HAIR PRODUCTS | DIFFUSER ATTACHMENT | BLOW DRYER |

HOT HEAD CAP | COLOR HAIR WAX | DEVACURL HAIRCUT | STATIN LINED CAP

SILK PILLOWCASES | FUN HEAD WRAPS | SATIN BONNET

I know, I know! I’m starting pretty early with the gift guides this year, but honestly, I’m a huge planner and tend to typically shop pretty early for the holiday season. Am I the only one or do you shop a little later in the season? This year, I wanted to create a gift guide for all of my curly girls out there! Between going through a liter of conditioner and regular trims every few months, having curly hair can be pretty expensive. And as I’ve gotten older, I realize that I love getting more practical gifts every year, instead of trendy items that are only good for a season.

A couple of years ago, I was gifted a Thermal Hot Head cap, basically a heated cap that allows your deep conditioner treatment to penetrate your hair strains, and I loved it so much that I gave my mom one too. It’s safe to say she also enjoyed the product just as much as me.

Another gift I’m loving this year are fun head wraps. I’ve gotten a few different ones over the years, and I’m obsessed with them. They are perfect for those days where your curls aren’t acting right and you need to throw something on your head that’s cute. My favorite stores are from SheTheCollection and BabaAfrik. They both have a ton of options to choose from, including ones with fun textures, patterns, and designs.

For curly hair products, I tend to use the same products over and over again once I found a routine that works for me. Right now, I’ve been obsessed with the DevaCurl products, including the conditioner, shampoo, gel, and the deep conditioner. They work wonders for my curls! But during the holidays, I’m always up for trying new undiscovered products or trying out new brands. Travel size products make for the perfect stocking stuffer!

What gifts are you grabbing for your curly hair friend this year?

You may also like: The #GirlBoss Gift Guide, 14 Harry Potter Inspired Etsy Finds That’ll Make Perfect Gifts, and Gift Guide for the Broke College Student

The post The Ultimate Curly Girl Gift Guide appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

CAULDRON BATH BOMB | HOGWARTS CHRISTMAS SHIRT | STARBUCKS TUMBLER

HP DOORMAT | LUGGAGE TAG | GIFT SOAP | SPELLBOOK PLANNER

DEATHLY HALLOWS EARRINGS | PASSPORT COVER | CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

SORTING CANDLE | HOUSE BLANKET | WINE GLASS | DOG COLLAR

Fun fact: I love the Harry Potter series and movies. I originally read the book series in middle school after all of my friends at school were talking about it. It took me probably about a week to finish the entire set of 6 books (the 7^th wasn’t out at the time) because it was that good! I easily became obsessed with the series over the years just like hopefully many of you. The book series came out over 20 years ago, and it’s still a fan favorite. 

This year, I really wanted to step outside of the box and create a Harry Potter theme gift guide for all of those HP fanatics that love anything related to the series. This guide is perfect for those that want to shop for themselves or want to grab a unique gift for a friend that loves Harry Potter.

Two of my favorite pieces from the list are the sorting candle and the cauldron bath bomb. Both of these gifts have a fun surprise inside because they change color based on what house you’re in! Plus the cauldron bath bomb has a matching pin inside so don’t be surprised if you find it at the bottom of the tub.

Another gift that I really love is the Harry Potter theme Starbucks tumbler! I mean it’s literally the cutest thing ever and it’s perfect for all of your cold beverage needs. I love gifting mugs, tumblers, and water bottles as a Christmas gift because I finally hit the age where I enjoy getting practical gifts during the holiday season. Want to see more Etsy gift guides? Check out the ones that Etsy curated of some of the best products they have on the site! 

What Harry Potter theme gift was your favorite from the list?

You may also enjoy: The #GirlBoss Gift Guide, The Gift Guide for the Broke College Student, and The Ultimate Gift Guide for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Students

The post 14 Harry Potter Inspired Etsy Finds That’ll Make Perfect Gifts appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Growing up as a military child, I’ve had to deal with the void that comes when your dad is deployed during the holidays and the anxiety that comes right along with it. But what helped me get me through those tough years were my family (duh, they are rockstars!) and the USO. They allowed my dad to stay connected to his family back home in the US and provided me the comfort of hearing his voice on a regular basis. I can only imagine how my dad must’ve felt being deployed overseas and away from his family for months at a time.

