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Top Ten Hostess Gifts Under $40 for 2011

Although fun to host a Thanksgiving or holiday dinner, being a guest is preferred by many. If you will be a dinner guest this holiday season, bringing a thoughtful hostess gift is always appreciated. A favorite bottle of wine, homemade baked goods or a lovely bouquet of flowers are tried and true hostess gifts and will certainly be well received. However, if you are running short on time or want to bring something a little different this year, here are my top ten stylish hostess gifts under $40:
stylish_hostess_gifts_2012_coasters_drink
{Kate Spade’s Prize Ball Coasters – $20 – just makes me smile!}
hostess_gifts_2011_majorelle_tea
{Bellocq’s Majorelle Mint Tea via Terrain – $36 – I’ve gotta try this!}
best_hostess_gifts_2011_paper_weight_personalized
{Etsy’s Fond Remembrance Personalized Paper Weight – $10 – what $10? now that’s a deal!}
best_hostess_gifts_2011_zigzag_lucite_box
{Dabney Lee’s Catch All Monogramed Lucite Box – $40 – fun to fill with chocolates}
holiday gift guide 2011 travel book
{20th Century Travel: 100 Years of Globe-Trotting Ads via Saks 5th Ave – $40 – for the avid travel}
hostess gift guide hometown puzzle
{Custom Hometown Puzzle via LL Bean – $39.95 – fun & educational}
hostess_gifts_2011_honey_sampler{Ames Farm Honey Sampler via Terrain – $24 – something sweet}

best_hostess_gifts_2011_chili_paste

{Aji Amarillo Chili Paste via Williams Sonoma – $10 – for the cook who likes it hot!}
unique_hostess_gift_2011_aerium_plant
{Flora Grubb Gardens’ Footed Aerium – $32 – it just exudes serenity!}
unique_hostess_gifts_2011_chevron_note_cards
{Etsy’s Dawn Correspondence Chevron Postcards – $12.50 – chic & practical!}
What’s on your favorite hostess gift?
*this is not a paid advertisement, just items I like.
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Read full story By on November 7, 2011 in Christmas, Entertaining, gift guide, Holiday, holiday decor, Thanksgiving

House of Fifty- Holiday Issue 2011–My Favs

house of 50 holiday issue 2011
Another holiday guide hit the virtual newsstand this week, House of Fifty. It’s head to toe full of great diy ideas for this holiday season. You are going to love this issue… it’s House of Fifty’s best one yet! Check out some of my favorites:
music_notes_gift_wrap_idea_holidayindividual cake boxes stacked browndiy_christmas_matchboxes_holidaychristmas candy bar green red funkids christmas tablesetting cute
Be sure to drop by House of Fifty for lots more. Enjoy!
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Read full story By on November 3, 2011 in DIY, Entertaining, holiday decor

Emily Henderson’s Holiday Guide 2011 & My Contribution

Emily_Henderson_Holiday_Guide_2011
Our favorite HGTV Design Star, Emily Henderson has been decking the halls for her first Holiday Guide. Guaranteed to inspire, the issue has one of the most comprehensive gift guides on the planet. Speaking of our planet, you will adore Emily’s “Peace on Earth” themed holiday décor. I love it all, but think she knocked it out of the park with the globe snowmen. Here’s a sneak peek from the guide and that will be featured on an upcoming episode of her show, Secrets From a Stylist:
blue_green_flocked_christmas_tree_birdssnowman_globes_earth_world_holidayglitter_gift_wrap_idea_holidaystylish_blue_green_christmas_table_setting
I was thrilled to be a contributor for this holiday issue and wrote an article about organizing gift wrap.
gift_wrap_organizing_ideas_diy
I also created an “Exotic Christmas Mantle” for Emily’s holiday guide that features a ceramic elephant, Moroccan lanterns, and homemade stockings and pinecone garland. For color and life, I added a diy moss wreath, live aloe plants in birch wrapped containers and orange and lemon citrus fruit. The stocking pulls the non-traditional color scheme together. It’s quite an eclectic mix. 
exotic_style_christmas_mantle_mantelexotic_christmas_mantle_decororange_green_christmas_decor_mantle

It was all done over Labor Day weekend. My kids thought I was nuts and were hoping St. Nick was going to get thrown off and stop by early!

Hope you get the opportunity to check out Emily’s Holiday Guide. I know you’ll be inspired!
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Read full story By on November 1, 2011 in Christmas, holiday decor, organization tips, simplified bee portfolio

Love this Halloween Quote…

pewter halloween figures kids

Wishing you a very happy and safe Halloween!

xo,
*first image from Gump’s
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Read full story By on October 31, 2011 in Halloween