Last Minute Gift Ideas (You can make!)

Click HERE to find the tutorial on making these ADORABLE lavender sachets...perfect for any woman on your Christmas list.

Click HERE to find the tutorial on Homemade Vanilla Extract! GREAT idea for the cook in your life.

How to Tie a Square Scarf

Click HERE to find instructions for tying a square scarf. It is from "Celebrity Style's Blog."

Freshen up for Spring

Let Spring In!

Spring has arrived! Open the windows, take a deep breath and let Spring enter your life! Ahhh, finally.

De-clutter your house, lighten up your color scheme and attitude and prepare to make the most of the warmer months to come.

I like to think of things I can to do make the mental shift from lethargic hibernation to rejuvenation. For me, Spring is about new life, a bright attitude and a fresh perspective. Now that the grass is green and transformation is all around us in nature, try to think of ways to transform your life. Maybe it's as simple as giving an old piece of furniture a fresh coat of paint, putting a vase of bright yellow tulips on your kitchen table or signing up for golf lessons...small changes can make a big impact on the way you feel about your life.

This Spring, why not...

Paint your front door a bold, bright color.
Cobalt blue, poppy red or goldenrod are all vivid and unexpected choices that welcome guests to your home.

Grow your own herb garden.

Put rosemary, thyme, dill, sage and parsley in pots in your kitchen or plant them in your backyard. Use for fresh and flavorful cooking.

Invest in a versatile and bright trench coat to wear during April showers.

Style & Co. $25.98 at JCPenney

Make an Easter basket for someone you love or create a beautiful egg for yourself!

Glass blown eggs like the one below make a unique piece of art year-round and can be made in classes offered by local art institutes.

Spring Cleaning

What Glamorous Girl doesn't love a clean house? The Springtime is a great time to go through your home & give it a deep cleaning. If you can afford to, hire a professional to do some of the big jobs for you or maybe hire a friend, who is a meticulous housekeeper, to come & give you a hand for the day.  

CLUTTER-FREE CLOSET

One of my favorite Springtime projects--going through my clothes closet! I love to put away sweaters, winter scarves, coats & other bulky, winter items. Most years, at least 1 pair of worn out shoes or boots ends up in the garbage. (Girls have to have good-looking shoes, right?)  

I do have some CLOTHES RULES:
1) Hasn't been worn in over 2 years?  It goes in the "Give Away" pile.
2) The item has a stain or hole--throw it away. If it looks old, tattered, faded or pilled beyond repair--give it away.
3) If the color doesn't look good on me (I should not have bought it in the first place) it goes in the "Give Away" pile.
4) Husband hates it? Give it away!
5) Uncomfortable? Give it away!

This Checklist below will help you give your home a good Spring Cleaning! It gets larger if you click on the image. It was taken from Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook.

Rain Boots

Every girl, except one who lives in the Desert (like me), needs a pair of Rainboots in the Spring. Here are some fun, stylish, affordable (under $30) boots. The first pair is from Charlotte Russe.
The other two pairs can be found at Target.com along with loads of other adorable boots.

Another fun site is ShopStyle.com where you can boots in a wide range of styles & prices.

Adorable Spring China

I love this china by Lenox. Nothing welcomes spring like pretty flowers & special dishes, linens & towels in your home. This Lenox Simply Fine™ Chirp China can be found at Bed Bath and Beyond. It would be a great way to set the stage for any Spring occasion. (The china is safe to use in the microwave, oven, freezer, and dishwasher.)

If you can't afford enough settings for a dinner party or if you don't have room to store china for every season or occasion, just collect a platter or large bowl and use with dishes that you already own.

Pretty Journals, Etc.

My mom recently bought me this journal from Barnes and Noble.  It was created by Susie Ghahremani.  You can visit her website for this journal and many more adorable things such as bags, notepads, cards, magnets, shirts and more. The prices are very affordable. This journal ending up costing only $8.95 with the Barnes and Noble Membership Discount.

(Did you know...you can buy ONE MEMBERSHIP for your entire extended family to receive discounts from Barnes and Noble. All you need to know is the phone number of the person who opened up the account.)

Give Studio

My friend, Anne, has her own company called Give Studio.   Her hope is to encourage...GENEROSITY, HANDWRITTEN SENTIMENTS, THE USE OF POSTAGE STAMPS, RESPONSIBILITY, A SLIGHTLY-SLOWER PACE OF LIFE, SHARED EMOTIONS, EXPERIENCE, IMPROVED RELATIONSHIPS, TAKING A BREAK, REMINDING SOMEONE OF WHO THEY ARE, CURIOSITY, KINDNESS

Give Studio attempts to make smart choices regarding the environment...
The packaging is recyclable: the single card plastic sleeves are made from corn, and are biodegradable/compostable/sustainable. The card sets’ packaging is made from recycled chipboard, and the envelopes we use are made from recycled paper. Give Studio tries to ask questions about each of the materials in hopes of offering beautiful and responsible stationery.

The coolest part, you can see MY OWN personal cards that Anne GAVE me!! She is an amazing artist & one of the sweetest people I know. Check out her website!

What is Your Design Style?

Check out this quiz. It only takes about 2 minutes & it tells you what kind of design style you like. Check it out!
http://www.sproost.com/StyleEngine

World's Tiniest Letter

My future sister-in-law sent me this link to the World's Tiniest Letter.  Adorable!!  You could send one to a loved one for only $8.  What a sweet little valentine, huh??