DIY Monogrammed Cutting Board

Check out this DIY Monogrammed cutting board courtesy of Ruffled Blog.  Gift giving season is right around the corner and if you start now you can have all your gifts ready by Thanksgiving.  Plus the best gift to get is something that someone spent time and energy on to make you feel special.

Bixby and Company

Do you have a tough guy in your life that you dread buying gifts?  Well this is your lucky day because these are chocolate bars with attitude.  Normally giving chocolate bars might seem a little girly but not when they are adorned with boxers and  golfers come in a cool wooden crate!

Seek a Treat Puzzle

We got a puppy in December and let me tell you she is adorable but also a handful.  The energy levels are boundless.  While we took a little getaway to Mexico we had a friend stay with the dogs and even though we repeatedly told him the puppy had a lot of energy...he wasn't prepared.  When I saw this dog puzzle with a treat compartment I knew I was sold.  I attended training courses and the instructor said it is just as important to exhaust mental energy as it is to get plenty of physical activity.  This is a great gift for the dog lover in your life and it is only $11.24.

Love thy Farmer

This weekend starts the big rush of farmer's markets.  Why not tote your goods in style this year with this totally adorable Love Thy Farmer bag.  Also, great at $18 for a gift.

Baby Shower Gold

Want to be the hit at the next baby shower.  Pick up one of these little jumpsuits...instead of oohing and aahing they'll get a good laugh. 

Ultimate Nachos

You know how I like to keep an eye out for additions to my gift stash.  Well Ultimate Nachos is the perfect  gift for an acquaintance who just acquired a new home or apartment.  It has 80 fun filled ways to make nachos and homemade chips and salsa's.  At $16 it is the perfect sentiment and the perfect gift for someone about to host a housewarming.  Who wouldn't want to be invited to a party with multiple styles of nachos?

Hometown Jigsaw Puzzle

Do you need a unique gift for that hard to buy friend or family member?  Do you know someone who loves jigsaw puzzles but is tired of the same old fuzzy animals. With the Personalized Hometown Jigsaw Puzzle ($40), the center of the puzzle is the home address you provide! The information comes from the USGS, each puzzle is customized to include your town's primary roads, bodies of water, notable buildings, and more!  It's a gift with personalization and hours of fun.

Gift Guide for the Little People in your life

Restoration Hardware
Personalized wool crown for $16...oh yeah!

Frecklebox Princess Lunchbox
Personalized awesome lunch box.

Etsy
 Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Discovery Kids Color Me Castle
HOURS of fun!

Whiskey Advent Calendar

Now this is my kind of Advent Calendar.  If you want to bring in the holiday's the right way with a nip of whiskey before bed each night then this is the perfect calendar for you.  It's a little pricey...but whiskey makes me sleep like a baby and December is a stressful month.  Might just be a match made in heaven.

OMG

You know how I love to have small "just in case" gifts on hand.  I love this tray it is practical, funny and  totally inexpensive at $10.50 with free shipping.  With some cute wrapping and a funny card...perfect for my stockpile.  You'll have the recipient saying "OMG...What great taste you have!"

Droga Chocolates

Time to start stockpiling those gifts for the holidays.  I always start with the people in my life who help make my daily life a little easier.  For instance, the lovely crew at the fluff and fold and the super who signs for my 50 parcels a week and never complains.  Then there is my trusty mechanic and my dry cleaner who has a special way with wine spills.  It may cost me a little extra but it also makes me feel good to be able to say "thank you" with something special and isn't that what the holidays are all about.

This year I'm going with Droga chocolates.  Because the packaging is adorable and who doesn't love caramels.

Holiday Gift Giving

This is the time of year when I start stock piling a few gifts that I feel are versatile enough that a large number of people would enjoy them.  That being said, maybe not the male persuasion as I can't see my husband getting excited about bird hooks.  But I'm talking about girlfriends, women family members, gift exchange parties, etc.  I love these because not only are they whimsical with an artsy twist but you could use them in a number of different rooms in your home.  They would be great for guest bedrooms as robe holders or in your bedroom to hang necklaces or bracelets.  They would also work in the kitchen for pot holders or dish towels.  Forget what you could do with them in an office or just simply by the door so you don't misplace your keys every morning.  Have I sold you yet?

Holiday Shopping

Household Gifts.

