Kate Spade is hosting a surprise sale today and tomorrow and I stumbled across this darling locket. For a whopping $35(!!), it may be the perfect gift for your bridesmaids or besties, as it’s inscription reads:
As a new parent, I have been overwhelmed and surprised by the generosity of family, close friends and even mere acquaintances. There has been an abundance of lovely notes and gifts galore for our Sweet Baby C – everything including personalized blankets [so perfect for snuggles], to adorable outfits [to make his mama proud], to extra large tubs of diaper cream [to ward off the inevitable tooshie rash] and everything in between. …ALL have been so appreciated and completely unnecessary.
[And I can’t even count the beautifully insane Gucci diaper bag from my best friend in Sydney…]
That said, one of my favorite, simple gifts was from a dear friend – someone with a pair of gorgeous kiddos of her own – making her know, first hand, what can be the biggest struggle of new parenthood:
Finding time to eat properly – [something that is not take-out, that is]!
Her easy and darling basket of goodies was delivered to our doorman [coordinating visits can be overwhelming with a newborn] and contained everything to help get mornings off to a smooth [ish!] start.
Here are some of the easy essentials:
A sweet note. Caffeinated coffee!
Homemade muffins high in fiber and protein to help keep your energy up! [Will try to get the recipe because they were truly delicious and SO hearty!]
Yummy granola that was good as a quick snack, added to greek yogurt or ice cream.
A chew toy for the first love of our lives and lovely teas.
The basket of goodies can be tailored for your friends tastes [swap muffins for cupcakes, granola for chex-mix etc.] and is sure to be appreciated by any new mom ,or perhaps just a friend with a lot on her plate!
It has honestly been so humbling to have received such support from friends and family – and I now feel like I have an endless supply of inspiration for future new mamas in need!
Babies, babies, babies! Babies are on the brain and I can’t blame it [all] on my little bun in the oven! Handfuls of dear friends are welcoming new ones left and right!
While I can’t pretend to be an expert on the first few weeks of mommyhood, I can only imagine that there is little time for sleep, for healthy eating or any relaxation.
When a girlfriend recently had her baby girl, I was dying for a visit – but one must not arrive without an armful of goodies – so I put together this quick and easy collection:
A hearty, but healthy meal that would last a couple of days, making great left-overs. My dinner-in-a-bag consisted of:
1. Lowfat Turkey Chili
Lean ground turkey
Canned fire-roasted tomatoes
Cannelini beans, black beans, kidney beans or beans of your preference [I often mix the varieties]
Diced and quickly sautéed onions
Minced garlic
Grill roasted corn kernels [always from the cob!]
Diced yellow paper
Chopped Yellow squash or zucchini
Add garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, cayenne and red paper flakes [mama needs some heat!] to taste.
I absolutely cheat and use the small blue boxes that Jiffy makes and add diced fresh jalapeño for extra zing
4. Easy compound butter for the cornbread
I made a brown sugar/honey butter this time 5. Vino! Necessary for a little relaxation strategically fit between naps and nursing.
My sweet aunt and uncle live on a farm and keep chickens and are always trying to share the wealth – lucky us! So I also brought a handful of farm-fresh eggs to help with a quick breakfast [omelet, scrambled eggs] lunch [baby spinach salad with poached egg] or hardboiled for protein in a flash!
And, finally, as clothes and gifts may be piling up by the day for the grateful family, I brought just a little something for the new babe: Stationary and a pink pen to scribe the many thank-you notes that will surely help mommy fill her afternoons.
Congratulations to all the new mamas out there! Any advice about what YOU’D like to receive from any visitors??
Clients are often looking for something special for their girls [and something to look fantastic in photos!]. Thankfully, we’ve made it through the matching rhinestone velour sweatsuit stage and have embarked on prettier, more sophisticated ways of dressing our bridesmaids in loungewear.
I was turned onto Plum Pretty Sugar by the lovely Katie Kozlowski and think their incredibly feminine patterns are just darling!
‘Twas the season for giving…which I enjoy…immensely. But it was also the season for receiving! Among many generous gifts from family and friends, this holiday season, I did have a few favorites that I’m still love love loving…
Snappy new monogrammed phone case from quirky favorite Iomoi.
