{monday things}

 We had a lovely weekend. It included so much fun with friends, from afternoon coffee, to bible study, to a long day at the lake, to church and then a fun lunch afterwards. I started to feel a little bit sick yesterday afternoon and have a slight fever and aches, but hopefully those will disappear in time for our trip to Durango tomorrow! 

I finally managed to visit some thrift stores and Hobby Lobby and scored some cute bottles to fill with some of my latest creations!

My mother in law and I made home-made vanilla back at Easter and I've been steeping it ever since. It is now all divided up in pretty bottles and ready to be given as gifts! (except the big one. that one's for me.)

Those two tall bottles in the back are full of home-made rose water! I made it earlier in the summer and it's been in the fridge waiting for pretty bottles to live in.

I found the rose water recipe on Roost and the vanilla recipe was all over the place on Pinterest. 

I'm going to spend the rest of today trying to heal up and also clean a bit. 

I hope your weekend was super fab!

Crafty Christmas Gift Idea: Wooden Spoons

Last year, I made almost all of my Christmas presents for other people. A few of the dudes got store-bought items, because, lets face it, it's hard to craft for guys. But all the women in my life got hand-made gifts courtesy of moi! I had such a blast crafting for my family and friends, and it really helped fill up my time when I first moved up here and didn't have much going on. 

This year is a very, very different story. I've been busier than I could have imagined in the past few months, and things keep coming at an alarming pace. I love my life, but it hasn't left nearly enough time for present making. I haven't made a single gift, in fact!

So I thought I'd pass some of my ideas on to you, since I've got no time or energy to complete them myself.
I'm calling this the wooden spoon gift set idea. Dye some boring wooden spoons with paint or something and you have a unique and fun gift for the chef in your life! Or for that decorista who likes a matchy-matchy kitchen. 

Good luck, crafters! 

{put a ring on it}

                                                                                                         Source: obaz.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                             Source: metiersf.blogspot.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                   Source: antiquesnavigator.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                   Source: Uploaded by user via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                         Source: imgfave.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                                 Source: etsy.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                             Source: wanelo.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                            Source: adin.be via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                             Source: etsy.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                             Source: wanelo.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                                        Source: etsy.com via Daniella on Pinterest

                                                                                             Source: itsajaimething.com via Daniella on Pinterest

Oh My. This is just a small sampling of the rings I've pinned over the last year. Rings have long been one of my very favorite kinds of jewelry. While I already own the two most important rings of my life, there is no end to the rings I lust over. Unfortunately, I tend to wear rings less and less, simply because they often get in the way of my tasks, get caught in my clothes and hair, and are in many ways a nuisance. But going through my boards and seeing how many I've pinned makes me want to renew my love affair with rings. If only I could choose just one!

What about you? Do you have a favorite kind of jewelry? Which ring is your favorite?

Inspired by {funny pillows}

                                                        

I really love all these fun and witty pillow ideas! Just having one tossed into a chair can make such a funny and unexpected surprise! Or a great and original gift! Time to learn the art of pillow-making! 

Fa la la la la!

                                                                      Source: sea-life-style.blogspot.com via Daniella on Pinterest

We're loading up the car today with heaps and heaps of presents to take back home for the holidays! I've crafted and shopped and wrapped until my back hurt and my fingers twitched, and finally I get to give all the goodies away! One of the very best feelings is giving the perfect gift, one that I know will be treasured. 

Tell me, what is the most perfect "you" gift you ever received? 

Craft day

                                                                                   Source: google.ie via Daniella on Pinterest

Today I'm back to crafting like crazy as I try to get all of my Christmas presents done before going to Albuquerque next week. I have at least 3 crafts going at once right now (because I have to wait on paint to dry and such) and my pointer finger is both bruised and burned, but so far its been a productive day. What are you up to on this fine Tuesday? 

Leather Gifts for Men

Our 3 year anniversary is coming up on December 27th. Phillip and I are pretty excited about getting to spend this one together, and we had a "smart phone duel" the other day to see who could find out what the traditional third year present was. I know. We're dorky (I won). But anyway, now I have to come up with a cool leather present, so I thought I'd turn it into a blog post, since I thought maybe you could help me out or use some Christmas ideas for your men.

All the online advice I've been reading suggests a leather jacket. He already has a faux leather jacket, which is cool but not as nice or soft as a real leather jacket. This one is really awesome, but it's also $245. Yikes.

I think this watch is really neat. It's less than the jacket, but still $124. I really don't know how much I'm supposed to spend on an anniversary gift! It's the thought that counts, I know, but what will he actually like??

This shop has some really cool men's necklaces with leather. Would Phillip wear them? I have no idea. 

The internet also told me to buy him a leather wallet. His is still working fine but will wear out someday. There are only a million options. I even found one in "python leather."

And then there's this:

It's for me, obviously. Who doesn't want a leather cat-woman mask?! 

What did you get your husband for your third anniversary? 

Do you have any advice/ideas for me?