More T-shirt Bows!

I had the great opportunity to attend a friend bachelorette party. She just so happens to work with me so she can appreciate the t-shirt bow as well as I can.We went on a winery tour and it was fantastic. I really had a great time, and hey, I got to wear my floppy hat again!

Happy Mothers Day

Here's a quick look at the gifts I wrapped for two of my favorite mothers.

First of course, the gift I gave my mother.

Second, the gift I gave to one of my best friends. This is a big mother's day for her as she's now expecting her second child! I am beyond excited. The leaf/feather blue item is a pen.

Bridal Shower Gift

I like to make sure gifts I bring to bridal showers have a great bow. Not just because I love a great bow, but because I love the idea that the bow becomes part of the memory in the rehearsal. It's another t-shirt flower/bow. The blue on the flower is the screen printing form the original shirt!

T-shirt Flower Bow

We're celebrating a dear friend of mine's birthday this weekend. I thought her birthday present would be a great opportunity to try making a fabric flower (I am in ample supply of t-shirts) and use it as the bow.

If only it were my full time job...

I got to wrap a professional gift for work this past weekend. I was more than willing to volunteer for the job. Sorry, I had to smudge the to/form on the plaque to protect the identities of the innocent.

Valentine's Day Goodies

Mike and I hadn't been able to spend the last 2 Valentine's Day together, so even though Mike isn't crazy about it, I tried to make this past one extra special for him.

1st, I had a treat basket ready and waiting for him in his car in the morning (including an extras container to share with his coworkers).
The basket included:

• Hershey Kisses with caramel
• Cookies (store bought - but Mike loves these)
• Fudge (home-made using Carnation's Famous Fudge Recipe)
• Roses made from fruit-roll-ups
• Chocolate covered strawberries

My Style Expert

Today, I thought I'd just write a quick post boasting one of my favorite style blogs. If you watch the Today Show, you may be familiar with Bobbie's Buzz. I started watching the 4th hour while getting ready for my 1st job out college where I worked late hours (I love Hoda - I'll explain why another time) while getting ready for the day. It didn't take long for me to look forward to Bobbies Thomas's segments. She's young and professional and kinda funny at times. She always has something new and timely to talk about - hence "buzz".

Now that I work more normal hours, I can keep up with her great finds and style advice on her blog -- bobbie.com

One final thing- she usually presents trends/styles in a way anyone could try. She usually finds the designer option and an everyday option to try out a style. Sometimes its a great find at H&M, sometimes its DIY.

Here's one from the Christmas season on creative gift wrapping. You know I love that :)
http://bobbie.com/2010/12/bobbies-minute-buzz-pretty-presents/

Family Friend Gift

Or well maybe I should say a friend's Family? Either way, I needed a gift for a great household. I just love these guys, they're the type that no matter who ya are if you accidentally come over during dinner - they'll pull you up a chair. They're everyone's second parents. This year I decided to give them a twofer gift. They are fans of wine, and of margaritas. So I put together a candy gift using a wine decanter and wrapping it with an ornament in the shape of a margarita glass and a spoon for serving. I thought this would be cute as the candy will get eaten (they had family in town for the holidays) and the decanter is reusable. All but the candy is from Crate and Barrel.

Christmas Presents!

Here's a look at how I wrapped gifts this year.
Some notes:
I usually use 2 types of wrapping paper that coordinate.
I always use something "snowman" for my mom and Mike's mom.
I love ribbon.

Peir 1's Holiday Guide

I was so impressed with this. Too many awesome photos to post. It's a little overwhelming for one page - but you won't regret checking it out!

http://www.pier1.com/TopMenu/GetInspired/HolidayPlanner/tabid/921/Default.aspx

Hostess Gifts

As you know, Thanksgiving is tomorrow! If you're like me and visiting someone else's house - it's always nice to bring something to contribute.

I'm going to my mothers house and am bringing an appitizer and a dessert - more on that later. However, I know my mom has spent a lot of time, energy, and making this special dinner for us. So just as I would for a less familiar host, I'm bringing a hostess gift.

