Post Christmas Fun!

I hope everyone has had a wonderful time with their families over the past few days. Our Christmas was wonderful and filled with family and joy. I got into MPLS on Tuesday evening and spent time with the grandparents. On Christmas Eve morn we met my cousin and her new husband at Starbucks before heading to church. We came back to our house with mothers parents and enjoyed a wonderful dinner and opened our gifts. I got so many wonderful items!! There with loads of little blue boxes which are often the best gifts of all as well as the Blue Canton tea set, a new workout wardrobe, books and a beatiful robe! It was a wonderful evening. We got up on Christmas day and found even more fabulous items from Santa then we headed back to MPLS to see father's family, the cousins and to take daddy to the airport. All in all we had a marvelous time and I am so grateful to be surrounded by family. Mother and I have been tres busy preparing for the movers tomorrow. Thank goodness not everything is being taken and all new wads bought for the most part. It makes things SO much easier!! Have a wonderful afternoon and this Blackberry post is successful I shall be back with more news in the very near future!!

Merry Christmas!!

Gosh, is it honestly already December 23rd?! This year truly has flown by and I cannot believe I am flying to MPLS this evening. Obviously India at Christmas did not work out as mother has pushed the move back to march. However, father is home through the 25th which is very exciting so it will likely be our last Christmas with both sides of the family for quite some time. I am excited to see everyone and enjoy some time with the parentals and grandparents and of course the cousins too. All my gifts are wrapped, my bags are packed and I am ready to head to the frozen tundra. I am so thankful for another wonderful year of work. I honestly feel as if I have the most perfect job. I am thankful for my health and the health of those around me. I am thankful for my fabulous friends, both real life and blog buddies. I am thankful to live in such a wonderful country. I am thankful for all the men and women who serve this country and allow me to spend Christmas with my family. I am thankful for that God sent His son to save us. I am so very blessed and incredibly grateful for all I have been given.

2008 has been great and I look forward to all 2009 has to hold. I plan to join the Dallas Junior League and reach out to those in my community. I hope to travel to India and also return to Paris (I might even let you place a Catherine order with me!). I plan to continue to write letters to our troops and let them know how much I appreciate all they do. They make this country great! I plan to host my first swap in early 2009. I also hope to even buy a condo in Dallas at the end of the year. It is going to be a packed year, but I am hopeful it will be as wonderful as ever!

I will try to update you all when home. However, seeing as much of my time will likely be spent helping mother prep for the movers and the India move (did I ever mention I was just informed last week the parentals hope to be in India for FIFTEEN year?!) I am not sure how often I will be getting to Starbucks or the Library to use the laptop. However, I will read your blogs on my Blackberry, but the comments will be nonexistent. I will be available via email so write away. I hope everyone has a blessed time wherever they may spend it. Enjoy your vacation and do not forget the reason for the season!

Winners!!

Before I announce the winners I just want to say how inspiring everyone's comments were! Just a small act of kindness can make an incredible difference in the life of someone else and I truly believe all out efforts will help those in needs, but also inspire those around us. it is wonderful to be surrounded by such charitable woman who want to give and pour their hearts into something! You all are amazing and I am blessed to have connected with each of you. Thank you all for sharing your plans for 2009. From the sounds of it this next year will be inspiring and life changing!

I am so thrilled to congratulate Granny Smith Green as the winner of the Balboa Weekender. She will be chairing a project involving a Christian inner city school. The children are so eager to learn. We are providing them with opportunities that they might not have otherwise encountered. It's my goal that we can really make a difference. I hope we can all strive to make giving part of our personalities. It feels good to give!

The winner of the fabulous Cosmetic caddy is JillyBean. In 2009 she is organizing a career closet for the local women's shelter. This "closet" will include career-styled clothes for women who are victims of domestic violence to "borrow" when they go on job interviews. As you probably know, most women who find their way to a shelter usually do so with nothing more than the clothes on their back. Also, most women were forbidden by their abuser to work (one way they were controlled) so even if they were able to grab a few things before they left chances are they don't have anything suitable for the workplace.The women's shelter here does not have anything like this available on site. They usually send the women to Goodwill to pick out things, which is OK for the long run but I plan to create a one-stop shop that includes suits, shoes, stockings, handbags, etc. to make it easier for them.

Like everyone that entered this woman have incredible projects for them and I will be praying for them! Here is too making 2009 a better year for someone else!

