Stella & Dot {for little girls}

Last fall I was introduced to the fresh, new jewelry of Stella & Dot.  After clicking through a couple of items I was hooked on this fabulous line of necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.  I love that Stella & Dot offers affordable and stylish jewelry that ranges from bold to understated, and can be easily worn everyday even by a SAHM like me.

I am the happy owner of many Stella & Dot pieces and I was fortunate enough to get these little gems in the mail recently:

And of course my two daughters enjoy looking through my jewelry and 'helping' me choose what to wear each day.  Lucky for them Stella & Dot now has a line for little girls!  I am eying the two bracelets pictured above (Kristin Pearl and Little Dottie) and maybe the Mini Soiree in coral.  Once I decide I'm ordering a few extra for gifts (I'm thinking of all those classmate birthday parties that are sure to fill my fall calendar!).  At just $14 each they make a wonderful gift for a little girl - beautiful and sturdy enough to wear everyday (although they shouldn't be worn on the playgrounds or during art projects ;) ) and much nicer to compliment their outfits then dress-up jewelry.

Stella & Dot is sold through very knowledgeable stylists like my good friend Jo-Ann.  Visit her site and be struck by the beauty and affordability and the style of Stella & Dot!

Letter Banner

I have been obsessed with banners lately.  Remember my daughter's birthday banners?  Well they are now hanging in her room (and her sister's birthday banner from January is still in her room!).  Currently hanging over our fireplace is a beach ball banner spelling SUMMER! from Pumpkin Petunia. 

A few weeks ago I saw the Letter Banners made by Karina, Ink featured as a giveaway by mary elizabeth and fell in love.  Each letter is hand cut from beautiful coordinating cardstock and strung with ribbon or twine or raffia.  I think having a name (first or last) or an important/inspirational word banner would be so fun!  Great gift idea for the family that has it all.  Or to welcome a new baby.  Or a funky graduation gift.

Fortunately for all of us Karina, Ink has re-opened her Etsy shop and is now selling these beautiful letter banners.  Just $2.50 per letter with $4 shipping.

Disclaimer:  I featured these Letter Banners for a chance to win one myself.  Although I've wanted to featured them anyway after seeing them on the giveaway in May because I really do love them ... and I have thought about giving one to a new little bundle of happiness and now I can since the Etsy shop is open!

Eclipse!

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will be released next Wednesday!  Next Wednesday, yippee!!  Eclipse was my favorite of the four books.  I would love to see the movie but need to sucker someone to go with me ... I have seen the first two movies with my sister but she didn't finish Eclipse, boo!

If you have a Twilight fan on your gift list, or are a Twilight fan like me, here are some of my favorite Twilight inspired gift ideas.

Forks Washington t-shirt

from Cram's Etsy shop ($16.95, free shipping)

Pearls of Alice - Friendship Bracelet

from Rapunzels Gold's Etsy shop ($7.25 plus $2.99 shipping)

ECLIPSE inspired by La PUSH beach Sugar Scrub

from SugarSugarScrub's Etsy shop ($6 plus $2.50 shipping)

Fold Over Clutch with Wristlet (Inspired by Twilight Saga Book Covers)

from Boutique Bows and More's Etsy shop ($22 plus $4 shipping)

Twilight Inspired Party Cupcake Kit

from Skyler's Party's Etsy shop ($8 plus $3 shipping)

Melissa and Doug Sand Cupcake Set

A month or so ago I was shopping with friends and saw the Melissa and Doug Sand Cupcake Set.  I thought my girls would love it - sand and cupcake making sound like a perfect beach match.  But for some crazy reason I did not buy it.  And I've regretted that decision many times. 

Amazon came to my rescue!  It was delivered last week!  My girls have clocked hours playing with the cupcake set yet it hasn't touched a grain of sand!  Once we get it onto the beach I am sure they will have LOTS of cupcake making fun.

For around $14 this is a great gift idea.  I wish I had ordered more from Amazon (and ordered few weeks ago) so that we could have given these to a few of the birthday girls parties on our May/June calendar.

Rent Mother Nature

The last month or so has been a frenzy of activity - preparing for my daughter's birthday party, two or three birthday parties each weekend, and end-of-school activities.  Now I find myself in an unpredictable summer schedule with two little girls that want to cram everything 'summer' into each afternoon.  I think we've had the pool or sprinkler out every day!

With all the craziness I overlooked Father's Day gift ideas.  Until I received an email from Rent Mother Nature (remember my other post about Rent Mother Nature here?).  The email featured their Pistachio Lease which like all of the leases is really fun and yummy.  Receive 3 or 1.5 pounds of pistachios from an Arizona farm this fall.  While you are waiting for your shipment you'll receive three progress reports and one picture (if you opt for it) of your tree and the harvest.  Also, your recipient will receive a personalized lease document and folder describing the gift.

Rent Mother Nature offers you a chance to support small, family farmers while you give a truly unique and tasty gift.  And enter code 35FD3110 in the 'discount' field when placing your order to receive 10% off.

Want more Father's Day gift ideas?  Let a comment or email me.  I'd love to gather more ideas if you are interested!

Last Minute Teacher Gift

Are you scrambling for a last minute teacher gift?  [dandee] has your solution.  Download these adorable thank-you notes, print on cardstock, cut, pair with envelopes (from a craft store like Michaels or JoAnns) and wrap with a wide ribbon - you are done!

Too late for teacher gifts?  Don't miss out on a free download!  I think these would be perfect for summer camp teacher as well as the every patient teacher at swim lessons. 

I also think they would make great thank-yous from little ones for birthdays and such.