TTD DIY: personalized totes

I needed to come up with a cute party favor for Evie’s birthday and wanted to do personalized canvas totes for a while. I love how they turned out and think the little ones really liked getting to take them home last weekend.

These were incredibly easy and would be a perfect holiday gift for teachers, nieces/nephews and pretty much anybody. I plan on packing Evie’s tote with snacks, books and a few quiet toys to take to church with us. This toddler is tough to keep in the pew these days…

I purchased the canvas totes from Hobby Lobby for a couple dollars a piece. After printing out and tracing names onto the bags, I used puffy paint (hello 80s!) and filled the names in.

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Once dried, I used plaid fabric with iron-on backing attached to add the reindeer antlers above each name.

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Tie on a little personalized plaid-themed favor bag gift tag, and you are good to go!

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Plaid you came

I know. I tend to overdo it a bit (ahem, a lot) on birthdays, but it truly is fun for me to create and play. I know not all parents feel this way, but it is a way for me to flex my creative side.

This year was no different, and because I’m obsessed with plaid my son was given a pattern as a theme. Ha! I’m sure he’ll look back at these photos with a serious look of confusion. Screw Mickey, give me tartan!

I created some super cute paper invites to send out to family. Tip: this is how I keep the crazy to a minimum. There will be plenty of years where he’ll have friend parties. For now, just family for us.

IMG_2245[cute plaid party gear from Target, of course]IMG_2244IMG_2247
[plaid tree cookies by Confections by Kelly]IMG_2249[simple Hy-Vee cake + a homemade banner]IMG_2246IMG_2255[blowing out the candles before the song was over]IMG_2280IMG_2282[sisters in non-planned matching plaid]

Processed with VSCOcam with a6 preset[no pants = sign of a successful party]

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: stuff those stockings

GiftGuide2015_StuffThoseStockings

1 // Kiehl’s Essential Oils Roller Ball

2 // Target Threshold Wall Mount Bear Bottle Opener

3 // Forever21 Cassette Earphone Splitter

4 // Anthropologie Five-Year Memory Journal

5 // Wet N Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Stoplight Red

6 // Ban.Do The Getaway Luggage Tag, I’m Outta Here

7 // Good Beards Lost in the Woods Beard Oil

8 // W&P Design Carry On Cocktail Kit, Gin & Tonic

9 // Leif Shop Moroccan Rose Milk Bath

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: top 10 under $20

 

GiftGuide2015_TopTenUnderTwenty1 // Formula X Happy Hour set, $18

2 // Kate Spade Posy Court small heart dish, $20

3 // J. Crew Check Trouser socks, $16.50

4 // Whiskey Perfect U. ICE of A. Ice Cube Tray, $13.99

5 // Sugar Paper Los Angeles List Notepad, $14

6 // Lettermate Addressing Guide, $9.95

7 // Target Threshold set of 3 Copper Mixing Bowls, $19.99

8 // AEO Plaid Fringe Scarf, $19.99

9 // The Duo Studio State Lovin’ Metal Keychain, $16

10 // Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentrate, $16

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: home sweet home

GiftGuide2015_HomeSweetHome

1 // Crosley Polka Dot Cruiser Turntable

2 // Leif Shop Star Confetti Cutting Board

3 // Nespresso Evoluo Coffee & Espresso Maker

4 // Hobby Lobby Look Around Plaque

5 // West Elm Agate Bookend

6 // Target Smith & Hawken Round Decorative Basket with Chalkboard

7 // Williams-Sonoma Striped Dish Towels

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: little ones

GiftGuide2015_ForTheLittleOnes

1 // Kate Spade Layette Eat Cake For Breakfast Bib Set

2 // Bla Bla Kids Hold Me Tight Mustache Pillow

3 // Zing Toys Air Storm Z-tek Bow

4 // Plan Toys Preschool Alphabet A-Z

5 // Pottery Barn Kids Shaggy Head Sleeping Bag

6 // Land of Nod How Do You Zoo Hooded Towel

7 // H&M Knit Hat

8 // Hanna Andersson Swedish Slipper Moccasins

9 // Plan Toys Piggy Bank

10 // IKEA Latt Children’s Table & Chairs

11 // Target Kid Made Modern Double Point Crazy Crayons

 

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: for the gents

GiftGuide2015_ForTheGents

1 // Harry’s Winston Set

2 // Forever21 Mens Classic Crew Neck Sweatshirt

3 // Marmot Guides Down Vest

4 // Ebbets Field Flannels for J.Crew Brooklyn Bushwicks Ball Cap

5 // J.Crew The Pocket Dial by Jimmy Fallon

6 // Woolrich Wool Summit Pack

7 // Nike for J.Crew Killshot 2 Sneakers

 

 

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GIFT GUIDE 2015: for the ladies

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1 // Woolrich Felt Outback Hat

2 // Lands’ End Drifter Turtleneck Sweater

3 // Argento Vivo Oval Locket Necklace

4 // J.Crew Factory Plaid Tartan Skirt

5 // Cuyana Classic Leather Tote in Caramel

6 // Sam Edelman Petty in Leopard

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Fa la la la la

Most people might find this crazy and that’s fine, but I tend to start listening to holiday tunes way earlier than most. Like October early. Okay, sometimes September. Not only do I love it, but more importantly the mood it puts me in. I have such warm childhood (and adult) memories that come flooding back while listening, so why not start early.

Lucky for you, I’ve created a Spotify playlist with a few of my all-time faves to put you in the holiday spirit this season. Happy listening!

2015 holiday playlist

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Shop local this holiday season

The holiday season is upon us (less than a month until Christmas!) and I know I have only just made a dent in my list. You too?  Well, don’t fret because this weekend is the perfect time to hit up your local shops to buy Aunt Edna (ok, and maybe yourself) the perfect gift during Small Business Saturday.

Nestled in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this annual call for merry makers to shop small (and local) is perfect here in Des Moines. We have some amazing places at our fingertips and I don’t know about you, but I definitely love finding that special gift for the right person at a store only found in our hometown.

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eden: The perfect East Village store to find something for every one on your list. Men, women, little babes. Every. One.

Boxwoods Fine Furnishings: I can’t be trusted in this store. It speaks to my inner interior designer. I don’t know how I have walked out of there so many times without purchasing those black/white buffalo chairs…

Badowers: You want your dude to look good? Head here. You won’t be disappointed.

Ingersoll Wine & Spirits: Who says shopping local can’t include wine?! This is one of my favorite spots to snag a bottle of bubbly.

Hinge: This repurposed/vintage store is nestled in a grand house in Valley Junction. Expect to find one of a kind goodies with a rustic flare.

AllSpice Culinarium: In need of a gift fit for an inspiring chef or baker? Or a special something for a holiday party host/ess? AllSpice has got you covered.

Accents + Interiors: Located in a strip mall in Urbandale, this hidden gem is great for kitchen goodies, holiday items and even jewelry. My absolute favorite initial necklace (that I gifted myself last Christmas) is from here.

Pink Print Company: Calendars, stationery and personalized stamps – oh my!

Kitchen Collage: Colorful Le Creuset greets you as you enter and there are culinary goodies as far as the eye can see.

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