Greater things have yet to come and greater things have yet to be done in this city!!

GSG and JB please email me your contact information when you have a free moment!

The Varneys

This year I have been blessed to meet so many fabulous people on the Internet (you all) and in real life! One fabulous person I had the honor of meeting was Nicholas Varney. Nicholas is a jewelry designer from NYC and for those of you that know interior design he is also the son of the famed Carlton Varney (president of Dorothy Draper and Co.)! His pieces are beautiful and true works of art just like his father's decorating.

Aren't this flower earrings fantastic?

Nicholas has been featured in the top magazines and is full of talent and charisma!

If you live in a city with a store that carries any of his beauties I highly encourage you to treat yourself to the eye candy!

Also, for those of you that love traditional (and preppy) design you simply MUST check out Carlton Varney's book. If you loved In the Pink: Dorothy Draper you are sure to love Houses In My Heart. The cover is fantastic and it will look wonderful in any room of your home!

Carlton Varney is such an inspiration and in my opinion has helped decorate some of the best hotels in America. From my NYC home- The Waldorf Towers- to a Lilly lovers getaway- The Breakers- to a relaxing haven in West Virginia- The Greenbrier- he has been there! Like his sons jewelry his designs are always as fresh as they were the day he drew them up! Enjoy this lecture on change and do make sure to check out the jewels too!

Toss Is Spreading the LOVE!

Well as promised I have something VERY exciting to share with your readers today! As you know I am a big fan of Toss Designs and they have offered to host a GIVEAWAY! However, it gets even better: TWO readers have a chance to win something pink and green and preppy all over. Thrilling I know, is it not?

One reader will win the Balboa Cosmetic Caddy:

Then another reader will win the Balboa Weekender:Adding some spice to your trip is a must and what better a way to start off your new year!

To enter the giveaway please leave a comment on this very post by 12am EST on Monday, December 22nd, 2008. To be a valid entry you must share a way you hope to give back to someone else or touch someone's life in 2009. From simple as writing a letter to an elaborate ball you are chairing, everything can make a difference! I think it is so very important to give back to others and I only hope these feelings can carry over to my readers. Though I vowed never to do this I am giving all followers a second entry into the giveaway. These are just such wonderful products and you are all so faithful that you are deserving! As this year comes to an end I just want to thank you all for being so faithful and standing by me. I feel as if I know many of you personally and look forward to getting to know many more of you in the future!

Good luck and let's spread the pink and green love all around!!! Remember the code PREP is still valid for 10% off your Toss order through January 1st, 2009!

Pre-Holiday SALES!

Over the past few days I have been out and about and spotted so many stellar deals that I just had to share! I just love sales and everything I have listed can be found marked down at a store near you!

Pop Color Catchall ($14)

Pottery Barn has an entire section of these types of accessories and while the pink looks purple here it is more a magenta. I bought a pink and a green catchall and wished they would have had the notebooks/journals ($5.99) in my colors. You can also find cell phone covers, pencil boxes and passport cases in pink and green. Hurry in!

Emery Desk Accessories ($4.99 to $7.99)

PB also had other great desk accessories for us! I bought a pink stapler for $7.99 and they has a matching pencil cup and clock too! Such steals and great stocking stuffer for relatives of all ages.

WS Hot Chocolate ($12.99)

I know you have heard me rave about the WS peppermint hot chocolate and now is the time to stock up! It is SO divine and would be a great addition to your Christmas day routine or for a cold winter night when you stay in and watch a movie!

Tory Burch Logo Key Fob ($27)

Ohhhh, how I LOVE all things Tory! I think this key fob is delightful. I would personally just add it to my key chain rather than switch everything over.

Tory Burch Slim Card Case ($45)

Pink and gold are always such a delightful combination. I love this style of card case and use them mine (a pink and green Lilly one from last year) for my Starbucks card. I keep it in the pocket of my purse for easy access. Perfection is cute!

Lilly Pulitzer Fall Trust Fund Wallet ($19)

This is similar to the Tory case, but hey you get two in one! You can use it as a key chain and put your important plastic in the pocket. Or why not keep it packed with calling cards so you can pass them out while on the go? You have to increase your chances of meeting Mr. Right somehow and you might as well be sporting Lilly while you are busy!

