DIY: Valentine's Day Paint Sample Cards

Browsing the paint aisle at Home Depot and Lowes has become my favorite way to pass the time while K searches for tools, materials, or whatever it is he needs. I always grab a few paint sample cards for my "one day I'll do this in my house" inspiration folder, which has led to quite the collection over the years. So, instead of letting them go to complete waste (I can say with confidence that the desire to paint a room red or pink anytime soon is zilch) I decided to try my hand at these DIY Valentine's Day cards. They were simple to make, took less than 20 minutes, and cost nearly nothing, a triple win in the land of DIY's.

photos by Brunch at Saks

PS. I'm linking up with the lovely Kori at Blonde Episodes for her Valentine's Day round up! Head over there for tons of VDay inspiration :)

Click below for steps.


You will need:
- Paint samples
- Ribbon
- Heart paper punch (I used this one from Martha Stewart)
- Single hole punch

If paint samples are wider than 2 - 3 in. each, you'll also need:
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Scissors

1. Pick out a few paint samples in a range of reds and pinks you like best.
2. If the samples are larger than 2 - 3 inches wide (mine were) cut them in half.
3. To make the heart cut outs, use a heart shaped paper punch.
4. Use a regular hole punch on the top of the card and string ribbon through.
5. Write a note, attach a candy to the back side, or simply pass them out as is.

Valentine's Day Gifts for Her

The effervescent shades of red and pink this time of year tend to work their cheerily sweet magic on me no matter how hard I try to resist. To be honest, I have never taken Valentine's Day too seriously, but I do like the idea of giving someone close to me a note to tell them how much they're appreciated and loved. However, since the stores are chock-full of cute gifts this time of year, I couldn't help but putting together a set of fun things that might make someone smile this holiday. Here are some of my favorite things:



1. Philosophy Kiss Me lip cream 2. Stila lip glaze here & here 3. C.Wonder bangle 4. Hunter wellies 5. Rebecca Minkoff wallet 6.ban.do shoe clips 7. kate spade ny sunnies 8. kate spade ny ring 9. Michael Kors fabulotion 10. Rifle Paper Co. postcards 11. little pink book of addresses 12. Topshop scarf 13. J.Crew tote 14. Sugar Paper card 15. pop phone handset 16. kate spade ny earrings 17. Sugar Paper chocolate bar 18. Caitlin Wilson coral tall pillow 19. Rifle Paper Co. card 20. Felix Rey clutch 21. Marc Jacobs earrings 22. ban.do mini hearts

Merry Christmas

photos via snippets&ink

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Wishing you all the loveliest of celebrations today.

Thinking of those of you who have lost loved ones this year and sending you especially warm thoughts. May your holiday be filled with wonderful memories and your new year be blessed with hope and peace.

Last Minute Gift Guide + Six Festive Free Holiday Printables via Thank You Cards Shop Blog

Buying or making gifts for your family and friends can be the happiest time of the season, but when time is running short the act of giving can turn stressful quickly. Here are my picks for last minute gifts that anyone will enjoy, starting as low as $5!


1. Amazon magazine subscriptions (some as low as $5/yr) 2. Shoe Mint monthly subscription ($79) 3. Harry Allen pig bank ($125) 4. Marc Jacobs dot printed cashmere & silk scarf ($200) 5. West Elm modernist mugs ($10) 6. Amazon Kindle ($79) 7. Kate Spade graffiti iPhone case 8. French Connection winter leopard belt 9. DODOCase iPad 2 cover ($85) 10. Rifle Paper Co. 2012 fruit calendar ($16.50) 11. Vivienne Westwood squiggle bag ($287) 12. Kate Spade Guide to Living Colorfully (set of 6 books - $35)

Freebies: The lovely Amy at Thank You Cards Shop Blog (I love her site) is offering six of her holiday printables for FREE! Her cards, labels, bookmarks, and recipe cards are so chic and festive- I can't wait to print them out tonight and use them. Visit her site here to download yours as well. Thank you, Amy!

Hosting a Holiday Craft Party

I love the idea of hosting a holiday craft party for your family and friends like this one featured on Style Me Pretty. Gather some old books and make a trip to the craft store for styrofoam wreaths, balls, and trees, fake moss, and lots of extra hot glue gun sticks, and your party is ready to begin. I think it would be fun to put some extra holiday labels on each table in case guests choose to give their crafts as gifts to neighbors or friends.

photos by Millie Holloman via Style Me Pretty gallery here.

