Father's Day Gift Guide

"Hands On" DIY Picnic Blanket

A Spring picnic is perfect on any given weekend. But for Mother's Day, a lazy day picnic in the park, sipping wine, nibbling on appetizers, and enjoying the company of friends and family, sounds heavenly. 

Monday's post listed the keys to a perfectly planned picnic. A modern basket, with classic touches. Acrylic glasses for wine. A simple arrangement of flowers. Delicious food. A beautiful and functional blanket; durable enough for food and drinks and comfortable enough for lounging.

Custom Coasters

Sometimes, when I'm walking the aisles of a hardware store, inspiration strikes! I actually love hardware stores for that reason. With all of the metal fixings, textural floorings, pvc piping, etc, it's rare that I don't leave Lowes or Home Depot with a new project in mind.

These coasters were immediately designed (in my mind, that is), as soon as I spotted these FREE 4x4 flooring samples. I sorted through the ample grain options and landed on a white-washed tile (which I planned as the bottom of my coaster). 

FYI for DIYers: Paint stores give away their old wallpaper books. These decorative pages are great for wrapping paper, scrapbooking, book covers, cards (the list can go on)......and for custom coasters. I flipped through my book and was drawn to this image of a flower. 

Hostess Gift: Tomorrow's Breakfast

The weekends are always best spent with friends. And, when that includes a home cooked meal at a friend's home, there is reason to celebrate and be thankful! 

I have said this before. I LOVE giving gifts. Especially when it serves to thank someone for their generosity or a kind thought. 

Gifts for Him

The men in my life do not over-indulge. They would never spend upwards of $200 on a pair of custom jeans, or purchase anything more than a standard mug for travel.

I celebrate any excuse to surprise the deserving men in my life with that gift that he may never purchase for himself. It's almost as enjoyable as receiving a gift that I would never purchase for myself. Well......almost......

Gifts for Her

The first of my holiday gift guides is an assortment of unique and functional ideas, for the woman who deserves only the best. I designed this list with many types of woman in mind. Women in my own life. The "classic" friend. The "entertainer." The "design-admirer" who appreciates form and function. She who "accessorizes." Funny, I'm all of these women. Hmmmmm.  

Hostess Gifts

'Tis the season for entertaining and for celebrations. For attending intimate dinner parties and holiday get-togethers. Trade in that traditional pointsettia hostess offering, in favor of a more colorful, creative gift of gratitude. 

Trick or Treat

Tomorrow evening marks a special event! Unlike most evenings, when my sweet tooth is neglected, in favor of healthier bites; on October 31st, Halloween, my sugar cravings will be satiated. I pretty much throw all of my dieting rules out the window, and turn to the likes of Reeses, Almond Joy and M&Ms (as I greedily and without haste, dig through my kids' treat bag).