Hostess gifts can be many things. One of the easiest/traditional is a bottle of wine. You can dress them up in festive gift wrapping (there are some great wine gift boxes at Target) or even in wine bottle outfits. You can make the wine a little more personal by bringing your favorite wine to share, or something local. If you're not sure what to bring, ask the salesman at your local wine store even some local grocery stores have wine experts. (try total wine, Kroger, or Wegmans)

Here are some other ideas from Pier 1.



















Some other ideas I've given in the past:

• Aprons - Try seasonal from William and Sanoma, or vintage hostess aprons (look at places like Homegoods, but for a sure this try Anthropologie).
• Candy dish - with after dinner mints or seasonal candy. For an Easter dinner I gave a bunny shaped candy dish (from Crate and Barrel) filled with pastel after dinner mints with a condiment spoon for serving. The spoon also adds a little something attached to the bow.
• Baked Goods - if all else fails an easy dessert or roll that can be enjoyed later (if the hostess already has something planned)

This year I'll be bringing my mom a serving tray. I picked gold because I've chatted with her about the colors she is using on her table, but a neutral color or something season would work too.

Gift Bows

 I've made a couple of different bows - many time with the help of one of my "Bowdabras",

but I saw this article and decided to try one of Better Homes and Gardens creations.
http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/gift-wrapping/handmade-gift-bows/

My Bow

I used the idea bow on slide 8 of cutting the ribbon after folding, but change the formation to create a more tied bow look. The ribbon I chose frayed more than I expected, but it ended up fitting in with the garland I used to tie the box. Another note on the ribbon I chose - it was a wired ribbon which I would usually recommend (make bow formation easier) - but in this case if you wanted a closer recreation I would recommend a wide satin ribbon

BHG Bow

Red Velvet and Oreo Pie Cupakes!

This week I'm celebrating two birthdays. A lovely coworkers and one of my oldest and dearest friend's Samantha's. I used a cupcake box for the coworker's because she seemed (past tense I hope) to believe that gift wrapping is not fun even for the receiver!

 

For Samantha's cupcakes I used an easy Oreo Pie recipe (her favorite), but instead of a pie crust, I put Oreos in the bottom of cup cake cups. I froze the 4 I put in the box overnight so they would survive the trip. I brought the others in a cooler. For both sets of cupcakes I used edible glitter instead of sprinkles, but some sprinkles are just as pretty. Also Pictured is her Birthday gift,(using the same black and pink theme) and the original treo :)

Sam's Gift (disco ball is an inside joke, but still cute I think!)

Me, Samantha, and Kathryn - coordination was not on purpose

Tiffany Box Cupcakes

Tomorrow is my boss's birthday. As the go-to baker on my team, I made cupcakes to celebrate. My boss loves chocolate so I made chocolate cake with white chocolate bows. I tinted the frosting to match the Paula Deen cupcake liners. Due to the blue-green color of the icing they turned out looking like little Tiffany packages. Unintentional, but super cute nonetheless.

Wedding Gifts

Quick pic of the gifts for the happy couple! We got them everything on their registry (and a bonus giant dog toy!) for their dog buddy - who we love.

Buddy at the wedding

Bridal Shower/Bachelorette gift

The BF’s brother is getting married to a lovely girl and I just so happen to be invited to her Bridal shower and bachelorette party. I went in on a large gift for the shower, so of course I had to put something together for the bachelorette pary. I made a cute glass (fyi glue gun does not stick well enough once in use and cold!), and included a giant engagement ring necklace, feather boa, and pier one beer belts and wine belts.

Paula Deen Gift Wrapping

Micheal’s (not surprisingly) has found a way to combine 3 of my favorite things! Baking for friends, gift wrapping, and anything Paula Deen. The link points out a few things available to add flair to your home baked gifts. I love the cupcake liners, I have bought some but lost them in the move, they say “made especially for you”. A girlfriend of mine also used her recipe cards and book to make a recipe book gift!

http://www.pauladeen.com/index.php/food_section_articles/view2/exciting_announcement/