Gift of Gab...imagination

Could anything be better than hours and hours of entertainment using their fantastic imaginations? The "I'm not bored anymore" art jar is filled with funky art supplies like googly eyes, pom-poms, pipe cleaners, glue pens, construction paper, wavy craft scissors, wooden buttons, spools, beads, craft sticks and more. Just add imagination. Available here.

I hope not.

Gift of Gab...trashy gift

Recently the husband found both of these bottles at the beach while picking up trash. Can I admit that this time, I'm kind of glad someone threw their trash in the ocean?

Gift of Gab...how to be happy forever

I like the idea of putting a window box on the inside. Fill it with herbs or little plants to spread some forever happiness. By now you know the drill.....put the quote on the gift tag.

window boxes available here

I don't know where I first saw this amazing kitchen. I would like to give credit where credit is due, so if it was you or if you know where this image came from, do tell.

Gift of Gab....heartfelt cupcakes

With Valentine's Day, comes school parties. With school parties, comes class treats. When it comes to class treats, I'm always up for something simple that has great presentation. The flower cupcakes toppers we made for this birthday party, but I thought it would be easy to do something similar for Valentine's. I cut two hearts out of felt and glued a toothpick in between them. The cupcakes are store bought (Whole Foods makes the best 2 bite ones and they are the perfect size when you know there is going to be loads of other sweets). Then I simply dressed them up with confetti sprinkles and added the topper. For Valentine's, use only red confetti and sprinkles.

The writing on the wall

I've been thinking about handwriting a lot lately. I'm wondering if we spend so much time on the computers that we are losing the art of handwriting. I like how this person has been using a handwriting font in their blog. It really gives them a personal feel. I posted about fontifier a long time ago here, but I've been thinking about it so much again that I thought it worth another post. If you don't remember, you can go to their website and have a font of your own handwriting created for just $9. As I posted before, I really love this idea because of the endless possibilities. You could actually "write" your own thank you notes and invitations, preserve your child's handwriting, or use it on your blog to create that personal feel. Talk about a thoughtful inexpensive gift. Download the form and have them fill it out and then you take care of the rest.

*Update: Someone was nice enough to let me know that you can go here and do it for no cost at all. Okay, no excuse now! Thanks for the tip!

Gift of Gab...Dear Susan, thanks for being lazy.

No longer are lazy susans those weird little gizmos you see at Aunt Mildred's house. The lazy susan has evolved into a very useful piece of art and I for one am grateful. We have one sitting on our kitchen table at all times. It makes every meal so much easier. Gone are the meals of constantly hearing, "pass this or pass that". Last night for instance, we had bean burritos. The lazy susan held all the little bowls of fillings. With the holidays, gift of gab Monday had been put on the back burner. If you are new to us here, the gift of gab is a regular Monday feature that shows how to put a quote with a gift. By writing the quote on the gift tag, you tie together your gift with the thought. I love this quote and I am not surprised that it was Frank Lloyd Wright who said it. These lazy susans are just the right amount of artistic and practical to create that modern spin on an old fashioned favorite.

Lazy susans available here

The Gift of Gab

One of the traditions my kids count on for Christmas is peppermint ice cream that we make ourselves. It is extremely easy (can you see a pattern here) and everyone always wants to know what "brand" it is. Simply take some candy canes or peppermints. I use these, but you could get some good ones at a natural food store.

Put them in a double sealed bag and let the kids pound away at them. Maybe this part is why they love the tradition so much. You want the chunks to be pretty small. If the peppermints are really hard....and some of the good ones are.....just put them in the blender. Then add the peppermints to some vanilla ice cream. I put the ice cream in a big bowl to melt while the peppermints are being crushed so they are easy to mix together. After you have stirred them together, scoop the ice cream back into its original container and put it back into the freezer. We like to serve it in chocolate bowls like the one in the photo (just ignore the mousse). I have seen the bowls at specialty food stores or they are easy to make yourself with some chocolate and balloons. Find the instructions here. Sprinkle some extra peppermints on the top and around the plate for presentation. A delicious tradition if you ask me! What are some of your holiday traditions?

Gift of Gab

Lottery tickets aren't really thought of as gifts, but there is an excitement to them and a "what if" factor. Mix them up by doing some quick picks or numbers that are significant along with some scratch offs. Throw them in an interesting bowl or container and they are still left with something if there isn't a winner in the bunch. (If there is a winner, you might want to clarify the halfsies concept.) Today's quote made me think of our economy. Just put the quote on the gift tag and add....."I'm not counting on making my money in the stock market anymore...it's the lottery for me."

Scratch off tickets also make great party favors. You could have everyone grab one out of a bowl as they are leaving or you could have one at each place setting for a fun activity and conversation starter. Don't forget to have pennies handy.

Gift of Gab

I saw this when I was in Starbucks this weekend and it struck me as a nice gift when you need a little something. Instead of just getting a gift card, you can now buy a Gold membership that will keep giving for the whole year.....long after the gift card would have run out. Join Starbucks Gold for an annual membership fee of $25 and receive 10 percent off most purchases at Starbucks – from espresso beverages to espresso machines. In addition, when you register your Starbucks Gold Card, you are eligible to receive other exclusive benefits. I know there are lots of other addicts fanatics out there.