During the holiday season, it’s so easy to get caught up in all of the sales and to feel tempted to spend, spend, spend. But if you have some extra cash this holiday season, why not consider sharing the holiday cheer with the troops and their families? Hundreds of thousands of service members will remain on duty away from home and will have to miss precious moments with their families. I encourage you this holiday season to think of them and to give back the gift of home (even the smallest reminders help!). 

WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO THE TROOPS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Donate towards a gift with the USO Wishbook

The USO Wishbook is an online alternative giving catalog that provides supporters a way to support the troops by purchasing different gifts for friends and loved ones that help our service members and their families. On the website, there is a ton of options to choose from including sending comfort food packages, phone calls home, care packages, and holiday meals. By donating to the USO Wishbook, you would be helping to deliver the comforts of home to service members around the world.

Write a Letter to the Troops

Do you enjoy writing down your thanks and appreciation on paper? Then writing an appreciation letter to the troops is the perfect way for you and your kiddos (if you have any!) to support the troops this holiday season. Operation Gratitude sends care packages and letters to the troops all year around and I heard that the letters are the most appreciated out of the entire package.

Host a fundraiser with the USO Facebook Fundraiser

Have a special occasion coming up like a wedding, birthday, or Christmas? Help celebrate it by hosting a USO Facebook Fundraiser to raise money for the service members and their families during a time when they need it to the most! The USO is a nonprofit organization that supports the troops and their families in so many different ways such as providing programs that allowed deployed parents to read their children bedtime stories to helping connect spouses to employers. Every donation (small or large) counts and truly makes a difference!

Volunteer to support the troops  

Are you a more hands-on type of person? Do you want to see the faces of the people that you help? Perfection! Set up a time during the holiday season to volunteer with the USO. From working the front desk to helping at special events, there are dozens of ways that you can use your skills to help our armed forces and their families. Sign up with the USO to find an opportunity that is perfect for you.

Donate a Cell Phone or Other Technology

Are you getting a new phone or new piece of technology this Christmas? Before you stash your old phone into your closet to never be seen again or throw it away in the trash, take a few minutes to donate your old electronics to the soldiers in need. Cell Phones for Soldiers takes any and all cell phones, even if they are broken and outdated (the proceeds from recycling them will be donated to the troops), and other electronics such as tablets and MP3 players. The money from the donated phones are used to send prepaid international phone cards to the troops so that they can call home 24/7.

How do you like to give back this holiday season?

The post 5 Ways You Can Support the Troops this Holiday Season appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

WATER BOTTLE | KEURIG | TOOL SET | SLIPPERS | CROCK POT | HEATED BLANKET

PJ SET | JBL SPEAKER | TOMS FLATS | RECIPE BOOK | CARRY-ON SUITCASE 

SNEAKERS | BURST TOOTHBRUSH | AMAZON PRIME MEMBERSHIP

We’re less than two months away from Christmas, which means it’s time to start brainstorming about a gift for any broke college student in your life (this includes friends too!). Between all of the different categories (mom, dad, grandparents, fiancé, etc), college students are the easiest to shop for. We’re broke, tired, and hungry most of the time so honestly anything you give us is amazing and appreciated.

A few years ago, I got a small crock pot from Walmart, and it was a real lifesaver during my college days. I used to turn it on in the morning before class and come home to a yummy meal at night! It makes for the perfect gift any struggling college student that you know. Plus you can add on a fun cookbook for a little combo gift idea that’s practical and fun.

Another gift that I loved in college is the JBL speakers. The quality of the sound is on a whole another level, especially if you love base and tempo! It’s one of my favorite speakers in the world that Titi and I have two different ones from JBL. One of them is the Charge 4, a smaller-size speaker, and the other is the Xtreme, which just like it sounds it’s a beast. Both are great for playing music at any event anywhere.

And because college students run on coffee: you have to gift your favorite student a Keurig or a coffee maker. This Keurig Mini is a small compact version so it’s perfect for any small dorm room or apartment spaces. I’m not a huge fan of coffee (Sorry, I’m a hot chocolate type of girl!), but the majority of students drink an unhealthy amount of coffee to get through the school day. Giving them the option to make their own at home will not only be a lifesaver, it’ll help save your favorite student money in the long run.

What gifts are on your Christmas wishlist this year?

The post Gift Guide for the Broke College Student appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.