Housewarming Gift Ideas

I recently came across Jenny's post on housewarming gift ideas and decided to put my own ideas in the mix! The holiday season is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to get some Holiday Shopping done before the mad rush of crowds fills the malls (and the streets). Black Friday is only weeks away which means the holiday shopping is about to begin! I have always been a huge fan of bringing housewarming gifts to friends and family to add a little touch of love to their new homes! 

Personalized Coasters | Wine Sign $14.99 | Personalized Wine Opener Set |  Cutting Board $11 | Personalized Decanter

My favorite gift ideas always start in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. That's where friends and family gather and spend the most time in. The kitchen just brings people together. Whether it be over drinks or a warm cooked meal, it's one of my favorite spaces in my home. Here are a few of my top favorite gift ideas that they are sure to love:


Personalized Wine Opener Set |  Wine opener sets are usually not items you think to buy for yourself. Sure you have some plain old wine openers lying around in your junk drawer, but do you have a personalized set with all the cool gadgets? These are great to keep around when you are entertaining.

Coasters |  Always a staple in the dining room, kitchen, and living room. Where friends gather, grab a drink and relax.  Personalized coasters are a must in my home. They add that little extra touch and makes you feel somewhat professional in your own home. Everyone needs coasters, and these are the perfect gift.

Decorative Cutting Board |  I love kitchen decor, and what better way to give your friends/family  cute decoration that can also be used daily! Display them on a cute stand near your favorite cook book and be reminded of the cute and thoughtful gift every time they are in the kitchen.

Kitchen Wine Sign | Spruce up the kitchen with this cute wine sign. I love little art blocks in kitchens and how it adds that little extra touch. It brings all the little details together.

Personalized Decanter | Because who doesn't love the look of one of these? They look so fancy! I always sport mine at little get togethers that we have when we entertain. We get so many compliments on them!

I love ALL of these ideas and I know your giftees will too! I am also hosting an online auction for my shop on my facebook page. If you are wanting to find a great gift for less, head on over as I will be posting from 11/10-12/22! Perfect for your Holiday Shopping!

 

DIY Topiary Tiered Pumpkin Decor

My mother-in-law and I saw this cute Pinterest post with tiered pall pumpkins and we wanted to recreate it ourselves. We bought the pumpkins at Michaels and of course used out 50% off coupons, and the sticks we already had laying around.  We bought the pots at Big Lots and filled them with soil. We made TWO tiers, but in this tutorial I will be sharing how to make one.  I also strongly recommend Target, because they carry lights, stakes, and pots, and possible pumpkins if you can't find them at Michaels.

------
Here are the supplies you will need:
- 5 fake pumpkins (3 white, 2 black). Either 9" or 13" will work.
- 1 Pot : We purchased ours from Big Lots (Gardening Center)
- Metal rod/ approximately 4" tall and 3/4" round (depending on how big your pot is, you'll need to put a large portion of the rod into the soil/dirt to hold it in place.  We packed ours down with a little water.)
- Exacto Knife or fake pumpkin carving tools. (We bought a set of 3 at Michaels for $3.99)
- 1 String of white lights.  (We used a pack of 140 that was more than enough.  We would have been fine with a pack of 50-75. Here's a pack of 50 for @2.49 at Target)

-----
Step 1: Draw out your pumpkin faces using a pencil on your pumpkins. Be as creative as you'd like!  I chose to do different faces throughout.  You can also check out this page for different pumpkin faces courtesy of Shutterstock.

Step 2: Carve out the eyes, nose and mouth or whatever shapes you chose to make. (This part is the most time consuming.(Hand cramping) But the result is worth it!

Step 3: Shake out all the debris from cutting and decide how you want your pumpkins to lay on top of each other.  I alternated them sideways.  I made X's on where to cut the circle.  Make sure to cut the circle large enough to fit through the stake.  

Tip: Don't forget to make sure the top pumpkin only has a hole at the bottom, because the top of your stake will be in the middle of the pumpkin for balance and doesn't need to poke out the top.

Step 4: Carve out a square on the reverse side of each pumpkin large enough to fit a light plug. (both top and bottom) Again, do not add the square on the top of the top pumpkin.

Step 5: We started adding the pumpkins on the stake one by one and weaved the string of lights through as we did it. (Make sure to leave enough room to be able to plug your lights into an outlet.  We accidentally strung the lights up the wrong way! #FAIL, so make sure you don't follow our mistake!) 

