I made this spring wreath for my friend for her birthday. I included lots of different shapes & textures of greenery. For the flowers, I stuck with pink & white but included different sizes. What do you think?
happy mother's day
Happy Mother's Day to my Mom & to all the moms out there! Most important job in the world! So glad we have a day set aside to appreciate all the moms & all they do!
jo malone: new neighbor
Jo Malone just opened up in our neighborhood. This product is sold in department stores, but not usually it's own store.
Walking home from brunch, I passed by & decided to go in to check it out. I was greeted by a friendly face who offered me a complimentary 10 minute arm & hand massage. Yes, please! We talked through my fragrance preferences (rose, jasmine, gardenia, orange blossom), and with her guidance, we chose a few to combine for my massage. I walked out of there with soft skin & a fresh new scent.
She suggests making your own unique fragrance by making a combination.....all of their "flavors" compliment each other. Below are the ones I am drawn to. It was a fun experience, and I will buy one to take on the honeymoon!
Gift idea: gift card for a friend who can go to the store to make her own custom fragrance combination. The candles are lovely too!
Stop by their store for the experience. You can't really choose perfume from online shopping. Which scents are your favorite?
flamingo
Everything's coming up FLAMINGOS! Just in time for summer.
mother's day gift ideas
Mother's Day is just around the corner! Sunday, May 8. Ideas below.
single stone
SIngle Stone rings. I adore this brand and what they stand for. If you appreciate vintage diamonds, you will do.
They make the ring for the diamond. They gather antique diamonds in cuts they don't make anymore: Old European Cut, Rose Cut, French Cut, and hand make each ring. Not in a factory....each one is a tiny bit different.
Drawing inspiration from vintage design and the unique charm of antique diamonds, Ari and Corina Madilian began Single Stone as a company devoted to creating engagement rings and wedding bands that remain true to original, historic details.
They are a great fit at our favorite jeweler, Trabert Goldsmiths, who also focuses on either designing new settings for vintage diamonds or designing antique settings for new diamonds. Of course, this is where we got my engagement ring (more on Eric Trabert & the ring later!).
If you're looking for a wedding band, an anniversary gift, or just wanting to be fashionable and celebrate life.....these rings are gorgeous. Make a stack with different colors, shapes, and textures.
Ari & me at the trunk show in SF at Trabert Goldsmiths
summer napkins
Bright linen/cotton napkins work for a hostess gift, a birthday gift, or a purchase for yourself for a summer BBQ or picnic. Real napkins instead of paper give a grown up feel, yet these colors & patterns still portray a casual vibe.
new candle: celery thyme
Three hours before a party, my house had a strange mysterious smell. I opened all the windows and took out the garbage....but I panicked & decided I needed an amazing candle just in case.
Sometimes a problem turns out to be a gift.....in my frenzy, I splurged on a nice candle by Lafco, which received so many compliments at the party!
I chose the "Dining Room" candle, but placed it near my front door. This scent "Celery Thyme" is a light, fresh green scent with crisp celery, white florals, and a touch of thyme. The box states 90 hour burn time, which appears to be true. It was lit for 6 hours & still looks new.
This would make a lovely gift for a housewarming, Mother's Day, or birthday. For everyone who was asking me "what is that wonderful smell?"---this is it!
green gifts
Headed to a St. Patrick's Day party today? Ideas of green gifts below.
goorin bros.=stylish hats
Gift idea=hats! Goorin Bros. makes hats for both men & women.....but this is a great gift for guys who are sometimes hard to shop for. I gave one to my husband on his birthday, we gave hats to the groomsmen in our wedding, we also gave hats to the ring bearers in our wedding.
Goorin Bros. in North Beach in SF is the flagship store, and they now have stores all over the US. Or you can use one of my favorite activities: online shopping!
Use this gift idea again......once for a summer hat and again for a winter hat.
business card holder
Another way to get organized in your purse. Look polished & professional when handing out business cards.
Also a great gift for a friend who just got a new job or promotion!
gifts under $50
Heading to a birthday dinner for a friend and not sure what to buy? Ideas below under $50.
trays for parties
Having a party? Get out your trays!
If people are coming over for a small dinner or a large party, trays help things look organized and festive. A tray can hold your paper plates & napkins, bottles, glasses......use different ones for different groupings. When you put a few things on a tray, it looks intentional. So easy!
Some options below. Trays also make a great gift. (photos above from stylemepretty)
valentine's gift guide for her
Ideas:
- flowers from Farmgirl Flowers
- weekend bag + a weekend away
- a nice card + chocolate
- lingerie, journal, jewelry
It does not need to be complicated or expensive.....just get her something! Her favorite cupcake + a nice card, her favorite bottle of wine + a flower, a cozy blanket + her favorite movie, just show her you remember & you care.
valentine's gift guide for him
Should you get a V-Day gift for your man? Sure! It's an excuse to shop! A few ideas:
- new iPhone cover (his is probably gross)
- plant/succulent (instead of flowers)
- manly candy like this chocolate bacon bar
- new dopp kit (his is probably gross) + a night away
- straight razor shave at a barber shop (manly spa treatment)
- new winter hat
- homemade cookies
engagement gift ideas
Your best friend or sister just got engaged. You want to show support by giving a gift. A few ideas:
- Kate Spade ring holder (thank you, Sharon, for mine!)
- Stationery
- Return address embosser
- Gift certificate for a blow dry bar to use for a wedding event (shower, engagement party)
- Gift certificate for manicure to show off her new ring
- Something personal about where they got engaged (photograph, painting, object)
- A special lunch to listen to all the details
purse organization: pouches
Pouches: the way to organize your purse. Corral your earphones, charger, lipstick, and pen. Double duty-these can also be used as a clutch bag for the evening.
under my umbrella...ella..ella
Umbrellas: listed under Glamour's "30 Things Every Woman Should Have.....by the Time She's 30." Specifically, "a purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to be seen carrying." Any of these cheerful choices would qualify and would make a great gift!
thank you notes
I am from the South and actually enjoy writing thank you notes. Thanks Mom & Grandma for teaching me! Beautiful stationery is a way to make it more fun. In our fast paced digital world, sitting down with old fashioned pen & paper is a welcome break.
Here are a few lovely selections from Paper Source as you appreciate the gifts you received in 2015. As the year closes, I am remembering a few people who had a positive impact in my life this year. Thank you notes aren't only for physical gifts with wrapping paper. Express gratitude to those who contributed to your growth this year.
Thank you notes also make a great gift!
