Tied with a Theme

This post begins a 3-part series for bridal shower gifts. Each gift idea was tied with a... , read all 3 to find out. And just a side note, I had multiple people join on each gift so I had more money to work with. They pay. I create. Here are tips and websites so you can create too.

"We're so happy you found someone special  you get to annoy for the rest of your life." We had this engraved on a wine box for a themed wine basket. We did this last year for a friend that loves wine. The box preserves wine and you can pick the years. We chose - Open On…Honeymoon, 1 year Anniversary, 3 year Anniversary. The sooner the better, right? You can add your own wine or buy from the website  www.wineforawedding.com.  You can choose engravings on the inside lid (their names, year, place, saying). The website has an IDEAblog for quotes. For example, "you may need wine at this stage!" I added wine glasses and other registry ideas...napkins, cheese knife, etc.

Etsy

Wine Boxes

Crate and Barrel registry items

From Jen With Love

The Gift of Gambling

One of my husband's favorite times of the year is here - March Madness! It's college basketball bracket time. A few years ago the first round of games fell on St. Patty's day and Ryan and one of his best friends took the day off from work. They spent the entire day watching all the first round games and drinking plenty of Guinness. By the time I met up with him I think he actually had a permanent smile on his face. So with that background, you get a sense of the "madness" in my house that starts this week. I must say I actually get into it too. If I'm going to have to watch all the games and know all the match-ups I might as well get something out of it - the chance to win some money. And so my gift to you is this - if you want to get in on the fun, have a reason to follow the games, and the chance to win some good money, message below or email me directly (dbelth@gmail.com). To enter the pool it's $5 so I will pay the way for the first person that lets me know they want in.  A gift in return will be for that person pass our link on to someone we don't know! Thanks - and good luck! 

From Dana with March Madness love 

I love Dana because...

While only a month after my birthday, it felt like forever for Dana to join me at this next stage of our lives. So for Dana's 30th she wanted to celebrate with family and friends right? Wrong! She went on a mini vaca with her hubby to Sedona Arizona. She escaped the cold and snow to well, more cold and snow. When she got back I finally was able to give her the gift I've been working on for weeks. Our stories always start - "it seems like a good idea at the time..." But we both learned our lesson: no more ridiculous gifts.

This gift began with a simple frame which I changed a bit to include I love you because...(stickers that I glued onto the frame). Side note: the glass works as a dry erase board

Then came the 30 reasons.
And the idea to hang it from a shelf I saw and bought off etsy.

Etsy: Country Wall Shelf

Next came emails to friends and family asking for their help. Everyone from growing up friends to grad school friends, to her favorite student to Moose. Be creative or call it desperate, but I had to get to 30!
To add more work, I decided to add a picture of each friend or family member onto the card.
Then the writing and gluing began...

And more email reminders, gluing, writing reasons, and numbering the cards.
And lots of tool to hang the cards.
Then extra tape because everyday at least one card would fall off.
And finally, flowers for the mason jar.

Dana's reaction...Priceless!

A special thanks to everyone who helped make this gift possible.
From Jen with love (30 reasons to be exact)

What's In Your Pot O' Gold?

This weekend was Hoboken St. Patty’s Day. Why do we celebrate more than 2 weeks early? I have no idea, but it’s been a tradition in Hoboken for many years. Even without a parade and a $2000 fine for an open container or misconduct, thousands of people swarm the streets in a sea of green. Dana usually celebrates her birthday this weekend with a St. Patty’s Day party, but this year was different. You know you are getting old when.... we didn’t go to a party, we didn’t know anyone having a party, and instead we took a class out of town. That doesn’t mean though that we can’t provide some fun desserts for you to serve or bring to your St. Patty’s Day party (and I’m guessing it’s on or around March 17).These ideas were on...you guessed it, Pinterest. 
You can get creative with making anything green or adding a rainbow. I've made rainbow cupcakes for my birthday last year and while it tasted amazing and looked pretty good, they were time consuming. 

Just remember to start early so you're not painting your nails as guests arrive.

Rainbow on top cupcake with pot o' gold

http://grinandbakeit.com/st-patricks-day-cupcakes-rainbows-pots-of-gold

Irish Style Dirt Cake

http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/irish-style-dirt-cake-recipe/1/

Gumballs, candy sticks, Twizzlers and chocolate coins

www.partycity.com

Green food coloring or pistachio Jello pudding added to cupcake mix
Lucky Charms on top!