And…these flirty flats for running around (…when my feet revolt from trying to be chic in said leopard pumps…)
And perhaps my favorite of all…While Husband Joel is NOT the southern prep I was once certain I’d end up with, the charming fellow did surprise me when we met for cocktails on New Years Eve (after leaving the room in a necktie) by donning this brilliant bow tie. He left it on all evening long and I so appreciated starting the New Year staring at his handsome bow-tie-clad self.
With the holidays inching nearer by the day, I thought it would be appropriate for a little help! Now…perhaps this is the inspiration I need to get a legit move on!
As a wife – to say that I am thrilled with the most fabulous piece of jewelry I’ll ever own…my engagement ring would be a massive understatement {ok, well, to be fair let’s also include the 4 dreamy diamond and sapphire wedding bands that Sucker Husband has added to my ring finger over the last couple of years}. I’ve told The Man that {for now?} fancy jewelry does not need to be in the gift giving rotation. And why not, you ask!? Because there are perfectly fantastic cheap options out there around every corner, allowing me load up on ridiculous accessories each season. While you may frequent Topshop, J.Crew or Forever 21 for flashy faux jewelry – one can never have too many resources when a bargain is involved.
Recently I’ve stumbled across Swell Caroline for darling pieces for myself and for stylish gifts.
These stud earrings would add the perfect pop to a simple turtleneck sweater this fall. Very Lily van der Woodsen…
These darling enamel studs would be a charming hostess gift {pineapples are the symbol of hospitality, of course}. And at $25, you can’t beat it with a bottle of champers in tow!
Or load up on all sorts of varied bracelets for an arm-full of action!
I always appreciate a bridesmaid gift that is thoughtful – a gesture of gratitude and appreciation rather than a gifted sash that everyone has to wear on her wedding day. With a variety of options and styles, you can choose a gift that really is reflective of each of your girls’ style and personality. And with such bargain price-tags…you can afford to still cover the cost of the mandatory up-do or lame flower-pin they all are required to don.
PS: I also thought these totes would be a simple way to allow the girls to collect all of their belongings {flip flops for later, pashmina, make-up, yoga clothes they wore to the hotel etc.} and stash under the head table or in the bridal suite. {I always look like a bag lady on wedding days carrying dozens of purses, shopping bags etc. and would absolutely die if a bridal party came prepared with cutie manageable totes of personal belongings like these!}
{image credits} all images from swell caroline with the exception of stylish bracelet girl taken from classy in the city
While brides love the novelty of showcasing their new monogram {a logo for a new life!}, the fun doesn’t have to stop with the scripty lettered motif perched atop the menu cards…
Work monogrammed pieces into everything from pillows, napkins and hand towels to jewelry, stamps and attire. Here are just a few favorite ideas:
I love these pillows, place mats and napkins from Luxury Monograms.
Many of us know about the delightful Sarah Drake for her beyond beautiful letterpress and engraved wedding invitations. In addition to designing your save the dates, your entire wedding suite, programs and menu cards, you can enlist the boutique studio to create a charming monogram for The New You, dream up a custom crest for your growing family or even help with your budding business’ brand identity and logo!
The fun doesn’t have to stop with the conceptual creations, however…
You can have Sarah help put together a beautiful tablescape…
I am obsessed with monogrammed dinnerware! Here, for a more casual, everyday use Sarah will work your monogram into rustic stoneware pieces {made locally in Chicago!}.
If urban farmhouse isn’t necessarily your look – choose a more formal china pattern {for fancy dinner parties or to simply dress up Chinese take-out!}
Knobby linen napkins add a casual elegance to any table setting.
Sarah Drake can also work your monograms into bedding!
Yes. Please.
Now…why settle for a mundane monogram when you can have Sarah create a brand new family crest!! {L.O.V.E the establish date – aka your wedding date!}
Then work your crest into your linens!
For perhaps a more simple idea, have them help with monogrammed hemstitch cocktail napkins {I have heaps of them! And they also make fabulous hostess gifts!} or a simple, classic handkerchief.
And the very best news?! Sarah Drake can set up a custom registry so your family and friends can help you build your fancypants new monogrammed collection!
