{gifts} Just Being Audrey

I came across this adorable illustrations for the book, “Just Being Audrey’” on a blog called The Cinnamon Rabbit {how great is that name?}. The blog happens to belong to, Julia Denos, the illustrator of this adorable children’s book.

Besides loving the illustrations, I love the idea of teaching young women about the irreplaceable Audrey Hepburn who happens to be one of my favorite people of all time. Not only because of her beauty but also because all her life she was just being “Audrey.” She gave freely from her heart and her desire to help people was surpassed only by her kindness.

What a perfect way to show girls that it is OK to be you. I think this book is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that special young lady in your life or  a great thank you gift for your junior bridesmaid. Don’t you?

{source}

{Proposal Ideas} A Touch of Paris

Every man knows when it is time to ask the love of his life to marry him. He just knows.  Ask any man and he will tell you, “it just felt right” or “I knew she was the one” or something along those lines. Now ask him how long it took for him to plan the proposal and that’s a whole other story. It doesn’t have to be elaborate it just has to be special.

If your dreams of whisking your beloved off to the City of Lights {Paris} has to wait, why not bring Paris to her! I love this Eiffel Tower Candy Container.She’ll feel like she’s in The City of Lights, once she sees the light from the ring inside this beautifully designed box.

{d. sharp}

Très magnifique!

Holiday Gifts That Give Back – Days 8, 9 & 10

{The Baguette Bag- Day 8}

{Ecoist}

Made from 100% upcycled  DORITOS® tortilla chips bags (LOVE THEM!), the Baguette {a long and rounded clutch resembling the namesake bread} is never too big or too small. The perfect choice to grab when you need more room than the average clutch allows but less than a handbag.

This bag is handmade with Love, Fair Trade.

Made from recycled candy wrappers and other food packages.

Buy a Bag, Plant a Tree. A tree is planted for every bag sold.

{The Mekong Blue Scarf Collection – Day 9}

The Stung Treng Women’s Development Center (SWDC) is a not-for-profit organization in Cambodia that helps the women of Cambodia’s Stung Treng region. The center provides education and vocational training for the women producing these hand woven silk scarves, and their children allowing them to create a better life.

{Mekong Blue}

{Buy RED– Day 10}

{RED} works with iconic brands {Gap, Nike, Starbucks, Apple and many more} to make unique consumer goods, giving up to 50 percent of their profits to the Global Fund to invest in HIV and AIDS programs in Africa. {RED} transforms our collective powers as consumers into a financial force to help others in need around the world.

  The Global Fund invests 100% of {RED} dollars in HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, including interventions targeting women and children.

{RED}

This Jonathan Adler designed Starbucks card generates 5c/5p for the Global Fund every time it is used. Did you know that every time you purchase a Starbucks product, Starbucks contributes directly to the Global Fund?

{RED}

When purchased, this special edition Diptyque candle will help provide medicine for those living with HIV in Africa.

To learn more about {RED} and see more gift options, click here. To learn more about the Global Fund click here.

Happy Shopping!

Details to Love – Vintage Book Pages

I found some great ideas on how to use vintage book pages and music sheets to jazz up your vintage theme wedding, shower, or home. I also stumbles upon a sweet wedding cone DIY on Once Wed by created by A Field Journal.

For the book lovers, like myself, try to find books that are already damage but still have some pages that you can use. Find vintage books and music sheets at garage sales, eBay, book stores, grandma’s shed.or vintage shops.

{click on images for source}

Now for a sweet paper wedding cone DIY by a Field Journal

{Once Wed}

Materials:

1. Paper punch While cutting shapes freehand is an alternative if you’re only planning to make a small number of cones, making them in larger quantities is much simplified by the use of a paper punch. The one shown is from the Martha Stewart Crafts line. For a variation you might consider alternate shapes – like leaves, flowers, etc.
2. Vintage sheet music Old papers with music or text lend a true vintage feel to this craft – they can be found at flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales or etsy.com.

3. Tacky Glue (for adhering butterflies) I used Aleene’s Tacky glue; sturdy and fast drying enough to keep the butterflies “perched” on a narrow fold for the three dimensional look. Keep in mind this glue is not acid free – so if you are planning to keep your craft for a long period of time that is something to consider.

4. Glitter
5. Scissors
6. Clothespin (helpful, but optional)
7. White Glue (for adhering glitter – I usually find it’s better to work with a thinner glue)

Directions:

1. Roll one sheet of paper into a cone shape, gradually working with it to get it to taper off to a point. Glue with a thin layer of tacky glue, using a clothespin to hold in place until dry.
2. If necessary, trim excess paper from cone and save scraps.
3. Punch or cut butterfly shapes from scrap paper and glue around rim of paper cone, overlapping for interest. To create three dimensional look, fold butterfly in half, apply a thin bead of glue along edge and hold in place for a few seconds until the glue begins to set.
4. When completely dry, thinly apply white glue to desired areas and dust with glitter. Let dry and enjoy!

Holiday Gifts That Give Back – Day 2

 

Sweet Home Medley – Helping the Homeless

The homeless population in our country is ever growing. Many feel there is nothing we can do to help them. I am not one of those people. Here’s a sad and factual reality:

Families with children are among the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population.
According to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, 2008

Homeless children are usually the ones who suffer the most from being on the streets. They often cannot enroll in school, and when they do, they are often bullied and teased. Homeless children are also more susceptible to abuse and illnesses of all kinds. The last thing a child should have to worry about is a place to sleep or live.