Gift of Gab

This morning's quote speaks very loudly to me. I have been at home for a week with my daughter. Sick of being sick are very familiar words. People have always put together care packages, but it is usually for the one who is sick. I was thinking that a care package would be a great gift for a parent who is at home with a sick child. Take it from me, it is almost impossible to get out of the house and pick up the things you need. Put this quote on the tag and fill a tote with all the get well essentials.........several cans of chicken noodle soup, crackers, several boxes of tissues (these run out quickly), oranges, ginger ale, and I would even throw in something just for mom. Several magazines or even a great book that you highly recommend along with some flowers would be a very nice touch.

our take everywhere, hold everything tote available here

Gift of Gab

Today's quote seems to be written with thank you notes in mind. Add to the tag, "it's always good to be prepared."

Thank you notes by sea. For more information inquire by email.

Gift of Gab

I was reminded of this quote recently on some one's blog. (If it was yours, let me know so I can give you credit) Use this quote for a birthday or anniversary. Pair it with the numbered glasses by Christopher Jagmin. Whether it's around the nightly dinner table or at a party, they make keeping track of your glass a whole lot easier.

Add to the quote: "It doesn't matter what number we're on....it's you that counts the most."

Gift of Gab

Today's gift of gab quote makes accessories personalized gifts. Whatever you select, just be sure it matches their personality....modern, vintage, traditional. If you need some help deciding, Yummi Glass is an amazing place to find yourself......I mean someone else.

Yummi Glass here

Gift of Gab

Since we can't seem to escape the news these days, I like today's quote.
Write the quote on the tag and add, "thanks for always seeing the cup as half full". If they are traditional, use china teacups. If they are more fond of modern or contemporary, find some clean lined white mugs. If they prefer a more artistic style, I found these porcelain ones on etsy. If you take it the extra step and match their style, you just made the gift relevant.

porcelain shell cups available here

Gift of Gab

I had never seen today's quote before. It came home on my daughter's school newsletter. When I read it, I went right thought it without a problem.....just like it says. I immediately thought it would be a really fun thing to write on a gift card and give with a pocket bilingual dictionary. Just add the words, "to help make things even easier to decipher." Perfect little gift for the couple about to honeymoon in another country or someone headed off on the vacation of their lives.

pocket dictionaries available here

Gift of Gab

Monday morning means it is time for a quote that inspires just the right gift. Cookbooks are gifts that can be given for a number of occasions.....wedding gifts, housewarming, birthdays. Just always be sure to select one that fits the recipient's personality and style. Obviously, if they are a vegetarian, don't select one that has a bunch of meat recipes. If they love to entertain, select a cocktails and appetizers cookbook. If they are new to cooking, an introductory cookbook would be appropriate. If they love desserts.....okay, you get it. The only thing I think every cookbook has to have is beautiful photography. I just don't understand cookbooks that don't have pictures.

recipe and cookbook available here

Gift of Gab

We all have things we say we would like to try. It might be painting, cooking, race car diving, or even sailing. Put today's gift of gab quote on the tag and include lessons to that elusive experience. There are several companies that offer memorable experiences. If you don't have something in mind, check out cloud 9 living, xperience days, or excitations. Be sure to bring a camera so the experience can be captured into a lasting memory.

Gift of Gab

It's Monday and that means it's time for the gift of gab. This is where a quote is featured that inspires a gift.
What I like about this, is that you can do this at any price point. Pick high end games like the ones pictured here for a good friend or go to your local toy store and pick out several classic board games. Tie them all together and it would make a fun housewarming gift for a family. Don't forget to write the quote on the gift tag. However you choose to to it, I'm betting this quote is pretty intuitive. Hmmmm....kind of makes you wonder that if people want to play games on a first date, the only games they should be playing are board games.

available here

available here

Gift of Gab

After a weekend of my kids accidentally raising their hands to speak, (you have to love school) I thought of this quote. This quote that is said so often in my house that if I had a nickel for all the times I said it, well.......let's just say, I would have a lot of nickels.

Write the quote on the gift tag along with, "Here's something I like to listen to" and give anything from an ipod to a favorite CD or two. It could even be tickets to a concert.

Have an abundantly productive Monday!

The Gift of Gab

Here it is Monday again already which means it is time for the gift of gab. Every Monday we feature a quote and then pair a gift with the quote. Inspiration for gifts can come from anywhere...quotes are just one of many ways to get inspired.


If I would have left off the author in that quote, everyone would have still known it was Dr. Seuss. His ability to create words and use his imagination in ways that no one can match has made me a life long fan. Dr. Seuss books are a great baby gift or even a young birthday gift. Tie a group of them together and put the quote on the tag. Be sure to sign the inside of the books and date them. You will have just given endless hours of entertainment.

Update: Welcome all Dr. Seuss lovers. Go here for a fun green eggs and ham post.