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Giving Joy

Giving Joy, Projects

Giving thanks

For Thanksgiving this year, I wrote little thank you’s to all the ladies I work with. When you spend so much of your life at work, it’s important to like who you work with. In my case, I get to spend it with some pretty awesome chicks. I couldn’t feel more blessed and thankful for knowing them. They’re all so talented and funny and thoughtful and driven. They inspire me every day. Especially my boss. I was feeling more sentimental than usual so I wrote them all a note of thanks for all they bring to my life. Here’s a funny picture of us all  – minus Loni {shhh – don’t tell them I posted this!}:

Do you have big plans for the holiday? We’ll be hosting another Friendsgiving here in the Cruz {we just “brined” our turkey!} — we’re definitely going for simplicity this year. I even opted to buy instead of bake pies this year. Plus, I can’t really pass up Costco’s organic pumpkin pie. It’s to-die-for. I wish you all a warm Thanksgiving, filled with love, good food & good company!

Giving Joy

Gift idea for newlyweds: a customized charcuterie board

My little Heather got married over Labor Day weekend and I wanted to send something fun and unique {don’t I always?!}. I found these AMAZING cutting boards on Etsy — and fell in love with the dark, walnut color. I picked a semi-large size and customized it with their initials. Add in a grocery store gift card for cheese and meat fixins, or a couple small serving utensils for their charcuterie board, with a note, and boom – DONE! ;)  Please no one else get engaged or married! I’m spent!

Giving Joy

A sexy gift idea for newlyweds

Sometimes I feel like the world’s biggest procrastinator. Especially on gifts lately, when I’m supposed to be so awesome at it. A friend of mine got married in the Caribeean last month, and knowing how fun she and her man are, I decided to put together a quirky, sexy gift for them. Starting with the 50 Shades of Chicken Cookbook. We have this cookbook {and yes, I’ve read the book}, and LOVE it. It’s so hilarious – and rather sensual – to walk through the instructions together. To handle the chicken, tie it up, etc. Plus, the recipes are DELICIOUS. Who knew a chicken was so easy to roast/bake?! I added a roll of cooking twine and something sexy and comfortable for each to wear while cooking, and plopped in all in a box. All I can do from California these days. .  . hope they enjoy!

Giving Joy

Gift idea for a Texan, destination bride

My sweet friend, Megan, got engaged a few months back (way back!), and is planning a Mexican Rivera, destination wedding. I was SO behind on picking her out an engagement gift, so I wanted to make sure it was EXTRA thoughtful. Knowing they’ll be flying to Mexico next May with lots of luggage, I decided on luggage tags! And let me tell you, I found the absolute CUTEST Mr. & Mrs. luggage tags on Etsy. Megan and her fiance live in Texas, which means I wanted something semi-western, semi-Texan, and semi-girly. As you can see, they’re perfect. Mesa Dreams lets you customize the suede lace and grommet color; I went for the teal . . very Megan! I love everything Mesa Dreams does. . . love! In the box to mail, I added two mini champagne bottles and two plastic champagne flutes with a little note of congratulations, and boom. Done. Hope you liked this one!

Giving Joy, Heather by Hand

Gift idea for a foodie: Home Made Summer

Miss Heather came across Yvette Van Boven’s Homemade Cookbook at the Bookshop of Santa Cruz, and thought it’d be the perfect gift for her Mom who loves to cook at home. Before she sent it off, we flipped through all the summer-themed recipes. AMAZING. I’m now in love with this woman! What a great gift idea, especially for a foodie friend! If you’re attending a summer birthday party, housewarming or wedding, consider this great “summer” themed gift. The recipes are seriously mouth-watering. If I’m ever in Amsterdam, I’m going to her restaurant!

 

And she also has a Homemade Winter edition. Look at that pear slice. I’m sold!