Confession

Well dearests you are about to think of me in a whole new light. Just when you thought you knew me I throw you for a loop. As you know I love all things pink and green, cupcakes and Kappa. Jackie O, Charlotte Moss and Letitia Baldrige are some of my idols. Well, I have a confession: I also love Britney Spears!!

Now, I would not consider her to be a role model but ever since her days of 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' and 'Oops I Did It Again' I have been hooked. I was almost one of those die hard fans in high school. Freshmen year for Halloween I dressed up as Britney circa HMBOMT, I had a Britney shirt I worked out in (mother loathed this) and I even walked into town from Taft to buy OIDIA. My love faded as Britney changed, but now that she is getting back on track I am back on Team Brit! Hollywood is a tough world to make it in and I am just glad at least one person under pressure can turn their life around. I am all about Blackout, minus one song I think is odd, and of course I am sold on Circus! I am SOOO excited that BFF Britney will be in Dallas in March and I fully intend on going and reliving my obsession phase for just a night.

I loved her then

and I still love her now!

Are you on team Brit or do you have a confession to share!? Let's dish!

NP!

I had to run several errands at Northpark this evening so I decided to look for the boots, or a pair of boots. Well absolutely nothing was satisfying so I left with nothing to keep the feet warm. I just do not think it is worth it to settle and buy something that it not what I want. It really is just a waste of money and in the long run I will likely not wear them. I am going to look again when home in MN and see what I come up with. A plus about shopping there is that there is NO clothing sales tax. Anyway, I did not leave without bags in tow. I stopped in J Crew and found some fabulous turtlenecks on sale for $39.99 plus an additional 30% off. I could not resist!

This is actually a pale coral in person, not an orange at all. I will take a photo so you can see!
You can never have too many neutrals and for $30 I had to scoop this color up!
These turtlenecks are great and I also have the magenta and cream and wear them at least once a week. They are not too heavy and the colors are so happy. What more could one ask for?!
Sorry for the lack of posts this week, life is far too busy to stay perfectly on top of everything! I promise to pay you back on Sunday though....stay tuned because you will LOVE it! Off to write letters to our service men and women who will be spending Christmas in Walter Reed (if anyone has a free moment and wants to also write drop me a line and I will send you a name or two or twenty and their address!). We owe so much to them!!

Boots Take Two

Well I am being incredibly indecisive on the boots! I spoke with mother who says I should just wait until March to have a pair custom made in India, but that is a bit far off! Anyway, she said go for the Tory's which I then researched and found out they were rubber so that was a no go for sure. Mother also said no to the LL Bean because she thought they would look frumpy on me and I am not sold on the Lilly because I do not have enough chocolate brown to wear them with hence why I am hooked on tan.chestnut. I ADORE the Lilly style, but why buy something that will match just a few things I own? So I was back to square one until a reader emailed me these:

Aren't they great? They are similar to the LL Bean but look as if the calf would be tighter. These are also on sale for $99 at Macy's so maybe I can find a Macy's coupon since they pretty much run them daily and get a real steal. Or maybe I should listen to mother and just hold out until India... Thoughts for round two of the dilemma?

I am so thrilled to hear you all liked the skirt I wore on Sunday evening. It is Lilly circa 2006 and was part of the holiday line. I am a bit embarrassed to admit this, but Sunday was the very first time I ever wore it! I was saving it for the perfect occasion. I am not quite sure why I was saving it because it is SO comfortable and flattering. I have quickly re-fallen in love. Anyway, there is currently one Janey skirt on eBay for $44.99 and free shipping. It is a 4, but would definitely fit a 6 and even an eight. If this is your size I highly recommend looking into it! Perhaps an early Chirstmas gift to yourself!? I think yes!

I Ride

For the past month I have been debating on what boots to buy. Well, I have been incredibly indecisive which is unusual and am relaying on you all to help me! I am sort of over Uggs. I mean they are super comfy, but I live in Dallas and am thinking I want to step it up and go more chic. Plus, did I ever mention I was a beginner, champion rider when I lived in Honduras? Riding boots are a must and will take me back to the days of spending three plus hours on a horse and galloping through sugar can fields! The look I intend to go for is the middle look (I guess that might be sort of obvious, but hey you never know!) and the options are as follows:
Lilly Pulitzer Hold Your Horses boots ($155.20 at 60% off)
I actually ordered these on Saturday morning for $99, but sadly got an email that they had sold my pair! Talk about depressing! I mean I finally decide and then it all falls apart. I have not yet bought a pair because I thought this might be a sign, but as you know I am always a bit partial to Lilly!

