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Heather by Hand

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!

 

June 11, 2013 by
Felton, Friends, Heather by Hand

Outdoor spa day

Heather and I decided to kick off summer with a little outdoor spa day — which encompassed lunch, some mood music on the record player, herbal pedicures and strawberry oatmeal facials. Our friend, Loni, was able to join us, too! It was such a wonderful day of girl chat, snacking, soaking our toesies and laughing hysterically over the strawberry mush we put on our faces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{I love Loni’s camera poses}

 

 

Don’t think we’ll be doing the strawberry facial again though. Looks like drunken puke. hahahahaha I couldn’t breathe I was laughing so hard. I almost didn’t post this picture but thought we looked happy regardless so here it is. Thankfully it didn’t break us out! To tell you the truth, it may have actually benefited my skin.

Ingredients for our herbal pedicure:

 – rosemary
 – mint
 – lavender
 – sweat pea pedals
 – canola oil
 – hot water
Soak your toesies, rinse, dry and paint nails!
Ingredients for our strawberry facial:
 – handful of crushed strawberries
 – 1 tablespoon oatmeal
 – 1 teaspoon honey

Mix together, lather onto face and leave on for 5-10 minutes. Beware, it looks like puke on your face.

Summer is here in Central California and I’m SO excited!!!

June 5, 2013 by
Chicago, Heather by Hand, Lately, Mountain View

April flew

Where the heck did April go?! I can’t believe we’re already into May! April was such a flash – – first with my Mom’s visit – then to AE College in Chicago with Heather. We got to enjoy Chi-town for a few days with deep-dish pizza, dinner in Lincoln park and a visit to the bean. We survived the thunderstorms with a delayed flight and a smooth flight home {thankfully}. My iPhone 5 got in a car accident a couple weeks ago, and I lost all my other fun pictures from Chicago, or else you’d see more than just the below!

 

Rob surprised me with dinner and box tickets to Lady Antebellum in April. Felt great to go to a country concert again — I got my country dance on! BTW, Fiesta Del Mar in Mountain View is AMAZING. I highly recommend.

 

Rob joined a dodge ball team at work. I don’t have any action shots but here are some of the pre-game footage:

And when we weren’t swamped with work, we were spending our free time planning for Hawaii and getting our base tan on the beach. Yes, that is Rob swimming in the Pacific. The cold water somehow doesn’t phase him. Ha.

Happy May, friends!

May 7, 2013 by
Friends, Heather by Hand, San Francisco

Waking up in San Francisco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Heather and I headed to San Francisco this past weekend for a cheesy bus tour of the city, and drove up the night before to stay with her aunt & uncle – even drove down Lombard Street {they live a block away!}. Their house is the epitome of houses you only imagine exist in San Francisco. Views of the bay, multi-floor, hidden rooms and a wall of book shelves. Their home belongs in a movie. I woke up to a beautiful, blue morning. We made some coffee, watched some funny videos on You Tube {have you guys seen Kai?} and then hit up Pier 32 for monster breakfast sandwiches. It was so wonderful waking up in San Francisco:)

February 11, 2013 by
Calligraphy, Giving Joy, Heather by Hand

Engagement gift idea: Thrilled for you

Right now I know of 10 ladies who are engaged and planning for their wedding. A few I know more closely than others, so I’ve been in engagement gift giving mode, looking for something perfect for each bride. First on my list {trying to stay in order}, my friend Heather. I saw this bottle of wine from Swanson Vineyards up in Rutherford that would have been SO incredibly perfect, seeing that her nick name is “thrill madril”. Sadly, they’re not producing any more of this vintage. So, I stole the theme and put together a box of littles for my newly engaged friend to enjoy. Sort of my wedding version of a birch-box. And all for around $25 {the price for me has to be right, too – knowing I still have to come up with a bridal shower and wedding gift for the couple}. Did I mention I call Heather, “my little Heather”?

These black & white graphic boxes always tug at my heart strings. They’re so cute & clever. And they go with any room decor. So, I picked a lovey one for Heather’s wedding box.

At the Book Shop of Santa Cruz, they have a really fun sales section. I couldn’t resist the mini sparklers and cake-topper. Then I kept shopping around downtown and picked out a Lollia hand creme, a vintage handkerchief for future tears and some sustainable, “love” hair product samples to complete the box. Add the clever insert message and done!

I have more friends to shop for, and need to do it pretty quick so I stay within the “engagement” window, so more engagement gift ideas to come! {Calligraphy on the envelope by Found in the Central Coast}.

February 4, 2013 by