A Secret: Mine

 
When seeking a unique gift for our engaged friends over the summer I turned to Etsy (of course). The couple loves art so I decided to purchase a custom watercolor portrait from Yasmine Molavi's shop: Mine. After sending over a photo, she did a custom watercolor complete with wedding date. We gave them the gift last weekend and the newlyweds were thrilled with this wonderful work of art.

Yasmine also sells custom watercolor cards and I've ordered a few of those too. Her work is sweet + whimsical and every piece I've gifted has gotten rave reviews. If you are in need of a fun and original present, be sure to check out her shop.

Birthday Month

My hubby is quite the character. Each May he deems it his "birthday month" and he celebrates the entire month through. And by celebrate I mean whenever he wants something he reminds me "but its my birthday month!" and I usually relent.

So this year I'm claiming March as my birthday month too! I figure it will be fun to have an excuse to celebrate, right? The month is starting off great. The Bright Side Project (which I am lucky to be a part of) turned one today and we have some amazing giveaways going on right now. I'm looking forward to taking a day trip to NOLA this weekend to see "Dream Come True" an exhibit at the art museum. And the first day of Spring is right around the corner (and we'll get more daylight soon too!)

So to kick off my "birthday month" I'm making my dream wish list. Remember as a kid making mile long gift wish lists and truly believing each and every item would be delivered to you on that day? I miss that kind of magical thinking! As an adult, I now know how lucky + blessed I am to be able to have such a superficial wish list when so many around the world are dreaming of basic needs being met. God is good!

Rosette Quilt

Growing Conditions Tank

Equinox Calling Dress

Chandra/Amy Butler Lacework Rug

Bond No. 9 New York Fling

Kelly Moore Bag

Bugle Boy Dress

Ban.do Headband

Kate Spade iphone Case

Cupcake Stands

One Line A Day Journal

Tim Walker Pictures

The Big Poppy

Seinfeld The Complete Series

Crinkle T-Strap Sandals

Cookie Mail

These sugar cookies decorated like postcards are so cute! I love the creative icing idea and think these could be great for giving this season...like a Christmas card + gift all in one! Packaged in a snug kraft box sitting atop a bed of candy peppermints would be a fun way to mail these to friends far away.

What is your favorite holiday cookie? Any fun decorating tips to share?

My sister and I are going to have a holiday cookie baking extravaganza soon and I'd love to hear your input!

S'more Love

I love s'mores. Love.them. In Louisiana it is too hot to roast marshmellows in the summer so it definitely a fall/winter treat for me. I stumbled upon these S'more Love favors on Elizabeth Anne Designs and thought they were too cute not to share. I'm thinking these could be tweeked a bit to be a great gift for neighbors, teachers, friends and co-workers for the holidays. The simple packaging could be customized for Christmas. Kraft boxes, clear bags and muslin bags would be festive if accented with red/white baker's twine and a red stamp. This idea is now bookmarked for future gift-giving.



Photos from Meg Perotti via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Pet Love Present: Custom Sketch

If you have a pet owner on your list, then I have the perfect idea for you. Give them a gift certificate for a custom pet doodle--the certificate is super cute too. When the recipient redeems the gift they'll get a drawing of their dear pet. Not only will their furry friend be captured on paper but the doodle can become art for their home when popped in a cute frame. I would just love to see my own doggy doodled on paper. Cute don't cha think?

Guy Gift: Sudsy Soap

Love to support artists and crafters around Christmas. I seem to always be drawn to girly finds on Etsy but the other day I stumbled upon a great gift for the guys in your life: Suds Sampler Beer Soap. Pick out your giftee's favorite ales and soaps using those flavors will be whipped up, packaged in simple white paper and wrapped with raffia. At under $10, they make a perfect gift or stocking stuffer.

Marvels and Wonders

As do most people I know, I love Anthropologie's creativity as a company. Their new Marvels and Wonders collection has impressed me. The way they've combined photography + illustration makes me happy.

The Beekman 1802 A Year In The Country Soaps have really caught my eye. The set of twelve soaps all feature fragrances of the season, a perfect scent evolution as the months go by. May (thousands of spring greens) and October (fallen leaves and crackling apple wood) have my curiosity peeked. Wouldn't this box make a perfect gift? Each little soap is wrapped up so sweetly making it a gift to enjoy all year long.