LL Bean Town and Field Boot in Nut Brown ($139 plus Hopsy has a $25 gift card to LL Bean so really they will be $104!)

Clearly these are the most economical option and I LOVE the color. I mean it can be worn with so much! This is what I think I am leaning towards, but at this rate I am obviously not set on anything.

Tory Burch Winnie ($150 on sale)

I am ALL about TB and adore just about everything she designed, but these are my least favorite by far. I think it is due in part to the fact that I saw these at the NM outlet in September for $85 in my size and neglected to buy them. This is what happens when mother does not always answer her phone. Thank goodness I now have BBM!!

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Any advice you might have will go a very long way dear friends!

Two Years Come and Gone

Two years ago yesterday I graduated from the University of Minnesota (wasn't my hair long?? Mother was not a fan)! Gosh how time flies by. It is hard to believe it has been two years since I lived in Kappa, attended an art history class, studied for a final and moved to Dallas! I know I might the right choice by finishing a semester early and I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends, a pink and green apartment and a fabulous job! I look forward to all the future has to old and hope the next few years will be just as wonderful as the past two.

A Gift For Moi!

Last night I treated myself to an early Christmas present. I had to run to NP and was running into to Lilly to purchase a few items for mother and just could not resist buying myself a little something to. Can you spot my purchase on the pink and green tree??

Isn't the Kissing Ball divine? I LOVE the size and I am now able to finally say I am a proud owner of a Lilly Jubilee product. Hooray!
I picked this up just in time for tomorrow's holiday fete at our abode. I have been a busy bee all day, but still have loads to do. However, I will admit I did cheat and get my sheets dry cleaned this week so no need to iron. I am obsessed and already told mother never again will I be standing at the ironing board for hours. Thank goodness! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Mine has been splendid and full of pink and green!

Carrie Underwood Help!

Hopsy is a HUGE Carrie Underwood fan. I just love country music and Carrie is one of my favorites. Well, this past week I have been hearing all these Christmas songs by Carrie on the Dallas radio. Finally, last night I had the chance to look them up and found out Carrie has a special, bonus CD only available at WalMart when you purchase Carnival Ride. Well, I have been the proud owner of the Carnival Ride CD for over a year and have no WalMart with a music section in my vicinity. So, I wanted to see if I might be able to reach out to a reader! I would ADORE a copy of the five or six song bonus CD and would be willing to pay for one too. I would prefer NOT to have a Limewire version, but rather a copy of the actual bonus disk. If anyone can help me out it would be much appreciated!

PS- I forgot to mention that I met Carrie Underwood in October of 2007. There is a photo (in which I look just terrible), but I am unable to save it from the website and upload it on to my blog.

UPDATE: Please note I ONLY am looking for the bonus track CD. Not the entire Carnival Ride CD. It is my understanding that you must buy CR to obtain the bonus, Christmas tracks, but I am not looking to buy another copy rather simply obtain a copy of the Christmas songs. Thank you all for your help!!

Feathers, Feathers, Feathers Galore!

Well I have searched and searched for my little, pink, feather Christmas tree, but have not found it anywhere! Mine was purchased from Michael's last October and it was one of those things you have to buy when you see it. I went back about a week later and they were completely sold out. However, who in their right mind would be able to pass up a dainty, pink, pre-lit tree for $8.99, right?!

Well, since I was unable to find my exact tree for you all I came up with alternative options. Angel Wreaths and Angel Trees makes high quality feather trees and wreaths. When I worked at Serifina the owner once order loads of their wreaths for a Valentine's party and they are beautiful. Very full and plush. They have trees in a number of colors as well as mixed colors (sadly no pink and green though) and the small size (27'') runs about $69.95. There is also a 6 foot size which runs closer to $500.00.

This green would look darling dressed up with Lilly ornaments and some big grosgrain bows!
This shade of pink would be perfect in a girl's room or the home of someone not completely sold on pink (hubby perhaps?). I would stock up on pink lights come February and throw some pearl, grosgrain ornaments on this lovely and call it a day!

If you read yesterday's post you know I have been wanting to own a angel wreath for well over a year, but just have yet to sit down and order one. While Angel Wreath's are fabulous I also found this darling pink on on eBay. I love the bow and I think you could even change it out during the year depending on the season or give it to a dear friend who is welcoming a baby girl!Fabulous!