Gift Wrapping Accessories

- personalized ribbon -

Gift wrapping seems to be the most daunting task for most during the holidays. I posted about a quick and easy way to wrap gifts with kraft paper and glitter ribbon here, but I wanted to share a few more ideas for making this process even easier. Outside of simply buying a bag, these accessories will make wrapping gifts this season a breeze. Start with a base of kraft paper or any wrapping paper you'd like, and add these ribbons, labels, or decorative tapes for simple yet festive gifts this season.

- snowman decorative tape - let it snow decorative tape - red & white twine - snowflake punch -

Beauty Lover's Holiday Gift Guide Under $30

Beauty products can make some of the best gifts this time of year, especially because the recipient will be able to use them long after the holiday's end. From eye shadows to body scrubs, makeup brushes to cosmetic bags, all of these products will make the beauty lover in your life smile brightly. Here are a few of my favorites, all priced under $30:

1. Stila shimmer ($22) 2. Philosophy amazing grace body butter ($28) & L'OCCITANE shea butter ($28) 3. Stila cheek color duo ($24) 4. NARS velvet matte lip pencil ($24) NARS lip gloss ($24) NARS lipstick ($24) 5. bareMinerals READY eye duo ($20) 6. Perfume to go: Ralph Lauren romance ($20) ViktorRolf flowerbomb ($25) Burberry brit ($25) 7. Bobbi Brown metallic eyeshadow ($22) 8. Jane Iredale brushes ($15-$17/ea.) shown: camouflage brush, deluxe shader, crease brush, eye contour brush 9. OPI for Sephora nail color ($9.50/ea) shown in And a Cherry on Top & Spark-tacular 10. CLINIQUE naturally glossy mascara & lash doubling mascara ($14.50) 11. Benefit beauty bag ($25) 12. Fresh milk bath & shower cream ($18.50) & milk bar ($13)

How to Throw a Holiday Party

Throwing a holiday party can be stressful and overwhelming to say the least, but entertaining your family and friends this time of year can end up being the brightest memory of the season. Whether you envision a grand event or intimate affair, these are my tips to help guide you through the entire party planning process.

Guests: Tis the season to be with friends and family, but a party too large can lead to disaster. Choose a set number of guests that will fit into your space comfortably, and invite a handful more in anticipation that not everyone will attend. To avoid hurt feelings, keep the list to your closest family and friends only, and consider celebrating with coworkers and acquaintances on a smaller scale, like the office holiday party or a dinner out.

Invites: This aspect of the party planning process is simple and shouldn't break the bank. Sending out Evites for cocktail parties, or even a simple email, will suffice. For a full menu dinner party fancier invites are suitable, but no need to go all out. Invitations cards like these from Rifle Paper Co. are perfect.
- when to send - cocktail party: 1-2 weeks in advance with rsvp up to 3 days prior - dinner party: 3-4 weeks in advance with rsvp up to 2 weeks prior


Food & Drink Too many elements will clutter your party, so choose one thing and do it well.
Cocktail party: If you decide upon a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres party, be sure to say so on your invite so guests don't show up expecting an entire meal. A week prior to your gathering choose a signature cocktail that can be made in batches prior to the party, and offer an assortment of wine, beer, juice, and sodas as well. Determine 3 or 4 hors d'oeuvres that are easy to eat with your hands and don't require a lot of time spent in the kitchen. Shop for your party assuming each attendee will consume 3-4 drinks and roughly 10 hors d'oeuvres pieces.
- suggestions - signature drinks: cranberry martini, candy cane cocktail, maple butter kiss, 103 holiday cocktail recipes - easy appetizers: brie with cherry chutney, fig and olive tapenade, double tomato bruschetta, antipasto pasta salad

Dinner party: If a plated dinner is something you had in mind, planning your menu a week or two in advance will make all the difference. Choose sides that can be made ahead of time so you're not stuck in the kitchen the day of the party. Keep appetizers simple and store bought: nuts, crackers, cheese, fruits, and dips. Pour them into festive dishes to fancy them up.
- suggestions - main course: maple glazed roast turkey, holiday rib roast, apricot brown sugar ham, stuffed winter squash (vegetarian) - make ahead sides: roasted pumpkin apple soup, traditional mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, chilli glazed sweet potatoes


Decor: Keep decor at a minimum, allowing the drinks, food, and company to be the star. Simple table cloths or table runners, glass or mercury votives with unscented tea candles, and fresh greens from your tree or the store will be more than enough to create a holiday party wonderland.
- suggestions - mercury glass votives, winter white garland, striped table runner