That is why I love this do-good box of yummies by the Dancing Dear Baking Company! When you shop the gingerbread cakes and molasses cookies in the Sweet Home Project collection, 35 percent of the retail price goes to One Family, an organization dedicated to getting homeless mothers and their children fund educations, find jobs and move into homes of their own.

The treats are one Dark Chocolate Sweet Home Cookie, two 6" cakes (Chocolate Espresso and Deep Dark Gingerbread), 16 Maple Pecan Shortbread Nuggets, a 9-pack of Molasses Clove and two 4-packs of Chocolate Chunk Brownies.Yum!

Holiday Gifts That Give Back Countdown

Every day is an opportunity to do something that will make someone’s life somewhere in the world a little better. I grew up in a home that helping the less fortunate was second nature and became a part of our everyday life. As an adult, it still is a part of who I am.

In the spirit of giving back, I thought, “Why not make one gift count for two, three, or one hundred?” Each day until Christmas, I will feature a cool gift that will not only wow the receiver but will make the world a better place. Isn’t that what we all hope for? Happy holidays all and remember it is much better to give than to receive!

Day 1 – Ercuis Pomme Name Holders

Today’s gift is perfect for the hostess or for a newlywed’s first dinner party. Ercuis’ silver varnished Apple Place-Card Holders, are perfect additions to an elegant dinner party.  The best part of this gift is 20% of the purchase gets donated back to the school or  non profit of your choice! Visit Gifts That Give for this and other gifts that give back!

Escort Card Topiary DIY

I came across this sweet escort card topiary DIY on Project Wedding and thought it was an easy and clever DIY. Perfect for this time of the year. Although, you could easily create this for a wedding in any season. I like it because it is inexpensive and doesn’t take much effort. I don’t know about you but  I like that combination a lot!

 Instructions

1. Take first Styrofoam ball and wrap it with sheet moss, securing with glue.

2. Place second Styrofoam ball in flower pot; it should fit snugly – you may have to trim  it slightly with scissors. Cover the top with bits of reindeer moss, glue in place.

3. Connect both pieces with stick to form a topiary as shown. Secure with glue.

4. Last but not least, add a label with guest’s name!

Simple. Elegant. Perfect.

Takeaway Centerpiece & Bouquet

I hate to see beautiful flowers just tossed at the end of a wedding or special event. Create beautiful arrangements like these to serve as centerpieces during your special event and favors for your guests when the party is done. Brilliant!

Martha Stewart

An easy, pretty, and practical DIY!

Thinking Outside the Book

One day a lady was spring-cleaning and came across a box filled with vintage books (the kind that the pages have aged to a great shade of sepia) and had a great idea of what to do with them. With vintage books in hand, along with some flash card, she collected over the years, and some major flea market visits, Denise Fielder started her company, Paste. So perfectly named!

Denise creates some amazing works of art that are not only fun but quite green, too. I am sure we can all agree that Denise Fielder is one amazingly creative woman! I wonder if she wouldn’t mind turning my forgotten treasures into something amazing, too. Enjoy!

All images courtesy of Paste

A few of these framed would make a standout wedding gift!

Cool Bridal Party Gifts

So you just learned that etiquette dictates that it is proper to give your bridal party a “Thank You” gift. You have no idea what to gift and you might be wondering why? Well it is not mandatory…but it is a generous way to thank them for their involvement on your big day.

Your wedding will not be a cookie-cutter type affair; neither should their gifts be! Here are some great ideas that will help you find that perfect “something” for the….

World Traveler

Got a first class traveler in the bunch? The Luxury Collection Destination Guides are perfect. Each collection contains six guides that unlocks the charms of six destinations. Italy, Greece, Argentina, India, Spain, and the United States.

On a budget but still want to get a travel related gift? Visit Carolina Cottage on Etsy. I want these Custom Map Trays for myself! Great addition for a world travelers  office.

Foodie

“A pocket-size set of organic seasonings that are essential for any foodie on the go. Includes sixteen organic herbs and spices, plus wasabi, soy sauce and a mini-bottle of… wait for it… Tabasco!”

The website says it all! I love this gift. It’s unique and I am sure the “foodie” will love having their own spice kit!

Party Girl

How cute are these? Perfect for that girlfriend who just found the perfect apartment, landed  a fab job, and can throw a party at the drop of a dime.Treat her to these glasses and she’ll never forget your single days together.

Super Organized

How about a set of To Do or Not To Do pads or really cool memo pads by Design-her Gals to help keep her on track? You can even create a gal in her likeness. Personalized gifts are the best just remember to make her super pretty! She’ll appreciate the time you took (it’s fun trust me) to create her Design-her-Gal.

Sorority Sister

Remember the days of sharing bathrooms with your sorority sisters…and everything else? Perfect way to say “thank you” for being a part of your wedding. Give her a personalized gift she can use again and again. You can find these lovely robes here.

 Always There Friend

We all have a friend that no matter what, good times or bad, she has always been there for you. Your wedding day is the perfect day to share your good fortune. The 100 Good Wishes Candle Set, from Red Envelope, will tell her how much she means to you and you don’t have to say a word…I love this gift!

 Sister & Best Friend

A simple yet elegant twin pendant from Red Envelope. The top mother-of-pearl pendant is engraved with the word sister in Chinese. The second pendant bares its English translation engraved in silver. Whether near or far she will always remember your special day and the special bond you both share. So lovely!

Lover of The Hand Written Note

Love these illustrated notes by Rifle Paper Co. Choose the illustrated head to customize the perfect gift for the friend (like me) who’d rather write a note than an email. I think I know all of these people, by the way!

 Appreciate. Thank. Celebrate.