Recently, I made these monogram coasters as a gift, and I love how they turned out. It was super easy/inexpensive and I love giving a monogrammed gift- it's so personal! Anyway, this pin was the inspiration for the project.

So, here's what you will need:
4x4 tiles from Home Depot, Lowes, etc.
Card stock
SHARP exacto knife/razor blade
Sharpies (extra fine tip)
Clear spray paint
Felt 'feet'
tape

Step 1- Google the letters of the monogram you need. I needed R, M and A. I hope it was not just good luck that I found these letters in the same font in Google images with no problem... Anyway, after I found the letters, I just formatted them using MS PowerPoint. Knowing the size of the coasters (aka tiles) is 4x4, I just kind of eyeballed the size of the letters on the page to where I thought they were the right measurements.  It only took me 2 tries to get it right. I printed it on card stock to make it more sturdy.

(sorry I do NOT know how to take a good picture of a computer screen)

Step 2- cut out the letters. You'll definitely want to be precise, so that's why the razor blade needs to be good and sharp. Sidenote, sure ya'll know this, but don't cut on a surface that could be damaged. I used the top of a shoebox.

Some letters are weird. Like the R and the A. They have center parts that will have to be individually placed. You'll see what I mean later, but it's not hard to work around.

Step 3- I attached the felt tabs to the bottom before I did the tracing.

Then, I just eye-balled where the monogram should go. I wanted it to be pretty much centered. Then, I taped down the stencil and the middle parts of the R and the A.

 

Trace it.

It looks kind of rough at this point. But after you fill it in and even out the lines, it looks pretty good!

I hadn't planned on adding anything else, but was looking kind of unfinished. And this DIY that Jenny from the Little Green Notebook did popped into my head. So, I painted the edges.

And that ended up being the perfect touch.

The last step is to spray them with the clear coat. I used Rust-oleum outdoor clear to make sure it stands up to moisture well.

Stack them up, add some ribbon and you've got a great little gift!

Can't wait to give them away.... if you are reading this and these are your initials... surprise!

Pistachio Jewelry

One of my very best friends has a best friend who makes jewelry. And. I. love. it! Recently, I got the link to her Etsy shop and thought I would share the gorgeous-ness with you all.

Each piece is so unique and lovingly handmade... and the prices are incredible!

Confetti Confection Necklace

Shield-Sword Earrings

Flying Saucer Necklace

Trapeze Earrings

Gold Rutilated Quartz Necklace

Be sure to check out the rest of her shop here. I'm definitely going to keep these on my to give (and receive!) radar...

Happy Friday!

Gift Guide: for the guys

One of my sweet friends from Houston recently told me she needed some help with Christmas present ideas for her Hubs. I personally think that guys can be SO hard to shop for. But, I have seen some great gift ideas out there so I thought it might be a good idea to compile them here for easy access :)

The JCrew Gift Guide for Men is pretty much perfection. But my favorite pick off the list are the fleece lined lodge moccasins. I also love their cashmere scarf... maybe I could actually get my Hubs to wear this one bc it's so soft!

Moccasins.

Keeping in the footwear arena- it seems like my Hubs always needs new socks. This sock bouquet is a great way to jazz up a not so cool but totally necessary gift. 

Sock bouquet.

This is SUCH a cool new take on the classic Ray Ban Wayfarer. Seems a little James Bond/Mission Impossible. "Look! My sunglasses fold up!" Totally plays to the little boy in every man. Genius.

Ray Ban Folding Wayfarer

I got a new watch for Christmas (yes, I am a cheater and am already wearing it). When we were in the Fossil store the other day getting it sized, I saw some awesome gift ideas that I am filing away for future use.

This travel bag is stunning in person. I think it will wear really well over time and is pretty but manly at the same time. A win/win.

Fossil Alpine Duffle

 While we were in the store, this watch also caught my eye. Such amazing price point-- really can't beat it!

Fossil Men's Ansel Leather Watch

The Cavallini Vintage Map easel would be great on any desk.

Find it at PaperSource or Amazon.

Is my husband the only one who loves these things??? I owe him a new one because the little nugget Daisy ate his when she was a puppy.

Remote controlled helicopter.

Jack Black products are awesome. If he doesn't use this, you probably will!

Jack Black Gift Set

I think these whiskey stones are cool, but since I don't like whiskey, it's kind of hard for me to say. PS- the description for these things is just awful... is that really how companies market to guys? Horrifying. But a cool product nonetheless.

Whiskey Stones

 This is a fun gift for a guy who likes to grill.

Custom Monogram Branding Iron.

Keeping it with the monograms- golf club links.

Customized Golf Club links.

For the tail-gate lover/college guy...

Beer holster.

When it comes to buying for the Hubs, I also really like experience gifts. Hot air balloon ride? Fly fishing lesson? Couples massage? The sky is the limit! (hot air balloon ride... anyone? ha!)

Alright, ladies! That's the best I've got this year. If you are looking for more splurge-worthy items, check out the Mens Health Gift Guide. Red Envelope has a pretty good list going as well. And for clothes/accessories, JCrew's list is fab. Good luck!

PS- Did you check out my gift guide for design lovers? Be sure to see it in the new issue of Twenty Something Magazine!

Lastly, I just want to share what I think Christmas is really about: the birth of Jesus Christ! To celebrate His birth in a way that I think is more fitting than gifts or decorating your home with bows and sparkles, please consider donating your time, talent or treasure to a worthy cause! I like this one, this one and this one.

Word art

While perusing Pinterest the other day, I came across this tutorial, that shows how to make some very romantical (<-----Kardashian reference) word art in a heart shape.

I have always wanted to better my InDesign/Photoshop skillz, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet. But I really liked this idea, which uses Microsoft Word, and thought the Hubs deserved a mid-week present. So I gave it a go. The directions were super simple and easy to follow.

So I used the lyrics from the song we danced to at our wedding (awww!) and just printed it out on glossy computer paper....

Then I just put it in an empty frame I already had...

It's sweet, right? I def. get the "Thoughtful Wife" award this week. Now it just needs to find a home that isn't in the dining room chair.

Happy Hump Day!

xoxo, Emily