Tip: Also pictured is a wooden stake that did not work as we had planned. It was not sturdy enough to hold up the pumpkins.  We had to get a metal stake.

 

Once you weave all the lights through the opening in the back like you made in Step 4, and all your pumpkins are on the stake you are done!  Just add any floral or pretty accents on the bottom to give it some curb appeal, and you've got yourself the cutest DIY pumpkins on the block!

Share your DIY pumpkins with us! Tag @showeredwithdesign and use hashtag #showeredwithdesign on instagram!  We cannot wait to see what creative juices are flowing your way!

*This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase something through the links, I may be given a small commission.

Linking with Katie and Pinky.

DIY Bachelorette Tank Tops

Hey all!  If you didn't already know for my Bachelorette Party the girls and I went on a 3 day cruise.  I wanted to get something super cutesy for my gal pals to strut around in.  I wanted them all to match so that everyone on the cruise knew that we meant business!  I looked around online for cute bachelorette tanks and all were at least $17 PER tank top.  Considering I needed a total of 5+, that would have cost me around $85 not including the shipping and tax. Soooo not gonna happen.

I opted for a more affordable option, DIY.  I had some stencils around the house, a paintbrush and acrylic paint.  First I layed out the letters on the Tank top and taped the edges so that when I began painting, they would hold in place.  Add some glitter, let it dry, and you have yourself HANDMADE bachelorette tanks that are not only affordable ($5 per tank + paint (already had) + paintbrush) but UNIQUE and one of a kind!   Total cost per shirt if you didn't already have paint and paintbrushes would probably come out to around $6 each, totaling to $30 for 5 shirts.

COST if I were to buy these     $85

COST I actually spent            -  $30

Total saved:                            $55

I also had an idea to make some matching tote bags the girls could take to the pool on our cruise.  I found these plain bags at Hobby Lobby for $1.99 each.  What a steal, right?  Add some paint with the help of a few stencils and BOOM - you got yourself a cute, unique bag for the girls to take by the pool.

{I found some cute ones online that were @ minimum $15 per bag.  That would have cost me @ least $75, but because I did them myself, it only cost me $10 for a total of 5 bags!

The fabulous shirts in action:

My gorgeous bridesmaid in her tank!

The ladies before the cruise!!

Entire project (Shirt + Bag)

If I would have purchased:    $160

Actual cost I paid:                    $  40

Amount saved:                      $120

I think I'm going to like this whole DIY stuff.

Here is what I put inside of the bags for the girls:

*Personalized coozie (via Etsy)

*Clear Plastic Mason Jars filled with Advil, Bachelorette name tags, beads & whistles, and penis straws of course!

*Personalized tank tops 

*Personalized fake "boarding passes" with our cruise schedule

Enter the giveaway I have running here.

P.S. Two more days till our wedding!!! EEEEEeeeekkkkKKK!!!

Wedding Q+A With Morgan @ Believe In The Sparks

Today I am happy to announce to have one of my favorite bloggers, Morgan from Believe in the Sparks, over at my blog to discuss her upcoming Wedding Q+A's that I have asked her.

Take it away Morgan!

When is your upcoming wedding?

April 12, 2014

How did you meet? / or Engagement Story?  ( Whichever one you would like to write about, or both if you wish)

Steven proposed on December 20, 2012 at the Alabama Theatre. Every December the theater plays holiday movies leading up to Christmas, so one night Steven and I, along with my parents and brother, decided to go see my favorite Christmas movie, Elf, play. Little did I know that this was all part of a greater plan. After the movie we walked outside to a crowd of people surrounding the marquee. I turned around to see what all the fuss was about when I saw it: "Morgan, Will You Marry Me?" written in lights on top of the marquee. I didn't think it couldn't possibly be for me, but the minute I looked down I saw Steven on one knee holding the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen. Of course I said "Yes!" and the entire crowd broke out in applause. The night Steven put my name in lights was a night that changed my life forever. I'm so lucky to marry someone who put so much thought and effort into giving me the perfect proposal!

How many bridesmaids did you choose? How did you go about choosing them?

It was actually very easy deciding on bridesmaids. have 5 bridesmaids and I consider them all to be more like sisters than friends.- My maid of honor, Rachael, and I have been friends since middle school. My bridesmaid, Cortney, and I also met in middle school when we both started competitive cheerleading. We became fast friends and have continued our friendship for over ten years now. Two of my bridesmaids, Katie and Bailey, are college sorority sisters. We formed a quick bond and spent four years attached at the hip. Lastly, I couldn't imagine my wedding day without my soon-to-be sister in law, Morgan (same name! Isn't that crazy?!), standing by my side.

