Wanna know my secret "gift?"

One of my favorite things in this whole WIDE world is to give gifts.
 I am not talking about just going to Pottery Barn, finding a good smelling candle and wrapping it up and calling it a day. 

I am talking about pre-planning months in advance, careful listening during conversations and then...here is my new secret...

Going to pinterest.com

Here you can get inspired about what they are looking for, or needing; what their taste is, maybe even what their obsession is right now.  ITS BRILLIANT!! (at least I think so:)

(Since my beautiful cousin, Katie just celebrated her special day, I thought I would offer up some tips on making each gift, SUPER SPECIAL and Ill use her as an example!!!)

TIP 1.  Let's face it, you buy this cute wrapping paper or a gift bag and it just goes straight to the trash, such a waste.  But why not step outside the "box" and actually put your gift in something they'll want to  
KEEP, USE and LOVE?!?!? 

Lately I've been using Crates as gift holders, they offer style and function!  I've also used wooden boxes (with lids), which can then become jewelry, key or craft boxes.

(you can find a crate like this at your local craft store and if you want yours to look like this one, feel free to check out my last blog post, on staining.)

TIP 2. (already gave this one away) pinterest.com!  I mean they are basically laying out gift ideas, right in front of you!

For example, I found one that gave easy instructions for a way to "slough" (gross word) off dry feet.  HELLO...she loves anything that sounds like PEDICURE, so I jumped at this one.  PLUS we can do it together, and I can be a little crafty by making the fun bottles!  


(sadly this turned into a #pinterestfail, but as always, we didn't care, we just liked being together)

TIP 3. Being a good listener.  Yes we were taught that as children, but now its really coming in to play!  For example, Katie mentioned earlier this year she was focusing on her living room decor and had asked me for advice regarding a shelf.  

 GIFT = a few items that I thought she would LOVE and that would be perfect on the living room shelf!

TIP 4. REALLY, TRULY learn your friends.  Some are easier then others, and it takes time, but be aware of your surroundings when you are in their home or out shopping with them.  OR even ask them questions to get to know them better.  

For Example, I've learned that my cousins are "listers." They like to write out lists, in order to accomplish items. 

GIFT = ADORABLE notepad, that's sorta "old school" looking and has an AWESOME feature at the bottom.  It has "tear away stubs" that contain fun messages and quotes.  So you can slip one in someones luggage or send one in the mail...or hey, even put one in a bottle;) (talk about multifunctional)

After spending time at her home, I noticed she is organized and spends a lot of time in the kitchen.  
GIFT = chalkboard label jars.
I know she and her husband are avid readers (cause they are my "go to" for book requests).  
GIFT = I found these adorable and funky new bookmarks that look like a sprout is growing out from your book!

TIP 5. My last tip is maybe more about preference, but (as you may be able to tell) I like to give A LOT of items and that can add up to A LOT of $$...so I search out small little things, that I know they'll love, that add up to ONE BIG, FUN GIFT!

Example: As Ive watched Katie shop over the years, Ive learned she likes a little sparkle.  NOT too much, but just a little.  So I had to find some fun, shiny objects that I knew she would love and what girl doesn't like some new jewelry?! 


PLUS I think your gift LOOKS like a WHOLE LOTTA fun this way! So many fun things to unwrap and LOVE:)

 (P.S. Same concept here with my cousin Chrissie! (I think I'd rather give these then get ANY gifts!)

Have fun with it and ENJOY!

CHEAP!! DIY Fall Decor

Listen, I am going to be real honest here 

(and you'll probably stop reading my blog after this...)

"I am not really a big fan of decorating my home for each and every season...yes, that even means for Christmas."  (CRAZY, I know...I've already heard it all:)

BUT...I got a sweet little part-time job at an "Invitation and Gift Store" and these 

girls LOVE to decorate for any occasion

and better yet...

they give me a chance to use my DIY skills and get a little artsy!

SO...here are some ideas for cheap and easy fall decor ideas. 

The most obvious ones are pumpkins, 

the cheapest way to decorate them is with SHARPIE'S (who doesn't love a sharpie, my fav!)

 Now remember what I said in my first blog, I am NOT a perfectionist, so I embrace my mistakes on these pumpkins and I call it adding "character:)" I tried doing herringbone, lace and a more "tribal" look here...oh and I tried herringbone again, because its my latest obsession.

I am also obsessed with doing chalkboard pumpkins...buy one can of spray paint and your good for more then 3 pumpkins. (if not more) I used only one coat AND it dries really fast!  (Every DIY'ers dream)

The next cheap component was fun and SUPER easy.  If you want to give your display some height and take up some of that vertical space, "candlestick stands" are the way to go!

(I made four stands and had a few little extra display pieces for less then $8....YES....

eight dollars!)

"How did you do that?" I hear you asking...it's called Goodwill, Salvation Army or your local thrift store.  Most of the items you see pictured below were about .65 each. unreal.

(plus a few more items not pictured here)

and all I simply did was spray paint both the candle stick and the saucer separately, then hot glued the saucer to the top of the candlestick so the pumpkins have a surface to sit on. (see pictures below) 

I ended up leaving some of the candlesticks "as is" and finding cheap orange candles at Walmart to fill them with.  I also found this AWESOME glass at the Dollar Store, it reminded me of a goblet, so I got it, spray painted it and used in it my display!

The Cheapest thing I did to make the look complete...found some sticks in my yard and spray painted them black.  THAT SIMPLE.  Now I am lucky, my parents basically have their own little forest in their back yard so that was super easy for me.  BUT just go for a walk around your neighborhood, or local park and I'll just bet you find one! 

(otherwise craft stores sell them fairly cheap as well)

Here are some of my display photos.  (I wont post any that have the "stores" items in them, but I took some pics as I was setting up mock displays and before I added "items for sale!") HAVE FUN!

(mock set-up in the kitchen, before I get to the store)

(the black birds were from the Dollar Store as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

(mock set-up on the floor, just playing around with heights)

(Getting the window ready, LOVE the branches in a vase with my Dollar Store bird!!!!!)

Enjoy!