Today I'm having a difficult time staying focused on on my holiday shopping goals because I keep finding fun things that I might like. How selfish. I'm going to stay focused on my recipients and refrain from purchasing; but in case anyone is curious, I think these three things from Japanese Modern Design are pretty dang cool.

1. Chopsticks that don't touch the table, so you don't need a chopstick rest.



2. Coffee cups with interchangeable silicone sleeves. You won't burn your hands or drink out of someone else's cup of coffee!



3. And my favorite...a rainbow of gorgeous shotglasses. This would make a tequila shot less college and more chic.

Holiday Hostess Gift

Gift.

Hostess gifts are always a good idea, especially during the holidays when your host puts so much work into entertaining a group during such a hectic time of year. One of my favorite gifts to give is a beautifully packaged high-end candle, because I think most people don't treat themselves to a luxurious option...just what's on sale at the discount store.

A great spot to find some of the best candles on the market is Candle Delirium.



My current favorite candle was a gift from someone, a Carriere Freres candle. Let me tell you...after your host is finished cleaning up the dirty dishes and straightening up after all of their guests have left, they will be mighty happy to burn one of these luxurious scented candles and kick back in a hot bath. Well maybe I shouldn't speak for everyone. But I know that I sure do love my gorgeous hostess gift.

Modernist Mugs

Housewares.

Now I know that I have an unusually strong penchant for cute tea cups, but you have to admit that these new 50's inspired designs from West Elm are abso-freakin-lutely adorable. I'll take a set with a tin of Earl Grey, thank you very much!

Matryoshkas Measure

Clever Kitchen Tool.

I'm a bit of a product stalker. I often have a difficult time buying something the first time I see it. I usually stew about said product. Search it on the web for best pricing. And then stew about it some more.

Well I've been stewing about these adorable measuring cups for months now!



I love that they are a kitschy play on traditional Russian matryoshkas. They are adorable enough to set out on the counter. And are actually quite practical because there are 6 dry measures nestled into one cute package.

Should I stop stewing and just buy them???

Cloth is King

Hostess Gift.

I use paper Vanity Fair napkins just like everyone, but I have to say that I love using my cloth napkins when I have guests over...or if I'm feeling like "dressing up" our dinner table on a regular night.



I think that these napkins from Horchow would be a fabulous hostess gift, that I know I would love to receive. The colorful numbers add a touch of whimsy, but they would certainly dress up a summertime feast. Aren't they so cute?

Hostess Gifts

Gift Ideas.

Does anyone else keep a file of “cool finds”? I bring this up because Spring is the time when I go through that file and re-stock my hostess gifts for the upcoming season. It’s fun for me to peruse the materials and pick and choose unique and useful items that I can grab when running out to a party, a birthday that snuck up on me or even just a thoughtful gift to bring to lunch for a friend having a difficult time.

Many people think gift giving is for the receiver. But I think it is the giver that truly benefits. I love having special little gifts on hand that I know will make people happy. So often giving gifts takes on a negative overtone because it usually involves rushing around town at the last minute when you still have a million things to do.

So, Hip Hostess’ take my advice and spend a little time and money in early Spring to save yourself stress and overspending in the future.

Check out StudioPatro…they have fabulous products and have great tips for getting the most out of a tea towel.

Olive & Cocoa

Source for unique gifts.

OMG. I have no idea how Olive & Cocoa got my information and then decided to send me a catalogue, but it was love at first sight.

I haven't dog-eared so many pages in a single catalogue in a LONG time. Make sure to check out their site and start making your wish list.

Here are just a handful of my favorites...in case anyone is curious.


Cupcake Stands packaged in a wooden crate



Red and White Wine Decanters



Numbered Wine Glasses



Old-fashioned lollipops packaged in their signature crate.




Tapas Caddy



And because it's the year of Hibiscus...subtly pink martini glasses.

Homemade Cocktail Onions

Gift idea and recipe.

So here it is almost Christmas time and the list of to-do’s seems never ending. When I saw this fantastic homemade cocktail onion recipe, I thought what a wonderful and unique gift idea to share. It is a great gift that is inexpensive, different, and can be done in steps between all of your other running around.



They are a great addition to holiday drinks or even just as snacks. If you want to kick it up a bit, put them in a basket or bag with a copy of Mad Men and a couple of martini glasses. I know the group at Sterling-Cooper could make quick work of these at one of their afternoon meetings.