Entertainment: Nothing trumps good conversation and laughter amongst guests, so keep the entertainment factor simple with a mix of your favorite holiday tunes. Create a playlist on your iTunes or log into Pandora for free and find a holiday station to your liking.
- suggestions - Michael Buble holiday, Diana Krall holiday, Nat King Cole holiday


Favors: This step is completely optional, but if you want your guests to leave with a little something in hand, homemade gifts from the kitchen might be the perfect ending to a great evening.
- suggestions - brownies wrapped individually, roasted nuts in a small mason jar, hot chocolate packets with a bag of mini marshmallows

For even more holiday party planning tips and accessories, check out my Decemeber article on Houzz here.

photos: Simply Bloom Photography via Style Me Pretty

Holiday Mantel Ideas

A decorated mantel can be one of the most special places in the home during holidays. From pine cones to stockings, fresh greens to homemade wreaths, whichever accessories you choose to display will surely make your space warmer and brighter. I tend to keep our mantel fairly simple, leaving the tree to be the star, but after seeing these beautifully adorned spaces I'm realizing the mantel can truly be a place to decorate with whatever your heart desires.

photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Holiday Gift DIY: Homemade Vanilla

Giving or receiving a homemade holiday gift truly makes this time of year most memorable. Whether it's a simple card made from scrap paper, or something a little more elaborate, a gift made with love will surely be treasured by the recipient long after the season ends. These homemade bottles of vanilla extract would be the perfect present for anyone on your list, and, if made in larger batches, can be quite cost effective as well (Madagascar vanilla beans can be bought in bulk here).

photos

For full directions, and to print the vanilla labels, go here.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday. Today I'm thankful for all of you; your wonderful blogs, sweet comments, and continued support all bring me happiness throughout the year. I'm thankful we have a platform like blogs to connect and share together. Many blessings to you.

photo via Eddie Ross

A few helpful links on this holiday:

Thanksgiving table setting diagram - 2011 Black Friday Deals - Hostess Gift Ideas

Hostess Gifts for the Holidays

Bringing the host or hostess a small gift in exchange for all their preparation and hard work is something I like to do, especially during the holiday season. Whether it's store bought or homemade, having a gift in hand is a nice gesture and will surely start the night off on a nice note. Here are a gifts I'm sure a hostess would love:

Studiopatro tea towels - Anthropologie milk bottle measuring cups - Rifle Paper Co. recipe cards - Studiopatro kitchen apron

Wishing safe travels to everyone on the road today and tomorrow!

*Brunch at Saks is currently running a Sachin+Babi rose gold bracelet giveaway. If interested, click here to enter *

Thanksgiving Table Settings + Place Setting Diagram

One of the things I love most about the holidays is decorating the table. While I'm not a fan of over-the-top fancy place settings, I do find it quite fun to celebrate the day with nice plates, silverware, and glasses. As for the accessories, I like to keep the centerpieces, place cards, and scattered decor rather simple, allowing the food to be the center of attention. Here are a few Thanksgiving table settings I'm loving, complete with a place setting diagram to assist those of us who are in charge of that particular duty this year.

I foresee a lot of dishes in the future:

photos 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 (original)

The Perfect Gift Tags

More often than not I end up writing the name of my gift recipient with marker on their package after absentmindedly forgetting a gift tag, which is why I adore these options from Cox & Cox. I'd imagine they would be simple enough to make as well with Photoshop or a program similar! Here's to a week ahead... PS. My apologies for not beginning the CSN giveaway. There was some confusion on both ends, so we had to postpone. However, a fabulous giveaway is coming your way soon!

Who Says You Can't Go Home...

My parents grew up in the most spectacular place: a small and quaint, tree-lined town that is nestled in a larger yet equally as beautiful city. You almost transport back in time while visiting, as shaded streets, sidewalk cafes, manicured lawns, and even the occasional doggie bowl outside a coffee shop all welcome you with open arms. It's as if time has evolved at a much slower, more rational pace than everywhere else. While advancements in places throughout the decades seem necessary, it's nice to know some towns still exist as they always have.


PS. K just told me that my post title is bad today! Ha! I cannot keep up with these things. I'm in a post title rut, sorry :/

Christmas 2010

I know it's a little late to be posting about Christmas, but since this blog is my journal at times as well, I wanted to upload some photos of our tiny holiday that we celebrated at home in LA before spending a few days with family. I didn't decorate much at all, but it was just enough to get us in the mood for holiday cheer.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday!