Gifted! Redux

Yesterday, you learned how good Mallory is at giving gifts. Today, we shall discuss how good she is at getting gifts.

So, in life Before Mallory, I wasn't much of a shopper. I didn't really enjoy walking and walking and walking, I hated trying on clothes, and I faced the negative stigma of having the Narrow Flat Foot, thus finding it ridiculously impossible to find decent shoes. But here's the thing. There's a whole industry out there called HOUSEWARES. Have you been shopping for housewares? So. Much. Fun. Almost as fun? Accessories.

If I had unlimited monetary resources, I would use it to give gifts (after buying myself a pair of Louboutins and a Michael Kors bag for myself, of course). There's something wonderful about shopping for hours and hours until you find it: the elusive Perfect Gift.

Shopping for Mallory is extra fun. It's exactly like shopping for myself, only I get the bonus of finding awesome gift wrap and watching her open it. She's always grateful, and she's always excited.

Now I realize that Mallory's birthday was almost two weeks ago, but she'll welcome presents for Christmas and future birthdays. So I made a gift list over at pinterest.com for your convenience.

Gifted!

Mallory is really good at giving gifts. AWESOME at it, in fact. She knows just what I will love, and she is very generous.  Whether it's a DVD, a CD, concert tickets, the surprise Hot Chocolate, or "just because" occasion, every gift I've ever gotten from Mallory has been thoughtful and remains treasured. The movies I watch the most, the accessories I love to wear, the memories I love the most usually revolve around a gift I got from this genius gift-giver.

Case in point (click to enlarge):

This lovely artwork sits on my desk, and it will until I die. I'm not even kidding. It's one of my most prized possessions. My kids will fight over who gets it once I croak, or it will go in the museum exhibit about my life. Next the torn and tattered copy of Pride and Prejudice.

Stay tuned for tomorrow, when I discuss why Mallory is also AWESOME at getting gifts. Also? A Quintessential Gift Guide for Mallory.

Books: They're not just for decoration...

Mallory loves books, she loves paper, she loves home decor that is made from books and paper.

Books: For all the time we spend talking about Twi****, Mallory and I do have high-brow taste in books. I promise. Any book collector worth their salt knows that you put the super impressive books out in the living room where your guests can ooh and ahh over your excellent literary taste. But if you really want to know what a book collector reads, you have to look at the books stacked by their bed or in bookshelves in their bedroom.

Take it from me, Mallory has AWESOME taste in books.

Paper: I probably need to save this for it's own post, because really, I can spend hours talking about paper and Mallory's love for it. I'm not even kidding. It's a legitimate love.

Home decor: Whenever anyone walks into my apartment, they ooh and ahh over the things I have up on the walls. They're all made of paper, and half of them were made by Mallory. I don't have a picture, but she made me a paper wreath that looks like unto this:

Only awesome-er. Not only did she make this out of a book, she made mine out of an old dictionary. She has one as well, but it's made of an old MLA manual. Too, too perfect.

That's the thing about Mallory, she's a super good--I'd go so far as to say AWESOME gift giver. Stay tuned for more on that tomorrow!

The Themed Party (Or, Going Over The Top is a Genetic Disorder)

Here's another one from our awesome friend Michelle!!


Let's talk for a moment about themed parties, since they were only briefly mentioned thus far on this blog. (Editor's note: I was getting there, but you beat me to it :) ) Whether coming up with the entire idea on her own (as well as catering the shin-dig and creating activities to go along with it) or simply jumping in with someone else's thought with the perfect amount of gusto and vigor, Mallory is the queen of themed parties. And then there's the fact that we usually do them at her house. Anne of Green Gables? You bet! 

LOST? Oh yes, please. 

Check out our guest blogger's awesome Black Smoke Monster Costume!!!

Glee, Psych, and a cheese party as well as so many more that are still in the concept phase.

Even though she's not a fan of being in photos, Mallory still supported at the Fake Engagement Photo shoot and helped create AWESOME hipster, Jane Austen, and white trash looks. We love and enjoy her fantastic ideas!

Guest Blogger Michelle!

One of the most AWESOME things about Mallory is that she is a fantastic listener. No matter how imagined the fear, ridiculous the assumption, or oft repeated the whine is, Mallory is so amazing that she will listen again and again. What's more, she'll listen with real intent and genuine sympathy. The weaker of us would simply tune out, but not Mallory. I can't even count the "dumb guy" situations that I forced Mallory to pick apart with me year after year after year after . . . You get the picture.

(Editor's note: Psst...Michelle...this is a birthday blog for MALLORY ;)

Guest Blogger Barney Stinson!

I'm still gonna let my good friend Barney Stinson take this one away.

This is not a cop out. I found this on pinterest.com, a truly beautiful, magical--dare I say, awesome--website to which Mallory introduced me last week.

On the Road...

You totally thought this was gonna be about are awesome road trip, but really,

Mallory loves Kerouac.

I could tell you why that's awesome but that would be totes un-Hipster of me.