Unique Gift’s with Inspiring Quotes for Everyone On Your List

Oh my goodness – where does the time go? I can’t believe we are hours away from ringing in the year 2014. Sorry we have been MIA. Between the holidays, our family and friends – we took time away from the computer. And, to be honest, it was fantastic and much needed!

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season, filled with love and laughter! The hustle and bustle of Christmas was somewhat overwhelming this year, but we finally took a breath to sit and enjoy the magic of Christmas day. Now our houses took like a toy store exploded, and we are trying to find new homes for all the wonderful gifts we received.

As I sit and reflect on this year, I am so grateful. So, I took some time to find some of the quotes that either inspired me this year…or they are already inspiring me for next year. And, the good news is that quotes can come in all shapes and forms, to remind us everyday of the strength that lies within us, and the beauty that’s all around us.

Kiss Your Life, Sugarboo Designs via Layla Grace

Do More Journal, Ecojot
they have fabulous products…check out their site here


She believe she could Tote bag
, Miss Harry


Believe Typographic Print
, Rach Illustrates

Porcelain Ornament, mb art studios

Downloadable Cards, Enjoy It by Elisa Blaha


What would you attempt Paperweight
, Uncommon Goods

Kiss Slowly Tray, Ben’s Garden via Nordstrom

{images via Layla GraceecojotMiss Harry, Rach Illustrates, mb art studio, Uncommon GoodsEnjoy It by Elisa BlahaNordstrom}

How to Create a Black, White and Gold Glitter Bar

Here’s one of the details from our Sparkle from Head to Toe photo shoot we told you about Fri {the one featured on Hostess with the Mostess}.

We created the perfect party for women to kick off the holiday season and really SHINE. The sparkle party gave women a chance to gossip with friends over cocktails and cookies, try on and shop for jewelry by local artists, and paint their nails at a OPI nail painting station. Women deserve to Sparkle from Head to Toe…and this party let them do just that!

As you know, every good party needs a bar. With a small space, and a tight budget, we created a DIY bar from a tray. It’s a great accessory for any holiday party, bachelorette party, birthday party, or just a night with the ladies. Here’s how you can do it too.

DIY Black and White Striped Bar Tray

You’ll Need
Tray
Paint
Paint brushes
Painters tape
Wood letter from your local WalMart, Hobby Lobby or Michaels
Gold Glitter Spray Paint

How To
Clean and sand the tray if necessary.
Spray paint the whole tray with white primer.
Once primer is dry, paint entire tray white. Repeat once for two coats.
Add Painter’s Tape where you want stripes. My tray had the perfect lines carved into it, so I just lined the tape up with those.
Paint the non-taped parts black. I used a brush to paint for more control, instead of spray paint. Repeat for a total of 2 coats.
After 24 hours, pull the tape from the tray.
If you have any touch ups to do, use a small brush and paint to fix.
For the letters, it’s best to use the primer to spray paint so you don’t see the wood grain under the glitter.
Once the primer is dry, spray paint with glitter spray paint.
Accessorize the bar with champagne, Izze drinks and fresh fruit.

Labels printed and sparkled by FLEUR DE LIS, custom paperie.

{via Tutto Bella}

DIY Twig and Branch Snowflakes for a Rustic Holiday

I love all different holiday ‘decor’ styles. Some days I wake up and want everything to be white. Other days, I want gold metallic to glisten the room and every so often, I want colors that are merry and bright. But, I always love a touch of country or mountain rustic.It’s warm and inviting…and reminds me of Christmas in Colorado, especially the mountains of Colorado.

I had a box of twigs and branches in the garage that were just waiting to be sculpted into something…and after a recent shopping trip to Pier 1, I was determined to create DIY snowflakes out of branches, just like their branch snowflake ornaments. It only took about 2 hours, and I saved $14 per snowflake.

You’ll Need:
Thin twigs or branches that can be easily broken with hands {about 20-30}.
Hot glue and glue gun
Red and white twine
Faux greenery and berries {I bought 3 small bunches of greenery for $1 each}

How To:
Find one straight and strong twig for your snowflake ‘base’ {I positioned it vertically on the table}.
Find another twig and ‘eye’ the length as you slant it sightly to the left from your ‘base’. Snap the twig in half, and glue each side to the sides of your ‘base stick’.
Continue to add more sticks around your ‘base’ to complete your snowflake – measure to make sure lengths are really close, snap and glue. You can design it as you like, even adding smaller twigs that branch out from the larger ones.
Once your snowflake is complete, use twine to wrap around each stick in the center, and tie a knot in the back. I did this so it looked more festive, and it covered the hot glue.
Pull apart your faux greenery and glue the pieces onto your snowflake.
You can either use the twine to create a ‘hanger’ to hang these as ornaments, or use Command velcro to adhere to the wall. I only use 4 small pieces of the Command adhesives, and cut them into small squares.

 

{images via Tutto Bella}

Snowman Soup Recipe and Gift made with Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows

With the snow falling and cold temps, it’s the time of year for snowmen and hot chocolate – and this DIY gift is the best combination of both. Call them ‘marshmallow snowmen’ or ‘snowman soup’ – either one works. This makes for such an adorable gift or party favor for friends, family or teachers this time of year.

You’ll Need:
small glass jars with lids
festive holiday socks
hot chocolate {individual packets}
bag of mashmallows
buttons for the eyes
orange crayons for the nose
hot glue gun
pom ribbon

How To:
Glue two buttons on the jar {where you want the eyes to be}.
Use a sharp knife to cut the tip off the orange crayon.
Hot glue the crayon in the center of the jar {where you want the nose to be}.
Fill the jar with one packet of hot chocolate mix.
Fill the remainder of the jar with marshmallows until it’s completely full.
Add the jar’s lid.
Add the sock {the top of the sock – where the elastic is}. If your sock is long like mine, just cut it to the length you want.
Use a piece of ribbon to tie around the middle of the sock, so the snowman’s hat is complete.
Print these tags, printed by Fleur de Lis, attach…and give away with a smile on your face! Seriously, you have to download the tags – the poem is so, so adorable!

{images via Tutto Bella}

new {i see me} book: goodnight little me

We are BIG fans of the I See Me books, not only as bloggers looking for great gift finds, but as mothers.

My son is one and a half, and LOVES to read books. We have a couple I See Me books, and love that they are personalized for our sweet boy. It makes reading more personal, special and fun. They are fantastic, unique gifts for babies and kids for birthdays, showers and now during Christmas time (hint, hint! This is coming up soon).

When we received our new I See Me book Goodnight Little Me, we stopped in our tracks to read it immediately! First of all, I love the larger size of the book. I also love the rich colors and seeing my son’s name spelled out on each page. This book presents a sweet parade of animals and lullabies page to page with whimsical illustrations. This sweet books is written by Jennifer Dewing and illustrated by Mary GrandPre, known for her magical illustrations from the Harry Potter series.

Books being the best resource for learning, we point out all the animals in the parade on each page, count the letters of his name, point out each letter of his name. There is so much to look at, read, and get lost in our imaginations in this book. It is the perfect book before bedtime and for all ages. Right now he likes to just listen and look. Before I know it we will be teaching him to read this book himself. My son will always have this book in his collection, with a special dedication written inside from his mother and father.

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goodnight little me

goodnight little me

goodnight little me

{Images via I See Me}