower has gone out. Again. ~~~sigh~~~ It shut down by itself and made a terrible "siren" sound when I attempted to restart it. So I'll be packing a lunch (because it takes that long to get there and back!) and driving to the other side of Atlanta today to leave it for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Recipes Tagged With: Gift Ideas, Snack Center

My Favorites for Cyber Monday, Love This Time of Year!

November 27, 2017 by Susan 22 Comments

Welcome to the 461st Metamorphosis Monday! I couldn't let Cyber Monday go by without sharing my favorites. Many of these things I already have and love, others are on my wish list. A few of the items I had hoped to share today, sold out overnight, like some amazing boots I've been drooling over at Talbots. So if you see something today that you love, don't wait like I did. The best stuff is going fast! I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Gift Ideas, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Christmas Gift Shopping, Cyber Monday, Gift Ideas, Winter Fashion

10 Unique Gift Ideas and An Awesome Sale!

November 11, 2017 by Susan 32 Comments

Yesterday I bought a Christmas tree. It's still in its box in the back of my SUV. I have a couple of more places I want to check before I unbox it and put it up. I like it much better than the Balsam Hill tree I purchased recently, and it was half the price! I'm not sure I'll ever buy another tree without first seeing it in person. Hope to share it with you all decorated real soon. 10 Unique Gift … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas Decor, Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Table Settings, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds Tagged With: Christmas Holiday Home, Gift Ideas, Nora Fleming