Origami Owl: a charm necklace!

Since I just graduated from college, I went through a period where I received many sweet cards, graduation money, and a few gifts from friends and family.

One of my favorite presents that I received is called an “Origami Owl” necklace. It is super cute and is pretty much a charm necklace (instead of the typical charm bracelet). I am so excited about mine and even more ecstatic that it is “teacher-themed.”

There are a couple steps when designing your necklace:

Step 1– choose your charms: there is great variety and lots to choose from! (I picked an apple, books, a cross, and a blue stone to add a pop of color)

Step 2– pick a locket: the colors you can choose from are black, silver, gold, and rose gold. You can also pick a locket with crystals around the frame or a plain one. The lockets also come in 3 different sizes (I chose the large, plain silver one)

Step 3– decide on the chain: just like with the locket, the colors are black, silver, gold, and rose gold and also come in varying lengths (I picked the longest so that it would hit in the middle of my chest and lay like a locket)

Step 4– pick a plate (optional): these are plates that are the background of your locket and contain words like family, love, blessed, and faith (I picked a gold one that says inspire to tie together my teacher theme)

Step 5– dangles (optional): the dangles are similar to the charms but instead of going inside the locket, they hook on to the chain (I did not choose a dangle because I wanted my necklace to have a simple, clean look)

To find more information and see all that Origami Owl has to offer check out their website: Origami Owl

Gift ideas for your man

After dating the same person for six and a half years, I have had to get creative with gifts. Scott’s 23rd birthday is this month and it made me think of the different presents I have given him over the years. Some of my favs include:

1. Make something- picture collage, scrapbook, no sew blanket, or make him a personalized build-a-bear…and never underestimate the power of sweets! What guy doesn’t like some cookies or his favorite cake baked for him?
2. Concert tickets – always a fun present…and you get something out of it, too! =)
3. Gift card- for something fun you can do together like your favorite restaurant or go to the movies
4. Technology- whether you want something small like iPod speakers or a car adapter to something big like a tv, iPod, or iPad- guys definitely love their “toys”
5. Clothes- I feel like I can never get Scott enough clothes. Plus I like when I get to have a little control of his style (good thing he agrees with my taste). I’ve bought him everything from basketball shorts, to polo shirts, to nice button ups. You can’t go wrong with clothes…just make sure you know what size!
6. Accessories- sunglasses, watch
7. Cologne- what guy doesn’t like to smell good? Some of my favorites are any of the Polo fragrances!
8. Shoes- guys are always in need of shoes…whether it’s sandals, Sperry’s, tennis shoes, or dress shoes most men can usually find a use for them
9. Wallet- Scott always loses things and one year before his birthday he lost his so I bought him a new one. I never realized how many different styles there were to choose from!
10. Something meaningful- for example Scott played football at the University of Louisville so I found a framed poster of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium (where he played) on eBay for a good price. He loved it and it’s something he will enjoy for years to come.

This year I lucked out with birthday shopping for Scott. While we were in Hilton Head we went to the outlet mall and shopped together for his presents. Even though it might not have been very “surprising” he was able to pick out things he needed and really liked. We found lots of good deals at the Polo Factory so Scott went to town picking out clothes. I also got him some nice golf shoes from the Nike store since he has started golfing again and was in need of a new pair. Now I don’t have to stress about what to get him and he’s happy as can be. =)

Favorite Christmas Present

One of my favorite presents that I received for Christmas this year is my new monogrammed lunch box!

I know it sounds stupid, but last semester when I was student teaching, I had to bring my lunch in a plastic grocery bag — so this is a big improvement! I absolutely love it and can’t wait to use it everyday!

I came across this lunch box on Etsy at rougeandco.  They have lots of adorable prints, colors, and fonts to choose from! Would make a great gift for students or teachers you might know 🙂

DIY Jewelry Board

I had seen several DIY Jewelry Boards on Pinterest and decided that Christmas would be a wonderful time to try to make one of these creative little things…

The supplies you will need for this project include the following:

– empty frame (found one at Hobby Lobby for $29.99 but used a 40% off coupon so it was cheaper)

– roll of cork board (can be found at any craft store or Hobby Lobby)

– poster board the same size as your frame (or foam board)

– spray adhesive 

– fabric (make sure it is 1 in. longer on all sides than the frame you use)

– stapler 

– push pins

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Pick out a frame that you like — the one I used is a 16 x 20 frame and is a perfect size (Hobby Lobby has a great selection to choose from)

2. Buy all other supplies

3. Cut your poster board (or foam board) the same size as your frame

4. Cut your cork board the same size as your frame

5. Spray poster board with adhesive and immediately place cork board on top of it

6. Let dry for 5-10 minutes

7. Stretch fabric over the board and staple it on the back

8. Place fabric covered board inside frame (should fit perfectly if cut correctly)

9. Place push pins on board and hang your jewelry! And TA-DA you have a wonderful way to display necklaces, bracelets, and earrings! 🙂 

Here is my first attempt at making a jewelry board. I made it for a Christmas present, but will definitely be making my own after the hustle and bustle of the holidays is over. Will be sure to post those pics, too! 🙂 

Early Christmas Shopping!

So I was looking at Pinterest today (shocker) and decided to create a pinboard titled “My Christmas List.” After I had spent a good deal of time procrastinating from my homework and pinning several things to this board, I realized I needed to start thinking about what I was going to get everyone for Christmas.  That was when I came across this darling website called “Haymarket Designs.”  They have tons of adorable monogrammed products including cell phone cases, coasters, coozies, picture frames, plates…you get the idea. And all of their products have beautiful designs and patterns! While I was browsing this wonderful website I came across this little guy…

…It’s a wine tote! I had never even heard of such a thing before.  But since my mom is one of the biggest wine lovers I know, I instantly knew that this would be a PERFECT Christmas gift for her. I enjoyed customizing it- picking out the pattern, colors, and what it would say.  I decided to put “tis the season to drink wine” on it (I thought that was appropriate). To check out all of their amazing products, go to their website at: http://www.haymarketdesigns.com/