Events to a T

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I can’t decide if this is the perfect moment or not at all the right mindset to be writing a mother’s day post. As I attempt to write this my daughter is in her crib singing “bye bye bye bye” over and over and over again because she refuses to nap and I am at my whits end and about to pull my hair out. So that being said I’m in the perfect frame of mind to remind you to be nice to your mom and mother of your children!

I’m certain I don’t have many male or young readers, but just incase there are a few out there looking for a mother’s day idea, here are a few I wouldn’t mind.

A Day Off. Period, just that. Requires me to post no lovely pictures and you to spend not a dime. Only that you allow us to sleep in and then pretend like we are young carefree girls again for one entire day and night.

Spa Day. She can use this on her day off! Or a gift card to where she gets her hair done, because when is the last time mommy had time to get a hair cut kids?

Tablet. The only way I get any reading or emailing done is on my ipad when I’m trying to get the baby to sleep. I would accomplish half as much if I couldn’t read over a sleeping baby’s head!

Jewelry. You can’t go wrong with jewelry or Kate Spade. And how cute is this little bangle?!

Kate Spade

 DIY.  A “thank you”, a hug, a drawing, a card. Just show mom the love and that she is appreciated. That is all she really wants (ok that and the day off).

We are excited to have Emily our gift bag guru (ok she’s been our intern, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t a gift bag guru), here to talk about what she loves to see in a gift. bag.

As if attending a wedding wasn’t fun enough in itself, being treated with a gift bag upon checking into your hotel helps set the tone for the weekend.  The gift bag says “Hey! Thanks for celebrating our love.  We are thrilled you are here.”  A gift bag is a very simple way for the bride and groom to let the guests know they appreciate their attendance.

I have attended quite a few weddings and I have compiled a list of my must-haves in a gift bag:

Water
This is a staple to any gift bag.  Water will be the most appreciated item as they won’t have to take one from the $12 dollar mini-bar.

Magnet Street

Chocolate
This should be a no brainer.  Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.  It is the first thing guests will look for in their bag and typically the first thing gone from their bag.

event now

Coupons from a local café or coffee shop
Do a little research near the hotels where your guests are staying.  Talk to a local café and ask if they can give you a coupon for either a percentage discount or a buy-one/get-one.  Your guests will appreciate the discount and the store will appreciate the business.

Honey Nut Cheerios
Include some travel breakfast servings. Trust me, it will be consumed. Not everyone wants to go to the brunch. Not everyone can even make it to the coffee shop before they head out of town.

Sewing kit
Tiny sewing kits were meant for wedding gift bags. Dozens of guests will wind up needing a safety pin, some help with a hem, or a tiny pair of scissors.

TopB2C

Mints
I am sure your food is delicious, but it may be because it has been smothered in delicious butter and garlic.  Your guests will appreciate having packed this item in their pocket or purse.

Classy Bride

Aspirin
Include some small packets. Your wedding is the party of the year, right?  If so, then these will definitely be needed.

Map
Let your guests have a way to be familiar with the area.  If you have some down time between the ceremony and the reception, point out some local hot stops they can stop by to grab a drink.  They will appreciate the references.

Robin Egg Blue

Internet
Make sure your guests know how to access the free internet. Print out a little sheet of paper with the internet code for the hotel or the nearest Wifi spot.

And see our post earlier this week about fabulous ways to package all of this stuff!

Gone are the days of simply asking your friends if they would be your bridesmaids. Now even that has a theme and is a part of the planning.  Get creative when asking your girls if they would do you of the honor of being your bridesmaids.

Tumbleroot

Wed Loft

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Wanelo

Etsy

Two Little Love Birds

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It is November, time for Oprah’s Favorite Things! And if Oprah can do it why not the rest of us right? Also known as “what to give any woman in your life for the holidays”. So take note gents, these are some great gift ideas.

Bling – Kate Spade glitterball Ipad sleeve. What better way to give a little sparkle without having to really give the real deal?

Kate Spade

Get Cozy – Who doesn’t want to imagine they are sea worthy? This anchor scarf from J.Crew makes you feel likes  sailor.