White chocolate covered pretzels with green sprinklesWhat's your favorite St. Patty's Day pin?

 From Hoboken with luck,

Jen

Don't Worry Cupid ... I got this

So I've never really been the flowers and chocolate kind of girl. It's not that flowers aren't pretty, but they die off in a week. Chocolate is delicious, but it's those added calories that I am just not looking to gain. So I started compiling a list of girl friendly gifts for the romantic day. Now I'm assuming we don't have a big guy following on this site, but what you ladies can do is copy and paste our link into an email for the men in your life and drop a little hint. I have always been happy to tell the people in my life just what I want because then I am guaranteed to get something I like. And I'll have several choice so the surprise will be...which one did he pick?
 Ok so the cute Valentine's gifts on my radar are from a variety of places. To start - I'm very into little stud earrings. This is a pair I saw on Pinterest and can be purchased on the Kate Spade website. Bow earrings are cute, trendy, and not too lovey dovey. I also saw these pave heart studs on shopbop by Marc Jacobs if you're more into the heart shape.

I also like the idea of getting things for the home. Cute pillow cases like these from amazon or a wine cork letter to hang from etsy goes well with a nice bottle of wine. I bet both gifts will lead you to the bedroom ;)

What has been your past favorite Valentine's day gift? Or is there something special your hoping for this year? Share with us!

From Dana with love on Valentine's Day

Part 3: It's a Number's Thing

This poem gift is definitely more time consuming, but the idea is awesome! I made this for my first anniversary and for one of my best friend’s 30th birthday (glad she turned 30 before me). The tricky part is to come up with a memory related to each number. Think of dates, years, special events, etc. To add more stress and time to the poem, add a picture to the end of the line. 

For another number poem idea, Dana gave me a shutterfly book of 30 memories that dealt with numbers and rhymed. Of course she came up with something creative for my 30th. I also have an idea for hers but you'll have to wait a month to know about that one ;)

From Jen with a love (and obsession) for poems

Part 2: Survival Kits

Poem 2: Survival kits

Survival kits are a great way to have fun on a budget. Fill up a mason jar, a decorative bag, or a basket. Remember to make this gift personal by adding items they like or need. You can make it into a poem or just leave the line as is. If you need some help visit (http://www.sawyers-specialties.com/survival-kits/).

Some of my ideas include:

   
The end of a decade - for my twin aunts
"Surviving the last year in your _ _'s" (I can't reveal their age)

Nuts... to remind you to laugh and get a little nutty

Chips... don’t have any chips on your shoulder  

Tea Bags… so you can sit back and relax once in a while   

Flax Seeds...  for making sure you don’t take any “flax” from anyone

Rubber bands... stretch yourself to feel good

Coupons... to save some money while you spend it

Toothpicks... to help pick through the problems that can be fixed, and which ones can't

Lemonade... when life hands you lemons; make lemonade

Nail Polish... to remind you that the rough times help to refine and polish you

Quarters... so you never feel broke and have dirty laundry

Nana’s Cookies... to remember her

Kisses... for a healthy snack and kisses for you always

The start of a decade - for a long time friend
"Oh No…It’s the BIG 3-0!" 
We thought a survival jar for your 30’s would be fun
Take all these suggestions or maybe just one
Starburst Candy - for extra energy throughout your day
Lifesavers - to savor it all, whether you work or play
Cotton - for when you can't hear yourself think
Almond Joy - it’s a joyful celebration, let our glasses clink
Pack of Gum - we’ll stick together through it all
Paperclip - to hold your busy life together if you fall
Confetti - don't go to pieces just since you just turned 30
Lollipop - because 30 doesn’t suck, you’re fun and flirty
Gift card - everyday is a gift, a reminder every now and then
Kisses - because we love you, happy 30th! Sara, Sarah, Lauren and Jen

The beginning of life - for a new mom
"Monkey Basket Case"

cotton swabs - for better listening, an important trait
wipes -  to remember each day is a clean slate

spoons -  spoonful of love wished to you everyday

blankets – to warm your heart as you lay

baby book – a reminder to cuddle up, tell stories, and read   

hangers - hang on to all the special moments, that's all you need 

washcloth bouquet - take time to smell the roses, they grow up fast
When you feel like a basket case, just act like a monkey and laugh!

 To celebrate the beginning, the end, and everything in between. 

Survival kits are perfect for any occasion - see what I mean? (Ok, I've been doing a bit too many rhymes)...

 From Jen with Love