Personal Gifts: Wedding Showers

I think it's hard to get a great Shower gift. Sure everyone has registries today and what's more personal than a Kitchen-Aid Mixer? Uhhh...

If you have a little bit of leeway with your gift choice I think it's a great idea to give a personal and useful gift! Here are a few of my recommendations.

For the Bride who likes to spend time in the kitchen:

1/2/3

For the Bride who loves to entertain

1/2/3

For the Bride who loves all things monogram

1/2/3

For the Bride who loves to travel

1/2/3

I'm not getting married anytime soon but I'd happily own any of these items!

Easter Basket Goodies

If all these things could find their way into my Easter Basket (yes I'm 26 and still like to get presents from the EB) that would be JUST SWELL!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Regardless if you celebrate Easter or not....what little things do you wish would show up on your doorstep?

Easy Embossing

A while back I decided I was going to make the invitations for my brother & his fiance's shower. This then prompted a visit to Michael's and assisting Ms. Stewart in adding to her ridiculous fortune. I will hand it to her...I wanted every single one of her craft pieces.


ANYWAY... I've decided that I'm going to emboss the invitations. Not the entire invitation as that would take so much time (and mini letters) but an image and then A's name on the invite.

In the middle of buying a bunch of stuff for these invites I found adorable initial stamps (you know my weakness for my initial...) so I bought a bunch for my family and friends. I then made them some cute stationery that was so easy to make and if I do say so myself, effortlessly cute.

The finished product. A nice surprise to send J!

Stamps for my friend J's stationery. Plus the stamp pad that is clear and acts like a glue for the powder.

1. Firmly press the stamp onto the embossing pad, then onto your card. Be careful not to roll the stamp back and forth.

Pretty embossing colors!

2. Sprinkle embossing powder over the stamped image on your card. Dust off additional powder surrounding the image. Anything you leave on the paper will adhere so this is very important to do!

Funny looking heating tool...

3. In circular motions holding the tool 2-3" above the image, go over the embossing powder until it sets. You will be able to see it change before your eyes.

Finished product!

I love the way embossing looks because it is raised off of the paper!


Have you ever embossed or used different methods to design cards and stationery?

I'll be sure to do a post of the invitations I make. So far I've narrowed it down to the design including a peacock feather!

Gift Guide for your BFF under $30

If your friend is a bookworm...

Grab a Fingerprint Bookmark! The small book mark points to where you left off.

Via

For the friend who loves to cook...

A sweet and stylish apron from Anthropologie.

Via

For the friend who loves make-up and fun lip glosses.

MAC's 'A Tartan Tale' Lipglass Set

Via

For the friend who loves some glitz and glam

J.Crew's Ribbon-wrapped Crystal Bangle

Via



I always think shopping for my friends is relatively easy, I just wish I had an endless supply of money to spend on them!! What do you plan on buying your friends this Holiday season?

Monogrammed Madness

I love my initial. I don't know why. And I buy almost anything if it has an 'E' on it. Do you know a crazy person like myself? If so, look no further for the perfect gift.

They're small.

They're sweet.

They're monogrammed!!!

Wire Initial Hook $9.95 on sale!
I love hooks. These are industrial looking yet still remain girly. How do you do it, Anthro?!

Monogrammed Mugs $6.00
Cheap. Cute. Personal. Who cares if they drink coffee or tea? Put your make-up brushes in here. Or pens on your desk. It's sweet.

Asymmetrical Mini Letter Necklace by Maya Brenner $188.00
I wear this daily. It's simple, fragile looking (but not! I've had it on for months/shower with it on, etc) and it's pretty. Need I say more?

Illume Monogrammed Votive on sale for $5.95!

Soy based. Feminine Initials on the front. :::swoon:::



Am I the only monogrammed junkie out there?

Weekend Roundup

Friday my friend K and I went out for some Italian style pizza and bubbles. We went to town on a Florentine pizza and some Veuve and had a great night out. Too bad we started with Pinot Noir and were home by 10:30 ahh the joys of getting older :) And being a lush.



Saturday we went to a cooking expo which was kind of a bust and then shopped. I actually started my Christmas shopping. Go me! Then we saw Morning Glory which I thought was both funny and cute. Love Harrison Ford!

Casual Outfit from Friday during the day...

Jacket: Blogged about it here.
Sweater: Ann Taylor Loft
Jeans: Joe's 'Muse'
Flats: Cole Haan Air Ballet Flats. Similar ones here.

Surprised my niece with these adorable Ugg boots. I love how tiny they are. And thew style name is 'Erin' therefore I had to buy them :) Because, you know, a 6 month old will totally remember her first Ugg boots. Right? haha

So cute and tiny!

What did your weekend entail?!