2010 Holiday Gift Guide for The Traveler on Your List

We know you've got lots of people to buy for this Christmas Season so we thought we'd throw a few ideas your way...today, we'll share ideas for The Traveler! For the person on your list who is always on the go we suggest these fabulous "Off We Go" Totes! They just look like they were made for a weekend in the mountains or trip to the cottage! Handles are the perfect length for carrying and the waterproof fabric is just the right detail for fashion AND function! We also love the whimsical luggage tag designs offered at http://www.shopconfetti.com/ by Just Exquisite! They would make great stocking stuffers. So many colors and fun designs to choose from, you'll find one for every personality! We also love the new terry Cosmetic Bags with the cupcake graphic or initial design. The large is perfect for packing all the weekend essentials and the small size is just the right thing to throw in your purse for a day full of fun! You can find each of these items at http://www.shopconfetti.com/ and are still available to order in time for Christmas delivery! HO HO HO!

Wishing you were here!

Since we last blogged...well, it's been a little overwhelming here! 2 computers crashed, 1 printer went out, 2 major main water lines broke, 3 floors damaged, 4 weeks of workmen, 2 completely new ceilings, countless new walls, brand new carpeting and tile. and paint, too! ..if you put this to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas, we have a new diddy to sing when we go caroling this year! Yes, construction at the holidays isn't pretty but we should have a new house by Christmas! Oh, I forgot that the kitchen is bubbled off so no cooking for this chick this week and my husband thinks he has has pink eye... I have to say my eyes were a little swollen shut this morning, too, I thought it was the dust or possibly the Sesame Chicken my daughter ordered last night (did you know I have a severe sesame allergy?) OOPS! The workmen just blew a fuse...gotta run! Thanks for listening (and not laughing at me like my mother did! just kidding, Mom)

Surviving the Tweens!

We love throwing parties: big parties, small parties, birthday parties, anniversary parties, christening parties, dinner parties, cocktail parties, you name it parties, but...Tween BOY Parties? What do you do with 10 to 12 tween boys for 3 hours? Ugh! We played out a double entendre with a SURVIVOR Party! Fun games for the boys and truly "survival" for the adults that were present! Tween boys are tough but this group enjoyed an afternoon of tough competitions and some slithery confections! We started with a tribal ritual of tattoos and body paint- while waiting for everyone to arrive the boys could "accessorize" for the afternoon! Once the guests had arrived the games began! We had several but you can never have too many, tween boys have the attention span of a flea! First up, Rifelry...yes, we let them play with guns, well...one gun, under the strict supervision of the Tribal Leader (DAD!) Each boy got 3 shots at 3 targets. What is it about boys and guns? They LOVED it! Next up was a blind folded competition about teamwork. The boys were divided into 2 teams and each team selected a "seeker". The "seeker" was blindfolded and then had to depend on his teammates to verbally direct him to 5 hidden frisbees in the yard. (The frisbees don't have to be hidden well, this is all about communication, which they are not good at at this age!) We did one last game...and yes, it was food related! We made vats and vats of chocolate pudding and served it up with some plastic bugs! The object of the game was to collect all of the bugs out of the pudding using ...yes, only your face! NO HANDS ALLOWED! Tween boys love gross stuff and they LOVED this game! Be sure to have a camera ready because the pics from this will be the best! After some cleaning up we had tribal council (opening presents) and a super creepy, slithery cake. Seriously, we bought the cake at Walmart and accessorized with some plastic critters from the toy section! The Birthday Boy loved it! An easy and fun party for those hard to please tween boys!

Sharing Sweet Treats!

There is a chill in the air and the leaves are beginning to change colors! Fall is here and that means the Holidays are just around the corner! During the Holiday Season many people share delicious goodies with family, friends and neighbors and we think that these personalized ink stamps are a creative way to create great packaging for those sweet treats! You can use the "From the Kitchen of..." stamper to make personalized labels, recipe and gift cards, even wrapping paper! They can be used year round, anytime you're delivering homemade goodies! (They even make store bought treats look festive and fun!)

Order yours at http://www.shopconfetti.com/

It's almost Fall Y'all!

Oh, yes...we did! We love monograms and we LOVE our monogrammed pumpkin idea! This way he can sit on your porch all Fall not just in October! We used a real pumpkin here but you can also buy one of those realistic looking ones at art supply stores and bring him out year after year!

The topiary spider, you ask? We made him! Plug a styrofoam ball with fake ivy branches and use black pipe cleaners for the legs!

To order the monogram decal and see more ideas for Fall, please visit http://www.shopconfetti.com/.

Oh, the places you'll go!

Oh, the places you'll go...and look great doing it with these fabulous luggage tags! We just adore them! So many whimsical and colorful designs to choose from! The perfect accessory for luggage, back packs, beach totes, sports bags, lunch boxes, diaper bags...on and on and on.

Check out all of the Just Exquisite designs by Exquisite Papers at http://www.shopconfetti.com/ !

We love the art of a handwritten letter!

We love the art of the handwritten letter and love the helpful hints in "How to Write a Charming Thank-You Note" in the September 2010 issue of Southern Living Magazine. We thought we'd share them with you.

1. Start with the date and salutation: Send your note, written in black in within a week of receiving a gift.

2. Say thanks right off the bat: Be specific about why you are writing the note. If you are thanking someone for a monetary gift, refer to their generosity, instead of mentioning the amount.

3. Compliment the kind gesture: Do not be afraid to go over the top - everyone loves an effusive compliment, as long as it is heartfelt.

4. Allude to the future: Anticipate another get together, or if you are writing about a gift, be sure to tell them how you plan to use it.

5. Finish with sincere regards: Reiterate your gratitude, then close the letter on an intimate note, signing your first and last name. Don't forget to proofread before you postmark!

From the September 2010 Southern Living Magazine