This Thursday, while everybody else is thinking about turkey and sweet potatoes and pecan pie, I will be thinking about how nobody remembers it's my birthday.
That's right, this year my birthday falls on Thanksgiving and let me just remind you that having a birthday on a holiday SUCKS. It especially sucks when your usual hostess decides to flee the country to go on an exotic vacation (Thanks, Mom!) and you have to invite yourself to your husband's cousin's house so you're not left out on the street sharing cranberry stuffing with a pigeon.
That might be a little dramatic, but you get the point.
You might also have noticed that I've been talking a lot about Mazzy's birthday lately which is on December 9th. Yep. Every year for the rest of my life, I'll be stuck planning my daughter's birthday festivities during my now irrelevant unremarkable non-event of a day.
Can I tell you how many people have called asking what Mazzy wants for her birthday? Probably about twenty. How many people have asked me what I want? That's right. NADA.
So. When Beso.com, a site that's part magazine and part online shopping mall, called to ask if I'd like to give away a $300 shopping spree and showcase a collection of my favorite items, I was all ears.
"You mean, you want me to talk about stuff that I would want? Not my daughter??"
"Well, we have kid's stuff too so you could do a Mazzy collecti—"
"No, No! I like the idea of an Ilana Collection, thanks!"
*click*
So here we are. And yes, you read that right. You have the potential to win a $300 spree on Beso as long as you sing "Happy Birthday, Mommy Shorts" the whole damn time you're shopping.
Beso has so much on their site that selecting my favorites was a little overwhelming at first. Basically you can find every brand you've ever heard of on there— from Nine West to Alexander McQueen. But then I realized the best way to shop the site is to look through the editor's collections and the top picks at the opening of each section (women, men, kid's, jewelry, home, beauty) in categories like "Back to the Basics", "Borrowing from the Boys", and "Great Looking Trash Cans". It's kind of like looking through a fashion magazine except everything is right there available for purchase. A fabulous (and dangerous!) thing.
You can "heart" your favorites to refer back to later and make "collections" to email people who might need gift ideas. Like your husband (AHEM!) Plus you can sign up for deal alerts on specific brands or categories. For instance you can say that you just want to receive notifications if Marc Jacobs is having a handbag sale. Pretty awesome, right?
Ultimately I put together a birthday collection of my favorite practical, less than practical and totally impractical items. All are perfectly acceptable birthday gifts should anybody decide they want to get me something. (Really? You shouldn't have!)
Keep in mind, I did not take price into account WHATSOEVER. It's a birthday wish list that no one will buy for me— why on earth would I create a budget?? But please know that you can find brands at every price point.
From left to right: Marc Jacobs Pretty Eliza Diaper Bag ($288), Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Satchel ($1195), Rebecca Minkoff Beau Clutch ($250), Cole Haan Air Autumn Flat Boot ($398), Tory Burch Lawson Ankle Boots ($425), Christian Louboutin Two-Tone Pump ($675), Vince Honeycomb Turtleneck Sweater ($295), Phillip Lim Striped Wool/Silk Dress ($375), David Meister 'Cold Shoulder' Sequin Dress ($328), Tsovet Rose Gold Watch ($475), Marc By Marc Jacobs 'Jessica' Necklace ($118), Kenneth Jay Lane Coral Beetle Ring ($99)
I covet the aqua Proenza Schouler bag the most. Unsurprisingly, the most expensive item up there.
Before I get to the rules for the giveaway, you must promise me ONE THING. If you win, you are NOT ALLOWED to shop for your kid or your spouse. It's MY BIRTHDAY and I say you must spend the money on yourself.
Deal?
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GIVEAWAY RULES
1) You must be both a Mommy Shorts facebook fan and a Beso facebook fan to enter. This does not count as two entries. Just click here to become a fan of Mommy Shorts and click here to become a fan of Beso (if you are not one already) and then leave ONE comment below.
2) Answer the following question: What is the best or worst birthday gift you've ever gotten?
3) Contest open to US residents, 18 or older. Ending on Tuesday, Dec 6th.
