Etsy Finds- Wedding Gifts

With being a 20-something, going to friend's weddings is something that happens quite frequently. Its also a constant reminder that I'm still single. But thats a story for another time.

 

Even though registries are great and all, I enjoy finding gifts that reflect what the couple is. Things that other people might not have gotten them and that they might possibly use and enjoy.

 

So here we go. About 2 years ago, my friend Connie married this pretty awesome guy Todd. I know both of them from college and was really good friends with both of them when they started dating. In fact, Todd texted me to ask if he should actively pursue Connie. SO CUTE! Their first official date was at a coffee shop and, in addition to that, Todd always had a weird obsession with mustaches (before they were the hipster cool thing to put everywhere.) His sign in the game "Signs" was something related to a mustache. So what better gift to get them than Mr and Mrs coffee mugs?!  I know I'm creative and all when it comes to crafting but I thought I should leave this up to the professionals. In comes, Etsy.

 

These mugs came from the shop Timeless Creations, which apparently is no longer in business. But there are many different varieties of these mugs, these were just my favorites that I found.

 

More recently, my very good friend Rachel got married to a guy named Jake. I met Rachel through my work doing security for Sonshine music festival, and she met Jake working for a company called Camfel where they travel around giving presentations to schools. Now, I thought about getting them coffee mugs as well, because well, they like coffee. But after some investigating I thought it better to maybe step up my game. But I still went with a similar theme for their bridal shower gift.

 

 

Mr and Mrs Pilsner glasses from the shop Hummingbird Hill. Again, there are many shops that offer these, this was just the ones I liked best. I liked the font of these specific ones and the engraving.

 

Moving along... I mentioned that Rachel and Jake met traveling, and their first date was actually in Pennsylvania. But, Rachel is from Minnesota and Jake is from Florida. I'm actually pretty in love with the gift I got them for their wedding.

 

 

This is an 8x10 personalized print. (I still have to frame it) You have the opportunity to obviously choose the cities and states, the background color and add text if you'd like. The owner of the shop is also AMAZING to work with. She sends you proofs before they print and if you don't like it, you can change aspects of the print. The shop this comes from is Near and Dear Designs.

 

So there's some of my favorite wedding gifts I've gotten people. Like I said, I think its so much more fun to do these things than getting them a toaster from their registry.

 

What are you favorite gifts to give at weddings?

 

Until Next Time,

XOXO

Belle

 

 

Music Monday: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- White Walls

I've wanted to post this song for a couple of weeks, but, I had other songs lined up before I found out they were releasing this video. The song wasn't supposed to be released until October 8, 2013. Obviously that isn't the case. 

"White Walls" is the 6th single off of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' album "The Heist." The video was released September 9th, 2013, so almost a month before it was allegedly supposed to hit mainstream radio. However, I've already heard it on some radio stations. 

The song, if you haven't caught on, is about a Cadillac. 

We all know that he can be serious and influential with a lot of his songs, but then he's got others like "White Walls" that bring a new sense of humor to hip hip music. I'm also a big fan of how Ryan Lewis mixes songs and the progression of the music within a single song. 

Anyway, I'm rambling. If you haven't heard this yet, take a listen. 

Until next time,
XOXO
Belle

Music Monday: Coldplay- Atlas

Coldplay is a British rock band formed in 1996 by lead singer Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland while they were at University College London. Their band name has changed multiple times until finally going by Coldplay in 1998.
They've had much success and have won many awards for their music.

Coldplay released their most recent single "Atlas" on September 6th, 2013. "Atlas" will be featured on the upcoming "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" soundtrack.

Check the lyric video out.



Until next time,
XOXO
Belle

Anchor Wall Art

Considering I'm moving into a new place soon. I've decided to do a nautical theme (yeah I know, real original). But I don't want it to look like a beach house at all. 

Anywho, anchors have become a pretty big deal lately.  Crafts Direct's inspired me by posting this to their Pinterest. 

Here's the link to their project sheet: http://craftsdirect.com/project/anchor-canvas

I obviously knew they had the vinyl there. So I picked that up in addition to a canvas and some grey and blue paint. 

Also, I decided to get chevron painter's tape, which I picked up at Menards. 

My first step was to paint the canvas grey. 

I let that dry, and put the tape on. 

Then, I painted over the exposed. (Totally messy, I know)

Peeled off the tape....