What is your color scheme, and what made you choose it?

Our colors are different shades of purple - everything from lavender to plum and anything in between. I saw a picture soon after we got engaged with different shades of purple incorporated into a wedding and I fell in love. I told my wedding coordinator about my inspiration and he took off with the idea! I can't wait to see how everything comes together!

What was the most stressful thing you've came across in the planning process?

I know it sounds crazy, but I haven't really felt stress throughout the process. That mostly has to do with the fact that I have the most amazing mom and wedding coordinator on the planet! Seriously, my mom is loving every minute of the planning, and I am loving having her throughout this process. 

What are you most passionate about leading to the big day?

Finally becoming a wife to the man of my dreams! We have been engaged for 14 long months, so I am itching to get down that aisle and say "I do" to my husband!

If you could start planning all over, what would you do differently?

Don't rely too heavily on Pinterest. Long before Pinterest came along I envisioned having a southern, rustic wedding, however, Pinterest has all but run that idea into the ground. Thankfully (again) I have a wedding coordinator who sees past all the Pinterest fads and has promised to give me exactly what I've always dreamed of having without it looking like it came straight from the internet.

What's your best piece of advice for future brides out there?

Don't rush things! You only get to be a bride one time, so soak in every minute of it. Everything will work out in the end, so don't stress (too much) and don't worry about the things that you can't control. In the end you will walk away with your husband and that is most definitely the most important part of the day!

 
 

Inspire Me 2014: Day 9 & Bridal Shower Signs

Inspire Me 2014 Blog Challenge: Day 9  {With the most amazing Co host- Kristen from Happiness is a Mood Not a Destination}

Read the list of prompts here if you'd like to join in at any time!

But first, I am going to share some Bridal Shower Signs I created for my upcoming bridal shower! Let me know what you think!

Our theme is Shabby Chic & we are incorporating chalkboard signs and labels on everything.

So I was going to print these up and put them in some cute frames.

Any suggestions on printing or any other ideas would be super duper appreciated! XOX  

Sorry this photo sucks, Camera phone status...

Oh and less than 6 months till the big day! eeeeeeep! 

You can order yours through my Etsy shop, here

"Best blogging tips & coding that could be beneficial"

My absolute favorite and most used tip is using coding that links back to your blog when you comment on another fellow bloggers post. You simply write your comment, and include this HTML code: 

{tip: Include your blog or website link where the code is orange & Include the title of your blog or website where the code is teal} 

 And your "title" will appear as a link when you comment!

 It makes it much easier for other bloggers to directly click to your blog!

 

Ok don't forget to link up with both Kristen and myself today!

(P.S. it was her Birthday yesterday, go send her some wishes!!)

My Favorite Nail Designs of 2013

Wedding Planning: and What I Have Accomplished

Wedding Season is upon us, and this year so far I have 4-5 weddings I am attending, one of which I am a bridesmaid! I have been helping one of my girlfriends make some things for her wedding coming this August.  It has been a stressful few months but once everything comes together it will be perfect!  Additionally, I have been piecing together bits and parts of my own wedding and have a few floral appointments this week! So excited to check things off my checklist!

Here are the centerpieces my gf made for her wedding.  Loving these manzanita trees! We bought the trees from LA for $10-12 per tree.  Since shes only using them every other table, she only needed 5 trees.  They turned out super cute! She spray painted and glittered them, added rhinestones on the bases, put rocks in the square and added candles! Super adorable and inexpensive considering these trees run up to $50 per tree if you get from a florist!  (P.S. if you are interested in buying them, let me know!)

Here are the DIY fans she made that also double as a wedding program! Super cute!

 

We have also made cute sandals for the guests to wear so they can dance!

 Ill upload more photos later!

On another note, semi-off topic, here is the dance floor vinyl

 I designed for my gfs wedding last year!

Oh yea, check out that dance-floor, center of attention! 

 I feel the need to have some bragging rights! Haha! Totally harmless!

 

Who doesn't love the dance floor?  That's the best part!!  

( Me pictured on the left- awkward angle!) 

And for what I have accomplished for my own wedding so far 

{ Praise the Lord }:

What I'm Loving Now... Home Design

I have always been enthused with how creative one can get with the interior design of their homes.  I love how you can change a simple look by adding
 some texture or pattern.   Shown above are what I am loving now.  
Mostly home goods, and the occasional jewelry!