Entertaining Made Easy
05.06.15
NoraFlemingEntertaining
My friend recently introduced me to Nora Fleming, and now I think I have discovered my new favorite gift to give.  Nora Fleming offers customizable platters that you can use from season to season. You simply pick your platter and a mini and then rotate the minis each holiday  My personal favorites for summer are the margarita mini and garish dish – perfect for salsa, sour cream and guacamole {all of my favorites for a perfect taco night}.
You can shop the collection online or find more information about what local stores sell the items here.
I may just give these as hostess gifts for our upcoming couples shower later this summer.
xo

 

Summer Events: What to Wear
05.01.15
GinghamandFloral
Like I mentioned in this post, Bill and I have a handful of weddings this summer. We are about to begin a whirlwind few weekends of bachelor and bachelorette parties, bridal showers and other fun wedding festivities. With that in mind, I am trying to build a dress, skirt and romper collection for all of the special occasions. When I think spring, I instantly think fun, floral prints, but I am also loving gingham this season. I rounded up some of my current favorites in each print. I personally love both of the MINKPINK pieces and would dress them up or down throughout the summer, plus you can’t beat the price point!

xo
Mother’s Day Gift Guide
04.27.15

MothersDayGiftGuide__BrassTacks

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought I would put together a roundup of little luxuries for the amazing women who always seem to do it all with a smile on their face. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat her to something she wouldn’t normally splurge on for herself. I especially love gifting a day at the spa for a mani/pedi, massage or facial. You also can’t go wrong with the gift of time whether it be going out to lunch, making dinner or helping with a project she’s working on at home.
Cheers to our everyday wonder women! Thank you for all you do each and every day.
xo

 

Personalized Wedding Gifts
04.16.15
PersonalizedWeddingGifts

​I​ don’t know about you but we have 8 weddings this summer {not including our own!}. With wedding season comes fun engagement parties and bridal or couples showers. Bill and I typically stick to our friends’ registries when purchasing our gifts but then like to add a personal item that the couple wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.

* Fun cutting boards – These are perfect to display in their kitchen and will be a go-to item for the first parties they host as newlyweds
*Bar cart glasses – There’s no better way to help the couple celebrate than providing some fresh new barware that they can cheers as they countdown to the wedding and use to celebrate anniversaries in years to come.
*Monogrammed items – These are my favorite gifts to give! The luggage tags are a perfect gift for the new Mr. and Mrs. as they jet off on their honeymoon, and I love a cozy throw blanket for them to curl up with while they wind down after a whirlwind few months of planning. I also love personalized address stamps to celebrate a new name or new home.
What are some of your favorite gifts to give?
xo
A Splash of Blue
04.08.15

BlueHomeDecor

Blue is most certainly having a moment, and I am more than happy about it. As someone who typically gravitates towards neutrals, I am working to step out of my comfort zone and welcome more color into our home {and my closet!}. I’m going to start small with some printed pillows and throw blankets for our bedroom, but this rug may be next on my list. I would also love to add two of the navy x-benches under an entryway table and this lamp to a future office.
Happy decorating!
xo
An Easter Soiree
03.27.15

BT Easter 2015

Shop the Post: Happy Easter Egg Card / Wildflower and Fern Candle / Jolie Napkin Set / Phoebe Egg Platter / Burmese Blue Vase / Mixed Double Old-Fashioned Glasses / Striped Candles / Golden Rabbit Vase

Spring time. Sunday dresses. Deviled Eggs. Treats galore. These are just a few of the reasons why I adore Easter. I have such fond memories of childhood Easter’s spent hunting for eggs with my sister, masterly crafting beautifully dyed creations and digging into my dad’s delicious easter egg salad. Now, as an adult, I get excited by decorating the house, picking out an easter dress and whipping up a tasty family brunch. Each year I seem to approach my table setting with a new vision. Having just moved back into our newly remodeled house (see #deppahaven here) I am even more excited to host loved ones for a delicious feast this year. I’m all about fun and bright colors in our new digs and my Easter picks this year reflect the same. Vintage inspired glass ware for cocktails and deviled eggs. A modern bunny vase with a touch of gold, napkins that speak for themselves and candles that sneak in an everlasting love for stripes. It’s going to be an eclectic table this year and I just can’t wait!

What are your Easter traditions? Do tell!

xo

Perris

Spring Break: Day to Night
03.25.15
romperdaytonight
While I may not have a spring break of my own this year, I have certainly started planning for our honeymoon in September. After a long winter fill​ed with a whole lot of neutrals, I’m ready for bold floral prints, bright hues and metallic accessories.

When packing for a warm weather getaway, I always make sure to pack a large beach bag that I can store a smaller crossbody bag in for the flight as well as other in-flight necessities. After I arrive, I rely on the beach bag during the day and the crossbody bag at night when we’re exploring the city.