J.Crew

Wedge Booties – Enzo Angiolini

Amazon

Chunky Necklace – Must have of the season. And in coral too. Wear it with everything. Stella and Dot Gold and Coral Epoxy Stone Bib Necklace

Stella and Dot

Stay covered – Gloves to go with your new scarf. Coach long colorblock pocket glove

Coach

Amazon

- I LOVE tights. Tights might be my favorite thing. Ok well, probably not but I do love tights. A note on tights. You are never too old for tights! You are always too young for panty hose. Throw away your panty hose, get some cute tights. I’ll get off my soap box now.

It is often a last minute thought “oh shoot, what am I going to put cards in”. And that is how people end up gift wrapping three boxes, sticking them on top of one another and cutting a slot in them to throw your cards. I’m here to say, please stop that! You cards can go in anything, literally, anything that holds things! Why not get creative and use something you already have around or that you can use later?!

Intimate Weddings

Intimate Weddings

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Wedding Window

Pretty Brass Tacks

Bridal Musings

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I think that men are exceedingly more difficult to buy for than women. I’ve been thrilled to receive a $3 pen because it was sparkly and pink! Men are not as easy, they like electronics and video games and aren’t going to get all that excited about something thoughtful (if I were to categorize). That being said, I think these are a few gifts your groomsmen could get excited about.

Booze

Ruffled

Shaving Kit

Wedding Paradise

Personalized Bobbleheads

Wedding Deja Vu

Cigars

weddingbycolor

Duffle Bags

mywedding.com

This is always a question I get, “can you help me with what to buy  my braidsmaids”? Yes, I certainly can, but I think the best gifts are personal ones. Even if you buy everyone the same thing, try to make it personal in some way. Let them know you were thinking about them and what it meas to you to have them standing with you on this important day. That being said, I think these are some cute ideas.

Change purses – these are so cute, I love the idea of having their initials on them!

Make Merry!

Personalized necklaces

Wedding Reports

Robes

The Best Wedding Blog Ever

Perfume

Luster

Cable Knit Throw

Glamour

Monogrammed beauty kit

weddingx.net

Tis the season for both engagements and shopping, which puts me in mind of wedding registries. Registering for ones wedding is one of the more fun aspects of the planning process (right behind cake tasting). But wedding registries are not what they used to be. Brides and grooms no longer just register for their china pattern at their favorite department store. Today couples have endless options of not only where to register, but also what kind of registry they may want.

With people marrying  older now, many of us already go into marriages with nice silverware and the KitchenAid mixer that we purchased ourselves. But not registering is hardly an option if you don’t want three fondue pots. Below is my two cents about registering smartly.

1. Register even if you don’t think you need anything
2. Register for an array of price points
3. Register for more than you think you need. A) because things break and B) because people want options
4. Have more than one registry, but probably not more than three. Too many options can be confusing, but two options allow people to choose from where they are comfortable shopping.
5. Think about where your guests live and register somewhere with a store in most states
6. If you have an online registry (something like Amazon.com) offer a bricks and mortar store as well, some people do not shop online
7. Do not include your registry in with your wedding invitation
8. Do put your registry on a wedding website or on your shower invitations
9. Check out return policies, make sure you can easily return gifts and get a refund without a receipt because you will get two of something
10. Think about storage, unless you know you are moving, do not register for more than your home can handle
11. Start your registry in the store and edit it or finish it online. It is too much and too overwhelming to do all in one day at the store with your fiance
12. Write your thank you notes as the gifts come in, that way you won’t get behind.

Happy shopping!

This is the first year I’ve had a Christmas tree at my home in years and years as I am always at my home with my family I don’t bother, but since we are stuck here this year, I have one and I love it. But I rarely if ever bother with more than stockings. That being said, I so appreciate when others tastefully decorate their homes for the holidays. It puts me in the spirit.

Champagne from Beer

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pinterest

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The holidays are here! Do you have all of your gifts purchased? Me either! But here are a few ideas for those on your list.

FOR: The women in your life

Kate Spade Cambridge Stripe shoulder bag – $$195 (you cannot go wrong with Kate Spade, period!)

But if you want to spend a little less:

Kate Spade The Guide to Living Colorfully Book Set $35 (Both of these items are going on my wish list immediately!)

FOR: The men in your life

Leather Excursion Tie and Accessories Case – $69.95 Red Envelope

FOR: The kiddos

Nursery Critter Wraps and Animal Bath Wraps – $29.50 Pottery Barn Kids (I adore the bunny) and you can monogram them!

Happy Shopping!