2ND ENTRY (optional)
Today I posted Episode #2 of the Mommy Shorts Show. For an additional entry, subscribe to the Mommy Shorts YouTube Channel and then leave a second comment below. If you are already subscribed, just leave a second comment saying so.
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UPDATE: Congratulations to JEN! Since I am sure there is more than one Jen, this is the Jen that was given a "Dating for Dummies" book by her then boyfriend, now husband. Please contact me at myshort@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize.
Oh I have this in the bag. My husband SUCKS at buying me birthday gifts. Usually he dosent get me anything at all but one splended year he thought I would like a snuggie for my Birthday/Anniversary gift. That’s right I got a cheap wearable blanket that’s UGLY for my Birthday and anniversary(!!!!!)while he got the collectors addition of a video game he had been lusting over for our anniversary and a man day at the spa for his B day. I should also note our B days are exactly 2 mos apart and our anniversary is smack dab in the middle of this. This year he got yet another collectors addition game he wanted and again…..I got nothing. He’s luckey I love him! 😉
I just subscribed to your youtube chanel too!
I’m subscribed to both pages on FB. The best bday gift I’ve ever gotten was a surprise cake on our vacation in punta cana.
I feel ya with the birthday around the holidays. Mine is December 19th and I always get the good ole “This is your birthday AND your Christmas present” That sucks bad..
My worst birthday gift? Hmm that is kind of a hard one. I guess I would have to say a pair of GREEN cords and a green and hot pink strip long sleeve polo shirt that my aunt got me one year. It was so awful looking….I never wore it LOL
1. I’m a Mommy Shorts & Beso Facebook fan. (Deanna Cali)
2. The best birthday present I ever got was LASIK eye surgery courtesy of my mama. 🙂
I subscribe to the Mommy Shorts YouTube Channel. (Deanna6)
I liked both on Facebook,
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
I liked both on Facebook
My best was an antique chest from my mother.
My worst was a pile of garden rocks, no kidding.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Like both BESO and Mommy Shorts on FB
My best was a new car, and I guess the worst would have to be the times when I received nothing at all!
I like both Mommy Shorts and Beso on Facebook. My birthday is in December, so I’ve received a lot of dual B’Day/Christmas gifts. Don’t know if I can identify a “worst” – but probably the year my husband gave me a toaster. Yeah, I had told him I wanted one – but not for a birthday present!
I’m a facebook fan of both. My worst gift was a back massaging seat cushion. It was bad for me since I hate massages on my back because it hurts a lot!
I’m a Facebook fan of both Beso & Mommy Shorts
When my husband and I were still dating – back in the dark ages – he bought me a long sleeved shirt. There were three things wrong with it. It was a turtleneck. He knew then (and hopefully still does) that I cannot wear anything close to my neck so that was one. It was two sizes too small. I’m not little girl at 5’11, 145 lbs – and he got me an XS. Third and final was it was covered in Tweety Bird images. Now, I don’t hate Tweety Bird but this was something that I would never have worn (even if I could have gotten it over my head). He’s learned better now. I think.
I am a fan of both via Facebook as Jill Myrick.
My best birthday present ever was a set of pearls (necklace, bracelet and earrings) that my husband gave me on my 38th birthday.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
FB fan of both Susan Smith
The best birthday present I got was a beautiful necklace from my husband and the worst birthday present was a gift card that was expired
I’m a YouTube subscriber
i became a fan of both
I like both on fb.. Becca Peters
My worst gift ever was a pair of leggings (before they became in style again) that were black and white checkered.. I don’t know what my sister was thinking!!
xxbeccaannxx@gmail.com
The best was from my young son who asked me what I wanted and when I said get me something practical, the 6 year old went out and bought me a can of cleanser. At least it was the most memorable.
I like mommy shorts and beso on fb under brittney house
My best birthday gift was my new car from my dad.
Fan of both on Facebook: Tesa Shelton
Best birthday ever was my 16th! My mom rented a dance hall and there was a DJ and 2 cakes. It was packed with my friends and we danced and partied, and I went around sitting in all the cute guys’ laps! Dang, I shoulda took some more pics. I only have a couple of Polaroids of it. (um, yeah, it was in the 70’s). Good Times!!!
My best present was an engagement ring.
I am a fan of both! Shell Jeanette
I am a fan of both. The best gift I ever got was from my Birthmother the day we met on my 35th birthday. It was a gorgeous necklace representing our time apart and our future together.
The best gift I’ve ever gotten would have to be a Tiffany bracelet and necklace. Mainly because it was completely unexpected from this person. It was hidden in a small coach bag and I didn’t think much of it since recently I’d busted my small “going out” purse. Even then I thought it was a bit much. But then I looked inside and there was the blue. I was speechless.
I am following your YouTube Channel as well 🙂
Worst birthday gift was when my mom gave me a self-help book The 10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives. Sheesh, I was only 20. WTH???
Um, the above comment should also say that I’m a fan of both.
I subscribed to your youtube channel.
I’m a fan of both 🙂 and my best birthday present ever was a surprise trip to the Oregon coast.
p.s. the Duggar video made me spit my dinner across the table.
Liked both! Worst gift ever was a terribly ugly sweater from my Chinese mil. 3x, the “biggest one they had.” I’m a medium. 🙁
I liked Mommy Shorts and beso on Facebook as Ann Marie Walker SweepsGirl(at)aol(dot)com
The best gift I ever got was a jewelry box my now husband sent me from over seas, when he was in the Marines and it had a ring in it. SweepsGirl(at)aol(dot)com
I subscribed to your channel as Angelharts1968. SweepsGirl(at)aol(dot)com
I like Mommy Shorts and Beso on Facebook
(as the name in my email address)
Ignore that – I accidentally used my mom’s email address – I like both on Facebook as AdrianeCoros
Best b’day gift was when I was a starving student and my roomie gave me a giant bucket of fried shrimp!
I’m a facebook fan of both sites (pauline1501) and I love the website!
The most interesting gift i ever received was a gift certificate to get a belly button ring. My girlfriend through it was a great joke until i made her come with me to get it done!
I like you both on FB (Sarah Smile).
The best birthday gift I ever received was a watch with the kids’ names on it.
fb fan of both best gift is a photo album of memories from a good friend
I’m a Mommy Shorts facebook fan and a Beso facebook fan (Brandy B)
The best B-day gift I got was earlier this year. We got to go on our last family vacation before our oldest son left for the Army. We went to Myrtle Beach and my mom even came so it was the best!
I subscribe to your YouTube channel
mrssquigg
Happy Birthday – I follow both- Sherry Conrad
My best gift was a surprise visit from family who were not supposed to be able to make it in.
Youtube subscriber dddiva62
Best : a necklace with a 4 leaf clover in it from my husband
facebook fan of both (jackcarlyandthorsmommy) eaglesforjack@gmail.com I would say the worst gift was a how to improve your grades book for christmas : ( eaglesforjack@gmail.com
Like Mommy Shorts & Besco on FB
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
The best birthday gift I’ve ever gotten was when I was younger, my dad would get me an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen every year. I didn’t realize how much it meant to me until he passed away when I was 15.
boylaneely at hotmail dot com
Mommy Shorts facebook fan and a Beso facebook fan – happi shopr
I became a Facebook fan of both: Jessica K
Sorry you had a crappy birthday look on the bright side you’re blessed with another birthday 🙂
This year my husband was so adorable in buying my birthday gift. I told him I wanted grey Ugg boots I failed to mention the style I liked. He bought me a style I already owned, poor guy he tries. I returned them for the style I did want but it was rather nice he surprised me with them.
FB like both: Slehan
Thanks for the contest.
The worst was a really ugly orange sweater.
oops. this was supposed to be in first comment.
However I do subscribe to your youtube: slehan2 so this is really the second entry.
I am a fan of Mommy Shorts and Besos!
The worst birthday gift I’ve ever gotten is no being thought about every year. For some reason, my kids (whom I do EVERYTHING for) don’t seem to remember to return the favor. SMH.
Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges.
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