This is my favorite find of the entire evening! I have searched for Angel Wreaths on eBay before, but have NEVER come across a pink and green one. I think this is a sign and there are actually two list right now! Wow. I think instead of making a pink and green polka dot and stripe grosgrain wreath I might just settle for this. I ADORE it!

If any of you etsy ladies are looking for a new item to carry in your store you might just want to consider feather trees and wreaths. They are not nearly as easy to come by as I thought and I am sure they would be huge sellers!!

Swaps!

Sorry for the lack of posts, response to emails and major lack of comments over the past few days, but I have just been as busy as ever. Unlike some people I love to stay busy and am not really one to get stressed out. I would much rather be busy then be sitting at home watching re-runs of ER. Anyway, stay tuned for many fun posts in the next week. I promise to make up this up to you readers!

This past weekend my FABULOUS swap package from GroveGals arrived. I absolutely ADORED everything she sent and I feel as if she knew me too well!

Isn't everything darling? I especially love the pink and green monogrammed ornament she included. It has already found the perfect home on the pink feather tree in my room.
This pink tree always brightens my day (or night). I love feathers and have actually always wanted one of those feather angel wreaths, but I suppose this shall do for now. Last year I did not put any ornaments on this sweet, little tree, but I decided to perk it up and add some more color this year.
This evening I cracked down and got over half of my Christmas cards done. Hooray! I will be putting this batch in the mail tomorrow and will start on the last half this weekend.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Wednesday and that you went out of your way to make the day of someone else! Keep spreading the joy, it is contagious!

Wednesday What?

What should I do today?

Today go out of your way to help someone! Be generous, be kind, inspire. A little help, enthusiasm and generosity can go a long way. Today I challenge you to make a difference. You do not have to do anything huge just something small that will impact someone's for the better. Tis the season, let's live it!

Saturday in the City

Well my trip to NYC clearly got lost in the midst of my Lilly posts and Thanksgiving. Now that it is December I clearly need to get on the ball and write about it!

I had the most wonderful time in the city even though there was a very bitter chill in the air. Friday C and I hit 5th and covered it all. From Rockefeller Center to Saks to Tiffany's to a photo with Eloise and dinner at 21 Club we were there. I will be sure and post photos when it is not so late in the evening and I have a bit more time. For now you will be forced to enjoy two fabulous stills from Saturday morning. Payard is the Laduree of the US. This French Patisserie and bistro is one of my favorite places to stop in to after a few hours of shopping on Madison and Lex. Their flour less chocolate cookies are to DIE for and you can even order them online. If you have a family member that is a die hard food fanatic you simply must order a box for their stocking! While in the area I also stopped in Stubbs and Wooten who just happened to be having a 50% off all stock sale. I picked up the most fabulous pair of blue and white ginger jar loafers for mother. Boy were they a steal! Speaking of blue and white look at William Wayne's fabulous window:

This photo was taken for my one and only very fabulous mother! We have a very blue and white home and mother is doing the entire home in New Dehli in these colors. William Wayne not only had an amazing window, but far too many fabulous accessories for the home. If I lived in the city I would make William Wayne one of my weekly go to stores. After a quick visit and a few purchases I headed to the famed Charlotte Moss. I picked up LOADS at the townhouse. I will have to photograph my loot for you all to admire. Loads of paper, a few blue and white treats and even some table decor! After a perfect morning on Madison and Lex I headed to Bloomies to meet the one and only LuLu!! LuLu and I had the BEST time together, but it was far too short. As I mentioned with Nina, I felt as if LuLu and I had been lifelong friends (we are sisters, Kappa sisters that is, so perhaps that is why) and I am so honored to know me a real world friend of hers. Our coffee date at Bloomies was simply perfect and I cannot wait for Lulu to visit Dallas in 2009!

What a Saturday morning I had in the city and what a day it has been in Dallas today. More on the city to come, but for now we must all rest our eyes and treat ourselves to some sweet dreams!

Toss-ing it Up!

For those of you who have been with my since the dinosaur age of Monograms and Manicures you know I am a huge fan of Toss Designs. The companies offers fresh, fun and PREPPY gifts for all those special people in your life. They have many basic items, but they have added such flair that you would never again want to buy black and white dominoes... we all need the pink and green set!

