Let it Bow - the easiest way to tie up a gift

It is amazing what a bow can do.

They are pretty, classic, happy, useful and dress anything up.
What would a gift be without one?

They add a flair to gift tags...

pizzazz to thank yous...


and are the perfect accessory for stickers...

So don't stress about wrapping your gifts, 

Just Let it BOW, Let it BOW!

Tie it all up 

in my Etsy Shop

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Letter Perfect Packaging...and my favorite way to give wine

We all know the easiest hostess gift is a bottle of wine...

These days,
I have skipped the fancy bags and glittery packaging.
I'm wrapping bottles with
a jumbo brown paper bag, with a monogrammed sticker,
then tied with a pretty ribbon...

It is quick, easy, modern and I love the juxtaposition of a 

simple brown paper bag with a luxurious ribbon and traditional monogram...

(not to mention I think it is funny to bring it in a brown paper bag)

I am actually kind of "stuck" on these 

Letter Perfect Stickers, 

so many gifts, so little time to wrap!

available on Etsy!

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Fat Hearts, Warm Hands and Nerds more Pitch Perfect Valentines

I have been stunned by the response to my 

Pitch Perfect Valentines!

I had no idea there were so many

Aca-fabulous Fans out there.

My daughter and I were both home yesterday with the flu.
A big dose of Pitch Perfect was just what we needed to feel better and
brainstorm a few more Valentine's ideas

The movie is full of one liners but Fat Amy's are my favorites.

Valentine's Day is all about Fat Hearts...

I loved all the music in the movie,

but 

"Don't you forget about me" 

brought me right back to the 80's.

Make sure your Valentine remembers you...

and who doesn't love a story about a 

group of misfits that come out on top in the end?

Tell someone what an awesome nerd they are...

all available on Etsy

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Another Reunion...this time a Bronco Bash

The Santa Clara University Gang 

is getting together for their yearly reunion.

5 families will be converging in the Napa Valley for a weekend of fun...

These are a few of the goodies I put together for them.

Water bottles bearing all of their names...

A make your own

Santa Clara "Bronco Color" Sailor Bracelet Kit...

and stickers for everyone to wear...

As a joke, 

last time they got together,
I snuck in a water bottle.

Do you think they will care if I wear one of the stickers with my college jacket?


And I am so proud of the hostess, Carrie!
Look at what a good job she did with the display...

also on Tatertots and Jello, TOday's Creative

"Rounding Up" Toy Story 3 Favors

Packaging Toy Story 3 Party Favors

The sticker says it all!

Green Day - Camp Care Package

Green is the theme for the first care package

we are sending to camp.

A mixture of silly and practical gifts...

"we hope you have the time of your life"!

Father's Day Fries...Finally!

Almost everyone who has been over for dinner has experienced

Matt's French Fries.

They are perfect-

crispy, golden and lightly salted

We decided to upgrade his serving presentation

and got him french fry holders for Father's Day.

We had them tonight and they were as fabulous as always.

He even makes a version dusted with White Truffle Salt...

out of this world!

We can't wait to have someone over...

Lovin' Summer...

The Hostess Gift we are bringing to our

1st BBQ of the Summer...

39 days until Summer! Birthday Favors for the class...

My son is counting down the days until Summer,

we reflected that in the beach ball favors he gave out to his class!

Welcome Home Balloons

My daughter has been away all week at Outdoor Education

with the entire 5th grade class.

A week filled with

hiking, learning about the environment and marine life,

camping, rain, cold and FUN.
We all missed her so much and decided a balloon tribute

was in order for her homecoming.

and a little welcome home gift!
(hint, hint)

You know what they say about children and pets being the most difficult things to photograph?

My vote is for balloons!

Leprechaun Lunch - St. Patrick's Day

My children's teacher is a fine Irish lass

and she started one of our favorite holiday traditions.

Each year she has the children fill out what they would like

for a St. Patrick's Day lunch.

Then they randomly select another classmate's

to bring as secret leprechaun lunch.
~

Here are a few of the things the Murphy Leprechauns

packed for Ashley and Zach

(It was hysterical to read what they requested

when they knew they could ask for almost anything!)

(her request was for a hot dog Lunchable...there were none to be found!)