Some of my other essentials include a maxi dress to wear with statement necklaces or scarves at night {I always have a little chill thanks to sunburn at night and love wrapping up in a printed scarf}. You also can’t go wrong with an oversized straw hat or panama hat to protect yourself from the sun and tame your hair after a dip in the pool or ocean.

Do you have any fun trips on the horizon?

xoxo
2014 Holiday Gift Guide: The Foodie & The Cook
12.03.14

2015 Gift Guide- Foodie

Shop the Guide: 1 Olympic Provisions Salami Bouquet 2 Tangerine Print 3 Poppy Ring Rolling Pin 4 Indigo Wood & Bone Servers 5 Handcrafted Pizza Cutter 6 Laguiole Steak Knives 7 Brass & Walnut Pour Over Coffee Stand 8 Askinosie Peppermint Bark 9 Tina Frey White Champagne Bucket

To me the holidays are all about family. And food. The meals that become traditions and the wafting smells that bring you comfort. The kitchen is a special place to be during the holidays. Whether you’re shopping for a treat loving co-worker or a friend with a new kitchen, these goodies are sure to please (and look beautiful while doing so!).

For the beverage connoisseur I recommend a beautiful handcrafted coffee stand or a sleekly sculpted champagne bucket. Surprise a foodie friend with a creative and divine salami bouquet (Olympic Provisions is responsible for the one time I’ve eaten an entire salami in one sitting- it’s that good) or a box of delectable peppermint bark from craft chocolate purveyor Askinosie. Surprise your favorite cook with a too-pretty-to-use rolling pin or a set of classic Laguiole steak knives in bright colors. When you’re really stumped, just about everyone can use some beautiful servers and a swanky pizza cutter but save the gorgeous tangerine print for someone extra deserving of some beauty in their lives.

Cheers to a holiday season filled with love, laughter and delicious food!

2014 Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
11.24.14

2015 Gift Guide- stocking stuffers

Shop the Guide: 1 Jersey Knit Stripe Stocking/Pom-Pom Charm 2 Cocktail Muddler 3 Mast Brothers Chocolate 4 Loren Hope Earrings 5 Kate Spade Wine Tote 6 Beauty Counter Lip Sheer 7 Ray-Ban Clubmaster Sunnies 8 Sugar Paper Gift Tags 9 Swedish Dream Sea Salt Candle 10 Nautical Wine Opener 11 Holiday Fabric Fresh 12 Double Pearl Studs 13 Ashley Brooke Designs Mug 14 Scotch Naturals Nail Polish 15 Jcrew Trouser Socks

Let’s be honest…stockings are the best. There is something so special about this old Christmas tradition, no matter what fills your stocking. The mere act of unpacking my stocking from storage each year brings back the warmest childhood memories. As adults, my husband and I have started a new tradition by only giving each other gifts that fit within our stockings. This leaves me in a “stocking state of mind” for much of the year. In my opinion, the perfect mix of stocking stuffers includes some tasty treats, a touch of whimsy, a bit of practicality and at least one wow-factor surprise. Let’s start with a fabulous pom-pom adorned stocking and a Mast Brothers bar of chocolate followed by a nautical wine stopper and a cheeky bag for a bottle of bubbly. Continue onto the practical with a holiday fabric freshener, warm winter socks and a handmade muddler for those ever so necessary winter beverages. Practical never looked so good. Onto the wow-factor surprises with a pair of beautiful baubles or a new pair of shades. The options are endless which is why this game is so fun! While we all love an overflowing stocking, the most important thing is who you spend these precious holiday moments with. Wishing you all a warm and happy holiday season as we kick things off with a day of thanks this Thursday! xo

 

 

 

Show and Tell- Volume 9
10.09.14

Show and Tell vol 9

 

Clockwise From Top Left: Gold Task Lamp / Artisan Painted Canoe Paddle / Pastiche Orb Chandelier / Wood Tiled Dresser / Pom Pom Basket / Faribault Stripe Pillow / Faribault Plaid Pillow

What better way to return to the blog than with a show and tell of my latest fun finds! Fall is in full effect in Minnesota resulting in gorgeously colorful foliage, hearty cooking and the beginning of cashmere sweater season. My remodel project is also moving full force ahead so I’m spending these lovely brisk weekends scouring markets, shops and sales for special items to decorate our “new” home. Faribault Woolen Mill has long been a favorite local company of mine so I was elated to hear they are partnering with West Elm this season to bring cozy plaids to a wider market. While their throws are a staple, I have my eye on these stripe pillows. To tie in the nautical theme to our lakeside abode I am loving beautifully crafted goods like these artisan painted canoe paddles and statement lighting. Speaking of lighting, that has been my biggest struggle thus far. I’m finally in a place where I adore each and every one of our light selections and now am focused on the slightly easier task of sourcing table lamps. Sometimes the best finds are in the least expected places…like this gem from Target. And while I’m browsing the big retailers I can’t help but fall for these side tables. Part beachy, part modern and part unexpected. Just like my new favorite basket (minus the modern).

What are you lusting after these days?

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