Monogram Love

Call it my recent name change (or maybe my love of all things prep), but I can't get enough of monograms lately! 

kTr

KRT

K

T

KT

Torok

Ok I will stop now.  (I sorta feel like a little school girl doodling her first name with her crush's last name to see how well it sounds...except that this is my actual new name!)

But anyways, the sky is the limit on what you can add a name to (apparel, jewelry, home decor, etc.) and adding a touch of personalization turns an ordinary registry item into an amazingly thoughtful gift.  It requires a little extra thought and planning - likely not the type of thing you're buying the week of the shower/wedding/birthday - but that's exactly why I love it!  You know whoever was behind it was really trying to give you something that was made just for you.

Thanks to my dear friend, Pinterest, I've put together a pretty decent wish list of preppy monogrammed gifts in case you're ever in need an idea for me! 

I desperately want this gold ring (or the matching necklace by Jennifer Zuener...love her stuff...or both!)


Kraftshop: Monogrammed Ring



Jessica Zuener z10 Swirly 2 Initial Pendant



How amazing is this monogrammed floppy hat!?!?! (I think it would make an adorable bridal shower gift...perfect for the honeymoon!)

Via Pinterest

I love love love these leather flats!!

Sweet Pete Monogrammed Moccasins

I love stud earrings...and all the pretty colors (especially pink!)

Tootlebugs: Preppy Monogrammed Earrings

To-die-for monogrammed chairs (and gingham wallpaper...and floral curtains) - Ok, I'll just take the whole room!

Lilly Pulitzer

I think these matchboxes would make adorable wedding favors!  Or to put out at a cigar bar?


Monogrammed Goods: Matchbox

Now that's what I call a preppy dessert plate!

Pearls, Whiskey and Frat Boys

The perfect pillow for someone with a beach house!! Wink*

Zhush Nay Linen Throw Pillow

And of course, every girl needs cute stationary (this is so a gift mom would have loved to give...)

Kate Spade Monogram Note Card

What kind of personalized gifts have you given or received?  I'd love to hear some of your ideas!

P.S. A few other monogrammed ideas here!

P.P.S. Free printable custom monograms (for wedding invites, guest bags, menus, etc.) here!

Will You be My Valentine?

I just looked at my calendar, and Valentine's Day is exactly one week away!  Crazy!  How is it already almost mid-February?!

Nate and I aren't really big into Valentine's day (although I admit, I do secretly dream of him one day surprising me with anything out of a movie...just like every other girl: rose petals scattered all over the floor/bed, whisking me off on a romantic weekend getaway, amazing jewelry, over the top flowers at my place of employment...hint hint).  But we definitely are card people - cards, and the thought behind them, are so special!

However, buying the perfect Valentine's day card is a task I usually dread - I'm either at the store a day too late and all they have left is "happy valentine's day, aunt" cards (who sends their aunts v-day cards, anyways?!  Don't get me wrong, I love my aunts...but don't need a made up holiday to show it! :) OR I can't find anything that doesn't scream out cheesy, commercial or juvenile!! 

This year, I'm a little more excited...as it's my first year shopping in the "husband" section...but I still don't thinks my experience is going to be any different! So, I've decided I'm doing my shopping online (which is my preferred method of shopping) and I spent some time mining the Internet to find some sweet options to share with all of you. 

Eskimo Kiss card

Martha Stewart Clip Art cards

Yarn Heart Bow card



Eye HEART you card

XOXO card

You're My Lobster card

Have you started looking for the perfect card for your Valentine?  Where do you typically buy yours?

P.S. These watercolor cards would be cute to give to your lovey throughout the day - one on his pillow, one in his car, etc.!  Brownie points because they are free! :)

P.P.S. Perhaps I'll send these cards to our family members...because I do miss and love them...

Happy Birthday, Mom

I miss you more than words can say...

Mom ~3 years old
(Looks so much like Ashley!)

Mom riding Pixie in a July 1966 show

(Two of my favorite photos of my mom as a little girl...)

SUNday Post #5

(Photo via Agadabout)

Cheers to a great weekend!

Happy Friday, loves!  I took the day off today to run some last minute errands and drive down to Washington, D.C. because tomorrow we're throwing my very best friend a bridal shower!  I can't wait to spoil her with lots of love, laughter and of course, presents!!!

Anyone have exciting plans for the Super Bowl?  More importantly, what's everyone eating??! 

Cheers! xoxo

A five-year-old's reaction to popular brand logos is ever so endearing...

Top 10 Super Bowl commercials I can't wait to see!

This Italy wedding video (in Positano, Italy!!) gave me some serious chills!

(Photo via Pinterst)

Psst! I have a secret...

You've probably figured out by now that I loooove a good quote (ahem, here and here).  Sooooo I thought I'd let you in on a little secret!!

Every so often, Rebecca from Simple as That turns her favorite quote into a free printable that is available exclusively to her followers!  Just follow her blog, download, print and pop into a frame and you have a gorgeous piece of artwork that should cost you a whole lot of moola at a retail store!  Amazing, right?!

I love this one she created last week for Valentine's day.  And, it's available in five different colors!!

And this one from last year...

From her Simple Things collection...

And a few inspiring quotes...

  

Aren't the beautiful?  I hope you enjoy!  xoxo

P.S. I would love if you followed me, as well, before heading over to Simple as That!  Just click "follow" on the right!  I promise there are more secrets like this to come!! :)

Craft of the Week: Valentine's Day series #3

A few months ago, I "pinned" (on Pinterest) a white canvas board with a lovely little quote in white block letters. 

How sweet, right?  I definitely could make that, I thought.  I love the idea of turning quotes into artwork for your house!!

So I "clicked through" to find the originating site and was linked to Not on the High Street, a handmade goods site similar to Etsy.  That's when my mind was blown.  This little thing was selling for a whopping 195 pounds!!  Pounds!!!?  That's $307!!!!!  Plus shipping!

Insane.

So, today's Valentine's Day craft is a DIY version of this overpriced wall art, for 1/10th the cost and all the loveliness!  And, you pick your quote!

Supplies Needed:

• Canvas - I purchased a 12"x12" board from A.C. Moore on sale for $10
• Wood Letters - I actually tried a few craft stores before finding the right size and availability of letters (I liked these 1" letters because it reminded me of my handwriting...in all caps)
• Tacky Glue
• Foam Brush
• White Spray Paint

Directions:
1. Spray paint the front of your letters.  (oops - looks like we're going to have a few white rocks, too)

Can you guess what my quote is?  I originally wanted "I have always known it was you" but they were sold out of H's!

2. To avoid your letters sticking to the paper, make sure you move them around gently before they dry completely....or use wax paper!

3. When your letters are completely dry, repeat steps 1-2 to spray paint the back of your letters.  Use a new piece of newspaper / wax paper!

4. Not it's time to arrange the letters on you board.  Using a 12" board, 1" letters, and 5 rows, the math was pretty easy.

6.  Next, I used a foam brush to paint tacky glue on the back of each letter before gently pressing on the canvas.  I started with the first letter of each row, 1" apart.   Then I placed my ruler in between each line of the quote and spaced the center of the letters 1" apart. 

7. Spray paint your entire board and set out to dry.  Be careful not to use too much paint - you do not want to get pools!!  A light coat is fine!  (Sorry no pictures of this step...it was dark outside by the time I got to this step!)

Final product (sitting on my shelf at work!):