Looking pretty awesome, right?

And then applied the vinyl.

And.....

Voila!!!!

I apologize for the mess around the pictures, its been kinda crazy around here! 

Anyway, I'm not going to lie, I'm a pretty big fan my new wall art!!! 

Until next time, 

XOXO

Belle

Music Monday: Capital Cities- Kangaroo Court

The duo Capital Cities, which actually met via Craigslist, hails from Los Angeles, CA. Their debut album, "In a Tidal Wave of Mystery" was released June 4, 2013 underneath Capitol Records. They are most known for their single "Safe and Sound".

In addition to "Safe and Sound", "Kangaroo Court" was initially released off their self titled EP over a year ago.

The video however, was just released September 5th, 2013. And it features one of my favorite people, Darren Criss.


Take a Listen.


Until next time,
XOXO
Belle

A Saturday of thrifty finds.

My brother recently had surgery (due to a football injury) so my mom and I graciously made some freezer meals for him and met him and his girlfriend for lunch. On the way back home however, we saw excuses to stop and spend money, little money, at garage sales.

Now my grandmother trained me from a young age to shop thrifty. Not saying that I get all my clothes at Savers or anything, but I like stopping places to see what I "need" or just to find other odds and ends to be crafty with.

The main purpose of stopping today was to find some furniture for my new apartment. No such luck. I did however find some other neat things.

This super cute clutch was only 85 cents at a garage sale! I don't think the pictures does it justice, but its black with gold lace. In love!

 *picture no longer available*

My  next purchase comes from Goodwill, so I spent around $4 for this dark purple clutch. I liked the pop of color and its attached wrist strap. Its Target brand and snaps as well as zips close for added security. 

*picture no longer available*

And then this guy! $10 at a garage sale, barely used! I love that the straps unzip for use as a backpack. My camera bag that I have now is more of a cross body bag and can get very uncomfortable. This one has ample space and pockets for all my camera accessories.

*picture no longer available*

I couldn't forget about Miss Ellie, she got a bunch of stuffed animals to chew on and tear apart for 25 cents

>I also had my eye on some N*SYNC CDs, but one was missing from the case, and the other was scratched to high heaven. BUMMER!!

I'd say it was a pretty productive day. Well, except the part where I spent money instead of studying. I still have another day in the weekend, right?

Until next time, 

XOXO

Belle

Glee's Return

If you don't know, I'm kind of obsessed with Glee. Its one of the few shows I've watched from the very beginning. Even so, it is starting to get to that point where I roll my eyes and yell at the television sometimes with the way the storyline has been going. I think I solely watch it now to see Darren Criss every week. *swoon*

Here's Darren himself doing a short promo for the first episode of Season 5:

And just released.... the official Season 5 trailer!

So its Beatlemania! I'm actually surprised they haven't tackled this yet on the show. I'm excited and interested to see what the writers will do with this season based on the fact they didn't end it at the end of the school year but right after regionals. Not to mention, the unfortunate passing of Cory Monteith.  

What are your thoughts? Are you a Gleek?

Until next time, 

XOXO

Belle

Music Monday: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis- Same Love

Can I just tell you to go listen to every song this duo has made?

I never thought I would enjoy rap music, but Mr. Ben Haggerty, aka Macklemore, can change anyone's view. He doesn't rap about drugs and sex and booze like many rappers of today do. He has fun; rapping about thrift shops and dressing up like a makeshift royal, wanting to dance all night and have a really really really good time. With the guy's undeniable charisma he's pure gold using these songs as a gateway to others that tackle issues like consumerism, human rights, and his personal struggles with sobriety.

I think for today I'll be choosing "Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Even though the song is the 4th single from the platinum album, "The Heist", the video was released after the 5th single "Thrift Shop" and previous to the 3rd single "Can't Hold Us," almost a year ago. (The 1st and 2nd singles were "My Oh My" and "Wings," respectively, if you're keeping track) "Same Love" recently won a MTV award for "Best Video with a Message" and has gained much media attention because of the issues it references. Not to mention it give me goose bumps every single time I hear it.

Take a Listen. And while you're at it, just go buy his music. Support the independent artist. And support one of the biggest voices of our generation, not to mention one the artists with the most integrity I've seen in a while. Did I mention he donates proceeds for some of his songs to charity? Yeah, purposeful music. 

Until next time,
XOXO
Belle