Well, it is with incredible excitement that I announce the news of a Toss Designs discount for you all! Today through January 1st, 2009 you can enter the code PREP at checkout and receive 10% off your order. I am a firm believer in that every little bit counts at this time of year. The money you save can go into the Salvation Army tins or towards your angle tree child. Head on over and stock up on gifts for those you love and save so that you can give back! Before you go I will share with you some of my favorite finds:

Giraffe Key Chain ($20.95)- Never loss your keys when if you use these eye catcher! Buy a couple and hand them out to your bffs or throw them into stockings!

The Perfect Jewelry Case ($26)- I think SIL and your bridesmaid need this!

Hot Iron Bag ($17.95)- Add some spice to the inside of your suitcase and keep it cool.

Bamboo Handled Umbrella ($48)- A truly classic preppy staple. I think we all need to indulge!

Festive File Folders ($24)- Why keep anything in a manila folder when you could have these on your desk? Talk about a perfect stocking stuffer for the hard worker!

Again, use the code PREP at check out to recieve a 10% discount off your Toss order. Shop away!

She Does It Again!

By now I am sure you are beginning to get sick of me rave about The Lady of Milkweed Manor, but so those of you who have not read it I HIGHLY encourage you to skip over to Amazon and order your copy- they run as low as $1.99! As I have mentioned time and time again (thought not for a good while) this is one of the very best books I have ever read. It is a delightful story of a young girl in 19th century England. This book will touch your heart and I assure you that you will not be able to put it down. It is truly captivating. The author, Julie Klassen, is a marvelous historical, christian author. Well, you can imagine my excitement when I found out her second book will be available on the first of the year! The Apothecary's Daughter sounds right up my alley and if you love historical fiction and all things British it is up yours too! I am sad to see 2008 go, but I now have yet another reason to be excited for 2009! Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that Julie Klassen lives in MN where I will be for the holidays. Perhaps a quick meeting at a book signing is in order. Head on over and order your copies of these books today. Get ready to get lost in a book and take a step back in time!

JD does Target?!

I have always loved John Derian. I have the most beautiful Paris map tray mother and father gave me in our apartment. So, imagine my surprise when I was running through Target yesterday and noticed he has a new line there! Well dear blogger friends run to Target because these items are going fast!

There are lovely trays that you can use to spice up your decor or even for holiday treats! I love this alphabet one and would LOVE to find it at a Dallas Target!

Aren't these coasters fun? They look just like the John Derian items sold in all the posh home stores. Perhaps a set would be good for the Mr.'s stocking.

What a lovely cherub holiday globe to adorn your console table! At $12.99 one for every room in the house might even be a good idea!

You can never have too many frames. If your house is filled pick one up for the gift closet.

Now for $5.99 this small plates, or trinket trays as I refer to them, are the PERFECT gift. Add some baked goods on top and you will be everyone's best friend!

A lovely poinsettia tray for your holiday fette!

Or how about this masculine tray for the hunter in your life? For $12.99 you can stock up for years to come!

Head to your local Target and hit up the fabulous John Derian collection. You are sure to fall in love with these items and you can add a touch of chic to your home. The best part is that you can have designer for 1/4 of the regular designer price!

The Wrapping Has Begun!

Wrapping gifts can be as fun as you make it! Though it can be time consuming the end result is well worth it. I love wrapping gifts and have fun doing it. I can often be particular about having neat corners and the perfect bow, but I am willing to work with a gift and bring out it's full potential.

Select heavier papers to make wrapping easier. I have found that the nicer papers leave me with cleaner edges thus leading to a more elegant presentation. Also, select ribbons that are fun, but also not impossible to work with. The less expensive satins are not the best in my opinion. Ribbons with a hint of wire make all the difference and allow you to position a bow just as you like it! I simply adore the gold glitter ribbon (above left) that I found at Michael's. It is perfect for the holidays and dresses up even the most simple of papers. I tend to pair it with a gold paper with glitter polka dots- it is stunning!
Finally, I love to add embellishments to gifts. They really spice things up and can take personalization to an entirely new level. Plus, in the end most can double as ornaments!
Oh the joys of wrapping! For a detailed look into the art of gift wrapping I highly suggest looking at Presentations by Carolyn Rhoem. It is full of photos and ideas that are certain to inspire you to take wrapping to a whole new level. Now if I can just master floral arrangements I can become the next Carolyn Rhoem.